Towards a more inclusive traditional curriculum : workshops in the performing arts as a tool for education

In the traditional curriculum methods of instruction consist of textbook and lecture centered approaches to teaching and learning. This research studies the effects of workshops in the performing arts as an effective tool for a more inclusive traditional curriculum. Furthermore, it studies the possibility of using this method as a possible complement to the drug Ritalin for children suffering from attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD). Specifically, data from two focus groups, one composed of Indian classical dance teachers and the other of volunteers working with children suffering from ADD/ADHD is analyzed. Also, a detailed outline of a workshop in Indian classical dance is provided for an increased understanding of the positive outcomes resulting from employing this method of instruction in the classroom. The study concludes with a look at the potential of performing arts other than dance, as well as with a summary of possible topics for future research

Diagnosis of Indian Visceral Leishmaniasis by Nucleic Acid Detection Using PCR

Background: PCR based diagnosis for Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL), despite numerous published primers, remains far from being applied in the field. The present study was planned to design a Leishmania specific diagnostic assay and to evaluate its sensitivity and specificity on a sample size, which to the best of our knowledge is the largest ever screened in one study. Methods: Leishmania specific primers were developed using 18S rRNA gene and their sensitivity was evaluated on 500 parasitologically confirmed patients with VL and 25 Post Kala-azar Dermal Leishmaniasis (PKDL) patients. Specificity was calculated on 250 healthy endemic controls, 250 healthy non endemic controls and 250 non leishmanial diseases like malaria. Results: Our PCR assay had a sensitivity of 87.8 % (95%CI: 84.1–89.8) using 200 mL of patient’s peripheral-blood. Specificity was absolute in non-endemic healthy controls and in subjects with different diseases while in endemic controls it was 84% (95%CI: 78.9–88.0). Its overall specificity was 94.6 % (95%CI-92.8–96.1). Conclusions: The PCR assay developed is sensitive enough to detect the 18S rRNA gene in an amount equivalent to a single parasite or less in a one million human cell environment. The high sensitivity of this PCR diagnostic test with relatively noninvasive peripheral blood sampling method opens up the possibility of its deployment in field for the routine diagnosis o

A Dataset and Baseline Approach for Identifying Usage States from Non-Intrusive Power Sensing With MiDAS IoT-based Sensors

The state identification problem seeks to identify power usage patterns of any system, like buildings or factories, of interest. In this challenge paper, we make power usage dataset available from 8 institutions in manufacturing, education and medical institutions from the US and India, and an initial un-supervised machine learning based solution as a baseline for the community to accelerate research in this area.Comment: 6 pages, power dat

A Critical Analysis of Fraud Cases on the Internet

We lived in the era of technology, where online websites have made communication and interaction much easier than the early decade. The modern world is changing so quickly, and emerging new trends simplify our lives, but on the other hand, it will also create risks. A website acts as a more admired platform by the user to access the different web applications. Because of the functions of the website, all the data on the website is available in the proper structure, which makes the working environment much convenient and efficient. The websites may undoubtedly be a precious resource for young people, but it may also cause severe problems. It is really easy to build a fake website that looks like an original website where hackers like to deceive consumers and businesses for their own benefits. In this paper, researchers have examined online fraud cases through web applications and how fraudulent websites affect financial loss. Researchers also highlighted the current situation regarding the usage of online services, as well as the threats that have an impact on users. In addition, researchers have suggested that new laws and regulations will be implemented for preventing cybercrime

5-Fu inclusion complex capped gold nanoparticles for breast cancer therapy

We have attempted to prolong the circulation time and increase the solubility of 5-Fluorouracil by complexing it with cyclodextrin and then further conjugating onto the gold nanoparticle to form 5Fu ICAu. The 1H NMR and molecular docking studies suggested that 5-Fu was included within the 2HP-β-CD cavity and H-5 proton probably serves as the binding site for stabilization of the inclusion complex. The 5Fu-ICAu showed higher cell inhibition rate when studied on MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines due to the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect by allowing the selective accumulation of nanoparticles at tumor site. This unique system can serve as a novel nanocarrier for delivery of hydrophobic drugs

Kinetic and mechanistic studies of oxidation of chloramphenicol by sodium metaperiodate using Rh(III)-chloride as homogeneous catalyst

The kinetics of oxidation of an antibiotic drug, chloramphenical(CHP) by NaIO4 in the presence of Rh(III) catalyst has been investigated in alkaline medium at 350C. The reaction shows first order kinetics with respect to [IO4-] and [Rh(III)]. The fractional positive order kinetics in [OH-] and [CHP] throughout their variations were observed. It was found that ionic strength and dielectric constant of the medium had no effects on the rate of reactions. There is no effect of [Cl-] in presence of Rh(III) chloride. The values of rate constants observed at four different temperatures were utilized to calculate various activation parameters. The species [IO4-] and [RhCl3(H2O)2OH]- are assumed as the reactive species of NaIO4 and Rh(III) respectively in alkaline medium. On the basis of kinetic results, spectroscopic information and activation parameters, a suitable mechanism and rate law for the oxidation of CHP has been proposed

The Cost of Universal Health Care in India: A Model Based Estimate

Introduction: As high out-of-pocket healthcare expenses pose heavy financial burden on the families, Government of India is considering a variety of financing and delivery options to universalize health care services. Hence, an estimate of the cost of delivering universal health care services is needed. Methods: We developed a model to estimate recurrent and annual costs for providing health services through a mix of public and private providers in Chandigarh located in northern India. Necessary health services required to deliver goo