Understanding our celestial neighbors: an indian perspective in planetary sciences and exploration

The planetary exploration program of the Indian Space Research Organization is described. The important results obtained from the two successful missions, Mars orbiter Mission (2014) and the earlier Chandrayaan-1 mission (2008-9) to moon are summarized. High-resolution maps of Valles Marineris enabled several surface, aqueous and atmospheric features to be delineated and the highly elliptical orbit of MOM enabled imaging of the surface of the farther side of Deimos as well as study of Mars exospheric constituents. The results from Chandrayaan-1 mission changed many lunar concepts e.g. from dry, passive and inactive to moon to wet, tectonically and volcanically active moon. Some recent results based on the space borne and laboratory based study of Titan, Pluto, Comets and meteorites coming from Mars and Vesta are summarized. The future planetary exploration plans, such as Chandrayaan-2 and second Mars mission are briefly mentioned

Healthcare Facilities: Another Target for Ransomware Attacks

Ransomware is a type of malware used by cyber criminals who encrypt files and then extort money in return for unlocking those files. Without adequate disaster recovery and backup plans, many businesses are forced to pay the ransom. We examine recent ransomware infections in healthcare settings, the liabilities and cost associated with such infections, and discuss possible risk mitigation tactics. Risks associated with ransomware attacks on healthcare facilities include financial, future business loss and damage to reputation. Healthcare facilities should have a disaster plan with adequate data backups and educate employees who are the usual sources of ransomware attacks

Mental arithmetic performance, physiological reactivity and mathematics anxiety amongst U.K. primary school children

A mixed experimental design was employed in which 77 U.K. primary school children performed mental arithmetic problems of increasing difficulty. Psychophysiological measures of heart rate, systolic blood pressure (BP) and diastolic BP were taken along with behavioral measures of response time and error rate. Results demonstrated a significant effect of problem type, such that systolic BP increased significantly between baseline and presentation of three-digit mental arithmetic problems. Further to this, self-reported math anxiety was found to be significantly positively correlated with physiological reactivity to more difficult mental arithmetic. Findings suggest that mental arithmetic may act as a stressor amongst children in a similar way to adults and indicate that an increase in problem size may induce heightened blood pressure amongst children. Furthermore, results highlight the potentially negative psychological and physiological reactions that pupils experience, particularly amongst children who are math anxious.N/

Survival from testicular cancer in England and Wales up to 2001

www.bjcancer.com For many years testicular cancer has been the prime example of the tumour that is chemocurable, even when metastatic. The disappointment in oncology is that these results have so far not been replicated in the more common solid tumours. Why this should be is not clear but germ-cell tumours retain sensitivity to chemotherapy in vitro and a number of mechanisms including reduced DNA repair capacity and proneness to apoptosis have been proposed (Mayer et al, 2003). Most patients with testicular cancer present after finding a lump in the testicle that may or may not be painful. A small proportion of patients present with symptoms of metastatic disease. With the exception of some patients with metastatic disease, initial treatment after first assessment is to remove the tumour by inguinal orchidectomy. Patients are staged by tumour marke

Evaluating long-term outcomes of NHS stop smoking services (ELONS):a prospective cohort study

Background  NHS Stop Smoking Services (SSSs) provide free at the point of use treatment for smokers who would like to stop. Since their inception in 1999 they have evolved to offer a variety of support options. Given the changes that have happened in the provision of services and the ongoing need for evidence on effectiveness, the Evaluating Long-term Outcomes for NHS Stop Smoking Services (ELONS) study was commissioned.  Objectives  The main aim of the study was to explore the factors that determine longer-term abstinence from smoking following intervention by SSSs. There were also a number of additional objectives.  Design  The ELONS study was an observational study with two main stages: secondary analysis of routine data collected by SSSs and a prospective cohort study of service clients. The prospective study had additional elements on client satisfaction, well-being and longer-term nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) use.  Setting  The setting for the study was SSSs in England. For the secondary analysis, routine data from 49 services were obtained. For the prospective study and its added elements, nine services were involved. The target population was clients of these services.  Participants  There were 202,804 cases included in secondary analysis and 3075 in the prospective study.  Interventions  A combination of behavioural support and stop smoking medication delivered by SSS practitioners.  Main outcome measures  Abstinence from smoking at 4 and 52 weeks after setting a quit date, validated by a carbon monoxide (CO) breath test.  Results  Just over 4 in 10 smokers (41%) recruited to the prospective study were biochemically validated as abstinent from smoking at 4 weeks (which was broadly comparable with findings from the secondary analysis of routine service data, where self-reported 4-week quit rates were 48%, falling to 34% when biochemical validation had occurred). At the 1-year follow-up, 8% of prospective study clients were CO validated as abstinent from smoking. Clients who received specialist one-to-one behavioural support were twice as likely to have remained abstinent than those who were seen by a general practitioner (GP) practice and pharmacy providers [odds ratio (OR) 2.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2 to 4.6]. Clients who received group behavioural support (either closed or rolling groups) were three times more likely to stop smoking than those who were seen by a GP practice or pharmacy providers (OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.7 to 6.7). Satisfaction with services was high and well-being at baseline was found to be a predictor of abstinence from smoking at longer-term follow-up. Continued use of NRT at 1 year was rare, but no evidence of harm from longer-term use was identified from the data collected.  Conclusions  Stop Smoking Services in England are effective in helping smokers to move away from tobacco use. Using the 52-week CO-validated quit rate of 8% found in this study, we estimate that in the year 2012–13 the services supported 36,249 clients to become non-smokers for the remainder of their lives. This is a substantial figure and provides one indicator of the ongoing value of the treatment that the services provide. The study raises a number of issues for future research including (1) examining the role of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) in smoking cessation for service clients [this study did not look at e-cigarette use (except briefly in the longer-term NRT study) but this is a priority for future studies]; (2) more detailed comparisons of rolling groups with other forms of behavioural support; (3) further exploration of the role of practitioner knowledge, skills and use of effective behaviour change techniques in supporting service clients to stop smoking; (4) surveillance of the impact of structural and funding changes on the future development and sustainability of SSSs; and (5) more detailed analysis of well-being over time between those who successfully stop smoking and those who relapse. Further research on longer-term use of non-combustible nicotine products that measures a wider array of biomarkers of smoking-related harm such as lung function tests or carcinogen metabolites

Cultivating-Digital-Wellness: within Malawian students

The study titled "Cultivating Digital Wellness: Exploring the Interplay of Demographic Characteristics and Online Behaviour on the Mental Health Landscape of Malawian Students." delves into the complex relationship among internet usage patterns, demographic factors, and mental distress outcomes among college students in Malawi, amidst an era characterized by digital connectivity. It examines age-related tendencies in internet impulsivity and evaluates mental health outcomes across diverse age groups and genders. Emphasizing the necessity for ongoing research, the study aims to deepen comprehension and devise effective strategies for tackling internet addiction and mental health challenges. By fostering collaborative efforts and leveraging open data resources, researchers can propel advancements in this crucial domain. This research offers a comprehensive exploration of the intricate interplay between internet usage patterns and mental distress among college students in Malawi