Investigating the use of semantic technologies in spatial mapping applications

Semantic Web Technologies are ideally suited to build context-aware information retrieval applications. However, the geospatial aspect of context awareness presents unique challenges such as the semantic modelling of geographical references for efficient handling of spatial queries, the reconciliation of the heterogeneity at the semantic and geo-representation levels, maintaining the quality of service and scalability of communicating, and the efficient rendering of the spatial queries' results. In this paper, we describe the modelling decisions taken to solve these challenges by analysing our implementation of an intelligent planning and recommendation tool that provides location-aware advice for a specific application domain. This paper contributes to the methodology of integrating heterogeneous geo-referenced data into semantic knowledgebases, and also proposes mechanisms for efficient spatial interrogation of the semantic knowledgebase and optimising the rendering of the dynamically retrieved context-relevant information on a web frontend

CCD BVRI and 2MASS Photometry of the Poorly Studied Open Cluster NGC 6631

Here we have obtained the {\it BVRI CCD} photometry down to a limiting magnitude of $V \sim$ 20 for the southern poorly studied open cluster NGC 6631. It is observed from the {\it 1.88 m} Telescope of Kottamia Observatory in Egypt. About 3300 stars have been observed in an area of $\sim 10^{\prime} \times 10^{\prime}$ around the cluster center. The main photometric parameters have been estimated and compared with the results that determined for the cluster using {\it JHKs 2MASS} photometric database. The cluster's diameter is estimated to be 10 arcmin; the reddening E(B-V)= 0.68 $\pm$ 0.10 mag, E(J-H)= 0.21 $\pm$ 0.10 mag, the true modulus (m-M)$_{o}$= 12.16 $\pm$ 0.10 mag, which corresponds to a distance of 2700 $\pm$125 pc and age of 500 $\pm$ 50 Myr.Comment: 13 pages, 6 figure

Effect of homogenisation conditions on recrystallisation in the Al-Mg-Mn alloy AA5454

The purpose of the present work is to understand the microstructure development and, particularly, to control the progress of recrystallisation in hot strip in the Al-Mg-Mn alloy AA 5454, which is typically used for the manufacture of structural automotive components. The chemical composition, together with the thermomechanical processing history of this material, has a strong influence on the microstructure of the product and the resulting properties as it is supplied to the customer. Electrical conductivity measurements, thermal analysis and electron microscopy have been carried out to characterise the evolution of precipitation state at various stages in the processing route. The conditions of the homogenisation heat treatment have been varied, and the effect on subsequent recrystallisation after hot rolling has been evaluated in both the as cast and rough rolled condition by optical microscopy techniques. Results indicate that the conditions of homogenisation heat treatment and roughing rolling are critical for the generation of a suitable recrystallised microstructure in AA 5454 hot strip. A new two stage homogenisation practice has been developed to expedite post-rolling recrystallisation in this alloy

CloudScope: diagnosing and managing performance interference in multi-tenant clouds

© 2015 IEEE.Virtual machine consolidation is attractive in cloud computing platforms for several reasons including reduced infrastructure costs, lower energy consumption and ease of management. However, the interference between co-resident workloads caused by virtualization can violate the service level objectives (SLOs) that the cloud platform guarantees. Existing solutions to minimize interference between virtual machines (VMs) are mostly based on comprehensive micro-benchmarks or online training which makes them computationally intensive. In this paper, we present CloudScope, a system for diagnosing interference for multi-tenant cloud systems in a lightweight way. CloudScope employs a discrete-time Markov Chain model for the online prediction of performance interference of co-resident VMs. It uses the results to optimally (re)assign VMs to physical machines and to optimize the hypervisor configuration, e.g. the CPU share it can use, for different workloads. We have implemented CloudScope on top of the Xen hypervisor and conducted experiments using a set of CPU, disk, and network intensive workloads and a real system (MapReduce). Our results show that CloudScope interference prediction achieves an average error of 9%. The interference-aware scheduler improves VM performance by up to 10% compared to the default scheduler. In addition, the hypervisor reconfiguration can improve network throughput by up to 30%

Einstein Geometrization Philosophy and Differential Identities in PAP-Geometry

The importance of Einstein's geometrization philosophy, as an alternative to the least action principle, in constructing general relativity (GR), is illuminated. The role of differential identities in this philosophy is clarified. The use of Bianchi identity to write the field equations of GR is shown. Another similar identity in the absolute parallelism geometry is given. A more general differential identity in the parameterized absolute parallelism geometry is derived. Comparison and interrelationships between the above mentioned identities and their role in constructing field theories are discussed.Comment: LaTeX file, 17 pages, comments and criticism are welcom

Perpetration experience and gender predicting empathy with a stranger or acquaintance rapist

This study examined empathy with a hypothetical rapist based on experimentally varied type of rape (stranger; acquaintance), participant perpetration experience, and gender. Undergraduate students (115 male, 206 female) completed the Rape Perpetrator Empathy-During Subscale and Sexual Experiences Survey. Hypotheses were partially supported. Sexual perpetrators (of acquaintances) reported greater empathy than nonperpetrators, and men reported greater empathy than women. Type of rape was not significant. Findings support past research, but more data from rapists is needed

Sexual Victimization Experience Predicting Empathy with an Unspecified or Date Rape Victim

The purpose of this study was to examine empathy with a rape victim in two experimental conditions (date rape; unspecified rape) based on personal sexual victimization experience (nonvictim; date victim; nondate victim). Undergraduate women (n = 212) completed the Sexual Experiences Survey (Koss, Gidycz, & Wisniewski, 1987), and one of two versions of the Rape Victim Empathy Scale (Smith & Frieze, 2003). Results showed that all victims reported greater empathy than nonvictims, and a potential interaction (p \u3c .10); date victims tended to report greater empathy with a date rape victim than an unspecified rape victim, but nondate victims tended to report greater empathy with an unspecified rape victim than a date rape victim. Similarity in experience may influence empathy

EXTRACTION AND ISOLATION OF PROTEIN FROM LUPINE (Lupinus termis L.) SEEDS

Extraction and isolation of protein from lupine seeds by using distilled water, salt solution, and alkaline solution and precipitation with 0.1 N hydrochloric acid at pH 4.00, followed by centrifugation and freeze drying was studied. Extraction with water yielded 28.5%, with 5% sodium chloride solution 43.5% and with 0.1 N sodium hydroxide solution 79.7% protein. Alkaline solution was found most satisfactory for maximal extraction of protein from lupine seeds. The effect of various factors on the protein extraction, concentration of extractant, time of extraction and relative amount of solvent to dry seeds were also investigated. The digestibility of isolated protein - measured with in vitro enzymatic method - was high (90%)

Hyperfeminity and body-related constructs

The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationships between hyperfemininity and body esteem, body shame, and surveillance. Participants were 130 female undergraduate students taking an introductory psychology course. They were administered the Hyperfemininity Scale, the Body Esteem Scale and two subscales of the Objectified Body Consciousness Scale (Surveillance and Body Shame). As expected, hyperfemininity was positively associated with surveillance and body shame. Unexpectedly, hyperfemininity was not associated with body esteem. These findings suggest that hyperfeminine women may be at greater risk than non-hyperfeminine women to objectffr themselves and feel shameful when they compare their bodies to internalized cultural standards