Distributed and adaptive location identification system for mobile devices

Indoor location identification and navigation need to be as simple, seamless, and ubiquitous as its outdoor GPS-based counterpart is. It would be of great convenience to the mobile user to be able to continue navigating seamlessly as he or she moves from a GPS-clear outdoor environment into an indoor environment or a GPS-obstructed outdoor environment such as a tunnel or forest. Existing infrastructure-based indoor localization systems lack such capability, on top of potentially facing several critical technical challenges such as increased cost of installation, centralization, lack of reliability, poor localization accuracy, poor adaptation to the dynamics of the surrounding environment, latency, system-level and computational complexities, repetitive labor-intensive parameter tuning, and user privacy. To this end, this paper presents a novel mechanism with the potential to overcome most (if not all) of the abovementioned challenges. The proposed mechanism is simple, distributed, adaptive, collaborative, and cost-effective. Based on the proposed algorithm, a mobile blind device can potentially utilize, as GPS-like reference nodes, either in-range location-aware compatible mobile devices or preinstalled low-cost infrastructure-less location-aware beacon nodes. The proposed approach is model-based and calibration-free that uses the received signal strength to periodically and collaboratively measure and update the radio frequency characteristics of the operating environment to estimate the distances to the reference nodes. Trilateration is then used by the blind device to identify its own location, similar to that used in the GPS-based system. Simulation and empirical testing ascertained that the proposed approach can potentially be the core of future indoor and GPS-obstructed environments

Public awareness, patterns of use and attitudes toward natural health products in Kuwait: a cross-sectional survey

BACKGROUND: There has been a global rise in the use of natural health products (NHPs). Proper regulation of NHPs is pivotal to ensure good quality control standards, enhance consumers' safety and facilitate their integration into modern healthcare systems. There is scarcity of published data on the prevalence of NHPs usage among the general Kuwaiti population. Hence, this study was designed to determine awareness, patterns of use, general attitude and information requirements about NHPs among the public in Kuwait. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was performed using a pretested self-administered questionnaire on a sample of 1300 Kuwaiti individuals, selected from six governorates in Kuwait using a multistage stratified clustered sampling. Descriptive and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used in data analysis. RESULTS: The response rate was 90.2%. NHPs were thought to be herbal remedies by most of participants (63.5%), followed by vitamins/minerals (40.5%), traditional medicines (21.1%), probiotics (14.9%), amino acids and essential fatty acids (7.2%), and homeopathic medicines (5.6%). NHPs usage was reported by 71.4% (95% CI: 68.8-74.0%) of respondents, and mostly associated with females (OR: 1.90; 95% CI: 1.44-2.51). Herbal remedies were the most commonly used (41.3%; 95% CI: 38.5-44.2%). The most common reasons for using NHPs were to promote and maintain health and to prevent illness and build immune system. Family members and/or friends and mass media were the main sources for providing information about NHPs. About 18% of consumers have experienced a side effect due to using a NHP. Attitudes toward NHPs were generally positive; with more than 75% of participants believing that the Ministry of Health in Kuwait should regulate the claims made by the manufacturers of NHPs and it is important to talk to a medical doctor or a pharmacist prior to using NHPs. Most of the respondents showed increased interest to acquire knowledge about different types of information related to NHPs. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of use of NHPs among Kuwaiti population is high. The present findings have major public health policy implications for Kuwait. Therefore, there is an apparent need to establish effective health education programs and implement better and more regulated NHPs use policies in Kuwait

Derivation of Bearing Capacity Equation for a Two Layered System of Weak Clay Layer Overlaid by Dense Sand Layer

Calculation of the ultimate bearing capacity of shallow footing on a two layered system of soil depends on the pattern of the failure surface that develops below the footing. For a weak clay layer overlaid by a top dense sand layer, previous studies assumed that the failure surface is a punching shear failure through the upper sand layer and Prandtl's failure mode in the bottom weak clay layer. By adapting this assumption in this study, the ultimate bearing capacity equation was derived as a function of the properties of soils, the footing width, and the topsoil thickness. The paper presents a detailed parametric study of the design parameters including the effect of angle of friction, the ratio of the thickness of sand layer to the footing width, the ratio of the depth of embedment to the footing width, and the ratio of the clay soil cohesion to the product of the clay unit weight by the footing width. Design charts were developed in dimensionless form for very wide ranges of design parameters. The available method based on the limit equalibrium analysis was developed in dimensionlised form and for a limited range of design parametrs. The new charts give another option for those who believe that the design charts developed based on the upper limit analysis overestimate the bearing capacity due to the very nature of the upper bound solution. The new design charts are limited to shallow footings

Elemental Distributions in Marine Sediments in the Straits of Melaka Using Neutron Activation and Mass Spectroscopic Analyses

