Generating quality dominating set

Construction of a small size dominating set is a well known problem in graph theory and sensor networks. A Connected dominating set (CDS) can be used as a backbone structure in sensor networks for message delivery and broadcast. The general dominating set problem is known to be NP-hard and some approximation algorithms have been proposed; In most approximation algorithms for constructing connected dominating set only the size of the dominating set has been considered. In this thesis we address the problem of constructing connected dominating sets with several quality factors that include (i) diameter, (ii) risk-factor, and (iii) interference. We propose algorithms for constructing CDS of small diameter, reduced risk-factor, and reduced interference. We also report on the experimental investigation of the proposed techniques. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithms are very effective in reducing interference without significantly increasing CDS size. The proposed algorithms are the first algorithms in the sensor network community that address both size and interference for designing dominating sets

Comparative Potential of Rhizobial Species on Wheat Productivity and Soil Status

Crop yields and soil fertility are affected by plant-microorganism interactions. For this purpose, green house experiment was conducted in the University of Sa1ahaddin- Erbi1 from 2021 to 2022, to study the foliage application effect of three species of rhizobial bacteria on durum wheat Triticum durum L. cultivar (Akassad) quality and availability of soil nutrient contents. For this experiment, completley randomized design, (CRD) with three replicates was utilized. Rhizobial inoculation in durum wheat significantly affected leaf nitrogen (N), phosphoruse (P), Potassium (K), and iron (Fe) contents, leaf protein and carbohydrate contents, yield components and soi1 nutrient contents. While the application of Rhizibium sp. (Mung bean) significantly increased leaf N and protein contents, grain number.plant-1 and total nitrogen (Total N%) contents of soil over control. Whereas application of Rhizobium sp. (Phaseo1us), increased leaf K and Fe contents, weight of 1000 grains, available phosphorusus (Avail P) and available potassium (Avail K) soil contents, compared to control. However, application of Rhizobium sp. (Faba bean) significantly increased total N, avail P and avail K contents of soil. Over all, these rhizobia can be used for preparation of effective biofertilizer to enhance crop growth

The Plant Regulator Soaking Seeds and its Reflections on Growth and Yield Quality of Wheat

A greenhouse pot experiment was carried out during November 2013 to May 2014. Winter wheat grains (Triticum aestivum L.), cultivars Abu-Ghureb and Cham6 were used to investigate the effect of soaking seeds in 300ppm of benzyl adenine (BA) or daminozide solutions for 6 hours before sowing vegetative, yield components, leaf chlorophylls and some chemical constituents of seeds. BA treatment led to significant increases in tiller number plant-1, chlorophyll b, P, dry gluten, N and protein contents of seeds. It also led to significant decreases in number of leaves plant-1. In addition, the number of tillers plant-1, shoots dry weight plant-1, P, N and protein contents of seeds were increased by daminozide treatment, but this caused a significant decrease in the plant height, number of leaves plant-1 and flag leaf area. Number of grains plant-1, weight of 1000 grains and grains yield were significantly increased by both treatments. Cultivar variability was noted for some tested parameters. The tall, N, P content and protein content of Abu-Ghureb cultivar were higher significantly than Sham6. The case was opposite with number of leaves plant-1, flag leaf area, shoots dry weight plant-1, spike length and grain number plant-1

Pattern of emergency department visits by elderly patients: study from a tertiary care hospital, Karachi

Background Worldwide the proportion of elderly people in the population is increasing. Currently in Pakistan 7.3 million people (5.6% of total population) are more than 60 years old. This age shift has emerged as an important health issue and is associated with an increased utilization of emergency services by the elderly. We carried out this study to assess the pattern of elderly patients (\u3e60 years) who visit emergency departments in comparison to young adults (18–60 years). Methods Data was collected retrospectively of patients aged 18 years or more who visited the Emergency Department (ED) of Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi (AKUH) during September, 2009 to September, 2011. The data collection sheet included patient’s demographic information, triage category, reason for visit, clinical presentation, ED length of stay, day and time of presentation and their disposition. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 19.0. Descriptive statistics were used to describe patient’s demographics. Chi-square (χ2) test was used as a test of significance to compare differences between groups for categorical data and t-test for continuous data. Multiple logistic regression analysis was done to find out the association between the patient characteristics and outcomes (admission and expiry). Results Almost 24% (n = 13014) of all adults (n = 54588) presenting to the ED were over the age of 60 years. More than 57% of elderly patients belonged to the high priority triage category compared to 35% in younger patients. Most of the elderly patients ( 27%) presented with nonspecific complaints followed by shortness of breath (13%) and fever (9%). The median length of stay (LOS) in the ED for elderly was 379 minutes (252 min in under-60 yrs patients) and they were more likely to get admitted to in-patient departments compared to younger patients (OR 1.7 95% CI 1.6-1.8). A high proportion of those admitted (20%) required intensive or special care. Mortality in elderly patients was 2.3% as compared to 0.7% in young adults. This was accompanied by a higher mortality risk in the elderly with an odds ratio of 2.3 (CI 2–2.5). Conclusion Elderly ED users differ significantly from younger adults in terms of criticality on presentation, ED LOS and final disposition

