Nested-Loops Tiling for Parallelization and Locality Optimization

Data locality improvement and nested loops parallelization are two complementary and competing approaches for optimizing loop nests that constitute a large portion of computation times in scientific and engineering programs. While there are effective methods for each one of these, prior studies have paid less attention to address these two simultaneously. This paper proposes a unified approach that integrates these two techniques to obtain an appropriate locality conscious loop transformation to partition the loop iteration space into outer parallel tiled loops. The approach is based on the polyhedral model to achieve a multidimensional affine scheduling as a transformation that result the largest groups of tilable loops with maximum coarse grain parallelism, as far as possible. Furthermore, tiles will be scheduled on processor cores to exploit maximum data reuse through scheduling tiles with high volume of data sharing on the same core consecutively or on different cores with shared cache at around the same time

Evaluation of the Quality of Teaching in Neurology Ward, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Iran, from the Point of View of Medical Students

Background & Objective: In educational systems, evaluation is considered as one of the key elements. The evaluation of university students on the educational processes is of specific value. There has been no study on the evaluation of the Neurology Department, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Iran, through carrying out a poll. Therefore, we intended to improve the quality of education in the department through evaluation. Methods: From among the medical students admitted in 2007 in Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Iran, 67 students participated in the present study. The questionnaire used was prepared according to reliable sources and the professors’ points of view, and considered validity and reliability. The questionnaire’s data was entered into SPSS, and it was statistically analyzed through descriptive and analytical statistical methods. Results: 63 students (94%) rated the methodology of the professors of the ward, and 62 students (92.5%) rated the methodology of the professors of theoretical courses a moderate or high score. 65 students’ (97%) evaluation of good behavior of professors with students was moderate or high. In terms of efficiency, 35 students (52.2%) rated morning reports, 28 students (41.7%) rated weekly conferences, and 18 students (26.8%) rated journals a moderate to high score. Conclusion: According to the medical student’s opinion, the neurology department has a good position in general standards of medical education, ethics, and regulation. However, it has to reconsider some parts of educational procedures such as conferences and journal clubs which are held in collaboration with the residents. Keywords Medical students Evaluation Neurolog

Relationship of Opium Dependency and Stroke

Abstract Background: Stroke is the third cause of mortality and not only leads to dependency, which is a great social, individual and cultural problem, but also can affect the physiology, immune system and coagulation system such as plasma fibrinogen, and it may potentially increase the risk of stroke. This study investigated the relationship of opium dependency and stroke. Methods: This case- control study was carried out in 2003-2004 in Shefa Hospital in Kerman, Iran. The case group included 105 stroke patients and control group included the same number of patients from urology ward. There were 55 females and 50 males in each group. Patients' data were collected through their medical history, physical examinations, and diagnosis procedures recorded in specific questionnaires. Data were analyzed using Chi square test. Findings:  31 patients (29.5%) in the case and 11 (10.5%) in the control group were opium dependent and the difference was significant (P = 0.001). The relationship of cigarette smoking and stroke was also significant (P = 0.0001). To find the independent effect of each of these two factors, a logistic regression analysis was done, which showed that the independent relationship of each of these two was significant (Odds ratio = 2.207, P = 0.012 and Odds ratio = 2.36, P = 0.040 for cigarette and opium dependency respectively). Conlusion: Opium dependency can be regarded as an independent risk factor for stroke. As this corresponds to previous findings as to opium dependency can increase plasma fibrinogen and development of atherosclerosis, it is important for prophylactic manages. Keyword: Drug dependency, Opium, Strok

Etiology and outcome of burns in Hamadan, Iran: A registry-based study

Background: Burn prevention strategies are most effective when they are based on knowledge of etiological patterns of burn injuries and considering the geographical variations and socioeconomic differences in burn epidemiology. In this regard, this study aimed to investigate the etiology and outcome of burns in Hamadan, Iran. Materials and Methods: This registry-based, cross-sectional study was conducted on 798 burn patients admitted to the Besat Hospital from March 2013 to February 2018. The medical records of all the patients were extracted from hospital information system. Results: In males, the most common cause of burn was gas explosion (41.4), whereas in females, the most common cause was hot liquids (37.1). In below 5 years and 6-15 years age group, burning with hot liquids was the common cause of burn, whereas in other age groups, gas explosion was the common cause of burn. In the present study, 6.9 of the patients died because of their burns. With increasing age, the odds of death increases, so that patients between 30 and 59 years had 2.2 fold (P = 0.02) and patients 60 years had 3.5 fold (P = 0.006) higher odds of death compared to patients aged Conclusion: Findings of the present study show that males and people aged 26-40 years and children 0-5 years were at a greater risk of burns. Furthermore, this study shows that self-immolation with a high rate of case fatality should be considered as a mental health challenge, and it is necessary to design preventive strategies to reduce it

