Risk Factors of Infection in Total Knee Arthroplasty

Background: To determine risk factors of infection in total knee arthroplastyMethods: In this descriptive study all patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty were included. Patients were followed post-operatively at 2,4,8,12 and 24 weeks. Signs of inflammation and inflammatory markers such as total leukocyte count (TLC), C-reactive protein (CRP) and ESR were measured. Risk factors like age, body mass index (BMI), ASA, co-morbid conditions were also noted.Results: Out of the 78 patients osteoarthritis (94.87%) was the pre-dominant cause of total knee replacement (TKR). 6.41% cases got infected. In majority of the infected cases (60%), Staphylococcus aureus was the infective organism. Diabetes Mellitus (p=0.01) and Obesity (p=0.02) had a significant relation to post-operative infection.Conclusion: Pre-operative risk evaluation and prevention strategies along with early recognition of infection and control can greatly reduce the risk of joint infection post-TKR which will not only improve the mobility of patient but also its morbidity and mortality as wel

Geometric and harmonic means based priority dispatching rules for single machine scheduling problems

[EN] This work proposes two new prority dispatching rules (PDRs) for solving single machine scheduling problems. These rules are based on the geometric mean (GM) and harmonic mean (HM) of the processing time (PT) and the due date (DD) and they are referred to as GMPD and HMPD respectively. Performance of the proposed PDRs is evaluated on the basis of five measures/criteria i.e. Total Flow Time (TFT), Total Lateness (TL), Number of Late Jobs (TNL), Total Earliness (TE) and Number of Early Parts (TNE). It is found that GMPD performs better than other PDRs in achieving optimal values of multiple performance measures. Further, effect of variation in the weight assigned to PT and DD on the combined performance of TFT and TL is also examined which reveals that for deriving optimal values of TFT and TL, weighted harmonic mean (WHMPD) rule with a weight of 0.105 outperforms other PDRs. The weighted geometric mean (WGMPD) rule with a weight of 0.37 is found to be the next after WHMPD followed by the weighted PDT i.e. WPDT rule with a weight of 0.76.Ahmad, S.; Khan, ZA.; Ali, M.; Asjad, M. (2021). Geometric and harmonic means based priority dispatching rules for single machine scheduling problems. International Journal of Production Management and Engineering. 9(2):93-102. https://doi.org/10.4995/ijpme.2021.15217OJS9310292Baharom, M. Z., Nazdah, W., &Hussin, W. (2015). Scheduling Analysis for Job Sequencing in Veneer Lamination Line. Journal of Industrial and Intelligent Information, 3(3). https://doi.org/10.12720/jiii.3.3.181-185Chan, F. T. S., Chan, H. K., Lau, H. C. W., & Ip, R. W. L. (2003). Analysis of dynamic dispatching rules for a flexible manufacturing system. Journal of Materials Processing Technology, 138(1), 325-331. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0924-0136(03)00093-1Cheng, T. C. E., &Kahlbacher, H. G. (1993). Single-machine scheduling to minimize earliness and number of tardy jobs. Journal of Optimization Theory and Applications, 77(3), 563-573. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00940450da Silva, N. C. O., Scarpin, C. T., Pécora, J. E., & Ruiz, A. (2019). Online single machine scheduling with setup times depending on the jobs sequence. Computers & Industrial Engineering, 129, 251-258. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cie.2019.01.038Doh, H.H., Yu, J.M., Kim, J.S., Lee, D.H., & Nam, S.H. (2013). A priority scheduling approach for flexible job shops with multiple process plans. International Journal of Production Research, 51(12), 3748-3764. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207543.2013.765074Dominic, Panneer D. D., Kaliyamoorthy, S., & Kumar, M. S. (2004). Efficient dispatching rules for dynamic job shop scheduling. The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, 24(1), 70-75.Ðurasević, M., &Jakobović, D. (2018). A survey of dispatching rules for the dynamic unrelated machines environment. Expert Systems with Applications, 113, 555-569. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eswa.2018.06.053Forrester, P. (2006). Operations Management: An Integrated Approach. International Journal of Operations & Production Management.Geiger, C. D., &Uzsoy, R. (2008). Learning effective dispatching rules for batch processor scheduling. International Journal of Production Research, 46(6), 1431-1454. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207540600993360Hamidi, M. (2016). Two new sequencing rules for the non-preemptive single machine scheduling problem. The Journal of Business Inquiry, 15(2), 116-127.Holthaus, O., & Rajendran, C. (1997). New dispatching rules for scheduling in a job shop-An experimental study. The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, 13(2), 148-153. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01225761Hussain, M. S., & Ali, M. (2019). A Multi-agent Based Dynamic Scheduling of Flexible Manufacturing Systems. Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management, 20(3), 267-290. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40171-019-00214-9Jayamohan, M. S., & Rajendran, C. (2000). New dispatching rules for shop scheduling: A step forward. International Journal of Production Research, 38(3), 563-586. https://doi.org/10.1080/002075400189301Kadipasaoglu, S. N., Xiang, W., &Khumawala, B. M. (1997). A comparison of sequencing rules in static and dynamic hybrid flow systems. International Journal of Production Research, 35(5), 1359-1384. https://doi.org/10.1080/002075497195371Kanet, J. J., & Li, X. (2004). A Weighted Modified Due Date Rule for Sequencing to Minimize Weighted Tardiness. Journal of Scheduling, 7(4), 261-276. https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JOSH.0000031421.64487.95Lee, D.K., Shin, J.H., & Lee, D.H. (2020). Operations scheduling for an advanced flexible manufacturing system with multi-fixturing pallets. Computers & Industrial Engineering, 144, 106496. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cie.2020.106496Lu, C.C., Lin, S.W., & Ying, K.C. (2012). Robust scheduling on a single machine to minimize total flow time. Computers & Operations Research, 39(7), 1682-1691. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cor.2011.10.003Krishnan, M., Chinnusamy, T. R., & Karthikeyan, T. (2012). Performance Study of Flexible Manufacturing System Scheduling Using Dispatching Rules in Dynamic Environment. Procedia Engineering, 38, 2793-2798. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2012.06.327Munir, E. U., Li, J., Shi, S., Zou, Z., & Yang, D. (2008). MaxStd: A task scheduling heuristic for heterogeneous computing environment. Information Technology Journal, 7(4), 679-683. https://doi.org/10.3923/itj.2008.679.683Oyetunji, E. O. (2009). Some common performance measures in scheduling problems. Research Journal of Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology, 1(2), 6-9.Pinedo, M. L. (2009). Planning and Scheduling in Manufacturing and Services (2nd ed.). Springer-Verlag. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-0910-7Prakash, A., Chan, F. T. S., & Deshmukh, S. G. (2011). FMS scheduling with knowledge based genetic algorithm approach. Expert Systems with Applications, 38(4), 3161-3171. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eswa.2010.09.002Rafsanjani, M. K., &Bardsiri, A. K. (2012). A New Heuristic Approach for Scheduling Independent Tasks on Heterogeneous Computing Systems. International Journal of Machine Learning and Computing, 371-376. https://doi.org/10.7763/IJMLC.2012.V2.147Tyagi, N., Tripathi, R. P., &Chandramouli, A. B. (2016). Single Machine Scheduling Model with Total Tardiness Problem. Indian Journal of Science and Technology, 9(37). https://doi.org/10.17485/ijst/2016/v9i37/97527Vinod, V., & Sridharan, R. (2008). Dynamic job-shop scheduling with sequence-dependent setup times: Simulation modeling and analysis. The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, 36(3), 355-372. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-006-0836-4Waikar, A. M., Sarker, B. R., & Lal, A. M. (1995). A comparative study of some priority dispatching rules under different shop loads. Production Planning & Control, 6(4), 301-310. https://doi.org/10.1080/0953728950893028

