Resource allocation in cloud computing using advanced imperialist competitive algorithm

Cloud computing makes possible free access to computing resources and high-level services for performing complex calculations and mass storage of information on the Internet. Resource management is one of the most important tasks of cloud providers, which is known as resource allocation. Heterogeneous resources and diverse requests at different time intervals makes it difficult to solve resources allocation problems and is considered as a NP-hard problem. Providing an efficient algorithm for resources allocation to satisfy the cloud providers and customers has always attracted much attention of researchers. Heuristic methods have always introduced as a good model for problem solving. However, most algorithms suffer from early convergence. This paper proposes a new approach based on imperialist competitive algorithm (ICA) which emphasizes the optimization of resource allocation in reducing time, cost and energy consumption. The proposed approach has been able to improve the early convergence of colonial competition algorithm by combining with the Tabu Search Algorithm to achieve an optimal solution at an acceptable time. The evaluated results show more efficiency performance than several relevant effective algorithms

Diagnostic accuracy of frozen section in Central nervous system lesions, a 10-year study.

How to Cite This Article: Khoddami M, Akbarzadeh A, Mordai A, Bidari Zerehpoush F, Alipour H, Samadzadeh S, Alipour B.Diagnostic Accuracy of Frozen Section of Central Nervous System Lesions: A 10-Year Study. Iran J Child Neurol. 2015 Winter;9(1):25-30. AbstractObjectiveDefinitive diagnosis of the central nervous system (CNS) lesions is unknown prior to histopathological examination. To determine the method and the endpoint for surgery, intraoperative evaluation of the lesion helps the surgeon.In this study, the diagnostic accuracy and pitfalls of using frozen section (FS) ofCNS lesions is determined.Materials & MethodsIn this retrospective study, we analyzed the results of FS and permanent diagnoses of all CNS lesions by reviewing reports from 3 general hospitals between March 2001 and March 2011.Results273 cases were reviewed and patients with an age range from 3 to 77 years of age were considered. 166 (60.4%) had complete concordance between FS and permanent section diagnosis, 83 (30.2%) had partial concordance, and 24 cases (9.5%) were discordant. Considering the concordant and partially concordant cases, the accuracy rate was 99.5%, sensitivity was 91.4%, specificity was 99.7%, and positive and negative predictive values were 88.4% and 99.8%, respectively.ConclusionOur results show high sensitivity and specificity of FS diagnosis in the evaluation of CNS lesions. A Kappa agreement score of 0.88 shows high concordance for FS results with permanent section. Pathologist’s misinterpretation, small biopsy samples (not representative of the entire tumor), suboptimal slides, and inadequate information about tumor location and radiologic findings appear to be the major causes for these discrepancies indicated from our study. ReferencesTaxy JB, Anthony G. Biopsy interpretation: the frozen section. 1st ed. China: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2010. P.301-3.Somerset HL, Kleinschmidt-DeMasters BK. Approach to the intraoperative consultation for neurosurgical specimens. Adv Anat Pathol 2011; 18:446-9. doi: 10.1097/ PAP.0b013e3182169934.Regragui A, Amarti Riffi A, Maher M, El Khamlichi A, Saidi A. Accuracy of Intraoperative diagnosis in central nervous system tumors: report of 1315 cases. Neurochirurgie 2003; 49(2-3 Pt 1):67-72.Plesec TP, Prayson RA. Frozen section discrepancy in the evaluation of central nervous system tumors. Arch Pathol Lab Med 2007; 131:1532-40.Savargaonkar P, Farmer PM. Utility of intra-operative consultations for the diagnosis of central nervous system lesions. Ann Clin Lab Sci 2001; 31:133-9.Talan-Hraniloviæ J, Vuèiæ M, Ulamec M, Belicza M. Intraoperative frozen section analysis in of the central nervous system and pituitary gland pathology. Acta Clin Croat 2005; 44:217-21.Roessler K, Dietrich W, Kitz K. High diagnostic accuracy of cytologic smears of central nervous system tumors. A 15-year experience based on 4,172 patients. Acta Cytol 2002; 46:667-74.Ud Din N, Memon A, Idress R, Ahmad Z, Hasan S. Central Nervous System Lesions: Correlation of  Intraoperative and Final Diagnoses, Six Year Experience at a Referral Centre in a Developing Country, Pakistan. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev 2011; 12:1435-7.Burger PC, Scheithauer BW. Tumors of the Central Nervous System. In: AFIP Atlas of Tumor Pathology Series 4. Washington DC: American Registry of Pathology; 2007.Louis DN, Ohgaki H, Wiestler OD, Cavenee WK, Burger PC, Jouvet A, et al. The 2007 WHO Classification of Tumours of the Central Nervous System. Acta Neuropathol. 2007; 114: 97–109. doi: 10.1007/s00401- 007-0243-

