A Framework for Requirements Decomposition, SLA Management and Dynamic System Reconfiguration

To meet user requirements, systems can be built from Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) components, potentially from different vendors. However, the gap between the requirements referring to the overall system and the components to build the system from can be large. To close the gap, it is required to decompose the requirements to a level where they can be mapped to components. When the designed system is deployed and ready for operations, its services are sold and pro-vided to customers. One important goal for service providers is to optimize system resource utilization while ensuring the quality of service expressed in the Service Level Agreements (SLAs). For this purpose, the system can be reconfigured dynamically according to the cur-rent workload to satisfy the SLAs while using only necessary resources. To manage the re-configuration of the system at runtime, a set of previously defined patterns called elasticity rules can be used. In elasticity rules, the actions that need to be taken to reconfigure the sys-tem are specified. An elasticity rule is generally invoked by a trigger, which is generated in reaction to a monitoring event. In this thesis, we propose a model-driven management framework which aims at user re-quirements satisfaction, SLA compliance management and enabling dynamic reconfiguration by reusing the design information at runtime. An approach has been developed to derive automatically a valid configuration starting from low level requirements called service configurations. However, the service configurations are far from requirements a user would express. To generate a system configuration from user requirements and alleviate the work of designer, we generate service configurations by de-composing functional user requirements to the level where components can be selected and put together to satisfy the user requirements. We integrated our service configurations gen-erator with the previous configuration generator. In our framework, we reuse the information acquired from system configuration and dimen-sioning to generate elasticity rules offline. We propose a model driven approach to check the compliance of SLAs and generate triggers for invoking applicable elasticity rules when system reconfiguration is required. For handling multiple triggers generated at the same time, we propose a solution to automatically correlate the actions of invoked elasticity rules, when re-quired. The framework consists of a number of metamodels and a set of model transfor-mations. We use the Unified Modeling Language (UML) and its profiling mechanism to de-scribe all the artifacts in the proposed framework. We implement the profiles using Eclipse Modeling Framework (EMF) and Papyrus. To implement the processes, we use the Atlas Transformation Language (ATL). We also use the APIs of the Object Constraint Language (OCL) in the Eclipse environment to develop a tool for checking constraints and generating triggers

Power Flow Studies of HVDC Grids with DC Power Flow Controllers

High-Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) transmission, especially based on voltage source converters (VSCs), have attracted significant research interests due to renewable energy sources integration in power grids, notably offshore wind farms. Despite recent research contributions in the literature on HVDC systems, a number of challenges remain unsolved, such as lack of a comprehensive study regarding power-electronics-based devices in HVDC systems, suitable modelling approaches for sophisticated DC power flow controllers, power loss modeling of DC power flow controllers, powerful and practical DC power flow solvers, and the highly-meshed test structure of HVDC grids for power flow. To address these research gaps, in this thesis, a comprehensive literature review has been conducted on power electronics devices in HVDC systems in Chapter 2. These devices are divided into three categories in the review: 1) power converters; 2) DC/DC converters; and 3) DC power flow controllers (DCPFCs). As an emerging power electronics device being introduced less than a decade ago, DCPFCs are the main focus of this thesis. A novel unified Newton-Raphson (NR)-based DC power flow solver (DCPFS) is presented in Chapter 3 to solve the DC power flow problem in multi-terminal HVDC (MT-HVDC) grids by employing a novel DCPFC, the multi-port interline DC power flow controller (MIDCPFC). The proposed DCPFS modifies physical and control state variables of the whole system (MIDCPFC and the MT-HVDC grid) simultaneously to control power flow in HVDC lines, especially overloaded lines. The static model and the power injection model of the MIDCPFC are obtained and their equations are embedded within the designed DCPFS. The absence of the fictitious bus preserves the original conductance matrix of the system and its symmetry, and thus, the original system's Jacobin matrix only needs minor modifications in the developed unified NR-based DCPFS. Additionally, the proposed DCPFS is straightforward for implementation since the voltage of the intermediate capacitor of MIDCPFC is treated as an independent variable, as a result, there is no need to use external processes to control its value. The shunt conductance of HVDC lines is also considered. The comprehensive models have been proposed to model power losses of MIDCPFC and VSCs for the first time. Finally, a new modified 15-bus MT-HVDC grid is proposed and implemented for verification purposes. The obtained results verify the accuracy and efficacy of the proposed concepts, models, and formulations of this study. A novel sequential NR-based DCPFS is proposed in Chapter 4 to solve the DC power flow problem in MT-HVDC grids by employing MIDCPFC and decoupling the power flow equations of the MIDCPFC and the MT-HVDC grid. In the proposed sequential NR-based DCPFS, there is no trace of fictitious buses, the original conductance matrix of the system and its symmetry are preserved, and the shunt conductance of HVDC lines is considered for precise modeling. The structure of the proposed DCPFS is sequential, which decouples the MIDCPFC and grid related power flow equations. A prominent feature of the DCPFS is that it fully preserves the system's original Jacobin matrix and does not require any modification to that matrix, which reduces the computational burden. In addition, power losses of the MIDCPFC and VSCs are embedded in DC power flow equations. The proposed sequential NR-based DCPFS is straightforward to implement as the voltage of the MIDCPFC is treated as an independent variable, and consequently, no external process is needed to control it. Various scenarios are tested on a modified 15-bus MT-HVDC grid to verify the proposed sequential NR-based DCPFS. The accuracy and efficacy of the proposed approach is validated through these case studies