Effect of Plant Density on the Physiological and Quality Trait for Different Varieties of Wheat (Triticum aesitivum L.)

A factorial experiment was carried out in the experimental field of the Ankawa Research Center in Erbil Governorate, during the spring season of 2023 to know the effect of plant density on the morphological characteristics of different varieties of wheat. The randomized complete block design (RCBD) was used with three replicates, where three varieties of wheat were planted: Adana99, Hawler2, Hawler4, and three levels of plant or seed densities (450, 400, 350) m2. The results showed significant differences between the average interference of plant density with wheat varieties for the studied characteristics, as the average overlap between the density exceeded (400) plants. m2 and the Hawler2 variety in terms of significance and in terms of being the highest values of the averages in all the characteristics studied over the rest of the average overlap between densities and varieties. Returning to the average interaction between the density (400) plants. m2 and class Hawler2 The average overlap values were (11.36) for chlorophyll content (A), (3.23) for chlorophyll content (B), (5.22) for carotene content, (206.05) for protein content in dry leaves and stems, (205.08) for proline content in leaves, (4.24) for ascorbic acid content, (42.77) for soluble sugars content, (80.73) for carbohydrate content, (4.99) for phosphorus percentage, and (36.15) for nitrogen percentage. And (15.61) for the percentage of potassium, (10.16) for the percentage of calcium, and (3.26) for the percentage of magnesium

Missing the boat: odds for the patients who leave ED without being seen

BACKGROUND: A patient left without being seen is a well-recognized indicator of Emergency Department overcrowding. The aim of this study was to define the characteristics of LWBS patients, their rates and associated factors from a tertiary care hospital of Pakistan. METHODS: A retrospective patient record review was undertaken. All patients presenting to the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, between April and December of the year 2010, were included in the study. Information was collected on age, sex, presenting complaints, ED capacity, month, time, shift, day of the week, and waiting times in the ED. A basic descriptive analysis was made and the rates of LWBS patients were determined among the patient subgroups. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the risk factors associated with a patient not being seen in the ED. RESULTS: A total of 38,762 patients visited ED during the study period. Among them 5,086 (13%) patients left without being seen. Percentage of leaving was highest in the night shift (20%). The percentage was twice as high when the ED was on diversion (19.8%) compared to regular periods of operation (9.8%). Mean waiting time before leaving the ED in pediatric patients was 154 minutes while for adults it was 171 minutes. More than 32% of patients had waited for more than 180 minutes before they left without being seen, compared to the patients who were seen in ED. Important predictors for LWBS included; Triage category P4 i.e. walk -in-patients had an OR of 13.62(8.72-21.3), Diversion status, OR 1.49(1.26-1.76), night shift , OR 2.44(1.95-3.05) and Pediatric age, OR 0.57(0.48-0.66). CONCLUSIONS: Our study elucidates the LWBS population characteristics and identifies the risk factors for this phenomenon. Targeted interventions should be planned and implemented to decrease the waiting time and alternate services should be provided for high-risk patients (for LWBS) to minimize their number

Comparative Assessment of E-cadherin’s Expression between the Metastatic and Non-metastatic Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: An Immunohistochemical Study

Objective: To identify the clinicopathological correlation of E-cadherin expression in metastatic and non-metastatic oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Material and Methods: A total of 90 paraffin-embedded tissue sections of OSCC were retrieved from the registry. The total selected samples were 45 cases each from the primary lesions of metastatic and non-metastatic OSCC. One section was subjected to routine Hematoxylin and eosin stain and another to immunohistochemical analysis for E-cadherin expression. Results: A non-significant (p˃0.05) increased expression is seen in the non-metastatic group compared to the metastatic group, with predominantly membrane as the staining site in either group. However, the expression of E-cadherin did not reveal any statistically significant association with independent variables such as age, gender, and adverse habits of the patients (p>0.05). On the other hand, with respect to the histological differentiation of OSCC, a significant association (p<0.001) was observed with the well-differentiated type of metastatic OSCC. Conclusion: E-cadherin was useful to some extent in predicting regional metastasis. However, further studies using a panel of biomarkers with increased sample size may help us understand the process involved in metastasis

