Framework for the interoperability of software engineering metamodels

University of Technology, Sydney. Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology.A model, represented as a concrete artefact, is an abstraction of reality according to a certain conceptualization. A model can support communication and analysis about relevant aspects of the underlying domain. A model must be expressed in some language and such languages are defined using metamodels. Many metamodels have been proposed and used in the software engineering literature. Some define modelling languages that are general in nature but the literature of modelling is dominated by domain-specific modelling languages or metamodels. Most of these metamodels have been developed independently from each other and any shared concepts are only accidental. Widespread adoption of these metamodels is hindered by differences between metamodels' concepts. Using more than one modelling language during software development requires some sort of interoperability between the metamodels of those modelling languages. This interoperability is also required to allow mappings between models developed using different modelling languages. These metamodels are not static in nature and are continuously evolving. This evolution has increased their size and complexity over time. This complexity increases when more than one metamodel is used during software development. Interoperability of a pair of metamodels can reduce their joint size and complexity (elaborated in detail in Chapter 7). The need for interoperability between metamodels is also raised by many research communities. In this thesis, we have developed a framework that can be used for metamodel interoperability. The framework compares metamodel elements based on their syntax, semantics and structure. The semantics of metamodel elements are further investigated for linguistic and ontological semantics. Since terms such as interoperability, bridging, merging and mapping have all been used, often loosely, with reference to metamodel compatibility, we will define these terms under the generic term harmonization. Metamodels share some similarities with other domains, e.g. ontologies and schemas. In this thesis, we have also explored the techniques available in these domains that might be useful for metamodel interoperability. We have applied our framework to different metamodels and have shown how metamodels can be used in an interoperable fashion. The results achieved are analysed and we have shown how interoperability of metamodels can reduce their size and their joint complexity, hence making them easier to understand and use

Optimization of cultural conditions for protease production by Bacillus subtilis EFRL 01

Molasses was used as a sole carbon source for the protease production from Bacillus subtilis EFRL 01 in batch wise submerged condition. The bacterial culture was grown on mineral medium and maximum production was noted after 8 h of incubation. The effect of different variable such as carbon sources (0.5 and 1.0%), nitrogen sources (0.75), sodium chloride, potassium chloride, zinc chloride (0.5 - 3.0%), pH (3 - 12) and temperature (25 - 55°C) on the protease production was checked. The maximum enzyme production was noted when B. subtilis EFRL 01 was grown on mineral medium containing 1.0% molasses, 0.75% peptone and 2.0% sodium chloride when incubated at 45°C for 8 h with initial pH 8.5. The enzyme produced by B. subtilis is pH stable and thermostable, which can be utilized in local detergent and leather industry.Key words: Bacillus subtilis EFRL 01, molasses, protease

Isolation and purification of membrane-bound cytochrome c from Proteus mirabilis

In the present studies, respiratory chain pathogenic bacterium, Proteus mirabilis, was investigated. In the first phase, growth profile study was performed to optimize the P. mirabilis growth. Maximum bacterial growth could be obtained between 10 – 12 h of culturing time. Down-stream processing was performed by using sonication, ultracentrifugation and detergent solubilization techniques. Partially purified respiratory contents were analyzed spectrophotometrically. Pyridine-ferrochrome and redoxspectra showed the presence of heme-c

The asymmetric effect of film and drama industry, energy efficiency and economic growth on green innovation: Empirical evidence from quantile estimation

The popularity of green innovation has dramatically increased in the recent times because of the potential benefits attached with it. Therefore, in order to make the technology more affordable, green innovation is the key to enhancing the affordability factor. On the other hand, in order to safeguard the environment, the role of media is one of fundamental importance. In contrast, energy consumption is often regarded as a key indicator of economic prosperity, mostly at the cost of the environment. Hence, the present study attempts to explore the asymmetric effect of the film and drama industry, energy efficiency, and economic growth on green innovation, with the help of the latest quantile autoregressive distributed lag (QARDL) method for the period 2000Q1 to 2019Q4. The results have reported a positive and significant association of the Film and Drama Industry, Energy Efficiency, and economic growth on the quantiles of Green Innovation. Based on the findings, it is recommended that there is a dire need to develop content that promotes the green innovation, whereas, more investments are to be sought after, so as to enhance the level of energy efficiency

Toward Automation of the Supine Pressor Test for Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia leads to increased risk of morbidity and mortality for both mother and fetus. Most previous studies have largely neglected mechanical compression of the left renal vein by the gravid uterus as a potential mechanism. In this study, we first used a murine model to investigate the pathophysiology of left renal vein constriction. The results indicate that prolonged renal vein stenosis after 14 days can cause renal necrosis and an increase in blood pressure (BP) of roughly 30 mmHg. The second part of this study aimed to automate a diagnostic tool, known as the supine pressor test (SPT), to enable pregnant women to assess their preeclampsia development risk. A positive SPT has been previously defined as an increase of at least 20 mmHg in diastolic BP when switching between left lateral recumbent and supine positions. The results from this study established a baseline BP increase between the two body positions in nonpregnant women and demonstrated the feasibility of an autonomous SPT in pregnant women. Our results demonstrate that there is a baseline increase in BP of roughly 10-14 mmHg and that pregnant women can autonomously perform the SPT. Overall, this work in both rodents and humans suggests that (1) stenosis of the left renal vein in mice leads to elevation in BP and acute renal failure, (2) nonpregnant women experience a baseline increase in BP when they shift from left lateral recumbent to supine position, and (3) the SPT can be automated and used autonomously

