On The Modeling of OpenFlow-based SDNs: The Single Node Case

OpenFlow is one of the most commonly used protocols for communication between the controller and the forwarding element in a software defined network (SDN). A model based on M/M/1 queues is proposed in [1] to capture the communication between the forwarding element and the controller. Albeit the model provides useful insight, it is accurate only for the case when the probability of expecting a new flow is small. Secondly, it is not straight forward to extend the model in [1] to more than one forwarding element in the data plane. In this work we propose a model which addresses both these challenges. The model is based on Jackson assumption but with corrections tailored to the OpenFlow based SDN network. Performance analysis using the proposed model indicates that the model is accurate even for the case when the probability of new flow is quite large. Further we show by a toy example that the model can be extended to more than one node in the data plane.Comment: Published in Proceedings of CS & IT for NeCOM 201

Are faith schools educationally defensible?

Currently over a third of schools in Britain are faith schools, yet their place within the British education system remains a hotly contested issue, with advocates and opponents exchanging charge and counter-charge. With the current debate sparked by the Government’s wish to establish more faith schools it is timely to explore some of the controversial issues involved. This article explores social division, intolerance and indoctrination as objections to faith schools and evaluates whether faith schools are educationally defensible

Antioxidant activity, total phenolic content and antimicrobial activity of two medicinal plants from Sulaimani City, Iraqi Kurdistan Region

Malabar spinach  fruit  with dark blue skin and deep red violet flesh is a potential source of natural colorant. Nasturtium  officinal (watercress) of family  Brassica  ceae  has been long used as a home remedy or a medical plant by the people  Iraq- Sulaimaini City .The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant , antimicrobial activity of Malabar spinach &Nasturtium  official (water cress) extracts using various in vitro assay systems including ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP),1,1-dipheny-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and 2,2-azinobis -3- ethylbenzothiozoline sulphonate (ABTS ).Antibacterial activity were tested against five gram-positive ,three gram –negative bacteria and two fungi by disc  diffusion method for different extract  and determining their minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC)values . Total phenolic content was determined by folin ciocalteu reagent for the extract (mg Gallic acid  /g extract ). From the result  highest total phenol content was shown by Malabar  spinach  & Nastartium officinale in methanol extracts. Elemental analysis  have been done element by inductive couple plasma (ICP) techniques for each this two medicinal plants high amount of Na ,K Ca, Mn ,Zn ,Mg, Fe, Cu ,and se  elements have been detected in ppb. Key words:  Malabar spinach  , Nasturtium  officinal, antioxidant   , antimicrobial  ,phenolic

Anti-inflammatory effects of boron alone or as adjuvant with dexamethasone in animal models of chronic and granulomatous inflammation

Background:Side effects of anti-inflammatory agents are a major problem during clinical use. The development of a newer, effective, and safe anti-inflammatory agent should be considered. Boron-containing compounds are found effective as anti-inflammatory agents with relatively low side effects. We aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of boron in animal models of chronic and granulomatous inflammation.Methods: Sixty-six Wistar rats were allocated into five groups; 1st (6 rats) treated with vehicle only without induction as a negative control; 2nd (12 rats) allocated into two subgroups, treated with vehicle only, with induction of chronic and granulomatous inflammation, as appositive control. 3rd group (24 rats) allocated into four subgroups, treated with different doses of boron (3 and 6 mg/kg) in both models. Fourth group (12 rats) treated with dexamethasone (1 mg/kg) in the same models. 5th group (12 rats used) treated with boron (3 mg/kg) with dexamethasone (1 mg/kg) in the same models.Results: Boron, in a dose-dependent pattern significantly decreases inflammation in rat models of chronic and granulomatous inflammation. Combination of boron with dexamethasone significantly suppresses inflammation in both models, which is significantly higher than all of the effects produced by other approaches of treatment.Conclusion: Boron, in a dose-dependent pattern, effectively suppresses formaldehyde-induced chronic inflammation and cotton pellet-induced granuloma in rats when used alone or as an adjuvant with dexamethasone. It may be considered as a potential treatment for chronic inflammatory conditions

Evaluation of Anthhelmintic Potential of Pawpaw (Carica papaya) Seeds Administered In-Feed and In-Water for West African Dwarf (WAD) Goatss

Forty West African Dwarf (WAD) goats (average 10kg±0.25kg bodyweight) infected naturally with helminthes were used to evaluate the effectiveness of Carica papaya seeds in aqueous and crude extract forms against intestinal worms. The animals were randomly assigned into four treatment groups: GI, GII, GIII and GIV consisting of 10goats/group. GI animals were not treated while GII underwent Thiabendazole anthelmintic treatment. GIII and GIV were medically given the powdery and aqueous forms of C. papaya seed extract via feed and water respectively. Before anthelmintic treatments and after the 1st and 2nd two weeks of administering the anthelminth, faecal and blood samples were collected for parasitological and haematological analysis. Data collected were subjected to one-way ANOVA. Treatments of both aqueous and powdery forms of C. papaya seed extract resulted into a significant increase in lymphocyte counts, packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell (RBC) and haemoglobin concentration. Conversely, there was significant decrease in the eosinophil counts. The reductions in the faecal egg counts of helminth when C. papaya seed extract were applied are comparable to those obtained for thiabendazole treatment. However, the effects of aqueous form of C. papaya seed extract were more conspicuous than the crude (powdery) extract administered via the feed. The results from this study suggests that extracts from C. papaya seeds could be of potential use as alternative anthelminthic to synthetic dewormers in therapeutic or sub-therapeutic use for production animals. Keywords: Anthelmintic, haematology, helminthes, parasitology, thiabendazol

Dynamic pricing and benchmarking in AirBnB

AbstractSince Airbnb opened in 2008, renting private accommodation has evolved into a strong market presence worldwide. Recent research has focused on whether this new supply will negatively affect hotel performance. Studies mainly focus on market performance and professionalization, but there is an absence of research regarding available knowledge and experience of pricing considerations. This research focuses on pricing decisions for individual apartment rental, examining the relationship between Airbnb pricing and knowledge transfer from related fields, such as hotel revenue management, benchmarking and online travel agencies. The primary research was conducted through semi-structured interviews with industry professionals, complemented by data examples that show the relevance of individual pricing. Findings confirm that applied revenue management and benchmarking concepts can enhance a host’s booking performances. Motivation and pricing experience amongst professional/non-professional hosts differ. Benchmarking professionals identify that market research becomes a key activity for running a successful business

Understanding customer satisfaction of augmented reality in retail: a human value orientation and consumption value perspective

Purpose: While customer perceived augmented reality (AR) values have generally enhanced customer experience, AR value would be appreciated the most by a consumer segment that remains unexplored. Drawing from human value orientation theory and consumption value theory, this research proposes a new model analysing the effects of human value orientation (openness to change, conservation, self-transcendence, and self-enhancement) on perceived AR values (playful, social, visual appeal, usability) and subsequently the effects on customer satisfaction. Design/methodology/approach: The authors employed a two-step online data collection. The first step was to identify those who had used retailers' AR applications, who were then invited to participate in the full survey in the second step. A sample of 253 AR technology users' data was analysed using partial least square and structural equation modelling. Findings: The results reveal that each human value orientation is associated with its unique perceived AR values and that various perceived AR values influence customer satisfaction differently. Originality/value: This study shows the pivotal role human value orientation plays in influencing customer perceived AR values and their impacts on customer satisfaction. The findings offer key implications for digital marketing segmentation