Research Institute Research Articles

The forced battle between peer-review and scientometric research assessment: Why the CoARA initiative is unsound

Abstract Endorsed by the European Research Area, a Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment (CoARA), primarily composed of research institutions and funders, was established in 2022. Its mission is to reform research assessment, emphasizing a shift towards qualitative judgment. This study examines the CoARA initiative from theoretical, practical, and applicative perspectives, exploring its implications. The manuscript questions a standardized way to evaluate research suitable in every context. Through empirical evidence and internal logical arguments, it challenges the supremacy of qualitative over quantitative methods in terms of robustness, accuracy, validity, functionality, and time and cost convenience in STEMM research assessment. The aim is to clear up common misunderstandings and offer insights to policymakers and decision-makers in charge of defining how research should be evaluated.

Impact of Establishment Techniques and Weed Management Strategies on Chemical Properties of Soil in Wet Direct-seeded Winter Rice

Aim: The aim of the experiment was to check the effect of establishment techniques and weed management strategies on chemical properties of soil. Study Design: The design of the experiment was split plot design. Place and Duration of Study: Assam Agricultural University-Assam Rice Research Institute, Titabar, Assam, India, during the sali season of 2022-2023. Methodology: A total of three establishment techniques viz., broadcasting , drum seeding and line sowing in main plot and six different weed management practices namely hand weeding at 20, 40 and 60 DAS , pyrazosulfuron-ethyl @ 30 g/ha at 2 DAS fb bispyribac-Na @ 25 g/ha at 25 DAS, pyrazosulfuron-ethyl @ 30 g/ha at 2 DAS fb mechanical weeding at 40 and 60 DAS, pyrazosulfuron-ethyl @ 30 g/ha at 2 DAS fb bispyribac-Na @ 25 g/ha at 25 and 45 DAS , weed free check and weedy check in sub plot , respectively. Where DAS=Days after sowing and fb=followed by. Results: Results revealed that among various establishment techniques, drum seeding technique resulted in the lowest available nitrogen (237.87 kg/ha), phosphorus (21.67 kg/ha) and potassium (150.15 kg/ha) in the soil, respectively after harvest. Moreover, under various weed management practices, pyrazosulfuron-ethyl @ 30g/ha at 2 DAS fb bispyribac-Na @ 25 g/ha at 25 and 45 DAS showed lowest nitrogen (236.87 kg/ha), phosphorus (21.37 kg/ha) and potassium (149.23 kg/ha) in the soil, respectively after harvest which was next to weed free check. Conclusion: Combined application of drum seeding along with pyrazosulfuron-ethyl @ 30g/ha at 2 DAS fb bispyribac-Na @ 25 g/ha at 25 and 45 DAS can facilitate optimum plant population of crop with dense canopy cover, resulting in higher uptake of essential minerals and nutrients by the crop, enhancing the overall yield of rice while minimizing weed population throughout the growing period.

A rare clinical case of malignant ectopic retrosternal goiter of a large size in a patient with aberrant right subclavian artery

Background. Ectopic goiter accounts for only 0.2 % to 1 % of all mediastinal goiters. The aberrant right subclavian artery (arteria lusoria) is an extremely rare anomaly of the major vessel, with a prevalence not exceeding 0.3 % in the general population. This paper presents the first case of malignant ectopic retrosternal goiter of a large size in combination with the aberrant right subclavian artery. Clinical case description. A 61-year-old male presented to the thoracic surgery department of P. Herzen Moscow oncology Research institute with a large posterior mediastinal mass measuring 108×106×79 mm and adjacent to the right lobe of the thyroid gland. The tumor displaced the trachea and esophagus. Open biopsy through a thoracotomy incision revealed thyroid gland cells without signs of atypia. A detailed examination revealed mediastinal vascular anomaly – retrotracheal position of the right subclavian artery. a complete longitudinal sternotomy, complemented by a right-sided thoracotomy at the 3rd intercostal space, served as the surgical approach. The operation lasted 320 minutes, with a blood loss of 3500 ml. The postoperative period was uneventful. The morphological examination of the surgical specimen revealed nodular hyperplasia of the ectopic thyroid tissue with the growth of well-differentiated follicular carcinoma without metastatic involvement of removed lymph nodes. Considering the identified follicular carcinoma, total thyroidectomy was performed. Conclusion. In surgical planning, it is crucial to assess the location of major mediastinal vessels and their relationship with the goiter. Therefore, all patients with mediastinal lesions should undergo preoperative contrast-enhanced ct. Retrosternal goiter predisposes to a higher rate of malignancy compared to cervical goiter. If the lower edge of the goiter is at the level of or below the aortic arch, cervical access should be supplemented with sternotomy. In cases of a massive thoracic component, additional thoracotomy is justified.

