Modular, Scalable Battery Systems with Integrated Cell Balancing and DC Bus Power Processing

Traditional electric vehicle and stationary battery systems use series-connected battery packs that employ centralized battery management and power processing architecture. Though, these systems meet the basic safety and power requirements with a simple hard- ware structure, the approach results in a battery pack that is energy and power limited by weak cells throughout life and most importantly at end-of-life. The applications of battery systems can benefit significantly from modular, scalable battery systems capable of advanced cell balancing, efficient power processing, and cost gains via reuse beyond first-use application. The design of modular battery systems has unique requirements for the power electronics designer, including architecture, design, modeling and control of power processing converters, and battery balancing methods. This dissertation considers the requirements imposed by electric vehicle and stationary applications and presents design and control of modular battery systems to overcome challenges associated with conventional systems. The modular battery system uses cell or substring-level power converters to combine battery balancing and power processing functionality and opens the door to new opportunities for advanced cell balancing methods. This approach enables balancing control to act on cell-level information, reroute power around weaker cells in a string of cells to optimally deploy the stored energy, and achieve performance gains throughout the life of the battery pack. With this approach, the integrated balancing power converters can achieve system cost and efficiency gains by replacing or eliminating some of the conventional components inside battery systems such as passive balancing circuits and high-voltage, high-power converters. In addition, when coupled with life prognostic based cell balancing control, the modular system can extend the lifetime of a battery pack by up to 40%. The modular architecture design and control concepts developed in this dissertation can be applied to designs of large battery packs and improve battery pack performance, lifetime, size, and cost

Women Health in Rural Pakistan in Millennium Development Goals Perspectives

This aim of this research was to study the situation of different Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) indicators at the gross root level in Mardan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. For this primary data were collected with the help of pre-designed questionnaires through face to face interview from 60 randomly households head. The data was analysed by using descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests. Main finding revealed that majority and statistically significant respondents not using any contraceptive methods. Majority of the respondents have no deliveries in their homes ended in last 3 years and there was no significant difference in the percent distribution of the respondents in the selected villages regarding this. Maternal health care, births attendant status and immunization of children against EPI are not up to the mark. Knowledge about HIV/AIDS, malaria, TB, DM is at maximum. The study recommends for social campaign/awareness, births control at the household’s level, training of more skillful persons having specialty in the maternal health care, immunization of children of less than 2 years about the different contagious diseases. Keywords: Maternal health, HIV/AIDS preventions, MDG

Frequency of Vitamin D Deficiency in Patients in Chronic Hemodialysis Patients

Objective: To determine the frequency of Vitamin D deficiency in chronic hemodialysis patients and its association with duration on dialysis. Material and Methods: One hundred fifty two patients on hemodialysis were taken in this descriptive study, conducted at department of Nephrology, Fatima Memorial Hospital, Lahore from June 2014 to June 2016. After brief history, examination and record review, blood sample was collected for 25(OH) Vitamin D and SPSS was employed for data entry and analysis purpose. Results: Of these 152 study cases, 93 (61.2%) were male patients while 59 (38.8%) were female patients. Mean age of our study cases Was 48.84 ± 7.34 years, for male patients mean was 47.38 ± 7.72 years while of female patients was 51.15 ± 6.07 years (p=0.002) and 92 (60.5%) belonged to age group of 46 – 60 years of age. Of these 152 study cases, 83 (54.6 %) were diabetic, 40 (26.3 %) were hypertensive patients. Majority of our study cases i.e. 98 (64.5%) were poor, 31 (20.4%) had middle income and 23 (15.1%) were rich. Ninety two (60.5 %) were from rural area while 60 (39.5%) were from urban areas. Sixty four (42.1%) had history of exposure to the sunlight while majority 88 (57.9%) did not had history of exposure to sunlight. Mean duration on hemodialysis was noted to be 18.04 ± 8.57 months (with minimum duration on hemodialysis was 4 months while maximum duration on hemodialysis was 39 months). Mean vitamin D level was noted to be 13.78 ± 8.78 ng/ml; ranging from 7 ng/ml to 29 ng/ml. Vitamin D deficiency was noted in the 129 (84.9%) of our study cases. Conclusion:In our study, frequency of vitamin D deficiency was very high among patients on hemodialysis. Vitamin D level should be routinely monitored and corrected among patients on Hemodialysis which will improve their quality of life. These patients need supplementation of high dosage of cholecalciferol. Vitamin D deficiency was significantly associated with female gender, hypertension, poor socioeconomic status, disease duration and exposure to the sunlight. Proper supplementation can help save these patients from cardiovascular diseases and immunological disorder. Keywords:Vitamin D deficiency, hemodialysis, chronic kidney disease

