An Adaptive Fuzzy based FEC Algorithm for Robust Video Transmission over Wireless Networks

Forward Error Correction (FEC) is a commonly adopted mechanism to mitigate packet loss/bit error during real-time communication. An adaptive, Fuzzy based FEC algorithm to provide a robust video quality metric for multimedia transmission over wireless networks has been proposed to optimize the redundancy of the generated code words from a Reed-Solomon encoder and to save the bandwidth of the network channel. The scheme is based on probability estimations derived from the data loss rates related to the recovery mechanism at the client end. By applying the adaptive FEC, the server uses the reports to predict the next network loss rate using a curve-fitting technique to generate the optimized number of redundant packets to meet specific residual error rates at the client end. Simulation results in the cellular system show that the video quality is massively adapted to the optimized FEC codes based on the probability of packet loss and packet correlation in a wireless environment

Some Immunologic Evaluations of Toxoplasmosis in Iraqi Aborted Females

Forty-eight aborted women (Iraqi Arab Muslims) at the first trimester with a serological evidence of toxoplasmosis were investigated. Two age- and ethnic-matched control groups were included: 40 aborted women due to accidental events (Control I), and 40 unmarried (virgin) women (Control II). The subjects were evaluated for the following parameters: HLA-class I antigens (A, B and Cw), blood groups, total and differential counts of leukocytes, lymphocyte subpopulations (CD3+, CD4+ and CD20+ cells), phagocytosis of heat-killed yeast (phagocytic index and NBT index), and total serum levels of immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG and IgM) and complement components (C3 and C4). The HLA-A2 and -Cw8 antigens were significantly increased in the patients, while A3 antigen was significantly decreased. Blood group phenotypes in patients and controls also showed significant variations. The total and differential counts of leukocytes showed no significant differences between patients and controls, with the exception of lymphocytes, which showed a significant decreased count in the patients compared to control II. However, the lymphocyte subpopulations showed a significant increased percentage in patients. The phagocytic index was approximated in patients and controls, while NBT index was significantly decreased. Total serum level of IgG was significantly increased in the patients, while IgA, IgM, C3 and C4 levels did not maintain such variation

A Mathematical Model of Unemployment with the Effect of Limited Jobs

In this paper, we have proposed and analyzed a non-linear mathematical model of the issue of unemployment by considering three main variables, namely the numbers of unemployed, employed and available vacancies. The model resembles the situation in some countries where the support of the government reaches a certain limited level where the rate of creating new jobs becomes constant and can no longer be proportional to the number of unemployed due to limited financial and economics resources. The qualitative results for the mathematical model are obtained utilizing the stability theory of nonlinear differential equations. Furthermore, some numerical simulations are illustrated to support the qualitative results

A Mathematical Model of Unemployment with the Effect of Limited Jobs

In this paper, we have proposed and analyzed a non-linear mathematical model of the issue of unemployment by considering three main variables, namely the numbers of unemployed, employed and available vacancies. The model resembles the situation in some countries where the support of the government reaches a certain limited level where the rate of creating new jobs becomes constant and can no longer be proportional to the number of unemployed due to limited financial and economics resources. The qualitative results for the mathematical model are obtained utilizing the stability theory of nonlinear differential equations. Furthermore, some numerical simulations are illustrated to support the qualitative results

Ultrastructural pathology of the upper respiratory tract of rabbits experimentally infected with Pasteurella multocida A:3

Twenty-four 8 to 9 week-old Pasteurella multocida-free rabbits were divided into three equal groups, the first group was pretreated with hydrocortisone and inoculated intranasally with pasteurella multocida serotype A:3. The second group was inoculated intranasally with P. multocida without hydrocortisone treatment. The third group was inoculated with phosphate buffered saline only and used as a control group. Pasteurella multocida was isolated from the nasal cavity of all infected rabbits in group 1 and 2 and from the trachea of seven rabbits in group 1 and five rabbits in group 2. This study was conducted to observe the ultrastructural changes of the upper respiratory tract of hydrocortisone treated and non-treated rabbits infected with P. multocida serotype A:3. The ultrastructural changes detected in infected rabbits were ciliary destruction and deciliation of the ciliated epithelial cells, cellular swelling, goblet cell hyperplasia and endothelial cell damage. Pasteurella multocida was observed attached to the degenerated cilia,microvilli and mucus. Pasteurella multocida infection was associated with inflammatory responses, which may have caused tissue damage. It is possible that hydrocortisone modulates the severity of infection as an immune suppressor and an inhibitor of goblet cell secretion

Distributions of Generalized Order Statistics and Parameters Estimation of Pareto Distribution in Statistical Explicit Forms

Abstract : We study some distributions of generalized order statistics (GOS) for Pareto distribution. In particular, we have derived the joint probability density function (pdf) for GOS from Pareto distribution in statistical explicit form. In addition, the joint pdf of both range and midrange for GOS from Pareto distribution is obtained. The estimation of Pareto distribution parameters based on GOS using the method of Maximum Likelihood Estimators (MLE) have been derived in explicit forms. Furthermore, some special cases have been discussed. Keywords Pareto Distribution, Generalized Order Statistics, Ordinary Order Statistics, Maximum Likelihood Estimation

Correlation of serum aspartate aminotransferase level to platelet count ratio index with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease activity score

In case of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, the ratio of serum aspartate  aminotransferase (AST) level to platelet count index has been proposed as a non-invasive and readily available tool for the assessment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. The study was conducted on 50  non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patient (25  non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and 25 simple steatosis). The mean (± SD) serum AST level in the non-alcoholic steatohepatitis group  was 55.2 ± 30.1 IU/L whereas in simple steatosis group it was 33.6 ± 20.0 IU/L. The mean platelet count in the non-alcoholic steatohepatitis group was 303.1 ± 68.7 x 109 /L whereas in the simple steatosis group it was 327.8 ± 66.8 x 109/L. The mean AST platelet ratio index (APRI) score in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis group was 0.5 ± 0.3 and in the simple steatosis group it was 0.3 ± 0.2. In conclusion, the APRI  was  significantly higher in the non-alcoholic steatohepatitis group than the simple steatosis group

Medical education and research environment in Qatar: a new epoch for translational research in the Middle East

Recent advances in medical technology and key discoveries in biomedical research have the potential to improve human health in an unprecedented fashion. As a result, many of the Arab Gulf countries, particularly Qatar are devoting increasing resources toward establishing centers of excellence in biomedical research. However, there are challenges that must be overcome. The low profile of private medical institutions and their negligible endowments in the region are examples of such challenges. Business-type government controlled universities are not the solution for overcoming the challenges facing higher education and research programs in the Middle East