Caching Techniques in Next Generation Cellular Networks

Content caching will be an essential feature in the next generations of cellular networks. Indeed, a network equipped with caching capabilities allows users to retrieve content with reduced access delays and consequently reduces the traffic passing through the network backhaul. However, the deployment of the caching nodes in the network is hindered by the following two challenges. First, the storage space of a cache is limited as well as expensive. So, it is not possible to store in the cache every content that can be possibly requested by the user. This calls for efficient techniques to determine the contents that must be stored in the cache. Second, efficient ways are needed to implement and control the caching node. In this thesis, we investigate caching techniques focussing to address the above-mentioned challenges, so that the overall system performance is increased. In order to tackle the challenge of the limited storage capacity, smart proactive caching strategies are needed. In the context of vehicular users served by edge nodes, we believe a caching strategy should be adapted to the mobility characteristics of the cars. In this regard, we propose a scheme called RICH (RoadsIde CacHe), which optimally caches content at the edge nodes where connected vehicles require it most. In particular, our scheme is designed to ensure in-order delivery of content chunks to end users. Unlike blind popularity decisions, the probabilistic caching used by RICH considers vehicular trajectory predictions as well as content service time by edge nodes. We evaluate our approach on realistic mobility datasets against a popularity-based edge approach called POP, and a mobility-aware caching strategy known as netPredict. In terms of content availability, our RICH edge caching scheme provides an enhancement of up to 33% and 190% when compared with netPredict and POP respectively. At the same time, the backhaul penalty bandwidth is reduced by a factor ranging between 57% and 70%. Caching node is an also a key component in Named Data Networking (NDN) that is an innovative paradigm to provide content based services in future networks. As compared to legacy networks, naming of network packets and in-network caching of content make NDN more feasible for content dissemination. However, the implementation of NDN requires drastic changes to the existing network infrastructure. One feasible approach is to use Software Defined Networking (SDN), according to which the control of the network is delegated to a centralized controller, which configures the forwarding data plane. This approach leads to large signaling overhead as well as large end-to-end (e2e) delays. In order to overcome these issues, in this work, we provide an efficient way to implement and control the NDN node. We propose to enable NDN using a stateful data plane in the SDN network. In particular, we realize the functionality of an NDN node using a stateful SDN switch attached with a local cache for content storage, and use OpenState to implement such an approach. In our solution, no involvement of the controller is required once the OpenState switch has been configured. We benchmark the performance of our solution against the traditional SDN approach considering several relevant metrics. Experimental results highlight the benefits of a stateful approach and of our implementation, which avoids signaling overhead and significantly reduces e2e delays

The Impact Organizational Justice and Leader Member Exchange Relationship (LMX): Moderating Role of Political Skills

Our research examined the relationship between distributive justice, procedural justice, interactional justice, leader member exchange relationship (LMX) and political skills. We hypotheses that all three types of justice positively related to leader member exchange relationship (LMX). We also proposed that political skills moderate the relationship between three types of justice and leader member exchange relationship (LMX). Data were collected from 200 employees of various organizations of Pakistan. results of our study suggest that all types of justice is positively related to leader member exchange relationship (LMX) where as  political skills does not moderate the relationship between three types of justice and leader member exchange relationship (LMX). Keywords: organizational justice, leader member exchange relationship, political skill

Interpersonal Mistreatment Job Stress and Burn Out

In this cross sectional field study we examine the relationship between interpersonal mistreatment (sexual harassment and workplace aggression), job stress and burnout. The data was collected from 186 employees of several organizations of Pakistan. The results of this research revealed that job stress fully mediates the relationship between interpersonal mistreatment and burnout. Keywords: interpersonal Mistreatment (sexual harassment & workplace aggression), job stress, burnou

Impact of Violent Cartoons on the Behaviour of Children: A Case Study of South Punjab

Basically, this is a survey research that investigates the impact of violent cartoons on the behaviour of children. Children often draw strong social or anti-social ideas from children’s movies and cartoons. Television is the most popular medium in which the children are exposed. The media is constantly creating new cartoons with increased violence and children do not realize how harmful this is to them. The study investigates that how children are being exposed to anti-social content and what impact is done on their behavior. Cartoons have much value in personality construction of children especially in very early age. Children try to become like their favorite cartoon character. They try to mimic and copy the actions performed by their favorite cartoon hero. The environment in which the children watch horror or violent cartoons is also very important. They may develop fears or anti-social behavior in the absence of parental guidance

The Portrayal of the United States in the Context of Drone Attacks: A Study of Pakistani Print Media

