Contrastive and Error Analyses in Inverted Order to Facilitate English Language Teaching

Both Contrastive and Error Analysis have vital roles in accounting for problems in teaching English as a foreign/second language (TEFL/TESL). Contrastive Analysis (CA) compares languages and makes predictions about possible errors learners make due to the influence of their first language (L1), while Error Analysis (EA) analyses pupils’ compositions or conversations and investigates different sources of errors one of which is cross linguistic influence. It is obvious that CA and EA are not the same. They overlap in a certain area, but they are not competing against each other. Both CA and EA can be used in a complementary role in understanding learners’ errors in second language learning. In the present article, a teaching methodology (“a contrastive approach” to EA) will be explored where the traditional order of conducting CA and EA (where CA leads to EA) has been inverted. The approach in the present study is that the job of diagnosis belongs to EA and here CA can be used as complementary to EA as a remedial procedur

A randomized placebo controlled trial of metformin alone and metformin plus fixed dose combination of cyproterone acetate and ethinyl estradiol in hirsute women with polycystic ovarian syndrome

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a common endocrine disorder seen in reproductive age group. Hirsutism, oligomennorhea and infertility being the most common chief complaint. Oral contraceptives have shown their efficacy in hirsute females. Metformin, an insulin sensitizer, have also shown some beneficial effects in improving metabolic abnormalities. Aim of this study is to compare the efficacy of metformin alone and metformin with fixed dose combination of cyproterone acetate and ethinyl estradiol in hirsute women with PCOS.Methods: 60 females of PCOS with chief complaint of hirsutism were enrolled. Patients were randomized to either metformin and Diane -35 (35 microgram ethinyl estradiol plus 2mg cyproterone acetate) or metformin and placebo for 9 months. Ferriman Gallwey score and body mass index was calculated at baseline, 3months, 6months and 9 months. FSH/LH/Prolactin/Testosterone/Fasting glucose and Fasting insulin levels were measured at the baseline and at the end of treatment.Results: Majority of females enrolled in the study were in third decade of life. Metformin and Diane- 35 showed higher reduction in Ferriman Gallwey score but Body mass index was reduced in both the groups. There was no significant difference seen between the groups with respect to biochemical profile.Conclusions: This data show that a combination of metformin and contraceptive pill may be more effective in treating hirsutism than metformin alone. Beneficial effects of therapy were seen in relation to BMI as well. Hence, combination therapy is better therapeutic option for treating hirsutism in PCOS.

Versatile roles of brassinosteroid in plants in the context of its homoeostasis, signaling and crosstalks

Brassinosteroids are a class of steroidal plant hormones that play diverse roles in plant growth and developmental processes. Recently, the easy availability of biological resources, and development of new molecular tools and approaches have provided the required impetus for deeper understanding of the processes involved in brassinosteroids biosynthesis, transport, signaling and degradation pathways. From recent studies it is also evident that brassinosteroids interact with other phytohormones such as auxin, cytokinin, ethylene, gibberellin, jasmonic acid, abscisic acid, salicylic acid and polyamine in regulating wide range of physiological and developmental processes in plants. The inputs from these studies are now being linked to the versatile roles of brassinosteroids. The present review highlights the conceptual development with regard to BR homeostasis, signaling and its crosstalk with other phytohormones. This information will assist in developing predictive models to modulate various useful traits in plants and address current challenges in agriculture

PASSWORD-LESS TRUST BASED ACCESS AUTHORIZATION FOR REMOTE INTERNET-OF-THINGS (IOT) DEVICES

The industry is moving away from password-based authorizations as they are often difficult to manage and are associated with various risks. Techniques herein solve an important issue with regard to remote Internet of Things (IoT) gateway access by utilizing a password-less trust-based authentication mechanism through which dynamic trust-based authorizations can be provided for devices utilizing a combination of a user trust score and a device risk profile in a unique manner. Such an approach will improve IoT security and will also help to solve an important security issue within the IoT/industrial world

