A multi-dimensional scheduling scheme in a Grid computing environment

In this paper, we propose a novel distributed resource-scheduling algorithm capable of handling multiple resource requirements for jobs that arrive in a Grid computing environment. In our proposed algorithm, referred to as multiple resource scheduling (MRS) algorithm, we take into account both the site capabilities and the resource requirements of jobs. The main objective of the algorithm is to obtain a minimal execution schedule through efficient management of available Grid resources. We first propose a model in which the job and site resource characteristics can be captured together and used in the scheduling algorithm. To do so, we introduce the concept of a n-dimensional virtual map and resource potential. Based on the proposed model, we conduct rigorous simulation experiments with real-life workload traces reported in the literature to quantify the performance. We compare our strategy with most of the commonly used algorithms in place on performance metrics such as job wait times, queue completion times, and average resource utilization. Our combined consideration of job and resource characteristics is shown to render high-performance with respect to above-mentioned metrics in the environment. Our study also reveals the fact that MRS scheme has a capability to adapt to both serial and parallel job requirements, especially when job fragmentation occurs. Our experimental results clearly show that MRS outperforms other strategies and we highlight the impact and importance of our strategy.     

An experimental investigation on the effects of exponential window and impact force level on harmonic reduction in impact-synchronous modal analysis

A novel method called Impact-synchronous modal analysis (ISMA) was proposed previously which allows modal testing to be performed during operation. This technique focuses on signal processing of the upstream data to provide cleaner Frequency response function (FRF) estimation prior to modal extraction. Two important parameters, i.e., windowing function and impact force level were identified and their effect on the effectiveness of this technique were experimentally investigated. When performing modal testing during running condition, the cyclic loads signals are dominant in the measured response for the entire time history. Exponential window is effectively in minimizing leakage and attenuating signals of non-synchronous running speed, its harmonics and noises to zero at the end of each time record window block. Besides, with the information of the calculated cyclic force, suitable amount of impact force to be applied on the system could be decided prior to performing ISMA. Maximum allowable impact force could be determined from nonlinearity test using coherence function. By applying higher impact forces than the cyclic loads along with an ideal decay rate in ISMA, harmonic reduction is significantly achieved in FRF estimation. Subsequently, the dynamic characteristics of the system are successfully extracted from a cleaner FRF and the results obtained are comparable with Experimental modal analysis (EMA).     

Evaluation of copy-move forgery detection: datasets and evaluation metrics

Creating copy-move forgery became even easier using a wide range of software and platforms. Many algorithms have been proposed to solve the problem, but each one of those algorithms has its own drawbacks. Researchers face many challenges in developing copy-move detection algorithms, and in this paper, we focus on two challenges. The first is the benchmark dataset, and the second involves evaluation metrics. In this paper, we investigate the available copy-move datasets and their advantages and disadvantages. In addition, we discuss the different metrics that have been used by researchers to evaluate the copy-move forgery detection (CMFD) algorithms. On that basis, we suggest the standard specifications of the appropriate copy-move dataset and the metrics that should be used to evaluate the detection algorithms. The findings of this paper will help researchers evaluate their algorithms effectively and fairly essential for developing reliable algorithms.     

Effects of interface deformation on flow through microtubes containing superhydrophobic surfaces with longitudinal ribs and grooves

This paper presents analytical and numerical results for Poiseuille flow through microtubes patterned with superhydrophobic surfaces which consist of alternative ribs and grooves aligned longitudinally with the flow direction. The superhydrophobic surface prevents the flowing liquid from penetrating the grooves and the liquid–gas interface experiences deformation as a consequence of a pressure difference across the interface. Employing a domain perturbation technique, the effects of a small interface deformation on the effective slip behavior are analytically quantified. For large interface deformations, numerical studies are performed to predict the effects of interface protrusion on the effective slip behavior of the superhydrophobic microtube. Comparisons are made between the effective slip behavior for tube and channel flows patterned with superhydrophobic surfaces containing alternating longitudinal ribs and grooves.     

Superabsorbent polymer prepared using carboxymethyl cellulose derived from Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn. (kapok) cotton

Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) were synthesized by grafting acrylic acid and butyl acrylate onto carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) modified from Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn. (kapok) cotton, with N,N′‐methylenebisacrylamide as a crosslinker and ammonium persulphate as initiator. The effect of distilled water, saline solution, and applied pressure on superabsorbent was investigated. The product exhibited the maximum water absorbency of 554 g/g in distilled water and 96 g/g in saline solution. The SAP achieved the highest water absorbency under load of 83 g/g under applied pressure of 7.6 g/cm². The kapok cotton modified cellulose‐based SAP exhibited stronger gel strength than the SAP based on commercial CMC. This is probably due to the higher grafting efficiency (78.3%) of the former. The SAP was characterized by FTIR analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. Thermogravimetric analysis results showed that the SAP, with AA and BA grafted onto CMC, had better thermal stability than CMC alone. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40808.     

Carotenoids and Their Geometry Isomers in Selected Tropical Fruits

This study determined the carotenoids content in cherry tomato, pink guava, and red grapefruit pulps and juices. Cherry tomato pulp exhibited the highest β-carotene content whereas pink guava pulp had the highest lycopene content. However, β-carotene and lycopene contents in the studied fruit juices were lower than their pulps in the same sample portion. Interestingly, six to twelve cis-isomers of carotenoids were identified in the fruit pulps and juices studied. A higher number of trace amounts of cis-carotenoids was found in fruit pulps as compared to juices. Therefore, consumption of whole fruit is recommended as the studied fruit juices have lower carotenoids content.     

Application of GDQ scheme to simulate natural convection in a square cavity

The global method of generalized differential quadrature (GDQ) was applied to simulate the natural convection in a square cavity. Numerical results demonstrated that accurate solutions can be obtained using just a few grid points and requiring much less computational effort and storage.     

Studies of sol-gel ceramic film incorporating methylene blue on glassy carbon: an electrocatalytic system for the simultaneous determination of ascorbic and uric acids

In this work, we investigated the immobilization of methylene blue in a methyltrimethoxysilane sol-gel ceramic film on a glassy carbon electrode. Up to a certain saturation level, under our conditions, it was found that the methylene blue was tightly held and did not leach out into aqueous solutions, even with continuous immersion for up to 1 month. The electrochemical behavior of the immobilized methylene blue was then studied. pH variation revealed that there were two distinct redox couples whose existences were pH-dependent. The methylene blue/sol-gel film was also examined as an electrocatalytic system for ascorbic and uric acid oxidations. It was revealed that this system was highly sensitive for ascorbic and uric acid sensing (practical determination limits of 5.00 nM and 1.00 nM for ascorbic acid and uric acid, respectively) and also allowed simultaneous determination of these biomolecules. The simultaneous determination of these two analytes in a human urine sample was demonstrated. The stability of the methylene blue/sol-gel film/glassy carbon electrode sensing system was good, with up to at least a month of continual operation.     

Coexpression of leptin receptor and preproneuropeptide Y mRNA in arcuate nucleus of mouse hypothalamus

Leptin, the protein product of the adipose tissue-specific ob (obese) gene (1), reduces the body weight, adiposity and food intake of obese ob/ob mice on peripheral or central injection (2, 3, 4). [125I]leptin binding has been detected in mouse choroid plexus (5), from which a leptin receptor gene was expression cloned (5). The gene has at least 6 splice variants (6, 7). Leptin receptor mRNA was localized in the hypothalamus by in situ hybridization being particularly abundantly expressed in the arcuate nucleus (8). There is evidence linking the physiological effects of injected leptin with hypothalamic neuropeptide Y (9, 10) (NPY), which has potent central effects on food intake and energy balance (11), and is also expressed in the arcuate nucleus. Here we report dual in situ hybridization studies for leptin receptor and NPY gene expression in the mouse arcuate nucleus, where the majority of cells examined expressed both genes. This provides the first direct evidence that leptin acts on cells that express NPY mRNA.