Microservice Transition and its Granularity Problem: A Systematic Mapping Study

Microservices have gained wide recognition and acceptance in software industries as an emerging architectural style for autonomic, scalable, and more reliable computing. The transition to microservices has been highly motivated by the need for better alignment of technical design decisions with improving value potentials of architectures. Despite microservices' popularity, research still lacks disciplined understanding of transition and consensus on the principles and activities underlying "micro-ing" architectures. In this paper, we report on a systematic mapping study that consolidates various views, approaches and activities that commonly assist in the transition to microservices. The study aims to provide a better understanding of the transition; it also contributes a working definition of the transition and technical activities underlying it. We term the transition and technical activities leading to microservice architectures as microservitization. We then shed light on a fundamental problem of microservitization: microservice granularity and reasoning about its adaptation as first-class entities. This study reviews state-of-the-art and -practice related to reasoning about microservice granularity; it reviews modelling approaches, aspects considered, guidelines and processes used to reason about microservice granularity. This study identifies opportunities for future research and development related to reasoning about microservice granularity.Comment: 36 pages including references, 6 figures, and 3 table

Interstitial brachytherapy guided intensity modulated radiation therapy (IBGIMRT) in cervical cancer: a dosimetric study

Abstract Purpose: Interstitial brachytherapy (IBT) is used as an alternative to intracavitary radiotherapy in the management of cervical carcinoma. We have devised a new technique called interstitial brachytherapy guided intensity modulated radiotherapy (IBGIMRT) which can potentially reduce doses to organs at risk (OaRs). It utilizes IMRT planning on the target volume (TV) defined by implantation of IBT needles. This study compares the dosimetry of IBT and IBGIMRT. Material and methods: CT scan images of 18 patients with cervical cancer, who have been already treated by HDR-BT, were used to generate two rival plans, IBT and IBGIMRT, for a prescription dose of 10 Gy. Following dosimetric factors were used for comparison: volume receiving 95% of prescription dose (V 95 ), conformity index (COIN) and external volume index (EI) for target and for OaR, dose received by volume of 1 cm 3 (D 1cc ), 2 cm 3 (D 2cc ), 5 cm 3 (D 5cc ) and also volume receiving 50% and 75% of prescription dose (V 50 and V 75 ). Results: The two plans resulted in COIN difference of 49.8% (p < 0.0001) and EI difference of 36.4% (p < 0.0028) in favor of IBGIMRT. Mean D 1cc , D 2cc and D 5cc values for bladder were 8.3 Gy, 7.6 Gy and 6.4 Gy; and 7.8 Gy, 7.3 Gy and 5.8 Gy with IBT and IBGIMRT, respectively (p > 0.05). Similar figures for rectum with IBT vs. IBGIMRT were 11.2 Gy vs. 7.02 Gy, 10.5 Gy vs. 6.4 Gy and 9.1 Gy vs. 4.8 Gy respectively (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Our novel technique, IBGIMRT, has shown its dosimetric superiority and therefore needs to be studied in clinical set up. J Contemp Brachyther 2009; 1, 2: 87-9

Internet of Things in Sustainable Energy Systems

Our planet has abundant renewable and conventional energy resources but technological capability and capacity gaps coupled with water-energy needs limit the benefits of these resources to citizens. Through IoT technology solutions and state-of-the-art IoT sensing and communications approaches, the sustainable energy-related research and innovation can bring a revolution in this area. Moreover, by the leveraging current infrastructure, including renewable energy technologies, microgrids, and power-to-gas (P2G) hydrogen systems, the Internet of Things in sustainable energy systems can address challenges in energy security to the community, with a minimal trade-off to environment and culture. In this chapter, the IoT in sustainable energy systems approaches, methodologies, scenarios, and tools is presented with a detailed discussion of different sensing and communications techniques. This IoT approach in energy systems is envisioned to enhance the bidirectional interchange of network services in grid by using Internet of Things in grid that will result in enhanced system resilience, reliable data flow, and connectivity optimization. Moreover, the sustainable energy IoT research challenges and innovation opportunities are also discussed to address the complex energy needs of our community and promote a strong energy sector economy

Using viral vectors as gene transfer tools (Cell Biology and Toxicology Special Issue: ETCS-UK 1 day meeting on genetic manipulation of cells)

In recent years, the development of powerful viral gene transfer techniques has greatly facilitated the study of gene function. This review summarises some of the viral delivery systems routinely used to mediate gene transfer into cell lines, primary cell cultures and in whole animal models. The systems described were originally discussed at a 1-day European Tissue Culture Society (ETCS-UK) workshop that was held at University College London on 1st April 2009. Recombinant-deficient viral vectors (viruses that are no longer able to replicate) are used to transduce dividing and post-mitotic cells, and they have been optimised to mediate regulatable, powerful, long-term and cell-specific expression. Hence, viral systems have become very widely used, especially in the field of neurobiology. This review introduces the main categories of viral vectors, focusing on their initial development and highlighting modifications and improvements made since their introduction. In particular, the use of specific promoters to restrict expression, translational enhancers and regulatory elements to boost expression from a single virion and the development of regulatable systems is described

Effects of hospital facilities on patient outcomes after cancer surgery: an international, prospective, observational study

