Collaborative Learning for Ecosystem Services in the Context of Poverty Alleviation: A Case from India

Unplanned and unregulated urbanisation and industrialisation has led to large-scale degradation of the environment, including that of water bodies in India (Mukherjee, 2009). Communities and governments have, over time, tried innovative approaches to the development and management of water bodies. Often, these approaches are focused on physical restoration, ignoring the human component – especially the dependence of people on the water body for their livelihood and sustenance. The ecosystem services for poverty alleviation (ESPA) approach seeks to tie together the various social and environmental requirements in a holistic manner and, in the process, recognise the interdependence between humans and nature. The Supporting Urban Sustainability (SUS) Programme focuses on an ESPA approach in urban settings using the methods of collaborative learning. The purpose of this article is to illustrate how an emerging theory, ESPA, can be institutionalised through a collaborative-learning process. The research is qualitative in nature. It explains the local Ahmedabad case study in order to provide insight into the SUS Programme activities, and then takes a broader view of collaborative learning across the other participating cities in the SUS Programme. The data for the case study on Ahmedabad city was collected during the implementation of the SUS Programme at the site, while the data on collaborative learning was collected from city team members engaged in the SUS Programme across a number of SUS Programme sites through a survey questionnaire. The latter data was then analysed by grouping narratives with reference to various aspects of collaborative learning from the participants’ points of view. The outcomes could thereafter be used to support the development of collaborative learning projects elsewhere, and would also be useful for further developing the work done during the Ahmedabad case study

Effect of Steel Fibers on Reinforced Concrete Opening Corners

In the design of reinforced concrete structures, much of the attention is embarked towards calculation of the strength of basic structural elements like beams, columns and slabs. Comparatively lesser emphasis has been laid on the detailing, corresponding strength and behavior of corner joints, especially those subjected to opening moments as in the case of cantilever retaining walls, bridge abutments, channels, rectangular liquid retaining structures, beam column joints under earthquake loads. The detailing of reinforcement should be easier and simpler in order to expedite the construction process. At the same time structural member should satisfy the fundamental requirements of strength expressed in terms of controlled cracking and ductility. The result of a comprehensive experimental programme to evaluate the structure behavior of opening corners having U type detailing; corners reinforced with fibers is presented in this paper. The parameters of investigation are: strength measured in terms of joint efficiency, ductility, and crack control. A substantial increase in post-cracking tensile strength, ductility and crack control can be achieved by adding steel fibers to the concrete. Therefore U type detailing system investigated previously was tested afresh with crimped-type flat steel fibers having aspect ratio of 30 and 50 at different percentage volume fractions of 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5% and 1.75%. The investigations indicate that in the specimen, there is a 30%-35% gain in efficiency with increase in volume fraction up to a certain limit beyond which there is a drop in mix workability and joint efficiency

Bilateral single-session retrograde intra-renal surgery: A safe option for renal stones up to 1.5 cm

Introduction: Assessment of treatment outcomes in patients undergoing bilateral single-session retrograde intra-renal surgery (RIRS) for bilateral renal stones up to 1.5 cm. Materials and Methods: Retrospective analysis of 74 patients was done with bilateral renal calculi, who underwent bilateral single-session RIRS at our stone referral hospital from December 2011 to May 2014. The selection criteria for this intervention were patient's preference, failure of other treatments and stone up to 1.5 cm. Patients with creatinine more than 2, pyonephrosis sepsis, bilateral impacted pelviureteric junction calculi were excluded from study. All patients were evaluated with serum biochemistry, urinalysis, urine culture, plain radiography of kidney-ureter-bladder, intravenous urography, renal ultrasonography (USG) and/or computed tomography (CT). Follow-up evaluation included serum biochemistry and postoperative plain film and renal USG. The success rate was defined as patients who were stone-free or only had a residual fragment of less than 4 mm. CT was conducted only in patients with residual stones, which were present in seven patients. Results: A total of 74 patients (50 male, 24 female) with a mean age 39.2 ± 15.2 were included in the present study. The mean stone size was 11.7 ± 2.4 mm. The stone-free rates were 86.84% and 97.29% after the first and second procedures, respectively. In eight patients (10.8%), minor complications were observed, whereas no major complications were noted in the studied group. There was no significant difference in pre- and post-operative serum creatinine levels. Conclusion: In patients with bilateral renal stones up to 1.5 cm bilateral single-session RIRS with flexible ureteroscope can be safely performed with low complication rate

