A Low Power Architectural Framework for Automated Surveillance System with Low Bit Rate Transmission

Abstract The changed security scenario of the modern time has necessitated increased and sophisticated vigilance of the countries' borders. The technological challenges involved in accomplishing such feat of automated security system are many and require research at the components-and-algorithms as well as the architectural levels.  This paper proposes an architectural framework for automated video surveillance comprising a network of sensors and closed circuit television cameras as well as proposing algorithmic/component research of software and hardware for the core functioning of the framework, such as: communication protocols, object detection, data-integration, object identification, object tracking, video compression, threat identification, and alarm generation. In this paper, we are addressing some general topological and routing features that would be adopted in our system. There are two types of data with regard to data communication – video stream and object detection. The network is broken down into several disjoint, almost equal zones. A zone have one or more one cluster. A zone manager is chosen among the cluster heads depending on their relative residual energies. There are several levels of control that could be implemented with this arrangement with localized decision made, to get distributed effect at all levels. A cell tracks each target in its zone. If the target moves out of the range of a cell, the cell manager will send the target description to estimated next cell. The next cell starts tracking the target. If the estimated cell is wrongly chosen, corrections will be made by the cluster heads to get the new target-tracking. We also propose bitrate reduction algorithms to accommodate the limited bandwidth. One of the main feature of this paper is introducing a Low-Power Low-Bit rate video compression algorithm to accommodate the low power requirements at sensor nodes, and the low bit rate requirement for the communication protocol. We proposed two algorithms the ALBR and LPHSME. ALBR is addressing low bit rate required for sensors network with limited bandwidth which achieves a reduction in Average number of bits per Iframe by approximately 60% in case of low motion video sequences and 53% in case of fast motion video sequences . LPHSME addresses low power requirements of multi sensor network that has limited power batteries. The performance of the proposed LPHSME algorithm versus full search and three step search indicates  a reduction in motion estimation time by approximately 89% in case of low motion video sequences (e.g., Claire ) and 84% in case of fast motion video sequences. The reduced complexity of  LPHSME results in low power requirements

Significance of Bcl-2 and Bcl-6 immunostaining in B-Non Hodgkin's lymphoma

The determination of prognosis for B-Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is known to be related to the multiple differences in tumor cell biology. Bcl-2 and Bcl-6 are two markers linked to germinal center B cells. Both markers are thought to have an effect on prognosis of mature B-cell neoplasms. Forty-four patients with chronic B-cell neoplasm were included; Bcl-2 and Bcl-6 expression by immunohistochemistry was examined. Bcl-2 protein was positive in 36.4% (16 of 44) of cases (62.5% of follicular lymphoma, 16.7% of mantle cell lymphoma and 30% of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma); the positive group implying a bad prognostic effect of the marker in NHL. Bcl-6 was positive in 13.6% (6 of 44) of cases (11.1% of mantle cell lymphoma and 40% of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma) and its positivity implies a better disease course. Bcl-2 and Bcl-6 can be used as prognostic marker in NHL

Assessment of the Elderly and Their Caregivers' Practices Regarding Food Safety in Assiut Governorate, Egypt

Food safety continues to be a concern of consumers and a focal point of the food industry and regulatory agencies. For over a century, developments in food production and new control philosophies have contributed to food safety systems in most developed countries to be efficient in the prevention of food borne diseases. The elderly are at particular risk of food borne illnesses because of their weaken immune systems, decrease in stomach acidity and intestinal peristalsis. The aim: to assess the practices of the elderly people and their caregivers about food safety. Setting: The present study was carried out at Assiut city (urban) and Assiut district (rural) in Assiut governorate. Design: descriptive cross sectional research design. The subjects were 10% of the total number of the elderly people from every area was selected randomly who aged 60 years and above and their caregivers involved in the study. The total number of the studied elderly was 720 (340 from urban and 380 from rural areas) and their caregivers (135 subjects). Results: nearly the total subject from the urban elderly (97.1%) and the majority of rural elderly (86.3%) did not know the temperature of the refrigerator, more than two fifths (44.7%) of the urban and more than one fifth (20.3%) of the rural elderly defrosting product in tape water. Conclusion: the elderly and their caregivers (urban and rural) were followed incorrect defrosting practices, incorrect hygiene of the kitchen counter, lack of knowledge regarding refrigeration temperature. Recommendations: the  information about food safety should be disseminated through mass media, television., newspapers and magazines at regular periods, establishment of an information center to help and guide the public especially mothers to maintain their practices regarding food safety. Key words: food safety, defrosting , kitchen counter

Effect of Designing and Implementing Nursing Guidelines on Nurses' Performance in Caring Women with Ectopic Pregnancy