New records of family Chalcididae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) on vegetables ecosystem from New Delhi, India

ABSTRACT Chalcidids are important primary parasitoids for controlling several economic insect pests, and some are secondary parasitoids. These specimens were collected by using different traps during the period extending from November 2021 to October 2022, from various vegetable crops grown in different localities at ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-IARI), New Delhi. The larvae and pupa of the pests were brought to the lab and reared for the emergence of parasitoids at 25 ± 0.5°C and relative humidity of 65 ± 5%. Eleven species belonging to four genera in three subfamilies were identified: Brachymeria bengalensis (Cameron, 1897); B. hime (Habu, 1960); B. kassalensis (Kirby, 1886); B. lasus (Walker, 1841); B. minuta (Linnaeus, 1767); B. podagrica (Fabricius, 1787) (Brachymeriinae); Dirhinus anthracia (Walker, 1846); D. auratus Ashmead, 1905 (Dirhininae) and Antrocephalus sepyra (Walker, 1846); Kriechbaumerella kraussi (Narendran, 1989); K. rufimanus (Walker, 1860) (Haltichellinae). Among them six species are newly recorded from New Delhi. On the other hand, B. hime was recorded for the first time as a parasite on Leucinodes orbonalis Guenée (Lepidoptera, Crambidae).

Assessment of knowledge, attitude, and practice of blood donation among paramedical students of a medical college in Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Blood donation is an essential global need far outweighs the available supply, rendering it a scarce and valuable resource. Within India, blood transfusion services hold significant importance and constitute a crucial aspect of the national health-care framework. Voluntary Non-Remunerated Blood Donation (VNRBD) is deemed the safest among the various ways of donating blood. The student population of educational institutions across the country, particularly those who are young and physically fit, represents one of the most promising sources of blood donations. The aim of the study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and donation practices of medical college students and motivate them to embrace voluntary blood donation as a regular habit. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The Department of Allied Health Science at Dr MGR Educational and Research Institute in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, conducted a questionnaire survey from March 2023 to October 2023. Two thousand and two hundred forty students were invited to participate, with 2331 ultimately willing to partake. The gathered data underwent analysis using the SPSS Statistics software, version 20, with a significance level fixed at a P = 5%. RESULTS: The study included 2331 participants, comprising 840 males (36%) and 1491 females (64%). The age range of the participants was between 17 and 25 years, with a mean age of 18.9 ± 1.3 years. Out of 2331 participants, the majority (66.7%) showed sufficient knowledge with 9 or more correct answers, while the rest (33.2%) showed below-average knowledge. CONCLUSION: The Tamil Nadu Health Professions Colleges possess the potential to make a noteworthy impact on the promotion of blood donation. According to a recent survey, students express a keen interest in donating blood if a camp is organized on the campus. By organizing awareness campaigns and conducting informative sessions, the colleges can inspire and motivate more students to donate blood, thereby playing a vital role in saving lives.

