Smartphone based applications for Road Traffic Telematics

L'abstract è presente nell'allegato / the abstract is in the attachmen

Gene expression profiling of HCV genotype 3a initial liver fibrosis and cirrhosis patients using microarray

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes liver fibrosis that may lead to liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and may partially depend on infecting viral genotype. HCV genotype 3a is being more common in Asian population, especially Pakistan; the detail mechanism of infection still needs to be explored. In this study, we investigated and compared the gene expression profile between initial fibrosis stage and cirrhotic 3a genotype patients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Gene expression profiling of human liver tissues was performed containing more than 22000 known genes. Using Oparray protocol, preparation and hybridization of slides was carried out and followed by scanning with GeneTAC integrator 4.0 software. Normalization of the data was obtained using MIDAS software and Significant Microarray Analysis (SAM) was performed to obtain differentially expressed candidate genes.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Out of 22000 genes studied, 219 differentially regulated genes found with <it>P </it>≤ 0.05 between both groups; 107 among those were up-regulated and 112 were down-regulated. These genes were classified into 31 categories according to their biological functions. The main categories included: apoptosis, immune response, cell signaling, kinase activity, lipid metabolism, protein metabolism, protein modulation, metabolism, vision, cell structure, cytoskeleton, nervous system, protein metabolism, protein modulation, signal transduction, transcriptional regulation and transport activity.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This is the first study on gene expression profiling in patients associated with genotype 3a using microarray analysis. These findings represent a broad portrait of genomic changes in early HCV associated fibrosis and cirrhosis. We hope that identified genes in this study will help in future to act as prognostic and diagnostic markers to differentiate fibrotic patients from cirrhotic ones.</p

Fluid mechanics of thermodilution in coronary arteries

Cardiovascular disease is one of the main causes of death in the world and among various cardiovascular diseases, the coronary artery disease is considered to be the leading cause of death. Atherosclerosis is the primary cause of coronary artery disease. Different diagnostic methods have been developed for the assessment of coronary artery function. Coronary Thermodilution is one of the most recent methods used to find blood flow, temperature and assess resistance. A diagnostic coronary guidewire with a pressure and temperature sensor is used to measure temperature and pressure of blood simultaneously. For a continuous temperature signal, the rapid reduction in temperature and afterwards recovery in seconds creates a temperature curve which is displayed on the haemodynamic monitoring device. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the thermodilution waveforms in order to understand microvascular disease of the heart. To investigate these thermodilution curves, a Matlab program was written to assess and to identify the key features of the thermodilution waveforms and different patterns of thermodilution curves were found. In order to calculate the origin of the features of the double peaks and other thermodilution curves, a simplified computational model of tube with catheter was implemented in Fluent. We observed the temperature curves similar to the thermodilution curves when we took the measurement at the centre of the coronary artery and did not see any pulsatility due to the probe lies within the central axis and lies within the region of cold fluid and may be diffusion is too slow to absorb heat from the surroundings. Double peaks are found if the probe is off-axis. Stenosis is placed inside the coronary artery and the calculations were performed off-axis which resulted in the different shapes as we observed in the actual thermodilution data. Misalignment of the catheter may result in the errors of thermodilution data which may affect the health care cost

Virtual induction loops using smartphones for urban traffic control systems

Growing traffic in ever congested urban cities can be managed by traffic control systems which monitor and forecast the traffic status and optimises the control strategy according to traffic flow. Such systems use input from inductive loop detectors which are costly to install and maintain. In this paper, we introduce and evaluate a novice software based solution called Virtual Induction Loops using a smartphone application and a central server. We also identify how current urban traffic control systems can benefit from such a dynamic solution

Knowledge and practices among male medical students regarding smoking and its hazards

Background: Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death worldwide, and according to the latest estimates, by year 2030, 10 million annual tobacco-attributable deaths worldwide, 70% of which will be in low-middle-income countries. The purpose of study was too assess the knowledge and practices regarding cigarette smoking among male medical students in Allama Iqbal Medical College, Lahore, Pakistan and to assess the awareness of students regarding smoking related health hazards.Methods: A Cross-Sectional Study was conducted From May 2009 - September 2009 in Allama Iqbal Medical College, Lahore, Pakistan. The male students enrolled in Allama Iqbal Medical College Lahore, were selected by non-probability convenient sampling.Results: In present study 47.3% respondents were smokers, 94.1% were knowledgeable about hazards of smoking, 85.9% were aware about passive smoking, and 19.1% started consuming tobacco below 17 years of age. Only 19.1% tried to quit smoking but none of them succeeded. 25% have no family association of smoking. There were 18.2% who’s mostly close friends were smokers only 13.2% smokes more than 15 cigarettes daily. 43.6% said they would smoke cigarette if one of their close friends offer them. 30.5% believe cigarette smoking help to relax and 25% want to quit smoking among them 10% want to quit due to its hazards while 5.9% due to family pressure.Conclusions: Present study concluded that high proportion male medical students smoke cigarette. Most of them were unaware about tobacco consumption hazards, and passive smoking.

