Effectiveness of Simulation-Based, Peer Learning Intervention in Continuing Nursing Education: An Explorative Study.

BACKGROUND: Despite the vast research by nursing professionals on various methods of nursing education, little research has been conducted exploring the efficacy of peer learning as a teaching-learning tool amongst registered nurses. Hence, this study was conducted among in-service nursing officers to evaluate the usefulness of simulation-based peer learning sessions as an educational tool for capacity building. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Using a pre-test and post-test design, the study was conducted among 150 in-service nurses at a tertiary care hospital. Five structured simulation-based, peer learning modules were designed. The nurses were divided into five groups using random and purposive sampling. Each group attended one session of the peer learning module on advanced nursing care by simulated clinical and nursing care 'demonstrate, observe, assist, and perform' (DOAP) activity. Pre-test, post-test, and retention tests (after two months) were conducted, and the results were compared. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in mean knowledge (p-value < 0.05) in the post-test after all five sessions, which shows the effectiveness of such peer learning sessions in improving the baseline. There was a decline in mean scores in the retention test compared to that of the post-test, which was statistically significant in only the group of learners participating in the first session. CONCLUSION: The study provides substantial evidence that simulation-based peer learning is an effective tool for continuing nursing education, and it can be used as a valuable tool to reduce the documented theory-practice gap.

Antioxidant activity of chemically synthesized AgNPs and biosynthesized Pongamia pinnata leaf extract mediated AgNPs - A comparative study.

Biosynthesis of metal nanoparticles is the present research in the limb of nanotechnology which reduces the toxicity of metal nanoparticles. Green chemistry approach emphasizes that the usage of plant material has offered a reliable, simple, nontoxic and eco-friendly that links Nanotechnology and Biotechnology. Increasing environmental concerns over chemical synthesis routes have resulted in attempts to develop bio-mimetic approaches. The current study deals with novel method for biosynthesis of AgNPs using Pongamia pinnata leaf extract as reducing agent. These biosynthesized nanoparticles were characterized with the help of UV-vis Spectroscopy, Photoluminescence (PL) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Atomic force microscopy (AFM), Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and Zeta Potential (ZP). Free radical scavenging potential of P. pinnata synthesized silver nanoparticles was evaluated in vitro by using five different assays viz., DPPH, ABT+S, Hydroxyl, Superoxide anion and Nitric oxide scavenging assays are also adopted. Capping of AgNPs by various polyphenolic compounds present in P. pinnata leaf extract appears to be a major contributor to lower toxicity compared to chemically synthesized AgNPs. The surface plasmon resonance shows 425nm and grain size of the AgNPs was measured from XRD and FTIR revealed the bioconjucation of AgNPs. The in vitro antioxidant activity of AgNPs showed a significant effect on scavenging of free radicals. The results suggest that the silver nanoparticles from P. pinnata can be potent natural antioxidants and can be essential for health preservation against oxidative stress related degenerative diseases, such as cancer. The vitality of this study lies in the formation of silver nanoparticles by utilizing the wealth of global ecological resources, eliminating obnoxious and toxic reagents which are hazardous to be handled as well as to be applied.

Role of TSH on Urinary Calcium Excretion In Post Menopausal Women of South Indian Population.

BACKGROUND: Unforeseen aberrations in the hormonal status during the early postmenopausal period are responsible for several complications including osteoporosis. Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) receptors are isolated from various tissues including the bone. A low serum TSH level is known to stimulate osteoclastic activity in bone and accelerate bone resorption. Urinary calcium/creatinine (UCa/Cr) excretion ratio could be an indirect and an early indicator of loss of Bone Mineral Density (BMD). With this background, this study was planned to explore the association of serum TSH levels with the UCa/Cr excretion ratio. METHODS: Forty eight women in the postmenopausal age group, with their menopausal age not more than seven years of duration were included in this study. Based on their TSH values, these subjects were divided into two groups A (TSH<0.5 mIU/L) and B (TSH>0.5mIU/L). Urinary calcium, UCa/Cr excretion ratio, serum phosphorous, calcium and calcium phosphorous multiplication products were estimated and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Twenty two (46%) women were biochemically asymptomatic hyperthyroid cases and Twenty six (54%) were euthyroid. This study documents high UCa/Cr in Group A compared to that of Group B (p<0.05). We also observed significant negative correlation of TSH with UCa/Cr excretion ratio (p=0.041, r = -0.43). CONCLUSION: Low serum TSH levels were associated with increased UCa/Cr excretion ratio in postmenopausal women of South Indian population.

Influence of nylon 6 in I3(-)/I(-) redox electrolyte on the photovoltaic performance and stability of dye-sensitized solar cells.

Nylon 6 fibers are used, for the first time, in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The overall energy conversion efficiency obtained with 0.18 M nylon 6 reaches 6.2%, which is comparable to that (6.7%) obtained without adding nylon 6 on the day of cell fabrication. However, it is found that the long-term stability of the DSSCs with nylon 6 is superior to that of a reference electrolyte as a result of the complexation of nylon 6 with I(3)(-). Furthermore, nylon 6 is found to be a corrosion inhibitor for silver metal in the electrolyte containing I(3)(-).

High-performance quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cell based on an electrospun PVdF-HFP membrane electrolyte.

An electrospun membrane was prepared from a 16 wt % solution of poly(vinylidenefluoride- co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVdF-HFP) in a mixture of acetone/ N, N-dimethylacetamide (7:3 wt %) at an applied voltage of 12 kV. It was then activated by immersing it in 0.6 M 1-hexyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium iodide, 0.1 M LiI, 0.05 M I 2, and 0.5 M 4- tert-butylpyridine in ethylene carbonate/propylene carbonate (1:1 wt %) to obtain the corresponding membrane electrolyte with an ionic conductivity of 10 (-5) S cm (-1) at 25 degrees C. On the basis of this electrospun membrane electrolyte, quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells were fabricated, which showed an open-circuit voltage ( V oc) of 0.76 V, a fill factor of 0.62, and a short-circuit current density ( J sc) of 15.57 mA cm (-2) at an incident light intensity of 100 mW cm (-2). This yields a light-to-electricity conversion efficiency of 7.3%. Moreover, this cell possessed better long-term stability than that fabricated with conventional liquid electrolyte.