A novel clustering and optimal resource scheduling in vehicular cloud networks using MKMA and the CM-CSO algorithm

Various opportunities aimed at the employment of delay-sensitive applications in the vehicular environment are presented by the vehicular cloud (VC). Contrary to diverse wireless networks, VC networks possess exceptional features among others, namely, shorter transmission time along with a higher dynamic topology. Although integration with the cloud offers higher storage along with computation capabilities, it as well entails restricted resource availability. The restrictions on the number of resources serve as a challenge in servicing the applications with their necessary quality of service (QoS) guarantees as the number of service requests for applications keeps on augmenting with diverse circumstances. Thus, the need for an effective scheduling methodology arises to decide the sequence of servicing application requests and successful utilization of a broadcast medium, along with data transmission. To do efficient resource scheduling on VC networks, an optimization algorithm, namely, the crossover and mutation (CM)-centered chicken swarm optimization (CSO) is proposed and implemented with the help of a publicly available dataset. Initially, the VC infrastructure is initialized and some vehicle information is extracted as features. Next, the Brownian motion-centered bacteria foraging optimization (BM-BFO) algorithm chooses the essential features. Centered on the chosen features, the vehicles are clustered using the modified K-means algorithm. Next, as for the cloud server's virtual machines (VMs), the resource information is extracted. Lastly, the CM-CSO algorithm carries out the optimal scheduling in the VC by means of the clustered features of vehicles and features of the VM. The proposed techniques' findings are scrutinized and analogized to the other prevailing methodologies to confirm that the proposed work performs effectively and gives optimal resource allocation (RA) to the VC.     

Birds of prey: identifying lexical irregularities in spam on Twitter

Wireless Networks - The advent of spam on social media platforms has lead to a number of problems not only for social media users but also for researchers mining social media data. While there has...     

A radix-8 wafer scale FFT processor

Wafer Scale Integration promises radical improvements in the performance of digital signal processing systems. This paper describes the design of a radix-8 systolic (pipeline) fast Fourier transform processor for implementation with wafer scale integration. By the use of the radix-8 FFT butterfly wafer that is currently under development, continuous data rates of 160 MSPS are anticipated for FFTs of up to 4096 points with 16-bit fixed point data.     

Simulation of leachate migration in leaky aquifers

A two-dimensional cross-section finite difference model is presented to simulate density dependent leachate migration in leaky aquifers. Unlike existing models, a new approach is adopted to couple the groundwater-flow equation and the hydrodynamic dispersion equation with the elimination of the intermediate step of calculating velocities. The concept of the reference density is employed, permitting increased accuracy (over pressure-based models) in the representation of the transport process. The model is then used to study the effect of several hydraulic and transport parameters on the flow pattern and plume migration which are found to be very sensitive to most of these parameters. Equiconcentration and equipotential lines are overlapped to provide a better understanding of the coupling effect.     

Silicon Nitride Derived from an Organometallic Polymeric Precursor: Preparation and Characterization

Partially crystalline Si₃N₄, with nanosized crystals and a specific surface area greater than 200 m²/g, is obtained by pyrolysis of a commercially available vinylic polysilane in a stream of anhydrous NH₃ to 1000°C. This polymer does not contain N initially. Crystallization to high-purity α-Si₃N₄ proceeds with additional heating above 1400°C under N₂. The changes in crystallinity, powder morphology, infrared spectra, and elemental compositions, for samples annealed from 1000° to 1600°C under N₂, are consistent with an amorphous-to-crystalline transformation. Although macroscopic consolidation and local densification occur at 1400°C, volatilization and accompanying weight loss limit bulk densification. The effect of temperature on specific surface area is examined and related to the sintering process. These results are applicable to pyrolysis, decomposition, and crystallization studies of ceramics synthesized by polymeric precursor routes.     

Phytochemical composition and bioactivities of lupin: a review

Lupin is a nonstarchy grain legume with high protein, dietary fibre and low fat contents. The industrial shift of lupin seed utilisation from feed to food has recently increased the scientific interest to explore its phytochemical composition and biological activities. Lupin seeds contain significant amounts of polyphenols, carotenoids, phytosterols, tocopherols, alkaloids and peptides with antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticarcinogenic and anti‐inflammatory activities. Among polyphenols, genistein and their derivatives (isoflavones) are of great importance because of their phytoestrogenic potential. This comprehensive review will help out the readers in understanding the phytochemicals present in lupin and their benefits.     

Formation of acrylamide in microwave-roasted sorghum and associated dietary risk

The effect of microwave roasting parameters (300, 450 and 600 W; 5, 10 and 15 min) on acrylamide content in sorghum grain was determined using High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)-photo diode array (PDA) detector coupled with C-18 column. Samples roasted at 300 and 450 W did not possess acrylamide, whereas 600 W (15 min) favoured formation of 2740.19 µg/kg of acrylamide, levels far exceeding the defined European Union (EU) limits. The chronic daily intake (CDI) for acrylamide through consumption of such grain flour was 3.25–9.5-fold higher to Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) defined high exposure limits. The margin of exposure (MOE) values ranged from 4.3 to 12.76 and from 11.07 to 32.27 for neoplastic and neurological effects, respectively, demonstrating high exposure and serious health concerns associated with dietary intake of this toxicant. This study assesses the risk for the Indian population and highlights the importance of optimising process parameters for food product to minimise such exposure risks.     

A role of sea buckthorn on Alzheimer’s disease

Evidence suggests that diets rich in antioxidants reduce the risk factors of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Hippophae rhamnoides, commonly known as sea buckthorn (SB), is rich in antioxidants which could have direct effects on amyloid-beta (Aβ) levels and consequently influence AD pathogenesis. In this study, sea buckthorn powder (SBP) was administered at varying concentrations (0.6, 0.9, 1.2, 1.5 and 1.8 µg mL⁻¹) to cell cultures (BE(2)-M17) with 20 mm Aβ for 72 h. MTS test indicated that SB significantly increased cell viability in Aβ-induced cells up to 95%. Results of Western blot showed maximum 38% inhibition of Aβ compared to the control (Aβ only). ELISA demonstrated significantly lower amyloid-β level (6672 pg mL⁻¹) than the control (10189 pg mL⁻¹). Images of AFM further confirmed the presence of low quantity of amyloid beta in SBP-treated cells. These findings suggest that SB warrants further investigation as potential therapeutic agent in the treatment of AD.     

Escherichia coli,Salmonella spp., and Staphylococcus aureus susceptibility to antimicrobials of human and veterinary importance in poultry sector of India

In India, little attention has been paid on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the context of developing “One Health” approach. Hence, utilizing multi-disciplinary approach, we assess the AMR level and dynamics/pattern of multi-drug resistance (MDR) in Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., and Staphylococcus aureus circulating over the different stages of poultry in India. A total of 342 isolates including E. coli (n = 143), Salmonella spp. (n = 104), and S. aureus (n = 95) were recovered from fecal (n = 80) and cecal (n = 80) samples of chicken, collected across the different poultry-retail shops and poultry-farms located at urban and rural areas of Rajasthan, India, respectively. High rates of AMR to drugs that are critically/highly important both in human and veterinary medicine were observed among all the isolates. Upward trends in AMR prevalence was observed in poultry-retail shops than in poultry-farms. Notably, >90% of all the isolates were MDR, of particular, pattern/prevalence of MDR was substantially varied across the poultry-farms vs. poultry-retail shops. Our results indicate AMR including MDR to be common in E. coli, Salmonella spp., and S. aureus distributed frequently in poultry. The study encourages the formulation of national policy, programmes and further research with a “One Health” approach that can benefits to the human/animal and the environment.