Asynchronous Distributed Averaging on Communication Networks

Distributed algorithms for averaging have attracted interest in the control and sensing literature. However, previous works have not addressed some practical concerns that will arise in actual implementations on packet-switched communication networks such as the Internet. In this paper, we present several implementable algorithms that are robust to asynchronism and dynamic topology changes. The algorithms are completely distributed and do not require any global coordination. In addition, they can be proven to converge under very general asynchronous timing assumptions. Our results are verified by both simulation and experiments on Planetlab, a real-world TCP/IP network. We also present some extensions that are likely to be useful in applications

Evaluating of Short-Term Electrical Load Forecasting System Using Fuzzy Logic Control: A Study Case in Sudan

Generation, Transmission and Distribution sections of the electric power grid system are a function of electric load forecasting. This is because, many benefits can be obtained by using load forecasting, such as reduction in the generating cost and increasing the reliability of the power system due to improving energy management. The objective of this study is therefore to design a fuzzy logic system for short-term electric load forecasting to reduce power losses particularly in times where the electric power generation is higher than the electric load demand. In this study, the independent variables that were applied to the developed short-term load forecasting Simulink model were time, temperature, and similar previous electric day load demand, and they were collected from the specific area load control center in Sudan. Fuzzy rules were prepared using Mamdani implication. The obtained fuzzy logic results were compared with the actual load demand, and it was found that there was an error that ranged between 12% and 0.09%

Oral manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including Crohn\u2019s disease and ulcerative colitis, have important extraintestinal manifestations, notably in the oral cavity. These oral manifestations can constitute important clinical clues in the diagnosis and management of IBD, and include changes at the immune and bacterial levels. Aphthous ulcers, pyostomatitis vegetans, cobblestoning and gingivitis are important oral findings frequently observed in IBD patients. Their presentations vary considerably and might be well diagnosed and distinguished from other oral lesions. Infections, drug side effects, deficiencies in some nutrients and many other diseases involved with oral manifestations should also be taken into account. This article discusses the most recent findings on the oral manifestations of IBD with a focus on bacterial modulations and immune changes. It also includes an overview on options for management of the oral lesions of IBD

Immunotherapies for Neurodegenerative Diseases

The current treatments for neurodegenerative diseases are mostly symptomatic without affecting the underlying cause of disease. Emerging evidence supports a potential role for immunotherapy in the management of disease progression. Numerous reports raise the exciting prospect that either the immune system or its derivative components could be harnessed to fight the misfolded and aggregated proteins that accumulate in several neurodegenerative diseases. Passive and active vaccinations using monoclonal antibodies and specific antigens that induce adaptive immune responses are currently under evaluation for their potential use in the development of immunotherapies. In this review, we aim to shed light on prominent immunotherapeutic strategies being developed to fight neuroinflammation-induced neurodegeneration, with a focus on innovative immunotherapies such as vaccination therapy

Familiarity and awareness of facial cosmetic and oral maxillofacial surgery among dental and medical undergraduate students

BackgroundFacial cosmetic and oral maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) is primarily a surgical specialty of dentistry concerned with the management of diseases of the jaws, mouth, face and neck regions. It is indeed common knowledge that many medical professionals and the public have a very low awareness of OMFS.AimsThis multicentric study aimed to investigate and check the familiarity and awareness of facial cosmetic and OMFS among dental and medical undergraduate students in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.Methods This cross-sectional study was distributed among medical and dental undergraduate students of different universities in Saudi Arabia, between September and December, 2019. The questionnaire consisted of 23 variables that were divided into 2 sections: (a) demographic information (b) facial cosmetic and OMFS questions. Ethical approval was granted by the Research Ethics Committee. All analyses were performed using SPSS, version 24.Results Total of 412 dentistry students and 452 medicine & surgery students included. A much higher percentage of dental students (80.6 per cent) have heard about Facial cosmetic and, p < 0.001. Among the specific Facial Cosmetic & OMFS, ‘fractures of the jaw and face’ was known by most of the dental (77.7 per cent) and medical (63.7 per cent) students. The mean awareness score was higher among the dentistry students compared to medicine & surgery students (8.88±4.47 vs. 8.78±4.40 out of 17.ConclusionLevel of Familiarity and awareness was reasonable. This study ascertains the need for an effective educational program to increase the awareness

Intramolecular hydrogen-bond activation for the addition of nucleophilic imines: 2-hydroxybenzophenone as a chemical auxiliary

The addition of nucleophilic imines, using 2-hydroxybenzophenone as a chemical auxiliary, is presented. An intramolecular six-membered ring via hydrogen bonding that enhances the reactivity and selectivity is the key of this strategy, which is supported by DFT calculations and experimental trialsSpanish Government (CTQ2015-64561-R, CTQ2016-76061-P, and MDM-2014-0377), Prodep (UJAT-PTC-247) and CCC-UAM are acknowledged. A. G. thanks MINECO for a PhD fellowship (FPI) and A. M. S. thanks CAM for a postdoctoral contract (2016-T2/IND-1660

BLOOD LIPID DISORDER IN MEN WITH INCREASED WAIST CIRCUMFERENCE COMPARED TO MEN HAVING NORMAL WAIST CIRCUMFERENCE WITHIN THE SAME CATEGORY OF BMI

Background: No local studies have been performed yet to investigate the influence of central or abdominal obesity on serum lipids in men having increased Waist Circumference (WC) compared to men with normal Waist Circumference values within the same BMI (Body Mass Index) category. Objective:To examine whether the prevalence of dyslipidemia, (defined as Hypercholesterolemia (Total Cholesterol level ≥240 mg/dl), high LDL-C level (≥160 mg/dl), low HDL-C level (&lt;35 mg/dl), or Hypertriglyceridemia (TG level ≥200 mg/dl)), is higher in men having high Waist Circumference compared to others with normal WC values within the same BMI category. Methods: The study was conducted between September 2013 and July 2014. Eighty-eight overweight men (BMI = 25-29.9) were grouped by WC as follows: 28 with high values (&gt;102 cm) and 60 with normal values (≤ 102cm). Blood samples were drawn and assayed for total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-C, and LDL-C,at the department of Laboratory in the Faculty of Public Health, Lebanese University. All assays were performed by enzymatic colorimetric methods using Hitachi-704. Results: Overweight men with high WC values (according to cutoff points internationally adopted) were the most likely to have dyslipidemia with its subsequent increased health risk compared with those having normal WC values. Conclusion: we showed in this study that the prevalence of dyslipidemia in men with high WC values is greater compared to those with normal WC values within the same BMI category. This finding leads us to the importance of the incorporated evaluation of WC in addition to the BMI in clinical practice

BLOOD LIPID DISORDER IN MEN WITH INCREASED WAIST CIRCUMFERENCE COMPARED TO MEN HAVING NORMAL WAIST CIRCUMFERENCE WITHIN THE SAME CATEGORY OF BMI

Background: No local studies have been performed yet to investigate the influence of central or abdominal obesity on serum lipids in men having increased Waist Circumference (WC) compared to men with normal Waist Circumference values within the same BMI (Body Mass Index) category. Objective:To examine whether the prevalence of dyslipidemia, (defined as Hypercholesterolemia (Total Cholesterol level ≥240 mg/dl), high LDL-C level (≥160 mg/dl), low HDL-C level (&lt;35 mg/dl), or Hypertriglyceridemia (TG level ≥200 mg/dl)), is higher in men having high Waist Circumference compared to others with normal WC values within the same BMI category. Methods: The study was conducted between September 2013 and July 2014. Eighty-eight overweight men (BMI = 25-29.9) were grouped by WC as follows: 28 with high values (&gt;102 cm) and 60 with normal values (≤ 102cm). Blood samples were drawn and assayed for total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-C, and LDL-C,at the department of Laboratory in the Faculty of Public Health, Lebanese University. All assays were performed by enzymatic colorimetric methods using Hitachi-704. Results: Overweight men with high WC values (according to cutoff points internationally adopted) were the most likely to have dyslipidemia with its subsequent increased health risk compared with those having normal WC values. Conclusion: we showed in this study that the prevalence of dyslipidemia in men with high WC values is greater compared to those with normal WC values within the same BMI category. This finding leads us to the importance of the incorporated evaluation of WC in addition to the BMI in clinical practice