Topology-aware optimal task allocation framework for mission critical environment: Centralized and decentralized approaches

A Mission Critical Environment (MCE) consists of error-prone, highly variable, and highly rate limited communication channels. Paradoxically, this environment substantially increases the need to perform Optimal Task Allocation (OTA), while at the same time making it much harder to perform OTA efficiently. To perform OTA in MCE, in this thesis, I have proposed two novel automated algorithms. The first algorithm is called Centralized Optimal Task Allocation Algorithm (COTAA), where I consider OTA for publish/subscribe-based MCE since it has unique characteristics such as high level publish/subscribe node and task differentiation and high scalability. I also propose an architectural framework and communication protocols emphasizing the unique challenges of MCE. I adopt well known Hungarian Algorithm and Rectangular Assignment Algorithm to solve the OTA problem in polynomial time. The second algorithm is called Decentralized Optimal Task Allocation Algorithm (DOTAA) which exploits the concept of application-layer Distributed Hash Table (DHT) to perform OTA in MCE. Through simulations, I evaluate the performance of both COTAA and DOTAA for multiple mission critical scenarios. The results indicate that both COTAA and DOTAA achieve the goal of OTA in highly dynamic MCEs, with low processing time and communication overhead

Attitudes towards English Language Learning among EFL Learners at UMSKAL

This paper analyses the result of a survey on 238 undergraduate EFL students at a public university in Malaysia. The survey focused on their attitude towards English learning and causes that might have hindered their learning. For data collection, a 19 item questionnaire were designed and administered on 238 students. The objective of this study was to investigate (1) The attitudes of the learners towards the use of English in different areas; (2) Causes that may have influenced the effect of English learning for students (3) Perspectives of English learning among non-major English learners in Malaysia. Results of the qualitative analysis show that the attitude towards English language learning and using the language in various domains of usage is extremely positive. The data also revealed that most of the students had negative feelings or fear regarding classroom instructions in their learning experience. Students of different fields varied in attitudes towards English language learning in terms of domains of usage and focus of learning skills, which shows that a single curriculum or teaching methodology is not adequate. Several suggestions have been made regarding teaching methodology, curriculum, teaching materials, and the status of English in Malaysia from this point of view. Key words: EFL learners, Learner attitudes, Learning environment, Language learning, Malaysi

Recruitment and selection process of CEMEX Cement Bangladesh Ltd.

This internship report is submitted in a partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Business Administration,2014.Cataloged from PDF version of Internship report.Includes bibliographical references (page 40).Development of cement industry in Bangladesh dates back to the early-fifties but it growth in real sense started only about a decade. With current capacity of 20 million tonnes and a constant growth of 6%, this industry has attracted many investors. To complete with the market, CEMEX is constantly evolving in order to become more flexible in their operations, more creative in their global business, and more efficient in their capital allocation. CEMEX worldwide has a geographically diversified portfolio of assets in well-balanced and sustainable growth markets. And for the customer CEMEX strives to create value by focusing on more vertically integrated building solutions rather than separate products. In this report, the Recruitment & selection process and policies of CEMEX is evaluated and based on the findings, recommendations are made for the improvement. A competitive analysis was done on the procedure and policies CEMEX and its competitors. In the comparative analysis the whole Recruitment & selection process and also company details were evaluated. Out of the analysis, it was found out CEMEX is at par with the industry when it comes to Recruitment & selection practices which can be replicated in CEMEX. However huge lacking was found in the regional integration or group integration. CCBL is not taking advantage of all the expertise of the CEMEX worldwide networks. Meetings and conferences would have been better to the advancement of CEMEX as a company. Recruitment and selection process is endless process. HR department always try to find right people in right place at right time. it’s objective to find effective employee and utilize him/her properly.Shameem AhmedB. Business Administratio

ETS (Efficient, Transparent, and Secured) Self-healing Service for Pervasive Computing Applications

To ensure smooth functioning of numerous handheld devices anywhere anytime, the importance of self-healing mechanism cannot be overlooked. Incorporation of efficient fault detection and recovery in device itself is the quest for long but there is no existing self-healing scheme for devices running in pervasive computing environments that can be claimed as the ultimate solution. Moreover, the highest degree of transparency, security and privacy attainability should also be maintained. ETS Self-healing service, an integral part of our developing middleware named MARKS (Middleware Adaptability for Resource discovery, Knowledge usability, and Self-healing), holds promise for offering all of those functionalities

A Study on Endoscopic Palliation of Malignant Biliary Obstruction by Plastic Stents

INTRODUCTION: Malignant biliary obstruction comprises of malignancies causing proximal malignant obstruction like Gallbladder carcinoma, hilar cholangiocarcinoma, node causing obstruction and malignancies causing distal malignant biliary obstruction including pancreatic malignancy, ampullary adenocarcinoma, distal cholangiocarcinoma and duodenal adenocarcinoma. AIM OF THE STUDY: 1. To Study the causes of Malignant Biliary obstruction 2. To Study the success rate of endoscopic stenting in patients with malignant biliary obstruction. 3. To Study the reason for failure in endoscopic stenting. 4. To Study the morbidity and mortality of endocopic Biliary stenting. 5. To Study the effectiveness of 7F and 10F in endoscopic palliation of jaundice. 6. To Study the difference in patency rates of 7F and 10F plastic stent. 7. To Study the complication rate between 7F and 10F endocopic stenting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Study was conducted in Department of Digestive Health and Disease (DDHD) a super speciality department with rich heritage located in Government peripheral hospital, Anna Nagar, Chennai, attached to Government Kilpauk Medical College, Chennai. The study was conducted in DDHD inpatients and patients referred from Government Kilpauk Medical College (Surgical Gastroenterology, General Surgery), Government Royapettah Hospital (Surgical Gastroenterology, General Surgery), Government General Hospital (Surgical Gastroenterology, General Surgery).The study period was from December 2007 to December 2009. Patients with Malignant Biliary obstruction were divided in to two groups 1. Proximal Biliary Obstruction, 2. Distal Biliary Obstruction. After ERCP stenting patients with 7F plastic stent were compared with patients with 10F plastic stents. INCLUSION AND EXCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. All patients with Malignant biliary obstruction with informed consent were included. 2. Candidates not willing were excluded. 3. Candidates not fit for ERCP procedure were excluded. 4. Patients in whom benign cause was suspected were excluded. We used Duodenoscope of length 156cm working channel diameter of 4.2mm, field of view 1100 (Model No.ED341C Batch No.A120052) with a PENTAX video processor EPK 150C input 100-240V-50/60HZ ranging 300 VA max. We used ERBE endocut (Model ICC 200 EA INT) for Biliary sphincterotomy with cutting current 120 effect 3 without coagulation. CONCLUSION: 1. Most common cause of malignant biliary obstruction in this study was ampullary adenocarcinoma followed by distal cholangiocarcinoma, hilar cholangiocarcinoma, head of pancreas malignancy, Gall Bladder carcinoma and lymph node causing hilar obstruction. 2. Over all success rate of all patients with Malignant Biliary Obstruction was 68.6% with success rate of 78% for patients with distal Malignant Biliary Obstruction and 60% for patients with proximal Malignant Biliary Obstruction cases. 3. Most common reason for failure of endoscopic stenting in patients with malignant biliary obstruction was repeated entry of guidewire into pancreatic duct followed by tight stricture, nonvisualization of ampulla, anatomical difficulties and periampullary diverticulum. 4. Immediate complication rate was 10% with no mortality. Cholangitis being the commonest complication followed by pancreatitis, perforation, stent migration in one patient each. 5. Both 7F and 10F were equally effective in reducing jaundice in the short term. 6. Mean number of days of stent patency after 10F stent was 217 days and 61 days after 7F which was statistically significant. 7. Complication rate between patients treated with 7F Plastic stent and 10F plastic stent were similar

