Effectiveness of a multicomponent school based intervention to reduce bullying among adolescents in Chandigarh, North India: A quasi-experimental study protocol

Background: Bullying perpetration and victimization is associated with significant academic, psychosocial and health related problems among adolescents. There is a need to develop effective interventions to prevent bullying among adolescents, especially in low and middle income countries. This paper presents the study protocol to develop, and evaluate the effect of multi-component school based prevention program for bullying in India. Design: Quasi-experimental study. Methods: The study will be conducted among 846 students of grade 7th and 8th in the intervention and control schools in Chandigarh, Union Territory, North India. A government and a private school will be selected purposively in each of the intervention and control arm. The intervention is based on socio-ecological model, and will be administered at individual, relationship (parents and teachers) and school level. The primary study outcome will be the proportion of students experiencing any kind of bullying (bullying, victimization, or both), in each study arm. The effectiveness of the intervention will be measured by performing difference in difference analysis and generalized estimating equations. Expected impact for public health: Bullying is an aggressive behaviour with significant morbidities, including psychological or physical trauma, affecting individuals not only in their adolescence, but also later in their adulthood. This quasi-experimental study is expected to provide evidence on whether multi-component bullying prevention intervention program, can reduce the burden of bullying perpetration and victimization among school adolescents in India. The results of the study will add in the exiting literature on bullying intervention program, especially, from the low middle-income countries, as there are limited studies available on this topic in these countries

OPEN DATA IN HEALTH: how knowledge may generate trust

The JRC project on Trust in Digital Interactions (TRUDI) deals with the construction and renewal of confident and trusted relationships between institutions and citizens, addressed as a major and urgent issue to be solved. In this context the JRC is planning a Workshop on “Open Data in Health: how knowledge may generate trust” on November 18, 2014. The workshop aims to investigate some general issues surrounding Open Data in the EU normative perspective, reflect on institutional and civic imaginaries about Open Data, and identify more promising Open Data models to trigger new processes for trust between institutions and citizens in health matters.JRC.G.6-Digital Citizen Securit

Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in endangered captive Asian Elephants (Elephas maximus) of Chitwan National Park in Nepal

In order to ascertain the comprehensive prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites among captive Asian elephants in Chitwan National Park, a cross-sectional investigation was conducted. A total of 103 samples was purposefully collected. Demographic details encompassing age and gender, along with epidemiological information concerning deworming status, timing intervals, and nutritional condition for both government-owned and privately-owned elephants, were procured through a structured questionnaire survey. The process involved microscopic identification and quantification of gastrointestinal parasites through sedimentation, centrifugal floatation, and MacMaster Egg Per Gram (EPG) count methods. The resultant data indicated an overall prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites at 47.57% (49 out of 103 samples). The dominant class of parasites observed was Nematodes (n=30, 61.22%), followed by Trematodes (n=14, 28.57%) and Cestodes (n=5, 10.20%). Six distinct parasite genera were identified with positive results: Strongylus (26.53%), Trichostrongylus (24.48%), Fasciola (16.35%), Paramphistomum (12.24%), Anoplocephala (10.20%), and Ascaris (10.20%). Notably, the prevalence was markedly higher in females (39.80%) in comparison to males (7.76%), with the disparity being statistically significant (p>0.05). Additionally, a noteworthy correlation was observed between parasite prevalence, age groups, and deworming history, with statistical significance (p<0.05). The Egg Per Gram (EPG) count analysis demonstrated that the majority (87.75%) of the positively identified samples exhibited mild infection (100-500 eggs), while a relatively low percentage (6.12%) displayed heavy infection (1000-1500 eggs). The mean EPG was calculated as (248.39 ± 54.25). Consequently, the heightened prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in captive elephants within Chitwan National Park underscores the necessity for targeted interventions to mitigate the risk of parasitic infestations

Comparative evaluation of efficacy of terbinafine and itraconazole in treatment of tinea cruris

Background: In a hot and humid country like India, the prevalence of superficial mycotic infections is on the rise due to contributing environmental and demographic factors. In this study, we sought to assess the efficacies of two oral antifungal drugs, Itraconazole (a traditional azole) and Terbinafine (the only orally available allylamine). The two drugs were analyzed to see whether they differed significantly in their cure rates of tinea cruris. Since data, that compares only systemically administered Itraconazole and Terbinafine in the treatment of tinea cruris, is limited, this study becomes imperative.Methods: 60 patients, all clinically confirmed cases of tinea cruris and belonging to the age group of 18-65 years, were recruited for this prospective study. Patients were then randomly divided into groups A and B and followed-up for a month. Group A received cap. Itraconazole 100 mg, twice a day, for 15 days while group B received tab. Terbinafine 250 mg, once a day, for 4 weeks. Both groups were given topical 2% Sertaconazole that had to be continued for 8 weeks. During the 4 visits, scores for the 3 parameters (erythema, pruritis and scaling) were calculated and recorded for statistical analysis.Results: Authors observed that majority of the patients were exposed to hot and humid environment that contributed to sweating and poor personal hygiene. The changes in scores of erythema, pruritis and scaling from the baseline visit for both, Itraconazole and Terbinafine, were statistically significant at week 4 with P < 0.05 for all parameters. But the difference between the scores of the two drugs was not found to be statistically significant.Conclusions: Although the sample size of this study was small and the data was limited, findings of this study supported that both Itraconazole and Terbinafine were highly effective in the treatment of tinea cruris

Leveraging Librarian Expertise to Support ACGME Competency Education

http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/94435/1/leveraging_librarian_expertise_to_Support_ACGME_competency_education.pd

Eight-module Information Skills Curriculum to Support ACGME Compeetencies

http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/94433/1/Eight_module_information_skills_curriculum.pd

Measurement of optical response of a detuned resonant sideband extraction gravitational wave detector

We report on the optical response of a suspended-mass detuned resonant sideband extraction (RSE) interferometer with power recycling. The purpose of the detuned RSE configuration is to manipulate and optimize the optical response of the interferometer to differential displacements (induced by gravitational waves) as a function of frequency, independently of other parameters of the interferometer. The design of our interferometer results in an optical gain with two peaks: an RSE optical resonance at around 4 kHz and a radiation pressure induced optical spring at around 41 Hz. We have developed a reliable procedure for acquiring lock and establishing the desired optical configuration. In this configuration, we have measured the optical response to differential displacement and found good agreement with predictions at both resonances and all other relevant frequencies. These results build confidence in both the theory and practical implementation of the more complex optical configuration being planned for Advanced LIGO

Measurement of Optical Response of a Detuned Resonant Sideband Extraction Interferometer

We report on the optical response of a suspended-mass detuned resonant sideband extraction (RSE) interferometer with power recycling. The purpose of the detuned RSE configuration is to manipulate and optimize the optical response of the interferometer to differential displacements (induced by gravitational waves) as a function of frequency, independently of other parameters of the interferometer. The design of our interferometer results in an optical gain with two peaks: an RSE optical resonance at around 4 kHz and a radiation pressure induced optical spring at around 41 Hz. We have developed a reliable procedure for acquiring lock and establishing the desired optical configuration. In this configuration, we have measured the optical response to differential displacement and found good agreement with predictions at both resonances and all other relevant frequencies. These results build confidence in both the theory and practical implementation of the more complex optical configuration being planned for Advanced LIGO.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures, for submission to Phys Rev Letter

The Perceived Impact of Prior Research Experience in Global Health on Residency Choice and Career Decisions among US Interns

http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/94436/1/the_perceived_impact_of_prior_research_experience_in_global_health_on_residency_choice_and_career_decisions_among_US_interns.pd