Utilization Of A Large-Scale Wireless Sensor Network For Intrusion Detection And Border Surveillance

To control the border more effectively, countries may deploy a detection system that enables real-time surveillance of border integrity. Events such as border crossings need to be monitored in real time so that any border entries can be noted by border security forces and destinations marked for apprehension. Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) are promising for border security surveillance because they enable enforcement teams to monitor events in the physical environment. In this work, probabilistic models have been presented to investigate senor development schemes while considering the environmental factors that affect the sensor performance. Simulation studies have been carried out using the OPNET to verify the theoretical analysis and to find an optimal node deployment scheme that is robust and efficient by incorporating geographical coordination in the design. Measures such as adding camera and range-extended antenna to each node have been investigated to improve the system performance. A prototype WSN based surveillance system has been developed to verify the proposed approach

Enuresis improvement and its associated factors among children attending enuresis clinic at Rusaifah

Background: Enuresis is a common non-lethal health problem, causing a great deal of stress, confusion, and frustration to the suffering children, parents, and physicians. Objectives: Finding and evaluating the scope of improvement and factors associated with it among children attending enuresis clinic at Rusaifah Family Medicine Postgraduate Training Center in Makkah Al-Mukarramah. Subjects and Methods: The study was conducted at Rusaifah Family Medicine Postgraduate Training Center in Makkah Al-Mukarramah (June–August 2013). The targeted population was 600 patients with enuresis registered with the enuresis clinic at Al-Rusaifah Family Medicine Postgraduate Training Center. The sample size was calculated to be 150 using Epi Info, version 6. Medical records of patients with enuresis and a checklist designed by the researcher were used to obtain data covering all variables studied. Medical records were reviewed and the required information was pooled to a checklist designed to record data required for variables. Results: The response rate was 100%. A zero wetting per week improvement was found among 149 (99.3%), 54 (36%), and 9 (6%) in the first month, first 2 months, and first 3 months, respectively. The mean age of children with improved enuresis was found to be 9.38 years in the first month, 9.09 years in the first 2 months, and 11.33 years in the first 3 months, respectively, compared to that of those with non-improved enuresis (5 years, 9.51 years, and 9.23 years in the first month, first 2 months, and first 3 months). This difference was not significant except in the first 3 months (p < 0 .04). Other studied variables (age at toilet training, gender, nationality, spontaneous wakening for toilet, fear of toilet, easy access to toilet, hospitalization, parental separation, delayed milestones, fluid restriction, school/home conflict, urinary tract infection symptoms, punishment, and rewards) were not significantly associated with the degree of improvement for enuresis. Conclusion: The degree of improvement (zero wetting per week) was high in the first month then and then declined steadily in the first 2 months and in the first 3 months

Potential Of Sugarcane In Modern Energy Development In Southern Africa

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)For more than half of the Southern African population, human development is limited by a lack of access to electricity and modern energy for cooking. Modern bioenergy merits consideration as one means to address this situation in areas where sufficient arable land is available. While numerous studies have concluded that Africa has significant biomass potential, they do not indicate by how much it can effectively reduce the use of traditional biomass and provide more accessible energy, especially at a country level. Here, we evaluate the potential of sugarcane to replace traditional biomass and fossil fuel and enlarge the access to electricity in Southern Africa. By using its current molasses for ethanol production, Swaziland could increase electricity generation by 40% using bagasse and replace 60% of cooking fuel or 30% of liquid fossil fuel. Sugarcane expansion over 1% of the pasture land in Angola, Mozambique, and Zambia could replace greater than 70% of cooking fuel. Bioelectricity generation from modest sugarcane expansion could be increased by 10% in Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia and by 20% in Angola. Our results support the potential of sugarcane as a modern energy alternative for Southern Africa.4Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) [2012/00282-3, 2015/02270-0]Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

Suboptimal correction of low anorectal anomalies: a possible cause for intractable constipation in children

