Predictive model of blood transfusion during CABG surgery in Pakistan

OBJECTIVE: To determine predictors of need for transfusion of blood and blood products and create a clinical predictive model to reduce indiscriminate use of blood products during surgery. METHOD: We conducted a retrospective chart review of 485 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass surgery from January 2004 to December 2004 at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. Independent predictors associated with transfusion were identified and a clinical prediction model developed. RESULTS: The transfusion rate was 37.1%. A predictive model was created based on the presence of pulmonary disease, diabetes mellitus, low ejection fraction and recent/ongoing myocardial infarction. CONCLUSION: The study identifies some predictors of need for blood transfusion in patients undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting. However, prospective studies with a larger sample of patients are needed to determine other predictors and their applicability in patient selection across institutions

Design and analysis of 1-to-4 Wilkinson power divider for antenna array feeding network

In this paper, A Novel 1 to 4 modified Wilkinson power divider operating over the frequency range of (3 GHz to 8 GHz) is proposed. The design perception of the proposed divider based on two different stages and printed on FR4 (Epoxy laminate material) with the thickness of 1.57mm and ϵr =4.3 respectively. The modified design of this power divider including curved corners instead of the sharp edges and some modification in the length of matching stubs. In addition, this paper contain the power divider with equal power split at all ports, reasonable insertion loss, acceptable return loss below -10 dB, good impedance matching at all ports and satisfactory isolation performance has been obtained over the mentioned frequency range. The design concept and optimization development is practicable through CST simulation software

Design an ultra-wideband modified wilkinson power divider fed-by balanced antipodal vivaldi antenna array for imaging applications

In this paper, design of compact and modified geometrical structure of 1-to-4 way ultra-wideband Wilkinson power divider used as a feeding network for 4-element of balanced antipodal Vivaldi antenna (BAVA) array has introduced. The proposed Wilkinson power divider has been designed and printed on low-cost Epoxy laminate substrate FR4 along with the thickness of 1.6mm and relative permittivity of ɛr =4.3 respectively. The transformation of power divider network which are based on bent corners as a replacement of sharp corners or edges used for the decrement in unintended radiation and employing a single radial stub on each branch to encounter the antenna-specifications. Further some adjustments in the dimension of stubs matching in order to increase the reflection of the power divider network. The design presents the model of a power divider and maintains an equal power splitting at different ports with practical insertion loss and conventional return loss below -10dB. The reasonable impedance matching has achieved at every single port with acceptable isolation performance values over the (3-to-10 GHz) frequency range. The divider as well as antenna elements design and its optimization are practicable via computer simulation technology (CST) simulation software. The experimental results are revealed to encounter the array-specifications under ultra-wideband frequency range

Electronic cigarettes use and perception amongst medical students: a cross sectional survey from Sindh, Pakistan

Objective: The manufacturers of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are actively marketing their product through electronic and social media. Undergraduate medical students are expected to have better knowledge and awareness as they directly interact with patients in their training, The purpose of this study is therefore, to determine knowledge, use and perception regarding e-cigarettes among medical students from Sindh, Pakistan. Results: A cross-sectional study was conducted between 1st July and 30th September 2016 at five different medical colleges situated in the second largest province of Sindh, Pakistan. The data was collected through a structured, self-administered questionnaire. Of the 500 students, the mean age was 21.5 ± 1.7 years and 58% were females. Over (65.6%) students were aware of e-cigarettes, 31 (6.2%) reported having used e-cigarettes, of whom 6 (1.2%) self-reported daily use. Users of conventional tobacco products were significantly more likely to have heard of e-cigarettes (87.6% vs 51.6%, p \u3c 0.001) and having used them (13.9% vs 1.3%, p \u3c 0.001). On multivariable logistic regression analysis we found a strong association of e-cigarette use with consumption of conventional cigarettes [OR: 10.6, 95% CI 3.6-30.8, p \u3c 0.001], use of smokeless tobacco products [OR: 7.9, 95% CI 2.7-23.4, p \u3c 0.001] however a weak association was observed for Shisha use [OR: 3.05, 95% CI 0.9-9.6, p = 0.05]

A survey of current state of training of plastic surgery residents

Abstract Background Plastic surgery training is undergoing major changes however there is paucity of data detailing the current state of training as perceived by plastic surgical trainees. Our aim was to determine the quality of training as perceived by the current trainee pool and their future plans. Methods A 25-item anonymous survey with three discrete sections (demographics, quality of training, and post-graduate career plans) was developed and distributed to plastic surgery residents during the academic year 2013. With the confidence interval of 95% and margin of error of 10%, our target response rate was 87 responders. Results We received a total of 114 respondents with all levels of Post Graduate Year in training represented. Upon comparison of residents with debt of 250,000, those with higher debt were significantly less interested in fellowship training (p value 0.05) and were more likely to pursue private practice (p value <0.01). Disciplines within plastic surgery least offered as a separate rotation were microsurgery (45%) followed by aesthetic surgery (33%). 53.7% of the residents felt that they were least trained in aesthetic surgery followed by burn surgery 45.4%. Of note 56.4% intended to seek additional training after residency. Moreover residents with an average of 6.4 months of experience in an individual subspecialty were more likely to feel comfortable with that specialty. Conclusions This survey highlights the areas and subspecialties that deserve attention as perceived by the current trainee pool.https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/137662/1/13104_2017_Article_2561.pd

