Amalgamation of East and West in the Art of Amrita Sher-Gil

An avant-garde aesthete and one of the pioneers of modern art in India, Amrita Sher-gil (1913 – 1941) was a remarkable combination of sensitivity and sensuousness. Her artworks show an array of influences that were sourced from her Indo-Hungarian origin, and her encounters with French and Italian discourses. An iconoclast at heart, she was a social rebel who lived life on her own terms. Some of her works include ‘Village Scene’, ‘In the Ladies Enclosure’, ‘Self-portrait as a Tahitian’, ‘Red Brick house’, ‘Hill Scene’ and the South Indian Trilogy, ‘Bride’s Toilet’, Brahmacharis’ and ‘South Indian Villagers Going to Market’. Her works are a hybrid of multiple cultures that produce a perfect amalgamation of local, regional, national, and international influences. Her art has been known to influence not only generations of Indian artists from Sayed Haider Raza to Arpita Singh; they are also the depiction of the plight of Indian women both in India and abroad. The paper examines how Sher-gil explores interiority to find her authentic voice and thus carve out feminine agency through her immortalized canvases. The paper will examine how Sher-gil’s works manifest artistic acculturation as they draw impressions of the Ajanta frescoes and Pahari paintings alongside the motifs and techniques that are characteristic of post-Impressionist painters. The paper aims to locate the profound entanglements of modernism and cross-cultural currents of the early 20th century that may be witnessed in Sher-gil’s artistic oeuvre

Quest for Selfhood: Women Artists in the South Asian Visual Arts

There has been a recent increase in country-focused publications on women artists in Southeast Asia that highlight the newfound interest in feminist-inspired discourses and histories of women artists. India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh have shared a common history and culture for millennia. The socio-economic cultural patterns in these three countries are very similar, particularly when it comes to the status of women. Notwithstanding the difference in religions followed and practiced in these countries, the women here more-or-less experience similar challenges in their advancement. These three countries have traditionally suffered from poverty, illiteracy, health and infrastructure issues, and are bracketed as third world countries on the basis of data pertaining to aforementioned criteria for determining development. My paper aims to identify and understand the challenges of women artists in these countries and examine how these artists explore and express their identities through paintings, installation art, and performances. My study will also highlight different perspectives on the marginalization of women artists, suggesting lines of inquiry that might be profitable in the future

Intelligent Accident-Detection And Ambulance- Rescue System

Abstract: Road accidents and traffic congestion are the major problems in urban areas. Currently there is no technology for accident detection. Also due to the delay in reaching of the ambulance to the accident location and the traffic congestion in between accident location and hospital increases the chances of the death of victim. There is a need of introducing a system to reduce the loss of life due to accidents and the time taken by the ambulance to reach the hospital. To overcome the drawback of existing system we will implement the new system in which there is an automatic detection of accident through sensors provided in the vehicle. A main server unit houses the database of all hospitals in the city. A GPS and GSM module in the concerned vehicle will send the location of the accident to the main server which will rush an ambulance from a nearest hospital to the accident spot. Along with this there would be control of traffic light signals in the path of the ambulance using RF communication. This will minimize the time of ambulance to reach the hospital. A patient monitoring system in the ambulance will send the vital parameters of the patient to the concerned hospital. This system is fully automated, thus it finds the accident spot, controls the traffic lights, helping to reach the hospital in tim

USE OF CASE BASED LEARNING AS A TEACHING LEARNING METHOD IN UNDERGRADUATE PATHOLOGY TEACHING- OUR EXPERIENCE.