The drone attacks from the United States on the tribal areas of Pakistan were in the spotlight Pakistani media since 2004. These attacks also remained as the debating issue that they have taken lives of incident people along with the terrorists. The present study is an exploratory study about the image of the United States in context to drone attacks. To do so, drawing on framing theory editorials from leading newspapers were analyzed by using the qualitative content analysis method. The study also compared the editorial coverage of two newspapers regarding the image of the United States have been treated in editorials related to the drone attacks. The findings revealed that daily Jang is more inclined to positively present the image of the United States than Nawa-i-waqt. The study also revealed that daily Nawa-i-waqt published editorials on drone attacks more frequently than the daily Jan

Do Print Media Cater the Needs of Society? A Study to Analyze the Coverage of Health Issues in Major Dailies of Pakistan

This research study is conducted to identify the contribution of print media in highlighting the health specific information for their readers. A content analysis was made for five major Urdu and English dailies, to understand the importance given to health issues in terms of space given, frequency and tone of the contents. The findings of study concluded that mostly articles discussed the health education, specific diseases were less reported. Mostly articles were in neutral and positive tone respectively. Almost one fourth of the articles presented the multiple viewpoints with conclusion as elaborated multiple aspects such as diagnosis, precautionary measures, treatments and remedies/suggestions. Two-thirds of the articles discussed the non-scientific evidence. It was conclude that Information related to health was treated very casually and no serious and result oriented effort was made by the print media

Association of Dietary Practices and Lifestyle Modifications in Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Pakistani Women

Background: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) incidence is increasing day by day due to lifestyle changes and living standards that resulted in esophagitis, esophageal adenocarcinoma, Barrett’s esophagus and many other illness worldwide. Patients with GERD live with poor quality life and have low work capacity.  Aims: Main aim of the study is to diagnose GERD in early stages for the reduction in mortality and morbidity at different age groups. Methods: The pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect data from Sir Ganga Ram Hospital Lahore. A total of 230 female patients screened for GERD symptoms were included in this study. The collection of demographic data, dietary intake, lifestyle habits, physiology, and physical analysis were gathered during the 4 months.   Results: Data analysis shows us that GERD is highly significant with age, occupation. Moreover, burping is highly significant in these patients. Fried fatty foods, spicy foods, fizzy drinks, garlic intake were also correlated to GERD symptoms. These subjects also suffer from more skin problems.  Conclusion: From our results, we infer that GERD has a very strong bond with dietary and lifestyle patterns. If these parameters are kept under control, GERD patients will be less agonize from complications and minimize our morbidity and mortality.&nbsp

Hypermucoviscous Klebsiella syndrome it\u27s in the community!

Hypermucoviscous Klebsiella syndrome is a unique syndrome caused by a new variant of Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP), characterized by abscess formation at distant body sites. This emerging KP strain is different from the usual classic strains in having the rmp gene which increases capsule formation making this strain resistant to phagocytosis and helping in its dissemination to distant organs. A 50 years old diabetic man presented with facial swelling after dental procedure which progressively increased despite being on antibiotics. On examination he was febrile, had neck swelling with signs of inflammation and tender hepatomegaly. Ultrasonography showed submental and liver abscesses which were subsequently drained and both cultures isolated KP with hypermucoid colonies on agar plate and a positive string test indicating the presence of this new hypervirulent strain of KP. Therefore, a diagnosis of Hypermucoviscous Klebsiella syndrome should be considered in all patients who present with KP infection with multiple organ abscesses.

Clinical Outcome of Cortical Venous Thrombosis in Stroke Patients at a Tertiary Care Hospital of Southern Punjab

Objective:  This study was determined to find out the clinical Outcome of Cortical Venous Thrombosis (CVT) in Stroke patients at a Tertiary Care Hospital of Southern Punjab. Material & Methods:  A total of 100 patients with cortical venous thrombosis were included in this descriptive case series study, which was conducted at Department of Neurology, Nishtar Hospital Multan. Outcome of patients in terms of partial recovery or complete recovery, any recurrence, any complication, indication for Surgery and any disability in terms of focal deficit, prolonged hospital stay and Mortality was followed. Results:  Our study included a total of 100 patients with cortical venous thrombosis (CVT), 35 (35%) were male and 65 (65%) were female patients with their mean age was 37.69 ± 16.52 years, ranging from 20 – 83 years (51.37 ± 17.44 in males versus 30.32 ± 10.15 years for females). Headache was noted in 80%, focal deficit in 57%, nerve palsy in 30%, coma in 22% and disability was noted in 35%. Partial recovery was noted in 65%, whereas complete recovery was noted in 35% while, complications were noted in 12 (12%) of these patients with CVT. Conclusion:  Cortical venous thrombosis was more prevalent in females in their younger age groups and it was associated with poor prognosis as high frequency of partial recovery was noted in our study. Keywords:  Cortical venous thrombosis, Stroke, headache, recovery, outcome