Assessment of drinking water quality and its health impact on local community in coastal belt Karachi

Samo, Saleem Raza,Channa, Raja Siraj Ahmed,Mukwana, Kishan Chand Techno-Press 2017 Advances in environmental research Vol.6 No.3

For survival of human beings clean water is an essential commodity whereas contamination in drinking water threatens to mankind. The main cause of water contamination is social and development activities of human being along with increasing population. The community in the study area has acute shortage of drinking water along with about 40 to 60% has no access to safe drinking water. This study indicates drinking water quality of two major sources of coastal belt of Karachi one is supplied by Karachi Water & Sewerage Board (KWSB) as tap water and the other through groundwater. The physicochemical analysis was carried out by following the standard methods for checking the quality of drinking water. The analyzed results showed that the quality of groundwater was unfit as potable water. The most critical situation was observed as high level of contamination followed by high turbidity and increased salinity levels. TDS in surface water were found 12% above and TDS in groundwater was 20% below the National Drinking Water Quality Standards (NDWQS) of Pakistan as well as the permissible WHO drinking water quality guidelines.

Evaluation and future predictions of air pollutants level in Karachi city

Mukwana, Kishan Chand,Samo, Saleem Raza,Jakhrani, Abdul Qayoom,Tunio, Muhammad Mureed,Jatoi, Abdul Rehman Techno-Press 2017 Advances in environmental research Vol.6 No.2

The purpose of this study was to determine the present air pollutant concentrations and predicted levels for next 30 years in urban environment of Karachi city. For that, a total of fifty measurements were made for each twenty selected locations of the city. The locations were selected on the basis of land use pattern such as residential, commercial, industrial settlements, open areas, congested traffic and low traffic areas for investigation of air pollutants variability and intensity. The measurements were taken continuously for six months period using PM Meter, Model AEROCET 531 and Ambient Air Quality Meter, Model AAQ 7545. The concentration of air pollutants were found higher at Al Asif Square and Maripur Road due to higher intensity of traffic and at Korangi Crossing because of industrial areas. The level of pollutants was lower at Sea View owing to lower traffic congestion and transportation of pollutants by sea breezes.

Risk Factors of Recurrent Ischemic Colitis: A Multicenter Retrospective Study

( Muhammed Sherid ),( Humberto Sifuentes ),( Salih Samo ),( Samian Sulaiman ),( Husein Husein ),( Ruth Tupper ),( Charles Spurr ),( John Vainder ),( Subbaramiah Sridhar ) 대한소화기학회 2014 대한소화기학회지 Vol.63 No.5

Background/Aims: Recurrence of ischemic colitis (IC) has not been studied extensively. The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of recurrent IC in the community setting and to identify any risk factors. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study in two community hospitals. Medical records of patients with IC from January 2007 to January 2013 were reviewed. Demographic details, clinical features, co- morbidities, concomitant use of medications, laboratory studies, imaging findings, endoscopic and histological features, surgery, hospital stay, and death within 30 days were collected. Patients were divided into two groups (recurrent IC group, non-recurrent IC group). Results: A total of 118 patients with IC were identified. IC recurred in 10 patients (8.5%) during the study period. Half of the patients in the recurrent IC group were current smokers as compared to only 18.7% of patients in the non-recurrent group. In the recurrent IC group, 20.0% of patients never smoked as compared to 61.7% in the non-recurrent group (p=0.027). Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) was more frequent in the recurrent IC group (40.0% vs. 4.7%; p=0.003). No differences in other clinical symptoms, CT scan findings, comorbidities, endoscopic features, or use of concomitant medications were observed between the two groups. The need for surgical intervention, blood transfusion, intensive care unit stay, mechanical ventilation, length of hospital stay, and anatomic location of affected segments did not differ between the two groups. Conclusions: IC recurred in 8.5% of patients during the six-year study period. Current smoking status and presence of AAA were identifying risk factors for recurrence of IC.