Context: Ectopic pregnancy is a condition presenting a significant health problem for women of the childbearing period. Ectopic pregnancy remains one of the primary causes of maternal mortality. Aim: The study aimed to evaluate the effect of nursing guidelines for improving maternity nurses' performance regarding ectopic pregnancy. Methods: A quasi-experimental design was used to achieve the aim of the study. The study was conducted at Obstetrics and Gynecology Department at Benha University Hospital. A convenient sample of all nurses (90 nurses) working in Obstetrics and Gynecology departments at Benha university hospital. Tools of data collection included a structured self-administered questionnaire to assess nurses' knowledge regarding ectopic pregnancy, an observational checklist to evaluate nursing practice regarding ectopic pregnancy before and after implementing the nursing guidelines. Results: 78.9% of the studied nurses had a total incorrect knowledge preprogram, which improved to 88.9% of them and had correct knowledge post-program. The study also shows that 47.2% of the studied nurses had unsatisfactory total practice score preprogram, which improved to 54.4% of the studied nurses who had high satisfactory total practice post-program. There was a highly statistically significant difference before and after nursing guidelines of the studied nurses’ knowledge and practice regarding ectopic pregnancy (P ≤ 0.001). Conclusion: The study concluded that nursing guidelines positively affect the nurses' performance in terms of their knowledge and practice regarding ectopic pregnancy. The study recommended that simple guidelines regarding ectopic pregnancy nursing care should be distributed to nurses in the emergency obstetrics department to standardize and optimize nursing care provided to women with ectopic pregnancies. Continuous refreshment courses and follows up programs for nurses regarding ectopic pregnancy

The distribution of Blastocystis subtypes in isolates from Qatar.

BACKGROUND: Blastocystis is a common single-celled intestinal parasite of humans and other animals comprising at least 17 genetically distinct small subunit ribosomal RNA lineages (subtypes (STs)), nine of which have been found in humans. The geographic distribution of Blastocystis subtypes is variable, but the subtypes present in Qatar are at present unknown. METHODS: Stool samples were collected from randomly selected, apparently healthy subjects arriving in Qatar for the first time. Blastocystis subtypes were determined by sequencing of the small subunit rRNA gene (SSU rDNA) PCR products. Phylogenetic analyses were done using Maximum Composite Likelihood method. RESULTS: 71.1 % of samples were positive for Blastocystis infection based on PCR-detection methodology compared to only 6.9 % by microscopy. Prevalence of Blastocystis did not differ between the sexes nor between age classes. However, there was a regional difference in prevalence with subjects arriving from Africa showing the highest (87.6 %), those from Western Asia intermediate (68.6 %) and from Eastern Asia the lowest prevalence (67.6 %). Genetic analysis detected only three STs. ST3 was the most common (69.3 %) and ST2 was the rarest (3.5 %), while ST1 had a prevalence of 27.2 %. ST2 showed a regional variation, being absent from the 64 Western Asian Blastocystis-positive subjects. Both ST1 and ST3 showed significant differences in prevalence between the sexes. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report exploring the distribution of Blastocystis subtypes in our region. We recommend that stool screening via microscopy for the presence of Blastocystis should be abandoned since it is extremely insensitive. In future, the prevalence of Blastocystis infections should be based on PCR methodology and we predict that in the years ahead diagnostic PCR will become the tool of choice. More work is needed to identify the full range of Blastocystis subtypes that circulate in our region

The correlation of in vitro antioxidant potentials with the various biochemical responses of salinized basil leaves

One of the environmental sustainability issues is salinity. Basil seedlings (Ocimum basilicum L.) were treated using NaCl solutions of three different concentrations prepared using irrigation (40, 80, and 130 mM), and various biochemical analyses were performed on basil leaves. The number of leaves, leaf area, moisture, weights, and MDA content of basil decreased significantly as salinity levels increased from 40 to 130 mM; however, dry matter increased. As well, the current study investigated a significant increase in osmolytes (including total soluble sugars and proline) and Na+ contents. The highest activities of CAT and SOD in the leaf tissues of basil were recorded after treatment with 130 mM NaCl, whereas the polyphenol and total flavonoid contents were negatively influenced.  On the other hand, the highest ABTS scavenging activity was observed in the 40 mM-treated leaves at a concentration of 1000 µg/mL; however, the DPPH scavenging potential increased significantly in the 80 mM-treated leaves at 3000 µg/mL. Furthermore, the correlation between in vitro antioxidant potentials and biochemical responses was described. A strong correlation was identified between the in vitro antioxidant capacities of salinized O. basilicum leaves and SOD activity, total flavonoids, and the presence of phenolic acids, particularly p-hydroxybenzoic and o-coumaric acids at various concentrations. As a result, this is the first study to explain how basil may resist salinity by producing specific antioxidant compounds; therefore, our research recommends use of salinity issue to obtain a better plant material for producing dietary supplements or herbal drugs

