Today's students have increased expectations for flexible learning options and evidence-based practice resources to be available to support curricular activities. We investigated: (i) the suitability ...of a static website for teaching ocular anatomy and physiology and an interactive version of the website with quiz and self-assessment activities and (ii) the usefulness of a blended online and in-lab environment to teach in Optometry. We administered a survey to compare responses of optometry students who had access to the interactive website, with those from students from a previous year who used the static version. We examined learning preferences of students in a focus group. Students were positive about the value of the website for their learning and the clarity of the website content. Nevertheless, objective comparison of pass rates for students using the static and interactive websites did not show significant changes. The majority of students commenting on the static website felt they did not get sufficient feedback via the website (67%) compared with only 22% from students who used self-assessments in the interactive website. Interestingly, users of the static website commented that it was perceived as just another resource while users of the interactive website commented on the usefulness of the material to review knowledge before laboratories. In the focus group, students reported they preferred a blended learning over the website alone even by students using the interactive website as they felt the need to revise content with the educator before the test. We conclude that there is acceptance of online learning methods due to the technologically 'savvy' environment of students in the first year of the Optometry programme but there is still dependence on the educator as the main administrator of their learning.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Cation site occupation is an important determinant of materials properties, especially in a complex system with multiple cations such as in ternary spinels. Many methods for extracting the cation ...site information have been explored in the past, including analysis of spectra obtained through K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). In this work, we measure the effectiveness of X-ray emission spectroscopy (XES) for determining the cation site occupation. As a test system we use spinel phase CoxMn3-xO4 nanoparticles contaminated with CoO phases because Co and Mn can occupy all cation sites and the impurity simulates typical products of oxide syntheses. We take advantage of the spin and oxidation state sensitive Kβ1,3 peak obtained using XES and demonstrate that XES is a powerful and reliable technique for determining site occupation in ternary spinel systems. Comparison between the extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) and XES techniques reveals that XES provides not only the site occupation information as EXAFS, but also additional information on the oxidation states of the cations at each site. We show that the error for EXAFS can be as high as 35% which makes the results obtained ambiguous for certain stoichiometries, whereas for XES, the error determined is consistently smaller than 10%. Thus, we conclude that XES is a superior and a far more accurate method than XAS in extracting cation site occupation in spinel crystal structures.
The current study aims to present our clinical observations and experience gathered during the diagnosis, clinical presentation, medical/surgical treatment, and functional prosthetic rehabilitation ...of cases of rhino-orbital/cerebral Mucormycosis patients. Mucormycosis is an aggressive, life-threatening invasive fungal infection that occurs in people who are immune-compromised. The rise of ROCM during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in India suggests a more effective association between Mucormycosis and the SARS-CoV-2 delta variant. The treatment strategy for Mucormycosis is an early diagnosis which is critical for a successful outcome. The initial step is to reduce or remove underlying risk factors followed by surgical excision and debridement of the afflicted tissues supplemented with antifungal medication. The first-line antifungal treatment is Liposomal Amphotericin B. Postsurgical resection defects are rehabilitated by either removable partial prosthesis (obturators) or by fixed zygomatic implant/patient-specific implant supported prosthesis. Management of ROCM requires a multidisciplinary approach. This case series highlights detailed medical, surgical, and functional prosthetic management modalities adopted by our team in managing such a dreaded disease which may be used as a tool for the formulation of standardized prevention and management/treatment/rehabilitation protocols in the future so that disease morbidity and mortality be reduced and an endemic outbreak could be averted.
