Performance evaluation of IaaS cloud using stochastic neural network

Cloud computing is an on-demand model that computes shared and dynamic resource availability in a remote or independent location. Cloud computing provides many services online to clients in a pay-as-you-go manner. Nowadays, many organizations use cloud computing techniques with the prime motive that cost can be reduced, and resources are dynamically allocated. Performance evaluation and measurement approaches for cloud computing help the cloud services consumer to evaluate their cloud system based on performance attributes. Although the researchers have proposed many techniques and approaches in this direction in past decades, none of them has attained widespread industrial benefit. This paper proposes a novel quality evaluation methodology named Stochastic Neural Net (SNN) to evaluate the cloud quality of Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). This model deeply measures the performance by considering every activity of the IaaS system. Based on their characteristics, these works suggest key QoS factors for individual parts and activities. The individual QoS metric makes the SNN methodology acquire accurate results regarding performance measurement. The performance evaluation result can be used to improve the cloud computing system. The proposed model is compared with other standard models. The experimental comparison shows that the proposed model is more efficient than other standard models.

Preparation, characterization and molecular modeling studies of the beta-cyclodextrin inclusion complex with benzoguanamine and its analytical application as chemosensor for the selective sensing of Ce4

The inclusion complex of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) with benzoguanamine (BGA) has been investigated in three states. UV-Visible and fluorescence spectral techniques are used in liquid state. FTIR, NMR and MASS techniques are used in solid state and virtual state studies are done by molecular simulation work. The binding constants for the formation of 1:1 BGA:β-CD inclusion complex is estimated by UV-Visible and fluorescence spectral techniques. The chemosensory ability of BGA:β-CD complex was investigated thoroughly for various metal cations and we found the emission of complex showed a linear increase in the intensity for Ce⁴⁺ with the linearity range of 1000 μM-2000 μM. Sensitivity analysis shows good sensing for Ce⁴⁺ with the LOD of 671 μM and LOQ of 2034 μM. Our result suggests that the BGA:β-CD inclusion complex would be promising material for developing solid state sensory device for sensing Ce⁴⁺.

Magneto-transport behaviour of Bi2Se3-xTex : role of disorder

Magneto-resistance and Hall resistance measurements have been carried out in fast-cooled single crystals of Bi2Se3-xTex (x  =  0 to 2) in 4-300 K temperature range, under magnetic fields up to 15 T. The variation of resistivity with temperature that points to a metallic behaviour in Bi2Se3, shows an up-turn at low temperatures in the Te doped samples. Magneto-resistance measurements in Bi2Se3 show clear signatures of Shubnikov-de Hass (SdH) oscillations that gets suppressed in the Te doped samples. In the Bi2SeTe2 sample, the magneto-resistance shows a cusp like positive magneto-resistance at low magnetic fields and low temperatures, a feature associated with weak anti-localisation (WAL), that crosses over to negative magneto-resistance at higher fields. The qualitatively different magneto-transport behaviour seen in Bi2SeTe2 as compared to Bi2Se3 is rationalised in terms of the disorder, through an estimate of the carrier density, carrier mobility and an analysis in terms of the Ioffe-Regel criterion with support from Hall Effect measurements. We demonstrate that by introducing Te, in the strongly disordered samples a smooth crossover of SdH and WAL can be seen in the Bi2Se3-xTex series, both of which provide signatures for the presence of topological surface states.

Structural investigations in BaFe(2-x)Ru(x)As2 as a function of Ru and temperature

We present the results of synchrotron X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements on powdered single-crystal samples of BaFe(2-x)Ru(x)As2, as a function of Ru content, and as a function of temperature, across the spin-density wave transition in BaFe(1.9)Ru(0.1)As2. The Rietveld refinements reveal that with Ru substitution, while the a-axis increases, the c-axis decreases. In addition, the variation of positional coordinates of As (z(As)), the Fe-As bond length and the As-Fe-As bond angles have also been determined. In the sample with x = 0.1, temperature-dependent XRD measurements indicate that the orthorhombicity shows the characteristic increase with a decrease in temperature, below the magnetic transition. It is seen that the c-axis, the As-Fe-As bond angles, Fe-As bond length and positional coordinates of the As show definite anomalies close to the structural transition. The observed anomalies in structural parameters are analysed in conjunction with restricted geometric optimization of the structure using ab initio electronic structure calculations.

