Novel resource allocation algorithms to performance and energy efficiency in cloud computing

The rapid growth in demand for computational power has led to a shift to the cloud computing model established by large-scale virtualized data centers. Such data centers consume enormous amounts of electrical energy. Cloud providers must ensure that their service delivery is flexible to meet various consumer requirements. However, to support green computing, cloud providers also need to minimize the cloud infrastructure energy consumption while conducting the service delivery. In this paper, for cloud environments, a novel QoS-aware VMs consolidation approach is proposed that adopts a method based on resource utilization history of virtual machines. Proposed algorithms have been implemented and evaluated using CloudSim simulator. Simulation results show improvement in QoS metrics and energy consumption as well as demonstrate that there is a trade-off between energy consumption and quality of service in the cloud environment.     

Fusing the information in visible light and near-infrared images for iris recognition

Automated human identification is a significant issue in real and virtual societies. Iris is a suitable choice for meeting this goal. In this paper, we present an iris recognition system that uses images acquired in both near-infrared and visible lights. These two types of images reveal different textural information of the iris tissue. We demonstrated the necessity to process both VL and NIR images to recognize irides. The proposed system exploits two feature extraction algorithms: one is based on 1D log-Gabor wavelet which gives a detailed representation of the iris region and the other is based on 1D Haar wavelet which represents a coarse model of iris. The Haar wavelet algorithm is proposed in this paper. It makes smaller iris templates than the 1D log-Gabor approach and yet achieves an appropriate recognition rate. We performed the fusion at the match score level and examined the performance of the system in both verification and identification modes. UTIRIS database was used to evaluate the method. The results were compared with other approaches and proved to have better recognition accuracy, while no image enhancement technique is utilized prior to the feature extraction stage. Furthermore, we demonstrated that fusion can compensate the lack of input image information, which can be beneficial in reducing the computation complexity and handling non-cooperative iris images.     

Hierarchical 3D starfish-like Ni3S4–NiS on reduced graphene oxide for high-performance supercapacitors

In this research, Ni₃S₄–NiS with starfish morphology was synthesized with a simple hydrothermal method and then hybridized with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) as a material for high-performance supercapacitors. The crystal structure and morphology of the as-prepared materials were studied by X-ray diffraction spectroscopy and electron microscopy. Uniform distribution of Ni₃S₄–NiS on rGO was observed from electron microscopy images. The results showed that Ni₃S₄–NiS/rGO with a specific capacitance of 1578 Fg^-1 and discharge time of 603 s at the current density of 0.5 Ag^-1 has more capacity and stability relative to Ni₃S₄–NiS. The cyclic stability after 5000 cycles showed that the Ni₃S₄–NiS/rGO electrode is stable, and 91% of its corresponding initial capacitance retained at the end of 5000 cycles. The good results in capacitance and stability of this electrode can be regarded as an improvement for the development of highly efficient and economic supercapacitors for portable electronic devices.     

PHENOLIC WASTEWATER TREATMENT BY SUPPORTED LIQUID MEMBRANE USING DIFFERENT COOKING OILS AS LIQUID MEMBRANE

Transport of phenol through a flat sheet supported liquid membrane (SLM) containing cooking oil as liquid membrane (LM) was investigated. Factors affecting permeation of phenol such as membrane phase, support material, feed phase pH, stripping phase concentration, stirring speed, and initial concentration of phenol were studied. It was found that these parameters strongly influence phenol removal efficiency; PTFE membrane as support material, grape seed oil as liquid membrane, feed pH of 2.0, initial phenol concentration of 100 mg/L, stirring speed of 350 rpm, and 0.2 M sodium hydroxide as effective stripping agent were found as the best conditions for greater phenol transport. Under these conditions, permeability was found to be 7.46 × 10^?6 m/s. After 10.5 h, phenol was completely removed from the feed phase to strip phase. According to stability experiments, it was observed that the SLM is stable after 22 h. Thus, the use of cheap, nontoxic, and naturally oil as a novel and green membrane for recovery of phenol from wastewater was demonstrated.     

