Throughput Maximization in Cloud Radio Access Networks using Network Coding

This paper is interested in maximizing the total throughput of cloud radio access networks (CRANs) in which multiple radio remote heads (RRHs) are connected to a central computing unit known as the cloud. The transmit frame of each RRH consists of multiple radio resources blocks (RRBs), and the cloud is responsible for synchronizing these RRBS and scheduling them to users. Unlike previous works that consider allocating each RRB to only a single user at each time instance, this paper proposes to mix the flows of multiple users in each RRB using instantly decodable network coding (IDNC). The proposed scheme is thus designed to jointly schedule the users to different RRBs, choose the encoded file sent in each of them, and the rate at which each of them is transmitted. Hence, the paper maximizes the throughput which is defined as the number of correctly received bits. To jointly fulfill this objective, we design a graph in which each vertex represents a possible user-RRB association, encoded file, and transmission rate. By appropriately choosing the weights of vertices, the scheduling problem is shown to be equivalent to a maximum weight clique problem over the newly introduced graph. Simulation results illustrate the significant gains of the proposed scheme compared to classical coding and uncoded solutions.Comment: 7 pages, 7 figure

Primary torsion of the greater omentum: An overlooked cause of acute abdomen

Background/purpose Primary torsion of the greater omentum is an uncommon cause of acute abdomen in children. It was estimated to be found in 0.1% of cases operated for acute appendicitis and is almost impossible to be diagnosed preoperatively. Surgical excision of the infarcted omentum is the treatment of choice. In this study, we aimed to highlight the importance of suspecting primary omental torsion when operating upon a child presenting with a picture of acute appendicitis with normal appearing appendix intraoperatively.Patients and methods Through the period from June 2009 to May 2016, medical records of patients who had definite diagnosis of primary omental torsion were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical presentations, laboratory findings, imaging studies results, intraoperative findings, and histopathological findings were reviewed.Results During the specified time period, out of 1344 patients operated upon for acute appendicitis in our department, only four patients proved to have primary torsion of the greater omentum. All the patients were obese with clinical picture mimicking acute appendicitis. The postoperative histopathological examination showed normal appendix and ischemic necrosis of the resected omental segment.Conclusion Inspection of the greater omentum is essential when finding a normal appearing appendix in any case operated for suspicion of acute appendicitis. Keywords: acute abdomen, appendix, greater omentum, omental torsio

Quantum Hall Effect on the Flag Manifold F_2

The Landau problem on the flag manifold ${\bf F}_2 = SU(3)/U(1)\times U(1)$ is analyzed from an algebraic point of view. The involved magnetic background is induced by two U(1) abelian connections. In quantizing the theory, we show that the wavefunctions, of a non-relativistic particle living on ${\bf F}_2$, are the SU(3) Wigner ${\cal D}$-functions satisfying two constraints. Using the ${\bf F}_2$ algebraic and geometrical structures, we derive the Landau Hamiltonian as well as its energy levels. The Lowest Landau level (LLL) wavefunctions coincide with the coherent states for the mixed SU(3) representations. We discuss the quantum Hall effect for a filling factor $\nu =1$. where the obtained particle density is constant and finite for a strong magnetic field. In this limit, we also show that the system behaves like an incompressible fluid. We study the semi-classical properties of the system confined in LLL. These will be used to discuss the edge excitations and construct the corresponding Wess-Zumino-Witten action.Comment: 23 pages, two sections and references added, misprints corrected, version to appear in IJMP

Effect of Using Ginger Roots Powder and Pure Allicin in Fattening Awassi Lambs Rations on Productive Performance and the Accessory Cut Parts of Carcasses