Magnetic behavior of the metal organic framework [(CH3)2NH2]Co(HCOO)3

In this study we examine the phase transitions in single crystals of [(CH₃)₂NH₂]Co(HCOO)₃, using magnetization and specific heat measurements as a function of temperature and magnetic field.

57Fe Mössbauer studies across the spin density wave transition in BaFe2-xRuxAs2

Mössbauer measurements have been carried out in powdered single crystalline samples of BaFe(2-x)RuxAs(2), for Ru concentration in the x = 0.0-0.5 range. The internal hyperfine field (B(hf)) measured at 5 K is found to decrease with an increase in Ru concentration, consistent with the disappearance of a magnetic ground state with Ru substitution. The temperature dependent Mössbauer measurements have been used to study the evolution of magnetic ordering at the Fe sites, in samples with a Ru fraction of x = 0.1 and 0.5. From the analysis of the data, it is surmised that the isomer shift increases with a decrease in temperature, with a characteristic slope change at the structural transition in both samples studied. In both the x = 0.1 and x = 0.5 samples, a low B(hf) centred around 0.5 Tesla is seen to occur well above the structural transition temperature, the contribution from which is suppressed with a decrease in temperature. Below the structural transition temperature, a bimodal distribution of B(hf) centred at about 3 Tesla and 5 Tesla emerges, the contribution from which increases with a further decrease in temperature. Spin polarized density functional calculations suggest the occurrence of different magnetic moments at the Fe sites in the Ru substituted compounds, and provide a rationale for the experimentally observed multimodel B(hf).

Tunable resistivity in magnetic glass phase of Gd(1-x)Ca(x)BaCo2O5.5

We present magnetization and resistance measurements carried out on pristine and Ca-doped Gd(1-x)Ca(x)BaCo2O5.5 (x = 0.02) samples using the cooling and heating in unequal field (CHUF) protocol. The measurements reveal that the high temperature ferromagnetic phase is kinetically arrested at low temperature when the sample is cooled in a magnetic field. The volume fraction of this arrested phase increases upon Ca substitution and also by increasing the field in which the sample is cooled. Since the ferromagnetic phase is less resistive when compared to the low temperature antiferromagnetic phase, a tunable resistance is achieved in the sample by cooling in different magnetic fields. By cooling in magnetic fields of 9 T a reduction in resistivity by an order of magnitude is achieved. These results are consistent with the coexistence of the low temperature equilibrium antiferromagnetic phase with kinetically arrested high temperature ferromagnetic phase in the system.

Torsion of the fallopian tube and the haematosalpinx in perimenopausal women- a case report

An isolated fallopian tube torsion is a rare, often difficult to diagnose, but significant cause of acute lower abdominal pain in women of the reproductive age group. It is rare in the perimenopausal age group. We are presenting a literature review and the case of a 47 years old woman who presented with a sudden onset of acute lower abdominal pain . Her clinical examination revealed an 8x8 cm, tender, cystic mass in the left lower quadrant, with positive cervical movement tenderness. MRI revealed a gross hydrosalpinx with a small left ovarian cyst. With a diagnosis of left adnexal torsion, an emergency laparotomy was performed, which revealed an isolated left fallopian tube torsion which necessitated a left salpingo-oophorectomy. A tubal torsion should be suspected in females with acute lower abdominal pain, of any age group, especially in those with predisposing factors like pelvic infections, tumours and surgeries which include tubal ligation. Laparoscopy is the preferred modality for the diagnosis and treatment of a tubal torsion.

A prospective randomized comparative study of vicryl rapide versus chromic catgut for episiotomy repair

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

A significant number of women experience perineal trauma following vaginal deliveries and they require stitches. This may result in perineal pain, dyspareunia and faulty healing. The type of suture material which is used, will influence these factors. This study was conducted to compare the impact of two absorbable suture materials which were used for episiotomy repair, namely vicryl rapide and chromic catgut in relation to a short term maternal morbidity, in terms of the perineal pain and the wound healing.

