Receiver Design for DCT Based Multicarrier Signals

DCT based multicarrier system also known as fast orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (FOFDM) is a promising multicarrier transmission technique that requires half the subcarrier spacing compared to conventional OFDM technique. The signal processing complexity and power consumption of such system is also less due to its real arithmetic operations compared to DFT based system (OFDM) that require complex arithmetic operations. However, unlike OFDM, FOFDM requires a finite impulse response (FIR) front-end pre-filter at the receiver to achieve single-tap equalization for simplifying the receiver design. The receiver design can be further improved using the fact that FOFDM system transmits real valued symbols compared to complex valued symbols in conventional OFDM. This fact enabled us to improve the system performance by exploiting the improperness of such DCT based multicarrier signals using widely linear processing (WLP). In this paper, a novel equalization technique using WLP is proposed to effectively improve the system performance, and it is shown that the proposed FOFDM receiver can provide better estimate of the tra

Prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection among barbers and their knowledge, attitude and practices in the district of Sukkur, Sindh .

Abstract OBJECTIVES: Several occupations in developing countries lag behind in ensuring the safety of their workers in occupational settings. Lack of implementation of safety guidelines at workplaces can expose workers to health risks. In Pakistan, barbers are one of the un-regulated occupational groups. Low literacy, increased frequency of direct skin contact and blade/razors use can expose barbers to body fluids including blood of the customers. We conducted this study in order to determine hepatitis B virus (HBV) prevalence among barbers and their knowledge, attitude and practices in a peri-urban district of Sindh. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Three hundred eighty-five barbers from the Sukkur district were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Blood samples were collected and tested for HBsAg. A scale was built to determine the proportions of responses to knowledge, attitude and practice items. RESULTS: The prevalence of HBV among barbers was 2.1%. The barbers\u27 knowledge on HBV and its transmission routes was poor. The response to attitude items was good, except that only 35.1% of the participants agreed to have vaccination against HBV. The overall performance on the knowledge and practice scales was poor compared to the attitude scale on which 80% of the barbers performed well. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of HBV among barbers was lower compared to the available national figures for the prevalence among the general population

Climate Change and its Impact on the Political Dynamics of Pakistan

The assessment report of the National Academy of Sciences/National Research Council on Climate and Social Stress and the Intelligence Community Assessment on Global Water Security both refer to a possible link between climate change and social instability in countries around the world. They argue that climatic variations in combination with preexisting social and political problems may contribute to social disruptions that could result in political instability, state failure, and sub-national violence, and thereby pose threats to international security. Although there is a growing consensus about climate change’s ability to disrupt societies, and ultimately threaten global security, little is understood about what these climate-induced social and political stresses will look like and how they may interact with each other, as well as with other factors endogenous to a society, to destabilize countries and regions. Most of the literature on the subject points to a mono-causal link between climate change and resource scarcity (predominantly food and water), and explains how food and water insecurity may stoke socio-political stresses. Although, this “neo-Malthusian” theory has improved our understanding about the dangers that climate change poses to international security, it is far from being complete and is over simplistic. Using Pakistan as a case study, this paper argues that the link between climate change, resource scarcity, and conflict is not as straightforward as many studies suggest it to be. Piecing together publicly available data about Pakistan, this paper suggest two points: First, climatic changes disturb the social and political equilibrium of a society by either creating new fault lines in the social, political, or ethnic landscape of that society, or by exacerbating existing ones. Disequilibrium brought about by climatic variability creates new winners and losers, and manifests itself in the form of social and political unrest by heightening tensions among them. Conflict may come later and will be difficult to reverse, as it will occur not only due to resource scarcity but also because of political grievances and tensions in a highly fragmented society. Second, the preexisting social and political configuration of a society will determine how that society responds to climate change disturbing this equilibrium. For example, a reduction in water availability may not always translate into a lower agricultural yield. This dynamic is likely to depend on the influence agriculturists have over the distribution of water resources and related policy tools. The nature and level of stresses will differ from society to society and will depend on how new winners and losers adjust as climatic changes alter the availability of resources

Experience of devolution in district health system of Pakistan: Perspectives regarding needed reforms

