Cloud Computing provides a solution to enterprise applications in resolving their services at all level of Software, Platform, and Infrastructure. The current demand of resources for large enterprises and their specific requirement to solve critical issues of services to their clients like avoiding resources contention, vendor lock-in problems and achieving high QoS (Quality of Service) made them move towards the federated cloud. The reliability of the cloud has become a challenge for cloud providers to provide resources at an instance request satisfying all SLA (Service Level Agreement) requirements for different consumer applications. To have better collation among cloud providers, FLA (Federated Level Agreement) are given much importance to get consensus in terms of various KPI’s (Key Performance Indicator’s) of the individual cloud providers. This paper proposes an FLASLA Aware Cloud Collation Formation algorithm (FS-ACCF) considering both FLA and SLA as major features affecting the collation formation to satisfy consumer request instantly. In FS-ACCF algorithm, fuzzy preference relationship multi-decision approach was used to validate the preferences among cloud providers for forming collation and gaining maximum profit. Finally, the results of FS-ACCF were compared with S-ACCF (SLA Aware Collation Formation) algorithm for 6 to 10 consecutive requests of cloud consumers with varied VM configurations for different SLA parameters like response time, process time and availability.
Ultraviolet (UV) photodetectors (PDs) based on high-quality well-aligned ZnO nanorods (NRs) were fabricated using both modified and conventional chemical bath deposition (CBD) methods. The modified chemical bath deposition (M-CBD) method was made by adding air bubbles to the growth solution during the CBD process. The viability and effectiveness of M-CBD were examined by developing UV PDs based on ZnO NRs. The ZnO nano-seed layer was coated on a glass substrate utilizing radiofrequency (RF) sputtering. The impact of the different growth-times on morphology, growth rate, crystal structure, and optical and chemical properties were investigated systematically using different characterization techniques, such as field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, UV-VIS double beam spectrometer, and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), respectively. The Al/ZnO UV PDs based on ZnO nanorods were fabricated with optimum growth conditions through the two methods of preparation. This study showed that the synthesized ZnO NRs using the M-CBD method for different growth times possess better properties than the conventional method under similar deposition conditions. Despite having the highest aspect ratio and growth rate of ZnO NRs, which were found at 4 h growth duration for both methods, the aspect ratio of ZnO NRs using the M-CBD technique was comparatively higher than the conventional CBD method. Besides, the UV PDs fabricated by the M-CBD method at 5 V bias voltage showed high sensitivity, short response time, quick recovery time, high gain, low dark current, and high photocurrent compared with the UV PD device fabricated by the conventional CBD method.
This article presents data relating to the changes in absorbance of glucose during the acid hydrolysis of sugarcane bagasse using sulphuric acid. This dataset also contains the moisture content, volatile matter, and fixed carbon of the sugarcane bagasse. The results of the analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the interaction plots between reaction time, temperature, and ratio are also presented. The data revealed that absorbance of glucose is increasing by increasing the temperature and time. Moreover, the best ratio for the highest absorbance of glucose was achieved at 1:20.
Catalytic esterification of glycerol with oleic acid (OA) was optimized over hydrophobic mesoporous zirconia-silica heterogeneous acid catalyst (ZrO2-SiO2-Me&Et-PhSO3H) and benchmarked with commercial catalysts (Aquivion and Amberlyst 15) in order to examine the effect of catalyst acidity on conversion, yield and product selectivity. The process optimisation results showed an 80% conversion with a 59.4% glycerol mono-oleate (GMO) and 34.6% glycerol dioleate (GDO) selectivities corresponding to a combined GMO and GDO selectivity of 94.8% at equimolar OA-to-glycerol ratio, 160°C reaction temperature, 5 wt% catalyst concentration with respect to the OA weight and 4 h reaction time. This work reveals that the hydrophobic and mild acidic ZrO2-SiO2-Me&Et-PhSO3H catalyst outperformed Amberlyst 15 and Aquivion with a yield of 82% and GMO selectivity of 60%. It is found that catalyst acidity is a key parameter for catalytic activity and conversion rate. Nevertheless, high acidity/acid strength reduced the product yield in the glycerol esterification of OA.
