Implementing Activity-based Costing and its Implications for a Service Firm in the Tme Share Exchange Industry

This study reports on how an activity-based cost accounting (ABC) system was implemented in a service firm in the timeshare exchange industry. In addition, the study highlights the similarities of implementing ABC in a service firm and a manufacturing firm. An important contribution of this field study is to illustrate the separation of labor activities into those that are productive versus those that are not. Further, the study shows the importance of separately allocating the non-productive activities, which are traceable to the primary service lines from those that are not traceable to them. This is analogous to separating the product sustaining activities from the facility sustaining activities when implementing ABC in a manufacturing firm. The Results and Discussion section illustrates the implications of using the ABC information for making decisions about service mix in operating departments, for assessing the implication of employee productivity on service cost, and for service pricing

A study on perception about antenatal care among primigravida attending a tertiary care hospital

Background: Maternal mortality rate and Infant mortality rate remains high in India when compared to several other countries. Understanding and being aware about the basic care provided during pregnancy is an important factor to make the pregnant woman to utilize the antenatal care. Hence this study was planned to assess the existing knowledge of primi gravid mothers attending the tertiary health care center about the various antenatal care services provided.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among the primi gravid females attending the outpatient department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Sri Muthukumaran Medical College Hospital and Research Institute, Chennai during months of June 2018 to May 2019. A total of 280 primi gravid mothers were included in the study. Data was collected through one to one interview and analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 17.Results: In this study 82.9%, 70.4%, 80.7% of the mothers were aware about consumption of IFA tablets, TT injection and adequate ANC visits, respectively. PNDT act was known to 76.1% of the participants. Only 12.5% of the primi mothers were aware about Janani Suraksha Yojna (JSY) scheme and 91.8% of the mothers were aware about Dr. Muthulakshmi Maternity Benefit scheme.Conclusions: Knowledge about ANC services was found to be fair among the primi mothers but not sufficient, which shows the need for the healthcare professionals to educate young woman even from adolescent age itself

A Clinical study on vulvar diseases among symptomatic patients attending Gynaec OP in the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Chennai

INTRODUCTION : Vulvar problems account for a significant number of patients attending gynecological clinics. Vulvar diseases can affect any age group. Too commonly the vulvar disorders are missed and any changes in the normal anatomy are not recognized. Many women do not seek medical advice due to embarrassment and social factors. Vulvar carcinoma continues to rise in incidence in recent years. Therefore attempts to reduce this cancer must focus on identifying precursor conditions like vulval intraepithelial neoplasia, lichen sclerosus and other dystrophies which could progress to malignancy if left untreated. The scope of this study is to evaluate the various vulvar diseases encountered among the symptomatic patients attending the gynecological OPD at our institute, a tertiary care center. AIM OF THE STUDY: 1. To evaluate the vulvar diseases among the symptomatic patients attending gynecological outpatient department at the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Chennai. 2. To study the epidemiology of the various vulvar diseases including the socio-demographic factors, age distribution, clinical features and histo-pathological features among the women included in the study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study is an observational clinical study conducted on symptomatic women attending gynecological clinics at the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Chennai. Women who are 30 years of age and above and who presented with symptoms related to vulvar diseases like pruritus, pain, mass or ulcers in the vulva are the subjects of this study. 89 cases who fulfilled the above criteria and who consented to participate in this study are the subjects included. The study period is from May 2010 to April 2011 (one year period). Inclusion Criteria: • Women of age 30 years and above. • Patients with complaints of pruritus vulva. • Patients with pain in the vulval region. • Patients with mass or ulcer in the vulva. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: • Women under the age of 30 years. • Pregnant women. Sample Size : 89 cases. Sampling Technique : Purposive sampling. Collaborating Units: • Dept. of Pathology, IOG, • Dept. of Medical Oncology, IOG, • STI Clinic, IOG, • Colposcopy Clinic, IOG. METHODOLOGY: Good management begins with a tailored history. Hence all the participants in the study are interviewed using a well- structured proforma. After getting an informed consent regarding their willingness to participate in the study, a detailed history is obtained including vital information on socio-demographic details, educational status, menstrual, marital, obstetric history, relevant past history, family and personal history including sexual history. SUMMARY: 89 symptomatic women attending the gynaec clinic at our institute were the participants of this study. After obtaining the informed consent they were subjected to a detailed history taking and physical examination. Data on their age distribution, socio-economic status, education, menstrual and marital history including sexual history, personal hygiene were studied and analysed. Pap smear was offered to 87 cases and associated cervical pathology ruled out. All were negative for squamous intraepithelial lesions or CIN. 63 patients with pruritus with or without associated white discharge were tested for the presence of fungal infections using KOH smears and those cases with infections were treated with oral and topical antifungals. Vulvoscopy performed in 65 patients showed it to be normal in 32 cases and abnormal in 33 cases including 2 patients with VIN III, 6 cases with Lichen sclerosus, 3 cases with Lichen simplex chronicus, 22 cases with simple squamous hyperplasia with or without dysplasia.Both the VIN III treated with wide local excision with 1 cm free margins. Simple Vulvectomy for a case of lichen simplex chronicus and another for a case of simple squamous hyperplasia with moderate dysplasia, both had intense pruritus disturbing the quality of life of patients. All others were treated with topical steroids and awareness created about the need for follow up. Out of the 10 cases of Carcinoma vulva one patient was lost to follow up after the initial visit. Of the rest of the biopsy proven cases clinical staging showed 3 cases with stage II, 5 cases with stage III & rest of the 2 cases in stage IV. Of the 10 cases four had palpable inguinal nodes on one or both sides. Radical vulvectomy with bilateral inguino-femoral groin dissection with or without post- operative radiotherapy is the standard treatment of choice for invasive vulvar carcinomas. Two cases with negative nodes and > 1cm tumour free margin with complete resection of the tumour were treated with surgery only. 3 cases with positive nodes and narrow tumor-free margins of < 8mm were subjected to post-op adjuvant radiotherapy. 4 patients with poor performance status and who were unfit for surgery were treated with palliative radiation, external beam radiotherapy. In our study patients’ participation and co-operation was encouraging. This study also helped to create awareness among women regarding the modifiable risk factors and the benefits of early detection and treatment in reducing the morbidity and mortality due to the invasive disease. Vulvoscopy screening at every gynaec clinic will help us in early detection and prompt treatment of patients with pre-cancerous lesions as well. CONCLUSION: Worldwide about 60% of all vulvar cancers occur in developing countries like India. There is a rise in insitu cancers among the younger women due to increasing HPV prevalence and the related VIN. Factors such as smoking, tobacco abuse, immunosuppression, sexual promiscuity are key contributors which can be modified. Hence there is a need to create awareness among the women regarding the etiology, risk factors and malignant potential of some vulvar diseases. At present there is no specific widespread screening program for vulvar cancers like the cervical neoplasm. Vulvoscopy is an excellent triage tool for defining suspicious lesions and it should be made available in all headquarters hospitals and tertiary centers. Gynecologists are to be trained adequately in vulvoscopic methods so as to enable early diagnosis with high index of suspicion. Broad dissemination of HPV prevention vaccine has the potential to reduce HPV related vulvar cancers in young women. Management of women with chronic vulvar diseases has been one of the most challenging aspects for a long time. This study will help focus the direction of further research studies on the early diagnosis and treatment of vulvar diseases

