Formal Probabilistic Analysis of a Wireless Sensor Network for Forest Fire Detection

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) have been widely explored for forest fire detection, which is considered a fatal threat throughout the world. Energy conservation of sensor nodes is one of the biggest challenges in this context and random scheduling is frequently applied to overcome that. The performance analysis of these random scheduling approaches is traditionally done by paper-and-pencil proof methods or simulation. These traditional techniques cannot ascertain 100% accuracy, and thus are not suitable for analyzing a safety-critical application like forest fire detection using WSNs. In this paper, we propose to overcome this limitation by applying formal probabilistic analysis using theorem proving to verify scheduling performance of a real-world WSN for forest fire detection using a k-set randomized algorithm as an energy saving mechanism. In particular, we formally verify the expected values of coverage intensity, the upper bound on the total number of disjoint subsets, for a given coverage intensity, and the lower bound on the total number of nodes.Comment: In Proceedings SCSS 2012, arXiv:1307.802

Cysts and tumors of the jaws treated by marsupialization : a description of 4 clinical cases

Since the 4th edition of the World Health Organization?s Classification of Head and Neck Tumours was published in January of 2017, the keratocystic odontogenic tumor is back into the cyst category as odontogenic keratocyst (OKC). Depending on the size of the cyst, its location and the patients? age, several treatment options are available: curettage, enucleation, radical treatment and marsupialization. The marsupialization is a conservative technique used in early tumor stages, as curative treatment for the odontogenic cyst. Despite its disadvantages and controversies, the marsupialization remains an interesting therapeutic choice in the case of large cysts, or in very young or old patients. We describe, in this article, four clinical cases of odontogenic cysts. We report the surgical management and the subsequent evolution of the patients. The discussion focuses on the indications, advantages and limitations of the odontogenic cyst?s marsupialization. We review the specific conditions of the odontogenic cysts that could make the marsupialization the optimal therapeutic option. In our cases, the marsupialization proved to be a conservative technique which allowed the respect of neighboring anatomical structures, particularly in the case of large cysts, but requires prolonged clinical and radiological monitoring. Pathological entity for our cases was different. Thus, the treatment outcome may be different too. This series is very small and the reader should be cautious about drawing broad conclusions regarding the optimal therapeutic choice

Sheehan's syndrome with pancytopenia: a case report and review of the literature

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Sheehan's syndrome is defined by varying degrees of anterior pituitary deficiency due to postpartum ischemic necrosis of the pituitary gland after massive bleeding. It is a rare disorder in western countries and even in Tunisia. Hematologic abnormalities such as normochromic anemia have been reported in these patients. However, pancytopenia is rarely observed.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We describe the case of a 48-year-old Tunisian woman with features of hypopituitarism. Laboratory tests showed pancytopenia that was completely reversed after adequate hormone replacement.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Clinicians should consider the possibility of hypopituitarism as a cause of pancytopenia. This is an original case report that is of interest to hematologists, who should be aware of Sheehan's syndrome as a treatable etiology of pancytopenia for women.</p

The analgesic effect of clonidine as an adjuvant in dorsal penile nerve block

Introduction: Dorsal penile nerve block (DPNB) is a commonly performed regional anesthetic technique for male circumcision. The aim of this study was to assess the analgesic effect of the adjunction of clonidine to bupivacaine 0.5% in this block. Methods: It was a prospective randomized double-blind clinical trial including 40 ASA1 boys aged from 1 to 4 years undergoing elective circumcision. Dorsal penile nerve block was performed under general Anesthesia. Patients were randomized in two groups: Group 1 (G1) : received 0.1 ml/Kg of bupivacaine 0.5 %with 1μg/kg of clonidine in each side. Group 2 (G2): received 0.1 ml/kg of bupivacaine 0.5 % with placebo in each side. The failure of the DNPB was defined by the increase of heart rate by more than 25% comparing to baseline and in his case an intravenous injection of 20 μg/kg of alfentanyl was given. Post-operative pain was assessed by CHEOPS score. Results: A total of 40 patients were enrolled. Demographic parameters were similar in both groups. We noted no case of DNPB failure in this study. The supply for additional analgesia was seen in 12 patients in group 2 versus 3 cases in group 1. CHEOPS (Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Pain Scale) was significantly lower in group 1 from 2nd post operative hour until the 24th hour. Conclusion: Clonidine can be used in dorsal penile nerve block to improve and to prolong its analgesic effects after male circumcision.Pan African Medical Journal 2016; 2

