The development of imidazolium-based anion recognition functional materials and perfluorinated anion removal from water

Imidazolium quaternary salts are a versatile class of cationic building blocks that allow for anion recognition chemistry, ionic liquids, and N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs), making them suitable motifs for designing systems in a broad range of applications. In this dissertation, I present the application of the anion-recognition chemistry of an imidazolium-based ‘Texas-box’ macrocycle and show how it may be used to develop a stimuli-responsive materials. I also describe my efforts towards developing a new class of imidazolium-based receptors for the removal of perfluorinated anions from water.Chemistr

Profile of arrythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy/dysplasia (ARCV/D) patients presenting with sustained ventricular tachycardia in a tertiary care center

Background: Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy /dysplasia (ARVC/D) is a genetic form of cardiomyopathy and is one among the most common causes of sudden cardiac death (SCD). The aim of our study was to analyze the clinical profile of (ARVC/D) patients presenting with sustained Ventricular Tachycardia (VT).Methods: This single center cohort study evaluated 107 patients who presented with sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) in our hospital. After aetiological evaluation of all these patients, 15 patients were found to have ARVC/D as the cause of sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) as per the Modified Task Force Criteria. The clinical profile of these patients was observed in detail to enhance our knowledge about this entity in our part of the world.Results: Mean age at presentation was 30 years and 12 patients were males. Nine patients were haemodynamically stable at the time of sustained VT and the rest of patients were haemodynamically unstable. Left Bundle Branch Block (LBBB) was the most common ECG morphology present in 11 patients. Antiarrhythmic drugs terminated VT in 7 patients. All the 6 patients presenting in a state of haemodynamic instability received DC cardioversion. Mortality occurred in 2 patients during the hospital stay.Conclusions: ARVC/D presenting with sustained VT is an important manifestation of the disease. Males are more commonly affected than females. Haemodynamic instability at the time of presentation carries a poor prognosis

When signalling goes wrong:pathogenic variants in structural and signalling proteins causing cardiomyopathies

Cardiomyopathies are a diverse group of cardiac disorders with distinct phenotypes, depending on the proteins and pathways affected. A substantial proportion of cardiomyopathies are inherited and those will be the focus of this review article. With the wide application of high-throughput sequencing in the practice of clinical genetics, the roles of novel genes in cardiomyopathies are recognised. Here, we focus on a subgroup of cardiomyopathy genes [TTN, FHL1, CSRP3, FLNC and PLN, coding for Titin, Four and a Half LIM domain 1, Muscle LIM Protein, Filamin C and Phospholamban, respectively], which, despite their diverse biological functions, all have important signalling functions in the heart, suggesting that disturbances in signalling networks can contribute to cardiomyopathies

AI Vision for Health Care: Virtual Keyboard and Mouse Empowering Partially Disabled Patients

This paper introduces a machine-learning-based virtual keyboard and mouse system designed to assist individuals with physical disabilities. The system recognizes hand gestures using computer vision techniques and translates them into keyboard inputs and mouse controls. By utilizing Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) and the YOLOv8 model, the system achieves real-time performance with an average accuracy of 92%, enabling touchless interaction with computers. The solution uses widely available hardware like standard webcams, making it accessible, affordable, and easy to deploy. This system improves the usability of computing devices for people with motor impairments, offering an innovative, touchless alternative to traditional input methods. It also supports essential tasks such as scrolling, clicking, and zooming through simple gestures. The framework is adaptable to various environments, ensuring it is easy to use in different settings. Our system offers a complete virtual keyboard and mouse solution using a common webcam and real-time gesture recognition, making computer use easier and more affordable for users with motor impairment

Subalternity in The Pearl that Broke Its Shell: An Alternative Feminist Analysis

The word ‘subaltern’ has become a cliché for women’s voicelessness and subjugation. The representation of subalterns remains an important element in South Asian literature. This research attempts to show how Nadia Hashimi, an Afghan-American descendent, makes it possible for the voices of these marginal characters to be heard aloud. The study shows that these women took recourse to the use of their bodies as they are the only available revenue for their resistance. It explores that the desire of freedom creates a close connection between two Afghan women belonging to different generations. The purpose of this research is to highlight the elements of gender subalternity and resistance of Afghan women, the relationship between Islam and women, women’s conditions in Islamic countries, and relationship between genders. Therefore, the study focuses on the theoretical paradigm of Spivak and Mohanty on the notion of subalternity. The research concludes that subaltern can speak, and they did speak but no one tried to understand them. Women as subaltern are conscious of their subalternity and they struggle to set themselves free from the chains of male-oriented societal and cultural norms

AI Vision for Health Care: Virtual Keyboard and Mouse Empowering Partially Disabled Patients

This paper introduces a machine-learning-based virtual keyboard and mouse system designed to assist individuals with physical disabilities. The system recognizes hand gestures using computer vision techniques and translates them into keyboard inputs and mouse controls. By utilizing Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) and the YOLOv8 model, the system achieves real-time performance with an average accuracy of 92%, enabling touchless interaction with computers. The solution uses widely available hardware like standard webcams, making it accessible, affordable, and easy to deploy. This system improves the usability of computing devices for people with motor impairments, offering an innovative, touchless alternative to traditional input methods. It also supports essential tasks such as scrolling, clicking, and zooming through simple gestures. The framework is adaptable to various environments, ensuring it is easy to use in different settings. Our system offers a complete virtual keyboard and mouse solution using a common webcam and real-time gesture recognition, making computer use easier and more affordable for users with motor impairment

