A comparative assessment of Non-destructive and destructive methods for precise volume estimation of mango (Mangifera indica) trees

Terrestrial carbon sequestration is a natural process towards carbon mitigation in which perennial trees play a vital role. Total biomass of the tree can be measured by a destructive and Non-destructive method. Since tree felling is ban in India, Non-destructive measurements by allometric equations have been widely used for the estimation of tree biomass, which is derived from the destructive method. The present study focused on estimating mango (Mangifera indica) wood logs volume both by destructive and Non-destructive methods in ICAR-Central Institute of Subtropical Horticulture, Lucknow. In Non-destructive method, all required physical parameters were recorded from different positions and further calculated by T2: log formula = ?h (r12+r22+r1 r2)/3; T3: cylindrical shape formula = ?r2h with mean value and T4: cylindrical shape formula = ?r2h with maximum value. The calculated volume of mango wood logs was compared with the obtained volume by T1:Water displacement method. ANOVA was used to compare volume generated from several methods. The results showed that average volume obtained by T2 and T3 methods was found less than the T1 method, which was 13.69 % and 12.95 %, respectively. The volume obtained by T4 was found close to the T1. The study minimized the error while estimating the biomass of mango trees with the essential parameter, the wood volume.  Calculating the volume of major branches in the mango tree will make it easier to calculate accurate AGB by a Non-destructive method. The estimated AGB will be helpful to calculate the amount of sequestered carbon and contribution toward mitigating atmospheric carbon dioxide by mango cultivated areas

Workplace based assessment: Tools to assess competencies in a clinical setting

The apprenticeship model has been used for long in surgical training. It initially provides opportunity to the trainee to observe the attending surgeon, followed by gradual introduction to surgical technique under direct supervision and later with detached supervision. The attending provides informal feedback at different intervals to the trainee. Several changes have been made in postgraduate programmes with a shift towards using workplace-based assessment tools for formative and summative evaluation of the trainee\u27s clinical skills

Problems in Physician-Patient Communication: What do our Students See and Hear? A Qualitative Study with a Pragmatic Approach

Background: Efficient communication with patients is an indispensable necessity for physicians of the 21st century. Over the past decades, much work has been done nationally and internationally to instill this essential skill in undergraduate students and medical graduates are now formally trained to become better communicators. However, deficiencies persist and medical students of today still observe various issues when they observe physician-patient communication interactions in their training.Objective: To understand perceptions of undergraduate medical students about the difficulties in Physician-Patient communication (PPC) & take suggestions on how to overcome them.Methods: A qualitative study design was employed, with data collection through three focus group discussions with medical students studying in Wah medical college, Pakistan in October 2019. Thematic data analysis was done using Atlas-ti 8 software. A pragmatic approach was used to understand student perceptions about difficulties in PPC.Results: After open and selective coding of data, six major themes were identified. Five of these were in relation to students' perceptions about major difficulties with PPC. These included gap between teaching & practice; doctor patient ratio; lack of counselling; lack of empathy and no informational care. The last theme, Effective teaching of behavioral sciences was related to student suggestions for overcoming problems in PPC.Conclusion: The various issues regarding the problems in physician patient communication portray a realistic picture of our current communication practices. Various factors have been identified in this study and, the most practical solution to these problems lies in the effective teaching of behavioral sciences

Identifying the factors affecting individuals’ trust to use social media for e-government services: a conceptual model

Trust is an important determinant towards individuals’ acceptance to use social media for e-government services. However, despite of its growing importance there is a dearth of prior research to investigate the antecedents that can develop individuals’ trust for the usage of social media as a technology platform for e-government services. To address this gap, this paper aims to identify those factors that can affect individuals trust in using social media for e-government services. This paper proposes a new model that identifies trust enabling factors to use government social media services from multiple perspectives which are: individual characteristics, government factors, risk factors and social media characteristics. The findings of this paper can be useful for government organizations in assisting them to develop appropriate strategies for enhancing citizens trust towards such services

Evaluation of nephrotoxic potential of iyengaria stellata

ABSTRACT The development of renal injury by use of xenobiotics is very prevalent. Iyengaria stellata (Børgesen) is a brown sea weed belongs to the class Phaeophyceae and family Scytosiphonaceae and its effects on renal function has been determined after 30 days once daily dosing to rabbits and the level of urea and creatinine was measured which showed increased level of urea after prolonged administration of Iyengaria stellata however this increase is insignificant and decrease in creatinine level after 30day ingestion of Iyengaria stellata, lead to the conclusion that Iyengaria stellata has nephroprotective effect

