Robust control tools for traffic monitoring in TCP/AQM networks

Several studies have considered control theory tools for traffic control in communication networks, as for example the congestion control issue in IP (Internet Protocol) routers. In this paper, we propose to design a linear observer for time-delay systems to address the traffic monitoring issue in TCP/AQM (Transmission Control Protocol/Active Queue Management) networks. Due to several propagation delays and the queueing delay, the set TCP/AQM is modeled as a multiple delayed system of a particular form. Hence, appropriate robust control tools as quadratic separation are adopted to construct a delay dependent observer for TCP flows estimation. Note that, the developed mechanism enables also the anomaly detection issue for a class of DoS (Denial of Service) attacks. At last, simulations via the network simulator NS-2 and an emulation experiment validate the proposed methodology

Examining the Effects of Ketamine on Reducing the Incidence of Opioid-induced Hyperalgesia in the Perioperative Phase

Pain in the postoperative period is a serious issue that can have a negative physical and emotional impact on patient outcomes. Complications from postoperative pain can have detrimental outcomes for patient’s health and wellbeing as well as the increased economic burden of continued treatment. Better management of pain in the perioperative phase can result in improved patient outcomes, fewer postoperative complications, and increased patient satisfaction. Although opioids are the mainstay of treatment in the perioperative period for pain management, abnormal pain responses such as hyperalgesia may be induced by administration of opioids. The purpose of this systematic review is to examine the effect of ketamine on reducing the phenomenon of opioid-induced hyperalgesia. After a comprehensive literature search, the PRISMA Statement was used to frame this systematic review and elevate the validity of the results by providing transparency and clarity of the findings. The theoretical framework that guided this systematic review was Melzack and Wall’s (1965) Gate Control Theory of Pain which encompassed the physiologic and emotional responses of pain. Studies incorporated in this systematic review were critically appraised to evaluate reliability of randomized control trials. Variables such as intraoperative doses of opioids, intraoperative ketamine doses, postoperative pain scores, postoperative opioid consumption, and evidence of hyperalgesia were evaluated and put into tables for comparison. The results of this systematic review support the use of ketamine in decreasing postoperative opioid consumption, decreasing postoperative pain scores, and decreasing the incidence of opioid induced hyperalgesia

Festivals for Inclusion? Examining the Politics of Cultural Events in Northern Cyprus

In Northern Cyprus, cultural festivals are increasingly popular. The routinely celebrated festivals transform small villages into colourful celebrations with lots of activities and great culinary experiences, offering opportunities for social contact between members of different generations. People meet in the streets, where traditional food and handicrafts are on display and traditional folk dance performances usually take place. Cultural events provide an important space in which older generations often nostalgically remember the past with others of their generation and share their memories with the young people. Bi‐communal interactions between Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots in these public spaces also help leave behind and bury the violence of the past, nationalistic dogma, and intolerance. Drawing on ideas from postcolonial theory, cultural studies, sociology, and scholarship on public art, this article develops a post‐postcolonial approach to explore the politics and value of Turkish Cypriot cultural festivals and the ways in which Turkish Cypriots are bridging differences with Greek Cypriots. Through observations, conversations, and interviews conducted with Turkish Cypriots from June 2014 to October 2017, the article also discusses the ways in which public art encourages dialogue and multicultural tolerance in Cyprus. The article argues that the rise of interest in Turkish Cypriot folk arts and multicultural tolerance, as propagated by Turkish Cypriots, should be understood in more complex terms than simply that of positive inclusion, as an ambivalence closely connected to the East/West division. Accordingly, the article illustrates that the coexistence of inclusion and exclusion are at the heart of Turkish Cypriot society

Anticoagulant use in patients with cancer associated venous thromboembolism : a retrospective cohort study