How Whiteness Fuels Anti-Blackness: Black Leaders’ Experiences in an Urban High School

This article explores whiteness and how it manifests itself in an urban, Midwestern high school. This examination is done through counter-storytelling to unpack how Black women leaders navigate whiteness while simultaneously experiencing anti-Blackness within and outside a research-practice partnership. These counter-stories came from a larger research project on how school practitioners work towards anti-racism using an anti-racist policy decision-making protocol. Much research centers on the experiences of Black students in PK-12 education settings; however, there is an underwhelming amount of research that analyzes how anti-Black racism or anti-Blackness exists in educational leadership. Our findings reveal that Black women leaders negotiate whiteness through various strategies, encounter moments of anti-Blackness and witness it occurring among Black students within the school. Implications of this study illuminate the importance of counter-narratives in uncovering details otherwise unseen, as well as describe the ways counter-narratives moved the work within the research-practice partnerships forward.

A research center’s experience of T-cell–redirecting therapies in triple-class refractory multiple myeloma

AbstractThe efficacies of chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-Ts) and bispecific monoclonal antibodies (BiAbs) for triple-class refractory (TCR) myeloma have not previously been compared, and clinical data on how to rescue patients after relapse from these immunotherapies are limited. A retrospective study of 73 TCR patients included in trials was conducted: 36 received CAR-Ts and 37 received BiAbs. CAR-Ts produced a higher overall response rate (ORR) than BiAbs (97.1% vs 56.8%, P = .002). After a median of follow-up of 18.7 months, no significant difference in progression-free survival (PFS) was observed between the CAR-T and BiAbs groups (16.6 vs 10.8 months; P = .090), whereas overall survival (OS) was significantly longer in the CAR-T than in the BiAbs group (49.2 vs 22.6 months; P = .021). BiAbs after CAR-Ts yielded a higher ORR and longer PFS2 than did nonredirecting T-cell therapies after CAR-Ts (ORR: 87.5% vs 50.0%; PFS2: 22.9 vs 12.4 months). By contrast, BiAbs after BiAbs resulted in an ORR of 33% and PFS2 of 8.4 months, which was similar to that produced by the nonredirecting T-cell therapies (ORR: 28.6%; PFS2: 8.1 months). Although this is a pooled analysis of different trials with different products and the patient profile is different for CAR-Ts and BiAbs, both were effective therapies for TCR myeloma. However, in our experience, although the PFS was similar with the 2 approaches, CAR-T therapy resulted in better OS, mainly because of the efficacy of BiAbs as rescue therapy. Our results highlight the importance of treatment sequence in real-word experience.

Study on Ecological Water Demand Pressure of Forest and Grass Vegetation Construction in Northwest Loess Plateau Based on Fitting Verification

In this paper, the minimum ecological water requirement of forest and grass vegetation in different types and regions and small basins in Pingliang City was analyzed and evaluated by using the quota of water consumption for ecological construction. The actual evapotranspiration water consumption of different types of vegetation was used as the quota to calculate the appropriate ecological water demand of vegetation, and the actual evapotranspiration water consumption of vegetation was used as the quota to calculate the appropriate ecological water consumption of vegetation in this region. At the same time, in order to make the calculation result more accurate, the water consumption per unit area after the actual evapotranspiration of different regions and different types of vegetation is used as the calculation quota. In addition, according to the principles of similar vegetation types, similar site conditions and similar climate environment, the research results of He Wentao et al., Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, on the ecological water requirement of forest in the whole Jinghe River basin (He Wentao et al. Determination and calculation of ecological water requirement of forest vegetation, Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, 2004, 18(6)) were selected and compared with this study. This study verifies the reliability of the calculation results of evapotranspiration water consumption of vegetation in this area. It should be noted that He Wentao et al. also evaluated the ecological water requirement of vegetation in the whole Jinghe River basin by calculating the evapotranspiration water consumption of vegetation, and analyzed the vegetation ecological water requirement deficit in 2020 by comparing the calculated minimum ecological water requirement of vegetation in the region, so as to reflect the ecological water demand pressure faced by vegetation construction in the region. It provides a basic basis for coordinating the relationship between vegetation construction and water resources in this region.

