Transcriptional networks of transient cell states during human prefrontal cortex development

The human brain is divided into various anatomical regions that control and coordinate unique functions. The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is a large brain region that comprises a range of neuronal and non-neuronal cell types, sharing extensive interconnections with subcortical areas, and plays a critical role in cognition and memory. A timely appearance of distinct cell types through embryonic development is crucial for an anatomically perfect and functional brain. Direct tracing of cell fate development in the human brain is not possible, but single-cell transcriptome sequencing (scRNA-seq) datasets provide the opportunity to dissect cellular heterogeneity and its molecular regulators. Here, using scRNA-seq data of human PFC from fetal stages, we elucidate distinct transient cell states during PFC development and their underlying gene regulatory circuitry. We further identified that distinct intermediate cell states consist of specific gene regulatory modules essential to reach terminal fate using discrete developmental paths. Moreover, using in silico gene knock-out and over-expression analysis, we validated crucial gene regulatory components during the lineage specification of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells. Our study illustrates unique intermediate states and specific gene interaction networks that warrant further investigation for their functional contribution to typical brain development and discusses how this knowledge can be harvested for therapeutic intervention in challenging neurodevelopmental disorders

Case reports for embryo banking: for women who want their own

Out of the many challenges in management of female factor infertility, poor responders and low response to stimulation in aged and even younger women, seems to be a common problem. It is very difficult to offer one particular management strategy or treatment protocol for optimum outcome in this group of women of poor responders. In a low resource set up, IVF (In vitro Fertilization) specialist doctors usually face a challenge in treating women with poor/ low ovarian reserve as ovum / gamete donation is considered as a taboo in various sections of society even today. Hence women insist on having an offspring of "their own" and vehemently deny ovum / gamete donations. In this article we discuss 2 cases of poor ovarian reserve retrospectively, who underwent multiple cycles of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for embryo banking and ultimately achieved pregnancy. Both patients achieved pregnancy with the method of embryo banking. Embryo banking should be considered and discussed. Various articles have discussed the advantages and disadvantages of embryo banking or even oocytes accumulation. The advantages of this technique is patients with poor/low ovarian reserve get a chance to be pregnant with their own oocytes and also have a chance for vitrification of residual embryos. Another advantage in such patients is that the embryos can undergo PGS (Preimplantation Genetic Screening) techniques in cases of suspected genetic disorders. The disadvantage in a low resource set up like India is the cost of the treatment. Nevertheless, embryo banking and accumulation of oocytes should be given as an option for treatment of poor/ low ovarian reserve and could be considered as a ray of hope for all future mothers hoping for a child of "their own"

Estimation of uncertainty of effective area of a pneumatic pressure reference standard using Monte Carlo method

The current paper presents a comparative investigation of the experimental as well as simulated evaluation of effective area and the associated uncertainties, of a pneumatic pressure reference standard (NPLI-4) of CSIR-National Physical Laboratory, India, (NPLI). The experimental evaluation has been compared to the simulated estimation of the effective area obtained through Monte Carlo method (MCM). The Monte Carlo method has been applied by taking fixed number of trials (FMCM) and also by trials chosen adaptively (AMCM). The measurement uncertainties have been calculated using the conventional method, i.e., law of propagation of uncertainty (LPU) as well as MCM. Experimentally, the NPLI-4 has cross-floated against our newly established pneumatic primary pressure standard (NPLI-P10), which is a large diameter piston gauge. An excellent agreement in effective area and measurement uncertainty has been observed between these approaches

Sustainable financial solutions for the adoption of solar powered irrigation pumps in Nepal’s terai

Solar powered irrigation pumps (SPIPs) are a proven technology, and can potentially be a game changer in Nepal’s irrigation sector by providing clean irrigation to millions of farmers. However, the relatively high capital cost of SPIPs is the main impediment that prevents large scale adoption of SPIPs. Given this, can we design appropriate financial solutions that will help in the large scale adoption of this clean and efficient technology? We ran a randomized experiment in order to estimate demand for SPIPs under three financial models – ‘grant’; ‘grant-loan’ and ‘grant-pay as you go’ in Saptari district of Nepal. We provided an additional 10% discount to women applicants, provided they owned the land on which SPIPs were to be installed. These models were based on policies of Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC), and similar schemes available in India and Bangladesh. Village Development Committees (VDCs) were randomly divided into three groups and one financial option was provided to each group of VDCs. This randomized control trial (RCT) helped estimate absolute demand for each of the models. We ran 45-days promotional campaigns to solicit demand from farmers. The main findings from our experiment were

Sustainable financial solutions for the adoption of solar powered irrigation pumps in Nepal’s terai

Solar powered irrigation pumps (SPIPs) are a proven technology, and can potentially be a game changer in Nepal’s irrigation sector by providing clean irrigation to millions of farmers. However, the relatively high capital cost of SPIPs is the main impediment that prevents large scale adoption of SPIPs. Given this, can we design appropriate financial solutions that will help in the large scale adoption of this clean and efficient technology? We ran a randomized experiment in order to estimate demand for SPIPs under three financial models – ‘grant’; ‘grant-loan’ and ‘grant-pay as you go’ in Saptari district of Nepal. We provided an additional 10% discount to women applicants, provided they owned the land on which SPIPs were to be installed. These models were based on policies of Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC), and similar schemes available in India and Bangladesh. Village Development Committees (VDCs) were randomly divided into three groups and one financial option was provided to each group of VDCs. This randomized control trial (RCT) helped estimate absolute demand for each of the models. We ran 45-days promotional campaigns to solicit demand from farmers. The main findings from our experiment were

