Evolutionary Deep Reinforcement Learning for Dynamic Slice Management in O-RAN

The next-generation wireless networks are required to satisfy a variety of services and criteria concurrently. To address upcoming strict criteria, a new open radio access network (O-RAN) with distinguishing features such as flexible design, disaggregated virtual and programmable components, and intelligent closed-loop control was developed. O-RAN slicing is being investigated as a critical strategy for ensuring network quality of service (QoS) in the face of changing circumstances. However, distinct network slices must be dynamically controlled to avoid service level agreement (SLA) variation caused by rapid changes in the environment. Therefore, this paper introduces a novel framework able to manage the network slices through provisioned resources intelligently. Due to diverse heterogeneous environments, intelligent machine learning approaches require sufficient exploration to handle the harshest situations in a wireless network and accelerate convergence. To solve this problem, a new solution is proposed based on evolutionary-based deep reinforcement learning (EDRL) to accelerate and optimize the slice management learning process in the radio access network's (RAN) intelligent controller (RIC) modules. To this end, the O-RAN slicing is represented as a Markov decision process (MDP) which is then solved optimally for resource allocation to meet service demand using the EDRL approach. In terms of reaching service demands, simulation results show that the proposed approach outperforms the DRL baseline by 62.2%.Comment: This paper has been accepted for the 2022 IEEE Globecom Workshops (GC Wkshps

Joint Path planning and Power Allocation of a Cellular-Connected UAV using Apprenticeship Learning via Deep Inverse Reinforcement Learning

This paper investigates an interference-aware joint path planning and power allocation mechanism for a cellular-connected unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in a sparse suburban environment. The UAV's goal is to fly from an initial point and reach a destination point by moving along the cells to guarantee the required quality of service (QoS). In particular, the UAV aims to maximize its uplink throughput and minimize the level of interference to the ground user equipment (UEs) connected to the neighbor cellular BSs, considering the shortest path and flight resource limitation. Expert knowledge is used to experience the scenario and define the desired behavior for the sake of the agent (i.e., UAV) training. To solve the problem, an apprenticeship learning method is utilized via inverse reinforcement learning (IRL) based on both Q-learning and deep reinforcement learning (DRL). The performance of this method is compared to learning from a demonstration technique called behavioral cloning (BC) using a supervised learning approach. Simulation and numerical results show that the proposed approach can achieve expert-level performance. We also demonstrate that, unlike the BC technique, the performance of our proposed approach does not degrade in unseen situations

An Analysis of Broken Plural Forms in the Novel, Al-Sukkarivyah, by Najuib Mahfouz

This research is a d escriptive study of the broken plural in the al-Sukariyah novel of novelist Najib Mahfouz. Broken plural is one of the important inflections in the Arabic language. It is the third type of plural in Arabic. The first plural type is the sound masculine plural while the second one is the sound feminine plural . Broken plural is described a s the language strange phenomenon a s it has a lot of measures. This study tries to search for the development in the broken plural formulas. These formulas are discussed in chapter three with reference to the novel at hand. Specifying all the formulas of the broken plural either descriptive or morphological, and finding the fundamental grammatical rules that govern the broken plural. This research discusses two important parts; the first of which is the theoretical part in which types of plurals are discussed for the sake of making this study comprehensible, while the second part deals with the practical side in which broken plurals are figured out from the novel. All the broken plural forms are explained and analyzed thoroughly with reference to definitions and explanations of old gram marians. The expected results out of this study would be that the research explores the structure of the broken plural in the novel that goes in line with the theories of old grammarians and also the structures that oppose those theories

Mental Health Status (Depression, Anxiety and Stress) of Employed and Unemployed Women in Yazd, Iran, 2015

Background: Women are one of the sensitive groups that in comparison to men are at higher risk of mental disorders. Women's mental health has a close relation with family and community health. This study was performed to determine the mental health status (depression, anxiety and stress) of employed women and housewives in Yazd City in 2015. Methods: This cross - sectional study was conducted on 120 employed women and 120 housewives visiting health centers in Yazd in 2014. Data were collected through random sampling and by using a questionnaire including demographic information and the DASS-21 questionnaire. Data analysis was performed through SPSS16 software and using t-test and ANOVA. Results: The mean scores of depression and anxiety were significantly lower in employed compared to unemployed women (P<0.001). Among employed women, those in the private sectors had the highest stress and anxiety and workers had the highest depression. Furthermore, physical activity and educational level showed significant inverse correlations with mean scores of depression, anxiety and stress. In terms of marital status, divorced women had the highest rates of depression and anxiety and single women had the highest stress. Conclusion: Results of this study showed higher levels of depression and anxiety in unemployed compared to employed women. Effective interventions for reducing depression and anxiety in housewives are suggested

