Mitigation of power quality issues due to high penetration of renewable energy sources in electric grid systems using three-phase APF/STATCOM technologies: a review.

This study summarizes an analytical review on the comparison of three-phase static compensator (STATCOM) and active power filter (APF) inverter topologies and their control schemes using industrial standards and advanced high-power configurations. Transformerless and reduced switch count topologies are the leading technologies in power electronics that aim to reduce system cost and offer the additional benefits of small volumetric size, lightweight and compact structure, and high reliability. A detailed comparison of the topologies, control strategies and implementation structures of grid-connected high-power converters is presented. However, reducing the number of power semiconductor devices, sensors, and control circuits requires complex control strategies. This study focuses on different topological devices, namely, passive filters, shunt and hybrid filters, and STATCOMs, which are typically used for power quality improvement. Additionally, appropriate control schemes, such as sinusoidal pulse width modulation (SPWM) and space vector PWM techniques, are selected. According to recent developments in shunt APF/STATCOM inverters, simulation and experimental results prove the effectiveness of APF/STATCOM systems for harmonic mitigation based on the defined limit in IEEE-519

Management of Fournier’s Gangrene; A Randomized Controlled Trial at High Volume Center Comparing the Efficacy of Honey and Eusol Dressing in Wound Healing

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of honey dressing in Fournier’s Gangrene against conventional Edinburgh University solution of lime (EUSOL) dressing. METHODOLOGY: This was a prospective experimental study conducted in Liaquat National Medical College and Hospital Karachi for duration of 5 and half years. Total 44 patients having gangrene and no co morbid conditions were included in this study. Patients who had co-morbid conditions like deranged coagulation profile and CVA, who were not willing to participate or loss to follow up were excluded from the study. After getting baseline blood workup (i.e. CBC, S. Creatinine, S. Electrolytes, Urine D/R, C/S and Diabetic workup) done and taking consent, the patients were immediately shifted to operation theatre, the incision and drainage was performed, and the necrotic tissues were debrided. Pus cultures were sent, and patients were started on routine intravenous antibiotics (3rd generation Cephalosporin and metronidazole). A Dressing of wound was done randomly by honey in Group A and by Eusol in Group B. Patients were discharged after wound was completely healed. The data were obtained and analyzed by using SPSS version 20. Mann-Whitney U-test and chi-square test was applied to find out the significance. RESUTS: The patients in Group A got slough cleared in4.82±0.96 days, on average requiring 3.22±0.75 number of debridement’s, complete wound healing and duration of hospital stay being 9.54±0.74 days. The patients in Group B got slough cleared in 8±0.87 days, requiring 5.32±0.72 number of debridement’s, complete wound healing and duration of hospital stay 13.68±1.09 days.There was a significant difference in slough clearance, number of debridement’s required, time taken for complete wound healing and hospital stay between Group A and Group B (P-value <0.001). CONCLUSION: This study predicted that honey is very valuable in the management of Fournier’s gangrene as it ensured early clearance of slough, required lesser number of debridement’s, had early wound healing and had relatively shorter duration of stay in hospital than those treated with conventional EUSOL as dressing material

Elective cancer surgery in COVID-19-free surgical pathways during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: An international, multicenter, comparative cohort study

PURPOSE As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19–free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19–free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, unexpected ventilation). RESULTS Of 9,171 patients from 447 hospitals in 55 countries, 2,481 were operated on in COVID-19–free surgical pathways. Patients who underwent surgery within COVID-19–free surgical pathways were younger with fewer comorbidities than those in hospitals with no defined pathway but with similar proportions of major surgery. After adjustment, pulmonary complication rates were lower with COVID-19–free surgical pathways (2.2% v 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.86). This was consistent in sensitivity analyses for low-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 1/2), propensity score–matched models, and patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 preoperative tests. The postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was also lower in COVID-19–free surgical pathways (2.1% v 3.6%; aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.76). CONCLUSION Within available resources, dedicated COVID-19–free surgical pathways should be established to provide safe elective cancer surgery during current and before future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks

Elective Cancer Surgery in COVID-19-Free Surgical Pathways During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: An International, Multicenter, Comparative Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19-free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19-free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, unexpected ventilation). RESULTS: Of 9,171 patients from 447 hospitals in 55 countries, 2,481 were operated on in COVID-19-free surgical pathways. Patients who underwent surgery within COVID-19-free surgical pathways were younger with fewer comorbidities than those in hospitals with no defined pathway but with similar proportions of major surgery. After adjustment, pulmonary complication rates were lower with COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.2% v 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.86). This was consistent in sensitivity analyses for low-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 1/2), propensity score-matched models, and patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 preoperative tests. The postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was also lower in COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.1% v 3.6%; aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.76). CONCLUSION: Within available resources, dedicated COVID-19-free surgical pathways should be established to provide safe elective cancer surgery during current and before future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks

Influence of Blood Inertia on Vortex Enhancement in the Wake of Plaque Deposited Arteries