Relationship of Opium Dependency and Stroke

Abstract Stroke is the third cause of mortality and not only leads to dependency, which is a great social, individual and cultural problem, but also can affect the physiology, immune system and coagulation system such as plasma fibrinogen, and it may potentially increase the risk of stroke. This study investigated the relationship of opium dependency and stroke. This case- control study was carried out in 2003-2004 in Shefa Hospital in Kerman, Iran. The case group included 105 stroke patients and control group included the same number of patients from urology ward. There were 55 females and 50 males in each group. Patients' data were collected through their medical history, physical examinations, and diagnosis procedures recorded in specific questionnaires. Data were analyzed using Chi square test. 31 patients (29.5%) in the case and 11 (10.5%) in the control group were opium dependent and the difference was significant (P = 0.001). The relationship of cigarette smoking and stroke was also significant (P = 0.0001). To find the independent effect of each of these two factors, a logistic regression analysis was done, which showed that the independent relationship of each of these two was significant (Odds ratio = 2.207, P = 0.012 and Odds ratio = 2.36, P = 0.040 for cigarette and opium dependency respectively). Opium dependency can be regarded as an independent risk factor for stroke. As this corresponds to previous findings as to opium dependency can increase plasma fibrinogen and development of atherosclerosis, it is important for prophylactic manages

Frequency of Opium Addiction in Patients with Ischemic Stroke and Comparing their Cerebrovascular Doppler Ultrasound Changes to Non-Addicts

Abstract Background: Ischemic stroke is a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Various studies on the etiology of this disease are in progress. Some studies have suggested that opium abuse may is associated with increased risk of ischemic stroke. The present study aimed to analyze the frequency of opium addiction and to compare cerebrovascular ultrasound patients’ changes to non-addicts. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 97 patients with ischemic stroke. The diagnosis was confirmed by imaging and paraclinical studies. All the patients underwent cerebrovascular ultrasound in the first 4 days of symptoms onset. A questionnaire containing demographic data, opium use information [based on the 4th Edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) criteria], and vascular ultrasound findings were completed for each patient and the results were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square test. Findings: In this study, 38 patients (39.18%) were addicted to opium and the remaining were non-addicts. Among the addicted patients, 31 patients were male and 7 patients were female, while 26 and 33 patients of non-addicts were male and female, respectively (P < 0.01). Among the risk factors for stroke, smoking was higher in the addicts than in non-addicts (P = 0.04). Frequency of vascular stenosis and stenosis location did not show a statistical significant difference between the addicted and non-addicted patients. Conclusion: More than one-third of the patients with stroke were addicted to opium which was higher than general population; although the pattern of stenosis in these patients was similar to the non-addicts. Keywords: Opium, Transcranial Doppler Ultrasound, Strok

Frequency of Opium Addiction with Ischemic Stroke Patients and Comparing Their Cerebrovascular Doppler Ultrasound Alternations to Non-Addicts

Background: Ischemic stroke is a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Various studies on the etiology of this disease are in progress. Some studies have suggested that opium abuse may is associated with increased risk of ischemic stroke. The present study aimed to analyze the frequency of opium addiction and to compare cerebrovascular ultrasound patients’ changes to non-addicts. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 97 patients with ischemic stroke. The diagnosis was confirmed by imaging and paraclinical studies. All the patients underwent cerebrovascular ultrasound in the first 4 days of symptoms onset. A questionnaire containing demographic data, opium use information [based on the 4th Edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) criteria], and vascular ultrasound findings were completed for each patient and the results were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square test. Findings: In this study, 38 patients (39.18%) were addicted to opium and the remaining were non-addicts. Among the addicted patients, 31 patients were male and 7 patients were female, while 26 and 33 patients of non-addicts were male and female, respectively (P < 0.01). Among the risk factors for stroke, smoking was higher in the addicts than in non-addicts (P = 0.04). Frequency of vascular stenosis and stenosis location did not show a statistical significant difference between the addicted and non-addicted patients. Conclusion: More than one-third of the patients with stroke were addicted to opium which was higher than general population; although the pattern of stenosis in these patients was similar to the non-addicts. Keywords: Opium, Transcranial Doppler Ultrasound, Strok