Provider selection and task allocation issues in networks with different QoS levels and all you can send pricing

We investigate an optimization problem a firmfaces when acquiring network capacity from multiple providers.We define two types of tasks the firm performs using data networks, and show that the time, bandwidth and quality requirements of each type are quite different. We formulate the associated problem as a cost minimization problem subject to quality and capacity requirements and offer multiple solution approaches. We analyze how different prices, quality and task distribution affect the optimal behavior of the firm.We also implement Generalized Bender's Decomposition to solve a relaxation of this problem in order to obtain a tight lower bound

Data Transmission Strategies over Networks with Different QoS Levels and All You Can Send Pricing

We investigate an optimization problem a firm faces when acquiring network capacity from multiple vendors. We define two types of tasks the firm performs using data networks, and show that the time, bandwidth and quality requirements of each type are quite different. We formulate the associated problem as a cost minimization problem subject to quality and capacity requirements and offer multiple solution approaches. We analyze how different prices, quality and task distribution affect the optimal behavior of the firm. We also implement Generalized Bender’s Decomposition to solve a relaxation of this problem

Fractalkine receptor polymorphism may not be associated with the development and clinical course of ulcerative colitis

Fractalkine (CX3C), a chemokine expressed by epithelial cells within normal and inflamed colorectal mucosa, induces leukocyte adhesion and migration via fractalkine receptor. The aim of this study was to investigate two single nucleotide polymorphisms of the fractalkine receptor gene as a risk factor both for the development and clinical findings of ulcerative colitis. In this study, si patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 8o controls were recruited. Genotypes of fractalkine receptorc.743G>A (V249I) and c.839C>T (T280M) polymorphisms were identified by restriction fragment length polymorphism analyses after polymerase chain reaction.Genotype distribution and allele frequencies of V249I and T280M were not statistically significantly different between UC and control groups (p>0.05). No statistically significant relationship was found between fractalkine receptor polymorphisms and clinical findings of UC. We observed no significant difference in fractalldne receptor polymorphism between patients and control group and no genotype-phenotype relation. Therefore, we concluded that fractalkine receptor polymorphisms may not contribute to the molecular pathogenesis of UC

ASSESSMENT OF FACTORS INFLUENCING THE SPATIO-TEMPORAL DISTRIBUTION, ABUNDANCE, AND DIVERSITY OF OSTRACODA (CRUSTACEA) SPECIES IN A COASTAL LAGOON: KAMIL ABDUS LAGOON (ISTANBUL, TURKEY)

Kamil Abdus (Balik) Lagoon, a coastal lagoon located in the Sea of Marmara (Turkey), is threatened by human activities, as are many of the aquatic habitats in Turkey. The supplying of new knowledges for biodiversity conservation from threatened habitats is quite important for the conservation of them. The lagoon's species composition, and their temporal and spatial distribution, diversity, and dominance were investigated and the results were correlated with the environmental variables. As shown in the analyses (Spearman's correlation, CCA), distribution of ostracod species are associated with salinity values. Twenty-one ostracod species were identified from the four stations sampled between February 2016 and January 2017 in Kamil Abdus Lagoon (Istanbul, Turkey). The most abundant species were determined as Cyprideis torosa, Aurila arborescens, Loxoconcha rhomboidea, Xestoleberis communis, and Xestoleberis aurantia. The ostracod fauna in Kamil Abdus Lagoon include 13 species of littoral to sublittoral/phytal marine forms, one brackish (euryhaline) form (Cyprideis torosa), and six halophilic freshwater continental forms. The results show that the physico-chemical conditions and morphologic structure of the lagoon has to be protected with last status and highlighted the need of strong policies for wetlands protection. We believe that our results concerning the ostracod ecology in Turkey lagoons can be of use for understanding of changes in enviromental conditions

Treatment-associated change in apelin concentration in patients with hypertension and its relationship with left ventricular diastolic function

OBJECTIVE: We examined the change in apelin concentration and its relationship with left ventricular diastolic function in patients treated for hypertension. METHODS: Ninety treatment-naive patients with newly diagnosed hypertension and 33 age- and sex-matched control subjects were prospectively enrolled. Patients with hypertension were randomized to treatment either with telmisartan 80 mg or amlodipine 10 mg. Apelin concentration was measured and echocardiography was performed at baseline and after 1 month of treatment. RESULTS: The data of 77 patients and 33 controls were analyzed. Mean age, gender, baseline blood pressure, apelin levels, and echocardiographic measurements were similar between the treatment groups (p>0.05 for all). Apelin concentration was significantly lower in patients with hypertension than in controls. There was a significant increase in apelin level after 1 month of treatment in both groups (0.32 +/- 0.17 vs. 0.38 +/- 0.17 ng/dL in telmisartan group, p=0.009, and 0.27 +/- 0.13 vs. 0.34 +/- 0.18 ng/dL in amlodipine group, p=0.013). Diastolic function improved significantly in both groups (p<0.05) but was not significantly associated with change in apelin concentration. CONCLUSION: Apelin concentration increased significantly after 1 month of effective treatment with telmisartan or amlodipine to a similar extent. Change in apelin concentration was not associated with improvement in diastolic functio