Digital Literacy Skills among Users of State Central Library, Thiruvananthapuram: An Investigative Study

The study aims to ascertain digital literacy skills of users of State Central Library, Thiruvananthapuram. Data were collected using questionnaire distributed to a random sample of 160 members, out of which 150 are received with required details. It is observed that the respondents possess essential digital literacy skills. Majority of users were students and they have basic knowledge about digital materials and also used e-resources. Internet based resources and services are widely used. Google chrome is the most preferred web browser. Facebook is the social networking site used by the majority of respondents. Most of the library users identified the problem such as the absence of computer labs and free Wi-Fi facilities

A Comprehensive Review on Trividha Pareeksha in current scenario

In Ayurveda the term Pareeksha is used in place of Pramana. The synonyms of Pareeksha are Pramana, Saadana, Jnana, Upalabdhi. Any abnormalities in the normal structural, physiological, or psychological aspects of the body is a disease. For proper treatment of any disease perfect diagnosis is a must. In Ayurveda, the method of diagnosis mainly depends on the proper understanding of Dosha and Dooshya. Aptopadesha, Pratyaksha and Anumana Pareeksha helps in understanding the stage, state and site of Dosha; state of Dooshya and the site of Dosha Dooshya Sammurchana. Trividha Pareeksha’s like Darshana, Sparshana and Prashna holds relevance in the current clinical methods like history taking, general examination and systemic examinations. ‘Rogamadou Pareekshet Tathoanantharam Oushadam’ before planning any treatment one should have complete knowledge of Roga and Rogibala. Examinations helps to obtain knowledge regarding the life strength and intensity of morbidity and life span. Pareeksha helps to arrive at proper diagnosis by understanding the condition of the patient. Trividha Pareeksha when employed appropriately helps to understand Roga - Rogiavastha more accurately

Modeling of thermal and non-thermal radio emission from HH80-81 jet

Protostellar jets are one of the primary signposts of star formation. A handful of protostellar objects exhibit radio emission from ionized jets, of which a few display negative spectral indices, indicating the presence of synchrotron emission. In this study, we characterize the radio spectra of HH80-81 jet with the help of a numerical model that we have developed earlier, which takes into account both thermal free-free and non-thermal synchrotron emission mechanisms. For modeling the HH80-81 jet, we consider jet emission towards the central region close to the driving source along with two Herbig-Haro objects, HH80 and HH81. We have obtained the best-fit parameters for each of these sources by fitting the model to radio observational data corresponding to two frequency windows taken across two epochs. Considering an electron number density in the range $10^3 - 10^5$ cm$^{-3}$, we obtained the thickness of the jet edges and fraction of relativistic electrons that contribute to non-thermal emission in the range $0.01^{\circ} - 0.1^{\circ}$ and $10^{-7} - 10^{-4}$, respectively. For the best-fit parameter sets, the model spectral indices lie in the range of -0.15 to +0.11 within the observed frequency windows.Comment: 14 pages, 6 figures, Accepted for publication in the Journal of Astrophysics and Astronom

Analysis of railway track deaths-an autopsy based study

Background: Railway related deaths account for approximately one percentage of all fatalities submitted to medicolegal autopsies. The study is undertaken with the aim of better understanding of railway track deaths by analyzing the demographic details of victims and other contributing factors which favours the occurrence of railway track deaths.Methods: A cross sectional descriptive study of all railway track deaths brought for medicolegal autopsy at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College, Kerala, India from 1st March 2010 to 28th February 2011 was done. A total of 104 cases of railway track deaths were studied excluding cases with advanced decomposition. Clinical case records were studied in treated cases. details regarding nature dimensions and location of injury was entered in a proforma. The data were entered in MS Excel and statistical analysis was done.Results: Out of 104 cases studied 83 (79.8%) victims were male and 21 (20.2%) victims were female. The lowest and highest age of the victim involved in the study was 15 years and 90 years respectively. Elderly people with impairment of vision and hearing are most vulnerable to such accidents 12.5%. The highest frequency of incidence of railway deaths occurred while crossing the Railway track (32.7%), followed by jumping in front of the train (19.2%) and walking along the side or through track (16.3%). In 17.3% of the cases there was no exact history regarding the incident. The most common types of external injuries were lacerated wound and abrasion. In all the cases head showed lacerated wounds and the upper limbs showed abrasion.Conclusions: Present study concludes that majority of victims were males showing a female ratio 4:1, The peak incidence was noted in the 6th decade. Most of the victims were manual labourers. Travelling, moving and crossing near railway tracks in intoxicated condition is very usual practice. Survival period was found to be very less

