Load Balance in Data Center SDN Networks

In the last two decades, networks had been changed according to the rapid changing in its requirements.  The current Data Center Networks have large number of hosts (tens or thousands) with special needs of bandwidth as the cloud network and the multimedia content computing is increased. The conventional Data Center Networks (DCNs) are highlighted by the increased number of users and bandwidth requirements which in turn have many implementation limitations.  The current networking devices with its control and forwarding planes coupling result in network architectures are not suitable for dynamic computing and storage needs.  Software Defined networking (SDN) is introduced to change this notion of traditional networks by decoupling control and forwarding planes. So, due to the rapid increase in the number of applications, websites, storage space, and some of the network resources are being underutilized due to static routing mechanisms. To overcome these limitations, a Software Defined Network based Openflow Data Center network architecture is used to obtain better performance parameters and implementing traffic load balancing function. The load balancing distributes the traffic requests over the connected servers, to diminish network congestions, and reduce underutilization problem of servers. As a result, SDN is developed to afford more effective configuration, enhanced performance, and more flexibility to deal with huge network design

Energy generation by crystalline silicon photovoltaic network per meter square in Iraq

Iraqi people have been without energy for nearly two decades, even though their geographic position provides a high intensity of radiation appropriate for the construction of solar plants capable of producing significant quantities of electricity. Also, the annual sunny hours in Iraq are between 3,600 to 4,300 hours which makes it perfect to use the photovoltaics arrays to generate electricity with very high efficiency compared to many countries, especially in Europe. This paper shows the amount of electric energy generated by the meter square of crystalline silicon in the photovoltaic (PV) array that already installed in 18 states in Iraq for each month of the year. The results of the meter-square of PV array in three tracking positions are presented in this paper. This paper shows that the average electricity generated in North cities (Dohuk, Al-Sulaymaniyah, and Erbil) are less than the southern cities in the winter season (three positions) by about 40-50%. Iraq has a stable PV electrical generation during all the year in all regions except the North cities while the highest cities in electricity generation are (Najaf and Al-Anbar)

Universities’ Role in Developing Vocational Education in Jordan

This study examined the role of universities in developing vocational education and transforming TVET in developing workforce towards globalization. To achieve the objectives of the study, a scale of the role of universities in developing vocational education was developed. The study population consisted of all faculty members at Al-Balqa Applied University who were (1400) faculty members. The study sample consisted of (50) members of the teaching staff who teach vocational courses who were selected randomly. The results of the study showed that the role of universities in developing vocational education came to a medium degree. Considering these results, the study recommended universities to continuously update the vocational education equipment and workshops

The effect of digital marketing capabilities on organizational ambidexterity of the information technology sector

The aim of the study was to examine the impact of digital marketing capabilities on organizational ambidexterity by focusing on the Information Technology Sector in UAE. Data were primarily gathered through self-reported questionnaires created by Google Forms which were distributed to a purposive sample of managers at different levels via email. This study was conducted structural equation modeling (SEM) to test the hypotheses, which represents a contemporary statistical technique for testing and estimating the relationship between factors and variables. The results showed that the highest impact on organizational ambidexterity was for strategic approach and data content infrastructure, followed by integrating customers with employees, and finally the lowest impact belonged to the process of improving performance. Based on the study findings, the researcher hopes that the decision-makers and managers define all tasks, roles and work procedures in companies through digital marketing systems to improve their organizational ambidexterity and enhance their performance

The role of digital marketing, CSR policy and green marketing in brand development

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policy, digital marketing and green marketing are considered as some of the most emerging topics. However, the major problem is associated with the lack of CSR policies, development and adaptation of green marketing in the companies operating in manufacturing companies in the UK. In this manner, this study aimed to determine the role of digital marketing, CSR policies and green marketing in brand development. Concerning this, the case of UK’s manufacturing companies was considered which can help the manufacturing companies operating in the UK to make the development of brand more effective, as the consumers would perceive the brand which complies with the environmental laws. To attain the aim, the researchers utilized a quantitative method of data collection where a close-ended survey questionnaire was utilized. The data was collected from the concerned participants working in the manufacturing sector of the UK and the sample size considered for the analysis was based on 404 participants. The analysis was conducted using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) on Smart PLS. The analysis revealed that the overall impact of green marketing, CSR policy and digital marketing was statistically significant on the brand development of UK’s manufacturing companies. Considering this, it has been recommended to the manufacturing companies in the UK to focus on environmental disclosure, green innovation, green alliance and promotional activity for the purpose of ensuring brand development. However, this study is limited to the geographical bounds of the UK; therefore, it has a certain room for future research

Dragonfly algorithm-based optimization for selective harmonics elimination in cascaded H-bridge multilevel inverters with statistical comparison

Harmonics worsen the quality of electrical signals, hence, there is a need to eliminate them. The test objects under discussion are single-phase versions of cascaded H-bridge (CHB) multilevel inverters (MLIs) whose switching angles are optimized to eliminate specific harmonics. The Dragonfly Algorithm (DA) is used to eradicate low-order harmonics, and its statistical performance is compared to that of many other optimization techniques, including Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), Accelerated Particle Swarm Optimization (APSO), Differential Evolution (DE), and Grey Wolf Optimization (GWO). Various scenarios of the algorithms’ search agent population for inverters with seven, nine, and eleven levels of output voltages are comprehensively addressed in this research. No algorithm shows total dominance in every scenario. The DA is least impacted by the change in dimensions of the narrated problem

The effect of social media influencers’ characteristics on consumer intention and attitude toward Keto products purchase intention

Social media influencers have become a more effective modern marketing approach used by businesses to influence consumers' intention and attitude. This study explores this influence by involving several factors of influencer’s characteristics on both consumers’ attitude and intention. Also, a moderation role of vloggers as a new emerging marketing tool is also examined in this research. To conduct this research and achieve its key objective, the study uses a quantitative research method to collect data from TikTok users which has also become a more worldwide favorable web device for short videos. PLS-SEM method is conducted in the phase of analysis and the results show a significant influence of the hypothesized research model except the influence of source relatability on consumer attitude and the moderating role of vloggers on consumer intention. The research findings provided unsurprisingly implications and supported the existing related literature in this field but contribute to cover the research knowledge gap through the integrated new model including numerous variables that have not been examined previously together in a unique framework

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication