Optimizing Data Placement for Cost Effective and High Available Multi-Cloud Storage

With the advent of big data age, data volume has been changed from trillionbyte to petabyte with incredible speed. Owing to the fact that cloud storage offers the vision of a virtually infinite pool of storage resources, data can be stored and accessed with high scalability and availability. But a single cloud-based data storage has risks like vendor lock-in, privacy leakage, and unavailability. Multi-cloud storage can mitigate these risks with geographically located cloud storage providers. In this storage scheme, one important challenge is how to place a user's data cost-effectively with high availability. In this paper, an architecture for multi-cloud storage is presented. Next, a multi-objective optimization problem is defined to minimize total cost and maximize data availability simultaneously, which can be solved by an approach based on the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA-II) and obtain a set of non-dominated solutions called the Pareto-optimal set. Then, a method is proposed which is based on the entropy method to determine the most suitable solution for users who cannot choose one from the Pareto-optimal set directly. Finally, the performance of the proposed algorithm is validated by extensive experiments based on real-world multiple cloud storage scenarios

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of a Sponge City Construction Based on the Life Cycle Cost Theory—A Case Study of the Yanshan South Road Area of Qian’an City, China

In semi-humid regions of China, annual precipitation is not evenly distributed. Heavy, summertime rainfall with a short duration frequently causes urban flooding, and annual rainfall less than evaporation results in urban water scarcity. In 2014, Hebei Province’s Qian’an city was ranked among the first group of sponge city pilot cities. This paper investigates the historically flooded section of Yanshan South Road and its surrounding area in Qian’an, focusing on the cost of resolving an urban water problem. Using the storm flood management model (SWMM) and the life cycle cost (LCC) method, the waterlogging reduction effect and life-cycle cost of various low impact development (LID) scenarios were evaluated. Six rainfall design scenarios were simulated and calculated so that the hydrological performance and cost-effectiveness could be comprehensively evaluated to establish the economic value and effectiveness of implementing LID facilities. This study found that the cost-effectiveness values of sunken green space (SG), SG + infiltration ponds (IP) (3:1), SG + IP (1:1), and SG + IP (1:3) scenarios for infiltration LID schemes were relatively high, up to 2.10. In the infiltration-storage LID scheme, the cost-effectiveness of the SG + reservoirs (RE) (1:1) was grater, which was 1.84. In semi-humid regions, the regulation and storage of rainwater, regarding its collection and use, can be widely applied to the construction of sponge cities

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of a Sponge City Construction Based on the Life Cycle Cost Theory—A Case Study of the Yanshan South Road Area of Qian’an City, China

In semi-humid regions of China, annual precipitation is not evenly distributed. Heavy, summertime rainfall with a short duration frequently causes urban flooding, and annual rainfall less than evaporation results in urban water scarcity. In 2014, Hebei Province’s Qian’an city was ranked among the first group of sponge city pilot cities. This paper investigates the historically flooded section of Yanshan South Road and its surrounding area in Qian’an, focusing on the cost of resolving an urban water problem. Using the storm flood management model (SWMM) and the life cycle cost (LCC) method, the waterlogging reduction effect and life-cycle cost of various low impact development (LID) scenarios were evaluated. Six rainfall design scenarios were simulated and calculated so that the hydrological performance and cost-effectiveness could be comprehensively evaluated to establish the economic value and effectiveness of implementing LID facilities. This study found that the cost-effectiveness values of sunken green space (SG), SG + infiltration ponds (IP) (3:1), SG + IP (1:1), and SG + IP (1:3) scenarios for infiltration LID schemes were relatively high, up to 2.10. In the infiltration-storage LID scheme, the cost-effectiveness of the SG + reservoirs (RE) (1:1) was grater, which was 1.84. In semi-humid regions, the regulation and storage of rainwater, regarding its collection and use, can be widely applied to the construction of sponge cities

Foundation Treatment Assessment and Postconstruction Settlement Prediction of a Loess High Fill Embankment: A Case Study

The design of high fill embankments (HFEs) on the loess plateau requires proper foundation treatment methods and reasonable prediction of postconstruction settlement (PCS). In situ tests were carried out on a test section of the collapsible loess foundation of a high fill airport to assess the reinforcement effects of common treatment methods. Based on in situ monitored data, the spatial-temporal variations of the PCS of the HFE were investigated, with a simple empirical formula proposed for PCS prediction. The PCS increases linearly with the fill thickness, and the PCS rate varies exponentially with the fill rate. Two engineering recommendations were made to reduce differential PCS and water damage for the test site. The first is to combine the reinforcement methods to reduce PCS of the HFE, i.e., dynamic compaction for loess foundation with lower water content and gravel piles with stabilizers for that with higher water content. The second is to employ the dynamic compaction (DC), percussive compaction (PC), and vibration compaction (VC) to strengthen the fill to reach an average compaction degree above 0.93 and a water content close to the optimal

