Centralized scheduling, routing tree in WiMAX mesh networks

In the last few years, demand for high speed internet access service has increased greatly so the IEEE 802.16 working group on broadband wireless access (BWA) is developing the worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) standard for wireless metropolitan area networks (MANs) which aims to provide broadband wireless last mile access, easy deployment, and high speed data rate for large spanning area. This paper propose an efficient routing and collision free centralized scheduling (CS) algorithms using single channel single transceiver system in WiMAX mesh network, which introduces the cross layer concept between the network layer and media access controller (MAC) layer. The proposed approach has improved the system performance in the aspects of scheduling length, channel utilization ratio (CUR), and the throughput of the system

Study of lipid profile for psoriatic patients in AL-Anbar governorate.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition which affects approximately 1-3% of the world's population (1). It appears as red plaques covered with silvery scale that flakes away from the skin.Psoriatic plaques are often found on the elbows, scalp and knees but can also affect other parts of the body such as the face, feet and mucous membranes.Psoriasis is not contagious, nor is it caused by an allergy. However, the tendency to develop the condition can be genetically transmitted. Psoriasis causes itching in 60% to 70% of cases (2). However, the exact etiology of psoriasis is unknown. Abnormalities in lipid metabolism have been proposed because the abnormalities in lipids lead to abnormalities in skin formation which is made from lipids. To evaluate the serum lipids profile in psoriatic patients of Al-Anbar governorate and to compare the results with other external studies. The study group included 60 patients with psoriasis, and 30 healthy volunteers. Blood lipid profile was determined using commercial kits from reliable French and Spain companies. All patients had psoriasis involving less than 30% of body surface. Their ages ranged from 10 to 60 years with a mean of 32 years. Family history of psoriasis was positive in a percentage of (20%) of the patients. The mean levels of serum lipids (total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein, and very low density lipoprotein) in patients with psoriasis were found to be significantly higher than those of healthy individuals. The mean levels of high density lipoprotein were not significant. This study strengthens the relationship between the lipids intake, formation, and metabolism with the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Therefore it is concluded that psoriatic patients should be evaluated for hyperlipidemia and obstructive vascular diseases. Administrating lipid-lowering medicines for patients particularly cases with severe disease may be beneficial prognosis

Sequencing, Analysis, and Annotation of Expressed Sequence Tags for Camelus dromedarius

Despite its economical, cultural, and biological importance, there has not been a large scale sequencing project to date for Camelus dromedarius. With the goal of sequencing complete DNA of the organism, we first established and sequenced camel EST libraries, generating 70,272 reads. Following trimming, chimera check, repeat masking, cluster and assembly, we obtained 23,602 putative gene sequences, out of which over 4,500 potentially novel or fast evolving gene sequences do not carry any homology to other available genomes. Functional annotation of sequences with similarities in nucleotide and protein databases has been obtained using Gene Ontology classification. Comparison to available full length cDNA sequences and Open Reading Frame (ORF) analysis of camel sequences that exhibit homology to known genes show more than 80% of the contigs with an ORF>300 bp and ~40% hits extending to the start codons of full length cDNAs suggesting successful characterization of camel genes. Similarity analyses are done separately for different organisms including human, mouse, bovine, and rat. Accompanying web portal, CAGBASE (http://camel.kacst.edu.sa/), hosts a relational database containing annotated EST sequences and analysis tools with possibility to add sequences from public domain. We anticipate our results to provide a home base for genomic studies of camel and other comparative studies enabling a starting point for whole genome sequencing of the organism

Sequencing, Analysis, and Annotation of Expressed Sequence Tags for \u3ci\u3eCamelus dromedarius\u3c/i\u3e

Despite its economical, cultural, and biological importance, there has not been a large scale sequencing project to date for Camelus dromedarius. With the goal of sequencing complete DNA of the organism, we first established and sequenced camel EST libraries, generating 70,272 reads. Following trimming, chimera check, repeat masking, cluster and assembly, we obtained 23,602 putative gene sequences, out of which over 4,500 potentially novel or fast evolving gene sequences do not carry any homology to other available genomes. Functional annotation of sequences with similarities in nucleotide and protein databases has been obtained using Gene Ontology classification. Comparison to available full length cDNA sequences and Open Reading Frame (ORF) analysis of camel sequences that exhibit homology to known genes show more than 80% of the contigs with an ORF\u3e300 bp and ~40% hits extending to the start codons of full length cDNAs suggesting successful characterization of camel genes. Similarity analyses are done separately for different organisms including human, mouse, bovine, and rat. Accompanying web portal, CAGBASE (http://camel.kacst.edu.sa/), hosts a relational database containing annotated EST sequences and analysis tools with possibility to add sequences from public domain. We anticipate our results to provide a home base for genomic studies of camel and other comparative studies enabling a starting point for whole genome sequencing of the organism

