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Recently, structured light 3D imaging devices have gained a keen attention due to their potential applications to robotics, industrial manufacturing and medical imaging. Most of these applications require high 3D precision yet high speed in image capturing for hard and/or soft real time environments. This paper presents a method of high speed image capturing for structured light 3D imaging sensors with FPGA based structured light pattern generation and projector-camera synchronization. Suggested setup reduces the time for pattern projection and camera triggering to 16msec from 100msec that should be required by conventional methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Globally, between 20 to 50% of antimicrobial consumption is inappropriate, causing significant impact on the quality of care, cost of therapy and incidence of adverse drug reactions. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prescribing patterns and utilization of antimicrobials in ten selected wards at Bahawal Victoria Hospital (BVH), Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was designed using the World Health Organization (WHO) indicators for antimicrobial use. Standard data collection forms were used in ten wards and the Pharmacy Department at BVH. Antimicrobial utilization patterns in terms of frequency and percentage were also determined. Systematic random sampling techniques were used to collect data from 1,000 prescription records out of 21,115 prescriptions written for the six months January to June 2016. Results: For the hospital indicators, a formulary list or essential medicines list (FL/EML) was available, but standard treatment guidelines (STGs) for infectious diseases was not. The average number of days that key antimicrobials were out of stock was 3.3 days per month. The expenditure on antimicrobials as a percentage of the total medicines costs was 12.2%. For the prescribing indicators, the percentage of hospitalizations with antimicrobial(s) prescribed was 82.3%, and the average number of antimicrobials per hospitalization was 1.4 (SD = 0.6). The average duration of antimicrobial treatment per hospitalization was 5.4 days (SD = 3.2). The average cost of antimicrobials prescribed per hospitalization was USD 5.4 (SD = 6.7). None of the patients who were prescribed antimicrobials, received AM according to the STGs (pneumonia and cesarean section cases). Among the patient-care and supplemental indicators, the average duration of hospital stay of patients who received antimicrobials was 6.4 (SD = 4.3) days. The drug sensitivity testing was almost non-existent, with only 0.24% prescription records having drug sensitivity tests. Ceftriaxone (39.6%), metronidazole (23.4%) and cefotaxime (23.1%) were the top most frequently prescribed antimicrobials. Conclusions: The results of the current study revealed less than optimal antimicrobial prescribing and utilization patterns of selected wards at BVH. Continuous education and training of physicians, and cost-effective policies could play an important role in promoting the rational use of antimicrobials in this setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pakistan has faced a number of significant healthcare challenges over the past decade. In 2000, one of these events - a deadly epidemic of Crimean Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) - struck Pakistan. The people of Pakistan are at a very high risk of acquiring CCHF, due to a number of factors which emerge from a scoping review of the literature. First, the underdeveloped healthcare system of the country is currently not prepared to cope with challenges of this nature. Healthcare professionals and medical institutes are not sufficiently equipped to properly diagnose, manage and prevent CCHF. Second, a large percentage of the general public is unaware of the spread and control of the vector. The agricultural sector of Pakistan is vast and thus many people are involved in animal husbandry and the handling of livestock which can lead to the transmission of the CCHF virus. Even in urban areas the risk of transmission is significantly higher around the time of Eid-ul-Azha, when Muslims slaughter animals. Finally, the political upheavals faced by the country have also increased Pakistan's vulnerability because a large number of refugees from Afghanistan, a CCHF endemic country, have migrated to Pakistan as a result of the Afghan war. Most of the refugees and their animals settle in Baluchistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, which consequently have a higher prevalence of CCHF. This scoping review of the literature highlights the potential causes of high risk CCHF and draws conclusions and makes recommendations that policy-makers in Pakistan may wish to consider in-order to improve on the current situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Proper utilization of medicines is a critical component of pharmaceutical care plan. The aim of this study was to assess drug use pattern at ten primary healthcare centers (PHCCs) of the Bahawalpur district of the Punjab province of Pakistan by employing the WHO/INRUD core drug use indicators. Methods: This was a descriptive, non-experimental and cross-sectional study. For the prescribing indicators, 1000 prescriptions (100 prescriptions per PHCC) were systematically sampled out of the total 290,000 prescriptions written during January to December 2014. A total of 300 randomly selected patients (30 per PHCC) and 10 pharmacy personnel (one per PHCC) were observed and interviewed to investigate the patient-care and facility-specific indicators, respectively. We used published ideal standards for each of the WHO/INRUD indicators. Results: Among the prescribing indicators, the average number of drugs per encounter was 3.4 (SD = 0.8) (optimal range = 1.6-1.8), the drugs prescribed by the generic name were 71.6% (optimal value = 100%), the encounters with an antibiotic prescribed were 48.9% (optimal range = 20.0-26.8%), the encounters with an injection prescribed were 27.1% (optimal range = 13.4-24.1%) and the drugs prescribed from the Essential Drugs List (EDL) were 93.4% (optimal value = 100%). Among the patient-care indicators, the average consultation time was 2.2 min (SD = 0.8) (optimal value ⩾10 min), the average dispensing time was 38 s (SD = 12.1) (optimal value ⩾90 s), the percentage of drugs actually dispensed was 90.9% (optimal value = 100%), the percentage of drugs adequately labeled was 100% (optimal value = 100%) and the patients' knowledge of correct dosage was 62.1% (optimal value = 100%). Among the facility-specific indicators, all PHCCs had a copy of the EDL and the key drugs available in the stock were 82% (optimal value = 100%). Conclusions: Irrational use of drugs was observed in all healthcare facilities. This study necessitates the need to implement the WHO/INRUD recommended 12 core interventions to promote rational use of medicines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectives: Regardless of the disease states that people suffer from, maintaining sexual function is an important indicator of quality of life. The objective of this review was to figure out the relationship between epilepsy, antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and sexual dysfunction. Results: In various epidemiological and clinical studies, epilepsy has been correlated with a reduction in sexual function. This sexual dysfunction is not always detected in epileptic patients until systematic efforts are put in place, as part of the assessment and treatment process. Therefore, precise evaluations of the incidence of treatment related sexual dysfunction in epileptic patients is still lacking. Conclusions: This literature review concluded that sexual function is influenced by the pathophysiology of epilepsy, as well as through the use of AEDs. To maximize quality of care in patients with epilepsy and those patients with other disease states who receive AEDs, it is important to address the status of the patient's sexual function as part of the initial routine assessment and with any treatment related follow-up. Minimizing the effects of AED related sexual dysfunction can be achieved by raising awareness among patients, providing education and training for physicians regarding sexual dysfunction and obtaining a baseline sexual history from the patient so are important recommendations. In addition, systematic studies are needed to explore the risk and mechanism of such treatment related side effects on sexual function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A descriptive, retrospective and cross sectional study was conducted to assess the prescribing practices and antibiotic use patterns in the Accident and Emergency department of the Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur, Pakistan. A sample of 4320 prescriptions (systematic random sampling) was drawn out of a total of 1,080,000 prescriptions written during the period 1st January-31st December 2014. The standard World Health Organization/International Network for Rational Use of Drugs prescribing indicators were used to determine the prescribing practices of physicians. Published ideal standards for each of the indicators were used to identify irrational drug use. We also utilized an additional indicator to report the percentage share of antibiotics prescribed. The average number of drugs prescribed per encounter was 2.3 (SD = 1.3) (optimal value 1.6-1.8). Drugs prescribed by generic name occurred 83.1% of the time (optimal value 100%). Antibiotics and injections were prescribed 52.4% (optimal value 20.0-26.8%) and 98.0% (optimal value 13.4-24.1%) of the time respectively. Drugs prescribed from the Essential Drugs List equated to 81.5% (optimal value 100%). Out of 52.4% (n = 2262) prescriptions with antibiotics prescribed, 77.7% (n = 1758) had one antibiotic, 22.1% (n = 499) included two antibiotics, and 0.2% (n = 5) had three antibiotics. Cephalosporins were the most commonly prescribed class of antibiotics (81.5%) followed by penicillins (6.4%) and fluoroquinolones (6.2%). Among the individual antibiotics, ceftriaxone contributed the highest percentage share at 71.8% followed by cefotaxime (5.6%) and metronidazole (4.7%). The most frequently prescribed antibiotic combination was ciprofloxacin with metronidazole (52.1%). Irrational prescribing practices were common. Continuous education and training of physicians is required to ensure rational prescribing at Bahawal Victoria Hospital in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Medicines are a main therapeutic intervention provided within hospitals and their proper use in the outpatient setting is important for patients and the community. The objective of this study was to evaluate drug use patterns in the outpatient departments (OPDs) of two tertiary care hospitals (Bahawal Victoria Hospital and Civil Hospital) in the Bahawalpur district of the Punjab province of Pakistan by employing the standard World Health Organization/International Network of Rational Use of Drugs (WHO/INRUD) drug use indicators. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study design was employed. For assessing the prescribing indicators a sample of 2400 prescriptions were systematically reviewed out of a total of 1,560,000 prescriptions written from 1st April 2014 to 31st March 2015. A total of 600 randomly selected patients and all pharmacy personnel were observed and interviewed to investigate the patient-care and facility-specific indicators. We used the published ideal standards for each of the WHO/INRUD indicators for comparison purposes. Results: Among the prescribing indicators, the average number of drugs per prescription was 2.8 (SD = 1.3), the drugs prescribed by generic name were 56.6%, the encounters with an antibiotic prescribed were 51.5%, no injections were prescribed and 98.8% of the drugs prescribed were from the Essential Drugs List (EDL). Among the patient-care indicators, the average consultation time was 1.2 min (SD = 0.8), the average dispensing time was 8.7 s (SD = 4.9), the percentage of drugs actually dispensed was 97.3%, the percentage of drugs adequately labeled was 100% and the patients' knowledge of correct dosage schedule was 61.6%. Among the facility-specific indicators, all OPDs had a copy of the EDL and 72.4% of the key drugs were available in stock. Conclusion: Irrational use of drugs was observed in both OPDs. Polypharmacy, brand prescribing, over-prescribing of antibiotics, short consultation and dispensing times, lack of patients' knowledge about prescribed medicines and unavailability of all key drugs in stock were the major issues that need attention of the healthcare authorities. This study necessitates the requirement to implement the relevant WHO recommended core interventions to promote rational use of medicines in these hospital-based OPDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In couple of years, epoxy UV curing has emerged as a necessity, yet it has some limitations, e.g. little curing conversion of thick films, especially with colored additives. Thick dimensions do not allow radiation to penetrate into the sample. Moreover, colored additives cover photoinitiators and reduce their efficiency. Therefore, UV-cured epoxy composites survive only in thin layers. Current research has resolved the issue, through a unique “smart approach,” which resolves the problem by separating the initiation step of the reaction (which is true photo-induced reaction) from the propagation (which is not directly dependent on light). This approach completely photo-cures epoxy thick films with colored additives. Superb filler dispersion has been observed, along with strongly interconnected polymeric network. Augmentation in thermo-mechanical properties has been observed through different instrumental techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pharmaceutical companies have been known to pose stress and mental harassment on medical sales representatives (MSRs) in-order to increase pharmaceutical sales. This cross sectional descriptive study, conducted during November and December 2014 in the Lahore and Bahawalpur districts of Punjab, Pakistan, evaluates the Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) and extent of depression among MSRs in Pakistan. The significant predictors of HRQoL and depression among the MSRs were also determined. Using a convenience sampling technique, all consenting MSRs (N = 318) of pharmaceutical companies were asked to self-complete the Short Form-36 (SF-36v2) Health Survey and Stanford Personal Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8). The standard scoring scheme for the SF36v2 and PHQ-8 questionnaires was used. The PHQ-8 scores showed that 16.4 % (n = 52) and 2.5 % of respondents were suffering from major depression and severe major depression, respectively. Being depressed and having difficulty in achieving sales targets were the factors independently associated with lower physical health. Similarly, depression, insufficient time for the family and monthly income less than 36,000 Pakistan Rupees were significant predictors of lower mental health. The factors associated with depression included insufficient time for the family and unsatisfactory behavior of the managers. Compromised mental health and the prevalence of depression among the MSRs suggest pharmaceutical companies need to devise health management strategies and interventions to ensure effective prevention and management of mental health problems among Pakistani MSRs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Implementation of the Charter to protect patients’ rights is an important criterion to achieve patient-centered approach and receive financial support from the Global Fund. Our study aims to explore the knowledge of tuberculosis (TB) patients about their rights and responsibilities at the Chest Disease Unit of the Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur, Pakistan. Methods: This was a qualitative study. The data from purposefully selected TB patients was collected by in-depth interviews. Eligibility criteria included confirmed diagnosis of TB and enrollment in the TB program. A pilot tested interview protocol was based upon the objectives of the study, and was used uniformly in each interview to maintain the consistency. The sample size was limited by applying the saturation criteria. All interviews were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. Inductive thematic content analysis was applied to analyze the data and draw conclusions. Results: Out of the total 16 patients, four were female, and seven were illiterate. Eight patients were known cases of multi-drug resistant TB. Analysis of the data yielded seven themes; tuberculosis care services, moral support and stigmatization, dignity and privacy, complaints, fear of losing job, information sharing and compliance to the treatment plan, and contribution to eradicate TB. First five represented the rights section while latter two were related to the responsibilities section of the Charter. Conclusion: Discriminatory access to TB care services and the right to privacy were two major concerns identified in this study. However, the respondents recognized their responsibilities as a TB patient. To ensure uninterrupted investment from the Global Fund, there is a need to implement fair TB care policies which support human rights-based approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Understanding of the dynamic tensile behavior of glasses is of great importance in designing impact-resistant transparent structures. The current study revealed the effects of loading rate, specimen size and stress wave on the dynamic tensile behavior of brittle glass. The quasi-static, unidirectional (UD) and uniaxial bidirectional (BD) dynamic tests were systematically performed. The electromagnetic split Hopkinson pressure bar (ESHPB), which is able to launch simultaneously two stress pulses from two opposite directions, was introduced for dynamic flexural test. A high-speed photography system was used to capture the failure process of the specimen. The test results demonstrated that the loading rate and specimen size affected the measured flexural strength significantly. The captured images revealed that the dynamic tensile stress within the specimen reached its maximum at the same time as the crack starts. The flexural strength measured from dynamic UD and BD tests were essentially equivalent, which is different from the dynamic compressive strength of brittle materials. Fractographic analysis was also carried out using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the flexural tensile failure mechanism was discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives The objective of this study was to perform a bibliometric review of the literature related to differential pricing of pharmaceuticals. Methods A bibliometric literature review was performed with a particular focus on 'differential pricing and medicines'. Six hundred and thirty relevant articles were found, and 56 studies and documents matched the criteria for further screening. Thirty-eight articles were included in the final analysis. Key findings The literature suggests that there are conflicting views regarding differential pricing. It has been difficult to implement differential pricing for medicines, and it has not been tried for most of the medicines. However, for products such as vaccines, drugs for human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, malaria and tuberculosis, differential pricing has been applied resulting in improved access to medicines. Also, there are questions as to how fair and affordable the differential prices are, and more research is needed regarding internal market segmentation and private and public distribution channels. Differential pricing is only feasible for 'global' diseases, whereby drugs have a rich country market to recoup research and development costs - there is no solution for 'neglected' diseases. Also, differential prices rely on pharmaceutical industry, and it does not encourage sustainability or autonomy in developing countries. Conclusion Differential pricing is not a panacea for all pricing issues, but it should be recognised as one of the solutions to improve the access to medicines worldwide. Further research is required regarding how a systematic differential pricing scheme, inclusive of all countries and all pharmaceuticals, can be achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Studies from both developed and developing countries have demonstrated a considerable fluctuation in the average cost of TB treatment. The objective of this study was to analyze the medical resource utilization among new smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients. We also estimated the cost of tuberculosis treatment from the provider and patient perspectives, and identified the significant cost driving factors. Methods: All new smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients who were registered at the chest clinic of the Penang General Hospital, between March 2010 and February 2011, were invited to participate in the study. Provider sector costs were estimated using bottom-up, micro-costing technique. For the calculation of costs from the patients' perspective, all eligible patients who agreed to participate in the study were interviewed after the intensive phase and subsequently at the end of the treatment by a trained nurse. PASW was used to analyze the data (Predictive Analysis SoftWare, version 19.0, Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.). Results: During the study period, 226 patients completed the treatment. However, complete costing data were available for 212 patients. The most highly utilized resources were chest X-ray followed by sputum smear examination. Only a smaller proportion of the patients were hospitalized. The average provider sector cost was MYR 992.34 (i.e., USD 325.35 per patient) whereby the average patient sector cost was MYR 1225.80 (i.e., USD 401.90 per patient). The average patient sector cost of our study population accounted for 5.7% of their annual family income. In multiple linear regression analysis, prolonged treatment duration (i.e., > 6 months) was the only predictor of higher provider sector costs whereby higher patient sector costs were determined by greater household income and persistent cough at the end of the intensive phase of the treatment. Conclusion: In relation to average provider sector cost, our estimates are substantially higher than the budget allocated by the Ministry of Health for the treatment of a tuberculosis case in Malaysia. The expenses borne by the patients and their families on the treatment of the current episode of tuberculosis were not catastrophic for them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study is aimed to explore the understanding of pharmacists about their perceived role in the health care system of Pakistan. Methods: A 15-item questionnaire, which was devised on the basis of literature survey, was self-administered to a convenience sample of practicing pharmacists in Karachi, Pakistan. The questionnaire constituted components regarding their desired practice setting, expectations concerning their professional function and the opinion on the future of profession. Results: The demographic characteristics highlighted male (47.1%) and female (52.9%) to be in equal proportion with more than 65% of the respondents ≤30 years of age (n = 67; 65.7%). Majority of the respondents hold bachelor degree in pharmacy (n = 82; 80.4%). Majority of the respondents had <5 years experience (n = 70; 68.6%). More than 75% of the respondents worked in hospital settings (n = 80; 78.4%). Majority of the respondents (n = 78; 76.5%) expressed their dissatisfaction towards their role as a pharmacist. Nearly half of the respondents (n = 47; 46.1%) visualized themselves as mere dispensers, while around one-fourth of the respondents (n = 24; 23.5%) perceived themselves as drug information pharmacist. In the context to their education and training as pharmacists, the opinion seems to be divided as half of the respondents expressed satisfaction (n = 46; 45.1%), while the other half showed dissatisfaction (n = 49; 48.0%). More than 90% of the respondents agreed to learn new skills a key to achieve career satisfaction. Conclusion: The pharmacists expressed dissatisfaction about their perceived status in the healthcare system of Pakistan. In order to intensify the feel of professionalism, reconceptualization of education and training system is advocated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background At present, much of the attention within tuberculosis (TB) management is spent on microbiological cure, and its impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is either undervalued or seldom considered. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of TB treatment on HRQoL of new smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients. Moreover, we also aimed to determine whether the selected socio-demographic and clinical variables were predictive of variability in the HRQoL scores over time. Methods This was a prospective follow-up of new smear positive PTB patients who were diagnosed at the chest clinic of Penang General Hospital between March 2010 and February 2011. All eligible patients (i.e., a new case of smear positive PTB, literate and aged 18 years or above) were asked to self-complete the SF-36v2 questionnaire at the start of their treatment, and then subsequently after the intensive phase and at the end of the treatment. A score on a health domain or component summary measure that was less than 47 norm-based scoring (NBS) point was considered indicative of impaired function within that health domain or dimension. Likewise, an individual having mental component summary (MCS) score = 42 NBS point was considered to be at the risk of depression. Repeated measures ANOVA test was performed to examine how the summary scores varied over time, and to determine whether independent variables were predictive of variability in the physical component summary (PCS) and MCS scores over time. Results A total of 216 patients completed the SF-36v2 questionnaire at the start of their treatment. Out of these, 177 and 153 completed the questionnaire at the second and third follow-ups, respectively. The mean PCS scores at the start of the treatment, after the intensive phase and at the end of treatment were 41.9 (SD 5.1), 45.8 (SD 4.8) and 46.0 (SD 6.9), respectively. Similarly, the mean MCS scores at the start of the treatment, after the intensive phase and at the end of the treatment were 39.9 (SD 7.3), 45.0 (SD 6.8) and 46.8 (SD 7.8), respectively. More than 23% of the patients were at the risk of depression at the end of their TB treatment. Patient's age and being a smoker were predictive of differences in the PCS scores. Similarly, monthly income, being a smoker and TB-related symptoms at the start of the treatment were predictive of differences in the MCS scores. Conclusion Although HRQoL improved with the treatment, the scores on component summary measures showed compromised physical and mental health among study patients even at the end of their TB treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: According to the World Health Organization’s recent report, in Malaysia, tuberculosis (TB) treatment success rate for new smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients is still below the global success target of 85%. In this study, we evaluated TB treatment outcome among new smear positive PTB patients, and identified the predictors of unsuccessful treatment outcome and longer duration of treatment (i.e., > 6 months). Methods: The population in this study consisted of all new smear positive PTB patients who were diagnosed at the chest clinic of Penang General Hospital between March 2010 and February 2011. During the study period, a standardized data collection form was used to obtain socio-demographic, clinical and treatment related data of the patients from their medical charts and TB notification forms (Tuberculosis Information System; TBIS). These data sources were reviewed at the time of the diagnosis of the patients and then at the subsequent follow-up visits until their final treatment outcomes were available. The treatment outcomes of the patients were reported in line with six outcome categories recommended by World Health Organization. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to find the independent risk factors for unsuccessful treatment outcome and longer treatment duration. Data were analyzed using the PASW (Predictive Analysis SoftWare, version 19.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp). Results: Among the 336 PTB patients (236 male and 100 female) notified during the study period, the treatment success rate was 67.26% (n = 226). Out of 110 patients in unsuccessful outcome category, 30 defaulted from the treatment, 59 died and 21 were transferred to other health care facilities. The mean duration of TB treatment was 8.19 (SD 1.65) months. In multiple logistic regression analysis, risk factors for unsuccessful treatment outcome were foreign nationality, male gender and being illiterate. Similarly, risk factors for mortality due to TB included high-grade sputum and presence of lung cavities at the start of treatment, being alcoholic and elderly. Likewise, concurrent diabetes, presence of lung cavities at the start of the treatment and being a smoker were the significant predictors of longer treatment duration. Conclusion: Our findings indicated that the treatment success rate among the new smear positive PTB patients was less than the success target set by World Health Organization. The proportion of patients in the successful outcome category may be increased by closely monitoring the treatment progress of the patients with aforementioned high risk characteristics. Similarly, more aggressive follow-up of the treatment defaulters and transferred out patients could also improve the TB treatment success rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the diuretic effect and acute toxicity of the crude aqueous extract of Trianthema portulacastrum in a rat model. Method: Albino rats were divided into five groups. Control group received normal saline (10 mg/kg), reference group received furosemide (10 mg/kg) and test groups were given different doses of crude extract (10, 30 and 50 mg/kg) by intraperitoneal route. Urine was collected and the total volume of urine excreted was expressed as ml/6 hr/100 g body weight. Diuretic index and Lipschitz values were also calculated to make comparison with normal saline and furosemide treated groups, respectively. Results: Significant diuretic (p < 0.001), kaliuretic (p < 0.001) and natriuretic (p < 0.001) effects were observed in treated groups in a dose-dependent manner. Urinary pH remained mostly unchanged during the course of the study. Diuretic index showed good diuretic activity of the crude extract. Lipschitz values indicated that the crude extract at the dose of 50 mg/kg exhibited 79 % diuretic activity compared with that of the reference, furosemide. No lethal effects were observed among albino mice even at the high dose of 3000 mg/kg. Conclusion: The extract of Trianthema portulacastrum, particularly, at the dose of 50 mg/kg significantly increased the urinary volume and concentration of urinary electrolytes with no signs of toxicity and therefore, is a potential diuretic. Further studies, however, are required to isolate the active constituents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of the study was to obtain norms of the SF-36v2 health survey and the association of summary component scores with socio-demographic variables in healthy households of tuberculosis (TB) patients.Design: All household members (18 years and above; healthy; literate) of registered tuberculosis patients who came for contact tracing during March 2010 to February 2011 at the respiratory clinic of Penang General Hospital were invited to complete the SF-36v2 health survey using the official translation of the questionnaire in Malay, Mandarin, Tamil and English. Scoring of the questionnaire was done using Quality Metric's QM Certified Scoring Software version 4. Multivariate analysis was conducted to uncover the predictors of physical and mental health.Results: A total of 649 eligible respondents were approached, while 525 agreed to participate in the study (response rate = 80.1 %). Out of consenting respondents, 46.5 % were male and only 5.3 % were over 75 years. Internal consistencies met the minimum criteria (α > 0.7). Reliability coefficients of the scales were always less than their own reliability coefficients. Mean physical component summary scale scores were equivalent to United States general population norms. However, there was a difference of more than three norm-based scoring points for mean mental component summary scores indicating poor mental health. A notable proportion of the respondents