From Data Processing to Mental Organs: An Interdisciplinary Path to Cognitive Neuroscience**

Human brain is a highly evolved coordinating mechanism in the species Homo sapiens. It is only in the last 100 years that extensive knowledge of the intricate structure and complex functioning of the human brain has been acquired, though a lot is yet to be known. However, from the beginning of civilisation, people have been conscious of a ‘mind’ which has been considered the origin of all scientific and cultural development. Philosophers have discussed at length the various attributes of consciousness. At the same time, most of the philosophical or scientific frameworks have directly or indirectly implied mind-body duality. It is now imperative that we develop an integrated approach to understand the interconnection between mind and consciousness on one hand and brain on the other. This paper begins with the proposition that the structure of the brain is analogous, at least to certain extent, to that of the computer system. Of course, it is much more sophisticated and complex. The second proposition is that the Chomskyean concept of ‘mental organs’ is a good working hypothesis that tries to characterise this complexity in terms of an innate cognitive framework. By following this dual approach, brain as a data processing system and brain as a superstructure of intricately linked mental organs, we can move toward a better understanding of ‘mind’ within the framework of empirical science. The one ‘mental organ’ studied extensively in Chomskyean terms is ‘language faculty’ which is unique in its relation to brain, mind and consciousness

The Challenges Faced by Allottees of Medical and Dental Postgraduate Programs during Admission: A Questionnaire-based Survey Study

Introduction: The Postgraduate (PG) student admission scheme laid down by Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), Directorate General of Health Services, Government of India require the allottees to report to the allotted institute in online or offline mode in view of ongoing Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Aim: To identify the problems faced by Medical and Dental PG allottees during admission process. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional, online questionnaire-based survey conducted among newly admitted students of Medical and Dental PG programs. The structured pre-validated questionnaire was filled by the students voluntarily and anonymously after giving consent. The detailed descriptive analysis was done using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23 software. To study statistical significance, variables were tested using Chi-square test. Results: In the present study, 31(67.4%) Medical PG students and 15 (32.6%) Dentistry PG students participated. The students that reported to the allotted institute by both online and offline mode were 35 (76.1%), while only 8 (17.4%) reported by offline mode which was statistically significant (p&lt;0.005). Maximum number of students {30 (65.2%)} found online mode convenient (statistically significant; p&lt;0.005), while 12 (26.1%) said that offline mode was convenient. Conclusion: The online reporting for admission process is time saving. Continuous upgradation of system through feedback from stakeholders is desirable.</jats:p

The Challenges Faced by Allottees of Medical and Dental Postgraduate Programs during Admission: A Questionnaire-based Survey Study

Introduction: The Postgraduate (PG) student admission scheme laid down by Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), Directorate General of Health Services, Government of India require the allottees to report to the allotted institute in online or offline mode in view of ongoing Coronavirus Disease (COVID19) pandemic. Aim: To identify the problems faced by Medical and Dental PG allottees during admission process. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional, online questionnaire-based survey conducted among newly admitted students of Medical and Dental PG programs. The structured prevalidated questionnaire was filled by the students voluntarily and anonymously after giving consent. The detailed descriptive analysis was done using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23 software. To study statistical significance, variables were tested using Chi-square test. Results: In the present study, 31(67.4%) Medical PG students and 15 (32.6%) Dentistry PG students participated. The students that reported to the allotted institute by both online and offline mode were 35 (76.1%), while only 8 (17.4%) reported by offline mode which was statistically significant (p<0.005). Maximum number of students {30 (65.2%)} found online mode convenient (statistically significant; p<0.005), while 12 (26.1%) said that offline mode was convenient. Conclusion: The online reporting for admission process is time saving. Continuous upgradation of system through feedback from stakeholders is desirable