The impact of armed conflict on morbidity and mortality globally

Introduction Empirical evidence isolating the independent effect of armed conflict on health is scant, has methodological limitations, and neglects a growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This thesis aims to evaluate the impact of armed conflict on civilian morbidity and mortality globally. Methods Two systematic reviews assessed the existing evidence on conflict and NCDs (Chapters 4 & 5). Longitudinal, fixed effects panel regression models used data from the Uppsala Conflict Data Program and Global Burden of Disease to assess relationships between four armed conflict specifications and health outcomes. Outcomes included all-cause and cause-specific civilian mortality (Chapter 6), and maternal and child mortality and health service coverage (Chapter 7). Models were adjusted for ten confounders, lagged by between one and ten years, and were age- and -sex stratified. Multiple sensitivity analyses assessed model robustness. Results Systematic review findings found positive but inconsistent associations between conflict and NCDs, although two thirds of studies had low methodological quality. Empirical research chapters included 193 countries between 1990 and 2017 and found that more intense conflicts (wars) drove associations. Wars were associated with an increase in civilian mortality by 81.5 per 100,000 population (95% CI 14.3-148.8), predicting 29.4 million (95% CI 22.1-36.6) deaths globally over the study period, two thirds of which were from communicable, maternal, neonatal, and nutritional diseases and 20% of which were from NCDs. Males appeared more affected than females, particularly for deaths from injuries, and point estimates were largest for children under 5 years and adults over 69 years. Wars were positively associated with all maternal and child health indicators, predicting 14.1 million (95% CI 11.5-16.7) infant deaths. Sensitivity analyses demonstrated robustness of findings. Discussion This thesis comprehensively and robustly contributes to understanding the detrimental impact of conflict on civilian morbidity and mortality globally, including on NCDs and across the life course.Open Acces

RHLB: Improved Routing Load Balancing Algorithm Based on Hybrid Policy

يتم تعريف الشبكة على أنها مجموعة من العقد المرتبطة بطريقة للتعامل مع البيانات والرسائل ونقلها من المصدر إلى الوجهة. يحدث الازدحام في الشبكة عند حدوث الكثير من الزيارات، ويؤدي إلى التأخير، وفقدان الحزمة، وتدهور عرض النطاق الترددي، وارتفاع حمل الشبكة. تم تصميم خوارزميات موازنة التحميل لتقليل الازدحام في الشبكة. موازنة التحميل هي إعادة توزيع عبء العمل بين عقدتين أو أكثر ليتم تنفيذها في نفس الوقت. اثنين من السياسات من خوارزميات موازنة التحميل: موازنة تحميل ثابتة وديناميكية. تقترح هذه الورقة خوارزمية موازنة التحميل على أساس الهجين (سياسة ثابتة وديناميكية) باستخدام شبكة المحاكاة (الاصدار الثاني). يتم استخدام السياسة المختلطة لتحسين أداء الشبكة من خلال إعادة توزيع الحمل بين العقد الزائدة إلى العقد الأخرى التي يتم تحميلها عند حدوث الازدحام. وتبين نتائج المحاكاة أن الخوارزمية المقترحة تستخدم أداء الشبكة فيما يتعلق بالانتقال، ونسبة توصيل الرزم، وفقدان الرزم، والتأخر من طرف إلى آخر.A network is defined as a set of nodes that are associated with a way to handle and transfer data and messages from source to destination. The congestion in the network occurs when a lot of traffic occurs, leads to delay, packet loss, bandwidth degradation, and high network overhead. Load balancing algorithms have been designed to reduce congestion in the network. Load Balancing is the redistribution of workload between two or more nodes to be executed at the same time. Two policies of load balancing algorithms: static and dynamic load balancing. This paper proposes a load balancing algorithm based on the hybrid (static and dynamic) policy using Network Simulator (version 2). The hybrid policy is used to improve network performance by redistributing the load between overloaded nodes to other nodes that are under loaded when congestion occurs. The simulation results show that the proposed algorithm used performance of the network with regard to throughput, packet delivery ratio, packet loss and the end-to-end delay