Consensus formalisé: recommandations de pratiques cliniques pour la prise en charge de la lombalgie aiguë du patient africain

La lombalgie aiguë est la pathologie rhumatismale la plus fréquente en Afrique. L'épidémiologie et la  présentation clinique ne diffèrent pas de celles observées sur les autres continents. En revanche, les aspects psycho-sociaux, la disponibilité des traitements, l'accès aux soins et le poids culturel des médecines  traditionnelles sont autant de spécificités qui ont conduit à la réalisation du 1er consensus d'experts en rhumatologie pour la prise en charge du patient africain. Destiné aux praticiens, ce travail collaboratif  multinational a pour objectif de fournir 11 recommandations de pratiques cliniques simples, fondées sur les preuves, et adaptées aux conditions de l'exercice médical en Afrique. Leur ambition est d'améliorer la prise en charge de la lombalgie aigue par une évaluation initiale clinique pertinente, une diminution des examens  radiologiques inutiles, une prescription médicamenteuse adéquate et l'abandon de procédures invasives inappropriées.Key words: Lombalgie aigüe, Afrique, Recommandatio

Protective effect of Ruta Chalepensis L. extract on oxidative stress and liver-kidney function induced by polymicrobial sepsis in rats

Sepsis, a systemic inflammatory disease developed after an infectious insult and remains the major cause of death in intensive care units. The aim of this study was to examine the protective effect of the ethanolic extract of Ruta chalepensis L. (ERC) against oxidative stress and liver-kidney functions in cecal and ligation puncture (CLP) rats. In vitro, the results showed that ERC rich in phenolic compounds possessed important antioxidant activity. In vivo, CLP-induced oxidative stress evidenced by the increase of the TBARS and decrease in the enzymatic antioxidants (SOD, CAT, GPX) in liver and kidney. Moreover, CLP induced liver-kidney toxicities showed by an increase in the ALT, AST, PAL, LDH, BUN and creatinine in the plasma. However, the administration of ERC to CLP-rats prevents all these disorders. Positive action of ERC was confirmed by histo-pathological examination. Therefore this study suggests that ERC could be a potential therapeutic agent for sepsis treatment

Obésité, activité physique et temps de sédentarité chez des adolescents scolarisés, âgés de 15 à 18 ans de la ville de Sfax (Tunisie)

Introduction: Le but de notre étude était d'évaluer la prévalence du surpoids et de l'obésité chez des adolescents scolarisés dans la ville de Sfax mais aussi, d'étudier son association avec le temps de sédentarité et l'activité physique (AP). Méthodes: La population étudiée était composée de 1695 adolescents âgés de 15-18 ans. Tous les participants avait rempli un questionnaire porté sur leurs activités physiques et temps de sédentarité, donné lors d'un entretien direct. Le niveau d'AP était évalué avec l'International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) version courte. Résultats: Notre étude comportait 43,7% de garçons et 56,3% de filles. L'âge moyen était de 16,78 ± 1, 1 an. Dans notre échantillon, 23,4% des adolescents étaient en surpoids ou obèses. Le score de l'IPAQ nous a montré que le niveau d'AP de nos participants était faible dans 6,4%, modéré dans 65,4% et élevé dans 28,2% des cas. Nos résultats avaient démontré que l'augmentation du temps de sédentarité (plus de 2 h / jour) est associée à une augmentation significative de l'indice de masse corporelle (IMC) et du tour de taille (TT) (P &lt;0,001). Alors qu'un niveau d'AP élevé et/ou la participation aux séances d'AP structurées dans le cadre scolaire et hors scolaire est accompagnée par une diminution significative de l'IMC et du TT (P &lt;0,001). Conclusion: Nos résultats apportent une preuve supplémentaire sur la nécessité de promouvoir la vie active chez les jeunes Tunisiens.Pan African Medical Journal. 2015; 2

Median nerve entrapment in a callus fracture following a pediatric both-bone forearm fracture: A case report and literature review

Forearm fractures are common injuries in childhood. Median nerve entrapment is a rare complication of forearm fractures, but several cases have been reported in the literature. This case report discusses the diagnosis and management of median nerve entrapment in a 13-year-old male who presented acutely with a both-bone forearm fracture and numbness in the median nerve distribution. Following the delayed diagnosis, surgical exploration revealed complete nerve entrapment and a nerve graft was performed