ABSTRACT
Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is a type of broad complex tachycardia originating from a focus in the ventricle. It is one of the four important rhythms which can lead to cardiac arrest. Accurate and timely diagnosis of true VT is the cornerstone for proper management in the emergency department (ED). We present an interesting case of an electrocardiographic artifact mimicking VT, which led to a diagnostic dilemma in the ED.Copyright © 2023 Rehman, Albaroudi, Akram, Ahmad, licensee HBKU Press.
ABSTRACT
The Covid-19 Pandemic forced the global closure of numerous activities along with education and shifted traditional education to an online version via two e-learning platforms, i.e., synchronous and asynchronous. This transition was unplanned for all educational institutions, due to which teachers and students had to face several teaching/learning challenges. Thereby a quantitative study was designed to investigate the learning satisfaction of students in both synchronous and asynchronous learning environments from public universities of Karachi, Pakistan. The participants of the study were selected through simple random sampling, and 108 students from different universities filled the complete questionnaires. The data were analyzed through various statistical tests, i.e., (mean, standard deviation and Pearson correlation, and T-test. The Findings identified that students showed significantly higher satisfaction in the synchronous learning environment. Thereby, the study mainly suggests that the learning process should be facilitated by synchronous e-learning mode by providing adequate institutional support to optimize their learning satisfaction by raising their digital competence. Besides, teachers should employ activity-based teaching Strategies for keeping students involved in the learning process. © 2021 IEEE.
ABSTRACT
Air pollution is a result of natural phenomena or human activities that can cause the release of harmful substances in the environment, leading to adverse health outcomes among living beings. Pollution is associated with adverse health impacts on multiple organ systems among humans. While the respiratory and cardiovascular systems are mainly affected, there are other health issues related to the eyes, skin, brain, blood, immunity, behavioral/mental well-being, and reproduction among exposed individuals. Air pollutants can especially have higher health impacts on people at the extremes of their ages (children and elderly) and on those suffering from underlying respiratory and heart issues. Pollutants such as ozone, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, and nitrogen dioxide have respiratory effects among children and adults and are associated with increased respiratory diseases, asthma exacerbations, and related hospitalizations. Carbon monoxide interferes with transporting oxygen by forming carboxyhemoglobin leading to cardiovascular, neurological, and respiratory problems. Particulate matter is a heterogeneous mixture of tiny particles of varying compositions found in the atmosphere and has a wide variety of severe health effects. Particulate matter emits from combustion, diesel engines, power generation, and wood-burning, and certain industrial activities. Lead is considered neurotoxic and has more severe consequences among children. Here we summarize characteristics of six criteria air pollutants and associated air quality risk assessment parameters known as the Pollutant Standard Index (PSI). The present manuscript also examines the impact of air pollution on human behavior, mental well-being, and neurological health consequences, as air pollution has been associated with cognitive decline, hyperactivity, dementia, anxiety, depression, aggression, and Alzheimer's disease-related changes. Lastly, we also attempt to look into any relationship between air pollutants and Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and examine its possible association with a higher COVID-19 incidence, complications, and mortality.