Addressing Regional Inequality Issues in Bangladesh Public Expenditure

Traditionally development effort of Bangladesh government have aimed at achieving equitable economic growth. The concept is an overriding factor in formulating national policy strategies of poverty alleviation. In this context, the objectives of poverty alleviation are mostly designed with social development factors, particularly improvements in health and education indicators. One of the most important policy documents Unlocking the potential : National Strategy for Accelerated Poverty Reduction (the PRSP paper which was extended till June 2008), and other government documents embody such with great importance (Medium Term Budget Framework 2007- 2010 documents on website of the Ministry of Finance. Since returning to democracy in 1991, Bangladeshs economy has achieved a steady growth rate with concomitant fall of poverty incidences at an accelerated pace. In fact, the country experienced more than 10 percentage point fall in poverty rate between 2000 and 2005 (Table 1), which is indeed a commendable achievement aligned to other better performances that Bangladesh has been experiencing for the last three decades since independence. One feature of this development is, however, less assuring. Regional analysis of poverty incidences shows that reduction rate is not equal across the country, rather the situation is worsening in some cases. Such picture reflects an unequal progress in overall economic activity throughout the country.Bangladesh, Regional Inequality, public expenditure, Poverty Alleviation

Painless Loss of Vision as The First Presentation of Undiagnosed Neurofibromatosis 1 in A Child

How to Cite This Article: Paul SP, Ahmed S, Painless Loss of Vision as The First Presentation of Undiagnosed Neurofibromatosis 1 in A Child. Iran J Child Neurol. Autumn 2015;9(4):58-60.AbstractObjectiveA 10 year old presented with painless loss of vision as the first manifestation of neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1). Clinical assessment detected diagnostic features of NF1 and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan confirmed presence of plexiform neurofibroma and bilateral optic pathway glioma (OPG). The child was managed with chemotherapy which helped in improvement of vision. Review of current literature recommends vision testing in diagnosed cases of NP1 till 7 years of age; this is aimed at detecting visual impairments resulting from a symptomatic OPG

Chronic Renal Failure Secondary to Unrecognized Neurogenic Bladder in A Child with Myelodysplasia

How to Cite This Article: Ahmed S, Paul SP. Chronic Renal Failure Secondary to Unrecognized Neurogenic Bladder in A Child with Myelodysplasia. Iran J Child Neurol. Spring 2017; 11(2):78-81.AbstractMyelodysplasia includes a group of developmental anomalies resulting from defects that occur during neural tube closure. Urological morbidity in patients with myelodysplasia is significant and if not treated appropriately in a timely manner can potentially lead to progressive renal failure, requiring dialysis or transplantation. We report the case of a 13-year old girl with neurogenic bladder who presented chronic renal failure secondary to lipomyelomeningocele with retethering of cord. She was managed with urinary indwelling catheterization until optimization of renal function and then underwent detethering of cord with excision and repair of residual lipomeningomyelocele. Her renal parameters improved gradually over weeks and then were managed on self clean intermittent catheterization. The case emphasizes the need for considering rethering of spinal cord in children with myelodysplasia where symptoms of neurogenic bladder and recurrent urinary tract infections occur. References 1. Favazza TF. Myelodysplasia and Neurogenic Bladder Dysfunction. 2014. Available at http://emedicine. medscape.com/article/1015695-overview (accessed 30th August 2016)2. Larijani FJ, Moghtaderi M, Hajizadeh N, Assadi F. Preventing Kidney Injury in Children with Neurogenic Bladder Dysfunction. Int J Prev Med. 2013;4(12):1359- 64.3. de Azevedo RV, Oliveira EA, Vasconcelos MM, et al. Impact of an interdisciplinary approach in children and adolescents with lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD). J Bras Nefrol. 2014;36(4):451-9.4. Elliott SP, Villar R, Duncan B. Bacteriuria management and urological evaluation of patients with spina bifida and neurogenic bladder: a multicenter survey. J Urol. 2005;173(1):217-20.5. Danforth TL, Ginsberg DA. Neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction: how, when, and with which patients do we use urodynamics? Urol Clin North Am. 2014;41(3): 445-52.6. Seki N, Masuda K, Kinukawa N, Senoh K, Naito S. Risk factors for febrile urinary tract infection in children with myelodysplasia treated by clean intermittent catheterization. Int J Urol. 2004;11(11):973-7.7. Kochakarn W, Ratana-Olarn K, Lertsithichai P, Roongreungsilp U. Follow-up of long-term treatment with clean intermittent catheterization for neurogenic bladder in children. Asian J Surg. 2004; 27(2):134-6.8. Obara K, Mizusawa T, Isahaya E, et al. Efficacy of Clean Intermittent Catheterization for Urinary Incontinence in Children with Neurogenic Bladder Dysfunction Secondary to Myelodysplasia. Low Urin Tract Symptoms. 2010;2(2):100-5

