Rohini Gupta

An artificial neural network approach for landslide hazard zonation in the Bhagirathi (Ganga) Valley, Himalayas

Landslides are natural hazards that cause havoc to both property and life every year, especially in the Himalayas. Landslide hazard zonation (LHZ) of areas affected by landslides therefore is essential for future developmental planning and organization of various disaster mitigation programmes. The conventional Geographical Information System (GIS)-based approaches for LHZ suffer from the subjective weight rating system where weights are assigned to different causative factors responsible for triggering a landslide. Alternatively, artificial neural networks (ANNs) may be applied. These are considered to be independent of any strict assumptions or bias, and they determine the weights objectively in an iterative fashion. In this study, an ANN has been applied to generate an LHZ map of an area in the Bhagirathi Valley, Himalayas, using spatial data prepared from IRS-1B satellite sensor data and maps from other sources. The accuracy of the LHZ map produced by the ANN is around 80% with a very small training dataset. The distribution of landslide hazard zones derived from ANN shows similar trends as that observed with the existing landslides locations in the field. A comparison of the results with an earlier produced GIS-based LHZ map of the same area by the authors (using the ordinal weight rating method) indicates that ANN results are better than the earlier method.

Cervical Rib: It's Prevalence in Indian Population around Lucknow (UP)

Abstract Objective: The study was conducted to know the prevalence of cervical rib in Indian population especially in and around Lucknow and to compare the results with the other study reported in London population. Material and Method: The study was conducted on chest X-rays of 12950 cases done for various complaints of both male and female patients, irrespective of age and ethnicity who attended the Radiology Department of Eras Lucknow Medical College, Lucknow during a period of 7 months, that is from 01-09-2011 to 31-03-2012. Results: An incidence of 0.6% was observed with bilateral cervical rib being more common in both males and females and the incidence of cervical rib in females was 0.73% as compared to 0.49% in males. Conclusion: Indian population showed an overall incidence of 0.6% as compared to the London population showing an overall incidence of 0.74%. Bilateral cervical rib is more common in both male and females and left sided cervical rib being more common in males in comparison to right sided cervical rib in females.

Cover: On the nature of the South Tibetan Detachment Zone (STDZ), Kumaun Himalayas

*Corresponding author. Email: rpgesfes@iitr.ernet.in Figure 1. The South Tibetan Detachment Zone (STDZ) fault in the Goriganga River section, Himalayas. The image shows unambiguous presence of the E–W trending nearvertical fault (arrows), in the highly rugged Higher Himalayan terrain. The STDZ is reactivated and disturbs the present-day drainage, such that the drainage lines on the northern (which is the upstream) block spread out in the vicinity of the fault, indicating that northern block is downthrown. (Terra-ASTER image dated 13 October 2001, colour infrared composite.) International Journal of Remote Sensing Vol. 27, No. 3, 10 February 2006, 455–458

Evaluation of efficacy of the fixed vs unfixed combination of latanoprost and timolol in patients of open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension insufficiently controlled on timolol and latanoprost monotherapy

Background: Glaucoma is a term describing a group of ocular disorders with multifactorial etiology united by a clinically characteristic intraocular pressure (IOP) associated optic neuropathy. Elevated IOP is identified as the only known risk factor which can be modified by anti-glaucomatous treatments. Patients who do not achieve target IOP levels with a single ocular hypotensive agent often are prescribed concomitant therapy with a medication that has a different mechanism of action. Aims and Objectives: The aim was to evaluate the efficacy of the fixed and unfixed combinations of latanoprost and timolol in patients of open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension (OH). Materials and Methods: A comparative randomized open-label trial was conducted on newly diagnosed patients of open-angle glaucoma and OH who were receiving either latanoprost 0.005% once daily or either timolol SR 0.5% once or twice daily in the preceding 4 weeks and whose IOP was not controlled with the prior monotherapy of latanoprost or timolol and remained ≥21 mmHg were included in the study. Patients were randomized to two groups to receive the following medication - Group I: Fixed combination eye drops of latanoprost (0.005%) and timolol SR (0.5%), once a day, in the dose of 1 drop at 9 LTFC and Group II: Unfixed combination of latanoprost (0.005%), once a day in the dose of 1 drop at 9 pm and timolol SR (0.5%), once a day in the dose of 1 drop at 9 am (LTuFC). Patients were evaluated at 0, 2, 4, 6, and 12 weeks for the assessment of IOP and Visual acuity. Results: Both LTFC (Group I) and LTuFC (Group II) caused a reduction in IOP which was statistically highly significant (P 0.05). Conclusion: Both the regimens on comparison revealed similar efficacy thereby failing to prove superiority over each other. Thus, the clinicians have a wider choice of fixed or unfixed combinations of latanoprost and timolol, when monotherapy of either drug fails.

Assessment of knowledge, attitude, and practices about prescribing fixed dose combinations among doctors - An observational study

Background: A fixed dose combination (FDC) comprises of two or more active drugs in a single dosage. The trend of prescribing FDCs is increasing in clinical practice. However, irrational prescribing of FDCs is a major health concern. The knowledge about FDCs is important for doctors as a large number of FDCs are being manufactured and marketed every year. Aims and Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) regarding the use of FDCs by doctors at a tertiary care teaching hospital. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out using a pretested questionnaire in a tertiary care teaching hospital of Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir). The questionnaire was designed to assess the KAP about FDCs. The doctors working in this institution during the study period from the Departments of Medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, surgery, pediatrics, skin and psychiatry, who gave their informed consent, were included in the study. Data were analyzed with suitable statistical tests. Results: In the present study, it was observed that the doctors were not aware about all of the advantages and disadvantages of FDCs. Out of the 74 doctors, the knowledge regarding the WHO essential medicine list (EML) was 82.4%. However, knowledge about the rationality of given FDCs was lacking in 53% of the doctors. The common sources of information were textbooks and journals. A majority of residents (73%) agreed that FDCs should be allowed to be marketed. The doctors opined that most commonly prescribed FDCs were of antimicrobial drugs, among which amoxicillin + clavulanic acid was the most frequent. Conclusion: There is a need to improve knowledge about rationality, EML, usage, and banned FDCs among doctors to promote the rational use of drugs.

Evaluation of usefulness of seminar as a learning tool at medical undergraduate level

Background: Teaching methods has a major role to play in making a subject innovative, interesting and participatory for the students. In India still teaching is controlled by teacher centered classroom method. Apart from this one of the method adopted is organizing seminars for the students. Knowledge acquisition through seminars forms an essential part of medical training programme. The idea behind the seminar system is to familiarize students more extensively with the methodology of their chosen subject. Methods: A questionnaire was prepared containing ten questions and 1000 MBBS students of second, pre-final, final professional and 200 faculty members, were asked to fill up the questionnaire. It included ten questions. Results: Results showed that seminar methods of teaching-learning, is effective way of learning, which is relevant to self-development and is also interactive. It improves communication skills. Conclusions: Many of the students feel that this technique of seminar programme is helpful for them in the long run. Thus teaching by way of seminar could be an effective learning method as it involves the three major domains of teaching i.e., cognitive, affective and psychomotor skills and is thus well -accepted among the medical students.