Search

The technology-supported education systems seamlessly integrated throughout the globe in response to the demands of post COVID-19 pandemic. The swift developments of the digital tools with Artificial Intelligence (AI) support are also readily diffused among the educational communities. This research paper investigates the synergistic impact of digital literacy, the incorporation of AI tools, and Peer Supported Collaborative Learning (PSCL) on the learning perceptions of university students. The research aims to discern the implications of these technological and social facets on students' attitudes towards AI assisted learning process. Structured questionnaire-based survey among the University students were done for this descriptive research. 409 responses collected were analysed with SPSS, Excel and Process Macro. It is found that the students' Digital Literacy, Use of AI tools and PSCL on AI assisted learning were positively correlated. The partial mediatory path through the PSCL and AI tool usage has a significant positive influence on students learning process. The insights gathered from this study can inform educators, policymakers, and institutions on optimizing the amalgamation of digital literacy, AI tools and PSCL to enhance the contemporary learning environment. As universities navigate the digital age, this research provides a nuanced understanding of the dynamics shaping students' perceptions, offering valuable insights into the multifaceted aspects of AI influencing the educational landscape.

Contribution: This article proposes a new theoretical model with a goal to develop future human computational thinking (CT) in foundational computer science (CS) education. The model blends six critical types of thinking, i.e., logical thinking, systems thinking, sustainable thinking, strategic thinking, creative thinking, and responsible thinking into the design of a first-year undergraduate programming course. The study describes a creative blended pedagogy that embeds the proposed model into the course plan. Background: The emergence of artificial intelligent systems such as large language models from a knowledge provider perspective, coupled with a gradual change in post-pandemic outlook of education challenge the relevance and raises concerns about the future of education. The 21st-century human CT requirements, viz., learning to code (skill) and thinking computationally (competency), will be inadequate in the future. Moreover, there is substantial evidence which shows that most introductory programming courses fail to integrate critical elements like ethics and responsibility as part of the course. Intended Outcomes: The authors anticipate experiential learning models such as this has immense potential to future-proof CS education, as well as make future software engineers responsible citizens. Application Design: The proposed model blends six types of thinking into the design and activities of the course. The underlying theoretical basis of these activities revolve around three key principles: 1) experiential learning; 2) self-reflection; and 3) peer learning. Findings: This case study from a liberal educational institution in India qualitatively shows evidence of students developing six critical elements of thinking that shapes their future CT ability.

Drawing from the rich cultural heritage and diverse historical contexts of Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar, we examine how teachers adapt traditional and modern pedagogical methods in response to linguistic and cultural diversity. Colonial legacies in Sri Lanka and Myanmar, along with Nepal's shifting sociopolitical climate, offer insights into the evolving identities of educators amidst systemic educational changes. The role of civil protests is analyzed as a catalyst for educational transformation, with particular emphasis on recent teacher demonstrations in Sri Lanka, underscoring the potential of disruptive movements to spur positive change. This analysis aligns Fullan's principles with South Asia's ongoing educational reforms, highlighting the resilience and adaptability of teachers in navigating cultural, historical, and political intersections.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the various classroom management Strategies used by different school teachers in India. Objectives: In this study researcher wants to find out comparisons on various dimensions of the classroom management strategies. Also, find out that which type of school is better in classroom management between Institutional Type, locality and Level of Education. Design: In this Study, a quantitative research approach was used. The descriptive research method was applied in this strategy. The researcher employed the survey method to gather data from the respondents for the descriptive approach. Chi-square test statistics is employed as analysis techniques. In this study there were 292 teachers employed as sample. The researcher selected the sample by Purposive random sampling technique. Conclusions: The data shows that difference between classroom management strategies used in different Indian schools. It's concluded that Private, Urban and Secondary level Indian schools have better classroom management strategies than other school.

The incorporation of computer technology in higher education has experienced substantial expansion and evolution in recent years. This study aims to examine the possibilities and problems that emerge throughout the integration process. Through an analysis of the multifaceted components associated with integrating computer technology within higher education, this study attempts to elucidate the prospective advantages and challenges encountered by educational institutions, instructors, and learners. The study relies on an examination of pertinent academic literature, case studies, and empirical research. This study identifies and assesses various significant opportunities, such as accessibility to educational resources, personalized learning experiences, enhanced engagement and collaboration, and the acquisition of crucial digital skills that arise from the integration of computer technology. Furthermore, this study delves into the possible beneficial implications of computer technology on the efficacy of institutions, cost-efficiency, and administrative functions. Incorporating computer technology in higher education poses several challenges, such as the digital gap, concerns about privacy and data security, the necessity for faculty training and support, alterations in pedagogy, and the possible diversions that may arise due to technology that require careful consideration. The study suggests a thorough examination of the many opportunities and challenges that are involved with technological integration in higher education.

In Indian society, caste is assigned to us before birth. Caste positions individuals in a social, economic, and political hierarchy. This study explores the meaning of caste discrimination from the perspectives of individuals who experience it in their everyday lives. Many studies have focused on the causes and consequences of caste discrimination and the nature of caste discrimination in different settings. Still, very few have dealt with the "meaning" of caste discrimination and how that meaning-making occurs in the context of present-day academia.This paper adopts an ecological systems approach to explore individuals' interactions with different social settings. Grounded in the epistemological standpoint of social constructionism, the study explored the meaning of caste discrimination through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions conducted with 22 students who belonged to reserved categories. Constructivist grounded theory was used for analysis to understand the process of meaning formation along with the meaning of caste discrimination. We found that students conceive caste discrimination as the maintenance of the social hierarchy, imposition of rigid identity, and invalidation of caste discriminatory practices. This conception of the meaning was influenced by multiple factors, such as interactions with peers, local cultural ideologies, and treatment received in the academia by teaching and non-teaching staff. The study's findings indicate the need for an integrative indigenous theory of caste discrimination to ensure equitable higher education.

Government of India has cleared the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020 by bringing out many reforms in the education sector with a focus on education design, delivery, and assessment. This work is an attempt toward perceiving the post-COVID-19 era as an enabler in the engineering education process for the implementation of blended learning. Causal analysis through the Ishikawa diagram is brainstormed for enlisting all the potential causal factors for the inability to restore normalcy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Process Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (PFMEA) is adopted for restoring normalcy through prioritized corrective actions. Thus, NEP 2020 is considered for leveraging blended learning.