Exploring how integrating art & animation in teaching text-based programming affects high school students\u27 interest in computer science

As oil is the fuel of the industrial society, software is the fuel of our current information society. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be more demand for computing jobs in the future. By 2024, more than one million computing jobs will be available. Statistics show that there is more demand for computing jobs than there is a supply of qualified graduates from universities. In this experimental study, three groups of high school students were targeted to explore how integrating art, animation, and code sharing into programming affects their interest in pursuing a degree in computer science (CS) after graduation. Moreover, the study also explored the effect of social factors and attitudes of the students toward programming and a CS degree. Pretest-posttest survey questionnaires were used to measure the study variables before and after taking a programming course. A new web-based learning environment was developed and used as a treatment in this study. The developed tool included the use of art, animation, and code sharing to increase students\u27 motivation in learning computer programming. Three groups of students from Ann Arbor public and private schools participated in this study with different coding time. The demographic data were also collected and analyzed in this study. The field of CS is currently dominated by White and Asian males. This study also aimed to encourage and increase the motivation of female and underrepresented racial groups towards CS. The results of this study showed that the use of art, animation, and code sharing increased students\u27 knowledge, enjoyment, and motivation in learning computer programming. It thereby increased their interest in pursuing a degree in CS after graduation

Study the Optical and Structural Properties for Thin Film Zinc Oxide (ZNO) Produced by Pulsed Laser Deposition

اغشيه اوكسيد الزنك المحضرة بتقنيه الترسيب بالليزر النبضي باستخدام ليزر النديميوم ياك Q-Switching ذو الطول الموجي( (1.06µm ومعدل تكرار(6Hz)  ولطاقه ليزر  500 mJ))   بتقنيه الفراغ ولضغط  تورر في درجه حراره الغرفة .  الخواص البصرية التي تتضمن معامل الامتصاصية ومعامل الخمود ومعامل الانكسار لأغشيه اوكسيد الزنك تم ايجادها ومناقشه النتائج . من طيف الامتصاصية لا وكسيد الزنك  اظهرت النتائج بانه يمتلك فجوه طاقه مباشره مقدارها((3eV . استخدم طيف تحويل فورير للأشعة تحت الحمراء لبيان وجود الأصرة بين الزنك والاوكسجين.                                                                                                   Zinc oxide (ZnO) was prepared by pulsed laser deposition(PLD) using Q-Switching Nd: YAG laser with  =Nd:YAG laser ( a=1064 nm , f=6heposotion NE (ZnPc) THIN FILMS PREPARED BY PULSED LASER DEPOSITION                1064 nm, Repetition rate (f )= 6 Hz , and Energy (E) = 500 mJ at room temperature under vacuum condition with torr. The optical properties included the absorption coefficient, extinction coefficient, index of refractive for the films of ZnO was evaluated and the results are discussed. The energy band gap of thin-film ZnO 3 (eV) at room temperature. The optical transition was found to be direct and allowed transition. Moreover, UV–visible spectra were used to evaluate the ZnO energy gap. FTIR spectra for ZnO used to the presence of  Zn-O bonding

Fuzzy-PID controller on ANFIS, NN-NARX and NN-NAR system identification models for cylinder vortex induced vibration