Objective: To identify the strengths and weaknesses of the devolved district health system from the experiences of different stakeholders, and recommend direction for reforms in the existing system.Methods: Using qualitative exploratory design, the study was conducted in 3 cities of the province of Sindh in Pakistan--Karachi, Khairpur and Larkana--from January to March 2010. Nine in-depth interviews were conducted with multiple stakeholders (District Coordination Officer, Executive District Officer, Medical Superintendent, Medical officers, Health system experts) of the district health system. Interviews included questions on autonomy in decision-making at the district level and the effectiveness of the devolved health system. Data transcripts were made from the recorded tapes and notes taken during the interviews. Thematic analysis was done and the data was classified into 3 broad themes of governance, financing and factors related to resources and service delivery.Results: The main strengths identified included formation of District Health Management Team for wider inter-sectoral collaboration, creation of new posts at sub-district level for close monitoring and supervision, and greater financial autonomy to prioritise according to needs. The reported weaknesses included lack of team work, limited autonomy, lack of capacity, nepotism and poor accountability.Conclusion: While devolution has been scrapped in most parts of the country, the findings of the study provide recommendations for the delegation of further powers at sub-district and union council level, enhanced capacity and increased transparency and accountability to make the system work

Pattern of benzodiazepine use in psychiatric outpatients in Pakistan: a cross-sectional survey.

Background: Benzodiazepines (BDZ) are the largest-selling drug group in the world. The potential of dependence with BDZ has been known for almost three decades now. In countries like Pakistan where laws against unlicensed sale of BDZ are not implemented vigorously the risk of misuse of and dependence on these drugs is even higher. Previous studies have shown that BDZ prevalence among Patients/visitors to general outPatient clinics in Pakistan may be as high as 30%. However, no research has been carried out on the prevalence of BDZ use in psychiatric Patients in Pakistan. Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional survey over 3 months in psychiatry outPatient clinics of two tertiary care hospitals in Karachi and Lahore. Besides basic socio-demographic data the participants were asked if they were taking a BDZ at present and if yes, the frequency, route and dosage of the drug, who had initiated the drug and why it had been prescribed. We used chi-square test and t-test to find out which socio-demographic or clinical factors were associated with an increased risk of BDZ use. We used Logistic Regression to find out which variable(s) best predicted the increased likelihood of BDZ use. Results: Out of a total of 419 participants 187 (45%) of the participants had been currently using at least one BDZ. Seventy-three percent of the users had been using the drug for 4 weeks or longer and 87% were taking it every day. In 90% of cases the BDZ had been initiated by a doctor, who was a psychiatrist in 70% of the cases. Female gender, increasing age, living in Lahore, and having seen a psychiatrist before, were associated with an increased likelihood of using BDZ. Conclusion: The study shows how high BDZ use is in psychiatric outPatients in Pakistan. Most of the users were taking it for a duration and with a frequency which puts them at risk of becoming dependent on BDZ. In most of the cases it had been initiated by a doctor. Both Patients and doctors need to be made aware of the risk of dependence associated with the use of BDZ

Food Culture in Pakistan Since 1979-80:Composite Vs Split

Abstract: The paper is about change in food culture in Pakistan. Food availability per capita per annum in Pakistan increased from 298.1 kg in 1979-80 to 414.8 kg in 2007-08 at a rate slower than Population growth (from 85.09 million to 163.8 million over the same period). Food consumption pattern in Pakistan are exception and changing by weight nearly three quarters of the diet is made up of cereals and milk product. The food production (Cereals, Gram, Pulses, Vegetables, Potatoes, and Fruits, Animal product Poultry Product, Sugar and Veg. Ghee) was increased by 52 percent in 1990-2000 over the 1979-90 and by 34.9 percent in 2000-2010 over the nineties. The annual rate of growth in overall food production rose to 3.9, 4.2 and 2.8 per cent in the eighties, nineties and last recent decade against 3.1, 2.4 and 1.9 per cent growth of population in same time period. Food grain production was increased by 32.8 to 29.5 per cent during last thirty years. Key words: Food culture; Composite; Splitv; Food consumption pattern Résumé: Le document étudie le changement dans la culture alimentaire au Pakistan. La disponibilité alimentaire par habitant et par an au Pakistan a passée de 298.1 kg en 1979-80 à 414.8 kg en 2007-08 dans un taux plus lent que celui de la croissance démographique (de 85.09 millions à 163.8 millions sur la même période). Le modèle de la consommation alimentaire au Pakistan est changé. Près de trois quarts de l'alimentation est composé de céréales et de produits laitiers. La production alimentaire (céréales, pois chiches, légumes secs, légumes, pommes de terre, fruits, produits d'origine animale, produit volaille, sucre et beurre) a été augmentée de 52% en 1990-2000 par rapport à 1979-90 et de 34.9% en 2000-2010 par rapport aux années quatre-vingt-dix. Le taux annuel de croissance de la production alimentaire globale est de 3.9%, 4.2% et 2.8% dans les années quatre-vingt, quatre-vingt-dix et la dernière décennie contre un taux de croissance démographique de 3.1%, 2.4% et 1.9% sur la même période. La production de céréales alimentaires a augmenté de 32, 8% à 29.5% au cours des trente dernières années. Mots clés: Culture alimentaire; Composition; Portion; Modèle de consommation alimentair

