The Effect of Pre-school Education on Language Comprehension of Children at Primary Level

The research was designed to study the effect of pre-school on language comprehension of children at primary level. Preschool education is the education of young children, they got from the age of three years in proper school environment before class I. The research question was, whether preschool education has any contribution in understanding of English language of children, and in future academic progress of children at primary level. The comprehension of language was judged through tests based on English text for classes I to V. The sample of the study comprising 240 students, half preschoolers and half non preschoolers was randomly selected from four schools at Islamabad to whom tests were distributed to be done in a time limit. A statistical application of t test showed a significant difference in the performance of students having preschool education and the students without preschool education. It was concluded that the children who start their schooling at the age of three or more than three years acquired better English language writing skills than those who do not get educational experience in early years of their lives before entering in class I. It was recommended that arrange

An Overview of Construction Waste Management

The need of construction projects is increasing day by day in developing countries to improve and build new infrastructures. Due to massive procurement of materials on these projects, significant amount of waste is generated. This waste has substantial impacts not only on project cost but also on the environment.  So waste measurement and its source of generation would be the first initiative to control these wastes. In this regard, around sixty (60) papers were reviewed to determine the most wasteful materials based on past papers literature. Further, to determine the barriers in waste management, frequency analysis was performed. Based on these analysis it was found that design changes, procurement problems, theft and vandalism, etc. are major sources of waste generation. Further, out of twenty five (25) materials, most wasteful were wood, steel, bricks, concrete, tiles, sand, cement and ceiling boards. Moreover, major barriers in waste management are inappropriate regulations, financial issues, lack of standards and lack of awareness programs. So to promote suitable construction, waste management practices must be followed, in this regard more studies are required to focus in developing a comprehensive waste management framework

Quantifying Urban Karachi’s Air Quality Effect on Human Health and Policy Recommendations

Today’s environmental issues are systematic in nature and cannot be tackled in isolation from man-made activities and impacts. The change in land use and land cover resulting from urbanization has aggravated air quality in urban centers of the country. One of the main sources of air pollution is the use of automobiles in human populated regions resulting in an excess of carbon, sulfur and nitrogen compounds. The emission of greenhouse gases in the form of carbon dioxide from 1990 to 2005 showed an increase of 97.4%. The main source of this increment were vehicular and industrial emissions due to which Pakistan is facing glacier melt in northern areas, earthquakes, flooding and lack of fresh water availability. The authors analyze the effects of vehicular emission on human health; this study is focused on the commercial and industrial areas of Karachi where the flow of heavy traffic and heavy vehicular exhaust emissions are common. The sampled areas are Port Qasim, University Road, Korangi and Mosmiyat. The purpose of this study is to evaluate perceptions of health factors due to air borne pollution in 4 different localities in Karachi. The results showed predominance of headache which is due to an excessive quantity of carbon monoxide and air borne dust in the survey areas as slight exposure of Carbon monoxide affiliated with headache, the second highest complain from respondents is the  Eye Irritation, the exposure of NO2 has acute health effects which include eye irritation, cough and asthma. Based on the above study, recommendations are made to reduce GHG and other pollutants

Stability Analysis and Design of Variable Step-Size P Algorithm Based on Fuzzy Robust Tracking of MPPT for Standalone/Grid Connected Power System

This research aims to design a modified P&O algorithm for the efficient tracking of maximum power point (MPPT) for standalone and grid-connected systems. The proposed research work modifies the P&O algorithm for the dc-dc converter where the fixed step size P&O algorithm is translated into variable step size with the help of ant colony optimization (ACO) to generate optimal parameters for the PID controller to generate a variable step size in the P&O algorithm. This variable step size is dependent upon the error that is the difference between the generated power and desired power. By doing this it improves the efficiency of the P&O algorithm and its limitations are overcome. Furthermore, the PV is extended to connect with a grid where the inverter is controlled by a fuzzy logic controller (FLC) so that the combined structure of variable P&O and fuzzy helps to achieve MPP efficiently. The robustness of the proposed work is compared with other state-of-the-art controllers to justify the effectiveness of the proposed work. Finally, a stability test of the system is carried out to verify the overall stability of the power system