This study investigates the changes in soldiers' brain executive function at different altitude environments and their relationship with blood oxygen saturation. Stratified sampling was conducted in different altitude 133 active-duty soldiers who were stationed in Weinan (347 m, n = 34), Nyingchi (2,950 m, n = 32), Lhasa (3,860 m, n = 33), and Nagqu (4,890 m, n = 34) for 2 years. The Go/NoGo paradigm with event-related potentials (ERPs) and event-related oscillations (EROs) was used to explore the time and neural oscillation courses of response inhibition. Behavioral results revealed that at the 4,890-m altitude area, the soldiers had the highest false alarm rate, the longest reaction time, and the slowest information transmission rate. The electrophysiological results revealed that NoGo-N2 and N2d decreased with increasing altitude, with significant changes at 3,860 m; the amplitudes of NoGo-P3 and P3d in plateau groups were significantly more negative than the plain and changed significantly at 2,950 m. The results of correlation analysis showed that NoGo-P3 was negatively correlated with altitude (r = -0.358, p = 0.000), positively correlated with SpO2 (r = 0.197, p = 0.041) and information translation rate (ITR) (r = 0.202, p = 0.036). P3d was negatively correlated with altitude (r = -0.276, p = 0.004) and positively correlated with ITR (r = 0.228, p = 0.018). N2d was negatively correlated with ITR (r = 0.204, p = 0.034). The power spectrum analysis of NoGo-N2 and NoGo-P3 showed that the power of δ and θ bands at the plateau area was significantly lower than the plain area and showed a significant step-by-step decrease; the α-band power increases significantly only in the area of 4,890 m. The effect of chronic hypoxia exposure at different altitudes of the plateau on the response inhibition of soldiers was manifested: 3,860 m was the altitude at which the brain response inhibition function decreased during the conflict monitoring stage, and 2,950 m was the altitude at which it dropped during the response inhibition stage. In addition, the soldier's brain's executive function was closely related to SpO2, and a reduction in SpO2 may lead to a decline in response inhibition.
Methoxylation is a relevant technological process applied in the production of high-value α-pinene derivatives. This report investigates the use of potassium alum [KAl(SO4)2 · 12H2O] as a catalyst in the methoxylation of α-pinene. In this study, the methoxylation reaction was optimized for the highest conversion of α-pinene and selectivity, assessed for the factors, catalyst loading (0.5; 1.0; and 1.5 g), volume ratio of α-pinene: methanol (1:4, 1:7, 1:10), reaction temperature (50, 55, 60 and 65 °C), and reaction time (72, 144, 216, 288, 360 min). The highest selectivity of KAl(SO4)2∙12H2O in the methoxylation of α-pinene was achieved under an optimal condition of 1 g of catalyst loading, volume ratio of 1:10, as well as the reaction temperature and incubation time of 65 °C and 6 h, respectively. GC-MS results revealed the yields of the methoxylated products from the 98.2% conversion of α-pinene, to be 59.6%, 8.9%, and 7.1% for α-terpinyl methyl ether (TME), fenchyl methyl ether (FME), bornyl methyl ether (BME), respectively. It was apparent that a lower KAl(SO4)2∙12H2O loading (0.5-1.5 g) was more economical for the methoxylation reaction. The findings seen here indicated the suitability of the KAl(SO4)2 · 12H2O to catalyze the methoxylation of α-pinene to produce an commercially important ethers.
The study investigates how working memory affects students' control of attention. A quasi-experimental research is conducted individually on 52 undergraduates of a public university in Malaysia, enrolled in various full-time undergraduate programmes, using Sternberg memory task and Task-switching tests. The reaction time is taken in milliseconds (ms) to differentiate the results for both tasks. The analysis revealed that when memory load was increased, reaction time also escalated. In the task-switching test, when one task was given at any one time, the reaction time was swift; however, when two or more tasks were integrated into one task, the reaction time would subsequently decelerated. Although the study also revealed that there is no significant difference between genders in terms of handling memory load and taskswitching. However, a significant relationship was observed in performances between memory load and task-switching. It is also evidenced in the study that when memory load increases, it compoundsthe reaction time for task-switching. Results from the study inform course instructors to be aware of cognitive load when chunking information and assigning tasks to students, as their decisions on content quantity bore an effect on what would be remembered when students learn.