Broken seniority symmetry in the semimagic proton mid-shell nucleus Rh95

Lifetime measurements of low-lying excited states in the semimagic (N=50) nucleus Rh95 have been performed by means of the fast-timing technique. The experiment was carried out using γ-ray detector arrays consisting of LaBr3(Ce) scintillators and germanium detectors integrated into the DESPEC experimental setup commissioned for the Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research () Phase-0, Darmstadt, Germany. The excited states in Rh95 were populated primarily via the β decays of Pd95 nuclei, produced in the projectile fragmentation of a 850 MeV/nucleon Xe124 beam impinging on a 4g/cm2Be9 target. The deduced electromagnetic E2 transition strengths for the γ-ray cascade within the multiplet structure depopulating from the isomeric Iπ=21/2+ state are found to exhibit strong deviations from predictions of standard shell model calculations which feature approximately conserved seniority symmetry. In particular, the observation of a strongly suppressed E2 strength for the 13/2+→9/2+ ground state transition cannot be explained by calculations employing standard interactions. This remarkable result may require revision of the nucleon-nucleon interactions employed in state-of-the-art theoretical model calculations, and might also point to the need for including three-body forces in the Hamiltonian. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Genomic surveillance strategy. Problems and perspectives

The topic of epidemiologic surveillance is one of the basic concepts in the theory and practice of epidemiologic science. In Russia, generalization of the accumulated factual material and theoretical developments have allowed us to formulate a number of provisions on the nature of the epidemic process. The pandemic of a new coronavirus infection has forced adjustments in all spheres of society, including the activities of the infectious disease epidemiological surveillance system, requiring the development and implementation of innovative solutions. Based on the experience of prompt response to the tasks set by the COVID-19 pandemic, the authors raised the problem of development and implementation of a system of molecular genetic monitoring for pathogens of emerging and re-emerging infections as a priority vector of epidemiological surveillance development. The introduction of modern molecular biological technologies for the identification of pathogens with epidemic potential, taking into account their genetic diversity, into the system of epidemiologic surveillance has been substantiated based on the experience of using platform solutions created by the Central Research Institute of Epidemiology of Rospotrebnadzor. The strategy of genomic epidemiologic surveillance as a powerful tool to ensure readiness for response measures and management of the epidemic process by implementing and adjusting preventive and anti-epidemic measures was developed. The Russian platform for aggregation of information on virus genomes (VGARus) developed at the Central Research Institute of Epidemiology of Rospotrebnadzor as a technological, scientific, organizational and infrastructural base of genomic epidemiological surveillance, acting as an interdepartmental consortium, has been introduced into practice. The efficiency of VGARus was shown to assess the mutational variability of SARS-CoV-2, the influence of evolutionary development of circulating pathogens on the characteristics of the epidemic process, the implementation of operational and retrospective analysis of morbidity and prediction of the spread of genetic variants of pathogens.

Seed Production in Jalandhar

A key factor in agricultural resilience, crop diversity, and productivity is seed production—particularly in areas like Jalandhar that must meet changing market demands and climate change. This project explores the complexities of seed production in Jalandhar and how it affects agricultural development with the goal of educating researchers, policymakers, and agricultural stakeholders on how to support sustainable seed production systems. Located in the rich plains of Punjab, Jalandhar has become a major centre for the production of seeds, especially for pulses, wheat, and rice. The region's favorable soil and climate, together with cutting-edge farming techniques, are what propel the expansion of the seed business. With the growing use of hybrid and genetically modified seeds, government programs encouraging agricultural output, and growing farmer awareness of the advantages of high-quality seeds, Jalandhar has a huge market potential for seed production. Nevertheless, in order to fully realize the potential of this industry, stakeholders must work together and implement strategic interventions in response to issues including volatile market pricing, restricted financial availability for small-scale farmers, and environmental sustainability concerns. The sector's growth trajectory is further aided by the existence of well-established agricultural research institutions and government policies that are supportive of the industry, providing growing opportunities in both domestic and foreign markets High-quality seeds improve crop yields while also contributing to overall sustainability and profitability in farming operations. Agro-ecologically-suited certified seeds are essential for reducing the danger of pests, illnesses, and unfavorable weather. Encouraging and supporting sustainable seed production systems in Jalandhar benefits all related departments and financial institutions by promoting agricultural development, economic success, and food security. Keywords : Seed production ,Agricultural development ,Market potential ,Sustainable seed systems ,Government initiatives ,Economic prosperity.

