Factors influencing progression rate in higher education in Oman-data engineering and statistical approach

The paper highlights key issues in student progression in a tertiary level educational system. The colleges operate under the ministry of higher education, ministry of men power. Private universities are affiliated with the external universities from the developed world. Students come from various backgrounds and allocation of students to the education system depends on the performance of the student in the school. The good students get placed in state universities and colleges and those who could not get in the state universities get placed in private universities and colleges. Progression rates in all the type of system is a challenge. We have addressed a way to overcome this problem in this paper. An attempt is made to analyze the factors influencing progression rate in higher education system via data engineering and statistical approach

Effectiveness of yoga on anxiety, depression and stress level of breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy

Background: Breast cancer has ranked number one cancer among Indian females. Women undergoing chemotherapy experience many side effects including alteration in their body image. The present study assessed effectiveness of yoga on anxiety, depression and stress level of breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.Methods: Quantitative Research approach and Randomized Clinical Controlled Trial with Time series design was adopted in the present study. The consecutive sampling technique was done to recruit 100 breast cancer patients fulfilling the eligibility criteria. Recruited patients were randomized to control (N=52) and experiment (N=48) groups by concealed randomization. Written informed consent was taken from each participant. Baseline data was collected during cycle one by using Anxiety depression and stress scale. The patients in the experimental group were taught Diaphragmatic breathing, systematic relaxation and alternate nostril breathing and Joints and Gland neck and shoulder exercises, and were instructed to practice them twice daily at home. They were supervised in practicing these when they received second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth cycles of chemotherapy. Participants in control group received routine care. Data was again collected after 21 days during second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth cycles of chemotherapy.Results: Analysis revealed that at the baseline breast cancer patients in control and experimental group were homogenous in terms of their Sociodemographic and anxiety depression and stress scores. After the yoga intervention the experimental group showed statistically significant difference in anxiety scores from control group during second, third and sixth cycles (p 0.01, p 0.02, p 0.02), in depression score during the second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth cycles (p 0.02, p 0.02, p 0.02, p 0.001, p 0.000), and in stress scores during third cycle (p 0.01) of chemotherapy.Conclusions: On the basis of findings of the study it was concluded that yoga was effective in reducing the anxiety, depression and stress of breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Therefore, it is recommended as complementary therapy for patients receiving treatment for cancer.

Design of a recommender system for web based learning

The design of recommender systems is an ongoing research area where several researchers have devised means of incorporating intelligence in web content systems to be able to provide recommendations to learners on the basis of their learning preferences i.e. based on their learning profiles. The paper discusses the design of such a system based mapped to a content ontology and learner profiles created in the system

Association of Nutritional Status with Failure to Complete Planned Treatment in patients with HNSCC- a prospective cohort study in a Tertiary cancer centre in Northern India.

Background: To determine the association between Nutritional status of patient and the ability to complete all planned treatment in Head & Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma(HNSCC). Materials & Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted at CRI India between 2018 and 2020. Patients diagnosed with HNSCC and planned for treatment were enrolled after written informed consent. Nutritional status was determined using- anthropometric measures and Subjective Global Assessment(SGA) scale before starting treatment. Patients were followed up for treatment details, complications and failure to complete planned treatment. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 22. Data was analyzed using parametric and non-parametric tests, p value of 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Total 161 patients were analyzed, mean age 56.3yr (±13.27 SD), 88.2% male, 64% cT3/4 stage, 91.9% ECOG PS 0 to 2. The age, gender, PS, subsite, stage, grade were not significantly associated with failure to complete planned treatment. Mean weight was 51.76 (±12.52 SD), 58.65 (±11.3 SD) kg (p=0.012), mean Body Mass Index(BMI) 19.36 (±4.3 SD), 21.92 (±4.09 SD) (p=0.009), median weight loss within 6months 11%, 3% (p=0.01), median SGA score 49, 38 (p=0.000) in patients who failed to complete treatment and who completed treatment. Percentage failure to complete treatment was 20%, 10.34% patients with weight ≤50kg, \u3e50kg (p=0.12, RR=2.17); 28.95%, 8.2% with BMI21cm (p=0.008, RR=5.2), 7.06%, 19.74% with SGA score Conclusions: Nutritional parameters like weight, BMI, MUAC, weight loss in 6 months, and SGA score are significantly associated with failure to complete treatment. Disparities in nutritional status of patients undergoing treatment for HNSCC need to be acknowledged

Tools and Techniques used in Optimization of Machining Parameters in CNC Lathe Turning of Aluminium 7075 Alloy

This paper presents complete process of turning operation by using CNC machine tool and the input parameters associated with the process that can be controlled to enhance the output quality parameters like material removal rate and average surface roughness as per the desired requirement. Every detail of turning operation and associated parameters is explained. The optimization techniques like Taguchi, Anova, S/N ratio, grey relational analysis is also described and their importance is also discussed in detail. The study explains step by step procedure involved in optimization of turning process in detail

To study the short-term outcome of multimodality treatment on morbidity and quality of life in patients with carcinoma oesophagus

