Designing a security unit to reduce the permeability of anonymous groups and congestion control in wireless sensor networks

Recent developments in the fields of electronics and wireless communication have provided conditions to design and build lower power consumption sensors and use of radio signals for information communications has provided various applications. Design of such networks has their own specific challenges. One of these problems is the probability of congestion due to higher data transmission rate. Using radio signals, the hackers are able to pretend and introduce themselves as a network member through cracking security barriers and in this case the conditions are provided for hacker nodes to access critical information and other destructive activities. Hence, in this paper we will present a new algorithm for the problem of congestion and increase of security in the wireless sensor networks through designing a security unit for the head cluster. The security unit considers a switch for each node by using Linear Feedback Shift Registers (LFSR), till each node encode its data with the key and transfer it to the next node. In this algorithm, security coefficient and sensitive tasks are increased for networks with specific activities and the stepwise algorithm is used instead of end to end algorithm to ensure reliability of package arrival to solve the congestion problem.  In this algorithm, limitations of sensor networks such as limited energy and small size of nodes buffer are taken into account. Results of the evaluations carried out by NS2 simulator have shown that delay in package arrival is reduced, using such algorithm, fewer energy is consumed by the nodes and network lifetime is increased, accordingly

A Review for the Online Social Networks Literature (2005-2011)

Although Online Social Networks (OSNs) such as MySpace, Facebook, and Youtube are still under development; they have attracted millions of users, many of whom have integrated these sites into their daily practices. There are hundreds of OSNs, with various technological affordances, supporting a wide range of interests and practices. However, impact of OSNs is increasingly pervasive and numerous researchers worked on different aspects on social networks. There is no research work for identification and classification of this literature. So, the purpose of this study is to presents a literature review for research works in OSNs. The review covers 132 journal articles published from 2005 to 2011. The reviewed articles classified OSNs literature into four distinct categories: the “Application”, “Survey and Analysis”, “Concept”, and “Technique”. The findings of our study reveal that “applications” were the most frequently category has been considered in the literature. Also, the subject of social networking is somehow overlooked in developing and under-developed countries. This review will provide a source for anyone interested in discovering research trends in social network sites literature, and will help to simulate further interest fields in the area. Keywords: Social network sites (SNSs), Online Social Networks (OSNs), Social media, Social networking

A practical framework for assessing business intelligence competencies of enterprise systems using fuzzy ANP approach

As traditional concept in management, decision support had a remarkable role in competitiveness or survival of organisations and following, as modern impression, nowadays business intelligence (BI) has various applications in achieving desirable decision supports. Consequently, assessing BI competencies of enterprise systems can enable decision support in firms. This paper presents a practical framework for assessing the business intelligence capabilities of enterprise systems based on a set of novel factors and utilising fuzzy analytic network process (FANP). Through this, the construct of BI competency is decomposed into three main competency parts including ‘managerial’, ‘technical’ and ‘system enabler’ sub-goals, five main factors and 26 criteria. Using this framework, the BI competency level of enterprise systems can be determined which can help the decision makers to select the enterprise system that best suits organisations’ intelligence decision support needs. In order to validate the proposed model, it is applied to a real Iranian international offshore engineering and construction company in the oil industry to select and acquire ERP system. This research provides a complete frame (factors, criteria and procedures) for firms to assess their proposed software and systems in the field of BI competencies and functions

Comparison of Serum Zinc and Copper levels in Children and adolescents with Intractable and Controlled Epilepsy