Integrated Approach in the Treatment of a Patient with Tuberculosis of the Lungs and Tracheobronchial Tree

Introduction. According to the World Health Organization data for 2021, there is an increase in the incidence of tuberculosis (TB) worldwide. There is also an unfavorable growth trend in drug-resistant TB. One of the complications of the tuberculosis process is tuberculosis of the tracheobronchial tree, which has tended to grow in recent years. Many studiesindicate the incidence of bronchial tuberculosis from 10 to 40 %, taking into account the level of endoscopic service.The purpose of the study to demonstrate the high effectiveness of an integrated approach in the treatment of a patient with tuberculosis of the lungs and tracheobronchial tree.Methods. The materials of the study were: the outpatient card of the advisory department of the Central Tuberculosis Research Institute, the medical history of the inpatient patient and the results of a comprehensive examination.Results. The presented clinical example demonstrates the high effectiveness of an integrated approach in the treatment of a patient with a widespread tuberculosis process using anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy, inhalation and pathogenetic therapy. By 4 months of treatment, pronounced positive clinical and laboratory dynamics was observed, significant resorption of focal infiltrative changes in the leſt lung was achieved radiologically, and endoscopically, infiltrative tuberculosis of the trachea, leſt main bronchus and leſt upper lobe bronchus was cured.Conclusion. This clinical observation demonstrates the need for an integrated approach in the management of this category of patients and shows the high effectiveness of the treatment.

„The Black Box" by George Stocking

Three years before his death on July 13, 2013, George William Stocking, widely regarded as the discipline's "greatest historian of anthropology," wrote an autobiography and memoir entitled Glimpses into My Own Black Box: An Exercise in Self-Deconstruction(2010). The book was published as part of the famous History of Anthropology (HOA) edition, which Stocking started at The University of Wisconsin Press (1983) and edited for two decades. This paper is based on the understanding of the American theoretician of autobiography, William Howarth, who posited that autobiography in literary (and scientific) writing is akin to what self-portrait is in painting. In the introductory chapter of the work, biographical data are presented that bring the character and work of George William Stocking closer to the domestic, Serbian readership (his second marriage to the sociologist Carol Bowman; their stays in Yugoslavia). This is followed by a description of the two main phases in Stocking's life and work: the formative period in his intellectual development and the mature age, known as the "Chicago years", spent in the Departments of History and Anthropology. Bearing in mind the main elements of the autobiographical strategy – character/self-portrait, technique (rhetoric and writing style), and the theme presented by the author's work-text – Stocking's book thematizes the life story, professional and scientific history (history of anthropology) from the position of both a witness and the one of the creators of written histories of the discipline and biographies of its practitioners and theorists. His writing technique is characterized by self-reflection and scientifically argued discussions on anthropological, historical and political topics and problems. Despite the significant influence his writing and edition of the HOA has had in anthropology, social sciences and humanities, the autobiographer problematizes his relationship to the two disciplines that shaped him as a scientist, highlighting his ambivalent position within them. In spite of the objective indicators of professional success, such as prestigious recognitions, awards, a secure position at the University and the Academy of Arts and Sciences, and a comfortable civic life filled with trips, conferences and guest appearances at important American and British scientific research institutions, the subjective experience of "double non-belonging" or rather, liminality, is the leitmotif that colors his self-portrait and the meaning of the text as a whole. The main features of the work, such as its discursive style of narration and description, striving for objectivity and honesty (self-disclosure and „self-deconstruction“), anxiety regarding one's own place, role and importance in science, as well as, at times, a resigned or elegiac tone, especially at the end of the book, i.e. towards the end of his life, provide the basis to include Stocking's strategy in a hybrid type with elements of those two categories that Howarth calls "rhetorical" and "poetic" confession.

