Automatic Number Plate Recognition using Random Forest Classifier

Automatic Number Plate Recognition System (ANPRS) is a mass surveillance embedded system that recognizes the number plate of the vehicle. This system is generally used for traffic management applications. It should be very efficient in detecting the number plate in noisy as well as in low illumination and also within required time frame. This paper proposes a number plate recognition method by processing vehicle's rear or front image. After image is captured, processing is divided into four steps which are Pre-Processing, Number plate localization, Character segmentation and Character recognition. Pre-Processing enhances the image for further processing, number plate localization extracts the number plate region from the image, character segmentation separates the individual characters from the extracted number plate and character recognition identifies the optical characters by using random forest classification algorithm. Experimental results reveal that the accuracy of this method is 90.9%

Middle Cerebral Artery Aneurysm Coiling without Assisted Techniques – A Good Alternative, Single Venture Experience

Objective:  To evaluate the result of a coiling of middle cerebral artery aneurysms without auxiliary techniques. Material and Methods:  This study was conducted from June 2010 to September 2019 in the Department of Neuroradiology, Punjab Institute of Neurosciences, Lahore. There were a total of 500 patients with unilateral and bilateral cerebral aneurysms at the MCA level that have been included in this study which comprise of both sexes. Results:  There was a total of 500 patients, which comprised of 200 (40%) men and 300 (60%) women. Their ages ranged from 22 to 65 years. The majority number of patients was in their fifth 180 (30%) and sixth decade 150 (30%) of life. In our study, a successful coiling was performed in 490 (98%) patients with minimal re-canalization of MCA aneurysms. In 10 (2%) procedure was unsuccessful due to vasospasm. Conclusion:  The conventional coiling in middle cerebral artery aneurysms can be effective and safe without auxiliary techniques

Acute ischemic stroke treatment barriers in Pakistan

Worldwide stroke is the second most common cause of death and the third most common cause of disability (1). No large-scale epidemiological studies are available to determine the true incidence of stroke in Pakistan. There is only one published stroke prevalence study which was conducted in a community residing in Karachi, the prevalence was 4.8%, however the results of the study should be interpreted with caution as a non-validated questionnaire was used. (2). Another community-based survey suggested as estimated 21.8% prevalence of stroke in an urban slum of Karachi (3). These studies although published in local journals but do not highlight the aspects of stroke treatment and prevalence. While the incidence is decreasing in high-income countries, it is increasing in low-income countries such as Pakistan, where there is not even a single established comprehensive stroke center with fully equipped facilities to do endovascular treatment of AIS. Medical advances in stroke treatment have greatly improved survival rates and disability from stroke during the last decade, these advances include cerebral angiographic techniques to remove the blood clot from brain vessels called Mechanical Thrombectomy. The quality of care and equipment available to stroke victims makes a world of difference. That is why the public needs to have access to the stroke center. Neurointerventional Radiology training and practice in Pakistan is still in early phases, being practiced in few leading hospitals of the country but no separate accredited postgraduate training program still available

Frequency of erectile dysfunction in COPD patients

Objective: Objective of study was to investigate the frequency of erectile dysfunction in COPD patients. Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted in pulmonology department of Nishtar Hospital Multan. 336 outpatients diagnosed as COPD according to Global Initiative of Chronic Lung Disease criteria, were included by non-probability consecutive sampling from February 2016 to august 2016 after taking the approval from ethics committee of the institution. Written consent of the study was signed by all patients. All patients were divided in mild, moderate, severe and very severe form of COPD on basis of FEV1. All patients completed International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) Questionnaire. Data was analyzed by using SPSS vol 23. Numerical variables like age, BMI and duration of COPD were statistically analyzed by using their mean and standard deviation and t-test was used to check their significance. Non numerical variables like area of living, income status, smoking status and different stages of COPD were statistically analyzed by using their frequency and chi square test was applied to check the significance. P value <0.05 was taken as significance. Results: Overall, 100% (n=336) male patients were included, in this study. The main outcome variable of this study was Erectile Dysfunction (ED). Classification of erectile dysfunction was noted as no, mild, moderate and severe as 32.7% (n=110), 23.5% (n=79), 16.4% (n=55) and 27.4% (n=92) respectively. Classification of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was observed as mild, moderate, severe and very severe as 5.1% (n=17), 45.8% (n=154), 32.1% (n=108) and 17% (n=57) respectively. No association was found between erectile dysfunction and area (p=0.484), stratified age (p=0.970), stratified BMI (p=0.283), except income (p=0.000) and smoking status (p=0.000) Conclusion: Erectile dysfunction is hidden and under discuss comorbidity in COPD patients. There is significant prevalence of erectile dysfunction in COPD patients. All respiratory physicians should ask and investigate erectile dysfunction in COPD patients. All patients of COPD should be encouraged to share their sexual problems. Key words: COPD, Erectile dysfunction, sexual functio

