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A smartphone is a powerful learning aid in the hands of a large section of students around the world. The camera of the phone can be used for several learning purposes apart from its obvious purpose of photographing. If the focal length of the lens of the camera can be determined, several experiments in optics can be performed with it. In some recent works, the method of determination of the focal length has been discussed. When a real image of an object is formed by a lens of known focal length, one can determine either the distance or the transverse magnification of the object if the other is known. In this work we have shown that we can determine both the transverse size and the distance of an object, by photographing it from two positions, separated by a distance along the line of sight of the camera., The paper is of length 10 pages including two figures. The article has been accepted by The Physics Teacher, After it is published, it will be found at https://doi.org/10.1119/5.0065457

A smartphone can be used for many physics experiments by using the sensors built into the phone. The complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) (charge-coupled device, CCD) sensor of the camera records the images of objects photographed in pixels. The width of the image can be read off with micron level accuracy with the help of software available freely from the internet. If the dimensions of the object in the direction transverse to the viewing direction of the camera are known, the magnification of the object photographed can be determined accurately. A smartphone camera is a compound lens comprising a number of very thin lenses. A single thin lens is equivalent, as far as the transverse magnification is concerned, to a compound lens of the smartphone, when the thin lens has the same focal length as the effective focal length of the compound lens and is placed at its first principal plane. This property allows us to find experimentally the effective focal length of the compound lens of the camera accurately, using the thin lens equation. Once the focal length of the camera is known, the distance of an object can be determined by finding its magnification from the photograph. We have determined the refractive index of water accurately by photographing the apparent position of an object immersed in it. By determining the magnifications, we have found the real and apparent depths of the object. The ratio of these depths gives the refractive index. We have determined the refractive index of glass also using some thin glass slides.

Ethiopia is home to a diverse gene pool of indigenous sheep populations. Therefore, a better understanding of genetic variation holds the key to future utilization through conservation. Three of these breeds, Afar, Blackhead Somali, and Hararghe Highland, are found in eastern Ethiopia where they contribute significantly to the livelihood of most pastoralist, agro-pastoralist, and smallholder farmers. These indigenous sheep are recognized on the basis of morphotype and their genetic distinction remains unknown. Here, to assess genetic variation, and matrilineal genetic origin and relationship of fat-rumed sheep found in eastern Ethiopia, 300 individuals from the three breeds were genotyped for 22 microsatellite markers and sequenced for the mitochondrial DNA displacement loop (mtDNA d-loop) region. The overall HO and HE were 0.57 and 0.75, respectively. Differentiation statistics revealed that a high proportion (97%) of the total genetic variation was explained by differences between individuals within populations. Genotype assignment independent of the population of origin showed K = 2 to be the optimum number of genetic backgrounds present in the dataset. This result was further confirmed by mtDNA D-loop sequences comparison in which the matrilineal genetic origin of eastern Ethiopia sheep is from two haplotype groups (types A and B) among the five haplotypes globally observed. Taken together, our findings suggest that the sheep populations from three breeds originated from two ancestral genetic backgrounds that may have diverged prior to their introduction to Ethiopia. However, to obtain a complete picture of the evolutionary dynamics of Ethiopian indigenous sheep, more samples and populations from within and outside of the country will need to be analyzed.

Background India is home to one in 14 of all chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) cases, meaning that it is important to develop HBV interventions that are applicable in the Indian context. Vaccination is the foremost tool for interrupting the HBV infection cycle. HBV vaccination was not included in India’s government-sponsored expanded immunisation program until 2011, and many children born earlier remain unvaccinated. This study sought to observe the impact of the HOPE Initiative’s school-based intervention to increase vaccination coverage by increasing HBV awareness among students in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Methods At 430 schools in the administrative areas within and surrounding Lucknow, students viewed an educational documentary film on HBV and completed two questionnaires, one immediately before the screening and the other six weeks later. Both questionnaires asked the same 14 questions, which were organized into five domains: knowledge of the magnitude of the problem of HBV; knowledge of modes of HBV transmission; knowledge of consequences of HBV infection; awareness of HBV; and attitudes regarding HBV. The baseline questionnaire also asked students whether they had been vaccinated against HBV. At two-year follow-up, researchers measured vaccination levels at a subset of 30 intervention schools and six non-intervention schools to further assess the impact of the intervention. Results Baseline questionnaires were completed by 11,250 students, and post-intervention questionnaires, by 9698 students. Scores for knowledge about the magnitude of the HBV problem improved from 41% at baseline to 74% at follow-up, and scores for knowledge about modes of transmission, from 38% to 75% (p

Ethiopia is home to a diverse gene pool of indigenous sheep populations. Therefore, a better understanding of genetic variation holds the key to future utilization through conservation. Three of these breeds, Afar, Blackhead Somali, and Hararghe Highland, are found in eastern Ethiopia where they contribute significantly to the livelihood of most pastoralist, agro-pastoralist, and smallholder farmers. These indigenous sheep are recognized on the basis of morphotype and their genetic distinction remains unknown. Here, to assess genetic variation, and matrilineal genetic origin and relationship of fat-rumed sheep found in eastern Ethiopia, 300 individuals from the three breeds were genotyped for 22 microsatellite markers and sequenced for the mitochondrial DNA displacement loop (mtDNA d-loop) region. The overall H

Anemia is a serious health problem in Indian school children. High prevalence of anemia has been reported in nonpregnant adolescent girls. An investigation was initiated to study the effect of two non-iron-containing Ayurvedic preparations-Sootshekhar Rasa plus Sitopaladi Churna-in improving nutritional anemia among adolescent students.This was a single-blinded, randomized, controlled study.The study setting was Dehradun district, North India.The subjects comprised a total of 1646 boys and girls, aged 11-18 years, attending school in Dehradun district.As per World Health Organization guidelines, a total of 1322 adolescent anemic students were randomly divided into 5 groups. Students of group I (control) received starch. Group II, III, and IV students received Sootshekhar Rasa (SR) plus Sitopaladi Churna (SC) in various combinations, namely, SR 125 mg + SC 500 mg daily, SR 250 mg + SC 400 mg daily, and SR 250 mg + SC 400 mg weekly, respectively. Group V student were given iron and folic acid tablet. All the students received treatment for 90 days and were followed up for the next 180 days.The outcome measure was to evaluate the effect of Sootshekhar Rasa plus Sitopaladi Churna in improving nutritional anemia.The overall prevalence of anemia was found to be 81.3%. At baseline, the mean hemoglobin (Hb) was 97.4 +/- 13.2 g/L and ranged from 96.4 +/- 0.8 g/L to 98.3 +/- 0.8 g/L in various groups. At end of follow-up (day 270), a significant increase in Hb levels from baseline was observed in all treatment groups; however, the Hb gain (6.9 +/- 0.6 g/L) in group III and group V (3.64 +/- 0.56 g/L) differed significantly from the control group. A total of 155 students dropped out of the study due to various reasons not related to treatment. No adverse side-effect of Ayurvedic medication was noted in any student.We conclude that a daily dose of Sootshekhar Rasa (250 mg) plus Sitopaladi Churna (400 mg) can produce sustainable improvement of nutritional anemia in adolescent students.