In sample survey analysis, accurate population mean estimation is an important task, but traditional approaches frequently ignore the intricacies of real-world data, leading to biassed results. In order to handle uncertainties, indeterminacies, and ambiguity, this work presents an innovative approach based on neutrosophic statistics. We proposed novel neutrosophic factor type exponential estimators that use auxiliary information to improve population mean precision. The suggested estimators are highly useful for computing results while working with unclear, hazy, and neutrosophic-type data. These estimators produce answers that are interval-form rather than single-valued, which may give our population parameter a better chance of being off. Since we now have an estimated interval with the population mean's unknown value supplied a minimal MSE or highest Percentage Relative Efficiency (PRE), the estimators are more effective. The investigation of alpha constants in the neutrosophic framework, extending from -1 to +1, is at the heart of this research. These constants have a significant impact on how estimates are made and enable flexible accuracy modification. We choose the best neutrosophic values for characterizing constants, emphasizing their importance in obtaining precise estimations. This study further expands its originality by including preexisting estimators into the neutrosophic framework, showcasing its versatility and adaptability. We demonstrate the estimators' superiority to traditional techniques through empirical assessments employing neutrosophic temperature information and simulation assessments. The ensuing interval-based results, influenced by alpha constants, offer concrete insights into the world of uncertainty, enabling more well-informed decision-making.

The objective of the study is to investigate the impact of perceived organisational support (POS) on the turnover intention of academicians. Additionally, it explores the potential mediating role of perceived values of artificial intelligence (PVAI) in the relationship between POS and turnover intention among teaching faculty members in private educational institutions. The data for the study was collected from faculty members currently employed in educational institutions in India, and a self-administered survey was utilised. A purposive sampling technique was employed to select a sample of 210 teaching faculty members from educational institutions. The results indicate that employees' intentions to leave their jobs are influenced by their POS and PVAI. This implies that academicians' turnover intention decreases when they perceive higher levels of POS and PVAI in their workplace. Furthermore, the findings suggest that PVAI partially mediates the relationship between POS and employee turnover intention.

COVID-19 has transformed higher education learning and teaching practices globally. Tertiary students, internationally face both opportunities and challenges in learning and adapting to this paradigm shift in the delivery of education. It remains unclear how students in international contexts are responding to these changes in digital learning during and post-COVID-19. This paper aims to compare student perceptions of digital competence, confidence, and resilience in present times using data from surveys of tertiary students from Australia, Cambodia, China, India, and Malaysia. There are disparities not only in the teaching and learning pedagogies amongst these countries but also in the levels of technological advancement, infrastructure support, and pace of digital innovation in the delivery of courses. These differences have put in focus students' both digital competencies and resilience as they pursue higher education on various digital learning platforms. Resilience includes the ability to bounce back or adapt from stress (Smith et al., 2008). Digital resilience is students' tech-savviness and preparedness to adapt to different digital environments as they pursue higher education. This paper examines the perceptions of tertiary undergraduate students from these countries in this emerging new digital learning norm. A total of 687 tertiary students from the aforementioned countries participated in a survey to questions related to digital competence, confidence in using and/or adapting to digital innovation, and resilience. Statistically significant attributes are identified to help better understand the challenges these culturally diverse students perceive in digital learning environments. This study will reveal barriers that impact the digital transformation of undergraduate students which can be used to recommend necessary teaching and learning support frameworks to enhance their digital competence and resilience. This will help tertiary institutions better equip all stakeholders in adapting to the new normal of higher education in the future.

An efficient teacher needs to communicate effectively with the audience, which in turn largely depends on an engaging presentation. The goal of any presentation is to inform, entertain, persuade or inspire and academic presentations primarily provide information, as in a classroom lecture or in a conference research paper. The department of medical education at our institute has been conducting the 'National course on educational sciences for teachers of health professionals' since last four decades. Since 2015, newer learner engagement strategies (LES) were incorporated into the program. We analysed the feedback data from participants with an aim to understand the impact of implementation of LES in the course. Literature was further explored to identify other LES in practice. We collected data of five national courses conducted during 2018 to 2020 at our Institute. The in-campus national faculty development course, which is spread over 6 days, consists of about 42 sessions involving nearly 28 presentations. One hundred thirty-five (n=135) participants from all over India had participated in this course during the period under review. Newer strategies must be used to engage new generation of learners during presentations. The best way to engage learners is by having an interactive presentation with a structured narrative that holds their attention and allows them to participate in the presentation process. Medical teachers should make themselves familiar with digital tools which help in interactive teaching. Further prospective research studies need to be carried out to understand outcomes and improve strategies of learner engagement.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, students' right to education has been threatened globally, and medical colleges are not an exception to this. During COVID-19 induced lockdown, medical colleges had to resort to online classes instead of regular academic sessions. Medical colleges and other higher education institutions in India faced a challenge in determining on how to engage their students in the learning process and assess them using reliable, effective and acceptable methods. Now that the COVID pandemic is nearly over, many medical colleges have already started regular sessions. At the same time, some continue to use online lectures and other tools for engaging their learners in addition to regular classes. Medical colleges also used different online tools for formative assessments. But the effectiveness of such online educational activities is yet to be established in India. This article discusses how unsupervised online tests can be used for formative and summative exams in post-COVID medical education.

Ethical engineering practice is a global issue. However, cultural norms and social realities may result in differences in ethical behavior. A basic instructional challenge is developing the ability of students to understand ethical practice and to facilitate discussion of ethical issues across regional and cultural boundaries. The present project seeks to facilitate discussion and analysis of ethical practices of undergraduate engineering students at our university, Texas Tech, and peers at universities in Ukraine and India, our partnering countries. An undergraduate ethics course for engineering majors and the website https://EthicalEngineer.ttu.edu are currently the primary channels through which this project is being developed and implemented. The paper describes (1) steps in developing the website, which is currently operational, (2) progress developing partnerships and recruiting participants, and (3) results from preliminary tests of machine-assisted methods for analyzing students' submissions to the website. The Ethical Engineer is an emerging web-based innovation for facilitating cross-cultural discourse in engineering ethics.

Purpose: The intention for this study was to explore any relationship that might exist between quality of learning experience (QLE), the second construct student satisfaction (SS) and the third construct perceived overall experience (POE) among undergraduate students within the higher education context. This study also attempts to explain the path direction between QLE, SS and POE. Design/methodology/approach: The researchers utilized structural equation modeling to analyze the variables considered for this study -- QLE, SS and POE and for hypotheses testing. Respondents for this study were medical students' coordinators of the undergraduate level of medical colleges in the 28 states of India. Data collected for the study were possible by utilizing a questionnaire that was emailed to these student coordinators. The emailing effort returned 198 (n) filled questionnaires (complete) representing 198 institutions offering undergraduate-level medical programs out of a total of 542 institutions that offer undergraduate medical programs. Findings: Findings from this study confirm the relationship between QLE with SS, and PLE. Interestingly, the findings established a significant relationship between SS and POE. Practical implications: Decision-makers and administrators of higher education institutions (HEIs) can utilize the findings from this study to focus on strengthening important elements of QLE in ways that positively impact SS and POE of students taking online courses and program offerings. The study reiterates the importance of course content, course structure, lecture-delivery quality, instructor mentoring and student-instructor interactions on SS and POE. The role of SS in reinforcing confirmation, perceived usefulness, perceived openness of the online courses and the perceived reputation was established. This relationship is key to administrators while they focus on improving SS and building on the institutions' reputation in addition to their efforts to support marketing and enrollments during the pandemic. Originality/value: Researchers in the past have examined the relationships between QLE and another construct of this study -- SS. Past research has also examined the relationship between QLE and POE. However, there is not enough research exploring the relationship between SS and POE. This study establishes the relationship between SS and POE that benefits decision-makers in higher education.