Alimentary Tract ; Gastrointestinal Bleeding with Dabigatran, a Comparative Study with Warfarin: A Multicenter Experience

( Muhammed Sherid ),( Humberto Sifuentes ),( Samian Sulaiman ),( Salih Samo ),( Husein Husein ),( Ruth Tupper ),( Charles Spurr ),( Subbaramiah Sridhar ) 대한소화기학회 2015 대한소화기학회지 Vol.65 No.4

Background/Aims: The risk of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding with dabigatran when compared to warfarin has been controversial in the literature. The aim of our study was to assess this risk with the use of dabigatran. Methods: We examined the medical records of patients who were started on dabigatran or warfarin from October 2010 to October 2012. The study was conducted in two hospitals. Results: A total of 417 patients were included (208 dabigatran vs. 209 warfarin). GI bleeding occurred in 10 patients (4.8%) in the dabigatran group compared to 21 patients (10.1%) in the warfarin group (p=0.0375). Multivariate analysis showed that patients who were on dabigatran for ≤100 days had a higher incidence of GI bleeding than those who were on it for >100 days (p=0.0007). The odds of GI bleeding in patients who were on dabigatran for ≤100 days was 8.2 times higher compared to those who were on the drug for >100 days. The incidence of GI bleeding in patients >65 years old was higher than in those <65 years old (p=0.0453, OR=3). History of previous GI bleeding was another risk factor for GI bleeding in the dabigatran group (p=0.036, OR=6.3). The lower GI tract was the most common site for GI bleeding in the dabigatran group (80.0% vs. 38.1%, p=0.014). Conclusions: The risk of GI bleeding was lower with dabigatran. The risk factors for GI bleeding with dabigtran were the first 100 days, age >65 years, and a history of previous GI bleeding. (Korean J Gastroenterol 2015;65:205-214)

A Review of Ocean Wave Power Extraction; the primary interface

Nik, W.B. Wan,Muzathik, A.M.,Samo, K.B.,Ibrahim, M.Z. Korean Society for Fluid machinery 2009 International journal of fluid machinery and syste Vol.2 No.2

This paper aims to describe the importance of data, data collection methods, parameters to estimate the potential of wave energy and environmental impacts. The technical and economical status in wave energy conversion is outlined. Power and energy efficiency relationships are discussed. Many different types of wave-energy converters have been detailed. The progress in wave energy conversion in Malaysia is reviewed.

Design and Implementation of Vibration Isolation System for Mobile Doppler Wind LIDAR

Xiaoquan Song,Chao Chen,Bingyi Liu,Jinbao Xia,Samo Stanič 한국광학회 2013 Current Optics and Photonics Vol.17 No.1

The operation of a Doppler wind LIDAR in a mobile environment is very sensitive to shocks and vibrations, which can cause critical failures such as misalignment of the optical path and damage to optical components. To be able to stabilize the LIDAR and to perform wind field measurements in motion, a shock absorption and vibration isolation system was designed and implemented. The performance of the vehicle-mounted Doppler wind LIDAR was tested in motion, first in a circular test route with a diameter of about 30 m and later in regular expressway traffic. The vibration isolation efficiency of the system was found to be higher than 82% in the main vibration area and shock dynamic deflection was smaller than maximal deflection of the isolator. The stability of the laser locking frequency in the same mobile environment before and after the vibration isolation system installation was also found to be greatly improved. The reliability of the vibration isolation system was confirmed by good results of the analysis of the LIDAR data, in particular the plane position indicator of the line of sight velocity and the wind profile.

Levels of Depression and Anxiety Post-Mastectomy in Breast Cancer Patients at a Public Sector Hospital in Karachi

Khan, Sara,Khan, Naveed Ali,Rehman, Ata Ur,Khan, Iqra,Samo, Khursheed A,Memon, Amjad Siraj Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2016 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.17 No.3

Background: There is a noticeable change in the approach with which women nowadays seek help for diseases like breast cancer, primarily due to awareness campaigns, but what happens after surgical procedures is of great significance too. This study focused on the several psychological connotations attached to mastectomy and how the patients cope. Objective: To understand the pattern of anxiety and level of depression among Pakistani patients undergoing mastectomy. Materials and Methods: The sample size consisted of 88 patients who had undergone mastectomy at the different surgical units of the Civil Hospital, Karachi, from January 2012-December 2014; The questionnaire was administered before they were discharged i.e. within 3 days of surgical procedures. The patients were asked if they were willing to participate in this study, those who agreed signed the consent form and then we preceded by asking questions with a standardized tool. A self made questionnaire was constructed keeping in mind the nature and specification of the disease, which consisted of 20 questions related to anxiety and depression, focusing on a mixture of psychological and physiological symptoms. Results: There were a total of 88 patients out of which 36 (41%) were aged 51 to 60 years, 24 (27.2%) of the patients were in the age category of 41 to 50 years, 17 aged 61 and above (19.3%) and only 11 (12.5%) 30-40 years of age, the youngest of all the age categories. The pattern of depression and anxiety was found to be similar among all age categories, severe depression and anxiety predominating over moderate level of such symptoms, with only relatively few patients sufering mild or no depression symptoms. Conclusions: It was concluded that going through mastectomy leads to moderate to severe levels of depression and anxiety, primarily because the females feel incomplete and insecure after losing a part of themselves.