Relationship between consumer acquisition efforts and consumer loyalty

Consumer Relationship Management is an integrated approach to manage long-term consumer relationships by implementing the practices of right acquisition and retention efforts. The purpose of study is to examine the key role of consumer acquisition efforts in driving consumer loyalty through direct and indirect approaches. The empirical study has been conducted by taking a sample of 600 consumers from three diverse service categories, i.e. Health, Retail, and Wellness. In order to observe the service category as moderator, the present research aims to implement the multiple-group analysis in CFA and SEM through AMOS17.0. Results suggest that in health and wellness sectors, consumer acquisition efforts are positive enough to create behavioral loyalty only. No direct effect of consumer acquisition efforts on consumer loyalty has been reported across three service sectors. This paper empirically provides a detailed assessment of acquisition drivers that help a firm to build a loyal consumer base

Outcomes of Hypofractionated Radiation Therapy in Locally Advanced Non-small cell Carcinoma Lung : A Single Institutional Experience

Introduction: Radical treatment in locally advanced non small cell carcinoma lung presents a management dilemma in patients with compromised performance status. Hypofractionated EBRT resolves this by confering high efficacy while avoiding excessive early toxicity. Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerance of hypofractionated radiotherapy in locally advanced lung cancer patients with compromised performance status. Methods: From January 2019 to January 2020,62 patients were enrolled to receive hypofractionated radiotherapy with 40Gy in 16 fractions with 5 fractions per week (2.5Gy per fraction) because of compromised performance status. Follow-up was conducted at 6 weeks and 3 months for symptomatic and radiological response (RECIST Criteria 1.1) .All results were evaluated statistically. Results: Mean age was 72.7years (+ 6.66) with 66.12% (n=41) above 70 years and 85% in ECOG PS 3. Out of 61 patients, 20% had complete response, 75% had partial response and 3% had stable disease at 6 weeks which progressed to 33% with complete and 62% with partial response at 3 months. 85% achieved symptom palliation. Radiation pneumonitis of grade 2 and above war observed in 60.65% and 62.29% and esophagitis of grade 2 and above was observed in 40.98% and 13.11% at 6 week and 3 months respectively. Conclusions: Hypofractionated RT confers the benefit of avoiding excessive early toxicity while maintaining high efficacy and be a finer alternative in patients with compromised performance status and/or advanced age

A histopathological analysis of prevalence of various heart diseases: an autopsy study

Background: Objective was to study the histopathological spectrum of heart diseases in autopsy specimens, that play a major role as cause of death.Methods: During the period from October 2015 to October 2017. Total 170 medicolegal autopsies were received during this period. Out of 170, specimens of heart were 150. Nine specimens were autolyzed. So, 141 specimen of heart were included in the study. Gross and microscopic findings on H and E stained sections were studied.Results: out of 141 cases, 78 cases showed atherosclerosis, 20 cases showed features of myocardial infarction, myocardial hypertrophy was found in 10 cases, 5 cases revealed myocarditis, pericarditis in 4 cases and one case each of infective endocarditis and aortic stenosis. In 22 cases, there was no identifiable cause of death even after complete gross and microscopic autopsy was performed.Conclusions: Myocardial infarction due to atherosclerosis is probably the commonest finding in death cases subjected to medicolegal autopsies

