Research needs in environmental and waste management in iron & steel industries

A large number of processing steps from ore handling to steel finishing involved in the manufacture of steel, consume substantial resources and lead to complex problems of environmental pollution with local as well as global impacts. Paper identifies various global and local environmental issues that steel industry presents before the mankind. Among the global issues, the large emissions of carbon dioxide from steel industry is a major cause of concern to environmentalists. The quantity of this green house gas constitutes a significantly large proportion of the global CO2 load and hence it contributes significantly in the global warming phenomenon. Some of the important methods have been briefly discussed to reduce these emissions through major energy conservation programmes and implementation of energy efficient processes. Among local issues are the problems of air, water and noise pollution along with the generation of large quantity of solid wastes. Under each area some of the programmes have been identified which could provide major research directions towards making the steel industry increasingly more environment friendly

ASSESSMENT OF CYP2D6*10 POLYMORPHISM WITH POST HERPETIC NEURALGIA PATIENTS UNDERGOING TRAMADOL TREATMENT

objective: To evaluate association of CYP2D6*10 polymorphism with respect to demographic characteristics (age at onset, genders and weight), numerical rating scale (NRS) for measuring pain intensity in relation with resting and movement associated pain and adverse drug effects of PHN patients receiving tramadol therapy. Methods: Total 246 patients of PHN (148 males and 98 females) were selected who fulfilled the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Clinicians were recorded numerical rating scores (at rest and with movement), and note down adverse drug side effects during the time of study. All samples were analyzed for CYP2D6*10 polymorphism using PCR-RFLP method. results: We observed genotype distribution of CYP2D6* 10 did not vary significantly with age at onset [non-responders (p=0.317) and responders (p=0.260)], genders[ non-responders (p=0.317) and responders (p=0.949)], and weight [non-responders (p=0.298) and responders (p=0.279)] and also did not find significant role with respect to resting (p=0.428) and movement associated type of pain (p=0.178). In addition, CYP2D6*10 was not associated with adverse effects such as somnolence (p=0.135), dizziness (p=0.178), local site reactions (p=0.535), headache (p=0.502), hypotension (p=0.567) and nausea and vomiting (p=0.268) of analgesic therapy. Therefore we conclude that, CYP2D6*10 may not be a predictor of treatment outcomes of patients with PHN receiving tramadol

Medical students’ experience of the hidden curriculum around primary care careers: a qualitative exploration of reflective diaries

Objectives Primary healthcare internationally is facing a workforce crisis with fewer junior doctors choosing general practice (GP) as a career. In the UK, a national report on GP careers highlighted adverse influences during medical school on students’ career choices. The authors explored these influences in two urban UK medical schools, both with relatively low numbers of students entering GP training. Design Using a phenomenological approach, the authors thematically analysed the reflective diaries of four medical students who were recruited as ‘participant researchers’ over a period of 10 months. These students made regular reflexive notes about their experiences related to GP career perceptions in their academic and personal environments, aiming to capture both positive and negative perceptions of GP careers. The research team discussed emerging data and iteratively explored and developed themes. Setting Two UK medical schools Participants Undergraduate medical students Results Seven key themes were identified: the lack of visibility and physicality of GP work, the lack of aspirational GP role models, students’ perceptions of a GP career as default, the performativity of student career choice with the perceptions of success linked to specialism, societal perceptions of GP careers, gender stereotyping of career choices and the student perception of life as a GP. Conclusions Students overwhelmingly reflected on negative cues to GP careers, particularly through their experience of the hidden curriculum. Three recommendations are made: the need for increased representation of GP role models in clinical curricula content delivery and senior leadership; ensuring GP clerkships involve an active and authentic student role with patients, enabling students to experience GP’s ‘work’ including managing complexity, uncertainty and risk. Finally, institutions need to consider students’ experiences of the hidden curriculum and the effect this can have on students’ perception of careers, alongside the challenges of rankings and perceived hierarchical positioning of disciplines

Herbex-kid Inhibits Immediate Hypersensitivity Reactions in Mice and Rats

Herbex-kid (HK), a polyherbal formulation was evaluated in various experimental allergic models of Type I hypersensitivity reactions. Compound 48/80 (C 48/80) has been shown to induce rat mesentery mast cell degranulation and HK (1.07, 10.75 and 107.5 mg ml−1) inhibited the mast cell degranulation in a dose dependent manner. HK (1.07, 10.75 and 107.5 mg kg−1; p.o.) showed dose-dependent protection against C 48/80 induced systemic anaphylaxis in male Balb/C mice. In active anaphylaxis model, male Wistar rats orally administered with 10.75 and 107.5 mg kg−1 of HK showed significant (P < 0.01) protection against mast cell degranulation, while in passive anaphylaxis model, only at 107.5 mg kg−1 showed significant (P < 0.01) reduction in mast cell degranulation. HK at all dose levels was able to significantly decrease the time spent in nasal rubbing in Wistar rats sensitized to ovalbumin, while only at 107.5 mg kg−1 it showed significant (P < 0.01) reduction in number of sneezes. In C 48/80-induced skin itch model, all dose levels of HK significantly (P < 0.001) decreased the time spent in itching and the number of itches. HK did not produce any significant inhibition in histamine induced contraction in guinea pig ileum. From the above findings we conclude that the HK possesses antiallergic activity mediated by reducing of the release mediators from mast cells and also by 5-HT antagonism without the involvement of histamine (H1) receptors

Teaching Strategies: Teaching Beyond the Basics: Young Children Participate in a Cognitive Apprenticeship: Tunde Szecsi, Editor

Community members have a variety of funds of knowledge they could contribute as specialists in collaborative experiences with teachers. Yet, despite having such invaluable culture capital, speciali..