Search

This research article investigated the effects of dual-phase chemical reactions on the unsteady flow of Sisko fluid. Utilizing Caputo's fractional derivatives, the model captured the fractional behavior of the fluid and integrated relaxation times to reflect the viscoelastic nature of the Sisko fluid. The model also considered unequal diffusivities of the chemical species. The resulting equations were discretized using the finite difference method, complemented by the L1 algorithm. Our simulations underscored how memory parameters, β and γ, significantly shaped the concentration trajectories by emphasizing the impact of past flow behaviors. Moreover, the study identified the heterogeneous reaction parameter and the diffusion coefficients ratio as critical determinants in the reaction dynamics, underscoring their role in the system's behavior. This study illuminates the intricate matrix of relationships in the realm of chemical reactions and viscoelastic fluid flow, offering valuable insights for fields ranging from chemical processing to environmental remediation.

Abstract Objective To assess osteoarthritis (OA) patients’ preferences for pharmaceutical treatment via Adaptive Choice-Based Conjoint (ACBC) method. Methods A United Arab Emirates (UAE) based Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) group designed the ACBC questionnaire with 10 attributes and 34 levels. The questionnaire was developed using Sawtooth Software and analyzed through Hierarchical Bayesian (HB). Results were standardized using Z-score via SPSS. Results Study participants were 1030 OA patients, 83.6% aged 50 or older and 83.4% female. The avoidance of medication’s side effects accounted for 66% relative importance compared to 6% relative importance for the medication’s benefits. The “way of taking the medicine” attribute had the highest coefficient of variation (70%) and the four side effect attributes “risk of gastric ulcer, addiction, kidney and liver impairment, and heart attacks and strokes” had a coefficient of variation from 18 to 21%. Conclusions Arab OA patients are similar to other ethnic groups in trading-off benefits and side effects and consistently prioritizing the avoidance of medications’ side effects. Although the “Way of taking medicine” was the least important attribute it was associated with the highest variation amongst patients. OA patients also prefer prescribed medications to internet-purchased and over-the-counter options.

Smart TV is a lean-back and shared device with diverse viewership, cultural acceptance, interaction modalities, input/output characteristics, and contextual use. Researchers, developers, and vendors constantly add new features and functionalities to its user interface (UI) to get higher market shares. However, the current smart TV UIs are static and follow a one-size-fits-all approach, where adding new features makes it cluttered and complex with limited learnability, usability, and greater cognitive overload. Another issue is the limited support for adaptive UIs to customize these features, functions, and services as per user needs. This article fills these gaps in the literature by designing a framework of personalized adaptive UIs for smart TV users capable of changing the UI layout and structure per the user needs and contextual details. The framework was tested on an Android-based smart TV and evaluated using a real-world dataset and an empirical study involving 75 household members in a mixed-mode questionnaire-based survey. The results were analyzed using Cronbach alpha, Kendall's tau-b, and principal component factor analysis. It was observed that personalized adaptive UIs are perceived positively in terms of attitude, usability, user experience, accessibility, learnability, user satisfaction, intension to use, and reduced cognitive overload.

In this study, we extend the application of an existing Cattaneo heat flux model integrated with magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) Maxwell boundary layer flow using distributed fractional-order derivatives. This offers a novel approach for the use of disturbed order along with the midpoint quadrature rule, not previously considered in the literature for such phenomena. Moreover, the application of a variable heat flux with distributive order fractional constitutive equation, also an unexplored area in the literature, adds to the novelty of our study. We investigate the dynamics of the model over a flat surface in the presence of variable heat flux and Darcy-Forchheimer media. The governing equations, along with their respective initial and boundary conditions, are derived and solved using the finite difference method employing the L1 scheme. A benchmark 'exact solution' is obtained for a simplified version of the problem and a numerical solution is provided for a more complex, realistic version. The accuracy of our numerical scheme is validated by comparing results with the benchmark solution, and a mesh independence study further validates our code. Our study uncovers unique insights into the influence of various physical parameters on the velocity and temperature boundary layer thickness, as well as the flow and heat transfer mechanisms, elucidating the rheological characteristics of the system.

