Evaluation MCDM Multi-disjoint Paths Selection Algorithms Using Fuzzy-Copeland Ranking Method

To increase the Internet's reliability and to have greater control over traffic transmission, reliable path selection is important and Multipath routing is promising technique that are used in the communication networks. Finding reliable end-end paths and backup can increase network performance. So, using proper decision metrics and algorithm should be used to paths and backup selection phase in these networks. For this goal, in this paper selecting a more reliable multi disjoint paths is addressed as a multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) problem and availability factor is defined and calculated based on network histories. For decision algorithm, a new fuzzy evaluation method is proposed to rank these multi disjoint paths selection algorithms and it is compared with bandwidth based, TOPSIS, FuzzyTOPSIS and AHP methods as candidate techniques to select more appropriate global disjoint paths in the IP/MPLS networks with packet loss, delay and availability parameters as decision making metrics. The proposed method combines fuzzy theory and Copeland method to evaluate the rank of each proposed method base on bandwidth, delay and new defined availability metric of selected end to end paths. Simulation results show that this method selects more reliable backup paths with better bandwidth in compared with others and can be used to path selection in IP/MPLS networks

Male and female intelligence among undergraduate students : does gender matter?

The study investigated the difference between gender-role identity and intelligence of students at Universities. The samples were 153 participants consisting of 48 females and 105 males` undergraduate Iranian students in Malaysia Universities. All students were given a Catell Culture Fair Intelligence Test (CCFIT). The instrument consisted two subscales, namely, intelligence (Form A) and intelligence (Form B). Each subscale had fifty items. The mean age and SD for female`s students (FS) were 22.27 and 2.62, for ages of 18 to 27 and for male`s students (MS) mean age and SD were 23.28 and 2.43, for ages of 19 to 27. The sampling method in this study was the simple randomization method. Descriptive statistics focusing on average and t-tests were used to examine differences between male and female students in this study. The CCFIT as a questioner test included 100 items about quantitative the 2 parts of Intelligence (Form A) (50 items) and intelligence (Form B) (50 items). In general, the results were not found significant between female and male students in relation to intelligence. Further research is needed to investigate whether identify factors at the university environment influence the development of female and male`s intelligence

2-[(1H-Imidazol-2-yl)disulfan­yl]-1H-imidazole

In the title molecule, C6H6N4S2, a twofold rotation axis passes through the mid-point of the S—S bond. The C—S—S—C torsion angle is 83.62 (17)°. π–π stacking between imidazole rings of adjacent mol­ecules is observed in the crystal structure, the centroid–centroid distance being 3.447 (2) Å. Inter­molecular N—H⋯S hydrogen bonding results in the formation of a linear chain in the c-axis direction

Growth and condition factor of Capoeta damascina in the Azad dam Lake and the Komasi River in Kurdistan Province, Iran

The objective of the present study was to estimate the population parameters, including length-weight relationship (LWR), condition factor (KF), relative condition factor (Kn), age, growth, and mortality of Capoeta damascina in the Azad Dam and Komasi River in the Kurdistan Province, Iran. Total length and weight were 51-350 (180.6±68.63) mm and W: 2.5-465 (93.3±110.89) g in the river and 120-260 (191.5±30.76) mm and 14.7-216 (75.9±39.89) g in the dam Lake and river, respectively. The length-weight regression was W=0.0122×FL2.9338. The sex ratio (M:F) was 1:0.47, for adult C. damascina which differed significantly from the expected 1:1 (P<0.001). The von Bertalanffy growth parameters were estimated as L∞ = 373.3 mm, K = 0.17 yr-1 and t0 = -0.58 yr. The instantaneous coefficient of natural mortality was estimated as 0.36 yr-1. The average KF values were 1.13±0.14 and 0.98±0.18, and Kn were 1.11±0.12 and 0.98±0.18, in the river and the lake, respectively. In conclusion, C. damascina showed an isometric growth pattern, which the rapid growth is occurred during the two first years of life. The Kn showed that the fish were at suitable welfare conditions in the Azad Dam