Frequency of Noise Induced Hearing Loss Among Traffic Wardens of Lahore

Background: Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a major cause of disability throughout the world. It is the most common irreversible job-related hazard in the world with a higher burden in the developing regions of the world. Certain occupations are at high risk for NIHL. Traffic wardens could be considered highly vulnerable group as they are exposed to long hours of traffic noise. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of noise induced hearing loss among traffic wardens of Lahore city.Material and Methods: It was a cross-sectional, descriptive study, carried out from 1st December 2018 to 31st May 2019, in which 329 traffic wardens appointed in 34 beats/sectors of Lahore city were included. Data was collected through a structured questionnaire, followed by Pure Tone Audiometry (PTA) of all the subjects.Results: A total of 329 traffic wardens were selected for this study. Mean age of the traffic wardens was 35.35 ± 1.21 years. NIHL was present in 174 (52.9%) traffic wardens, out of which, 138 (79.3%) had mild, 32 (18.4%) moderate, and 4 (2.3%) had moderately severe degree of hearing loss. Among the 329 traffic wardens, 165 (50.2%) had exposure to noise between 7am to 3pm (morning shift) and 42 (12.8%) had some problem with their hearing. Only 12 (3.6%) had ringing in the ears or tinnitus, 140 (42.6%) wore any hearing protection during duty hours and 42 (12.8%) said they had difficulty in hearing and frequently asked people to repeat themselves.Conclusion: In this study a high frequency of noise induced hearing loss was reported among traffic wardens of Lahore city with most of them having mild to moderate degree of hearing loss

Regular post dinner walk; can be a useful lifestyle modification for gastroesophageal reflux

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the correlation of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms with routine post dinner physical activity and time interval before going to bed, in multiethnic South Asian population. METHODS: Prospective, cross sectional analytical, multicenter study was conducted from February 2009 to March 2010. Patient\u27s relative sitting in outpatient clinics with no comorbids, nonsmoker and non alcoholic were included. They were asked to fill a validated GERD questionnaire and were also inquired about routine post dinner physical activity (lying, sitting, walking) and dinner-bed time interval. Odds Ratios (OR) and their 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) were estimated using Logistic Regression, with gastroesophageal reflux (GER) symptoms as an outcome. RESULTS: Subjects analyzed were 1875. Mean age was 35.37 +/- 12.69 years of which 689 (36.74%) had GERD symptoms. GERD symptoms were 42.08% in routine post dinner recumbency position. While 35.17% and 30.52% had the symptoms in post dinner sitting and walking before going to bed [OR for walking 0.66 (95% CI 0.5-0.88) when compared with lying posture]. GERD symptoms were 45.86% among those with dinner-bed time of one hour, progressively decreasing to 41.68%, 31.45% and 29.88% in the second, third and forth hour respectively. Odds ratio was significant only at 3rd [0.55 (0.41-0.74)] and \u3e or = 4th hr [0.51 (0.37-0.71)] when compared with first hour. CONCLUSION: Regular post dinner walk and \u3e 3 hour dinner-bed time interval were less associated with GERD symptoms

Prevalence of gastric varices and results of sclerotherapy with N-butyl 2 cyanoacrylate for controlling acute gastric variceal bleeding.

Aim: To study the prevalence, predictors and control of bleeding following N-butyl 2 cyanoacrylate (NBC) sclerotherapy of gastric varix (GV). Methods: We analyzed case records of 1436 patients with portal hypertension, who underwent endoscopy during the past five years for variceal screening or upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Fifty patients with bleeding GV underwent sclerotherapy with a mean of 2 mL NBC for control of bleeding. Outcome parameters were primary hemostasis (bleeding control within the first 48 h), recurrent bleeding (after 48 h of esophagogastro-duodenoscopy) and in-hospital mortality were analyzed. Results: The prevalence of GV in patients with portal hypertension was 15% (220/1436) and the incidence of bleeding was 22.7% (50/220). Out of the 50 bleeding GV patients, isolated gastric varices (IGV-I) were seen in 22 (44%), gastro-oesophageal varices (GOV) on lesser curvature (GOV-Ⅰ) in 16 (32%), and GOV on greater curvature (GOV-Ⅱ) in 15 (30%). IGV-Ⅰ was seen in 44% (22/50) patients who had bleeding as compared to 23% (39/170) who did not have bleeding (P \u3c 0.003). Primary hemostasis was achieved with NBC in all patients. Re-bleeding occurred in 7 (14%) patients after 48 h of initial sclerotherapy. Secondary hemostasis was achieved with repeat NBC sclerotherapy in 4/7 (57%). Three patients died after repeat sclerotherapy, one during transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stem shunt (TIPSS), one during surgery and one due to uncontrolled bleeding. Treatment failure-related mortality rate was 6% (3/50). Conclusion: GV can be seen in 15% of patients with f patients with using the tissue adhesive agent butyl cyanoacrylate. Since then several authors have used different sclerosing agents to achieve hemostasis in bleeding gastric varices, including N-butyl-2 cyanoacrylate (histoacryl)[4,8], 2-octyl cyanoacrylate[9], ethanolamine oleate injection[10], gastric variceal banding[11], thrombin[12], sodium tetradecyl sulfate[13]. However, N-butyl 2 cyanoacrylate (NBC) is the only promising agent. Most reports on endoscopic treatment of bleeding gastric varices are small series, case reports, or retrospective reviews[14,15]. Not more than 1000 patients with bleeding GV have been treated with different sclerosing and coagulating agents. Cyanoacrylate injection can achieve primary hemostasis in 70% to 95% of patients with acute GV bleeding, with an early rebleeding rate ranging from 0% to 28% within 48 h[5,7,16]. Different doses of cyanoacrylate are used by different gastroenterologis ts[16,17]. Moreover, dilution ratio of NBC to lipoidal is different[18,19]. However, there is no consensus regarding effective dose and dilution of sclerosing agents. This study was to analyze patients with GV in order to establish predictors of bleeding GV, and the efficacy and safety of NBC in treatment of bleeding GV