Spectrophotometric study of complexation between a series of salophens and some transition metal ions in DMF solvent

The complexation behaviour of some salophen,s derivatives with few transition and heavy metal cations in N,N'-dimethyl formamid as nonaqueous solvent at 25 oC and 0.05 M tetra ethylammonium perchlorate to investigate the effect of structure were studied by spectrophotometric method. The formation of complexes between ligands and metal ions of the types ML, ML2 or M2L was observed. The overall stability constants of such complexes were evaluated by computer refinement of absorption-mole ratio data using the KINFIT program

Comparative Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy on Emotion Regulation, Positive and Negative Affection, Aggressive and Self-Harm Behaviors of 13-16-Year-Old Female Students

This study was aimed to compare the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy with dialectical behavior therapy on emotion regulation, positive and negative affection, aggressive and self-harm behaviors of 13 to 16-year-old female students. The results showed that both CBT and DBT have a significant effect on increasing emotional regulation and positive affect, and decreasing negative affect, reducing aggressive behavior and self-harm. Also there was no significant difference between two treatments in increasing the positive affection and decreasing negative affection, but the effect of DBT on increasing emotional regulation and reducing self-harm and aggressive behaviors was significantly more than CBT

A classification-based generative approach to selective targeting of global slow oscillations during sleep

BackgroundGiven sleep’s crucial role in health and cognition, numerous sleep-based brain interventions are being developed, aiming to enhance cognitive function, particularly memory consolidation, by improving sleep. Research has shown that Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) during sleep can enhance memory performance, especially when used in a closed-loop (cl-tACS) mode that coordinates with sleep slow oscillations (SOs, 0.5−1.5Hz). However, sleep tACS research is characterized by mixed results across individuals, which are often attributed to individual variability.Objective/HypothesisThis study targets a specific type of SOs, widespread on the electrode manifold in a short delay (“global SOs”), due to their close relationship with long-term memory consolidation. We propose a model-based approach to optimize cl-tACS paradigms, targeting global SOs not only by considering their temporal properties but also their spatial profile.MethodsWe introduce selective targeting of global SOs using a classification-based approach. We first estimate the current elicited by various stimulation paradigms, and optimize parameters to match currents found in natural sleep during a global SO. Then, we employ an ensemble classifier trained on sleep data to identify effective paradigms. Finally, the best stimulation protocol is determined based on classification performance.ResultsOur study introduces a model-driven cl-tACS approach that specifically targets global SOs, with the potential to extend to other brain dynamics. This method establishes a connection between brain dynamics and stimulation optimization.ConclusionOur research presents a novel approach to optimize cl-tACS during sleep, with a focus on targeting global SOs. This approach holds promise for improving cl-tACS not only for global SOs but also for other physiological events, benefiting both research and clinical applications in sleep and cognition

