An Improved Slant Path Attenuation Prediction Method in Tropical Climates

An improved method for predicting slant path attenuation in tropical climates is presented in this paper. The proposed approach is based on rain intensity data R_0.01 (mm/h) from 37 tropical and equatorial stations; and is validated by using the measurement data from a few localities in tropical climates. The new method seems to accurately predict the slant path attenuation in tropical localities, and the comparative tests seem to show significant improvement in terms of the RMS of the relative error variable compared to the RMS obtained with the SAM, Crane, and ITU-R prediction models

Health education and the control of urogenital schistosomiasis: assessing the impact of the Juma na Kichocho comic-strip medical booklet in Zanzibar

Endeavours to control urogenital schistosomiasis on Unguja Island (Zanzibar) have focused on school-aged children. To assess the impact of an associated health education campaign, the supervised use of the comic-strip medical booklet Juma na Kichocho by Class V pupils attending eighteen primary schools was investigated. A validated knowledge and attitudes questionnaire was completed at baseline and repeated one year later following the regular use of the booklet during the calendar year. A scoring system (ranging from 0.0 to 5.0) measured children's understandings of schistosomiasis and malaria, with the latter being a neutral comparator against specific changes for schistosomiasis. In 2006, the average score from 751 children (328 boys and 423 girls) was 2.39 for schistosomiasis and 3.03 for malaria. One year later, the score was 2.43 for schistosomiasis and 2.70 for malaria from 779 children (351 boys and 428 girls). As might be expected, knowledge and attitudes scores for schistosomiasis increased (+0.05), but not as much as originally hoped, while the score for malaria decreased (-0.33). According to a Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, neither change was statistically significant. Analysis also revealed that 75% of school children misunderstood the importance of reinfection after treatment with praziquantel. These results are disappointing. They demonstrate that it is mistaken to assume that knowledge conveyed in child-friendly booklets will necessarily be interpreted, and acted upon, in the way intended. If long-term sustained behavioural change is to be achieved, health education materials need to engage more closely with local understandings and responses to urogenital schistosomiasis. This, in turn, needs to be part of the development of a more holistic, biosocial approach to the control of schistosomiasis

The Social and Spiritual Factors Affecting Chronic Renal Dialysis Patients in Gaza Strip

Background: End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) is a progressive worsening of kidney function over a period of months or years. It is a complex debilitating disease that needs a lifelong treatment. Because patients with ESRD cannot be cured of their underlying conditions and mostly underwent hemodialysis program, it usually leads to many physical and medical consequences and complications, and beside them, there are lots of concealed social and spiritual factors that can affect people who have this disease or are on renal dialysis. Some studies about medical and clinical consequences of ESRD and renal dialysis were conducted but this study will be the first one to determine the factors affecting the social and spiritual wellbeing of patients who are on renal dialysis in Gaza Strip. Objectives: It is important to give a detailed picture about the social and spiritual wellbeing of patients who are on renal dialysis to

Automatic Software Test Data Generation for Spanning Sets Coverage Using Genetic Algorithms

Software testing takes a considerable amount of time and resources spent on producing software. Therefore, it would be useful to have ways to reduce the cost of software testing. The new concepts of spanning sets of entities suggested by Marré and Bertolino are useful for reducing the cost of testing. In fact, to reduce the testing effort, the generation of test data can be targeted to cover the entities in the spanning set, rather than all the entities in the tested program. Marré and Bertolino presented an algorithm based on the subsumption relation between entities to find spanning sets for a family of control flow and data flow-based test coverage criteria. This paper presents a new general technique for the automatic test data generation for spanning sets coverage. The proposed technique applies to the algorithm proposed recently by Marré and Bertolino to automatically generate the spanning sets of program entities that satisfy a wide range of control flow and data flow-based test coverage criteria. Then, it uses a genetic algorithm to automatically generate sets of test data to cover these spanning sets. The proposed technique employed the concepts of spanning sets to limit the number of test cases, guide the test case selection, overcome the problem of the redundant test cases and automate the test path generation

Assessing the Social Life of Widows and Divorced Women in Pemba Island: A Case of Pemba Eastern Zone in Ole, Chambani, Maziwang’ombe, Uwandani and Kangagani Shehias.

The main objective of the study was to investigate the social life of widows and divorced women in Pemba, specifically; the study focused on five shehias of Chambani, Uwandani, Ole, Kangagani and Maziwang’ombe. Data collection was carried out using questionnaires, semi structured interviews, focus group discussions, non-participatory observation, survey and documentary review. The study involved 172 respondents dominated by 146 women the same as 84.88% and 26 male respondents, the same as 15.12%. Simple random sampling method was used to select most of the respondents; and others were purposively selected. The study involved a cross-sectional, case study research design and the data was analyzed using both quantitative and qualitative analysis techniques. The study found out that, the majority of widows are heavily burdened around them yet conjugated with children bearing. Widows needed support in health and medication, education, sheltering as well as day to day meals. Also, widows experienced psychological problem of being marginalized and negative perceptions demonstrated by people in the communities they lived in. Further, widows were at risk to sexual harassment, HIV and STI diseases. Findings also revealed that widows in laws are not well attended. Most widows lacked ability to stand and speak for their rights and hence they are oppressed in their homes. Some are mistreated by husbands’ family and when seeking for inheritance, they are ostracized in case they asked about this. Kadhi court contributes little for widows’ rights. Indeed, it depends on how much awareness the widow possesses. Conclusively, widows were found unhappy because of their miserable life circumstances and the recommendation was forwarded that relevant organizations should take particular effort in saving and contributing to the empowerment of this marginalized group currently victimized. Keywords: Social life, widows, divorced women, Pemba, shehia