Early treatment with intranasal neostigmine reduces mortality in a mouse model of Naja naja (Indian Cobra) envenomation

Objective. Most snakebite deaths occur prior to hospital arrival; yet inexpensive, effective, and easy to administer out-of-hospital treatments do not exist. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors can be therapeutic in neurotoxic envenomations when administered intravenously, but nasally delivered drugs could facilitate prehospital therapy for these patients. We tested the feasibility of this idea in experimentally envenomed mice. Methods. Mice received intraperitoneal injections of Naja naja venom 2.5 to 10 times the estimated LD50 and then received

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Regarding Prophylactic Use of Antibiotics Among Crri Students in A Private Dental Institution -A Questionnaire Based Study

Antibiotics are important in the management and prophylaxis of infection in patients at risk experiencing microbial disease.Overuse and inappropriate use of antibiotics is closely related to an increase in bacterial resistance.The aim of this present study is to assess the knowledge, attitude,practice of interns who are studying in Saveetha Dental College regarding prophylactic use of antibiotics.A cross sectional study was carried in April 2020 among interns of Saveetha Dental College and Hospital,Chennai.A questionnaire based study .A questionnaire consisting of 15 questions on knowledge ,attitude and practice regarding prophylactic use of antibiotics were formulated and distributed among interns through Google forms.The responses were obtained and entered in Excel sheet.A chi square test were done between gender and knowledge,gender and attitude and gender and practice using SPSS software.The independent variables were age and gender while dependent variables were knowledge,attitude and practice of prophylactic use of antibiotics.The results showed that about 52.89% of interns had fair knowledge, 51.92% had negative attitude,44.23% had good practice towards prophylactic use of antibiotics The present study concludes that interns possessed fair knowledge but a negative attitude and moderate practice on prophylactic use of antibiotics

Preparedness of Interns of a Private Dental Institution to Be A Part of The Task Force in Pandemic Control - A Questionnaire Survey

As a normal situation of disease can take over a pandemic role and affect the population around the world,it's necessary for all the doctors and front line officers to be ready to act in case of any emergency at any time. This survey aims to assess the knowledge and attitude of interns, towards handling a pandemic situation without fear and hesitation. This online questionnaire survey containing 15 items were&nbsp;&nbsp; used among 100 interns of a private dental college in chennai. The responses obtained were collected and tabulated in excel and then exported to SPSS, chi square test was used to check the association between gender and knowledge , knowledge and attitude. 13.0% of females had good knowledge when compared to males (4.0%) and 32.0% males had positive attitudes, when compared to 21% females. It can be concluded that a positive attitude in nearly 50% of the study population with fair to poor knowledge, might not make them competent enough in being a part of the task force. Rigorous training and stringent protocols on infection control would prepare the target population for the new normal situation arising in the worl