Background: Picture-naming tests (PNTs) evaluate linguistic impairment in dementia due to semantic memory impairment, impaired lexical retrieval or perceptual deficits. They also assess the decline in naming impairment at various stages of dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) that occurs due to progressive cognitive impairment. With the increasing numbers of people with dementia globally, it is necessary to have validated naming tests and norms that are culturally and linguistically appropriate. Aims: In this cross-sectional study we harmonized a set of 30 images applicable to the Indian context across five languages and investigated the picture-naming performance in patients with MCI and dementia. Methods & Procedures: A multidisciplinary expert group formed by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) collaborated towards developing and adapting a picture naming test (PNT) known as the ICMR-PNT in five Indian languages: Hindi, Bengali, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam. Based on cross-cultural adaptation guidelines and item-wise factor analysis and correlations established separately across five languages, the final version of the ICMR-PNT test was developed. A total of 368 controls, 123 dementia and 128 MCI patients were recruited for the study. Psychometric properties of the adapted version of the ICMR-PNT were examined, and sensitivity and specificity were examined. Outcomes & Results The ICMR-PNT scores in all languages combined were higher in controls compared with patients with dementia and MCI (F[subscript 2], [subscript 615] = 139.85; p < 0.001). Furthermore, PNT scores for MCI was higher in comparison with patients with dementia in all languages combined (p < 0.001). The area under the curve across the five languages ranged from 0.81 to 1.00 for detecting dementia. There was a negative correlation between Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) and ICMR-PNT scores and a positive correlation between Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination--III (ACE-III) and ICMR-PNT scores in control and patient groups. Conclusions & Implications: The ICMR-PNT was developed by following cross-cultural adaptation guidelines and establishing correlations using item-wise factor analysis across five languages. This adapted PNT was found to be a reliable tool when assessing naming abilities effectively in mild to moderate dementia in a linguistically diverse context.

The Indian subcontinent is highly susceptible to natural disasters. To abate the effect of the disasters, the government emanates institutional mechanisms and strategies for disaster preparedness, mitigation and response. Although there is well-established institutional framework in India for disaster management, there is no study that proposes a disaster supply chain structure under the institutional framework and integrates information and digital technologies (IDT) of industry 4.0 within it. The present study overcomes this research gap. It introduces an IDT structure within the institutional framework of India for multi-agency information sharing, coordination and decision making. It formulates a mathematical model and analyses the impact of IDT on the total response time through three scenarios. The results of scenario analysis reveal the significance of IDT on the disaster supply chains and its capability to handle information delays and IDT failure. The present study can be adopted by disaster management institutions to construct and implement better response practices at the operational, planning and strategic levels. Furthermore, the proposed model in the study can be used for vaccination planning, which includes vaccine distribution, monitoring, regulation and effective implmentation as a response against the current pandemic situation caused due to SARS-CoV-2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study has aimed to seek the perception of stakeholders (HMs, Teachers, and Parents) on quality of education in schools under Shiksha Vikash Samiti, Odisha with reference to the teaching learning practices. The Convergent-Parallel Design under Mixed Research Method has been followed for carrying out the study. The study is delimited to coastal Odisha, so the population of the study comprised all the stakeholders of such schools such as: HMs, Teachers, and Parents and Community Members. Tools used for data collection are interview schedule for Head Master/ Pradhan Acharyas; Questionnaire for teachers; and interview schedule for parents-cum-community members. The findings are: HMs reported globes, maps; charts, science kit, math kit, computers were used frequently in classroom teaching process. Majority of teachers (>60%) reported the same. Majority of parents (>60%) also reported aware of availability of globes, maps, charts, science and math kits, computers, and audio-visual instruments and majority of them (>65%) were satisfied with availability of these equipment. In case of 50% schools LCD projector were not at all used for teaching purpose and the same was agreed upon by the teachers. On the other hand, one-fourth of parents did not know about availability of computers and LCD projectors in the schools. Half of the parents (49.24%) under study reported that Teaching Learning Materials (TLM) corner was available and 69.23% from among them were satisfied with TLM corner. Majority of parents (72.73%) reported, group discussion was practiced in the schools. Half of these those (52.08%) reported group discussion was effective for their children. Majority (64.40%) of parents reported that the teachers used to write lesson diary. Out of these parents 76.47% reported that writing lesson diary had appositive effect on their children.

Everyone talks on stress. Further, role stress in an organization is very common in the current scenario. The organization has its own structure and goal and an individual plays important role in order to achieve the organisational goals. Individual's unique personality and needs affects his role in any organization. The investigators conducted a study to find out whether gender, category of teachers, and school management were the discriminating factors among the secondary school teachers. 'Organizational Role Stress Scale' of Pareek (1993) was used for collection data. The study revealed gender as the decimating factor in ORS. But school management and category of faculty (Science and Arts) are not the discriminating factors.

Present society needs a moral, more sustaining order in every sphere of life to have a firm foundation for further human progress. School education touches the chord of ethical conduct of children as it plays a vital role in the inculcation of right values. This will stand them in good stead as they grow up. As adults, they can practice the values in social life which they imbibed at a formative stage. Hence, value education should be the primary concern of teacher preparation because a teacher has the responsibility of shaping children thoughts which decide their behaviour, and actions later on in their life. The present study examines the value system and value preferences of the prospective teachers. A sample of 330 preservice teachers of B.Ed. programme was randomly selected, and Rokeach Value Survey (RVS) was adopted for the study. The study reveals that the prospective teachers are self-oriented towards the end state of their existence showing their inclination towards freedom, comforts, and friendship. However, it is found that their modes of conduct are much oriented towards hard working nature with duty consciousness and open-mindedness. The study suggests that the curriculum and instruction should provide necessary inputs into theory and practical work to make preservice teachers realize the importance of values of equality, peace, self-respect, and honesty.

The purpose of this study was to explore the perception of elementary school heads about inclusive education practices followed at elementary schools. Grounded in positioning the theory, the study was conducted with a sample of twenty Headmasters (N=20) from Garadpur block of Kendrapara district (Rural) and Cuttack city (Urban) of Odisha. Interview Schedule containing six dimensions was used for data collection. Qualitative research analysis was used to explore how Heads of Elementary Schools are prepared for inclusive education practices. The main findings show that, perception of head masters was negative towards Inclusive Education. Heads or Headmasters need to be adequately trained so that they acquire skills and knowledge that would help them in their classroom teaching and practices, especially on inclusive settings. Because of this lack of training, HMs lacked confidence in teaching children with special needs in their classrooms especially if it had to take place in an inclusive setting. The findings of the study have significant implications to the school administrators, teachers, and other stakeholders who are directly and indirectly involved in implementing inclusive education.

