Organizational Justice Enhancing Managerial Effectiveness in Terms of Activity of His Position, Achieving Results and Developing Further Potential

The management discourse has increasingly focused on the performance of the organizations to meet the challenges of global competition. The performance can be enhanced when organizations tend to restructure the process and policies through increased managerial effectiveness in terms of their activities and potential. Infact, managerial effectiveness is an important factor for the accomplishment of organizational goals. This study was carried out to determine the effect of justice perception on managerial effectiveness factors activity of his position, achieving results and developing further potential. A survey questionnaire was used as the main and most appropriate tool for data collection. The respondents randomly selected were at managerial position in different sectors. The sample size of the study is 300 managers whose responses were taken for analysis. Step wise multiple regression analysis was conducted to find the results. The results revealed that the distribution of rewards, organizational policies and procedures and interpersonal treatment determines the positive behavior patterns along with emotional and cognitive balances while perceiving the jobs calling and enjoying. Keywords: organization justice, distributive justice, procedural justice, interactional justice, managerial effectivenes

Nursing Students’ Perception of Online Learning Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic

Introduction: The declaration of COVID-19 pandemic on 11th March 2020 by World Health Organization forced many countries including Nepal to choose online mode of nursing education. Hence, it is essential for the educators to find out students’ perception that ensures their readiness to learn in this new environment. This study sought to examine the perception of online learning among nursing students. Methods: After obtaining ethical clearance, a cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 211 nursing students using enumerative sampling method. Self-administered structured online questionnaire was used. Calculated Cronbach's alpha value was 0.828. Descriptive (frequency, percentage, mean etc.) and inferential statistics (Chi-square test) were used to analyze data. Results: The mean age of the participants was 19.80±1.87 years. All (100%) had mobile phone. Most (93.8%) had internet facility at home. More than half (59.7%) strongly agreed that face-to-face learning was more effective. Less than half (44.6%) strongly agreed that interrupted internet connection was an obstacle. More than half (56.9%) participants had positive perception of online learning. Age, enrolled nursing program and device used were statistically significant with perception of online learning. Conclusion: The perception of nursing students towards online learning is positive. Students are satisfied with their learning opportunities amidst COVID-19 through online education. However, interrupted internet connection, unfeasible practical natured courses, load-shedding etc. were perceived as obstacles to online learning. Age, enrolled nursing program, academic year, and devices used had an impact on positive perception

Development and characterization of an atorvastatin solid dispersion formulation using skimmed milk for improved oral bioavailability

AbstractAtorvastatin has low aqueous solubility resulting in low oral bioavailability (12%) and thus presents a challenge in formulating a suitable dosage form. To improve the aqueous solubility, a solid dispersion formulation of atorvastatin was prepared by lyophilization utilising skimmed milk as a carrier. Six different formulations were prepared with varying ratios of drug and carrier and the corresponding physical mixtures were also prepared. The formation of a solid dispersion formulation was confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction studies. The optimum drug-to-carrier ratio of 1:9 enhanced solubility nearly 33-fold as compared to pure drug. In vitro drug release studies exhibited a cumulative release of 83.69% as compared to 22.7% for the pure drug. Additionally, scanning electron microscopy studies suggested the conversion of crystalline atorvastatin to an amorphous form. In a Triton-induced hyperlipidemia model, a 3-fold increase in the lipid lowering potential was obtained with the reformulated drug as compared to pure drug. These results suggest that solid dispersion of atorvastatin using skimmed milk as carrier is a promising approach for oral delivery of atorvastatin

New Boron Analogues of Pyrophosphates and Deoxynucleoside Boranophosphates

Tetraethyldicyanoborane pyrophosphate (2) and 3'-(diethylphosphite-cyanoborano)-5'-dimethoxytrityl.N4-benzoyl-deoxycytidine (3) have been synthesized in 70% and 76% yields, respectively. The compatibility of the substituted boranophosphates with common protecting groups is hereby demonstrated

Low latitude ionospheric variations during geomagnetic storms measured using ROCSAT-1 satellite observations

171-179In the present paper the response of ionospheric parameters- ion densities and ion temperature (H+, O+ and Ti) to a weak (30 July 1999) and a moderate (13 November 1999) geomagnetic storm (GS) at low latitude Indian region using observed and modelled values has been analyzed. The study has been carried out by using ROCSAT-1 satellite data over the region encompassed between 5-35º geog N and 65-95º geog E at an average altitude ~ 600 km. A comparative study has also been done with the IRI-2016 modelled values. The ionospheric plasma parameters have shown anomalous behaviour during disturbed days in comparison to the quiet days. For the weak GS, both the average O+ and H+ density have been increased by a factor of around 1.8 during disturbed and quiet days respectively as calculated by ROCSAT-1. For the moderate GS, the average O+ and H+ density has been increased by a factor of around 2.7 and 6.3 respectively during disturbed and quiet days respectively, as calculated by ROCSAT-1. And the least or negligible variation has been observed in Ti for both measured and modelled values during weak and moderate GS

Low latitude ionospheric variations during geomagnetic storms measured using ROCSAT-1 satellite observations