was at the risk of depression. Respondents aged 75 years and above (p = 0.001; OR 32.847), widow (p = 0.013; OR 2.599) and postgraduates (p < 0.001; OR 7.865) were predictors of poor physical health while unemployment (p = 0.033; OR 1.721) was the only predictor of poor mental health.Conclusion: The SF-36v2 is a valid instrument to assess HRQoL among the households of TB patients. Study findings indicate the existence of poor mental health and risk of depression among family caregivers of TB patients. We therefore recommend that caregivers of TB patients to be offered intensive support and special attention to cope with these emotional problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of the study was to obtain norms of the SF-36v2 health survey and the association of summary component scores with socio-demographic variables in healthy households of tuberculosis (TB) patients. Design: All household members (18 years and above; healthy; literate) of registered tuberculosis patients who came for contact tracing during March 2010 to February 2011 at the respiratory clinic of Penang General Hospital were invited to complete the SF-36v2 health survey using the official translation of the questionnaire in Malay, Mandarin, Tamil and English. Scoring of the questionnaire was done using Quality Metric’s QM Certified Scoring Software version 4. Multivariate analysis was conducted to uncover the predictors of physical and mental health. Results: A total of 649 eligible respondents were approached, while 525 agreed to participate in the study (response rate = 80.1 %). Out of consenting respondents, 46.5 % were male and only 5.3 % were over 75 years. Internal consistencies met the minimum criteria ( α > 0.7). Reliability coefficients of the scales were always less than their own reliability coefficients. Mean physical component summary scale scores were equivalent to United States general population norms. However, there was a difference of more than three norm-based scoring points for mean mental component summary scores indicating poor mental health. A notable proportion of the respondents was at the risk of depression. Respondents aged 75 years and above ( p = 0.001; OR 32.847), widow ( p = 0.013; OR 2.599) and postgraduates ( p < 0.001; OR 7.865) were predictors of poor physical health while unemployment ( p = 0.033; OR 1.721) was the only predictor of poor mental health. Conclusion: The SF-36v2 is a valid instrument to assess HRQoL among the households of TB patients. Study findings indicate the existence of poor mental health and risk of depression among family caregivers of TB patients. We therefore recommend that caregivers of TB patients to be offered intensive support and special attention to cope with these emotional problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• RNA-seq was conducted to analyze the response of garlic to photoperiod. • A total of 13,749 DEGs were detected under LD and SD. • Hormonal signaling and photoperiodic pathways are involved in garlic bulbing. Photoperiod is dominant environmental factor that controls plant growth and development. Even though research on plants response to photoperiod is significant in agriculture, molecular mechanisms of garlic in response to photoperiod remain largely unknown. In the current investigation, 3 months old garlic plants were treated with long day (LD) and short day (SD) for 10 and 20 days after treatment (DAT). Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) analysis of phytohormones exhibited that indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), zeatin riboside (ZR) and salicylic acid (SA) were observed maximum under LD at 10 DAT, whereas abscisic acid (ABA), gibberellic acid 3 (GA 3), zeatin (ZT) and jasmonic acid (JA) were observed maximum under LD at 20 DAT. Transcriptome sequencing analysis was done to evaluate the transcriptional response to LD and SD. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected to have pathway enrichment. i.e., DNA binding transcription factor activity, transcription regulator activity, transferase activity, transferring hexosyl groups, and sequence specific-DNA binding activity, plant hormone signal transduction, circadian rhythm-plant, biosynthesis of amino acids, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and starch and sucrose metabolism. Furthermore, 28 and 40 DEGs were identified related to photoperiod and hormone signaling, respectively and their interaction in response to LD and SD were discussed in detail. Outcomes of current investigation might be useful to provide novel resources for garlic bulb formation in response to photoperiod. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate the serum biochemical levels in celiac disease (CD) patients. Methods: It was a cross-sectional study carried out on 70 subjects, including 40 patients with CD and 30 healthy controls. This study was conducted at Jouf University from November, 2020 to October, 2021. The collected blood specimens were used to perform serum iron, serum lipids, liver enzymes, and human tissue transglutaminase IgA antibodies (anti-HTTG). The hematological parameters including hematocrit and MCV were determined to establish the diagnosis of iron deficiency. Results: Serum iron was significantly lower in patients as compared to the controls. Serum iron, serum HDL, blood hematocrit and MCV were significantly lower in patients than in controls (p = 0.000). Serum levels of liver enzymes (ALT and AST) and serum human tissue transglutaminase antibodies (anti-HTTG) were significantly higher in patients than in controls (p = 0.000). The correlation studies established the negative correlation of anti-HTTG IgA with serum iron (r = -0.991, p = 0.000), hematocrit (r = -0.967, p = 0.000) and MCV (r = -0.946, p = 0.000) in patients. Conclusion: The serum iron was remarkably reduced in CD patients. A negative correlation was found between anti-HTTG IgA and serum iron, while a positive serum iron was correlated with hematocrit and MCV in CD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Vegetable production under the plastic tunnel is a steadily growing sector worldwide, but this type of cultivation threatens environmental sustainability by degrading soil through continuous cropping conditions (CMC). This study aimed to assess the role of crop rotation (CR) with different winter leafy vegetables in ameliorating CMC problems by manipulating soil chemical and biological properties. Method: Four different leafy vegetables, including Welsh Onion (WO), Celery (CL), No Heading Chinese Cabbage (NCC), Lettuce (LT), and fallow eggplant (FE), were introduced during the eggplant fallow period (November–March) in two consecutive years, i.e., 2017 and 2018 following eggplant. We assessed eggplant production, soil chemical properties and described the soil microbial community under the introduced rotation system. Results: The results revealed that CR with winter leafy vegetables modified the soil environment by improving soil organic carbon (SOC), soil chemical, and biochemical characteristics in both years. Sequencing results showed significant variations in fungal and bacterial community structures at the genus and phylum levels in response to CR. CR reduced some disease-causing pathogens at the fungal genus levels, including Fusarium and Ascomycota, in both years and increased the abundance of some beneficial taxa such as Mortierella and Bacillus. Conclusion: These findings revealed the significance of crop rotation systems for sustainable production of eggplant under the plastic tunnel by enhancing soil physicochemical properties and soil beneficial microbes and reducing certain disease-causing soilborne pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Activity based costing (ABC) is an approach to get insight of true costs and to solve accounting problems. It provides more accurate information on product cost than conventional accounting system. The purpose of this study was to identify detailed resource consumption for chest x-ray procedure. Methods: Human resource cost was calculated by multiplying the mean time spent by employees doing specific activity to their per-minute salaries. The costs of consumables and clinical equipments were obtained from the procurement section of the Radiology Department. The cost of the building was calculated by multiplying the area of space used by the chest X-ray facility with the unit cost of public building department. Moreover, straight-line deprecation with a discount rate of 3% was assumed for calculation of equivalent annual costs for building and machines. Cost of electricity was calculated by multiplying number of kilo watts used by electrical appliance in the year 2010 with electricity tariff for Malaysian commercial consumers (MYR 0.31 per kWh). Results: Five activities were identified which were required to develop one chest X-ray film. Human resource, capital, consumable and electricity cost was MYR 1.48, MYR 1.98, MYR 2.15 and MYR 0.04, respectively. Total cost of single chest X-ray was MYR 5.65 (USD 1.75). Conclusion: By applying ABC approach, we can have more detailed and precise estimate of cost for specific activity or service. Choice of repeating a chest X-ray can be based on our findings, when cost is a limiting factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Disease state may contribute to alteration in drug pharmacokinetics. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) on the pharmacokinetics of glipizide. Methods: An open, single-dose, parallel design was applied to the study. Glipizide tablet (5 mg) was administered to healthy and diabetic human volunteers after over-night fast. Blood samples were collected, centrifuged and the plasma assayed using a sensitive and validated reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method. Various pharmacokinetic parameters were computed from the data obtained. Results: The AUC0-∞ values for healthy and diabetic volunteers was 1878 ± 195 and 1723 ± 138 ng.h/ml, respectively; these values were not significantly different (p > 0.05). The t1/2 for healthy volunteers was 3.04 ± 0.27 h while that for diabetic subjects was 2.98 ± 0.16 h. Clearance for healthy and diabetic volunteers was 0.59±0.06 and 0.64±0.05 ml/min/kg, respectively. These and other pharmacokinetic parameters assessed were not significantly different between healthy and diabetic volunteers (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Although glipizide showed slightly more rapid clearance from the body of diabetic volunteers than from healthy volunteers, this difference, like those for other pharmacokinetic parameters, was not significant (p > 0.