Cardiac troponin I as mortality predictor in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background: Comorbidities are important determinants of outcome and quality of life of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The risk of cardiovascular events in COPD patients is three to five-fold high. COPD is often associated with right ventricular hypertrophy and pulmonary hypertension. Various studies have associated levels of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) with severity and duration of acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD). The objective of the present study was to assess the usefulness of serum cTnI as mortality predictor in AECOPD patients.Methods: An observational, prospective and non interventional study was conducted in 50 patients with AECOPD admitted in the pulmonary medicine emergency or ward of a tertiary care hospital of Northern India. AECOPD was diagnosed according to Global Initiative for chronic obstructive lung disease guidelines. cTnI levels were estimated within 24 hours of admission by method based on chemiluminiscence along with routine investigations. Levels ≥ 0.01ng/ml were taken as positive. The patients were followed up for 30days for outcome in terms of mortality and morbidity. Data was entered and analyzed by SPSS package and two sided p values<0.05 were considered statistically significant.Results: The serum cTnI was found to be positive in 34% of patients with AECOPD. The in- hospital mortality was significantly low in patients having cTnI <0.01ng/ml as compared to patients with cTnI ≥0.01ng/ml. The patients with cTnI levels ≥0.01ng/ml had significantly higher mean PaCO2 levels and higher requirement for invasive or noninvasive ventilation during hospital stay as compared to patients having cTnI <0.01ng/ml (p=0.04 and 0.016 respectively).Conclusions: Levels of cTnI≥0.01ng/ml may be considered as a biomarker to predict mortality in AECOPD patients

Role of Citrus Concentrate in Extraction and Evaluation of Herbal Polymer

Background: The use of natural polymers as excipients in the pharmaceutical sector is expanding day by day. Low cost, safety issues, availability, and biodegradability are the main causes that make them differ from other sources. Natural sources have a wide range of varieties and characteristics. So, they can be used numerous times in pharmaceutical products as excipients to serve the desired purposes. &nbsp;Aim:&nbsp; To extract and evaluate the natural polymeric substances that can be used as excipients in pharmaceuticals from fenugreek seeds by using solvent extraction method. Methods: Trigonella foenum-graceum fenugreek mucilage is drive from the endosperm of the seeds it consists of galactose and mannose of it gives high viscosity in aqueous solution the fenugreek seeds used for thickening, stabilizing and emulsifying food agent. In this procedure we use grapefruit juice to treat with extract mucilage from fenugreek seeds which enhance its stability and bioavailability. Grapefruit juice increases the bioavailability of some orally administered drugs that are metabolized by CYP3A4 and normally undergo extensive presystemic extraction. Results: In addition, grapefruit juice it can decrease the oral absorption of a few drugs that rely on organic anion transporting polypeptide in the gastrointestinal tract for their uptake. The number of drugs shown to interact with grapefruit juice in vitro is far greater than the number of clinically relevant grapefruit juice drug interactions

Serial evaluation of antibody titres in patients recovered from COVID-19 and their correlation with disease severity

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic. According to the findings of various studies conducted around the world, the serological response varies greatly among different populations, with the determinants of variable response still unknown, including the role of disease severity, which is thought to have a definite correlation. The purpose of this study was to assess serial SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody response in COVID-19 patients and correlate it with disease severity. It was a longitudinal observational study in which 45 patients (age >18 yrs), were enrolled who had recovered from COVID-19 and were reporting to the post-COVID Care OPD Clinic. Patients who had been on long-term immunosuppressive therapy prior to SARS-CoV-2 infection were not eligible. All patients had not been immunized against SARS-CoV-2 and had no history of contact with recent COVID-19 cases. The patients underwent serial blood tests to determine serum IgG titers specific for SARS-CoV-2 at 30, 60, and 90 days after being diagnosed with COVID-19. Chemiluminescence was used to perform a semi-quantitative evaluation of the SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody. At 30 days after confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, 98.78% had detectable serum IgG levels, and sero-reversion (loss of previously detectable antibodies) occurred in 2.5% at 60 days and 90 days. Serum IgG was found to peak at 30 days out of the three time points of measurement (30, 60, and 90 days from diagnosis). Serum IgG levels at 90 days were significantly lower than those at 30 days (p<0.0001) and 60 days (p=0.002). The current study's findings shed light on the presence and persistence of serum SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG antibodies following a natural infection. The findings point to a long-lasting immune response with increasing severity of initial COVID-19 disease