Introduction: Dentinal Hypersensitivity (DH) presents as a short, intense pain emanating from exposed dentinal tubules. Many studies have concluded that mechanical, chemical or both factors increase ...the frequency of DH. Sealing of exposed dentinal tubule can be achieved with the use of Dental adhesives, restorations, Desensitising Agents (DA) and Lasers, each having their own mechanism of action. Aim: This clinical study was done to evaluate the efficacy of Hydroxy Methacrylate (HEMA) based DA and 980 nm diode laser in the treatment of DH. Materials and Methods: This two-arm parallel design split-mouth study was conducted on 30 adult patients attending the Dental Outpatient Clinic of Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal during the year December 2018 to January 2020 with clinically diagnosed high cervical DH (Charlie=3) occurring bilaterally in maxillary canine teeth. Scoring of baseline and postoperative DH was done utilising using Modified U.S. Public Health Service Criteria for DH Assessment. After recording the pretreatment baseline scores, mouth of each sample subject was divided bilaterally using split-mouth technique into Group A and Group B. The left side of patient’s mouth was designated as Group A in which a 10 W Diode Laser (980 nm) was used and right side of the patient’s mouth was classified as Group B, in which Shield Active (HEMA based) DA was used. The sensitivity score for both the groups was assessed immediately after application, after 24 hours, after seven days and after 21 days. Statistical Analysis was done by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences(SPSS) software version 22.0. Student’s t-test and repeated measures of ANOVA Test were applied. The p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: There was a statistically highly significant difference in sensitivity scores between both groups immediately after treatment p=0.038, after 24 hours, seven days and after 21 days. (p<0.001) depicting high efficacy of Diode lasers over DA. Repeated Measure of ANOVA was applied to find difference in mean score from baseline to 21 days. Immediately after application the results in Group A compared to baseline were statistically highly significant (p<0.001) and statistically significant in Group B (p<0.05). However, overall difference after 21 days compared to baseline were not significant in any group (p>0.05) depicting that the effect of both the desensitising therapies were not significant beyond 21 days in both the groups. Conclusion: Within the limits of this study, it can be concluded that both HEMA based DA and 980 nm diode laser were effective desensitisation treatment modalities for achieving immediate reduction of high cervical dentin hypersensitivity from baseline. Further, 980 nm Diode laser was found to be more efficacious and effective treatment option than HEMA based DA for treatment of DH.
In India, a vast majority of rural household burns unprocessed biomass, as an energy source, to cook food. The biomass is burnt indoors in conventionally homemade clay-stoves, called ‘Chulha’, which ...results in the generation of a variety of airborne products along with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in an uncontrolled manner. We report here the concentrations and profile of carcinogenic PAHs, co-sampled with respirable suspended particulate matter, in rural indoors during burning of biomass vis-à-vis liquified petroleum gas as the energy source. There is a limited data on the subject in the literature. The seasonal variation has also been studied. Sampling was done in breathing zone and in surrounding areas concurrent with cooking on chulha. PAHs were extracted in methylene chloride and analyzed over HPLC after column clean up on silica gel.
Our study revealed that the concentrations of carcinogenic PAHs were fairly high in breathing zone and in surrounding areas while cooking over chulha in rural India. PAHs concentrations increased substantially during biomass combustion. Concentrations were high during CDC combustion and low during LPG combustion or the non-cooking period. This trend was conserved in both the seasons. Concentrations of total PAHs were greater in winter as compared to summer and greatest in the breathing zone. Di-benz(
a,h)anthracene, benzo(
k)-fluoranthene and chrysene contributed maximum. Benzo(
a)pyrene contributed moderately. Maximum concentrations of indoor air benzo(
a)pyrene (>1.5
μg/m
3) were found in breathing zone in winter. The daily exposure to high concentrations of carcinogenic PAHs in indoor air environment while cooking food could be impacting for chronic pulmonary illnesses in rural Indian women.