An Entrepreneurial Tourism Project through Agro-Tourism Farm in Iran

This study aims to provide a mechanism that helps to achieve sustainable development through the implementation of Agro-tourism plans. Clustering theory employed to provide a technical guideline for execution of the project as a sustainable approach for improvement of welfare of marginal communities. A medium scale entrepreneurial project proposed "“ "Agro-tourism complex". Results of this research produced useful implications for both public and private sector. Study revealed that such projects have potential for job creation, inverse migration, sustainability, and land conservation. The study is based on conceptual research method (Shuang et al, 2013). The study revealed that the welfare of marginalized indigenous communities, where the clusters of potentially available tourism products exist, could be improved dramatically if government policies and rural communities involve in shared vision

The effects of vitamin D on cardiovascular damage induced by lipopolysaccharides in rats

Introduction: Inflammation and oxidative stress are contributed to cardiovascular diseases. Vitamin D (Vit D) has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In the current research, the effect of Vit D on cardiac fibrosis and inflammation, and oxidative stress indicators in cardiovascular tissues was studied in lipopolysaccharides(LPS) injected rats. Methods: Rats were distributed into 5 groups and were treated for 2 weeks. Control: received vehicle(saline supplemented with tween-80) instead of Vit D and saline instead of LPS, LPS: treated by 1 mg/kg of LPS and was given vehicle instead of Vit D, LPS-Vit D groups: received 3 doses of Vit D (100, 1000, and 10000 IU/kg) of Vit D in addition to LPS. Vit D was dissolved in saline supplemented with tween-80 (final concentration 0.1%) and LPS was dissolved in saline. The white blood cell (WBC) was counted. Oxidative stress markers were determined in serum, aorta, and heart. Cardiac tissue fibrosis was also estimated using Masson’s trichrome staining method. Results: WBC and malondialdehyde (MDA) were higher in the LPS group than the control group, whereas the thiol content, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) were lower in the LPS group than the control group (P<0.01 and P<0.001). Administration of Vit D decreased WBC (P<0.001) and MDA (P<0.05 and P<0.001) while enhanced thiol (dose 10000 IU/Kg) (P<0.001), SOD (dose 10000 IU/kg) (P<0.001), and CAT (P<0.05 and P<0.001) compared to the LPS group. All doses of Vit D also decreased cardiac fibrosis compared to the LPS group (P<0.001). Conclusion: Vit D protected the cardiovascular against the detrimental effect of LPS. This cardiovascular protection can be attributed to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of Vit D

Global, regional and national burden of bladder cancer and its attributable risk factors in 204 countries and territories, 1990–2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease study 2019

Introduction The current study determined the level and trends associated with the incidence, death and disability rates for bladder cancer and its attributable risk factors in 204 countries and territories, from 1990 to 2019, by age, sex and sociodemographic index (SDI; a composite measure of sociodemographic factors). Methods Various data sources from different countries, including vital registration and cancer registries were used to generate estimates. Mortality data and incidence data transformed to mortality estimates using the mortality to incidence ratio (MIR) were used in a cause of death ensemble model to estimate mortality. Mortality estimates were divided by the MIR to produce incidence estimates. Prevalence was calculated using incidence and MIR-based survival estimates. Age-specific mortality and standardised life expectancy were used to estimate years of life lost (YLLs). Prevalence was multiplied by disability weights to estimate years lived with disability (YLDs), while disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) are the sum of the YLLs and YLDs. All estimates were presented as counts and age-standardised rates per 100 000 population. Results Globally, there were 524 000 bladder cancer incident cases (95% uncertainty interval 476 000 to 569 000) and 229 000 bladder cancer deaths (211 000 to 243 000) in 2019. Age-standardised death rate decreased by 15.7% (8.6 to 21.0), during the period 1990–2019. Bladder cancer accounted for 4.39 million (4.09 to 4.70) DALYs in 2019, and the age-standardised DALY rate decreased significantly by 18.6% (11.2 to 24.3) during the period 1990–2019. In 2019, Monaco had the highest age-standardised incidence rate (31.9 cases (23.3 to 56.9) per 100 000), while Lebanon had the highest age-standardised death rate (10.4 (8.1 to 13.7)). Cabo Verde had the highest increase in age-standardised incidence (284.2% (214.1 to 362.8)) and death rates (190.3% (139.3 to 251.1)) between 1990 and 2019. In 2019, the global age-standardised incidence and death rates were higher among males than females, across all age groups and peaked in the 95+ age group. Globally, 36.8% (28.5 to 44.0) of bladder cancer DALYs were attributable to smoking, more so in males than females (43.7% (34.0 to 51.8) vs 15.2% (10.9 to 19.4)). In addition, 9.1% (1.9 to 19.6) of the DALYs were attributable to elevated fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (males 9.3% (1.6 to 20.9); females 8.4% (1.6 to 19.1)). Conclusions There was considerable variation in the burden of bladder cancer between countries during the period 1990–2019. Although there was a clear global decrease in the age-standardised death, and DALY rates, some countries experienced an increase in these rates. National policy makers should learn from these differences, and allocate resources for preventative measures, based on their country-specific estimates. In addition, smoking and elevated FPG play an important role in the burden of bladder cancer and need to be addressed with prevention programmes.publishedVersio