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of damage to one sensory system on the functioning of other sensory systems has been of scientific interest for over a century. Recently it has been suggested that damage to the olfactory system (CN I) decreases the ability to taste; that is, to perceive sweet, sour, bitter and salty sensations via CN VII, IX, and X. If true, this would be in contrast to most other sensory systems, where compromise typically leads to either cross-modal enhancement of function or to no effects at all. In the present study, data from both regional and whole-mouth taste tests of 581 patients presenting to a smell and taste center with varying degrees of olfactory function were evaluated to address whether olfactory loss is associated with taste loss. No significant influence of olfactory dysfunction on any measure of taste perception was found when the effects of sex, age, and etiology were controlled. These data suggest that smell loss, per se, has no meaningful influence on taste function, and that clinical associations between smell and taste dysfunction, when observed, likely reflect comorbid influences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • PMOXA/P4VP based coatings were fabricated by a simple annealing protocol. • PMOXA/P4VP based surfaces possess pH and I stimuli responsive properties. • Reversible adsorption/desorption of BSA were controlled by adjusting P4VP chain length, pH and I of the surroundings. Protein adsorption at interfaces is a key for many applications especially in the biomedical field, biotechnologies, biocatalysis, food industry, etc. The development of surface layers that allow to control and manipulate protein adsorption is thus highly desired. To achieve this desired goal, we designed a smart thin stimuli responsive coating based on poly[(2-methyl-2-oxazoline)-random-glycidyl methacrylate)] (PMOXA-r-GMA) comb copolymer and poly(4-vinyl pyridine)-block-poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (P4VP-b-PGMA) block copolymer and scrutinized its ability to control protein adsorption properties by unraveling the effect of ionic strength (I) along with the pH of the surrounding medium and variation of chain length of P4VP. Firstly, PMOXA/P4VP based coatings were prepared by spin coating the mixture of PMOXA-r-GMA and P4VP-b-PGMA copolymer solutions onto silicon substrates followed by annealing at 110 °C. The surface composition and morphology of the PMOXA/P4VP based coatings were evaluated through X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The switchable ability of the coating with the variation of chain length of P4VP upon pH and ionic strength trigger was characterized by water contact angle (WCA) and variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometry (VASE). The experimental observations illustrated that the change in the water contact angle (ΔWCA) and thickness (Δh) were found to be maximum when the chain length of P4VP was almost three times that of PMOXA while turning the environmental condition from pH 3, with low ionic strength (I = 10−3 M) to pH 9 with high ionic strength (I = 10-1 M). Finally, the adsorption and desorption behavior of mixed polymer coating against bovine serum albumin (BSA) protein was analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively using the fluorescein isothiocyanate-labelled BSA (FITC-BSA) assay and quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D), respectively. The low ionic strength (I = 10-3 M) at pH 3, caused to increase the adsorption of BSA and this increment was enhanced by increasing the chain length of P4VP in PMOX/P4VP based coatings. Subsequently, the adsorbed protein was then efficiently desorbed by changing the conditions to pH 9, I = 10-1 M, as well as the maximum desorption percentage (> 92 %) could be obtained at these optimized conditions in PMOXA/P4VP based polymer coatings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After World Health Organization named COVID-19 pandemic as a "Pandemic of Misinformation", a common man has to cope with superfluous advices, remedies and, most of all, conspiracy theories, that seem undermining even the genuine recommendations of experts and authorities. This is a high time that timely corrective action, preaching social responsibility, relying on science and technology, and using mass media as channels to communicate the truth, may be used as weapons by the government in the battle against COVID-19 infodemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The strength of tempered glass is remarkably higher than annealed glass. • The energy absorption capability of annealed and tempered glass. • The damage development and failure process of silicate glass. • High-speed images and damage process in silicate glass. The transparent laminated structures having annealed and tempered glass layer with adjoining interlayer are used increasingly in aircrafts, high-speed trains, and important installations. In a pursuit to realize the fracture initiation, propagation, speed, path, and catastrophic failure to dynamic impact event in brittle materials like (annealed and tempered) silicate glass are experimentally analyzed in this research article undergoing tensile and compression loading. The Kolsky bar system linked with high-speed framing camera is applied to record the deformation images of glass samples for compression/tensile dynamic loading. The captured images are studied to identify the damage development and final rupture of silicate glass specimens. The stress-time history curves were related with recorded high-speed stills to enlighten the load-bearing capacity and damage accumulation in glass specimens. The stress–strain relations from two types of loading were used to envisage the energy absorption capability of annealed and tempered glass. The collected debris after test suggested that both glass types are loading-rate sensitive and the tempered glass dices in fine particles than annealed glass. In compression, and tensile loading mode the maximum energy was absorbed in by tempered glass which supports the use of this type of glass in impact resistant transparent laminated structures. The microscopic and scan electron microscope (SEM) pictures of collected fragments were also analyze to observe the failure mechanism and fracture surfaces in two types of glasses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among other diseases, Covid 19 creates a critical situation around the world. Five layers have been recorded so far, resulting in the loss of millions of lives in different countries. The virus was thought to be contagious, so the government initially severely forced citizens to keep a distance from each other. Since then, several vaccines have been developed that play an important role in controlling mortality. In the case of Covid-19 mortality, the government should be forced to take significant steps in the form of lockdown, keeping you away or forcing citizens to vaccinate. In this paper, modeling of Covid-19 death rates is discussed via probability distributions. To delineate the performance of the best fitted model, the mortality rate of Pakistan and Afghanistan is considered. Numerical results conclude that the NFW model can be used to predict the mortality rate for Covid-19 patients more accurately than other probability models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Death among tuberculosis patients is one of the major reasons for non-attainment of 85% treatment success target set by World Health Organization. In this short paper, we evaluated whether the overall mortality rate in pulmonary tuberculosis is being affected by other comorbid conditions. All new smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients (N =336), who started their treatment at the chest clinic of the Penang General Hospital, between March 2010 and February 2011, were followed-up until December 2011. Tuberculosis treatment outcomes were reported according to six treatment outcome categories recommended by World Health Organization. The outcome category 'died' was defined as 'a patient who died due to tuberculosis or other cause during tuberculosis treatment'. Our findings showed that out of 336 smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients, 59 (17.6%) died during treatment (mortality rate = 1.003 cases per 1000 person-days of follow-up). Among the deceased patients, the mean age was 55.8 years (SD =16.17) and 49 were male. According to the mortality review forms, 29 deaths were tuberculosis-related, while the remaining 30 patients died due to reasons other than tuberculosis. Cerebrovascular accident (n =7), septicaemia shock (n =4) and acute coronary syndrome (n =4) were the most common non-tuberculosis related reasons for mortality in the patients. If the 30 patients, for whom tuberculosis was incidental to death, are excluded from the final cohort, the proportion of patients in the 'died' outcome category could be reduced to 9.5%. The treatment outcome criterion (i.e., died) set by World Health Organization has limitations. Therefore, it requires improvement for more objective evaluation of the performance of the National Tuberculosis Program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Death among tuberculosis patients is one of the major reasons for non-attainment of 85% treatment success target set by World Health Organization. In this short paper, we evaluated whether the overall mortality rate in pulmonary tuberculosis is being affected by other comorbid conditions. All new smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients (N =336), who started their treatment at the chest clinic of the Penang General Hospital, between March 2010 and February 2011, were followed-up until December 2011. Tuberculosis treatment outcomes were reported according to six treatment outcome categories recommended by World Health Organization. The outcome category 'died' was defined as 'a patient who died due to tuberculosis or other cause during tuberculosis treatment'. Our findings showed that out of 336 smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients, 59 (17.6%) died during treatment (mortality rate = 1.003 cases per 1000 person-days of follow-up). Among the deceased patients, the mean age was 55.8 years (SD =16.17) and 49 were male. According to the mortality review forms, 29 deaths were tuberculosis-related, while the remaining 30 patients died due to reasons other than tuberculosis. Cerebrovascular accident (n =7), septicaemia shock (n =4) and acute coronary syndrome (n =4) were the most common non-tuberculosis related reasons for mortality in the patients. If the 30 patients, for whom tuberculosis was incidental to death, are excluded from the final cohort, the proportion of patients in the 'died' outcome category could be reduced to 9.5%. The treatment outcome criterion (i.e., died) set by World Health Organization has limitations. Therefore, it requires improvement for more objective evaluation of the performance of the National Tuberculosis Program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The most recent research and developments are driven by colossal permittivity (CP) materials due to their potential use in modern microelectronics and high-energy density storage applications. Even though, to date, many CP materials have been discovered, the task of developing them with the required high performance remains