Estimation of C II and C II* column densities along Galactic sight-lines

We present interstellar C II (1334.5323 \AA) and C II* (1335.7077 \AA) column density measurements along 14 Galactic sight-lines. These sight-lines sample a variety of Galactic disk environments and include paths that range nearly two orders of magnitude in average hydrogen densities () along the lines of sight. Five of the sight-lines show super-Solar gas phase abundances of carbon. Our results show that the excess carbon along these sight-lines may result from different mechanisms taking place in the regions associated with these stars.Comment: 9 pages, 3 figures; Accepted for publication in BAS

Outcome of induction of labour with dinoprostone at a teaching hospital in Nepal

Background: Induction of labour has now become a common practice; this study was conducted to find the outcome of induction of labour in pregnant women in relation to: induction delivery interval, mode of delivery, maternal complications and fetal outcome.Methods: It was a hospital based prospective study conducted from April 2012 to March 2013. Singleton pregnancy of gestational age ≥37 weeks, with vertex presentation and Bishops Score <6 were the cases included for induction. Dinoprostone (0.5mg) intracervically was used for induction. The different outcome parameters were analyzed.Results: Of 100 cases enrolled, majority 93% were below 30 years, mean gestational age of induction was 40.7± 0.7weeks and 58% were primi gravida. Ante natal care visit of ≥3 was present only in 66%. At induction 55% had bishop score of (0-3) and rest had score of (4-5). Postdated pregnancy (67%) followed by hypertension (13%) were the two most common causes for induction. 58% required second dose of dinoprostone, and the induction delivery interval was 24.3±9.6 hrs. 63% of the induced labour progress for vaginal delivery. Fetal distress (56.4%) was the commonest indication for caesarean section (CS). 6% of the cases had postpartum hemorrhage. 13% of the delivered neonate required NICU care, of which 53.8% was moderately asphyxiated. There was no maternal or neonatal death.Conclusions: In pregnancy undergoing induction of labour, CS is not uncommon, and there are few chances of maternal and neonatal morbidities. Therefore, obstetrician should be vigilant to avoid any untoward events

Development of automatic speech recognition system for voice activated Ground Control system

This paper gives details of the development of a speech recognition system for voice activated Ground Control Station (GCS). The speech recognition is implemented using MATLAB and the results are validated against the Hidden Markov Model Tool Kit (HTK), an open source tool for speech recognition. The menu items of Mission planner, a typical open source GCS used for flying of Micro Air Vehicles (MAV) are used for the experiments

A principal components approach to parent-to-newborn body composition associations in South India

Background: size at birth is influenced by environmental factors, like maternal nutrition and parity, and by genes. Birth weight is a composite measure, encompassing bone, fat and lean mass. These may have different determinants. The main purpose of this paper was to use anthropometry and principal components analysis (PCA) to describe maternal and newborn body composition, and associations between them, in an Indian population. We also compared maternal and paternal measurements (body mass index (BMI) and height) as predictors of newborn body composition.Methods: weight, height, head and mid-arm circumferences, skinfold thicknesses and external pelvic diameters were measured at 30 ± 2 weeks gestation in 571 pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic of the Holdsworth Memorial Hospital, Mysore, India. Paternal height and weight were also measured. At birth, detailed neonatal anthropometry was performed. Unrotated and varimax rotated PCA was applied to the maternal and neonatal measurements.Results: rotated PCA reduced maternal measurements to 4 independent components (fat, pelvis, height and muscle) and neonatal measurements to 3 components (trunk+head, fat, and leg length). An SD increase in maternal fat was associated with a 0.16 SD increase (?) in neonatal fat (p &lt; 0.001, adjusted for gestation, maternal parity, newborn sex and socio-economic status). Maternal pelvis, height and (for male babies) muscle predicted neonatal trunk+head (? = 0. 09 SD; p = 0.017, ? = 0.12 SD; p = 0.006 and ? = 0.27 SD; p &lt; 0.001). In the mother-baby and father-baby comparison, maternal BMI predicted neonatal fat (? = 0.20 SD; p &lt; 0.001) and neonatal trunk+head (? = 0.15 SD; p = 0.001). Both maternal (? = 0.12 SD; p = 0.002) and paternal height (? = 0.09 SD; p = 0.030) predicted neonatal trunk+head but the associations became weak and statistically non-significant in multivariate analysis. Only paternal height predicted neonatal leg length (? = 0.15 SD; p = 0.003).Conclusion: principal components analysis is a useful method to describe neonatal body composition and its determinants. Newborn adiposity is related to maternal nutritional status and parity, while newborn length is genetically determined. Further research is needed to understand mechanisms linking maternal pelvic size to fetal growth and the determinants and implications of the components (trunk v leg length) of fetal skeletal growt

