December 2023

The Existence of life is strongly dependent on the presence of protons and electrons, which were formed during an event called the big bang, 15 billion years ago. That is, the protons and electrons, which were formed during this event, set the stage for the formation of life in the universe. The historical process of transition of life from the simple membrane - based mechanism for making ATP had converted to a more complex membrane - redox potential, a three state line system for making ATP during last 3,6 billion years. The membrane - redox potential three state line system existed between donators of proton and electrons as food substrates and acceptors of the protonand electrons as air, oxygen in all cells.

Background: Patients with neurogenic bladder (NB) always need regularly to drain bladder artificially, mostly by clean intermittent catheterizations (CIC) or indwelling catheterizations. This study attempted to compare the cost of bladder drainage and salary between patients with NB willing to conduct CIC and that of preferring to indwelling catheterization. Methods: The age, cost of bladder drainage, salary, and income were compared between two groups according to selection of CIC or indwelling catheterization. Results: There was no significant difference of age in two groups. Although significant higher cost of bladder drainage in patients with CIC was found than that of indwelling catheterization, significantly higher salary was earn by patients with CIC compared to the other group. Therefore, lower income was discerned in patients preferring to indwelling catheterizations when compared to that of CIC. Conclusion: Patients eligible for CIC should be encouraged to perform CIC because of lower salary and income resulting from indwelling catheterization compared to CIC.

This study focused on aesthetic education, particularly within the Chinese educational landscape and has provided a comprehensive understanding of its theoretical foundations and practical implications. This study delved into historical, cultural, and educational dimensions, drawing on the insights of influential thinkers and traditions. Through a diverse range of indicators, we assessed the curriculum's impact on students and identified a strong, statistically significant positive relationship between perceived quality and efficacy. This correlation underscores the inherent effectiveness of higher-quality aesthetic education. These findings carry implications for educators and policymakers, emphasizing the ongoing need for efforts to enhance the quality of aesthetic education for a more impactful educational experience.

Cardiac arrhythmias are an important aspect of fetal and neonatal medicine. Premature complexes of atrial or ventricular origin are the main cause of an irregular heart rhythm. The finding is typically unrelated to an identifiable cause and no treatment is required. Tachyarrhythmia most commonly relates to supraventricular re-entrant tachycardia, atrial flutter, and sinus tachycardia. Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is one of the most common conditions requiring emergency cardiac care in neonates. Atrial Flutter is the most common SVT. Atrioventricular re-entrant tachycardia utilizing an atrioventricular bypass tract is the most common form of SVT presenting in the neonatal period. here is high likelihood for spontaneous resolution for most of the common arrhythmia substrates in infancy. Pharmacological agents remain as the primary therapy for neonates.

According to Ayurveda, Dosha, Dhatu and Mala are Moola (basic elements) of the body. Among seven Dhatus, Rakta (blood) is the most vital component of our body. According to Acharyas, it gives and sustains the life of any individual and is also included in Dashavidha Pranayatana by Acharya Charka. So, one should protect Rakta (blood) by all means, because its loss (Raktasrava) will ultimately lead to death. Many references are mentioned in Ayurvedic literature for controlling internal as well as external haemorrhage, in addition to these Acharya Sushruta, has described four different measures i.e., Skandana, Sandhana, Pachana, and Dahana for Raktstambhana. Various methods described in modern literature for haemostasis also work on almost similar principles described by our Acharyas. In this article, an effort has been made to describe in detail about Rakta (i.e., its derivation, formation, constituents i.e., Panchamahabhoota, functions), Raktasrava and different measures of Raktstambhana (haemostasis) along with their mode of action.

In a world that remains in the throes of the Covid era, we find ourselves adapting to a new "normal," where the virus transcends distinctions of caste, color, religion, class, and gender. However, the brunt of the pandemic has undeniably fallen harder on the marginalized segments of society. Globally, individuals have confronted Covid and explored diverse avenues to surmount its challenges. Even in regions like Kerala, the pandemic has unleashed unprecedented consequences, particularly affecting the realm of ritual performances. Throughout this pandemic period, traditional performances, which encompass both ritualistic and labor aspects, have been indefinitely put on hold. This article undertakes an examination of the current state and potential future trajectories of Theyyam, a ritualistic performing art intrinsic to North Malabar, against the backdrop of the Covid era. It attempts to offer a distinct perspective on the rituals, cultural expressions, and artistic performances of North Malabar across various historical periods. Moreover, it delves into the role played by the tourism sector in times of pandemic-like situations, and the role that social media has assumed in providing support to ritual performers and in the dissemination and popularization of the Theyyam tradition amid the pandemic's constraints.

