Tests for covariance matrices, particularly for high dimensional data

Test statistics for sphericity and identity of the covariance matrix are presented, when the data are multivariate normal and the dimension, p, can be larger than the sample size, n. The statistics, derived under very general conditions, follow an approximate normal distribution for large p, also when p >> n. Simulation results, particularly emphasizing the case when p can be much larger than n, show that the proposed statistics are accurate for both size control and power. A discussion of the commonly used assumptions for high dimensional set up is also given, with the conclusions applicable in general as well as in the special case of high dimensional covariance testing

Attitudes and Technology Integration among ESL Secondary School Teachers in Sabah

Technology integration in teaching and learning activities has become one of the debatable issues among educators in recent years, especially since many countries have invested a large portion of their yearly budgets on technologies in education. As one of the developing countries, Malaysia has also spent millions and planned many programs and strategies to increase the technology integration level of teachers in schools. Despite that, the level of technology integration among teachers in Malaysia still needs a lot of improvement, especially in teachers' attitudes. This study examined English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers’ attitudes towards the use of technology in the teaching of English at secondary schools in Sabah. This is crucial to assist in planning for any future programs or trainings by the relevant authorities. The study applied quantitative method and used cluster sampling to choose participants which comprised 100 of ESL secondary school teachers in Sabah Findings of the study disclosed that ESL secondary school teachers in Sabah have positive beliefs and attitudes towards technology integration

Clinical presentations of colorectal cancer at initial presentation to hospital and its site specific correlation

Background: Colorectal cancer is one of the leading cause of death all over the world. It progresses slowly and may be asymptomatic for as many as 5 years. Aim of this study was to find the incidence and the initial clinical presentations of patients with colorectal cancer and its site specific correlationMethods: This was a prospective hospital-based study conducted over a period of two years from August 2015 to September 2017 in the postgraduate department of surgery, Government medical college, Srinagar. Total of fifty three patients in the age group of 10 years to 80 years were included in the study. Colorectal tumors were divided into right colon growths (caecum, ascending colon and hepatic flexure), left colon growths (splenic flexure, descending colon and sigmoid colon) and rectal growths. Data was collected from their hospital records and analysed using SPSS computer program.Results: In present study incidence of colorectal cancer was 0.2 per 100,000 people. Thirty percent of our patients were found to be in the sixth decade of their life with male preponderance in almost every age group. Mean age of presentation being 46.44 years (males= 48.5years, females= 43.76years). Out of 53 patients, rectal growths constituted 36%, left colonic growths 36% followed by 28% cases of right colonic growths. More than one symptom was present in several patients. Maximum number of patients (43%) presented with anemia (microcytic hypochromic) with Hb of <9gm% followed by constipation 38% and bleeding per rectum 28%. Pain abdomen was present in 23% of patients. Loss of weight and diarrhoea was equally seen in 19% of patients. Diarrhoea was seen in 6 males and 4 females and was statistically significant (p<0.05).Conclusions: Colorectal cancer was found to affect the Kashmiri patients at younger age (38% were 40 years or less) with peak incidence at sixth decade. Males were affected more than females. Anaemia, constipation and bleeding per rectum were the most common predominant clinical features in right colon, left colon and rectal growths respectively