Solvent flow reactor system was introduced into the extraction system to increase the system efficiency and enhance the extraction yield by adding fresh solvent during the extraction processes. The liquefaction experiment was carried out at various flow-rates (1, 3 and 5 ml/min), reaction times (30, 45 and 60 min) and reaction temperatures (300ºC, 350ºC, 400ºC, 420ºC and 450ºC) with tetralin as solvent. Despite the ability of adding fresh solvent into the extraction process, the conversion of oil+gas was still considered to be low as there was ~25% of coal extracts left to be converted into low molecular weight compounds. One possible option to increase the oil yield is by applying catalyst that will further break up the coal extracts into small molecular weight compounds. In this study, a second reactor was introduced consisting of catalyst (NiSiO2) assuming that the catalyst would interact more effectively with coal extracts rather than the coal itself. In the
absence of catalyst, the oil yield was 55%. By introducing the Ni catalyst, the oil yield increased by 15%. Further analysis of GCMS showed that the oil from catalytic liquefaction gave out more low molecular weight compounds in comparison to the un-catalytic liquefaction oil.
Finding relevant disaster data from a huge metadata overhead often results in frustrating search
experiences caused by unclear access points, ambiguous search methods, unsuitable metadata, and long response times. More frequently, semantic relation between the retrieved objects is neglected. This paper presents a system architecture that makes use of ontologies in order to enable semantic metadata descriptions for gathering and integrating multi-format documents in the context of disaster management. After a brief discussion on the challenges of the integration process, the Multi-format Information Retrieval, Integration and Presentation (MIRIP) architecture is presented. A specific approach for ontology development and mapping process is introduced in order to semantically associate user’s query and documents metadata. An ontology model approach was designed to follow inspirational and collaborative approaches with top-down to bottom-up implementation. A prototype of the integrated disaster management information system is currently under development, based on the architecture that is presented in this paper.
Crude rubber seed oil is a potential source for biofuel production. However it contains undesirable impurities such as peroxides and high oxidative components that not only affect the oil stability, colour and shelf-life but promote insoluble gums formation with time that could cause deposition in the combustion engines. Therefore to overcome these problems the crude rubber seed oil is refined by undergoing degumming and bleaching process. The effect of bleaching earth dosage (15-40 wt %), phosphoric acid dosage (0.5-1.0 wt %) and reaction time (20-40 min) were studied over the reduction of the peroxide value in a refined crude rubber seed oil. The analysis of variance shows that bleaching earth dosage was the most influencing factor followed by reaction time and phosphoric acid dosage. A minimum peroxide value of 0.1 milliequivalents/gram was achieved under optimized conditions of 40 wt % of bleaching earth dosage, 1.0 wt % of phosphoric acid dosage and 20 min of reaction time using Response Surface Methodology design.
The beneficial impact of the differential biofeedback intervention technique on modification in autonomic competence, as well as the ultimate impact on bilateral shooting ability, were studied on young and competitive male soccer players. A total of 45 young high-performing soccer players in the age range of 18 to 24 years were recruited. At first, the players were subjected to baseline evaluation of psychomotor (i.e., reaction time - RT), physiological (viz. resting heart-rate; VO2Max, electrical muscle potentiality, etc.), and psychobiological indices (such as skin conductance components - latency, amplitude and recovery time). Thereafter, they were equally categorized into: Control Group, Experimental Group I [who received skin conductance (Sc) biofeedback training], and Experimental Group II [who received electromyography (EMG) biofeedback intervention training]. Participants of the experimental groups were subjected to their respective interventions (Sc & EMG biofeedback intervention training), which were imparted for 24 sessions (15 mins/day; 2 days/week for 12 weeks). After six weeks of intervention, mid-term evaluation of all of the aforementioned parameters (assessed during baseline evaluation) was performed. Thereafter, intervention sessions continued following the identical protocol for six weeks. At the end of the 12th week, a post-intervention assessment on all of the psychological, psychomotor and psychobiological variables was carried out on all of the participants to verify the effect of training on dependent measures. Post-intervention analyses revealed improvements in physiological, psychobiological and performance parameters, which could be rationally attributed to the differential biofeedback therapeutic interventions introduced to the experimental groups. The outcome suggested that both interventions facilitated improvement in bilateral shooting ability, while indepth analyses clarified that a higher extent of autonomic recovery emerged as the most significant factor facilitating shooting ability in the experimental groups.