Depression impacts millions globally and is a primary cause of chronic impairment. This document defines, symptoms, types, prevalence, and diagnoses depression. This paper mentions prenatal and early childhood features, mother's health during pregnancy, socioeconomic status, and environmental variables that predict depression. Almost 10% of the worldwide illness burden is depression. The disorder is the second leading cause of morbidity among 15-44-year-olds. The research further addresses depression diagnosis, which includes history, mental status evaluation, physical or functional limitations, and ICD criteria. Lastly, prenatal and early childhood variables, mother health during pregnancy, socioeconomic status, and environmental determinants are important in depression development and management. Knowing these health variables can influence depression prevention and management methods, such as improving mental health during pregnancy, addressing socioeconomic inequities, and increasing access to professional aid and support.

A Note on Social Progress Index in India Abstract: Social progress has become an increasingly critical agenda for leaders in government, business, and civil society. The demand for better lives and greater equality is evident across the world as we see protests and new political movements for racial equity, women’s rights, climate change, gun violence and beyond. As the Covid-19 pandemic swept the world it highlighted our structural weaknesses and our inequities. There has been a growing expectation that it is not just governments who need to play a role in delivering improvements, but that business is also accountable, and must deliver improvements in the lives of people, as well as protecting the environment for us all. This is the social progress imperative. Progress on social issues does not automatically accompany economic development. Rising income usually brings major improvements in areas such as access to clean water, sanitation, literacy, and basic education. But on average, personal security is no better in middle-income countries than in low-income ones and is often worse. And too many people—regardless of income—live without full rights and experience discrimination or even violence based on gender, religion, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. Traditional measures of national income, such as GDP per capita, fail to capture the overall progress of societies. In this connection, an attempt is made in this paper to examine the levels of social progress in India.

