Implementation of Rank Based Sleep Scheduling (RBSS) Protocol for WSNs in a Fixed Grid Topology

AbstractOne of the most significant challenges in wide-scale Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) is to achieve energy efficiency in order to increase their lifetime and ensuring responsiveness. A very widely applied approach in this regard is to overload the region with numerous low-cost sensing devices that can communicate with each other wirelessly and coordinate amongst themselves in developing schedules for being asleep or active. The literature has numerous research works in this regard which aim to develop efficient sleep scheduling schemes. In this paper, we present an implementation of a grid-topology based cooperative Rank Based Sleep Scheduling (RBSS) protocol in which the nodes of every cell coordinate in a distributive manner, the decision making process of selecting the nodes that should stay active, while others sleep. The proposed protocol guarantees the WSN connectivity as well as the required coverage. Finally, we implement RBSS on a small scale grid using TelosB motes

21ST CENTURY EMERGING LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES IN MALAYSIAN HIGHER LEARNING INSTITUTIONS

Purpose: This paper explores the 21st-century emerging leadership competencies in a Malaysian higher learning institution. As the forces of change are transforming the leadership landscape, new leadership capabilities are required for the 21st-century evolving globalized environment. Hence, research is needed to determine the key emerging leadership competencies in the higher learning institutions. Findings: The significance of the results were the relevance of the leadership competency concept in the context of higher learning institution, future leaders need competencies for effective leadership, and the core competencies of academic leaders are necessary. Additionally, besides the discussion on the emerging leadership competencies of visioning and strategic thinking, leadership agility, adaptability and change, relationship and collaboration, the new findings from the field data were corporate leadership and cross-cultural competence. Research limitations/implications: This qualitative case study focused on one higher learning institution. At the same time the research also provided the in-depth context-rich information. Practical implications: The knowledge and adoption of the emerging leadership competencies concept would enhance the development of progressive leadership. Originality/value: There is limited study on the emerging leadership competencies in the higher learning institutions. Hence, there is value in this research. The findings were original contributions to knowledge. Also, this study showed the link between the expected attributes of institutional leadership to the dimensions of transformational leadership and the key emerging leadership competencies. JEL Classification: L29

YAG capsulotomy rates between two types of trifocal intraocular lenses

Objective: To evaluate YAG capsulotomy rates following implantation of two types of trifocal intraocular lenses (IOLs). Methods: In this retrospective cohort study consecutive patients who underwent cataract surgery with a trifocal IOL from 1st May 2017 to 30th October 2019 at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi were included. Eyes which either had an AT Lisa Tri or Alcon PanOptix IOL implant were included. The primary outcome measure was Nd: YAG laser. Univariate analysis of all predictor variables was performed followed by a multivariate regression analysis of those which were significant. A p-value of < 0.05 was taken as significant. Results: A total of 328 eligible eyes were identified. Nine eyes were excluded. Out of the 319 eyes of 177 patients included in this study, 180 received AT Lisa Tri while 139 of them received Alcon PanOptix Trifocal IOLs. The mean (SD) age of the patients was 52.29 years (±11.04). Gender was equally distributed with 91 male patients (51.4%). Median (IQR) time to laser capsulotomy was 8 months (3-16). Clinically posterior capsular opacification (PCO) was present in 75 eyes (23.5%). A total of 39 eyes (12.2%) underwent Nd: YAG laser capsulotomy. Among the AT Lisa Tri group 29 eyes (16.1%) underwent laser capsulotomy compared to 10 (7.2%) (n=10) in Alcon PanOptix group (p=0.016). In both univariate and multivariate analyses, gender and IOL type were statistically significant. ---Continu

YAG capsulotomy rates between two types of trifocal intraocular lenses

Objectives: To evaluate YAG capsulotomy rates following implantation of two types of trifocal intraocular lenses (IOLs).Methods: In this retrospective cohort study consecutive patients who underwent cataract surgery with a trifocal IOL from 1st May 2017 to 30th October 2019 at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi were included. Eyes which either had an AT Lisa Tri or Alcon PanOptix IOL implant were included. The primary outcome measure was Nd: YAG laser. Univariate analysis of all predictor variables was performed followed by a multivariate regression analysis of those which were significant. A p-value of \u3c 0.05 was taken as significant.Results: A total of 328 eligible eyes were identified. Nine eyes were excluded. Out of the 319 eyes of 177 patients included in this study, 180 received AT Lisa Tri while 139 of them received Alcon PanOptix Trifocal IOLs. The mean (SD) age of the patients was 52.29 years (±11.04). Gender was equally distributed with 91(51.4%). male patients. Median (IQR) time to laser capsulotomy was 8 months (3-16). Clinically posterior capsular opacification (PCO) was present in 75(23.5%) eyes. A total of 39(12.2%) eyes underwent Nd: YAG laser capsulotomy. Among the AT Lisa Tri group 29 (16.1%) eyes underwent laser capsulotomy compared to 10 (7.2%) (n=10) in Alcon PanOptix group (p=0.016). In both univariate and multivariate analyses, gender and IOL type were statistically significant.Conclusions: Eyes implanted with AT Lisa Tri showed a significantly increased rate of YAG capsulotomy. A prospective randomized control trial is recommended to confirm these findings