Serum Soluble CD93 as a Biomarker of Asthma Exacerbation in Children

Background: Asthma is considered one of the most prevalent diseases affecting over than 300 million individuals worldwide. Soluble CD93 was normally detected in human plasma and induced by the inflammatory mediators TNF-α and LPS, suggesting that physiologic pathways trigger the cleavage event. Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic value of serum soluble CD93 level in acute asthma exacerbation in children and to find if there is a relation between serum level of soluble CD93 and acute exacerbations of asthma among children. Patients and Methods: Our study included 30 patients who were diagnosed as acute asthmatics with acute exacerbation (diagnosed and classified according to GINA 2018) as group I. Group Π, which included the same 30 patients after receiving treatment and relieve of symptoms by clinical examination as well as routine laboratory investigations that confirmed their healthy state. Plasma sCD93 concentration using ELISA (at the time of exacerbation and repeated on the follow up day) and spirometry were done. Results: Regarding severity (after classification of cases into intermittent, mild and moderate), there was no statistical significance difference in severity either pre- or post-treatment. Regarding sCD93, there was statistical significance reduction in sCD 93 level post-treatment compared to pre-treatment in all cases. There were no statistical significance relation between gender, residence and family history and sCD 93 levels among the studied group. There were no statistical significance relation between WBCs and x-ray and sCD 93 levels among the studied group. Conclusion: sCD93 was not affected by gender or age and did not affect by reliever or controller medications. sCD93 showed a modest decrease in the controlled stage of asthma, which allowed to interpret its role as inflammatory biomarker

Inter-observer agreement of whole-body computed tomography in staging and response assessment in lymphoma : the lugano classification

Background: to assess inter-observer agreement of whole-body computed tomography (WBCT) in staging and response assessment in lymphoma according to the Lugano classification. Material/Methods: Retrospective analysis was conducted of 115 consecutive patients with lymphomas (45 females, 70 males; mean age of 46 years). Patients underwent WBCT with a 64 multi-detector CT device for staging and response assessment after a complete course of chemotherapy. Image analysis was performed by 2 reviewers according to the Lugano classification for staging and response assessment. Results: The overall inter-observer agreement of WBCT in staging of lymphoma was excellent (k=0.90, percent agreement=94.9%). There was an excellent inter-observer agreement for stage I (k=0.93, percent agreement=96.4%), stage II (k=0.90, percent agreement=94.8%), stage III (k=0.89, percent agreement=94.6%) and stage IV (k=0.88, percent agreement=94%). The overall inter-observer agreement in response assessment after a completer course of treatment was excellent (k=0.91, percent agreement=95.8%). There was an excellent inter-observer agreement in progressive disease (k=0.94, percent agreement=97.1%), stable disease (k=0.90, percent agreement=95%), partial response (k=0.96, percent agreement=98.1%) and complete response (k=0.87, Percent agreement=93.3%). Conclusions: We concluded that WBCT is a reliable and reproducible imaging modality for staging and treatment assessment in lymphoma according to the Lugano classification

The Influence of the Celebrities of Social Media Platforms on University Students

This study aims to identify the impact of famous people on social media platforms on university students. The qualitative methodology and inductive approach were used in the research by conducting in-depth interviews with 21 students from various Jordanian universities, and a focus group of 7 university students was selected, with 12 female influencers and 21 male influencers among them. The study showed that there are seven main reasons that motivate students to pursue and follow-up those influencers, which are: admiration and love, living in another world with different influences, career path, and the release of students’ stress, gaining information that facilitates life, saying what others do not say; while the reasons that make them influenced by the influences of social media platforms are: imitation, loss of self-confidence, easing psychological pressure, searching for something beautiful and having a better life, entertainment. The respondents enumerated eight ways to reach the influencer

Using the balanced scorecard scale in building, a four-track measurement model to predict the intellectual capital of industrial stockholder companies listed on the Amman stock exchange for the period (2016–2020)

The goal of this study was to investigate the use of the balanced scorecard scale in the development of a four-track measuring model to estimate the intellectual capital of industrial joint stock businesses listed on the Amman Stock Exchange. The sample for this study is made up of 59 industrial public joint stock businesses registered on the Amman Stock Exchange (ASE) between 2016 and 2020. A multiple linear regression analysis using EVIEWS software and the findings suggest that the balanced scorecard has a favourable influence on intellectual capital from the financial, customer, internal-business-process, learning, and growth perspectives. According to the study, make suggestions based on the results of our inquiry to increase the intellectual capital of these companies. This might involve revising the company's human capital management methods, strengthening customer relationships, or concentrating more on innovation and learning. The current study is the first of its kind to be conducted in a developing nation, such as Jordan, and the findings might be useful to other underdeveloped nations