Performance study of voice over frame relay : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering in Information Engineering, Massey University, Albany, New Zealand

Frame Relay (FR) represents an important paradigm shift in modern telecommunication. This technology is beginning to evolve from data only application to broad spectrum of multimedia users and potential to provide end users with cost effective transport of voice traffic for intra office communication. In this project the recent development in voice communication over Frame relay is investigated. Simulations were carried out using OPNET, a powerful simulation software. Following the simulation model, a practical design of the LAN-to-LAN connectivity experiment was also done in the Net Lab. From the results of the simulation, Performance measures such as delay, jitter, and throughput are reported. It is evident from the results that real-time voice or video across a frame relay network can provide acceptable performance

Evaluation of the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of essential oil of Nepeta pogonosperma Jamzad et Assadi in rats

BACKGROUND AND THE PURPOSE OF STUDY: Concerning the different effects of essential oils from Nepeta genus on the central nervous system including pain killing effect, this study was designed to evaluate the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of essential oil of Nepeta pogonosperma Jamzad et Assadi (NP), a recently identified species. METHODS: Air-dried aerial parts of NP were hydrodistillated and GC-MS analysis of obtained essential oil was conducted. Total 24 male Wister rats weighing 225 ± 25 gm were studied. Essential oil of NP was administered intraperitoneally at the doses of 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg for the experimental groups. Control rats received equal volume (2 ml/kg) of normal saline. Antinociception was assessed by tail flick test (after 30 minutes) and formalin test (for further 60 minutes). Then the animal was sacrificed and the paw edema was measured using a water plethysmometer. RESULTS: 4aα,7α,7aβ-nepetalactone and 1,8-cineole were found as the main concentrated components of NP essential oil. All the doses of NP showed antinociception. NP 200 mg/kg reduced the pain sensation in tail flick (p <0.01) and formalin test (p <0.001 in both phases). In paw edema test, NP 100 and 200 mg/kg significantly reduced the inflammation (p <0.01 and p <0.05). CONCLUSION: This study reveals that the essential oil of NP may minimize both the acute and chronic forms of nociception and may have potent role against inflammation, but the dose should be maintained precisely to obtain the intended effect

Performance Appraisal System and Its Practices in Local Private Business Organizations of Bangladesh

This present paper focuses on the performance appraisal practices of local private organizations in Bangladesh. Here, the researchers found that, almost all the organizations have formal performance evaluation systems. Though there is variation in their methods, frequency of occurrence and parties involved in evaluation system. In terms of method majority (16%) of the organizations prefer Management by Objective (MBO) method. Concerning the frequency of performance appraisal 69.23% local organizations evaluate their employees annually. It is also observed that majority of the employees are satisfied with present performance appraisal systems. The researchers also recommend a comparative analysis between the performance appraisal practice of local private business enterprises of Bangladesh and performance appraisal practice of multinational business enterprises

mHealth Support System for Researchers and Participants

With the proliferation of mobile technologies, there is a significant increase of research using mobile devices in the medical and public health area. Mobile technology has improved the efficiency of healthcare delivery effectively. Mobile Health or mHealth is an interdisciplinary research area which has been active for more than a decade. Much research has been conducted and many software research tools (mHealth Support System) have been developed. Despite the time length, there is a significant gap in the mHealth research area regarding software research tools. Individual research groups are developing their own software research tool though there is a significant similarity among them. Most of the research tools are study or disease specific. Some of the tools are device specific (desktop/laptop, mobile phone, and tablet) and some are platform specific (web, android, iOS, and windows). This costs each research study their precious time, money, and workforce to develop similar service or software research tools. Based on the mHealth research characteristics, it is possible to design and implement a customizable generic software research tool. In this thesis, we have proposed, designed, and implemented a customizable generic mHealth software research tool. It has most of the common software research modules that are needed for an mHealth research study. These include real-time data collection, research participant management, research staff management, role based access control, research data anonymization, customizable surveys, report generation, study forum, and activity tracking. This software research tool is responsive and HIPAA compliant which makes it device independent, privacy-aware, and security-aware

Attitude of Muslim Female Students towards Entrepreneurship - a study on University Students in Bangladesh

Business education is attracting more and more female students, hence more entrepreneurial participation is expected from these graduates. The study aims to investigate the entrepreneurial intention of the Muslim Female BBA students from International Islamic University Chittagong Bangladesh. Few studies have addressed entrepreneurial attitude of Muslim females in developing countries. Islam is a complete way of life; directing and guiding entrepreneurial intention based on Islamic values will ensure an overall balanced growth in society rather benefiting particular sections. Investigating Female students' intent can act as the first step towards instigating entrepreneurial culture in Bangladesh based on Islamic teachings. As par findings of the study major motivational factors highlighted by the students who are willing to pursue self-employment are feeling of independence and satisfaction. Total number of respondents is 95 among which only 26.3% are inclined to go for self-employment. The unwillingness of the rest of the students is, among other reasons, mainly due to the risk and uncertainty involved in business, lack of capital, family and social obstacles, lack of suitable knowledge as well as lack of experience. Key words: Motivation, Entrepreneurship Intention, Busines

Rethinking the Food Narrative, Pt. 1

If there is anything to be learnt from developed cities around the world, it is that the private sector will continue to play an increasingly important role in the urban food supply of emerging cities. In the context of Southern Africa, where the informal sector continues to serve a large percentage of the urban poor population, but is losing power due to the advent of modern agribusinesses, it becomes necessary to derive methods to integrate small-scale vendors into formal food marketing systems through the respatializing of logistical spaces of food aggregation and distribution in the city. Through a consolidation of existing food activists and community based/social movement, and analysis of the modern food network and systems, there lies design potential for systemic intervention that begins to link food production of multiple scales in a coherent sequence, that addresses the ecological,social and spatial attributes of a given community/site

Rethinking the Food Narrative, Pt. 2

If there is anything to be learnt from developed cities around the world, it is that the private sector will continue to play an increasingly important role in the urban food supply of emerging cities. In the context of Southern Africa, where the informal sector continues to serve a large percentage of the urban poor population, but is losing power due to the advent of modern agribusinesses, it becomes necessary to derive methods to integrate small-scale vendors into formal food marketing systems through the respatializing of logistical spaces of food aggregation and distribution in the city. Through a consolidation of existing food activists and community based/social movement, and analysis of the modern food network and systems, there lies design potential for systemic intervention that begins to link food production of multiple scales in a coherent sequence, that addresses the ecological,social and spatial attributes of a given community/site

PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PEDAGOGICAL SUPPORT FOR THE FAMILY WITH YOUNGER SCHOOLBOY WITH MENTAL RETARDATION

An urgent issue of modern education – the issue of psychological and pedagogical support for the family with a child with health disabilities has been considered. It has been specified, that particularly specially organized work can help parents and members of family with a child with health disabilities to cope with the difficulties of raising child and carry out his socialization. In particular, the results of a study of the personality of the parents of a child of primary school age with a mental retardation, their chosen style of child upbringing, the nature of interaction with the child have been presented. In addition, the effectiveness of the compiled and tested program of psychological and pedagogical support for the family with a child with a mental retardation, changes in the behavior of parents and children before and after testing the program have been analysed

Entrepreneurship: A Culture Embedded in The Religion of Islam

Islam as a complete way of life has always given emphasis on business entrepreneurship. Islam encourages earning through permissible means. The strong foundation on which Islamic way of life is built up ensures social balance in all spheres of life. Business in Islam has the highest status as a method of earning livelihood. . The early Muslim generation has proved that a Muslim can be a very successful entrepreneur if he/she practices Islam in its entirety.  This study analyses the importance of entrepreneurship in Islam based on Quran and sunnah and by looking back to the past practice of renowned Muslims. The research nullifies the misconception that Islam is backdated and discourages innovation. Keywords: Entreprenureship, Islam, Business