This paper studies the response of ionospheric parameters- ion densities (O+ and H+) and ion temperature (Ti) to a moderate (30 July 1999) and a strong (13 November 1999)  geomagnetic storm (GS) at low latitude Indian region using observations and modelling. The analysis has been carried out by using ROCSAT-1 satellite data over the region encompassed between 5-35º geog N and 65-95º geog E at an average altitude ~ 600 km. This study of the effect of these geomagnetic storms over the low-latitude F2 region ionosphere has been compared with the estimated values of IRI-2016 model. The ionospheric plasma parameters show anomalous behaviour during disturbed days compared to the quiet days. For the moderate GS, both the average O+ and H+ density are found to increase by a factor of around1.8 during disturbed and quiet days respectively as calculated by ROCSAT-1. For the strong GS, the average O+/H+ density is found to increase by a factor of around 2.7/ 6.3 respectively during disturbed/quiet days as calculated by ROCSAT-1. And the Ti is observed showing the least or negligible variation both by measured and modelled values during moderate and strong GS

Phytochemical Analysis And Evaluation Of Antioxidant Activity In Fagopyrum Esculentum

Herbal nutraceutical products have become increasingly popular in recent years, particularly in the dermatology and cosmetics fields, because of their potential to prevent skin photodamage and their photoprotective qualities against UV radiation. Standardized herbal extracts are necessary for modern phytopharmaceutics and phytocosmetics, and buckwheat herb, which is high in flavonoids, has shown promise as an antioxidant source. The objective of the research is to ascertain the existence of various nutraceutical components in buckwheat, such as proteins, carbohydrates, sterols, alkaloids, saponins, and tannins, both quantitatively and qualitatively. The study assesses possible interactions between these components, food, and prescribed medications as the body of research on their health benefits grows. Through a variety of phytochemical tests, the results show the high antioxidant and nutraceutical qualities of Fagopyrum esculentum, with methanolic extracts showing greater activity than water extracts. Notably, the study highlights the high antioxidant activity, alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, and phenolic compounds of F. esculentum as potential major food supplement. This study offers a biochemical justification for its application in ethnopharmacology and as a nutraceutical to improve health and prevent a variety of ailment

Phenylalanine-Rich Peptides Potently Bind ESAT6, a Virulence Determinant of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and Concurrently Affect the Pathogen's Growth

BACKGROUND:The secretory proteins of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) have been known to be involved in the virulence, pathogenesis as well as proliferation of the pathogen. Among this set, many proteins have been hypothesized to play a critical role at the genesis of the onset of infection, the primary site of which is invariably the human lung. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:During our efforts to isolate potential binding partners of key secretory proteins of M. tuberculosis from a human lung protein library, we isolated peptides that strongly bound the virulence determinant protein Esat6. All peptides were less than fifty amino acids in length and the binding was confirmed by in vivo as well as in vitro studies. Curiously, we found all three binders to be unusually rich in phenylalanine, with one of the three peptides a short fragment of the human cytochrome c oxidase-3 (Cox-3). The most accessible of the three binders, named Hcl1, was shown also to bind to the Mycobacterium smegmatis (M. smegmatis) Esat6 homologue. Expression of hcl1 in M. tuberculosis H37Rv led to considerable reduction in growth. Microarray analysis showed that Hcl1 affects a host of key cellular pathways in M. tuberculosis. In a macrophage infection model, the sets expressing hcl1 were shown to clear off M. tuberculosis in much greater numbers than those infected macrophages wherein the M. tuberculosis was not expressing the peptide. Transmission electron microscopy studies of hcl1 expressing M. tuberculosis showed prominent expulsion of cellular material into the matrix, hinting at cell wall damage. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE:While the debilitating effects of Hcl1 on M. tuberculosis are unrelated and not because of the peptide's binding to Esat6-as the latter is not an essential protein of M. tuberculosis-nonetheless, further studies with this peptide, as well as a closer inspection of the microarray data may shed important light on the suitability of such small phenylalanine-rich peptides as potential drug-like molecules against this pathogen

The impact of immediate breast reconstruction on the time to delivery of adjuvant therapy: the iBRA-2 study

Background: Immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) is routinely offered to improve quality-of-life for women requiring mastectomy, but there are concerns that more complex surgery may delay adjuvant oncological treatments and compromise long-term outcomes. High-quality evidence is lacking. The iBRA-2 study aimed to investigate the impact of IBR on time to adjuvant therapy. Methods: Consecutive women undergoing mastectomy ± IBR for breast cancer July–December, 2016 were included. Patient demographics, operative, oncological and complication data were collected. Time from last definitive cancer surgery to first adjuvant treatment for patients undergoing mastectomy ± IBR were compared and risk factors associated with delays explored. Results: A total of 2540 patients were recruited from 76 centres; 1008 (39.7%) underwent IBR (implant-only [n = 675, 26.6%]; pedicled flaps [n = 105,4.1%] and free-flaps [n = 228, 8.9%]). Complications requiring re-admission or re-operation were significantly more common in patients undergoing IBR than those receiving mastectomy. Adjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy was required by 1235 (48.6%) patients. No clinically significant differences were seen in time to adjuvant therapy between patient groups but major complications irrespective of surgery received were significantly associated with treatment delays. Conclusions: IBR does not result in clinically significant delays to adjuvant therapy, but post-operative complications are associated with treatment delays. Strategies to minimise complications, including careful patient selection, are required to improve outcomes for patients