Monitoring and Improving Managed Security Services inside a Security Operation Center

Nowadays, small to medium sized companies, which usually cannot afford hiring dedicated security experts, are interested in benefiting from Managed Security Services (MSS) provided by third party Security Operation Centers (SOC) to tackle network-wide threats. Accordingly, the performance of the SOC is becoming more and more important to the service providers in order to optimize their resources and compete in the global market. Security specialists in a SOC, called analysts, have an important role to analyze suspicious machine-generated alerts to see whether they are real attacks. How to monitor and improve the performance of analysts inside a SOC is a critical issue that most service providers need to address. In this paper, by observing workflows of a real-world SOC, a tool consisting of three different modules is designed for monitoring analysts' activities, analysis performance measurement, and performing simulation scenarios. The tool empowers managers to evaluate the SOC's performance which helps them to conform to Service-Level Agreement (SLA) regarding required response time to security incidents, and see the need for improvement. Moreover, the designed tool is strengthened by a background service module to provide feedback about anomalies or informative issues for security analysts in the SOC. Three case studies have been conducted based on real data collected from the operational SOC, and simulation results have demonstrated the effectiveness of the different modules of the designed tool in improving the SOC performance

The Assessment of Health-Promoting Lifestyle Status and Its Determinants among Students of Iran University of Medical Sciences

Careful assessment of lifestyle status among students is a necessity for identifying lifestyle problems and, it is an essential prerequisite for more efficient planning and implementing health promotion interventions among them. This study performed to estimate the current status of a health-promoting lifestyle among students of Iran University of Medical Sciences. This cross-sectional study was performed on 250 students of Iran University of Medical Sciences. By performing a proportional stratified random sampling method according to the number of students in each academic discipline, samples were chosen. The data gathering tool was a two-part questionnaire. The first part was related to demographic and socioeconomic information. The second part consisted of the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile (HPLP-II) questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 23 through descriptive and inferential statistics. The results were statistically observed as significant at p < 0.05. The mean score of health-promoting lifestyle was 124.36 ± 18.41. The highest mean score was for the nutrition dimension (23.67±4.91) and the lowest was for the physical activity dimension (15.08±5.16). This research showed that a statistical proper correlation was found between marital status and spiritual growth. Also, there was a relationship between academic discipline and health responsibility. Additionally, another statistical significant relationship between financial status and health-promoting lifestyle, health responsibility, spiritual growth, and stress management was observed. Since the status of a health-promoting lifestyle is not satisfactory, a wide range of planning and implementing health interventions are needed to improve the health-promoting lifestyle among the students

Does fasting plasma glucose values 5.1-5.6 mmol/l in the first trimester of gestation a matter?

ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to investigate the effect of treatment on pregnancy outcomes among women who had fasting plasma glucose (FPG) 5.1-5.6 mmol/l in the first trimester of pregnancy.MethodsWe performed a secondary-analysis of a randomized community non-inferiority trial of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) screening. All pregnant women with FPG values range 5.1-5.6 mmol/l in the first trimester of gestation were included in the present study (n=3297) and classified to either the (i) intervention group who received treatment for GDM along with usual prenatal care (n=1,198), (ii) control group who received usual-prenatal-care (n=2,099). Macrosomia/large for gestational age (LGA) and primary cesarean-section (C-S) were considered as primary-outcomes. A modified-Poisson-regression for binary outcome data with a log link function and robust error variance was used to RR (95%CI) for the associations between GDM status and incidence of pregnancy outcomes.ResultsThe mean maternal age and BMI of pregnant women in both study groups were similar. There were no statistically significant differences in the adjusted risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes, including macrosomia, primary C-S, preterm birth, hyperbilirubinemia, preeclampsia, NICU-admission, birth trauma, and LBW both groups.ConclusionsIt is found that treating women with first-trimester FPG values of 5.1-5.6 mmol/l could not improve adverse pregnancy outcomes including macrosomia, Primary C-S, Preterm birth, hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia, preeclampsia, NICU admission, Birth trauma and LBW. Therefore, extrapolating the FPG cut-off point of the second trimester to the first –which has been proposed by the IADPSG, might therefore not be appropriate.Clinical Trial Registrationhttps://www.irct.ir/trial/518, identifier IRCT138707081281N1

A Comparative Analysis of Clinical Characteristics and Laboratory Findings of COVID-19 between Intensive Care Unit and Non-Intensive Care Unit Pediatric Patients: A Multicenter, Retrospective, Observational Study from Iranian Network for Research in Viral