A questionnaire-based study on knowledge and attitude towards counterfeit medication among the doctors in tertiary care hospital

Background: Counterfeit drugs are a global problem and suffered almost all developing and developed countries worldwide. In India, it is a major problem which results life threatening issues as well as financial loss on health system. So, we conducted a cross sectional questionnaire-based study on knowledge and exposure to counterfeit drugs of doctors at SHKM Govt. Medical College, Nuh, Haryana, India.Methods: A structured questionnaire was distributed to 100 registered doctors. The questionnaire was based on knowledge, attitude and its consequence on the heath system by the practices of counterfeit medication.Results: There were Twenty questionnaires excluded from the study due to incomplete information. Only 57.77% (46/80) subjects having the knowledge of questionnaire correct meaning of counterfeit drug. However, almost 90% (72/80) subjects were aware about its dangerous effects. More than 50% of the subjects have suggested that modern technology is capable to control counterfeiting of the medicine.Conclusions: Counterfeit drugs create a people health hazard and waste to consumer income. The proper knowledge, awareness and modern technological approaches are the devices may helpful in diminution of counterfeit medication practices.

Intrauterine platelet rich plasma versus injection G-CSF for treatment of thin endometrium in infertility

Background: For success in IVF treatment, it is essential that the patient has a responsive endometrium together with many other factors. Inspite of numerous treatments available today for growth of endometrium, there is lack of any ideal drug or protocol for increasing endometrial thickness. The study is an attempt to evaluate the role of two drugs for increasing endometrial growth before embryos transfers.Methods: This study is a retrospective cohort study including 50 patients with previously diagnosed as thin endometrium patients who may or may not have failed previous cycles of IVF. Patients were randomly divided into two groups. First group-Group A (n=25) are patients randomly selected to undergo intrauterine PRP instillation for increase in endometrial thickness before embryo transfer. Second group-Group B (n=25) are randomly selected from a retrospective cohort of thin endometrium to take injection GCSF  as intrauterine infusion (total dose 300mcg) on day of trigger or day 11 of cycle followed by 60 units subcutaneously after embryo transfer. The difference in endometrial thickness during transfer and the pregnancy outcomes were compared.Results: Injection GCSF was found to be more effective than intrauterine PRP in improving endometrial thickness in patients with thin endometrium with a p-value of <0.0001.  It was found that the chemical and clinical pregnancy rates were comparable as the p values were 0.77 and 0.37 respectively and hence statistically not significant. Although patients given injection GCSF had a slightly higher clinical pregnancy rate (44%) as compared to patients given intrauterine PRP which was 28%. All other variables were comparable.Conclusions: In the study it was proven that injection GCSF, is more effective for the treatment of thin endometrium patients as compared to intrauterine PRP infusion. Though the clinical and chemical pregnancy rates were comparable, a higher percentage of women were clinically pregnant in the group given injection GCSF.  Intrauterine PRP can also be a good alternative for thin endometrium.  More studies and RCTS are needed for comparison to prove the effectiveness of these drugs for treatment of thin endometrium

The Interpersonal Context of Emotion

Trauma-related distress is associated with disturbances in emotion regulation (Tull, Barrett, McMillan, & Roemer, 2007). The current study investigated associations of emotional reactivity, emotional sensitivity, and risk perception in an interpersonal context with individuals who endorsed varying levels of trauma-related distress. Participants were 64 college-aged women who endorsed a history of sexual trauma. All participants were randomized into conditions in which they either received validating or invalidating responses from an experimenter following their completion of stressful arithmetic tasks. Emotional reactivity was assessed with a self-report measure, emotional sensitivity was assessed through a facial affect recognition task, and risk perception was assessed by the length of time it took for an individual to choose to leave an increasingly threatening situation (in a computerized vignette). No statistically significant relationships emerged between the variables of interest. However, results helped illuminate several important questions for future research. Limitations of the study and future directions for research are discussed

Classroom training versus e-learning: An evaluation of the effective training delivery approach and the impact on employee performance in the Information Technology sector in India

Purpose The aim of the research is compare and identify the effective training method used in trainings and analyse the impact on employee performance in the Information Technology Sector in India. A quantitative research will be used for this research with an attempt to evaluate employee’s opinion on which training method has more impact on their performance. Design/ Methodology/ Approach The research used quantitative research method and the positivist paradigm for data analysis. A questionnaire developed for this study included the multiple choice questions which helped in gathering the demographic information of the participants. Additionally, there were 26 statements based on the Likert scale response which helped in gathering the opinion of the employees based on the two training methods. The snowball sampling technique was used to gather the data as the research demanded a larger greater participation. Findings The findings suggest that there is inclination towards the e-learning approach compared to classroom training. In addition, understanding concepts upon attending the training and the overall experience are the two parameters which have a high correlation in employees performance at the work. Practical Implications Employees are the backbone of the organisation. There are highly significant and are accountable for accomplishing most of the task. Their active participation and contribution in the organisational success or downfall cannot be underestimated. Consequently, maximising the job performance of these unique assets using effective training becomes imperative to the organisations. These trainings not only encourage them to take on the day-to-day challenges, but also nurture them to adapt to the competitive business world. In order to impart the knowledge and inculcate the relevant competencies to these employees to ameliorate their job performance, it is advisable that organisation use effective training methods ( Elnaga and Imran, 2013). Although extensive research has been conducted in the area of the Human Resource Management, the same cannot be said on employee training especially as it concerns developing countries