AMCTD: Adaptive Mobility of Courier nodes in Threshold-optimized DBR Protocol for Underwater Wireless Sensor Networks

In dense underwater sensor networks (UWSN), the major confronts are high error probability, incessant variation in topology of sensor nodes, and much energy consumption for data transmission. However, there are some remarkable applications of UWSN such as management of seabed and oil reservoirs, exploration of deep sea situation and prevention of aqueous disasters. In order to accomplish these applications, ignorance of the limitations of acoustic communications such as high delay and low bandwidth is not feasible. In this paper, we propose Adaptive mobility of Courier nodes in Threshold-optimized Depth-based routing (AMCTD), exploring the proficient amendments in depth threshold and implementing the optimal weight function to achieve longer network lifetime. We segregate our scheme in 3 major phases of weight updating, depth threshold variation and adaptive mobility of courier nodes. During data forwarding, we provide the framework for alterations in threshold to cope with the sparse condition of network. We ultimately perform detailed simulations to scrutinize the performance of our proposed scheme and its comparison with other two notable routing protocols in term of network lifetime and other essential parameters. The simulations results verify that our scheme performs better than the other techniques and near to optimal in the field of UWSN.Comment: 8th International Conference on Broadband and Wireless Computing, Communication and Applications (BWCCA'13), Compiegne, Franc

Cholera admissions in adults 1989-1994: a hospital based study

In order to gain insight into the distribution of cholera over the years and proportion of monthly admissions under our adult medical services, we scrutinized our records of hospital discharges between 1989 and 1994. Only culture positive cases were included. Each year most of the cases of cholera are admitted between May and November with almost disease free interval from December to April. In 1992 admission rate was 4.24/1000 medical admissions which increased to 12.65 in 1993 and 13.73 in 1994. Though the Vibrio cholerae 01 Ogawa was the major isolate upto May, 1993, Vibrio cholerae non-01 serogroup 0139 dominated between June and August, 1993. Ogawa strain re-established itself in October, 1993. In August, 1994, non-01 strain reappeared and became the major isolate in September. Cholera has caused multiple epidemics throughout the Indian subcontinent. Since 1800, there have been seven pandemics of cholera. The seventh pandemic originated in Indonesia and continues today

Dietary practices and beliefs of patients with chronic liver disease

Objective: To study of the dietary practices and beliefs of patients suffering from chronic liver disease. Setting: Two private tertcary care hospitals. Method: Fifty patients presenting to the Gastroenterology Clinics at the Aga Khan University Hospital and Baqai Hospital, with compensated liver disease and no other co-morbid condition which required dietary modifications, were enrolled in the study. Patients were interviewed regarding their current dietary practices using an open-ended questionnaire. Results: The mean age of the patients was 48 years and the majority were in relatively poor nutritional status. Four had BMI\u27s \u3c 18; 58% had Hb \u3c 12 g/dl and 36% had albumin levels \u3c 3 gm/dl. The percentage of patients avoiding various foods is as follows: meats 72%, fats and oils 64%, salt 42%, spices 34%, milk and milk products 28%, rice 20%. Conclusion: The most commonly cited reason for avoiding a given food was the advice of the family doctor, followed by advice by gastroenterologists, family and friends. Concepts from alternative medicine and continuation of dietary restrictions imposed during a decompensated phase also influenced intake. Compromised nutritional status is a poor predictor of clinical outcome in liver disease therefore it is important that gastroenterologists be proactive regarding nutritional counseling and both patients and their primary care physicians understand the importance of not imposing unnecessary restrictions on dietary intake

A roadmap to develop dementia research capacity and capability in Pakistan: a model for low- and middle-income countries

Objective To produce a strategic roadmap for supporting the development of dementia research in Pakistan. Background While global research strategies for dementia research already exist, none is tailored to the specific needs and challenges of low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) like Pakistan. Methods We undertook an iterative consensus process with lay and professional experts to develop a Theory of Change-based strategy for dementia research in Pakistan. This included Expert Reference Groups (ERGs), strategic planning techniques, a “research question” priority survey, and consultations with Key Opinion Leaders. Results We agreed on ten principles to guide dementia research in Pakistan, emphasizing pragmatic, resource sparing, real-world approaches to support people with dementia, both locally and internationally. Goals included capacity/capability building. Priority research topics included raising awareness and understanding of dementia, and improving quality of life. Conclusion This roadmap may be a model for other LMIC health ecosystems with emerging dementia research cultures

Assessment of malnutrition in patients with liver cirrhosis using protein calorie malnutrition (PCM) score verses bio-electrical impedance analysis (BIA)

Objective: Malnutrition is a common problem in patients with liver cirrhosis and tools for nutritional assessment are under debate. We conducted this study to assess prevalence of malnutrition in cirrhotic patients using PCM score and BIA. Additionally we compared BIA to PCM score for detecting malnutrition in this patient population. Results: This was a cross sectional study conducted in two tertiary care hospitals of Karachi Pakistan on adults with liver cirrhosis. Malnutrition was assessed by PCM score using anthropometric measurements and biological specimens and (ii) Body cell mass was assessed using BIA. Malnutrition as estimated by the PCM score was present in 122 (73%) of patients in which most patients had mild malnutrition (n = 72 (45%)), followed by 34 (21%) with moderate malnutrition and 3 (1.9%) with severe malnutrition. Malnutrition according to BIA estimated through body cell mass could detect it in 98 (61%) of patients. There was optimal correlation of PCM score with body call mass (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.3 (p value 0.001)). We conclude that majority of the patients with liver cirrhosis had malnutrition as determined by PCM score. BIA underscored the malnutrition in this patient population

A Novel Optimization of the Distance Source Routing (DSR) Protocol for the Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANET)

The final publication is available at www.springerlink.comThis paper presents a new scheme for the Distance Source Routing (DSR) protocol which shows the improvement over the two major metrics of the DSR protocol: Route Discovery and Route Maintenance. In addition, we present a mathematical model that includes probability density function for these two observed metrics. Our simulation results demonstrate a significant improvement in the route discovery, transmission time, and the overall network utilization. As an interesting side result, our analysis also shows that the proposed model can be used to effectively reduce the packet losses.http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007%2F978-90-481-3662-9_4