Ripple modulated electronic structure of a 3D topological insulator

3D topological insulators, similar to the Dirac material graphene, host linearly dispersing states with unique properties and a strong potential for applications. A key, missing element in realizing some of the more exotic states in topological insulators is the ability to manipulate local electronic properties. Analogy with graphene suggests a possible avenue via a topographic route by the formation of superlattice structures such as a moir\'e patterns or ripples, which can induce controlled potential variations. However, while the charge and lattice degrees of freedom are intimately coupled in graphene, it is not clear a priori how a physical buckling or ripples might influence the electronic structure of topological insulators. Here we use Fourier transform scanning tunneling spectroscopy to determine the effects of a one-dimensional periodic buckling on the electronic properties of Bi2Te3. By tracking the spatial variations of the scattering vector of the interference patterns as well as features associated with bulk density of states, we show that the buckling creates a periodic potential modulation, which in turn modulates the surface and the bulk states. The strong correlation between the topographic ripples and electronic structure indicates that while doping alone is insufficient to create predetermined potential landscapes, creating ripples provides a path to controlling the potential seen by the Dirac electrons on a local scale. Such rippled features may be engineered by strain in thin films and may find use in future applications of topological insulators.Comment: Nature Communications (accepted

Rapid Surface Oxidation as a Source of Surface Degradation Factor for Bi2Se3

Bi2Se3 is a topological insulator with metallic surface states residing in a large bulk bandgap. It is believed that Bi2Se3 gets additional n-type doping after exposure to atmosphere, thereby reducing the relative contribution of surface states in total conductivity. In this letter, transport measurements on Bi2Se3 nanoribbons provide additional evidence of such environmental doping process. Systematic surface composition analyses by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy reveal fast formation and continuous growth of native oxide on Bi2Se3 under ambient conditions. In addition to n-type doping at the surface, such surface oxidation is likely the material origin of the degradation of topological surface states. Appropriate surface passivation or encapsulation may be required to probe topological surface states of Bi2Se3 by transport measurements

Exploring the influence of management information systems on strategic planning: The mediating role of business intelligence

This quantitative study investigates the relationships between Management Information Systems (MIS), Business Intelligence (BI), and Strategic Planning (SP) within Jordanian Public Listed Companies, with a focus on the mediating role of BI. The target population comprises employees from the 108 public shareholding companies listed on the Amman Stock Exchange, totaling an estimated 1,080 senior managers involved in strategic planning. A random sample of 285 employees was surveyed to achieve a 95% confidence level with a 5% margin of error. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire with multi-item scales adapted from prior studies. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to test the conceptual framework and hypothesized relationships, utilizing the two-step SEM approach with AMOS software. The results reveal significant positive relationships among MIS, BI, and SP. Specifically, MIS exhibits a statistically significant positive effect on SP, supporting previous research indicating MIS provides comprehensive data for informed planning. Furthermore, MIS significantly influences BI capabilities, underscoring the importance of robust MIS infrastructure for advanced BI analytics. BI, in turn, positively impacts SP, aligning with literature suggesting BI tools enhance planning agility and effectiveness through data-driven insights. Bootstrapping analysis demonstrates that BI partially mediates the relationship between MIS and SP. While BI acted as a significant mediating variable, MIS had a significant direct impact on SP, implying that though MIS has a direct impact on SP, it has an indirect impact, through BI, as well. Further analysis revealed that the constructs are interconnected, and that the mediation of BI is a necessary part of the process in Jordanian Public Listed Companies. As such, acknowledging the relevance of MIS, BI, and SP and the mediating role of BI, organizations can adapt their decision-making to achieve sustained competitive advantage within the dynamic business environment in Jordan

