Forecasting of Pakistan's Net Electricity Energy Consumption on the Basis of Energy Pathway Scenarios

AbstractPower Sector pathways for Pakistan is developed in this paper to depict the future challenges & aspects associated with its forecasting and planning on basis of modeling tools. Major pathways will be taken for further study in predicting focus on energy source for power generation. Three scenarios (BAU, NC & GF) will be discussed over a 20 years period (2011 to 2030) and the results from these scenarios will highlight our focus on fossil fuels or either renewable for future endeavors. The result will provide the forecasting of power sector up to 2030 on basis of electric consumers growth, level of activities, final energy intensity, forecasted growth & other factors. Therefore, the overall result will indicate efficient factors for future evaluation of policies on energy planning. The result also provides the vision for other developing countries in the region to make strategy for renewable energy expansion on massive scale

Intraoperative post partum hemorrhage in a patient with dengue fever

A 33 year old obstetric patient with mild fever of undiagnosed etiology underwent emergency caesarean section under general anesthesia. She had platelet count of 98,000 per microliter and increased APTT of 37.8 s at the time of surgery. After uneventful anesthetic induction and delivery of fetus, slow and oozing type of bleeding led to massive hemorrhage. Patient remained vitally stable throughout perioperative phase and was extubated. Next day, patient\u27s dengue IgM antibody was reported positive. Neonate was well and his dengue test was negative. Pregnant women are at high risk of developing severe complications of dengue fever with unclear mechanisms related to impaired coagulation. Regional anesthesia may not have safe outcome due to dengue infection

Fungi - an Amalgam of Toxins and Antibiotics: a Mini- Review

Fungi are eukaryotes with many functions. Earlier, fungi were classified in the plant kingdom but were later classified as a separate kingdom due to their unique cell walls. Fungi are heterotrophs like animals and are more closely related to animals. The perception of fungi is inconspicuous due to their small sizes and their ability to grow symbiotically in plants, animals, other fungi, and parasites. Fungi are used for their nutrition, fermentation potential, and bactericidal potential. However, fungi are also toxic due to certain bioactive compounds known as mycotoxins. Candida and Aspergillus are invasive species that contribute to a high percentage of mycoses in oncological and haematological patients. The mortality rate due to invasive aspergillosis and candidiasis is high, at 4% and 2%, respectively. In the agriculture sector, a significant contributor to damage to crops globally is the invasion of filamentous fungi. Fungi invasion destroys over 125 million tons of wheat, rice, soybeans, potatoes, and maize annually. If prevented, 600 million people may be fed. Therefore, it is vital to consider the dual role of fungi, therapeutic, and pathogenic

A Complexity and Quality Evaluation of Block Based Motion Estimation Algorithms

Motion estimation is a method, by which temporal redundancies are reduced, which is an important aspect of video compression algorithms. In this paper we present a comparison among some of the well-known block based motion estimation algorithms. A performance evaluation of these algorithms is proposed to decide the best algorithm from the point of view of complexity and quality for noise-free video sequences and also for noisy video sequences.

A Decision Support System for Ground Improvement Projects Using Gypsum Waste Case Study: Embankments Construction in Japan

This paper introduces a multi criteria decision making model to support the decision makers who work in the ground improvement projects such as embankments construction using stabilizer materials. The use of cement as a stabilizer material in embankments construction has a long history while the application of recycled gypsum in cooperation with cement as a stabilizer material is recently introduced in Japan. Four criteria and many factors are identified to compare the two stabilizer materials, cement only or gypsum-cement mixture, for the purpose of choosing one of them. The four criteria include: saving in cost, project scope achievement, durability, and geo-environmental impacts. The proposed model, which depends on the Analytic Hierarchy Process as a multi-criteria analysis method, is developed based on cost calculations, expert knowledge for achieving scope, and laboratory test results for durability and geo-environmental properties for each stabilizer material. It is applied on a real case study for embankments construction project in Japan. Based on the results of model application on the investigated case study, a decision introduced to Japanese construction market is that using gypsum-cement mixture as a stabilizer in ground improvement projects is better than using cement only by almost 50%. This result supports the application of recycled gypsum, produced from gypsum wastes, as a stabilizer in ground improvement projects to achieve the stability of society by reducing the quantities of wastes, meet sound environment, and reduce the cost of construction. Besides, the paper discusses in details the factors and reasons which have different effects on the two stabilizer materials and control the decision making. Keywords: Ground improvement; Decision making; Embankment construction; Gypsum waste; Gypsum-cement stabilizer; Multi-criteria analysi

Trends and developments in green cement “A sustainable approach”

It is evident from the history of cement that it’s a vital construction material but its hazardous effects on environment cannot be ignored. Cement production causes serious environmental damages from its production to disposal which includes carbon dioxide emissions, noise/vibration pollution and damage to natural rocks (during extraction of raw materials from quarries). Cement is considered to be the third largest (man-made) source of greenhouse gas due to emission of carbon dioxide in atmosphere. The harmful effects of cement are encouraging the construction industry to use new cementitious materials without compromising cost and quality. Efforts are being made to develop supplementary cementitious materials using domestic, agricultural and industrial wastes and also recycled materials. This review study presents a concise review of current efforts for undermining production and use of cement. This paper will also highlight some important green alternatives for cement which include energy effective, low carbon production, no carbon cements and inorganic materials. Keywords:  Cement, Carbon, Hazardous Effects, Energy, Cementitious Material

Validity And Reliability of Field and Wingate Tests to Measure the Anaerobic Power of The Upper Limb Muscles

The research aimed to find the validity and reliability of physical tests (forward medicine ball throwing from a sitting, push-up, bench press) and Wingate anaerobic test to measure anaerobic power for upper limb muscles. The researchers used the descriptive approach. The subject was (25) students from the College of Physical Education and Sport Sciences - University of Baghdad. The mean and standard deviation of height, weight, and age were (175.63 ± 4.83 cm) (65.94 ± 1.64 kg) (22.81 ± 1.64 years), respectively. The four tests were implemented twice, with a time interval between one test and another four days. discriminative validity (peripheral comparison) was used to find validity, and interclass correlation - ICC coefficient for reliability. The results showed the validity and reliability of all tests. the results were significant between the upper and lower categories (p < 0.05), and the (ICC) for the four tests was (0.959) (0.828) (0.815) (0.841), respectively

Development and Numerical Optimization of a System of Integrated Agents for Serial Production Lines

In modern high-volume industries, the serial production line (SPL) is of growing importance due to the inexorable increase in the complexity of manufacturing systems and the associated production costs. Optimal decisions regarding buffer size and the selection of components when designing and implementing an SPL can be difficult, often requiring complex analytical models, which can be difficult to conceive and construct. Here, we propose a model to evaluate and optimize the design of an SPL, integrating numerical simulation with artificial intelligence (AI). Numerous studies relating to the design of SPL systems have been published, but few have considered the simultaneous consideration of a number of decision variables. Indeed, the authors have been unable to locate in the published literature even one work that integrated the selection of components with the optimization of buffer sizes into a single framework. In this research, a System of Integrated Agents Numerical Optimization (SIGN) is developed by which the SPL design can be optimized. A SIGN consists of a components selection system and a decision support system. A SIGN aids the selection of machine tools, buffer sizes, and robots via the integration of AI and simulations. Using a purpose-developed interface, a user inputs the appropriate SPL parameters and settings, selects the decision-making and optimization techniques to use, and then displays output results. It will be implemented in open-source software to broaden the impact of the SIGN and extend its influence in industry and academia. It is expected that the results of this research project will significantly influence open-source manufacturing system design and, consequently, industrial and economic development