Clouds of Small Things: Provisioning Infrastructure-as-a-Service from within Community Networks

Community networks offer a shared communication infrastructure where communities of citizens build and own open networks. While the IP connectivity of the networking devices is successfully achieved, the number of services and applications available from within the community network is typically small and the usage of the community network is often limited to providing Internet access to remote areas through wireless links. In this paper we propose to apply the principle of resource sharing of community networks, currently limited to the network bandwidth, to other computing resources, which leads to cloud computing in community networks. Towards this vision, we review some characteristics of community networks and identify potential scenarios for community clouds. We simulate a cloud computing infrastructure service and discuss different aspects of its performance in comparison to a commercial centralized cloud system. We note that in community clouds the computing resources are heterogeneous and less powerful, which affects the time needed to assign resources. Response time of the infrastructure service is high in community clouds even for a small number of resources since resources are distributed, but tends to get closer to that of a centralized cloud when the number of resources requested increases. Our initial results suggest that the performance of the community clouds highly depends on the community network conditions, but has some potential for improvement with network-aware cloud services. The main strength compared to commercial cloud services, however, is that community cloud services hosted on community-owned resources will follow the principles of community network and will be neutral and open

Attribution of ghrelin to cancer; Attempts to unravel an apparent controversy

Ghrelin is an endogenous peptide hormone mainly produced in the stomach. It has been known to regulate energy homeostasis, stimulate secretion of growth hormone, and mediate many other physiologic effects. Various effects attributed to ghrelin contribute to many aspects of cancer development and progression. Accordingly, a large body of evidence has emerged about the association of ghrelin with several types of cancer in scales of cell-line, animal, and human studies. However, existing data are controversial. This controversy occurs in two main domains: one is the controversial results in local effects of ghrelin on different types of human cancer cell-lines; the second is the apparent disagreement in the results o

A look at energy efficient system opportunities with community network clouds

Community networking is an emerging model of a shared communication infrastructure in which communities of citizens build and own open networks. Community networks offer successfully IP-based networking to the user. In addition, some hosts are connected to the network nodes in order to provide network management and end user services. Recently, clouds have been proposed for community networks. Some research projects such as Clommunity have started deploying computational infrastructure to enable cloud computing within community networks. In this paper we propose different options for such community clouds to contribute to energy efficient systems, in particular regarding cloud-based services and in relation to Smart Grid. Further discussion and interaction with the research initiatives on energy efficient systems should identify the most promising approach and outline possible ways for implementation.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Adjunctive Local Application of Lidocaine during Scleral Buckling under General Anesthesia

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of local lidocaine application on the incidence of the oculocardiac reflex (OCR) during scleral buckling (SB) for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) under general anesthesia. Methods: In a randomized clinical trial, eyes with RRD scheduled for SB under general anesthesia were randomized to adjunctive local application of 1 ml lidocaine 2% versus normal saline to the muscles after conjunctival opening. Surgical stimulation was initiated 5 minutes afterwards. Additionally, 100 mg of lidocaine 2% was added to 50 ml of normal saline in the treatment group which was used for irrigation during surgery; control eyes were irrigated with normal saline. The incidence of the OCR, rate of postoperative nausea/vomiting (PONV), total intravenous (IV) analgesic dose, duration of surgery, and period of hospitalization were compared between the study groups. Results: Thirty eyes of 30 patients including 22 (73.3%) male and 8 (26.7%) subjects with mean age of 49.4΁16.3 years were operated. OCR and PONV occurred less frequently, and total intravenous analgesic dose was significantly lower in the lidocaine group (P < 0.05 for all comparisons). However, no significant difference was noted between the study groups in terms of duration of surgery and period of hospitalization. Conclusion: Adjunctive local application of lidocaine during SB under GA for RRD decreases the rate of OCR and PONV, reduces the intravenous analgesic dose, but does not affect the duration of surgery or hospitalization

In Vitro Anti Proliferative Activity, Antioxidant Potential and Total Phenolic Compounds of Black Tea Extract