How to Cite This Article: Kheradmand Z, Yarali B, Zare A, Pourpak Z, Shams S, Ashrafi MR. Comparison of Serum Zinc and Copper levels in Children and adolescents with Intractable and Controlled Epilepsy. Iran J Child Neurol. 2014; 8(3):49-54. AbstractObjectiveTrace elements such as zinc and copper have physiological effects on neuronal excitability that may play a role in the etiology of intractable epilepsy. This topic has been rarely discussed in Iranian epileptic patients.This study with the analysis of serum zinc and copper levels of children and adolescents with intractable and controlled epilepsy may identifies the potential role of these two trace elements in the development of epilepsy and intractabilityto antiepileptic drug treatment. Materials & MethodsSeventy patients between the ages of 6 months to 15 years that referred to Children’s Medical Center with the diagnosis of epilepsy, either controlled or intractable to treatment enrolled in the study. After informed parental consent the levels of serum zinc and copper were measured with atomic absorptionspectrophotometer and analyzed with SPSS version 11.Results35 patients were enrolled in each group of intractable (IE) and controlled epilepsy (CE). 71.45% of the IE and 25.72% of the CE group had zinc deficiency that was statistically significant. 48.58% of the IE and 45.72 of the CE group were copper deficient, which was not statistically significant.ConclusionOur findings showed significant low serum zinc levels of patients with intractable epilepsy in comparison with controlled epilepsy group. We recommend that serum zinc level may play a role in the etiology of epilepsy and intractable epilepsy therefore its measurement and prescription may be regarded in the treatment of intractable epilepsy.ReferencesMikati MA. Seizures in childhood. In: Kliegman RM, Stanton BF, Schor NF, Geme JWS, Behrman R (eds). Nelson textbook of pediatrics. 19th ed. Elsevier:Saunders; 2011. Pp.2013-2033.Kwan P, Brodie MJ. Early identification of refractory epilepsy. N Engl J Med 2000;342: 314-9.Patrick Kwan, Alexis Arzimanoglou, Anne T. Berg, et al.  Definition of drug resistant epilepsy: Consensus proposal by the ad hoc Task Force of the ILAE Commission on Therapeutic Strategies. Epilepsia 2010;51(6):1069-1077.Berg AT, Shinnar S, Levy SR, Testa F, Smith-Rapaport S, Beckerman B. Early development of intractableepilepsy in children: a prospective study. Neurology 2001;56:1445-1452.Haoa XT, Wong ISM, Kwan P. Interrater reliability of the international consensus definition of drug-resistant epilepsy: A pilot study. Epilepsy & Behavior 2011;22;388-390. Ashrafi MR, Mohseni M, Shams S, Shabanian R, Yekaninejad MS, et al. A Probable Causative Factor for an Old Problem: Selenium and Glutathione Peroxidase Appear to Play Important Roles in Epilepsy pathogenesis. Epilepsia 2007;48(9):1750-1755.Liochev SI, Fridovich, I. Copper- and zinc-containing superoxide dismutase can act as a superoxide reductase and a superoxide oxidase. J Biol Chem 2000; 275: 38482-38485.Jacob RA. Trace Elements in textbook of Clinical Chemistry. WB Saunders, 1986. pp. 965-985.Salwen MJ. Vitamis and Trace Elements. In: Pherson RA, Pincus MR (eds). Henry’s Clinical Diagnosis and Management By Laboratory Methods Tweny-First Edition. Saunders; 2007. Pp. 379-389.Rokgauerj M, Klein J Kruse-Jarres J. D. Reference Values for the Trace Elements Copper, Manganese, Selenium, and Zinc in the Serum/ Plasma of Children, Adolescents, and Adults. J Trace Element Med Biol. 1997;11: 92-98.Volpe SL, Schall JI, Gallagher PR, Stallings VA, Bergqvist AGC. Nutrient intake of children with intractable epilepsy compared with healthy children. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 2007;107(6):1014-8. Epub 2007/05/26.Wojciak RW, Mojs E, Stanislawska-Kubiak M, Samborski W. The serum zinc, copper, iron, and chromium concentrations in epileptic children. Epilepsy Research 2013;104:40-44.Hamed SA, Abdellah MM, El-Melegy N. Blood levels of trace elements, electrolytes, and oxidative stress/antioxidant systems in epileptic patients. J Pharmacol Sci 2004;96:465-473.Dudek FE. Zinc and epileptogenesis. Epilepsy Curr 2001; 1:66-70.Mathie A, Sutton GL, Clarke CE, Veale EL. Zinc and copper: pharmacological probes and endogenous  modulators of neuronal excitability. Pharmacol Ther. 2006;111(3):567-83. Epub 2006/01/18.Schrauzer GN. Selenomethionine and Selenium Yeast: Appropriate Forms of Selenium for Use in Infant Formulas and Nutritional Supplements. Journal of medicinal food 1998;1(3):201-6.Seven M, Basaran SY, Cengiz M, Unal S. Deficiency of selenium and zinc as a causative factor For idiopathic intractable epilepsy. Epilepsy Research 2013;104 :35-39