In this paper, Fuzzy-PID controller on nonlinear system identification models for cylinder due to vortex induced vibration (VIV) has been presented well. Nonlinear system identification models generated after extracting the input-output data from previous paper. The nonlinear model consisted into three methods: Neural Network (NN-NARX) based on the Nonlinear Auto-Regressive with External (Exogenous) Input, Neural Network (NN-NAR) based on the Nonlinear Auto-Regressive and Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS). The work has been divided into two main parts: generating the system identification models to predict the system dynamic behavior and using Fuzzy-PID controller to suppress the cylinder vibration arising from the vortices. For system identification models, the best representation for NAR and NARX models has been chosen depend on two variables which are Number of hidden neurons (NE) and number of delay (ND) then using mean Square Error (MSE) to find the best model. Whereas, calculating the lowest MSE when the ND equal to 2 and the value of NE ranging 1-11 then fixing NE which is giving the lowest MSE and calculating it when the ND ranging 1-11. While, for ANFIS model the process consisted of find the lowest MSE at particular number of membership function (MF) with two inputs and generalized bell shape as a type of MF. For the second part, Fuzzy-PID used to attenuate the effect of vortices on the cylinder on the best representation for all methods. However, the consequences presented that the lowest MSE of NAR model equal 2.8452×10-9 when the NE = 6 and ND = 4. While the best model of the NARX method recorded MSE = 1.2714×10-9 at NE and ND equal to 8 and 2 respectively. Also, the lowest MES for ANFIS model recorded 2.5635×10-13 when the MF equal to 2 for input and output. From another hand, Fuzzy-PID controller has been succeeded to reduce the vortex induced vibration on cylinder for all models but particularly on ANFIS model

The efficient interleaving of digital-video-broadcasting-satellite 2nd generations system

The DVB-S2 system is designed as a toolbox to permit the execution of the satellite programs. Interleaver is an essential part of the DVB-S2 system. The current general block interleaver in DVB-S2 is not best, which leads to high BER and maybe not satisfy the requirements of the system. The purpose of this paper is to study the several interleaver types and comparative analyses are done between them to find which of these give better performance. Simulations results obtained prove that the 2D interleavers minimize BER more than other interleavers of DVB-S2. Further, the performance of 2D interleaver is better on a system that required a low SNR

Effect of Solid Properties on Axial Liquid Dispersion in Bubble Column

Experiments were conducted to study axial liquid dispersion coefficient in slurry bubble column of 0.15 m inside diameter and 1.6 m height using perforated plate gas distributor of 54 holes of a size equal to 1 mm diameter and with a 0.24 free area of holes to the cross sectional area of the column. The three phase system consists of air, water and PVC used as the solid phase. The effect of solid loading (0, 30 and 60 kg/m3) and solid diameter (0.7, 1.5 and 3 mm) on the axial liquid dispersion coefficient at different axial location (25, 50 and 75 cm) and superficial gas velocity covered homogeneous-heterogeneous flow regime (1-10 cm/s) were studied in the present work. The results show that the axial liquid dispersion coefficient increases with increasing superficial gas velocity, axial distance, solid concentration and an inverse relationship with particles diamete

Impact of Waterpipe Tobacco Pack Health Warnings on Waterpipe Smoking Attitudes: A Qualitative Analysis among Regular Users in London

Background. Despite the rise in prevalence of waterpipe tobacco smoking, it has received little legislative enforcement from governing bodies, especially in the area of health warning labels. Methods. Twenty regular waterpipe tobacco smokers from London took part in five focus groups discussing the impact of waterpipe tobacco pack health warnings on their attitudes towards waterpipe smoking. We presented them with existing and mock waterpipe tobacco products, designed to be compliant with current and future UK/EU legislation. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results. Participants felt packs were less attractive and health warnings were more impactful as health warnings increased in size and packaging became less branded. However, participants highlighted their lack of exposure to waterpipe tobacco pack health warnings due to the inherent nature of waterpipe smoking, that is, smoking in a café with the apparatus already prepacked by staff. Health warnings at the point of consumption had more reported impact than health warnings at the point of sale. Conclusions. Waterpipe tobacco pack health warnings are likely to be effective if compliant with existing laws and exposed to end-users. Legislations should be reviewed to extend health warning labels to waterpipe accessories, particularly the apparatus, and to waterpipe-serving premises

Efeito sinérgico da oxitetraciclina em um tratamento combinado com Carboplatina na linhagem de células cancerígenas pulmonares MCF-7

