Enabling Interoperability among Grid Meta-Schedulers

The goal of Grid computing is to integrate the usage of computer resources from cooperating partners in the form of Virtual Organizations (VO). One of its key functions is to match jobs to execution resources efficiently. For interoperability between VOs, this matching operation occurs in resource brokering middleware, commonly referred to as the meta-scheduler or meta-broker. In this paper, we present an approach to a meta-scheduler architecture, combining hierarchical and peer-to-peer models for flexibility and extensibility. Interoperability is further promoted through the introduction of a set of protocols, allowing meta-schedulers to maintain sessions and exchange job and resource state using Web Services. Our architecture also incorporates a resource model that enables an efficient resource matching across multiple Virtual Organizations, especially where the compute resources and state are dynamic. Experiments demonstrate these new functional features across three distributed organizations (BSC, FIU, and IBM), that internally use different job scheduling technologies, computing infrastructure and security mechanisms. Performance evaluations through actual system measurements and simulations provide the insights on the architecture’s effectiveness and scalability.     

Particle swarm optimization algorithm driven by multichaotic number generator

In this paper, the utilization of different chaotic systems as pseudo-random number generators (PRNGs) for velocity calculation in the PSO algorithm are proposed. Two chaos-based PRNGs are used alternately within one run of the PSO algorithm and dynamically switched over when a certain criterion is met. By using this unique technique, it is possible to improve the performance of PSO algorithm as it is demonstrated on different benchmark functions.     

Selective extraction,structural characterisation and antifungal activity assessment of napins from an industrial rapeseed meal

This article reports an extraction–purification of napins from an industrial rapeseed meal and the assessment of their antimicrobial activity against Fusarium langsethiae. The best extraction conditions are observed at pH 2, 12% (w/w) of rapeseed meal after 15 min of extraction in water at room temperature. Under these conditions the extraction is highly selective, allowing a simple purification process (ammonium sulfate precipitation followed by desalting size exclusion chromatography) to get purified napins. These napins possessed significant anti-Fusarium activity (IC₅₀ = 70 μM) and a compact secondary structure rich in α-helix, which may explain this bioactivity.     

Geopolymers based on a coarse low-purity kaolin mineral: Mechanical strength as a function of the chemical composition and temperature

A coarse mineral with 70% kaolinite and 30% quartz was calcined and chemically activated by alkaline solutions of Na₂SiO₃ and NaOH. The compressive strength evolution was investigated as a function of the curing temperature at 20 and 80 °C, and the molar ratios of SiO₂/Al₂O₃ (2.64-4.04) and Na₂O/Al₂O₃ (0.62-1.54). For curing at 20 °C, the best composition was SiO₂/Al₂O₃ = 2.96 and NaO/Al₂O₃ = 0.62, reaching 85 MPa at 28 days. Curing at 80 °C had a positive effect on the strength development only in the first 3 days. X-ray diffraction of the geopolymeric formulations showed the formation of amorphous silicoaluminates of similar nature. The microstructure consisted of unreacted quartz and metakaolinite particles in a matrix of silicoaluminate polymer and condensed silica gel from the unreacted sodium silicate.     

Application of a multicriteria methodology for evaluation of energy alternatives for hydrogen production for the automotive sector – Case study

This paper presents a case study focusing on fourteen most used energy alternatives in Brazil, possible to feed large scale hydrogen production plants for the automotive sector. The evaluations are made using a Decision Making Support Method, MACBETH - Measuring Attractiveness by a Categorical Based Evaluation Technique, with the computational code M-MACBETH 3.2.0, using criteria that include economic and financial, technological, environmental and social aspects. The selected criteria that were used in the assessment, for each of the energy alternatives are capital to be invested in a plant, leveled cost of electric energy produced, CO₂ emissions, mortality rate due to the technology use and energy efficiency of technology. The main results obtained showed that photovoltaics off grid electric energy is the most attractive alternative, followed by the photovoltaic on grid alternative, for an eventual automotive hydrogen program in Brazil.     

Gd-Bi-M-Ce-O (M = Cu,Zr, Ni,Co, Mn) ceria-based solid solutions for low temperature CO oxidation

Ceria based solid solutions doped by Gd, Bi, and the third dopant were synthesized by the co-precipitation method with ultrasonic treatment, followed by calcination at the temperature of 500°С. Characterization of the synthesized nanosystems by XRD, TEM, TG, Raman spectroscopy, FTIR, XPS was carried out. It is shown that all obtained powders of solid solutions crystallized into a cubic structure of the fluorite type, with an average particle size of 5–15 nm. The samples had a mesoporous structure of the pore diameter of 2–5 nm. The catalytic activity of Gd-Bi-M-Ce-O (M = Cu, Zr, Ni, Co, Mn) solid solutions was carried out. The catalyst Gd_0.05Bi_0.15Mn_0.20Ce_0.60O₂ has the lowest oxidation temperature.