Use of Analytical Hierarchy Process for Selection of Elective Subjects by Pre-Final Year Students of Computer Science

An eternally updating and enhancing nature of Information Technology and Communication leads to frequent revise of the curriculum syllabus in computer science courses, specifically in framing elective subjects for the courses of master degree. Choosing of preeminent elective subject by students depends on numerous parameters or criteria. This paper highlights the results of analysis of criteria which students considered for deciding on selection of elective subjects. The study assessed 12 subjects which are divided into two main heads - elective I and elective II. For this Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) technique was applied to evaluate the preference of students towards elective subjects. A list of five criteria was prepared to select the best elective subjects. These criteria are student interest, subject content, future application, factor of ease and peer?s choice. The outcome of the proposed research experiment shows that student gave more significance to ?Future Application? in selecting any of the elective subjects. Considering future application, ?Data Mining? and ?Android Programming ? I? are the subjects which gained maximum preferences considering the stated criteria

Critical analysis of classification techniques for polarimetric synthetic aperture radar data

Full polarimetry SAR data known as PolSAR contains information in terms of microwave energy backscattered through different scattering mechanisms (surface-, double- and volume-scattering) by the targets on the surface of land. These scattering mechanisms information is different in different features. Similarly, different classifiers have different capabilities as far as identification of the targets corresponding to these scattering mechanisms. Extraction of different features and the role of classifier are important for the purpose of identifying which feature is the most suitable with which classifier for land cover classification. Selection of suitable features and their combinations have always been an active area of research for the development of advanced classification algorithms. Fully polarimetric data has its own advantages because its different channels give special scattering feature for various land cover. Therefore, first hand statistics HH, HV and VV of PolSAR data along with their ratios and linear combinations should be investigated for exploring their importance vis-à-vis relevant classifier for land management at the global scale. It has been observed that individually first hand statistics yield low accuracies. And their ratios are also not improving the results either. However, improved accuracies are achieved when these natural features are stacked together

VESICULAR DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEMS: A NOVEL APPROACH FOR DRUG TARGETING

The objective of the study is to evaluate the potential of novel vesicular drug delivery systems for drug targeting. Novel vesicular drug delivery systems aim to deliver the drug at a rate directed by need of body during the period of treatment, and channel the active entity to the site of action. Vesicular drug delivery systems have been used to improve the therapeutic index, solubility, stability and rapid degradation of drug molecule. Thus a number of novel vesicular drug delivery systems have been developed that allow drug targeting and sustained or controlled release of drug. The focus of this review is to discuss various lipoidal and non-lipoidal vesicles with special emphasis on targeting of drugs

PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF ESSENTIAL HYPERTENSION AND NEW ONSET OF DIABETES IN ESSENTIAL HYPERTENSION IN RURAL POPULATION OF HARYANA

Objective: We conducted a well-designed prevalence study in a rural population of Haryana in Mullana rural area to find out the latest prevalence of essential hypertension, the prescription pattern of antihypertensive drugs and the associated risk of new onset of diabetes.Methods: A retrospective study was carried out on the patient data (2672 patients) from the years 2009 to 2013 at OPD of M. M. University hospital, Mullana to find the previous year's prevalence of different diseases, including essential hypertension, new onset of diabetes and associated risk factors, prescription pattern of antihypertensive drug therapy. Based on the above results, a prospective study was conducted from January 2015 to December 2016 and total 510 patients (270 essential hypertension and 240 essential hypertension with new onset of diabetes) and 270 normal individuals were recruited in the study.Results: The retrospective study, a total of 2672 patients' data was evaluated which showed 41.21% prevalence of essential hypertension, 11.83% new onset of diabetes in Essential hypertension patients and 15.87% diabetic patients. Antihypertensive monotherapy was prescribed to 59.85% patients and combination therapy to 40.15% patients while that of a prospective study showed 40.37% patients of monotherapy and 59.63% patients of combination therapy. The prospective study also showed that different anthropometric parameters were significantly associated with risk of hypertension and new onset of diabetes except for age and height.Conclusion: An increase in the prevalence of essential hypertension and associated risk factors was observed when compared with previous studies and retrospective study. It is clearly seen by the change in drug therapy pattern and different anthropometric parameters. Implementation of a large scale awareness program is needed to combat these metabolic diseases

