Side effects of phenobarbital and carbamazepine in childhood epilepsy: randomised controlled trial

Objective: To compare the behavioural side effects associated with two commonly used antiepilepsy drugs--phenobarbital and carbamazepine--in children in Bangladesh. Design: Prospective randomised controlled single centre trial. Setting: Specialist children's hospital in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Participants: 108 children aged 2-15 with generalised tonic-clonic (n=51) or partial and secondary generalised seizures (n=57). Main outcome measures: Seizure control and behavioural side effects. Results: 91 children were followed up for 12 months. Six required a change of antiepilepsy drug. Side effects were compared in 85 children. In the last quarter of the 12 month follow-up, 71 children were seizure free after one year's treatment. Thirty two in the phenobarbital group and 39 in the carbamazepine group had no seizures in 74 and 102 days after randomisation, respectively. Ten children had increased behavioural problems, which were unacceptable in four (one in the phenobarbital group and three in the carbamazepine group). Independent t tests, however, showed no difference between the two trial drugs. Conclusion: There was no excess in behavioural side effects with phenobarbital in children with epilepsy in a country with limited resources

Development of non-conventional instrument transformers (NCIT) using smart materials

In this paper is presented a novel approach for current measurement using smart materials, magnetic shape memory (MSM) alloys. Their shape change can be controlled by the application of magnetic field or mechanical stress. This gives the possibility to measure currents by correlating the magnetic field produced by the current, shape change in an MSM- based sensor and the voltage output of a Linear Variable Differential Transducer (LVDT) actuated by this shape change. In the first part of the paper is presented a review of existing current measurement sensors by comparing their properties and highlighting their advantages and disadvantages

Serum cholesterol in neonates and their mothers. a pilot study

Reports from the Aga Khan University indicate that 58% of 400 school children studied had undesirably high serum cholesterol levels. The present study was undertaken to determine whether the high cholesterol levels are present at birth and to determine the relationship between cord blood, maternal blood cholesterol and maternal diet. Cord blood from 58 neonates and fasting venous blood form 45 mothers were analyzed for total serum cholesterol. Mothers were interviewed regarding their usual diet during pregnancy. Mean cord blood cholesterol was 56.90 mg/dl (range 26 to 123 mg/dI). Mean maternal blood cholesterol was 232.4mg/dl (range 141-382 mg/dl). Mean maternal intake of cholesterol was 457 mg (recommended level _ 300 mg/day). There was no significant co-relation between cord blood cholesterol and maternal blood cholesterol or maternal intake of cholesterol. Eighteen percent of the mothers reported a strong family history of hypercholesterolemia and/or heart disease, but this genetic tendency was not observed in the blood cholesterol level at birth indicating that environmental factors namely diet may have a prime role in determining serum cholesterol levels in childhoo

Heat budget studies of the north Arabian Sea during summer and winter seasons, 1992

In this study heat budget components and momentum flux for August and January 1992 over the north Arabian Sea are computed. The marine meteorological data measured on board during the cruises of PAK-US joint project (NASEER) are used for the computation. Significant differences were found in the heat budget components as well as in the momentum flux during different monsoon periods over the north Arabian Sea. The latent heat flux was always positive and attributed to the large vapour pressure gradient. The computed moisture and latent heat fluxes in January were higher than August The highest value of latent heat flux 309 W/m2 at station 8 was evaluated. These higher latent heat fluxes were due to the large vapour pressure gradient, air-sea temperature difference, the wind speed, and the prevailing wind direction (from north and northeast). Negative values of sensible heat fluxes in both seasons indicate that the heat transfer was from the atmosphere to the ocean. The negative values of net heat gain indicate that the sea surface field became an energy sink: or the sea surface supplied more energy to the atmosphere than it received from it. Large variation in the momentum flux mainly attributed to the variation in the wind speed. Aerial averages of heat and momentum fluxes were also computed

Prediction of Radar Coverage Under Anomalous Propagation Condition for a Typical Coastal Site - a Case Study