Effect of clopidogrel on the hydroxylation and sulfoxidation of omeprazole

Based upon the known potential interaction between omeprazole (OMP) and clopidogrel (CLOP), the current study was designed to evaluate the effect of CLOP on disposition of OMP and its two major metabolites, 5-hy- droxyomeprazole (5-OH-OMP) and omeprazole sulfone (OMP-S) in healthy clinical subjects. A randomized, open label, 2-period, crossover study was designed. Twelve volunteers were selected, of whom eight were extensive metabolizers (EM) of CYP2C19 and 4 were poor metabolizers (PM). They received single dose of OMP either alone or in combination with CLOP (single dose) and samples were collected periodically to calculate various pharmacokinetic parameters. Changes in most of the pharmacokinetic parameters of OMP, 5-OH-OMP and OMP- S were insignificant (P ˃ 0.05) both in EM and PM except for the maximum concentration (Cmax) of 5-OH-OMP and OMP-S in EM. The OMP Cmax and AUC0-∞ was increased both in EM and PM after concomitant administration of OMP with CLOP. The 5-OH-OMP Cmax was decreased in both EM and PM, demonstrating that CLOP inhibits hydroxylation of OMP. The OMP-S Cmax and AUC0-∞ were increased both in EM and PM showing that CLOP may induce sulfoxidation of OMP. It was concluded that CLOP may inhibit hydroxylation of OMP to a greater extent in EM than in PM, leading to higher OMP Cmax and AUC0-∞. Furthermore, the sulfoxidation of OMP may also be induced by CLOP. So, it is suggested that both these drugs should be carefull prescribed together to avoid any harm to the patients. (Application number13/EC/Pharm. Ref number 12/Pharm)

Green synthesis and biological evaluation of novel 5-fluorouracil derivatives as potent anticancer agents

This study reports the formation of 5-FU co-crystals with four different pharmacologically safe co-formers; Urea, Thiourea, Acetanilide and Aspirin using methanol as a solvent. Two fabrication schemes were followed i.e., solid-state grinding protocol, in which API and co-formers were mixed through vigorous grinding while in the other method separate solutions of both the components were made and mixed together. The adopted approaches offer easy fabrication protocols, no temperature maintenance requirements, no need of expensive solvents, hardly available apparatus, isolation and purification of the desired products. In addition, there is no byproducts formation, In fact, a phenomenon embracing the requirements of green synthesis. Through FTIR analysis; for API the Nsingle bondH absorption frequency was recorded at 3409.02 cm−1 and that of single bondCdouble bondO was observed at 1647.77 cm−1. These characteristics peaks of 5-FU were significantly shifted and recorded at 3499.40 cm−1 and 1649.62 cm−1 for 5-FU-Ac (3B) and 3496.39 cm−1 and 1659.30 cm−1 for 5-FU-As (4B) co-crystals for Nsingle bondH and single bondCdouble bondO groups respectively. The structural differences between API and co-crystals were further confirmed through PXRD analysis. The characteristic peak of 5-FU at 2θ = 28.79918o was significantly shifted in the graphs of co-crystals not only in position but also with respect to intensity and FWHM values. In addition, new peaks were also recorded in all the spectra of co-formers confirming the structural differences between API and co-formers. In addition, percent growth inhibition was also observed by all the co-crystals through MTT assay against HCT 116 colorectal cell lines in vitro. At four different concentrations; 25, 50, 100 and 200 µg/mL, slightly different trends of the effectiveness of API and co-crystals were observed. However; among all the co-crystal forms, 5-FU-thiourea co-crystals obtained through solution method (2B) proved to be the most effective growth inhibitor at all the four above mentioned concentrations