A Distance Based Method for Solving Multi-objective Optimization Problems

A new model for the weighted method of goal programming is proposed based on minimizing the distances between ideal objectives to feasible objective space. It provides the best compromised solution for Multi Objective Linear Programming Problems (MOLPP). The proposed model tackles MOLPP by solving a series of single objective sub-problems, where the objectives are transformed into constraints. The compromise solution so obtained may be improved by defining priorities in terms of the weight. A criterion is also proposed for deciding the best compromise solution. Applications of the algorithm are discussed for transportation and assignment problems involving multiple and conflicting objectives. Numerical illustrations are given for the proposed model

Sugarcane: Diseases Due to Pests, Pest Management Strategies and Factors Influencing the Production of Sugarcane

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum, L.) is the second major crop of Pakistan. It is not merely a significant sugar crop but also a resource of inclement notes for different agro-based industries in Pakistan. Sugarcane yields have been rigorously abridged in various parts of Asia as attacked by enormous number of insect pests and diseases. Changes in cropping patterns including the cultivation of high yielding varieties and hybrids have added to the problem in some areas. Plant breeding has been successful to some extent in keeping up with new and evolving diseases and pests. Innovation in agronomic practices, advent of chemicals for control, and more recently genetic engineering tools have been providing new opportunities for reduction of crop losses due to biotic pressures. Insect control is even more important as many viral diseases are transmitted by insects

Influence of Social Exchange Relationship and Work Engagement on Creative Work Involvement: Mediation of Individual Innovative Behavior

The study probed the effect of social exchange relationship and work engagement on creative work involved with the assistance of mediation of individual innovative behavior of employees on work. Responses to a survey of 450 employees from the different service sector were used to the study hypotheses. Correlation and regression were done to see the impact of work engagement on employees’ creativity and individual innovative behavior with the assistance of social exchange relationship. This study shows the significant relation between social exchange relationship and creative work involvement. It also shows that employees should be provided with the resources so that they can perform well and also to be appreciated for their novel ideas which help the organization to progress. Individual innovative behavior also mediates connection among leader-member exchange and creative work involvement

Influence of Social Exchange Relationship and Work Engagement on Creative Work Involvement: Mediation of Individual Innovative Behavior

The study probed the effect of social exchange relationship and work engagement on creative work involved with the assistance of mediation of individual innovative behavior of employees on work. Responses to a survey of 450 employees from the different service sector were used to the study hypotheses. Correlation and regression were done to see the impact of work engagement on employees’ creativity and individual innovative behavior with the assistance of social exchange relationship. This study shows the significant relation between social exchange relationship and creative work involvement. It also shows that employees should be provided with the resources so that they can perform well and also to be appreciated for their novel ideas which help the organization to progress. Individual innovative behavior also mediates connection among leader-member exchange and creative work involvement

Chronic high vibration issue of a Condensate Pump

Case StudiesChronic high vibration issue was being observed on a critical condensate pump. Although this motor driven pump is a standby unit, however, in case the running pump has a breakdown and the motor pump is unavailable, the Ammonia Plant will trip. This is a horizontal overhung, centerline mounted, single stage pump. The pump was relocated to current site in 1992 and the problem of high vibration was observed after ~10 years of operation. The issue was observed around the timeframe when locally manufactured spares were used since OEM had discontinued offering its spares. The pump was overhauled 03 times in past 10 years, but the high vibration issue remained as such

Patterns of Admission in Intensive Care Unit of Tertiary Care Hospital

Background: It is well known that early appropriate referrals of critically ill patients to an ICU can significantly reduce the mortality. At the same time, improper admissions to ICU limits bed availability that adversely affects ICU functioning. Objective: To determine the patterns of admissions and outcome in Medical and Surgical Intensive care Units.Material & Methods: A retrospective review of all patients admitted in medical and surgical ICU of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad from 2014 to 2016 was done. Data was collected from admission registers and patients’ files. Data was analyzed using SPSS software version 20.0. Chi-square test was applied and P-value < 0.05 was considered significant.Results: Study recruited data of 1652 patients admitted to intensive care unit of PIMS hospital. There were 769(46.5%) males and 883(53.5%) females. Among all the patients, 503(30.4%) were admitted to medical intensive care unit while 1149(69.6%) were admitted to surgical intensive care Unit. 684(41.4%) had undergone mortality while 968(58.6%) remained alive. Overall mean length of hospital stay was 7.4±4.1SD, mean length of mechanical ventilation 4.1±2.1SD and mean length of supplemental ventilation was 1.5±0.11SD. Acute abdomen (13.1%) and head injuries (12%) were most common causes for admission in ICU. Statistically significant association between years (2014, 2015 & 2016) and disease (p=0.000), years and mortality (p=0.000), years and age (p=0.000), intensive care unit and gender (p=0.01), intensive care unit and age (p=0.02) was reported.Conclusion: Acute abdomen and Head injuries had highest number of admissions in Medical and Surgical intensive care unit of PIMS hospital. Developing a well-equipped trauma ICU with adequately trained staff will help improve the outcome of patients

