Modelling multi-tier enterprise applications behaviour with design of experiments technique

Queueing network models are commonly used for performance modelling. However, through application development stage analytical models might not be able to continuously reflect performance, for example due to performance bugs or minor changes in the application code that cannot be readily reflected in the queueing model. To cope with this problem, a measurement-based approach adopting Design of Experiments (DoE) technique is proposed. The applicability of the proposed method is demonstrated on a complex 3-tier e-commerce application that is difficult to model with queueing networks

Formulating genome-scale kinetic models in the post-genome era.

The biological community is now awash in high-throughput data sets and is grappling with the challenge of integrating disparate data sets. Such integration has taken the form of statistical analysis of large data sets, or through the bottom-up reconstruction of reaction networks. While progress has been made with statistical and structural methods, large-scale systems have remained refractory to dynamic model building by traditional approaches. The availability of annotated genomes enabled the reconstruction of genome-scale networks, and now the availability of high-throughput metabolomic and fluxomic data along with thermodynamic information opens the possibility to build genome-scale kinetic models. We describe here a framework for building and analyzing such models. The mathematical analysis challenges are reflected in four foundational properties, (i) the decomposition of the Jacobian matrix into chemical, kinetic and thermodynamic information, (ii) the structural similarity between the stoichiometric matrix and the transpose of the gradient matrix, (iii) the duality transformations enabling either fluxes or concentrations to serve as the independent variables and (iv) the timescale hierarchy in biological networks. Recognition and appreciation of these properties highlight notable and challenging new in silico analysis issues

Using in silico models to simulate dual perturbation experiments: procedure development and interpretation of outcomes.

BackgroundA growing number of realistic in silico models of metabolic functions are being formulated and can serve as 'dry lab' platforms to prototype and simulate experiments before they are performed. For example, dual perturbation experiments that vary both genetic and environmental parameters can readily be simulated in silico. Genetic and environmental perturbations were applied to a cell-scale model of the human erythrocyte and subsequently investigated.ResultsThe resulting steady state fluxes and concentrations, as well as dynamic responses to the perturbations were analyzed, yielding two important conclusions: 1) that transporters are informative about the internal states (fluxes and concentrations) of a cell and, 2) that genetic variations can disrupt the natural sequence of dynamic interactions between network components. The former arises from adjustments in energy and redox states, while the latter is a result of shifting time scales in aggregate pool formation of metabolites. These two concepts are illustrated for glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and pyruvate kinase (PK) in the human red blood cell.ConclusionDual perturbation experiments in silico are much more informative for the characterization of functional states than single perturbations. Predictions from an experimentally validated cellular model of metabolism indicate that the measurement of cofactor precursor transport rates can inform the internal state of the cell when the external demands are altered or a causal genetic variation is introduced. Finally, genetic mutations that alter the clinical phenotype may also disrupt the 'natural' time scale hierarchy of interactions in the network

Managing the Influence of Stakeholders on the Scope of Major Construction Projects to Prevent Scope Creep in the BIM Era

The present PhD thesis is centred on investigating the challenge of scope creep within construction projects, denoting the phenomenon of an uncontrolled enlargement of project scope without essential adaptations. Stakeholders are identified as a major source of uncertainty and requests for changes in scope, which can result in risky events. Therefore, an overarching framework is needed to effectively resolve the problem of scope creep caused by stakeholder influence. The adoption of Building Information Modelling (BIM) is suggested as an effective methodology for the streamlined management of information in construction projects, thus enabling project managers to develop an appropriate solution for the identified problem. To develop this framework, a meta-analysis approach and case study strategy is employed to analyse and synthesise secondary data collected from the PMBOK GUIDE’S (PMI, 2017) project management processes, BIM-related standards, and six case study projects. The objective is to identify essential processes and activities, their sequence and interdependencies, problematic issues, and best practices. The outcome of the research is the creation of a Process Framework designed to address the problem of scope creep triggered by stakeholder influence. The elements and concepts of this framework are verified by undertaking semi-structured interviews with five practitioners from the construction and infrastructure industry. The Process Framework functions as a unifying mechanism that combines project management and BIM processes, thereby ensuring coordination and integration towards the overarching objective of managing stakeholder influence on project scope and mitigating scope creep. Additionally, this research contributes to the understanding of the relationship between BIM documents and project management processes. The study explores how BIM fits within project management processes and identifies the benefits of BIM for the resolution of issues in construction projects, including end product visualization, clash detection, and efficient information sharing. This study provides an extensive and meticulous analysis of scope creep within construction projects and presents a pragmatic framework for dealing with this issue

Allelic forms of merozoite surface protein-3 in Plasmodium falciparum isolates from southeast of Iran

Background: Genetic diversity has provided Plasmodium falciparum with the potential capacity of avoiding the immune response, and possibly supported the natural selection of drug or vaccine-resistant parasites. Merozoite surface protein-3 (MSP-3) has been used to develop vaccines and investigate the genetic diversity regarding P. falciparum malaria in Iran. Objectives: The main goal of this study was to analyze the polymorphic antigen MSP-3 genes across southeast of Iran among four different districts, to identify the differences in the allele frequency and genetic diversity. Materials and Methods: Nested polymerase chain reaction amplification was used to determine polymorphisms of N-terminal region of the MSP-3 gene. A total of 85 microscopically positive P. falciparum infected individuals from southeast of Iran were included in this study. Results: Of the 85 confirmed P. falciparum samples obtained from four different districts, 72 were successfully scored for MSP-3.The MSP-3 allele classes (K1 and 3D7 types) showed comparable prevalence in all districts. Overall frequencies of K1 and 3D7 allele classes were 94.5 % for both. Conclusions: Since no study has yet looked at the extent of P. falciparum MSP-3 in this geographic region, these data can be helpful to support development of a vaccine based on MSP-3 against malaria. There should be a comparative analysis in different seasonal peaks to indicate the allelic polymorphism of MSP-3 over a period. © 2014, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences; Published by Kowsar Corp

Microservices Architecture Enables DevOps: an Experience Report on Migration to a Cloud-Native Architecture

This article reports on experiences and lessons learned during incremental migration and architectural refactoring of a commercial mobile back end as a service to microservices architecture. It explains how the researchers adopted DevOps and how this facilitated a smooth migration