Enhancement of the Contention Access Period for Reducing Energy Consumption of Industrial Internet of Things Based on IPv6

Abstract: Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is an emerging technology in recent years, which is widely utilized for control, manage the manufacturing environment, and monitor production lines in the smart factories. The IPv6 has enabled the use of many IIoT devices, so these devices consume large amounts of energy. Many research efforts were made in this area aimed to improve power consumption and performance. This paper proposed the Contention Access Period Reduction Medium Access Control protocol (CAP Reduction MAC protocol) for reducing the CAP duration size based on IEEE 802.15.4e. The proposed MAC protocol leads to reduce the CAP portion. Thus the number of time slots, which assigned to the sensors will decrease. Moreover, this paper intends to estimate the performance of IIoT devices in terms of energy consumption, throughput, and delay time through an analysis of their respective ways of operation running the Contiki Operating System (OS). To validate the proposed protocol, different experiments are conducted based on the Cooja simulator. The proposed protocol can be reduced the overall energy consumption with up to 64.14 %, decreases the delay by 33.7 %, and increases throughput by 63.0 %

Community-based hearing services for children in early childhood development centers using mobile technologies

Unidentified hearing loss has a negative impact on a child’s speech, language and communication abilities. This in turn creates a barrier to social development and educational achievement placing a child at a risk for failure and drop out from school. Within low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) like South Africa, children have limited access to early identification services due to several challenges, including a shortage of human resources for ear and hearing care, a lack of appropriate equipment as well as other health care priorities. This study identified early childhood developmental centers (ECD) as a potential platform for the identification of children affected by hearing loss prior to school entry. It aimed to provide research-based recommendations for delivering hearing screening within ECD centers using a low-cost smartphone-based hearing screening application operated by community members with no formal training on hearing care. It also investigated the current knowledge and attitudes of ECD practitioners to ensure the acceptance and success of such programs. Lastly, this study aimed to determine the nature and profile of hearing loss in a community representative of typical LMICs. A total of 6424 children (3446 females, 2978 males) between the ages of three to six years were recruited from 250 ECD centers to determine the efficacy and feasibility of a smartphone hearing screening application, hearScreenTM. A referral rate of 24.9% was obtained with females 1.26 times more likely to fail compared to males. An increase in age was associated with a decreased likelihood of test failure, with overall referral rates varying from 19.6 to 45.8% for children six and three years of age, respectively. The quality index reflecting test operator test quality increased to 99-100% during the first few months of testing, thus indicating reliable testing by non-specialist personnel with support in early roll-out phases. Mean test duration, including both initial and rescreen test times for both ears, was 68 seconds (SD 2.8) for participants that passed and 258.5 seconds (SD 251.2) for those who failed. Only 39.4% of children who failed ECD screenings attended their follow-up appointment at their local primary health care (PHC) facility, of which 40.5% referred on their second screening. A total of 725 children received a diagnostic assessment. Diagnostic testing revealed that 9.3% of children presented with impacted cerumen and 18.7% presented with a hearing loss (56.5% bilateral). Conductive hearing loss (65.2%) was the most common type of hearing loss found in these children. No gender or age effects were found (p>0.01). The majority of preschool children who failed hearing screenings and received a diagnostic assessment were in need of intervention services for conductive hearing losses, followed by sensorineural and mixed losses. A questionnaire was administered amongst 82 ECD practitioners to determine their current knowledge and attitudes towards hearing health in poor communities. More than 80% of ECD practitioners correctly identified genetics and ear infections as etiological factors of hearing loss. Gaps in knowledge regarding identification techniques for children three to six years of age and the impact of hearing loss in the classroom were evident. ECD practitioner’s duration of experience had a significant effect on overall knowledge and attitude. ECD practitioners displayed a positive attitude towards children receiving a hearing test (88.3%) and almost all participants indicated the need for more information regarding hearing loss (93.5%). Findings from this study provide baseline data for future research, planning and implementation of ECD-based hearing health services within LMIC contexts such as South Africa. Implementation of smartphone-based hearing screening programs within ECD centers is a feasible solution to improve access to ear and hearing care services to children in LMICs. Whist ECD practitioners demonstrated a general readiness for the implementation of ECD hearing screening programs, additional information and guidelines are needed to improve practitioner knowledge and attitudes. Using mobile health technologies offers a number of advantages that can support communitybased hearing services and overcome some of the traditional challenges faced when screening within an informal educational setting.Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2018.Speech-Language Pathology and AudiologyPhDUnrestricte

Identifying financial distress firms: a case study of Malaysia’s Government Linked Companies (GLC)

The unhealthy financial state can be a massive and can cause long term distress which can result to restrictions of investments activities, capital flows and performance of firms. Thus it is vital for organizations to identify the reasoning that may lead to a corporate failure and take measures accordingly to refrain from such condition. Thus, this present study addresses the financial distress measurement among 30 GLC’s listed companies in Bursa Malaysia over the period of five years (2008 until 2012). This paper asses the financial distress determinant measured by Z score statistics model. Further on, determinant such as current ratio and debt ratio were identified. Results show that there is significant relationship between both variables and Z – Scores that determine financial distressed of the GLC

