Kubernetes as an Availability Manager for Microservice Based Applications

The architectural style of microservices has been gaining popularity in recent years. In this architectural style, small and loosely coupled modules are deployed and scaled inde-pendently to compose cloud-native applications. Microservices are maintained and tested easily and are faster at startup time. However, to fully leverage from the benefits of the archi-tectural style of microservices, it is necessary to use technologies such as containerization. Therefore, in practice, microservices are containerized in order to remain isolated and light-weight and are orchestrated by orchestration platforms such as Kubernetes. Kubernetes is an open-source platform that defines a set of building blocks which collectively provide mecha-nisms for orchestrating containerized microservices. The move towards the architectural style of microservices is well underway and carrier-grade service providers are migrating their lega-cy applications to a microservice based architecture running on Kubernetes. However, service availability remains a concern. Service availability is measured as the percentage of time the service is provisioned. High Availability (HA) is a non-functional requirement for service availability of at least 99.999%. Although the characteristics of microservice based architec-tures naturally contribute to improving the availability, Kubernetes as an orchestration plat-form for microservices needs to be evaluated in terms of availability. Therefore, in this thesis, we identify possible architectures for deploying stateless and stateful microservice based ap-plications with Kubernetes and evaluate Kubernetes from the perspective of availability it provides for its managed applications. Our experiment’s results show that the healing capabili-ties of Kubernetes are not sufficient for providing high availability, especially for stateful ap-plications. Therefore, we propose a State Controller which integrates with Kubernetes and allows for state replication and automatic service redirection to the healthy microservice instance. We conduct experiments to evaluate our solution and compare the different archi-tectures from an availability perspective and scaling overhead. The results of our investiga-tions show that our solution improves the recovery time of stateful microservice based appli-cations by 55% and even up to 99% in certain cases

Comparison of Microbial Loads and Bioactive Compounds of the Grape Juice Samples Treated by Ultrasonication and Thermal Pasteurization

Background and Objective: Pasteurization is one of the most widely used methods in decreasing of microbial loads in fruit juices. Unfortunately, high temperatures destroy anthocyanins and polyphenolic compounds. Nutritional status and quality of fruit juices can be improved using other decontamination methods such as ultrasound process. This study was carried out to investigate effects of ultrasound on contents of bioactive compounds and microbial loads of red-grape juice samples. Results achieved under the optimum conditions of ultrasonication were compared to those under thermal pasteurization. Material and Methods: Effects of three variables of ultrasound time (2, 6 and 10 min), temperature (0, 30 and 60 °C) and power (10, 105 and 200 W) on total phenol content, anthocyanin and total microbial count of the red-grape juices were studied. Design of experiments was carried out using response surface methodology (Box-Behnken design) followed by optimization. Quality of the optimized samples was compared to the quality of controls pasteurized at 90 °C for 30 s. Total phenol content, anthocyanin and total microbial count were assessed using Folin-Ciocalteu assay, spectrophotometry and total plate count method, respectively. Results and Conclusion: The maximum levels of phenols and anthocyanin compounds and the minimum microbial loads were achieved at 144.34 W for 2 min at 60 °C. Based on the results, contents of total phenol and anthocyanin in samples treated by ultrasound under optimal conditions were significantly higher than those in samples pasteurized by thermal process. No significant differences were seen between total microbial counts of the samples processed by ultrasonication and thermal pasteurization. These results indicated that more bioactive compounds of phenols and anthocyanins could be preserved in grape juices under ultrasonication than those under thermal processes. In addition, a similar safety scheme of the microbial load was achieved by optimizing the conditions of ultrasound treatment. Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest

Socioeconomic Status and Coronary Heart Disease

Background: Iran has undergone a remarkable demographic transition over the last threedecades. Socioeconomic status (SES) indicators including education, income, and occupationare associated with coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors, morbidity, and mortality. Theaim of the present study was to describe demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, theirassociation to the diseases, and to explore the predictive risk of CHD in Tabriz, the fourthlargest city in Iran and the capital of East Azerbaijan Province.Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out to explore and analyze thecurrent SES status of CHD patients. The study was conducted in Tabriz and all patients(n=189) refereed to the Central Referral Hospital for cardiac patients (Shahid Madani Hospital)from 2009 to 2010 were considered. A researcher structured questionnaire with 15 questionswas used to collect data. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the basic SES featuresof the CHD patients and data analysis was done using SPSS ver. 16.Results: Less educated participants were more susceptible to CHD. Regarding to occupationalstatus, housewives and retired men were in higher risk of CHD than the rest of the people.Studied patients also reported to be mostly from urban areas that were living in apartmentcomplexes.Conclusion: In line with some international research evidence the study results suggested thatpeople from lower/middle social classes were in greater CHD risk than higher social classes.This epidemic might be halted through the promotion of healthier lifestyles and the support ofenvironmental and policy changes

