122 research outputs found
LTE-advanced self-organizing network conflicts and coordination algorithms
Self-organizing network (SON) functions have been introduced in the LTE and LTEAdvanced standards by the Third Generation Partnership Project as an excellent solution that promises enormous improvements in network performance. However, the most challenging issue in implementing SON functions in reality is the identification of the best possible interactions among simultaneously operating and even conflicting SON functions in order to guarantee robust, stable, and desired network operation. In this direction, the first step is the comprehensive modeling of various types of conflicts among SON functions, not only to acquire a detailed view of the problem, but also to pave the way for designing appropriate Self-Coordination mechanisms among SON functions. In this article we present a comprehensive classification of SON function conflicts, which leads the way for designing suitable conflict resolution solutions among SON functions and implementing SON in reality. Identifying conflicting and interfering relations among autonomous network management functionalities is a tremendously complex task. We demonstrate how analysis of fundamental trade-offs among performance metrics can us to the identification of potential conflicts. Moreover, we present analytical models of these conflicts using reference signal received power plots in multi-cell environments, which help to dig into the complex relations among SON functions. We identify potential chain reactions among SON function conflicts that can affect the concurrent operation of multiple SON functions in reality. Finally, we propose a selfcoordination framework for conflict resolution among multiple SON functions in LTE/LTEAdvanced networks, while highlighting a number of future research challenges for conflict-free operation of SON
A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION OF GEMSTONES, MINES,MINERS AND PROBLEMS IN GILGIT-BALTISTAN, PAKISTAN
Gilgit-Baltistan possesses a complex history of crustal evolution and rich diversity of geological environments, and is favorable for various types of mineralization and production of gemstone all over GB. Two batholiths; Kohistan Batholith and Karakorum Batholith which are hosting gemstones mineralization. This investigation reveals that thirty-two precious and semi-precious stones are mined, 95% of the total gemstones produced in Pakistan come from GB. These varieties of gemstones come from 2150 mines which are in working conditions scattered all over GB and number of miners involved is 25000. Miners face problems like lighting, ventilation and drilling. They lack the basic safety equipment like helmets, mining shoes, gloves, googles and masks. Due to the fumes of explosives, miners are suffering from different diseases like Silicosis. The main gemstone-producing areas are Hunza valley, Sumayar (Nager Valley), Shengus and Haramosh (District Gilgit), Bulachi and Mir Malik (District Astore), Istak Nalah and Shiger Valley. The common gemstones mined are ruby, pargasite, spinel, corundum, sapphire, calcite, aquamarine, tourmaline, beryl, quartz, topaz, albite, microcline, apatite, fluorite, emerald, marganite, diopside, tanzanite, axinite, felsite, kunzite, emerald and garnet
Frequency of Depression Among Patients With Parkinson Disease
Background and Objective:
Parkinson\u27s disease is a degenerative neurological condition that affects a large number of individuals worldwide. One of the common non-motor symptoms associated with this disease is depression, which can pose challenges for both patients and their caregivers. The main objective of this research was to determine the frequency of depression among patients with Parkinson disease.
Methods:This was a cross-sectional study that was conducted in Karachi, Pakistan, between March 26, 2022, and September 30, 2022. Male and female patients diagnosed with Parkinson\u27s disease according to the UK Parkinson\u27s Disease Society Brain Bank Clinical Diagnostic Criteria, who were receiving either outpatient or inpatient care at two medical facilities, Neuro Clinic and Falij care center, Karachi and Darul Sehat Hospital, Karachi, were evaluated for depression using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. The collected data were analyzed statistically, using the SPSS version.
Results:According to the results of the study, 100 Parkinson\u27s disease patients were included, out of which 81 individuals were identified as experiencing depression while the rest showed no signs of depression. Among those suffering from depression, 35 individuals were found to have mild depression, 52 had moderate depression, and 13 individuals had severe depression.
Conclusion:The study concluded that depression is a common non-motor symptom among Parkinson\u27s disease patients, with a substantial number of patients having mild to moderate depression
The Effect of Biological and Organic Fertilization and Spraying with Manganese on The Readiness and Concentration of Some Elements in The Soil and The Wheat Plant (Triticum Aestirum L.)