Business Intelligence Systems Adoption Model: An Empirical Investigation

Decision support and business intelligence systems have been increasingly adopted in organizations, while understanding the nature of affecting factors on such adoption decisions need receiving much academic interest. This article attempts to provide an in-depth analysis toward understanding the critical factors which affect the decision to adopt business intelligence (BI) in the context of banking and financial industry. In this regard, it examines a conceptual model that shows the impacts of different technological, organizational, and environmental factors in the decision to adopt BI by a firm. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used for data analysis and test the relevant hypothesis. The results of this article which are derived from theoretical discussion of hypothesizes show that from nine hypothesized relationships—perceived tangible and intangible benefits, firm size, organizational readiness, strategy, industry competition and competitors absorptive capacity—affect BIS adoption in the surveyed cases

The impact model of business intelligence on decision support and organizational benefits

Purpose – Decision support (DS), as a traditional management concept, have had a remarkable role in competitiveness or survival of organizations and nowadays, business intelligence (BI), as a brand modern impression, has various contributions in supporting decision-making process. Although, a variety of benefits are expected to arise from BI functions, researches, and models that determining the effect of BI functions on the decisional and organizational benefits are rare. The purpose of this paper is to study the relationship between BI functions, DS benefits, and organizational benefits in context of decision environment. Design/methodology/approach – This research conducts a quantitative survey-based study to represent the relationship between BI capabilities, decision support benefits, and organizational benefits in context of decision environment. On this basis, the partial least squares (PLS) technique employs a sample of 228 firms from different industries located in Middle-East countries. Findings – The findings confirm the existence of meaningful relationship between BI functions, DS benefits, and organizational benefits by supporting 15 out of 16 main hypotheses. Essentially, this research provides an insightful understanding about which capabilities of BI have strongest impact on the outcome benefits. Originality/value – The results can provide effective and useful insights for investors and business owners to utilize more appropriate BI tools and functions to reach more idealistic organizational advantages. Also it enables managers to better understand the application of BI functions in the process of achieving the specified managerial support benefits. Keywords Decision support benefits, Organizational benefits, BI functions, Business intelligence (BI) benefits, Partial least squares (PLS) technique Paper type Research pape

Global injury morbidity and mortality from 1990 to 2017 : results from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017

Correction:Background Past research in population health trends has shown that injuries form a substantial burden of population health loss. Regular updates to injury burden assessments are critical. We report Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2017 Study estimates on morbidity and mortality for all injuries. Methods We reviewed results for injuries from the GBD 2017 study. GBD 2017 measured injury-specific mortality and years of life lost (YLLs) using the Cause of Death Ensemble model. To measure non-fatal injuries, GBD 2017 modelled injury-specific incidence and converted this to prevalence and years lived with disability (YLDs). YLLs and YLDs were summed to calculate disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Findings In 1990, there were 4 260 493 (4 085 700 to 4 396 138) injury deaths, which increased to 4 484 722 (4 332 010 to 4 585 554) deaths in 2017, while age-standardised mortality decreased from 1079 (1073 to 1086) to 738 (730 to 745) per 100 000. In 1990, there were 354 064 302 (95% uncertainty interval: 338 174 876 to 371 610 802) new cases of injury globally, which increased to 520 710 288 (493 430 247 to 547 988 635) new cases in 2017. During this time, age-standardised incidence decreased non-significantly from 6824 (6534 to 7147) to 6763 (6412 to 7118) per 100 000. Between 1990 and 2017, age-standardised DALYs decreased from 4947 (4655 to 5233) per 100 000 to 3267 (3058 to 3505). Interpretation Injuries are an important cause of health loss globally, though mortality has declined between 1990 and 2017. Future research in injury burden should focus on prevention in high-burden populations, improving data collection and ensuring access to medical care.Peer reviewe