This study investigates the PM2.5 bound metals using yearlong measurements at a regionally representative suburban site in the Northwest Indo-Gangetic Plain (NWIGP). The order of the measured annual average concentrations of PM2.5 bound metals is Fe > Zn > Ba > Sn > Pb > Cd > Ni > Mn > Cr > Li. Lithium bound to airborne PM2.5 has been reported for the first time in NWIGP. Ni (72.4 ng m−3) and Cd (36.9 ng m−3) have exceeded the acceptable limits set by NAAQS, India. Estimated the hazard quotient (HQ > 1) of Mn and hazard index (HI > 1) of measured metals exceeded the threshold limits indicating the potential non-carcinogenic health risk due to inhalation exposure of PM2.5 bound trace metals. Further, excessive lifetime cancer risk due to inhalation exposure to Cd, Ni and Cr was estimated and found to exceed the threshold limit set by the USEPA for adults and children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prediction of brain cancer occurrence and risk assessment of brain hemorrhage using a hybrid deep learning (DL) technique is a critical area of research in medical imaging analysis. One prominent challenge in this field is the accurate identification and classification of brain tumors and hemorrhages, which can significantly impact patient prognosis and treatment planning. The objectives of the study address the prediction of brain cancer occurrence and the assessment of risk levels associated with both brain cancers due to brain hemorrhage. A diverse dataset of brain MRI and CT scan images. Utilize Unsymmetrical Trimmed Median Filter with Optics Clustering for noise removal while preserving edges and details. The Chan-Vese segmentation process for refined segmentation. Brain cancer detection using Multi-Head Self-Attention Dilated Convolution Neural Network (MH-SA-DCNN) with Efficient Net Model. Brain cancer detection using MH-SA-DCNN with Efficient Net Model. This trains the algorithm to predict cancerous regions in brain images. Further, implement a Graph-Based Deep Neural Network Model (G-DNN) to capture spatial relationships and risk factors from brain images. Cox regression model to estimate cancer risk over time and fine-tune and optimize the model's parameters and features using the Osprey optimization algorithm (OPA). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mangrove is a unique ecosystem in terms of climate change mitigation due to its ability to sequester huge amounts of organic carbon. The organic carbon pools in mangroves' soils harbor a wide range of microbial communities and support diverse algal communities. However, conversions of mangroves to agriculture (particularly rice-based cropping systems) directly or indirectly influence the algal diversity and abundance in mangroves and adjacent rice ecologies. So, to understand the change of structural algal diversities (from phylum to genus level), a study was conducted through Illumina MiSeq metagenomic analysis using V3–V4 region of 16 S rRNA gene approach of soils both, in degraded mangroves and adjacent rice ecology in Sundarban, India. The abundance reads of algal communities were correlated with the nitrogen fractions and physio-chemical properties of soils. The 16 S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that, irrespective of the sites of the degraded mangroves and rice ecologies in estuarine systems in Sundarban, microalgae were dominant over macroalgae. The higher algal diversities and abundance were found in rice with higher Shannon index (3.14) than mangroves (Shannon index: 2.85). Further, among the mangrove sites, the higher algal diversities were found in the locations distant from the sea than in the sites nearer to the sea. Environmental and soil stresses, like high salinity, alkaline pH, tidal intrusion and limited nutrient availability are the key factors for less algal diversity in degraded mangroves. Specifically, among the microalgae, Nostoc and Calothrix were the dominant genus in rice with higher abundance percentage of 13 and 12%, respectively. Whereas, Leptolyngbya was the dominant genera with higher abundance percentage (15%) in degraded mangroves, followed by Spirulina (13%). The relative abundance of Spirulina was more in degraded mangroves due to their adaptability to higher salinity. Although, the algal diversities were more in rice than mangroves, the higher abundance of Spirulina could be a treasure in the mangrove system for carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation. Therefore, further research on carbon sequestration potential of the dominant algal genus under stress conditions of both mangroves and rice systems need to be conducted to get a better idea on the role of algal communities on climate change mitigation in estuarine systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) being the first-line of technique is considered the most popular method for diagnosing lymphadenopathy. Diagnosis of a lymph node lesion is challenging due to the vast diversity in lymph node cytology. There has been a lack of standard guidelines for cytopathological reporting of lymph nodes. Sydney System has been recently proposed to provide consensus guidelines for the classification and reporting of lymph node FNAC and to maintain uniformity in reporting. Aims: The present study aimed to analyze the utility of the proposed Sydney System. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively studied lymph node FNAC cases which were retrieved from hospital records with relevant clinical and radiological details along with the histopathological follow-up to assess the risk of malignancy in each category. Results: A total of 1572 cases from lymph nodes were reclassified according to the Sydney System. The most common site was cervical lymph nodes followed by intrabdominal, mediastinal, inguinal, and axillary. The risk of malignancy was found to be highest for category V (93.5%) and least for category II (13.7%) followed by category IV (66.6%), category III (33.3%), and category I (25%). The diagnostic accuracy of our study was 90.1%. Conclusions: The proposed Sydney System is helpful in the systematization and standardization of lymph node FNA diagnosis and reporting. It provides increased efficacy in clinical management with enhanced communication between clinicians and cytopathologists. Moreover, clinical practice would also benefit from management recommendations specific to diagnostic categories with increasing risk of malignancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In knee osteoarthritis (KOA), cooled radiofrequency ablation (C-RFA) and conventional radiofrequency ablation (Conv-RFA) are seldom compared directly, and long-term outcome is unclear. Aim: The aim is to compare the efficacy and safety of C-RFA and Conv-RFA in patients with Kellgren and Lawrence grade ≥3. Settings and Design: This prospective, randomized, double-blind study was performed over 30 months (October 2020 to March 2023) with 12 months follow-up in the Department of Pain Medicine. Materials and Methods: The study included 30 patients each in C-RFA and Conv-RFA groups. The outcomes were assessed at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months and included pain relief (Visual Analogue Scale [VAS] score), rescue analgesic use, functional improvement (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index [WOMAC] scores), and adverse events. Results: At 12 months, both C-RFA and Conv-RFA groups had a significant reduction in VAS score and analgesic use as well as an improvement in WOMAC score (P < 0.0001). In the C-RFA group, VAS score and analgesic use decreased, while WOMAC score improved significantly at 3, 6, and 12 months compared to baseline (P < 0.0001). At corresponding intervals, similar changes were observed in the Conv-RFA group at all the intervals, except no significant reduction in VAS score at 12 months (P = 0.900). The groups had comparable VAS and WOMAC scores at baseline, 3, and 6 months; however, at 12 months, the VAS score decreased significantly and the WOMAC score improved significantly in C-RFA groups (P < 0.0001). Conclusions: C-RFA provided significantly greater and prolonged pain relief and functional improvement in patients with KL grade III–IV KOA, and thus is superior to Conv-RFA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the clinical practice guidelines for assessing the needs of long-stay psychiatric patients with mental illness and substance use disorders (SUD). Topics include the process of developing needs assessments; factors influencing discharge planning and readiness; and the importance of recovery-oriented, person-centered care that addresses both mental health and physical health needs.