Background Early death after cancer surgery is higher in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) compared with in high-income countries, yet the impact of facility characteristics on early postoperative outcomes is unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the association between hospital infrastructure, resource availability, and processes on early outcomes after cancer surgery worldwide.Methods A multimethods analysis was performed as part of the GlobalSurg 3 study-a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study of patients who had surgery for breast, colorectal, or gastric cancer. The primary outcomes were 30-day mortality and 30-day major complication rates. Potentially beneficial hospital facilities were identified by variable selection to select those associated with 30-day mortality. Adjusted outcomes were determined using generalised estimating equations to account for patient characteristics and country-income group, with population stratification by hospital.Findings Between April 1, 2018, and April 23, 2019, facility-level data were collected for 9685 patients across 238 hospitals in 66 countries (91 hospitals in 20 high-income countries; 57 hospitals in 19 upper-middle-income countries; and 90 hospitals in 27 low-income to lower-middle-income countries). The availability of five hospital facilities was inversely associated with mortality: ultrasound, CT scanner, critical care unit, opioid analgesia, and oncologist. After adjustment for case-mix and country income group, hospitals with three or fewer of these facilities (62 hospitals, 1294 patients) had higher mortality compared with those with four or five (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 3.85 [95% CI 2.58-5.75]; p<0.0001), with excess mortality predominantly explained by a limited capacity to rescue following the development of major complications (63.0% vs 82.7%; OR 0.35 [0.23-0.53]; p<0.0001). Across LMICs, improvements in hospital facilities would prevent one to three deaths for every 100 patients undergoing surgery for cancer.Interpretation Hospitals with higher levels of infrastructure and resources have better outcomes after cancer surgery, independent of country income. Without urgent strengthening of hospital infrastructure and resources, the reductions in cancer-associated mortality associated with improved access will not be realised

Global patient outcomes after elective surgery: prospective cohort study in 27 low-, middle- and high-income countries.

BACKGROUND: As global initiatives increase patient access to surgical treatments, there remains a need to understand the adverse effects of surgery and define appropriate levels of perioperative care. METHODS: We designed a prospective international 7-day cohort study of outcomes following elective adult inpatient surgery in 27 countries. The primary outcome was in-hospital complications. Secondary outcomes were death following a complication (failure to rescue) and death in hospital. Process measures were admission to critical care immediately after surgery or to treat a complication and duration of hospital stay. A single definition of critical care was used for all countries. RESULTS: A total of 474 hospitals in 19 high-, 7 middle- and 1 low-income country were included in the primary analysis. Data included 44 814 patients with a median hospital stay of 4 (range 2-7) days. A total of 7508 patients (16.8%) developed one or more postoperative complication and 207 died (0.5%). The overall mortality among patients who developed complications was 2.8%. Mortality following complications ranged from 2.4% for pulmonary embolism to 43.9% for cardiac arrest. A total of 4360 (9.7%) patients were admitted to a critical care unit as routine immediately after surgery, of whom 2198 (50.4%) developed a complication, with 105 (2.4%) deaths. A total of 1233 patients (16.4%) were admitted to a critical care unit to treat complications, with 119 (9.7%) deaths. Despite lower baseline risk, outcomes were similar in low- and middle-income compared with high-income countries. CONCLUSIONS: Poor patient outcomes are common after inpatient surgery. Global initiatives to increase access to surgical treatments should also address the need for safe perioperative care. STUDY REGISTRATION: ISRCTN5181700

Lycopene in treatment of high-grade gliomas: A pilot study

Background : The therapeutic benefit of lycopene is well established for carcinoma prostate in various clinical trials and has been proposed for other malignancies including high-grade gliomas. Setting and Design : Randomized placebo control study in the Department of Radiation Oncology of a teaching hospital. Materials and Methods : Fifty patients with high-grade gliomas were treated with surgery followed by adjuvant radiotherapy and concomitant paclitaxel. Patients were randomized to receive either oral lycopene (Group A) 8 mg daily with radiotherapy or placebo (Group B). Pre-and post-radiotherapy plasma lycopene levels were measured using high-precision liquid chromatography. McDonald′s criteria were used for response assessment. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of brain and Single Photon Emission Computed Tomograph (SPECT) were done three-monthly for two visits and six-monthly thereafter. Primary endpoint was response at six months post radiotherapy. Statistical Analysis Used : The data was analyzed using SPSS Software v10.0 (SPSS corporation Chicago IL) by applying Student′s t-test, ANOVA F test, Chi-square test and Karl Pearson Correlation Coefficient. Results : Median age was 38 years. The commonest histology was glioblastoma multiforme (n = 32). Pre- and post-treatment plasma lycopene levels in the patients in Gropu A were 152 ng/ml and 316 ng/ml and in the patients in Group B were 93 ng/ml and 98 ng/ml (P = 0.009). There was non-significant differences in favor of lycopene between Group A and Group B with higher overall response at six months (P = 0.100), response at last follow-up (P = 0.171) and time to progression (40.83 vs. 26.74 weeks, P = 0.089)., The follow-up duration was significantly higher for Group A than Group B (66.29 vs. 38.71 weeks, P = 0.05). Conclusions : Addition of nutrition supplements such as lycopene may have potential therapeutic benefit in the adjuvant management of high-grade gliomas