A 47 year old diabetic male patient was diagnosed and treated for high risk AML-M3 at Tata Memorial Hospital (BJ 17572), Mumbai in September 1995. His bone marrow aspiration cytology indicated 96% promyelocytes with abnormal forms, absence of lymphocytic series and myeloperoxide test 100% positive. Initially treated with ATRA, he achieved hematological remission on day 60, but cytogenetically the disease persisted. The patient received induction and consolidated chemotherapy with Daunorubicin and Cytarabine combination from 12.01.96 to 14.05.96, following which he achieved remission. However, his disease relapsed in February 97. The patient was given two cycles of chemotherapy with Idarubicine and Etoposide, after which he achieved remission. His disease again relapsed in December 97. The patient then refused more chemotherapy and volunteered for a pilot Ayurvedic study conducted by the Central Council for Research in Ayurveda and Siddha, New Delhi. The patient was treated with a proprietary Ayurvedic medicine Navajeevan, Kamadudha Rasa and Keharuba Pisti for one year. For the subsequent 5 years the patient received three months of intermittent Ayurvedic treatment every year. The patient achieved complete disease remission with the alternative treatment without any adverse side effects. The patient has so far completed 13 years of survival after the start of Ayurvedic therapy.

KEYWORDS Environmental carcinogenic agents; epidemiology; vegetables and fruits; molecular targeted agents ABSTRACT Cancer is a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. The majority of cancers are reported to be caused by environmental carcinogenic agents, occupational environment and dietary habits. Dietary habits are one of the major contributory factors for the genesis of cancer. The optimal way of dealing with any disease is by prevention, this is particularly relevant for cancer. Despite decade of basis and clinical research and trial of promising new therapy, overall cancer survival has only improved marginally. Molecular targeted agents are currently being studied in all treatment settings including chemoprevention, which is defined as the use of natural or synthetic agents to interrupt the process of carcinogenesis and to prevent or delay tumor growth. Epidemiological and experimental studies have indicated that dietary fat has an influence on carcinogenesis process. However, it has been observed that individuals who consume relatively large amounts of vegetables and fruits are at decrease risk of cancer of many organs. Several epidemiological studies suggest that consumption of cruciferous vegetables may be particularly effective in reducing cancer risk. Glucosinolates in crucifers are converted to isothiocyanates by plant myrosinase and gastrointestinal microflora, these are potent inducer of phase II proteins and is effective to block chemical carcinogenesis in animal models. Some dietary constituents are reported to act as naturally occurring cancer prevention agents and may explain some of the differences in cancer incidence seen in populations with varying dietary intake. Long term supplementation of the diet with folate, seems to lower the risk of colorectal cancer. Curcumin in the spice turmeric, genistein in soya, and catechins in tea have tumor-suppressing properties in rodent models of carcinogenesis. Although the results of clinical interventions trials of β-carotene to prevent lung cancer, and of dietary augmentation with fiber or fruits and vegetables to reduce the occurrence of colonic polyps have so far been negative, a structured path for the development of diet-derived constituents as cancer chemoprevention is emerging. By applying chemoprevention approaches from the use of single nutrients to multiple dietary constituents and functional foods, the scope of future cancer prevention strategies will be broadened. A new paradigm for diet, nutrient and cancer prevention can be developed using a multidisciplinary approach that includes lifestyle and environmental changes, dietary modification and physical activities consciousness to reduce the burden of cancer.

Cancer remains the major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Despite the billions of dollars spent on research each year, recent statistics indicate that overall cancer incidence has not changed significantly in the last half-century. Although modern science has made major strides in understanding cancer and its molecular basis, the knowledge about how to prevent or treat cancer still lags behind. Environmental carcinogenic agents, occupational environments, and dietary habits have been found to be associated with the majority of cancers. Age-adjusted cancer incidence in the Western world is much higher than that of the Eastern world. It is now believed that dietary habits could be one of the major contributing factors in the genesis of cancer. The optimal way to deal with any disease is by prevention, and this is particularly relevant for cancer. It has been observed that individuals consuming relatively large amounts of vegetables and fruits are at a decreased risk of cancer of many organs. Ayurveda, a traditional Indian medicine system, has been successful since ancient times at using natural drugs to prevent or suppress a variety of tumors using various lines of treatment. Ayurvedic texts emphasize ahara, proper diet, as vital for promoting health and well-being. Although this traditional medicine has been around for thousands of years, the scientific community has recently started to pay attention to it. Following Ayurvedic principles a new paradigm for food-based cancer prevention and management can be developed to reduce the burden of this malignant disease.

