The Novel Coronavirus Outbreak: a Challenge Beyond Borders

Coronaviruses infect mammals and birds worldwide, and some of these viruses infect humans to cause mild to moderate lower-respiratory tract illnesses and rarely a severe illness. Like other viruses, coronaviruses evolved (change their genetic material and protein structure) and spread from animals to humans. The world has witnessed coronavirus evolving into severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) in 2003 and the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in 2012. Other recent examples include Dengue, Ebola, Chikungunya, Influenza and Zika virus outbreaks. It may or may not be relevant to note that first cases of both SARS-CoV in 2003 avian influenza virus (H5N1) in 1997 were isolated and identified at the same hospital in Hong Kong where the first case of the current outbreak of the Wuhan coronavirus has been identified. The new virus has been named as the Novel coronavirus (2019 nCoV)

The Awareness and Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome in Medical Community of Bahawalpur

Objectives: We investigated the frequency of Metabolic Syndrome and evaluated the level of awareness about this condition in medical community (healthcare workers) of Bahawalpur, Pakistan.Methods: It was a cross-sectional study. It was carried out over a period of one year (June 2008 to May 2009). The following institutions took part in the study: Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Quaid-e-Azam Medical College, Paramedical and Nursing Schools and Female Jubilee Hospital. A total of one hundred and ninety four (194) Doctors and Paramedics (Nurses and Dispensors) working in the institutions included in study were selected by simple random sampling technique. Demographic, anthropometric, and biochemical data were recorded, lifestyle features were inquired about, and the level of awareness regarding MetS was surveyed. The criteria recommended by the Adult Treatment Panel (ATP) III were used for the diagnosis of MetS. The presence of MetS was evaluated in all (194) subjects.Results: Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed in 29 participants (14.95� and there was no statistically significant difference between men and women in this respectAt least three criteria of MetS were correctly listed by 36 participants (18.56� with physicians showing significantly higher awareness levels (p<0.001). The frequency of abdominal obesity was 22.68�0and it was significantly higher in males than in females (29.29�0vs 14.74�20p<0.001).Conclusion: Current study shows that only a minority of medical community are aware of MetS as a clinical entity. Nurses and other paramedics are unaware of the problem

AN ASSESSMENT OF THE CROP WATER DEMAND AND IRRIGATION WATER SUPPLY AT PABBI MINOR OF WARSAK GRAVITY CANAL

The research study was conducted on irrigation water supply and demand at Pabbi minor of Warsak gravity canal from June to August 1998. Objectives of the research were to assess the actual supply of irrigation water, irrigation water demand of major crops, and comparison between water supply and demand for all the outlets of Pabbi minor. Actual irrigation supply was determined by cutthroam flumes. Cropping pattern was determined by interviewing the farmers by making use of proformas developed for that purpose.Cropping pattern, evapotranspiration, sanctioned discharge, fallow, water demand, water supply

Increase in Teachers\u27 Knowledge About ADHD After a Week-Long Training Program A Pilot Study

Objectives: ADHD affects 3% to 5% of school-age children. Clinical and community based epidemiological studies in Pakistan have shown a high prevalence of ADHD among school going children. A thorough review of literature shows that no studies of teachers\u27 training programs regarding ADHD have been published in Pakistani research literature. The aim of the present study is the development and evaluation of an ADHD training program for teachers. Methods: A teachers\u27 training program for ADHD was designed and a pilot run in 3 schools of Karachi, Pakistan. Teachers knowledge regarding signs and symptoms of ADHD was tested before and after the workshop and then again after 6 months using an ADHD knowledge questionnaire. Results: Forty-nine teachers, all of them women, completed the questionnaires before and after the training program, and 35 of them filled it out at the 6-month interval. Mean scores of these tests were compared using a paired t test. The authors found the difference of mean score of 1.48 +/- 2.95, and this was statistically significant (p \u3c .005). Conclusion: The authors conclude that the workshop improved the knowledge of the school teachers regarding ADHD symptomatology, and it remained significant even after 6 months of training