Aim: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension (HTN) in patients-seeking endodontic treatment at a tertiary care center. Materials and Methods: ...This retrospective, institutional-based, cross-sectional study was conducted from 2018 to 2020 on 300 study participants between 30 and 70 years of age, using the data obtained from the records of patients who had no known history of HTN and DM and who were clinically advised to undergo endodontic treatment. Fasting blood sugar level and blood pressure were recorded for each study participant. Clinical data parameters were analysed, and the Chi-square statistical test was applied. Results: Out of 300 patients, 19.3% (58 patients) were diagnosed with DM and 17.7% (53 patients) were diagnosed with HTN. Statistically, a high significant difference was found in the prevalence of DM and HTN among endodontic patients according to age with the highest prevalence demonstrated in the age group of 61-70 years. No significant difference was found in the prevalence of both diseases according to gender. Conclusion: Within the limitations of our study, it may be concluded that the estimated prevalence of DM and HTN in this study points as a risk indicator, especially in older age group population undergoing endodontic treatment. It is thus, advised that a clinical protocol of prior referral to a family physician for detailed pre-operative clinicopathological screening and systemic evaluation before performing any endodontic treatment be devised for all age groups to avoid medical complications and/or modifications if any, that may be required in endodontic treatment of undiagnosed DM and HTN patients.
Fibroadenoma of breast and ectopic breast tissue is common pathology. Sometimes, it may be associated with hormonal imbalance. However, the presence of fibroadenoma in the axilla without ectopic ...breast tissue and hormonal imbalance is a rare presentation. We are presenting a rare case report of fibroadenoma developing in the right axilla in a 28-year-old woman. Clinical examination of both breasts revealed no abnormalities and no lymph nodes or supernumerary breasts were detected in the axilla or the neck. No associated urologic or cardiovascular abnormalities were found and the histopathological examination of the excisional biopsy samples showed a well-defined, capsulated type of fibroadenoma similar to that of ectopic mammary tissue.
Abstract Purpose To study glycemic control and hypoglycemia development upon initiation of insulin through a self-titration schedule in a 24-week trial, conducted with 4875 insulin-naïve patients ...with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes, predominantly in a primary care setting. Methods Subjects initiated twice-daily biphasic insulin aspart 70/30 with 6 units prebreakfast and 6 units presupper, self-titrating according to self-measured blood glucose values. Subjects were randomized (1:1:1) to telephone counseling provided by a registered dietician: no counseling (NC), 1 counseling session (1C), or 3 sessions (3C). Results Mean baseline HbA1c (9.9% across groups) decreased ∼2.5% to 7.49% ± 1.48, 7.48% ± 1.50, and 7.44% ± 1.46 in the NC, 1C, and 3C groups, respectively. Within these groups, a hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c ) value <7% was achieved by 40.2%, 41.6%, and 41.8% of subjects, respectively. Eight-point blood glucose profiles were substantially improved from baseline for all groups. Hypoglycemia was experienced by 10.2%-11.4% of the subjects in each group. Rates of minor and major hypoglycemia were low but decreased as dietary counseling increased (minor hypoglycemia: 56 vs 50 vs 45 episodes per 100 patient-years; major hypoglycemia, 9 vs 6 vs 4 episodes per 100 patient-years, for the NC vs 1C vs 3C groups, respectively; P <.001, 3C vs NC). Weight increased by 3.13, 3.40, and 2.88 kg for the NC, 1C, and 3C groups, respectively. Conclusion In the primary care setting, self-titration of biphasic insulin aspart 70/30 was effective in achieving recommended HbA1c goals even with minimal dietary counseling.
In this first ever study, particulate matter (PM) emitted from the lubrication system overboard breather vent for two different models of aircraft engines has been systematically characterized. ...Lubrication oil was confirmed as the predominant component of the emitted particulate matter based upon the characteristic mass spectrum of the pure oil. Total particulate mass and size distributions of the emitted oil are also investigated by several high-sensitivity aerosol characterization instruments. The emission index (EI) of lubrication oil at engine idle is in the range of 2−12 mg kg−1 and increases with engine power. The chemical composition of the oil droplets is essentially independent of engine thrust, suggesting that engine oil does not undergo thermally driven chemical transformations during the ∼4 h test window. Volumetric mean diameter is around 250−350 nm for all engine power conditions with a slight power dependence.
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