A Postcolonial Critique of Industrial Design: A critical evaluation of the relationship of culture and hegemony to design practice and education since the late 20th century.

A Postcolonial Critique of Industrial Design: A critical evaluation of the relationship of culture and hegemony to design practice and education since the late 20th century. This thesis specifically focuses on the professional practices and training of Western industrial designers using postcolonial theory to inform working practices in a complex global ecology. It investigates the culturally hegemonic construction of design solutions in man-made products. By adopting key ideas from postcolonial and cultural studies as a lens to evaluate fields of industrial design discourse, practice and pedagogy, the work proceeds from the premise that design is not intrinsic to a product but the result of a myriad different forces and factors acting on it externally including hegemonic potencies. By reinterpreting technological formations in light of research emerging from post-colonial studies, it attempts to broaden our intellectual understanding of how product design in theory, practice and education can often rely upon western [hegemonic] aesthetic and deep cultural archetypes. The purpose of this enquiry is to highlight the potentials that exist to explore a synergy between east and west in industrial design with a prospective vision for global, trans-cultural design. The research claims that current design practice often leads to culturally determined - rather than universal - conceptions in design and it attempts to re-conceptualise design as practice within a necessarily hegemonic culture. This hegemony needs to be acknowledged and redressed via increased awareness and changes to the intellectual heritage and autonomy of West European and American industrial design, in its dialogue, practice and education. As an epistemological project to identify knowledge within this discourse, it suggests new methodological and strategic approaches to engage with the crisis the discipline faces in light of globalisation so as to open up future discussions in design discourse and give a voice to the many silences that make up the noise of the world. It attempts to: • Further understand the trajectory of hegemony and globalisation in relation to design, technology and culture. • Critically engage with cross- and trans-cultural, global and social design implications. • Address the discrepancies between designers’ culture and users’ culture, to expose the necessity for more culturally-cognizant design practice and pedagogic provision. The research was initiated by identifying a number of questions that designers and users may consciously or subconsciously confront when faced with products that problematise the imagined universal values of designed products in terms of gender and culture. It explores how certain design solutions produced and developed in the west and their diffusion into global, international markets and foreign cultures could affect those cultures by asking in what ways the usability, aesthetic and symbolic characteristics of these artefacts often unwittingly contribute to the privilege or marginalisation of people from particular socio-cultural backgrounds. The thesis intervention is that product designers are neither explicitly trained to comprehend nor surmount their respective cultural constraints and design education both nationally and internationally is not sufficiently equipped with the tools to acknowledge and confront this. The key arguments presented in this thesis are: 1. Products can often be deconstructed to identify cultural connotations or omissions in their design. 2. Global, a-cultural design and universal usability are fallacies that frequently deny the existence of an underlying cultural hegemony at play. 3. Mass-produced products can gradually homogenise and eradicate cultural diversity contributing to the negative effects of colonialist attitudes and/or globalisation. 4. Academia and educational institutions have the potential to extend awareness in this field to inform and train future designers and graduates to better advance design obligations in global, trans-cultural, cross-cultural and multicultural contexts.University of Wale

Efficacy of transvaginal sonohysterosalpingography for evaluation of infertile women

Background: Women with infertility may be benefitted from sonohysterosalpingography (SHSG), a transvaginal ultrasound procedure that uses a contrast medium to assess the endometrial cavity and tubal patency. It could be a safer and more viable alternative to radiographic hysterosalpingography (HSG). The aim of the study was to evaluate the uterine cavity and fallopian tube patency in infertile women by SHSG using transvaginal ultrasound.Methods: The prospective comparative study was carried out in a total of 35 cases of infertile women between the reproductive age of 20-40 years following the inclusion and exclusion criteria, from July 2016 to June 2017. Detailed history and physical examinations were carried out and appropriate management was instituted as per the needs of the individual patient.Results: In the present study, 41.2% of the women belonged to the age range of 25-29 years. Out of 35 women, 50% women were in the state of primary infertility and remaining were in a secondary infertility state. Holding the SHSG both tube blockage as positive findings the sensitivity of SHSG was found at 100%, specificity was 96.88% and accuracy was 97.14%, while positive predictive value was 80.49% and negative predictive value was 100%.Conclusions: Transvaginal SHSG as a first-line method for evaluation of endometrial cavity and tubal patency is effective and time convenient. Before going to the more invasive gold standard methods, i.e. Hysteroscopy and Laparoscopy, this may be a simple, safe, and well-tolerated technique with a low risk of adverse effects and severe complications

Association of serum ferritin with insulin resistance in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome

Background: Emerging scientific evidence has disclosed unsuspected influences between iron metabolism, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Even mildly elevated body iron stores are associated with statistically significant increases in glucose homeostasis indices. But till now high serum ferritin associated with type 2 diabetes is not recognized as an entity in the current clinical guidelines for the management of type 2 diabetes.Methods: This was a Cross sectional study carried out from September 2016 to March, 2017 at PCO clinic of infertility outpatient department (OPD), department of obstetrics and gynecology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh. The study population consisted of all the diagnosed PCOS patients. Purposive sampling Main outcome variable: serum ferritin level and insulin resistance index (Homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance: HOMA-IR).Results: Most of the (90.9%) patients were aged 20-30 years having BMI >25 kg/m2, mostly overweight (52.53%) or obese (25.25%). Significant increase of serum ferritin level (72.89±34.97; p=0.001) was noted in PCOS patients with insulin resistance. Marked increase in serum ferritin (82.81±31.57, p<0.001), fasting serum insulin (16.39±7.1; p<0.001), HOMA-IR (3.51±1.55; p<0.001) and more cases with insulin resistance (78.3%; p<0.001) were found in women with high ferritin level (when ≥45.5 ng/ml). Statistically significant strong positive correlation between serum ferritin level and fasting insulin level (r=0.528; p<0.001) as well as HOMA-IR (r=0.492; p<0.001) were observed.Conclusions: These results demonstrated that elevated level of serum ferritin was associated with insulin resistance in PCOS women

Analysis of prescription pattern of antibiotic drugs on patients suffering from ENT infection within Dhaka Metropolis, Bangladesh

Background: This survey was designed to assess and evaluate the prescription pattern of antibiotic drugs on patients suffering from ENT infection within Dhaka Metropolis, Bangladesh.Methods: A cross sectional, observational and prospective study was conducted from January to June 2015 in the out-patients (OPD) and in-patients (IPD) of ENT department at different general and specialized government and private hospitals (Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, Sir Solimullah Medical College Mitford Hospital, Holy Family Red Crescent Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka Community Medical College and Hospital) within Dhaka city.300 prescriptions were collected and randomly evaluated for this present study.Results: Out of 300 patients, 220 (73.33%) were male and 80 (26.67%) were female (including children and adults) where most of the patients were outpatients 262 (87.33%). In the patients information section it was observed that approximately 93.33%  prescription contained antibiotic drugs and almost all prescription (100%) contained antibiotic drugs along with other drugs such as 80.67% PPI (proton pump inhibitors), 76.67% analgesic and 51.33% vitamin/ iron supplements. From this analysis we found that 19.33% prescription contained single antibiotic drug, 80.67% contained two antibiotic drugs and no prescription contained more than two antibiotic drugs. Most of the prescribed drugs were administered orally (12% capsule, 80% tablet form). Out of 473 prescribed antibiotic drugs majority of them lie underβ-Lactam (54%) class followed by cephalosporin (46.33%) class in which maximum drugs (92%) were prescribed by their brand names.Conclusions: Prescribing more than one antibiotics was commonly encountered in this study indicating the occurrence of polypharmacy. Interventions to rectify over prescription of antibiotics, use of brand names, inadequate labelling of drugs is necessary to improve rational drug use. Standard treatment guidelines, hospital formulary, and educational intervention become essential to modify this behaviour to benefit the patient

A survey of prescription pattern of anti-diabetic drugs on diabetic patients with cardiovascular complications within Dhaka metropolis

Background: This survey study was designed to analyze the current prescription pattern of anti-diabetic drugs that used in diabetic patients with cardiovascular complications within Dhaka metropolis.Methods: The present study has been conducted by out-patient department in a number of well-known general and specialized government and private hospitals in Dhaka, Bangladesh for 5 months. 1200 prescriptions and questionnaire were randomly evaluated for this present survey. A standard questionnaire was prepared, containing 17 different questions, to conduct the survey based on patient’s demographic data such as which type of diabetes they have contained, age, gender, education and their self-assessment of health, disease history and medication.Results: Among the patients involved in this study, there were 46% (550) male and 54% (650) female between the ages of 30 and 75 years. Between 46 and 70 years, 19% male and 31% female were found to be diabetic indicating that in this age group female are mostly affected by diabetes. About 2020 antidiabetic drugs were prescribed by the physicians in which 30.43% contained single, 54.16% contained two and 15% contained more than two anti-diabetic drugs. Amongst antidiabetic medications, metformin was the most commonly prescribed drug which was given in 30.69% patients followed by glimepride 10.9%, 5.45% had glipizide, 1% pioglitazone and other drugs. A total of 7.43% drug was prescribed by fixed dose combinations. Highest percentage of male diabetic patients with hypertension (86%), dyslipidemia (100%) and other complications (57%) was found at 75 years of age while no female patients were found under the same condition at the same age.Conclusions: The findings can serve as a guide to choose the formulation and combination of anti-diabetic drugs in this part of the world before developing & marketing any new drug. Therefore it is necessary to create better awareness among people, focus on rational use of anti-diabetic drugs and also motivate our physicians to prescribe the generic drugs