Nanofluid thermophysical characteristics are critical for predicting heat transfer behavior. This attempt provides a computational assessment of boundary layer flow and heat transfer behavior of fractional Maxwell viscoelastic nanofluid and their hybrids over a permeable vertical surface. The effects of Lorents and buoyancy forces are also considered in the flow region. The flow problem is modeled with novel distributed order time fractional derivatives to achieve control of the flow and heat transfer. Mid-point quadrature approach is used to process the distributed order integrals, whereas nonlinear coupled time fractional derivatives are discretized through the finite difference method along withL1- algorithm. The results shows that heat transfer rate enhanced 56.51% by enhancing the thermal Grashof number. Further, increase in nanoparticles volume fraction causes enhancement in thermal conductivity. More effects of the flow characteristic on velocity and temperature fields are shown graphically and analyzed in detail. The involvement of novel distributed fractional order derivatives, and nanoparticles enhanced the importance of the simulated results, which can be helpful to effectively control related thermal engineering issues, like temperature management in internal combustion engines, cooling devices, and heat exchangers.

The current article numerically investigates the time-dependent fractional non-Newtonian fluid model on a vertical plane in a Darcy medium. A generalized Scott-Bliar model with heterogeneous and homogeneous interaction is employed to control the flow and mass transfer in the boundary layer region. Chemical reactions in flow are responsible for variable concentration, which causes long-lasting chemical species to better understand the chemical process.The highly nonlinear coupled model is discretized using the finite difference method with the L1 technique. The current analysis shows that the fractional exponent significantly affects the concentration of chemical species. It also revealed during the studies that for maximum values of Kr and δ1 the concentration of chemical species for a reduces. Currently no such result in the literary works for the non-integer fractional Casson model. This analysis is help full to understand the chemical process in fractional Casson fluid model.

IntroductionOptic pathway gliomas (OPGs) are associated with significant risk of visual and endocrine morbidity, but data on long-term outcomes in symptomatic patients is sparse. This study reviews the clinical course, disease progression, survival outcomes and long-term sequelae in pediatric patients with symptomatic OPGs in our institution over three decades.MethodsRetrospective review of patients with symptomatic OPG treated in a single tertiary pediatric oncology center from 1984 to 2016.ResultsA total of 37 patients were diagnosed with symptomatic OPG. Decreased visual acuity was the commonest presenting symptom (75.7%). Surgical intervention was performed in 62.2%; 56.5% underwent biopsy, 26.1% surgical debulking and 17.4% had orbital decompression with cystic fenestration and cosmetic optic nerve excision at different treatment intervals. CSF diversion was performed in 47.8% patients. Histopathologic examination confirmed 86% to be pilocytic astrocytoma and 1 ganglioglioma. 46% received chemotherapy and 48% had radiotherapy, at different intervals. Median follow-up was 13.74 years. In NF1 patients, overall survival (OS) was 100% at 5 years and 55.6 ± 24.8% at 25 years while progression-free-survival (PFS) was 50 ± 15.8% at 5 and 20 years. In non-NF1 patients, OS was 96.2 ± 3.8% at 5 years and 87.4 ± 9% at 25-years. 5-year PFS was 53.8 ± 9.8% and 25-year PFS was 49.0 ± 10%. Cumulative PFS was 53 ± 8.3% at 5 years and 49.7 ± 8.4% at 20 years while cumulative OS was 97.2 ± 2.7% at 5 years and 77.5 ± 10.8% at 25 years. 59.5% patients developed post-operative endocrinopathy. Long-term vision was normal in 8.1%, improved in 13.5%, stabilized in 40.5% but worsened in 37.8% patients. Three patients treated with radiotherapy developed second brain tumors.Conclusion25-year OS in this cohort was 77.5% but survivorship carried significant long-term morbidities including radiation-induced second malignant brain tumors.