Uric acid is a strong reducing agent (electron donors) and potent antioxidant. In humans, over half the antioxidant capacity of blood plasma comes from uric acid.6 Serum uric acid has been shown to be associated with Diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, vascular stroke and chronic kidney disease in previous studies. 7 Recent evidence suggest that uric acid plays a role in cytokine secretion and has been identified as a mediator of endothelial dysfunction and systemic inflammation.8Hyperglycemia induce both an oxidative stress (glucose autoxidation and advanced glycosylation end products (AGE) – ROS oxidation products) and a reductive stress through pseudo-hypoxia with the accumulation of NADH and NAD(P)H in the vascular intima.9-11 This redox stress consumes the natural occurring local antioxidants such as: SOD, GPX, and catalase. Once these local intimal antioxidants are depleted, uric acid can undergo the paradoxical antioxidant – prooxidant switch or the urate redox shuttle.12,13Insulin activate the renin –angiotensin system with subsequent increase in Angiotensin II (ANG II). AngII is the most potent endogenous inducer of NAD(P)H oxidase, increasing NAD(P)H, which increases vascular –intimal reactive oxygen species and superoxide (O2-•).9,14Now in the background of the complex cellular environment of insulin resistance and hyperglycaemia which is associated with oxidative stress, antioxidant properties of uric acid might get converted to a pre-oxidant state owing to reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation.15This may also lead to adverse effects on endothelial function and a pro-inflammatory response, both of which are known to be associated with new onset of type 2 diabetes.16Many studies have reported that there is a positive association between high serum uric acid level and diabetes.15-17 whereas other studies show no association18 or inverse association.19,20Most of studies are on serum uric acid levels in already existing type 2 DM. Hence, this study was taken up to assess the relation between serum uric acid levels in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus and its relation with glycemic index. The Case control study included 30 newly diagnosed type 2 DM patients of age group 30-65 years in Victoria Hospital, attached to Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, Bangalore and 30 healthy individuals of same age group with no family history of type 2 DM from general population. Diabetic patients diagnosed as per American Diabetes Association criteria. Patients already on treatment for Diabetes mellitus, liver dysfunction, renal dysfunction, essential hypertension, neoplastic diseases and on its treatment and Pregnant and lactating mothers were excluded from the study. After obtaining written informed consent from the cases and controls, about 5 ml of fasting venous blood was obtained by venepuncture under aseptic conditions and divided into 2 parts, first part of blood was taken in a sterile EDTA tube and was used for measuring HbA1C and second in a plain tube, centrifuged and separated serum was used for measuring fasting blood glucose and uric acid. Parameters was measured in Beckman Coulter AU480. Chi-Square test. Pearson’s Correlation analysis. Student’s t test. Statistical Tests were used to interpret results. And p value < 0.05 was considered significant. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES of the study was to measure HbA1C and Serum Uric Acid in newly diagnosed type 2 Diabetes mellitus patients and to assess the correlation between HbA1C and Serum Uric acid in the above patients. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a heterogeneous disease which is characterized by variable degrees of insulin resistance and increased glucose production.1Pathogenesis: There is rising blood sugar levels (hyperglycaemia) and a drop in the energy production. To compensate for the insulin resistance and to keep the blood glucose levels from spiralling out of control the pancreas tries to restore the balance by producing more insulin. If they are left unchecked, the cells become even more resistant to insulin, even as the pancreas secretes ever greater amounts of insulin, in a desperate attempt to bring the system back under control. This results in dangerously high blood levels of insulin (hyper-insulinaemia). If this is not corrected, the pancreas eventually becomes exhausted, resulting in diabetes. In the present study, it was observed that the serum uric acid level of cases was significantly higher than that of controls (p<0.001).It can be postulated that compensatory hyper-insulinaemia which occurs in the insulin resistant individuals may impose an anti-uricosuric effect on the kidneys. Insulin mediates renal urate reabsorption via stimulation of the urate-anion exchanger URAT1 and/or the sodium-dependent anion co-transporter in brush border membranes of the renal proximal tubule.2Thus, the clearance of uric acid gets reduced, with an increase in the insulin resistance.16 Similar results were reported by Joseph B. Herman et al.21 , T P Whitehead et al.22 , Causevic et al.23 In the present study, it was also observed that when a comparison was made between the serum uric acid and HbA1C, there was a positive correlation (r= 0.4688) which was statistically significant(p< 0.01), which meant that there was an increase in the serum uric acid with an increase in HbA1C.This can be explained on the basis of the mechanisms with suggested association with Hyper-insulinaemia. It is through increased uric acid production. The increased flux of glucose-6-phosphate through the hexose monophosphate pathway shunt due to impairment of the glycolytic pathway, has been suggested as an explanation for the increased uric acid and NADPH formation in impaired glucose tolerance 2,21,24 and this may also include excess carbohydrates and an enhanced lipogenesis in the presence of excess insulin.25Similar findings were explained by HK Choi et al. 26 This case control study showed that serum uric acid is seen increased in newly diagnosed type 2 DM patients and suggests that HbA1C very much correlates with serum serum uric acid levels. Hence, simple cost effective biochemical parameter, uric acid can be used as a potential biomarker to guide the deterioration in glucose metabolism instead of using complex tests for measurement of insulin resistance, but community based study comprising large group of representatives is necessary to generalise uric acid as more specific tool in type 2 DM.

The talk of the town is green. To combat the harshest effects of environmental deterioration, new tactics, and technology are developed every other day. Everyone is buzzing about the color green. Each passing day witnesses the emergence of innovative strategies and technologies aimed at combating the dire consequences stemming from environmental degradation. Green marketing and green products are becoming indispensable because of the rate at which our world is being misused and the seriousness of the environmental problems. However, the success of this "green concept" will only come when there is a high degree of awareness and a favorable impression. This article focuses on the perception of green products in Tiruppur District. This article provides a detailed analysis that addresses questions such as What is the general perception (negative, positive or neutral)? Do consumers appreciate green product packaging? Is there a relationship between the findings and various demographic variables? An undisguised, structured questionnaire was created and sent to 120 responders; 106 of them were deemed to be potentially useful. More than thirty samples are regarded as big. The hypotheses are tested using statistical methods such as mean, median, frequency distribution, Kruskal-Wallis, and one-way ANOVA. This paper will help other researchers understand how consumers feel about green products, businesses will be able to adjust their strategies and policies based on consumer perception, and other organisations and institutions interested in researching consumer behaviour related to green products will find it useful.