Introduction: To date, little is known about the clinical features of pediatric COVID-19 patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs).&nbsp;Objective: Herein, we aimed to describe the differences in demographic characteristics, laboratory findings, clinical presentations, and outcomes of Iranian pediatric COVID-19 patients admitted to ICU versus those in non-ICU settings.&nbsp;Methods: This multicenter investigation involved 15 general and pediatrics hospitals and included cases with confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection based on positive real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) admitted to these centers between March and May 2020, during the initial peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in Iran.&nbsp;Results: Overall, 166 patients were included, 61 (36.7%) of whom required ICU admission. The highest number of admitted cases to ICU were in the age group of 1–5 years old. Malignancy and heart diseases were the most frequent underlying conditions. Dyspnea was the major symptom for ICU-admitted patients. There were significant decreases in PH, HCO3 and base excess, as well as increases in creatinine, creatine phosphokinase (CPK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and potassium levels between ICU-admitted and non-ICU patients. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), shock, and acute cardiac injury were the most common features among ICU-admitted patients. The mortality rate in the ICU-admitted patients was substantially higher than non-ICU cases (45.9% vs. 1.9%, respectively; p&lt;0.001).&nbsp;Conclusions: Underlying diseases were the major risk factors for the increased ICU admissions and mortality rates in pediatric COVID-19 patients. There were few paraclinical parameters that could differentiate between pediatrics in terms of prognosis and serious outcomes of COVID-19. Healthcare providers should consider children as a high-risk group, especially those with underlying medical conditions

Selecting the most appropriate maintenance strategies using fuzzy Analytic Network Process: A case study of Saipa vehicle industry

It is necessary for companies and industries to select the most appropriate maintenance strategy to increase the reliability and safety level with reasonable cost. The primary objective of this paper is to assess different maintenance strategies and to select the best and the most appropriate alternatives for Saipa vehicle industry in Tehran, Iran. For this purpose, we simultaneously consider numerous conflicting objectives and constraints. In this study to counter with this conflicting and to consider the dependency among the qualitative and quantitative criteria and sub-criteria, an integration of Analytic Network Process (ANP) and fuzzy set theory are considered. Therefore, factors playing important role in selecting the best maintenance strategy are determined by reviewing the research literature and interviewing with the experts by Delphi technique. Considering the relations among different factors, a network with 4 criteria and 28 sub-criteria are proposed. In the next step, ANP technique is applied for ranking effective factors in evolution of appropriate maintenance strategy. Results reveal that the best maintenance strategy for fixture body of pride (setter) is corrective maintenance

The need for an integrated pharmacological response to the treatment of HIV/AIDS and depression

Introduction: The coexistence of depression and HIV infection affects more than 9 million people worldwide. A literature review revealed a large gap regarding the pharmacotherapy of depression among patients dually diagnosed with HIV and depression. Areas covered:In this review, the authors covered the various dimensions of deploying integrated pharmacological treatment of HIV/AIDS and depression. This topic was addressed in two ways; first, the direct results of integrated pharmacotherapy in syndemic patients; second, the indirect effects of the integrated model on other outcomes of HIV care. Expert opinion: An integrated pharmacological response to the treatment of HIV and depression can bring substantial benefits to HIV outcomes and reduce the burden of both diseases. The direct advantages regarding pharmacological response to the treatment of depression along with HIV care are improving adherence to antiretroviral therapy, optimizing pharmacotherapy, minimizing drug interaction, and prevention of additive adverse drug reactions. Furthermore, in some cases, medication can target both depression and other neuropsychiatric or somatic comorbidities among people living with HIV/AIDS. The integrated pharmacotherapy also has some potential indirect advantages on HIV care outcomes like minimizing loss of care, reducing ongoing HIV transmission, and improving the outcomes of both diseases

A private sustainable partner selection model for green public-private partnerships and regional economic development

Many cities are struggling to keep pace with limited budgets and rapid growth. Economic development models involving public-private partnerships (P3s) can help drive economic revitalization. The choice of partners plays a vital role in the success or failure of sustainable P3 initiatives. In this study, we propose a novel integrated sustainable private partner selection framework in P3s. The proposed model is composed of the best-worst method (BWM), the weighted influence non-linear gauge system (WINGS), and the technique of order preference similarity to the ideal solution (TOPSIS). The BWM is used to identify the importance weights of the economic, environmental, social, and technological criteria. The WINGS method uses ideographic causal maps to analyze the intertwined criteria and their causal relations. TOPSIS is used to rank and select the private partners that will bring the “best value” to the partnership. We demonstrate the proposed method\u27s applicability in a P3 initiative for sustainability, gentrification and neighborhood revitalization, and economic development in a northeastern US city. In this initiative, low density, low cost, and biodegradable agricultural waste and mushroom fibers are grown in vacant buildings to be used as a Styrofoam packaging replacement