Presumptive Tuberculosis In Children Below 12 Years At Tertiary Care Rural Hospital

Background: Tuberculosis remains a significant public health challenge, particularly affecting children in India with an estimated 2.2 lakh cases annually. The clinical presentation of tuberculosis in pediatric populations differs markedly from adults, presenting unique diagnostic challenges. This study aimed to investigate presumptive tuberculosis in children below 12 years at a tertiary care rural hospital following the NTEP 2020 protocol. Objectives: To diagnose tuberculosis according to NTEP 2020 protocol To study the clinical profile and nutritional status of these patients To identify confirmed cases of tuberculosis from presumptive cases Materials &amp; Methods: We conducted an observational, descriptive cross-sectional study of 120 patients over two years (June 2022 - May 2024) at a tertiary care rural hospital. Children presenting with persistent fever or cough exceeding two weeks, significant weight loss, or contact history with pulmonary TB patients were enrolled. A standardized study proforma captured detailed clinical information. Comprehensive evaluation included anthropometric measurements, laboratory investigations, tuberculin testing, radiological assessment, and microbiological studies following NTEP 2020 guidelines. Results: Among 120 children with presumptive tuberculosis, 75 (62.5%) were confirmed cases. The majority (86.66%) of confirmed cases occurred in children under five years. Males showed higher prevalence (65.33%) compared to females. Persistent cough was the predominant symptom (82.66%), followed by fever (57.33%). Severe acute malnutrition was present in 46.77% of confirmed cases aged 6 months to 5 years. Hilar lymphadenopathy was the most common radiological finding (76%). Mantoux test positivity was observed in 33.33% of confirmed cases. Pulmonary tuberculosis constituted 94.66% of confirmed cases, while 5.33% presented with extrapulmonary manifestations. Conclusion: Implementation of the NTEP 2020 protocol demonstrates effectiveness in early tuberculosis detection among children. The strong association between malnutrition and tuberculosis emphasizes the need for systematic TB screening in malnourished children. The study supports a comprehensive diagnostic approach combining clinical, radiological, and microbiological criteria, particularly focusing on children under five years who represent the most vulnerable group

Enabling the Discovery of Recurring Anomalies in Aerospace System Problem Reports using High-Dimensional Clustering Techniques

This paper describes the results of a significant research and development effort conducted at NASA Ames Research Center to develop new text mining techniques to discover anomalies in free-text reports regarding system health and safety of two aerospace systems. We discuss two problems of significant importance in the aviation industry. The first problem is that of automatic anomaly discovery about an aerospace system through the analysis of tens of thousands of free-text problem reports that are written about the system. The second problem that we address is that of automatic discovery of recurring anomalies, i.e., anomalies that may be described m different ways by different authors, at varying times and under varying conditions, but that are truly about the same part of the system. The intent of recurring anomaly identification is to determine project or system weakness or high-risk issues. The discovery of recurring anomalies is a key goal in building safe, reliable, and cost-effective aerospace systems. We address the anomaly discovery problem on thousands of free-text reports using two strategies: (1) as an unsupervised learning problem where an algorithm takes free-text reports as input and automatically groups them into different bins, where each bin corresponds to a different unknown anomaly category; and (2) as a supervised learning problem where the algorithm classifies the free-text reports into one of a number of known anomaly categories. We then discuss the application of these methods to the problem of discovering recurring anomalies. In fact the special nature of recurring anomalies (very small cluster sizes) requires incorporating new methods and measures to enhance the original approach for anomaly detection. ?& pant 0

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Regarding Minimal Invasive Dentistry Among General Dental Practitioners in Tamil Nadu

Minimal intervention dentistry (MID) is a treatment philosophy that emphasizes the protection of existing tooth structure. It has been incorporated in dental curricula world wide in the management of dental caries. There is limited evidence that , whether the familiarity with MID principles inhibited through the curriculum is translated into clinical decision making and practice. The study was conducted to assess the knowledge,attitude,practice of general dental practitioners towards MID, registered dental practitioners in chennai formed the sampling frame. The data was analyzed using SPSS software and chi square tests were done between knowledge and attitude scores, knowledge scores and gender . 44.4% had good knowledge and 37.9% had good attitudes towards MID. General practitioners who had 5 to 10 years of clinical experience had 47.8% knowledge. Males had 39.1% good practice while females had 60.9% good practice . More of MID must be put into practice in the dental curriculum and implementing them during their clinical practice would ensure the proper knowledge and practice of dentists in future