Indications of enucleations and eviscerations performed at a tertiary eye care unit: a case series.

Abstract The retrospective study was planned to look at the indications of eye enucleations and eviscerations, and comprised all such procedures done at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from January 2006 to December 2015. Data was collected regarding age at the time of procedure, gender, procedure type, indication for enucleation or evisceration, type of implant if used and complications. Of the 66 eyes of 65 individuals, 47 (71.2%) underwent evisceration and 19 (28.8%) enucleation. The mean age at the time of the procedures was 37.86±23.09 years. The indication for enucleation or evisceration were keratitis 14(21.2%), introcular tumours 13(19.7%), trauma 10(15.2%), endophthalmitis 10(15.2%), cosmesis 10(15.2%) and painful blind eye 9(13.6%). Only 5(7.5%) procedures had postoperative complications such as wound dehiscence, infected socket, loose suture, or stich abscess. Most of causes of enucleation and evisceration in this case series could have prevented through the application of evidence-based safety practices

Um ensaio sobre o tamanho ideal do governo: um estudo de caso do Paquistão

Pakistan is a developing country and faces the problem of the fiscal deficit since government expenditures are higher than revenues. In this situation the government has to raise loans to cover this deficit and the burden of loans and debt service is increasing significantly. Additionally, most of the budget has gone to service the debt. Under these circumstances, this study is an attempt to find the optimal size of the government and compare it with the actual size of the government. To calculate the optimal threshold level of government spending, the methodology used by Heerden (2008) for Pakistan is adopted. Finally, this study provides a guide for policymakers, either to reduce or increase the size of governme.Pakistán es un país en desarrollo y enfrenta el problema del déficit fiscal dado que los gastos del gobierno son más altos que los ingresos. Ante dicha situacion el gobierno tiene que levantar préstamos para cubrir este déficit y la carga de los préstamos y el servicio de la deuda está aumentando significativamente. Adicionalmente la mayor parte del presupuesto se ha ido para el servicio de la deuda. Bajo estas circunstancias, este estudio es un intento de encontrar el tamaño óptimo del gobierno y compararlo con el tamaño real del gobierno. Para calcular el nivel umbral óptimo de gasto gubernamental, se adopta la metodología utilizada por Heerden (2008) para Pakistán. Por último, este estudio proporciona una guía para los responsables de la formulación de políticas, ya sea para reducir o aumentar el tamaño del gobierno.O Paquistão é um país em desenvolvimento e enfrenta o problema do déficit fiscal, já que os gastos do governo são mais altos do que as receitas. Nesta situação, o governo tem de contrair empréstimos para cobrir esse déficit, e o ônus dos empréstimos e do serviço da dívida está aumentando significativamente. Além disso, a maior parte do orçamento foi para o serviço da dívida. Sob essas circunstâncias, este estudo é uma tentativa de encontrar o tamanho ideal do governo e compará-lo com o tamanho real do governo. Para calcular o nível ideal de limiar de gastos do governo, a metodologia usada por Heerden (2008) para o Paquistão é adotada. Finalmente, este estudo fornece um guia para os formuladores de políticas, seja para reduzir ou aumentar o tamanho do governo