The study examined modified Fenton (FeGAC/H2O2) pretreatment of the antibiotics amoxicillin and cloxacillin in aqueous solution for biological treatment. The treatment was optimized by the response surface methodology (RSM). The optimum operating conditions at pH3 were H2O2/COD molar ratio 2.0, FeGAC dose 3.5 g/L and reaction time 90 min for 87.53% removal of COD, 78.01% removal of TOC, and 98.24% removal of NH3-N. Biodegradability (BOD5/COD ratio) improved from zero to 0.36, indicating the effluent was amenable to biological treatment. Meanwhile, FTIR spectra indicated degradation of the antibiotics. Compared with Fenton or photo-Fenton, modified Fenton (FeGAC/H2O2) was more effective in the pre-treatment of the antibiotics amoxicillin and cloxacillin in aqueous solution for biological treatment.
This study presents the sensitivity of graphene nanoribbon (GNR) when exposed to ammonia gas at room temperature. Alumina were used as a substrate and coated with GNR as sensing film for ammonia gas detection. Four different concentration of GNR in the category of maximum, high, low, and minimum were prepared. Each category of GNR will be dispersed on alumina substrate with area of 1cm2 and 4cm2. 30nm of gold contacts are sputtered on both ends of the sensing film. The ammonia gas can be detected by measuring the changes in resistance. The GNR as ammonia sensor shows good responses at room temperature. In repeatability test, maximum GNR shows least variation when exposed to ammonia with the value of 1.01% (4cm2) and 2.12% (1cm2). In a sensitivity test, 0.25% to 1.00% of ammonia gas was used and tested on maximum GNR. Maximum GNR on 4cm2 substrate shows higher sensitivity as compared to 1cm2. Reaction time of GNR on ammonia gas decreased as the concentration of ammonia increased. Larger surface area of sensing element required lesser reaction time.
This paper investigates the selectivity of GMA-based-non-woven fabrics adsorbent towards copper ion (Cu) functionalized with several aliphatic amines. The aliphatic amines used in this study were ethylenediamine (EDA), diethylenetriamine (DETA), triethylenetetramine (TETA), and tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA). The non-woven polyethylene/polypropylene fabrics (NWF) were grafted with glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) via pre-radiation grafting technique, followed by chemical functionalization with the aliphatic amine. To prepare the ion recognition polymer (IRP), the functionalized amine GMA-grafted-NWF sample was subjected to radiation crosslinking process along with the crosslinking agent, divinylbenzene (DVB), in the presence of Cu ion as a template in the matrix of the adsorbent. Functionalization with different aliphatic amine was carried out at different amine concentrations, grafting yield, reaction temperature, and reaction time to study the effect of different aliphatic amine onto amine density yield. At a concentration of 50% of amine and 50% of isopropanol, EDA, DETA, TETA, and TEPA had attained amine density around 5.12, 4.06, 3.04, and 2.56 mmol/g-ad, respectively. The amine density yield decreases further as the aliphatic amine chain grows longer. The experimental condition for amine functionalization process was fixed at 70% amine, 30% isopropanol, 60 °C for grafting temperature, and 2 h of grafting time for attaining 100% of grafting yield (Dg). The prepared adsorbents were characterized comprehensively in terms of structural and morphology with multiple analytical tools. An adsorptive removal and selectivity of Cu ion by the prepared adsorbent was investigated in a binary metal ion system. The IRP samples with a functional precursor of EDA, the smallest aliphatic amine had given the higher adsorption capacity and selectivity towards Cu ion. The selectivity of IRP samples reduces as the aliphatic amine chain grows longer, EDA to TEPA. However, IRP samples still exhibited remarkably higher selectivity in comparison to the amine immobilized GMA-g-NWF at similar adsorption experimental conditions. This observation indicates that IRP samples possess higher selectivity after incorporation of the ion recognition imprint technique via the radiation crosslinking process.
