Performance Analysis of Random Linear Network Coding in Two-Source Single-Relay Networks

This paper considers the multiple-access relay channel in a setting where two source nodes transmit packets to a destination node, both directly and via a relay node, over packet erasure channels. Intra-session network coding is used at the source nodes and inter-session network coding is employed at the relay node to combine the recovered source packets of both source nodes. In this work, we investigate the performance of the network-coded system in terms of the probability that the destination node will successfully recover the source packets of the two source nodes. We build our analysis on fundamental probability expressions for random matrices over finite fields and we derive upper bounds on the system performance for the case of systematic and non-systematic network coding. Simulation results show that the upper bounds are very tight and accurately predict the decoding probability at the destination node. Our analysis also exposes the clear benefits of systematic network coding at the source nodes compared to non-systematic transmission.Comment: Proc. ICC 2015, Workshop on Cooperative and Cognitive Mobile Networks (CoCoNet), to appea

External Determinants of Growth and Growth Projections: SAARC and Pakistan

In the global trading arena, the regional integration perhaps represents the most important legacy of the 20th century. This paper focuses on the scope and promise of economic cooperation between the SAARC region countries. Descriptive statistics is used to provide the evidence for the argument that very high share of trade in the GDP of the region’s economies exposes them to external shocks in a potentially harmful manner, and these countries ought to be paying greater attention to increasing the size of their economies. In order to determine the importance of the external sector in the economies of the region, a simultaneous equations model is formulated and estimated, utilising the pooled data for the period from 1972–2001, by applying the 2SLS technique. The coefficients of two of the three external sector variables included in the model, namely, export earnings and trade balance, turn out to be significant, providing the evidence on the importance of the external sector in the economic growth of the SAARC region countries. Keeping in view that Pakistan needs to adopt sustainable growth strategies, the authors maintain that extended economic cooperation within the SAARC region is the most viable alternative for the country. The argument is substantiated with the help of inferential statistics, providing the evidence that exports to SAARC countries are positively related with the economic growth of Pakistan. The simulation output also shows that increasing and diverting the country’s exports to the SAARC region have positive impact in terms of growth projections. By estimating and simulating another model, it is inferred that in the short run, diverting exports to both the SAARC and ASEAN region countries appears to be a viable strategy to help Pakistan move towards greater integration within the SAARC region, and that the SAARC forums must make meaningful progress in terms of delivering concrete results.Trade, Economic Growth, Pakistan

Phage-Bacteria Interaction and Prophage Sequences in Bacterial Genomes

In this investigation, we examined the interaction of phages and bacteria in bacterial biofilm colonies, the evolution of prophages (viral genetic material inserted into the bacterial genome) and their genetic repertoire. To study the synergistic effects of lytic phages and antibiotics on bacterial biofilm colonies, we have developed a mathematical model of ordinary differential equations (ODEs). We have also presented a mathematical model consisting of a partial differential equation (PDEs), to study evolutionary forces acting on prophages. We fitted the PDE model to three publicly available databases and were able to show that induction is the prominent fate of intact prophages, with an average prophage loss of only 1% of its genome before induction. We also demonstrate that there is a tipping point at which the relation between prophage and bacteria transforms from being parasitic to mutualistic. Lastly, we investigated annotated prophages from two well-studied prophage databases. These genes were accessed using PHASTER, a bioinformatics tool to identify prophages in bacterial genomes. From this analysis, we observed that genes involved in phage lytic function are preferentially lost, while integrase and transposase are preferentially enriched in smaller prophages. We have also developed an ODE model and have carried out gene-level simulations to get more insight into the genetic repertoire of prophages. The results of our ODE model and gene-level simulations are in agreement with prophage repertoire data

Evaluation Of Time To Achieve Dry Weight Using Body Composition Monitor, Hypertension Management And Prevalence Of Depression Among Hemodialysis Patients In Kelantan Malaysia

Almost 60-90 % hemodialysis (HD) patients are hypertensive. Achieving and maintaining dry weight appears to be an effective strategy for controlling and maintaining normotension among hypertensive patients on HD therapy. Body composition monitor (BCM) helps estimate patient hydration status and dry weight accurately. For this purpose, the present study aimed to determine the time at which the majority of patients achieve postdialysis dry weight using bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) at Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM), a tertiary care hospital and a group of private centers outside the hospital in Kelantan, Malaysia. A total of 220 HD patients were prospectively assessed for fluid overload using the Fresenius body composition monitor (BCM). BCM readings were taken at 30 and 45 minutes postdialysis. Among the 220 patients included in this study, 120 (54.5%) achieved a euvolemic state at 30 minutes, and 25 (11.4%) achieved it at 45 minutes according to the BCM. In the multivariate analysis, vascular access other than arteriovenous fistula (AVF) (OR=0.286, p value=0.049) and cardiovascular disease (OR=0.384, p value=0.026) had a statistically significant negative association and receiving hemodialysis therapy at HUSM (OR=2.705, p value=0.008) had a statistically significant positive association with achieving a euvolemic state at 30 minutes. Moreover, we evaluated hypertension control and factors influencing hypertension control among euvolemic hypertensive hemodialysis patients

Critical Discourse Analysis Of William Blake’s Poem The Sick Rose

This paper analyzes the language of William Blake’s poem The Sick Rose. The study is grounded in critical discourse analysis, claiming that "text within contexts" is the fictional world within the text which has always been open to diverse interpretations. The selected text components are assessed, thus revealing the World with in the Tex

Rethinking the Intercept Probability of Random Linear Network Coding

This letter considers a network comprising a transmitter, which employs random linear network coding to encode a message, a legitimate receiver, which can recover the message if it gathers a sufficient number of linearly independent coded packets, and an eavesdropper. Closed-form expressions for the probability of the eavesdropper intercepting enough coded packets to recover the message are derived. Transmission with and without feedback is studied. Furthermore, an optimization model that minimizes the intercept probability under delay and reliability constraints is presented. Results validate the proposed analysis and quantify the secrecy gain offered by a feedback link from the legitimate receiver.Comment: IEEE Communications Letters, to appea

Disinfection Methods

Water must be made safe to drink, and an important step in ensuring water safety is disinfection. Disinfectants are added to water to kill disease-causing microorganisms. Ground water sources can be disinfected by “The Water Treatment Rule,” which requires public water systems for disinfection. Chlorination, ozone, ultraviolet light, and chloramines are primary methods for disinfection. However, potassium permanganate, photocatalytic disinfection, nanofiltration, and chlorine dioxide can also be used. Organic material is naturally present in water. Certain forms of chlorine can react with these organic materials and result in the formation of harmful by-products; the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has anticipated maximum levels for these contaminants

Misuse and Abuse of Legal Argument by Analogy in Transjudicial Communication: The Case of Zaheeruddin v. State

This article explores the risks and limits of transjudicial communication. In particular, I critique the scholarly contention that transjudicial communication can be built upon commonly accepted methods of legal reasoning. I argue that transnational courts do not uniformly understand or apply commonly accepted methods of legal reasoning, especially legal argument by analogy. As a result, transnational courts that utilize transjudicial communication can and do render specious, even destructive, judicial opinions. I analyze the case of Zaheeruddin v. State—a controversial decision by the Supreme Court of Pakistan that upheld the constitutionality of Pakistan’s antiblasphemy ordinances. The Supreme Court of Pakistan poorly analogized to numerous U.S. Supreme Court authorities to bolster and legitimize its deeply flawed decision