Collecting duct carcinoma: A rare renal tumor

The most common primary malignant renal tumor is renal cell carcinoma (RCC), which accounts for 3% of all adult malignancies. Bellini duct carcinoma or collecting duct carcinoma is an unusual rare variant of RCC. This histologically distinct tumor is very rare, with less than 100 cases reported in the literature, and accounts for approximately 1% of all malignant renal epithelial tumors. We report two cases of collecting duct carcinoma and highlight the rarity of these tumors and their similarity to RCC

Comparison of midazolam versus clonazepam as premedication scheduled for elective abdominal hysterectomies

Background and aim: Anxiety is one of the most common problem which affect the patient during surgical procedures. Thus, anxiolytics have a primary role as premedication preoperatively. With this background, we designed this study to compare anxiolytic effects of oral midazolam and oral clonazepam. Methods: Study was carried out in 80 patients scheduled for elective Abdominal hysterectomy and were divided into group of 40 each. Group M 40 patients were given Tab Midazolam 10 mg, 45 min before surgery. Group C of 40 patients were given Tab Clonazepam 2 mg, 45 min before surgery with a sip of water. All hemodynamic parameters, sedation score, satisfactory score, Hamitlon Anxiety Rating Scale were noted. The patient characteristics were analysed using “Chi-square test” and inter group comparison of the parametric data was done using the “unpaired t-test using software IBM SPSS 17.0. Results: Clonazepam is better anxiolytic than midazolam and has longer duration of anxiolytic effects and with minimal side effects and better hemodynamic stability than midazolam. Conclusion: Tab Clonazepam can be used as premedication to allay anxiety in the patients undergoing elective surgeries

Substance abuse in Children and adolescent: A Retrospective Study

Introduction: Drug addiction among children and adolescents is spreading very fast. The age of initiation of substance use is falling progressively. Aims and Methods: The aim of the study was to know about the socio demographic profile of children and adolescents diagnosed with substance dependence and to assess the pattern of drug dependence. So we conducted a retrospective study in Swami Vivekananda Drug De addiction centre at Amritsar in Punjab. The diagnosis of substance dependence was made by a consultant psychiatrist after direct interview with the patient and the relatives according to International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10). Results: The study comprised 446 children and adolescents who reported for de addiction during the study period. Majority were in the age group 16-19(95.73%), 49.5% were from urban areas and 50.5% patients were from rural areas. Out of these 36.09% were employed, 24.43% were unemployed and 39.46% were students. Our results showed more involvement of male as compared to females. As far as education status is concerned, 47.53% studied up to matric, 23.99% up to Secondary school, 12.78% up to middle, 6.95% up to primary and 5.38% were illiterate. Opioids and polysubstance use are common among them. Conclusion: The need of the hour is to educate and counsel young children and adolescents and create awareness among the public regarding drug addiction

Conflicts in operating room: Focus on causes and resolution

The operation theater (OT) environment is the most complex and volatile workplace where two coequal physicians share responsibility of one patient. Difference in information, opinion, values, experience and interests between a surgeon and anesthesiologist may arise while working in high-pressure environments like OT, which may trigger conflict. Quality of patient care depends on effective teamwork for which multidisciplinary communication is an essential part. Troubled relationships leads to conflicts and conflicts leads to stressful work environment which hinders the safe discharge of patient care. Unresolved conflicts can harm the relationship but when handled in a positive way it provides an opportunity for growth and ultimately strengthening the bond between two people. By learning the skills to resolve conflict, we can keep our professional relationship healthy and strong which is an important component of good patient care

A Comprehensive Review of Microbial Contamination in the Indoor Environment: Sources, Sampling, Health Risks, and Mitigation Strategies

The quality of the indoor environment significantly impacts human health and productivity, especially given the amount of time individuals spend indoors globally. While chemical pollutants have been a focus of indoor air quality research, microbial contaminants also have a significant bearing on indoor air quality. This review provides a comprehensive overview of microbial contamination in built environments, covering sources, sampling strategies, and analysis methods. Microbial contamination has various origins, including human occupants, pets, and the outdoor environment. Sampling strategies for indoor microbial contamination include air, surface, and dust sampling, and various analysis methods are used to assess microbial diversity and complexity in indoor environments. The review also discusses the health risks associated with microbial contaminants, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses, and their products in indoor air, highlighting the need for evidence-based studies that can relate to specific health conditions. The importance of indoor air quality is emphasized from the perspective of the COVID-19 pandemic. A section of the review highlights the knowledge gap related to microbiological burden in indoor environments in developing countries, using India as a representative example. Finally, potential mitigation strategies to improve microbiological indoor air quality are briefly reviewed