MVD as the First Line Therapy after Failed Medical Treatment; for Idiopathic Trigeminal Neuralgia

Objective: To analyze the outcome of MVD as a first choice therapy when medical treatment has failed for the definitive management of Idiopathic Trigeminal Neuralgia.Material and Methods:Study was conducted at the Department of Neurosurgery PGMI / Lahore General Hospital, Lahore. This was a prospective observational case series from January 2007 to December 2008, 50 selected patients of Idiopathic Trigeminal Neuralgia diagnosed after radiological and clinical exclusion of secondary causes of Neuralgia presenting in whom medical management had failed were offered MVD as the first Intervention. All the patients were followed for one year post-operatively.Results: Mean age was 59.2 years and minimum age 47 year and maximum 72 years. There was 16 males (32.0%) and females were 34 (68.0%). Male to female ratio was 1: 2.16. In 15 (30.0%) patients facial pain was on left side and 35 (70.0%) patients had right sided pain. V1 was found in 1 (2.0%) patient, V3 in 2 (4.0%) pati-ents, V1 and V2 in 2 (4.0%) patients, V1-3 in 17 (34.0%) patients, V2,3 in 28 (56.0%) patients. An Arterial loop was found in 37 (74.0%) patients as the compressing agent and a Vein only in 4 (8.0%) patients. Mixed artery and vein in 8 (16.0%) patients. Thick arachnoid was the compressing agent in 1 (2.0%) patient. Out of 50 patients 46 (92.0%) had Excellent outcome, 3 (6.0%) patients had Good outcome, 1 (2.0%) patient was in Fair outcome group. No patients were in Bad and Failure outcome groups.Conclusion: Microvascular Decompression of trigeminal nerve is a safe and first choice therapy when medical treatment has failed for the definitive management of Idiopathic Trigeminal Neuralgia in otherwise medically fit patients provided Surgeon has adequate experience of performing the procedure

Regeneration of Plantlets from various Explants of Tetraploid watermelon

Micropropagation of tetraploid watermelon is important to cope with high cost of seed. Seeds of tetraploid watermelon were grown in vitro to raise seedlings. Hypocotyl and cotyledonary explants and media supplemented with plant growth regulators (BAP and NAA) was explored for callus induction and organogenesis. Data was collected for callus, shoot and root induction. Maximum callus induction was observed at BAP 5 mgL-1 (76.66%) from cotyledon and (73.33%) from hypocotyls explant. The callus induced from different explants was sub-cultured on the shoot regeneration medium. Higher shoot induction (96.66%) was observed  from cotyledon and hypocotyl explant (76.66%) on MS + 1.0 mgL-1 BAP + 0.2 mgL-1 NAA with maximum number (6.3) of shoot per explant and average shoot length 4.5 cm. Among different types (NAA and IAA) and concentrations (0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.7, 1.0 mgL-1) of auxins investigated for root induction, maximum frequency of rooting was observed in 0.1 mgL-1 NAA while no root formation was observed at higher levels of auxin (1.0 mgL-1). Similarly in case of number of roots per shoot maximum root (4.3) was obtained on MS medium supplemented with 0.1 mgL-1 NAA. Key Words: Regeneration, Explant, Tetraploid, Water Mello

Transparent encryption with scalable video communication: Lower-latency, CABAC-based schemes

Selective encryption masks all of the content without completely hiding it, as full encryption would do at a cost in encryption delay and increased bandwidth. Many commercial applications of video encryption do not even require selective encryption, because greater utility can be gained from transparent encryption, i.e. allowing prospective viewers to glimpse a reduced quality version of the content as a taster. Our lightweight selective encryption scheme when applied to scalable video coding is well suited to transparent encryption. The paper illustrates the gains in reducing delay and increased distortion arising from a transparent encryption that leaves reduced quality base layer in the clear. Reduced encryption of B-frames is a further step beyond transparent encryption in which the computational overhead reduction is traded against content security and limited distortion. This spectrum of video encryption possibilities is analyzed in this paper, though all of the schemes maintain decoder compatibility and add no bitrate overhead as a result of jointly encoding and encrypting the input video by virtue of carefully selecting the entropy coding parameters that are encrypted. The schemes are suitable both for H.264 and HEVC codecs, though demonstrated in the paper for H.264. Selected Content Adaptive Binary Arithmetic Coding (CABAC) parameters are encrypted by a lightweight Exclusive OR technique, which is chosen for practicality