Tools for Integrating Computational Thinking and Mathematics in the Middle Grades

Integrating computational thinking (CT) in teaching specific K-12 school curricular is a more recent development than teaching CT in university and college courses. In this article, we share some insights on teaching practices that support integrating introductory computational thinking activities with school curricular activities for middle grades students. We specifically reflect on the tools and materials to use when integrating computational thinking concepts and mathematics curricular concepts in grade 4-8 classrooms. In this paper, we refer to integration of computational thinking concepts and mathematics curricular concepts as CT and mathematics

Rehospitalization in Schizophrenia: Socio Demographic and Clinical Correlates

Introduction: Rehospitalisation is an important research tool with two major utility aspects. It is a reliable and valid measure for assessing the course of schizophrenia and a measure of hospital effectiveness. Objectives: The study aimed at finding out the rate of rehospitalization and comparing the various socio-demographic and clinical correlates of rehospitalization in schizophrenia and the reason for rehospitalization amongst first admissions and rehospitalizations. Material and Method: It was a cross sectional study using DSM – 4 and a specially designed semi structured proforma carried out in 50 consecutive indoor patients of schizophrenia who were grouped into two: first admissions and rehospitalization. These two groups were compared regarding socio-demographic and clinical variables using the SPSS version 20for probability. Results: A substantial 54% of the total patients were rehospitalisation cases. 85.19% of the readmitted group had illness duration of more than 2 years. Non-medical treatment sought by patient’s relatives before hospitalization was 73.91% among the first admission as compared to only 18.51% (P<0.05) of rehospitalization group. Rehospitalizations were positively and significantly correlated with older age, low educational level (p<0.05) and low income level. Conclusion: We observed that de novo cases wasted significantly more time before coming for treatment which stresses the need for psychoeducation of schizophrenia caretakers. Our study also found that economic status and education level significantly affect rehospitalisation. This highlights importance of socioeconomic factors in the prediction of rehospitalisation along with clinical correlates

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Not AvailableTo minimize large-scale mortality of tissue culture raised grape plantlets during acclimatization, different mycorrhizal fungi viz., Glomus, Gigaspora, Aculospora, Enterophosphora, Scutellospora and a mixed strain were tried as biological hardening agents. Thirty-day-old in vitro rooted grape plantlets of cv. Pusa Seedless showed maximum root colonization with Glomus mossae, while Pusa Urvashi responded best with the mixed strain. Mycorrhizal plantlets were found to be faster in growth and possessed high shoot and root fresh and dry weights. The vines of the treated plants contained higher sugars and phenols, while the leaves had higher chlorophyll. Of the different nutrients analysed, P, Mg and Zn contents in the leaf were significantly higher compared to control. Mycorrhization resulted in higher plantlet survival, i.e. over 85.0% compared to 55.0% in non-mycorrhizal control.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableTissue culture has paved way for the rapid clonal multiplication in different horticultural plants. However, large-scale mortality of plantlets raised through this technique occur during acclimatization phase (Stage-IV), i.e. glasshouse hardening and later at field transfer. To ameliorate this problem in grape, an attempt was made to use different arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) strains, which could be inoculated to the roots of such plants to avoid the fungal attack especially those causing rots. Thirty-day-old, in vitro rooted plants of grape cv. Pusa Urvashi and Pusa Navrang were subjected to root colonization with five arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) strains viz. Glomus mossae, G. manihotis, G. deserticola, Gigaspora gigantia and Acaulospora laevis along with an un-inoculated control. Mycorrhizal plantlets showed improved vegetative growth, high shoot and root fresh and dry weight, leaf area, chlorophyll, sugars and phenol contents. Respiration rates were significantly reduced while photosynthetic rates were enhanced upto two times in AMF treated plants. The foliar tissues in treated plants showed improved nutrient contents especially for the P, Mg, Zn and Mn. Among the AM strains, G. mossae showed good (42.5%) root colonization for Pusa Urvashi, while G. manihotis was most responsive for Pusa Navrang. Though some of the strains did not give good colonization but drastically reduced the microbial attack. High plantlet survival was noted for the mycorrhizal plants after glasshouse and field transfer.Not Availabl