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the education of medical, dental and non-medical healthcare professionals in Bangladesh : findings and connotation

Lockdown measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic had an appreciable impact on the education of all medical, dental, and non-medical healthcare professional (HCP) students. These included the closure of universities necessitating a rapid move to e-learning and new approaches to practical’s. However initially, there was a lack of knowledge and expertise regarding e-learning approaches and the affordability of internet bundles and equipment. We initially con-ducted two pilot studies to assess such current challenges, replaced by a two-stage approach including a full investigation involving 32 private and public universities during the early stages of the pandemic followed by a later study assessing the current environment brought about by the forced changes. Top challenges at the start of the pandemic included a lack of familiarity with e-learning approaches, cost of the internet, lack of IT equipment and the quality of the classes. Universities offered support to staff and students to a varying degree to address identified challenges. Since then, e-learning approaches have widened the possibilities for teaching and learning at convenient times. However, challenges remain. In conclusion, there were considerable challenges at the start of them pandemic. Several key issues have been addressed with hybrid learning here to stay. Remaining challenges include a lack of ICT equipment. However, new innovations will continue

Effects of antibiotic resistance, drug target attainment, bacterial pathogenicity and virulence, and antibiotic access and affordability on outcomes in neonatal sepsis: an international microbiology and drug evaluation prospective substudy (BARNARDS)

Background Sepsis is a major contributor to neonatal mortality, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). WHO advocates ampicillin–gentamicin as first-line therapy for the management of neonatal sepsis. In the BARNARDS observational cohort study of neonatal sepsis and antimicrobial resistance in LMICs, common sepsis pathogens were characterised via whole genome sequencing (WGS) and antimicrobial resistance profiles. In this substudy of BARNARDS, we aimed to assess the use and efficacy of empirical antibiotic therapies commonly used in LMICs for neonatal sepsis. Methods In BARNARDS, consenting mother–neonates aged 0–60 days dyads were enrolled on delivery or neonatal presentation with suspected sepsis at 12 BARNARDS clinical sites in Bangladesh, Ethiopia, India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Rwanda, and South Africa. Stillborn babies were excluded from the study. Blood samples were collected from neonates presenting with clinical signs of sepsis, and WGS and minimum inhibitory concentrations for antibiotic treatment were determined for bacterial isolates from culture-confirmed sepsis. Neonatal outcome data were collected following enrolment until 60 days of life. Antibiotic usage and neonatal outcome data were assessed. Survival analyses were adjusted to take into account potential clinical confounding variables related to the birth and pathogen. Additionally, resistance profiles, pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic probability of target attainment, and frequency of resistance (ie, resistance defined by in-vitro growth of isolates when challenged by antibiotics) were assessed. Questionnaires on health structures and antibiotic costs evaluated accessibility and affordability. Findings Between Nov 12, 2015, and Feb 1, 2018, 36 285 neonates were enrolled into the main BARNARDS study, of whom 9874 had clinically diagnosed sepsis and 5749 had available antibiotic data. The four most commonly prescribed antibiotic combinations given to 4451 neonates (77·42%) of 5749 were ampicillin–gentamicin, ceftazidime–amikacin, piperacillin–tazobactam–amikacin, and amoxicillin clavulanate–amikacin. This dataset assessed 476 prescriptions for 442 neonates treated with one of these antibiotic combinations with WGS data (all BARNARDS countries were represented in this subset except India). Multiple pathogens were isolated, totalling 457 isolates. Reported mortality was lower for neonates treated with ceftazidime–amikacin than for neonates treated with ampicillin–gentamicin (hazard ratio [adjusted for clinical variables considered potential confounders to outcomes] 0·32, 95% CI 0·14–0·72; p=0·0060). Of 390 Gram-negative isolates, 379 (97·2%) were resistant to ampicillin and 274 (70·3%) were resistant to gentamicin. Susceptibility of Gram-negative isolates to at least one antibiotic in a treatment combination was noted in 111 (28·5%) to ampicillin–gentamicin; 286 (73·3%) to amoxicillin clavulanate–amikacin; 301 (77·2%) to ceftazidime–amikacin; and 312 (80·0%) to piperacillin–tazobactam–amikacin. A probability of target attainment of 80% or more was noted in 26 neonates (33·7% [SD 0·59]) of 78 with ampicillin–gentamicin; 15 (68·0% [3·84]) of 27 with amoxicillin clavulanate–amikacin; 93 (92·7% [0·24]) of 109 with ceftazidime–amikacin; and 70 (85·3% [0·47]) of 76 with piperacillin–tazobactam–amikacin. However, antibiotic and country effects could not be distinguished. Frequency of resistance was recorded most frequently with fosfomycin (in 78 isolates [68·4%] of 114), followed by colistin (55 isolates [57·3%] of 96), and gentamicin (62 isolates [53·0%] of 117). Sites in six of the seven countries (excluding South Africa) stated that the cost of antibiotics would influence treatment of neonatal sepsis