The Scientific Output of Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Iran, in Web of Science

Background & Objective: Publishing in journals indexed in well-known indexes is the best way to present an article internationally. It also illustrates the contribution of scholars to the advancement of knowledge in the world. This study aimed to investigate the scientific output of Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Iran, in Web of Science (WOS) during 2004 to 2013. Methods: This applied research uses scientometrics and citation methods to investigate the scientific publications of Kerman University of Medical Sciences during 2004-2013. The data were gathered from Web of Science. Results: During this time period, researchers at Kerman University of Medical Sciences had published 1053 documents in WOS. Most of the documents were in article format. The growth rate of scientific contribution was 70% and the university’s H-index was 30. The papers’ distribution followed the Lotka’s law. In total, the papers had received 4619 citations. Only 2.47% of papers were written by one author. The studied researchers had the most collaboration with Tehran University of Medical Sciences among Iranian universities and the University of Amsterdam among foreign universities. The fields pharmacy and pharmacology had produced the most papers. Conclusion: The results indicated a growing trend in publications and high rates of scientific collaboration by Kerman University of Medical Sciences. It is suggested that different departments follow the experience of departments with the most productivity in order to increase their output. In this way all departments will contribute to the university’s scientific output. Moroever, new policies should be considered to increase the citation rate. Key Words: Science production, Web of Science (WOS), Citation, Document, Scientometrics, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, H-inde

Edible Film Based on Lallemantia peltata L. Seed Gum: Development and Characterization

A novel edible film was developed using Lallemantia peltata (L.) seed gum (LSG), and its water sensitivity, physico-mechanical, barriers, microstructural and thermal properties as a function of glycerol concentration (20, 30, 40, 50 and 60% w/w) were studied. Different models were also used to investigate the water sorption of the LSG films. Unplasticized LSG films were brittle and difficult to handle which were effectively modified by glycerol addition. Water sensitivity, oxygen permeability, and elongation of LSG films were increased with increasing glycerol concentration. Also, increasing of glycerol concentration resulted in reduction of tensile strength, glass transition temperature (Tg) and melting temperature (Tm) of the films. Electron scanning micrographs revealed a smooth surfaceand compact cross-section microstructure in LSG films.The films showed sigmoid shape type II water sorption isotherms, representing typical features of most of biopolymers. Accordingly, the results suggest that LSG films containing desired glycerol concentration could potentially be used as edible films in food packaging

Cervical Position Sense in Forward Head Posture versus Chronic Neck Pain: A Comparative Study

Introduction: Chronic Neck Pain (CNP) and Forward Head Posture (FHP) are two common musculoskeletal problems of the modern society. Previous studies reported several complications both in CNP and FHP including Joint cervical position sense dysfunction, sensorimotor disturbance, and altered muscle function. However, still, the extent of cervical proprioceptive dysfunction in FHP and CNP is not well known. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the cervical position sense in individuals with FHP and patients with CNP. Method and Materials: A total of 25 individuals with FHP and 25 patients with CNP participated in the present study. Craniovertebral Angle (CVA) was measured to identify individuals with FHP. Participants’ cervical position senses were calculated performing Head Repositioning Error (HRE) test. Also, independent t-test was run to compare the HRE between the two groups. Finally, in order to evaluate the association between pain and CVA with HRE, Spearman correlation was conducted. Results: The results of the present study revealed a significant difference between the two groups in terms of HRE (p=0.02), with higher HRE in patients with CNP. A moderate positive correlation was observed for CVA and HRE. No significant relationship was found between pain and HRE. Conclusions: The results of the present study showed that patients with CNP have higher HRE, indicating more cervical proprioceptive dysfunction in such patients compared with those in individuals with FHP. This finding may be of interest for those researchers investigating the effects of pain and mechanical loads on cervical position sense.Key words: Joint position sense; Forward head posture; Chronic neck pain; Proprioception; Repositioning Erro

