Scientific Workflow Makespan Minimization in Edge Multiple Service Providers Environment

The edge computing model offers an ultimate platform to support scientific and real-time workflow-based applications over the edge of the network. However, scientific workflow scheduling and execution still facing challenges such as response time management and latency time. This leads to deal with the acquisition delay of servers, deployed at the edge of a network and reduces the overall completion time of workflow. Previous studies show that existing scheduling methods consider the static performance of the server and ignore the impact of resource acquisition delay when scheduling workflow tasks. Our proposed method presented a meta-heuristic algorithm to schedule the scientific workflow and minimize the overall completion time by properly managing the acquisition and transmission delays. We carry out extensive experiments and evaluations based on commercial clouds and various scientific workflow templates. The proposed method has approximately 7.7% better performance than the baseline algorithms, particularly in overall deadline constraint that gives a success rate.

     

Cognitive enhancement and neuroprotection by catechin‐rich oil palm leaf extract supplement

BACKGROUND: Catechin‐rich oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) leaf extract (OPLE) has good cardiovascular and phytoestrogenic properties. The OPLE (0.5 g day^?1) was supplemented to young, healthy, adult human volunteers, and their cognitive learning abilities were compared to placebo‐controlled groups (N = 15). Their short‐term memories, spatial visualisations, processing speeds, and language skills, were assessed over 2 months by cognitive tests computer programs. RESULTS: Relative to the controls, volunteers taking OPLE had improved (P < 0.05) short‐term memory, after 1 month of intervention which became highly significant (P < 0.005) after 2 months. The spatial visualisation ability and processing speed improved (P < 0.05) after 2 months consumption. The dietary OPLE showed neuroprotection in nitric oxide‐deficient rats. The mechanisms involved systemic and cellular modulations that eventually enhance neuron survival. The longer the duration of OPLE consumption, the more significant was the enhancement, as shown for short‐term memory. CONCLUSION: This is the first report on the cognitive‐enhancing effects of dietary OPLE in humans. The computer‐assisted cognitive tests were simple, low in cost, errors and man hours, and hence are better than conventional cognitive test methods. In rats, the equivalent OPLE dose showed brain antioxidant enzymes modulating properties and neuroprotection under nitric oxide deficiency, with possibly neurogenesis in normal rats. This supported the effects in humans. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Enrichment,in vitro,and quantification study of antidiabetic compounds from neglected weed Mimosa pudica using supercritical CO2 and CO2-Soxhlet

Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) using carbon dioxide (CO₂) and liquid CO₂ using Soxhlet (CO₂-Soxhlet) extraction were employed to extract three (3) antidiabetic compounds viz. stigmasterol, quercetin, and avicularin from Mimosa pudica. Various extraction parameters were studied. Extracts were analyzed pharmacologically, qualitatively and quantitatively to ascertain enrichment levels. All three antidiabetic compounds were effectively enriched under optimized conditions of temperature 60°C, pressure 40 MPa, co-solvent ratio 30%, and CO₂ flow rate of 5 ml min^?1. SFE was found to be the better method for enrichment of the antidiabetic compounds than the CO₂-Soxhlet method. Extraction conditions were seen to affect the enrichment of desired compounds.     

Carpogenic ZnO nanoparticles: amplified nanophotocatalytic and antimicrobial action

This investigation has for the first time utilised environmental resource Prunus cerasifera seed extract phytochemicals for the green synthesis of carpogenic ZnO nanoparticles (NPs). Spherical morphology and size range of 56.57–107.70 nm at variable calcination temperatures without the use of any external reducing agent was obtained. The synthesised NPs exhibited hexagonal wurtzite geometry with an average crystal size 5.62 nm and a band gap of 3.4 eV. Carpogenic NPs were investigated for optical, compositional, morphological, and phytochemical make up via ultraviolet spectroscopy (UV–Vis), Fourier transform infrared analysis, X‐ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Carpogenic NPs degraded methyl red up to 83% with pseudo‐first‐order degradation kinetics (R ²  = 0.88) in 18 min signifying their remediation role in environment in conformity with all principles of green chemistry. Photocatalytic assays were performed in direct solar irradiance. Nine pathogens of biomedical and agricultural significance having multi‐drug resistance were inhibited in vitro via the Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion assay. The enhanced photocatalytic and antimicrobial inhibition not only makes carpogenic ZnO NPs a future photo‐degradative candidate for environmental remediation but also a nanofertiliser, nanofungicide, and nanobactericide synthesised via bioinspired, biomimetic, green, and unprecedented route.Inspec keywords: visible spectra, Fourier transform spectra, nanocomposites, nanobiotechnology, transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, biomimetics, zinc compounds, catalysis, antibacterial activity, microorganisms, chromatography, scanning electron microscopy, ultraviolet spectra, nanoparticles, photochemistry, infrared spectra, calcination, nanofabricationOther keywords: antimicrobial action, environmental resource, prunus cerasifera seed, phytochemicals, green synthesis, variable calcination temperatures, hexagonal wurtzite geometry, X‐ray powder diffraction, gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, pseudofirst‐order degradation kinetics, green chemistry, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus terreus, antimicrobial inhibition, environmental remediation, photocatalytic inhibition, carpogenic nanoparticles, nanophotocatalytic action, size 5.62 nm, electron volt energy 3.4 eV, time 18.0 min, size 56.57 nm to 107.7 nm, ZnO     

