Cell degradation detection based on an inter-cell approach

Fault management is a crucial part of cellular network management systems. The status of the base stations is usually monitored by well-defined key performance indicators (KPIs). The approaches for cell degradation detection are based on either intra-cell or inter-cell analysis of the KPIs. In intra-cell analysis, KPI profiles are built based on their local history data whereas in inter-cell analysis, KPIs of one cell are compared with the corresponding KPIs of the other cells. In this work, we argue in favor of the inter-cell approach and apply a degradation detection method that is able to detect a sleeping cell that could be difficult to observe using traditional intra-cell methods. We demonstrate its use for detecting emulated degradations among performance data recorded from a live LTE network. The method can be integrated in current systems because it can operate using existing KPIs without any major modification to the network infrastructure

Causative Organisms, Clinical Course and Complications of Pyogenic Meningitis in Children

pyogenic meningitis, monitor clinical course and assess complications. Methods: The study was conducted in Paediatric department of Rawalpindi General Hospital, Rawalpindi, over a period of 1 year. Thirty patients were enrolled in the study. History, complete examination, routine investigations, blood culture and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) routine examination and culture were performed. Cranial ultrasound and CT scan of brain were performed in selected patients. Treatment was given for ten days, and after discharge patients were followed upto 6 months. Data was entered and analyzed using computer programme SPSS version 10.0. Results: Mean age of patients was 40 + 39.2 months. Eighteen (60%) were male and 12 (40%) were females. The most common clinical presentation was fever (100 %) with mean duration 3.4 + 0.7 days. Cerebrospinal fluid culture was positive in 12 (40%) patients. The most common organism isolated was Streptococcus pneumoniae in 7 (23.3%).On follow up 6 (20%) patients had hearing loss. Thirteen (43.3%) patients fully recovered after therapy, 15 (50.0%) recovered with complications while 2 (6.6%) patients expired. Conclusion: The clinical features like loss of consciousness, signs of meningeal irritation (SOMI) and signs of raised intracranial pressure (ICP) are significantly associated with morbidity and mortality. The positive CSF culture, cranial ultrasound and CT scan findings are also associated with morbidity and mortality

Student satisfaction level among allied health sciences students at King Edward Medical University

The purpose of this study was to evaluate student satisfaction with their program, academic environment and administrative services in terms of its effectiveness on their professional attitudes, lives and career. A total of 261 students of allied health sciences program at King Edward Medical University, were examined in terms of personal satisfaction by means of a specifically designed student satisfaction survey. A qualitative analysis approach was used to interpret the data generated by a three‐part survey form circulated to the four proceeding sessions of allied health sciences program and satisfaction of students in 12 major disciplines was evaluated. The data was entered in statistical product and service solutions (SPSS) version 22 using quantitative variables and descriptive statistics including frequency distribution tables and diagrams. The study revealed a student satisfaction of only 22.1% with their program with different levels of recommendation in different sub-disciplines. A total of 20.9% students agreed to the library facilities, 53.9% with computer lab, 35% with administrative support, 29.6% with sports facilities and 49% with teaching methodologies. The present study concludes that most of the students had little satisfaction concerning their field of study. So, it is necessary to make an attempt for continuous development of quality services

Therapeutic Targets and Signaling Pathways for Diagnosis of Myeloma

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignancy of plasma cells that not only shows different clinical behavior but also depicts heterogeneous groups at molecular level. The prognosis of the disease has been dramatically changed with the arrival of new drugs in the past few years. In this context of better therapeutic agents, there are important challenges for accurate evaluation of patients by better prognostic and predictive tools. Transcriptomic studies have largely added to decipher MM heterogeneity, dividing MM patients into different subgroups according to prognosis. Micro-arrays and more recently RNA sequencing have helped in evaluating coding and non-coding genes, mutations, unique transcriptome convertors and different splicing events giving new information concerning biology, outcome and treatment options. Initial data from gene expression profiling studies have also pointed out genes that predict prognosis, i.e., CSK1-B, and can deliver pharmacogenomics and biologic vision into the pathophysiology, targeted treatment, and future direction. Importantly, we suggest that all prospective studies and clinical trials now accept genetic testing and risk stratification of MM patients. In this review, we discuss the part and effect of gene expression profiling in myeloma

