Research Article An Improved Particle Swarm Optimization Based on Deluge Approach for Enhanced Hierarchical Cache Optimization in IPTV Networks

Abstract: In recent years, IP network has been considered as a new delivery network for TV services. A majority of the telecommunication industries have used IP network to offer on-demand services and linear TV services as it can offer a two-way and high-speed communication. In order to effectively and economically utilize the IP network, caching is the technique which is usually preferred. In IPTV system, a managed network is utilized to bring out TV services, the requests of Video on Demand (VOD) objects are usually combined in a limited period intensively and user preferences are fluctuated dynamically. Furthermore, the VOD content updates often under the control of IPTV providers. In order to minimize this traffic and overall network cost, a segment of the video content is stored in caches closer to subscribers, for example, Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer (DSLAM), a Central Office (CO) and Intermediate Office (IO). The major problem focused in this approach is to determine the optimal cache memory that should be assigned in order to attain maximum cost effectiveness. This approach uses an effective Grate Deluge algorithm based Particle Swarm Optimization (GDPSO) approach for attaining the optimal cache memory size which in turn minimizes the overall network cost. The analysis shows that hierarchical distributed caching can save significant network cost through the utilization of the GDPSO algorithm

Reduced Exercise Capacity in Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis

Objective : Bronchiectasis not due to cystic fibrosis is usually a consequence of severe bacterial or tuberculous infection of the lungs, which is commonly seen in children in developing countries. Our aim was to study its functional sequelae and affect on work capacity in children. Methods : Seventeen children (7-17 years of age) with clinical and radiological evidence of bronchiectasis of one or both lungs were studied at the Cardiopulmonaly Unit of the Tuberculosis Research Centre. Pulmonary function tests including spirometry and lung volume measurements were performed. Incremental exercise stress test was done on a treadmill, and ventilatory and cardiac parameters we monitored. Control values were taken from a previous study. Results : Children with bronchiectasis had lower forced vital capacity (FVC) (1.1 + 0.4 L versus 1.5 + 0.4 L, p=0.003) and FEV1 (0.95 ± 0.2 L versus 1.4 ± 0.3 L, p<0.002) compared to age- and sex-matched healthy controls. The patient group had significantly higher residual lung volumes (0.7 ± 0.3 L versus 0.4 + 0.1 L, p<0.02). At maximal exercise, they had lower aerobic capacity (28 ± 6 ml/min/kg versus 38 5 ml/min/kg, p<0.0001) and maximal ventilation (24 ± 8 L/min versus 39 ± 10 L/min, p<0.001). At maximal exercise, while none of the controls desaturated, oxygen saturation fell below 88% in eight of 17 patients. conclusion ;The findings show that children and adolescents with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis have abnormal pulmonary function and reduced exercise capacity. This is likely to interfere with their lie as well as future work capacity. Efforts should be made to minimize lung damage in childhood by ensuring early diagnosis and instituting appropriate treatment of respiratory infections

T-Lymphocyte subpopulation in tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is associated with both qualitative and quantitative defects in the cell mediated immune response. The changes that occur in the lymphocyte profile in blood in children with tuberculosis are not well understood. Design: Prospective study. Setting: Referral hospitals. Methods: Lymphocyte subpopulations were determined by flow cytometry in 17 healthy tuberculin positive children, in 22 children with newly diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis and in 8 of these children after antituberculosis therapy, Results: Absolute numbers and percentages of CD3+ and CD4+ T cells were reduced in children with tuberculosis, compared to controls. CD4+ counts increased significantly following antituberculosis treatment, compared to baseline values. In contrast, the proportion of T cells expressing the gd T cell receptor was similar in tuberculosis patients and controts. Conclusion: Children with tuberculosis have a systemic decrease in the proportion and number of CD3+ and CD4+ T cells which reverses during therapy

La cuerda dulce – a tolerability and acceptability study of a novel approach to specimen collection for diagnosis of paediatric pulmonary tuberculosis

BACKGROUND: Recent data demonstrate the utility of the string test for the diagnosis of sputum-scarce HIV-associated TB in adults. We hypothesized that, if well-tolerated by children, this simple tool might offer a breakthrough in paediatric TB diagnosis. Thus the objective of this study, undertaken in the paediatric service of the Hospital Nacional Dos de Mayo, Lima, Perú, was to determine the tolerability and acceptability of the string test to paediatric TB suspects, their parents and nursing staff. METHODS: 22 paediatric subjects aged 3–14 years (median 8) under investigation for TB were invited to undergo 2 string tests (four-hour downtime each). Subjective and objective pain and discomfort rating scales were used to assess the perception of the subject, parent and attending nurse. RESULTS: Patients as young as 4 years tolerated the procedure extremely well with 84% willing to undergo a second procedure. Peak discomfort at the time of swallowing and of string retrieval was mild (30% of maximum possible score) and brief as judged by visual analogue ratings and objective indicators. Good concordance of parent/child and objective/subjective ratings strengthened the validity of these findings. CONCLUSION: The string test is well tolerated and achievable for most paediatric TB suspects as young as 4 years. A formal prospective paediatric efficacy study is now needed

Yaka Yaka Ndemka

Xhosa music at Hogsback festiva

Bronchoalveolar lavage in pediatrics

Bronchoalveolar lavage is a relatively new technique that is used to study the local cellular, biochemical and immunological changes occuring in the lower respiratory tract. The procedure involves instilling a fixed volume of saline into a lung segment after the flexible fibreoptic bronchoscope is wedged into a distal bronchus. The saline is aspirated back and can be used for microbiological and other studies. Recently, attempts have been made to standardise the procedure in children and obtain data on BAL cellular profile in healthy children. The main indications for BAL are diagnostic, particularly to diagnose unusual infections in immunocompromised children. It is also helpful in the diagnosis of a number on non infectious conditions, based on the cellular profile and other constituents. With the availability of new techniques like flow cytometry, analysis of lymphoctye and other cell subsets has become possible leading to a better understanding of the immunopathgenesis of various respiratory diseases

Molecular weight distribution of polyethylene terephthalate in homogeneous, continuous-flow-stirred tank reactors

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) formation in homogeneous, continuous-flow-stirred tank reactors (HCSTRs) operating at steady state has been simulated. The feed to the reactor is assumed to consist of the monomer bis-(hydroxyethyl) terephthalate and monofunctional compound (MF1) cetyl alcohol. The overall polymerization is assumed to consist of the polycondensation, reaction with monofunctional compounds, redistribution, and cyclization reactions. At a given time, the reaction mass consists of polyester molecules (Pn), polyester molecules with an ending of molecules of monofunctional compound (MFn), and cyclic polymers (Cn). A mass balance for each of these species in the reactor gives rise to a set of algebraic equations to be solved simultaneously. The MWD calculations show that the redistribution reaction plays a major role and cannot be ignored, This result is in contrast lo the observation for semi-batch reactors, for which redistribution becomes important when the cyclization reaction is included. For the same residence times of semi-batch and HCSTRs, the latter gives considerably lower-number average molecular weight, Nav, and polydispersity index, &#961;. However, for the same conversions, the &#961; for CSTR is higher. The concentration of the monofurctional compound, [MF1]0, in the feed and the reactor temperature both influence &#961;, but the effect is small within the range studied