Intracranial extramedullary hematopoiesis in a thalassemic girl: A Case report

Beta-thalassemia is a haemolytic disorder with ineffective erythropoiesis and red blood cell destruction. Extramedullary hematopoiesis is one of the complications associated with beta-thalassemia. Extramedullary hematopoiesis is the ectopic production of blood cells outside the marrow in liver, spleen, lymph nodes and many other sites. Intracranial involvement is extremely rare. We report a case of 17-year-old girl with thalassemia major and intracranial extramedullary hematopoiesis who came with the complaints of seizure, headache and generalised weakness. Imaging and blood profile leads to the final diagnosis with MRI playing a key role and patient was managed successfully. With this report, we discuss the imaging findings of intracranial extramedullary hematopoiesis in details

Critical analysis of classification techniques for polarimetric synthetic aperture radar data

Full polarimetry SAR data known as PolSAR contains information in terms of microwave energy backscattered through different scattering mechanisms (surface-, double- and volume-scattering) by the targets on the surface of land. These scattering mechanisms information is different in different features. Similarly, different classifiers have different capabilities as far as identification of the targets corresponding to these scattering mechanisms. Extraction of different features and the role of classifier are important for the purpose of identifying which feature is the most suitable with which classifier for land cover classification. Selection of suitable features and their combinations have always been an active area of research for the development of advanced classification algorithms. Fully polarimetric data has its own advantages because its different channels give special scattering feature for various land cover. Therefore, first hand statistics HH, HV and VV of PolSAR data along with their ratios and linear combinations should be investigated for exploring their importance vis-à-vis relevant classifier for land management at the global scale. It has been observed that individually first hand statistics yield low accuracies. And their ratios are also not improving the results either. However, improved accuracies are achieved when these natural features are stacked together

The Place of Fieldwork in Geography and Science Qualifications

1. The place of fieldwork in geography and science qualifications across the 14-19 age range remains contested, unclear and sometimes under threat. This report explores these issues and was informed by a one-day, invitation-only workshop that we ran at the behest of the Field Studies Council. 2. We focus on issues relevant for those countries that use GCSEs (General Certificates of Secondary Education) as qualifications for 14-16 year-olds and Advanced Subsidiary (AS) and General Certificate of Education Advanced (A) levels as qualifications for 16-19 year-olds. We hope that this report will also be of value to those working in other jurisdictions that have or are introducing fieldwork at school level. 3. Fieldwork, which can be defined as any curriculum component that involves leaving the classroom and engaging in teaching and learning activities through first-hand experience of phenomena out-of-doors, has a long tradition in geography and in certain of the sciences, notably biology and environmental science/studies. 4. In geography, learning in the ‘real world’ is thought to be absolutely essential, contributing particular qualities that run through geography’s identity as a subject discipline from primary education to undergraduate study. It expresses a commitment to exploration and enquiry, and geography’s concern to discover and to be curious about the world. 5. In the sciences too, fieldwork is crucial. It can be regarded as that sub-set of practical science that is particularly valuable for introducing students to investigating the complexity and messiness of the real world. 6. Despite its benefits for student learning and motivation, fieldwork is perceived by some school managers as expendable; desirable but not a core requirement. 7. High quality qualifications in geography at GCSE and AS/A level require that students have experienced, from start to finish, a first-hand geographical investigation of a specific aspect of the world. 8. In geography, the individual study should be the method of assessment of fieldwork at AS/A level. At GCSE, where the 2014 criteria provide no option but to assess fieldwork through terminal examination, the potential of enhancing the place of fieldwork in specifications in a way that invests in curriculum and pedagogic advancement should be examined further, for example through the use of moderated student portfolios. 9. In the sciences, at both GCSE and AS/A level, it is important that practical work, of which fieldwork is a unique component, is subject to high quality assessment. The use of moderated student portfolios for the assessment of fieldwork has many strengths and should be explored to see if it can be introduced as a component within formal, summative assessment. 10. The more widespread practice of excellent fieldwork in the sciences and geography will require enhanced initial teacher education and subsequent teacher professional development. It takes time to become a teacher who can ensure that students have an outstanding fieldwork experience