Frequency of Hypertension in Ischemic and Hemorrhagic Stroke Patients at a Tertiary Care Hospital

Background: Stroke is a global health problem. Stroke is responsible for major disabilities in adult population, and is 2nd leading cause of deaths all over the world. Estimated 15 million people all over the world become victim of stroke every year all over the world, of which 5 million die and other 5 million are left permanently disabled and thus major burden on the sufferer and families as well. Different studies have reported hypertension as major cause of stroke in different populations. Objective: To determine the frequency of hypertension among ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke at a tertiary care hospital. Subjects and Methods: Our study included 246 stroke patients which were recruited from Department of Medicine Fatima Memorial Hospital Lahore. Specific history concerning hypertension was inquired from all patients. Blood pressure of all the patients was measured. Blood pressure levels were measured by researcher using random-zero sphygmomanometers with the subject seated quietly. Two readings of blood pressure were taken and average of the two readings was noted in the proforma. ECG of all the patients was done and checked for the fulfillness of criteria of left ventricular hypertrophy i.e. Sokolow-Lyon Index, Cornell Voltage Criteria. Results: Our study included 246 stroke patients, 160 (65%) were male patients and 86 (35%) were female patients. Mean age of our study cases was 59.63 + 11.24 years. Ischemic stroke was observed in 133 (54.1%) of our study cases, while hemorrhagic stroke was noted in 113 (45.9%) of our study cases and 13 (5.3%) had previous history of stroke as well. Smoking was observed in 110 (44.7%) of our study cases and all the smokers were male patients. Alcohol consumption and family history of stroke was zero in our study cases. Of these 246 stroke patients, 148 (60.2%) were known hypertensive and all of them were taking anti-hypertensive medication. Frequency of hypertension in our study was 168 (68.3%) at presentation. Conclusion: Higher frequencies of modifiable risk factors was seen with Hypertension was the leading risk factor of stroke in our study. These findings point towards well directed efforts regarding conventional interventions in our population. Hemorrhagic stroke was significantly associated with elevated blood pressure. Hypertension was significantly associated with increasing age, diabetes, previous history of stroke, hemorrhagic stroke and smoking in stroke patients.Keywords: Stroke, Hypertension, Ischemic, hemorrhagic

Comparison of Outcome of two different Methods for the treatment of Intra-articular fracture of Distal Radius

Objective: It is to compare the radiological and functional outcome of two different fixation methods for displaced intra articular distal radius fracture (DRF): open reduction and internal fixation with anatomical plate and closed reduction with percutaneous K-wires. Methodology: A randomized controlled trial was conducted in Orthopaedics department, Shaikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore for one year; from April 2017 to March, 2018. Total 90 patients were selected in the study by ‘non-probability, consecutive sampling technique’ with 45 patients in each group of the study; Group-A (fixation method: Open reduction with internal fixation with volar plate) and Group-B (Fixation method: Kirschner-wire known as K-wire). Results: The mean age in the group A and group B was 53.7 ± 11.8 years and 55.2 ± 12.3 years respectively. There were 58 male and 32 females in the study. The differences in volar tilt, radial inclination, radial length and modified Mayo score were significantly better in group A than group B (p-value < 0.05). The differences were not significantly different for articular step off in the two study groups (p-value > 0.05). Conclusion: Open reduction with internal fixation using volar locking plates yielded significantly better radiological and functional outcomes than percutaneous fixation using K-wire in the 6 months’ postoperative period

A Comparative Study Evaluating Performance of Old Traffic Police (OTP) & New Traffic Police (NTP) in Twin Cities (Rawalpindi & Islamabad)

The effectiveness of the law enforcement agencies is quite essential for provision of good public services to masses and ensuring law and order. Traffic Police is an important component of policing that secures lives through proper implementation of traffic laws. A study was conducted in twin cities Rawalpindi and Islamabad to explore the effectiveness of the new Traffic Police system and to judge how it performed comparatively better than that of old traffic police. A Random sample of 266 respondents who possessed driving licenses and driving vehicles was drawn from public and private sector institutions and from general public. This included university faculty, drivers in the university departments, taxi and bus drivers and general public driving their personal vehicles. A pre designed questionnaire was used to collect data through field surveys. The study reported that NTP are fair in their dealings with public, have good attitudes in terms of traffic regulation. They provide safety to all road users without discrimination and ensure rule of law through equal application. They strictly follow rules, are having courteous attitude, have mature dealing with public and arrive timely in case of the accident. It was concluded that such type of cultural change needs to be planned in general police especially those working in police station

N-Cyclo­hexyl-4-meth­oxy­benzene­sulfonamide

In the title mol­ecule, C13H19NO3S, the S atom has a distorted tetra­hedral geometry with an O—S—O bond angle of 120.39 (18)°. The cyclo­hexane ring has a chair conformation. In the crystal, mol­ecules are connected by inter­molecular N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming zigzag hydrogen-bonded chains directed along the c axis

Comparison of casting versus elastic nail for the treatment of pediatric tibial diaphyseal fractures

Objective: To assess outcomes of Titanium elastic nail (regarding radiologic union, a discrepancy of limb length, malalignment, pain and complications) in treating pediatric tibial fractures in comparison with the traditional Casting method.Methodology: This randomized controlled trial study was conducted in Department of Orthopaedics, Shaikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore through emergency /Outdoor patient department from May 2018 to Feb 2019. The total number of patients were categorized into two groups, 14 each group. In Group A, patients underwent treatment by elastic nails and patients in group B, underwent treatment with cast method. Post op X-Rays (serial) were done and Leg length inequality, Malalignment, pain and radiological union were assessed radiologically. Follow up of the patients was done in the outpatient department of Orthopaedic department after 1,3 and 6 months. The comparison for this among both groups was done by using Chi-square test. P value ≤ 0.05 was considered significant.Results: The mechanism of injury was statistically same in both groups, p-value > 0.05. In group-A, 7(50.0%) cases had Transverse, 4(28.6%) had Oblique and 3(21.4%) cases had comminuted fracture while in group-B there were 5(35.7%) cases who had Transverse, 2(14.3%) had Spiral, 4(28.6%) cases had Oblique and 3(21.4%) cases had Comminuted fracture, p-value > 0.05. In both groups, the leg length inequality, frequency of malalignment, pain severity and complications were statistically same, p-value was > 0.05.Conclusion: Similar outcomes of Titanium elastic intramedullary nailing as compared to cast application in terms of bone union, alignment and infection rates

A DNA Based Colour Image Encryption Scheme Using A Convolutional Autoencoder

With the advancement in technology, digital images can easily be transmitted and stored over the Internet. Encryption is used to avoid illegal interception of digital images. Encrypting large-sized colour images in their original dimension generally results in low encryption/decryption speed along with exerting a burden on the limited bandwidth of the transmission channel. To address the aforementioned issues, a new encryption scheme for colour images employing convolutional autoencoder, DNA and chaos is presented in this paper. The proposed scheme has two main modules, the dimensionality conversion module using the proposed convolutional autoencoder, and the encryption/decryption module using DNA and chaos. The dimension of the input colour image is first reduced from N $\times$ M $\times$ 3 to P $\times$ Q gray-scale image using the encoder. Encryption and decryption are then performed in the reduced dimension space. The decrypted gray-scale image is upsampled to obtain the original colour image having dimension N $\times$ M $\times$ 3. The training and validation accuracy of the proposed autoencoder is 97% and 95%, respectively. Once the autoencoder is trained, it can be used to reduce and subsequently increase the dimension of any arbitrary input colour image. The efficacy of the designed autoencoder has been demonstrated by the successful reconstruction of the compressed image into the original colour image with negligible perceptual distortion. The second major contribution presented in this paper is an image encryption scheme using DNA along with multiple chaotic sequences and substitution boxes. The security of the proposed image encryption algorithm has been gauged using several evaluation parameters, such as histogram of the cipher image, entropy, NPCR, UACI, key sensitivity, contrast, etc. encryption

Coaxial feed ultra-wideband microstrip antenna for medical applications

In this article, an ultra-wideband antenna has been presented for medical applications which have a resonant frequency of 10.35GHz and offers a bandwidth of 1400MHz with a return loss of -19db. The presented antenna is low-cost lightweight and can easily be integrated inside the circuit. As this antenna is designed for medical applications its size is compact and is fed utilizing a coaxial feeding technique which is especially plentiful for operative radiotherapy applications. The designed antenna is rectangular and covers an overall size of 24x12mm with a thickness of 1mm. The proposed antenna is designed using CST studio as a simulation tool, the extracted results of important parameters like return loss, surface current, reference impedance, and far-field have achieved remarkable results which are illustrated in the article. which makes it suitable for radiotherapy. A high epsilon valued εr = 4.8, tan δ = 0.02 substrate GT-008 has been employed as a dielectric material whereas copper is being used for the ground and radiating patches. The performance of the antenna in the X-band is satisfactory which makes it suitable for radiotherapy