Awareness of attitudes to different types of medicine is very important for estabishment of cancer prevention programs. Alternative medicine has become an important feature of oncology regardless of geographic region, and in India, the majority of cancer patients present at late advance stage of disease when curative treatment cannot be initiated. Given the lack of facilities it is no surprise that many Indian cancer patients try various complementary and alternative medicines, depsite the fact that little is known about their therapeutic efficacy and toxicity. A study was conducted in 300 biopsy proven cancer patients undergoing alternative cancer therapy with Psorinum in Kolkata. The main aim of the study was to analyze the patients'/caregivers narratives regarding the therapy they have been trying. One hundred and ninety five patients (65%) have consulted their oncologists before trying this therapy. About 18.5% of the patients expressed satisfaction with the therapy due to the holistic nature and team approach employed for patient management. The cost of the therapy was within the reach of many cancer patients belonging to the underprivileged segment of the society, contributing to its immense popularity in Kolkata. Whether this can be translated into a willingness to use similar natural compounds for cancer prevention and treatment purposes now needs to be analysed.

Dear Editor: Chatterjee and Biswas have presented three interesting cancer cases treated with homeopathic medicines. Their article has provided some concrete evidence that homeopathic medicines work for cancer. This homeopathic approach was first advocated by Dr. Ashim Chatterjee in Kolkata. However, there are some important issues that require attention and discussion. I became associated with this alternative cancer therapy in 1997 when my family accepted the help of Dr. Chatterjee for the treatment of my 70-year-old father-in-law (late Mr. Brojen Das, King of Channel), after the conventional cancer therapy failed to produce any desired response. There was a tremendous clinical improvement in Mr. Das after the start of the alternative treatment, which everyone believed may be due to this therapy. Before coming to the conclusion that homeopathy actually works for cancer, Dr. Chatterjee did research for over 20–25 years with many important homeopathic mother tinctures viz. Psorinum, Chelidonium majus, Carduus marianus, Hydrastic canadensis, Aconite, Belladonna, Thuja occidentalis, etc. However, he obtained very good anti-cancer response when he combined snake venom–derived homeopathic medicines like Crotalus horridus, Lachesis, and Naja in his anti-cancer therapy. Dr. Chatterjee’s idea of treating cancer was simple: use medicine that can strengthen liver and kidney function, reduce pain, and most importantly, stop malignant cells from growing and spreading. His idea really made sense; potential use of snake venom as medicine has been known to humans for centuries. I was associated with Dr. Chatterjee and this alternative therapy for almost three years. After my last major publication on Psorinum therapy, many homeopathic doctors reported that they tried this approach in numerous cancer patients but failed to get any response. Now, the recent publication of more success stories with this alternative therapy may encourage more homeopaths from India and abroad to try this homeopathic approach for cancer treatment. I am sure that many will not obtain any desired results. This is an important issue that needs proper attention and understanding. The homeopathic approach to treat cancer patients in Critical Cancer Management Research Centre & Clinic (CCMRCC) is very different and cannot usually be found in conventional homeopathic textbooks. The central theme of homeopathy, ‘‘like cure like’’ in a very tiny dilution, is not followed. The specific ailment versus specific medicine concept is followed, instead of the concept of specific patient versus specific medicine. Moreover, the homeopaths in India have very little knowledge about conventional medicine and oncology, in particular. They generally don’t understand the concept of teamwork and prefer to work independently. Very few are actually associated with conventional healthcare systems. The cancer patients who generally seek the help of an alternative clinician are mostly in their advanced stages of malignancy. Management of such terminally ill patients is only possible in conventional set-ups/hospitals. So I wish to suggest that in future publications on Psorinum therapy, some warning should also be incorporated that this is a new experimental approach with homeopathy, and if any homeopaths wish to try this in patients, they should first contact CCMRCC to be properly informed and trained. I am also informed by Dr. Chatterjee that the homeopathic medicine Psorinum that is used in CCMRCC is prepared using a special technique and is somewhat different from the commercially available medicine. Any hypothesis or idea requires replication of results by peers to be accepted globally. Since the prescriptions are not always based on similarity, replication of this method may be difficult. So it would be a good idea to establish protocols for the method that can be widely tested. I hope the authors will agree that complete regression of cancer with this homeopathic approach is observed in very few patients. In most situations, there is partial response, mild response, or no response at all. So what to do in a situation where there is no response? A protocol should provide information on what should be done in each situation. Only then will it be possible to integrate this alternative approach into conventional care. Moreover, an official website should be developed where all such information is posted.

