Software Quality Assurance and Android Application Development: A Comparison among Traditional and Agile Methodology

This paper focuses on software quality assurance in android application development with focus on approaches to confirm software quality in android applications. In this work, we compare the waterfall model with agile-scrum methodologies to realize software quality assurance with special focus on mobile applications. This research allows us to answer, “Which process model and practices are available for android software development along with focus on quality assurance?” The other research focus in this paper is “How auditors, developers and testers play their defined roles to maintain quality in mobile application development?” Agility for software development has transformed into a preferred and favored method for mobile application development. The major aim of this research is to contribute for a better knowledge for mobile application development methodologies practiced by the organizations for the development of applications based on systematic literature review

Explorando las Barreras al Aprendizaje en Línea durante la Pandemia de COVID-19. Un Caso de Estudiantes Pakistaníes de IES [Instituciones de Educación Superior]

The main objective of this study is to explore various barriers that are preventing Pakistani HEIs (universities) students from learning online in this COVID-19 pandemic. Applying a qualitative research design, twelve (12) in-depth interviews were conducted with individual business school participants (students), selected at undergraduate and graduate levels to participate. Data were collected from six (06) universities in Islamabad, Pakistan. After collecting the data using a self-developed questionnaire, a thematic analysis method within the qualitative research was applied to uncover several barriers relating to the objective of this study. Eight themes emerged from the interview data: internet technology access, the content of digital slides, student’s perception towards online learning, power outages during COVID-19 pandemic, students’ fear of losing marks and impact on employment, faculty skills in using technology to teach online, student’s stress and health in the COVID-19 pandemic and student skills to use distance learning tools. Based on the findings, students who live in rural areas are more affected by online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic than students in urban areas due to identified barriers and, most importantly, lack of technology infrastructure. Opportunities and future recommendations have been provided to the relevant authorities to conduct and deliver smooth online education in the country during pandemic.El principal objetivo de este estudio es de explorar varias barreras que previenen a los estudiantes de educación superior (universidades) de Paquistán de aprender en línea en esta pandemia de Covid-19. Al aplicar un diseño de investigación cualitativa, doce (12) entrevistas en profundidad se llevaron a cabo con participantes de la escuela de negocios, seleccionados en niveles de pregrado y posgrado. Los datos se recolectaron de seis universidades en Islamabad, Paquistán. Luego de recolectar los datos usando un cuestionario de desarrollo propio, se aplicó un método de análisis temático dentro de la investigación cualitativa para descubrir varias barreras relacionadas con el objetivo de este estudio. Ocho temas emergieron de los datos de las entrevistas, tales como: acceso a internet, el contenido de diapositivas digitales, la percepción de los estudiantes hacia el aprendizaje en línea, cortes de energía durante la pandemia, miedo de los estudiantes a perder notas y su impacto en el empleo, habilidades del profesorado en el uso de la tecnología para enseñar en línea, el estrés de los estudiantes y la salud, y las habilidades para usar herramientas de aprendizaje a distancia. Basado en los hallazgos, los estudiantes que viven en zonas rurales son los más afectados debido a las barreras identificadas y lo más importante a la falta de infraestructura tecnológica. Se han proporcionado oportunidades y recomendación a las autoridades pertinentes para desarrollar y entregar educación en línea fluida en el país durante la pandemia

Thyrotoxic hypokalemic periodic paralysis: A success story of a diagnostic challenge

Thyrotoxic hypokalemic periodic paralysis (THPP) is a rare but life-threatening complication of hyperthyroidism seen predominantly in males. It is generally characterized by hypokalemia and skeletal muscle paralysis requiring intensive care admission. Hypokalemia occurs due to the massive intracellular shift of potassium because of the hyperactivity of the sodium-potassium adenosine triphosphates pump (Na+ K+ ATPase). Its differential diagnosis from the other common causes of hypokalemic paralysis is essential to provide targeted therapy. We present a rare case of THPP in a female patient with no prior history of thyroid disease. THPP in this patient was precipitated by trauma and emotional stress, which served as a diagnostic challenge. Both hypokalemia and elevated levels of T3 and T4 are important diagnostic features during the acute episode. Treatment of THPP includes nonselective beta-blockade, which prevents the shift of intracellular potassium, and potassium replacement. THPP is curable once a euthyroid state is achieved

