A survey of simulation techniques in commerce and defence

Despite the developments in Modelling and Simulation (M&S) tools and techniques over the past years, there has been a gap in the M&S research and practice in healthcare on developing a toolkit to assist the modellers and simulation practitioners with selecting an appropriate set of techniques. This study is a preliminary step towards this goal. This paper presents some results from a systematic literature survey on applications of M&S in the commerce and defence domains that could inspire some improvements in the healthcare. Interim results show that in the commercial sector Discrete-Event Simulation (DES) has been the most widely used technique with System Dynamics (SD) in second place. However in the defence sector, SD has gained relatively more attention. SD has been found quite useful for qualitative and soft factors analysis. From both the surveys it becomes clear that there is a growing trend towards using hybrid M&S approaches

Correction of neglected post-burn severe calcaneo-valgus deformity of foot with Joshi’s external stabilization system: a one stage surgical procedure

Post burn calcaneovalgus is a complex foot deformity and management becomes increasingly difficult especially if deformity is neglected in growing young child resulting in secondary bony deformity. A simple technique of single stage surgical correction with Joshi’s external stabilization system (JESS) is described using principle of distraction osteogenesis or histogenesis without need of extensive plastic surgical procedure. A functional plantigrade foot is achieved after completion of the procedure without need of any bony procedure and least chances of any neurovascular compromise. JESS is a versatile external fixation device for correction of neglected postburn complex calcaneovalgus deformity

Characterization of Transmission and Reflection of Ku Band Split Ring Resonator Reflectarray using Waveguide Method

In this paper, the analysis, design, and measurement of a split ring resonator reflectarray is presented. The 6 different designs of reflectarray are simulated to analyze the effect of splits position on resonance frequency. The SRR reflectarray which covered highest frequency bandwidth at Ku-band is fabricated and tested. In the fabrication, FR4 substrate is used. The S-parameter measurements of the fabricated reflectarray are performed by waveguide method. The obtained results have good reflection characteristics for a wide frequency range from 12 GHz to 16.5 GHz in Ku-band. The maximum value of reflection is achieved approximately at 15.3 GHz frequenc

The role of election competition in strengthening Pakistan’s fledgling local democracy

Using results and original survey data from the November 2015 local government elections in the Sargodha District of rural Punjab, Pakistan, insights are offered into the institutional and organisational responses that can help strengthen local democracy. These results form part of a larger research project being conducted by the Institute of Development and Economic Alternatives (IDEAS), which examines how voters make choices broadly. It explores the relative weight voters give to party performance vs. candidates’ political and bureaucratic connections. It highlights the need for reporting, debate and a rule-based separation of functions and finances to strengthen local democracy in Pakistan

Nanoparticles Synergistic Effect with Various Substrate Pretreatment and their Comparison on Biogas Production from Algae Waste

Algae waste is one of the potential substrates for biogas and biohydrogen production and can comprehend multiple benefits of waste treatment and resource utilization. In view of the key bottlenecks such as low substrate degradation rate and poor productivity of algae waste production process, this study analyzes the combined effect of two metallic and metallic oxide nanoparticles with different substrate pretreatment methods (autoclave, ultrasonic, and microwave methods) to investigate the effect of anaerobic digestion of green algae (Enteromorpha). The results showed that out of the three pretreatment methods, microwave pretreatment and nanoparticles' synergistic effect significantly increases biogas production. The microbial community composition at the phylum level was analyzed. It was observed that the Firmicutes were most abundant across all samples. The relative abundance of Firmicutes for control, Ni NPs + MW, Co NPs + MW, and Fe3O4 NPs + MW groups were 51.78, 70.37, 75.77, and 83.93%,      respectively. The second most abundant was of Bacteroidetes that also contributes to hydrogen production. This relatively high abundance of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes promises its potential applications in a hydrogen production facility. Copyright © 2021 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).

