Label Identification from Statistical Tabulation (LIST) test and evaluation

There are no author-identified significant results in this report

A discriminant approach to parameter estimation in the linear model with unknown variance-covariance matrix

There are no author-identified significant results in this report

Tide and Tidal Current Prediction by High Speed Digital Computer

The Tide and Tidal Current Tables of the U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey for 1966 have been computed and edited by a digital computer, the IBM 7094. Prediction by this method is found to be more economical and expedient than by the tide prediction machine in use since 1910. The shift to digital predictions has been gradual. The first program was prepared in 1956 to predict hourly tide heights only, for use in storm surge research. The greatest advantage to digital prediction at that time was the elimination of the hour or more required to set up a new problem on the tide predicting machine, when highly accurate predictions were needed for many short periods. Later, as more efficient computers became available, this program was expanded to include the computation of highs and lows, editing the data in a form suitable for publication and the complete prediction and editing of the tidal current tables. The existing program, to a large degree, reproduced the same calculations formerly made on the analogue tide predicting machine, and with comparable accuracy. The greater versatility of this system invites experimentation, not feasible with the analogue computer. Thus, it is expected that in the long run the switch to digital calculations will lead to an increase in the accuracy of the predictions for stations having complex tide problems. The program grew through the years, and is not the most efficient that could be prepared today. Nevertheless, it appears doubtful that the improved efficiency would justify a complete revision. This report gives a general description of the program, the input data specifications and samples of the results

Predictor Equations for Beach Processes and Responses

A stepwise (linear) multiple regression procedure is applied to 11 environmental variables (or predictors) in the beach-ocean-atmosphersey stema t Virginia Beach, Virginia, for the following five predictands: mean longshore current velocity, mean bottom slope in the shoaling-wave zone, average mean grain size in the shoaling-wave zone, and beach deposition and beach erosion on the lower foreshore. Predictors consist of variables related to beach geometry, local water properties, local wind conditions, tidal fluctuations, and wave characteristics The resultant equations are tested against a set of independent data and, with one exception, agree reasonably. It is believed that if the data set were increased to include at least one year\u27s continuous measurements the procedure outlined would yield valid equations for all but stormy-weather conditions.It is presupposed that some provision will have to be made for preconditioning the data, as \u27storm\u27 and \u27nonstorm\u27 data will probably have to be analyzed separately

Generation of uniform chromaticity scale imagery from LANDSAT data

There are no author-identified significant results in this report

Geriatric prescription analysis with respect to “STOPP” and “START” criteria: a descriptive study in the Indian scenario

Background: Patients; sixty-five years of age and above, are a special risk group as far as drug prescribing is concerned. Prescription irregularities in such patients may be hazardous. STOPP/START criteria are considered as the most up to-date set of explicit criteria for evaluating geriatric prescriptions. To analyse geriatric prescriptions in a tertiary care centre with respect to STOPP/START criteria and WHO core drug prescribing indicators so as to get an idea of pattern of drug prescription in geriatric patients as well as frequency of potentially inappropriate prescriptions. Descriptive cross-sectional study in a tertiary care hospital.Methods: All inpatients aged 65 years and above who were prescribed at least one allopathic medication and consented to participate in the study were included and patients admitted for medical emergencies were excluded. Demographic data and details of drugs prescribed were collected from prescription chits and indoor case papers.Results: There was a high frequency of polypharmacy, prescription of antimicrobials and injections. Proportion of patients receiving at least one potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) as per STOPP criteria was 21.01%. Proportion of patients subjected to at least one potential prescribing omission (PPO) as per START criteria was 33.33%. Proportion of patients exposed to potentially inappropriate drug prescriptions as a whole (PIPs=PIMs+PPOs) was 46.37%. Statistical analysis used as descriptive statistics like numbers and percentages were used for data analysis.Conclusions: With regards to geriatric prescribing, adherence to WHO core prescribing indicators, prescription of drugs as per STOPP and START guidelines are indicative of scope for improvement

A review of objective structured practical examination (OSPE) in pharmacology at a rural medical college

Background: 1. To evaluate the attitudes of undergraduate medical students towards objectively structured practical examination (OSPE) component of Pharmacology practical examination. 2. To investigate any gender differences and any influence of medium of instruction in school on these attitudes.Methods: The scores of 40 undergraduate medical students were analysed at S R T R Government Medical College, Ambajogai, Maharashtra, India. A Likert scale containing 9 items was used to assess the attitudes of students towards OSPE in Pharmacology. Student perspectives regarding the OSPE were obtained by asking them to respond to a questionnaire.Results: The study revealed that the OSPE was an acceptable tool in Pharmacology practical examination. The overall mean attitude score was 3.99. The response of male students towards OSPE (4.2) was more favourable as compared to that of female students (3.9) Students strongly agreed that OPSE covers wide range of skills and it is a good form of examination and learning experience. Majority of students were in favour of continuing OSPE as a method for examination in Pharmacology.Conclusions: OSPE was found to be a valuable tool to check the depth of understanding of undergraduate students. OSPE can be used as an index of the learning attitude of students. The present study is a small step in a direction of changing the traditional patterns of practical examination to a more objective and reliable way of evaluation in Pharmacology. It will help in modifying teaching-learning strategies so that both, the teachers as well as the students can gain maximum advantage

Longitudinal study of self-medication practices in 2nd year MBBS students through their internship

Background: Self-medication is common in medical students but few studies address the concern regarding knowledge of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) among them. None of the study compares the practice of self-medication among the same medical students as their level of education increases. Hence the study was planned to compare the pattern, source, reason of self- medication and assess the level of awareness about potential ADRs to the consumed drugs in medical students during second year through their internship.Methods: It was a longitudinal cross sectional questionnaire-based study conducted among under graduate second year MBBS students of a medical college and repeated during their internship few years later in order to avoid variability in questionnaire. Chi-square and Fischer’s exact test were used for testing statistical significance. p value less than 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.Results: 80 students were present on the day of study during their IInd MBBS and 73 students during their internship. Comparatively more students self-medicated during their internship than during their IInd MBBS (68% vs 55%). Analgesics (56.8% and 80%) were most commonly used. 35(70%) of interns were aware of potential ADRs and was statistically very significant in comparison to their awareness during IInd MBBS [9(20.45%)]. Interns rely more on themselves (96%) for self-medication.Conclusions: The practice of self-medication begins early in the career of medical students and is carried forward into their future. Hence it is imperative to educate students regarding responsible self- medication very early in their curriculum