highly challenging. We present a tangible example, polycrystalline ZnO ceramic, that presents a highly frequency-stable CP (> 104) as well as a low dielectric loss (~ 0.3) over a broad temperature range from 278 to 433 K. Multifunctional polycrystalline ZnO nanoceramics are prepared through one-pot hydrothermal route and sintered at 300 °C and 600 °C. The highly magnified scanning electron microscopic images reveal excellent grain growth at high temperature. Temperature-dependent impedance spectroscopy is employed for pellet sintered at (600 °C) to explore different conduction mechanisms at various temperature ranges. The distribution of relaxation times (DRT) method is used to design the best equivalent circuit model for fitting impedance data. The non-Debye behavior of real permittivity (ɛ′) is well explained by fitting with Cole–Cole formalism. The change in the conduction mechanism is estimated around 343 K, and an adiabatic polaronic model is used to estimate activation energies of cations through different electroactive regions. The correlate barrier hopping (CBH) model is applied to measure electrical trapping parameters (like binding energy, hopping distance, barrier height, etc.) at various temperatures. Our finding presents a systematic approach toward frequency-independent ZnO ceramics with a stable colossal permittivity which can potentially be applied to develop energy storage devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) as an important energy storage technology have found more and more applications in electric vehicles, electronic devices as well as grid energy storage systems. However, due to the safety issues from the flammability of combustible organic liquid electrolytes, recently solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) have attracted more interest. Conventional SPEs are dual-ion conductors where both anions and cations possess slightly free movement and favor the concentration polarization phenomena, which may reduce their performances and lifetime. To overcome these issues, the conducting solid polymer electrolytes (CSPEs) are developed where the anions are linked via covalent bonds to the polymeric and inorganic backbones or anion acceptors, which may greatly accelerate the transportation of lithium ions and increase their lithium-ion transference number (LTN) and ionic conductivity as well as reduce the formation of concentration polarization and Li dendrite growth. Herein, a comprehensive overview of the latest development in CSPEs for LIBs is described, which emphasizes the correlations among their synthetic strategies, structures, and electrochemical performances. Finally, the state of the art, future perspectives, and core challenges are provided for designing the next generation of CSPEs in high performance LIBs. Image 1 • The CSPEs are more advantageous over conventional dual-ion conducting SPEs. • Innovative synthetic concepts have been exploited for seven kinds of CSPEs. • Free movement of cations boosts ionic conductivity and Li-ion transference number. • The bounded anions of CSPEs impede the growth of concentration polarization. • Future perspectives for improving CSPEs based materials are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photoperiod and temperature are vital environmental factors that regulate plant developmental processes. However, the roles of these factors in garlic bulb enlargement are unclear. In this report, responses of garlic bulb morphology and physiology to combinations of photoperiod (light/dark: 10/14 h, 12/12 h, 14/10 h) and temperature (light/dark: 25/18 °C, 30/20 °C) were investigated. For garlic cultivar G103, bulb characteristics, phytohormones (IAA, ABA, ZT, tZR, JA), allicin and phenolic acids (p -coumaric and p -hydroxybenzoic) were highest under a photoperiod of 14 h at 30 °C. Maximum GA was observed under 14 h + 30 °C for cv. G2011-5. Maximum caffeic, ferulic and vanillic acids were detected for cv. G2011-5 at 14 h + 30 °C, 12 h + 25 °C and 14 h + 25 °C, respectively. Flavonoids (myricetin, quercetin, kaempferol and apigenin) were not detected in this trial. This is the first report describing the impact of long periods of light duration and higher temperatures on garlic morphology, phytohormones, phenolic acids and allicin content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of Ketamine vs Pethidine for treating postoperative shivering in patients undergoing surgery under general anaesthesia. Study Design: Quasi-experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Operation Theatre, Combined Military Hospital Sialkot Pakistan, from Jan to Apr 2020. Methodology: Following strict inclusion and exclusion criteria, patients who experienced postoperative shivering in the postanesthesia care unit (recovery) were enrolled through consecutive sampling and randomized into group-A or group B using the lottery method. Group-A received Pethidine 0.5 mg/kg and Group-B received Ketamine 0.2 mg/kg. The shivering grade was evaluated at 0 minutes and 5 minutes after administration of drugs by using a validated four-point scale. Results: Mean age of the patients was 34.12 ± 9.88 years and 34.83 ± 9.77 years in group-A and group B, respectively. At 5 min, the recovery rate of shivering was significantly higher in the Pethidine group than in the Ketamine group. In group-A, effecttiveness (grade 0) was noticed in 124 patients (86.2%) and in group-B effectiveness (grade-0) was seen in 74 patients (51.4%). A statistically significant difference (p<0.01) was found between the two groups. Conclusion: Pethidine 0.5 mg/kg is a more effective drug for treating postoperative shivering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contact tracing is the most commonly employed process of identifying the relevant contacts of a person with an infectious disease. A systematic review and meta-analysis on contact tracing of tuberculosis (TB) suspects has shown that the yield of household contact investigation in low- and middle-income countries was 6.5 %. However, a recent study from Malaysia has shown the yield of TB contact tracing as low as 0.49 %. Engaging community pharmacists and alternative practitioners in tracing TB suspects in Malaysia is context-specific and can significantly decrease transmission and incidence of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Garlic responses to combinations of photoperiod (light/dark: 10/14 h, 12/12 h, 14/10 h) and temperature (light/dark: 25/18 °C, 30/20 °C) at different durations (10, 20 and 30 days after treatment) were studied for the first time. • Longer photoperiods and higher temperatures significantly enhanced garlic pseudostems phytohormones, phenolic acids, and allicin contents. • Our study provided new insights into improved bulb performance, hormonal balance, and contents of phenolics and the organosulfur compound allicin using light and temperature. Photoperiod and temperature are important environmental factors that regulate many developmental processes in plants. However, the roles of different durations of photoperiod and temperature in garlic bulbing and selected endogenous chemical factors are still unknown. This study is focused on morphological and selected endogenous chemical factors associated with garlic bulb formation in response to photoperiod and temperature. Endogenous phytohormones, phenolic acids and allicin level were analyzed in garlic when plants were subjected to different combinations of photoperiod (light/dark: 10/14 h, 12/12 h, 14/10 h) and temperature (light/dark: 25/18 °C, 30/20 °C) treatments at 10, 20 and 30 days after treatment (DAT). Garlic plant and bulb morphology was observed maximum under 14 h photoperiod and 30 °C at 30 DAT. 14 h photoperiod and 25 °C resulted in maximum ABA, ZT and ZR at 20, 30 and 10 DAT, respectively. Maximum GA and JA were observed under14 h photoperiod and 30 °C at 20 and 10 DAT, respectively. Whereas maximum IAA was detected under 12 h photoperiod and 30 °C at 30 DAT. Maximum ferulic and vanillic acids were detected under 14 h photoperiod and 25 °C at 20 and 30 DAT, respectively. Maximum caffeic, p -coumaric and p -hydroxybenzoic acids were detected under14 h photoperiod and 30 °C at 30 and 10 DAT, respectively. Maximum allicin content was observed under 14 h photoperiod and 25 °C at 30 DAT. Our results propose that endogenous phytohormones, phenolic acids and allicin in pseudostem might control bulbing in garlic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Edge-on impact technique used to realize damage phenomenology in aluminosilicate. • The damage front travelling speed is dependent on the shape of the projectile. • High-speed images and damage propagation process in aluminosilicate glass. • The aluminosilicate glass compressive strength is positive rate sensitive. • The JH-2 model tracked the spall/damage history in aluminosilicate glass accurately. Understanding the damage progression in aluminosilicate glass against impact loading is all-important for the design of a transparent structure. The Edge-on impact (EOI) experiments linked to the ultra-high-speed camera on glass plates are completed to visualize and quantify damage propagation. This followed quasi-static compressive and split-tensile, and dynamic compressive experimentation on aluminosilicate samples to examine failure process, strength, and crack initiation. By incorporating the compression and tensile test data, Johnson-Holmquist ceramic (JH-2) model parameters were estimated for aluminosilicate glass. The compression tests simulated for verification of determined JH-2 constants and finally validated by conducting the EOI simulations on glass plates to the spherical and cylindrical-shaped projectile. The simulated results for damage shape, propagation, and spall effect were collated with experiments and JH-2 model for aluminosilicate glass well predicted the impact/damage response. The high-speed visuals, calculated results, and scan electron microscopic imageries confirmed that damage progression is dependent on the impactor shape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There was a lack of information about prognostic accuracy of time to sputum culture conversion (SCC) in forecasting cure among extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) patients. Therefore, this study evaluated the prognostic accuracy of SCC at various time points in forecasting cure among XDR-TB patients.Methods: This retrospective observational study included 355 eligible pulmonary XDR-TB patients treated at 27 centers in Pakistan between 01-05-2010 and 30-06-2017. The baseline and follow-up information of patients from treatment initiation until the end of treatment were retrieved from electronic nominal recording and reporting system. Time to SCC was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method, and differences between groups were compared through log-rank test. Predictors of time to SCC and cure were respectively evaluated by multivariate Cox proportional hazards and binary logistic regression analyses. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: A total of 226 (63.6%) and 146 (41.1%) patients respectively achieved SCC and cure. Median time to SCC was significantly shorter in patients who achieved cure, 3 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.47-3.53), than those who did not (median: 10 months, 95% CI: 5.24-14.76) (p-value < 0.001, Log-rank test). Patient's age > 40 years (hazards ratio [HR] = 0.632, p-value = 0.004), baseline sputum grading of scanty, + 1 (HR = 0.511, p-value = 0.002), + 2, + 3 (HR = 0.523, p-value = 0.001) and use of high dose isoniazid (HR = 0.463, p-value = 0.004) were significantly associated with early SCC. Only SCC at 6 month of treatment had statistically significant association with cure (odds ratio = 15.603, p-value < 0.001). In predicting cure, the sensitivities of SCC at 2, 4 and 6 months were respectively 41.8% (95%CI: 33.7-50.2), 69.9% (95%CI: 61.7-77.2) and 84.9% (95%CI: 78.1-90.3), specificities were respectively, 82.8% (95%CI: 76.9-87.6), 74.6% (95%CI: 68.2-80.4) and 69.4% (95%CI: 62.6-75.5) and prognostic accuracies were respectively 65.9% (95%CI: 60.7-70.8), 72.7% (95%CI: 67.7-77.2) and 75.8% (95%CI: 71.0-80.1).Conclusion: In forecasting cure, SCC at month 6 of treatment performed better than SCC at 2 and 4 months. However, it would be too long for clinicians to wait for 6 months to decide about the regimen efficacy. Therefore, with somewhat comparable prognostic accuracy to that SCC at 6 month, using SCC at 4 month of treatment as a prognostic marker in predicting cure among XDR-TB patients can decrease the clinicians waiting time to decide about the regimen efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A facile thermal approach has been applied to recycle industrial waste into Carbon Particles (CPs). Synthesized CPs have been characterized through chemical and instrumental analysis including X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Dynamic light scattering (DLS), Cyclic Voltammetry (CV). Evaluation of CPs' conductive behavior has shown a wide range of specific capacitance from 0.977 to 102 mC, with effective electrochemical surface area from 3.49 to 359.95 cm2. A sustainable competence of CPs to carry voltage against time has also been observed. CPs upon utilization as reinforcing agents in UV-cured epoxy composites, have not only drove conductive behavior of composites but have also boosted reaction kinetics and curing conversion. Thermal stability of composites has been found increased, by incorporation of CP. DC conductivity of CP-Epoxy composites have been observed up to 5 folds higher (2.07 × 10−4 Ω−1 cm−1) than neat epoxy (4.91 × 10−9 Ω−1 cm−1). Unlabelled Image • Utilization of green chemistry concept • Recycling of industrial waste • Utilization of SMART photochemical approach • Preparation of conductive composites [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Use of SMART photochemical approach to modify colored particles. • Experimental investigation of different factors to modify colored particles. • Surface modification of CB by Alkoxysilane bearing thiol functionalities. • Covalent bond formation between CB and Sulfur/silicone moieties. Photochemical reactions have defeated thermal ones on eco-friendly grounds, yet are not exact replacement in certain situations, particularly for photochemical reactions in the presence of colored particles. Irradiating photoinitiator (PI) in the presence of colored filler comes up with the limitation of radiation absorption by filler and not PI. Current research work is based on SMART photochemical approach for surface modification of Carbon Black (CB), where competition has been eliminated by parting components during initiation step. Reported photochemical approach is simple, effective and reproducible, with 5–10 wt% of modifier incorporation on CB surface. Other than being eco-friendly, this photochemical approach proves to be effective for thermally unstable materials. Efficiency of SMART approach has been verified by applying it on different types of CBs, in the absence and presence of solvents. Results of CB photochemical modification have been verified by different instrumental techniques including XPS, SEM, TGA, Raman, FTIR, DLS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The photoperiod marks a varied set of behaviors in plants, including bulbing. Bulbing is controlled by inner signals, which can be stimulated or subdued by the ecological environment. It had been broadly stated that phytohormones control the plant development, and they are considered to play a significant part in the bulb formation. The past decade has witnessed significant progress in understanding and advancement about the photoperiodic initiation of bulbing in plants. A noticeable query is to what degree the mechanisms discovered in bulb crops are also shared by other species and what other qualities are also dependent on photoperiod. The FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) protein has a role in flowering; however, the FT genes were afterward reported to play further functions in other biological developments (e.g., bulbing). This is predominantly applicable in photoperiodic regulation, where the FT genes seem to have experienced significant development at the practical level and play a novel part in the switch of bulb formation in Alliums. The neofunctionalization of FT homologs in the photoperiodic environments detects these proteins as a new class of primary signaling mechanisms that control the growth and organogenesis in these agronomic-related species. In the present review, we report the underlying mechanisms regulating the photoperiodic-mediated bulb enlargement in Allium species. Therefore, the present review aims to systematically review the published literature on the bulbing mechanism of Allium crops in response to photoperiod. We also provide evidence showing that the bulbing transitions are controlled by phytohormones signaling and FT-like paralogues that respond to independent environmental cues (photoperiod), and we also show that an autorelay mechanism involving FT modulates the expression of the bulbing-control gene. Although a large number of studies have been conducted, several limitations and research gaps have been identified that need to be addressed in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growth and bulb development in garlic is affected considerably by variations in photoperiod and temperature thereby influencing its morphology, physiology, and nutritive quality. Varied combinations of photoperiods and temperatures may influence the bulb development and quality, and can determine the suitability of a cultivar for a particular region. Experiments were conducted to study the impact of different photoperiod and temperature combinations on the growth, morpho-physiology, and nutritive quality of garlic bulb. Three garlic cultivars viz; G103, G024, and G2011-5 were exposed to different combinations of photoperiod (8 h/16 h, 10 h/14 h, 12 h/12 h, 14 h/10 h, 16 h/8 h (light/dark)) and temperature (20 °C/15 °C, 25 °C/18 °C, and 30 °C/20 °C). Results revealed that longer photoperiod (14 h or 16 h) and higher temperature (25 °C or 30 °C) treatments significantly improved the garlic bulbing imparting maximum bulb diameter, height, bulbing index, and the shortest growth period. Whereas, 12-h photoperiod had maximum bulb weight. In addition, total soluble solid (TSS), content of soluble protein, soluble sugar, total sugar, glucose, sucrose, fructose, starch, total phenols, and total flavonoids increased significantly because of 14-h photoperiod and 30 °C temperature condition, however exhibited decline with 8 h photoperiod and lowest temperature (20 °C). These alterations were related to bulb characteristics and bulbing index. Maximum plant standing height and pseudostem diameter of the garlic plant were observed at 20 °C. Additionally, plants under the combination of 14 h–30 °C had maximum fresh weight, bulb diameter, shortest growth period, maximum physiological and nutritive quality traits of the bulb, while as 12 h–30 °C combinations resulted in maximum bulb weight and 16 h–30 °C had maximum bulb height. Among cultivars cv. G103 showed best response to tested photoperiod and temperature combinations in terms of morpho-physiological and biochemical attributes studied, except for bulbing index which was maximum in cv. G024. Present study concludes the influence of photoperiod and temperature combinations on garlic growth and bulbing characteristics through the modulations induced in soluble protein, sugars, and phenolic compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• PMOXA/P4VP based coatings were prepared by a simple annealing protocol. • PMOXA/P4VP based surfaces possess pH stimuli-responsive properties. • Switchable BSA adsorption/desorption were achieved by PMOXA/P4VP based coatings. In this work, poly[(2-methyl-2-oxazoline)-random-glycidyl methacrylate] (PMOXA-r-GMA) and poly(4-vinyl pyridine)-block-poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (P4VP-b-PGMA) were synthesized by cationic ring opening polymerization (CROP) of 2-methyl-2-oxazoline (MOXA) and reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization of 4-vinyl pyridine (4VP) followed by their random and block copolymerization with glycidyl methacrylate (GMA), respectively. Then poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline)/poly(4-vinyl pyridine) (PMOXA/P4VP) based binary polymer brushes on silicon/glass substrate were fabricated using spin coating of the mixture of PMOXA-r-GMA and P4VP-b-PGMA copolymer solution followed by annealing process at 110 °C. Afterwards, these polymer brushes were characterized via water contact angle (WCA), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometry (VASE), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) techniques. The results showed that the surface composition on the substrate surface could be adjusted by tuning the composition of the mixture of polymer solution used for the preparation of mixed brushes. Moreover, it also showed the swelling and de-swelling of mixed polymer brushes in a systematic way between two specific points during varying the pH of the surrounding medium from 2 to 10. Finally, the tunable behavior of PMOXA/P4VP based mixed brushes against bovine serum albumin (BSA) adsorption/desorption was investigated by fluorescein isothiocyanate-labelled BSA (FITC-BSA) assay and ellipsometry measurements. The results indicated that by changing the pH value from 2 to 10, the PMOXA/P4VP based mixed brushes could adsorb and desorb protein from very low to high amount depending upon the composition of PMOXA-r-GMA and P4VP-b-PGMA in preparing solution used for the PMOXA/P4VP based coatings, and ~89% of the adsorbed protein could be desorbed under the selected conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Effect of density value and gradient distribution on the deformation mechanism of foamed concrete is studied. • The strength of pore walls significantly influences the failure