The horizontal and vertical distributions of concentrations of major, minor, and trace elements from the grap and core marine sediment samples along the West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia were investigated. All together there are 35 elements including the following 27 elements namely Al, As, Br, Ca, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Eu, Fe, Hf, K, La, Lu, Mg, Mn, Na, Rb, Sb, Sc, Sm, Ta, Th, U, V, Yb, and Zn were studied by using Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) and the following 8 elements namely Cd, Cu, Mo, Pb, Ni, Sr, Ba, and Ti were studied by using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectroscopy (ICP-MS) technique. The obtained elemental concentrations were evaluated by various methods including by comparing the concentrations to that of the mean crustal materials and average shales, the national studies, and the international guidelines for marine sediments of Canada, Netherlands and USA-New York State. The enrichment factor method was used to determine whether the elements belong to anthropogenic and non-anthropogenic sources. In addition, different statistical analysis methods including the linear regression analysis and the cluster analysis were used to determine the correlation of concentrations between the measured elements. To ensure the accuracy and precision of the generated data, proper quality control and quality assurance procedures have been incorporated in the INAA analysis including ‘blank’, duplicate sample analysis, application of certified reference materials, and quantification using K0-NAA procedure. The data generated using ICP-MS were subject to the same quality control and quality assurance procedures as the INAA analysis without K0-NAA procedure. For the horizontal elemental distributions the grab sediment samples were used. The non-anthropogenic elements identified by the enrichment factor calculation were Al, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, Rb, Sr, Ta, Ti, V, and Zn. The concentrations of Al, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, K, Mn, Mo, Ni, Sr, Ta, Ti, V, and Zn are lower than those of the average shales and the mean crustal materials. This may be due to high solubility of these elements in the tropical weathering. The concentrations of Ca, Mg and Na are lower than the mean crustal materials but higher than the average shales. The concentration of Rb is slightly greater than that of the mean crustal materials but lower than the average shales. Also, this may be due to high solubility of Ca, Mg, Na, and Rb in the tropical weathering. The anthropogenic elements in the grab sediment samples were As, Br, Cs, Fe, Hf, Pb, Sb, Th, and U. The concentrations of As, Br, Cs, Hf, Pb, and Sb are greater than those of the mean crustal materials. This indicates that there were external inputs of anthropogenic sources such as industrial and mining activities at the inland area along the Straits of Melaka. The concentration of Pb is approximately twice of the average shales and three times than the mean crustal materials. Higher concentration of Pb in the grab sediment samples may be due to industrial activities such as manufacture of batteries and automotive emissions from cities along the rivers flowing into the Straits of Melaka. For the vertical elemental distributions the core sediment samples were used. The non-anthropogenic elements Al, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, Rb, Sr, Ta, Ti, V, and Zn in the core sediment samples are lower than the concentrations of the mean crustal materials and average shales. The anthropogenic elements in the core sediment samples were As, Br, Ca, Cs, Hf, Pb, Sb, Th, and U, where the concentrations of Br, Ca, Cs, Hf, Th, and U are greater than the concentrations of the mean crustal materials and average shales. This indicates that there were external inputs of anthropogenic sources such as industrial and mining activities at the inland area along the Straits of Melaka. The concentration of Pb is greater than the concentration of the mean crustal materials but lower than the average shales. For toxic elements such as As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, and Zn the mean concentrations are either lower than or equal to the mean concentrations for the Straits of Johor and the Penang Island. Moreover, the mean concentrations of most elements were found lower than the international guidelines for marine sediments from Canada, Netherland and USA-New York State, except for the concentrations of Cr and Ni, which are greater than the international guidelines. The depth profile of As/Al, Cd/Al, Cr/Al, Cu/Al, Fe/Al, Mn/Al, Sb/Al, and U/Al of the core sediment samples normalized to aluminum metal revealed the general trends that the concentration level in the upper layer is higher than the bottom layer. The explanation for the higher concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Sb, and U in the upper layers may be due to the lower oxygen level in an anoxic sediment which caused digenesis process in which the multi-oxidations state in those elements tend to be higher for concentration level at the surface sediment layer. This indicates that the core marine sediments in the Straits of Melaka are having enough oxygen level and remain healthy for marine ecosystem

The armament of the Almoravid army

El estado almorávide se sustentaba en elementos bélicos y militares. El ejército era la base fundamental de su existencia. Yusuf Ibn Tašufin, el fundador del gran estado almorávide, procuró organizar el ejército almorávide y proveerlo del equipamiento y el armamento necesario, hasta que se convirtió en uno de los ejércitos más poderosso del momento, al sustituir el armamento sencillo propio de los combates de la vida beduina por un tipo de armamento que le permitió superar a sus enemigos en el Magreb, al-Andalus y los reinos cristianos. Este tipo de armamento incluía armas ligeras, pesadas, económicas, personales y defensivas (fortificaciones). El presente estudio detalla algunas de esas armas, incluyendo armamento de tipo químico, que se utilizaba dependiendo del tipo de combate o batalla al que se enfrentaban.The Almoravid state was based on war and military elements. In fact, the army was considered a crucial element. Yusuf Ibn Tashufin, the founder of the great Almoravid state, sought to organize the Almoravid army and provide the necessary equipment and weapons so it became one of the most powerful armies of the time, by menas of replacing the simple type of weapons used in Bedouin life style by new types of weapons that allowed them to overcome their enemies in the Maghrib, Al-andalus and the Christian kingdoms. These weapons include light, heavy, economic, personal and defensive weapons (fortifications). This paper provide further details about some of these weapons, including weapons of chemical nautre, which were used in some batles they faced

