An agent‐based workflow scheduling mechanism with deadline constraint on hybrid cloud environment

Summary

With the advances of cloud computing, business and scientific‐oriented jobs with certain workflows are increasingly migrated to and run on a variety of cloud environments. These jobs are often with the property of deadline constraint and have to be completed within limited time. Therefore, to schedule a job with workflow (short for workflow) with deadline constraint is increasingly becoming a crucial research issue. In this paper, we, based on previous work, propose an agent‐based workflow scheduling mechanism to schedule workflows that are with deadline constraint into federated cloud environment.

Design and Methods

We add a workflow agent into the original framework to schedule the deadline‐constraint workflow. The workflow agent can smoothly schedule workflows to the cloud system according to their required resource and automatically monitor their execution. In order to accurately predict the execution time of each task to meet deadline constraint on certain VM with given resource, we inherit the use of rough set theory to estimate execution time of task in our previous work.

Result and Discussion

A heuristic algorithm that is embedded into the workflow agent is also proposed because the problem had been shown to be NP‐complete. The mechanism also adopts dynamic job dispatching method to reduce the usage of VM and to improve the resource utilization. We also conducted experiments to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness.

Conclusion

The experimental results show that the prediction time is very close to the real execution time and can efficiently schedule multiple scientific workflows to meet the deadline constraints simultaneously.     

The associate impact of individual internal experiences and reference groups on buying behavior: A case study of animations,comics, and games consumers

Among the entertainment and media market, it can be observed that animations, comics, and video games (hereinafter abbreviated as ACG) have the highest output value and most market influence. Moreover, ACG also incorporates various industries and creates many derivative products. As the ACG industry emphasizes acousto-optics, imagery, and storylines, personal impressions derived from consumer experiences will influence consumer decisions. In addition, the ACG industry is mainly marketed towards younger age groups, with younger people being the main consumers; as such, these consumers’ decisions are more easily affected by peer behavior.This study aims to analyze the effects of internal cognitions and external influences on buying behavior of ACG consumers by applying the uncomplicated decision tree data mining algorithm. We analyze and develop the target attributes on measures of customer loyalty for ACG industry to set up the decision trees from the collected questionnaire data. The decision tree data mining method is applied to analyze the hidden association rules between the target attributes (i.e., consumer loyalty) and the critical influencing factors of consumer’s internal impressions and external influences for ACG consumers. The results and suggestions of this paper can be used as a reference for enterprises in the ACG industry to help with business policies concerning products’ extensional design, marketing, and CRM, and to further strengthen customer satisfaction and loyalty, thus increasing company profits.     

Side-polished multimode fiber biosensor based on surface plasmon resonance with halogen light

A side-polished multimode fiber sensor based on surface plasmon resonance (SPR) as the transducing element with a halogen light source is proposed. The SPR fiber sensor is side polished until half the core is closed and coated with a 37 nm gold thin film by dc sputtering. The SPR curve on the optical spectrum is described by an optical spectrum analyzer and can sense a range of widths in wavelengths of SPR effects. The measurement system using the halogen light source is constructed for several real-time detections that are carried out for the measurement of the index liquid detections for the sensitivity analysis. The sensing fiber is demonstrated with a series of refractive index (RI) liquids and set for several experiments, including the stability, repeatability, and resolution calibration. The results for the halogen light source with the resolution of the measurement based on wavelength interrogation were 3 x 10(-6) refractive index units (RIUs). The SPR dip shifted in wavelength is used as a measure of the RI change at a surface, and this RI change varies directly with the number of biomolecules at the surface. The SPR dip shift in wavelength, which was hybridized at 0.1 microM of the target DNA to the probe DNA, was 8.66 nm. The all-fiber multimode SPR sensor, which has the advantages of being low cost, being disposable, having high stability and linearity, being free of labeling, and having potential for real-time detection, permit the sensor and system to be used in biochemical sensing and environmental monitoring.     

Joint synchronization in Eureka 147 DAB system based on abruptphase change detection

We present a joint symbol, frame, and carrier synchronization method for the Eureka 147 DAB signal. Symbol timing is determined first by detecting an abrupt change in the phase angle of the complex product between the last quarter of a useful symbol and its cyclic extension in the guard interval. The detection of this abrupt change is based an the maximal likelihood (hit) principle. Frequency offset of fractional carrier spacing is estimated from the phase angle of the autocorrelation after symbol timing is estimated. Coarse frame synchronization and null symbol detection can also be achieved through this correlation information. Frequency offset of integral carrier spacing is determined from the convolution outputs between a received phase reference symbol and several locally generated but frequency-shifted phase reference symbols. We found the length of a guard interval is the most important parameter for the synchronization algorithm to work. Simulation results show that the performance of this synchronization method approaches to the ideal synchronization case in both an additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channel and a two-path Rayleigh fading channel     

Accurate modeling and parameter extraction for MOS transistorsvalid up to 10 GHz

Accurate modeling and efficient parameter extraction of the small signal equivalent circuit of submicrometer MOS transistors for high-frequency operation are presented. The equivalent circuit is based on a quasi-static approximation which was found to be adequate in the gigahertz range if the extrinsic components are properly modeled. It includes the complete intrinsic quasi-static MOS model, the series resistances of gate, source, and drain, and a substrate coupling network. Direct extraction is performed by Y-parameter analysis on the equivalent circuit in the linear and saturation regions of operation. The extracted results are physically meaningful and can be used to “de-embed” the extrinsic effects such as the substrate coupling within the device. Good agreement has been obtained between the simulation results of the equivalent circuit and measured data up to 10 GHz     

Triflavin potentiates the antiplatelet activity of platelet activating factor receptor antagonist on activated neutrophil-induced platelet aggregation

In this study, specific platelet activating factor (PAF) receptor antagonist ginkgolide B (BN52021) was tested for its antiplatelet activity in zymosan activated polymorphonuclear neutrophil-induced platelet aggregation. Triflavin was also tested for its antiplatelet activity compared with PAF receptor antagonist. Triflavin, an Arg-Gly-Asp-containing disintegrin purified from venom peptide inhibited platelet aggregation by interfering with the interaction of fibrinogen with the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa complex. Furthermore, we also report an efficient high resolution method for quantitative analysis of PAF using high-performance capillary electrophoresis (HPCE). The supernatant of polymorphonuclear neutrophils after their activation by opsonized zymosan induces the aggregation of washed rabbit platelets. In rabbit platelets, BN52021 (100-1000 microM) only partially inhibited activated polymorphonuclear neutrophil-induced platelet aggregation, and its maximal inhibition was estimated to be about 79%. Triflavin also partially inhibited platelet aggregation about 82% induced by activated polymorphonuclear neutrophils. Furthermore, after treatment with a combination of triflavin (0.26 microM) with various concentrations of BN52021 (4-1000 microM), the inhibitory effect of platelet aggregation was almost completely. This inhibition was greater than that produced by the individual drugs alone. These results indicate that a combination of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa complex and PAF receptor antagonist could completely inhibit activated polymorphonuclear neutrophil-induced platelet aggregation. In addition, the amount of PAF released from zymosan (6 mg/ml)-activated polymorphonuclear neutrophils was accurately calculated about 11.8+/-1.5 ng/10(6) cells, and did not further increase even at a high concentration of zymosan (10 mg/ml). These results suggest that PAF play a major role in the interaction between platelets and polymorphonuclear neutrophils. This interaction may be important in the pathogenesis of thrombosis and inflammatory diseases. Our present findings support the hypothesis that combination therapy with glycoprotein IIb/IIIa complex antagonists and PAF receptor antagonists may represent a new approach to the treatment of ischemic disorders.     

Opportunity-based age replacement policy with minimal repair

This paper proposes an opportunity-based age replacement policy with minimal repair. The system has two types of failures. Type I failures (minor failures) are removed by minimal repairs, whereas type II failures are removed by replacements. Type I and type II failures are age-dependent. A system is replaced at type II failure (catastrophic failure) or at the opportunity after age T, whichever occurs first. The cost of the minimal repair of the system at age z depends on the random part C(z) and the deterministic part c(z). The opportunity arises according to a Poisson process, independent of failures of the component. The expected cost rate is obtained. The optimal T^* which would minimize the cost rate is discussed. Various special cases are considered. Finally, a numerical example is given.     

Bioactive Chemical Constituents from the Brown Alga Homoeostrichus formosana

A new chromene derivative, 2-(4'',8''-dimethylnona-3''E,7''-dienyl)-8-hydroxy-2,6-dimethyl-2H-chromene (1) together with four known natural products, methylfarnesylquinone (2), isololiolide (3), pheophytin a (4), and β-carotene (5) were isolated from the brown alga Homoeostrichus formosana. The structure of 1 was determined by extensive 1D and 2D spectroscopic analyses. Acetylation of 1 yielded the monoacetylated derivative 2-(4'',8''-dimethylnona-3''E,7''-dienyl)-8-acetyl-2,6-dimethyl-2H-chromene (6). Compounds 1–6 exhibited various levels of cytotoxic, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory activities. Compound 2 was found to display potent in vitro anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting the generation of superoxide anion (IC₅₀ 0.22 ± 0.03 μg/mL) and elastase release (IC₅₀ 0.48 ± 0.11 μg/mL) in FMLP/CB-induced human neutrophils.     

Production of fructooligosaccharides by immobilized mycelium of Aspergillus japonicus

β-Fructofuranosidase (EC 3.2.1.26) in Aspergillus japonicus mycelium was immobilized by entrapment in calcium alginate gel. After immobilization, the enzyme was active over a wider pH range, and had improved thermostability. The total amount of fructooligosaccharides produced by immobilized enzyme was similar to that produced by a free enzyme system. A packed-bed reactor was employed for production of fructooligosaccharides at 42°C using the immobilized enzyme. The reactions were continued for 35 days and only 17% of enzyme activity was lost during this period.     

Kevlar fiber–epoxy adhesion and its effect on composite mechanical and fracture properties by plasma and chemical treatment

Kevlar 49 fibers were surface-modified by NH₃-, O₂-, and H₂O-plasma etching and chlo-rosulfonation and subsequent reaction with some reagents (glycine, deionized water, eth-ylendeiamine, and 1-butanol) to improve the adhesion to epoxy resin. After these treatments, the changes in fiber topography, chemical compositions of the fiber surfaces, and the surface functional groups introduced to the surface of fibers were identified by SEM, XPS, and static SIMS. Interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) and T-peel strenght between the fiber and opoxy resin, as measured by the short-beam test and T-peel test, were remarkedly improved by gas plasma and chlorosulfonation (0.1% and 0.25% CISO₃H at 30 s). However, from the results of similar G_IC values of the treated and untreated fiber composites, it is clear that the fiber/matrix interfacial bond strength is only a minor contributor to G_IC. SEM was also used to study the surface topography of the fracture surfaces of composites in T-peel test. It could be seen from SEM observations that the improvement of fiber/matrix interfacial bond strength often accompanied a change in fracture mode from the interface of fiber/epoxy resins to the fiber fibrillation and the resins. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.