Role of Digital Libraries in E-learning

The use of sophisticated technologies such as computer and tele-communication are bringing classroom to the home and opening access to education for those who never entered or are unable to enter the portals of University. E-learning is an integrated and continuous approach to build knowledge skills of competitive through web enabled technologies. The digital libraries have got a significant role to play to assist effective e-learning process. Effective learning is having advantages in delivering the right content to the right person at the right time. The paper discusses need and importance of e- learning and the role of digital libraries in E-learning process

Maanasa: An early individualized remedial educational intervention model for scholastic backwardness among upper primary students

Background: Scholastic backwardness is called as the learning achievement which is below the expected for a given age, cognitive skills, and schooling. Early identification and remedial measures are to be initiated at school level to control its lifelong impact. Objective: The objective of this study is to evolve an early individualized, remedial educational intervention model for the scholastic backwardness among upper primary students at the school level by the resource teachers. Materials and Methods: Whole upper primary students of the four government schools of the South Maararikkulam Grama Panchayath constituted the study population. The scholastic backwardness among them was identified and referred to specially trained resource teachers who were appointed in the schools under Maanasa project. They were graded as mild, moderate and severe category based on the level of scholastic backwardness. Children were given 1 academic year of individualized educational intervention along with inclusive education. Apart from these interventions, families of the identified students were given psychosocial interventions to create a learningfriendly atmosphere in their families. Learning skills of the scholastically backward students were re-assessed at the end of academicyear. Results: Out of total 629 students, 147 had scholastic backwardness (23.7%). Among these, 68 had mild, 60 moderate, and 19 had severe scholastic backwardness on reading skill grading. Psychosocial problems including alcoholism, domestic violence, quarrelsome events, and abandoned family were noticed among 48.7% of the parents of scholastically backward students. Reassessment at the end of academic year showed improvement of scholastic skill among 52.38% of the students. Conclusion: The present study proves that scholastic backwardness can be successfully approached and intervened at school level itself by impartingindividualized educational interventions by trained resource teachers. The parents should be taken into confidence for successful intervention

Students’ perspective of a competent medical teacher: A qualitative study

Background: Current experience shows that at the end of the medical education process, there is relative lack of knowledge, skills, communication, and attitude which are necessary for an effective young doctor. It is the gap in medical teaching. Competency of medical teacher plays an important role in transforming the young medical student into an efficient young doctor to meet this gap. Objectives: To formulate the students’ perspective of a competent medical teacher. Materials and Methods: Qualitative descriptive study was conducted using focus group discussions. The study participants were consented medical students. Results: The transcribed text data were subjected to conventional content analysis and identified 278 meaning units. These codes were categorized and eight themes were generated regarding the students’ perspective of a competent medical teacher. They are good communication skill, adequate knowledge, attitude to demonstrate, concern for students, teaching skill, professional development, personal qualities, and interpersonal skill. Conclusion: The findings of this study can be discussed in teachers training activities under medical education units which may help to bring out attitudinal change and skill development among the medical teachers

Salmonella-related mycotic aneurysm: a rare but fatal condition

Salmonella species commonly causes gastrointestinal infection in humans. Occasionally they lead to serious complications such as mycotic aneurysms which are rare but potentially fatal. Mortality is high without timely intervention. The clinical presentation is variable and early diagnosis requires a high degree of clinical alertness. Here, we reported a case of mycotic aneurysm secondary to Salmonella enteritidis infection. The case highlights the need to evaluate all elderly patients with non-typhoid Salmonella bacteremia for possible endovascular infections

Tubal re-anastomoses through a mini-laparotomy incision

To assess the feasibility and reproducibility of tubal anastomosis through a mini-laparotomy incision. Study design is descriptive case study at Academic Medical Center. Sixteen patients with previous tubal sterilization requesting for tubal re-anastomosis. Systematization of the operative steps for tubal re-anastomosis using a mini-laparotomy incision. Primary outcome measures were feasibility and reproducibility; secondary measures were tubal patency, operative time, complications, and ergonomic qualities. The 31 tubes were successfully re-anastomosed and patency was confirmed. The mean surgical time was 15 minutes per tube. Tubal re-anastomosis after tubal sterilization can be performed through a mini-laparotomy incision. Systematization of the operative steps allowed the performance of the operation at speed. More extensive series and follow-ups are needed to assess post-operative pregnancy rates.

