Urdu text steganography: Utilizing isolated letters

This paper presents an imperceptible and high capacity feature based approach which hides a secret message into Urdu text cover media by utilising all isolated letters. Existing techniques are less imperceptible and also not robust against steganalysis attacks and some of these schemes are failed to provide the better capacity rates. Previous lexical based and syntax based schemes are ineffective to provide the better capacity rate and image based approaches are not robust against format attacks. Moreover, Feature based approaches are more perceptible and thus, cannot resist against visual attacks. This paper proposes an improved algorithm that encompasses all isolated letters of Urdu text for hiding data to provide better capacity rates. Furthermore, this technique is more secured by using strong public key encryption algorithm. In addition, scheme is also imperceptible, since it does not affect the external appearance of the text. Implementation shows that the proposed text steganography technique provides high concealing capacity

Assessment of Olfactory Fossa Depth based on Keros Classification using Computerised tomography (Ct) in Age Groups of Both Genders

Objective: Keros classification based assessment of olfactory fossa depth in different age groups of both genders using computerized tomography (CT) Methodology: Cross sectional study done at Ziauddin university, Clifton, Karachi. Sample size was 270 adults including 160 males & 110 females. The assessment of depth of Olfactory fossa was carried out by measuring the height of lateral lamella of cribriform plate on CT images. Result: Olfactory fossa of 270 patients from both sides of both genders were classified according to Keros classification. We found Type II to be the most frequent on both sides in both genders. No significant difference in olfactory fossa depth was found when compared in different age groups. Conclusion: The present study shows that vast majority of the population comes under Keros type II & type III thus emphasizing the need of pre-operative radiological assessment. Association of right & left olfactory fossa depth in different age groups was found to be insignificant

Mabry syndrome in a child of South Asian descent

Mabry syndrome is the triad of seizures, hyperphosphatasia, and mental disability. It usually manifests in first year of life and has an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. Besides the usual triad, other manifestations of Mabry syndrome include hypoplasia of distal phalanges, brachytelencepahly, gastrointestinal malformations and constipation, hypertelorism, short nose with a broad nasal bridge and dip, and thin upper lip with down turned corners of the mouth. More than 20 cases of Mabry syndrome have been reported in medical literature. Herein, we report the case of a six-month child with Mabry syndrome that presented with decreased neck holding, hypotonia and delayed motor milestones. The child also had a high-arched palate and hyperplastic malar eminences. Constipation was present but had a delayed onset, starting at 19 months of age. This is the first case of Mabry syndrome occurring in a child of South Asian descent

VARIATION IN INTERNAL CAROTID ARTERY PROTRUSION AND DEHISCENCE IN A SUBSET OF KARACHI POPULATION

Objective: To find out the frequency of protrusion of Internal Carotid artery in sphenoid sinus and dehiscence of carotid canal in a subset of Karachi population.  Study design: This was a Cross-sectional study conducted at Radiology department of Ziauddin university.  Methodology:  We analyzed 270 head and neck CT scans 270 Head and neck CT scans (540 sides) were analyzed. CT was performed on a 16 slice Toshiba Alexion at Ziauddin Hospital, Karachi —removed for blind review---. SPSS version 20 was used for data analysis.  Results: Out of 270 CT scans analyzed, 28 (10.3) scans showed protrusion of ICA in sphenoid sinus. Out of 45 (16.6) of the subjects showed dehiscence of carotid canal. Out of total dehiscence present unilateral cases were more frequent as compared to bilateral. Unilateral protrusion was also more common as compared to bilateral protrusion of ICA.  Conclusion: Knowledge of dehiscence and protrusion related to ICA and sphenoid sinus anatomy is essential to avoid complications in endoscopic sinus surgery.

Spectrum of Malignant and Non-Malignant Hematological Disorders in a Tertiary Care Centre

Objective: To analyze the spectrum of malignant and non-malignant hematological disorders in our setup. Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study was done in the Department of Pathology, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, from 1st January -2016 to 30th December-2016. A total 352 patients underwent bone marrow biopsy during study period. About 15 patients had inadequate aspirate samples that were unfit for opinion. So these were excluded from the study. The remaining of 337 patients were included in the study. All patients of both sexes and all ages were included in the study. Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy was done, the slides were stained, examined and diagnosis was recorded. Data was analyzed by SPSS version 16 and results were drawn accordingly. Results: Among total 337 patients, there were 185 (55%) male and 152 (45%) females. Male to female ratio was 1.2:1. The median age of participants was 26 years and range was 9 months -72 years, (mean age was 36±17.8 years). Regarding pattern of hematological illnesses, commonest non-malignant disorder was Megaloblastic anemia. Among malignant hematological illnesses, frequent disorder was Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Conclusion: Megaloblastic anemia, Hemolytic anemia, and Aplastic anemia are common non-malignant hematological disorders in our setup. Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Multiple Myeloma are common malignant hematological disorders in our set up.&nbsp

Ocean currents break up a tabular iceberg

In December 2020, giant tabular iceberg A68a (surface area 3900 km 2 ) broke up in open ocean much deeper than its keel, indicating that the breakage was not immediately caused by collision with the seafloor. Giant icebergs with lengths exceeding 18.5 km account for most of the calved ice mass from the Antarctic Ice Sheet. Upon calv - ing, they drift away and transport freshwater into the Southern Ocean, modifying ocean circulation, disrupting sea ice and the marine biosphere, and potentially triggering changes in climate. Here, we demonstrate that the A68a breakup event may have been triggered by ocean-current shear, a new breakup mechanism not previously reported. We also introduce methods to represent giant icebergs within climate models that currently do not have any representation of them. These methods open opportunities to explore the interactions between icebergs and other components of the climate system and will improve the fidelity of global climate simulation

Students, perception of computer assisted teaching and learning of anat- omy-in a scenario where cadavers are lacking

Abstract Computer software program for three dimensional (3D) modeling of anatomical structures in the human body that presents detailed and step by step cadaver dissections can be used for computer assisted teaching and learning of anatomy. Anatomical drawing, models, skeletons, and live demonstrations supplement the classroom learning environment. It can provide detailed human anatomical training for students, where there is a lack of cadaver facility. The multimedia equipped interactive Anatomical laboratory software's enhance both memorization and visual learning skill and has been shown to be an effective teaching aid (Guy & Frisby, 1992), they will improve imaging data analysis and so represent a major advance in determining prognosis and therapeutic strategy. THE AIM of the study is to survey student's opinion/perception on the use of computer assisted classes for teaching anatomy and to determine the place of computer in the teaching-learning process of anatomy to bachelor of medicine and bachelor of surgery (MBBS) students, as whether they can replace or substitute cadavers. A questionnaire model was given to MBBS students. While studying anatomy, the students accessed a room equipped with computers containing previously loaded anatomy programs. The analysis of the questionnaire showed that for students the computer room considerably facilitate the study of anatomy in easy manner and also potentially increases the understanding of the lesson, at the same time considered that the computer room cannot replace cadaver dissection

A community scale hybrid renewable energy system for sustainable power supply during load shedding

Load shedding is an operating condition in which the electrical grid is temporarily disconnected from the load. The objective is to minimize the gap between available generation capacity and load demand while maintaining an equitable supply for all consumers. Load shedding is a prominent problem for many developing countries. To address this issue, this paper explores the potential of a hybrid energy system (HES) to provide uninterrupted power supply at the distribution feeder despite load shedding from electrical grid. The proposed HES in this work combines photovoltaic (PV) array, battery storage system (BSS) and diesel generator (DG). The HES is equipped with energy management scheme (EMS) that ensures continuous power supply, improves energy efficiency, and minimizes the electricity cost. To accomplish these tasks, the EMS operates the system in one of three modes: grid mode, renewable energy source mode and the diesel generator mode. Besides, the proposed methodology allows injecting surplus PV energy into the grid, thus maximizing PV utilization and improving power system’s reliability. The results of this study will assist policymakers to determine the prospect of renewable based hybrid system to supply sustainable power and eliminate the energy problems in the power deficit countries

A comprehensive review of crop yield prediction using machine learning approaches with special emphasis on palm oil yield prediction

An early and reliable estimation of crop yield is essential in quantitative and financial evaluation at the field level for determining strategic plans in agricultural commodities for import-export policies and doubling farmer’s incomes. Crop yield predictions are carried out to estimate higher crop yield through the use of machine learning algorithms which are one of the challenging issues in the agricultural sector. Due to this developing significance of crop yield prediction, this article provides an exhaustive review on the use of machine learning algorithms to predict crop yield with special emphasis on palm oil yield prediction. Initially, the current status of palm oil yield around the world is presented, along with a brief discussion on the overview of widely used features and prediction algorithms. Then, the critical evaluation of the state-of-the-art machine learning-based crop yield prediction, machine learning application in the palm oil industry and comparative analysis of related studies are presented. Consequently, a detailed study of the advantages and difficulties related to machine learning-based crop yield prediction and proper identification of current and future challenges to the agricultural industry is presented. The potential solutions are additionally prescribed in order to alleviate existing problems in crop yield prediction. Since one of the major objectives of this study is to explore the future perspectives of machine learning-based palm oil yield prediction, the areas including application of remote sensing, plant’s growth and disease recognition, mapping and tree counting, optimum features and algorithms have been broadly discussed. Finally, a prospective architecture of machine learning-based palm oil yield prediction has been proposed based on the critical evaluation of existing related studies. This technology will fulfill its promise by performing new research challenges in the analysis of crop yield prediction and the development