Distance based Modelling and Optimization of Wireless Sensor Network Energy Consumption with Adaptive Clustering using Genetic Algorithm

Wireless sensor network (WSN), as one of the most important technologies due to its wide variety of applications, consists of various densely deployed sensor nodes inside or very near to application area. WSNs work with several limitations related to resources like battery power, bandwidth, memory and etc. and hence node goes out of energy where it's impossible to recharge or replace the battery of nodes. It has been proved that, long communication distance between sensor nodes and base station (BS) can drain the energy. This paper proposes an approach to optimize the WSN energy consumption of nodes via optimizing the number of clusters that minimizes the transmission distance, for maximizing network lifetime. A genetic algorithm is proposed for sensor nodes clustering to find the optimal number of cluster heads that reduces the energy consumption. The proposed solution considers the communication distance, as a main factor, which is formulated as an objective function to be optimized for the mathematical model constrained by the number of cluster heads. The results were conducted using the proposed GA for different instances with different settings such as the population size, number of cluster-heads, and number of generations. The experimental results show that the algorithm achieved good results and it converges toward the optimal solution through the generations for the different instances. Moreover, the proposed approach reduces the energy consumption more efficient when compared with hierarchical clustering algorithm on minimizing the communicating distance. It is recommended to scale the algorithm to consider a trade-off between the total intra-cluster communication distance and total distance of cluster-heads to BS as a future work

Reporting Adverse Reactions of Skin Whitening Products in Wad- Medani Dermatology Hospital, Sudan

Background: There is growing concern about skin whitening both worldwide and in Sudan where there is no specific reporting system for the adverse reactions to whitening products. Objective: To identify adverse reactions associated with whitening products use through implementing an adverse reactions reporting system at the dermatology hospital in Wad -Medani, Sudan. Methods: A cross sectional study of patients presenting at the dermatology hospital in Wad-Medani, with adverse reactions (ARs) associated with the use of whitening products was done between October 2017 and September 2018.ARs reporting forms (containing socio-demographic characteristics, whitening products details and the detected ARs) were filled by the doctors attending both referral and out-patient clinics. Results: The study included 1000 patients aged 15- 48 years old, 98.5% of which were females. About 58% of patients had skin type VI, 32% skin type V and 10% skin type IV. More than 80% of the population used Hydroquinone and/or Clobetasol propionate or unlabeled mixtures of several whitening products bought from street vendors. Most patients (52%) used these products for more than 6 months. Acne, inflammation, ochronosis, hyperpigmentation, bacterial and fungal infections were the most reported ARs. The latter occurring in more than 42% of included patients. More than 68% of reported ARs were classified as severe by the treating doctors. Conclusion: Serious ARs of whitening products are prevalent and urgent measures are needed to address their irrational use. Vigilance ARs reporting systems are applicable and feasible which was evident since whitening products ARs reporting was continued even after the study was completed. The development and implementation of these systems should be adopted and encouraged by health authorities

Investigación del efecto de la temperatura de recocido sobre las propiedades ópticas de películas delgadas de CdSe

Introduction: CdSe is an important II–VI semiconducting material dueto its typical optical properties such as small direct band gap (1.7 eV) anda high refractive index and, thus, a major concern is focused on the investigation of optical properties of CdSe thin films which is important topromote the performances of the devices of solid -state such as SC (solar cells), thin film transistors, LED (light-emitting diodes), EBPL (electron–beam pumped lasers) and electroluminescent devices. In the presentwork, CdSe thin films were deposited by thermal evaporation method andthe results have been analysed and presented. Materials and Methods:CdSe thin films has been deposited on glass microscopic slides as substrates of (75×25×1 mm) under room temperature using PVD technique.CdSe blended powders gets evaporated and condensed on the substrate.The film thickness (t = 100 5 nm) which is measured using Michelsoninterferometry method. Transmission spectrum, from 200-1100 nm, arescanned using two beams UV–VIS Spectrophotometer (6850 UV/Vis.Spectrophotometer-JENWAY). The deposited films then were annealedat temperature range of (1500C to 3500C) under vacuum to have a stable phase of the material and prevent surface oxidization. Results andDiscussion: A transmittance spectrum of CdSe thin film is scanned overwavelength range 200 to 1100 nm using a (6850 UV/Vis. Spectrophotometer-JENWAY) at room temperature. The transmittance percentagebetween the as-deposited film and the annealed films change varies from(17.0%) to (47.0%). It is clearly seen that there is a shift toward higher energy (Blue Shift) in the transmittance spectrum. As annealing temperatureincreased the transmittance edge is shifted to the longer wavelength (i.e.,after annealing the CdSe films shows red shifts in their optical spectra).The band gap was found within the range 1.966-1.7536 eV for CdSe thinfilm. As annealing temperature increases, the Eg continuously decreases.Conclusions: CdSe thin films have been deposited using Physical VaporDeposition (PVD) Technique. It is found that the transmission for asdeposited films is (17%) and increases to (47%) as annealing temperature increases. Beside this the energy gap for as- deposited CdSe film is(1.966eV) and decreased from (1.909 eV) to (1.7536eV) as the annealingtemperature increases. There is a strong red shift in optical spectrum ofthe annealed CdSe films. There is a gradual shift of the annealed filmsthin film spectra as compared of bulk CdSe film