In order to investigate the impact of biological and organic fertilizer and manganese spraying, as well as the interaction between these factors, on the readiness and concentration of some elements in the soil and wheat plants (Barcelona variety), a field experiment was conducted in the Tafail area/Al Sahlan village, located 25 kilometers south of the center of Al Hilla/Babil Governorate, during the 2022-2023 agricultural season. All of the features of the investigated were impacted by biofertilization and organic fertilization, however spraying treatment with manganese at a dosage of (80 mg. L-1) was particularly effective at raising element concentrations in the plant
The Nexus between Inflation and Inflation Uncertainty of four South Asian Economies
This study data have been taken from World Bank side during the time span from 1989 to 2016. This study explores the relationship between inflation and inflation uncertainty in Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. The EGARCH model is used to check the inflation uncertainty among four countries. The asymmetric behavior of inflation uncertainty has also been found by this method. The granger causality test is used to check the direction between inflation and inflation uncertainty. The result of this study showed that there were positive shocks among all the developing countries such as Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. The results of Granger Causality test showed that bi-directional causality exists between inflation and inflation uncertainty in south Asian economies
Bioequivalence of 2 Azithromycin Capsule Formulations: A Randomized, Single-Dose, Open-Label, 2-Period Crossover Study in Healthy Male Pakistani Volunteers
AbstractBackgroundApproximately 68 brands of azithromycin capsule formulations are available in Pakistan; however, published data on their bioequivalence in the Pakistani population are not available.ObjectiveUpon instructions from and approval of the Ministry of Health, Pakistan, this study was designed to evaluate the bioequivalence of a locally manufactured azithromycin capsule formulation with a reference formulation from a multinational manufacturer. This study compared dissolution profiles, relative bioavailability, and other pharmacokinetic parameters of the 2 formulations.MethodsA single oral 500-mg dose of the 2 formulations was administered to 12 healthy adult Pakistani male volunteers under fasting conditions in a randomized, open-label, 2-period crossover study. The trial included collection of blood samples over 48 hours and a 2-week washout period. Azithromycin serum concentrations were quantified using a validated RP-HPLC/ultraviolet (UV) detection method. These results were used to determine the intended pharmacokinetic parameters. As mandated by the US Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicine Agency, the test and reference formulations were considered bioequivalent if the 90% CIs of the geometric mean ratios for the log-transformed values of their pharmacokinetic parameters were within the predetermined range of 0.8 to 1.25.ResultsWhen subjected to a simple model independent approach of dissolution profile comparison, f1 (difference) and f2 (similarity factor) were found to be 5.47 and 70.04, respectively. Similarly, the 2 azithromycin capsule formulations were well tolerated by all volunteers. Low %CV of the pharmacokinetic parameters at a sample size of 12 and significance level of 0.05 contributed to acceptable (>0.8) power of the test. The 90% CIs for the ratios of Cmax, AUC0–48, Tmax, t1/2, and mean residence time, respectively, were 0.83–0.93, 0.85–1.10, 0.86–1.08, 0.92–1.17, and 0.92–1.16.ConclusionThis single-dose study found that test and reference formulations met the regulatory criteria for bioequivalence in these fasted, healthy male Pakistani volunteers
Comparing effects of beetroot juice and Mediterranean diet on liver enzymes and sonographic appearance in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomized control trials
BackgroundIn both developed and developing countries, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has lately risen to the top of the list of chronic liver illnesses. Although there is no permanent cure, early management, diagnosis, and treatment might lessen its effects. The purpose of conducting the current study is to compare the effects of beetroot juice and the Mediterranean diet on the lipid profile, level of liver enzymes, and liver sonography in patients with NAFLD.MethodsIn this randomized controlled trial, 180 people with a mean age of (45.19 ± 14.94) years participated. Participants ranged in age from 19 to 73. The mean weight before intervention was (82.46 ± 5.97) kg, while the mean weight after intervention was roughly (77.88 ± 6.26) kg. The trial lasted for 12 weeks. The participants were split into four groups: control, a Mediterranean diet with beet juice (BJ + MeD), Mediterranean diet alone (MeD), and beetroot juice (BJ). The Mediterranean diet included fruits, vegetables, fish, poultry, and other lean meats (without skin), sources of omega-3 fatty acids, nuts, and legumes. Beetroot juice had 250 mg of beetroot. Data analysis was done using SPSS software (version 26.0). p < 0.05 is the statistical significance level.ResultsFollowing the intervention, Serum Bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine transaminase (ALT), serum cholesterol (CHOL), triglyceride (TG), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels were significantly decreased in the BJ + MeD, BJ, and MeD groups (p = 0.001). Also, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) significantly increased in the BJ + MeD, BJ, and MeD groups (p = 0.001), while decreasing in the Control group (p = 0.001).ConclusionThe research findings indicate a significant reduction in hepatic steatosis among the groups receiving beetroot juice (BJ) and beetroot juice combined with the Mediterranean diet (BJ + MeD). This suggests that beetroot juice holds potential as an effective treatment for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in adults. Furthermore, the combination of beetroot juice with the Mediterranean diet showed enhanced efficacy in addressing NAFLD.Clinical trial registration:ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT05909631
Simultaneous determination of domperidone and Itopride in pharmaceuticals and human plasma using RP-HPLC/UV detection : method development, validation and application of the method in in-vivo evaluation of fast dispersible tablets
Domperidone and Itopride are pro-kinetic agents, regulating the gastric motility and are commonly prescribed as anti emetic drugs. In the present study a simple, rapid and sensitive RP-HPLC/UV method was developed for simultaneous determination of Domperidone and Itopride in pharmaceutical samples and human plasma, using Tenofavir as internal standard. Experimental conditions were optimized and method was validated according to the standard guidelines. Combination of water (pH 3.0) and acetonitrile (65:35 v/v) was used as mobile phase, pumped at the flow rate of 1.5 ml/min. Detector wavelength was set at 210 nm and column oven temperature was 40oC. Unlike conventional liquid-liquid extraction, simple precipitation technique was applied for drug extraction from human plasma using acetonitrile for deprotienation.The method showed adequate separation of both the analytes and best resolution was achieved using Hypersil BDS C8 column (150 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm). The method was quite linear in the range of 20-600 ng/ml. Recovery of the method was 92.31% and 89.82% for Domperidone and Itopride, respectively. Retention time of both the analytes and internal standard was below 15 min. The lower limit of detection (LLOD) and lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) for Domperidone were 5 and 10 ng/ml while for Itopride was 12 and 15 ng/ml, respectively. The developed method was successfully applied for in-vivo analysis of fast dispersible tablets of Domperidone in healthy human volunteer. The proposed method was a part of formulation development study and was efficiently applied for determination of the two drugs in various pharmaceutical products and human plasma
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