Evidence in Requirements Engineering: A Systematic Literature Review Protocol

Requirements Engineering (RE) is recognized as one of the critical phases in software development. RE has its own journals and conferences where lots of work has been published. As the area is maturing, increasingly large numbers of empirically supported studies have been reported in RE. There is a need to synthesize evidence based RE literature. We plan to systematically investigate evidence based RE studies to see and report state of the art in evidence based RE reported research. This paper aims at providing a systematic literature review (SLR) protocol to describe a process for synthesizing the empirically supported work in the area of RE that will eventually present a state of the art of the field. This SLR intends to not only summarize the empirical data regarding RE but will also be helpful for various practitioners in this field to find out areas of RE rich in terms of tools, techniques, frameworks, models and guidelines to aid in their work. It will also facilitate RE researchers to identify knowledge gaps to recognize needs and chances for future research directions in this field

Distribution of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in adult women

OBJECTIVE: To determine the distribution of lower urinary tract symptoms in adult women and the frequency with which the women consulted a health care provider for their symptoms. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analytical study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Community Health Center of Aga Khan University Hospital from November 1st to 30th, 2002. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A trained interviewer administered a structured questionnaire to women patients or attendants aged 18 years and older coming to the center. RESULTS: Fifty-two percent of the study subjects reported having at least one or more urinary complaints in the past. Stress incontinence was the highest reported complaint (38.4%) followed by burning (34.4%), frequency (26%), painful micturition (20.4%), urge incontinence (18.8 %), incomplete emptying of bladder (14.4%), dribbling (12.4%) and poor stream (8.4%). Forty-three percent of the women with LUTS never consulted a health care provider for their problem.CONCLUSION: Although the distribution of LUTS among females was found to be high, the patients did not consider it important enough to consult a health care provider. There is a need to create awareness among females regarding LUTS and the need to consult a health care provider for their problems

Comparative Analysis of Trace Elements Found in Commonly Used Vegetables Irrigated By Fresh And Waste Water in Karachi, Pakistan

Use of municipal waste water (both treated and untreated) has now become a common practice in urban and peri-urban areas. Mostly vegetables in urban cities like Karachi are being irrigated by sewerage water. In this study a comparison of sewage and fresh water-irrigated vegetables has been made with respect to trace metals. Among commonly used vegetables, green onion, cabbage, pumpkin, eggplant, bird’s eye chili and okra were selected. Two sets of these vegetables were collected, one from local farm where irrigation was done with well water and other set of samples was collected from Malir, Karachi where irrigation was done with waste water. Samples were analyzed for heavy metals i.e. K, Na, Pb, Zn, Cu, Cd, Fe, and As by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. It showed that both sets of samples were found to contain metal concentrations beyond the limits set by WHO/EU. Apart from tomato, the concentration of only Cd was near the standard value for both sets. Similar results were obtained for K except for pumpkin in which the concentration for waste water irrigated samples was fairly high. Amount of Cu and Fe were moderately higher than the standard in both samples. Arsenic in all the samples was considerably high while maximum concentration was obtained for Pd against the limits. These findings suggest waste water irrigated vegetables pose high risk to human health. The concentrations of As and Pb were high in fresh water samples possibly, the well water may contain metals, therefore it is important to know the source

The value of histological examination in the diagnosis of tuberculous lymphadenitis in the era of rapid molecular diagnosis

Extrapulmonary tuberculosis often poses a diagnostic challenge. This study aimed to assess the value of histological examination in diagnosing tuberculous lymphadenitis (LNTB) when performed simultaneously with rapid molecular assay (Xpert MTB/RIF) testing. People presumed to have LNTB were prospectively enrolled in a tertiary care hospital. Excision biopsy was performed and tested by histology, Xpert, and culture. Of 390 lymph nodes, 11 (2.8%) were positive by AFB microscopy, 124 (31.8%) by Xpert, 137 (35.1%) by culture, and histopathology was consistent with TB in 208 (53.3%). Altogether, LNTB was diagnosed in 228 and bacteriologically confirmed TB in 178 cases. Against culture, histopathology versus Xpert had higher sensitivity (93 vs. 62%) but lower specificity (68 vs. 83%). In patients with short clinical history, a significantly higher number of Xpert-positive specimens were culture-positive. Among patients with histology suggestive of TB, no difference was seen in response to treatment between bacteriology positive and negative, but a significant slow response was noted in bacteriology confirmed TB with nonspecific histology. In a country like Pakistan, with high TB and low HIV prevalence, diagnosis is possible for more than 95% of LNTB when Xpert and histopathology examination is used in combination, compared to less than 60% by Xpert alone.publishedVersio

Mixotrophic cultivation of Scenedesmus dimorphus in sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate

Overuse of the fossil fuels to fulfill existing energy requirements has generated various environmental problems like global warming. Emergence of environmental issues due to burning of the fossil fuel resources has provoked researchers to explore alternative sources of fuel. In this scenario, microalgal biofuels could present a promising alternative fuel if produced cost-effectively without competing for freshwater resources and arable land. Aim of the present study was to grow microalgae by employing lignocellulosic waste for production of lipids. Scenedesmus dimorphus NT8c was chosen based on its ability to tolerate heat, rapid growth, and ease of harvesting by overnight settling. Biochemical composition and growth parameters of microalgae were analyzed when cultivated mixotrophically on sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate, a low-value agricultural by-product, that is, currently underutilized. Despite a slight increase in turbidity in the medium, S. dimorphus NT8c cultures raised mixotrophically in 5 g/L sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate displayed significantly higher growth rates compared to photoautotrophic cultivation with an overall biomass productivity of 119.5 mg L d, protein contents of 34.82% and fatty acid contents of 15.41%. Thus, microalgae cultivated mixotrophically are capable of photosynthesizing while metabolizing and assimilating organic carbon, significant increases of biomass and lipid productivity can be achieved. However, high supplementation with organic carbon can result in unfavorable levels of turbidity and bacterial growth, reducing microalgal biomass productivity

Female Dental Student’s Perception of Their Dental Aesthetics and Desired Dental Treatment

Objectives: This study aims to assess the self-perception of female dental students of their dental aesthetics regarding their satisfaction, its effect on their quality of life and felt need for treatment. Materials and Method: This is a descriptive study for 1st, 2nd and 3rd year dental students (n=110) in the College of Dentistry at Princess Nourah University (PNU). The survey was distributed via link "Google form". A 20 item questionnaire was prepared and tested before on seven students for clarity. Questions were regarding how students feel about their dental aesthetics and what they desire for treatment. Whether they felt their teeth affected their attractiveness, confidence and quality of life. Data was entered in SPSS for statistical analysis. Results: With a response rate of 94.5% majority (89.4%) of students felt their teeth affected the attractiveness of their faces. Almost one third (30.8%) have tried to hide their smile. Around half (51%) were not satisfied with their tooth colour. Almost two thirds of students (61.5%) felt their quality of life is affected by the appearance of their teeth. ‘Tooth whitening’ was selected by almost two thirds of students (64.4%) followed by almost half (46.2%) the students wanting ‘orthodontic treatment’. Conclusion: Dental aesthetics is rated highly among female dental students.The majority of the students felt that their teeth affected the attractiveness of their face and influenced their quality of life. Students desired teeth whiteneing followed by orthodontic treatment as their perceived need for aesthetic dental treatments

Cone-driven strong flash electroretinograms in healthy adults: Prevalence of negative waveforms

Purpose Both rod and cone-driven signals contribute to the electroretinogram (ERG) elicited by a standard strong flash in the dark. Negative ERGs usually reflect inner retinal dysfunction. However, in diseases where rod photoreceptor function is selectively lost, a negative waveform might represent the response of the dark-adapted cone system. To investigate the dark-adapted cone-driven waveform in healthy individuals, we delivered flashes on a dim blue background, designed to saturate the rods, but minimally adapt the cones. Methods ERGs were recorded, using conductive fibre electrodes, in adults from the TwinsUK cohort. Responses to 13 cd m−2 s white xenon flashes (similar to the standard DA 10 flash), delivered on a blue background, were analysed. Photopic and scotopic strengths of the background were 1.3 and 30 cd m−2, respectively; through a dilated pupil, this is expected to largely saturate the rods, but adapt the cones much less than the standard ISCEV background. Results Mean (SD) participant age was 62.5 (11.3) years (93% female). ERGs from 203 right and 204 left eyes were included, with mean (SD) b/a ratios of 1.22 (0.28) and 1.18 (0.28), respectively (medians, 1.19 and 1.17). Proportions with negative waveforms were 23 and 26%, respectively. Right and left eye b/a ratios were strongly correlated (correlation coefficient 0.74, p < 0.0001). We found no significant correlation of b/a ratio with age. Conclusions Over 20% of eyes showed b/a ratios less than 1, consistent with the notion that dark-adapted cone-driven responses to standard bright flashes can have negative waveforms. The majority had ratios greater than 1. Thus, whilst selective loss of rod function can yield a negative waveform (with reduced a-wave) in some, our findings also suggest that loss of rod function can occur without necessarily yielding a negative ERG. One potential limitation is possible mild cone system adaptation by the background

Situational Analysis of Household Energy and Biomass Use and Associated Health Burden of Indoor Air Pollution and Mitigation Efforts in Pakistan

Biomass fuel burning leads to high levels of suspended particulate matter and hazardous chemicals in the indoor environment in countries where it is in common use, contributing significantly to indoor air pollution (IAP). A situational analysis of household energy and biomass use and associated health effects of IAP was conducted by reviewing published and un-published literature about the situation in Pakistan. In addition to attempt to quantify the burden of ill health due to IAP, this paper also appraises the mitigation measures undertaken to avert the problem in Pakistan. Unfortunately, IAP is still not a recognized environmental hazard in Pakistan and there are no policies and standards to control it at the household level. Only a few original studies related to health effects of IAP have been conducted, mainly on women’s health and birth outcome, and only a few governmental, non-governmental and academic institutions are working to improve the IAP situation by introducing improved stoves and renewable energy technology at a small scale. Control of IAP health hazards in Pakistan requires an initial meeting of the stakeholders to define a policy and an action agenda. Simultaneously, studies gathering evidence of impact of intervention through available technologies such as improved stoves would have favorable impact on the health, especially of women and children in Pakistan