Food and feeding habit of chapila (Gudusia chapra)

Abundance of diatom (Bacillariophyceae) in the plankton population and the dietary role of it in chapila (Gudusia chapra) in pond were studied. A total of 25 genera of phytoplankton belonging to Bacillariophyceae (7), Chlorophyceae (11), Cyanophyceae (5) and Euglenophyceae (2) and 9 genera of zooplankton belonging to Crustacea (3) and Rotifera (6) were recorded from the water. Among the phytoplankton, highest abundance of Chlorophyceae was observed, and Bacillariophyceae, Cyanophyceae and Euglenophyceae ranked the second, third and fourth position in the planktonic population, respectively. Among the zooplankton, Rotifera was recorded as the most dominant group and Crustacea as the least one. From the gut content analysis, 4 groups of phytoplankton consisting of 33 genera of plankton were identified and recoded [sic] of which 25 belonging to phytoplankton and 8 belonging to zooplankton. This study reveals that the Chlorophyceae and Cyanophyceae were the most dominant food items of chapila. Bacillariophyceae (diatom) and Euglenophyceae were less important and Crustacea and Rotifera were the least important in the diet of Chapila. The present investigation showed that chapila appeared to be a plankton feeder with a preference for phytoplankton to zooplankton. Electivity analysis showed that the fish avoided zooplankton and strongly selected phytoplankton. In the gut contents of fish, Chlorophyceae was positively and Bacillariophyceae (diatom) was negatively selected throughout the experimental period, in the pond water

Maternal and perinatal factors associated with hospitalised infectious mononucleosis in children, adolescents and young adults: record linkage study

BACKGROUND: There is current interest in the role of perinatal factors in the aetiology of diseases that occur later in life. Infectious mononucleosis (IM) can follow late primary infection with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and has been shown to increase the risk of multiple sclerosis and Hodgkin's disease. Little is known about maternal or perinatal factors associated with IM or its sequelae. METHODS: We investigated perinatal risk factors for hospitalised IM using a prospective record-linkage study in a population in the south of England. The dataset used, the Oxford record linkage study (ORLS), includes abstracts of birth registrations, maternities and in-patient hospital records, including day case care, for all subjects in a defined geographical area. From these sources, we identified cases of hospitalised IM up to the age of 30 years in people for whom the ORLS had a maternity record; and we compared perinatal factors in their pregnancy with those in the pregnancy of children who had no hospital record of IM. RESULTS: Our data showed a significant association between hospitalised IM and lower social class (p = 0.02), a higher risk of hospitalised IM in children of married rather than single mothers (p < 0.001), and, of marginal statistical significance, an association with singleton birth (p = 0.06). The ratio of observed to expected cases of hospitalised IM in each season was 0.95 in winter, 1.02 in spring, 1.02 in summer and 1.00 in autumn. The chi-square test for seasonality, with a value of 0.8, was not significant.Other factors studied, including low birth weight, short gestational age, maternal smoking, late age at motherhood, did not increase the risk of subsequent hospitalised IM. CONCLUSIONS: Because of the increasing tendency of women to postpone childbearing, it is useful to know that older age at motherhood is not associated with an increased risk of hospitalised IM in their children. We have no explanation for the finding that children of married women had a higher risk of IM than those of single mothers. Though highly significant, it may nonetheless be a chance finding. We found no evidence that such perinatal factors as birth weight and gestational age, or season of birth, were associated with the risk of hospitalised IM

Employability skills in engineering: towards a broader redefinition of professional identities

© 2024, IEEE. This is an open access accepted manuscript distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY), https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/This paper undertakes a comprehensive examination of the multifaceted challenges and opportunities intrinsic to the integration of employability skills, particularly those of a non-technical nature, into the knowledge framework of engineering disciplines. Leveraging insights gleaned from Winberg et al.’s (2020) systematic literature review, the intricate process of transferring predominantly non-technical proficiencies into the specialized domain of engineering knowledge is not only acknowledged but also thoroughly discussed and critically assessed. Although numerous academic institutions across the globe have already adopted integrated and cohesive strategies to align technical and employability skills within their engineering degree programs, this paper posits that a more expansive and concerted effort is imperative. The argument presented herein contends that for employability skills to truly ascend to the status of a foundational element in a renewed and enriched professional identity for engineers, a broader societal commitment is requisite. While existing initiatives are commendable, this paper advocates for a scale-up of efforts, positing that such endeavours will accrue substantial benefits for learners, employers, and the broader societal fabric. Employing a Social Learning Theory approach and delving into the socio-technical intricacies of the engineering profession, the discourse underscores the necessity of expanding the current cadre of main stakeholders. In addition to higher education institutions, employers, professional bodies, learners, and practitioners in training, the paper contends that media, schools from early educational stages, and other relevant components of society should assume a more proactive and co-responsible role in reshaping societal perceptions of engineers' professional identities. This expansion of stakeholder involvement is posited as a vital step towards fostering a comprehensive paradigm shift in how engineers are perceived within society.Peer reviewe

Evaluation of the first year of the Oxpal Medlink: A web-based partnership designed to address specific challenges facing medical education in the occupied Palestinian territories