METHODS

This was a prospective, randomized study which was conducted in the hospitals which were attached to JJMMC, Davangere. Four hundred women with episiotomies were randomly allocated to repair with either vicrylrapide or chromic catgut (200 each). The outcome measures which were assessed were perineal pain and wound healing at 24-48 hours, 3-5 days and 6 weeks postpartum.

RESULTS

The two groups were similar at the trial entry. As compared to the chromic catgut group, the vicryl rapide group was associated with less pain (32.5% vs 57%) and a less need for analgesia (15.5% vs 0.5) at 3-5 days. There was also a signifi- cant reduction in the wound indurations, uncomfortable stitches and wound dehiscence (4% vs 13.5%) and a better wound healing (p<0.05 significant) in the vicrylrapide group. No significant difference was noted in the perineal pain at 6 weeks postpartum. Wound infections (3.5%) and wound resuturing (2%) were seen in the chromic catgut group and they were absent in the vicrylrapide group.

INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSION

So, this study concluded that vicrylrapide was the ideal suture material for episiotomy repair, which resulted in less perineal pain and a better wound healing.

Efficient phyto-synthesis and structural characterization of rutile TiO2 nanoparticles using Annona squamosa peel extract

In the present study, the biosynthesis of rutile TiO(2) nanoparticles (TiO(2) NPs) was achieved by a novel, biodegradable and convenient procedure using fruit peel Annona squamosa aqueous extract. This is the first report on the new, simple, rapid, eco-friendly and cheaper methods for the synthesis of rutile TiO(2) NPs at lower temperature using agricultural waste. Rutile TiO(2) NPs were characterized by UV, XRD, SEM, TEM and EDS studies. The UV-Vis spectrophotometer results were promising and showed a rapid production of TiO(2) NPs with a surface plasmon resonance occurring at 284 nm. The formation of the TiO(2) NPs as observed from the XRD spectrum is confirmed to be TiO(2) particles in the rutile form as evidenced by the peaks at 2θ=27.42°, 36.10°, 41.30° and 54.33° when compared with the literature. The TEM images showed polydisperse nanoparticles with spherical shapes and size 23±2 nm ranges.

Synthesis, spectral characterization and larvicidal activity of acridin-1(2H)-one analogues

Acridin-1(2H)-one analogue of 7-chloro-3,4-dihydro-9-phenyl-2-[(pyridine-2yl) methylene] acridin-1(2H)-one, 5 was prepared by using 7-chloro-3,4-dihydro-9-phenylacridin-1(2H)-one, 3 and picolinaldehyde, 4 in the presence of KOH at room temperature. These compounds were characterized by analytical and spectral analyses. The purpose of the present study was to assess the efficacy of larvicidal and repellent activity of synthesized 7-chloro-3,4-dihydro-9-phenyl-acridin-1(2H)-one analogues such as compounds 3 and 5 against the early fourth instar larvae of filariasis vector, Culex quinquefasciatus and Japanese encephalitis vector, Culex gelidus (Diptera: Culicidae). The compound exhibited high larvicidal effects at 50mg/L against both the mosquitoes with LC(50) values of 25.02 mg/L (r(2)=0.998) and 26.40 mg/L (r(2)=0.988) against C. quinquefasciatus and C. gelidus, respectively. The 7-chloro-3,4-dihydro-9-phenyl-acridin-1(2H)-one analogues that are reported for the first time to our best of knowledge can be better explored for the control of mosquito population. This is an ideal ecofriendly approach for the control of Japanese encephalitis vectors, C. quinquefasciatus and C. gelidus.

The pressure induced insulator to metal transition in FeSb2

The evolution of the ground state properties of FeSb(2) has been investigated via temperature (4.2-300 K), magnetic field (0-12 T) and pressure (0-8.8 GPa) dependent electrical resistivity studies. The temperature dependence of the resistivity follows activated behavior in the high temperature (HT) regime (T > 60 K), while variable range hopping (VRH) dictates the transport in the intermediate temperature (IT) regime (10 K > T > 45 K) and power law behavior is observed in the low temperature (LT) regime (T < 10 K). The pressure profoundly affects the resistivity in all the temperature regimes. The energy gap (Δ) extracted in the HT regime initially increases with pressure and then decreases, while the VRH parameter T(0) deduced in the IT regime is seen to decrease monotonically and vanish beyond 5 GPa leading to an insulator to metal transition (MIT) on account of delocalization of the electronic states in the gap. The analysis of the logarithmic derivative of the conductivity indicates the MIT to occur at ~6 GPa. The magnetoresistivity is found to be positive. The analysis of the resistivity behavior under pressure and magnetic field indicates that the former induces delocalization, while the latter tends to assist localization of the defect states inside the gap of FeSb(2).