Natural products, mainly isolated from medicinal plants, have considered as valuable sources for herbal anticancer drugs. The present study aimed to determine total phenolic and flavonoid contents, antioxidant activity, and anti proliferative activity of black tea (Camellia sinensis Kuntze) extract in vitro. Crude ethyl alcohol extract of black tea was prepared. To determine antioxidant activity, total phenol, and flavonoids content of the extract, the 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, Folin-Ciocalteu method and aluminum chloride colorimetric method were used, respectively. The anti proliferative activity in cancerous (AGS) and normal (HDFs) cell lines was tested by MTT 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2ol) 2, 5 di phenyl tetrazolium bromide] assay. The IC50 of DPPH radical assay was 8 +/- 1.41 mu g/ml, compared with butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) with IC50 25.41 +/- 1.89 mu g/ml. The total phenol and flavonoid contents were 341.8 +/- 4.41 mg GAE/g and 21.1 +/- 2.11 mg RUT /g, respectively. The extract showed higher anti proliferative activity against the cancer cell line than normal cell line. 48 hours after treatment, crude ethyl alcohol extract inhibited the proliferation of AGS and HDFs cells with IC50 values of 264.3 mu g/ml and 689.5 mu g/ml, respectively. This study revealed that the crude ethyl alcohol extract of black tea suppresses the proliferation of gastric carcinoma cells. It is a rich resource of natural antioxidants and can prevent a lot of diseases such as cancer

Comparison of Agar screen and duplex-PCR methods in determination of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains isolated from nasal carriage

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains (MRSA) have become a serious health issue in engendering nosocomial infections. Due to the heterogeneity of this type of resistance, the conventional antibiotic susceptibility tests may fail to detect MRSA strains. The purpose of this research was to compare the phenotypic agar screen method with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detection of MRSA strains isolated from the nasal samples of hospital personnel. Totally, 52 coagulase positive S. aureus strains were isolated from nasal samples of 204 hospital personnel of Hajar Hospital affiliated to Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences. Susceptibility to oxacillin in the strains was evaluated by the phenotypic agar screen method. The presence of the methicillin resistance gene, mec A, was studied through duplex PCR method. The results of both methods were compared and the sensitivity and specificity of the methods were determined. Totally, 23 out of the 52 isolated S. aureus (44%) were phenotypically resistant to oxacillin, but 27 (52%) carried mecA gene. The sensitivity and specificity of the phenotypic agar screen method for determination of MRSA strains were found to be 81.5 and 96%, respectively. As compared to duplex PCR, oxacillin agar screen method is a simple, inexpensive, and practical phenotypic method with relatively low false positive results and thus may be suitable for verification of suspicious MRSA strains. However, for the relatively high false negative results, it may not be recommended for the primary screening of MRSA strains from the nasal samples of healthy carriers working at hospitals

Observing the Cross-Infection Control Among Dental Clinics and Laboratories

Introduction: Dentists and all related oral hygiene occupations are endanger of cross contamination because of close contacts with patients. Dental laboratories are one of those which have a direct contact with dentist and cross infection control plays an important role to prevent exposure to pathogens. According to the fact that many dental laboratories are not well informed about cross infection control; the aim of this study is to prepare a questionnaire for evaluating both dentists and dental laboratories knowledge about cross control infections. Materials & Methods: 250 dentist and 50 dental laboratories were randomly chosen and prepared questionnaire distributed. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS software and Chi-Square test. Results: There was no significant differences between general and post graduated dentist in using gloves, masks and protective eye glasses (p value > 0.05).the results showed no significant differences in uses of protective eye glasses between dentist who worked in clinics and private offices (p value = 0.384), but there was significant differences in using gloves (p value = 0.02).condensation silicones (90.5%) and alginates (90%) were the most impression materials and 88% of dentist rinsed the impressions always while 0.8% never did that. Conclusion: The cross control infection is no

Characteristics of a Capable University Lecturer from the Viewpoints of Health Services Management Students in Iranian Medical Universities

Background & Objective: Understanding the characteristics and criteria that students use to select their teachers, is an indicator for evaluating teachers in order to improve the quality and effectiveness of education. Hence, the aim of this study is to investigate the characteristics of a capable university lecturer from the viewpoints of health services management students in Iranian medical universities. Methods: In this descriptive, analytical, cross-sectional study, 582 bachelor's degree students of health services management participated. Data were collected using a self-developed questionnaire, the content validity and reliability of which were confirmed. The questionnaire included six main domains, namely, teaching method, personal characteristics, evaluation skills, scholarly activities, interpersonal skills, and educational regulations. Data were analyzed using Student’s independent t-test and ANOVA in SPSS software. Results: Our findings suggest that teaching methods (4.34), interpersonal skills (4.17), and personal characteristics (4.11) were the most important domains from the students' perspectives. On the other hand, characteristic such as calling the roll (3.62), taking mid-term quizzes (3.66), and teacher's strictness (3.71) were the least important domains. There was a significant relationship between sex and the educational regulations domain (P = 0.01). However; there was no significant relationship between mean score of domains based on students' term of education (P > 0.05). In total, the correlation between all domains revealed 2 distinct categories in the form of personal characteristics and professional commitments. Conclusion: According to our results, favorable characteristics of academics, especially their individual characteristics and personality, are one of the determining factors in achieving educational goals and increasing the quality of education. Keywords Capable teacher Health services management Iranian medical universitie

PERIODONTITIS AND BIRTH OF PRETERM INFANTS WITH LOW WEIGHT: A REVIEW ARTICLE

Abstract. About 9.6% of infants are born prematurely around the world. In addition to infection of reproductive system, inflammation and infection of distant organs are one of the risk factors for preterm low birth weight (PTLBW). Since periodontitis is a prevalent disease and also premature labor is a common complication with high treatment cost, it is important to elucidate the relationship between these two conditions. Such a knowledge could be helpful to prioritize the preventive interventions for reduction of adverse pregnancy outcome. Epidemiologic studies , as the first line of evidence,showed the higher prevalence of PTLBW among women with periodontitis. When a condition is being proposed as a risk factor, it is necessary to explain the biologic mechanisms underlying such a relationship. The relationship between periodontitis and PTLBW is biologically plausible. Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease in which anaerobic bacteria being colonized in deep pathologic pockets and produce large amount of inflammatory mediators. Perio-pathogens and their products enter the placenta and amniotic fluids. They could activate the inflammatory signaling pathways and induce the PTLBW. Despite the large number of randomized control trial (RCT) studies, the effect of periodontal treatmenton the incidence of PTLBW is not well understood. Although the periodontal treatment could not necessarily reduce the incidence of PTLBW, but oral hygiene, is a pivotal compartment of health care during pregnancy. The aim of this article was to review the current evidences about different aspects of the relationship between periodontitis and PTLBW.Key words: periodontitis, periodontal diseases, pregnancy, preterm birth, low birth weight

Executive Function Assessment in Patients With Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsy: Applyingthe Frontal Assessment Battery

&nbsp; &nbsp;Background: Executive dysfunction is seen in idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE). The Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB) is a short neuropsychological instrument designed in clinical settings to evaluate frontal lobe activity. We aimed to assess the clinical use of FAB in patients with IGE for to detect executive impairment. Method: In this study, 30 patients with IGE and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were included. The presence and severity of executive dysfunction was investigated with FAB. Cognitive flexibility, decision making, working memory, and general intelligence level were examined using Wisconsin Card Sorting Task (WCST), Iowa Gambling Task (IGT), N-back, and Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, respectively. In patients with IGE, FAB results were related to their neuropsychological task performance. Results: The FAB score in patients with IGE was significantly lower compared to healthy participants. In motor programming tasks, patients with IGE performed substantially worse. However, no correlation was found between FAB and neuropsychological task and clinical characteristics. Conclusion: Executive dysfunction was present in patients with IGE and FAB may be used in these patients as an effective tool for evaluating frontal lobe function