An Optimal LFC in Two-Area Power Systems Using a Meta-heuristic Optimization Algorithm

In this study, an optimal meta-heuristic optimization algorithm for load frequency control (LFC) is utilized in two-area power systems. This meta-heuristic algorithm is called harmony search (HS), it is used to tune PI controller parameters ( ) automatically. The developed controller (HS-PI) with LFC loop is very important to minimize the system frequency and keep the system power is maintained at scheduled values under sudden loads changes. Integral absolute error (IAE) is used as an objective function to enhance the overall system performance in terms of settling time, maximum deviation, and peak time. The two-area power systems and developed controller are modelled using MATLAB software (Simulink/Code). As a result, the developed control algorithm (HS-PI) is more robustness and efficient as compared to PSO-PI control algorithm under same operation conditions

Urban-rural inequities in knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding tuberculosis in two districts of Pakistan's Punjab province

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Objective</p> <p>The aim of this study was to explore inequities in knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding tuberculosis (TB) among the urban and rural populations.</p> <p>Design</p> <p>A cross-sectional study was conducted in two districts of Pakistan's Punjab province. The 1080 subjects aged 20 years and above, including 432 urban and 648 rural respondents, were randomly selected using multistage cluster sampling and interviewed after taking verbal informed consent. Logistic regression was used to calculate the crude odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) for the urban area. The differences in knowledge, attitudes, practices and information sources between the urban and rural respondents were highlighted using Pearson chi-square test and Fisher's exact test.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The study revealed poor knowledge regarding TB. The deficit was greater in the rural areas in all aspects. The knowledge regarding symptoms (OR 2.03, 95% CI 1.59-2.61), transmission (OR 1.93, 95% CI 1.44-2.59), prevention (OR 2.24, 95% CI 1.70-2.96), duration of standard treatment (OR 1.88, 95% 1.41-2.49) and DOTS (OR 1.84, 95% CI 1.43-2.38) was significantly higher in the urban areas (all P < 0.001). Although a majority of the subjects (urban 83.8%, rural 81.2%) were aware of the correct treatment for TB, less than half (urban 48.1%, rural 49.2%) were aware of the availability of the diagnostic facility and treatment free of cost. The practice of seeking treatment at a health facility (P = 0.030; OR 2.01, 95% CI 1.06-3.82), as soon as they realized that they had TB symptoms (P < 0.001; OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.26-2.35), was significantly higher in the urban areas. People in the urban areas were more likely to feel ashamed and embarrassed being a TB patient (P < 0.001; OR 2.03, 95% CI 1.50-2.76); however, they seem to be supportive in case their family member suffered from TB (P = 0.005; OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.13-2.06). Nearly half of the respondents, irrespective of the area of residence, believed that the community rejects the TB patient (urban 49.8%, rural 46.4%). Television (urban 80.1%, rural 68.1%) and health workers (urban 30.6%, rural 41.4%) were the main sources for people to acquire the TB related information.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Respondents' knowledge regarding TB was deficient in all aspects, particularly in the rural areas. Intended health seeking behavior was better in the urban areas. Television and health workers were the main sources for TB related information in both the urban as well as the rural areas. Therefore, the area of residence should be considered in tailoring communication strategies and designing future interventions for TB prevention and control.</p

Impact of caffeine and vitamin D3 on the body-weight of pregnant BALB/c mice

Objective:  To investigate the effect of caffeine and Vitamin D3 on the body weight of pregnant BALB/c mice.  Design of Study:  An RCT (Randomized control trial) in the Lab.  Place and Duration of Study:  The study was carried out at Anatomy Department, Army Medical College (AMC), Rawalpindi, in collaboration with National Institute of Health (NIH), Islamabad, from Oct 2018 to Oct 2019.  Material and Methods:  Six-week old pregnant BALB/c mice, thirty (30) in number, weighing  26-28g, were taken and divided into three groups with 10 pregnant mice in each group.  The control group G1 was given standard diet with water ad libitum for 21 days.  The animals in experimental group G2, in addition to the standard diet, were given 10mg of caffeine per 100g body-weight once a day on alternate days by oral gavage for 21 days.  Similarly, mice in group G3, in addition to the diet of group G2, were given 0.1µg of vitamin D3 per day by oral gavage for 21 days.  The body-weights on 1st day, 7th day, 14th day and 21st day of gestation in all the groups were measured to determine the influence of caffeine and vitamin D3.  Results:  Mean body-weights of mice in control group G1 were noted as 26.8 ± 0.789g,  30.7 ± 0.949g, 36 ± 0.667g and 42 ± 1.054g on 1st, 7th, 14th and 21st day of gestation, respectively.  The mean body-weights of experimental group G2 were recorded to be 26.7 ± 0.675g, 29.9 ± 0.738g, 34.3 ± 0.823g and 39.5 ± 0.972g on 1st, 7th, 14th and 21th day of gestation, respectively.  The mean body-weights of experimental group G3 were determined as 26.8 ± 0.632g, 30.4 ± 0.699g, 34.6 ± 0.516g and 40.5 ± 0.850g on 1st, 7th, 14th and 21st day of gestation, respectively.  In comparison to the control group G1, the body-weights of animals in experimental group G2 showed more decrease in accrual of body-weight than noted in experimental group G3.  Conclusion:  Caffeine intake has decreasing influence on the growth of body-weight in pregnant mice while intake of vitamin D3 somewhat nullifies the harmful effect of caffeine on body-weight.