The enormous advances in science and technology in the 20th century have facilitated the process of globalization with the aim of a better quality of life for all. Paradoxically, the gap between the rich and the poor, for both nations and people, is constantly widening. The actual trends in human genome research are leading towards promising genomic medicine, but it will be expensive and inaccessible for many. Also, it may not offer a quick fix "cure" for various types of cancers. The biggest challenge before the clinicians now is the management of the rising incidence of cancer in developing countries, with little prospect of more resources becoming available to fight the disease. The death rate from cancer in the developing countries is set to rise at least 3-fold by the year 2025 largely due to the increased life expectancy, containment of infectious diseases and changing lifestyles. It is estimated that about 50% of cancers are curable if they are detected early and treated appropriately. Screening has a major role in early diagnosis. However, in the developing world around 80% of cancer patients have late stage incurable disease when they are diagnosed. Moreover, in a developing country like India, about 70% of the population obtain medical help from private practitioners. Nearly half of those who seek medical help utilize alternative and traditional systems of medicine. Appalling poverty, poor hygiene and complex social dynamics, pose major hurdles in this regard. Many in the private sector who call themselves doctors have no medical degree. By 2030 tobacco is expected to kill 10 million people worldwide, out of which 70% of the deaths will occur in the developing countries. Control of usage of tobacco has still not achieved a conducive atmosphere. It is now realized that the research information and knowledge generated in the west may neither be relevant nor applicable to developing countries, due to differences in social and cultural attitudes, lifestyles and lack of sophisticated technologies. Though the sequencing of the human genome will have a major impact on the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, monitoring, and outcome of cancer, the cancer scenario in the developing countries for the next 20 years is likely to be more or less the same, rather than presenting a radically different picture. Cancer awareness and screening programs for early detection thus should be continue to be given utmost attention.

Cancer is a major health problem worldwide which is likely to assume alarming proportions in the next two decades. Communication and information have increasingly been considered important in helping people to cope with cancer. The arrival of Internet offers the opportunity to fundamentally reinvent medicine and health care delivery. Medical professionals can now use the Internet for continuing medical education, access latest medical information, for fast confirmation of diagnosis, exchange opinion on treatment strategies and in palliative care. Internet can provide cost-effective and timely ways to deliver a complex mix of interesting and high-quality information and expertise to cancer patients. Patients can also independently search the Internet to know about their illness and treatment options. However, of concern is the quality of information that is available in the 'Net'. Some Internet sites may contain erroneous information on cancer and can pose serious problems. There are also many good sites, which provide quality information on cancer for medical professionals, researchers and patients. This article focuses on how the Internet will aid us in fight against cancer.