Relationship of pupils' quality of life and academic achievement with the employment status of their mothers

Objective: One of the most important environmental factors affecting academic achievement and performance is the family especially mothers. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between quality of life (QOL) and the academic achievement of pupils with the employment status of their mothers. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 9th-grade students in Shiraz. A sample of 400 individuals was selected through a multi-stage sampling method from among the 9th-grade students and a questionnaire on academic achievement and quality of life was completed for them. Then data was entered into spss23 software and analyzed. The value of P &lt;0.05 was considered a significant statistical level. Results: there was no significant difference between students who have employed and Housewife mothers about the student's academic achievements ant QOL score (P&gt;0.05). According to the results of multivariate analysis, none of the variables was a significant predictor of the QOL and academic achievement in the students. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that there is not a significant association between the quality of life and academic achievement of students with their mothers' occupatio

The Association between Lifestyle-related Risk Factors and Coronary Artery Disease in Residents of Yazd Province: A Case-control Study

Background: This study was conducted to investigate the relation between risk factors related to lifestyle and coronary artery disease (CAD) in residents of Yazd province. Methods: In this hospital-based case-control study performed in Yazd province, 250 patients with CAD were compared with 250 controls matched for age and sex. Data were collected by using a researcher- made questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using Chi-square and Conditional Multiple Logistic Regression and through SPSS16. Results: History of Consumption of less than three servings of fruit in week, with an odds ratio of 8.4 (95%CI: 1.56-45.18) and more than three times egg in week with an odds ratio of 4.05 (95%CI: 1.13-14.5, P=0.03) increased the chance of getting CAD. However, no significant relationship was found for history of consumption of oil, dairy, red meat, fried foods and fast foods. The number of daily smoked cigarettes was the only non-nutritional factor that showed significant relationship with CAD (P=0.01). Conclusion: Overall, insufficient intake of fruits, high consumption of egg and the number of cigarettes smoked daily were identified as the most important life style-related risk factors for getting CAD. Therefore, measures for decreasing these risk factors in Yazd Province are necessary

The Effect of Pre-Discharge Training on the Quality of Life of Burn Patients

Introduction: Many physical, psychological, social and economic complications have been reported after discharge, which have a negative impact on the quality of life of burn patients. The present research examines the effect of pre-discharge training program on the life quality of patients with burns. Methods: This is a pre and post-experimental study with control group that was conducted in 2015 in teaching hospital Sina. The control group received the typical instructions upon being discharged from hospital while the experimental group received in-person training in the form of question-answer, pamphlets and a researcher-made instruction booklet. The patients’ life quality was evaluated when they were being discharged, a month and then three months after they were discharged. Results: The result showed that the quality of life has a significant statistical difference across the three time points. And these differences are compared using Bonferroni’s adjustment multiple comparisons indicating that pre-discharge training affects the quality of life scores and this effect continues over time. Conclusion: The results show that the pre-discharge training has significantly improved the life quality among the burns patients. The improvement of life quality is also correlated with the quantitative variable of total body surface area percent (TBSA %). Thus, planning and designing in-discharge training programs based on the existing context, combined with training packages focusing on the patients’ needs could be a very significant step in more successful implementation of the follow-up programs on the burn patients and improving their quality of life

The Effect of Sensorimotor Training on the Plantar Pressure Distribution Symmetry in Healthy Elderly: A Field Trial Study

Purpose: Sensorimotor impairment in the elderly leads to increased postural sway and plantar pressure distribution asymmetric. The plantar pressure distribution asymmetrical can cause secondary problems, such as forefoot pain, neuropathic plantar ulcers, and metatarsal stress fractures. Therefore, this study aims to examine the effect of sensorimotor training on the plantar pressure distribution symmetry in healthy elderly women. Methods: Forty healthy elderly women participated in this study and were randomly assigned to two experimental and control groups (20 people in each group). Pressure distribution was evaluated during standing with double-legs and eyes closed. The experimental group performed sensorimotor training for eight weeks, and the control group did not receive any intervention during this period. The statistical method of analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to compare the results between the two groups. Results: Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) test showed that after eight weeks of sensorimotor training, the plantar pressure distribution in the forward and backward of the right (P=0.000) and left (P=0.000) foot was balanced with a high effect size. In addition, the plantar pressure distribution symmetry of the inter-limb was balanced after eight weeks of sensorimotor training with a high effect size (P=0.015). Conclusion: Sensorimotor training by adjusting balance strategies and increasing the impulse sent from mechanical receptors cause sensorimotor integration and facilitates muscle activity. As a result, posture sway is reduced and plantar pressure distribution symmetrical