mechanism of foamed concrete. • Each layer of gradient foamed concrete displays a failure mode corresponding to its respective density. • The later damaged layers in the gradient specimen are affected by the former damaged layers leading to failure to achieve the expected strength. • A statistical model is developed to predict the whole compressive curve of foamed concrete. Foamed concrete is an essential material in engineering that can be categorized into two types based on density distribution, namely uniform foamed concrete (UFC) and gradient foamed concrete (GFC). However, there exists a research gap concerning the mesoscopic deformation mechanism of UFC and GFC. The objective of this research is to bridge this gap by examining the quasi-static compression characteristics of UFCs with three distinct densities and GFCs with different density sequences. The results reveal that the strength of pore walls significantly influences the failure mechanism of UFCs with varying densities. Specifically, UFCs with low density exhibit weak pore-wall strength, leading to stress concentration at the pore-wall junction. During compression, these weak pore walls are widely dispersed within the specimen, resulting in a powdering failure mode. Conversely, UFCs with high density possess stronger pore walls, which prevent the powdering failure mode by maintaining adequate pore-wall strength. Nevertheless, the existence of a dominant crack within the specimen results in a splitting failure mode. In the context of GFCs, deformation occurs in a sequence from low to high density, with each layer exhibiting a failure mode corresponding to its density. Note that the last-deforming layer in this brittle gradient foam cannot attain the strength of the corresponding uniform foam. This is due to the failure of the second layer, which results in uneven contact surfaces and prompts the third layer to crack simultaneously. Finally, a statistical model is developed to forecast the compressive Stress–strain curve of foamed concrete, demonstrating remarkable agreement with experimental data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To validate ‘stress only’ protocol against ‘rest stress protocol in normal and essentially normal cases undergoing Tc99m MIBI gated myocardial perfusion Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography imaging. Study Design: A retrospective observational study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Nuclear Cardiology, Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology/National Institute of Heart Disease, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from Jul to Sep 2019. Methodology: 136 cases were included. Patients underwent Tc-99m gated Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography MPI using a single day, rest/stress protocol. The rest study was performed first with 8-10 mCi Tc-99m MIBI followed by stress study, 3 hours later with 3 times the rest dose. The most common stress technique was pharmacological stress and bicycle ergometer exercise with 0.14 mg/kg/min adenosine infusion. Few patients underwent physical stress using Bruce protocol, achieving a minimum of 85% of the target heart rate. Mages–stress followed by rest–were evaluated by two experienced nuclear cardiologists (blinded to the MPI reports) and interpreted as ‘normal’ or ‘essentially normal’. Results: Evaluation of stress-only and rest-stress Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography myocardial images yielded a concordance rate of 84.56% with Cohen’s kappa coefficient of 0.69. Conclusion: Substantial agreement and good concordance were found in normal and essentially normal ‘stress only’ and ‘rest stress protocols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing fuel prices in international market and depletion of fossil fuel resources are reasons to find new and cheap energy resources to meet increasing energy demands throughout the world. Potential energy resources include wind, solar, geothermal, tidal and biomass. Biomass can be collected from wheat, rice and sugarcane fields. Sugarcane is most abundant cultivated crop in world providing trash (leaves and tops) and baggas as renewable energy resource for power generation which can replace 50% use of fossil fuels. Because of poor sugarcane mechanization status in Pakistan, traditional practice to get rid of this extraneous material is to burn the trash in standing crop or by manual means which is hectic due to decreasing labour availability for agricultural practices. 20-30% trash is delivered to mill along with stalk due to poor cleaning efficiency resulting deduction in farmer payment and lowering mill sugar recovery efficiency. Sugarcane stripping machine was developed for small scale farmers and different mechanical and crop physical factors were investigated to improve trash recovery and to reduce labour dependence and in field burning practice on local farms during 2018-2019 at University of Agriculture Faisalabad. The investigating crop physical factors included crop varieties (V1=US-658, V2=HSF-240, V3=CPF-249), moisture content in trash (MC1=8.2, MC2=17.6) and mechanical factors included velocity ratio between intake rollers (VR1=1.3, VR2=1.7, VR3=1.9), cleaning element speeds (CE1=660 rpm, CE2=763 rpm, CE3= 1033 rpm) and intake roller combinations types (C1, C2, C3). Three replications for each factor were recorded and data was statistically analyzed under factorial design. Results revealed that by combining V1, MC1, VR2, CE3 and C3 factors, trash recovery efficiency of 97% can be achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pleurospermum (Apiaceae) species possess a wide range of biological properties viz. analgesic, anti‐inflammatory, antimalarial, and so on. Pleurospermum candollei (DC.) Benth. Ex C. B. Clark. is reported to cure diarrhea, gastric, respiratory, stomach, abdominal, joint, and back pain problems. In addition, it is also used for both male and female infertility. The present study deals with an efficient technique using high‐speed countercurrent chromatography for separation of chemical components from the methanol extract of P. candollei. Notably, nine main compounds namely luteolin 7‐O‐glucoside (1), oxypeucedanin hydrate (2), pabulenol (3), bergapten (4), heptadecanoic acid (5), (E)‐isoelemicin (6), trans‐asarone (7), α‐linolenic acid (8), and isoimperatorin (9) were very efficiently separated and isolated in pure form. Multiple injections were applied followed by two off‐line recycling high‐speed countercurrent chromatography. The inhibitory effect of nitric oxide production of all compounds was tested in the presence of 200 ng/mL lipopolysaccharide in RAW264.7 mice macrophage cells. The results demonstrated that compounds 7 and 8 effectively inhibited nitric oxide production, with IC50 values of 28.44 and 53.18 μM, respectively. This study thus validates the traditional claim of using P. candollei. Taken together, these findings will be useful in future research to find a potential candidate with anti‐inflammatory properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to evaluate treatment outcomes and factors associated unsuccessful outcomes among pediatric tuberculosis (TB) patients (age ≤14 years).Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study conducted at three districts (Quetta, Zhob and Killa Abdullah) of Balochistan, Pakistan. All childhood TB patients enrolled for treatment at Bolan Medical Complex Hospital (BMCH) Quetta and District Headquarter Hospitals of Zhob and Killa Abdullah from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2018 were included in the study and followed until their treatment outcomes were reported. Data were collected through a purpose developed standardized data collection form and analyzed by using SPSS 20. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: Out of 5152 TB patients enrolled at the study sites, 2184 (42.4%) were children. Among them, 1941 childhood TB patients had complete medical record were included in the study. Majority of the study participants were <5 years old (66.6%) and had pulmonary TB (PTB; 65%). A total of 45 (2.3%) patients were cured, 1680 (86.6%) completed treatment, 195 (10%) lost to follow-up, 15 (0.8%) died, 5 (0.3%) failed treatment and 1 (0.1%) was not evaluated for outcomes. In multivariate binary logistic regression analysis, treatment at BMCH Quetta (OR = 25.671, p-value < 0.001), rural residence (OR = 3.126, p-value < 0.001) and extra-PTB (OR = 1.619, p-value = 0.004) emerged as risk factors for unsuccessful outcomes.Conclusion: The study sites collectively reached the World Health Organization's target of treatment success (>85%). Lost to follow-up was the major reason for unsuccessful outcomes. Special attention to patients with identified risk factors for unsuccessful outcomes may improve outcomes further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The antibiotic resistance is on a rise globally due to irrational use. This survey evaluated the prescribing patterns of antibiotics in tertiary care hospital in Abbottabad. Study type, settings & duration: This observational, descriptive, and prospective study was carried out in divisions of Gynecology, General Medicine, Pediatric Surgery, Orthopedics and Pulmonology, Tertiary Care Hospital, Abbottabad, KPK from 2019 to 2020. Methodology: An antibiotic prescribing pattern survey was carried out among the patients of hospital. Medical case sheets of patients and drug charts were used to record in standardized performa. Results: Total 203 patients on antibiotics were included in the study. Antibiotics prescribed in Gynae Department were UTIs 57%, LSCS 35%, NVD 20%, wound infection 16.6%, D&C 10%, SVD 10%, RTIs 6.6%, Extraction 6.6%, Stitch removal 6.6%, Hysterectomy 5%, Ectopic Pregnancy 5% post ovectomy 3.3% Uterine bleeding 3.3%, & most common dosage form:, Tablets: 56.6%,Capsules: 40%, Syrups:3.33% in Pead's Department URTI 62%, Cold and fever 10%, Eye Infection 8%, LRTI 6%, in dosage form: Syrups: 82%. Drops: 12%, Injection: 4%, Tablet: 2%. In Surgical ward Ceftro:35%,Titan:20%, Grasil:20%, Flagyl:10%, Kefzol:5%, Ampiclox:5%, Bestrix:5%. In General OPD, RTI 48%, Wound Infection 18%, fever 14%, UTIs 8.33%, Pneumonia 1.66% the most prescribed dosage form, Injection :28%, Syrup:12%, Drops:8.0% Tablets: 8.0%, Capsules: 6.0%. In orthopedic ward: Grasil:22.2%, Amikacin:19.3%, Oxidil:18.8%, Titan:11.11%, Cefbactam:11.11%, Kefzol:10%, Sulperazone:5.55%,, Augmentin:5.55%, Gentacin:2.7%, Most prescribed dosage form: Injection :100%,Tablets, Capsules and Syrup 0%. In Pulmonary disease department Respiratory tract infection 55% and in Bronchitis are 35%. Most commonly prescribed dosage form: Injection :50%, Tablets :45%, Capsules :5%, Syrup, and Drops 0%. Mainly Augmentin was prescribed as a combination therapy. Most antibiotics were prescribed for 5-7 days. Conclusion: The survey indicates that the use of antibiotic in tertiary care hospital is very high and is not rational. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]