Pharmacists Attitudes and Role in Diabetes Management in Kuwait

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to measure pharmacists’ attitude toward management of diabetes, identify current levels of pharmacy service provided to patients with diabetes, and identify barriers for further provision of diabetes related services.Subjects and Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 198 pharmacists working in primary and secondary healthcare settings in one health region of Kuwait using a pre-tested self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, correlations, and comparative analysis were performed.Results: The response rate was 84.4% (n=168). Respondents had overall positive attitudes toward management of diabetes. Pharmacists regularly provided their patients with counseling on the appropriate time to administer their medications; however, services related to hypoglycemia and management of co-morbid diseases were rarely provided. A negative correlation was found between the positive overall diabetes related attitudes and pharmacists’ involvement in providing the following diabetes related services: glucose monitoring (r= -0.25, p= 0.001), comorbid disease management (r= -0.243, p= 0.001), and healthy living choices (r= -0.237, p= 0.002). The perception that some physicians and patients have of pharmacists as dispensers only, was identified as the most important barrier to providing diabetes related services.Conclusion: Pharmacists had positive diabetes related attitudes; however, they provided limited diabetes related services to their patients. Barriers to provision of pharmacy services to patients with diabetes should be addressed to enable optimum patient care delivery

Coupled thermal and structural analysis of roller compacted concrete arch dam by three-dimensional finite element method

This paper focuses on the development, verification and application of a three-dimensional nite element code for coupled thermal and structural analysis of roller compacted concrete arch dams. The Ostour Arch dam located on Ghezel-Ozan River, Iran, which was originally designed as conventional concrete arch dam, has been taken for the purpose of verication of the nite element code. In this project, RCC technology has been ascertained as an alternative method to reduce the cost of the project and make it competitive. The thermal analysis has been carried out taking into account the simulation of the sequence of construction, environmental temperature changes, and the wind speed. In addition, the variation of elastic modulus with time has been considered in this investigation using Concard's model. An attempt was made to compare the stresses developed in the dam body five years after the completion of the dam with those of end of the construction. It was seen that there is an increase in the tensile stresses after five years over stresses obtained immediately at the end of construction by 61.3%

Numerical simulation of soil-structure interaction in framed and shear-wall structures

This paper deals with the modeling of the plane frame structure-foundation-soil system. The superstructure along with the foundation beam is idealized as beam bending elements. The soil medium near the foundation beam with stress concentrated is idealized by isoparametric finite elements, and infinite elements are used to represent the far field of the soil media. This paper presents the modeling of shear wall structure-foundation and soil system using the optimal membrane triangular, super and conventional finite elements. Particularly, an alternative formulation is presented for the optimal triangular elements aimed at reducing the programming effort and computational cost. The proposed model is applied to a plane frame-combined footing-soil system. It is shown that the total settlement obtained from the non-linear interactive analysis is about 1.3 to 1.4 times that of the non-interactive analysis. Furthermore, the proposed model was found to be efficient in simulating the shear wall-foundation-soil system, being able to yield results that are similar to those obtained by the conventional finite element method

Effect of low-protein diet, gender and age on the apparent ileal amino acid digestibility in broiler chickens raised under hot-humid tropical condition

The study was undertaken to investigate the effects of feeding low-protein diet, gender, and age on the apparent ileal amino acid (AA) digestibility of broilers raised under hot-humid environmental condition. Broiler chicks (320) of either sex were fed on diets varying in crude protein (CP) levels (standard vs. low), and were assessed for apparent ileal digestibilities (AID) of CP and AA at 3 and 6 week of ages, respectively. Birds were fed on 2 diets, i.e starter (CP 22.2%; 16.2%) and finisher (19.5% and 13.5%) ad lib. from 1–42 days. Results showed that birds fed on low-CP diet significantly increased the apparent ileal digestibility of CP and all AA except for Lys, regardless of sex and age. Sex had no influence on the AID for CP and all AA except for Val and Cys, as measured in this study. At 42 d, a significant increase was found in the AID for CP, Ser, including other 7 essential amino acids (EAA), irrespective of sex and diet. In conclusion, feeding broilers with low-CP diets caused a higher AID for the CP and most of AA under tropical condition. Gender had no effect on the CP and AA digestibility, whereas birds’ age influenced the AID highly at 42 days that of 21days