Implementation Of Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) In Oil And Gas Specifically For Personnel Positioning Application

The invention of WSN-based indoor positioning is to design effective personnel positioning system, monitor the personnel movement in oil and gas platform and alert the personnel if they entered a restricted area. Personnel tracking system in hazardous working environment such as in oil gas platform is very crucial due to GPS incapability inside a concrete building structure. Real-time monitoring of personnel health and condition is a top priority for immediate response in emergency situation. Communication device limitation in oil and gas platform will be hard for the supervisor to inform the personnel for an emergency evacuation. Personnel position application using WSN is determined based on RSSI values of multiple XBee multipoint RF modules consist of personnel node, fixed nodes and server node. A positioning algorithm will be used for the estimation of personnel location in the oil and gas platform

International Consensus Statement on Rhinology and Allergy: Rhinosinusitis

Background: The 5 years since the publication of the first International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Rhinosinusitis (ICAR‐RS) has witnessed foundational progress in our understanding and treatment of rhinologic disease. These advances are reflected within the more than 40 new topics covered within the ICAR‐RS‐2021 as well as updates to the original 140 topics. This executive summary consolidates the evidence‐based findings of the document. Methods: ICAR‐RS presents over 180 topics in the forms of evidence‐based reviews with recommendations (EBRRs), evidence‐based reviews, and literature reviews. The highest grade structured recommendations of the EBRR sections are summarized in this executive summary. Results: ICAR‐RS‐2021 covers 22 topics regarding the medical management of RS, which are grade A/B and are presented in the executive summary. Additionally, 4 topics regarding the surgical management of RS are grade A/B and are presented in the executive summary. Finally, a comprehensive evidence‐based management algorithm is provided. Conclusion: This ICAR‐RS‐2021 executive summary provides a compilation of the evidence‐based recommendations for medical and surgical treatment of the most common forms of RS

WIFI FINGERPRINTING INDOOR POSITIONING WITH MULTIPLE ACCESS-POINTS IN A SINGLE BASE STATION USING PROBABILISTIC METHOD

WiFi fingerprinting for indoor positioning is well known as one of the most efficient techniques to estimate indoor target location instead of other existing methods which are triangulation and proximity. This method requires a training phase to collect Receiving Signal Strength (RSS) samples that will be utilized in location estimation phase using matching algorithms. Recently, most commercially indoor positioning solutions used on smartphone utilizes the current building infrastructure to estimate personnel location where wireless router is used as an Access Point (AP) in each base station to extract the RSS values. However, for buildings with inadequate infrastructure setup, implementing multiple base stations using a single AP in each base station would require an exhaustive resources of manpower and time especially for a small scale positioning setup. There are also not enough distinct RSS values at each location covered by a single base station. Thus, WiFi fingerprinting using multiple APs with omnidirectional and directional antennas in a single base station employing a probabilistic approach has been proposed to minimize the infrastructure setup. Based on experimental results, the proposed multiple APs in a single base station was found to reduce the number of base stations required to achieve the same or better accuracy as existing approach using the same number of APs. The feasibility of multiple APs in a single base station was demonstrated using kernel estimation with the results indicating the ability of the proposed work with an accuracy of 1.82 m to outperform the existing work by minimizing 22% of Root Mean Square Error (RMSE)

Coincidence of Asthma and Bronchospasm during Anesthesia in Tympanomastoidectomy

High prevalence of asthma and bronchospasm was observed during induction of anesthesia in patients with chronic suppurative otitis mMedia (CSOM) who underwent tympanomastoidectomy. Although several studies have proposed association of allergic diseases with CSOM but no consensus about it has been established. Current study was designed to determine the coincidence of asthma in CSOM patients. In a cross-sectional study, authors investigated medical records of 106 CSOM patients underwent tympanomastoidectomy, aged 15 to 65 years, and 95 controls, which were matched by age and sex. Participants were admitted to Valiasr Hospital, Tehran, Iran, from April of 2011 to March of 2013. Required information, such as demographic characteristics and history of allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma were obtained from patients' medical records. The prevalence of AR in the CSOM group was higher than controls' group (19.8% and 15.8%, respectively) (P>0.05). Asthma prevalence was significantly higher in patients with CSOM (P=0.03) (OR=7.67, 95% CI:  0.9-62.5). No significant association was found between history of AR and chronic ear infections. However, asthma was significantly more common in CSOM patients. Current study indicates that asthma and risk of bronchospasm need particular attention in patients with CSOM underwent tympanomastoidectomy before and during anesthesia

Sensorineural hearing loss in patients with chronic suppurative otitis media: Is there a significant correlation?