   أُجري البحث بهدف دراسة تأثير إضافة الاليسين أو الزنجبيل أو خليطهما إلى علائق تسمين الحملان العواسية في الصفات الإنتاجية وبعض الأجزاء الثانوية للذبائح.     استعمل في البحث 28 حملاً عواسياً وزعت عشوائياً على أربعة معاملات متساوية كل معاملة احتوت 7 حملان ، غذيت الحملان على أربعة أنواع من العلائق التجريبية والتي كانت كالآتي: العليقة الأولى عليقة مركزة خالية من الإضافات الغذائية (سيطرة)، العليقة الثانية احتوت على الاليسين النقي بنسبة 3 كغم لكل طن علف مركز، العليقة الثالثة احتوت على مسحوق جذور الزنجبيل بنسبة 2 كغم لكل طن علف مركز أما العليقة الرابعة فقد احتوت على خليط من الاليسين (1.5 كغم/ طن علف مركز) ومسحوق جذور الزنجبيل (1كغم/ طن علف مركز).    غذيت الحملان بطريقة التغذية الجماعية ولمدة 91 يوماً ودرست الصفات الإنتاجية والتي تضمنت الزيادات الوزنية الكلية واليومية ومعامل التحويل الغذائي وكميات العلف المستهلك من الخشن والمركز.    ذبح 12 حملاً من حملان التجربة بواقع ثلاثة حملان من كل معاملة لغرض تسجيل أوزان الأجزاء الثانوية للذبيحة والتي شملت الرأس والجلد والأرجل.    أشارت نتائج البحث إلى عدم وجود فروقات معنوية بين المعاملات المدروسة للأوزان الابتدائية والنهائية والزيادات الوزنية اليومية والكلية، ولم تلاحظ فروقات معنوية في كميات العلف المركز والخشن المستهلك ومعامل التحويل الغذائي، و أوضحت نتائج البحث أيضاً عدم وجود فروقات معنوية في صفة الرأس للذبائح بين المعاملات المختلفة بينما كانت الفروقات معنوية (P<0.05) لصفة الجلد والأرجل.The research has been conducted to investigate the effect of ginger roots powder with allicin in the fattening of Awassi lambs rations with its effect on productive traits as well as the secondary cuts parts of carcasses. A total number of 28 Awassi lambs were used in the research , those lambs were randomly distributed into 7 treatments, lambs fed on 4 experimental rations as follows the first ration was concentrated ration without any supplement (control), the second ration supplemented with 3.0 kg/ton of allicin, the third ration supplemented with 2.0 kg/ton ginger powder, the fourth ration supplemented with a combination of allicin (1.5 kg /ton) and ginger powder (1.0 kg/ton). Lambs fed by group feeding along with the experiment which had been lasted 91 days. The productive traits were studied such as a daily and total weight gain as well as feed conversion ratio and the consumed quantity of concentrated and rough feed. Twenty-one lambs were slaughtered (three lambs for each treatment)  to study the secondary cuts parts of the carcasses. Results revealed no significant differences among treatments in the initial and final weights and daily and total weight gains.  There were no significant differences in the consumed feed among treatments and feed conversion ratio. Results indicated also nonsignificant differences in weights of the head among treatments. Meanwhile, there were significant differences (P<0.05) in skin and legs weights among treatments. &nbsp

Formulation of critical micellar concentration of non- phosphate detergents by surface tension measurement

Non-phosphate builders which are environmentally friendly are required for use in detergent formulation to replace the sodium tri-poly phosphate (STPP). Phosphates are excellent fertilizer for algae, bacteria, and other flora and fauna in rivers, lakes and  oceans, making them bloom at very rapid rates. This exhausts the oxygen supply both in the surface and in the bottom layers of water bodies, and leading the death of fishes. Sodium metasilicate a non-phosphate builder from Lokoja Quartzite was used to  formulate a non-phosphate biodegradable synthetic detergent using 25%, 50% and 75% sodium hydroxide concentrations. The critical micellar concentration (CMC) of a non-phosphate  detergent was determined via measurement of surface tension. This method is rapid, reliable and cheap compared to the  fluorescence polarization method which required a sophiscated materials such as 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene as fluorescence probe. The detergents formulated with 75% and 50% sodium hydroxide concentrations have CMC values of 8.6685 mM and 6.9348 mM respectively. From this study, a non phosphate builder synthesized from Lokoja Quartzite has potential of protecting aquatic animals when compared with the conventional STPP currently used in our detergent formulation. Also, the simple and economical approach for determination of detergent’s CMC has demonstrated it’s potentials. These values agree well with the literature value ranges between 7 to 10 mM.Keywords: Detergent; CMC; Surfactants; Non-phosphate;  1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatrien

Saudi SCD patients’ symptoms and quality of life relative to the number of ED visits

Background Individuals living with sickle cell disease (SCD) have significantly increased emergency department (ED) use compared to the general population. In Saudi Arabia, health care is free for all individuals and therefore has no bearing on increased ED visits. However, little is known about the relationship between quality of life (QoL) and frequency of acute care utilization in this patient population. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on 366 patients with SCD who attended the outpatient department at King Fahad Hospital, Hofuf, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected through self-administered surveys, which included: demographics, SCD-related ED visits, clinical issues, and QoL levels. We assessed the ED use by asking for the number of SCD-related ED visits within a 6-month period. Results The self-report survey of ED visits was completed by 308 SCD patients. The median number of SCD-related ED visits within a 6-month time period (IQR) was four (2-7 visits). According to the unadjusted negative binomial model, the rate of SCD-related ED visits increased by (46, 39.3, 40, and 53.5 %) for patients with fever, skin redness with itching, swelling, and blood transfusion, respectively. Poor QoL tends to increase the rate of SCD-related ED visits. Well education and poor general health positively influenced the rate of SCD-related ED visits. Well education tends to increase the rate of SCD-related ED visits by 50.2 %. The rate of SCD-related ED visits decreased by 1.4 % for every point increase in general health. Conclusion Saudi patients with sickle cell disease reported a wide range of SCD-related ED visits. It was estimated that six of 10 SCD patients had at least three ED visits within a 6-month period. Well education and poor general health resulted in an increase in the rate of SCD-related ED visits