Diversification and Intensification in Parallel {SAT} Solving

International audienceIn this paper, we explore the two well-known principles of diversification and intensification in portfolio-based parallel SAT solving. These dual concepts play an important role in several search algorithms including local search, and appear to be a key point in modern parallel SAT solvers. To study their trade-off, we define two roles for the computational units. Some of them classified as Masters perform an original search strategy, ensuring diversification. The remaining units, classified as Slaves are there to intensify their master's strategy. Several important questions have to be answered. The first one is what information should be given to a slave in order to intensify a given search effort? The second one is, how often, a subordinated unit has to receive such information? Finally, the question of finding the number of subordinated units along their connections with the search efforts has to be answered. Our results lead to an original intensification strategy which outperforms the best parallel SAT solver, and solves some open SAT instances

Formulation and evaluation of ciprofloxacin as a topical gel

Ciprofloxacin is an antibacterial agent belong to floroquinolones group, it has broad spectrum activity against Gram positive and Gram negaitive bacteria. Ciprofloxacin – HCl was formulated as a gel dosage form using two different bases, a 5% methylcellulose and 5% sodium croboxy-methyl-cellulose gel base. The concentration of (1% w/w) of the drug in each base was prepared. In vitro availability of ciprofloxacin – HCl from these bases was studied, in addition the diffusion of the drug using excised mouse skin technique were also evaluated. The results indicated that the extent of ciprofloxacin – HCl release was higher from methylcellulose gel base than that from sodium caroboxy-methylcellulose gel base. While the data revealed that the diffusion of the ciprofloxacin through the excised mouse skin was higher from sodium croboxy-methyl-cellulose gel base than that from methylcellulose. According to these results, 5% methylcellulose gel base was selected for further studies. The influence of storage time and temperature on the stability of the drug, as well as physical properties and pH, for the selected formula over a period of 45 days was studied. The concentration of ciprofloxacin was found to decrease with time and temperature and no changes in the physical properties were noticed. The shelf life of the drug in the selected gel base was determined using exaggerated temperature techinque and it was equal to 2.5 years. The overall results of this study suggest that the selected formula could be used in the preparation of ciprofloxacin gel as a topical dosage form to be used in the treatment of some dermatological infections

Gender Equality and Corporate Social Responsibility in the Middle East

This chapter focuses on corporate social responsibility (CSR) in relation to gender equality in the Arab Middle East. It examines the relationship between CSR and gender in the workplace whilst exploring the link between CSR and human resource management (HRM) policies and practices. The chapter first presents some seminal work on gender equality and diversity management, looking at the business case for gender equality within the CSR and HRM contexts, before engaging with relevant work on gender equality in the Arab Middle East. It concludes by offering recommendations on advancing the equality agenda at the macro- and meso-levels, within a framework which recognises the centrality of agency of women, as well as the potential of positive changes through corporations being seen as ‘agents of change’. The chapter advocates for organisational and governmental policies to promote gender equality in the Arab Middle East

The state of HRM in the Middle East:Challenges and future research agenda

Based on a robust structured literature analysis, this paper highlights the key developments in the field of human resource management (HRM) in the Middle East. Utilizing the institutional perspective, the analysis contributes to the literature on HRM in the Middle East by focusing on four key themes. First, it highlights the topical need to analyze the context-specific nature of HRM in the region. Second, via the adoption of a systematic review, it highlights state of development in HRM in the research analysis set-up. Third, the analysis also helps to reveal the challenges facing the HRM function in the Middle East. Fourth, it presents an agenda for future research in the form of research directions. While doing the above, it revisits the notions of “universalistic” and “best practice” HRM (convergence) versus “best-fit” or context distinctive (divergence) and also alternate models/diffusion of HRM (crossvergence) in the Middle Eastern context. The analysis, based on the framework of cross-national HRM comparisons, helps to make both theoretical and practical implications