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Optimization for all disciplines is very important and applicable. Optimization has played a key role in practical engineering problems. A novel hybrid meta-heuristic optimization algorithm that is based on Differential Evolution (DE), Gradient Evolution (GE) and Jumping Technique named Differential Gradient Evolution Plus (DGE+) are presented in this paper. The proposed algorithm hybridizes the above-mentioned algorithms with the help of an improvised dynamic probability distribution, additionally provides a new shake off method to avoid premature convergence towards local minima. To evaluate the efficiency, robustness, and reliability of DGE+ it has been applied on seven benchmark constraint problems, the results of comparison revealed that the proposed algorithm can provide very compact, competitive and promising performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A molecular descriptor is a mathematical measure that associates a molecular graph with some real numbers and predicts the various biological, chemical, and structural properties of the underlying molecular graph. Wiener (1947) and Trinjastic and Gutman (1972) used molecular descriptors to find the boiling point of paraffin and total π -electron energy of the molecules, respectively. For molecular graphs, the general sum-connectivity and general Randić are well-studied fundamental topological indices (TIs) which are considered as degree-based molecular descriptors. In this paper, we obtain the bounds of the aforesaid TIs for the generalized F -sum graphs. The foresaid TIs are also obtained for some particular classes of the generalized F -sum graphs as the consequences of the obtained results. At the end, 3 D -graphical presentations are also included to illustrate the results for better understanding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes is associated with oxidative stress and has a significant role in the pathophysiology of the disease and its complications. Exercise training is a powerful therapeutic approach in diabetes and has protective effects against the progress of its complications. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of an endurance exercise program on the oxidative stress marker malondialdehyde (MDA) in high fat diet-low dose streptozotocin induced type 2 diabetic mouse model. Study Design: Randomized Control trial. Setting: Department of Physiology, Akhtar Saeed Medical and Dental College, Lahore. Period: August 2017 to August 2018. Material & Methods: 60 male albino mice were fed a high fat diet containing 60% kCal as fat for 4 weeks. This was followed by intra peritoneal injection of 40mg/kg body weight streptozotocin, given on three consecutive days. Mice with fasting blood glucose more than 250mg/dl after a week were considered diabetic. Half the mice underwent an exercise program which comprised of a 20 minute swimming session per day, with a 6% body weight load attached to the tail of mice, 3 days a week, for 4 weeks. The level of MDA was estimated in both groups using TBARs method. Results: Mean malondialdehyde level was significantly (p<0.05) reduced in diabetic mice that underwent endurance exercise training. Conclusion: This study highlights the important role of endurance exercise in reducing oxidative stress in diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As players and soldiers preform strenuous exercises and do difficult and tiring duties, they are usually the common victims of muscular fatigue. Keeping this in mind, we propose FAtigue MEasurement (FAME) protocol for soccer players and soldiers using in-vivo sensors for Wireless Body Area Sensor Networks (WBASNs). In FAME, we introduce a composite parameter for fatigue measurement by setting a threshold level for each sensor. Whenever, any sensed data exceeds its threshold level, the players or soldiers are declared to be in a state of fatigue. Moreover, we use a vibration pad for the relaxation of fatigued muscles, and then utilize the vibrational energy by means of vibration detection circuit to recharge the in-vivo sensors. The induction circuit achieves about 68 % link efficiency. Simulation results show better performance of the proposed FAME protocol, in the chosen scenarios, as compared to an existing Wireless Soccer Team Monitoring (WSTM) protocol in terms of the selected metrics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aims to find out the preferred mode of study for undergraduate Physiology students and effect of learning style preferences on academic achievements. Study Design: Cross Sectional, Descriptive study. Setting: Fatima Jinnah Medical University, Lahore. Period: December 2018 to June 19. Material & Methods: Total 170 undergraduate's 2nd year MBBS Physiology students were included. The VARK questionnaire (Version 7.1) designed by Fleming was administered to 170 students after taking consent. This questionnaire is a valid tool to assess the learning style preferences of students. It consists of 16 questions having four options each and a scoring chart at the end, for the students to calculate their own scores. The aggregate percentage of periodic assessments throughout the academic year was defined as academic achievement. It was matched with their learning style preferences. A relationship between the learning style preferences and academic achievement was studied. Data was analyzed by using SPSS