Background: Oesophageal cancer is sixth most common cause of cancer related deaths worldwide. Despite complete resections, overall survival remained low. To improve the existing treatment combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in both neoadjuvant and adjuvant settings was introduced. Impact of treatment on quality of life, morbidities and toxicities associated with multimodality treatment in patients of carcinoma oesophagus was studied prospectively and retrospectively.Methods: A total of 40 patients histologically proven carcinoma of the oesophagus were enrolled in the study. Study included assessment of clinical features, risk factors, biopsy, multimodality treatment and associated morbidities and toxicities. Quality of Life (QOL) in patients of multimodality treatment assessed using European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 and Core 18 before, immediate post treatment and 6 months after completion of the planned treatment.Results: In 40 patients, male to female ratio was 1.10:1. Dysphagia was the leading complain. 3 patients were treated using neoadjuvant therapy (chemotherapy and radiotherapy followed by surgery) among them 2 patients expired, 1 patient is under regular follow up. 6 patients underwent upfront surgery followed by adjuvant therapy out of which 3 patients expired,15 patients were treated with curative intent by definitive chemotherapy and radiotherapy out of which only 7 patients survived for >1 year. 16 patients were treated with palliative intent (radiotherapy, chemotherapy, oesophageal stenting and feeding procedures) in which only 1 patient survived for 1 year.Conclusions: The present study demonstrates that patients over all QOL was reduced after treatment and in the follow up period which was due to the treatment related toxicities but in contrast symptom improvement was observed simultaneously

A Novel Method of Butterfly Optimization Algorithm for Load Balancing in Cloud Computing

Cloud computing is frequently alluded to as a model that furnishes boundless information handling conveniences with a compensation for each utilization framework. Present day cloud foundations resources as virtual machines (VMs) to actual machines utilizing virtualization innovation. All VMs works their involved structure and exhaust resources from their actual machine which behaves like a host. For load adjusting, Cloud moves VMs from exceptionally troubled real machines to low troubled actual machines. The delay of this calculation expansions in the organization as virtual machines are relocated. This work puts forward a new algorithm, namely Butterfly optimization for VM migration. The proposed optimization algorithm has been implemented in the MATLAB software.  A comparative analysis is performed between the outcomes of the preceding and the new algorithm.  The proposed algorithm has been evaluated over three performance parameters including delay, bandwidth used, and space used

Cluster Head Selection in a Homogeneous Wireless Sensor Network Ensuring Full Connectivity with Minimum Isolated Nodes

The research work proposes a cluster head selection algorithm for a wireless sensor network. A node can be a cluster head if it is connected to at least one unique neighbor node where the unique neighbor is the one that is not connected to any other node. If there is no connected unique node then the CH is selected on the basis of residual energy and the number of neighbor nodes. With the increase in number of clusters, the processing energy of the network increases; hence, this algorithm proposes minimum number of clusters which further leads to increased network lifetime. The major novel contribution of the proposed work is an algorithm that ensures a completely connected network with minimum number of isolated nodes. An isolated node will remain only if it is not within the transmission range of any other node. With the maximum connectivity, the coverage of the network is automatically maximized. The superiority of the proposed design is verified by simulation results done in MATLAB, where it clearly depicts that the total numbers of rounds before the network dies out are maximum compared to other existing protocols

Acute bilirubin encephalopathy in term neonates: a hospital-based study

Background: Acute Bilirubin Encephalopathy and kernicterus is an important cause of cerebral palsy, developmental delay and hearing impairment in low-middle income countries. Interventions such as universal screening for neonatal jaundice, Rhesus immunoglobulins, intensive phototherapy and exchange transfusion have made kernicterus rare in high income countries, but in our set up such cases continue to be reported.  Methods: Retrospective observational study where case records of term neonates brought to the neonatal ICU with signs and symptoms of acute bilirubin encephalopathy during the years 2016 and 2017 were sought and analysed.Results: A total of ten term babies reported to the neonatal unit with severe hyperbilirubinemia along with signs and symptoms of bilirubin encephalopathy of which 60% were females. 90% had a birth weight of more than 2.5 kg and mean birth weight was 2.7±0.25 kgs. All the babies were out born. A 4 babies were born at home of which 3 pregnancies were completely unsupervised during the antenatal period. 90% of the babies were from the rural areas, 6 of the cases were from the districts Rajouri, Poonch and Reasi where the terrain is hilly, 2 from rural areas of Jammu and 1 from Kathua. Only 1 was from the Jammu city. The age at admission ranged from 3-9 days and serum bilirubin from 24 to 43.3 mg %. A 5 babies had ABO incompatibility, 1 Rh incompatibility, 1 sepsis, while no cause could be found in 3.Conclusions: Neonatal jaundice is often not easily appreciated by mothers and caregivers in the home setting until it becomes severe enough, at which point neurological damage may have already occurred. There is an urgent need to train the primary health care personnel in assessment and early identification of risk factors for severe neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. They can help the families to seek prompt treatment for this preventable cause of cerebral palsy and mental retardation

VESICULAR DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEMS: A NOVEL APPROACH FOR DRUG TARGETING

The objective of the study is to evaluate the potential of novel vesicular drug delivery systems for drug targeting. Novel vesicular drug delivery systems aim to deliver the drug at a rate directed by need of body during the period of treatment, and channel the active entity to the site of action. Vesicular drug delivery systems have been used to improve the therapeutic index, solubility, stability and rapid degradation of drug molecule. Thus a number of novel vesicular drug delivery systems have been developed that allow drug targeting and sustained or controlled release of drug. The focus of this review is to discuss various lipoidal and non-lipoidal vesicles with special emphasis on targeting of drugs