The dataset presented here are part of the data planned to produce biodiesel from flaxseed. Biodiesel production from flaxseed oil through transesterification process using KOH as catalyst, and the operating parameters were optimized with the help of face-centered central composite design (FCCD) of response surface methodology (RSM). The operating independent variables selected such as, methanol oil ratio (4:1 to 6:1), catalyst (KOH) weight (0.40-1.0%), temperature (35 °C-65 °C), and reaction time (30 min-60 min) were optimized against biodiesel yield as response. The maximum yield (98.6%) of biodiesel from flaxseed can achieved at optimum methanol oil ratio (5.9:1), catalyst (KOH) weight (0.51%), reaction temperature (59.2 °C), and reaction time (33 min). The statistical significance of the data set was tested through the analysis of variance (ANOVA). These data were the part of the results reported in "Optimization of process variables for biodiesel production by transesterification of flaxseed oil and produced biodiesel characterizations" Renewable Energy [1].
The transesterification of Thevetia peruviana seed oil with dimethyl carbonate (DMC) for preparing biodiesel has been studied using as an active catalyst potassium-methoxide (KOCH3). The effects of reaction conditions: Molar ratio of dimethyl carbonate to Thevetia peruviana seed oil, catalyst concentration, reaction time and agitation speed on dimethyl esters (DMC-Tp-BioDs) yield were investigated. The highest DMC-Tp-BioDs yield could reach 97.1% at refluxing temperature for 90 min with molar ratio of DMC-to-oil 5:1 and 2.0% w/w KOCH3 (based on oil weight). The fuel properties of the produced DMC-Tp-BioDs were compared with the ASTM D6751-02 biodiesel standard.
The present study investigated the use of modified titanium dioxide (TiO2) based photocatalytic degradation (PCD) process for the removal of some critical charged aqueous phase pollutants. First of all, the use of Nafion TiO2 (Nf-TiO2) and silica TiO2 (Si-TiO2) for the removal of aqueous phase ammonia (NH4+/NH3) species employing near UV lamp as energy source was studied. The use of Nf-TiO2 enhanced NH4+/NH3 PCD with optimum removal noted for 1 mL of Nafion solution coating per g of TiO2 and respective overall NH4+/NH3 removal was about 1.7 times higher compared to plain TiO2 at 6 h reaction time. Similarly the 0.5 mL silica solution coating per g TiO2 sample, also enhanced NH4+/NH3 removal with optimum efficiency similar to Nf-TiO2. The results from effect of ammonia concentration on to its PCD using Nf-TiO2 indicated that overall mass based NH4+/NH3 removal was higher at greater NH4+/NH3 amounts indicating high efficiency of Nf-TiO2. Similar trends were noted for Si-TiO2 as well. Furthermore, the results from modified TiO2 and mixed NH4+/NH3 and cyanide (CN-) systems indicated successful removal of co-pollutant CN- along with simultaneous degradation of NH4+/NH3 species at rates that were still higher than plain TiO2. Nevertheless application of Nf-TiO2 for the treatment of cationic dye methylene blue (MB) indicated slower MB removal compared to plain TiO2 though significant MB degradation using Nf-TiO2 could still be achieved at pH3. Additionally the results from solar radiation energized PCD process indicated positive role of solar radiation for the removal of NH4+/NH3 species under a varying set of conditions.