Incidence of Colorectal Carcinoma in the Remote Area of Sindh, Pakistan

Background: Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is the third most common cancer in the world that show malignant growth in the colon, rectum, and or appendix. CRC is the second most common malignancy in females and third in males. This study aimed to ascertain the incidence of colorectal carcinoma (CRC) in a population in a remote area of Sindh, Pakistan, and also compared and correlated the sociodemographic characteristics and different parameters such as diagnosis, grade, and histopathology of the CRC cases.Methods: The study was conducted from February 2012 to 2019 at Pakistan Atomic Energy Cancer Hospital (NORIN) Nawabshah Sindh, Pakistan. All cases were evaluated through a detailed history, clinical examination, radiological examination, and histopathology-proven cases. The sociodemographic parameters, diagnosis grades, and histopathology of the CRC were statistically compared and correlated by SPSS version 21.Results: Out of a total of 10,848 reported patients, 424 (3.9%) were of CRC. The CRC was further comprised of 63.9% males and 36.1% females. We classified our patients into two age groups, ≤ 40 years (Group-A), and > 40 years (Group B). Group-A comprised 41% of patients, and their mean age was 28±6.98 years, while Group B comprised 59% of patients with a mean age of 43±8.3 years. Histological specimens divulged that most of the common specimens were of adenocarcinoma. Early diagnosis was very strenuous due to no signs and symptoms. Thus, the majority of the patients, approximately 39%, were found to be of grade 2 carcinoma.Conclusion: Our study unveils an increased number of patients with CDC at an age of <40 belonging to rural areas. Further studies are needed to elucidate the cause of this high incidence with a particular focus on genetic and molecular risk factors.Keywords: Active lifestyle, Colorectal Carcinoma; Age group; Colorectal Adenocarcinoma

Comparative efficacy of phosphate solubilizing bacteria and synthetic phosphate fertilizers on the growth of wheat

Wheat is recognized as one of the most important dietary elements due to its high nutritious content and thus, has become greatest food option all over the world. Phosphorus (P) being major plant food nutrient plays a vital role multiple functions of plant growth and development. The current study was carried out to compare the performance of phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) as bio-fertilizer with commercially available phosphate fertilizers on wheat crop. The trial was designed in randomized complete block (RCB) replicated thrice. 6 different sources of phosphate fertilizers (Di-ammonium phosphate as DAP, Nitrophos as NP, Single super phosphate as SSP, Restore as PSB, Marathon as PSB, Nitrogen (N2) fixing bacteria as PSB) followed by control were evaluated for agronomic, physiological and quality attributes of wheat. The results showed that most of the qualitative traits were significantly influenced by different treatments. However, application of N2 fixing bacteria was more significant in all treatments. Highest total viable count of colony-forming units (14.63×106 at 3-WAS &amp; 17.70×106 after harvest CFU g-1), maximum tillers’ count (337 m-2), grains’ count (45.57 spike-1), grain yield (2714.3 kg ha-1), LAI (0.67 &amp; 1.16 at 56 &amp; 112 DAS), CGR (13.59 g day-1 m-2), photosynthesis rate (26.13 µ mol m-2 sec-1) and flag leaf sugar content (0.24%) were recorded on account of using N2-fixing bacteria applied as PSB. Moreover, NPK content in shoot, grain as well as uptake of NPK by grain were also received as highest in the same treatment. Based on research findings, it is concluded that application of N2-fixing bacteria as PSB (7.5 kg ha-1) might be increasing wheat production in Dera Ismail Khan and other areas of similar environment in Pakistan

Determinants of response at 2 months of treatment in a cohort of Pakistani patients with pulmonary tuberculosis

Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection continues to be a major global challenge. All patients with pulmonary tuberculosis are treated with a standard 6-month treatment regimen. Historical data suggest that even with shortened treatment, most patients achieve long-term remission. Risk stratification is a goal for reducing potentially toxic prolonged treatment. This study aimed to determine the factors associated with the early clearance of sputum acid-fast bacilli (AFB). A total of 297 freshly diagnosed patients with pulmonary tuberculosis were included and enrolled in this study. Information related to their ethno-demographic and anthropometric characteristics was collected. We also assessed their complete blood counts, and blood iron, folate, and vitamin B12 levels. We found that the presence of higher levels of acid-fast bacilli (AFB) in diagnostic sputum microscopy was the single most significant prognostic factor associated with early clearance of sputum AFB after 2 months of treatment. All of our patients achieved treatment success after 6 months of treatment and were disease free. Our results support the data obtained from previous studies indicating that AFB clearance at 2 months is unlikely to be a clinically useful biomarker or indicator for therapeutic stratification. Furthermore, demographic, anthropometric, and nutritional factors are not clinically useful biomarkers

InDEx – Industrial Data Excellence

InDEx, the Industrial Data Excellence program, was created to investigate what industrial data can be collected, shared, and utilized for new intelligent services in high-performing, reliable and secure ways, and how to accomplish that in practice in the Finnish manufacturing industry.InDEx produced several insights into data in an industrial environment, collecting data, sharing data in the value chain and in the factory environment, and utilizing and manipulating data with artificial intelligence. Data has an important role in the future in an industrial context, but data sources and utilization mechanisms are more diverse than in cases related to consumer data. Experiences in the InDEx cases showed that there is great potential in data utili zation.Currently, successful business cases built on data sharing are either company-internal or utilize an existing value chain. The data market has not yet matured, and third-party offerings based on public and private data sources are rare. In this program, we tried out a framework that aimed to securely and in a controlled manner share data between organizations. We also worked to improve the contractual framework needed to support new business based on shared data, and we conducted a study of applicable business models. Based on this, we searched for new data-based opportunities within the project consortium. The vision of data as a tradeable good or of sharing with external partners is still to come true, but we believe that we have taken steps in the right direction.The program started in fall 2019 and ended in April 2022. The program faced restrictions caused by COVID-19, which had an effect on the intensity of the work during 2020 and 2021, and the program was extended by one year. Because of meeting restrictions, InDEx collaboration was realized through online meetings. We learned to work and collaborate using digital tools and environments. Despite the mentioned hindrances, and thanks to Business Finland’s flexibility, the extension time made it possible for most of the planned goals to be achieved.This report gives insights in the outcomes of the companies’ work within the InDEx program. DIMECC InDEx is the first finalized program by the members of the Finnish Advanced Manufacturing Network (FAMN, www.famn.fi).</p

Design and evaluation of self-healing solutions for future wireless networks

This doctoral dissertation is aimed at the creation of comprehensive and innovative Self-Organizing Networks (SON) solutions for the Network Management of future wireless networks. More specifically, the thesis focuses on the Self-Healing (SH) part of SON. Faults can appear at several functional areas of a complex cellular network. However, the most critical domain from a fault management viewpoint is the Radio Access Network (RAN). The fault management of network elements is not only difficult but also imposes high costs both in capital investment (CAPEX) and operational expenditures (OPEX). The SON concept has emerged with the goal to foster automation and to reduce human involvement in management tasks. SH is the part of SON that refers to autonomous fault management in wireless networks, including performance monitoring, detection of faults and their causes, triggering compensation and recovery actions, and evaluating the outcome. It improves business resiliency by eliminating disruptions that are discovered, analyzed and acted upon. With the advent of 5G technologies, the management of SON becomes more challenging. The traditional SH solutions are not sufficient for the future needs of the cellular network management because of their reactive nature, i.e., they start recovering from faults after detection instead of preparing for possible faults in a preemptive manner. The detection delays are especially problematic with regard to the zero latency requirements of 5G networks. In order to address this challenge, the existing SON enabled networks need to be upgraded with additional features. This situation pushes operators to upgrade their SONs from reactive to proactive response and opens doors for further reseach on SON and SH. This dissertation provides several contributions to this direction