In India, social prejudices against women are culturally entrenched, and women carry an unfair and disproportionate burden of unpaid work, often reduced to "unproductive labor". Nuclear families are rapidly replacing multigenerational families, which could have a significant impact on women's mobility and capacity to strike a balance between work and family life. This article explores the time use pattern of working-age women in unpaid domestic work in multigenerational and multi-compositional households, shedding light on the intricate dynamics of household responsibilities and the potential implications on gender equality. This study uses data from the Time Use Survey (2019) of India, conducted by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) from January – December 2019. Our study considers working-age women between 15 and 64 years and the sample size is 174,621. A negative binomial regression approach is used to explain the effect of explanatory factors on women's time spent on unpaid domestic work and its family dynamics. Our findings reveal a significant gender disparity in unpaid work persisting across the lifespan. Specifically, married women bear a disproportionate burden of unpaid work compared to their unmarried counterparts. Higher education reduces the time spent by a working-age woman on unpaid domestic work. We find that women exhibit the most paradoxical traits, and the complex Indian social stratification contributes to a huge disparity in unpaid domestic work, with upper-caste Hindu, Muslim, and Sikh women putting in the most hours. The presence of school-age children increases the amount of time women spend on unpaid domestic work. Women living in a nuclear family, on average, have higher levels of unpaid work compared to women living in multigenerational households. Unpaid domestic work of women reduces in female predominant households while increases in male predominant households. While natal parents are more supportive than in-laws, the education of parents and in-laws has a significant impact on unpaid domestic work. Our study has policy implications and discusses the conflicts working-age women could encounter between family and economic work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research paper is the result of a study which explores the perception of primary school teachers about program management and the quality of learning materials, training packages and ICT equipment in the in-service training program called 'Samarthya' which is organized by Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) in Odisha (Samarthya, 2011-12). To carry out the study, the descriptive survey type research design was adopted. A sample of 420 teachers who were working in primary schools in Odisha was randomly selected and the data was collected through a self-made questionnaire. The results revealed regarding program management, are that the majority of teachers (89.04%) received information about the inservice training program well in advance and also, more than 90% of the teachers reported that the distance between the training centers and their school is reasonable. Regarding the quality of teaching materials for learning, 90% of the teachers reported that there was provision of learning materials and packages including kits. Half of the teachers (50.79%) reported that the language of the training package was easy to understand. Also, most teachers (86.43%) reported the unavailability of math and science kits during training.

Purpose: This paper aims to derive criteria for a strategic selection of learning management system (LMS) after making an analysis of the feedback data collected from learners and academic counselors in open and distance learning (ODL) to evaluate their perceptions. This analysis hints at the need to implement a learning management system (LMS) in ODL. Selecting an appropriate LMS can prove to be a strategic approach for ODL in achieving self-reliance and competitiveness. Design/methodology/approach: Research design includes qualitative design intended to discuss the features, advantages and attributes of different popular LMSs and compare them. In addition, the quantitative design (a questionnaire-based online feedback) to analyze the perceptions of the learners and academic counselors in order to know their e-learning needs has also been used. Results have been exhibited in tabular/graphical formats for easy comprehension and enhanced understanding. Findings: Findings of the study suggest that availability of plethora of LMSs in the market, which also include open source (OS) LMSs, makes the decision-making as regards selection of an appropriate LMS strategically crucial requiring adequate consideration of every aspect such as cost, quality, usage, capacity, budget and most importantly priorities and objectives. Research limitations/implications: This study will help educational administrators and decision-makers in ODL for building a quality civilized life and empowered society by removing the constraints related to financial problems, disabilities, time, geographical conditions and many others in bringing education to the doorstep of every willing learner. The technical details of LMS, however, were intentionally kept simplified to achieve the objective and provide easy comprehensibility for the reader with little technical background, which might be a limitation of this study. Originality/value: This study highlights that ODL has tasted success with optimum exploitation of different technological advancements in its transformational expedition from conventional learning to innovative e-learning and to the newest adaptive e-learning system. The huge potential of LMS, in providing learners and educators in ODL with an effective web-based learning system incorporating almost all the academic activities, has attracted organizations for using it not only for imparting education to learners but also for providing appropriate trainings to their human resources.

Schools play a vital role in inculcation of values and development of values. It has become, of late, the central concern of teacher education. Teacher education programmes are the effective modes of transmission of values having a direct impact on the school education. A College of Teacher Education was established at Badrachalam exclusively for tribal population in the State of Telangana under Integral Tribal Development Authority (ITDA). In this institution only tribes of different communities are given the opportunity of pursuing B.Ed. Programme. Tribal habitat, culture and living styles are different because they live in deep forest in hamlets away from the mainstream of the society and their value system needs attention for their emancipation in social development. In this article, the value system and value preferences of tribal future teachers of the B. Ed. Programme are discussed to provide guidelines for curricular interventions for quality tribal teacher education.