Holistic approach to Geriatric Care

Old age is an integral part of human life. The branch of medicine or social science dealing with the health and care of old people is called Geriatrics. Diseases prevention and health maintenance is more important in old age because sickness related morbidity is more frequent, serious, chronic and more expensive to treat in this age group. Geriatric problems are best confronted by preventive measures than curative ones. Clinical consequences in various system of the body due to changes with ageing are described in text books. Various Ayurveda classics gives detailed classification of Vaya based on the degenerative changes in the body. The Nidana, Poorvaroopa and Lakshanas of Jara is clearly mentioned in Madhava Nidana. Importance of Dinacharya and Ritucharya in preventing Jara is mentioned by Acharyas. Ayurveda has the abeyantto avert disease by health promotion and noncommunicable disease prevention. Jara is considered as one among the eight branches of Ayurveda. Rasayana (Rejuvenation) and Jarachikitsa promote healthy longevity. Jarachikitsa and Rasayana helps to delay Vruddhavastha (ageing) and control geriatric degenerative changes in body

A Case Study on Indralupta

Attitudes towards different hair, such as hairstyles and hair removal, vary widely across different cultures and historical periods, but it is often used to indicate a person's personal beliefs or social position, such as their age, sex, or religion. As hair is considered as barometer of beauty each one is over conscious about it and is in search for a better remedy for the maintenance and management of their crowning glory. Alopecia areata is characterized by acquired skin aliment that can affect all the hair bearing skin including scalp, beard, which is characterized by localized areas of non-scarring hair loss which can be compared with Indralupta. Hence all these are pointing towards a better and affordable remedy which can be provided much effectively by our ancient science Ayurveda. Hence considering all these the treatment was planned for a week with internal administration of Vidangarishta along with Krimikutararasa and Shatavari Guda as Rasayana. Also an external application of milky exudates of papaya over the scalp region where head bath was not allowed as per the strict rule of our Acharya for more precise result. The results shown were profound, quick and permanent and are an outstanding evidence of clinical application of principles of Ayurveda

Utilization of fresh frozen plasma in a tertiary care hospital in central Kerala

Background: The demand for blood and its components always exceeds the supply in our health care setting. Hence there is a need to prioritize the usage of these components. An audit makes this possible. The present study is conducted on utilization of Fresh frozen plasma which is one of the most requested blood components.Methods: The study was conducted on the first 241 FFP transfusions during the study period of 1 year. Requisition forms for issuing FFP from various departments were reviewed and relevant data collected. Patients’ case record was also retrieved to collect data related to the transfusion episodes. The data collected were compiled, coded and expressed using descriptive statistical tools like mean, mode, percentage and ratio using Microsoft Excel 2010.Results: Most of the patients who underwent FFP transfusion were males and in the age group 60-70. Most of the requests for FFP issue came from Cardiothoracic department. Most common indication for FFP transfusion was raised PT INR. FFP units remained unutilized in CTVS, General surgery and general medicine. 20% of the received request forms were incompletely filled with the Clinical diagnosis and Indication for FFP being most frequently omitted information.Conclusions: Various departments at Government Medical College, Kottayam are efficiently utilizing FFP. But more intervention is needed in addressing issues related to the sending of requisition forms and ensuring adequate usage of FFP to prevent its wastage

Holographic interferometry for security and forensic applications.

Security holograms having unique 3D images are one of the tools for enhancing the security for product and personnel authentication and anti-counterfeiting. Apart from the high technology that is required, the uniqueness of a 3D object presents a significant additional threshold for the counterfeiting of such security holograms. But, due to the development of 3D printing technology, the hurdles are disabled and allow the chances of counterfeiting. In order to overcome this, holographic interferometry is effectively utilized and the object is recorded twice before and after the state of random object change. At the time of reconstruction, two signal waves generated simultaneously interfere each other, resulting in a fringe modulation. This fringe modulation in 3D image hologram with respect to the random object change is exploited to generate a rigid and unique anticounterfeit feature. Though holographic interferometry techniques are being widely used for the non-destructive evaluation, the applicability of this technology for the security and forensic activity is less exploited. This paper describes our efforts to introduce holographic interferometry in 3D image holograms for security and forensic applications

Effect of Haritaki (Terminalia chebula Retz.) with Takra in Dandruff

Dandruff is a common scalp disorder affecting almost half of the population. According to Ayurveda, Dandruff may be correlated to Darunaka. Ayurveda classics dealt different procedures and medications to treat the disease Darunaka (dandruff). The present study is based on the reference from Cikitsamanjary by Sreeman Nambootiri, an authentic Ayurveda book. Haritaki mixed with Takra (buttermilk) as Sirolepa (application of paste over the scalp region) is used to reduce Darunaka. Darunaka is a Kapha Vata predominant disease having the symptoms like Kandu (Itching), Kesha Chyuthi (Hair fall), Twak sphutana (Scaling) and Rukshata (Dryness). Haritaki is having Lavanavarjitha Pancha Rasa, Laghu Ruksha Guna, Ushna Virya, Madhura Vipaka and Tridoshahara property (Pharmacological properties). Takra is having Laghu Ruksha Guna, Kasaya, Amla rasa; Ushna Virya and Madhura Vipaka with Kapha Vatahara property. In the clinical study, 30 patients of Darunaka were selected as per inclusion and exclusion criteria. The study was effective in reducing the symptoms of Darunaka