Questionnaire study to gain an insight into the manufacturing and fitting process of artificial eyes in children: an ocularist perspective

Purpose To gain an insight into the manufacturing and fitting of artificial eyes in children and potential improvements to the process. Method An online qualitative survey was distributed to 39 ocularists/prosthetists in Europe and Canada. Participants were recruited through purposive sampling, specifically maximum variation sampling from the researcher’s contacts and an online search. Results The findings highlighted the current impression technique as being the most difficult yet most important part of the current process for both the ocularist and child patient. Negatively affecting obtaining a good impression, the child patients distress can be reduced by their parents by providing encouragement, reassurance, practicing the insertion and removal of the artificial eye and being matter of fact. Whilst improvements to the current process provided mixed views, the incorporation of current technology was perceived as not being able to meet the requirements to produce aesthetically pleasing artificial eyes. Conclusion The current artificial eye process can be seen as an interaction with its success being dependent on the child patient’s acceptance and adjustment which is dependent on the factors associated to the process. Investigation into the needs of the patient and whether technology can improve the process are the next steps in its advancement

Cost-Effectiveness of HIV Testing Referral Strategies among Tuberculosis Patients in India

Background: Indian guidelines recommend routine referral for HIV testing of all tuberculosis (TB) patients in the nine states with the highest HIV prevalence, and selective referral for testing elsewhere. We assessed the clinical impact and cost-effectiveness of alternative HIV testing referral strategies among TB patients in India. Methods and Findings: We utilized a computer model of HIV and TB disease to project outcomes for patients with active TB in India. We compared life expectancy, cost, and cost-effectiveness for three HIV testing referral strategies: 1) selective referral for HIV testing of those with increased HIV risk, 2) routine referral of patients in the nine highest HIV prevalence states with selective referral elsewhere (current standard), and 3) routine referral of all patients for HIV testing. TB-related data were from the World Health Organization. HIV prevalence among TB patients was 9.0% in the highest prevalence states, 2.9% in the other states, and 4.9% overall. The selective referral strategy, beginning from age 33.50 years, had a projected discounted life expectancy of 16.88 years and a mean lifetime HIV/TB treatment cost of US$100. The current standard increased mean life expectancy to 16.90 years with additional per-person cost of US$10; the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was US$650/year of life saved (YLS) compared to selective referral. Routine referral of all patients for HIV testing increased life expectancy to 16.91 years, with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of US$730/YLS compared to the current standard. For HIV-infected patients cured of TB, receiving antiretroviral therapy increased survival from 4.71 to 13.87 years. Results were most sensitive to the HIV prevalence and the cost of second-line antiretroviral therapy. Conclusions: Referral of all patients with active TB in India for HIV testing will be both effective and cost-effective. While effective implementation of this strategy would require investment, routine, voluntary HIV testing of TB patients in India should be recommended

Myths, perceptions and knowledge of farmers on basics of fishes and fish farming in western Himalayas: A review of realities

70-86A study carried out to assess existing basic knowledge and perceptions of farmers on fish farming in Uttarakhand Himalayas during 2003-08 indicated prevalence of as many as 16 mythical superstitions on fish identification, features of fishponds and various attributes of fishes or fish farming among farmers adding to already existing problems of fisheries development in the region. Preference for deeper fishponds or water harvesting structures (WHS) and coldwater river fishes against farmed or warm water river fishes; ignorance on the needs of liming or fertilization in fishponds and various benefits of fishes or fish farming other than for food purpose were widely held by 81-86% respondents. Ignorance on the negative impacts of fishing in rivers using powder prepared from the woody shrub, Zanthoxylum armatum DC., locally called as timru was observed in 69% respondents and probably this helps to continue periodically organized traditional fishing festivals, known as mound or machli mela using timru powder, that destroy riverine ecosystems in the region. Importance of water management in fish farming and potential of pig rearing or use of pig dung as fertilizer in fishponds or crop fields were not recognized by 50% respondents. Overall, ignorance on various principles, recommended practices and inputs of fish farming, features of fishes and fishing in rivers were prevalent in the region. A review made on issues of prevailing superstitions provided scientific and logical explanations either in support of them or otherwise. The paper identifies possible researchable issues associated with the myths and suggests dispelling unscientific superstitions maybe through appropriate research findings, trainings and positive demonstrations by the existing advisory systems. </span