Background The CBME Curriculum introduced by NMC is a subject based education. Newer components like alignment and integration provide an understanding of the interconnectedness between subjects and their application in patient care. Pathology bridges the basic sciences with the clinical sciences. Case Based Learning (CBL) is a pedagogical method in which the basic sciences are studied in relation to a case. It lays emphasis on the development of higher orders of cognition like interpretation and application rather than promoting learning by rote.  Aims & Objectives The objectives of this study were to assess the effectiveness of CBL as a Teaching Learning (TL) method in Pathology and also to analyze the perceptions of Phase II MBBS students regarding this TL method.  Settings & Design The study setting was the Department of Pathology. It was a prospective interventional study using qualitative and quantitative (mixed method) study design. All Phase II MBBS students were included in this study. 5 sessions of CBL were conducted with a pre and post-test.  Statistical Analysis Used The statistical analysis of the Pre and Post test scores was done using a Two Tailed Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test. Feedback was taken using a 5-point Likert scale and percentages were used to analyze the feedback.  Results A significant improvement (p <0.001) was noted in the mean post test scores. The CBL sessions helped arouse interest in the topic (91.9%) and improve clinicopathological corelation skills (91.2%).  Conclusion CBL promotes clinical corelation skills and serves as an excellent platform for the implementation of integrated learning in Pathology. It is recommended that more topics should be taught using CBL mode of TL to make the learning experience more practical oriented.

Impact of oral contraceptives on periodontal health

Background: Oral contraceptives pills (OCPs) are common and a convenient form of contraception. The use of hormonal contraceptives by women has been considered to influence gingival and periodontal disease progression.Aim: This study was conducted to assess the effect of oral contraceptive pills on the periodontal health.Materials and method: A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted among 200 females aged 18 years and above of Jaipur city. The study subjects were divided into two groups i.e. contraceptive users and non-contraceptive users, each group consisted 100 females. Data was collected using Modified WHO Performa (1997). Periodontal status was examined using Com- munity Periodontal Index (CPI) and Loss of Attachment (LOA). Chi-square test and one sample t-test was used for statistical analysis and P value was set (p< 0.05) as significant.Results: Mean CPI score in subjects and non-contraceptive users was 2.34+ 0.81 and 1.16+ 0.89 respectively. Mean LOA score in each group was 0.28+ 0.45 and 0.19+ 0.50 respectively.Conclusion: Oral Contraceptive pills had adverse effects on periodontal health.Keywords: Oral contraceptive, community periodontal index, loss of attachment, periodontal healt

Suicidal attempt by woman in labor

Suicidal ideation during delivery is extremely rare. Very few cases have been reported in the literature. Unwanted pregnancies, pre-existent mental disorders, substance abuse or addictions, marital dis-harmony, fetal demise or stillbirths have been documented as associated factors in reported cases of suicidal attempts by women in labour. Women tried taking overdose of sedative pills or have attempted hanging, drowning or jumping from hospital terrace. Lack of prenatal education, suboptimum use of labour analgesia, ill-treatment by health professional and relatives have been the contributory factors for suicidal ideation during pregnancy and labour. We report a rare case of attempted suicide by woman in active labour. She tried to cut the forearm and wrists with the help of razor blade used for preparation of part in preparation room attached to the labour room. The situation was recognized early by vigilant nurse on duty. The woman was resuscitated, treated, and counselled by psychiatrist before discharge from the hospital.

Diagnostic Performance of the PalmScan VF2000 Virtual Reality Visual Field Analyzer for Identification and Classification of Glaucoma

Purpose: To evaluate the diagnostic test properties of the Palm Scan VF2000® Virtual Reality Visual Field Analyzer for diagnosis and classification of the severity of glaucoma. Methods: This study was a prospective cross-sectional analysis of 166 eyes from 97 participants. All of them were examined by the Humphrey® Field Analyzer (used as the gold standard) and the Palm Scan VF 2000® Virtual Reality Visual Field Analyzer on the same day by the same examiner. We estimated the kappa statistic (including 95% confidence interval [CI]) as a measure of agreement between these two methods. The diagnostic test properties were assessed using sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV). Results: The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV for the Virtual Reality Visual Field Analyzer for the classification of individuals as glaucoma/non-glaucoma was 100%. The general agreement for the classification of glaucoma between these two instruments was 0.63 (95% CI: 0.56–0.78). The agreement for mild glaucoma was 0.76 (95% CI: 0.61–0.92), for moderate glaucoma was 0.37 (0.14–0.60), and for severe glaucoma was 0.70 (95% CI: 0.55–0.85). About 28% of moderate glaucoma cases were misclassified as mild and 17% were misclassified as severe by the virtual reality visual field analyzer. Furthermore, 20% of severe cases were misclassified as moderate by this instrument. Conclusion: The instrument is 100% sensitive and specific in detection of glaucoma. However, among patients with glaucoma, there is a relatively high proportion of misclassification of severity of glaucoma. Thus, although useful for screening of glaucoma, it cannot replace the Humphrey® Field Analyzer for the clinical management in its current form