Planning a renovation of the underground distribution system for the city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia

The present thesis is about the electric power distribution system for the city of Mecca, in Saudi Arabia. The distribution system of Mecca started suddenly, grew haphazardly and developed quickly with a load factor as high as 38%. Lack of planning, records and training plus insufficient experience of management evolved a highly muddled distribution system in the most important city of the world. Non-acceptance and appreciation of new ideas, and a negative attitude for research and development convinced the management that the situation is impossible. The present thesis is an attempt to explain that the situation is not impossible to improve, --the entire power distribution system of the city can be renovated. A patient consideration of the new technical concepts can be helpful. Spending money and resources on a constructive program is an investment which pays dividends. Economizing by discarding the worth of the need, may create drastic problems which may be very difficult to handle in the future and cost much more by lost revenues, goodwill and stability of the organization. Planning in town electrification and peering into the future is like touching a nerve center in a body. Every town and city has its own specific demands. The specified requirements of different towns should be separately considered, properly analyzed, thoroughly checked and the planning should also take into account the future, -- which will be brighter electrically, as well. Mecca, which is uniquely Holy, is also unique as far as electrification is concerned. Its pilgrimage with an influx of a million people every year for a few days, and then their mass transfer from one distribution district to another presents a unique situation. To meet such a situation the distribution system should have been well planned, thoroughly engineered and kept highly flexible. On the other hand the system is deteriorating very fast due to several reasons--two of which are fast development of the load and the false economy by the power company. Although the Mecca distribution system is in great disorder, the pressures and the prevailing philosophies to renovate it under the present circumstances make it highly challenging, yet it is not an impossible project. A little extra thoroughness now, can avoid a lot of future grief. The only effective way to avoid future operating problems lie in the consistent exercise of persistence in giving careful attention to details even though some of them may seem quite unimportant to the uninitiated. It is imperative that a clear understanding of the distribution systems and modern practices be developed, before a renovation program can be undertaken. To cope with this requirement, the author has discussed this topic explicitly for occasional reference to help the practicing engineer. A thorough knowledge of distribution materials and equipment is equally vital to help in the selection for the possible changes, and a workable reference has also been compiled to assist the engineer and the management in this process. Principles of protection and broad guidelines for selection of protection equipment are also included to help the operating engineer realize the philosophies associated with this job. However, the area of protection is specialized and often complex and it is neither safe nor fair to the operating engineer to expect him to do it as a side line--as such details are avoided. The renovation project may be carried out by the existing staff whose knowledge and experience can be used to advantage. However, as new concepts and materials will be introduced a thorough training of the technical staff is suggested. Programs for splicers training, fire fighting, safety precautions, record preparation and maintenance are described and ways are explained to make the job comprehensive and attractive to workers. Training and continued education are also suggested for the engineers. A lot depends on how the engineer tackles his technical and administrative problems., A knowledge of human factors in engineering and technology, and modern management tools are also necessary for the engineer for efficient decision making. A utility engineer must be well equipped with the modern engineering developments and have a broad spectrum of knowledge and training. To help the engineer to understand his duties in rendering his services to the organization, duties and capacities of different engineers are discussed. This may also help the organization to appreciate and realize the engineering services, and make better selections of personnel in the future. For the successful operation of a fast expanding utility much can be gained by a thorough analysis and control of the problems which are at hand and which may be confronted in the near future. These problems are discussed clearly and recommendations for improvements are made. Renovation is a process of constant struggle and achievement. Perserverence in thinking and constant struggle for betterment are the gateway to improvement. And, a change of attitude in itself is a great achievement

Do Z-Score and Current Ratio have Ability to Predict Bankruptcy?

Altman’s Z-score Model (1968) is the Strongest Predictor of the bankruptcy and after its development many studies have been conducted to assess the financial viability of the corporate sector by using this model. This study used Z-Score model and Current Ratio to measure the Financial Failure of 22 selected Textile Industries of Pakistan. Results showed that Z-Score and current ratio are the good tools to assess the financial health of the textile companies listed in KSE. This study also revealed that financial distressed companies are also present in textile sector. Keywords: Z-Score, Current ratio, Paired Sample T-Test, Financial Failur

On the performance of web services, google cloud messaging and firebase cloud messaging

Smartphones and other connected devices rely on data services, such as Web Services (WS), Google Cloud Messaging (GCM) and Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM), to share the information they collect or use. Traditionally, these services were classified according to the average number of bytes transmitted or their delivery time. However, when dealing with battery-operated devices, another important parameter to be taken into account is their power consumption. Furthermore, software designers and developers often do not consider the efficiency of a data communication system, but are simply concerned about ease-of-use and response time. In this paper, we compare FCM, GCM and two types of WS, namely Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) and REpresentational State Transfer (REST) WS in terms of delay, data efficiency, and power consumption. The final outcome is that RESTful WS outperforms all others, making GCM and FCM a viable alternative only when the amount of data to be transmitted is very limited, or when the mobile application requires the advanced services offered by FCM or GCM only. Keywords: Web Services, Google Cloud Messaging, Firebase Cloud Messaging, REST, SOA

Pakistan Video industry: Creating equilibrium through re-calibration of the roles and powers, for future commercial growth

Abstract: recommendations on how specific actions can transform our industry into an instrument of national power and commercial value