The role of intramolecular charge transfer and symmetry breaking in the photophysics of pyrrolo[3,2-<i>b</i>]pyrrole-dione

Tasior, Mariusz,Hassanein, Khaled,Mazur, Leszek M.,Sakellari, Ioanna,Gray, David,Farsari, Maria,Samoć,, Marek,Santoro, Fabrizio,Ventura, Barbara,Gryko, Daniel T. The Royal Society of Chemistry 2018 Physical chemistry chemical physics Vol.20 No.34

<P>A three-step synthetic route to a structurally unique π-expanded pyrrolo[3,2-<I>b</I>]pyrrole derived bis-ketone has been developed. In contrast to all previous ladder-type pyrrolopyrroles, the new dye exhibits a low-energy absorption band in the visible region which is responsible for its red-purple color. Interestingly, even though the compound is centrosymmetric, this band coincides with the lowest energy two-photon absorption (TPA) transition. This non-typical behaviour has been computationally rationalized by finding two close lying excited states, one of which (S1) is active for OPA and the other (S2) for TPA processes, which arise from the mixing of two symmetric partial charge-transfer states. The ultrafast excited-state dynamics was characterized by means of transient absorption analysis. A relaxation process involving S1 symmetry breaking occurs in a few ps, leading to the formation of the lowest energy charge-transfer state. This is weakly emitting, with a measured lifetime in the order of tens of picoseconds. Interestingly, two-photon polymerization has been achieved using this new ketone. The high yield of radical photo-initiation upon two-photon excitation was demonstrated by the fabrication of woodpile photonic crystal templates by direct laser writing using a zirconium-silicon hybrid composite.</P>

A review of the state-of-the-art in aerodynamic performance of horizontal axis wind turbine

Muhammad Ramzan Luhur,Abdul Latif Manganhar,K.H. Solangi,Abdul Qayoom Jakhrani,Kishan Chand Mukwana,Saleem Raza Samo 한국풍공학회 2016 Wind and Structures, An International Journal (WAS Vol.22 No.1

The paper presents the state-of-the-art in aerodynamic performance of the modern horizontal axis wind turbine. The study examines the different complexities involved with wind turbine blade aerodynamic performance in open atmosphere and turbine wakes, and highlights the issues which require further investigations. Additionally, the latest concept of smart blades and frequently used wind turbine design analysis tools have also been discussed. The investigation made through this literature survey shows significant progress towards wind turbine aerodynamic performance improvements in general. However, still there are several parameters whose behavior and specific role in regulating the performance of the blades is yet to be elucidated clearly; in particular, the wind turbulence, rotational effects, coupled effect of turbulence and rotation, extreme wind events, formation and life time of the wakes.

A review of the state-of-the-art in aerodynamic performance of horizontal axis wind turbine

Luhur, Muhammad Ramzan,Manganhar, Abdul Latif,Solangi, K.H.,Jakhrani, Abdul Qayoom,Mukwana, Kishan Chand,Samo, Saleem Raza Techno-Press 2016 Wind and Structures, An International Journal (WAS Vol.22 No.1

The paper presents the state-of-the-art in aerodynamic performance of the modern horizontal axis wind turbine. The study examines the different complexities involved with wind turbine blade aerodynamic performance in open atmosphere and turbine wakes, and highlights the issues which require further investigations. Additionally, the latest concept of smart blades and frequently used wind turbine design analysis tools have also been discussed. The investigation made through this literature survey shows significant progress towards wind turbine aerodynamic performance improvements in general. However, still there are several parameters whose behavior and specific role in regulating the performance of the blades is yet to be elucidated clearly; in particular, the wind turbulence, rotational effects, coupled effect of turbulence and rotation, extreme wind events, formation and life time of the wakes.