Measuring Patient Satisfaction Parameters: A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study At PNS RAHAT Hospital Karachi.

Objective: To describe patient satisfaction with hospital services and staff dealing. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out between January to April-2011 at out-patient departments of PNS Rahat. Randomly selected 96 patients entitled to free medical treatment were offered to voluntarily fill the pretested structured questionnaire in URDU(with mathematical scoring for each selected satisfaction index selected) to comment on the various aspects of services offered at the hospital. The four objective satisfaction scores included: 1-seating /waiting facilities, 2-length of waiting time, 3-staff attitude and 4-Cleanliness at the outpatient departments, radiology, laboratory and pharmacy. Results: The availed mean score was 80.1 + 42.6. Out of the total possible score of 170 of the questionnaires filled. The mean patient score achieved was 57.4 + 33.9. Patients scored less on the satisfaction indices pertaining to waiting time [Average score=4.73/10] and comfortable stay [Average score=6.43/10] in the waiting areas of the hospital OPDs. Patients had a higher satisfaction score on indices related to sanitation/cleanliness issues [Average score=7.52/10] and staff attitude [Average score=7.71/10]. Conclusion: Prolonged waiting time and non-availability of quality stay in waiting areas of outpatient departments and diagnostic centers are the cause of lesser patient satisfaction during a patient's visit to hospital

The Influence of Socio-Demographic Factors in adopting Organic Farming Practices

Abstract Sustainable livelihood and economic empowerment of small and marginal farmers has been much concern in India which is being properly understood by in-depth study of their Socio-demographic profile. The growing demand of organic food globally and numerous advantages in organic farming system could be a viable means of sustainable livelihood for the farmers.The purpose of this study isto understand the demographic profile and socio-economic condition of organic and conventional farmers. Further, this study also examines the influence of socio-demographic factors in adopting organic farming. Total 160 small and marginal farmers through convenience sampling method were considered for this study. The result demonstrates that most of the farmers adopted organic farming in 2009 and after conversion socio-economic condition has strengthened. Further, ANOVA and Post Hoc Multiple comparison resulted significant difference in subgroup of educational qualification, Mode of Transportation and Crops Selling by farmers. The study contributes to the farmers, researchers and organization working in the arena of organic moment. Government agenciescan play critical role in promoting organic farming by appointing experts to deal with the marketing aspects, crops disease, certification issue and promoting concept of "community farming" which reduces overall cost of cultivation

Analysis of free vibration of nano plate resting on Winkler foundation

Present paper deals with the vibration analysis of nano plate supported by Winkler foundation using Eringen’s elasticity theory with Classical Plate theory. Rayleigh-Ritz method has been employed in this study for finding frequencies of plate subjected to different edge conditions. The obtained results are first tested for convergence and then validated with the published literature. Further study is carried out to analyse the effect of various parameters on natural nondimensional frequencies of nano plate resting on Winkler foundation. The study reveals that the non-local effect has significant effect on vibration behaviour of nano plate resting on elastic foundation. Observations shows that on increasing the Winkler foundation modulus and aspect ratio the nondimensional frequency parameters increases

Characteristic investigation of cutting-force measuring dynamometers

410-417Despite having significant role to measure the forces in tillage, medical and various diagnostic studies, force dynamometers are extensively employed in cutting-force monitoring and measurement. In this paper, an investigation of various cutting-force measuring dynamometers based on characteristics and design has been carried out. Characteristic based investigation helps in deciding about various important parameters in the development of cutting-force measuring dynamometers. Literature available has been studied to cleanly select the characteristic of dynamometer that govern their fundamental design. Various characteristics of dynamometer materials have been discussed. Shape of deforming elements used by researchers in the development of dynamometer has been discussed. Sensing elements that are often used in the development of cutting force measuring dynamometers have been studied with relative merits. Process of calibration for dynamometer with its importance has also been considered. Various metrological features obtained by researchers have been discussed and conformity of calibration procedure to standards like ISO 376 along with IS: 4169-1988 have been considered. The present work will give a newer insight to the researchers in the field benefitting them to understand the characteristic parameters, to make decision in their selection correctly and to have the knowledge of procedural design for the same

Characteristic Investigations of Cutting-Force measuring Dynamometers

In this paper an investigation of various cutting-force measuring dynamometers based on characteristic and design has been carried out. Literatures available are studied to cleanly select the characteristic of dynamometer that govern their fundamental design. Various characteristics of dynamometer materials are discussed. Shape of deforming elements used by researchers in the development of dynamometer is discussed. Process of calibration for dynamometer is also considered

Determination of Ankyrin Repeats Domain (ANK) of RNASE L Gene in Hepatitis C Patients and its effects on Viral Load

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the major global causes of death. Different types of gene are involved as Ankyrin repeat domains of RNASE L gene. It performs a significant role in antiviral response, regulated by interferon, and involved in cleavage of RNA. Therefore, aim of this study was to identify Ankyrin repeat domain expression in Hepatitis C positive patients and correlate it with viral load of Hepatitis C. Methods: In this study, a total of 80 HCV positive patient’s whole blood samples were investigated. RNA was extracted from plasma followed by Real Time PCR for quantization of HCV viral load and genotypic analyses. DNA was also extracted from these samples followed by PCR amplification of Ankyrin repeat domain of RNASE L gene. Data was analyzed using SPSS Results: All of the patients (n=80) included in study had HCV infection. Mean age of patients was 50.86 ±14.84 years. Among them, 48(63.8%) were males and 32 (36.1%) were females. Majority of patients were males and belonged to age group 58-73 years age. All HCV infected individuals 36 (45%) had HCV genotype 3 and had viral loads mean range 837404.21 ±1302. Therefore, Ankyrin repeats domain of RNASE L gene expression was high in HCV patients sample with viral load of 17.00±15.1. Conclusion: Ankyrin repeat domain expression was observed in Hepatitis C patients and its significant correlation with viral load of Hepatitis C. Ankyrin repeat domain of RNASE L gene in conjunction with therapeutic intervention are required for establishing better strategies for controlling HCV infection

Acoustic response of clamped isotropic plate with discrete patches and point masses having different thickness variation

In the present work, sound power radiation response of a clamped rectangular plate with attached discrete masses and discrete patches is analysed. Four different thickness variations with taper ratios (HX) 0.3, 0.6 and 0.9 are considered. Rayleigh integral is used to predict the sound radiation characteristics. Plate with four patches with linearly increasing – decreasing thickness variation at taper ratio (HX = 0.3) is most effective in achieving the minimum peak sound power level. With this configuration (linearly increasing – decreasing), a wider choice of taper ratio of (0.15-0.45) is possible for obtaining minimum peak sound power level for all the cases considered

A Comparison of Vibroacoustic Response of Isotropic Plate with Attached Discrete Patches and Point Masses Having Different Thickness Variation with Different Taper Ratios

A comparison of sound radiation behavior of plate in air medium with attached discrete patches/point masses having different thickness variations with different taper ratio of 0.3, 0.6, and 0.9 is analysed. Finite element method is used to find the vibration characteristics while Rayleigh integral is used to predict the sound radiation characteristics. Minimum peak sound power level obtained is at a taper ratio of 0.6 with parabolic increasing-decreasing thickness variation for plate with four discrete patches. At higher taper ratio, linearly increasing-decreasing thickness variation is another alternative for minimum peak sound power level suppression with discrete patches. It is found that, in low frequency range, average radiation efficiency remains almost the same, but near first peak, four patches or four point masses cause increase in average radiation efficiency; that is, redistribution of point masses/patches does have effect on average radiation efficiency at a given taper ratio