A Combination of Self‑Expansile Metallic Stent and External Beam Radiotherapy in Management of Advanced Esophageal Carcinoma with Grade III Dysphagia and Beyond

Background and Objectives: Most of the patients of Esophageal Malignancy present in advanced stage. These patients receive palliative treatment. We wanted to evaluate whether combination of SEMS and RT improves the grade of dysphagia. Methods: 165 patients diagnosed with Advanced Esophageal Malignancy in middle third of Esophagus with grade III dysphagia were enrolled for the study. Demographic data, grade of dysphagia, improvement in the grade of dysphagia, complications and survival were studied. Follow up was done for a period of 1 year. Results: All patients grade of dysphagia improved from grade III- IV to grade I-II. One patient had stent migration. Thirty patients died in one year Followup. Conclusion: SEMS along with RT may provide survival benefit in advanced Esophageal Malignancy

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Not AvailableA study was conducted to investigate the effect of chemical fertilizer, organic manure and two cropping systems viz., pearlmillet - clusterbean - castor rotation and upland rice - lentil sequence on microbial quotient (MQ), metabolic quotient, specific enzyme activity (dehydrogenase, arylsulfatase and urease) and microbial biomass carbon (MBC) in long-term (1821 years) field experiments in Entisols of semi-arid region of Gujarat and Inceptisols of sub-humid region of Varanasi. Higher MQ values were recorded in Entisols than Inceptisols. MQ ranged from 4.00-5.08 and 1.00-1.85 % across soil layers in Entisols and Inceptisols, respectively. Metabolic quotient values ranged from 0.11-0.23 and 0.04-0.07 across soil layers in Entisols and Inceptisols respectively. The specific enzyme activity of dehydrogenase was maximum in Entisols, whereas, arylsulfatase and urease activity was recorded more in Inceptisols. Higher specific enzyme activity reflects greater microbial activity and microbial biomass turnover. Agro-ecosystem in sub-humid region resulted in 1.5 fold higher geometric mean of enzymes (GMea) than in semi-arid region. The application of 50% RDNF (recommended dose of N-fertilizer) + 50% RDN FYM (farm yard manure) in Entisols and 50% N (FYM) + 50% RDF in Inceptisols improved microbiological activities (GMea) at both the sites. The concentration of soil organic carbon (SOC) and MBC were significantly correlated with GMea in both agro-ecosystems. In conclusion, integrated sources of nutrients with inclusion of FYM and 50 % reduction of fertilizers improved the microbiological activities in both Inceptisols and Entisols.Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New DelhiIndian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR

Cost of implementing the QualityRights programme in public hospitals in Gujarat providing mental healthcare

Background & objectives: Investment in mental health is quite meagre worldwide, including in India. The costs of new interventions must be clarified to ensure the appropriate utilization of available resources. The government of Gujarat implemented QualityRights intervention at six public mental health hospitals. This study was aimed to project the costs of scaling up of the Gujarat QualityRights intervention to understand the additional resources needed for a broader implementation. Methods: Economic costs of the QualityRights intervention were calculated using an ingredients-based approach from the health systems' perspective. Major activities within the QualityRights intervention included assessment visits, meetings, training of trainers, provision of peer support and onsite training. Results: Total costs of implementing the QualityRights intervention varied from Indian Rupees (₹) 0.59 million to ₹ 2.59 million [1United States Dollars (US $) = ₹ 74.132] across six intervention sites at 2020 prices with 69-79 per cent of the cost being time cost. Scaling up the intervention to the entire State of Gujarat would require about two per cent increase in financial investment, or about 7.5 per cent increase in total cost including time costs over and above the costs of usual care for people with mental health conditions in public health facilities across the State. Interpretation & conclusions: The findings of this study suggest that human resources were the major cost contributor of the programme. Given the shortage of trained human resources in the mental health sector, appropriate planning during the scale-up phase of the QualityRights intervention is required to ensure all staff members receive the required training, and the treatment is not compromised during this training phase. As only about two per cent increase in financial cost can improve the quality of mental healthcare significantly, the State government can plan for its scale-up across the State