Identifying the dimensions and components of ethical leadership competency of Educational Managers of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (Descriptive-interpretive)

Background: Today, the discussion of ethical behavior and ethical values is a prerequisite for management, and all managers and employees of organizations must respect these principles. The purpose of this study was identifying the dimensions and components of ethical leadership in educational managers of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences with competency approachMethod: In this research, a qualitative method and the grounded theory approach were employed. The population of the study was educational managers and educational assistants of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences in the academic year 2019-2020 among whom sixteen were selected through theoretical sampling method. The data collection method was a semi-structured interview. The information obtained from the interview was analyzed using content analysis technique in data theory using MAXqda10 software.Results:  From the initial analysis of qualitative research data 513 codes were identified. In the next step, using axial coding, the identified codes were classified into 17 subcategories. Analysis of qualitative data showed that the component of ethical competence with sub-components (ethical knowledge, ethical attitude, and ethical skills) and technical competence with sub-components (technical knowledge, technical attitude, and technical skills) are the main components of ethical leadership in educational administrators of the University of Mashhad Medical Sciences.Conclusion: According to the dimensions of competency identified in the educational managers, it can be said when a training manager has the characteristic of ethical leadership he also knows what is morally right (ethical competence) and how to do it (Technical competence)

The Effect of Unihemispheric Concurrent Dual-Site Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation of Primary Motor and Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortices on Motor Function in Patients With Sub-Acute Stroke

It is believed that unihemispheric concurrent dual-site transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCSUHCDS) of the primary motor cortex (M1) and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) causes an increase in motor cortex excitability. However, the clinical effect of this type of stimulation on patients with neurological conditions is not yet known. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of anodal-tDCSUHCDS (a-tDCSUHCDS) on upper limb motor function in subacute stroke patients. Fifteen patients participated in this sham-controlled crossover study. The main outcome measures were the reaction time (RT) to visual stimuli, completion time of a nine-pin pegboard (9-PPB), and the scores from the Fugl–Meyer assessment (FMA) for the upper limb of the involved side before and after three brain stimulation conditions. For a-tDCSUHCDS, the anodal electrodes were placed on the M1 and the DLPFC, while for a-tDCS, the anodal electrode was placed on the M1. For the sham stimulation, the tDCS was turned off after 30 s. For brain stimulation, the selected current was 1 mA for 20 min. After a-tDCSUHCDS, there was a significant reduction in the RT and completion time of the 9-PPB compared with the times after a-tDCS and the sham stimulation: p = 0.013 and p = 0.022, respectively). However, there was no significant difference in the FMA scores after the three types of stimulations (p = 0.085). Compared with a-tDCS, a-tDCSUHCDS temporarily improved the RT and dexterity of the involved hand in subacute stroke patients.Clinical Trial Registration: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT), identifier IRCT2015012520787N1

A comparative study on effectiveness of workshop education versus education via mobile learning (m-learning) in developing medical students’ knowledge and skill about cardiopulmonary resuscitation

INTRODUCTION: A variety of educational approaches are being used today to improve learning in the field of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Therefore, the present study was conducted to compare workshop education with education via mobile learning (M-learning) in terms of their efficacy in developing medical students’ knowledge and skills about cardiopulmonary resuscitation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The present study was quasi-experimental performed on 60 interns selected from a university of medical sciences in southwest Iran. Participants were assigned to either the workshop education group (n = 30) or the mobile learning group (n = 30). Before and after the intervention, the knowledge and skills of the participants in terms of basic and advanced cardiopulmonary resuscitation were measured by a questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Independent-Samples t-Test, Paired-Samples t-Test, and Chi-Square Test in SPSS software v. 22. RESULTS: Education via mobile learning caused a significant increase in the participants’ knowledge about cardiopulmonary resuscitation (p < 0.05). However, this method did not result in a significant difference in the participants’ skill scores, while the workshop education group showed a significant increase in their cardiopulmonary resuscitation skill scores (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results revealed that education via mobile learning was better in enhancing medical students’ knowledge about cardiopulmonary resuscitation. However, workshop education was more effective in developing practical skills in the field of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Accordingly, educators are recommended to employ a combination of mobile learning and workshop education for achieving better results