Relationship between Nurses’ Cultural Intelligence

AbstractBackground and aim:  Cultural intelligence is an important factor in interaction among various ethnic groups and environments. cultural intelligence may affect job performance.This study examined the relationship between cultural intelligence and job performance of nurses in Eghbal hospital in Tehran,Iran.Materials and Methods:  A descriptive correlational design was used. Sample of the research consisted of 70 nurses with at least 1 year of work experience which were randomly selected.Data were collected by using 2 questionnaires: 1- modified Ang and colleagues (2004) questionnaires for cultural intelligence which was translated by Kazimi (2010) and 2- Employee performance questionnaire which was developed by Kazemi (2010) with the reliability of the 0.81. Data were analyzed by SPSS software using Pearson correlation , Multiple regression and Analysis of variance tests.Findings:  Results of the study showed that: although there was no significant correlation between total cultural intelligence scores and job performance of nurses but when examining the relationship between cultural intelligence sub categories and job performance a significant correlation was found between behavioral cultural scores with job performance. There was a significant difference between male and female nurses in term of total score of cultural intelligence. Job performance scores was significantly correlated with educational levelConclusion:  The results showed tthat behaviorialintelligence may mediate the relationship betweencultural intelligence and performance in nurses. Gender was correlated with Cultural Intelligence and educational level was correlated with job performance in nurses . Keywords: Cultural Intelligence, Job Performance, Nurses Ahanchian MR Amiri R Bakhshi M (2012). [Correlation between cultural intelligence and social interaction of nurses. Journal of Health PromotionManagement . 1(2), 44-53. Ang S et al (2007). Cultural intelligence: Its measurement and effects on cultural judgment and decision making, cultural adaptation, and task performance.     Management and Organization Review .(3) 335-371. Anges BaloghZoltan Gaal Lajos Szabo. (2011) Relationship between organizational cultural intelligence. Management &amp;Marketing, Challenges for the Knowledge society. Romania.6 (1) 95-110.     Briones E et al (2009). Development of a cultural self- efficacy scale for adolescents (CSES-A). Internatinal Journal of Intercultural Relations .(33) 301-312. Crowne K (2008).What leads to cultural intelligence?. Business Horizons . 51)5) 391-399.     Faramarz M. Cultural intelligence and adaptability to heterogeneous data.In: Tehran. the first national   conference on organizational intelligence / business.2010 Dec 29-30: Tehran , Iran, 2010 P:1-7(persian). . Kazemi M Moghimi S M Amiri A (2010).Studying the Relationship between Cultural Intelligence and Employee’s Performance.     European Journal of Scientific Research . 42(3)427-432. [online]&lt;http://www.eurojournals.com/ejsr.htm &gt;.[20 July 2012].   Khashei V Mostame M (2011). [ Cultural intelligence officers, directors, keysuccess factors in the management of the third millennium]. Journal of Cultural Engineering , 5th ( 52,51) 62-72 (Persian). lugo M( 2007).An Examination of cultural and emotional intelligences in the development of global transformational leadership skills.doctoral Dissertation.Walden University.[Online]&lt;books.google.ca/books?isbn=054927541X&gt;.[24July2012].   Moody M C (2007). Adaptive behavior in intercultural environments: The relationship between cultural     intelligence factors and big five personality traits. Unpublished doctoral Dissertation of philosophy.George  Washington university. Pour Ibrahim S(2005). The relationship between organizational culture &amp; Performance in branches of Mellat Bank inTehran.(Theses )for the degree of Master of Public Administration: Management Faculty of Tehran University (persian).   Rahimnia F Mortazavi S Delaram M (2010). the effects of cultural intelligence on job performance of managers (Case Study: Bank of NewEconomics of Tehran.     Journal of tomorrow management .( 22). 8th.67-79 (persian).   Ravari A et al (2012). Job satisfaction hospital-based practicing nurses: examining the influence of self- expectation, social interaction and organizational situations. Jornal of Nursing Management . 20(4) 522-533. Shin-yih Chen A Yi-Chun Lin &amp; Sawangpattanakul A (2011).The relationship between cultural Intelligence and Performance with the mediating effect of cultural shock: Acase from Philippine laborers in Tiwan.     International Journal of Intercultural relations . 35(2) 246-258. Templer K , Tay C &amp; chandrasekar N (2006). Motivational cultural intelligence, realistic job preview, realistic living conditions preview and cross-cultural adjustment.     Group and Organization Management .31(1) 154-173.