mHealth literacy: characterizing people’s ability to use smartphone-based health-related applications

This dissertation investigates the following research question: what skills does a user need to use a health-related app on a smartphone? It coins the term ‘mHealth Literacy’ to refer to all such necessary skills. The research methodology of this dissertation has two parts: a pilot study and a final study. In the pilot study, three phone interviews were conducted with three regular and skilled users of smartphone-based health-related apps (or “mHealth apps,” for short). For the final study, face-to-face interviews were conducted with 24 users of mHealth apps. The coding and analysis of the study transcripts and field notes identified that mHealth app users should have 15 skills. These 15 skills are: Smartphone Literacy, App Literacy, English Literacy, Numeracy, App-centric Health Literacy, Information Literacy, Graph Literacy, Computer Literacy, Web Literacy, Privacy awareness, Awareness of negative impact of mHealth apps, No fear of technology, Strong desire to use mHealth apps, Consistency in using mHealth apps, and Willingness to consult a doctor whenever necessary. Earlier it was considered a user’s responsibility to learn all the required skills to be considered as health literate. However, at present, health literacy is considered as a complex concept that involves not only the users but also their families, healthcare professionals, communities, and the health care system. In the same way, several participants of this study expressed a concern that a poorly designed mHealth app might be unusable even for an expert mHealth app user. Hence, they mentioned that it is not only the user’s responsibility to learn the 15 skills to be mHealth literate but also mHealth app developers should share the same, if not more, responsibilities. As a result, 13 recommendations have been developed, all drawn from participants’ experiences and reflections, to design mHealth apps. Five design recommendation were supported by existing research while the remaining eight were suggested by the participants of this study. This dissertation will contribute to the field of eHealth Literacy. With the emergence of new forms of information technology, the focus of Health Literacy has been extended from the physical world to the cyber world. A new research domain called eHealth Literacy has emerged as a result. By integrating mobile technology, the concept of mHealth Literacy has evolved out of eHealth Literacy. Whereas definitions of eHealth Literacy are up to this point based on theory, this dissertation through an empirical study advances understanding of eHealth literacy when it comes to mobile devices and their applications

Congenital spinal dysraphism with infected sacrococcygeal sinus tract: need for improved awareness amongst clinicians

Spinal dysraphism (SD) includes a group of developmental anomalies resulting from failure of fusion of parts along dorsal aspect of midline structures lying along spinal axis from skin to vertebrae and spinal cord. There are two types of SD, open and closed. Close SD, also known as spina bifida occulta, can present with diagnostic challenges in resource limited settings where awareness regarding the condition and specialist radiological investigations, including Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), may not be easily available. Undiagnosed cases can potentially lead to long term morbidities. We report the case of a 13-year old boy with closed SD presenting with recurrent infections of the sacrococcygeal sinus tract which were treated with oral antibiotics for what was considered to be localized infection. Following neurosurgical assessment and spinal MRI a diagnosis of SD was made. He underwent surgical excision of the sinus tract and closure of the defect with good outcome. The case emphasizes the need for awareness regarding SD in children who have sinus tracts in the intergluteal fold with symptoms of recurrent discharge and infection