Correlation of Schmidt Hammer Rebound Numbers with Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity and Slake Durability Index of Dolomitic Limestone of Khyber, North Pakistan

The ultrasonic pulse velocity and slake durability index are the indirect techniques used widely for rock strength determination. Various experimental studies like slake durability apparatus, ultrasonic pulse velocity and Schmidt hammer have been conducted on dolomitic limestone. The correlation of Schmidt hammer rebound number has been developed with these properties. The uniaxial compressive strength has been determined using the correlated rebound number. Statistical analyses were conducted and the most suitable models were recommended. The linear model was suited in correlation of Schmidt hammer and durability while exponential model appeared best fit with pulse velocity. Most of the tested samples show pulse velocity in the range of 1800-3800m/s. The mean value of pulse velocity was 2751 m/s while the rebound hammer value was 45. Using the correlations from literature the compressive strength calculated by rebound hammer and pulse velocity was 146MPa and 66MPa respectively

6-(Adamantan-1-yl)-3-(3-fluoro­phen­yl)-1,2,4-triazolo[3,4-b][1,3,4]thia­diazole

The title mol­ecule, C19H19FN4S, displays C s mol­ecular symmetry, in which the crystallographic mirror plane bis­ects the adamantan-1-yl unit while the 3-fluoro­phenyl triazole ring is located on the mirror plane. The F atom of the 3-fluoro­phenyl ring is positionally disordered [occupancy ratio 0.9:0.1]. In the crystal, π–π inter­actions between the triazole and phenyl rings occur [centroid–centroid distance = 3.5849 (7) Å] and weak C—H⋯F inter­actions form a ribbon propagating in [010]

Ergonomics investigation on the effect of noise on human performance.