ASSESSMENT OF CLINICAL INDICATORS FOR ANAEMIA IN THE ALGORITHM FOR INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT OF CHILDHOOD ILLNESS (IMCI), WAD MEDANI PAEDIATRICS HOSPITAL, SUDAN 2001-2002

The object of this study was to assess IMCI clinical indicators used for the assessment and classification of anaemia in underfines. A total of 500 children (aged 2-59 month)were selected by systematic random method from sick children attending to the outpatient department of the paediatrics hospital in Wad Medani, Sudan. The study doctors obtained a standardized history and carried out IMCI standard case management. Heamoglobin concentration and blood smear for malaria parasites were then performed for every enrolled child. Using the WHO Hb levels to diagnose anaemia, the sensitivity and specificity of IMCI guidelines to classify anaemia were examined. The sensitivity and specificity of “ no palmar pallor” as a predictor of no anaemia were 60% and 50% respectively; and of  “some pallor” as predictor of mild-moderate anaemia were 44%, 60%; whereas  “severe pallor” showed a sensitivity of 52% and a very high specificity for 90% on detecting children with severe anaemia. Palmar pallor was not significantly associated with the presence of malaria as detected by a positive blood film for plasmodium falciparum. The study thus provides technical validation of IMCI algorithm for the assessment of anaemia. However, it did not provide proof of a significant association between palmar pallor and malaria, in the presence of fever

Antimalarial Activity of Certain Sudanese Medicinal Plants Used in Folk –Medicine

Ten indigenous plants of common use in Sudanese folk-medicine, vitro for antimalarial activity against Plasmoclium were examined in falciparum, the major human malaria parasite. All plant samples displayed various antimalarial activity. Three plant extracts caused 100% inhibition of the parasite growth at a concentration ≤ 500 g/ml. The most active extracts that produced 100% inhibition of the parasite growth at a concentration ≤ 50 g/ml were obtained from the seeds of Nigella sativa and the whole plant of Aristolochia bracteolata. These two plants were phytochemically screened for their active constituents and both showed the presence of sterols, alkaloids and tannins

Attitudes of Saudi Mothers Towards Breastfeeding: A Cross–Sectional Survey in Taif Region, Saudi Arabia

Background: Mothers’ attitudes are strong predicators of choice of infant feeding method. This study was conducted to measure attitudes towards breastfeeding among Saudi mothers. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted during April 2013 among Saudi nursing mothers in Taif Region; Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Data was collected by trained pharmacy female students through face-to-face interview method using structured questionnaire. Mothers’ attitudes towards breastfeeding were assessed by The Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale (IIFAS). Results: A total of 387 mothers were included of them 204 (52.7%) aged < 32 years and 334 (86.3%) were residents in the town. University or college graduates were 262 (67.7%). Overall 181 (46.8%) of the mothers had positive attitudes towards breastfeeding, while 206 (53.2%) held negative ones. Correlating mothers’ total attitudes towards breastfeeding to their demographics showed that; out of the mothers aged < 32 years 118 (57.8%) had significantly more positive attitudes than older ones (aged > 32 years) 63 (34.4%), (P < 0.001). Cross tabulation of the method of infant feeding and mothers’ total attitudes towards breastfeeding showed that mothers used formula feeding or mixed feeding method 120 (49.0%) had significantly positive attitudes towards breastfeeding more than breastfeeding ones 61(43.0%), (P =0.025). Conclusion: The rate of exclusive breastfeeding was low. Positive attitudes towards breastfeeding was found to be more among mothers used formula or mixed feeding method. Educational interventions are needed to raise awareness and upgrade mothers’ knowledge on infant breastfeeding

Calvarial bone grafts to augment the alveolar process in partially dentate patients:a prospective case series

BACKGROUND: Calvarial bone grafts as a pre-implant augmentation procedure are mostly used to reconstruct the edentulous maxilla, although calvarial grafts could also be used in the partially dentate patients needing extensive bone grafting.METHODS: In 7 consecutive partially dentate patients needing bone grafting because of a large bony defect as a result of trauma (n = 1), oligodontia (n = 1), failed previous bone augmentation (n = 1), or atrophy (n = 4), the alveolar process was reconstructed with calvarial bone as a pre-implant procedure.RESULTS: A total of 30 implants was placed either immediate at the time of bone grafting (13 implants) or after a healing time of 4 months when immediate placement was not possible (17 implants). One wound dehiscence occurred that needed secondary intervention. During follow-up (40 ± 14 months), one implant was lost due to peri-implantitis with an infected osteosynthesis screw. Marginal peri-implant bone loss was 0.65 ± 0.47 mm during this period.CONCLUSION: Calvarial bone is a sound extra-oral donor site when aiming for reconstruction of a large bony defect of the alveolar process of partially dentate patients.</p

Metal Complexes of Macrocyclic Schiff-Base Ligand: Preparation, Characterisation, and Biological Activity

A new macrocyclic multidentate Schiff-base ligand Na4L consisting of two submacrocyclic units (10,21-bis-iminomethyl-3,6,14,17-tricyclo[17.3.1.18,12]tetracosa-1(23),2,6,8,10,12(24),13,17,19,21,-decaene-23,24-disodium) and its tetranuclear metal complexes with Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) are reported. Na4L was prepared via a template approach, which is based on the condensation reaction of sodium 2,4,6-triformyl phenolate with ethylenediamine in mole ratios of 2 : 3. The tetranuclear macrocyclic-based complexes were prepared from the reaction of the corresponding metal chloride with the ligand. The mode of bonding and overall geometry of the compounds were determined through physicochemical and spectroscopic methods. These studies revealed tetrahedral geometries about Mn, Co, and Zn atoms. However, square planar geometries have been suggested for NiII and CuII complexes. Biological activity of the ligand and its metal complexes against Gram positive bacterial strain Staphylococcus aureus and Gram negative bacteria Escherichia coli revealed that the metal complexes become more potentially resistive to the microbial activities as compared to the free ligand. However, these metal complexes do not exhibit any effects on the activity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria. There is therefore no inhibition zone

Doctor-Patient Communication A Requisite for Better Medication History Taking: Insight from Sudan

Despite the awareness of doctors about the significance of obtaining a comprehensive medication history for patients, they often neglect this in their practice, resulting in an incomplete patient medication list. The study aimed to investigate the role of communication skills as a crucial part of optimal pharmacotherapy. An observational, cross-sectional study was carried out at internal medicine department in a tertiary hospital, Wad Medani, Sudan.&nbsp; The research instrument was a form involved a checklist rating a doctor’s performance during the medical encounters. Among 94 medical doctors, 51% were males and 6.15 (SE) was the average years of experience. About 13% of participants received under-graduation training in communication skills, while 21% had it after post-graduation. Concerning communication skills evaluation, 61% of specialists, 29% of registrars, and 7% of house officers reported an excellent performance. Gender and doctors’ ranking in a medical team had a significant role in communication skills (P-value &lt;0.05) with an overall adjusted R2 of 0.339. Specialists were the most knowledgeable and skillful in obtaining structured medication history; 67% reported an excellent performance. Communication skills had a remarkable impact in getting patient medication history (P-value: &lt;0.05) with an overall adjusted R2 of 0. 763.The study concluded that; gender and doctors’ ranking in the medical team were the main predictors for doctors to be a good communicator. Communication skills have a significant role in medication history taking. There was a gap in knowledge and training in communication skills among internal medicine doctors specifically, “house officers.” This gap negatively contributed to obtaining a comprehensive patient medication history