version 23.0. Results: Out of a total of 170 students, 73 (43%) preferred kinesthetic while 51(30%) preferred aural mode of learning. However, no association between learning style preferences and academic achievements could be found. Conclusion: The study concluded that the most preferred learning style among the MBBS 2nd year Physiology students was kinesthetic. No significant association was found between the learning style preferences and academic achievement. Teaching modalities can be improved and incorporated according to students' preferences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to determine the correlation of anthropometric measurements with serum lipid profile among Malay subjects in Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Kuala Terengganu on a total of 193 individuals aged 18-60 years. Subjects were recruited via direct interview as per inclusion criteria and anthropometric measurements, i.e. body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio, abdominal volume index and conicity index, were taken using International Standards for Anthropometric Assessment Guidelines. Fasting blood samples were collected for serum lipid profile analysis that measures triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoproteins (HDL), low-density lipoproteins (LDL), TG/HDL, TC/HDL and LDL/HDL. Besides socio-demographic characteristics, means and association of anthropometric parameters with lipid profiles were performed using simple linear regression and multivariate-adjusted regression analysis. Findings: The mean age of obese (male [39.2 ± 8.7] and female [41.1 ± 1.0]) and non-obese (male [29.8 ± 1.3] and female [33.3 ± 1.3]) respondents was compared. Means of anthropometric indices and lipid profile were significantly (p < 0.001) higher in obese than in non-obese group. Multivariate-adjusted regression showed that weight and BMI increased risks for prevalent high TC, TG, LDL, TC/HDL, TG/HDL, LDL/HDL, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia and dyslipidemia. Regardless of sex, age and prevalent obese status, WHR increased risks for high prevalence of TC, TG, LDL, TC/HDL and LDL/HDL, and presents an independent risk factor for hypercholesterolemia and dyslipidemia. WC was highly associated with TG, while HC was associated with atherogenic lipid profile ratios: TC/HDL, TG/HDL and LDL/HDL. Originality/value: In conclusion, the lipid profile (TC, TG and TG/HDL) of triglyceridemia and hypercholesteremia is highly correlated with anthropometric measurements (BMI, WC and WHR) of central obesity that predict obesity-associated cardiac risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Technological advancements have transformed society into a global entity; medical education is no exception. Innumerable social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Edmodo encourage collaborative learning, improved communication, and knowledge-sharing. The current study aims to assess students' perception of WhatsApp as an additional educational and learning aid for communication purposes, sharing of learning materials, and as a discussion forum. METHODOLOGY: This cross-sectional study was carried out from July 2021 to December 2021 at Faryal Dental College, Sheikhupura, Pakistan. A standardized questionnaire was prepared and circulated amongst students of 1st Year BDS to Final Year BDS. Responses were analyzed using SPSS Version 20. RESULTS: The study comprised 150 participants; the majority, i.e., 62% (n=93), were females, and 38% (n=57) were males. Learning through WhatsApp was found to be useful by 90% of students. An association (p≤0.02) was found among both genders regarding the usefulness of WhatsApp as an additional learning aid. CONCLUSION: These days, social media is a dominant mechanism used for communal exchanges and is also utilized as an additional aid for teaching and learning purposes. Incorporating social media with conventional class teaching in medical education has evident advantages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose was to determine the ghrelin level, its effect and relationship with blood pressure levels in obese subjects. Study Design: Comparative Cross Sectional study. Settings: General OPD of Madinah Teaching Hospital (MTH) and District Head Quarter hospital Faisalabad (DHQ). Period: 2019 to 2020. Material & Methods: Blood samples were collected from hypertensive and compared with the normotensive obese (BMI >30). Ghrelin level was measured by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Statistical analysis was done on Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) 20 software. Mean ±SD has been given for quantitative variables. Independent sample t test was used for comparisons. Significance has been chosen as p ≤ 0.05. Results: Total 114 obese patients were selected for this study, of which 57 were hypertensive and 57 were normotensive. Minimum age was 30 years and maximum age was 60 years with mean age 39.35 ± 10.08 years. Mean age of hypertensive obese was 43.42 ± 10.46 years and mean age of normotensive was 35.28 ± 7.87 years. Statistically significant difference of mean fasting ghrelin levels between hypertensive obese and normotensive obese was noted with p value 0.013. Conclusion: Obese persons with elevated circulating concentration of ghrelin may be susceptible to the progression of increasing blood pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]