Background: Clinical placement programs are very important experience that help physiotherapy students in acquiring more practical skills and confidence to communicate, assess, set goals, and treat patients. It is important part of the physiotherapy education curriculum that students must go through in order to obtain the Bachelor degree. This study was designed to assess the effect of clinical placement on the confidence and skills on physiotherapy students at Ahfad University for Women (AUW) in Omdurman, Sudan. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study used questionnaires to collect the data on the objectives. The study conducted at the physiotherapy department at AUW. The study population includes total of 80 students distributed as follows: 15 students (18.7%) at second year, 19 students (23.7%) at third year, 18 students (22.5%) at fourth year and 28 students (35%) at fifth year. Skills and confidence were determined using assessment questions based on case studies. Results: The results obtained revealed that students in the academic years that were exposed to more clinic placements (I.e., 4th and 5th year students) showed high confidence in selecting appropriate treatment (44.4%) and (32.1%) and most of the confidence assessment questions. Also, most of the fourth- and fifth-year students showed better results in the skills assessment questions than second- and third-year students. Conclusion: Students of 5th year at AUW physiotherapy program gain more confidence and problem-solving skills compared to other years. Recommendations: More in depth investigations is required to assess, evaluate, and improve the physiotherapy educational programs specifically at AUW and generally in Sudan.

The demand for blended learning is increasing in Saudi educational institutions, notably universities. Blended learning incorporates online and traditional face-to-face components to maximize teaching and learning best practices in synchronous and asynchronous learning contexts. Furthermore, there is a lack of studies on the attitudes, benefits, and challenges of implementing blended learning, even though it's been an emerging paradigm for decades. This study provides a picture of EFL teachers' attitudes towards Blended Learning (BL) at University of Jeddah, Khulais branch. The study also sought to determine if teachers' attitudes toward blended learning were related to gender and teaching experiences. It explored if instructors encounter supports and challenges as they implement blended approaches. The research instrument used by the researcher to collect quantitative data from a sample of 19 EFL teachers was a questionnaire to measure EFL teachers' attitudes towards it. Analyses for the research data used Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS 26). The findings of the attitude questionnaire indicated teachers' satisfaction and positive attitudes towards BL, and they had never faced challenges. Also, the findings showed no significant differences among the teachers' gender and teaching experiences on their attitudes toward blended learning (BL). In the light of the results, some recommendations were suggested.

This article endeavours to promote a transformative shift towards integrated technical and vocational education with a focus on enhancing employability within the secondary school system of Cross River State, Nigeria. The evolving perceptions of various stakeholders concerning Technical and Vocational Education (TVE) in Cross River State can help to enhance this shift. The views held by stakeholders in the realm of technical and vocational education exhibit a range of perspectives, encompassing students' outlooks, teachers' viewpoints, parents' stances, and employers' impressions. These perceptions collectively shed light on the current landscape of technical and vocational education in Cross River State. Data was collected through observation and in-depth interviewing. Results indicate thatthe Prevailing Perceptions Regarding Technical And Vocational Education In Cross River State include limited Access To Technical Education, students’less interest in Tve, Influence Of Parents And Lack Of Awareness,Diminished Prestige Of Technical Education.

Discrimination is a grim reality in our society that affects all people. Racial / Colour discrimination has existed in our society for centuries. This is a serious concern and needs immediate attention. The main causes of racial / colour discrimination are: superiority, prejudice, stereotyping, jealousy etc. This is a big challenge, which, if ignored, may result in a serious threat to life. Othello, the Moor of Venice, one of William Shakespeare’s finest creations, reflects the same theme. It would not be just to say that this was a reflection of his personal experience, but at the same time we cannot deny the fact that it raised the burning issue of racial or colour discrimination in his time and challenged civil, cultural, political and social rights. Discrimination on the grounds of caste, colour, race, religion, sex etc. is a violation of the right to equality. The major themes in Othello include racism, love, jealousy, infidelity, revenge, repentance etc. Othello provoked many reactions because of the issue of race , colour and anti-apartheid movement in South Africa. This play has shaken the faith of the readers in basic human values as it proved that ‘Black’ is associated with ‘Evil and Sin’. Othello, the most dignified character in the play, was a victim of racism and his brutality was revealed when he killed his innocent wife Desdemona. The objective of the present paper is to examine how a legendary writer such as William Shakespeare dramatizes colour discrimination, a very sensitive issue, which is widely prevalent in our society. In the play, Othello’s own weakness (inferiority complex) had been exploited by Iago and Roderigo. Othello, a competent and experienced soldier, fell victim to a political conspiracy which resulted in his downfall.