Objectives: To (1) evaluate educational needs of clinical students at Al-Quds University Medical School in the West Bank; (2) address these needs where possible using synchronous distance learning, with clinicians in Oxford providing case-based tutorials to undergraduates in the West Bank via an online platform (WizIQ) and (3) assess the impact of this education. Design: Review of online OxPal Medlink database for tutorials held between March 2012 and April 2013. Needs assessment and evaluation of student and tutor experiences through online questionnaires, focus groups and semi-structured interviews. Setting: Oxford University Hospitals, Oxford, UK, and Al-Quds University Medical School, Abu Dies, Palestine. Participants: Doctors at Oxford University Hospitals and fourth-, fifth- and sixth-year medical students and faculty members at Al-Quds Medical School. Main outcome measures Number of tutorials, student participation, student-rated satisfaction and qualitative feedback from tutors and students. Results: Students demonstrated strong theoretical knowledge but struggled to apply this in presentation-based scenarios. Between March 2012 and April 2013, 90 tutorials were delivered to 60 students. Feedback: >95% respondents rated tutorials as ‘Excellent’ or ‘Good’ and ‘Very’ or ‘Fairly’ relevant to their future practice in Palestine. Students reported the programme had modified their approach to patients but requested better synchronization with concurrent attachments and clarification of learning outcomes. Conclusions: OxPal Medlink is a novel, web-based distance-learning partnership designed to overcome some of the challenges to local medical education in the occupied Palestinian territories. Evaluation of the first year indicates teaching is relevant to local practice and of high quality. This approach may have the potential to strengthen local capacity for medical education

A patient presenting with intact sensory modalities in acute spinal cord ischemia syndrome: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Acute spinal cord ischemia syndrome is a rare condition comprising a small fraction of neurovascular accidents, the majority of which occur within the cerebral circulation. The circulation of the spinal cord has several unique features that determine the clinical presentation.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>In this case of a 67-year-old Caucasian man who came to our emergency department with sudden-onset, severe right-sided pain and bilateral upper limb weakness, an atypical pattern of sensory deficit was observed. In this case report, we review acute spinal cord ischemia syndrome and consider the pathophysiology, diagnostic measures and prognostic factors associated with patient recovery.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Acute spinal cord ischemia syndrome with atypical patterns of sensory deficit is uncommon. Clinicians must consider acute spinal cord ischemia syndrome when assessing all patients with acute neck pain and focal neurological deficits; atypical presentations can present a diagnostic challenge. Current knowledge of the long-term outcome in patients with spinal cord ischemia is based on only a few small studies, some of which are discussed here.</p

Modelling turn away intention of information technology professionals in Bangladesh: a partial least squares approach

Despite, Bangladesh produces many IT graduates each year but only one tenth of total graduates contribute in IT development sector. In order to keep the contribution to economy through IT development, it is crucial for IT industry to know the factors that influence turn away of IT graduates. In this paper, building upon role stress theory, we develop a research model to explore the influence of workplace exhaustion and threat of professional obsolescence (TPO). Data were gathered from 185 IT professionals from 15 different IT companies through survey questionnaire. The structural equation modelling technique was used to test the paths. The results suggests that strong influence of TPO on turn-away intentions. Result also suggests significant roles of work overload, family-career conflict and control over career and workplace exhaustion on turn away intention. This paper contributes to the body of work dedicated to helping us better understand the turn away behaviour from the workplace exhaustion and TPO perspectives. From the viewpoint of practice, this research sheds light on some of the challenges that the IT industry might face when making strategy and policy to control turn away from IT profession in Banglades

Outcome of the treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip after walking age with open reduction, varus derotation osteotomy with femoral shortening and acetabular osteotomy

Background: The principles of treatment of developmental dysplasia of hip after walking age are different than those of infants and neonates. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the radiographic and functional results of open reduction, varus derotation osteotomy with femoral and acetabular osteotomy of DDH in older children. Methods: Between March 2021 and August 2023, 22 patients underwent one-stage triple procedure of open reduction, varus derotation osteotomy with femoral shortening and acetabular osteotomy for the treatment of DDH. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the modified McKay’s criteria. Radiographic assessment was made using Severin’s scoring system. Results: The mean age at the time of operation was 5.068±1.8535 years (range 3–8 years) with male to female ratio 1:2.66. Mean preoperative acetabular index of the study population was 48.55±7.63 which significantly reduced to 23.68±2.93 postoperatively (p&lt;0.05). The McKay’s score was excellent in 14 (63.6%) hips, good in 02 (9.1%) hips, fair in 01(4.5%) and poor in 05(22.7%) hips. The modified Severin’s class excellent was in 14 (63.6%) hips, good was in 02(9.1%) hips, fair is in 01 (4.5%) hip and poor was in 05 (22.7%) hips at the time of final evaluation as compared to none at the time of presentation. Conclusions: Young children having DDH can be safely treated with an extensive one-stage procedure of open reduction, varus derotation osteotomy with femoral shortening and acetabular osteotomy, without increasing the risk of AVN. This one-stage surgical procedure for managing DDH patients after walking age also revealed acceptable clinical and radiological outcome

Web usability test in 60 seconds: a theoretical foundation and empirical test

The aim of this research is to explore the possibility of web usability test in 60 seconds rather than unlimited time by customers.  Usability was tested by two major testing methods: system usability scale (SUS) and NetQu@l.  60 customers as two groups were involved in the experimental design procedure. The assessment included an online shopping website where one group tested in 60 seconds and other group had 3 days to test.  Result shows that there are significance differences in SUS based testing and no significant differences in NetQu@l based testing. Altogether, these results provide further support that SUS based usability testing can be implemented in 60 seconds time frame without imposing additional cognitive load on customers