A Comparison between Type-2 Diabetics and Non-Diabetics in Terms of Papillary Bleeding Index (PBI)

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to compare the Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients and non-diabetics in terms of Papillary bleeding index (PBI) of periodontal disease. METHODOLOGY: This comparative cross-sectional study was conducted during the period of November 2020 to February 2021 in three (3) tertiary care hospitals of Peshawar. The sampling technique was purposive sampling. The sample comprised 105 individuals, 56 participants in Type–2 diabetes group and 49 in non-diabetes group. Male and females, having age between 40-65 years were recruited. Each diabetic and non-diabetic were clinically examined for periodontitis. Age and sex-matched participants suffering from periodontitis without a history of diabetes as well as with good glycemic control (HbA1c) were considered as controls subjects. Glycated hemoglobulin (HbA1c) was carried out for all the participants free of cost by using Human Gmbh-Max-Planck-Ring 21-65205 Wiesbaden-Germany kit. The study was approved by the ethical committee of the Peshawar Medical College. Data was analyzed using software package SPSS version 20. RESULTS: Out of 56  diabetics, 24 subjects brushed once daily, 15  brushed twice daily, 11 brushed occasionally and 6  didn’t brush  whereas in 49 non diabetics, 20 subjects brushed once daily, 13 brushed twice daily, 11  brushed occasionally and 5 didn’t brush. The clinical parameter mean (PBI) was recorded in our study. Score was 2.09 (±0.82) in diabetics and 1.02 (±0.47) in non-diabetics. P-value measured by the chi square test was significant. Spearman correlation test was performed to explore the association between the type 2 diabetes and Papillary bleeding index (PBI). CONCLUSION: We concluded that a significant difference exists between the mean PBI scores of Type 2 diabetics and non-diabetics

Real-Time Hydraulic Modelling of a Water Distribution System in Singapore

This paper describes the implementation of a real-time hydraulic model of a water distribution system in Singapore. This on-line system is based on the Integration of real-time hydraulic data with hydraulic computer simulation models and statistical prediction tools. To facilitate this implementation, a network of wireless sensor nodes continuously sample hydraulic data such as pressure and flow rate, transmitting it to cloud-based servers for processing and archiving. Then, data streams from the sensor nodes are integrated into an on-line hydraulic modeling subsystem that is responsible for on-line estimation and prediction of the water distribution system's hydraulic state for a rolling planning horizon of 24 hours ahead. This online hydraulic model is one of the components of the WaterWiSe (Wierless Water Sentinel) platform which is an end-to-end integrated hardware and software system for monitoring, analyzing, and modeling urban water distribution systems in real-time.Singapore. National Research FoundationSingapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology. Center for Environmental Sensing and Modelin

Selective harmonic mitigation based two-scale frequency control of cascaded modified packed U-cell inverters

A new Modified Packed U-Cell (MPUC) converter architecture with cascading is proposed in this paper. To provide an output voltage of 25 levels, the proposed cascaded MPUC needs only twelve power switches and four power sources. The converter comprises two cascaded MPUCs with DC supply in a ratio of 5 : 1. One converter is operating at low frequency (LF) and the other at high frequency (HF) that leads to lower power losses and higher levels. Besides, a variable frequency method is anticipated to produce a 25-level output voltage which has low harmonic content (THD) with the help of Selective Harmonic Mitigation (SHM). The optimum switching angles for SHM are obtained through solving the SHM equations using the Genetic Algorithm (GA). The designed controller is efficient and suitable for applications that require low-frequency operation either in stand-alone or grid-tied. The proposed inverter and its operation procedure have been investigated using MATLAB®/Simulink software, and the findings demonstrate that the proposed inverter output voltage has reduced THD significantly. The simulation results are verified using the typhoon HIL-402 emulator. Also, the power loss analysis is done using PLECS. The maximum efficiency of the converter is found to be around 98.34 %. The simulation results justified the efficiency and viability of low 25-level THD voltages

CARLA+: An Evolution of the CARLA Simulator for Complex Environment Using a Probabilistic Graphical Model