The main purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between internal communication, psychological empowerment, and employee engagement of selected hotels in Rusizi District for the year 2023. The study was quantitative in nature using the descriptive correlation research design. Out of 281 distributed questionnaires, only 242 individuals participated in filling the questionnaire where 38% were male and 62% were female. The descriptive data was analyzed using frequency distribution and percentage, the mean, and standard deviation. For the inferential components of the research, the Kruskal-Wallis Test, Mann-Whitney U-Test, and Regression Analysis were used. The descriptive statistics findings showed that the respondents perceive internal communication as very good, and the level of psychological empowerment and employee engagement as high. The statistical results reveal that only age, marital status, and monthly income affect employee engagement in selected hotels. Based on Pearson correlation findings, internal communication had a positive relationship with employee engagement and its dimensions: vigor, dedication, and absorption. All components of psychological empowerment: meaning, competence, self-determination, and impact had a positive relationship with employee engagement and its dimensions. These findings show that meaning, self-determination, internal communication, and competence predict employee engagement. The obtained results are not just similar but they confirm findings of previous studies conducted in different settings showing that the deficiency in internal communication and psychological empowerment would lower the level of employee engagement that will decrease performance and prevent the organization from achieving its goals and objectives as outcomes.

Introduction: Fungal infections are a major burden of mortality and morbidity in the critical care setting and are one of the leading causes of nosocomial infections despite recognition of risk factors and improvement in infection prevention. The mortality rate associated with candidemia worldwide is also high ranging from 10% to 49%. In India, the picture is not very clear due to lack of multicentre studies. Objectives: This study was done to determine prevalence and drug resistance pattern of candida isolates from patients admitted in ICU. Methods: This is a hospital based cross sectional study done in ICU of a tertiary care hospital from period of January 2022 to December 2022. In total 130 immunocompromised patients with clinical suspicion of having fungal infections were included in the study and samples were processed using standard microbiological methods and antifungal susceptibility testing was done as per CLSI 2022 guidelines. Result: Out of 130 samples, 36 samples (27.69%) were positive for Candida infection whereas 94 samples (72.30%) were found to be negative for Candida infection. (p=0.0001). It was observed that nonalbicans Candida species (75%) had predominance over C. albicans (25%). Among the non-albicans Candida spp., Candida tropicalis was the most common isolate seen in 15 (41.67%) isolates followed by Candida parapsilosis in 6 (16.67%), Candida krusei in 4 (11.11%) and Candida glabrata in 2 (5.55%) isolates. Among 9 Candida albicans, Nystatin, Amphotericin B and Miconazole showed 100% sensitivity followed by Ketoconazole (88.88%), Itraconazole (88.88%) and Fluconazole (88.88%). Candida tropicalis showed 100% sensitivity to Ketoconazole, Nystatin, Voriconazole, Amphotericin B and Miconazole followed by It raconazole (93.33%) and resistance to Fluconazole (73.33%). Conclusion: In our study non albicans candida were more prevalent than candida albicans with Antifungal susceptibility testing for Candida spp by Disk diffusion method showed resistance to Voriconazole in C.albicans and among NAC, resistance to Fluconazole. Increasing rate of resistance among C.albicans and NAC may be due to frequent use of antifungal prophylaxis in immunocompromised patients especially in ICU setup, this emphasizes the need of antifungal susceptibility testing in ICU which can help clinician to avoid over use of antifungal prophylaxis and start appropriate antifungal agents as per culture sensitivity report. This can help in reduction of multidrug resistance in fungal isolates.

This paper takes time as a clue, takes the experience of time as the entry point of research, discusses the landscape design of urban public space at different levels, explores the meaning and connotation of landscape design of public space from a different angle, emphasizes the understanding of the deeper role of time on the public space by analyzing the perception and experience of timeliness of the landscape space and hopes to draw more attention to the temporality of the landscape space, and brings new ideas to the current and future landscape design of the urban public space, which does not mean pursuing the "new", but rather injecting cultural connotations to embody the continuity of the landscape, and promotes the sustainable development of the landscape.

The excessive use and abuse of pesticides and veterinary drugs contaminate the food articles, which can threaten human health and environment. Therefore, there is an extremely urgent need for multi analysis techniques for the detection of pesticide and veterinary drug residues, which can be applied as screening techniques for food safety monitoring and detection. Milk is contaminated with hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), dichloro-diphenyltrichloro ethane (DDT), endosulfan, cypermethrin, cyhalothrin, permethrin, chloropyrifos, ethion, and profenophos pesticides. Milk is also contaminated by chlorinated pesticides, organophosphates, herbicides, fungicides, antihelminthetic drugs, antiobiotics, hormones, detergents, disinfectants, nitrites, polychlorinated biphenyls, dioxins. Problems associated with antibiotic residues in milk include the risk of allergic reactions and occurrence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, teratogenicity risk to the foetus, hypoplasia in developing teeth, aplasia of bone marrow, chronic insidious intake lead to elevated cancer risk and disruption of body’s reproductive, immune, endocrine and nervous system.