Modelling-based Optimisation of the Direct Synthesis of Dimethyl Ether from Syngas in a Commercial Slurry Reactor

In the present study, we developed a multi-component one-dimensional mathematical model for simulation and optimisation of a commercial catalytic slurry reactor for the direct synthesis of dimethyl ether (DME) from syngas and CO₂, operating in a churn-turbulent regime. DME productivity and CO conversion were optimised by tuning operating conditions, such as superficial gas velocity, catalyst concentration, catalyst mass over molar gas flow rate (W/F), syngas composition, pressure and temperature. Reactor modelling was accomplished utilising mass balance, global kinetic models and heterogeneous hydrodynamics. In the heterogeneous flow regime, gas was distributed into two bubble phases: small and large. Simulation results were validated using data obtained from a pilot plant. The developed model is also applicable for the design of large-scale slurry reactors.     

Effect of laser preparation on adhesion of a self‐adhesive flowable composite resin to primary teeth

The aim of the study was to evaluate the adhesion of a self‐adhering flowable composite resin to primary tooth enamel and dentin after silicon carbide paper (SiC) and laser pretreatment. Adhesive properties were evaluated as shear bond strength (SBS) and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) characteristics. A total 120 primary canine teeth were randomly divided into two groups to study enamel and dentin. Each group was divided into 6 subgroups (n = 10) according to type of surface preparation (SiC or Er:YAG laser) of enamel or dentin. Three methods were used to build cylinders of restoration on tooth surface: OptiBond All‐In‐One + Premise Flowable composite, OptiBond All‐In‐One + Vertise Flow and Vertise flow. After restoration, samples were tested for SBS and failure mode. Twenty eight samples were examined by SEM. The results of the study showed SBS of Vertise Flow was lower than others in enamel and dentin samples pretreated with SiC and in dentin samples pretreated with laser (P < 0.001). Compared to SiC pretreatment, laser pretreatment led to a significantly higher SBS with Vertise Flow on enamel (P < 0.001). Vertise Flow associated with the adhesive led to a higher SBS in enamel and dentin compared to Vertise Flow alone. Adhesive and mixed failure modes were observed more frequently in Vertise Flow groups. SEM images showed that Vertise Flow led to more irregularities on enamel and more open dentinal tubules after laser ablation compared SiC pretreatment. Microsc. Res. Tech. 79:334–341, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Annual variation of deoxynivalenol in Danish wheat flour 1998-2003 and estimated daily intake by the Danish population

The occurrence of deoxynivalenol (DON) in Danish wheat flour was studied during the period 1998-2003 by either capillary gas chromatography with electron capture detection and liquid chromatography coupled to an ion trap mass spectrophotometer. A total of 151 samples were collected from mills and the retail market in Denmark. Contamination levels varied considerably from year-to-year with the highest concentrations occurring in samples from the 2002 harvest with mean and median concentrations of 255 and 300 µg kg^-1, respectively. Compared to other harvest years, 2002 had the highest amount of precipitation around flowering time, i.e. from the end of June to the beginning of July covering weeks 25-27. The lowest average levels were found in samples from the 2001 harvest, where weeks 25-27 were dry compared with other harvest years. The highest value (705 µg kg^-1) was obtained in a flour sample from the 2002 harvest, but none of the tested samples exceeded the maximum limit of 750 µg kg^-1, which has been recently introduced by the European Commission for DON in flour used as raw materials in food products. Calculation of chronic or usual intake by a deterministic approach showed that intake did not exceed the TDI of 1 µg kg^-1 bw day^-1 either for the whole population or for children. A probabilistic approach also showed that intake in general was below the TDI, but intake for children in the 99% percentile amounted to more than 75% of the TDI. The highest intake is calculated to be 2.5 µg kg^-1 bw day^-1.     

Review of Recovery of Platinum Group Metals from Copper Leach Residues and Other Resources

Porphyry copper and mixed copper-gold sulfide deposits contain varying amounts of precious (gold and silver) and platinum group metals (PGMs). Currently, milling and froth flotation is the most common processing route for the treatment of high-grade base metal sulfide ores. During this process, the precious metals and PGMs are also concentrated and represent a possible opportunity for the beneficiation of these metals to increase the overall economic value of the ore. Although not yet commercialized, the high temperature pressure oxidation (POX) of copper concentrates provides an alternative processing route to traditional smelting technology. With increasingly aggressive air quality standards and rising upstream processing costs for smelting, hydrometallurgical processing options become progressively attractive. The treatment of POX residues for the recovery of precious metals has seen significant attention and multiple processing routes have been developed on various scales. Extraction and beneficiation of PGMs from copper concentrate POX residue has garnered significantly less attention and mechanistic questions remain to be answered. Based on a review of the processing options for PGM ores and concentrates, hydrometallurgical processing routes for the extraction of PGMs from copper concentrate POX residues are envisioned.