Evaluation of sanguineous and crystalloid cardioplegic solutions during total heart-lung bypass in dogs

Twenty-four mongrel dogs were subjected to sanguineous and crystalloid cardioplegia for a period of thirty minutes at 20°C and 25°C systemic hypothermia during cardiopulmonary bypass. Cardioplegic solutions were administered at 4°C to induce cardioplegia. Physiological functions of the myocardium revealed that the cardiac function returned to normal sinus rhythm without any loss when blood cardioplegic solution was used at both hypothermic temperatures. The time taken for cardioplegia and cardiac electrical quiescence was achieved earlier at 20°C. Animals in sanguineous cardioplegic group revealed better functional return and revival of cardiac musculature in terms of lesser applications of defibrillator, lesser requirement of inotropic support and early cardiac contraction. This study revealed that sanguineous cardioplegic solution at a systemic temperature of 20°C was found to afford better myocardial protection during an arrest period of 30 minutes

Spiral Magnets as Gapless Mott Insulators

In the large $U$ limit, the ground state of the half-filled, nearest-neighbor Hubbard model on the triangular lattice is the three-sublattice antiferromagnet. In sharp contrast with the square-lattice case, where transverse spin-waves and charge excitations remain decoupled to all orders in $t/U$, it is shown that beyond leading order in $t/U$ the three Goldstone modes on the triangular lattice are a linear combination of spin and charge. This leads to non-vanishing conductivity at any finite frequency, even though the magnet remains insulating at zero frequency. More generally, non-collinear spin order should lead to such gapless insulating behavior.Comment: 10 pages, REVTEX 3.0, 3 uuencoded postscript figures, CRPS-94-0

Prevalence of Osteoporosis and Proxy Clinical Indicators of Osteoporosis in Patients on Long Term Risperidone.

Introduction: Schizophrenia is a chronic and disabling mental disorder associated with abnormalities Of brain structure and function (Lewis & Lieberman, 2000). It is characterized by the Presence of delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech and behaviour, with Significant impairment in social or occupational functioning (DSM IV, 1994). More Than 29 million people suffer from schizophrenia across the globe, of which 20 million Live in developing or least developed countries (WHO, 1998). The diagnosis of Schizophrenia is based on the patient's self-reported experiences and observed behavior As at present there is no laboratory test available for the diagnosis of schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is a treatable disorder with the treatment being more effective in its Initial stage of illness. (WHO Mental Health Report, 1996). The first-line treatment for Schizophrenia is typical or atypical antipsychotic medications and these can Significantly alleviate the positive symptoms of psychosis. The second Generation/atypical antipsychotics were developed with the hope that they would lead To improve the outcome for individual with schizophrenia in part by reducing both Negative symptoms and the burden of extrapyramidal side effects. Although advantage For clozapine has been shown in many studies, it remains unclear whether the other Second generation drugs have significant advantages in effectiveness and side effect Profile over first generation neuroleptics medication when prescribed in appropriate Doses. The meta-analysis by Davis et al 2003 and by Leucht et al, 2003 supported the Advantage of second generation antipsychotic medications in its short term efficacy and Relapse prevention. A meta-analysis by Geddes et al 2000 showed a modest advantage For second generation antipsychotcs in efficacy and extrapyramidal side effects as Compared to typical antipsychotic drugs. However according to the exhaustive reviews Conducted by the Schizophrenia Patient Outcome Research Team (PORT) 2003 and Multi-centric trials CATIE (Clinical Antipsychotic Trial Intervention Effectiveness) Funded by NIMH, have concluded there is no significant difference between newer Agents as compared to the conventional agents, as far as effectiveness is concerned. The Authors conclude that atypical antipsychotics are as effective as the conventional Antipsychotics in the treatment of positive psychotic symptoms (Stein D. Et al. 2005). However there is some evidence of superiority in the treatment of negative symptoms, Mood symptoms, cognitive symptoms and enhanced quality of life by improving Tolerability and adherence. Thus taken together, there is evidence to support the use of Atypical antipsychotics (excluding Clozapine) as first line treatment agent for Schizophrenia. While prescribing atypical antipsychotic medication as first line, Clinicians need to be aware of and screen for newer antipsychotic induced adverse Effects like weight gain, dyslipedemia, and impaired glucose tolerance Hyperprolactinemia and to develop modules to intervene for these conditions. The antipsychotic drugs induced hyperprolactinemia and related morbidity is a Neglected area in clinical practice as well as in research. This secondary Hyperprolactinemia may lead to menstrual delay in females, disturbed sexual Functioning in males and may cause reduced bone mineral density. (Sauer and Howard, 2002). Clozapine, Quetiapine and Olanzapine are usually not associated with persistent Hyperprolactinemia but may cause transient and mild prolactin elevation. In contrast, Risperidone and Amisulpride cause a marked and sustained increase in serum prolactin Levels. In many studies, Risperidone, a widely prescribed atypical antipsychotic is Known to show high propensity to cause hyperprolactinemia compared to typical and Other atypical antipsychotic medications. Risperidone is an atypical antipsychotic, widely available, relatively inexpensive and Extensively used in India. Hyperprolactinemia with antipsychotic medicines can influence bone mineral density. The studies which identified the reduced BMD in patients treated with antipsychotics Are preliminary and suffer from small sample sizes and other methodological Shortcomings (Haddad et al., 2003). However, they are of concern and need to be Studied in people on psychotropic medication. In this context the current study will estimate the prevalence of deficient bone mineral Density and sexual dysfunction in a homogenous group of patients on long-term Risperidone treatment and estimate the correlation between them. As the relationship Between antipsychotic use and its effect on BMD is complex, the correct interpretation Of relation between Risperidone and BMD needs measurement of 25hydroxy vitamin-D Levels, serum calcium, serum albumin, creatinine, serum prolactin and alkaline Phosphates