Anaesthetic management of nesidioblastosis in two infants

Nesidioblastosis is the most common cause of non-transient, recurrent and persistent hypoglycaemia in neonates and infants. It is a disorder of diffuse proliferation of beta cells of the pancreas leading to hyperinsulinemia and hypoglycaemia. The main aim is to prevent the severe episodes of hypoglycaemia which can cause damage to the brain and/or mental retardation. In this case report we present two cases of nesidioblastosis and their perioperative anaesthetic course for near-total pancreatectomy. First case was a 7 months old female who had repeated episodes of convulsions since birth. Second case was a 4-month-old female child who again presented with seizures. The challenges faced in the perioperative period were the management of perioperative blood glucose levels and haemodynamic stability

Duration of cessation of smoking before elective surgery: Impact on intraoperative hemodynamics and early postoperative pain in developing country

Aim and Background: It is estimated that up to 20% of patients coming for elective surgery are smokers and carry a risk of perioperative complications. Though smoking cessation and its impact on perioperative outcome are widely investigated worldwide we were unable to find any data in Pakistan. The objective of the study is to determine the impact of the duration of smoking cessation before elective surgery on intraoperative hemodynamics and postoperative pain in Pakistani population. Methods: It was a prospective cohort study conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital Karachi, Pakistan, for one-year duration. A total of 260 patients scheduled for elective noncardiac surgery under general anaesthesia were recruited. Surgery under regional anaesthesia and minor surgery under general anaesthesia were excluded. Data on self-reported duration of smoking cessation by patients, intraoperative haemodynamics, postoperative pain scores and duration of hospital stay were collected by independently trained data collectors from the preoperative area until the patient is discharged from the hospital. Results: A data from 256 patients were analyzed. On the basis of self-reported duration of preoperative smoking cessation, patients were divided into 4 groups (Group 1: less than 2 days, Group 2: more than 2 days to 7 days, Group 3: more than 7 days to 4 weeks and Group 4: more than 4 weeks). It was found that the longer the duration of cessation of smoking is the less haemodynamic changes and lower postoperative pain scores. Length of stay did not show any difference among all four groups. No major postoperative pulmonary complication was found in any study patient. Conclusions: Duration of cessation of smoking before elective surgery is a significant predictor of intraoperative haemodynamics and early postoperative pain in Pakistani population. A short duration of smoking cessation also helps to avoid some of the adverse effects and reduces perioperative complications

Optimizing Electricity Load and Cost for Demand Side Management in Smart Grid

This paper proposes a mechanism for OELC (Optimizing Electricity Load and Cost) for smart grid. The load of every smart home is predicted one-hour prior to their actual usage. To fulfill PL (Predicted Load) of each consumer, multiple resources of electricity are considered, including RE (Renewable Energy) resources. Furthermore, cost to get PL from multiple resources is calculated. In proposed model 3-4 smart homes are grouped in the form of clusters. To reduce the amount of electricity bills, system also allows privileges to share electricity between adjacent smart homes within a cluster. To validate the OELC mechanism, extensive numerical simulations are conducted which shows a significant reduction in electricity load and cost for electricity consumers. In future, to enhance the functionality of OELC, security from cyber-attacks can be considere

Phytochemistry of Ziziphus Mauritiana; its Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Potential

