This book focuses on the issue of optimizing radio resource allocation (RRA) and user admission control (AC) for multiple multicasting sessions on a single high altitude platform (HAP) with multiple antennas on-board. HAPs are quasi-stationary aerial platforms that carry a wireless communications payload to provide wireless communications and broadband services. They are meant to be located in the stratosphere layer of the atmosphere at altitudes in the range 17-22 km and have the ability to fly on demand to temporarily or permanently serve regions with unavailable telecommunications infrastructure. An important requirement that the book focusses on is the development of an efficient and effective method for resource allocation and user admissions for HAPs, especially when it comes to multicasting. Power, frequency, space (antennas selection) and time (scheduling) are the resources considered in the problem over an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) HAP system. Due to the strong dependence of the total number of users that could join different multicast groups, on the possible ways we may allocate resources to these groups, it is of significant importance to consider a joint user to session assignments and RRA across the groups. From the service provider's point of view, it would be in its best interest to be able to admit as many higher priority users as possible, while satisfying their quality of service requirements. High priority users could be users subscribed in and paying higher for a service plan that gives them preference of admittance to receive more multicast transmissions, compared to those paying for a lower service plan. Also, the user who tries to join multiple multicast groups (i.e. receive more than one multicast transmission), would have preferences for which one he would favor to receive if resources are not enough to satisfy the QoS requirements. Technical topics discussed in the book include: - Overview on High Altitude Platforms, their different types and the recent works in this area - Radio Resource Allocation and User Admission Control in HAPs - Multicasting in a Single HAP System: System Model and Mathematical Formulation - Optimization schemes that are designed to enhance the performance of a branch and bound technique by taking into account special mathematical structure in the problem formulation

Today, more than ever, the pharmacist is a full-member of the health team and many of the pharmacist's patients are using a host of other devices from various specialty areas of medicine and surgery. Medical Devices for Pharmacy and Other Healthcare Professions presents a comprehensive review of most devices that pharmacists and pharmacy personnel encounter during practice. The devices covered are relevant to pharmacists working in various work settings from hospitals, community pharmacies, and health insurance sector, to regulatory bodies, academia, and research institutes. Even if a pharmacist does not come across each of these devices on a regular basis, the book is a valuable reference source for those occasions when information is needed by a practitioner, and for instructing interns and residents. The book discusses devices needed for special pharmaceutical services and purposes such as residential care homes and primary care based with GPs, pharmacy-based smoking cessation services, pharmacy-based anticoagulant services, pain management and terminal care, medication adherence and automation in hospital pharmacy. Additional features include: Provides information on devices regarding theory, indications, and procedures concerning use, cautions, and place, in therapy. Assists pharmacists in understanding medical devices and instructing patients with the use of these devices. Focuses on providing the available evidence on effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of devices and the latest information in the particular field. Other healthcare providers interested in medical devices or involved in patients care where medical devices represent part of the provided care would benefit from the book.

Presenting encryption algorithms with diverse characteristics, Image Encryption: A Communication Perspective examines image encryption algorithms for the purpose of secure wireless communication. It considers two directions for image encryption: permutation-based approaches and substitution-based approaches. Covering the spectrum of image encryption principles and techniques, the book compares image encryption with permutation- and diffusion-based approaches. It explores number theory-based encryption algorithms such as the Data Encryption Standard, the Advanced Encryption Standard, and the RC6 algorithms. It not only details the strength of various encryption algorithms, but also describes their ability to work within the limitations of wireless communication systems. Since some ciphers were not designed for image encryption, the book explains how to modify these ciphers to work for image encryption. It also provides instruction on how to search for other approaches suitable for this task. To make this work comprehensive, the authors explore communication concepts concentrating on the orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system and present a simplified model for the OFDM communication system with its different implementations. Complete with simulation experiments and MATLAB (R) codes for most of the simulation experiments, this book will help you gain the understanding required to select the encryption method that best fulfills your application requirements.

Presenting encryption algorithms with diverse characteristics, Image Encryption: A Communication Perspective examines image encryption algorithms for the purpose of secure wireless communication. It considers two directions for image encryption: permutation-based approaches and substitution-based approaches. Covering the spectrum of image encryption principles and techniques, the book compares image encryption with permutation- and diffusion-based approaches. It explores number theory-based encryption algorithms such as the Data Encryption Standard, the Advanced Encryption Standard, and the RC6 algorithms. It not only details the strength of various encryption algorithms, but also describes their ability to work within the limitations of wireless communication systems. Since some ciphers were not designed for image encryption, the book explains how to modify these ciphers to work for image encryption. It also provides instruction on how to search for other approaches suitable for this task. To make this work comprehensive, the authors explore communication concepts concentrating on the orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system and present a simplified model for the OFDM communication system with its different implementations. Complete with simulation experiments and MATLAB (R) codes for most of the simulation experiments, this book will help you gain the understanding required to select the encryption method that best fulfills your application requirements.

An African family sets out across the desert to find a new life in this drama from Belgian director Marion Hansel. When his village well dries up after a prolonged draught, Rahne (Isaka Sawadogo), decides to travel east with his wife Mouna (Carole Karemera), his three children, some goats and sheep. Although most of the village has journeyed south in search of a new life, Rahne is convinced he can find sanctuary, even though the route will take them across hostile lands under a searing sun. Despite the daily struggle, the exuberance and spirit of one of his children, Shasha (Asma Nouman Aden), helps give them the strength to succeed.

BOOK SUMMARY Sitaad is a genre of religious panegyrics laced with spirituality and a yearning to emulate and fuse with some respected earlier women of Islam - most notably Fatima (the daughter of Prophet Muhammad - Peace and blessings be upon him) and others who lived before the coming of Islam such as Xaawa (Eve). The term Xaawaleey which can be translated as 'the party of Eve' alludes to that common bond and shared identify among women which transcends time, space and belief. Other than its spiritual significance, it is a medium where some women turn up to temper any negative feelings giving them trouble, and eventually it assists them reconcile with the reality of world they live in. When the incanting, often accompanied by clapping and drumming, reaches its climax, some even pass into ecstasy and spiritual intoxication (jibbo), in which they later emerge strong out of the session, relieved, full of optimism and energy to face the challenges of their immediate future. For children, it is a festive occasion and for wayfarers, a place where they can quench their thirst and satiate their hunger. Moreover, in contrast to the local contemporary women institutions working in women empowerment programs whose actions are often looked at by most men with suspicion, women of Sitaad never use it as a forum to conspire against men or challenge their hegemony. Instead, they use such occasions in consoling those among them who suffered bereavement or experienced misfortune, help their sick and poor, and enjoin the good and advice themselves against evil doing. An ideal character every women of Sitaad wants to be identified with is Raalliyo (the Good Woman) which is synonymous to the Arabic word Mar'at-u-Saliha who has a place of esteem in Islam. A woman who is Raalliyo can be contrasted with Arliyo - an unruly and rebellious one. This book looks into the history of Sitaad and its place in the Somali culture. It also looks into the transformation it has gone through during the past two decades and the impact of contemporary revivalist Islamic movements on its continuity. While the book underlines the important role women of Sitaad played in disseminating some basic facts about Islam within the circles of womenfolk, it also laments the attitude of men that deprived them the right to learn and practice their faith. The women were seen only to serve assisting their husbands in fulfilling their spiritual journey leading to the bliss. Finally, the book also documents more than a dozen Sitaad songs discussing different issues such as spirituality, fidelity, peace, philanthropy etc. It is also a reflection of the concerns and yearning of Somali women which has always been overlooked.