Effect of Microelements and Selenium on Superoxide Dismutase Enzyme, Malondialdehyde Activity and Grain Yield Maize (Zea mays L.) under Water Deficit Stress

This study was carried out to investigate effects of microelements under water deficit stress at different growth stages on antioxidant enzyme alteration, chemical biomarker and grain yield of maize in the years 2007 and 2008. The experiment was conducted in a split plot factorial based on a randomized complete block design with four replications. There were three factors, water deficit stress at different stages of growth as main plot and combinations of selenium (with and without using) and microelements (with and without using) as sub plots. The result indicated that the activity of superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde content under water deficit stress increased, but grain yield was reduced. The highest grain yield was obtained from optimum irrigation, while in the case of with water deficit stress at V8 stage it was non significant. Selenium spray increased activity of superoxide dismutase enzyme, malondialdehyde content of leaves in V8, R2 and R4 stages and also grain yield. Application of microelements increased the leaves superoxide dismutase enzyme activity and malondialdehyde content. Selenium and microelements spray under water deficit stress conditions during vegetative growth and dough stage increased grain yield in comparison to not spraying elements under water stress conditions. The present results also showed that by using selenium and microelements under water stress can obtain acceptable yield compared to not using these elements

Novel water-soluble polyurethane nanomicelles for cancer chemotherapy: physicochemical characterization and cellular activities

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Efficient delivery of anticancer chemotherapies such as paclitaxel (PTX) can improve treatment strategy in a variety of tumors such as breast and ovarian cancers. Accordingly, researches on polymeric nanomicelles continue to find suitable delivery systems. However, due to biocompatibility concerns, a few micellar nanoformulations have exquisitely been translated into clinical uses. Here, we report the synthesis of novel water-soluble nanomicelles using bioactive polyurethane (PU) polymer and efficient delivery of PTX in the human breast cancer MCF-7 cells.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The amphiphilic polyurethane was prepared through formation of urethane bounds between hydroxyl groups in poly (tetramethylene ether) glycol (PTMEG) and dimethylol propionic acid with isocyanate groups in toluene diisocyanate (TDI). The free isocyanate groups were blocked with phenol, while the free carboxyl groups of dimethylol propionic acid were reacted with triethylamine to attain ionic centers in the polymer backbone. These hydrophobic PTMEG blocks displayed self-assembly forming polymeric nanomicelles in water. The PTX loaded PU nanomicelles showed suitable physical stability, negative zeta potential charge (-43) and high loading efficiency (80%) with low level of critical micelle concentration (CMC). In vitro drug release profile showed a faster rate of drug liberation at pH 5.4 as compared to that of pH 7.4, implying involvement of a pH-sensitive mechanism for drug release from the nanomicelles. The kinetic of release exquisitely obeyed the Higuchi model, confirming involvement of diffusion and somewhat erosion at pH 5.4. These nanomicelles significantly inhibited the growth and proliferation of the human breast cancer MCF-7 cells, leading them to apoptosis. The real time RT-PCR analysis confirmed the activation of apoptosis as result of liberation of cytochrome c in the cells treated with the PTX loaded PU nanomicelles. The comet assay analysis showed somewhat DNA fragmentation in the treated cells.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Based upon these findings, we propose that the bioactive waterborne polyurethane nanomicelles can be used as an effective nanocarrier for delivery of anticancer chemotherapies such as paclitaxel.</p

Intelligence, creativity and gender as predictors of academic achievement among undergraduate students.

The purpose of this cross – sectional study was to assess prediction of intelligence, creativity and gender on academic achievement among undergraduate students. Participants (N= 153, 105 = male & 48= female) completed intelligence and creativity tests which were compared with their cumulative grade point average (CGPA). A multiple regression analysis indicated that intelligence, creativity and gender explained 0.045 of the variance in academic achievement, which is not significant, as indicated by the F- value of 2.334. Multiple regression analyses also indicated that intelligence and creativity (gender is controlled) together explained 0.010 of the variance in academic achievement, which is also not significant, as indicated by the F- value of 1.562. Partial correlations between academic achievement and IQ, creativity scores and gender were non significant at .05. Coefficients also showed there is no significance between academic achievement and IQ and gender at .05, except for creativity (t= 2.008, p= 0.046). Finding shows predicting lower independent variables of this study (scores of intelligence, creativity and gender) on academic achievement (CGPA)

