A STUDY OF LONG-TERM SUNSPOTS AND K-INDEX GEOMETRIC CYCLES USING PROBABILISTIC MODELING

The research work done in this paper comprises the application of different well-known probability distribution models. This includes the understanding of the behavior and dynamics of 24 sunspot cycles with total data. The time-series data sets were selected from 1749 to 2014. To observe the solar activity effects on K-index activity the double cycles from 1932 to 2014 were also incorporated in the study. The comparative study is useful to observe the long-term solar-terrestrial connection. The magnetic field of the sun reverses its polarity after every 11 years of the cycle. So after every 22 years, the north pole becomes again north pole. By using the two well-known tests Kolmogorov-Smirnov (KST) and Anderson-Darling test (ADT) the probability distribution models were obtained for each sunspot cycles and compare. The significant probability models for all the sunspot cycles have been obtained. The fitted probability distribution models on selected data sets may be useful to understand the trend of solar and geomagnetic activity

SERUM MAGNESIUM LEVELS DERANGEMENTS IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE (COPD).

Background; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) leads to significant morbidity and poor quality of life among patients. This study was conducted to evaluate serum magnesium levels among patients with COPD as there is no such study done in Pakistan on this topic. Material and Methods; A total of 137 patients presenting with COPD were registered from Department of medicine, Nishtar Hospital, Multan in this cross-sectional study from June 2016 to June 2017. Once registered in the study, all the relevant baseline investigations were done. Venous blood sample was taken (3 ml) and sent to central laboratory of Nishtar Hospital Multan, for serum Mg levels. Statistical analysis was performed by entering all the data in SPSS version 20. Results; Of these 137 study cases, 84 (61.3%) were male patients while 53 (38.7%) were female patients. Mean age of our study cases was 56.79 ± 4.81 years. Of these 137 study cases, 41 (29.9%) were from rural areas while 96 (70.1%) were from urban areas and 109 (79.6%) were poor. Diabetes was present in 28 (20.4%) and hypertension in 56 (40.9%) our patients. Mean height of our patients was 152.24 ± 10.87 centimeters while mean weight of our study cases was 66.41 ± 7.23 kilograms and mean body mass index was 24.87 ± 4.13 kg/m2. Our study results reported 66 (48.2 %) were normal weight, 41 (29.9 %) were overweight and 30 (21.9 %) were obese. Smoking was noted in 53 (38.7 %) of our study cases. Mean duration of illness was 30.81 ± 14.74 months and 112 (81.8%) had disease duration more than 18 months. Mean serum magnesium level of our patients was 1.52 ± 0.54 meq/liter (Range; 1.15 meq/liter to 2.75 meq/liter) and hypomagnesemia was present in 50 (36.5 %) patients. Conclusion; Frequency of hypomagnsemia among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was very high in our study. Hypomagnesemia was significantly associated with male gender, increasing age, poor socioeconomic status, diabetes, hypertension, smoking and prolonged disease duration. Clinicians treating such patients should monitor their serum magnesium levels on regular basis to improve their prognosis and to decrease disease morbidity. Keywords; Chronic Obstructive pulmonary disease, hypomagnesemia, frequency.

PREDICTORS OF POST STROKE DEPRESSION AMONG STROKE SURVIVORS.

Background; Post stroke depression is an important factor limiting recovery and rehabilitation in acute stroke patients. This study was done to ascertain frequency of depression and role of different underlying factors among patients with ischemic stroke in our local population of Southern Punjab. Material and methods; All the cases of ischemic stroke (96), fulfilling inclusion criteria were recruited from outdoor of Department of medicine, Nishtar Hospital Multan and patients were assessed for depression using hospital anxiety and depression scale. The patients were categorized having depression the basis of hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) scoring. Data was entered and analyzed by SPSS-18. Results; Of these 96 study cases, 50 (52.1 %) were male patients while 46 (47.9 %) were female patients. Mean age of our study cases was 49.17± 9.10 years. Of these 96 study cases, 45 (46.9 %) were from rural area while 51 (53.1 %) from urban areas, 29 (30.2 %) were diabetic and 58 (60.4 %) were hypertensive. Mean body mass index (BMI) of our study cases was 24.12 ± 2.88 kg/m2 and obesity was present in 17 (17.7 %). History of smoking was present in 21 (21.9 %). Mean disease duration of our study cases was 8.36 ± 4.31 months and 50 (52.1 %) had disease duration more than 6 months while 67 (69.8%) had monthly family income up to Rs. 25000 and history of alcohol consumption was zero. Previous history of stroke was present in 16 (16.7 %) while family history of stroke was noted in 17 (17.7 %) of our study cases and 67 (69.8 %) were illiterate and 29 (30.2 %) were literate. Depression was noted in 63 (65.6%) of our study cases. Conclusion; Very high frequency of depression was observed in our study among patients having ischemic stroke. Depression was significantly associated with gender, residential status, smoking, hypertension, educational level, smoking, prolonged duration of illness and occupation. Clinicians treating patients should anticipate depression and diagnose them to treat them in early stages. Keywords; Depression, Ischemic stroke, Frequency.