In this study a model predicting the electromagnetic wave propagation has been developed. The model is initialized with a known refractivity profile and an initial transmitted field. The troposphere is assumed to be inhomogeneous in height and range. The vertical refractivity profile is computed from the meteorological upper air data. Arbitrary as well as experimentally observed profiles could be used as inputs to the model. Inhomogeneity in range is invoked by injecting refractivity profiles at known locations. A transmitter with a Gaussian beam is assumed to generate the initial field based on the transmitter parameters such as vertical beam width, vertical beam elevation, transmitter frequency, antenna height, and type of polarization. A simulation for the typical site on the coast of Arabian Gulf has been chosen for the study. The field strength and radar coverage for different conditions of the typical coastal site prevailing a standard and inhomogeneous surface duct demonstrates the sensitivity of the model with the inhomogeneous and homogeneous atmosphere. Radiated fields are predicted on the basis of the initial field, boundary conditions, and atmospheric conditions considering the effect of refractivity in the case of inhomogeneous surface duct and elevated duct. Results reported in this study demonstrate the trapping of the energy in ducting atmosphere above the minimum trapping frequency with the predicted field by this model

Prediction of Radar Coverage Under Anomalous Propagation Condition for a Typical Coastal Site - a Case Study

In this study a model predicting the electromagnetic wave propagation has been developed. The model is initialized with a known refractivity profile and an initial transmitted field. The troposphere is assumed to be inhomogeneous in height and range. The vertical refractivity profile is computed from the meteorological upper air data. Arbitrary as well as experimentally observed profiles could be used as inputs to the model. Inhomogeneity in range is invoked by injecting refractivity profiles at known locations. A transmitter with a Gaussian beam is assumed to generate the initial field based on the transmitter parameters such as vertical beam width, vertical beam elevation, transmitter frequency, antenna height, and type of polarization. A simulation for the typical site on the coast of Arabian Gulf has been chosen for the study. The field strength and radar coverage for different conditions of the typical coastal site prevailing a standard and inhomogeneous surface duct demonstrates the sensitivity of the model with the inhomogeneous and homogeneous atmosphere. Radiated fields are predicted on the basis of the initial field, boundary conditions, and atmospheric conditions considering the effect of refractivity in the case of inhomogeneous surface duct and elevated duct. Results reported in this study demonstrate the trapping of the energy in ducting atmosphere above the minimum trapping frequency with the predicted field by this model

SPATIO-TEMPORAL TRENDS OF URBAN POPULATION IN PAKISTAN

Rapid urbanization has severe socio-economic and environmental consequences. Since last three decades, fast stride of urban population in Pakistan is imposing severe threats to the inhabitants. According to census of 2017,Pakistan the 6thlargest country in the World in terms of population after China, India, U.S.A, Indonesia and Brazil, respectively. The objective of this study was to estimate the Spatial-temporal trends of urbanization in Pakistan, and to establish the factors leading to urban growth. The data obtained though Pakistan Census Reports from 1951 to 2017 was analyzed by using statistical techniques for representation of the results. The results show the massive growth of urbanization since 1951to 2017. In 1951, the urban population was only 17.8% of the whole population which has increased to 36.3% in 2017

Sanksi Kebiri Kimia (Chemical Castration) Terhadap Pelaku Pedofilia dalam Perspektif Hukum Pidana, HAM, dan Islam

The policy of action sanctions in the form of chemical castration against perpetrators of sexual violence (paedophilia) has led to various debates, both in the realm of criminal law, human rights, and Islamic law. This sanction is due to the increasing number of cases of sexual violence against children, so the government takes firm steps to prevent sexual violence against children (paedophilia). Chemical castration is regulated in Undang-Undang Nomor 17 Tahun 2016 Tentang Perubahan Kedua Undang-Undang Perlindungan Anak, while chemical castration is given to adult perpetrators who have intercourse with children under certain conditions. The purpose of this study is to find out how the chemical castration sanctions (chemical castration) are in the perspective of criminal law, human rights, and Islam. The type of research used by the author is descriptive-qualitative and comparative, in this method, the process for obtaining data is as it is and the author will compare each research result. The results of this study indicate that chemical castration against paedophile perpetrators in a criminal perspective have fulfilled the purpose of punishment, namely as in the combined theory which is punitive, namely providing a deterrent effect for perpetrators, is anticipatory because of these sanctions people are afraid of the threat of punishment for perpetrators, paedophiles so that they will not commit these acts, as well as rehabilitation for perpetrators, is to provide treatment medical and psychiatric. In the perspective of human rights, it is seen as inconsistent with human rights, but considering the interests of children and the cruelty committed by the perpetrators, it is natural that chemical castration must be carried out and must be carried out with clear procedures. Pedophilia in the perspective of Islamic law is classified as jarimah hudud, so that the imposition of chemical castration sanctions is an inappropriate step for pedophile perpetrators to crush damage from adulterers to children that causes harm, so that the appropriate punishment is not chemical castration. for the perpetrators but the death penalty for the benefit of the guaranteed maqashid shari'ah principle which aims to protect the community, especially children