Comparing the Effects of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate and Calcium Enriched Mixture on Neuronal Cells Using an Electrophysiological Approach

Introduction: The main goal of this ex vivo study was to assess and compare the cellular and electrophysiological effects of two dental biomaterials, white mineral trioxide aggregate (WMTA) and calcium enriched mixture (CEM) cement, on neuronal cell excitability and electrical properties.Materials and Methods: A conventional intracellular current clamp technique was used to study the cellular effects of WMTA and CEM on the excitability, firing and the shape of action potential of neuronal soma membrane of F1 nerve cells. The dental biomaterials were prepared according to the manufacturers' directions and were applied to the bathing media and 0.05 mL of total mixture of each dental material at a distance of 3 mm from the cells.Results: Findings indicated that exposure to both dental biomaterials shifted the irregular high frequency firing type observed in control conditions to a more regular low frequency firing pattern. Neuronal exposure to WMTA, but not CEM, significantly hyperpolarized the cell resting membrane potential. Both treatments significantly influenced the duration and the amplitude of action potentials. Extracellular application of either CEM or WMTA caused a significant increase in the after hyperpolarization (AHP) amplitude and AHP area, but the potentiating effect of WMTA was more effective than CEM.Conclusion: Treatment with WMTA or CEM resulted in a profound alteration in the firing behaviour of F1 cells and changed the AP characteristics. Both dental biomaterials reduced the neuronal activity possibly through enhancement of K+ outward current. This may possibly explain the positive mechanisms of these biomaterials in regenerative endodontics, though further research is needed for such a conclusion

Fumigant Toxicity and Oviposition Deterrency of the Essential Oil from Cardamom, Elettaria cardamomum, Against Three Stored—product Insects

Use of insecticides can have disruptive effects on the environment. Replacing the chemical compounds in these insecticides with plant materials, however, can be a safe method with low environmental risk. In the current study, chemical composition and insecticidal activities of the essential oil from cardamom, Elettaria cardamomum L. (Maton) (Zingiberales: Zingiberaceae) on the adults of three stored product pests was investigated. Results indicated that essential oil of E. cardamomum toxic to the bruchid beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus Fabricius (Coleoptera: Bruchidae), the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum Herbst (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), and the flour moth, Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). Adults of E. kuehniella were more sensitive than the Coleoptera. Also, the highest mortality of these insects was seen after 12 hours. Results of the LT50 tests showed that the lethal time of mortality occurred between 10–20 hours in various test concentrations. Essential oil of E. cardamomum had a good efficacy on oviposition deterrence of C. maculatus females, too. The chemical constituents of the essential oils were analyzed by gas chromatography—mass spectrometry. The major constituents of cardamom were identified as 1,8-cineol, α-terpinyl acetate, terpinene and fenchyl alcohol. These results suggest that essential oil of E. cardamomum is a good choice for control of stored product pests

Report of parasitoid flies, Compsilura concinnata and Peribaea tibialis (Dip.: Tachinidae) on the rice armyworm from Iran

Peribaea tibialis (Robineau-Desvoidy) and Compsilura concinnata (Meigen), which are reported for the first time from Iran, are solitary parasitoids of rice armyworm larvae, Mythimna unipuncta (Haworth), in the rice fields of western Mazandaran. Our studies during 1999-2001 showed that these parasitoids were active on M. unipuncta larvae of different generations, especially 2nd and 3rd generations, and caused 18.7% of larval parasitism

A comparative study on anti-hyperalgesia effect of MTA and Ketoprofen in inflammatory pain