Response of Some Bread Wheat Genotypes (Triticum aestivum L.) to Salinity at Early Growth Stage

This study aimed to detect the salinity harsh influence on germination of Triticum aestivum L. seeds, seedling growth and some physiological defense mechanisms to determine the salt- tolerant genotype. The study conducted as a completely randomized design with 3 replicates for each treatment. Four bread wheat genotypes; Hawler- 2, Azady, Adana, Rabeae were subjected to two irrigation patterns; tape water (control) and 100 mM NaCl (salt stress). The highest percent of germination; 46.77 recorded by Rabeaa genotype. Meanwhile Azady and Rabeaa had highest mean germination time (MGT); 16.71 and 16.03 respectively. Longest root was exhibited by Adena;10.50 cm. while longest shoot represented by Hawler-2; 16.40 cm. Highest dry weight of root was 1.01 g. Root: shoot ratio; 1.63 exhibited by Rabeaa. Hawler- 2 showed minimum chlorophyll a; 0.90 mg/ g. Lowest chlorophyll b and total content observed in Adena; 2.18 and 2.3 mg g-1 respectively. Azady and Rabeaa recorded higher MSI%; 43.3 and 43 % respectively as compared to others. Rabeaa recorded highest water content, proline and sugar content; 22.7, 0.31 and 11.56 mg g-1. Therefore, it could suggest that Rabea and Azady can be successfully grown under 100 mM NaCl saline condition

Assessment of Bite Forces in Restored Teeth with Different Commonly Used Restorative Materials: A Comparative Study

Objective: To evaluate and compare bite force (BF) in permanent first molars restored with glass ionomer cement (GIC), composite and amalgam, and normal contralateral permanent first molars. Material and Methods: BF was recorded in decayed permanent first molars, which were filled with GIC (n=30), composite (n=30), and amalgam (n=30), and in healthy contralateral first molars (n=90) with Force Transducer Occlusal Force Meter and compared. Results: BF was significantly higher in normal teeth on the contralateral side compared to teeth restored with GIC and composite. However, in patients with amalgam restoration, though it was less compared to that on the contralateral side, it was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Conclusion: Restoring teeth with various filling materials may improve bite force. In the present study, it was found that the teeth restored with amalgam had higher bite forces in comparison to the other restorative materials used. However, it was not comparable to that observed in the normal tooth (control) on the contralateral side

TARGETING JATROPHA DERIVED PHYTOCHEMICALS TO INHIBIT THE XANTHINE OXIDASE & CYCLOOXYGENASE-2: IN SILICO ANALYSIS TOWARDS GOUT TREATMENT

Objective: Gouty arthritis is a well known disease with an abrupt attack causing extreme pain in and around the joints. Accumulated urate crystals, being the reason of the disease cause a lot of inflammation leading to swelling in the joints. These diseases are being treated using NSAIDs, Colchicine as well as few of the Glucocorticoids but these have some unnatural effects primarily, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular side effects. Nowadays, Jatropha curcas, a medicinal plant has been studied for anti – inflammatory properties therefore the phytochemical constituents of this plant can be an effective drug against this Gout disease.Methods: Herein for docking, Lamarckian Genetic algorithm was applied using Autodock4.2 (version 1.5.6). Xanthine Oxidase and Cyclooxygenase-2 proteins from Homo sapiens were modeled using the Swiss model and screened against the phytochemicals from Jatropha species.Results: The results demonstrated that Jatrophone (KNApSAcK_ID: C00003446), 6β-hydroxy-4-stigmasten-3-one (KNApSAcK_ID: C00029573) and Palmarumycin CP1 (KNApSAcK_ID: C00035859) had a good affinity for both, Xanthine oxidase and COX-2. Further, the interaction profile of the phytochemicals with both the protein was analyzed using LigPlot+.Conclusion: The interaction pattern phytochemicals with the Xanthine Oxidase and Cyclooxygensae-2 may provide hints for the design of novel derivatives with higher potency and specificity