Prevalence of Depression Among Medical Students of a Private Medical College in India

Background: Medical education can contribute to the development of depression in medical students which may have possible negative academic and professional consequences. The aims of this study were to explore the prevalence of depressive symptoms and their relationships to socio-demographic variables among a cross section of medical students of a private medical college in India. Methods: A cross-sectional anonymous questionnaire-based survey was conducted including all students from first to fourth year of a medical college in India. Beck depression inventory was used to assess the level of depression with a score of 12 or higher considered depressive. Additional questions regarding demographic variables were also included in the survey. Data analysis was done on Epi info version 6. Results: A total of 336 students participated giving a response rate of 88%. A total of 49.1% students reported depressive symptoms. It was significantly higher in 1st year (59.3%) and 2nd year (65.6%), as compared to 3rd (34.4%) and 4th year (37.2%) students [p<0. 05]. Substance abuse(p<0.0001), first and second year of study, female sex and language of instruction other than English at 10+2 level were associated factors for the development of depressive symptoms [p<0.05]. A significant negative association was also found between regular exercise and depression (p<0.05). Conclusion: Depression may be a significant hidden problem in Indian medical students and mechanisms to identify and help students with mental health problems should be seriously considered

Neutrino Mass Matrices with Two Vanishing Elements/Cofactors

We study the phenomenological implications of the recent neutrino data for class B of two texture zeros and two vanishing cofactors for Majorana neutrinos in the flavor basis. We find that classes $B_{1}$($B_2$) of two texture zeros and classes $B_5$($B_6$) of two vanishing cofactors have similar predictions for neutrino oscillation parameters for the same mass hierarchy. Similar predictions for classes $B_3$($B_4$) of two texture zeros and classes $B_3$($B_4$) of two vanishing cofactors are expected. However, a preference for a shift in the quadrant of the Dirac-type CP violating phase($\delta$) in contrast to the earlier analysis has been predicted for a relatively large value of the reactor neutrino mixing angle($\theta_{13}$) for class B of two texture zeros and two vanishing cofactors for an inverted mass spectrum. No such shift in the quadrant of $\delta$ has been found for the normal mass spectrum.Comment: 15 pages, 10 figures and 3 table

Precise measurement of hyperfine structure in the 2P1/2{2P}_{1/2} state of 7^{7}Li using saturated-absorption spectroscopy

We report a precise measurement of the hyperfine interval in the ${2P}_{1/2}$ state of $^{7}$Li. The transition from the ground state ($D_1$ line) is accessed using a diode laser and the technique of saturated-absorption spectroscopy in hot Li vapor. The interval is measured by locking an acousto-optic modulator to the frequency difference between the two hyperfine peaks. The measured interval of 92.040(6)~MHz is consistent with an earlier measurement reported by us using an atomic-beam spectrometer [Das and Natarajan, J.\ Phys.\ B {\bf 41}, 035001 (2008)]. The interval yields the magnetic dipole constant in the $P_{1/2}$ state as $A=46.047(3)$, which is discrepant from theoretical calculations by $>80$~kHz.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure

Optical frequency metrology with a Rb-stabilized ring-cavity resonator -- Study of cavity-dispersion errors

We have developed a technique to measure the absolute frequencies of optical transitions by using an evacuated Rb-stabilized ring-cavity resonator as a transfer cavity. We study possible wavelength-dependent errors due to dispersion at the cavity mirrors by measuring the frequency of the same transition in the $D_2$ line of Cs at three cavity lengths. We find no discernable change in values within our error of 30 kHz. Our values are consistent with measurements using the frequency-comb technique and have similar accuracy.Comment: 3 pages, 2 figure

Assessment of feeding practices and morbidity patterns of infants in a rural field practice area of Punjab: a longitudinal study

Background: Faulty feeding practices and infections have a detrimental effect on an infant’s health. Although, breastfeeding is almost universal in India, rates of early initiation, Exclusive Breast Feeding (EBF) and timely complimentary feeds are far from desirable. This takes a heavy toll on their health and increases their susceptibility to develop several morbidities including Diarrhoea and Respiratory Tract Infections. Thus, this study was undertaken to assess the feeding practices and morbidity patterns of infants and to determine their association.Methods: It was a longitudinal study on a birth cohort of 99 infants in the rural field practice area of GMC, Amritsar who were followed up to 6 months of birth. Baseline data on sociodemographic profile and breast feeding was collected in the first visit. Weaning practices and any morbidity suffered during six months’ period were assessed at the follow up visit.Results: Breast feeding was initiated in majority 88.87% but it was delayed in more than half (54.02%) of infants. Customs like prelacteal feeding (76.8%) and discarding colostrum (50.57%) were quite prevalent. EBF was practiced by most 65.51%. In around a quarter of infants, delayed or faulty weaning was observed. Diarrhea was the commonest morbidity (49.09%) followed by ARI (32.73%). Significant association (p<0.05) was observed between the feeding practices and infant morbidities especially diarrhoea.Conclusions: Mothers should be educated more effectively regarding benefits of early and exclusive breast feeding and correct weaning practices. Emphasis should also be placed on increasing awareness in the community to bring about a significant change in the deleterious customs and traditions