Epidemiology of Onychomycosis in Gujranwala Division-Pakistan

Onychomycosis is a common fungal infection of nails. It is usually further divided into four types which are Distal and lateral subungual onychomycosis (DLSO), white superficial onychomycosis (WSO), proximal subungual onychomycosis (PSO) and candidal onychomycosis (CO). The main causative agents of onychomycosis are three fungal forms: dermatophytes, yeasts, and non-dermatophytes molds. In current study, occurrence frequency of various types of onychomycosis was observed in a selected region of Pakistan. Collected data were statistically analyzed at 0.001% significance level by using single factor ANOVA for comparative examination on the basis of gender, age and onychomycosis types. Results indicated that males suffer more than females, adults are more prone to get onychomycosis attack and DLSO is frequently occurring than other forms. The root causes of this epidemiological trend were lack of personal hygiene and health care awareness among masses and knowledge about symptoms and effects of onychomycosis meanwhile poverty was also found as a leading indirect reason for the spread of this nail disorder. Future researchers should find out cost effect local alternatives for treatment and control of onychomycosis along with some general public awareness program

Evaluation of Fractal Dimension and Topographic Surface Roughness (Vertical Dissection) in Astore-Deosai-Skardu Region in GIS Environment Using ASTER GDEM

Fractal investigation is a valuable technique to model and quantify the composite patterns of natural similarobjects. This study investigates Neotectonics using ASTER-GDEM. Fractal technique for extraction of topographicfractal dimension (Dtopo) and vertical dissection (Rtopo-surf) were used to assess the Neotectonics deformation.Geomorphological regions can be demarcated by using above mentioned procedures as they reveal the topographicevolutionary stages as an evaluation of topographic textures. The idea is to recognize the zones that are stronglyinfluenced by Neotectonics. Astore-Deosai-Skardu (ADS) region in Gilgit-Baltistan was selected for this purpose as itlies between MKT and MMT which is experiencing surface topographic deformation (STD) caused by anti-clock-wiseprogression and subduction of Indian plate beneath Eurasia. The results obtained illustrates that Dtopo and Rtopo-surf showanomalies in the ADS region that clearly represent a robust control of nearby MMT, MKT and KkF and highlights theirsignificance to describe regions vulnerable to Neotectonics and related deadly events threatening precious human livesand infrastructure damages

Quality of life perceptions in school-going adolescents with social anxiety

Introduction: Social anxiety is common among adolescents with a prevalence range of 9-34%. People with social anxiety have intense fear of being evaluated negatively when they come in contact with strangers and as a result they are less satisfied with their life experiences. Our study aimed to screen school going adolescents for social anxiety disorder and to estimate their perceptions about quality of life. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Karachi, Pakistan from January to February 2016. We recruited 450 high-school students of ages 14-17 using a self-administered questionnaire based on the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale for Children and Adolescents (LSAS-CA-SR) and the brief version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire. Results: In this school-based study, 23.8% screened positive for social anxiety with a preponderance of adolescents from public than private schools (33% vs. 18%, p\u3c0.001). Social anxiety status, however, was not associated with gender and age. Screening positive for social anxiety was found to be associated with a significant difference in mean scores on all four domains (physical health, psychological health, social relationships, and environment) of WHOQOL-BREF. Conclusion: Social anxiety is prevalent among Pakistani school adolescents with a substantial negative effect on quality of life. Adolescents must be targeted with interventions such as group treatment and mentorship programs that are effective in tackling the menace of social anxiety

Comparison of casting versus elastic nail for the treatment of pediatric tibial diaphyseal fractures

Objective: To assess outcomes of Titanium elastic nail (regarding radiologic union, a discrepancy of limb length, malalignment, pain and complications) in treating pediatric tibial fractures in comparison with the traditional Casting method.Methodology: This randomized controlled trial study was conducted in Department of Orthopaedics, Shaikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore through emergency /Outdoor patient department from May 2018 to Feb 2019. The total number of patients were categorized into two groups, 14 each group. In Group A, patients underwent treatment by elastic nails and patients in group B, underwent treatment with cast method. Post op X-Rays (serial) were done and Leg length inequality, Malalignment, pain and radiological union were assessed radiologically. Follow up of the patients was done in the outpatient department of Orthopaedic department after 1,3 and 6 months. The comparison for this among both groups was done by using Chi-square test. P value ≤ 0.05 was considered significant.Results: The mechanism of injury was statistically same in both groups, p-value > 0.05. In group-A, 7(50.0%) cases had Transverse, 4(28.6%) had Oblique and 3(21.4%) cases had comminuted fracture while in group-B there were 5(35.7%) cases who had Transverse, 2(14.3%) had Spiral, 4(28.6%) cases had Oblique and 3(21.4%) cases had Comminuted fracture, p-value > 0.05. In both groups, the leg length inequality, frequency of malalignment, pain severity and complications were statistically same, p-value was > 0.05.Conclusion: Similar outcomes of Titanium elastic intramedullary nailing as compared to cast application in terms of bone union, alignment and infection rates