Arrangement structure of carbon nanofiber with excellent spectral radiation characteristics

To explore the spectral radiation characteristics of carbon nanofibers, a finite-difference time-domain method has been applied to study and calculate the scattering/absorption factors of carbon nanofibers with various arrangements, while the filler contents are 61.15%, 53.81%, 48.92%, 44.03% and 39.13% in the spectrum band of 2.5–15 µm. The effects of the nanofiber content, 2D/3D random arrangement and nanofiber radius on scattering/absorption characteristics have been analyzed. The analytical results show that the spectral radiation characteristics of carbon nanofibers have been significantly increased with an increase in the filler content. When the nanofiber content reduced to 48.92%, the random arrangement structure of carbon nanofiber plays an essential role in determining the spectral radiation characteristics. Analytical results prove that the prediction accuracy has been significantly improved by 30.12% by sing the 3D random arrangement model than by using the 2D uniform arrangement model. This study proposed a 3D model to predict the spectral radiation characteristics of carbon nanofibers and their aggregates in engineering nanocomposites

The impedance analysis of small intestine fusion by pulse source

The radiofrequency-induced intestine fusion has been widely studied as an alternative for traditional suture in surgery, but fusion quality cannot be evaluated directly. Impedance measurement can evaluate fusion quality, but the relation between impedance and the fusion quality needs optimization for best results. The present study reports the optimum resistance of small intestine fusion. As the feedback signal, resistance was considered the indicator of the fusion completion for the device design of intestine fusion and an in-depth study of microstructure change. A self-design pulse source was used for the small intestine fusion with adjustable voltage, duty ratio, frequency and output time. A frequency of 440 kHz was set, whereas voltage, output time and compression pressure (CP) of the small intestine were independent variables. Different conditions of voltage, CP and time were investigated for achieving the highest burst pressure (BP) measured with a pressure gauge and a peristaltic pump. Each parameter of the equivalent circuit model was calculated by an experimental waveform. Hematoxylin–eosin staining of fusion samples was used for assessing the quality of fusion. The real-time current was measured and recorded during the fusion for the calculation of capacitance and resistance. The highest BP of 38.9 mmHg was achieved with a CP of 900 kPa, a voltage of 50 V and a time of 5 s. Finally, an optimum extracellular resistance range of 61.0–86.2 Ω was found as the optimum resistance for the end of fusion, thus indicating automatic fusion with the best fusion quality

Transcriptome study of glucagon like peptide-1 agonist Exendin-4 on mouse embryonic osteoblast precursor MC3T3-E1 in vitro

Objective: To observe the effects of Exendin-4, a glucagon-like peptide-1(GLP-1) receptor agonist, on proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of Mc3t3-E1(mouse embryonic osteoblast precursor cells) in vitro. Methods: Mc3t3-E1 cells were treated with Exendin-4 at a pre-experimental concentration of 30 nmol/L for 72 h. The cells were collected for sequencing, and the RNA-SEQ data were obtained. The differentially expressed genes greater than 2 times were screened and KEGG PATHWAY enrichment analysis and GO enrichment analysis were performed. Results: Mc3t3-E1 cells were proliferated after Exendin-4 treatment, and a total of 418 differentially expressed genes were screened, including 236 up-regulated genes and 182 down-regulated genes. GO enrichment analysis showed that the up-regulated differentially expressed genes were mainly enriched in the immune system, cellular adhesion and proteolytic pathways. KEGG PATHWAY enrichment analysis showed that The down-regulated differentially expressed genes were mainly enriched in PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, abnormal transcription in cancer, mammalian target of Rapamycin (mTOR) receptor signaling pathway, and hypoxia inducible factor 1 (HYPO xia inducible) Factor-1, HIF-1) signaling pathway. It revealed that up-regulated genes related to osteoporosis included Fosl1, Cxcl13, Clec11a, Phex, Fasl, Camk4, Stab1, Zbp1, Adora2a, Igfbp7, Cxcr2, Hp, MTI; while for Down-regulated genes included Nog, Zeb1, Esr1, Igf2bp2, Plxnb3, Rgs14. Conclusions: Exendin-4 can affect the differentiation of precursor cells into osteoblasts by influencing the expression levels of gene related to cell immunity, cell adhesion and proteolysis related genes, and ultimately affect the formation and development of osteoporosis

