Green Cloud Provisioning Throughout Cooperation of a WDM Wide Area Network and a Hybrid Power IT Infrastructure

The paper focuses on cooperation between cloud and network operators, as well as on fitting particular routing strategies to various cloud services. Three cooperation models are presented, analyzed and compared in the paper: the proposed model and two widely used reference models. The main difference between the models is the set of information being exchanged between the involved parties. Additionally, we analyze the applicability of four fitting schemas for each considered model. It is shown that the proposed model, alongside with an appropriate fitting schema, is able to reduce the blocking probability of cloud services requests. At the same time, thanks to the use of green anycast strategies, it is able to significantly reduce carbon dioxide emission.     

Polymeric structure of coal. 2. Structure and thermoplasticity of sulphur-rich Raša lignite

The methods of reduction and reductive alkylation with potassium in tetrahydrofuran and sodium in liquid ammonia have been applied to sulphur-rich, highly fluid (in carbonization) Ra?a lignite. The results indicate that solubilization of coal by alkylation of the coal anion formed in liquid ammonia is a clean and defined process. It is concluded that the highly thermoplastic properties of Ra?a coal result mainly from cleavage of CSC(COC) bridges, low contents of OH and lack of SH groups. In contrast to ‘normal’ bituminous coals investigated until now and characterized by wide distribution of the molecular weight of clusters formed on cleavage of ether bridges, about 80% (w/w) of Ra?a lignite is built of units of almost uniform molecular weight (MW 500).     

Photo-oxidation of polystyrene film: 1. Photo-oxidation of polystyrene films with light absorbed by polymer

The photo-oxidation of polystyrene films irradiated with light absorbed by the polymer has been studied. The overall quantum yield of hydroperoxide as well as the relationship between the concentration of acetophenone-type carbonyl products and α,β-enone and diketone products were found. The spatial distribution of the different types of carbonyl products was investigated.     

Comparison of the effects of transfusions of cryopreserved and liquid-preserved platelets on hemostasis and blood loss after cardiopulmonary bypass

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to compare the clinical effects and hemostatic efficiency of transfusions of platelets preserved in the frozen state for as long as 2 years with transfusions of platelets preserved in the conventional manner for as long as 5 days in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass. METHODS: Seventy-three patients were prospectively randomly assigned to receive transfusions of cryopreserved or liquid-preserved platelets. Nonsurgical blood loss was measured during and after the operation. Bleeding time, hematologic variables, and the bleeding time site shed blood were assayed before cardiopulmonary bypass and at 30 minutes and 2, 4, and 24 hours after transfusion. In vitro platelet function tests were conducted on platelets obtained from healthy volunteers. RESULTS: No adverse sequelae of the transfusions were observed. Blood loss and the need for postoperative blood product transfusions were lower in the group receiving cryopreserved platelets. Lower posttransfusion platelet increments and a tendency toward decreased platelet survival were observed in patients receiving cryopreserved platelets. Hematocrit and plasma fibrinogen were significantly higher in this group, and the duration of intubation was shorter. In vitro, cryopreserved platelets demonstrated less aggregation, lower pH, and decreased response to hypotonic stress but generated more procoagulant activity and thromboxane. CONCLUSIONS: (1) Cryopreserved platelet transfusions are superior to liquid-preserved platelets in reducing blood loss and the need for blood product transfusions after cardiopulmonary bypass. (2) The reduction in blood loss in the patients receiving cryopreserved platelet transfusions after cardiopulmonary bypass probably reflects improved in vivo hemostatic function of cryopreserved platelets. (3) Some in vitro measures of platelet quality (aggregation, pH, hypotonic stress) may not reflect in vivo quality of platelet transfusions after cardiopulmonary bypass, whereas other in vitro measures (platelet procoagulant activity and thromboxane) do.     

Analysis of acoustic and optical signals used as a basis for controlling laser‐welding processes

Stud joints of 2017 aluminium alloy were friction welded and its joint strength was examined. A stair zone was formed at the weld interface. Although the hardness of the stair zone was almost the same as base metals, the heat-affected zone of the bar and the plate was softened. The tensile strength of joints tended to increase with a pressure and a friction time, and the highest tensile strength was 275 MPa (63.1% joint efficiency for the bar base metal). In the bending testing, joints were cracked in the weld zone at a bending angle of less than 5°. In the fatigue testing, joints fractured near the weld interface and the fatigue strength of joints increased as the tensile strength of joints was high.     

Simulation of Automated Dump Trucks for Large Scale Surface Mining Operations

Large-scale surface mining operations are increasingly employing large-capacity equipment for achieving economic bulk production. Syncrude and Suncor have recently acquired the CAT 797 (380-t rated) for oil sands haulage. The ownership and operating costs associated with these equipment are high, and thus, concrete efforts must be made to achieve reasonable returns on investors’ capital. In order to ensure high operating efficiency, research and technology have focused on automation and robotization applications in truck haulage. Automation and robotization of mining trucks present fundamental challenges in terms of off-highway truck dynamics. In this paper, the authors contribute to the body of knowledge by developing a robotization and stability control (RASC) model for operating dump trucks. The RASC model is developed using the Laplace and transfer functions. A FORTRAN-based simulation program, TRUX, has also been developed to facilitate the simulation and analysis of truck dynamics in the RASC model. The results show that the transfer functions of the front wheel, yaw rate and roll angle performed with respect to steering wheel angle yielded a good indication of automation. Simulated results compared well with test data with a significant peak ratio deviation in the first 5 seconds. Perturbations were observed in 5-20 sec range after which the system achieved stability.     

Proteasome Inhibitors with Photocontrolled Activity

Proteasome inhibitors are widely used in cancer treatment as chemotherapeutic agents. However, their employment often results in severe side effects, due to their non‐specific cytotoxicity towards healthy tissue. This problem might be overcome by using a photopharmacological approach, that is, by attaining external, dynamic, spatiotemporal photocontrol over the activity of a cytotoxic agent, achieved by the introduction of a photoswitchable moiety into its molecular structure. Here we describe the design, synthesis, and activity of photoswitchable proteasome inhibitors. Substantial differences in proteasome inhibitory activity in cell extracts were observed before and after irradiation with light. The presented results show potential for the development of chemotherapeutic agents that can be switched on and off with light, constituting a new strategy for spatiotemporally modulating proteasomal activity.