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Butterfly optimization algorithm (BOA) is an interesting bio-inspired algorithm that uses a nature inspired simulation model, based on the food foraging behavior of butterflies. A common problem with BOA is that in early stages of simulation process, it may converge to sub-optimal solutions due to the loss of diversity in its population. The sensory modality is the critical parameter which is responsible for searching new solutions in the nearby regions. In this work, an adaptive butterfly optimization algorithm is proposed in which a novel phenomenon of changing the sensory modality of BOA is employed during the optimization process in order to achieve better results in comparison to traditional BOA. The proposed Adaptive butterfly optimization algorithm (ABOA) is tested against seventeen standard bench mark functions. Its performance is then compared against existing standard optimization algorithms, namely artificial bee colony, firefly algorithm and standard butterfly optimization algorithm. The results indicate that the proposed adaptive BOA with improved parameter calculation mechanism produces superior results in terms of convergence and achievement of the global optimal solution efficiently.

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In this paper we report the modeling and experimental measurements for optical control of a microstrip load and λg/4 stub fabricated on high‐resistivity silicon substrate. We present the basic circuit model of a photoinduced or optical load created by a laser spot at the end of an open microstrip line. The modeled optical load has been used to simulate reflections at open microstrip line terminated by the optical load. The results obtained by both simulation and measurement show that an optical load created at the open termination of a microstrip line can control the reflection parameter of the line. A similar optical load created at the end of an open λg/4 stub on a microstrip line has been shown to control the transmitted power at the design frequency. The measurement results compare well with those predicted by both a simple circuit simulation and a simulation carried out on the Ansoft Maxwell simulator using a termination obtained by an equivalent circuit model of the optical load. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 39: 271–276, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.11188

INTRODUCTION: This study explores the nurses' views on need for professional development and barriers in Nepal. METHODS: This is a qualitative content analysis study conducted among nurses from different health institutes. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were used to obtain their views on need of professional development and major barriers against professional development in Nepal. Eleven nurses for in-depth interviews and three groups of six nurses each for focus group discussions were selected purposefully from Kathmandu University Hospital, Dhulikhel and Tribhuban University Teachng Hospital, Kathmnadu. RESULTS: Five themes emerged from qualitative data. "Continuing professional development", "supportive management", "nursing leadership", "recognition and respect" and "professional networking" were considered as essential factors for professional development. Lack of "commitment by the nurses", "female gender professional" and "lack of autonomy" were felt as barriers for the nursing professioanl development. CONCLUSIONS: Continuing professional development and supportive working environment are crucial to make nursing profession more dynamic and appealing in Nepal. Keywords: continuing professional development, professional development, supportive managment