Comparision between bed side testing of blood glucose by glucometer vs centralized testing in a tertiary care hospital

Background: To determine the accuracy, turnaround time and cost effectiveness of bedside monitoring of blood glucose levels by non-laboratory health care workers and centralized testing of blood glucose by automated analyzer in a tertiary care hospital.Methods: The study was conducted in Section of Chemical Pathology, Department of Pathology and Microbiology and Section of Endocrinology Department of Medicine, Aga Khan University and Hospital Karachi, from April 2005 to March 2006. One hundred and ten patients were included in the study. The blood glucose levels were analyzed on glucometer (Precision Abbott) by finger stick, using Biosensor Technology. At the same time venous blood was obtained to analyze glucose in clinical laboratory on automated analyzer (SYNCHRON CX7) by glucose oxidase method.Results: We observed good correlation between bed side glucometer and laboratory automated analyzer for glucose values between 3.3 mmol/L (60 mg/dl) and 16.7 (300 mg/dl). A significant difference was observed for glucose values less than 3.3 mmol/L (p = 0.002) and glucose values more than 16.67 mmol/l (p = 0.049). Mean Turnaround time for glucometer and automated analyzer were 0.08 hours and 2.49 hours respectively. The cost of glucose testing with glucometer was 48.8% lower than centralized lab based testing.CONCLUSION: Bedside glucometer testing, though less expensive does not have good accuracy in acutely ill patient with either very high or very low blood glucose levels

Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus: prevalence and risk factors among people with type 2 diabetes mellitus in an Urban District of Karachi, Pakistan.

AIMS: This study aimed to explore the prevalence of, and factors associated with, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (UDM) in a community setting in Pakistan. METHODOLOGY: A single-center, cross-sectional study, conducted in a community-based specialized care center (SCC) for diabetes in District Central Karachi, in 2003, registered 452 type 2 DM participants, tested for HbA1c and interviewed face-to-face for other information. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with UDM. RESULTS: Prevalence of UDM among diabetes patients was found to be 38.9% (95% CI: 34.4-43.4%). Multivariable logistic regression model analysis indicated that age \u3c50 years (OR: 1.9; 95% CI: 1.2-2.9), being diagnosed in a hospital (vs. a clinic) (OR: 1.8; 95% CI: 1.1-2.8), diabetes information from a doctor or nurse only (vs. multiple sources) (OR: 1.8; 95% CI: 1.2-2.9), higher monthly treatment cost (OR: 1.3; 95% CI: 1.1-1.6; for every extra 500 PKR), and higher consumption of tea (OR: 1.5; 95% CI: 1.0-2.2; for every 2 extra cups) were independently associated with UDM. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of UDM was approximately 39% among persons with type 2 diabetes visiting a community based SCC for diabetes. Modifiable risk factors such as sources of diabetes information and black tea consumption can be considered as potential targets of interventions in Karachi

Prevalence and significance of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency among apparently healthy adults

Objective: This study aims to determine the prevalence and significance of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency among apparently healthy adults. Design and methods: A total of 123 subjects, 56.9% males and 43.1% females, were recruited from a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. Questionnaires were administered to gather demographics, height, weight, and blood samples were also taken. For staging serum 25OHD, the cutoff values Results:The mean vitamin D level in the study subjects was 41.1 +/- 9.6 nmol/L. Of them, 90% had low serum 25OHD levels: 69.9% were deficient and 21.1% had insufficient levels of 25OHD. There was a significant negative correlation between serum 25OHD and iPTH levels. Conclusion: The high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency showed that a high proportion of apparently healthy adults are at risk of developing musculoskeletal and other chronic diseases. Serum iPTH and serum 25OHD levels are better markers of this deficiency as compared to other markers

Three-Port Lorentz Resonance Based Permittivity Sensor and Microwave Comparator

This paper presents for the first time a compact three-port Lorentz resonance-based microstrip sensor for permittivity and moisture sensing, as well as refractive index comparison. The proposed sensor is verified by simulations and experiments. The resonant frequency of the designed sensor is 2.24 GHz. The proposed sensor has a quality factor of 102, sensitivity of 45.4 mm/refractive index unit, and figure-of-merit of 34.6. The sensitivity of the proposed sensor is quite superior to other resonance based sensors and a fair comparison is presented in this work. The proposed sensor can be used to find the permittivity of dielectric materials, the moisture content of plants, as well as can be used as a refractive index comparator

Berberis vulgaris root bark extract prevents hyperoxaluria induced urolithiasis in rats.

Berberis vulgaris is a widely used plant for the treatment of urolithiasis. To evaluate its antiurolithic potential, the crude aqueous-methanol extract of Berberis vulgaris root bark (Bv.Cr) was tested in an animal model of urolithiasis, developed in male Wistar rats by adding 0.75% ethylene glycol in drinking water. Bv.Cr (50 mg/kg) inhibited CaOx crystal deposition in renal tubules and protected against associated changes including polyuria, weight loss, impaired renal function and the development of oxidative stress in kidneys. Activity-guided fractionation revealed the concentration of antiurolithic constituent(s) mainly in the aqueous fraction. These data, indicating the presence of antiurolithic activity in Berberis vulgaris root bark, rationalize its medicinal use for the treatment or urolithiasis