In breast cancer treatment, chemotherapy resistance is a major problem where many receptive tumors rebound and develop resistance. When provided in combination, cancer drugs are most successful, thus reducing the risk of developing resistant cancer cells. However, the evaluation of combination therapies has increased rapidly in recent years. Consequently, by repurposing old treatments, the discovery of additional medicines that may interact synergistically with chemotherapy is considered a current medical aim through discovering a new cancer medication or therapeutic strategy. The purpose of this research is to increase the anti-cancer activity of carboplatin (CP) by increasing the apoptotic effect of breast cancer cells (MCF-7) during in vitro experiments in combination with oxytetracycline. Our results showed a high synergistic effect between oxytetracycline and carboplatin, MCF-7 representative cell treated with carboplatin with/without different concentrations of oxytetracycline (5% and 10% of IC50). Oxytetracycline, which potentiated the action of carboplatin and/or had notable activity was reported as a single agent. This research demonstrated the synergistic relationship between oxytetracycline and carboplatin in viability assays. Surprisingly, our findings suggest that inhibiting treatment strategies can extend carboplatin’s therapeutic window, potentially allowing for cancer therapy.No tratamento do câncer de pulmão a resistência à quimioterapia é o maior problema no qual muitos tumores receptivos apresentam um rebote e desenvolvem a resistência. Quando oferecidas em combinações, as drogas anticancerígenas apresentam maior taxa de sucesso, reduzindo assim o risco de desenvolvimento de células cancerígenas resistentes. Contudo, a avaliação das terapias de combinação tem crescido muito rapidamente. Consequentemente, por reaproveitamento de tratamentos antigos, a descoberta de novos medicamentos adicionais que podem interagir sinergicamente com a quimioterapia que é considerada como auxílio médico na corrente busca à descoberta de novas medicações anticancerígenas ou estratégias terapêuticas. O propósito da presente pesquisa é aumentar a atividade anticancerígena da Carboplatina (CP) pelo incremento do efeito apoptótico de células de câncer pulmonar (MCF-7) em experimentos in vitro pela combinação com oxitetraciclina. Os resultados obtidos confirmaram elevado efeito sinérgico entre oxitetraciclina e Carboplatina em células MCF-7 representativas tratadas com Carboplatina, com e sem diferentes concentrações de oxitetraciclina (5% e 10% de IC50). A oxitetracilina que potencializou a ação da Carboplatina e/ou teve uma notável atividade relatada como um agente isolado. A pesquisa demonstrou a relação sinérgica entre oxitetraxiclina e Carboplatina nos ensaios de viabilidade. Surpreendentemente, os resultados obtidos sugeriram que as estratégias de tratamento inibidor podem aplicar uma janela terapêutica da Carboplatina com potencial para a terapia do câncer

Impact of waterpipe tobacco pack health warnings on waterpipe smoking attitudes: a qualitative analysis among regular users in London

Background: despite the rise in prevalence of waterpipe tobacco smoking, it has received little legislative enforcement from governing bodies, especially in the area of health warning labels. Methods: twenty regular waterpipe tobacco smokers from London took part in five focus groups discussing the impact of waterpipe tobacco pack health warnings on their attitudes towards waterpipe smoking. We presented them with existing and mock waterpipe tobacco products, designed to be compliant with current and future UK/EU legislation. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: participants felt packs were less attractive and health warnings were more impactful as health warnings increased in size and packaging became less branded. However, participants highlighted their lack of exposure to waterpipe tobacco pack health warnings due to the inherent nature of waterpipe smoking, that is, smoking in a café with the apparatus already prepacked by staff. Health warnings at the point of consumption had more reported impact than health warnings at the point of sale. Conclusions: waterpipe tobacco pack health warnings are likely to be effective if compliant with existing laws and exposed to end-users. Legislations should be reviewed to extend health warning labels to waterpipe accessories, particularly the apparatus, and to waterpipe-serving premise