The unfinished agenda of communicable diseases among children and adolescents before the COVID-19 pandemic, 1990-2019: a systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

BACKGROUND: Communicable disease control has long been a focus of global health policy. There have been substantial reductions in the burden and mortality of communicable diseases among children younger than 5 years, but we know less about this burden in older children and adolescents, and it is unclear whether current programmes and policies remain aligned with targets for intervention. This knowledge is especially important for policy and programmes in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. We aimed to use the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2019 to systematically characterise the burden of communicable diseases across childhood and adolescence. METHODS: In this systematic analysis of the GBD study from 1990 to 2019, all communicable diseases and their manifestations as modelled within GBD 2019 were included, categorised as 16 subgroups of common diseases or presentations. Data were reported for absolute count, prevalence, and incidence across measures of cause-specific mortality (deaths and years of life lost), disability (years lived with disability [YLDs]), and disease burden (disability-adjusted life-years [DALYs]) for children and adolescents aged 0-24 years. Data were reported across the Socio-demographic Index (SDI) and across time (1990-2019), and for 204 countries and territories. For HIV, we reported the mortality-to-incidence ratio (MIR) as a measure of health system performance. FINDINGS: In 2019, there were 3·0 million deaths and 30·0 million years of healthy life lost to disability (as measured by YLDs), corresponding to 288·4 million DALYs from communicable diseases among children and adolescents globally (57·3% of total communicable disease burden across all ages). Over time, there has been a shift in communicable disease burden from young children to older children and adolescents (largely driven by the considerable reductions in children younger than 5 years and slower progress elsewhere), although children younger than 5 years still accounted for most of the communicable disease burden in 2019. Disease burden and mortality were predominantly in low-SDI settings, with high and high-middle SDI settings also having an appreciable burden of communicable disease morbidity (4·0 million YLDs in 2019 alone). Three cause groups (enteric infections, lower-respiratory-tract infections, and malaria) accounted for 59·8% of the global communicable disease burden in children and adolescents, with tuberculosis and HIV both emerging as important causes during adolescence. HIV was the only cause for which disease burden increased over time, particularly in children and adolescents older than 5 years, and especially in females. Excess MIRs for HIV were observed for males aged 15-19 years in low-SDI settings. INTERPRETATION: Our analysis supports continued policy focus on enteric infections and lower-respiratory-tract infections, with orientation to children younger than 5 years in settings of low socioeconomic development. However, efforts should also be targeted to other conditions, particularly HIV, given its increased burden in older children and adolescents. Older children and adolescents also experience a large burden of communicable disease, further highlighting the need for efforts to extend beyond the first 5 years of life. Our analysis also identified substantial morbidity caused by communicable diseases affecting child and adolescent health across the world. FUNDING: The Australian National Health and Medical Research Council Centre for Research Excellence for Driving Investment in Global Adolescent Health and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation