IST Austria Technical Report

We consider the problem of expected cost analysis over nondeterministic probabilistic programs, which aims at automated methods for analyzing the resource-usage of such programs. Previous approaches for this problem could only handle nonnegative bounded costs. However, in many scenarios, such as queuing networks or analysis of cryptocurrency protocols, both positive and negative costs are necessary and the costs are unbounded as well. In this work, we present a sound and efficient approach to obtain polynomial bounds on the expected accumulated cost of nondeterministic probabilistic programs. Our approach can handle (a) general positive and negative costs with bounded updates in variables; and (b) nonnegative costs with general updates to variables. We show that several natural examples which could not be handled by previous approaches are captured in our framework. Moreover, our approach leads to an efficient polynomial-time algorithm, while no previous approach for cost analysis of probabilistic programs could guarantee polynomial runtime. Finally, we show the effectiveness of our approach by presenting experimental results on a variety of programs, motivated by real-world applications, for which we efficiently synthesize tight resource-usage bounds

Association Between Objectively Sleep Pattern and Obesity in the Elderly

Background: Previous studies on the relationship between sleep patterns and obesity in the elderly are limited and have conflicting results. Moreover, few studies have measured sleep patterns objectively. In this study, we investigated objective sleep patterns and their relationship with obesity in the elderly in Tehran, Iran.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 88 elderly (≥60 years old) who were members of health homes of zone 5 in Tehran, Iran, were included by simple random sampling method in 2014. Sleep patterns were objectively assessed using waist actigraphy for a mean of 4.3 ± 1.7 days). Height, weight, and waist circumference (WC) were measured by standard methods and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Data entry and statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 21.Results: Mean actigraphy-assessed sleep duration, sleep efficiency (percentage of time in bed spent sleeping), and sleep latency (time required to fall asleep) were 427 ± 62 min, 71.3 ± 18%, and 14.2 ± 3.8 min, respectively. A negative relationship was found between BMI and sleep duration (r = −0.2, p = 0.03), BMI and sleep efficiency (r = −0.3, p=0.01), and WC and sleep efficiency (r = −0.2, p = 0.04). Also, a positive association was observed between BMI and sleep latency (r = 0.4, p = 0.006).Conclusions: In the elderly, actigraphy-assessed sleep duration was associated with obesity and the sleep efficiency was poor in obese participants. It seems that sleep patterns and BMI are correlated with each other. However, there is a need for prospective studies to affirm causal relationships between these constructs

Association Between Objectively Sleep Pattern and Obesity in the Elderly

Background: Previous studies on the relationship between sleep patterns and obesity in the elderly are limited and have conflicting results. Moreover, few studies have measured sleep patterns objectively. In this study, we investigated objective sleep patterns and their relationship with obesity in the elderly in Tehran, Iran.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 88 elderly (≥60 years old) who were members of health homes of zone 5 in Tehran, Iran, were included by simple random sampling method in 2014. Sleep patterns were objectively assessed using waist actigraphy for a mean of 4.3 ± 1.7 days). Height, weight, and waist circumference (WC) were measured by standard methods and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Data entry and statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 21.Results: Mean actigraphy-assessed sleep duration, sleep efficiency (percentage of time in bed spent sleeping), and sleep latency (time required to fall asleep) were 427 ± 62 min, 71.3 ± 18%, and 14.2 ± 3.8 min, respectively. A negative relationship was found between BMI and sleep duration (r = −0.2, p = 0.03), BMI and sleep efficiency (r = −0.3, p=0.01), and WC and sleep efficiency (r = −0.2, p = 0.04). Also, a positive association was observed between BMI and sleep latency (r = 0.4, p = 0.006).Conclusions: In the elderly, actigraphy-assessed sleep duration was associated with obesity and the sleep efficiency was poor in obese participants. It seems that sleep patterns and BMI are correlated with each other. However, there is a need for prospective studies to affirm causal relationships between these constructs

Psychology and Sustainability, Homo Technicusand Slow Tech

Psychology and Sustainability, Homo Technicus and Slow TechIn previous issues of Visions for Sustainabilitywe have often published papers that consider the relationship between psychology and sustainability. On the one hand, researchers have examined various aspects of the incompatibility between how human societies and individuals behave in order to satisfy their needs and their desires and the natural processes that are essential for maintaining ecological balance and integrity, both for the people themselves and the environments they inhabit. Problems of sustainability are clearly related to human behaviours and therefore are a part of the psychological sphere. Studies have often focused on examining ways of promoting pro-environmental and reducing anti-environmental behaviours

The Relationship between Uric Acid and Blood Glucose in Diabetic Patients

Background: some studies have shown that there is a correlation between serum uric acid and blood glucose levels so that these changes are not exactly clear. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between uric acid and blood glucose in diabetic patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 190 type 2 diabetic (DM) patients in Shahroud by convenience sampling method. FBS, uric acid, triglyceride, and total cholesterol under standard conditions were measured. Patients were divided into four groups in terms of uric acid level. Results: In this study, 53.7% of patients were male. The average age of cases was 58.3 ± 13.5 years. There was a significant difference in uric acid between age groups (Pvalue<0.023), educational levels (Pvalue<0.041), BMI (Pvalue<0.012) and cholesterol (Pvalue<0.002) groups. Also, there was a significant reverse relationship between mean FBS (Pvalue<0.001), blood glucose two hours after feeding (Pvalue<0.001), and HbA1c (Pvalue<0.02) with different levels of uric acid. Conclusions: The results showed that there was a significant and reversal relationship between the levels of uric acid and glucose levels. In order to control the level of uric acid, the level of glucose in these patients is also to be measured and controlled. Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, Blood glucose, Uric acid.   &nbsp

Burnout in Primary Health Care Providers in Mazandaran Province

Background: Burnout describes negative changes in attitude, mood and behavior in people under work-related stress. This study determines the degree of job burnout inprimary health care providers in Sari, Mazandaran Province, Iran.Methods: This cross-sectional research was conducted on 208 primary health care providers working in Sari in 2015using the Maslach Burnout Inventory. The self-administered questionnaire was completed by the participants and data were analyzed using the Chi-square test. The mean scores of the four dimensions of burnout were calculated using the frequency and intensity scores.Results: A total of 62.9% of the participants were female  and a majority was married (91%). Approximately 21% of the participants were completely satisfied with their essential workplace facilities. The mean scores of the intensity and frequency of emotional exhaustion were 17.19±14.65 and 15.84±12.27. The mean scores of the intensity and frequency of the lack of personal accomplishment were 36.8±12.17 and 30.34±9.72. As for depersonalization, the mean scores of intensity and frequency were 4.22±5.36 and3.95±4.53. The mean scores of  the intensity and frequency of conflict were 6.67±5.12 and 6.18±4.26. The mean scores of the intensity and frequency of overall burnou twere also 64.89±22.95 and 56.31±19.87. There were significant relationships between the intensity and frequency of overall burnout and dissatisfaction with work experience, income, interest in the job and workplace facilities (P<0.05).Conclusions: Given the relationship between job burnout and variables including income and essential workplace facilities, it is imperative to improve health care providers’payment and salary and provide them with any essential facilities at their workplace and enable career advancement so as to help reduce burnout in different dimensions