(75)As NMR study of antiferromagnetic fluctuations in Ba(Fe(1-x)Ru(x))(2)As(2)

The evolution of (75)As NMR parameters with composition and temperature was probed in the Ba(Fe(1-x)Ru(x))(2)As(2) system where Fe is replaced by isovalent Ru. While the Ru end member was found to be a conventional Fermi liquid, the composition (x = 0.5) corresponding to the highest T(c) (20 K) in this system shows an upturn in the (75)As [Formula: see text] below about 80 K, evidencing the presence of antiferromagnetic (AFM) fluctuations. These results are similar to those obtained in another system with isovalent substitution, BaFe(2)(As(1-x)P(x))(2) (Nakai et al 2010 Phys. Rev. Lett. 105 107003) and point to a possible role of AFM fluctuations in driving superconductivity.

High pressure studies on RuIn3 single crystal

Temperature- and pressure-dependent electrical resistivity studies have been carried out on RuIn(3) single crystal in the 4-300 K range at various pressures between 0 and 5 GPa. While intrinsic semiconducting behaviour is inferred at higher temperatures above 275 K, the low temperature resistivity is primarily dictated by impurity effects. An insulator to metal transition is observed in the low temperature regime around ∼ 1.2 GPa pressure. Band structure calculations show a monotonic decrease of energy gap from a value of 0.222 eV at 0 GPa to 0.167 eV at 8 GPa with increasing pressure, consistent with the experimental findings.

Tuberculoma of the liver

We report an isolated giant solid macronodular tuberculoma in an 8-year-old boy. A large-space-occupying lesion in the right lobe with nodular surface and hard consistency mimicked liver malignancy. This case is unusual as the ultrasonography, computed tomography scan, and aspiration cytology were all suggestive of a malignant tumor. Laparotomy confirmed a 15 × 10 cm nodular tumor present in the right lobe of liver. The segments 5, 6, 7, and 8 were excised. The histopathology revealed tuberculosis.

Npp106p, a Schizosaccharomyces pombe nucleoporin similar to Saccharomyces cerevisiae Nic96p, functionally interacts with Rae1p in mRNA export

To identify components of the mRNA export machinery in Schizosaccharomyces pombe, a screen was developed to identify mutations that were synthetically lethal with the conditional mRNA export allele rae1-167. Mutations defining three complementation groups were isolated, and here we report the characterization of npp106 (for nuclear pore protein of 106 kDa). This gene encodes a predicted protein that has significant similarity to the Nic96p nucleoporin of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Consistent with Npp106p being a nucleoporin, a functional green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged Npp106p localized to the nuclear periphery. In contrast to NIC96, the npp106 gene is not essential. Moreover, a delta npp106 mutant did not show cytoplasmic mislocalization of a simian virus 40 nuclear localization signal-GFP-LacZ reporter protein, and a fraction of cells had accumulation of poly(A)+ RNA in the nucleus. A consequence of the synthetic lethality between rae1-167 and npp106-1 was the accumulation of poly(A)+ RNA in the nucleus when cells were grown under synthetic lethal conditions. In addition to npp106-1, which is a nonsense mutation that truncates the protein at amino acid 292, the delta npp106 mutation was synthetically lethal with rae1-167, suggesting that the synthetic lethality is a consequence of the loss of a function of npp106. We further demonstrate that a region between amino acids 74 and 348 of Npp106p is required for complementation of the synthetic lethality. These results uncover a potential direct or indirect involvement of Npp106p in mRNA export.

The human RAE1 gene is a functional homologue of Schizosaccharomyces pombe rae1 gene involved in nuclear export of Poly(A)+ RNA

A Schizosaccharomyces pombe temperature-sensitive mutant, rae1-1, was previously identified by us as being defective in nuclear export of Poly(A)+ RNA when grown at restrictive temperature. Here, we report the isolation of the human homologue of the S. pombe rae1 gene. The RAE1 genes are highly conserved in evolution in both structure and function. The human RAE1 cDNA, when expressed from the CMV-promoter, can suppress partially the temperature sensitivity of the rae1-1 mutant. This is also reflected by increased Poly(A)+ RNA export at a restrictive temperature. An epitope tagged human Rae1p localizes to both the nucleus and the cytoplasm in transiently transfected HeLa cells. We discuss the potential role of Rae1p in nuclear cytoplasmic trafficking in yeast and higher eukaryotic cells.

Advancement through mitosis requires rae1 gene function in fission yeast

Growth of the rae1-1 mutant of Schizosaccharomyces pombe at restrictive temperature results in accumulation of poly(A)+ RNA in the nucleus and a cell cycle arrest at the G2/M boundary. We demonstrate here that rae1 function is required for a process other than mRNA export which is essential for advancement through mitosis. Cells lacking rae1 function arrest with elevated Cdc2p kinase levels at a step before the formation of a mitotic spindle and without separation of the spindle pole bodies. Rae1p was localized to the nuclear periphery, consistent with a role in nucleocytoplasmic trafficking, which could include protein import. We propose a model where rae1 functions in cell cycle progression through trafficking of proteins required for mitosis.

A mutation in the Schizosaccharomyces pombe rae1 gene causes defects in poly(A)+ RNA export and in the cytoskeleton

A collection of fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe conditional mutants was screened for defective nucleocytoplasmic transport of poly(A)+ RNA by fluorescence in situ hybridization. We identified a temperature-sensitive mutant that accumulated poly(A)+ RNA in the nucleus and have named it rae1-1, for ribonucleic acid export. All rae1-1 cells exhibit the defect in poly(A)+ RNA export within 30 min following a shift to the non-permissive temperature. In addition, in the rae1-1 mutant, actin and tubulin become disorganized, and cells undergo an irreversible cycle arrest. Results from experiments in which rae1-1 cells were arrested in various phases of the cell division cycle and then shifted to nonpermissive temperature suggest that cells are particularly vulnerable to loss of rae1 function during G2/M. However, the inability to export RNA from the nucleus to the cytoplasm was not limited to a particular phase of the cell division cycle. The rae1 gene was isolated by complementation and encodes a predicted protein of 352 amino acids with four beta-transducin/WD40 repeats.

Effect of pesticides on growth of rhizobia and their host plants during symbiosis

Effect of various pesticides (insecticides, fungicides and herbicides) has been studied on growth and efficiency of symbiotic properties of 3 fast growing Rhizobium sp. under green house conditions. The results revealed adverse effects on plant growth and nitrogen fixing capacity as measured by dry weight and total nitrogen content of plants infected with pesticide treated Rhizobium. Of the pesticides tested, herbicides were found to be more effective on the above parameters than the insecticides and fungicides.

Elimination of broad-host range plasmid vectors in Escherichia coli by curing agents

A comparative study was made of the susceptibility of broad-host range vector plasmids belonging to Inc P1 and Q groups in Escherichia coli to various curing agents. Plumbagin and SDS eliminated RP4 (Inc P1 group) plasmid whereas pKT231 (Inc Q) and pRK2013 (having ColE1 replicon) were eliminated by hexamine ruthenium (III) chloride, alpha-santonin, coumermycin A1 and cis-dichloro diamine platinum (II). The curing activity of these agents was specific.

Elimination of ColE1 group (pBR322 and pBR329) plasmids in Escherichia coli by alpha-santonin

alpha-Santonin, a compound extracted from the flower heads of Arthemisia maritima plant, was effective in elimination of small, multicopy, relaxed plasmids (pBR322 and pBR329 with CoLE1 origin of replication in Escherichia coli, whereas plasmids of IncF1, H1 and X group were totally refractory under similar conditions, suggesting that this agent was specific in curing the CoLE1 group of plasmids.