Introduction: Hearing loss as a sequel of chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is often conductive, but recent studies have found an additional sensorineural component in these patients, thus demonstrating inner ear damage. The aim of the study was to determine the association between CSOM and sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and to assess the influence of patient’s age, duration of disease, and presence of cholesteatoma and ossicular erosion on the degree of SNHL. Methods: In a retrospective study, the medical records of 119 patients who underwent surgery was reviewed. Seventy patients met the inclusion criteria of unilateral otorrhea, normal contralateral ear on otoscopy, and age between 10–65 years with no history of head trauma or ear surgery or familial hearing loss. Bone conduction (BC) thresholds for affected and contralateral ear were measured at frequencies of 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 13 with independent-samples t-test, Pearson correlation test, and twotailed analysis. A p ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Significant higher BC thresholds were found in the affected ear than in the normal ear for each frequency (p < 0.001), which increased with increasing frequency (7.00 dB at the 500 Hz and 9.71 dB at the 4000 Hz). There was a significant correlation between age and degree of SNHL (r = 0.422, p < 0.001) but no significant correlation was in duration of the disease (r = 0.119, p > 0.05). There was no relationship between presence of cholesteatoma and ossicular erosion with SNHL (p > 0.05). Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that CSOM is associated with some degree of SNHL and cochlear damage, and higher frequencies are more affected. Aging can act as a precipitating factor in this pathological process

مظاهر التسامح الإسلامي مع غير المسلمين: دراسة تحليلية = Islamic tolerance with non-Muslims = Toleransi Islam dengan bukan Islam: satu kajian analitikal

This research strives to explore various forms of Islamic tolerance with non-Muslims. The researcher employed inductive and analytical methods to look into the Qur’anic verses, authentic Prophetic traditions, commentaries and views of erudite scholars in the field to unveil aspects of tolerance. The study found that the tolerance with non-Muslims in Islam is based on a set of principles endorsed by the Sharīʿah. The principles are: Freedom of religion, moderation, abolition of caste systems and racism, comprehensive compassion, fulfillment of covenants and treaties, and coexistence and guidance. These principles are explained in detail the paper. And how these principles are related to the notion of tolerance with non-Muslims is also scrutinized. *************************************************** يهدف هذا البحث إلى بيان مظاهر التسامح الإسلامي مع غير المسلمين، وذلك باستخدام المنهج الاستقرائي والتحليلي، حيث قام الباحث باستقراء الآيات القرآنية، والأحاديث النبوية الصحيحة، وتفسيرها، وتحليلها وفقًا للتفاسير المعتبرة وأقوال العلماء الراسخين في هذا المجال، وإجلاء وجه التسامح فيها، وقد توصل الباحث إلى أن المظاهر الرئيسة للتسامح الإسلامي مع غير المسلمين هي مجموعة من المبادئ المقررة في الشريعة، وهي حرية العقيدة، والوسطية، وإلغاء الطبقية والعنصرية، والرحمة الواسعة، والوفاء بالعهود والمواثيق، والمعايشة، والهداية، فيتطرق البحث إلى هذه المباديء وكيفية علاقتها بالتسامح مع غير المسلمين. ***************************************************** Kajian ini menerokai pelbagai bentuk toleransi Islam dengan bukan Islam. Penyelidik menggunakan kaedah-kaedah induktif dan analisis untuk memahami ayatayat Al-Quran, hadis-hadis sahih, ulasan dan pandangan golongan intelek yang berpengalaman dalam bidang ini untuk memperkenalkan aspek-aspek toleransi tersebut. Kajian ini mendapati bahawa toleransi Islam dengan bukan Islam adalah didasari oleh satu prinsip yang bertepatan dengan Sharīʿah. Antara prinsip tersebut adalah: Kebebasan beragama, kesederhanaan, pemansuhan sistem kasta dan perkauman, belas kasihan komprehensif, pemenuhan perjanjian, dan kewujudan bersama serta bimbingan. Dalam kajian ini, prinsip-prinsip ini dan kaitannya dengan teleransi bukan Islam akan dijelaskan secara terperinci dan diteliti dengan mendalam

Large Lipoma of the Larynx: A Case Report

Fewer than 15% of lipomas occur in the head and neck. Lipomas of the larynx are very rare benign laryngeal tumors (0.6%). To date less than 100 case of laryngeal lipoma have been reported in the literature.Clinical manifestation include progressive horseness, dyspnea, and even dysphagia. In the direct exam smooth or pedunculated mass is seen in the larynx and sometimes if tumor is large enough a mass palpated in the neck. In the computed tomography (CT) low attenuation mass is seen. Treatment of laryngeal lipoma consists of endoscopic removal or external surgical approach depending on tumor size. The authors present a case of laryngeal lipoma that involved the true vocal cord. The following is a report of a single case of laryngeal lipoma, Including esteroboscopy, radiologic and intraoperative finding as well as review of the literature

Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potential Produced by Bone-Conducted Stimuli: A Study on its Basics and Clinical Applications in Patients With Conductive and Sensorineural Hearing Loss and a Group With Vestibular Schawannoma

Introduction: Vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) has recently been broadly studied in vestibular disorders. As it is evoked by loud sound stimulation, even mild conductive hearing loss may affect VEMP results. Bone-conducted (BC) stimulus is an alternative stimulation for evoking this response. This study aims to assess the characteristics of BC-VEMP in different groups of patients.   Materials and Methods: We performed a cross sectional analysis on 20 healthy volunteers with normal pure-tone audiometry as a control group; and on a group of patients consisted of 20 participants with conductive hearing loss, five with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and four with vestibular schawannoma. AC and BC-VEMP were performed in all participants.   Results: In control group the VEMP responses to both kinds of stimuli had an acceptable morphology and consisted of p13 and n23 waves. Latency value of these main components in each type of stimulus was not significantly different (P>0.05). However, the mean amplitude was larger in BC modality than AC stimulation (P=0.025). In the group with conductive hearing loss, the VEMP response was absent in fifteen (46.87%) of the 32 ears using the AC method, whereas all (100%) displayed positive elicitability of VEMP by BC method. Normal VEMP responses in both stimuli were evoked in all patients with sensorineural hearing loss. In patients with unilateral vestibular schwannomas (VS), 2 (50.00%) had neither AC-VEMP nor BC-VEMP. Conclusion:  Auditory stimuli delivered by bone conduction can evoke VEMP response. These responses are of vestibular origin and can be used in vestibular evaluation of patients with conductive hearing loss

Topical application of Mitomycin C in the treatment of granulation tissue after Canal Wall Down mastoidectomy

Introduction: Otorrhea and granulation tissue in Canal Wall Down mastoidectomy (CWD) is the common problem in cholesteatoma removal and leads to many discomfort for both the patient and the physician. The main objective in CWD is creating the dry cavity, so the topical antibiotic and acetic acid in variable saturations are used for this purpose. In this study we evaluate the effectiveness of topical MMC and chemical cautery by acetic acid.   Materials and Methods: Study population consists of 50 patients with cholesteatoma whom underwent CWD. All patient allocated randomly in two study groups, MMC and acetic acid. After 3 weeks, the first visit is planned, extension of granulation tissue and dryness of cavity are evaluated and topical drugs are used in blind fashion. MMC in 4% and acetic acid in 12.5% saturation are applied. Other visits are completed at next month and 3 months later.   Results: Both methods are effective in treatment of granulation tissue. In each group both treatment were effective too but MMC was more effective than acid acetic in the treatment of granulation tissue after 4 weeks.   Conclusion: Based on our findings, it is clear that topical MMC is very effective in the treatment of granulation tissue and in CWD. It results in dry cavity much better than acetic acid without any complication.

An Evaluation of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patient’s Quality of life Following Continuous Positive Airway Pressure and Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty

Aims: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by episodic sleep state–dependent upper airway collapse. OSA can markedly decrease quality of life (QoL) and productivity. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) has been used as an effective treatment for OSA. Recently, uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) treatment has emerged as effective management among patients with OSA, especially non-adherent ones to conventional therapies such as CPAP. Our aim was to determine whether CPAP and UPPP treatment could improve the quality of life in patients with moderate OSA. Design: Prospective. Setting: Patients with moderate OSA, confirmed by polysomnography from March 2019 to March 2020, participated. CPAP and UPPP treatments were considered for patients according to their preferences. The Sleep Apnea Quality of Life Index (SAQLI) questionnaire before and after treatment was completed. Methods: Change in their QoL was compared between the CPAP group and UPPP treatment. In addition, QoL was compared between these groups and patients who did not receive any of these treatment methods. Results: Seventy-eight patients were included in treatment groups, 40 using CPAP and 38 undergoing UPPP treatment. Furthermore, 10 patients who did not receive treatment were considered the control. Both methods of treatment significantly (p < 0.001) improved QoL, but UPPP treatment was superior (p = 0.042) to CPAP. There was a poor correlation between post-treatment BMI (0.037), Respiratory Disturbance Index (RDI) (0.096), age (0.022), and post-treatment SAQLI score. Conclusion: Based on these results, CPAP and UPPP treatment can improve QoL. UPPP treatment could be considered an effective arm of OSA management among the study population