The <i>MKK2a</i> Gene Involved in the MAPK Signaling Cascades Enhances <i>Populus</i> Salt Tolerance

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades are highly conserved signal transduction modules, which transmit environmental signals in plant cells through stepwise phosphorylation and play indispensable roles in a wide range of physiological and biochemical processes. Here, we isolated and characterized a gene encoding MKK2 protein from poplar through the rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). The full-length PeMKK2a gene was 1571 bp, including a 1068 bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding 355 amino acids, and the putative PeMKK2a protein belongs to the PKc_like (protein kinase domain) family (70–336 amino acids) in the PKc_MAPKK_plant subfamily and contains 62 sites of possible phosphorylation and two conserved domains, DLK and S/T-xxxxx-S/T. Detailed information about its gene structure, sequence similarities, subcellular localization, and transcript profiles under salt-stress conditions was revealed. Transgenic poplar lines overexpressing PeMKK2a exhibited higher activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD) than non-transgenic poplar under salt stress conditions. These results will provide insight into the roles of MAPK signaling cascades in poplar response to salt stress

Mutations in Growth-Related Genes Induced by EMS Treatment in Scallops

Background: The goal of genetic breeding is to select variants with mutations that are related to expected traits, such as fast growth. Artificial induction has been widely used to obtain strains with more mutations for further selection. Ethylmethylsulfone (EMS) is one of the most commonly used chemical mutagens in plant and microorganism breeding. However, the application of EMS mutagenesis in shellfish has not been reported. The aim of this study is to evaluate the potential use of EMS as a mutagen in scallop breeding, especially in characterization of mutations in growth-related genes.Results: Our results indicated that hatching of about 50% of fertilized eggs was blocked by treatment with 20 mM EMS for 3 h and the resulted larvae developed normally into adult stages. We then evaluated the mutagenic effects of EMS by sequencing the genomes of 4 adult scallops from the control group and 12 from the treatment group at 8 months after fertilization. On average, after removing shared types of mutations, there were 1,151,380 +/- 258,188 SNPs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms) and 229,256 +/- 51,714 InDels (insertion-deletion) in each animal in the EMS treatment group, while there were only134841 +/- 10,115 SNPs and 42,605 +/- 5,136 InDels in the control group. The average mutation rate in the genome of the EMS treatment group (0.0137 +/- 0.0013%) was about 9 times that of the control group (0.0015 +/- 0.0002%). GO (Gene Ontology) annotation and KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) enrichment analyses revealed that mutations induced by EMS occurred evenly in most biological processes, cellular components and functions, as well in most pathways. However, significant lower percentage of mutations were found in the exonic region, in non-synonymous or Stopgain/Stoploss SNPs and in coding domains, suggesting apparent DNA repair or selection during grow-out stage. Analyses of the growth-related genes with mutations indicated that mutations in MFS (Major Facilitator Superfamily) and Tubulin were only found in the large-sized group (Five largest scallops: Treated-1, Treated-2, Treated-3, Treated-4, and Treated-5) and Homeobox and Socs (Suppressor of cytokine signaling) only in the small group (Two smallest scallops: Treated-11 and Treated-12). These results suggested that these genes may be involved in the regulation of growth in these animals, although further verification is certainly warranted.Conclusion: Treatment of fertilized eggs with 20 mM EMS for 3 h induced 9 times more mutations in scallop genomes. We found that mutations in MFS and Tubulin may be related to fast growth in the large-sized group and those mutations in Homeobox and SOCs may be involved in the slow growth in the small-sized scallops. EMS can be used to accelerate selection of economically important traits in molluscs

Non-Invasive Measurement, Mathematical Simulation and In Situ Detection of Biofilm Evolution in Porous Media: A Review

The development of biofilms and the related changes in porous media in the subsurface cannot be directly observed and evaluated. The primary reason that the mechanism of biofilm clogging in porous media cannot be clearly demonstrated is due to the opacity and structural complexity of three-dimensional pore space. Interest in exploring methods to overcome this limitation has been increasing. In the first part of this review, we introduce the underlying characteristics of biofilm in porous media. Then, we summarize two approaches, non-invasive measurement methods and mathematical simulation strategies, for studying fluid–biofilm–porous medium interaction with spatiotemporal resolution. We also discuss the advantages and limitations of these approaches. Lastly, we provide a perspective on opportunities for in situ monitoring at the field site