Introduction: Long term anticoagulant therapy is recommended for treatment and secondary prevention of venous thromboembolism in cancer patients. We assessed outpatient anticoagulants [warfarin, low molecular weight heparins (LMWHs), fondaparinux and unfractionated heparin (UFH)] use in adult, cancer patients, 20 years of age or older, who incurred a venous thromboembolism (primary or secondary in-hospital diagnosis) in Quebec, Canada between 2007 and 2009. Materials and methods: Data were obtained from the Quebec Health Insurance Agency. Patients with an in-hospital cancer diagnosis between April 2007 and June 2009 and an in-hospital venous thromboembolism diagnosis either concurrently or consequently were eligible at the date of discharge (index date). Those patients registered with the provincial drug plan and discharged to the community were included in the study and followed for 6 months. Results: Among 2,070 study patients, 72.4% received anticoagulant therapy at index date, 60% of whom were persistent with therapy and received it for ≥80% of follow-up days. Outpatient anticoagulant use was more likely in those with primary versus secondary diagnosis of venous thromboembolism and less likely in patients with cerebrovascular disease, peptic ulcer disease or previous anticoagulant use. The small number of patients who used either UFH (n=11) or fondaparinux (n= 5) at index date were included in the LMWH group. Warfarin use was less likely than LMWH use in corticosteroid users, previous anticoagulant users, patients with metastatic cancer and those with catheter or chemotherapy in the previous three months. Warfarin use was more likely than LMWH use in: older patients, those residing in rural areas, those with lower income and those suffering from ischemic heart disease, atrial fibrillation or chronic kidney disease. Patients with ischemic heart disease were more likely to have used a non-dalteparin LMWH versus dalteparin (currently, the only LMWH approved by health Canada for chronic treatment of VTE), while those residing in rural areas and those with catheter/chemotherapy were less likely to have used them. A primary (versus secondary) discharge diagnosis of venous thromboembolism [Odds Ratio 1.42; 95% confidence interval (1.14, 1.76)], and metastatic cancer 1.27 (1.00, 1.60) were associated with persistence on anticoagulant treatment. Conclusion: Guideline recommended outpatient use of anticoagulant in cancer patients hospitalized with venous thromboembolism was influenced by cancer status, old age and low income. Risk factors for bleeding prevented outpatient anticoagulant use in some patients

The conversation circle and child assembly: the liquid word and child education

Este artigo discute, inicialmente, alguns dos impasses da Educação Infantil contemporânea no Brasil, enfocando, em seguida, questões que emergiram em um projeto de Psicanálise e Educação Inclusiva desenvolvido em uma escola de Educação Infantil do município de São Paulo, envolvendo professores, alunos, pais, funcionários e equipe técnica. A metodologia utilizada foi a da Conversação, estabelecida por Jacques-Alain Miller (2005). O texto analisa algumas questões específicas que emergiram durante este trabalho, a partir de teorizações referentes à "palavra líquida" (MILLER, 2008) e de sua interface com a noção de "modernidade líquida" (BAUMAN, 2001). Por fim, problematizamos aspectos referentes à escolarização das pessoas com necessidades educacionais especiais, na atualidade, e sua relação com os processos de segregação e normalização.Some dilemmas of the contemporary Child Education in Brazil are initially discussed. Further on, questions emerged from a Psychoanalysis and Inclusive Education Project developed by a Child Education school in São Paulo involving teachers, students, parents, staff and technical team are focused. The Conversation, established by Jacques-Alain Miller (2005), was the methodology applied. The text analyzes specific questions that came up during the elaboration of the present work, originated in the theories regarding the "Liquid Word" (MILLER, 2008) and its interface with the notion of the "Liquid Modernity" (BAUMAN, 2001). Questions referring to people with current special educational needs and their relationship to segregation and normalization processes are finally approached

Larval host plant origin modifies the adult oviposition preference of the female European grapevine moth Lobesia botrana

According to the ‘natal habitat preference induction' (NHPI) hypothesis, phytophagous insect females should prefer to lay their eggs on the host species on which they developed as larvae. We tested whether this hypothesis applies to the breeding behaviour of polyphagous European grapevine moth, Lobesia botrana, an important pest in European vineyards. We previously found that different grape cultivars affect several life history traits of the moth. Because the different cultivars of grapes are suspected to provide different plant quality, we tested the NHPI hypothesis by examining oviposition choice of L. botrana among three Vitis vinifera cultivars (Pinot, Chasselas and Chardonnay). In a choice situation, females of L. botrana that had never experienced grapes were able to discriminate between different grape cultivars and preferentially selected Pinot as an oviposition substrate. This ‘naive' preference of oviposition could be modified by larval environment: Females raised on grapes as larvae preferred to lay eggs on the cultivar that they had experienced. Furthermore, experience of the host plant during adult emergence could be excluded because when pupae originating from our synthetic diet were exposed to grapes, the emerging adults did not show preference for the cultivar from which they emerged. The NHPI hypothesis that includes the two sub-hypothesis "Hopkins host selection principle” and "chemical legacy” may thus be relevant in this syste

Embedding colloidal nanoparticles inside mesoporous silica using gas expanded liquids for high loading recyclable catalysts

The ability to tune the structural and chemical properties of colloidal nanoparticles (NPs), make them highly advantageous for studying activity and selectivity dependent catalytic behaviour. Incorporating pre-synthesized colloidal NPs into porous supports materials remains a challenge due to poor wetting and pore permeability. In this report monodisperse, composition controlled AgPd alloy NPs were synthesised and embedded into SBA-15 using supercritical carbon dioxide and hexane. Supercritical fluid impregnation resulted in high metal loading without the requirement for surface pre-treatments. The catalytic activity, reaction profiles and recyclability of the alloy NPs embedded in SBA-15 and immobilised on non-porous SiO2 are evaluated. The NPs incorporated within the SBA-15 porous network showed significantly greater recyclability performance compared to non-porous SiO2