Sub-structural Niching in Estimation of Distribution Algorithms

We propose a sub-structural niching method that fully exploits the problem decomposition capability of linkage-learning methods such as the estimation of distribution algorithms and concentrate on maintaining diversity at the sub-structural level. The proposed method consists of three key components: (1) Problem decomposition and sub-structure identification, (2) sub-structure fitness estimation, and (3) sub-structural niche preservation. The sub-structural niching method is compared to restricted tournament selection (RTS)--a niching method used in hierarchical Bayesian optimization algorithm--with special emphasis on sustained preservation of multiple global solutions of a class of boundedly-difficult, additively-separable multimodal problems. The results show that sub-structural niching successfully maintains multiple global optima over large number of generations and does so with significantly less population than RTS. Additionally, the market share of each of the niche is much closer to the expected level in sub-structural niching when compared to RTS

Synthesis and Characterization of New Oxazolidin-4-one Derivatives via the Reaction of Various Some Imines with Glycolic Acid

New derivatives of 2,3-disubstituted- oxazolidine-4-one were synthesized by cycloaddition reaction of glycolic acid to various imines in anhydrous 1,4-dioxane under dry and reflux conditions. Imines were synthesized by acid–catalyzed thermal condensation of the amino group of aromatic amine and phenylhydrazines with the carbonyl group of aromatic aldehydes and ketones in absolute ethanol. The products were identified by C.H.N content FT-IR and 1HNMR spectr

Flammability action of tires material after adding flame inhibitor

Magnesium hydroxide was used as flame inhibitor to increased flame resistance for tires .Magnesium hydroxide was adding with (5%,10%) weight percents to rubber master batch of tire and then exposed the resulting material to a flame generated from gas torch with (10 mm) exposure distance . Method of measuring the surface temperature opposite to the flame was used to determine the heat transferred through tire material. The results were obtained shows enhanced flame resistance for tire by added magnesium hydroxide and this resistance increased by increasing hydroxide Percentage

The Beneficial Role of Some Bone Markers in Evaluating Women with Osteoporosis under Different Therapeutic Regimens

Osteoporosis is a systemic disease of the skeleton, characterized by low bone mass and alteration in the micro-architecture of the bone tissue that lead to an increase in brittleness with the ensuing predisposition to bone fracture. Global statistics shows that women are more exposed to this disease than men and in particular at menopause. This study was designed to evaluate the use of some bone markers: serum osteocalcin (Ost), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), as bone formation markers, also parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcium and inorganic phosphate level, for the assessment of patients with osteoporosis and to evaluate their role in monitoring of several types of therapeutic interventions (such as bisphosphonates, hormonal replacement therapy, and Ca and vit.D) in postmenopausal women.This study comprised of 36 women (age 51.67±5.14 years) those diagnosed to have osteoporosis, to be allocated randomly into three groups according to the type of therapy to be given as; group A: received bisphosphonates (sodium alendronate 10mg/day) for twelve weeks (N=12). group B: treated with hormonal replacement therapy (conjugated estrogen 0.625mg/day) for twelve weeks (N=12). group C: received Ca and vit. D (Ca1500mg/day and cholecalciferol 1000IU/day) for twelve weeks(N=12). In addition to 15 perimenopausal healthy women to serve as a control group (age 51.13±7.62 years).The studied parameters were measured in serum obtained before starting treatment and after 12 weeks of therapy. Result indicated that the baseline values of both serum Ost and ALP were significantly higher in postmenopausal patients as compared to controls and serum Ost showed a significant reduction after treatment with alendronate compared to those treated with either HRT or Ca and vit. D.From this study we recommend estimating the baseline bone markers (Ost and ALP) status for newly diagnosed osteoporotic patients to be used as a guide for deciding the initial therapeutic intervention, and detection of non responder instead of waiting until patients develop further fracture while they are on therapy. Key words: Osteoporosis, Postmenopause, Osteocalcin, Alendronat