INTRODUCTION: Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) is an endodontic material with different clinical applications e.g. root-end filling, pulp capping and perforation repair.  It has been reported to possess antimicrobial and antifungal activities. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of White MTA on formalin-induced hyperalgesia in a rat with inflammatory pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Inflammatory pain was induced by subcutaneous (SC) injection of formalin (40 µL, 2.5%) into the rat upper lip. The nociceptive behavioral responses i.e. shaking of the lower jaw and face rubbing were quantified. 40 µL of eugenol (50 mg/kg), WMTA (20 mg/0.2 mL) or ketoprofen were injected solely or in combination with formalin 2.5% and the behavioral responses were compared with those observed after formalin treatment alone. One-way ANOVA, Tukey were used for analysis of data. RESULTS: Formalin 2.5% provoked a biphasic nociceptive response, with an early and short lasting first tonic phase followed by a second phase. Solely SC injection of either WMTA or ketoprofen (a non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) did not stimulate any significant nociceptive behaviour. However, injection of eugenol (a pain relieving agent) induced the early phase not the tonic phase of nociceptive response. WMTA, eugenol or ketoprofen injection 20 min before formalin injection attenuated the first phase but somehow prevented the induction of the second phase of nociceptive responses which were produced by formalin. Behavioural nociceptive responses including shaking of the lower jaw and face rubbing were significantly reduced when the subject was pretreated with either WMTA or ketoprofen (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: In this study, WMTA induced pain reduction by suppression of the formalin-induced nociceptive response

The effect of sublethal concentrations of malathion on some biological parameters of the ectoparasitoid wasp, Habrobracon hebetor (Say, 1836)

The ectoparasitoid wasp, Habrobracon hebetor (Say, 1836) (Hym.: Braconidae) is one of the most important natural enemies of many pests in Iran. In this study, the effects of sublethal concentrations of malathion (LC10 and LC25) on biological parameters of the adult wasp including parasitism percentage, male production and longevity of the parasitoid in different growth stages (larvae, pupae and adult) were investigated. The experiments were conducted at 26 ± 1 °C, 60 ± 5 % RH, and 16L:8D h photoperiods. The effect of sublethal concentrations of malathion on adults was determined by exposure of wasp to insecticide, and in the case of larvae and pupae, immersion method was used. Based on the results, with the increase of toxic dose, the percentage of parasitism in adult decreased from 95.6 5% to 87.78 %, compared to the control treatment. Male production increased from 22.73 % in control to 56.38 % at LC25 concentration. Also, the percentage of parasitism of the malathion-impregnated wasp larvae decreased from 87.78 to 22.92%, compared to the control treatment. Male production from 30.94 % in the control increased to 39.63 % at the LC25 concentration. In addition, the percentage of parasitism in the wasp pupae impregnated with malathion was reduced from 93.33 to 88.89 %, respectively. Male production increased from 22.98 in the control to 37.23 % in the LC25 concentration. The data showed that pupae were more susceptible to sublethal concentrations than the larvae.</p

Effect of temperature and photoperiod on reproductive behavior of corn stem borer, Sesamia cretica (Lederer, 1857) (Lep.: Noctuidae)

The corn stem borer, Sesamia cretica Led. (Lep.: Noctuidae),is the most important pest of maize and sugarcane throughout the world including Iran where its egg parasitoid wasp, Telenomus busseolae Gahan (Hym.: Scelionidae) is widely used in biological control programs. Due to the host specificity of the parasitoid wasp, S. cretica serves as the single host for the mass rearing of T. busseolae at the laboratory or insectarium. The present work was intended to find the optimum temperature and photoperiod for the reproductivity of S. cretica at laboratory condition. We evaluated the percentage of fertilized eggs, oviposition rate, peak of egg laying and adult longevity of S. cretica. Thermal treatments and photoperiod treatments included 24, 27 and 30 ºC as well as 24D, 12D: 12L, 8L: 16D (short day period), 16L:8D (long day period) hours respectively. The best temperature for oviposition was calculated between 24 and 27 ºC, but the rate of oviposition was significantly decreased at 30 ºC. Temperature and photoperiod had no effect on the percentage of fertilized eggs and adult longevity. Different photoperiods caused significant effect on the rate of oviposition and the highest oviposition rate occurred in 12L: 12D hours and in 16D:8L hours. The lowest rate of oviposition was observed in 24D period. The highest rate of oviposition occurred on the second day

First report of Barichneumon derogator (Hym.: Ichneumonidae: Ichneumoninae) from Iran

We studied the pest and parasitoid fauna of cauliflower fields in southern Tehran in 2011. In the course of our research the Ichneumonid wasp Barichneumon derogator (Wesmael) of the subfamily Ichneumoninae was collected and identified. This parasitoid attacks the larval stages of lepidopteran pests. The species B. derogator is newly recorded from Iran

First report of the parasitoid wasp, Diadegma pusio (Hym.: Ichneumonidae), from Iran

This is a report on the occurrence of the hymenoterous parasitoid of the beet moth, Scrobipalpa ocellatella Boyd (Lep.: Gelechiidae), in Iran for the first time. Diadegma pusio (Holmgren) was collected from the larvae of S. ocellatella in the sugar beet fields located in Ray, the southern district of Tehran. This ichneumonid species is belonging to the subfamily Campopleginae and tribe Limneriini