Groundwater Arsenic Contamination in Semi-Urban Areas of Tando Muhammad Khan District: A Case Study from Deltaic Flood Plain of Sindh, Pakistan

An attempt has been made to assess the arsenic contamination and role of anthropogenic activities on its release in the groundwater of alluvial aquifers occurring on deltaic flood plain of Indus River. Groundwater collected from three semi-urban union councils of Tando Muhammad Khan district revealed that the groundwater has bad quality for drinking which varied in the order of UC-2 > UC-1 > UC-3. Anoxia is prevalent in the aquifers of study area which is indicated by high HCO3 and lowNO3 and Fe contents. However, the natural concentration of sulphate (Mean range: 105-450 mg/L) in the groundwater of study area suggested that anoxia has not reached the stage where sulphate is consumed by SO4 reducing bacteria for organic matter decomposition. On the other hand elevated content of Na and Cl coupled with pathogenic bacteria occurrence indicated that sewage mixing is common in the study area. Elevated arsenic is reported from all there union councils which varied inthe order of UC2 > UC 1 > UC3. Arsenic is mobilized from host sediments (clays/biotite) due to the prevalence of reduced environment caused by organic matter decomposition and triggered by sewagemixing

Analysis of microstructure and mechanical properties of bismuth-doped SAC305 lead-free solder alloy at high temperature

SAC305 lead-free solder alloy is widely used in the electronic industry. However, the problems associated with the growth formation of intermetallic compounds need further research, especially at high temperatures. This study investigates the doping of Bismuth into SAC305 in the various compositions of 1, 2, and 3 wt.%. The microstructure in terms of intermetallic compound particles and mechanical properties was examined after thermal aging at temperatures of 100 °C and 200 °C for 60 h. The microstructure examination was observed using scanning electron microscopy, and the chemical composition of each alloy was confirmed with an energy dispersive X-ray. Tensile tests were performed to find the mechanical properties such as yield strength and ultimate tensile strength. The intermetallic compound’s phase analysis was identified using X-ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry was done to study the temperature curves for melting points. Results showed that the addition of Bismuth refined the microstructure by suppressing the growth of intermetallic compounds, which subsequently improved the mechanical properties. The thermal aging made the microstructure coarsen and degraded the mechanical properties. However, the most improved performance was observed with a Bismuth addition of 3 wt.% into SAC305. Furthermore, a decrease in the melting temperature was observed, especially at Bismuth compositions of 3 wt.%

The spectrum of Evans syndrome: a literature review

Evans syndrome (ES) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by the simultaneous or sequential development of autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) and immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) and/or immune neutropenia in the absence of any underlying cause. Evans syndrome is a rare disorder although the exact frequency is unknown. No sex predilection is known and Evans syndrome has been described in all ethnic groups and at all ages. Classification of ES includes primary, with this being an exclusion diagnosis with no underlying condition, and secondary in the presence of an underlying disease. Clinical features are associated with anemia and thrombocytopenia including pallor, weakness, fatigue, jaundice, petechiae, ecchymosis, gingivorrhagia and epistaxis. First, a detailed history must be taken from the patient to determine the risk factors for developing ES then a family history of immune disorders along with a thorough physical examination. The management of Evans syndrome remains a challenge. Steroids with and without IVIG are recommended as front-line therapy. Red blood cell/platelet transfusion is indicated only in severe symptomatic patients due to the risk of exacerbations. Splenectomy may also be considered a second-line treatment

The Relationship between Supply Chain Fit and Return on Assets of the Firm

The decisive point of financial encroachment of supply chain management has been an ongoing interest. Forming on the operations strategy literature, this study examines the links between the supply chain fit (i.e. strategic consistency between the product ‘supply and demand uncertainty and emphasizing on supply chain Structure/design) and financial performance of the firm. We define firms with supply chain fit as firms where the products’ supply and demand uncertainty and supply chain responsiveness perfectly match the outcome. The data supports the hypothesis that supply chain fit is positively linked with financial performance of the firm. Contrary to it, supply chain misfit (negative misfit and positive misfit) has a negative relation with firm’s performance. Negative misfit is defined as firms that designed their supply chains to support responsiveness while the products’ supply and demand is quite certain and the products are predictable. Positive misfit is defined as firms that designed their supply chains to support efficiency while the products’ supply and demand is rather uncertain and the products are unpredictable

Deep learning applications in neuro-oncology

Deep learning (DL) is a relatively newer subdomain of machine learning (ML) with incredible potential for certain applications in the medical field. Given recent advances in its use in neuro-oncology, its role in diagnosing, prognosticating, and managing the care of cancer patients has been the subject of many research studies. The gamut of studies has shown that the landscape of algorithmic methods is constantly improving with each iteration from its inception. With the increase in the availability of high-quality data, more training sets will allow for higher fidelity models. However, logistical and ethical concerns over a prospective trial comparing prognostic abilities of DL and physicians severely limit the ability of this technology to be widely adopted. One of the medical tenets is judgment, a facet of medical decision making in DL that is often missing because of its inherent nature as a black box. A natural distrust for newer technology, combined with a lack of autonomy that is normally expected in our current medical practices, is just one of several important limitations in implementation. In our review, we will first define and outline the different types of artificial intelligence (AI) as well as the role of AI in the current advances of clinical medicine. We briefly highlight several of the salient studies using different methods of DL in the realm of neuroradiology and summarize the key findings and challenges faced when using this nascent technology, particularly ethical challenges that could be faced by users of DL