Background: Z. mauritiana is a very common and easily available plant all over the world, including Pakistan. It finds a lot of importance due to its nutritional and medicinal value.Methods: Current studies were performed to investigate the phytochemical nature and antioxidant and antimicrobial potential of Z. mauritiana (Lahore, Pakistan). Total phenolic contents in leaves and pulp extracts were identified using a modified Folin-Ciocalteu’s method while total sugars were determined by Lane and Eynon method. Antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH radical-scavenging activity assay using a UV-Visible spectrophotometer at 517 nm. The antimicrobial potential was tested by agar well diffusion method using imipenem as standard drug.Results: The methanolic extracts of leaves and pulp contained tannins, saponins, phlobatannins, alkaloids and flavonoids while steroids were absent in both the samples. The pulp and leave extracts have shown the presence of 57.3% and 37.89% sugar contents, respectively. The concertation of total phenolic contents (TPC) was found higher in pulp extracts as compared to that observed in leaves. The methanolic pulp extract has shown higher antioxidant potential as compared to the leaves extract. However, methanolic leaves extract exhibited higher antibacterial potential as compared to the methanolic pulp extract.Conclusion: The methanolic extracts of Z. Mauritiana pulp and leaves contain many biologically active ingredients and are biologically active against most of the tested bacterial strains. Its pulp and leaves are richer in numerous antioxidants and secondary metabolites. The pulp extract exhibited higher antioxidant potential as compared to the leaves extract.Keywords: Z. Mauritiana; Phytochemicals; Total Phenolic contents; Antibacterial

Removing Digital Addiction: Through Digital Detoxication

Over-reliance on digital devices like cell phones, tablets, and iPad, has led to an individual using multiple digital devices the majority of the time when he or she is awake. Multiple device usage leads to an unconscious addictive use of a device that culminates in persistent information overload. This addictive use leads to information overload that continues even when the device is not being used or the individual is sleeping. We seek to explore if a digital detoxification app can remove digital addiction and create an impactful and healthy device usage, resulting in impactful device usage. Researchers have talked about the need for digital detoxification or digital cleansing. The popular remedies available include increased physical activities like yoga and meditation. We propose a digital detoxification model that can be used for mandatory service application of a device or the hedonistic use of an entertainment device. This model will allow individuals to use digital devices to the extent that it does not lead to addiction side effects like technostress, anxiety, insomnia, and information overload, thereby reducing digital addiction. This app will prevent an individual from unnecessarily utilizing the device while promoting optimal use, facilitating digital detoxication, and minimizing digital addiction. The digital detoxification apps will be available from all the publicly available app stores and allow the end-users to develop healthy habits and then detoxify from excessive use of the device. These apps will activate and prevent the end-user from excessively using the device. The individual will identify the safe usage time of the device. The app will activate features like airplane mode to ensure that excessive device usage is prevented and does not lead to digital toxification

Identifying prosperity characteristics in small and medium-sized enterprises of Pakistan: firm, strategy, and characteristics of entrepreneurs

Purpose: The link between SME performance, growth, and development is well established; however, the characteristics of SMEs that allow firms to be successful in the longer run in an underdeveloped country context i.e., Pakistan are still unclear. This research aims to bridge this gap by identifying the SMEs’ characteristics that set them apart from their rivals and become successful. Design/methodology/approach: This study uses Storey’s development framework to identify the SMEs’ characteristics. Data is gathered using the case study method from SMEs with a metropolitan context in Pakistan. A narrative methodological framework was used during the data gathering and analysing stages. Findings: Findings of this study indicate that the prosperity of SMEs in Pakistan is dependent on a combination of characteristics including entrepreneurial characteristics of owner-managers, knowledge of business operating models, social networks and relationship building, and innovation in business style. Additionally, other factors such as governance structure, strategic planning of market diversification, and export characteristics also influence the prosperity of an SME. These findings may have several important implications for key stakeholders including entrepreneurs, SMEs, and policymakers in the government. Originality/value: This research provides evidence about factors that can help an SME to become successful in uncertainty situations surrounding a business environment. Theoretically, the contribution of this research is that it demonstrates that entrepreneurial characteristics and the effective leadership style of owner-managers can help SMEs achieve prosperity in external unforeseeable situations