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: Clinical Correlation with Biochemical Status

ABSTRACT Objective: To find out the correlation between various biochemical and clinical features of polycystic ovarian syndrome and to determine the best hormonal marker for the same. Material and Methods: The study included 100 patients of polycystic ovary syndrome (50 married & 50 unmarried) and a control group comprising of 50 women (25 married & 25 unmarried) in the age group of 18 -30 years. The pregnant females and those having hyperandrogenism due to any other endocrine disorders were excluded. Results: Mean age was 27.66 years in the married study group and 25.46 years in the unmarried study group. About 71% of patients had oligomenorrhea. It significantly correlated with raised LH:FSH ratio and raised total testosterone levels. Body mass index was raised (>25 kg/m 2 ) in 66.7% married and 72.66% unmarried patients in study group and in 22% in control group. 95% of the patients in the study group and 4% in the control group were detected to have polycystic ovaries on ultrasonography. 62% of the patients had raised LH levels; total testosterone was elevated in 57.7%. The LH:FSH ratio was raised in 41% in study group patients more in the unmarried group 56% than in married group 26%. 20% of patients in the control group had an elevated LH:FSH ratio. Total testosterone level was elevated in 60% of our patients. None of the patient in the control group had elevated testosterone levels. About 31% of the patients in study group were hirsute. Conclusion: Hormonal values correlate well with polycystic ovarian syndrome and serum total testosterone served as the best hormonal marker for such patients

Effects of Heliotropium strigosum and Trapa bicornis in hyperactive gut disorders

The current study was aimed to investigate the extracts from Heliotropium strigosum and Trapa bicornis phytochemically for various constituents and pharmacologically for gastro-intestinal disorders. Phytochemical analysis indicated the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides and tannins in both the extracts. In castor oil-induced diarrhea, H. strigosum and T. bicornis, at 100-1000 mg/kg dose provided protection of 10-83% and 14-76% respectively. In isolated rabbit jejunum preparations, T. bicornis (0.01-5 mg/mL) relaxed the spontaneous and K+ (80 mM)-induced contractions with EC50 values of 1.2 mg/mL and 2.6 mg/mL respectively, suggesting that spasmolytic effect was possibly mediated through calcium channel blockade. This was further authenticated when pretreatment of tissues with T. bicornis (1-5 mg/mL) caused rightward shift of Ca++ concentrationresponse curves, similar to verapamil. In acute toxicity test, both extracts were safe up to 10 g/kg dose. These results indicated the usefulness of H. strigosum and T. bicornis in the treatment of hyperactive gut disorders

Paediatric respiratory isolation: A challenge for a secondary care hospital! A service innovation project

Objective: The aim of this project was to broaden the secondary care hospital\u27s scope of services and provide safe, effective and quality care for the patient presenting with measles.Methods: Six Sigma DMAIC [define measure, analyze, improve, and control (DMAIC)] methodology was used in this quality improvement project. The quality project was started in October 2015 using a Gantt chart quality tool.Results: The paediatric team with the support of administration of the hospital has established isolation rooms and devised a policy for the care and management of patient with airborne infection to avoid cross transmission. During six months period after establishment of isolation room there were sixty two suspected or confirmed measles cases who were admitted in our hospital, out of them only 4(6.4%) of patients were referred because of their sick condition and need of ventilator support. Further, the percentage of patient\u27s satisfaction level also improved from 60 to 80%.Conclusions: After this clinical service innovation, there was significant reduction in referrals of measles patients to another hospital and consequently there was an increase in the patient\u27s satisfaction

PD-1 and PD-L1: architects of immune symphony and immunotherapy breakthroughs in cancer treatment

PD-1 (Programmed Cell Death Protein-1) and PD-L1 (Programmed Cell Death Ligand-1) play a crucial role in regulating the immune system and preventing autoimmunity. Cancer cells can manipulate this system, allowing them to escape immune detection and promote tumor growth. Therapies targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway have transformed cancer treatment and have demonstrated significant effectiveness against various cancer types. This study delves into the structure and signaling dynamics of PD-1 and its ligands PD-L1/PD-L2, the diverse PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors and their efficacy, and the resistance observed in some patients. Furthermore, this study explored the challenges associated with the PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor treatment approach. Recent advancements in the combination of immunotherapy with chemotherapy, radiation, and surgical procedures to enhance patient outcomes have also been highlighted. Overall, this study offers an in-depth overview of the significance of PD-1/PD-L1 in cancer immunotherapy and its future implications in oncology