Perceptions of COVID-19 Disease Among Patients in Isolation Ward

Objective: To explore the perceptions about COVID – 19 disease among patients admitted in Isolation ward and to improve management ideas. Methodology: This qualitative cross sectional interview based study was conducted at Isolation ward, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences Islamabad from April to June 2020. Patients who were reported positive for SARS COV-2 through nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal swabs and were admitted for at least one day in isolation ward, were included in the study. Patients who were too ill to talk for the interview and those who could not survive the disease were excluded. After taking informed consent and following the standard operating procedures (SOPs) of Corona Isolation ward; data was obtained by conducting in depth interviews arranged as per patients’ convenience on mobile calls. Data was analyzed using Narrative Analysis. Themes were delineated and organized to groups for understanding. Results: Twenty two patients participated with the mean age of 34.64±7.26 years. Majority of the patients had anxiety and fear for the COVID-19 disease however also were hopeful to face it. The delineated themes were anxiety & depression, fear, hopefulness & moving forward, health facilities & related issues, living in isolation and physiological disturbances like sleep, appetite, smoking or addiction, exercise. Conclusion: Covid-19 patients depict mixed perceptions while admitted in Isolation ward and this provide us an insight to this catastrophic illness. Their experiences help the health authorities to address this issue. &nbsp

Impacts of signal free corridors on the incidence of road traffic accidents in Karachi

Increase in road Traffic Accidents is a global phenomenon and Pakistan is no exception. In Karachi, this problem becomes severe due to rapid growth of population. This menace is ruining the lives of thousands of people and making Karachi a worrisome place to live. Recent road geometrical transitions in the city with insufficient accessories have been reducing the problem of traffic congestion to a limited extent. On the contrary, this has erupted as a problem of Road Traffic Accidents which is reaching out of proportions. Recently, induction of a unique feature named, Signal Free Corridor in Karachi has cost many precious lives. In this paper GIS based analysis has been employed by using buffer technique to document the number of Road Traffic Accidents on four Signal Free Corridors, evaluated for five different years. It was revealed that the minor injury accidents were highest in all four Signal Free Corridors. However, in some cases number of severe and fatal road accident cases showed the emerging trend as well. Four types of road users were identified on these corridors out of which riders/pillion and pedestrians were the most vulnerable to Road Traffic Accidents. There is an emergent need to enforce the vehicle speed rules and regulations that would provide breathing time to traffic as well as reduce the incidents of consistent traffic blockages and rising Road Traffic Accidents

The Political Economy of Bangladesh's Large and Growing Trade Deficits with India

After remaining low throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Bangladesh's trade deficits (as percent of GDP) with India have been rising sharply since 1993. The size of its illegal trade deficits with India is also large and perceived to be rising since the early 1990s. Thus, instead of interdependence between two trading neighbours at the same stage of development, the Bangladesh-India trade relations suggest an absolute dependence of Bangladesh on India. The debate that has now generated in Bangladesh from such a onesided trade flow has two polar themes. At one extreme are those commentators who consider Bangladesh's large and growing trade deficits with India as a "natural and positive development" on the grounds that India is believed to be at a higher stage of development and to have gained technological maturity in the production of those goods that Bangladesh imports from India. The alternative view is that Bangladesh's large and growing trade deficits are a recent phenomenon and have nothing to do with India's technological maturity or prowess. As an explanation, such deficits are cnnsidered to be the result both of India's deep devaluation policy and tariff and non-tiff barriers to Bangladesh's exports to its markets. This paper examines the disaggregated structure of trade, as well as the revealed comparative advantage of Bangladesh and India and finds no support for the thesis of Bangladesh's technological imports from India on grounds of their maturity. It then examines the sensitivity of trade flows between the two countries to exchange rates and the possible role of trade liberalisation in generating trade deficits within the framework of intra-industry trade models for differentiated products. The available evidence suggests that through subsidies, interventions and deep devaluation policy, India has artificially created a comparative advantage over Bangladesh in differentiated products. India has also managed to keep its markets closed for Bangladesh's products despite trade negotiations, between the governments. This gives credence to the suggestion that Bangladesh's trade with India is neither fair nor competitive. Finally, the paper considers the political economy of the large and growing trade imbalances between them before drawing policy conclusions.