STUDENT'S RECEPTION TOWARD SHAKESPEARE’S SELECTED CONTEMPORARY PLAYS

Literary reception is a literary genre that examines literary texts by considering the reader as the giver of the welcome or response. Researchers choose to analyze literary receptions in Shakespeare's plays, namely "Romeo and Juliet" and "Macbeth" as an interesting source of data to be studied and analyzed more deeply because of the difficulty of readers in responding to a literary work. This study aims to determine the reader's response to the two plays by Shakespeare. The data source of this research is the play script of "Romeo and Juliet" and "Macbeth" by William Shakespeare. The method used in this study is a qualitative descriptive method. This study uses Iser’s Reception theory with instruments in the form of documentation and observation studies because this research is reviewed by noting and marking the parts that are considered important and useful for the reader. Based on the results of this study, it is clear that there are reader responses in Shakespeare's plays. Then the results of the research are in the form of a questionnaire containing nine questions with excellent answers or responses from readers in engaging the two plays by Shakespeare.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Resepsi sastra adalah genre sastra yang mengkaji teks sastra dengan mempertimbangkan pembaca sebagai pemberi sambutan atau tanggapan. Peneliti memilih untuk menganalisis resepsi sastra dalam lakon Shakespeare yaitu “Romeo and Juliet” dan “Macbeth” sebagai sumber data yang menarik untuk dikaji dan dianalisis lebih dalam karena sulitnya pembaca dalam menanggapi sebuah karya sastra. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui tanggapan pembaca terhadap dua lakon karya Shakespeare. Sumber data penelitian ini adalah teks respon pembaca. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah metode deskriptif kualitatif. Penelitian ini menggunakan teori Resepsi dari Iser dengan instrumen berupa studi dokumentasi dan observasi karena penelitian ini ditinjau dengan mencatat dan menandai bagian-bagian yang dianggap penting dan bermanfaat bagi pembaca. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian ini, terlihat jelas adanya respon pembaca dalam drama-drama karya Shakespeare. Kemudian hasil penelitian berupa angket berisi sembilan pertanyaan dengan jawaban atau tanggapan yang sangat baik dalam membawakan kedua drama karya Shakespeare.&nbsp

Frequency of Acute and Late Reaction of Non-Ionic Iodinated Contrast Media in Contrast Enhanced Computed Tomography

Introduction: A contrast agent is a substance used to increase the contrast of structures or fluids within the body in medical imaging. Contrast agents absorb or alter external electromagnetism or ultrasound, and enhance the radio density in a target tissue or structure. Contrast agents are commonly used to improve the visibility of blood vessels and the gastrointestinal tract. Several types of contrast agent are in use in medical imaging and they can roughly be classified based on the imaging modalities where they are used and the purposes of this study to find out the frequency of adverse reactions of non-ionic iodinated contrast media in contrast enhanced Computed Tomography. Material Methods: It was cross-sectional observational study conducted on 133 patients who visited Al-Razi healthcare hospital, Lahore for a CT (computed Tomography) scan.  36 of them got adverse reactions to the non-ionic contrast media. The frequency of adverse reactions happening with the non-ionic contrast usage was determinedResults: In this study, one hundred and thirty-three patients who fulfilled the criteria were included in the study. 36 of the patients had adverse reactions to the non-ionic contrast media which included shivering, fatigue, headache, nausea and rashes. All of the patients had no previous history of allergies or contrast reactions. The mean age of patients ranged from 51.49 ± 16.19years. Conclusion: In conclusion, the use of non-ionic contrast media as a CT contrast agent has a safety profile. It is concluded that a non-ionic iodinated contrast media reaction rarely results in long-term sequelae as it is less severe and easily treatable. Keywords: Non-Ionic Iodine Contrast Media, Computed Tomography, Adverse Reactions DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/88-05 Publication date: April 30th 202

Synthesis and antimicrobial evaluation of fatty chain substituted 2,5-dimethyl pyrrole and 1,3-benzoxazin-4-one derivatives

AbstractFatty acids themselves have a number of biological properties and its easy intake by the human body will focus to the synthesis of many heterocyclic moiety substituted with fatty acid residue, to make more gradual intake of heterocycles in the human body. 2,5-Dimethyl pyrrole 2(a–e) and 1,3-benzoxazin-4-one 4(b–e) derivatives were synthesized, from cyclization of fatty acid hydrazide 1(a–e) with acetonyl acetone and from the reaction of fatty esters 3(b–e) with anthranilic acid in the presence of POCl3, respectively. All these compounds were characterized with the help of IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and mass spectra. The synthesized compounds were screened for antimicrobial evaluation against gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus SA 22, Bacillus subtilis MTCC 121), gram-negative (Escherichia coli K12, Klebsiella pneumoniae) and fungal strains (Candida albicans IOA-109) and were found to be good antimicrobial agents

A comparative study on patient safety with reference to methods of detection of adverse events in a tertiary care hospital in North India

Background:Considerable investments have been made to devise methods to detect actual and potential adverse events in health care in order to address risk and improve patient safety. Objective of the study was to compare the methods of detection of number of adverse events taking place in admitted patients.Method: A prospective study for a period of one year. Three adverse events detection modules were studied, i.e. current record review, Incident reporting and cases discussed in Mortality Meets. A World Health Organization structured questionnaire on patient safety Review form-1 (RF-1) and Review form-2 (RF-2) was used. RF-1 form was used to screen adverse events. Screened positive patients were subjected to RF-2 form to calculate preventability of adverse events. Adverse events as well as preventability were compared to detect the preferred module of detection of errors in care.Results: Current record review was able to detect 15.5% of adverse events with 71.33% preventability. Incident reporting module was able to detect only 0.73% of adverse events with 39% of preventability and mortality meets were able to study only 0.17% of adverse events with 47% of preventability.Conclusion: Current record review was found to be preferred module of detection of adverse events.

Patient safety with reference to the occurrence of adverse events in admitted patients on the basis of incident reporting in a tertiary care hospital in North India

Background: A good quality report should lend itself for detailed analysis of the chain of events that lead to the incident. This knowledge can then be used to consider what interventions, and at what level in the chain, can prevent the incident from occurring again. Aim was to study the occurrence of adverse events on the basis of incident reporting.Methods: Critical analysis of incident reporting of adverse events taking place in admitted patients for one year by using WHO Structured questionnaire on patient safety (RF-1 & RF-2 forms) along with their record review and interview to the concerned staff.Results: 253 incidents of adverse events were reported during the study period of one year. Most common screening criteria being, Patient/family dissatisfaction with care received, documented or expressed during the current (221 incidents i.e. 87.35%), followed by hospital acquired infection/sepsis (29 incidents i.e. 11.46%). 13 incidents (5.13%) were reported for unexpected deaths due to adverse events. 38.9% of reported adverse events studied showed signs of health care team responsible for causing adverse events. 39% of adverse events were found preventable and 61% of adverse event was found non-preventable.Conclusions: Incident reporting of adverse events should be encouraged in all hospitals. 

Patient safety with special reference to adverse events taking place in the cases discussed in mortality and morbidity meets

Background: There is an increasing belief that an institution’s ability to avoid patient harm will be realized when it creates a culture of safety among its staff members. Aims to study the cases discussed in mortality meets.Methods: Critical analysis of cases discussed in mortality and morbidity meet were done for one year by using WHO Structured questionnaire on patient safety (RF-1 & RF-2 forms) along with their record review and interview to the concerned staff.Results: 62 mortality and morbidity meetings were conducted during the study period of one year. Cardiac/ Respiratory arrest was the most common adverse event studied (67.7%) followed by unexpected death (48.4%). 52.7% of studied adverse events showed signs of healthcare team responsible for causing adverse events, mainly related to the therapeutic care (64.8%). 47% of adverse events were categorized preventable.Conclusions: Mortality and Morbidity Meets should be made mandatory in all hospitals

Ownership Structure and Microfinance Institutions’ Performance: A Case of Latin America

The purpose of the paper is to determine how financial performance and social performance is influenced by ownership status of micro finance institutions (MFIs). For this purpose, data is collected from Latin American MFIs. As dependent variables are dichotomous including NGO-type MFIs and Bank-type MFIs, we used logit and probit model. The results show that NGO-type MFIs are negatively related with financial performance and Bank-type MFIs are negatively related with social performance. The results confirm the previous studies as well as logical relations. The study negates the presence of mission drift in case of NGO-type MFIs and Bank-type MFIs that may open up a new wave of discussion and encourage future researchers to highlight antecedents of such relations