Applying Structural Equation Model To Develop A New Model Of Happiness At The Workplace In Promoting Employee Happiness In Public Organization

Happiness at the workplace refers to how satisfied people are with their workplace and lives. Happy people are productive people while those people who are unhappy may not pay full attention to any task. Furthermore, employees in the public organizations in UAE are not well satisfied due to poor workplace conditions. In some ministries in UAE must equipment are not well maintained to ease the work of an employer. The main aim of this paper to develop a Model of happiness at the workplace in promoting employee happiness in public organization using structural equation Model. The data were obtained from the employee of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority in UAE. Since the population of this study is 11787 therefore, the sample size was 370. surveyed through the self-administered Google form and by posting. The data was screened, and out of the 370 questionnaires distributed, 260 were completed and were received. Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS) in Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) confirmatory factor analysis (measurement and structural measurement models) were used to analyzed the data. Although this study has conceptualized the improving happiness at the workplace in promoting employee happiness in public organization. Additional research is needed among other states in UAE such Dubai. The motivational formulation of employee happiness, job involvement, work place climate and its impact on organizational performance is a point of future research

Hearing loss in preschool children from a low income South African community

OBJECTIVE : This study aimed to determine and describe hearing loss among preschool children in a South African community representative of typical low- and middle income countries (LMIC). METHOD : Children between the ages of 3–6 years received a hearing screening at their early childhood development (ECD) center. If a child failed the hearing screening, he/she was seen for a follow-up rescreen and diagnostic assessment if necessary at their ECD center or closest referral clinic. Diagnostic testing consisted of otoscopy, tympanommetry and pure-tone diagnostic audiometry. RESULTS : A total of 6424 children were screened at ECD centers with a referral rate of 24.9%. Follow-up assessments were conducted on 45.3% (725) of these children. Diagnostic testing revealed that 9.3% of children presented with impacted cerumen and 18.7% presented with a hearing loss (56.5% binaural). Binary logistic regression revealed no gender or age effects (p > 0.05). Conductive hearing loss (65.2%) was the most common type of hearing loss found in children. CONCLUSIONS : Most preschool children who failed the hearing screening and received a diagnostic assessment were in need of intervention services for conductive hearing losses, followed by sensorineural and mixed losses.The National Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences, in collaboration with the South African Humanities Deans Association.https://www.elsevier.com/locate/ijporl2019-12-01hj2019Speech-Language Pathology and Audiolog

Knowledge and attitudes of early childhood development practitioners towards hearing health in poor communities

OBJECTIVE : Within the educational sector of low-and middle-income countries (LMICs), formal and informal early childhood development (ECD) centers are often the first point of contact for majority of children. Since early hearing detection services are mostly absent in LMICs, these ECD centers may serve as the first point of access to screenings for these children. ECD practitioner awareness regarding hearing and hearing loss is essential for the successful implementation of hearing screening programs. This study thus investigated the current knowledge and attitudes of ECD practitioners towards childhood hearing loss in a community representative of typical LMIC contexts. METHOD : Purposive sampling was used to identify ECD centers and participants across a community. Thereafter, a cross-sectional quantitative survey (23 items) was adminstered amongst 82 ECD practitioners. RESULTS : More than 80% of ECD practitioners correctly identified genetics and ear infections as etiological factors of hearing loss. Gaps in knowledge regarding identification techniques for children 3–6 years of age and the impact of hearing loss in the classroom were evident. ECD personnel's duration of experience had a significant effect on overall knowledge and attitude (p < .05; F (1,53) = 8.68). ECD personnel displayed a positive attitude towards children receiving a hearing test (88.3%) and almost all participants indicated the need for more information regarding hearing loss (93.5%). CONCLUSIONS : This study demonstrated a general readiness amongst ECD practitioners for the implementation of ECD hearing screening programs in LMICs, however additional information and guidelines are needed to improve practitioner knowledge and attitudes.The National Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences, in collaboration with the South African Humanities Deans Association.http://www.ijporlonline.com2019-03-01hj2018Speech-Language Pathology and Audiolog

Prevalence of Anemia among Pregnant Women Attending Primary Health Care Center in Bab-Al-Moudham

Background: Anemia is define as decreased hemoglobin level, or circulating red blood cells and it is the most common hematological disorder during pregnancy. Objective(s): To identify prevalence of anemia, risk factors that contribute to the occurrence of anemia, and to explain the main types of anemia during pregnancy. Materials and methods: A descriptive cross- sectional study conducted at primary health care  in Bab- Al-Moudham center in Baghdad city, the sample was selected by non- probability (convenient sampling) and sample size (150). The study started from 1nd March to 10th June 2012, the data was collected by direct interview technique.  Previous questionnaire was structured by the researchers to measure the variable of the study; these information infants include (age, educational level, number of children, type of delivery, and type of feeding, .etc). Results: The results shows that most frequent age group was (2-29) years, (34.7%) of mothers were primary school graduate and about (54%) of the pregnant women with anemia had no abortion and no bleeding. Conclusions: The study concluded that higher percentage of pregnant mothers was low rate hemoglobin. Recommendations: The study recommended that encourage pregnant mothers to visit primary health care centers early and regularly and take drugs that prevent the occurrence of anemia during pregnancy period.                                                            