One of the prominent issues of the environment is water quality deterioration due to release of industrial wastewater containing heavy metals. This research work focused on the synthesis of mesoporous magnetic iron oxide-aluminum silicate (Fe3O4-Al2SiO5) adsorbent via deposition-precipitation method and to assess its efficiency for chromium (VI) adsorption. The study demonstrated that the prepared mesoporous adsorbent exhibit large surface area (476.0 m2g-1) and mesoporous structure, which enhances the adsorbate adsorption. From the results it was noticed that maximum removal (99.9%) was occurring at neutral pH and the adsorption data was find in best fitting to both Langmuir isotherm as well as with pseudo-second-order kinetic models. The study further concluded that the mesoporous adsorbent can be reused following several cycles and that very slight effect of coexisting competitive ions was noticed. The study recommends that after further modification and activation, the desired mesoporous adsorbent material could be utilized for water purification at industrial level.

This paper is intended to introduce knowledge workers to a unique paradigm on virtue epistemology, i.e., reflective knowledge, based on the doctrines of Islamic philosophy as 'Ilm.' The paper proposes a holistic framework for acquiring reflective knowledge, the epistemic attributes of knowledge workers, and the significance of reflective knowledge in the dynamic knowledge economy. Methodology – Theoretical framework proposed in the current paper is based on the theories proposed by Muslim philosophers. Books on the epistemological aspect of Islamic philosophy and web-based articles on Ilm as reflective knowledge have been taken as references. Findings - Islamic philosophy has put forth a holistic paradigm on the virtues of knowledge workers and the attributes that help learning organizations acquire reflective knowledge. Practical implications - The propositions in the paper may be tested for empirical evidence in future research. Moreover, the framework for acquiring reflective knowledge and instilling epistemic virtues in knowledge workers may be a powerful tool for knowledge managers. Originality/Value - Islamic philosophy is believed to be based on theological grounds; however, this paper intends to introduce the doctrines based on logic and rationale proposed by noted scholars. The paper is also unique in constructing a holistic framework that may assist organizations in acquiring reflective knowledge and training knowledge workers to acquire prescribed epistemic attributes.

The current assessment deals with thermal and solutal stratifications in two-dimensional mixed convection tangent hyperbolic fluid past a stretched surface in porous medium under the effects of magnetic field. Theoretical analysis is made for heat transfer and mass transfer by considering the effects of non-linear thermal radiation, chemical reaction, exothermic reaction. The governing model equations (PDEs) are transformed into highly nonlinear ODEs by using suitable transformations. The Homotopy analysis-based technique BVPh 2.0 is utilized to solve the transform nonlinear ODEs. The significant outcomes are delineated for distinct values of dimensionless parameters. The numerical values of drag coefficient, heat transfer and mass transfer rate are presented in tabular form. In order to validate the obtained outcomes, we compared the results with earlier published article and find good agreement. From the results it is concluded that velocity shows decreasing behavior for Wi, power law index n,M and porosity parameters pm and the opposite trend is observed for the mixed convection parameter λ. In most of the engineering and real-world problems, skin friction is not desirable, so it can be decreased by decreasing the values of chemical reaction parameter, mixed convection parameter and buoyancy ratio parameter.