Multi-objective improvement of software using co-evolution and smart seeding

Optimising non-functional properties of software is an important part of the implementation process. One such property is execution time, and compilers target a reduction in execution time using a variety of optimisation techniques. Compiler optimisation is not always able to produce semantically equivalent alternatives that improve execution times, even if such alternatives are known to exist. Often, this is due to the local nature of such optimisations. In this paper we present a novel framework for optimising existing software using a hybrid of evolutionary optimisation techniques. Given as input the implementation of a program or function, we use Genetic Programming to evolve a new semantically equivalent version, optimised to reduce execution time subject to a given probability distribution of inputs. We employ a co-evolved population of test cases to encourage the preservation of the program’s semantics, and exploit the original program through seeding of the population in order to focus the search. We carry out experiments to identify the important factors in maximising efficiency gains. Although in this work we have optimised execution time, other non-functional criteria could be optimised in a similar manner

Short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy for functional somatic disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis of within-treatment effects

OBJECTIVE: A recent meta-analysis of 17 randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) showed that Short-term Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (STPP) for functional somatic disorders (FSD) reduced somatic symptoms compared to wait list, minimal treatment, and treatment-as-usual controls. A clinically important yet unanswered question is how much improvement patients experience within STPP treatment. METHODS: Following a systematic search, we identified STPP trials presenting data at baseline and post-treatment/follow-up. Meta-analyses determined the magnitude of changes in somatic symptoms and other outcomes from before to after STPP, and analyses examined effect sizes as a function of study, therapy, and patient variables. RESULTS: We identified 37 trials (22 pre-post studies and 15 RCTs) totaling 2094 patients treated an average of 13.34 sessions for a range of FSD. Across all studies, somatic symptoms improved significantly from pre-treatment to short-term follow-up with a large effect size (SMD = −1.07), which was maintained at long-term follow-up (SMD = −0.90). After excluding two outlier studies, effects at short- and medium-term follow-up remained significant but were somewhat reduced in magnitude (e.g., short-term SMD = −0.73). Secondary outcomes including anxiety, depression, disability, and interpersonal problems had medium to large effects. Effects were larger for studies of STPP that were longer than 12 sessions or used an emotion-focused type of STPP, and for chronic pain or gastrointestinal conditions than for functional neurological disorders. CONCLUSIONS: STPP results in moderate to large improvements in multiple outcome domains that are sustained in long-term follow-up. STPP is an effective treatment option for FSD and should be included in treatment guidelines

ZAP-70 Expression in B-Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia in Sudanese Patients

Background: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is the most common form of leukemia in adults. The prognostic impact of ZAP-70 in CLL has been reported in several studies. The aim of conducting this study was to investigate the prevalence of ZAP-70 in Sudanese patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia attending Khartoum Oncology Hospital.Materials and Methods: A total of 93 newly diagnosed patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia were enrolled in this study. Lymphadenopathy and organomegaly were assessed in all participants using clinical examination, chest radiography, and abdominal ultrasound. Full blood count was carried out by an automated hematology analyzer. ZAP-70 was evaluated using flowcytometry on peripheral blood samples. ZAP-70 was defined as positive expression at a cutoff level of 20%. Results: There were 63 (67.7%) males and 30 (32.3%) females and the median age of the group was 63 years; 68 patients (73.1%) were presented with anemia and 66(70.9%) had lymphadenopath;y. Majority of our patients 35 (37.6%) were in Rai stage IV. ZAP-70 positivity was detected in 21 patients (22.6%). There was no statistically significant association of ZAP-70 with age, sex, lymphadenopathy, organomegaly, hemoglobin concentration, total white blood cell count, platelet count and Rai staging system (p-value > 0.05). Conclusion: Only 21 patients (22.6%) were ZAP-70 positive. There was no association between ZAP-70 and the study variables. Further studies to evaluate prognostic role of ZAP-70 in Sudanese patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia are recommended