Knowledge mapping of chronic insomnia: a bibliometric analysis (2000-2023).

Recently, significant scientific research breakthroughs have been witnessed in the treatment of chronic insomnia. However, it seems that there is currently no bibliometric analysis of this. Therefore, we hope to comprehensively review and analyze the scholarly system and research focus in the field of chronic insomnia treatment through bibliometric methods. Between 2000 and 2023, we explored various papers in relation to the treatment of chronic insomnia in the Web of Science Core Collection(WOSCC) database. Subsequently, the collected papers were subjected to bibliometric analysis utilizing CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and the "bibliometric" package in R language. With China and the United States(USA) among them, a total of 2937 papers were published across 49 countries. Publications related to the treatment of chronic insomnia were increasing year by year. The Laval University, Washington University, Pittsburgh University, and Stanford University were key research institutions. The journal Sleep was widely popular in the field and was also one of the most cited journals. These papers came from 148 authors, with Morin, Charles M., Roth, Thomas, Espie, Colin A., Harvey, Allison G., and Buysse, Daniel J. publishing the most papers and Morin, cm being co-cited the most. The treatment process of chronic insomnia can be divided into three main stages: drug intervention, diseases related to chronic insomnia, and cognitive behavioral therapy and mental health. Keywords such as "children and adolescents", "novel coronavirus pneumonia" (COVID-19), "mental health" and "heart failure" have become the focus of current research. We carried out a detailed bibliometric review of the development trends and research results of chronic insomnia research through this study for the first time. The information it provides reveals recent research hotspots and cutting-edge issues, providing valuable reference materials for researchers focusing on the treatment of chronic insomnia.

TDP-43 Is Associated with Subiculum and Cornu Ammonis 1 Hippocampal Subfield Atrophy in Primary Age-Related Tauopathy.

TAR DNA binding protein 43 (TDP-43) has been shown to be associated with whole hippocampal atrophy in primary age-related tauopathy (PART). It is currently unknown which subregions of the hippocampus are contributing to TDP-43 associated whole hippocampal atrophy in PART. To identify which specific hippocampal subfield regions are contributing to TDP-43-associated whole hippocampal atrophy in PART. A total of 115 autopsied cases from the Mayo Clinic Alzheimer Disease Research Center, Neurodegenerative Research Group, and the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging were analyzed. All cases underwent antemortem brain volumetric MRI, neuropathological assessment of the distribution of Aβ (Thal phase), and neurofibrillary tangle (Braak stage) to diagnose PART, as well as assessment of TDP-43 presence/absence in the amygdala, hippocampus and beyond. Hippocampal subfield segmentation was performed using FreeSurfer version 7.4.1. Statistical analyses using logistic regression were performed to assess for associations between TDP-43 and hippocampal subfield volumes, accounting for potential confounders. TDP-43 positive patients (n = 37, 32%), of which 15/15 were type-α, had significantly smaller whole hippocampal volumes, and smaller volumes of the body and tail of the hippocampus compared to TDP-43 negative patients. Subfield analyses revealed an association between TDP-43 and the molecular layer of hippocampal body and the body of cornu ammonis 1 (CA1), subiculum, and presubiculum regions. There was no association between TDP-43 stage and subfield volumes. Whole hippocampal volume loss linked to TDP-43 in PART is mainly due to volume loss occurring in the molecular layer, CA1, subiculum and presubiculum of the hippocampal body.

Epidemiological observations and management challenges in extrapedal mycetoma: A three-decade review of 420 cases.

