Novel Load Balancing Optimization Algorithm to Improve Quality-of-Service in Cloud Environment

Scheduling cloud resources calls for allocating cloud assets to cloud tasks. It is possible to improve scheduling outcomes by treating Quality of Service (QoS) factors as essential constraints. However, efficient scheduling calls for improved optimization of QoS parameters, and only a few resource scheduling algorithms in the available literature do so. The primary objective of this paper is to provide an effective method for deploying workloads to cloud infrastructure. To ensure that workloads are executed efficiently on available resources, a resource scheduling method based on particle swarm optimization was developed. The proposed method's performance has been measured in the cloud. The experimental results prove the efficiency of the proposed approach in reducing the aforementioned QoS parameters. Several metrics of algorithm performance are used to gauge how well the algorithm performs

Tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy in patients with previous ipsilateral open renal surgery: A feasibility study with review of literature

Purpose. To present our initial experience of tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in patients with previous ipsilateral open renal surgery. Patients and Methods. Twenty-five patients with previous ipsilateral open renal surgery underwent tubeless PCNL at our institute. Patients with large renal and/or upper ureteral calculi, irrespective of the number and size of the stones, amount of hydronephrosis, or the renal parameters, were selected for the procedure. Exclusion criteria were patients needing more than two percutaneous tracts, significant bleeding, and a significant residual stone burden that would necessitate a staged PCNL. The perioperative outcome of these patients (study group) was retrospectively compared with an historic cohort of the same number of patients with a history of open surgery for renal calculi who underwent ipsilateral PCNL with routine placement of a nephrostomy tube (control group). Results. The two groups had comparable demographic data. Patients in the study group needed less postoperative analgesia (P = 0.000). They were discharged a mean of 10 hours earlier (P = 0.000). Two patients in both groups required blood transfusion. No urinoma or urinary leak from the nephrostomy site occurred in the study group. The incidence of other postoperative complications was comparable in both groups. Complete stone clearance was achieved in 88% of patients in the study group and 84% patients in the control group. Conclusion. The tubeless approach in patients with a history of open renal surgery is associated with decreased analgesia requirement and hospital stay without compromising stone-free rates or increasing the complications

Simultaneous transurethral cystolithotripsy with holmium laser enucleation of the prostate: a prospective feasibility study and review of literature

To report experience with holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) simultaneously with transurethral holmium laser cystolithotripsy (HLC) for managing bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) and associated vesical calculi; we also review previously reported cases of managing vesical calculi and associated BOO. The high-powered holmium laser is a very efficient multifunctional endourological instrument that effectively fragments calculi of all compositions and is capable of haemostatic cutting of tissue, resulting in minimal bleeding after prostatic resection. A prospective study was conducted from April 2003 that included 32 men who underwent simultaneous HoLEP with transurethral HLC at our institution. Demographic, laboratory, peri-operative and follow-up data were analysed. Complications during and after surgery were identified to assess the morbidity of procedure. The mean (range) size of bladder calculi was 34.6 (12-70) mm and the preoperative weight of the prostate was 51.9 (11-172) g. Combined HoLEP with transurethral HLC was technically feasible in all patients, and all were stone-free after surgery. The mean operative duration was 97.7 (40-230) min, the weight of prostate tissue removed 34.6 (5-88) g, and the duration of catheterization and hospital stay 29.3 h and 34.8 h, respectively. Complications during and after surgery occurred in 12.5% and 15.6% of patients, respectively; all complication were minor and none caused any residual disability to the patient. No patient required a blood transfusion or developed clot retention. Managing bladder stones and BOO with simultaneous transurethral HLC and HoLEP should be considered the treatment of choice for such cases. Stones of any size and composition, and prostates of practically any size can be treated endoscopically using the holmium laser, with acceptable morbidity once the technique is mastered. The review of previous reports suggested a need for a prospective study comparing endoscopic management of BOO and associated bladder stones, with medical management of BOO and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy/endoscopic lithotripsy for bladder stone

Splenic injury: rare complication of percutaneous nephrolithotomy: report of two cases with review of literature

Splenic injury is an uncommon complication of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). We report herewith two cases of splenic injury that occurred during puncture of the 10th intercostal-space for PCNL. One of these patients presented with hypotension on day 5 after discharge from the hospital. Both patients needed emergency laparotomy, and one of them required splenectomy for management of the injury. We reviewed the literature to determine the risk factors and management of splenic injury during PCNL

Working group report: low energy and flavour physics

This is a report of the low energy and flavour physics working group at WHEPP-8, held at the Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai, India, during 5-16 January 2004

Proton therapy reduces the likelihood of high-grade radiation-induced lymphopenia in glioblastoma patients: phase II randomized study of protons vs photons

Background: We investigated differences in radiation-induced grade 3+ lymphopenia (G3+L), defined as an absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) nadir of <500 cells/µL, after proton therapy (PT) or X-ray (photon) therapy (XRT) for patients with glioblastoma (GBM). Methods: Patients enrolled in a randomized phase II trial received PT (n = 28) or XRT (n = 56) concomitantly with temozolomide. ALC was measured before, weekly during, and within 1 month after radiotherapy. Whole-brain mean dose (WBMD) and brain dose-volume indices were extracted from planned dose distributions. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify independent predictive variables. The resulting model was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results: Rates of G3+L were lower in men (7/47 [15%]) versus women (19/37 [51%]) (P < 0.001), and for PT (4/28 [14%]) versus XRT (22/56 [39%]) (P = 0.024). G3+L was significantly associated with baseline ALC, WBMD, and brain volumes receiving 5‒40 Gy(relative biological effectiveness [RBE]) or higher (ie, V5 through V40). Stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis identified being female (odds ratio [OR] 6.2, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.95‒22.4, P = 0.003), baseline ALC (OR 0.18, 95% CI: 0.05‒0.51, P = 0.003), and whole-brain V20 (OR 1.07, 95% CI: 1.03‒1.13, P = 0.002) as the strongest predictors. ROC analysis yielded an area under the curve of 0.86 (95% CI: 0.79-0.94) for the final G3+L prediction model. Conclusions: Sex, baseline ALC, and whole-brain V20 were the strongest predictors of G3+L for patients with GBM treated with radiation and temozolomide. PT reduced brain volumes receiving low and intermediate doses and, consequently, reduced G3+L

Working group report: Low energy and flavour physics

This is a report of the low energy and flavour physics working group atWHEPP-8, held at the Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai, India,during 5-16 January 2004