Various techniques have been employed by researchers with the aim to enhance the thermal performance of regular fluids such as water, kerosene oil etc. Nowadays the focus is on the hybrid nano materials as they are more effective in order to enhance the thermal conductivity of the fluids and liquid alloys as compared to nanofluids. This study is also performed with the objective of analyzing steady mixed convection flow near a 3D non-uniform vertical surface together with slips effects embedded in a porous medium with hybrid nano particles. The suspension under consideration is prepared in water to form MoS2–SiO2/water hybrid nanofluid by dissolving an inorganic compound Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) and silicon dioxide (SiO2). The mathematical model describing the fluid flow has been formulated and similarity equations have been derived with the help of similarity transformations. The simulations of the obtained flow have been determined by employing bvp4c solver in MATLAB. The simulations for various physical parameters in the model demonstrate that incorporation of the hybrid nano particles in the fluid mixture result in higher heat transfer compared to the heat transfer produced by simple nanofluids. It is found that in order to obtain an efficient thermal system, the hybrid nano-particles should be considered in place of single type of nano particles. Moreover, the velocities of both the hybrid nano-fluids and simple nanofluids are enhanced by the mixed convection parameter however it is reduced by the porosity in both cases. It is also realized that an increment in the volume fraction of nano particles φ1 corresponds to increase in heat transfer rate. Additionally, the temperature measurements are at its lowest for τ2 while the maximum temperature is observed in case of solid volume fraction of nanoparticles φ1. The heat transfer rate in MoS2–SiO2/H20 is better than that of MoS2-H20. On the other hand, we can witness that the fluid velocity slows down by increasing the velocity power index parameter n. It is evident from investigation that hybrid nanofluids play a vital role in fluid transmission and higher temperature distribution is attained for nanofluid.

The studies conducted in the recent past reveals that the non-Newtonian are extensively applied in several engineering applications. The atypical Oldroyd-B fluid, a specific sub-category of non-Newtonian fluids, with fractional derivative constitutive equations, is very expedient to determine the approximation of many dilute polymer liquids. Since very few studies regarding the numerical solution of the aforesaid model are conducted, so the literature that can be referred to in this regard is scarce. The current article investigates the unsteady magneto-hydrodynamic flow of irregular Oldroyd-B fluid with a modified thermal flux restricted between two infinite parallel plates. Here, it is assumed that the thermal conductivity of the fluid is variable, and the impact of body forces like gravity is accordingly analyzed in terms of non-linear convection. The linear acceleration of the lower permeable plate in its plane prompts the flow. Further, we have investigated the heat transfer in the flow field through a modified fractional thermal gradient and internal heat source. The temperature gradient accelerates with time and exists among the flow boundaries. In order to determine the approximate solution unified with finite difference approximation for Caputo fractional time derivatives, we have utilized the standard Galerkin finite element method. Moreover, we have conducted a convergence analysis of the suggested numerical scheme and offered some valid error approximations. In the non-integer viscoelastic model, the local number and coefficient of skin friction are also deliberated. We have also performed some upright numerical simulations to highlight the ascendency of characteristic flow parameters of velocity and temperature fields in the proposed scheme. Here, we have analyzed that the resistive force increases by 40%, corresponding to an increment in α ranging from 0 to 0.4. Further, the heat transfer rate is diminish by 10.94% against an increase in variable thermal conductivity while it is enhanced by 37.78% corresponding to increased in Pr.

The study was conducted to ascertain the role of health and safety practices (HSPs) in improving the performance of the firm and safety performance. The study was conducted in Pakistan, a developing country from South Asia. This study collected data from various small and medium enterprises (SMEs) located in Karachi and Sindh, Pakistan. Data were analyzed through statistical packages for scientific solutions. The feasibility of survey data was primarily tested with the help of Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, .80, which shows the construct items to have interitem consistency. Subsequently, descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistic techniques (Pearson correlation coefficient of significant [two-tailed] and simple regression) were used. The study findings reveal that HSPs have a significant effect on the performance of SMEs and safety performance. Firms in developing countries need to pay more attention to HSPs so that the positive benefits of increased SME performance and safety performance can be attained. The implications are discussed in detail.