Smartphone hearing screening in mHealth assisted community-based primary care

INTRODUCTION : Access to ear and hearing health is a challenge in developing countries, where the burden of disabling hearing loss is greatest. This study investigated community-based identification of hearing loss using smartphone hearing screening (hearScreen™) operated by community health workers (CHWs) in terms of clinical efficacy and the reported experiences of CHWs. METHOD : The study comprised two phases. During phase one, 24 CHWs performed community-based hearing screening as part of their regular home visits over 12 weeks in an underserved community, using automated test protocols employed by the hearScreen™ smartphone application, operating on low-cost smartphones with calibrated headphones. During phase two, CHWs completed a questionnaire regarding their perceptions and experiences of the community-based screening programme. RESULTS : Data analysis was conducted on the results of 108 children (2-15 years) and 598 adults (16-85 years). Referral rates for children and adults were 12% and 6.5% respectively. Noise exceeding permissible levels had a significant effect on screen results at 25 dB at 1 kHz (p<0.05). Age significantly affected adult referral rates (p < 0.05), demonstrating a lower rate (4.3%) in younger as opposed to older adults (13.2%). CHWs were positive regarding the hearScreen™ solution in terms of usability, need for services, value to community members and time efficiency. CONCLUSION : Smartphone-based hearing screening allows CHWs to bring hearing health care to underserved communities at a primary care level. Active noise monitoring and data management features allow for quality control and remote monitoring for surveillance and follow-up.The financial assistance of the National Research Foundation (NRF) towards this research is hereby acknowledged.The National Research Foundation (NRF)http://jtt.sagepub.comhb2017Electrical, Electronic and Computer EngineeringFamily MedicineSpeech-Language Pathology and Audiolog

First Comprehensive In Silico

GalNAc-T1, a key candidate of GalNac-transferases genes family that is involved in mucin-type O-linked glycosylation pathway, is expressed in most biological tissues and cell types. Despite the reported association of GalNAc-T1 gene mutations with human disease susceptibility, the comprehensive computational analysis of coding, noncoding and regulatory SNPs, and their functional impacts on protein level, still remains unknown. Therefore, sequence- and structure-based computational tools were employed to screen the entire listed coding SNPs of GalNAc-T1 gene in order to identify and characterize them. Our concordant in silico analysis by SIFT, PolyPhen-2, PANTHER-cSNP, and SNPeffect tools, identified the potential nsSNPs (S143P, G258V, and Y414D variants) from 18 nsSNPs of GalNAc-T1. Additionally, 2 regulatory SNPs (rs72964406 and #x26; rs34304568) were also identified in GalNAc-T1 by using FastSNP tool. Using multiple computational approaches, we have systematically classified the functional mutations in regulatory and coding regions that can modify expression and function of GalNAc-T1 enzyme. These genetic variants can further assist in better understanding the wide range of disease susceptibility associated with the mucin-based cell signalling and pathogenic binding, and may help to develop novel therapeutic elements for associated diseases

Preservation of endopelvic fascia, puboprostatic ligaments, dorsal venous complex and hydrodissection of the neurovascular bundles during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: a video demonstration and propensity score matched outcomes

Introduction: We sought to report the oncologic and functional outcomes of endopelvic fascia (EPF), puboprostatic ligaments (PPL), and dorsal venous complex (DVC) preservation with hydrodissection of the neurovascular bundles (NVB) during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of our prospectively maintained prostate cancer database was performed. Patients who underwent bilateral or unilateral nerve sparing were identified. Propensity score matching was performed in a ratio of 1:1.6 between new technique (Group 1) and a historical group (Group 2). Data were reviewed for perioperative, oncologic, and functional outcomes. Cumulative incidence curves were used to depict perfect continence (0 pads), social continence (0-1 pads), and potency (SHIM≥17 with or without erectile aids). Multivariate models were used to elicit variables associated with continence and potency. Results: 76 patients in Group 1 and 126 patients in Group 2 were included. Median follow up was 17 months. Group 1 showed higher perfect continence rates at 1 month (9% vs 3%), 3 months (24% vs 19%), and 6 months (54% vs 34%) compared to Group 2 respectively (log rank p\u3c0.01). Group 1 also showed higher social continence rates at 1 month (15% vs 3%), 3 months (77% vs 32%), and 6 months (87% vs 53%) compared to Group 2 respectively (log rank p\u3c0.01). Group 1 had a similar potency rate compared to Group 2 (log rank p=0.25). Multivariate analysis showed that Group 1 was associated with improved perfect (Possibility ratio (PR) 1.82, 95% CI 1.29–2.58, p\u3c0.01) and social continence (PR 2.54, 95% CI 1.83 – 3.52, p\u3c0.01), but not potency. Conclusions: EPF, PPL, and DVC preservation with hydrodissection of the NVB offered similar oncological outcomes, but earlier and improved urinary continence rates compared to standard dissection