Impact of oral contraceptives on periodontal health

Background: Oral contraceptives pills (OCPs) are common and a convenient form of contraception. The use of hormonal contraceptives by women has been considered to influence gingival and periodontal disease progression. Aim: This study was conducted to assess the effect of oral contraceptive pills on the periodontal health. Materials and method: A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted among 200 females aged 18 years and above of Jaipur city. The study subjects were divided into two groups i.e. contraceptive users and non-contraceptive users, each group consisted 100 females. Data was collected using Modified WHO Performa (1997). Periodontal status was examined using Community Periodontal Index (CPI) and Loss of Attachment (LOA). Chi-square test and one sample t-test was used for statistical analysis and P value was set (p< 0.05) as significant. Results: Mean CPI score in subjects and non-contraceptive users was 2.34+ 0.81 and 1.16+ 0.89 respectively. Mean LOA score in each group was 0.28+ 0.45 and 0.19+ 0.50 respectively. Conclusion: Oral Contraceptive pills had adverse effects on periodontal health. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v19i1.56 Cite as: Prachi S, Jitender S, Rahul C, Jitendra K, Priyanka M, S D. Impact of oral contraceptives on periodontal health. Afri Health Sci. 2019;19(1). 1795-1800. https:// dx.doi. org/10.4314/ ahs. v19i1.5

Challenges in the implementation of the NeoOBS study, a global pragmatic observational cohort study, to investigate the aetiology and management of neonatal sepsis in the hospital setting

Neonatal sepsis is a significant cause of mortality and morbidity in low- and middle-income countries. To deliver high-quality data studies and inform future trials, it is crucial to understand the challenges encountered when managing global multi-centre research studies and to identify solutions that can feasibly be implemented in these settings. This paper provides an overview of the complexities faced by diverse research teams in different countries and regions, together with actions implemented to achieve pragmatic study management of a large multi-centre observational study of neonatal sepsis. We discuss specific considerations for enrolling sites with different approval processes and varied research experience, structures, and training. Implementing a flexible recruitment strategy and providing ongoing training were necessary to overcome these challenges. We emphasize the attention that must be given to designing the database and monitoring plans. Extensive data collection tools, complex databases, tight timelines, and stringent monitoring arrangements can be problematic and might put the study at risk. Finally, we discuss the complexities added when collecting and shipping isolates and the importance of having a robust central management team and interdisciplinary collaborators able to adapt easily and make swift decisions to deliver the study on time and to target. With pragmatic approaches, appropriate training, and good communication, these challenges can be overcome to deliver high-quality data from a complex study in challenging settings through a collaborative research network

Challenges in the Implementation of the NeoOBS Study, a Global Pragmatic Observational Cohort Study, to Investigate the Aetiology and Management of Neonatal Sepsis in the Hospital Setting

Neonatal sepsis is a significant cause of mortality and morbidity in low- and middle-income countries. To deliver high-quality data studies and inform future trials, it is crucial to understand the challenges encountered when managing global multi-centre research studies and to identify solutions that can feasibly be implemented in these settings. This paper provides an overview of the complexities faced by diverse research teams in different countries and regions, together with actions implemented to achieve pragmatic study management of a large multi-centre observational study of neonatal sepsis. We discuss specific considerations for enrolling sites with different approval processes and varied research experience, structures, and training. Implementing a flexible recruitment strategy and providing ongoing training were necessary to overcome these challenges. We emphasize the attention that must be given to designing the database and monitoring plans. Extensive data collection tools, complex databases, tight timelines, and stringent monitoring arrangements can be problematic and might put the study at risk. Finally, we discuss the complexities added when collecting and shipping isolates and the importance of having a robust central management team and interdisciplinary collaborators able to adapt easily and make swift decisions to deliver the study on time and to target. With pragmatic approaches, appropriate training, and good communication, these challenges can be overcome to deliver high-quality data from a complex study in challenging settings through a collaborative research network