Mycetoma is a serious, destructive, disfiguring chronic granulomatous inflammatory disease affecting the subcutaneous tissues that spread to involve the skin, deep tissues and bone. The disease predominately affects the limbs, and extrapedal mycetoma is rarely reported. The reported extrapedal ones are characterised by high morbidity and mortality. This communication reports on 420 patients with extrapedal mycetoma seen and managed at the Mycetoma Research Centre (MRC), University of Khartoum, between January 1991 and December 2021. In this descriptive, cross-sectional, hospital-based study, the electronic records of all mycetoma-confirmed patients seen during the study period were carefully and meticulously reviewed. The confirmed patients with extrapedal mycetoma were included in this study. The study included 420 patients with extrapedal mycetoma, 298 (70.7%) had eumycetoma, and 122 (29.3%) had actinomycetoma. There were 343 male patients (81.7%) and 77 (18.3%) females, with a male-to-female ratio of 4:1. Their ages ranged between 1.5 and 95 years, with a median of 28 years. Most of the patients were students and farmers. The majority of patients were from El Gezira, North Kordofan, and the White Nile States. Mycetoma was painful in 21%, and a family history of mycetoma was recorded in 11.5% of patients. The buttocks (37.9%) and head and neck (16.9%) were affected most. Less frequently affected sites were the trunk and back (12%) each, abdominal and chest walls (4.5%) each and loin (1%). The prominent clinical presentation findings were multiple sinuses discharging grains (55%), massive swellings (46%), and lymphadenopathy (11.5%). Less commonly observed clinical findings were local hyperhidrosis (5.3%) and dilated tortuous veins close to mycetoma lesions (0.5%). The study showed that 204 patients (48.6%) had clinical improvement in terms of decreased lesion size and healing of sinuses following medical therapy. Sixty-six patients (15.7%) had no noticeable improvement. The lesion continued progressing despite treatment in 44 patients (10.5%). In the study, 118 patients were on regular follow-up, and in this group, a cure was documented in 25 patients (21.1%) with eumycetoma and 23 (19.4%) with actinomycetoma. Post-operative recurrence among eumycetoma patients was 40%, with a 1% mortality rate. The treatment outcome was unsatisfactory, characterised by a low cure rate, high recurrence (40%) and follow-up dropout (57%) rates. This emphasises the importance of early case detection and management, objective health education programmes and thorough patient counselling to urge people to seek treatment early and reduce dropouts.

Defining high bleeding risk in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation: a VARC-HBR consensus document.

<span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">The identification and management of patients at high bleeding risk (HBR) undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) are of major importance, but the lack of standardised definitions is challenging for trial design, data interpretation, and clinical decision-making. The Valve Academic Research Consortium for High Bleeding Risk (VARC-HBR) is a collaboration among leading research organisations, regulatory authorities, and physician-scientists from Europe, the USA, and Asia, with a major focus on TAVI-related bleeding. VARC-HBR is an initiative of the CERC (Cardiovascular European Research Center), aiming to develop a consensus definition of TAVI patients at HBR, based on a systematic review of the available evidence, to provide consistency for future clinical trials, clinical decision-making, and regulatory review. This document represents the first pragmatic approach to a consistent definition of HBR evaluating the safety and effectiveness of procedures, devices and drug regimens for patients undergoing TAVI.</span></span>.

Target Firm Advertising and Firm Value

Consistent with hypotheses underlying firm advertising, we find that targets with pretakeover advertising obtain higher premiums, whereas their acquirers earn lower announcement returns. These economically significant effects suggest that through advertising, targets increase their profile and negotiating power. Further, targets that advertise are more likely to initiate their takeovers, attract multiple bidders, receive enhanced bids, capture more merger rents, and even in failed acquisitions, experience a 1% permanent revaluation. The latter result differentiates between information asymmetry and behavioral explanations for the target advertising. Overall, the results support the hypothesis that management advertises to transmit information to investors and potential acquirers. This paper was accepted by Victoria Ivashina, finance. Funding: A. L. Tran acknowledges financial support from the Mergers and Acquisitions Research Centre at Bayes Business School. Supplemental Material: The online appendix and data files are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2022.01534 .

