72 research outputs found
Dynamic Load Balancing By Scheduling In Computational Grid System
Grid computing systems are distributed systems that involve coordinate and involvement of heterogeneous resources with various characteristics where user jobs can be executed on either local or remote computer. These heterogeneous computing resources are used to run highly complex programs that require very high processing power and huge volume of input data. Recently the biggest issue in distributed system is to design of an appropriate and efficient dynamic load balancing algorithm that upgrade the overall performance of the distributed systems. In this research paper, we proposed a scheduling algorithm that manages the resources to improve the utilization of resource and minimize the job response time in computational grid system. So that no any resources will be heavily, low loaded or in some case will be in idle. Keywords— Grid computation, Dynamic Load balancing, Schedule DLB, Job Scheduling
A bizarre case report of self-harm by ingested lock trapped in oropharynx
The present case report deals with a highly and yet unreported case of self-harm in which a medium sized lock was ingested with convulsive movements of the face and neck which ultimately got trapped in oropharyngeal region. The lock managed to ‘sink’ and settled down in that region so that the patient did not feel any gross pain once it was swallowed. There was history of mental illness reported by the attendants of the patient that remained unverified since no treatment card or the name of drug(s) was shown to the treating team of doctors. Therefore, it remained speculative whether the attempt to swallow lock was as a result of psychiatric illness or was supplemented by other social factor notable the influence of “Tantrik”. Tantriks are special breed of spiritual healers who resorted to unscientific method of healing. At times they use unethical practices. There are reports in which tantrik have provoked their unsuspecting victims to highly complex maneuvers leading to self-harm. The present case, it is believed falls in this category
Musculoskeletal Tuberculosis: Two Year Experience at a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital of Northern India and Review of Literature
Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the present trend of osteo-articular tuberculosis at a teaching hospital in North India.Methods: All the cases of skeletal tuberculosis that were diagnosed and managed either on outdoor or in-hospital stay basis over a period of two years were evaluated with respect to age, gender, anatomical location of lesion, laboratory parameters (ESR, Mantoux test, HIV screening), concomitant skeletaltuberculous lesions, associated pulmonary tuberculosis, and other associated clinical features.Results: A total of 84 skeletal tuberculous lesions in 80 patients were enrolled for the study. The age of the patients ranged from 2 to 70 years with a mean of 29.1±19.1 years. 55% patients were in second and third decade of life and 63.7% were males. ESR was elevated in 61.25% and 56.25% tested positive forMantoux skin test. 21.25% patients had associated active or healed focus of tuberculosis in the lungs. Spine was the most common site involved (58.75%) followed by hip (13.1%), knee (8.3%), foot (4.7%) and shoulder joint (3.5%). Lumbar spine was the most common site affected in the spine followed by lowerdorsal spine. 3.75% cases had multifocal skeletal tuberculous lesions.Conclusion: Prevalence of osteo-articular tuberculosis continues to be high in North India with the disease predominantly affecting young population. Spine is the most common site for skeletal tuberculosis followed by hip, knee, foot and shoulder. Lumbar region followed by lower dorsal spine is much more affected.Multifocal skeletal lesions incidence is lower than expected. And one-fifth of the patients have associated pulmonary tubercular lesion
A comparative study to evaluate the role of inhaled steroid versus low-dose oral steroid in patients of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Its prevalence is increasing globally, especially in countries with high frequencies of smoking combined with significant environmental exposures to pollutants and biomass smoke. Currently COPD is the third leading cause of death worldwide, after ischemic heart disease and stroke. Efforts have been made to design a standard protocol for treatment of the disease, and these efforts are still in the process.Methods: The study was done on 100 subjects to assess whether steroid (inhaled or oral) actually have any role in decreasing the decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 sec and to compare the effect of both to find out which one is superior. Patients were divided into two arms, inhaled steroids group (according to GOLD guidelines), and the other group was oral prednisolone 10 mg in addition to standard treatment except inhaled steroid. The effects were studied with appropriate statistical tests.Results: Our study data showed that oral steroids are more effective on symptom control as compared to inhaled steroids. Symptoms such as cough (64% vs. 82%) and breathlessness (76% vs. 94%) significantly improved in the oral corticosteroids group. The rate of exacerbation also improved (22% vs. 12%) in the test group.Conclusion: The use of steroids has ever been a subject of divergence of views ever since its role in the treatment of COPD was first described. Although, overall steroid in any form is beneficial in symptomatic/subjective and objective improvements in COPD, oral steroids stand a better chance as compared to inhaled steroids
Knowledge, attitudes and practices survey on organ donation among a selected adult population of Pakistan
Background: To determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding organ donation in a selected adult population in Pakistan. Methods: Convenience sampling was used to generate a sample of 440, 408 interviews were successfully completed and used for analysis. Data collection was carried out via a face to face interview based on a pre-tested questionnaire in selected public areas of Karachi, Pakistan. Data was analyzed using SPSS v. 15 and associations were tested using the Pearson\u27s Chi square test. Multiple logistic regression was used to find independent predictors of knowledge status and motivation of organ donation. Results: Knowledge about organ donation was significantly associated with education (p = 0.000) and socioeconomic status (p = 0.038). 70/198 (35.3%) people expressed a high motivation to donate. Allowance of organ donation in religion was significantly associated with the motivation to donate (p = 0.000). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that higher level of education and higher socioeconomic status were significant (p \u3c 0.05) independent predictors of knowledge status of organ donation. For motivation, multiple logistic regression revealed that higher socioeconomic status, adequate knowledge score and belief that organ donation is allowed in religion were significant (p \u3c 0.05) independent predictors. Television emerged as the major source of information. Only 3.5% had themselves donated an organ, with only one person being an actual kidney donor. Conclusion: Better knowledge may ultimately translate into the act of donation. Effective measures should be taken to educate people with relevant information with the involvement of media, doctors and religious scholars
Performance evaluation of lateritic subgrade soil treated with lime and coir fibre-activated carbon
The subgrade layer’s stability considerably influences the long-term performance of pavement systems. This study investigates the influence of lime as a traditional stabiliser and activated carbon with coir fibre (ACF) as waste materials and an environmentally friendly binder to stabilise lateritic subgrade soil. Experiments, including the one-dimensional consolidation and unconfined compressive strength (UCS) tests, have been conducted to investigate the geotechnical properties of stabilised soil in various percentages of additives 3%, 6%, 9%, and 12% lime and 1%, 2%, and 3% ACF. The results demonstrate that 3% ACF and 12% lime can significantly improve the strength parameters and decrease the void ratio and permeability in the stabilised soil. Furthermore, microstructural analysis was performed before and after stabilisation for optimum content. The microstructural analysis proves that AC and lime particles fill soil voids, and gel formation binds the soil particles in the stabilised soil matrix. The results show that 3% ACF stabilised soil is comparable with 12% lime in UCS value and decreasing void ratio. Furthermore, both are suitable for subgrade of low-volume road stability according to Malaysian standards
Glutamine supplementation and renal health
Gemstone Team JuicedTeam Juiced designed a multi-faceted research project surrounding the potential risk of college students using protein supplements developing kidney disease. Survey research showed that participants taking protein supplements were ingesting double the recommended allowance based on literature values for average American dietary protein intake. Participants predisposed to kidney disease were no less likely to take protein supplements. Kidney cell modeling showed the molecular response to glutamine, an important protein building block. A significant increase in the gene expression of low-density lipoprotein receptor and two sclerotic markers was found in response to glutamine exposure. Gene expression was time- and dose-dependent. Enzymatic degradation and high performance liquid chromatography showed that three popular protein supplements contained more glutamine than stated by the manufacturers
Lessons and implications from a mass immunization campaign in squatter settlements of Karachi, Pakistan: an experience from a cluster-randomized double-blinded vaccine trial [NCT00125047]
OBJECTIVE: To determine the safety and logistic feasibility of a mass immunization strategy outside the local immunization program in the pediatric population of urban squatter settlements in Karachi, Pakistan. METHODS: A cluster-randomized double blind preventive trial was launched in August 2003 in 60 geographic clusters covering 21,059 children ages 2 to 16 years. After consent was obtained from parents or guardians, eligible children were immunized parenterally at vaccination posts in each cluster with Vi polysaccharide or hepatitis A vaccine. Safety, logistics, and standards were monitored and documented. RESULTS: The vaccine coverage of the population was 74% and was higher in those under age 10 years. No life-threatening serious adverse events were reported. Adverse events occurred in less than 1% of all vaccine recipients and the main reactions reported were fever and local pain. The proportion of adverse events in Vi polysaccharide and hepatitis A recipients will not be known until the end of the trial when the code is broken. Throughout the vaccination campaign safe injection practices were maintained and the cold chain was not interrupted. Mass vaccination in slums had good acceptance. Because populations in such areas are highly mobile, settlement conditions could affect coverage. Systemic reactions were uncommon and local reactions were mild and transient. Close community involvement was pivotal for information dissemination and immunization coverage. CONCLUSION: This vaccine strategy described together with other information that will soon be available in the area (cost/effectiveness, vaccine delivery costs, etc) will make typhoid fever control become a reality in the near future
Child mental health differences amongst ethnic groups in Britain: a systematic review
BACKGROUND: Inter-ethnic differences have been reported for many mental health outcomes in the UK, but no systematic review on child mental health has been published. The aim of this review is to compare the population-based prevalence of child mental disorders between ethnic groups in Britain, and relate these findings to ethnic differences in mental health service use. METHODS: A systematic search of bibliographic databases for population-based and clinic-based studies of children aged 0-19, including all ethnic groups and the main child mental disorders. We synthesised findings by comparing each minority group to the White British study sample. RESULTS: 31 population-based and 18 clinic-based studies met the inclusion criteria. Children in the main minority groups have similar or better mental health than White British children for common disorders, but may have higher rates for some less common conditions. The causes of these differences are unclear. There may be unmet need for services among Pakistani and Bangladeshi children. CONCLUSION: Inter-ethnic differences exist but are largely unexplained. Future studies should address the challenges of cross-cultural psychiatry and investigate reasons for inter-ethnic differences
Causes of neonatal mortality and its predictors at French Medical Institute for Children in Kabul, Afghanistan
Introduction: Neonatal Mortality in hospitalized patient is one of the major concerns globally. Despite of many initiatives, it is still a health challenge. In Afghanistan, neonatal mortality rate (NMR) is estimated as 45/1000 live births which is alarming and one of the highest rate in the world. This study aimed to identify the causes of mortality and its associated factors among neonates in French Medical Institute for Children, Kabul Afghanistan. Methodology: We conducted an analytical retrospective hospital based study to achieve the current study objectives. We extracted the records of 110 neonates who have died during hospitalization at FMIC due to somatic and/or organic diseases from January 2013 to December 2014. A structured checklist was developed to collect information for different variables. Data was analyzed with the help of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 19.0. Chi-square test of independence was run for association between predictors and outcome variables. The study is approved by Institutional Ethical Review Board of Ministry of Public Health. Results: Among all the causes, Septicemia was found to be the leading cause of neonatal mortality and 60% of the neonates had died due to this cause. Following Septicemia, Pneumonia was the next leading cause of neonatal deaths and around 21% of the participants had died due to this second leading cause of mortality. On the other hand, meningitis contributed 10.91% in neonatal deaths. Around 7.27% of the deaths were due to complication of prematurity i.e. respiratory distress syndrome. One of the complications of prematurity was necrotizing Entero colitis which leads to 5.45% neonatal deaths. Ten percent of neonatal mortality was due to birth asphyxia, 10.91% because of meconium aspiration ix syndrome, and only 1.82% deaths due to TGA with closing PDA which is cyanotic type of congenital heart diseases in our study. In addition, this study has also showed that mortality due to Septicemia was significantly associated with birth weight and gestational age. Our research was unable to explore the socioeconomic factors associated with mortality due to Pneumonia.Conclusion: Neonates are the high risk population in Afghanistan. This study has estimated proportions of neonatal mortality due to Septicemia and Pneumonia as 60% and 21% respectively. Immediate and long term actions are required to change the current situation and improve the overall neonatal health at home, facility and hospital levels. The recommendations have implications for ministry of public health to devise relevant and appropriate interventions and policies to reduce the toll of neonatal deaths. Proper implementation of policies will eventually enhance the rate of survival of neonate
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