Flow of blood structure is presented in terms of stream line projections at different percentages of deposition against various Reynolds numbers. The impact of atherosclerosis is investigated on the vortex enhancement and intensity. The predicted results are computed in terms of stream function for quantifying the reattachment length and re-circulating flow rate of blood at various Reynolds numbers and different percentages of blockage. The results show that flow of blood is disturbs at the vicinity of blockage, especially in the down stream area that leads to the formation of vortexes. It is observed that the length of vortex increases along with the deposition levels as well as with increasing inertia .To solve the Navier-Stokes equations, together with the incompressibility constraints a semi-implicit time stepping procedure, namely Taylor- Galerkin/Pressure-correction finite element scheme has been employed

Estrus response and fertility rate in Kundhi buffaloes following estrus synchronization in breeding season

The aim of the present study was to compare the effect of two estrus synchronization treatments i.e., Ovsynch alone and Ovsynch plus Controlled Internal Drug Release (CIDR), on the occurrence of estrus and conception rate in Kundhi buffalo during breeding season in Pakistan. Forty Kundhi buffaloes were randomly selected and were divided into three groups; Group A (n=16; Ovsynch) received 2 mL GnRH intramuscularly (i/m) on day 0 and 9. On day 7, 5 mL prostaglandin F2 and #945; (PGF2 and #945; analogue) was administered through i/m route. The buffaloes of Group B (n=17; Ovsynch+CIDR) received 2 mL GnRH on day 0 along with implantation of CIDR. On day 7, the CIDR was removed, and 5 mL PGF2 and #945; analogue was injected through i/m route. A second dose of GnRH was administered through i/m route after 48 h of PGF2 and #945; inj. in both groups. Group C (n=7; control) received 2 mL normal saline through i/m route on day 0, 7 and 9. The buffaloes of all three groups were artificially inseminated twice (12 h and 24 h after the second GnRH inj.) using frozen-thawed semen. Estrus response differed significantly (P<0.05) among the groups. The animals of Group B (76.47%) showed superior estrus response as compared to others. Higher conception rate (52.94%) was observed in the animals of Group B; however, the difference was not significant. In conclusion, Ovsynch+CIDR causes to occur better estrus response and conception rate as compared to Ovsynch alone in Kundhi buffaloes during breeding season. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2015; 2(3.000): 362-365

Synthesis and Antimicrobial Assessment of Fe3+ Inclusion Complex of p-tert-Butylcalix[4]arene Diamide Derivative

Present study deals with the synthesis of the p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene diamide derivative as ligand (L) and its Fe3+ complex, followed by its characterization using TLC and FT-IR, while UV-Vis and Job’s plot study were performed for complex formation. Antimicrobial activity of the derivative (L) and its metal complex was carried out by the disc diffusion method against bacteria (Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus albus) and fungi (R. stolonifer). Different concentrations of the derivative (L) (6, 3, 1.5, 0.75, and 0.37 μg/mL) and its Fe3+ complex were prepared, and Mueller–Hinton agar was used as the medium for the growth of microorganisms. Six successive dilutions of the derivative (L) and Fe3+ complex were used against microorganisms. Two successive dilutions (6 and 3 μg/mL) of the derivative (L) showed antibacterial action against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. In addition, three successive dilutions (6, 3, and 1.5 μg/mL) of the derivative (L) showed antifungal activity. However, all of six dilutions of the Fe3+ complex showed antimicrobial activity. Derivative (L) showed 3 and 1.5 μg/mL minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) against bacteria and fungi, respectively. On the contrary, its Fe3+ complex showed 0.37 μg/mL value of MIC against bacteria and fungi. Hence, Fe3+ complex of the derivative (L) was found to be a more effective antimicrobial agent against selected bacteria and fungi than the diamide derivative (L)

Assessment of Transit Congestion for Sustainable Urban Transport Management in Quetta, Pakistan

peer reviewedTransit congestion has been followed by increasing population migration from rural to urban areas in the Quetta metropolis, which causes transit congestion. This study determines the degree and depth of transit congestion on different roads in the Quetta metropolis. For this, both quantitative and qualitative descriptive research designs have been used. In this regard, a convenience sampling of 130 respondents was recorded, i.e., pedestrians, administrative officials, and road/street drivers. This study finds that traffic transit in the Quetta metropolis is highly congested between 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. The transit congestion in Quetta metropolis is daily; at least 30 minutes of time is wasted in traffic jams. The study also finds that there is no transit congestion information system in the Quetta metropolis. The main causes of transit congestion are illegal on-street vehicle parking, school and office timing, non-availability of traffic signals, frequency of vehicles, population growth, old vehicles, and sometimes heavy rainfall. Furthermore, the effects of transit congestion are annoyance, noise pollution, health issues and fuel consumption. The study recommends adequate parking arrangements, improved public transport, ensuring flexible work schedules, employing more traffic wardens or police, appropriate traffic signals, implementation of strict traffic rules and a transit congestion information system to manage transit congestion in the Quetta metropolis.11. Sustainable cities and communities15. Life on land3. Good health and well-bein