Burnout in Primary Health Care Providers in Mazandaran Province

Background: Burnout describes negative changes in attitude, mood and behavior in people under work-related stress. This study determines the degree of job burnout inprimary health care providers in Sari, Mazandaran Province, Iran.Methods: This cross-sectional research was conducted on 208 primary health care providers working in Sari in 2015using the Maslach Burnout Inventory. The self-administered questionnaire was completed by the participants and data were analyzed using the Chi-square test. The mean scores of the four dimensions of burnout were calculated using the frequency and intensity scores.Results: A total of 62.9% of the participants were female  and a majority was married (91%). Approximately 21% of the participants were completely satisfied with their essential workplace facilities. The mean scores of the intensity and frequency of emotional exhaustion were 17.19±14.65 and 15.84±12.27. The mean scores of the intensity and frequency of the lack of personal accomplishment were 36.8±12.17 and 30.34±9.72. As for depersonalization, the mean scores of intensity and frequency were 4.22±5.36 and3.95±4.53. The mean scores of  the intensity and frequency of conflict were 6.67±5.12 and 6.18±4.26. The mean scores of the intensity and frequency of overall burnou twere also 64.89±22.95 and 56.31±19.87. There were significant relationships between the intensity and frequency of overall burnout and dissatisfaction with work experience, income, interest in the job and workplace facilities (P<0.05).Conclusions: Given the relationship between job burnout and variables including income and essential workplace facilities, it is imperative to improve health care providers’payment and salary and provide them with any essential facilities at their workplace and enable career advancement so as to help reduce burnout in different dimensions

Comparison of the Effect of Inhalational Isoflurane-Nitrous Oxide Anesthesia and Intravenous Propofol-Remifentanil Anesthesia on Postoperative Pain

Background: The severity of postoperative pain varies widely in the different types of anesthesia. The aim of the present study was to compare the effect of isoflurane-nitrous oxide anesthesia and propofol-remifentanil anesthesia on postoperative pain after foot and ankle surgery. Methods: In this double-blind clinical trial, 60 eligible patients were divided into two equal intervention and control groups; the first group inhaled anesthesia with isoflurane-nitrous oxide and the control group were given intravenous anesthesia with propofol-remifentanil using the quadruple random block model and postoperative pain intensity was measured and compared in the two groups. Data on pain severity were collected at different times and analyzed using SPSS statistical software and related tests. The significant level was set at 0.05.   Results: Of the 60 participants, 38 (52.4%) were male and 22 (47.6%) were female. The mean age of the participants was 33.9±15.1 years. The intensity of pain in the recovery room and up to 4 hours after surgery was significantly (Pvalue<0.001) lower in the intervention group but after 4 hours there was no significant difference between the two groups. So, it can be seen in the present study that there was a significant decrease (Pvalue<0.036) in the number of cases requiring analgesics prescribed in the recovery room and up to 4 hours after surgery in the intervention group. Conclusions: According to the results, evaporation anesthetic isoflurane-nitrous oxide can be used in the stage of induction of anesthesia in orthopedic surgeries, and has achieved good results in reducing pain, especially during the first 4 hours, postoperative. Key Words: Isoflurane, Propofol, Inhaler Anesthesia, IV Anesthesia, Postoperative Pai

Effect of Thymus Vulgaris Ethanol Extract, on Serum Total Antioxidant in Experimental Induced Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOs) Rats

Background: Poly cystic ovary syndrome is one of the most common female endocrine disorders. One of the side effects of PCOS is oxidative stress.. Here we investigated antioxidants effects of Thymus vulgaris ethanoli extract on experimental PCOS induced rats by estradiol-valerat (PPA).Methods: Wistar female rat (n=70) were divided into 7 groups including C1: an equal volume of (0.9% NaCl) as placebo; C2: extract (0.6cc/rat/orally/daily); C3: induced PCO by single injection of estradiol-valerate (4mg/rat/IM), and T1: PCOS induced  rats + an equal volume of (0.9% NaCl) as placebo, T2: PCOS induced rats + extract(0.2cc/rat/orally/daily), T3: PCOS induced rats + extract (0.4cc/rat/orally/daily), T4:PCOS induced rats+extract (0.4cc/rat/orally/daily) test groups, were received extract supplement, for 60 consequence days. Animals were kept in standard conditions. In last day of study the blood samples of rats in whole groups were obtained and prepared to biochemical analysis.Results: Total antioxidant capacity level, superoxide dismutase and catalase activity were significantly increased in PCOS treated groups (P<0.03), these parameters in PCOS groups that did not receive extract significantly decreased (P<0.05) in comparison to control. Level of MDA in PCOS groups were significantly increased as compared to control and extract treated groups (P<0.01).Conclusions: Our results disclosed that administration of Thymus vulgaris ethanol extract significantly restitution tissue antioxidants level in PCOS induced rats.