Factors influencing fertility outcome after ectopic pregnancy: a descriptive observational study

Background: Ectopic pregnancy is the commonest gynecological emergencies. If not treated timely, threatens the life but also places major morbidity on future fertility. This study performed to determine the future pregnancy outcomes following surgical management of ectopic pregnancy and factors influencing the outcome.Methods: Prospective observational study conducted at Tertiary Hospital. Records of patients with ectopic pregnancy between 2005 to 2010 traced, interviewed about fertility outcomes and the risk factors using a structured questionnaire. Patients followed for 3 years from index ectopic pregnancy. The main outcome measure was the occurrence of intrauterine   pregnancy or ectopic pregnancy at 3 years of follow-up after the index ectopic pregnancy.Results: 64 patients with primary ectopic formed the basis of the study. 84.37% of patients undergone radical surgery (salpingectomy) and 15.62% forming the conservative group (Salpingotomy/milking) were included. In 3 years follow up, 40% of conservative group and 59% of radical group had intrauterine pregnancy. 30% in conservative group and 46% of radical group had term delivery. 20% of conservative group and 18.51% in radical group had repeated ectopic. Incidence of term delivery in patients with the past history of sub fertility was 25% and without subfertility 46%. 17% with tubal pathology and 63% with normal tube had term pregnancy. 37% aged more than 30 years and 44.64% aged less than 30 years had term pregnancy.Conclusions: Subfertility, tubal pathology and age will influence on future fertility outcome following ectopic pregnancy. Radical or conservative surgery does not have influence on future pregnancy outcome.

Generic drugs: a study on awareness among medical students and interns

Background: Use of generic drugs and its availability is one of the less discussed topics in the medical education but at the same time holds a lot of importance in providing affordable health care to the general public.Methods: All 150 II MBBS students and 80 interns who were willing were included in the study. After explaining the aims and objectives and obtaining the informed consent, a set of 14 semi structured questionnaire were given to the students through an online link. A total duration of 15 minutes was given to complete the questionnaire and submit to prevent bias.Results: Most of the students 98 (75.4%) believe that generic drugs are non-inferior to branded drugs compared to interns 33 (49.3%) who are still doubtful about its efficacy (p=0.0003). Most of the students 101 (77.7%) and interns 52 (77.6%) think that composition, dose and indications are same as branded drugs (p=0.987). 75 (57.7%) students and 25 (37.3%) of interns know that generic medicines are marketed only after the expiry of patent period of innovator drug (p=0.005). About 102 (78.5%) students and 44 (65.7%) interns prefer to prescribe generic drugs to their patients (p=0.061). Only 34 (26.2%) students and few interns 19 (28.4%) knew about jan aushadhi sugam app (p=0.744).Conclusions: Lack of awareness about the jan aushadhi sugam app and location of nearby generic stores was acting as the main hindrance in optimal utilization of generic drugs