In this comprehensive study, we have delved into the intricate realm of lightning forecasting, a captivating yet challenging pursuit due to the elusive nature of storm electrification. Our focus rested on evaluating the skill of lightning forecasts of NCMRWF Regional Ensemble Prediction System (NEPS-R), based on the Met Office Global and Regional Ensemble Prediction System (MOGREPS). Based on the lightning hotspots in the observed seasonal mean lightning flash count, study regions were identified over East-Northeast India (ENEI) and Peninsular India (PI) during pre-monsoon season and Central and East-Northeast India (CENEI) for monsoon season during the year 2022. Probabilistic and deterministic skill of NEPS-R in lightning prediction using rank histogram, Relative Operating Characteristic (ROC), Brier Skill Score (BSS), Continuous Ranked Probability Skill Score (CRPSS), reliability diagrams, Probability of Detection (POD), False Alarm ratio (FAR), Equitable Threat Score (ETS), and Fractions Skill Score (FSS) were investigated in the present study. Rank histograms brought out the negative bias, which increases with increasing lead time over all the study regions. While ROC and BSS indicate that forecast is skillful on day-1 over ENEI for all the thresholds (> 1, > 5 and > 10) and over PI on day-2 and day-3, CRPSS has a contrasting trend with most skillful forecast over CENEI region. Reliability diagrams indicate under-forecasting for lower probabilities and over-forecasting for higher probabilities for all the thresholds for all the study areas. The overconfidence in the forecast could be at least partially attributed to the sampling error caused by a small ensemble size of NEPS-R, which also displayed similar trend of skill as BSS. Higher POD values in the CENEI region have surpassed those in ENEI and PI. Lower FAR and higher ETS are found over PI region compared to ENEI and CENEI. Furthermore, FSS (threshold > 1) indicates that CENEI region attains better skill (> 0.5) at a neighborhood size of 36 km in day-1 forecast compared to ENEI (68 km) and PI (84 km). The skill scores do emphasize the model's ability in predicting the dominant large scale features of monsoon. This is reflected in the better skill of CENEI region during monsoon as compared to ENEI and PI regions during the pre-monsoon season, where the model is falling short in predicting the prominent local scale features. Also, the model's inadequacy in proper representation of microphysics and kinematics does affect the lightning prediction capability of the model which could be addressed with improved model initial conditions and parameterization schemes and finer horizontal resolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The measurements of radon concentrations in drinking water sources in and around the Main Central Thrust (MCT) region in Garhwal Himalaya, India, were carried out using the scintillation detector-based SMART RnDuo technique for radiation protection purposes. Radon values in the analyzed samples were observed between 1.1 and 183.9 Bq L−1 (AM = 19.7 Bq L−1). Radon values in 94% of the samples were found well below the World Health Organization (WHO) reference limit. The estimated radiation doses for different age groups were found higher than the WHO safe limit of 100 µSv y−1 (from all sources including radon) except for the age groups of 0–12 months infants and 1–3 years children. The results of this study may be useful for future studies on epidemiology, examining hidden faults, uranium exploration etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study provides an insider's perspective on why engineering undergraduates at elite Indian universities lack academic motivation. Using interpretive qualitative research (actors approach), we uncover students' perceptions of academic (de)motivation and group them into three broad categories: faculty-related, course-related and cognitive-related, which we then explain through select motivation theories. The study arrives at two alternate explanations for the (lack of) academic motivation (demotivation and amotivation). The findings help guide decision-making by faculty members, academic administrators and planners.