Traumatic brain injury leads to alterations in contusional cortical miRNAs involved in dementia

There is compelling evidence that head injury is a significant environmental risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and that a history of traumatic brain injury (TBI) accelerates the onset of AD. Amyloid-β plaques and tau aggregates have been observed in the post-mortem brains of TBI patients; however, the mechanisms leading to AD neuropathology in TBI are still unknown. In this study, we hypothesized that focal TBI induces changes in miRNA expression in and around affected areas, resulting in the altered expression of genes involved in neurodegeneration and AD pathology. For this purpose, we performed a miRNA array in extracts from rats subjected to experimental TBI, using the controlled cortical impact (CCI) model. In and around the contusion, we observed alterations of miRNAs associated with dementia/AD, compared to the contralateral side. Specifically, the expression of miR-9 was significantly upregulated, while miR-29b, miR-34a, miR-106b, miR-181a and miR-107 were downregulated. Via qPCR, we confirmed these results in an additional group of injured rats when compared to naïve animals. Interestingly, the changes in those miRNAs were concomitant with alterations in the gene expression of mRNAs involved in amyloid generation and tau pathology, such as β-APP cleaving enzyme (BACE1) and Glycogen synthase-3-β (GSK3β). In addition increased levels of neuroinflammatory markers (TNF-α), glial activation, neuronal loss, and tau phosphorylation were observed in pericontusional areas. Therefore, our results suggest that the secondary injury cascade in TBI affects miRNAs regulating the expression of genes involved in AD dementia

Fecal microbiota transplant rescues mice from human pathogen mediated sepsis by restoring systemic immunity.

Death due to sepsis remains a persistent threat to critically ill patients confined to the intensive care unit and is characterized by colonization with multi-drug-resistant healthcare-associated pathogens. Here we report that sepsis in mice caused by a defined four-member pathogen community isolated from a patient with lethal sepsis is associated with the systemic suppression of key elements of the host transcriptome required for pathogen clearance and decreased butyrate expression. More specifically, these pathogens directly suppress interferon regulatory factor 3. Fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) reverses the course of otherwise lethal sepsis by enhancing pathogen clearance via the restoration of host immunity in an interferon regulatory factor 3-dependent manner. This protective effect is linked to the expansion of butyrate-producing Bacteroidetes. Taken together these results suggest that fecal microbiota transplantation may be a treatment option in sepsis associated with immunosuppression

Two Years Audit of Parkinsonism Patients at Royal Commission Hospital Yanbu, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Introduction: Parkinson`s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative condition affecting patients. It is broadly classified as `movement disorder’ with a variety of clinical features, including bradykinesia, rigidity and tremor. PD is better defined as multisystem neurodengerative disorder causing a large number of motor and non-motor complications. In this study we described our experience regarding follow up parkinsonism patients.Objectives: To determine clinical outcome in patients of Parkinsonism in our setup.Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective as well as follow up of new patients of Parkinson`s disease in the department of neurology at Royal Commission hospital Yanbu – one of the biggest industrial city of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Duration of study was two years; from January 2011 to December 2012. This study included 50 patients with diagnosed case of Parkinsonism and newly diagnosed cases.Results: The age range was 40 – 110 years; there were 4 patients (8%) of age range 40 – 41 years, 2 patients (4%) of age range 46 – 50 years, one patient (2%), 7 patients (14%) of age range 61 – 65 years, 11 patients (22%) of age range 66 – 70 years, 2 patients (4%) of age range 86 – 90 years and one patient (2%) was of 110 years. The last patient mentioned has a daughter who was 80 years of age and was included in the study. Around 45 patients were diagnosed for the first time as case of Parkinsonism and these were started on management / treatment with good clinical improvement.Conclusions: Not all the patients need to commence treatment at time of diagnosis, but drugs should be started when symptoms begin to interfere with daily life. We found that all such patients when prescribed treatments sho-wed excellent improvement in terms of activities of daily life