The World Cancer Report, a 351 - page global report issued by International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) tells us that cancer rates are set to increase at an alarming rate globally (Stewart and Kleiues 2003). Cancer rates could increase by 50 % to 15 million new cases in the year 2020. This will be mainly due to steadily aging populations in both developed and developing countries and also to current trends in smoking prevalence and the growing adoption of unhealthy lifestyles. The report also reveals that cancer has emerged as a major public health problem in developing countries, matching its effect in industrialized nations. Healthy lifestyles and public health action by governments and health practitioners could stem this trend, and prevent as many as one third of cancers worldwide. In a developing country such as India there has been a steady increase in the Crude Incidence Rate (CIR) of all cancers affecting both men and women over the last 15 years. The increase reported by the cancer registries is nearly 12 per cent from 1985 to 2001, representing a 57 per cent rise in India's cancer burden. The total number of new cases, which stood at 5.3 lakhs Care lakh is 100,000 in 1985 has risen to over 8.3 lakhs today. The pattern of cancers has changed over the years, with a disturbing increase in cases that are linked to the use of tobacco. In 2003, there were 3.85 lakhs of cases coming under this category in comparison with 1.94 lakhs cases two decades ago. Lung cancer is now the second most common cancer among men. Earlier, it was in fifth place. Among women in urban areas, cancer of the uterine cervix had the highest incidence 15 years ago, but it has now been overtaken by breast cancer. In rural areas, cervical cancer remains the most common form of the disease (The Hindu 2004).

Use of complementary and alternative therapies is widespread among cancer patients. Throughout the world cancer patients try many questionable or unproven treatment methods. The reasons for adopting these therapies are complex and are related to the social and cultural contexts of their geographical locations. In case of severe illness, the desire to leave no stone unturned is a powerful motivator. In developing countries, ignorance, socioeconomics, and inadequate access to mainstream medical facilities are major factors that play an important role for patients opting for alternative therapies that are replacements for mainstream treatment. Whereas in developed countries a significant proportion of cancer patients try complementary therapies as adjuncts to mainstream care for management of symptoms and to improve quality of life. Many alternative therapies, including pharmacological and biological treatments, remain highly controversial but at the same time are very popular. Evidence from randomized trial supports the value of hypnosis for cancer pain and nausea; relaxation therapy and massage for anxiety; and acupuncture for nausea. This article reviews the different popular alternative cancer therapies practiced in India and neighboring south east Asian countries to project the current international scenario on complementary and alternative cancer therapies.

Snake bite injuries and death are socio-medical problems of considerable magnitude. In India a large number of people suffer and die every year due to snake venom poisoning. Snake venom, though greatly feared, is a natural biological resource, containing several components that could be of potential therapeutic value. Use of snake venom in different pathophysiological conditions has been mentioned in Ayurveda, homeopathy and folk medicine. It is well known that snake venom is complex mixture of enzymes, peptides and proteins of low molecular mass with specific chemical and biological activities. Snake venom contains several neurotoxic, cardiotoxic, cytotoxic, nerve growth factor, lectins, disintrigrins, haemorrhagins and many other different enzymes. These proteins not only inflict death to animals and humans, but can also be used for the treatment of thrombosis, arthritis, cancer and many other diseases. An overview of various snake venom components that have prospects in health and diseases are discussed in this review.

1. A study of primary wing feather development rate in guinea fowl revealed genetic control through a single pair of sex‐linked alleles. The allele for slow feathering (K) was dominant over that for rapid feathering (k+).. 2. Wing feather sexing showed 94% accuracy in 10‐d‐old keets. 3. Incidence of rapid feathering allele (k+ ) was higher in the population selected for high body weight compared to the unselected population.

1. The primary antibody response to sheep erythrocytes was determined by haemagglutination test in guinea fowl. The effects of various genetic and non-genetic factors on immune response to sheep RBCs in guinea fowl were also estimated. 2. The immune response to sheep RBCs was normally distributed in guinea fowl with mean titre at 1.534 +/- 0.014. 3. In guinea fowl, effects on titre values of sire and variety (feather colour) were significant whereas sex and sex x variety interaction effects were non-significant. 4. The estimate of heritability for immune response to sheep RBCs in guinea fowl was 0.35 +/- 0.17.