Mid-level healthcare workers knowledge on non-communicable diseases in Tanzania: a district-level pre-and post-training assessment

IntroductionOver the past two decades, Tanzania’s burden of non-communicable diseases has grown disproportionately, but limited resources are still prioritized. A trained human resource for health is urgently needed to combat these diseases. However, continuous medical education for NCDs is scarce. This paper reports on the mid-level healthcare workers knowledge on NCDs. We assessed the knowledge to measure the effectiveness of the training conducted during the initiation of a Package for Essential Management of Severe NCDs (PEN Plus) in rural district hospitals in Tanzania.MethodsThe training was given to 48 healthcare employees from Dodoma Region’s Kondoa Town Council District Hospital. For a total of five (5) days, a fundamental course on NCDs featured in-depth interactive lectures and practical workshops. Physicians from Tanzania’s higher education institutions, tertiary university hospitals, research institutes, and medical organizations served as trainers. Before and after the training, a knowledge assessment comprising 28 questions was administered. Descriptive data analysis to describe the characteristics of the specific knowledge on physiology, diagnosis and therapy of diabetes mellitus, rheumatic fever, heart disease, and sickle cell disease was done using Stata version 17 (STATA Corp Inc., TX, USA).ResultsComplete assessment data for 42 out of the 48 participants was available. Six participants did not complete the training and the assessment. The mean age of participants was 36.9 years, and slightly above half (52%) were above 35 years. Two-thirds (61.9%) were female, and about half (45%) were nurses. The majority had the experience of working for more than 5 years, and the average was 9.4 years (+/- 8.4 years). Overall, the trainees’ average scores improved after the training (12.79 vs. 16.05, p < 0.0001) out of 28 possible scores. Specifically, trainees’ average scores were better in treatment than in diagnosis, except for sickle cell disease (1.26 vs. 1.83). Most were not able to diagnose rheumatic heart disease (47.6% able) compared to diabetes mellitus (54.8% able) or sickle cell disease (64.3% able) at baseline. The proportion of trainees with adequate knowledge of the treatment of sickle cell disease and diabetes mellitus was 35% and 38.1%, respectively, and there was a non-statistical difference after training. Those working for less than 5 years had a higher proportion of adequate knowledge (30.8%) compared to their more experienced colleagues (6.9%). After the training, participants’ knowledge of NCDs increased by three times (i.e., aPR 3, 95% CI = 1.1, 1.5, and 6.0).Conclusion and recommendationsPEN Plus training improved the knowledge of healthcare workers at Kondoa Town Council District Hospital. Training is especially needed among nurses and those with a longer duration of work. Continuing education for human resources for health on the management of NCDs is highly recommended in this setting.

Effect of Different Spacing Level and Growth Stages of Chekkurmanis (Sauropus androgynus L.) on Plant Growth

Background: Chekkurmanis, is a shrubby glabrous perennial green leafy vegetable, extensively grown in warm humid tropics. It is called as “Multivitamin / Multigreen” plant. Micronutrient deficiency has spread all over the world and it is termed as “Hidden Hunger”. In this regard, chekkurmanis is the chief source of many minerals and nutrients is help to eradicate these deficiencies. The yield enhancement and improvement on plant growth characters could be manipulated by adopting optimized cultural practices, especially plant spacing and stage of harvest. With the background, present study was taken up to examine the variations in morphologically; under different spacing’s in relation to different growth stages were assessed and discussed. Methods: The research study was carried during 2019-2020. The healthy rooted cuttings collected from Orchard, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai, Tamil Nadu. The research trial consisted of two factors different spacing’s (Factor I) and specific days interval (Factor II). Result: Based on the results, it can be suggested that growth characters i.e. plant height, number of branches, number of leaves per plant and petiole length parameters were significantly higher under closer spacing at 180 days after planting (S1D3). While, Maximum leaf length, leaf breadth and plant spread were recorded under wider spacing at 180 days after planting (S5D3).