Introduction: We report on post stillbirth and newborn death socio-cultural experience of women from a population-based representative sample in the Indian state of Bihar. Methods: A state-representative sample of 7,270 births between July 2020 and June 2021 was sampled, including 582 stillbirths and 831 newborn deaths. Detailed confidential interviews were conducted with the consenting women with stillbirth and newborn death to understand their post-birth experience. Results: A total of 501 (86.1% participation) women with stillbirth and 717 (86.3% participation) with neonatal death provided interview. Able to talk to someone about their baby and receiving support to cope with their loss were reported by 369 (74.2%) and 398 (80.2%) women with stillbirth; these proportions were 76.7% and 77.3% for women with newborn deaths, respectively. More than 80% of these women reported spouses as their main source of support. At least one negative experience was reported by 150 (30.9%) and 233 (32.5%) women with stillbirth and newborn death, respectively. The most commonly reported negative experience was receiving insensitive/hurtful comments about the baby (18.6% for stillbirth and 20.4% for newborn deaths), followed by being blamed for the baby's death (14.3% for stillbirths and 15.0% for newborn deaths). The majority of women reported being verbally abused by the mother-in-law for both stillbirth (24, 63.2%) and newborn death (49, 64.5%); while 48 (67.6%) and 66 (61.7%) women were blamed by the mother-in-law for stillbirth and neonatal death, respectively. Most women with stillbirth (72.7%) and with neonatal death (77.1%) were asked to forget about their babies as a means to cope with their loss. Naming, seeing, and holding the stillborn were reported by 56 (11.2%), 229 (45.9%), and 64 (12.8%) women with a stillborn. Conclusion: With one-third women with adverse birth outcome reporting negative experience, this translates into a significant number of women in India as it accounts for high numbers of stillbirths and newborn deaths globally. These population-based data can facilitate in designing interventions to improve post-partum experience for women with adverse birth outcomes in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Renal involvement in sarcoidosis is rare. We evaluated the pattern of renal involvement in sarcoidosis, its clinical course, renal histology, and response to treatment. Materials and Methods We retrospectively analyzed the data of all cases with sarcoidosis exhibiting renal involvement referred to our department between January 2010 and December 2021. Results A total of 33 patients (age: 50.6 ± 12.6 years, males: 57.6%) were analyzed. Common presenting symptoms were weight loss (81.8%; n = 27), fever (75.8%; n = 25), and vomiting (63.6%; n = 21). A total of 14 (42.4%) patients had granulomatous interstitial nephritis (GIN), 13 (39.4%) had isolated hypercalcemia, and six (18.2%) had GIN along with hypercalcemia. Renal biopsy was performed in 20 (60.6%) patients, and all showed GIN, with concomitant glomerular disease in four (12.1%) patients. Mean serum creatinine and 24-h urine protein at presentation were 4.3 ± 2.1 mg/dL and 2.5 ± 0.9 g/day, respectively. All patients received oral prednisolone 1 mg/kg/day with subsequent tapering, concomitantly with azathioprine. Mycophenolate mofetil was used in three (9.1%) patients who developed azathioprine-induced hepatoxicity. After a median follow-up of 24 months (8–120 months), mean serum creatinine and 24-h urine protein improved to 1.9 ± 1.5 mg/dL and 1.1 ± 0.6 g/day, respectively, (P = 0.005). On follow-up, two patients (6.1%) became dialysis-dependent, and three (9.1%) succumbed: one due to a cardiovascular event and two to sepsis and septic shock. Conclusion Granulomatous interstitial nephritis was the most common diagnosis in sarcoidosis patients with kidney failure. Early steroid treatment improves kidney function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is a group of diverse medical and healthcare systems, practices, and products that are not generally considered part of conventional medicine. Pregnant women are vulnerable to adverse effects of medicines, especially during the first trimester. Though it is advised to avoid unnecessary intake of medicine during pregnancy, CAM use is widespread. A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted on 120 pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic of a tertiary-care teaching hospital in Udaipur district of Southern Rajasthan, India. Women of age 18 years and above were surveyed between July 2022 to December 2023 by convenient sampling strategy and data were entered in a pretested and pre-validated questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the Chi-square test was applied to compare CAM use among different demographic categories and a p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Out of 120 participants, 58 (48.33 %) were using CAM therapy. Out of 58 users, 44 (75.86 %) were using herbal & traditional medicines. Twenty (34.48 %) were using CAM for a healthy baby, 18 (31.03 %) for easy delivery and 17 (29.31 %) for boosting immunity. Forty (68.96 %) participants started CAM on the advice of a relative/friend. Fifty six (46.67 %) participants believe that CAM therapy cannot cause adverse effects on the in utero child, while 32 (26.67 %) believe that CAM and modern medicines don't interact. CAM use among pregnant women is substantial. There is a need to raise awareness among the healthcare professionals and pregnant women regarding possible adverse effects and drug-drug interactions with CAM use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To assess student reactions to the skill-based training program on IMNCI. To assess student learning in the skill-based training program on IMNCI by OSCE and retro-pre feedback. To assess the reaction of students to OSCE as an assessment tool. Material and Methods: It was a mixed method interventional educational research. Students were assessed by using OSCE stations, retro pre feedback, and open ended questions about the training program and OSCE. Results: Retro-pre feedback of self-assessment of the 75 students shows that, after the training program, there is a significant increase in the self perceived post-test scores of Knowledge of Importance of IMNCI (2-4), Chart booklet (1.5-3.9), Skills of assessing the child for danger signs (1.7-3.9), cough (1.9-3.9), diarrhoea (2.1-4.2), anemia (2.2 -4.1), malnutrition (2.2 -4.2), counseling the care giver of the child (2-4.2). The students liked the skills taught interactively through videos, case scenarios, and role plays. Student liked the OSCE because of the clinical scenarios, photos, diverse cases were evaluated. Conclusions: Overall, the training program was taken well by the students and their IMNCI skills were improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Family is the cornerstone of many concepts in the social sciences, especially in demography and sociology. It is generally regarded as a major social institution and is positioned as the locus of much of an individual's life-course decisions. This study's aim was to investigate families in multi-problem situations and their determinants in India. National Family Health Survey round fifth was used. A total of 19,763 samples of families were analyzed using univariate, bivariate, and chi-square tests and multinomial logistic regression. More than half of Indian families are facing multiple problems. In India, 23.2% of families suffer from three and more problems. Those families with one problem have more domestic violence (25.6%) among women. The use of tobacco (36.4%) and alcohol (35.7%) among men is more in families having two problems. Families facing three problems have more women consuming tobacco (31.8%), more men consuming alcohol (31.4%), and more underweight and alcohol-consuming women (30.2% and 30.9%) in the family. The multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that more than two problems were associated with the men's age groups, wealth index, status of shared toilet facilities, educational level of men and women, and caste. Findings suggest the importance of addressing multiple problems in Indian families. Inclusion of education, sanitation, violence, use of alcohol and tobacco, malnutrition among women, and children management strategies services needs to be taken into consideration by the program and policymakers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Usually non-pathogenic in immunocompetent individuals, mucormycosis is an aggressive, angio-invasive fungus. It is a rare, opportunistic infection belonging to the zygomycete family. The second wave of COVID-19 saw the emergence of a more dangerous and a potentially deadly invasive fungal sinusitis evolving in rhino-cerebral mucormycosis thus compounding and complicating the pandemic. Alarming and exponential rise in the number of cases of rhino-cerebral mucormycosis in India versus the rest of the world when the treatment protocols essentially remained the same needs to be probed scientifically along with its prompt management. Here an attempt has been made to explore this in the study of 50 cases of rhino-cerebral mucormycosis. This study aims to explore the cause and extension of the disease along with its treatment and outcome in 50 cases of post COVID rhino-cerebral mucormycosis. Results: This is a retrospective cohort study conducted on 50 patients with post COVID-19 invasive mucormycosis of the paranasal sinuses with extension to surrounding structure visiting Otorhinolaryngology department at Acharya Vinoba Bhave Rural Hospital, Wardha. Among 50 patients, 86% males in 4th to 7th decade with mean age of 51.08 years. Large majority had mild–moderate severity on high-resolution computed tomography thorax with 84% having uncontrolled diabetes and 18% newly diagnosed diabetic cases. Seventy-two percent had history of steroid intake for COVID-19 management. Maxillary sinus was most commonly involved sinus in 94% cases while 32% had commonest extra nasal spread hard palate. Seventy-eight percent of the post operated mucormycosis cases are alive with no recurrence, 8% are alive and had recurrence of the disease while 14% resulted in death. Conclusion: Effective management and control of the infection can be achieved with the use of strong antibiotics, oral or systemic antifungal drugs, extensive surgical excision of diseased tissue, and addressing underlying risk factors can effectively manage and control the infection. This approach results in positive outcomes and reduced morbidity compared to the time prior to the COVID-19 pandemic including cases with extensive disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Inflammation and fibrosis are the primary occurrences of chronic antibody-mediated rejection (CABMR) in kidney transplant patients. Fibroblasts are the primary cell type involved in allograft rejection and play a crucial role in the pathogenesis and progression of chronic antibody-mediated rejection (CABMR). The in vitro study of the fibroblast is essential for comprehending biological processes and molecular reasons for CABMR and creating innovative treatment methods. However, establishing primary cultures from the kidney tissue is challenging. Aim and Objective: This protocol describes a simple and reproducible method for selective propagation and culture of primary human kidney fibroblasts from kidney cortex tissue. Techniques for their isolation and characterization are described in detail. Material and Methods: Primary kidney fibroblast cell culture was performed with a single core of fresh allograft biopsy tissue collected from the patients with CABMR. The biopsy tissue was collected in normal