In an urban and uncontrolled environment, the presence of mixed traffic of autonomous vehicles, classical vehicles, vulnerable road users, e.g., pedestrians, and unprecedented dynamic events makes it challenging for the classical autonomous vehicle to navigate the traffic safely. Therefore, the realization of collaborative autonomous driving has the potential to improve road safety and traffic efficiency. However, an obvious challenge in this regard is how to define, model, and simulate the environment that captures the dynamics of a complex and urban environment. Therefore, in this research, we first define the dynamics of the envisioned environment, where we capture the dynamics relevant to the complex urban environment, specifically, highlighting the challenges that are unaddressed and are within the scope of collaborative autonomous driving. To this end, we model the dynamic urban environment leveraging a probabilistic graphical model (PGM). To develop the proposed solution, a realistic simulation environment is required. There are a number of simulators—CARLA (Car Learning to Act), one of the prominent ones, provides rich features and environment; however, it still fails on a few fronts, for example, it cannot fully capture the complexity of an urban environment. Moreover, the classical CARLA mainly relies on manual code and multiple conditional statements, and it provides no pre-defined way to do things automatically based on the dynamic simulation environment. Hence, there is an urgent need to extend the off-the-shelf CARLA with more sophisticated settings that can model the required dynamics. In this regard, we comprehensively design, develop, and implement an extension of a classical CARLA referred to as CARLA+ for the complex environment by integrating the PGM framework. It provides a unified framework to automate the behavior of different actors leveraging PGMs. Instead of manually catering to each condition, CARLA+ enables the user to automate the modeling of different dynamics of the environment. Therefore, to validate the proposed CARLA+, experiments with different settings are designed and conducted. The experimental results demonstrate that CARLA+ is flexible enough to allow users to model various scenarios, ranging from simple controlled models to complex models learned directly from real-world data. In the future, we plan to extend CARLA+ by allowing for more configurable parameters and more flexibility on the type of probabilistic networks and models one can choose. The open-source code of CARLA+ is made publicly available for researchers

Augmenting CCAM Infrastructure for Creating Smart Roads and Enabling Autonomous Driving

Autonomous vehicles and smart roads are not new concepts and the undergoing development to empower the vehicles for higher levels of automation has achieved initial milestones. However, the transportation industry and relevant research communities still require making considerable efforts to create smart and intelligent roads for autonomous driving. To achieve the results of such efforts, the CCAM infrastructure is a game changer and plays a key role in achieving higher levels of autonomous driving. In this paper, we present a smart infrastructure and autonomous driving capabilities enhanced by CCAM infrastructure. Meaning thereby, we lay down the technical requirements of the CCAM infrastructure: identify the right set of the sensory infrastructure, their interfacing, integration platform, and necessary communication interfaces to be interconnected with upstream and downstream solution components. Then, we parameterize the road and network infrastructures (and automated vehicles) to be advanced and evaluated during the research work, under the very distinct scenarios and conditions. For validation, we demonstrate the machine learning algorithms in mobility applications such as traffic flow and mobile communication demands. Consequently, we train multiple linear regression models and achieve accuracy of over 94% for predicting aforementioned demands on a daily basis. This research therefore equips the readers with relevant technical information required for enhancing CCAM infrastructure. It also encourages and guides the relevant research communities to implement the CCAM infrastructure towards creating smart and intelligent roads for autonomous driving