New onset diabetes after transplantation (NODAT) in renal transplant recipients: a study from tertiary care center in Kashmir, India

Background: New onset diabetes after transplantation (NODAT) is a common entity in the post-transplant period after several types of organ transplants like kidney, liver heart and lungs. NODAT is a common complication after solid organ transplantation and has been reported to have an adverse impact on patient and allograft outcomes. Risk stratification and intervention to minimize risk should be an integral part of management of transplant recipients.Methods: A total of 100 patients who underwent renal transplantation were observed for the development of NODAT in the post transplantation period. Patients were evaluated in the pre- transplant and post-transplant period. Risk factors which were associated with the development of NODAT were analyzed.Results: Out of 100 patients, 79 were males and 21 were females. The mean age of the patients undergoing renal transplantation was 40 years. The youngest patient was 18 years old and the eldest was 64 years old. Majority of the patients were in the age group of 31 to 50 years (60 patients, 60%). The incidence of NODAT in present study was 17%. The major risk factors for the development of NODAT were identified as male sex, positive family history of diabetes, history of alcohol intake before renal transplantation, hypertriglyceridemia, post renal transplantation hypomagnesemia, proteinuria, and use of drugs like tacrolimus and prednisolone.Conclusions: NODAT has been identified as a risk factor for graft rejection, long-term graft failure, and decreased patient survival. Once NODAT has been diagnosed, specific anti-hyperglycemic therapy is essential to reach a tight glycemic control, which contributes to significantly reduced post-transplantation morbidity. Due to the importance of NODAT, diabetes education and its impact on the outcome of post-transplantation morbidity and mortality becomes crucial point of research among organ transplantation populations. Diabetes education in a group setting can be adopted for organ transplantation recipients with NODAT

Displeasures of Cultural Diversity and Diasporic Hybridity in Almost English by Charlotte Mendelson

The research explores the strands of cultural hybridity and diaspora compromise that Mendelson has introduced in her novel, Almost English (2013). The research has analyzed the diasporic community as victim of cultural diversity and ambivalence. It focuses on the significance of cultural choices to establish one’s identity; we see identity as a process of negotiation and of articulation of cultural differences. It explores the ways in which Mendelson addresses the hybrid world, a world in which no culture and identity is pure or essential. Homi K. Bhabha’s critical approaches serve as the theoretical framework of this research. His concepts of cultural hybridity, ambivalence, third space and mimicry are of prime interest for the study of this novel. This work highlights the appropriation of Bhabha’s concepts and their application in postcolonial context considering Almost English (2013), for which main motifs include: challenging fixity in one culture, awareness about other existing cultures, and a contestation of view which privileges one culture above other, skirmish realities which finally produce multiple meanings, and values and identities. Finally, the research demonstrates that diasporic communities face displeasures of identity and language while living in a hybrid world. A world where third space is not productive enough for diasporic communities because of which they become conscious of their own identities and place in the society

Are pharmacists on the front lines of the opioid epidemic? A cross-sectional study of the practices and competencies of community and hospital pharmacists in Punjab, Pakistan

Introduction Countries are grappling with a rapidly worsening upsurge in the opioid-related overdose deaths, misuse and abuse. There is a dearth of data in Pakistan regarding the practices and competencies of pharmacists in handling opioid-related issues. Study design A cross-sectional study, conducted across Punjab, Pakistan. Method The study deployed a validated survey to evaluate the competencies and practices of the community and hospital pharmacists. Results 504 community pharmacists and 279 hospital pharmacists participated in the survey with an overall response rate of 85.5%. Almost half of the respondents ‘never’ or ‘sometimes’ made clinical notes in a journal or dispensing software to monitor ongoing opioid use. Generally, pharmacists were reluctant to collaborate with physicians or notify police regarding the abuse/misuse of opioids. Hospital pharmacists achieved significantly higher mean competency scores than chain and independent community pharmacists (p<0.05). In competency evaluation, three priority areas emerged that require additional training, that is, ‘opioid overdose management’, ‘opioid use monitoring’ and ‘therapeutic uses of opioids’. Conclusion Both community and hospital pharmacists hold significant positions and potential to contribute meaningfully to the mitigation of harms and risks associated with opioids. Nevertheless, this study underscores notable deficiencies in the competence of pharmacists, whether in hospital or community settings in Punjab, concerning various aspects related to the dispensing and utilisation of opioids. It also highlights the pressing need for the development of strategies aimed at improving several practice areas including the documentation, the quality of patient counselling, the effectiveness of reporting mechanisms for opioid abuse and the stringent enforcement of regulatory policies to curtail opioid misuse. Thus, to mitigate the opioid epidemic in Pakistan, it is imperative to institute opioid stewardship initiatives aimed at rectifying the competency and procedural deficiencies within the pharmacist workforc