What does it mean when we ask the public if they are “confident” in policing? The Trust, Fairness, Presence model of “public confidence”

‘Confidence’ is widely taken to be a crucial measure of the relationship between citizens and public services such as policing. It is acknowledged that confidence is multifaceted and hard to measure, but often discussions are based on one ‘headline’ rating of a single item, for instance: ‘What is your level of confidence in…’. The subsequent focus for research is explaining what might drive ‘confidence’, or what it might predict. We are interested in a more fundamental question: what does it mean when we ask the public if they are ‘confident’ in policing? To answer this, we analyse extensive and detailed survey data specifically designed to measure public confidence, within the jurisdiction of a UK police force – West Midlands Police. We develop then validate a three-part model of confidence as trust, fairness and presence, and find good evidence to support this model across different waves of the survey. This extends existing literature with implications for policy

Faculty Members’ Perceptions of Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Afghanistan

Abstract This study investigated faculty members’ perceptions of quality assurance and accreditation (QAA) in Afghanistan. The study aimed to examine how familiar faculty members were with QAA policy, quality concepts, QAA processes, and whether QAA process has improved the status quo. Through a sequential exploratory mixed methods design, the investigators interviewed seven faculty members at four universities, and subsequently conducted a self-administered survey questionnaire at six universities (two public and four private). A response rate of 54 percent (N = 42) was obtained from the survey. The study findings suggest that faculty members had mixed impressions about QAA implementation. For instance, an overall sum of mean scores shows that faculty members have a positive view about QAA processes M = 3.5 (SD = .75), however, interview participants were less satisfied with QAA outcome. Lastly, implications are made that a successful implementation of QAA processes in Afghanistan is contingent on: 1) establishment of a quality culture wherein universities own the processes and outcomes, and 2) engagement of key stakeholders including faculty, staff, and administrators to internalize QAA processes to improve the status quo. Keywords: higher education quality; quality assurance; accreditation; higher education in Afghanista

Removal of Nitrogen From Secondary Wastewater Effluent Through No 3-N Reduction Using Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)

The overall purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of sulfur dioxide (SO2) to remove nitrate-nigrogen (i.e., reduction to a gaseous form) from the secondary wastewater effluent. To accomplish th above task, a jar test procedure was established and the concentration of NO3-N along with the concentration of NH3-N present in the secondary wastewater, treated with SO2, were measured initially and after 10 min, 20 min, 30 min, 40 min, and 24 hr. Then, the percent NO3-N removal was calculated, comparing the NO3-H concentrations measured in each treatment with the initial values. The above procedures were conducted for 36 different runs resulting from variation of the parameters which were believed to effect the kinetics of the reaction (i.e., SO2 concentration, presence of catalysts, temperature, and NO3-N concentration). Three levels of SO2 (500, 1000, 2000 mg/1), two levels of NO3-N(25-30 and 40-45 mg/1), two temperatures (20 degrees and 35 degrees Celsius), and two different catalysts (Fe+3 1 mg/1 and Feo 1 g/1) were used in this study. Prior to the jar tests, it was necessary to develop techniques to eliminate the SO2 interferences with analysis of NO2-N, and NH3-N. Two approahces were made to accomplish this task. First by air stripping of the SO2 treated secondary wastewater sample; secondly by diluting the SO2 treated secondary water to decrease the SO2 concentration to a level of less than 80 mg/1 as SO2. Satisfactory results were obtained applying both stripping and dilution methods

Systematics of g factors of 2_1^+ states in even-even nuclei from Gd to Pt: A microscopic description by the projected shell model

The systematics of g factor of first excited 2^+ state vs neutron number N is studied by the projected shell model. The study covers the even-even nuclei of all isotopic chains from Gd to Pt. g factors are calculated by using the many-body wavefunctions that reproduces well the energy levels and B(E2)'s of the ground-state bands. For Gd to W isotopes the characteristic feature of the g factor data along an isotopic chain is described by the present model. Deficiency of the model in the g factor description for the heavier Os and Pt isotopes is discussed.Comment: 9 pages, 5 figure

Molecular detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae by quantitative real-time PCR in patients with community acquired pneumonia