Levulinic acid (LA) is one of biomass derived building block chemicals with various applications. Catalytic esterification
of LA with alkyl alcohol produces levulinate ester which can be applied as fragrance, flavouring agents, as well as fuel
additives. In this study, a series of sulfated silica (SiO2
) catalyst was prepared by modification of SiO2
with sulfuric acid
(H2
SO4
) at different concentrations; 0.5 M to 5 M H2
SO4
. The catalysts were characterized, and tested for esterification
of LA with ethanol to ethyl levulinate (EL). The effect of various reaction parameters including reaction time, catalyst
loading and molar ratio of LA to ethanol on esterification of LA to EL were inspected. The catalyst with high concentration
of acid sites seemed suitable for LA esterification to EL. Among the sulfated SiO2
catalysts tested (0.5 M-SiO2
, 1 M-SiO2
,
3 M-SiO2
and 5 M-SiO2
), 3 M-SiO2
exhibited the highest performance with the optimum EL yield of 54% for reaction
conducted at reflux temperature for 4 h, 30% 3 M-SiO2
loading and LA to ethanol molar ratio of 1:20. Besides, the
reusability of 3 M-SiO2
catalyst for LA esterification with ethanol was examined for five cycles. Esterification of LA with
methanol and 1-butanol were also carried out for methyl levulinate (ML) and butyl levulinate (BL) productions with 69%
and 40% of ML and BL yields, respectively. This study demonstrates the potential of sulfated SiO2
catalyst for levulinate
ester production from LA at mild process condition.
Many tests are available for the diagnosis of H. pylori infection. Broadly they can be divided into invasive- endoscopy biopsy based tests and non-invasive tests. Of the endoscopy biopsy based tests the rapid urease tests (RUT) have been found to be the most convenient, accurate and inexpensive tests and they have therefore been recommended by several consensus panels and working parties as the test of choice during endoscopy. Several RUTS are available; some are commercial: CLO test, Pyloritek, Helicobacter urease test, H. yylori test and others- "homemade". We strongly recommend the "homemade" 1 min rapid urease test using an unbuffered solution as originally described by Arvind et al. This test has been shown to be easy to prepare, inexpensive and accurate on field-testing. Several factors affect the accuracy of the RUT. The larger the size of biopsy samples, the quicker is the postive reaction time. With the CLO test, warming the tests to 37'C has also been shown to hasten the reaction time. The effect of blood on the RUT poses an important problem in testing. It is vitally important to determine the H. yylori status in patients with bleeding peptic ulcers as the recurrence of bleeding has been shown to be markedly reduced or virtually abolished with H. yylori eradication. While the results of studies have not been entirely consistent, it is likely that presence of blood does reduce the sensitivity of the RUT. It is therefore sensible that in patients with bleeding ulcers, the RUT should not be the sole endoscopy biopsy test used and that samples should also be taken for histological examination.
Inhibition of return is characterized by delayed responses to previously attended locations when the interval between stimuli is long enough. The present study employed steady-state visual evoked potentials (SSVEPs) as a measure of attentional modulation to explore the nature and time course of input- and output-based inhibitory cueing mechanisms that each slow response times at previously stimulated locations under different experimental conditions. The neural effects of behavioral inhibition were examined by comparing post-cue SSVEPs between cued and uncued locations measured across two tasks that differed only in the response modality (saccadic or manual response to targets). Grand averages of SSVEP amplitudes for each condition showed a reduction in amplitude at cued locations in the window of 100-500 ms post-cue, revealing an early, short-term decrease in the responses of neurons that can be attributed to sensory adaptation, regardless of response modality. Because primary visual cortex has been found to be one of the major sources of SSVEP signals, the results suggest that the SSVEP modulations observed were caused by input-based inhibition that occurred in V1, or visual areas earlier than V1, as a consequence of reduced visual input activity at previously cued locations. No SSVEP modulations were observed in either response condition late in the cue-target interval, suggesting that neither late input- nor output-based IOR modulates SSVEPs. These findings provide further electrophysiological support for the theory of multiple mechanisms contributing to behavioral cueing effects.