Pediatric brainstem gliomas: An institutional experience

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical profiles and outcomes of pediatric brainstem gliomas treated at our institute.Methodology: We reviewed the files of 18 pediatric age group patients diagnosed with brainstem glioma at our institution. The following variables were recorded: age, sex, duration of symptoms, date of diagnosis, main clinical symptoms, Karnofsky performance status score, magnetic resonance imaging findings, histopathology findings, details of the treatment given, disease progression, and date of mortality/last follow-up. This data were then transferred to SPSS version 23 which was used for further analysis.Results: The mean age of our cohort was 8.6 years (range 3-15). There were 11 (61.1%) males and 7 (38.9%) females. There were 16 (88.9%) patients with diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas (DIPGs), 1 (5.6%) patients with exophytic medullary gliomas, and 1 (5.6%) patient with midbrain/tectal glioma. Mean overall survival (OS) was 9.7 months. Mean progression-free survival (PFS) was 6.3 months. All patients with DIPG eventually passed away from their disease. Patients with DIPG who received radiotherapy had a longer OS and PFS than those who did not (9.8 and 6 months vs. 3.4 and 2.4 months). Diagnostic latency \u3e1 month was found to have a statistically significant longer progression-free interval.Conclusion: DIPGs in the pediatric population have a poor prognosis. Radiotherapy serves to increase survival time but is not curative

Jejunal gastrointestinal stromal tumour masquerading as an ovarian cancer: A case report

A 60-year-old lady presented with lower abdominal discomfort and a huge palpable intra-abdominal mass for 4 months, with significant weight loss over half a year. Transvaginal ultrasonography and computed tomography (CT) abdomen showed a large right solid cystic mass likely ovarian in origin. The CA-125 was raised. With the provisional diagnosis of ovarian cancer patient underwent laparotomy at Hospital Umum Sarawak, Malaysia. However intraoperative findings showed that uterus and both ovaries were normal. The tumour was arising from the jejunum and adherent to the dome of the urinary bladder and right broad ligament. The tumour was resected and final diagnosis was jejunal gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST). We described this case which was misinterpreted as an ovarian cancer

Right ureteric reconstruction with vascularised interpositional appendix graft in retroperitoneal leiomysarcoma

We present here a case of a 66-year-old lady who was diagnosed with right iliac fossa retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma at Hospital Umum Sarawak. The challenge in this case was the extension of tumour with the involvement of her right ureter causing proximal hydroureter and hydronephrosis. After resection of tumour en-block with the involved segment of ureter, it was not possible to repair the ureteric defect directly. We used interpositional vascularized appendix graft to repair this large (7 cm) ureteric defect. We describe here this uncommon technique of ureter reconstruction

Investigation of the cardiac depressant effect of Caralluma tuberculate N.E.Br on isolated rabbit heart

Purpose: To investigate the histopathological and cardiac depressant effect of the aqueous methanol extract of Caralluma tuberculata N.E. Br (AMECT) (family: Asclepiadaceae)’ and to determine if there is a scientific basis for its cardiovascular diseases-related folkloric use. Methods: The effect of AMECT in different concentrations ranging from 0.00001 to 1.0 mg/mL were evaluated in isolated perfused rabbit heart to assess their effect on the force of contraction and heart rate using Langendorff’s apparatus. Atropine and adrenaline were used to identify the underlying mechanism of response produced by AMECT. The extract was studied for its possible mechanism in the absence and presence of atropine and adrenaline. In addition, sub-chronic toxicity and histopathological study of heart tissues in rats were assessed by administering 500 mg/kg of extract. Results: At all concentrations, AMECT produced significant (p &lt; 0.001) negative ionotropic and negative chronotropic effects. The most significant effect was observed at 0.001 mg/mL and higher concentrations hence 0.001 mg/mL was selected for further studies. Pre-incubation with atropine did not significantly inhibit the effects of AMECT. However, AMECT significantly (p &lt; 0.01) blocked the cardiac stimulant effect of adrenaline. In the histopathological studies, AMECT did not produce any significant cellular changes or signs of toxicity in the sub-chronic toxicity study. Conclusion: The cardiac-depressant responses of AMECT may involve the β-adrenergic receptors in the myocardium of isolated rabbit heart thus confirming the rationale for its use in ethnomedicine for cardiac diseases

Neighbourhood oriented TDMA scheme for the internet of things-enabled remote sensing

Throughout the world, Internet of Things (IoT) have been used in different application areas to assist human beings in numerous activities such as smart buildings and cities via remote sensing-enabled techniques. However, simultaneous transmission of packet(s) by multiple devices Ci, which are interested to start a communication session with a common receiver device, is one of the challenging issues associated with these networks. In the literature, various mechanisms have been presented to resolve the aforementioned issue without changing the technological infrastructures; however, neighbourhood information of sensor nodes is not considered yet. In IoT-enabled remote sensing, neighbourhood information of various devices plays a vital role in developing a reliable communication mechanism specifically for scenarios where multiple devices Ci are interested to start communication with a common destination module. In this paper, a neighbourhood-enabled TDMA scheme is presented for the IoT to ensure the concurrent communication of multiple devices Ci with a common destination device Sj preferably with a minimum possible packet collision ratio (if avoidance is not possible). The proposed scheme bounds each and every member device Ci to assign a dedicated time slot to its neighbouring devices in the operational IoT network. Furthermore, neighbouring devices Ci are forced to communicate within the assigned time slot. Simulation results have verified that the proposed scheme is ideal solution compared to the existing schemes for the IoT and other resource-limited networks particularly in scenarios where the deployment process is random