saline or phosphate buffer saline (PBS) and transported immediately on ice to the cell culture laboratory of the department. Results: An inverted microscope imaging shows the fibroblast cells during the first passage at 14th day, the cells were characterized by fingerprint monolayers when they were more than 80 % confluent. During the fourth passage at day 90, these cells took on the appearance of a long, elongated, spindle shaped. The immunofluorescence (IF) staining, shows the primary kidney fibroblast cells at the fourth passage were strongly positive for the fibroblast marker, Collagen I (fibrogenic cells), α-SMA (Resident fibroblast to active myofibroblasts conversion), and Vimentin (mesenchymal cells). On the other hand, the epithelial marker, cytokeratin-8, and E-cadherin were found to be very weak positive. Conclusion: This study provides an optimized, simple, and cost-effective method for primary fibroblast cultures from kidney tissue that may be reproducible easily at various laboratories and will provide a rich resource for future studies and research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sheath blight disease, caused by the fungus Rhizoctonia solani (AG1-IA), is a prevalent infection that poses a significant threat to rice plants, resulting substantial economic losses. So far, no complete resistance has been identified for this destructive disease. The primary method of managing sheath blight is through chemical control, which, while cost-effective, can have adverse effects on the environment. In this regard, a population of 330 Recombinant Inbred Lines (RILs) was developed by cross between Improved Samba Mahsuri (ISM) and INGR21112. ISM has been noted for its resistance to Bacterial Leaf Blight (BLB) but highly susceptible to sheath blight, having medium slender grains. INGR21112 is a novel sheath blight tolerant landrace from North East India. 330 RILs were evaluated against sheath blight through artificial inoculation by standard typha bit method under field during Kharif-2017. Among 330 RILs 27 were identified as a resistant with 3 score, 188 were identified as a moderately resistant, 87 were as susceptible and 28 were as highly susceptible. Identified resistant/tolerant RILs will be used for the sheath blight resistant breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Health care professionals working in the field of oncology have reported difficulty communicating with patients and their families throughout diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. As it comes to the care and treatment of the patient as well as their feelings of uncertainty about the future, nurses on the treatment team are crucial in offering patients and their families both practical and emotional support. By offering specialized training in communication skills, health care providers—including undergraduate health care students and interns—can strengthen their relationship with patients. Objectives The main objectives of the study were to assess the effect of communication skill training on the skills and self-efficacy of undergraduate nursing students in providing care to patients with cancer. Materials and Methods A quasi-experimental research design was adopted to evaluate the effect of skill training on the skills and self-efficacy of students. A total of 32 students from selected nursing colleges were chosen using a purposive sampling technique, and the lottery method was employed to assign students to the intervention and control groups. A baseline pro forma, basic communication skills checklist, and self-efficacy questionnaire (SE-12) were the instruments used for data collection. Using SPSS version 26, descriptive and inferential statistics were employed to analyze the data. Results The majority of the students in both the intervention group (81.25%) and the control group (75%) were between the ages of 20 and 21. Scores on communication skills pretest, posttest 1, and posttest 2 within and between groups all showed highly significant differences (p = 0.000). The self-efficacy scores of the intervention group students significantly improved (p = 0.000). Conclusion The skill training program has enhanced the students' competency to communicate and their sense of self-efficacy in offering care for cancer patients. Health care professionals will help patients and their families take an informed and involved role in their own cancer care if they devote the resources to training, particularly prospective students, in this basic clinical competence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Two-dimensional (2D) echocardiographic (echo) assessment of the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) by Simpson's biplane method is routinely used in clinical practice for patient management. The measurement of global longitudinal strain (GLS) using speckle tracking echocardiography is a new method for assessing left ventricular (LV) systolic function with several advantages. There are very few observations regarding the correlation of 2D GLS with the functional status of patients with the LV systolic dysfunction (LVSD). Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the superiority of GLS over Simpson's method of LVEF in predicting the functional status of the patients with moderate-to-severe LVSD (ejection fraction <40%) and to find out if any difference exists between male and female patients. Materials and Methods: Fifty patients aged 18–80 years satisfying the inclusion and exclusion criteria were studied over a period of 2 months. Simpson's method was used to calculate 2D LVEF. 2D GLS was assessed using an automated function imaging technique. The Minnesota living with heart failure questionnaire was used to assess the functional status of patients. Results: Correlation of functional status of patients was better with 2D GLS than 2D LVEF, although both were found to be statistically significant and no statistically significant difference was found in observations between both genders. Conclusion: The correlation of functional status of patients with moderate-to-severe LVSD was better with 2D GLS than 2D LVEF. Further studies are needed to identify the gender differences in 2D GLS correlation with the functional status of patients with LVSD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: In this study, we evaluated the risk factors for urinary retention after freehand transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) guided transperineal prostate biopsy (TPB). Patients and Methods: Data from 102 cases of freehand TPB at a single institution were retrospectively collected and analyzed. All patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-TRUS cognitive fusion TPB using a transperineal needle guide, with systematic biopsies from 10 prostate sectors and additional MRI-guided targeted biopsies. Exclusions comprised patients with coagulation abnormalities, prior prostate surgeries including biopsy, active urinary tract infection, or a lack of pre-biopsy multiparametric MRI. Results: 14/102 (13.72%) had urinary retention and required urethral catheterization for voiding difficulty or discomfort along with a bladder volume of ≥500 ml. Patients with retention exhibited significantly larger prostate volumes (median 75 cc vs. 40 cc; P < 0.05). Receiver operating curve analysis revealed a prostate volume threshold of 57.5 cc and a core number cutoff of 23 for predicting post-TPB urinary retention, with sensitivities of 78.57% and 85.71%, specificities of 75% and 82.95%, positive predictive values of 33.33% and 44.44%, and negative predictive values of 95.75% and 97.33%, respectively, whereas the number of biopsy cores correlated positively with the development of urinary retention (median 25 vs. 22; P < 0.05). Urinary retention was independent of the patient's age, comorbidities, presenting prostate-specific antigen levels, prebiopsy severity of lower urinary tract symptoms, and use of alpha-blockers. Conclusion: Patients with larger prostates and higher number of biopsy cores are at a higher risk of postfreehand TPB urinary retention and should receive appropriate counselling. Targeted biopsies alone, rather than a full template, may help mitigate urinary retention in these high-risk groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The maternal health domain is one of the topmost priorities in India. Way back in 1997–1998, the maternal mortality rate (MMR) in India was 398, which has decreased tremendously to 97 now. Although we are still away from attaining the SDG target, this success story needs to be lime-lighted. The delays in seeking healthcare have also been decreased significantly. Materials and Methods: We wanted to explore the impact of the various maternal and child health programs and initiatives on the change in the trend of maternal mortality and various delays, such as delay in seeking healthcare, delay in reaching the healthcare facility, and delay in receiving healthcare. A literature review was being conducted to assess the impact of different interventions conducted by NHM and MoHFW. Results: A major impact on increasing the rate of institutional delivery and reduction in the catastrophic health expenditure was seen with implementation of JSY and JSSK schemes. These initiatives reduced maternal mortality by decreasing first and second delay in healthcare, that is, delay in decision making and delay in reaching the point-of-care. FRU, ambulance scheme has drastically reduced the delay in reaching the healthcare facility. Now, the major delay is gradually shifting toward the delay in reaching the healthcare facility, that is, third delay. Various new initiatives have been launched to improve the quality of care like—DAKSHATA, SUMAN, LAQSHYA, and Maternal Near Miss and Death review. Conclusion: We can still achieve the SDG target with quality of care by strengthening of policy on person-centered care. As the MMR has substantially reduced, our focus should shift toward reducing maternal morbidity and near miss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study was conducted to determine and correlate the perception of social support and the prevalence of self-reported depressive symptoms among patients with head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 100 patients with HNSCC receiving treatment at a tertiary cancer centre in north India. They were enrolled by a convenient sampling technique. Subsequently, data regarding sociodemographic profile, clinical profile, perception of social support and prevalence of self-reported depressive symptoms were collected through face-to-face interviews using a subject datasheet, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Results: Most of the HNSCC patients, 37%, were in the 42-54 years age category. A male gender predilection (85%) was noted. The two most common subsites involved were the oral cavity (61%) followed by the oropharynx (26%). A majority, 60% of the patients had high social support. Among the subscales of the MSPSS, high social support was obtained majorly from the family (98%), followed by significant others (66%) and friends (52%). The prevalence of self-reported moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms was noted in 36% of patients. The perception of social support and the prevalence of self-reported depressive symptoms showed a weak negative correlation (r = -0.262, P = 0.008). Conclusion: Despite receiving high social support, there was a high prevalence of self-reported moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms in patients with HNSCC. Therefore, it is pertinent to monitor the mental health of patients afflicted with HNSCC and provide mental health rehabilitation as per their needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]