Parents&apos; Personality and Their Expectations about Child&apos;s Development

Abstract The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of parent&apos;s personality on their expectations about the development of their children. It was hypothesized that Big-five personality would predict parental expectations. Data were collected from 64 mothers (X Age = 32.76, SD =6.95) and 36 fathers (X Age = 40.08, SD =8.35) using parental expectation questionnaire of child&apos;s development and Revised bangle version of Saucer&apos;s Big Five-Mini Markers. Multiple regression analysis indicated that openness to experience was the strongest predictor (β = .404, p &lt;.05) followed by extraversion (β = -.351, p &lt;.05). The model explained 24.1% variance of parental expectations of child&apos;s development. However, agreeableness, emotional stability and conscientiousness did not predict parental expectations. Possible explanations have been put forth to account for the findings

Wound healing effect of Euphorbia hirta linn. (Euphorbiaceae) in alloxan induced diabetic rats

Abstract Background Euphorbia hirta linn., is a species of Euphorbiaceae family. They are known as asthma plant, barokhervi. The plant E. hirta is famous for its medicinal importance among the tribal population. It is a common practice to use the whole to heal wounds. Several pharmacological properties including antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antidibetic, antispasmodic, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, anticonvulsant, nootropic, antifertility and aphrodisiac properties have already been reported for this plant. The aim of present work was to evaluate the wound healing property in diabetic animals by oral and topical administration of ethanolic extract of E. hirta whole plant. Methods The ethanolic extract of E. hirta was subjected to determine the total phenolic content and total flavonoid content using galic acid and quercetin, respectively as standard. A single injection of alloxan monohydrate (120 mg/kg, i.p.) prepared in normal saline was administered to produce diabetes in rats, after overnight fasting. For analyzing the rate of contraction of wound, excision wounds sized 4.90cm2 and of 2 mm depth were used. Oral (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg/day; p.o.) and topical treatment with the extract (5% and 10% ointment 50 mg/kg/day) and standard (5% povidone iodine ointment 50 mg/kg/day) was started on the day of induction of wound and continued up to 16 days. The means of wound area measurement between groups at different time intervals were compared using ANOVA and Dunnet’s test. The diabetic wound healing mechanism was studied by measuring the plasma level of glucose, malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) in both control and treated groups. For the confirmation of activity, histopathology of the wounds tissues from excision wound model was performed. Results Phytochemical investigations showed the presence of various phytoconstituents (carbohydrates, saponins, alkaloids, glycosides, steroids, flavonoids, tannins). In the ethanolic extract of E. hirta the total phenol content was 285 ± 3.22 mg/g whereas the total flavonoid content was 118.46 ± 1.85 mg/g. In the present study, E. hirta caused significant wound closer both orally (35.92%, 44.69% and 61.42% at the doses of 100, 200 and 400, respectively) and topically (32.86% and 36.32% at the doses of 5% and 10%) treated groups as compared to diabetic control. However, the orally treated groups showed more significant effect than the topically treated groups. Moreover, oral administration of E. hirta ethanolic extract significantly reduced the blood glucose levels in diabetic wound rats (p  0.05). It also demonstrated a significant decrease in the plasma levels of lipid malondialdehyde and nitric oxide. The results of biochemical parameters were further supported by the histopathological changes of different organs (liver, pancrease, kidney, heart and skin from wound area) which were evidenced through a decrease in inflammatory cell infiltration. Conclusion The present study demonstrates that E. hirta whole plant extract promotes healing of wounds more significantly as compared to diabetic control rats, where healing is otherwise delayed