Gender Differences in Creative Perceptions of Undergraduate Students

This study investigated the difference between gender-role identity and creativity of students at Malaysian Universities. The respondents were 153 undergraduate Iranian students (48 females, 105 males; aged 19 to 27 years) in Malaysia Universities. All students were given a Khatena-Torrance Creative Perception Inventory Test (KTCPI). The instrument comprised two subscales, namely, Something About Myself (SAM) and What Kind of Person Are You (WKOPAY)? Each subscale had fifty items. The results revealed no significant difference between female and male students` overall creative perception. Further examination revealed that male students score higher in the WKOPAY subscale (t = 2.578, p = 0.011), while females scored higher than males in the initiative factor (t = 3.566, p = 0.000) and males scored higher than females in the environmental sensitivity factor (t = -2.216, p = 0.028) in the SAM subscale. Further replications on similar samples are needed

The Effectiveness of Matrix Interventions in Reducing the Difficulty in Cognitive Emotion Regulation and Craving in Methamphetamine-Dependent Patients

Background:&nbsp; Craving is a persistent factor in addictive behaviors. The aim of study was to investigate the effectiveness of matrix interventions in reducing the difficulty in cognitive emotion regulation and craving in methamphetamine-dependent patients.Methods: &nbsp;The research method was experimental and the research design was pre and posttest with the control group. The statistical population of the study consisted of all methamphetamine-dependent patients who visited the Golestan hospital of Ahvaz in 2019. Among them, 40 ones were selected by a purposive sampling method and were randomly classified into experimental and control groups (n = 20 per group). The Cognitive Emotion Regulation and Craving Questionnaires were used for data collection. The experimental group received the matrix program (24 fifty-minute sessions), but the control group did not receive any intervention. Data were analyzed by the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Significant level was set at 0.05.Results:&nbsp;The results indicated that the matrix program was effective in reducing the difficulty in cognitive emotion regulation (F = 13.483, Pvalue &lt; 0.001). The research results also indicated that the matrix program was effective in reducing craving in methamphetaminedependent patients (F = 60.716, Pvalue &lt; 0.001).Conclusions:&nbsp;According to results, the therapy could be used to reduce the difficulty in cognitive emotion regulation and craving in methamphetamine-dependent patients. Keywords:&nbsp;Matrix model, Cognitive emotion regulation, Craving, Methamphetamine

The Effectiveness of Matrix Interventions in Reducing the Difficulty in Cognitive Emotion Regulation and Craving in Methamphetamine-Dependent Patients

Background:&nbsp; Craving is a persistent factor in addictive behaviors. The aim of study was to investigate the effectiveness of matrix interventions in reducing the difficulty in cognitive emotion regulation and craving in methamphetamine-dependent patients.Methods: &nbsp;The research method was experimental and the research design was pre and posttest with the control group. The statistical population of the study consisted of all methamphetamine-dependent patients who visited the Golestan hospital of Ahvaz in 2019. Among them, 40 ones were selected by a purposive sampling method and were randomly classified into experimental and control groups (n = 20 per group). The Cognitive Emotion Regulation and Craving Questionnaires were used for data collection. The experimental group received the matrix program (24 fifty-minute sessions), but the control group did not receive any intervention. Data were analyzed by the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Significant level was set at 0.05.Results:&nbsp;The results indicated that the matrix program was effective in reducing the difficulty in cognitive emotion regulation (F = 13.483, Pvalue &lt; 0.001). The research results also indicated that the matrix program was effective in reducing craving in methamphetaminedependent patients (F = 60.716, Pvalue &lt; 0.001).Conclusions:&nbsp;According to results, the therapy could be used to reduce the difficulty in cognitive emotion regulation and craving in methamphetamine-dependent patients. Keywords:&nbsp;Matrix model, Cognitive emotion regulation, Craving, Methamphetamine