Modeling Probability of Path Loss for DSDV, OLSR and DYMO above 802.11 and 802.11p

This paper presents path loss model along with framework for probability distribution function for VANETs. Furthermore, we simulate three routing protocols Destination Sequenced Distance Vector (DSDV), Optimized Link State Routing (OLSR) and Dynamic MANET On-demand (DYMO) in NS-2 to evaluate and compare their performance using two Mac-layer Protocols 802.11 and 802.11p. A novel approach of this work is modifications in existing parameters to achieve high efficiency. After extensive simulations, we observe that DSDV out performs with 802.11p while DYMO gives best performance with 802.11.Comment: IEEE 8th International Conference on Broadband and Wireless Computing, Communication and Applications (BWCCA'13), Compiegne, Franc

Influenza Research in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: A Review

Given the importance of influenza infections in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR), we conducted a comprehensive literature review to analyze the status of influenza research in the region from 2012. Influenza research has gained more momentum recently with the emergence of H5N1 and new virus strains. Research covering epidemiological, veterinary, and basic science aspects is growing. More sequences were being generated per year, not only for diagnostic purposes but also for research. We included gray literature publications in our search and found several graduate student dissertations from Egypt, which were published on an online portal. However, the search revealed some weaknesses, mostly in the areas of study design and the lack of surveillance studies. Another weakness was the fact that the publications originated from very few countries, mainly Egypt and Iran. Although improving, influenza research in the EMR remains weak. We recommend encouraging countries in the EMR to conduct more influenza research using stronger methodologies

INTELLIGENT AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM

This project had two key results. The first was developing a new method for detecting faults in the operation of the heating, cooling and economizer subsystems of rooftop air‐conditioning units. Improved fault detection will reduce energy consumption and increase energy efficiency, which will reduce greenhouse gases and other air emissions that contribute to air pollution. The method employed techniques from signal processing and time series analysis to evaluate the correlation among measuring parameters and to assess the presence or absence of faults in the system. This project had two key results. The first was developing a new method for detecting faults in the operation of the heating, cooling and economizer subsystems of rooftop air‐conditioning units. Improved fault detection will reduce energy consumption and increase energy efficiency, which will reduce greenhouse gases and other air emissions that contribute to air pollution. The method employed techniques from signal processing and time series analysis to evaluate the correlation among measuring parameters and to assess the presence or absence of faults in the system

Design and Validation of a Reduced Switching Components Step-Up Multilevel Inverter (RSCS-MLI)

A reduced switching components step-up multilevel inverter (RSCS-MLI) is presented in the paper. The basic circuit of the proposed MLI can produce 11 levels in the output voltage with a reduced number of switching components. The other features of the proposed circuit include a low value of voltage stresses and the inherent generation of the voltage levels pertaining to the negative half without the requirement of an H-bridge. Fundamental frequency switching technique, also known as Nearest Level Control (NLC) technique, is implemented in the proposed topology for generating the switching signals. The experimental total harmonic distortion (THD) in the output voltage comes out to be 9.4% for modulation index equal to 1. Based on different parameters, a comparative study has been shown in the paper, which makes the claim of the proposed MLI stronger. An experimental setup is prepared to carry out the hardware implementation of the proposed structure and monitor its performance under dynamic load conditions, which is also used to verify the simulation results. Power loss analysis, carried out by using PLECS software, helps us to gain insight into different losses occurring while operating the inverter. The different results are explained and analyzed in the paper.</jats:p

Adaptive framing based similarity measurement between time warped speech signals using Kalman filter

Similarity measurement between speech signals aims at calculating the degree of similarity using acoustic features that has been receiving much interest due to the processing of large volume of multimedia information. However, dynamic properties of speech signals such as varying silence segments and time warping factor make it more challenging to measure the similarity between speech signals. This manuscript entails further extension of our research towards the adaptive framing based similarity measurement between speech signals using a Kalman filter. Silence removal is enhanced by integrating multiple features for voiced and unvoiced speech segments detection. The adaptive frame size measurement is improved by using the acceleration/deceleration phenomenon of object linear motion. A dominate feature set is used to represent the speech signals along with the pre-calculated model parameters that are set by the offline tuning of a Kalman filter. Performance is evaluated using additional datasets to evaluate the impact of the proposed model and silence removal approach on the time warped speech similarity measurement. Detailed statistical results are achieved indicating the overall accuracy improvement from 91 to 98% that proves the superiority of the extended approach on our previous research work towards the time warped continuous speech similarity measurement

Secondary prevention of heart disease – knowledge among cardiologists and Ω-3 (Omega-3) fatty acid prescribing behaviors in Karachi, Pakistan

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The use of omega-3 fatty acids is a currently proven strategy for secondary prevention of heart disease. The prescription practices for this important nutraceutical is not currently known. It is imperative to assess the knowledge of cardiologists regarding the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids and to determine the frequency of its prescription. The aim of the study was to determine the practices and associations of dietary fish prescribing among cardiologists of Karachi and to assess their knowledge of fish oil supplementation and attitudes toward dietary practices.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A cross sectional survey was conducted during the period of January to March, 2008. A self report questionnaire was employed. All practicing cardiologists of Karachi were included in the study. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the independent factors associated with high fish prescribers.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The sample comprised of a total of 163 cardiologists practicing in Karachi, Pakistan. Most (73.6%) of the cardiologists fell in the age range of 28 – 45 years and were male (90.8%). High fish prescribers only comprised 36.2% of the respondents. After adjusting for age and gender, multivariate analysis revealed that only the variable of knowledge about fish oil's role in reducing sudden cardiac death was independently associated with high fish prescribers OR = 6.38 [95% CI 2.58–15.78].</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The level of knowledge about the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids is high and the cardiologists harbor a favorable attitude towards dispensing dietary fish advice. However, the prescription practices are less than optimal and not concordant with recommendations of organisations such as the American Heart Association and National Heart Foundation of Australia. The knowledge of prevention of sudden cardiac death in CVD patients has been identified as an important predictor of high fish prescription. This particular life-saving property of omega-3 fatty acids should be the focus of any implemented educational strategy targeted to improve secondary CVD prevention via omega-3 fatty acid supplementation.</p