Multi-Criteria Land Suitability Analysis for Agriculture Using AHP and Remote Sensing Data of Northern Region India

The purpose of this study was to identify adequate agricultural sites in Punjab’s Northern region India district (India). This research employed the “Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP)” approach, which is extensively used in land use appropriateness studies. Great soil type, land use, land cover, soil moisture, slope, aspect, elevation, drainage, geology, and geomorphology were all incorporated into the application. The ranks of influencing criteria were calculated using expert judgments and correlation analysis, while the weights were determined using a pairwise comparison matrix. The scores for sub-parameters with internal variations in the criteria assigned based on field work and published norms. The study area is considered to be highly appropriate for agricultural production in 41.2% (39044.28 ha), moderately suitable in 14.3% (13498.76 ha), and marginally suitable in 4.2% (3993 ha). Furthermore, it was discovered that 1.9% of the land is now unfit for agricultural production (1766.6 ha), while 38.4% of the area is permanently unsuitable (36372.6 ha). The following facts were also discovered to be important in achieving these results: a large portion (approximately 45%) of the study area is covered with forests, built-up areas, and water bodies, the soil depth is insufficient for agricultural production, the slope in the study area is quite steep, and thus the erosion degree is high

Awareness regarding causes of infertility among out-patients at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan

Introduction: Infertility is the inability of a couple to achieve pregnancy within 12 months of sexual intercourse without the use of contraceptives. The Pakistani population, belonging to a low-middle income country, has a high prevalence of infertility due to a low knowledge and awareness regarding its causes, and lack of healthcare-seeking behavior for this medical issue. The prevalence of infertility in Pakistan is reported as 22%, with primary infertility accounting for 4% of the total cases. This leads to psychological trauma among women as societal norms equate infertility with failure on a personal, emotional, and social level. In this study, we aimed to assess among this population the general awareness regarding infertility and its causes; and identify any key knowledge gaps pertaining to the subject.Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out between June 2019 and November 2019, at a public hospital (Civil Hospital Karachi) in Karachi, Pakistan. Convenience sampling technique was used to collect data from adult participants (older than 18 years) via an interview-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire was based on the Cardiff Fertility Knowledge Scale (CFKS) and assessed the knowledge regarding causes of infertility such as smoking, healthy lifestyle, contraceptives, genital tract infections among others. We also determined the association between socio-demographic variables with mean knowledge scores. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 20.0.Results: The majority of the participants were married (n=342, 68.8%) and more than half were unemployed (n=259, 52.1%). Approximately, two-quarters (n=250, 50.3%) did not believe that equal proportions of males and females contribute to infertility. The mean knowledge score of our study population was 12.95 ± 2.48 points. An overwhelming proportion of the participants (n=326, 65.6%) falsely believed that the usage of the intra-uterine device contributes to infertility. Additionally, more than half of the responders (n=278, 55.9%) incorrectly believed that a male achieving erection is an indication of fertility. Education (p=0.019), vehicle ownership (p=0.018), and marital status (p=0.031) were the only demographic factors that showed significant differences with mean knowledge scores.Conclusion: Awareness regarding the causes of infertility among the general population was found to be inadequate. Emphasis on targeted fertility education, in association with general public awareness programs regarding its causes and risk factors may help mitigate this problem by potentially reducing the prevalence of this condition, and increasing the number of affected individuals who seek medical care in a timely fashion

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

The ideological foundations of Pakistan.

In 1947 Pakistan was created with the avowed purpose of establishing a state on the "ideal principles of Islam." This dissertation is primarily a study of an ideology, a system of thought in terms of the political-philosophical conceptual values, such as the nature of universe, epitemology, metaphysics, nature of man and society, politics and the state. It is also a study of practical conceptual categories such as the organization and structure of the state, decision making and functions of the state, as conceived by the intellectual and political elite of Pakistan, in particular those who struggled for and contributed to the creation of the country.The task the Muslim theorists of Pakistan faced was to construct political institutions through which the ethical system in which they believed could be incorporated. The tradition and Muslin heritage dictated that they adopt one-man rule. However, since there was also a widespread belief in democratic institutions, there was vacillation and debate between the parliamentary and presidential institutions. There were also differences of opinion in implementation of the values contained in the epistemological system. Even though there was agreement that the state should provide each individual with the basic necessities of life, this remained a far fetched goal. Above all the political elite, for the most part remained landed aristocrats. Apart from the difficulty they faced in implementing the "Islamic values, " they were not dedicated to either democratic or social value concepts. It is because of these factors that Pakistan failed to emerge as an Islamic State or a democratic social welfare state

Impact of land-use on groundwater quality: GIS-based study from an alluvial aquifer in the western Ganges basin

Abstract In this study, groundwater quality of an alluvial aquifer in the western Ganges basin is assessed using a GIS-based groundwater quality index (GQI) concept that uses groundwater quality data from field survey and laboratory analysis. Groundwater samples were collected from 42 wells during pre-monsoon and post-monsoon periods of 2012 and analysed for pH, EC, TDS, Anions (Cl, SO4, NO3), and Cations (Ca, Mg, Na). To generate the index, several parameters were selected based on WHO recommendations. The spatially variable grids of each parameter were modified by normalizing with the WHO standards and finally integrated into a GQI grid. The mean GQI values for both the season suggest good groundwater quality. However, spatial variations exist and are represented by GQI map of both seasons. This spatial variability was compared with the existing land-use, prepared using high-resolution satellite imagery available in Google earth. The GQI grids were compared to the land-use map using an innovative GIS-based method. Results indicate that the spatial variability of groundwater quality in the region is not fully controlled by the land-use pattern. This probably reflects the diffuse nature of land-use classes, especially settlements and plantations

