Perspectives of pharmacists in general practice from qualitative focus groups with patients during a pilot study

BackgroundUtilising skill mix in general practice is proposed as a solution to the demand-supply issue. Pharmacists can play an important role in this context leading to an increase in training and funding for independent prescriber roles. A role for Pharmacists in General Practice was funded, piloted and evaluated by NHSE from 2015.AimWhat is the patient perspective of pharmacists in patient facing roles in general practice in the UK?Design & SettingFocus group interviews exploring patient perspectives on the pharmacist role.Method33 patients, five focus group interviews (January-December 2016). Data was iteratively analysed using the one sheet of paper technique.ResultsWhile public are aware of the primary care crisis, they are less well informed about potential solutions. Data showed patients primarily sought access to a clinician over expressing a preference for any type of clinician. Low awareness was shown about the role and there was initial confusion about pharmacist’s roles. Acceptability levels were high.Pharmacists add value and provide an expert medication focused service which can have a positive impact on medicines use.Patients reported benefit from longer appointments, feeling they weren’t rushed, and that all their conditions were being considered holistically. They trusted pharmacists as experts in medication and trust was consolidated over time. Regular coaching from a pharmacist could lead to improved patient self-monitoring and self-care.Conclusion (implications)Pharmacists can add value to the general practice team and this is recognised by patients.

Assessment of Various Methods to Measure the Soil Suction

The foundation of the lightweight structures is commonly in unsaturated state conditions because located above the ground-water table. The matric suction governs the hydro-mechanical behaviour of unsaturated soils. Soil suction estimation is challenging both in the field and lab. The indirect and direct techniques are utilized to measure the soil suction. Several types of equipment utilized to measure the soil suction have been developed with innovative technology. However, there are constraints on reliability, suction range estimation, application, etc. The primary objective of this study is to review, describe the working principle, report limits, and benefits of various techniques utilized to measure the soil suction and select the cost-effective. A comparative study on direct and indirect technique of soil suction estimation is conducted base on recent literature, with a focus on suction range, procedure, type of suction, processing time, and application (lab/field). The apparatus utilized to measure directly or indirectly the matric suction found in the literature displays the highest range in the order of 1500 kPa except for the filter paper. The thermocouple psychrometer and the transistor psychrometer can measure a maximal total suction of 8000 kPa. The chilled-mirror hygrometer can measure a maximal total suction of 30000 kPa in the laboratory. The filter paper technique and the chilled-mirror hygrometer are cost-effective techniques. However, the filter paper technique is likely the easiest and low-cost technique to measure the matric suction and total suction for the full range with extreme care in the test procedure both in the field and lab.

Management of Dry Root Rot in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Caused By Macrophomina phaseolina by Utilizing Host Plant Resistance, Fungicides and Bioagents

Background: For the management of soil borne disease like dry root rot of chickpea caused by Macrophomina phaseolina, by using fungicides alone is not feasible due to environmental and health hazards. Hence integrated management of the disease by using resistant varieties, fungicides and bio-control agents is the best alternative. So the present study was aimed to identify resistant varieties, best fungicide and bioagent for management of dry root rot in chickpea. Methods: Two hundred and twelve genotypes were screened using blotter paper technique for identifying resistant genotypes for dry root rot. The experiment on management of dry root rot was conducted during Kharif and Rabi of 2013-14 using a susceptible chickpea variety JG-11 with 14 treatments including control with 3 replications. Result: Of two hundred and twelve chickpea genotypes screened for host plant resistance against Macrophomina phaseolina by blotter paper technique only one genotype ie. PBG-5 showed moderately resistant reaction. Among fourteen treatments including fungicides and bioagents imposed for the management of dry root rot, seed treatment with tebuconazole @ 2 g/kg recorded lowest per cent disease incidence of 9.43, with a highest yield of 722.81 kg/ha compared to untreated control which recorded the highest per cent disease incidence (40.10) with a lowest mean yield of 362.02 kg/ha.

Screening Chickpea Genotypes for Resistance to Rhizoctonia bataticola in Controlled Conditions

Among the various biotic stresses, dry root rot caused by Rhizoctonia bataticola is becoming severe in most chickpea growing regions of India where the crop is grown under rain fed conditions causing 30-40 per cent yield loss. In this context, 520 chickpea genotypes were screened in the laboratory condition using Blotter Paper Technique to study the reaction of the genotypes to the Rhizoctonia bataticola and to identify resistance source for the disease. Among 520 genotypes, three were resistant viz., PG 06102, BG 2094 and IC 552137; 21 were moderate resistant viz., IC 15167, IC 2867, JAKI 9218, ICC 9023, ICC-14346, IC-269768, PG 01103, Pule 9801, KGD 120, NbeG 28, WR 315, IC-269488, IC 552198, IC 552178, IC 552132, IC 552320, IC 552214, IC 552232, CLH 29, IC 552102, IC 552224; 76 were moderate susceptible, 337 were susceptible and the rest eighty three were highly susceptible for dry root rot. The identified resistant genotypes may serve as potential donors in chickpea resistance breeding programme for dry root rot.

FORMULATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF EFAVIRENZ TABLETS BY PAPER TECHNIQUE USING CO-SOLVENCY METHOD

Objective: The present study is to formulate and development of efavirenz tablets by paper technique using the co-solvency method, the drug is antiviral drug used for the treatment of HIV. Methods: In this 7 formulation (F1-F7) were prepared by using different tissue papers like kitchen roll paper, hand kercheif paper, facial tissue paper, with different weights. The prepared tablets were evaluated for hardness, friability, thickness, content uniformity, disintegration time and in vitro dissolution study. Results: Among all the formulations, F2 (kicthen roll paper with weight 250 mg) was consired to be the best formulation, which release up to 98.02% drug in 3 h. The results of stability studies of formulation F2 after a period of 2 mo indicated that the formulation was stable. Conclusion: It was concluted that a paper tablet of efavirenz shows better results and it does not contain any excipient and increase the dissolution rate.

A Secure and Robust Digital Image Watermarking Techniques

This paper speaks to various Digital Watermarking systems which allows a person to include unseen copyright see just as some other confirmation messages to pictures with the goal that it very well may be shielded from the unapproved get to. The principle point of paper is to investigate the examination of different digital picture watermarking schemes and it likewise exhibits that all these watermarking strategies gives picture watermarking full protection and sensible limit. Here hybrid Image watermarking procedure which takes the benefits of various transforms like DWT, DCT, SVD and Arnold Transform, which improves greater security and gives heartiness to the watermark. In this paper technique, picture is separated into a few gatherings of edges, and one of the casings is chosen where watermark will be implanted. Before embed watermark in a choose casing it will be pre-handled with Arnold Transform which will give security to it.

Optimal Partitioning Method for Evaluating of Effect of Hemoglobin Oxygenation Levels of Vessel Endothelial Growth Factor

The work is aimed to study relationship between vessel endothelial growth factor (VEGF) serum levels and hypoxia in patients with severe neurological disorders. Overviewed literature sources indicate activation of VEGF synthesis during hypoxia. But standard correlation analysis does not reveal a statistically significant association between VEGF levels and pulse oxymetry parameters objectively assessing oxygen supply. Due to a proposed in the paper technique it became possible to reveal valid relationship between VEGF levels and oxygenation. This relationship can be described as increase of correlation between VEGF and immunological complement C4 when oxygenation level is below a certain threshold. Developed method includes searching of such boundaries for oxymetry parameters that correlation coefficients between VEGF and some additional factor Z in formed group are maximally different. ranges. The original technique based on permutation test was used not only to asses validity of effects associated with each oxymetry parameter but also to evaluate joint effect by full group of such factors. Great number of variable from database were tested as additional factors. So additional correction of validity was made to take into account multiple testing.

A Computerized Tool for Education and Training on Ergonomic Risk Evaluation

In the light of the challenges of the Industry 4.0 the weight of safety and health, and ergonomics are rising. Nowadays one of the common problem in industry are work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs). Therefore, an ergonomic risk evaluation is crucial as well the knowledge and education in this area. This paper presents a computerized tool for ergonomic education on ergonomic risk evaluation at the workplace. The tool based on quick exposure check pen and paper technique and Excel spreadsheet environment. It is easy to use and assists students in the evaluation of real as well of simulated workplaces. The proposed tool includes a few integrated parts: background description, students - observer’s and worker’s evaluation and results with visual interpretation. The preliminary evaluation of the Excel tool was carried out by students. It showed that it is useful and easy in use. And the students' opinions on the computerized tool for ergonomic risk evaluation are very encouraging and promise what was presented in this study.

A pioneer in two worlds: Thomas Keith (1827–1895) photographer and surgeon

Thomas Keith, an Edinburgh surgeon, was an early and successful exponent of the operation of ovariotomy (ovarian cystectomy). He published detailed accounts of all of the patients on whom he carried out this procedure and his published success rate proved to be amongst the best in the world. The leading American surgeon J Marion Sims, who visited Keith to determine the reasons for this success, concluded that Keith’s achievement resulted from meticulous attention to detail and his emphasis on the cleanliness of the instruments and the operating field, before this was generally adopted. His friendship with Joseph Lister led to his early use of Listerian antisepsis, which further improved these results. Yet, his medical colleagues and his obituarists seemed unaware of his other significant pioneering contribution, as a gifted photographer and pioneer of the waxed paper technique of photographic processing. That same attention to detail resulted in photographs of the highest quality whose significance has since been appreciated by photographic historians.