Projek penyelidikan ini telah menumpukan kepada kesan-kesan bunyi bising di dalam kawasan industri kepada pekerja industri. The research project has concentrated on the effects of noise on industrial worker in work place compounds. The effect of noise at the work place had shown that people who work in noisy environments might have be affected by the noise like physiological effects, psychological effect, hearing loss effect, auditory effects and sleep disturbances effects

Diffusion Weighted MR Imaging of Ring Enhancing Brain Lesions

Objective: To evaluate the role of diffusion weighted imaging in differentiating the cause of ring enhancing brain lesions. Study Design: Analytical, descriptive study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Radiology, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from March 2007 to July 2011. Methodology: Diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) was performed on 37 patients having ring enhancing lesions on their post-contrast brain MRI scans. These lesions were characterized into neoplastic and abscess cavity on the basis of diffusion restriction. Correlation of all these findings was done with histopathology obtained in all these patients. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values and diagnostic accuracy of DWI were calculated. Comparisons of mean ADC values of abscess and neoplastic lesions were also done using t-test. Results: DWI had a sensitivity of 94.73%, specificity of 94.44%, positive predictive value of 94.73%, and negative predictive value of 94.44% and diagnostic accuracy of 94.5% in differentiating brain abscess from neoplastic brain lesions. Mean ADC value in central cavity and wall of neoplastic lesions and brain abscesses were calculated with significant p-value of 0.001 and 0.025 respectively. Conclusion: Diffusion weighted imaging is non-invasive method with high sensitivity and specificity which can help in differentiation of ring enhancing neoplastic lesions and brain abscesses. This modality should be read in conjunction with conventional imaging

Experimental Study on the Structural Behavior of Cast in-situ Hollow Core Concrete Slabs

An experimental work has been carried out to study the flexural behavior of cast in-situ hollow core reinforced concrete (HCRC) slabs constructed by using easy, cost effective and implementable techniques in field. The precast elements made of different easily available affordable material i.e. concrete, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and plaster of paris having voided cross- sections of circular, rectangular and triangular shapes were incorporated in one direction during pouring of concrete with minimum flexural reinforcement to construct HCRC slabs. A total of 14 slab specimens including 02 specimens per specification were tested with third point loading for the assessment of flexural behavior as per ASTM standards C78/C78M. The flexural behavior of HCRC slabs with polyvinyl and plaster of paris elements having hollow cross-sections was comparable with the control solid slabs, however, HCRC slab with concrete pipes showed 7 to 8 percent reduction in flexural strength with 19 to 20 percent reduction in self-weight. All the tested specimens performed well in shear as no shear failure was observed. This study reveals that HCRC slabs with locally available material having hollow cross section elements can be used for the construction of cast in-situ monolithic construction of one-way slabs with ordinary construction techniques. Doi: 10.28991/cej-2020-03091597 Full Text: PD

4-Methoxy­benzene­carbothio­amide

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C8H9NOS, contains two independent mol­ecules with the meth­oxy groups oriented in opposite conformations. The mean planes of the carbothio­amide groups are tilted by 7.88 (15) and 11.16 (9)° from the mean planes of the benzene rings. In the crystal, the mol­ecules form dimers via intermolecular N—H⋯S inter­molecular hydrogen bonds, resulting in eight-membered rings of R 2 2(8) graph-set motif. The dimers are further linked by C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds into chains along the c axis. Adjacent chains inter­act through inter­molecular N—H⋯S hydrogen bonds, generating eight-membered rings of R 4 2(8) graph-set motif

Anthropometric Study of the Human Craniofacial Morphology among different castes of Punjab Pakistan

Background: It appears from the literature that there is a research vacuum in craniofacial anthropometric studies in Pakistani population. Therefore, this study was carried out to characterize the craniofacial parameters among different castes of the Punjab Pakistan.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on population of the Punjab, Pakistan, with age 18-45 years in a normal healthy state and data was collected using a questionnaire. Anthropometric instruments such as standard spreading caliper, round ended caliper, vernier caliper and scale were used for the measurement of craniofacial parameters. Data was analyzed by using SPSS version 20.0 and MS Excel 16. Morphological anthropometry of face, head, nose and ears was observed and noted.Results: Hyperleptoprosopic face was most common one in the studied population. The dominant nose type was Leptorrhine while the most dominant head shape was Dolichocephalic. The average ear index was 50.42 and 51.19 of right and left ears, respectively.Conclusion: This data is a base for the anthropometric data bank of the Punjab province of Pakistan. This data is helpful in medico legal cases, forensic investigations, and in facial surgeries. This study is also important for anthropological and forensic research.Keywords: Anthropology, Anthropometry; Craniofacial; Morphology; Populatio