Background & Objectives: Mycoplasma pneumoniae is the most important and common cause of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). The conventional detection methods (culture and serology) lack sensitivity. PCR offers a better approach for rapid detection but is prone to carry over contamination during manipulation of amplification products. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) method offers an attractive alternative detection method. In the present study, qRT-PCR, PCR and serology methods were used to detect M. pneumoniae infection in cases of pneumonias and findings compared. Methods: A total of 134 samples consisting of blood (for serology) and respiratory secretions (for PCR and qRT-PCR) from 134 patients were collected. The blood samples were tested for IgG, IgM and IgA using commercially available kits. For standardization of PCR of M. pneumoniae P1 gene was cloned in pGEMTEasy vector. Specific primers and reporter sequence were designed and procured for this fragment. The qRT-PCR assay was performed to prepare the standard curve for M. pneumoniae positive control DNA template and detection in patient samples. Results: Of the 134 patients, 26 (19%) were positive for antibodies against M. pneumoniae. IgG was positive in 14.92 per cent (20) cases, IgM in 4.47 per cent (6) and IgA was positive in 5.22 per cent (7) cases. In the qRT-PCR assay 19 per cent (26) samples were positive. Of the 26 qRT-PCR positive samples, nine could be detected by serology. PCR was positive for 25 samples. An extra sample negative by PCR was detected by qRT-PCR. Thus, real-time PCR assay, PCR and serology in combination could detect M. pneumoniae infection in 43 patients. Interpretation & Conclusions: The study shows that 17 patients were detected by serology alone, 17 were detected by qRT-PCR only and nine patients were positive by both serology and real-time PCR. Of the 134 samples tested, 25 were positive by conventional PCR, but qRT-PCR could detect one more sample that was negative by PCR and serology. These results suggest that a combination of two or three methods may be required for reliable identification of CAP due to M. pneumoniae

COVID-19 Induced Myocarditis: A Rare Cause of Heart Failure.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causing lung injury has been well documented in the literature recently. They do so primarily by binding to the membrane-bound form of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) receptors. However, since these receptors are also expressed in the heart and blood vessels, coronavirus can also cause damage to these organs by binding to the ACE-2 receptors. A typical case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) usually presents with respiratory symptoms like cough and shortness of breath accompanied by fever. The literature regarding this pandemic has been growing and now we know very well that the effect of this deadly virus is not restricted to the lungs alone. It can, unfortunately, cause various other complications ranging from neurological damage to even myocardial injury in rare cases. We present an interesting case of a 40-year-old male patient who presented to us with shortness of breath. When further investigated, the patient was found to have a new onset of heart failure secondary to COVID-19 induced myocarditis

Antimicrobial activity of three medicinal plants (Artemisia indica, Medicago falcate and Tecoma stans)

Background: Artemisia indica, Medicago falcata and Tecoma stans are traditionally being use for medicinal purposes in Pakistan. Present study was designed to check in-vitro efficacy of these plants against selected bacterial and fungal strains.Methodology: Chloroform, butanol, ethyl acetate and n-hexane extracts of these plants were used for antimicrobial screening. Antibacterial activity was tested against four pathogenic bacterial strains i.e. Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi and Staphylococcus aureus while antifungal activity was tested against four fungal strains i.e. Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus and Fusarium solani.Results: Chloroform, butanol and ethyl acetate extracts of Artemisia indica, Medicago falcata and Tecoma stans showed high inhibitory activities (between 15-20 mm) against E. coli, P. aeruginosa and S. aureus. However, all extracts of Artemisia indica showed inhibitory activities (12-14 mm) against Salmonella typhi. As antifungal activities, the n-Hexane and chloroform extracts of Artemisia indica have completely inhibited the growth of Aspergillus flavus and Fusariun solani, respectively. Ethyl acetate and butanol extract of Medicago falcata completely inhibited Fusarium solani and Aspergillus fumigates, respectively. The n-hexane extract of Tecoma stans completely inhibited Fusarium solani, while its ethyl acetate extract shows excellent activity against Aspergillus niger.Conclusions: These findings provide scientific evidence of traditional use of medicinal plants and also indicate the potential of these plants for the development of antimicrobial agents.Key words: Medicinal Plants, Traditional uses, phytochemical effects, Antimicrobial activity

Subcutaneous Dissociative Conscious Sedation (sDCS) a New Approach to Compromised Airway in Mediastinal Masses

ABSTRACT Purpose: Anesthesia and airway management for mediastinal masses are challenging and are accompanied by mortality and morbidity. Avoiding the loss of airway muscular tone in mediastinal masses has been confirmed necessary to avoid airway collapse. Sufficient spontaneous ventilation is of paramount importance in order to reduce the rate of mortality and morbidity. Various anesthetics and anesthesia techniques have been used for maintaining spontaneous ventilation and patent airway. In this report, a successful double lumen endobronchial intubation using "subcutaneous dissociative conscious sedation" as a novel method in the management of compromised airway (a case of a mediastinal mass) is presented. Clinical Features: A 42-year-old, 62 Kg man was presented for an open biopsy of a middle mediastinal mass. The patient had a history of chest pain, dyspnea, cough, fever and sweats for 2 months. Regarding to the life threatening nature of mediastinal masses resulting from unpredictable events of airway obstruction and the reported cases of deaths after induction of anesthesia in patients with mediastinal masses and regarding to the importance of not losing muscular tone and keeping airway tone intact in patients with mediastinal masses "subcutaneous Dissociative Conscious Sedation (a novel method of anesthesia)" was selected in order to guarantee the safety of the patient and keep the airway secure. Conclusion: Owing to the characteristics of the "subcutaneous dissociative conscious sedation" this method is suggested as an appropriate substitute to general anesthesia for Endobronchial Double Lumen Intubation in mediastinal masses and compromised airway