Omental Patch Technique for the Ileal Perforation Secondary to Typhoid Fever

Background/Aim: Enteric perforation is a grave complication of typhoid fever. Laparotomy with primary closure is the treatment of choice depending upon the bowel condition. Fecal fistula formation is the main concern in primary closure and the incidence of this complication dramatically decreases when omentum is used as a patch over primary closure. Materials and Methods: A total of 176 patients underwent laparotomy for enteric perforation and they were divided into two groups randomly; Group I-Primary closure with omental patch and Group II--Only primary closure. The outcomes were measured in relation to hospital stay, wound infection, septicemia, fecal fistula, and mortality. Results: The incidence of complications including fecal fistula and mortality is significantly lower in the group I patients. Fecal fistula occurs in 7.7% in group II, while in only 1.1% in group I. The mortality is also lower 3.3% in group II, while 1.1% in group I. Conclusion: Primary closure with omental patch is a better option as compared with only primary closure in enteric perforation patients. It can be recommended as an alternative method to primary closure only in enteric perforation patients

Predictors for proximal caries in permanent first molars: A multiple regression analysis

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the predictors of proximal decay in the permanent first molar.Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Oral Medicine, Dow Dental College, Dow University of Health Sciences. A total of 171 patients presenting with 227 first molars were included. Calibrated examiners performed a detailed history and examination using a specialized form. The form recorded caries predictors and assigned a caries risk category based on the presence of these predictors. The statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS for windows version 17. A descriptive analysis was used to calculate the mean and proportions. Backward regression was carried out to evaluate the predictor for caries on mesial and distal surfaces at p ≤ 0.05.Results: The included 171 patients presented with a total of 227 decayed first molars and 412 decayed proximal surfaces. The mesial surface was found to be more affected by decay (0.92 ± 0.85). The caries risk profile explains 60%, and caries on the adjacent surface explains 90% of caries occurrence on the mesial surface. In the case of distal surfaces, the predictor which can cause caries significantly was caries risk only. The caries risk profile explains the 3% of caries occurrence on distal surfaces.Conclusion: Our study identified caries on the adjacent tooth surface and the caries risk profile as significant predictors of future caries risk for the mesial surface of permanent molars.Clinical Significance: Predictors for mesial and distal surfaces of the permanent first molar may differ. Overall caries risk and status of adjacent teeth must be taken into account to predict future caries occurrence

An Isolated Power Factor Corrected Cuk Converter with Integrated Magnetics for Brushless DC Ceiling Fan Applications

The usage of BLDC motors in the low-power range is increasing rapidly in home appliances such as ceiling fans. This has necessitated the development of reliable, compact and efficient AC-DC power supplies for motor drive circuitry. This paper presents a power supply design consisting of an AC-DC isolated PFC Cuk converter with integrated magnetics that supplies a single-shunt voltage source inverter for the sensorless drive of the BLDC fan motor. The proposed power supply design is comprised of an integrated magnetics structure in which the two inductors and the transformer windings share the same core. The zero input and output ripple current conditions have been derived from the reluctance model of the magnetic assembly. Smooth operation of the motor by minimizing the motor torque ripples is evident from the results. The Cuk converter operates in continuous conduction mode (CCM), employing the current multiplier method. The CCM-based current multiplier control loop ensures a near-unity power factor as well as low total harmonic distortion in the supply current. The current loop also provides over-current protection, enhancing reliability of the system. Moreover, the speed of the BLDC motor is controlled by the field oriented control (FOC) algorithm, which enables direct operation with alternate energy sources such as batteries and solar photovoltaic panels. The performance of the proposed supply is validated: motor torque ripple is reduced to only 2.14% while maintaining 0.999 power factor and only 4.72% THD at full load. Failure modes analysis has also been performed through software simulations, using the PLECS simulation environment. Due to the reliable power supply design with low ripples, it is well suited for low-power BLDC motors in home appliances and small power tools, in addition to ceiling fans

BCG vaccination is associated with decreased severity of tuberculosis in Pakistan

Vaccination with Bacille Calmette–Guérin (BCG) is given at birth to protect against tuberculosis (TB) in Pakistan. The country ranks 6th amongst high-burden countries worldwide and has an incidence of 231/100,000 pyopulation. This was a cross-sectional multi-center hospital-based study. TB patients (n = 218) with pulmonary (PTB, n = 120) or extrapulmonary (ETB, 98) were recruited, and the presence of a BCG vaccination scar was documented. Cases were further classified into minimal, moderate and advanced PTB or less severe (L-ETB) or severe disseminated (D-ETB) disease. The association of age, gender and severity of TB infections with BCG vaccination of the individual TB cases was investigated. No difference was found of the BCG vaccination status of PTB and ETB cases, or in relation to age or gender. Patients under 29 years of age comprised the largest group. There were more females with ETB than PTB. The largest group within ETB comprised those with tuberculous lymphadenitis (LNTB, 39%). A significantly greater number of LNTB cases had received BCG vaccinations than had those with pleural (unilateral) TB (p = 0.004), and tuberculous meningitis (p = 0.027) groups. Also, there were more immunized patients with pulmonary as compared with pleural disease (p = 0.001). LNTB represents localized granulomatous disease and the observation of higher vaccination rates in this group suggests that BCG has protected against more severe forms of TB in this high-burden region