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Not AvailableDrought is a natural hazard which may temporarily affect any region in the world by several means. In the present study frequency analysis of meteorological drought in the Bellary region of Karnataka has been investigated for 52 years (1961–2012) using the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) at short (SPI-1 and SPI-3), medium (SPI-6) and long (SPI-12) time scales. This method aims to provide a concise overall picture of drought, regardless of the actual probability distribution of the observed cumulative amount of rainfall for a given time scale. By applying the SPI methodology, results indicated that drought randomly affected a region and several drought events occurred during the period analyzed. The generalized extreme value (GEV) distribution was fitted to data from the location to describe the extremes of rainfall and to predict its future behavior. Minimum assured drought at 50 % probability level was observed to be a better representative of long-term average of drought (minimum SPI) in the region as depicted by the GEV distribution. The return period analysis indicate that the region experiences extreme drought (SPI\-2) every ten or less years for all time scales, whereas moderate to severe drought occurs every alternate year. There is thus a necessity to prepare contingency plans for the region and focus on the cultivation of those crops with a capacity of withstanding droughts of moderate intensity which will be used as a guide for water resource management in the region during droughts.Not Availabl

Knowledge, attitude and practices of university pharmacy students and staff towards scientific writing: a questionnaire-based study

Taylor-Robinson, AW ORCiD: 0000-0001-7342-8348Background: Peer-reviewed journal publication of the research paper is a well-established process that is central to public dissemination of scientific knowledge. To this end, manuscript preparation is an important skill to be acquired during an early career scientist’s development, competence of which demonstrates motivation towards excellence in their chosen research discipline or vocational profession. Objective: The study aimed at assessing the knowledge, attitude and practices of university final year undergraduate and taught postgraduate students, PhD research scholars and academic faculty members of pharmacy in Punjab, India towards styles, conventions and procedures of scientific writing. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional, self-administered questionnaire was conducted by 315 respondents. Data were analyzed using SPSS. Results: 59.4% of respondents showed a poor knowledge of scientific writing. However, the attitude among respondents was positive, 66.0% indicating willingness to attend seminars and/or workshops in order to improve their knowledge of the principles of scientific writing. Only 16.5% of participants had any experience of involvement in submitting a manuscript for publication to a peer-reviewed journal. Conclusions: Among the cohort of pharmacy students knowledge of all aspects of scientific writing was very poor. This may be due to a lack of formal incorporation of this topic in the undergraduate and taught postgraduate curriculum. It is recommended that the process of writing-up of research for publication should be embedded in the pharmacy curriculum. This inclusion will also benefit students during university study and after graduation by fostering their reading and improving their interpretation of scientific journal articles written by others

Knowledge, attitude and practices of university pharmacy students and staff towards scientific writing: a questionnaire-based study

Background: Peer-reviewed journal publication of the research paper is a well-established process that is central to public dissemination of scientific knowledge. To this end, manuscript preparation is an important skill to be acquired during an early career scientist’s development, competence of which demonstrates motivation towards excellence in their chosen research discipline or vocational profession. Objective: The study aimed at assessing the knowledge, attitude and practices of university final year undergraduate and taught postgraduate students, PhD research scholars and academic faculty members of pharmacy in Punjab, India towards styles, conventions and procedures of scientific writing. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional, self-administered questionnaire was conducted by 315 respondents. Data were analyzed using SPSS. Results: 59.4% of respondents showed a poor knowledge of scientific writing. However, the attitude among respondents was positive, 66.0% indicating willingness to attend seminars and/or workshops in order to improve their knowledge of the principles of scientific writing. Only 16.5% of participants had any experience of involvement in submitting a manuscript for publication to a peer-reviewed journal. Conclusions: Among the cohort of pharmacy students knowledge of all aspects of scientific writing was very poor. This may be due to a lack of formal incorporation of this topic in the undergraduate and taught postgraduate curriculum. It is recommended that the process of writing-up of research for publication should be embedded in the pharmacy curriculum. This inclusion will also benefit students during university study and after graduation by fostering their reading and improving their interpretation of scientific journal articles written by others