New Techniques for Polynomial System Solving

Since any encryption map may be viewed as a polynomial map between finite dimensional vector spaces over finite fields, the security of a cryptosystem can be examined by studying the difficulty of solving large systems of multivariate polynomial equations. Therefore, algebraic attacks lead to the task of solving polynomial systems over finite fields. In this thesis, we study several new algebraic techniques for polynomial system solving over finite fields, especially over the finite field with two elements. Instead of using traditional Gröbner basis techniques we focus on highly developed methods from several other areas like linear algebra, discrete optimization, numerical analysis and number theory. We study some techniques from combinatorial optimization to transform a polynomial system solving problem into a (sparse) linear algebra problem. We highlight two new kinds of hybrid techniques. The first kind combines the concept of transforming combinatorial infeasibility proofs to large systems of linear equations and the concept of mutants (finding special lower degree polynomials). The second kind uses the concept of mutants to optimize the Border Basis Algorithm. We study recent suggestions of transferring a system of polynomial equations over the finite field with two elements into a system of polynomial equalities and inequalities over the set of integers (respectively over the set of reals). In particular, we develop several techniques and strategies for converting the polynomial system of equations over the field with two elements to a polynomial system of equalities and inequalities over the reals (respectively over the set of integers). This enables us to make use of several algorithms in the field of discrete optimization and number theory. Furthermore, this also enables us to investigate the use of numerical analysis techniques such as the homotopy continuation methods and Newton's method. In each case several conversion techniques have been developed, optimized and implemented. Finally, the efficiency of the developed techniques and strategies is examined using standard cryptographic examples such as CTC and HFE. Our experimental results show that most of the techniques developed are highly competitive to state-of-the-art algebraic techniques

Vitamin B12 Supplementation in Trea ting Major Depressive Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Recent literature has identified links between vitamin B12 deficiency and depression. We compared the clinical response of SSRI-monotherapy with that of B12-augmentation in a sample of depressed patients with low normal B12 levels who responded inadequately to the first trial with the SSRIs. Methods: Patients with depression and low normal B12 levels were randomized to a control arm (antidepressant only) or treatment arm (antidepressants and injectable vitamin B12 supplementation). Results: A total of 199 depressed patients were screened. Out of 73 patients with low normal B12 levels 34 (47%) were randomized to the treatment group while 39 (53%) were randomized to the control arm. At three months follow up 100% of the treatment group showed at least a 20% reduction in HAM-D score, while only 69% in the control arm showed at least a 20% reduction in HAM-D score (p\u3c0.001). The findings remained significant after adjusting for baseline HAM-D score (p=0.001). Conclusion: Vitamin B12 supplementation with antidepressants significantly improved depressive symptoms in our cohort

The Impact of Dynamic Capabilities and Information System on Organizational Effectiveness in Cellular Communication Companies in Jordon: Mediating Role of Organizational Ambidexterity

The goal of the ongoing research is to examine the impact of dynamic capabilities such as exploitation capability, exploration capability and information system on the organizational effectiveness of cellular communication firms in Jordan. The examination of the mediating role of organizational ambidexterity among the nexus of dynamic capabilities such as exploitation capability and exploration capability and organizational effectiveness is also included in the goals of the ongoing research. The quantitative method of data gathering has been utilized by the researchers to collect the data from the employees of the cellular communication firms currently operating in Jordan while AMOS has been used for the purpose of analysis. The results exposed that the positive nexus has been found among the nexus of dynamic capabilities, organizational ambidexterity, and organizational effectiveness. The results also revealed that the organizational ambidexterity has positive mediating among the links of dynamic capabilities such as exploitation capability and exploration capability on organizational effectiveness. These findings are suitable for the regulation developing authorities that they should develop and implement the effective regulation related to the dynamic capabilities and organizational ambidexterity that enhance the organizational effectiveness of the firm