Abstract Objectives To investigate the relationships between interferon alpha (IFNα) and the clinical and serological phenotype of patients with systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease (SARDs) in order to determine whether a distinct subpopulation of patients can be identified. Methods We recruited patients with at least 1 SARD clinical feature and at least 1 SARD-related autoantibody from two NHS Trusts in Greater Manchester. A 6-gene interferon-stimulated gene (ISG) score was calculated in all patients, and in a subgroup, a 30-gene ISG score was produced using NanoString. A digital Single Molecule Array (Simoa) was used to measure plasma IFNα protein. In an exploratory analysis, whole blood RNA sequencing was conducted in 12 patients followed by RT-qPCR confirmation of expression of 6 nucleic acid receptors (NARs) in the whole cohort. Results Sixty three of 164 (38%) patients had a positive ISG score. The 3 measures of IFNα all correlated strongly with each other (p

The main objective of this paper is to offer a comprehensive study regarding solar radiation and MHD effects on 3D boundary layer Jeffery fluid flow over a non-uniform stretched sheet along with variable thickness, porous medium and chemical reaction of first order are assumed. The system of equations representing temperature, velocity and concentration fields are converted into dimensionless form by introducing dimensionless variables. Thereafter, the aforesaid equations are solved with the help of BVP4C in MATLAB. The numerical results obtained through this scheme are more accurate when compared with those in the existing literature. In order to have a pictorial representation, the effects of material and flow parameters on velocity, temperature and concentration profiles are presented through graphs. Moreover, the numerical values of heat and mass transfer rate and skin friction coefficient are given in tabular form. It is evident from the acquired results, that the velocity offers two fold behavior for variable thickness parameter that is, n < 1 close and away from the non-uniform surface. It is also noted that the axial and transverse velocities show an increasing behavior for Deborah number while the fluid temperature and concentration shows opposite behavior at the same time.

In real life, chemically reactive mixtures occur in many situations such as in chemically engineered products, combustion, and many more. The aim of this study is to analyze the flow, heat, and mass transfer analysis of chemically reactive mixed convective flow of hyperbolic tangent fluid having thermal radiation and viscous dissipation in a doubly stratified medium. Appropriate transformations are capitalized to transform the set of partial differential equations into the set of ordinary differential equations (ODEs). A highly efficient BVPh2.0 solver, which is based on the homotopy analysis method, is employed to solve the set of ODEs. The convergence of BVPh2.0 is demonstrated by average- and total-squared residual errors. Finally, the obtained results for velocity, temperature, concentration, skin friction coefficient, and local Nusselt and Sherwood numbers are analyzed by means of graphs and tables. A decrease in the skin friction coefficient Cf corresponding to an increase in the values of the power law index n is noticed. However, an opposite behavior is noticed in the case of the chemical reaction parameter γ. By increasing the Prandtl number Pr, the local Nusselt number shows an increasing behavior while the Sherwood number shows a decreasing behavior. On the other hand, both the local Nusselt and Sherwood numbers show an increasing behavior in the case of the radiation parameter.

Heavy metals-based changes in the plants and their alleviation through eco-friendly agents including reduced glutathione (GSH) have been widely studied. In the present experiment, we tested the alleviatory role of reduced glutathione (GSH) in seedlings of upland cotton cultivar, TM-1 under lead (Pb) toxicity. Plants were grown in the Hoagland solution containing Pb (0 μM), Pb (500 μM), GSH (50 μM), and GSH + Pb (50 μM + 500 μM). Lead exposure exacerbated hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and hydroxyl radical (OH•) levels, induced lipid peroxidation (MDA), and decreased the activities of catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) in the terminal and median leaves of 28-days old cotton seedlings stressed for 10 days. However, in the primary and secondary roots, CAT activity was increased but APX decreased. Similarly, peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were enhanced in the median leaves but a declining trend was observed in the terminal leaves, primary roots and secondary roots. Glutathione reductase (GR) activity, ascorbic acid (AsA) contents and GSH concentrations were increased in all parts except AsA in the median leaves. Transmission electron micrographs of Pb-treated plants exhibited deformed cell wall and cell membrane, disfigured chloroplasts and irregularly shaped mitochondria in the terminal and median leaves. Further, cell membrane, mitochondria, nucleus and other cell organelles in root cells were severely affected by the Pb. Thus their identification was little bit difficult through ultramicroscopy. External GSH stabilized leaf and root ultramorphology by stabilizing cell membranes, stimulating formation of multivesicular body vesicles, and by maintaining structural integrity of other organelles. Evidently, GSH played major alleviatory role against Pb toxicity in upland cotton.

This work endeavor to study the heat and mass transfer viscous nanofluid features in a Von Karman flow invoking the variable viscosity mechanism. Moreover, we have extended our study in view of heat generation and uniform suction effects. The flow triggering non-linear partial differential equations are inscribed in the non-dimensional form by manipulating suitable transformations. The resulting non-linear ordinary differential equations are solved numerically via implicit finite difference scheme in conjecture with the Newton’s linearization scheme afterwards. The sought solutions are plotted graphically to present comparison between MATLAB routine bvp4c and implicit finite difference schemes. Impact of different parameters on the concentration/temperature/velocity profiles are highlighted. Further Nusselt number, skin friction and Sherwood number characteristics are discussed for better exposition. Keywords: Von Karman flow, Variable viscosity, Heat generation, Suction, Nanofluid, Implicit finite difference scheme, Bvp4c

Background Cancer is a devastating disease and has detrimental effects on the quality of life (QoL) of cancer survivors and interferes with their treatment compliance. The aim of the study is to assess resilience and QoL among cancer survivors and to evaluate the important factors affecting their resilience and QoL, with respect to the Pakistani cultural context.Method and analysis A cross-sectional study will be conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. A minimum sample size of 250 head and neck cancers and 250 brain tumour survivors with 10% inflation for non-response rate will be required. The SD of QoL and resilience will range from 16.5 to 40.8 for head and neck cancer, and 12.7 to 34.1 for brain tumour, at 5% level of significance, with 2.5 precision. QoL will be assessed by European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30, EORTC QLQ-H&N35 and EORTC QLQ-BN20 and resilience will be evaluated by Wagnild and Young’s 14-item scale. Mean±SD will be reported for resilience and QoL scores. Unadjusted and adjusted β-coefficients, with 95% CI, will be reported by using multiple linear regression analysis. Correlation analysis will also be performed using Pearson or Spearman rank correlation coefficients. A p value of

Melatonin (MT) is a pleiotropic molecule with diverse and numerous actions both in plants and animals. In plants, MT acts as an excellent promotor of tolerance against abiotic stress situations such as drought, cold, heat, salinity, and chemical pollutants. In all these situations, MT has a stimulating effect on plants, fomenting many changes in biochemical processes and stress-related gene expression. Melatonin plays vital roles as an antioxidant and can work as a free radical scavenger to protect plants from oxidative stress by stabilization cell redox status; however, MT can alleviate the toxic oxygen and nitrogen species. Beyond this, MT stimulates the antioxidant enzymes and augments antioxidants, as well as activates the ascorbate–glutathione (AsA–GSH) cycle to scavenge excess reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this review, we examine the recent data on the capacity of MT to alleviate the effects of common abiotic soil stressors, such as salinity, alkalinity, acidity, and the presence of heavy metals, reinforcing the general metabolism of plants and counteracting harmful agents. An exhaustive analysis of the latest advances in this regard is presented, and possible future applications of MT are discussed.

Background:To ascertain species-specific 18S rRNA gene amplification, in order to detect the sequence variation in Plasmodium Vivax parasite. Methods: Blood samples from 150 suspected malaria cases were collected . Microscopically diagnosed cases of malaria were subjected to nested PCR amplification for genus and species confirmation. The 18S rRNA gene was amplified from 34 P.vivax positive cases. The obtained PCR products were subjected to sequence analysis, phylogenetic study and multiple sequence alignment. Results: The genus specific-positive malaria cases along with the mixed species done by nested PCR were 40.7 % (61 out of 150) while microscopy results revealed malaria positive cases to be 32.6 % (49 out of 150). The difference in detection of malaria parasite by PCR was more sensitive as compared to microscopy (two-tailed p.value = 0.0015).Among the nested PCR malaria-positive cases, P. vivax, was isolated in 55.7% (34 of 61) .Samples and P. falciparum were isolated in 34.4% (21 of 61) samples and mixed infection were detected in 9.8% (6 of 61) cases. While among the microscopy -positive malaria cases, P. vivax, was isolated in 57.1% (28 of 49) . P. falciparum were isolated in 32.7% (16 of 49) samples and mixed infection were detected in 10.2% (5 of 49) cases. Phylogenetic analysis and multiple alignment of the 18S rRNA was done on 13 selected cases of P.vivax isolates which revealed vast genetic diversity and variation in Single Nucleotide Proteins (SNPs) including deletion, substitution and insertions. All isolates appeared to be highly polymorphic. Conclusion: Detection of Plasmodium species with nested PCR is effective way to identify the individual Plasmodium species and mix infection in low parasitemia for proper treatment option. The phylogenic studies and bio informative tools are reliable methods to identify the relatedness of human malarial parasites and zoonotic e.g. P. knowlesi.

This article predicts the electromagneto squeezing rotational flow of carbon-water nanofluid between two stretchable Riga plates. Riga plate is known as electromagnetic actuator which is the combination of permanent magnets and a span wise aligned array of alternating electrodes mounted on a plane surface. Mathematical model is developed for the flow problem with the phenomena of melting heat transfer, viscous dissipation and heat generation/absorption. Water and kerosene oil are utilized as the base fluids whereas single and multi-wall carbon nanotubes as the nanomaterials. Numerical solutions of the dimensionless problems are constructed by using built in shooting method. The correlation expressions for Nusselt number and skin friction coefficient are developed and examined through numerical data. Characteristics of numerous relevant parameters on the dimensionless temperature and velocity are sketched and discussed. Horizontal velocity is found to enhance for higher modified Hartman number.

The recommender systems are deployed on the Web for reducing cognitive overload. It uses different parameters, such as profile information, feedbacks, history, etc., as input and recommends items to a user or group of users. Such parameters are easy to predict and calculate for a single user on a personalized device, such as a personal computer or smartphone. However, watching the Web contents on a smart TV is significantly different from other connected devices. For example, the smart TV is a multi-user, lean-back supported device, and normally enjoyed in groups. Moreover, the performance of a recommender system is questionable due to the dynamic interests of groups in front of a smart TV. This paper discussed in detail the existing recommender system approaches in the context of smart TV environment. Moreover, it highlights the issues and challenges in existing recommendations for smart TV viewer(s) and presents some research opportunities to cope with these issues. The paper further reports some overlooked factors that affect the recommendation process on a smart TV. A subjective study of viewers’ watching behavior on a smart TV is also presented for validating these factors. Results show that apart from all technological advancement, the viewers are enjoying smart TV as a passive, lean-back device, and mostly used for watching live channels and videos on the big screen. Furthermore, in most households, smart TV is enjoyed in groups as a shared device which creates hurdles in personalized recommendations. This is because predicting the group members and satisfying each member is still an issue. The findings of this study suggest that for precise and relevant recommendations on smart TVs, the recommender systems need to adapt to the varying watching behavior of viewer(s).

Objective: To study the various histopathological features of retinoblastoma in patients operated in a local teaching hospital. Material and Methods: This prospective, descriptive study was conducted at Eye “A” unit, Department of Ophthalmology, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan from 31st December, 2007 to 1st January 2009. Twenty Five children were registered in referral center for retinoblastoma. Based on the results of examination under anesthesia as well as other investigations (CT scan and ultrasonography), a management plan was drawn which also included enucleation in advanced cases. Thirteen patients were included for studies on histopathological features. Results: Out of 13 patients, 8 (61%) were males, 5 (39%) were females ranging in age range from 1 year to 7 years. Mean age was 3.62+1.55 years. Nine (69.2%) cases had unilateral disease. Seven (53.85%) patients had differentiated tumor characterized by Flexner-wintersteiner rosettes, 4 (30.77%) patients had clear optic nerve invasion. Eight (61.54%) specimens revealed necrosis and 5 (38.46%) cases had pigmentation. Four patients with optic nerve invasion and 4 patients with no comments on optic nerve invasion in biopsy report, were offered chemotherapy and local radiotherapy. Rest of 5 patients having no optic nerve invasion, were not given any chemotherapy or radiotherapy after enucleation. Conclusion: Majority of retinobalstoma had well differentiated tumours and about two third having suspician of optic nerve involvement required chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Histopathology report is crucial in devising further treatment plan after surgery. Key words: Retinoblastoma, Histopathological Features, Optic nerve, Tumour

This article aims to investigate the challenges associated with understanding the instructions in the Common Tasks for Assessment (CTA) by a Grade 9 mathematics class of second-language English speakers. The design of the CTA was such that a series of tasks was set using an extended context. The Flesch-Kincaid readability test judged the instructions of some tasks to be beyond the readability levels of an average Grade 9 learner. Some instructions had high lexical density, showing that these were difficult to understand. It is recommended that education authorities note the challenges associated with contextualised assessment such as the CTA, and ensure that the challenges associated with understanding instructions in national assessment should not outweigh the benefits of accessing the mathematics in different settings.

An unusual case of Hydatid cyst in pelvis is presented here. This patient presented with symptoms of bladder outlet obstruction (BOO). The cystic mass pressing against the neck of urinary bladder had caused bilateral hydronephrosis and hydroureters (HN/HU). Patient got better and had complete relief off symptoms after cyst was removed. Keywords: Hydatid Cyst, Bladder Outlet Obstruction, Bilateral Hydroureters. This article may be cited as: Khan M, Ali IS. Pelvic hydatid cyst with massive bilateral hydronephrosis and hydroureters: An unusual presentation. KUST Med J 2009;1 (2): 69-70

A nanocomposite acrylamide tin(IV) silicomolybdate (AC/TSMNC) was chemically synthesized by the sol-gel technique in surfactant medium at room temperature. The synthesis conditions, such as reactant concentrations, pH and temperature were varied to optimize the ion exchange properties of the nanocomposite ion exchange material. The ion exchange capacity was found to be 1.92 meq/g for Na.sup.+. The nanocomposite was characterized on the basis of chemical composition, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies. The interpretation of the XRD pattern indicated its semi-crystalline nature. The diamond shape morphology was observed in SEM studies. The particle size of the material was in the range of 50â100 nm as indicated by TEM. Sorption studies were performed in a number of solvent systems showing high selectivity for Pb(II) and Ni(II) in synthetic mixtures. On the basis of distribution coefficient studies several binary separations of metal ions, viz. Mg.sup.2+-Pb.sup.2+, Mg.sup.2+-Ni.sup.2+, Sr.sup.2+-Pb.sup.2+, Sr.sup.2+-Ni.sup.2+, Zn.sup.2+-Pb.sup.2+, Zn.sup.2+-Ni.sup.2+ were achieved quantitatively on acrylamide tin(IV) silicomolybdate columns. The quantitative separation of Ni.sup.2+ and Zn.sup.2+ was also achieved on a commercially available pharmaceutical formulation (Rxplus). Photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue dye onto AC/TSMNC was investigated for 3.5 h under solar light at a wavelength of 664 nm. The rate of methylene blue dye photodegradation onto AC/TSMNC was found to follow the pseudo-first-order kinetic model., Author(s): Amjad Mumtaz Khan [sup.1], Yahiya Kadaf Manea [sup.1], Syed Ashfaq Nabi [sup.1] Author Affiliations: (Aff1) 0000 0004 1937 0765, grid.411340.3, Aligarh Muslim University, Department of Chemistry, , 202002, Aligarh,, [...]