Analysis of Ground Tire Rubber (GTR) in Mix Design on Local Roadways in Ohio

SJN 134989This report summarizes the results of a research project that was conducted to: 1) evaluate the long-term field performance and life cycle cost of Ground Tire Rubber (GTR) modified pavement sections in Ohio and compare them to those obtained for pavement sections constructed using conventionally modified polymer modified asphalt mixtures, and 2) identify and examine new GTR technologies that may reduce the initial cost of GTR mixtures in Ohio. This project was divided into two phases. The results of Phase 1 of this project identified three GTR modified binders that potentially could lower the cost of GTR mixtures. The results of the laboratory tests showed that mixtures prepared with these GTR modified binders had better resistance to low-temperature and fatigue cracking as well as rutting than those prepared using the polymer modified PG 70-22 binder. Phase 2 of this project involved constructing test sections as part of resurfacing projects in the City of Columbus and the City of Akron. Four test sections were constructed in the City of Columbus. In the first test section (control section), a styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) polymer modified PG 70-22M binder was used in the surface course mixture. Furthermore, the surface course mixtures in the other three sections included a PG 64-22 binder modified with 7% MicroDyne\u2122-400, a PG 64-22 binder modified with 6% MicroDyne\u2122-400 GTR and 0.5% Rheopave and a PG 64-22 binder modified with 7% Liberty -30 mesh GTR. Two test sections were constructed in the City of Akron. While the surface course mixtures in first sections included a SBS modified PG 70-22M binder, a PG 64-22 binder modified with 6% MicroDyne\u2122-400 GTR and 0.5% Rheopave was used in the surface mixture of the second section. Cores were obtained at different locations within each test section. Laboratory tests were conducted to evaluate the cracking resistance and durability of the field cores. The results of the laboratory tests showed that the field cores obtained from GTR sections had acceptable resistance to low-temperature and fatigue cracking as well as moisture-induced damage, which were, in general, similar to that of the SBS polymer modified PG 70-22M test section. No distresses were observed in any of the SBS polymer and GTR test sections during the first year of service. Cost analyses conducted in this study indicated the cost of GTR mixes may be lower than that of SBS polymer modified mixes if the GTR mixes become more widely used by local public agencies in Ohio

Dose optimization of β-lactams antibiotics in pediatrics and adults:A systematic review

Background: β-lactams remain the cornerstone of the empirical therapy to treat various bacterial infections. This systematic review aimed to analyze the data describing the dosing regimen of β-lactams. Methods: Systematic scientific and grey literature was performed in accordance with Preferred Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The studies were retrieved and screened on the basis of pre-defined exclusion and inclusion criteria. The cohort studies, randomized controlled trials (RCT) and case reports that reported the dosing schedule of β-lactams are included in this study. Results: A total of 52 studies met the inclusion criteria, of which 40 were cohort studies, 2 were case reports and 10 were RCTs. The majority of the studies (34/52) studied the pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters of a drug. A total of 20 studies proposed dosing schedule in pediatrics while 32 studies proposed dosing regimen among adults. Piperacillin (12/52) and Meropenem (11/52) were the most commonly used β-lactams used in hospitalized patients. As per available evidence, continuous infusion is considered as the most appropriate mode of administration to optimize the safety and efficacy of the treatment and improve the clinical outcomes. Conclusion: Appropriate antibiotic therapy is challenging due to pathophysiological changes among different age groups. The optimization of pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic parameters is useful to support alternative dosing regimens such as an increase in dosing interval, continuous infusion, and increased bolus doses

A Systematic Review on Clinical Safety and Efficacy of Vancomycin Loading Dose in Critically Ill Patients

Background: The clinical significance of utilizing a vancomycin loading dose in critically ill patients remains unclear. Objective: The main aim of this systematic review is to evaluate the clinical safety and efficacy of the vancomycin loading dose in critically ill patients. Methods: We performed a systematic review using PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, the Web of Science, MEDLINE, Scopus, Google Scholar, the Saudi Digital Library and other databases were searched. Studies that reported clinical outcomes among patients receiving the vancomycin LD were considered eligible. Data for this study were collected using PubMed, the Web of Science, MEDLINE, Scopus, Google Scholar and the Saudi Digital Library using the following terms: “vancomycin”, “safety”, “efficacy” and “loading dose” combined with the Boolean operator “AND” or “OR”. Results: A total of 17 articles, including 2 RCTs, 11 retrospective cohorts and 4 other studies, met the inclusion/exclusion criteria out of a total 1189 studies. Patients had different clinical characteristics representing a heterogenous group, including patients in critical condition, with renal impairment, sepsis, MRSA infection and hospitalized patients for hemodialysis or in the emergency department. Conclusions: The study shows that the target therapeutic level is achieved more easily among patients receiving a weight-based LD as compared to patients received the usual dose without an increased risk of new-onset adverse drug reactions