Computational solution of atmospheric chemistry problems

Extensive studies were performed on problems of interest in atmospheric chemistry. In addition to several minor projects, four major projects were performed and described (theoretical studies of ground and low-lying excited states of ClO2; ground and excited state potential energy surfaces of the methyl peroxy radical; electronic states ot the FO radical; and theoretical studies S02 (H2O) (sub n))

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

Decolonising quantitative research methods pedagogy: teaching contemporary politics to challenge hierarchies from data

Decolonisation of the curriculum in higher education is a radical, transformative process of change that interrogates the enduring Eurocentric and racist narratives surrounding the production of academic ‘knowledge’. Our key argument is that it is essential for students of politics to understand the authorities and hierarchies exerted through quantitative data. In this paper, we show that (1) quantitative methods and data literacy can be an explicit tool in the endeavour to challenge structures of oppression, and (2) there is a need to apply decolonial principles to the teaching of quantitative methods, prioritising the historical contextualisation and anti-racist critique of the ways in which statistics amplify existing micro and macro power relations. To explain how this can be done, we begin with a commentary on the ‘state of decolonisation’ in higher education, its relevance to the sub-disciplines of politics, and its application to quantitative teaching in the UK. We then suggest some guiding principles for a decolonial approach to quantitative methods teaching, and present substantive examples from political sociology, international political economy, and international development. These suggestions and examples show how a decolonial lens advances critical and emancipatory thinking in undergraduate students of politics when it is used with quantitative methods

Low prevalence of the intact cag pathogenicity island in clinical isolates of Helicobacter pylori in Karachi, Pakistan

Clinical diseases that follow Helicobacter pylori infection are associated with expression of the cagA gene, a part of cytotoxin-associated gene pathogenicity island (cag-PAI). This study aims to determined whether or not the presence of cagA is associated with the presence of complete cag-PAI and to evaluate inflammatory changes associated with the five loci in the cag-PAI of H. pylori comprising cagA, cagA promoter region (cagAP), cagE, cagT and the left end of the cagA gene (LEC). H. pylori isolates were obtained from patients with dyspeptic symptoms. Clinical strains of H. pylori were screened by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for respective genes of the cag-PAI. Of 115 H. pylori isolates, 31 (28%) were positive for the five cag-PAI loci. H. pylori isolates with intact cag-PAI were associated with gastric carcinoma (GC; n=9[60%]) and gastric ulcer (GU; n=5[45%]) compared to non-ulcer dyspepsia (NUD; n=14[18%]) (P=0.001 and P=0.049, respectively). In patients with intact cag-PAI, acute on chronic inflammation was present in 25 (81%) and was more common than chronic inflammation (P=0.013). The cagE and cagAP had deletions in 25 (37%) and 23 (35%) cases, respectively. The cagAP region was significantly associated with GC (n=12[80%],

Transrectal ultrasound appearance of granulomatous prostatitis.

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/135293/1/jum1990912677.pd

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

A unified SLAM solution using partial 3D structure

Good quality of environment mapping demands modelling the associated environment nearly to its 3D originality. This paper presents a unified Simultaneous Localisation And Mapping (SLAM) solution based on partial 3D structure. As compared to existing representations such as grid based mapping, the novelty of the proposed unified approach lies in estimation, representation and handling of compact partial 3D features-based map model for a team of robots that are working in an unknown environment with unknown poses. The approach replies on a camera to perceive the environment and a 2D laser sensor to generate a SLAM solution with partial 3D features based representation. Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) estimates the robot pose based on its motion model and map of the explored environment. The solution has been tested in an indoor environment on two identical custom-developed robots. Experimental results have demonstrated efficacy of the approach. The presented solution can be easily applied on a distributed/centralized robotic system with ease of data handling and reduced computational cost

22q13.32 Deletion and Duplication and Inversion in the Same Family: A Rare Occurrence

Chromosome 22q13.3 deletion syndrome is a well-recognized cause of global developmental delay, while duplication of the same chromosome is a rare occurrence. The presence of both abnormalities in the same family has never been reported, to our knowledge. We report a rare occurrence of 22q13.3 duplication and 22q13.3 deletion in siblings, as a consequence of a mother's inversion on her 22nd chromosome (p13;q13.32). A 6 year old male was noted in infancy to have mild global developmental delay without dysmorphic features. His genetic testing revealed he had 22q13.3 duplication to the terminus. His 4 year old brother was noted in early infancy to have severe global developmental delay and dysmorphic features related to 22q13.3 deletion to the terminus. Their mother had a long inversion on her 22nd chromosome. Genetic tests for their father and eldest brother were unremarkable. The mother's inversion may rearrange to form 22q duplication or deletion when passed on to children. The chance of a child born with a chromosome imbalance is as high as 50%