The effects of qos level degradation cost on provider selection and task allocation model in telecommunication networks

Firms acquire network capacity from multiple suppliers which offer different Quality of Service (QoS) levels. After acquisition, day-to-day operations such as video conferencing, voice over IP and data applications are allocated between these acquired capacities by considering QoS requirement of each operation. In optimal allocation scheme, it is generally assumed each operation has to be placed into resource that provides equal or higher QoS Level. Conversely, in this study it is showed that former allocation strategy may lead to suboptimal solutions depending upon penalty cost policy to charge degradation in QoS requirements. We model a cost minimization problem which includes three cost components namely capacity acquisition, opportunity and penalty due to loss in QoS

A heuristic approach for provider selection and task allocation model in telecommunication networks under stochastic QOS guaranties

In this study, we model provider selection and task allocation problem as an expected cost minimization problem with stochastic chance constraints. Two important parameters of Quality of Service (QoS), delay and jitter are considered as random variables to capture stochastic nature of telecom network environment. As solution methodology, stochastic model is converted into its deterministic equivalent and then a novel heuristic algorithm is proposed to solve resulting nonlinear mixed integer programming model. Finally, performance of solution procedure is tested by several randomly generated scenarios

Mechanical properties of lightweight concrete made with cold bonded fly ash pellets

In this paper, compressive and splitting tensile strengths, modulus of elasticity and steel rebar-concrete bond strength of lightweight aggregate concretes (LWAC) produced at 0.40 w/c with sand and mixture of crushed stone and lightweight fly ash coarse aggregates are presented. Lightweight fly ash aggregates (LWA), plain (LC) and reinforced with 0.1% (L1P) and 0.5% (L5P) crumb rubber and0.1% (L1F) polypropylene fiber are utilized. Test results revealed that the compressive strength of all LWAC conformed to the limitation for structural use whereas a reduction in density up to 20% was achieved. Whereas the mechanical properties decreased with the use of lightweight aggregates, some increases were observed for the steel-concrete bond strength

The Power of a Soccer Ball: A Traumatic Open Finger Dislocation—A Rare Case Presentation

Proximal interphalangeal joint dislocations are injuries observed frequently and caused by axial loading on the finger in the extension. In this paper we present a traumatic open finger dislocation due to a ball hitting a wrestler. It was successfully treated with reduction and the volar plate and collateral bond fixation were applied with absorbable sutures

Repair of Unstable Posterior Sternoclavicular Dislocation Using Nonabsorbable Tape Suture and Tension Band Technique: A Case Report with Good Results

Posterior sternoclavicular joint dislocation (PSCJD) is quite a rare condition. Nearly half of the closed reduction attempts fail due to various reasons. In this paper, we present a 25-year-old male patient who was admitted to the emergency department in our hospital after having a motor-vehicle accident. It was decided to do PSCJD after physical and imaging studies. Following necessary preparations, closed reduction was attempted with abduction-traction maneuver under general anesthesia; however, adequate stabilization could not be achieved and redislocation was detected during control. Therefore, joint was stabilized with tension band technique using 6 mm polyamide nonabsorbable type suture during open reduction. Painless and complete range of motion in shoulder was achieved at the postoperative 10th week

Hematological Manifestations in Brucellosis Cases in Turkey

The hematological findings of 233 patients with brucellosis are presented and the possible pathologies discussed. Anemia was present in 128 patients (55%), leukopenia in 49 (21%) and thrombocytopenia in 59 (26%). Bone marrow aspirates of 18 patients (8%) with pancytopenia were examined. The bone marrow was hypercellular in 15 and normocellular in 3 patients. Granulomatous lesions were detected in 12 cases (67%), and slight to moderate cytophagocytosis of erythrocytes, granulocytes and platelets existed in all patients. Blood cell counts reverted to normal within 2-3 weeks of initiating chemotherapy with recovery from the disease.</p

Simple vaginal trachelectomy for early stage cervical cancer: A tertiary cancer center experience

Objectives: Less radical fertility sparing procedures have been introduced to reduce morbidity and adverse obstetric outcome in cervical cancer. Our objective was to describe oncological and obstetric outcomes of women with early-stage cervical cancer who underwent a simple vaginal trachelectomy (SVT). Material and methods: From 01/2013 to 05/2017, 14 women underwent SVT preceded by laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection. Results: Patients’ median age was 32 years and all of them were nulliparous. Histology included squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma in 12 (85.7%) and 2 (14.3%) patients, respectively. Three patients had stage 1A1 with lymphovascular space invasion, 4 1A2 and 7 1B1. After obtaining final histopathology, one patient underwent radical hysterectomy due to positive surgical margin and excluded from analysis. None of the patients had lymph node metastasis. None of the 13 patients developed a recurrence within a median follow-up of 27 (6–56) months. Seven patients have conceived: 4 were term deliveries, 2 were late preterm deliveries and 1 was spontaneous abortion. Conclusions: SVT in well selected early-stage cervical cancer patients seems to be a safe treatment option with excellent oncologic outcome, preserving reproductive function. Literature data will need to be confirmed in large prospective series

What influences women’s contraceptive choice? A cross-sectional study from Turkey

Objectives: In our study, we tried to investigate the determinants of women’s choices about contraception with the aim of discovering whether or not there is a difference in their preferences before and after consultation with a gynaecologist. Material and methods: A total of 1058 women were enrolled. They were given detailed information regarding contraception and contraceptive methods. Subsequently, a survey which was made of 21 questions was administered. Results: Contraceptive counselling significantly changed the contraceptive choice of women. However, influences from social media and friends, their partners and religious belief affected their contraceptive choices. Significant differences in contraceptive choice were observed when women were categorized according to their marital status, education level, household income, age, and number of children. Conclusions: Although contraceptive counselling influenced Turkish women’s choices, there were still other determinants like social media and input from outside sources such as clerics and husbands, which should be overcome

Effect of Implanted Phosphorus Profile on iVoc Variations During Firing Process of n-type Silicon

Electrical activation of implanted phosphorus can be carried out simultaneously with boron dopants at high temperatures or separately at lower temperatures. In this study, we investigate the effect of high and low-temperature annealing processes for dopant activation following the phosphorous implantation process in n-type c-Si. Symmetrically implanted wafers are activated at 875 °C (low temperature) and 1050 °C (high temperature) and subsequently coated with PEC VD SiNx:H. iVoc values of the samples activated at 1050 °C significantly decrease while those for the samples activated at 875 °C increase at a typical firing peak temperature which is generally applied for fire-through contact formation. We also show a strong dependence of iVoc values of phosphorous implanted and unimplanted c-Si, which are activated at both high and low temperatures, on peak firing temperature