Design and parametric evaluation of UWB antenna for array arrangement

This paper has introduced the concept of UWB antenna in array arrangements. The four elements of Balance Antipodal Vivaldi Antenna (BAVA) has been used for planar and H-plane array configuration in this research. Each single element of BAVA Antenna is printed on the glass-reinforced epoxy laminate material (FR4) along an overall thickness of 1.57mm and εr=4.3 respectively. The optimized measurement of each particular element is 60.75mm x 66mm approximatel. Further the parametric evaluation of four BAVA elements in different planes has been observed in this paper. The placement of array elements has almost coverd entire UWB frequency range and appropriate reflection coefficient which is better than -10dB has been established in both combinations. According to simulation results, the array elements in planar arrangement presenting a suitable reflection and works well at 3.2GHz frequency while the arrangement in H-plane the array elements works well at 7GHz of frequency. In planar arrangement, the operating frequency of antenna elements is shifting as results of the distance among inter elements which increase in wavelength. In H-plane arrangement an antenna elements generate additional gain up to 10.2 dB with good radiation patterns as compared to the planar plane. The CSTMWS simulation software has been used for antenna structural design and parametric verification

Comparative analysis of UWB balance Antipodal Vivaldi Antenna for array configuration

In this paper, an Ultra-wideband Balance Antipodal Vivaldi Antenna in planar and h-plane array configuration is presented. The comparison of four elements of BAVA array in both planes has been observed. Each element of an antenna printed on the glass-reinforced epoxy laminate material (FR4) with a thickness of 1.5mm and relative permittivity of 4.3. The dimension of every single element is 60.75mm x 66mm approximately. The array elements of both planes almost cover the whole UWB frequency range with the reflection coefficient of -10dB. Based on the simulation results, the array elements in planar configuration showing good reflection and works well at 3.2GHz frequency while the configuration in h-plane the array elements works well at 7GHz of frequency. In planar configuration, the operating frequency of antenna elements is shifting as a result of the distance between inter elements which intensification in wavelength. The array elements in h-plane produce more gain up to 10.2 dB with good radiation patterns as compared to the planar plane. The antenna design and optimization development are verified using CST simulation software

UWB antenna based time-domain approach for through the walls gap estimation

This paper has introduced a novel experimental system adopted a time domain approach for estimating through wall distance and recognizes buried objects behind the wall. The designed and fabricated balanced antipodal Vivaldi antenna (BAVA) has been used for the development of UWB system. The working mechanism of an intended detection system based on time domain reflectometry (TDR) and ground-penetrating radar (GPR). A miniature pulse in the UWB range is generated by the vector network analyzer (VNA) to irradiate a barrier made of two walls separated by airgap between them. The signal radiations reflect partially from the front wall while remaining goes through for getting reflected from the rear wall. The VNA is used for measuring the time interval passed between the instant when an incident signal irradiates the first wall and the instant when the incident signal gets reflected from the rear wall. The investigational process of a system is carried out by UWB antenna probe. The detected information is attained using the values of reflection coefficient (S 11 ) represented in time domain measurements. Experimental results have been proved the ability to detect wall gap as well as the width estimation between two walls with high accuracy. The maximum percentage error has been found to not exceeding 4.5% in the worst condition

Ultra-wideband antipodal vivaldi antenna for radar and microwave imaging application

In this an ultra-wideband antipodal Vivaldi antenna among end fire radiation patterns function at UWB (3.1 GHz to 10.6 GHz) frequency range for radar and microwave imaging application is proposed. This article presents the designing of two different types of antipodal Vivaldi antennas. First is conventional and second is modified antipodal Vivaldi antenna. This paper presents a parametric analysis of each antenna. While designing the proposed antennas, originally a conventional antipodal Vivaldi antenna is presented for wide impedance bandwidth performance assessment. Further, the Vivaldi antenna is modified by incorporating corrugations on the edges which results in gain significantly along with increased directivity in the low frequency band. In addition, the antenna offers high gain and flat gain in the operating UWB band. The design and optimization process is carried out using the CST simulation software for performance assessment of parameters of return loss, radiation pattern, directivity and input impedance. Prototypes of two different proposed antennas are fabricated and tested for its return loss and directional pattern

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