The global burden of cancer attributable to risk factors, 2010-19 : a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background Understanding the magnitude of cancer burden attributable to potentially modifiable risk factors is crucial for development of effective prevention and mitigation strategies. We analysed results from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019 to inform cancer control planning efforts globally. Methods The GBD 2019 comparative risk assessment framework was used to estimate cancer burden attributable to behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risk factors. A total of 82 risk-outcome pairs were included on the basis of the World Cancer Research Fund criteria. Estimated cancer deaths and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) in 2019 and change in these measures between 2010 and 2019 are presented. Findings Globally, in 2019, the risk factors included in this analysis accounted for 4.45 million (95% uncertainty interval 4.01-4.94) deaths and 105 million (95.0-116) DALYs for both sexes combined, representing 44.4% (41.3-48.4) of all cancer deaths and 42.0% (39.1-45.6) of all DALYs. There were 2.88 million (2.60-3.18) risk-attributable cancer deaths in males (50.6% [47.8-54.1] of all male cancer deaths) and 1.58 million (1.36-1.84) risk-attributable cancer deaths in females (36.3% [32.5-41.3] of all female cancer deaths). The leading risk factors at the most detailed level globally for risk-attributable cancer deaths and DALYs in 2019 for both sexes combined were smoking, followed by alcohol use and high BMI. Risk-attributable cancer burden varied by world region and Socio-demographic Index (SDI), with smoking, unsafe sex, and alcohol use being the three leading risk factors for risk-attributable cancer DALYs in low SDI locations in 2019, whereas DALYs in high SDI locations mirrored the top three global risk factor rankings. From 2010 to 2019, global risk-attributable cancer deaths increased by 20.4% (12.6-28.4) and DALYs by 16.8% (8.8-25.0), with the greatest percentage increase in metabolic risks (34.7% [27.9-42.8] and 33.3% [25.8-42.0]). Interpretation The leading risk factors contributing to global cancer burden in 2019 were behavioural, whereas metabolic risk factors saw the largest increases between 2010 and 2019. Reducing exposure to these modifiable risk factors would decrease cancer mortality and DALY rates worldwide, and policies should be tailored appropriately to local cancer risk factor burden. Copyright (C) 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY 4.0 license.Peer reviewe

Investigating the Relationships between IT Communication Tools Usage and the Youth Depression Level

Information technology tools with its attractions play an important role in the lives of people and makes people to interact closely with these tools, which can lead to a social isolation. This study was designed to determine the possible association between the use of these tools and the youth depression level. To this end, after designing research model, considering the available 390 IT tools such as mobile, social networking sites and computer games, youth users were selected randomly to complete the designed questionnaire and for the purpose of data analysis Partial Least Square (PLS) method was used. The results showed that there is a positive relationship between the use of computer games and depression. However, no significant association was found between the use of mobile phone and depression and also the relationship between the use of social networks and depression level was found to be negative

Studying Project Managers' skills of ERP system Implementation Projects

Implementation of Enterprise Resource Planning systems (ERPs) is a complex and costly process which usually results in serious risks. The majority of previous research projects have been conducted in identifying ERP Critical Success Factors (CSFs) in order to identify the main factors enhance success achievement. Project managers' skills of ERP system implementation projects as one of such facilitating factors, are not well studied and its different aspects are discussed in the extant literature. With this in mind, this research aims at studying and identifying the most related project managers' skills of ERP system implementation projects which proposes a classification scheme along with a ranking model. The paper, based on the results of the Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) categorizes 18 identified skills into four distinct groups of managerial, project management, human resource and technical. The results of this study have provided a very useful reference for scholars and managers to identify the relevant issues of ERP implementation projects managers' skills