The risks for thromboembolism following caesarean section

Background: Maternal mortality can be due to various reasons. Maternal mortality following thromboembolism is a cause for concern. Venous thromboembolism is a very serious condition following caesarean section. Thromboprophylaxis should be given to the mothers with high risk for thromboembolism, who deliver by caesarean section. The objective of this study was to do to assess the risk status for thromboembolism among women delivered by caesarean section.Methods: A hospital based cross- sectional study was conducted among four hundred mothers who delivered by caesarean section. The study was conducted for a period of eight months from January to August 2017. The risks for thromboembolism was assessed and as per the guideline and hospital policy, thromboprophylaxis was given.Results: Out of four hundred patients, medical comorbidities were present for three patients. Patients who were overweight were 122. Two had systemic infection. The number of patients with high, intermediate and low risk of venous thromboembolism were 4,65 and 331.Conclusions: The study suggests that thromboprophylaxis is to be given for all the patients with any risk for thromboembolism, after caesarean section

The Knowledge and attitude of breast self examination and mammography among rural women

Background: Breast cancer is major public health concern in both developing and developed countries. Mortality due to breast cancer is high in India due to late detection, lack of awareness about screening methods and nonexistence of screening programs. To determine the level of awareness regarding breast cancer. To evaluate health beliefs concerning the model that promotes breast self- examination and mammography.Methods: Cross sectional study conducted over a period of 6 months in tertiary care hospital. Study population was 200 women between the ages of 40 and 65 years. Data was collected by structured questionnaire. Champion Health Belief Susceptibility Model was applied.Results: 75.5% women did not have adequate knowledge about breast cancer. 80% had no concept of BSE and 90 % were never heard of mammography. 4.5% had mammography in last one year. Insufficient knowledge about breast cancer was 1.55 times higher in who had no breast cancer in family, 1.76 times higher in women who never practiced BSE. Significant positive co relations were found between the knowledge of breast cancer and Susceptibility, Seriousness, Breast self-Examination Benefit, Breast self-Examination Barrier, Health Motivation. Age and breast cancer in the family variables significantly associated with BSE practice.Conclusions: Lack of knowledge amongst general public, influences prevention and early diagnosis of breast cancer. Spreading awareness regarding breast cancer by educational programs through mass media is the need of the hour. By using CHBMS health care provider can understand beliefs that influence women BSE and mammography practice

A glimpse into the pathology of Parkinson’s Disease - An Ayurvedic Perspective

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neuro degenerative disease characterised by a large number of motor and non-motor features that can impact on function to a variable degree. Charaka mentioned Kampa as one among 80 types of Vataja Nanatmaja Vyadhi. Kampa may be a symptom of many diseases. Kampavata is first described as a disease in Basavarajeeyam with cardinal symptoms as Hastapadatala Kampa, Dehabharamana, Dukkha, Nidrabhanga, Matiksheena. Here an effort is made to understand the Nidana Panchakas of Kampavata under the light of Kaphaavarana to all five types of Vata, especially Prana, Udana and Vyana. There is Udanaavruta Vyana and Pranaavruta Samana type of Anyonyaavarana, Majjaavruta Vata, Snayuprapta Vata and Asthimajjagata Vata as pathological processes depending upon the clinical presentation of the patient. The differential diagnosis of PD is also considered here to differentiate it from group of disorders which falls under Parkinsonism

Variant course and branching of right brachial artery: a case study

A variant course and branching pattern of the right brachial artery was recorded in a 54-year-old male cadaver during the practical sessions of University College of Medical Sciences, Delhi, India. The right brachial artery divided in the middle third of arm into a medial superficial and lateral deep branch. The superficial medial branch descended anterior to the median nerve and ended by dividing in the cubital fossa into ulnar and radial arteries, whereas the lateral branch descended postero-medial to the median nerve, ending deep to pronator teres as the common interosseous artery. The left brachial artery showed a normal branching pattern by dividing into radial and ulnar arteries in the cubital fossa. The probable origin of such a variation is embryological and familiarity with such variations is imperative as they might affect dynamics of limb function or alter the course of interventional procedures