Modelling of friction stir welding of DH36 steel

A 3-D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model was developed to simulate the friction stir welding of 6-mm plates of DH36 steel in an Eulerian steady-state framework. The viscosity of steel plate was represented as a non- Newtonian fluid using a flow stress function. The PCBN-WRe hybrid tool was modelled in a fully sticking condition with the cooling system effectively represented as a negative heat flux. The model predicted the temperature distribution in the stirred zone (SZ) for six welding speeds including low, intermediate and high welding speeds. The results showed higher asymmetry in temperature for high welding speeds. Thermocouple data for the high welding speed sample showed good agreement with the CFD model result. The CFD model results were also validated and compared against previous work carried out on the same steel grade. The CFD model also predicted defects such as wormholes and voids which occurred mainly on the advancing side and are originated due to the local pressure distribution between the advancing and retreating sides. These defects were found to be mainly coming from the lack in material flow which resulted from a stagnant zone formation especially at high tra- verse speeds. Shear stress on the tool surface was found to in- crease with increasing tool traverse speed. To produce a “sound” weld, the model showed that the welding speed should remain between 100 and 350 mm/min. Moreover, to prevent local melt- ing, the maximum tool’s rotational speed should not exceed 550 RPM

Cost-effectiveness of craniotomy versus decompressive craniectomy for UK patients with traumatic acute subdural haematoma

\ua9 Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. Re-use permitted under CC BY. Published by BMJ.Objective To estimate the cost-effectiveness of craniotomy, compared with decompressive craniectomy (DC) in UK patients undergoing evacuation of acute subdural haematoma (ASDH). Design Economic evaluation undertaken using health resource use and outcome data from the 12-month multicentre, pragmatic, parallel-group, randomised, Randomised Evaluation of Surgery with Craniectomy for Patients Undergoing Evacuation-ASDH trial. Setting UK secondary care. Participants 248 UK patients undergoing surgery for traumatic ASDH were randomised to craniotomy (N=126) or DC (N=122). Interventions Surgical evacuation via craniotomy (bone flap replaced) or DC (bone flap left out with a view to replace later: cranioplasty surgery). Main outcome measures In the base-case analysis, costs were estimated from a National Health Service and Personal Social Services perspective. Outcomes were assessed via the quality-adjusted life-years (QALY) derived from the EuroQoL 5-Dimension 5-Level questionnaire (cost-utility analysis) and the Extended Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOSE) (cost-effectiveness analysis). Multiple imputation and regression analyses were conducted to estimate the mean incremental cost and effect of craniotomy compared with DC. The most cost-effective option was selected, irrespective of the level of statistical significance as is argued by economists. Results In the cost-utility analysis, the mean incremental cost of craniotomy compared with DC was estimated to be -\ua35520 (95% CI -\ua318 060 to \ua37020) with a mean QALY gain of 0.093 (95% CI 0.029 to 0.156). In the cost-effectiveness analysis, the mean incremental cost was estimated to be -\ua34536 (95% CI -\ua317 374 to \ua38301) with an OR of 1.682 (95% CI 0.995 to 2.842) for a favourable outcome on the GOSE. Conclusions In a UK population with traumatic ASDH, craniotomy was estimated to be cost-effective compared with DC: craniotomy was estimated to have a lower mean cost, higher mean QALY gain and higher probability of a more favourable outcome on the GOSE (though not all estimated differences between the two approaches were statistically significant). Ethics Ethical approval for the trial was obtained from the North West - Haydock Research Ethics Committee in the UK on 17 July 2014 (14/NW/1076). Trial registration number ISRCTN87370545

The Importance of Preventive Medicine in Family Practice: A Review of Current Guidelines and Recommendations

Prevention is seen as a critical topic in family practice. Primordial prevention, primary prevention, secondary prevention, tertiary prevention, and quaternary prevention are all part of this strategy to disease prevention. To avoid the formation and development of risk factors, primary prevention focuses on addressing the fundamental causes and social determinants of disease. Primary prevention is the practice of preventing illnesses before they arise via the use of treatments such as immunizations and health education. Secondary prevention focuses on illness identification and intervention as early as possible to avoid disease development. Tertiary prevention addresses illness outcomes by restoring health and offering rehabilitation. Finally, quaternary prevention seeks to safeguard patients against needless medical treatments and the harm caused by over-medicating. Risks frequently rise in tandem with frailty and comorbidities. In contrast, advantages frequently drop as life expectancy increases. Preventive management strategies should consider the patient's viewpoint and be mutually agreed upon. Healthcare providers must prioritize the deployment of preventive care services, even when clinical treatments are required, in order to overcome preventive care hurdles. Healthcare practitioners may play a critical role in illness prevention and contribute to family well-being by investing in preventive care and executing these measures