Optimized Photolithographic Fabrication Process for Carbon Nanotube Devices

We have developed a photolithographic process for the fabrication of large arrays of single walled carbon nanotube transistors with high quality electronic properties that rival those of transistors fabricated by electron beam lithography.Abuffer layer is used to prevent direct contact between the nanotube and the novolac-based photoresist, and a cleaning bake at 300C effectively removes residues that bind to the nanotube sidewall during processing. In situ electrical measurement of a nanotube transistor during a temperature ramp reveals sharp decreases in the ON-state resistance that we associate with the vaporization of components of the photoresist. Data from nearly 2000 measured nanotube transistors show an average ON-state resistance of 250 ± 100 kΩ. This new process represents significant progress towards the goal of highyield production of large arrays of nanotube transistors for applications including chemical sensors and transducers, as well as integrated circuit components

Determination of the melting layer from meteorological radar data in Malaysia

A developed algorithm based on the vertical profile of radar reflectivity, has been applied to determine the boundaries of the melting layer and its thickness. The average values of the melting layer heights are compared with ITU-R recommendations and other obtained results in tropical regions at 500m resolution range. The results obtained showed lower values for heights of the melting layer

In situ tryptophan-like fluorometers: assessing turbidity and temperature effects for freshwater applications

Tryptophan-like fluorescence (TLF) is an indicator of human influence on water quality as TLF peaks are associated with the input of labile organic carbon (e.g. sewage or farm waste) and its microbial breakdown. Hence, real-time measurement of TLF could be particularly useful for monitoring water quality at a higher temporal resolution than available hitherto. However, current understanding of TLF quenching/interference is limited for field deployable sensors. We present results from a rigorous test of two commercially available submersible tryptophan fluorometers (ex _ 285, em _ 350). Temperature quenching and turbidity interference were quantified in the laboratory and compensation algorithms developed. Field trials were then undertaken involving: (i) an extended deployment (28 days) in a small urban stream; and, (ii) depth profiling of an urban multi-level borehole. TLF was inversely related to water temperature (regression slope range: _1.57 to _2.50). Sediment particle size was identified as an important control on the turbidity specific TLF response, with signal amplification apparent 200 NTU for clay particles. Compensation algorithms significantly improved agreement between in situ and laboratory readings for baseflow and storm conditions in the stream. For the groundwater trial, there was an excellent agreement between laboratory and raw in situ TLF; temperature compensation provided only a marginal improvement, and turbidity corrections were unnecessary. These findings highlight the potential utility of real time TLF monitoring for a range of environmental applications (e.g. tracing polluting sources and monitoring groundwater contamination). However, in situations where high/ variable suspended sediment loads or rapid changes in temperature are anticipated concurrent monitoring of turbidity and temperature is required and site specific calibration is recommended for long term, surface water monitoring

Electrocatalytic Properties of Lanthanum-based Perovskites for Water Splitting and Energy Storage Applications

Recent changes in global weather patterns have punctuated the need for mollification through a cleaner energy option. As part of the plan, hydrogen production for fuel cells offers substantial power without carbon emissions. Overall water splitting, with the aid of a low cost electrocatalyst could prove to be an abundant green fuel source. Utilizing readily available transition metals, three perovskite nanostructures were studied as a multifunctional material for hydrogen production as well as energy storage. LaCoO₃ (LCO), LaFeO₃ (LFO), and LaMnO₃ (LMO) were synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction and then dip coated onto nickel foam as electrodes in a standard three electrode system. The electrochemical properties were analyzed with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), line scan voltammetry (LSV), and cyclic voltammetry (CV) for its electro-catalytic activity towards both the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) as well as its effectiveness as a supercapacitor. It was shown that electrocatalytic activity toward OER was highly dependent on the material composition. Accordingly, LFO had the lowest overpotential voltage of 316 mV at 10 mA/cm2 compared with 376 mV (LCO) and 419 mV (LMO). Toward HER, LMO showed overpotential voltage of 176 mV at 10 mA/cm2, while LCO and LFO showed 221 mV and 230 mV, respectively. Measured at a common current density of 0.5 A/g, the specific capacitance of LMO was 105 F/g over LCO (45 F/g) and LFO (35 F/g). Further investigation for fabrication of devices for energy storage and water splitting electrolyzer application has been considered

Extra skeletal chondroma a rare presentation in the big toe of a pediatric patient: a case report

Extra-skeletal chondroma is a rare benign tumor of juxta-articular soft tissues rarely seen in pediatric cases. It is formed mainly of hyaline cartilage and presented as a painless swelling. It is not well evident on conventional X-rays radiography. MRI is the preferred diagnostic modality. Surgical excision is the recommended form of treatment for symptomatic cases. We are reporting a case of this rare tumor in the big toe of a child