ABSTRACT
The ability to create decentralized applications without the authority of a single entity has attracted numerous developers to build applications using blockchain technology. However, ensuring the correctness of such applications poses significant challenges, as it can result in financial losses or, even worse, a loss of user trust. Testing smart contracts introduces a unique set of challenges due to the additional restrictions and costs imposed by blockchain platforms during test case execution. Therefore, it remains uncertain whether testing techniques developed for traditional software can effectively be adapted to smart contracts. In this study, we propose a multi-objective test selection technique for smart contracts that aims to balance three objectives: time, coverage, and gas usage. We evaluated our approach using a comprehensive selection of real-world smart contracts and compared the results with various test selection methods employed in traditional software systems. Statistical analysis of our experiments, which utilized benchmark Solidity smart contract case studies, demonstrates that our approach significantly reduces the testing cost while still maintaining acceptable fault detection capabilities. This is in comparison to random search, mono-objective search, and the traditional re-testing method that does not employ heuristic search.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Antiretroviral medications have improved the survival and life quality of people living with HIV and turned HIV into a chronic controllable disease. However, the success of HIV treatment depends on many factors; patient adherence is one the most important indicators. In this study, we explored the potential barriers to an effective adherence antiretroviral therapy (ART) among the HIV-positive prisoners of Ghezel-Hesar prison, Iran. METHODS: To explore and identify the barriers toward ART adherence, a focus group discussion was held with six prisoners eligible for ART but rejected to be treated or did not retain on ART. The prisoners were recruited through purposive sampling method. All the words, behaviors and even body languages were precisely recorded and analyzed to reach the final results. RESULTS: The most reported obstacles toward ART adherence were the lack of trust in the effectiveness of medications and drug complications. Other reasons were inadequate nutrition, lack of amenities, social stigma, lack of economic and psychological support, misbehavior of prison staff and inadequate methadone prescription for those with opium addiction. CONCLUSION: Due to the results and the fact that adequate Methadone prescription for opium addiction, improving life quality and receiving emotional and medical support from staff could improve adherence to HIV medication in prisoners,comprehensive education of prisoners about their health condition along with staff education may improve the life condition of HIV infected prisoners and may cause dramatic improvement in ART adherence and prisoners health.
Subject(s)
Anti-Retroviral Agents/therapeutic use , HIV Infections , Prisoners , HIV Infections/drug therapy , Humans , Iran , Medication Adherence , Patient Compliance , PrisonsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The human immune system can be impaired due to lack of adherence to treatment among HIV positive patients. This is reflected in lower levels of CD4 count and incomplete viral suppression leading to the disease's progression and increased risks of opportunistic infections. Little is known about adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and Tuberculosis (TB) treatment and barriers to ART adherence faced by prisoners. Therefore, we conducted a study to evaluate adherence to ART, treatment of latent TB infection (LTBI), and TB treatment and barriers of ART adherence in the Great Tehran Prison in 2014. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a study to evaluate adherence to ART, latent TB infection treatment, and TB treatment via Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) among HIV positive patients in the Great Tehran Prison in 2014. Furthermore, we examined the barriers of adherence to ART through focus group discussions (FGDs) with 22 people living with HIV in the prison. RESULTS: The mean of adherence to ART, latent TB infection treatment, and TB treatment were 93.3%, 92.7% and 93.3%, respectively. Addiction, negative drug reactions, bad experiences with staffs, and psychosocial and nutritional problems were cited as the most common barriers to adherence. CONCLUSION: It is recommended to implement DOT for ART in Iranian prisons. In addition, through removing the barriers and implementation of DOT for ART, HIV positive prisoners can achieve a complete adherence.