Abrasion Property of Epoxidized Natural Rubber

The abrasion resistance of two grades of epoxidized natural rubber (ENR 25 and ENR 50) and one grade of styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) were studied using an Akron abrasion tester. An accelerated sulfur vulcanization system with 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT) as the accelerator is used throughout the study. Carbon black (N 330), precipitated silica, and calcium carbonate were chosen as the fillers. The range of sulfur and filler loadings was from 1 to 5 phr and 10 to 50 phr, respectively. Mixing was done on a two-roll mill. Results obtained show that for all the rubbers studied, the volume loss due to abrasion decreases with increasing sulfur loading and passes through a minimum at about 3 phr of sulfur. This observation is attributed to the changes of cross-link types from monosulfidic to polysulfidic crosslink as sulfur concentration is increased. However, further sulfur loading would cause a “tight” cure, thus increasing the abrasion loss. For sulfur loading less than 3 phr, ENR 25 indicates the highest abrasion loss, followed by SBR and ENR 50. For the filled stock, minimum loss is observed at about 35–40 phr of filler. Reinforcing filler such as carbon black exhibits better abrasion resistance than calcium carbonate, a nonreinforcing filler. The abrasion loss increases at higher filler loading due to the dilution effect of fillers. Ozone plays an important role in the abrasion property of unsaturated rubbers, as reflected by the higher abrasion loss in the presence of ozone.     

Influence of temperature and Ca(OH)2 on releasing tar and coal gas during lignite coal pyrolysis and char gasification

The yield of tar and syngas has been investigated by catalytic pyrolysis of Pingzhuang lignite (PZL) over Ca(OH)₂ catalyst in temperature range of 600℃-1000℃ in a tube furnace. The results show that the yield of volatile pyrolysis increases and char decreases with rising temperature for both raw and catalyzed Pingzhuang lignite. The hydrogen fraction (H₂) increased from 20% to 40% for the PZL sample; but, for the PZL-Ca(OH)₂ sample, H₂ fraction fluctuated randomly between 35% to 42%, with the maximum H₂ fraction found at 1000℃. The Gaschromatography mass-spectroscopic (GC-MS) analysis revealed that the maximum tar yield at 800℃ and 700℃ was obtained for PZL and PZL-Ca(OH)₂, respectively. The surface morphology of PZL and PZL-Ca(OH)₂ chars underwent different transformation in the presence of catalyst as illustrated by SEM/EDX, FTIR, and BET analysis. Furthermore, char sample was investigated for the carbon conversion and reactivity index using TGA analysis under N₂ and CO atmosphere.     

Oil palm wood flour filled natural rubber composites: fatigue and hysteresis behaviour

The fatigue and hysteresis behaviour of oil palm wood flour (OPWF) filled natural rubber composites was studied. The stress at any strain decreased with increasing OPWF loading in the composites. As the filler loading increased, the poor wetting of the OPWF by the rubber matrix gave rise to poor interfacial adhesion between the filler and rubber matrix. Results also indicate that the composite with the highest loading of OPWF was the most sensitive towards changes in strain energy, and hence exhibited the highest hysteresis. Thermal ageing not only reduced the fatigue life, but also increased the hysteresis of the composites. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Formation and Yield of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Synthesized via Chemical Vapour Deposition Routes Using Different Metal-Based Catalysts of FeCoNiAl,CoNiAl and FeNiAl-LDH

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were prepared via chemical vapor deposition (CVD) using a series of different catalysts, derived from FeCoNiAl, CoNiAl and FeNiAl layered double hydroxides (LDHs). Catalyst-active particles were obtained by calcination of LDHs at 800 °C for 5 h. Nitrogen and hexane were used as the carrier gas and carbon source respectively, for preparation of MWCNTs using CVD methods at 800 °C. MWCNTs were allowed to grow for 30 min on the catalyst spread on an alumina boat in a quartz tube. The materials were subsequently characterized through X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, surface area analysis, field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. It was determined that size and yield of MWCNTs varied depending on the type of LDH catalyst precursor that is used during synthesis. MWCNTs obtained using CoNiAl-LDH as the catalyst precursor showed smaller diameter and higher yield compared to FeCoNiAl and FeNiAl LDHs.