Background Constipation is a common problem among patients following the repair of low anorectal anomalies. We present our experience in managing constipation in a group of these patients with reoperation to correct residual anterior anal misplacement.Patients and methods The study included pediatric patients presenting with significant constipation following the repair of low anorectal anomalies. Patients with evidence of residual anterior anal misplacement (either clinically, by means of MRI, or using electrical muscle stimulation) were offered a reoperation to bring their ani backward to an orthotropic position.Results Thirteen patients were included in the study between September 2009 and June 2015. Their ages ranged from 1.5 to 10 years. The primary anomaly was rectoperineal fistula in 10 (seven boys and three girls) and rectovestibular in three girls. Two types of reoperations were performed: a posterior anoplasty with posterior sphincterotomy (five cases), and a limited sagittal anorectoplasty (eight cases). Straining at defecation was relieved in all patients. Of the 13 patients, nine were relieved from their constipation (69%) and had regular bowel movements without medications. The remaining four (31%) showed partial improvement.Conclusion Among patients with low anorectal anomalies, suboptimal correction with residual anterior anal misplacement represents one correctable cause for persistence of constipation

Effect of antipsychotics on mitochondrial bioenergetics of rat ovarian theca cells

Background Antipsychotics (APs) are widely prescribed drugs, which are well known to cause reproductive adverse effects through mechanisms yet to be determined. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of antipsychotics on mitochondrial bioenergetics of rat ovarian theca cells as a possible mechanism of reproductive toxicity. Methods Isolated rat theca interstitial cells (TICs) were treated with two typical (chlorpromazine [CPZ] and haloperidol [HAL]) and two atypical APs (risperidone [RIS] and clozapine [CLZ]). The effects of these APs on TICs bioenergetics (ATP content, mitochondrial complexes I and III activities, oxygen consumption rates (OCRs), mitochondrial membrane potential (MPP) and lactate production) and on steroidogenesis (androstenedione and progesterone synthesis) were investigated. Results All APs resulted in a concentration-dependent decrease in the ATP content of TICs. All APs at their estimated IC50s (6 μM, 21 μM, 35 μM and 37 μM for CPZ, HAL, CLZ and RIS respectively) significantly decreased TICs OCRs (p < 0.0001), MPP (p < 0.0001) and significantly (p = 0.0003) inhibited mitochondrial complex I activity. Only typical APs inhibited complex III (p = 0.005). Also, APs at IC50s increased TICs lactate production to varying degrees. All APs used at their IC50s significantly inhibited progesterone (p = 0.0022) and androstenedione (p = 0.0027) production. Only CPZ was found to inhibit these hormones at the low concentration (1 μM). Conclusion All four antipsychotics seem to inhibit mitochondrial bioenergetics and steroidogenesis in rat’s ovarian theca cells. These findings support the hypothesis that APs-induced reproductive toxicity may be through mechanisms involving mitochondrial insult>. Further research is required to establish the link between APs-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and disordered steroidogenesis

Bioenergy and African Transformation

Among the world’s continents, Africa has the highest incidence of food insecurity and poverty and the highest rates of population growth. Yet Africa also has the most arable land, the lowest crop yields, and by far the most plentiful land resources relative to energy demand. It is thus of interest to examine the potential of expanded modern bioenergy production in Africa. Here we consider bioenergy as an enabler for development, and provide an overview of modern bioenergy technologies with a comment on application in an Africa context. Experience with bioenergy in Africa offers evidence of social benefits and also some important lessons. In Brazil, social development, agricultural development and food security, and bioenergy development have been synergistic rather than antagonistic. Realizing similar success in African countries will require clear vision, good governance, and adaptation of technologies, knowledge, and business models to myriad local circumstances. Strategies for integrated production of food crops, livestock, and bioenergy are potentially attractive and offer an alternative to an agricultural model featuring specialized land use. If done thoughtfully, there is considerable evidence that food security and economic development in Africa can be addressed more effectively with modern bioenergy than without it. Modern bioenergy can be an agent of African transformation, with potential social benefits accruing to multiple sectors and extending well beyond energy supply per se. Potential negative impacts also cut across sectors. Thus, institutionally inclusive multi-sector legislative structures will be more effective at maximizing the social benefits of bioenergy compared to institutionally exclusive, single-sector structures

GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY-MASS SPECTROMETRY ANALYSIS AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF PUNICA GRANATUM L. PEELS AND ITS ROLE AS IMMUNOSTIMULANT AGAINST SCHISTOSOMA MANSONI INFECTION IN BIOMPHALARIA ALEXANDRINA

Objective: To evaluate the antioxidant activity and chemical composition of Punica granatum L. and test it as immunostimulants against Schistosoma mansoni infection to Biomphalaria alexandrina snails.Methods: Antioxidant activity was evaluated by measuring the free radical scavenging activity of the 90% defatted methanol extract (90% DM) of P. granatum peels and its sub-derived fractions was evaluated via 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and its chemical constituents were identified via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. B. alexandrina snails were exposed to pomegranate extracts (PEs) for 1 month before their challenging with S. mansoni miracidia. Infection rates, immunological and histological parameters were, then, evaluated in PE-exposed snails and compared to controls.Results: The antioxidants activities of PE, expressed as scavenging concentration at 50%, were in the following order; 90% DM (12.45) ˃n-butanol(15.59) ˃ethyl acetate (21.36) ˃water (49.16) µg/ml, compared to 7.50 µg/ml for ascorbic acid. The infection rates of PE-exposed snails were 20%,50%, 60%, 70%, and 80%, respectively, for 90% DM, n-butanol, ethyl acetate, water, and dichloromethane extracts compared to 95% in control snails. The number of amoebocytes showed a significant increase, clear differentiation, and size increment in exposed snails compared to controls. Moreover, hermaphrodite glands histology shows a full maturity in the formation of reproductive cells in PE-exposed snails. The GC-MS analysis of the 90% DM extract revealed the presence of 36 compounds representing 93.1% of the total composition. Piperidin-4-ol, 1,3-dimethyl-2,4,6-triphenyl (19.87%), and 6,11-dihydroxy-5,12 naphthacenequinone-1-carboxylic acid (7.80%) were the major components.Conclusion: The identified compounds in 90% DM extract of P. granatum may be responsible for the high antioxidant activity of the fruit and it may account for its immunostimulatory effect against S. mansoni infection in B. alexandrina.Keywords: Punica granatum L., Antioxidant activity, Biomphalaria alexandrina, Schistosoma mansoni, Infection rate, Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Total Relationship Management (TRM) and 5 Qs Model as New Management Techniques: A Comparative Study for a Knowledge-Intensive Sector

Purpose – The aim of this research is to develop a new conceptual quality assessment model including behavioural dimensions of student- professor relationships and student satisfaction for knowledge-intensive sector. Design/methodology/approach – This study provides an empirical base to understand the complex and multidimensional nature of the quality of higher education and student satisfaction. Findings – We argue in this study that the TRM in higher education is a cumulative construct, summing various facets and variables which impacting students satisfaction, such as technical, functional, infrastructure, interaction culture and atmosphere variables. There are differences between Egypt and Turkey in Priority of the ten most important factors of effect satisfaction of higher education students. Research limitations/implications – The initial results are encouraging as they lay the groundwork for future studies. Practical implications – The research provides a platform for ongoing investigation of university-citizen relationship while improving and assuring outcomes for those involved in the process. It appears that the 5Qs instrument can have a useful diagnostic role to play in assessing and monitoring educational service quality, enabling staff to identify where improvements are needed from the students’ perspective. Originality/value – In this research we describe a study involving a new instrument, i.e. the 5Qs model and a new method. The result can be used by the university to reengineer and redesign creatively their quality management processes and the future direction of their more effective higher education quality strategies.Key words: TRM; 5 quality model; Citizen; Students; Higher education; University; Managemen