An LFT/SDP approach to the uncertainty analysis for state

A state estimator is an algorithm that computes the current state of a time-varying system from on-line measurements. Physical quantities such as measurements and parameters are characterised by uncertainty. Understanding how uncertainty affects the accuracy of state estimates is therefore a pre-requisite to the application of such techniques to real systems. In this paper we develop a method of uncertainty analysis based on linear fractional transformations (LFT) and obtain ellipsoid-of-confidence bounds by recasting the LFT problem into a semidefinite programming problem (SDP). The ideas are illustrated by applying them to a simple water distribution network

Does the social status of the elderly impact morbidities among them? – A cross sectional Study in a district of Gujarat

Background: The aging population is both medical & sociological problem for the country and they suffer with high rates of morbidity and mortality. So Social factors lay a significant impact on the health practices and this study will help us to understand and evaluate their health problems of elderly. Aims and Objective: 1. To assess the social status of elderly population. 2. To associate the findings with morbidities of elderly Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out in urban and rural area of Surendranagar district among 611 elderly, using a predesigned and pre tested questionnaire by directly questioning the subjects with oral and written consent. For selection of the area, in both areas, the sampling units were enumerated and samples were collected by using simple random sampling, data was entered and analyzed using MS excel 2007. Result: Nearly 60 % of the subjects were currently unemployed and the predominant family system was 3 generation family. Majority of the families in the urban areas were from social class 4, whereas in the rural areas were from social class 5. Having poor social score had a statistically significant association with presence of morbidity in elderly both areas. Conclusions: Majority of elderly in both urban and rural areas had a poor social status. Role of the family and social structure on the health of the elderly can be clearly established. However, support structure must be developed in our social system in a way that the destitute and dependent elderly are taken care of by either government system or social organizations like NGOs and old age home

Impact of social factors on health practices of the elderly: an analytical study in rural Surendranagar

Introduction: Increased attention to health promotion and disease prevention are important for the appropriate care of the elderly. With the increasing life expectancy, a focus on preventive measures to decrease morbidity and improve quality of life in old age has also developed. To that end, health behavior and lifestyle have become important areas of concern over the last 20 years. Social factors lay a significant impact on the health practices. This study was therefore taken up to study the above factor and draw conclusions.Aims and objectives: 1. To study the various health practices of the elderly. 2. To find out association between the socio demographic features and the prevailing health practices.Methods: A Cross sectional analytical study was carried out. All the subjects were interviewed personally to know the details and were treated with due respect after a consent. Out of all the talukas in rural Surendranagar, Sayla was selected randomly after which Sayla village was selected in a similar manner from all the villages in the talukas.Results: The mean age of the subjects was 68±7.5. Majority of the subjects were unemployed and illiterate (58%). Social factors like Social class, staying with children and staying in joint family were significantly associated with good health practices.Conclusions: The Health practices of the elderly can be improved upon by large scale health education programmes which can be targeted on the age group. Patient compliance improvement can be achieved by explaining them about the disease and treatment protocol in detail at the time of their health visit.

A comparative study of maternal & neonatal outcome and patient satisfaction with intravaginal misoprostol versus intravenous oxytocin in patients with premature rupture of membranes beyond 36 weeks gestation

Background: Premature rupture of membranes (PROM) occurs in about 10% of patients beyond 36 weeks of gestation. In this situation, labor induction with prostaglandins, has been proved to be beneficial and results in decreased chorioamnionitis, neonatal antibiotic therapy, neonatal intensive care (NICU) admission, and increased maternal satisfaction. Many techniques for induction of labor are available. This prospective randomized comparative study was thus taken up to compare the outcomes of misoprostol versus oxytocin with respect to the maternal and neonatal outcomes and patient satisfaction.Methods: A prospective randomized study was carried out where 200 women admitted to department of obstetrics & gynecology, Pravara Rural Hospital, PMT, Loni with PROM beyond 36 weeks of gestation were included where 100 each were included in two groups- vaginal misoprostol group & oxytocin infusion group.Results: Nearly 58% of the cases of PROM were in the age group 21-25 yrs. Vaginal deliveries were 42% in misoprostol group, where as 44% in oxytocin group; whereas LSCS were 7% in misoprostol group and 5% in oxytocin group. Maximum number of cases had APGAR score between 7-10 in both the groups. Patients with misoprostol induction were more satisfied as compared to patients with oxytocin induction.Conclusions: Labor induction with oxytocin infusion for PROM beyond 36 weeks in an unfavorable cervix is associated with longer duration of the second stage and a higher risk of cesarean delivery for failure to progress in comparison to those with transvaginal misoprostol. Patients with misoprostol induction were more satisfied as compared to patients with oxytocin induction

Gender and irrigation in India: The Women's Irrigation Group of Jambar, South Gujarat

Irrigation management / Women in development / Gender / Female labor / Agricultural credit / Decision making / Irrigation programs / Rain-fed farming / Institution building / Pumping

Study on breastfeeding practices among rural women in the field practice areas of a tertiary care teaching hospital

Background: Breastfeeding is one of the most important determinants of child survival, birth spacing, and prevention of childhood infections. The beneficial effects of breastfeeding depend on breastfeeding initiation, its duration, and the age at which the breast-fed child is weaned. Data from NFHS-4 suggest that in India, in Gujarat where only 56% of infants are exclusively breastfed and 50% of infants are initiated with breastfeeding within one hour of birth. This study was planned to identify the gaps in breastfeeding practices so that necessary interventions can be designed and thereby implemented. The objective is to study the breastfeeding practices of mothers having children below 2 years of age in the field practice areas of the medical college and to associate the findings of these practices with the socio-demographic characteristics of the population.Methods: The study conducted was a community based cross-sectional one in the six villages of RHTC of PIMSR. The study was conducted by surveying a total of 204 mothers to study their breastfeeding practices which were categorized into ‘good’ and “not so good’ practices. From this the total score was calculated and associated with socio-demographic variables.Results: Majority of the mothers were in the age group 18-22 and educated up to ‘primary’ and most of them were from social class IV and V. Only 23% of the mothers had adequate knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding. About 70% practiced both early initiation of breastfeeding and feeding colostrum whereas nearly 80% practiced exclusive breastfeeding.Conclusions: It is concluded from the study that even though the practice of breastfeeding was found quite good, the gaps in the knowledge and practice must be addressed through health education and support through peer and health groups. Documenting the success stories will go a long way for community education and behavioral change in communication at the community level for adequate breastfeeding practices

Gigahertz-Peaked Spectrum Radio Sources in Nearby Galaxies

There is now strong evidence that many low-luminosity AGNs (LLAGNs) contain accreting massive black holes and that the nuclear radio emission is dominated by parsec-scale jets launched by these black holes. Here, we present preliminary results on the 1.4 GHz to 667 GHz spectral shape of a well-defined sample of 16 LLAGNs. The LLAGNs have a falling spectrum at high GHz frequencies. Several also show a low-frequency turnover with a peak in the 1-20 GHz range. The results provide further support for jet dominance of the core radio emission. The LLAGNs show intriguing similarities with gigahertz-peaked spectrum (GPS) sources.Comment: 6 pages, to appear in ASP Conference series, 2002, Vol. 25