Development and in-vitro Evaluation of Once Daily Tablet Dosage Form of Loxoprofen Sodium

Purpose: To formulate and characterize once daily controlled release tablet of loxoprofen sodium.Methods: Eudragit RS-100, hydroxylpropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and pectin were used as release retarding polymers. All the formulations were prepared by direct compression method. Various precompression studies were carried out to determine Hausner’s ratio, Carr’s index, angle of repose, bulk density and tapped density Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies and also post-compression studies to evaluate hardness, friability, weight variation, drug content, in-vitro drug release were conducted on the tablets. The drug release data were subjected to kinetic models, including zero order, first order, Hixon Crowell, Higuchi and Korsmeyer-Peppas.Results: Compressibility index (7.6 ± 1.32 - 12.5 ± 1.43%), Hausner’s ratio (1.08 ± 0.04 - 1.14 ± 0.03), angle of repose (27.78 ± 0.47 - 30.49 ± 0.46°), hardness (6.25 ± 0.27 - 7.21±0.21 kg/cm2), friability (0.14 ± 0.06 - 0.28 ± 0.0 %), weight variation (249.5 ± 2.09 - 251.35 ± 2.41 mg) and drug content  (97.30 ± 0.28 - 103.70 ± 0.31 %) were within generally accepted limits for the pre-and post-compression formulations, respectively. The tablets having the maximum amount of among the three polymers tested as matrix materials, HPMC, represented by F3 tablets, exerted better sustained release properties after 12 h. Release pattern was more of Fickian diffusion followed by Higuchi mechanism.Conclusion: The release of the loxoprofen sodium was optimized up to 12 h.Keywords: Loxoprofen, Sustained release, hydroxypropyl methylcelluose, Pectin, Eudragit, Matrix tablet

Magnetic Properties of Ab initio Model for Iron-Based Superconductors LaFeAsO

By using variational Monte Carlo method, we examine an effective low-energy model for LaFeAsO derived from an ab initio downfolding scheme. We show that quantum and many-body fluctuations near a quantum critical point largely reduce the antiferromagnetic (AF) ordered moment and the model not only quantitatively reproduces the small ordered moment in LaFeAsO, but also explains the diverse dependence on LaFePO, BaFe2As2 and FeTe. We also find that LaFeAsO is under large orbital fluctuations, sandwiched by the AF Mott insulator and weakly correlated metals. The orbital fluctuations and Dirac-cone dispersion hold keys for the diverse magnetic properties.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Coffee consumption and prostate cancer risk: further evidence for inverse relationship

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Higher consumption of coffee intake has recently been linked with reduced risk of aggressive prostate cancer (PC) incidence, although meta-analysis of other studies that examine the association between coffee consumption and overall PC risk remains inconclusive. Only one recent study investigated the association between coffee intake and grade-specific incidence of PC, further evidence is required to understand the aetiology of aggressive PCs. Therefore, we conducted a prospective study to examine the relationship between coffee intake and overall as well as grade-specific PC risk.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We conducted a prospective cohort study of 6017 men who were enrolled in the Collaborative cohort study in the UK between 1970 and 1973 and followed up to 31st December 2007. Cox Proportional Hazards Models were used to evaluate the association between coffee consumption and overall, as well as Gleason grade-specific, PC incidence.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Higher coffee consumption was inversely associated with risk of high grade but not with overall risk of PC. Men consuming 3 or more cups of coffee per day experienced 55% lower risk of high Gleason grade disease compared with non-coffee drinkers in analysis adjusted for age and social class (HR 0.45, 95% CI 0.23-0.90, p value for trend 0.01). This association changed a little after additional adjustment for Body Mass Index, smoking, cholesterol level, systolic blood pressure, tea intake and alcohol consumption.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Coffee consumption reduces the risk of aggressive PC but not the overall risk.</p

Promising biomarkers of environmental enteric dysfunction: a prospective cohort study in Pakistani children.

Environmental Enteric Dysfunction (EED), a syndrome characterized by chronic gut inflammation, contributes towards stunting and poor response to enteric vaccines in children in developing countries. In this study, we evaluated major putative biomarkers of EED using growth faltering as its clinical proxy. Newborns (n = 380) were enrolled and followed till 18 months with monthly anthropometry. Biomarkersassociated with gut and systemic inflammation were assessed at 6 and 9 months. Linear mixed effects model was used to determine the associations of these biomarkers with growth faltering between birth and 18 months. Fecal myeloperoxidase (neutrophil activation marker) at 6 months [β = -0.207, p = 0.005], and serum GLP 2 (enterocyte proliferation marker) at 6 and 9 months [6M: β = -0.271, p = 0.035; 9M: β = -0.267, p = 0.045] were associated with decreasing LAZ score. Ferritin at 6 and 9 months was associated with decreasing LAZ score [6M: β = -0.882, p \u3c 0.0001; 9M: β = -0.714, p \u3c 0.0001] and so was CRP [β = -0.451, p = 0.039] and AGP [β = -0.443, p = 0.012] at 9 months. Both gut specific and systemic biomarkers correlated negatively with IGF-1, but only weakly correlated, if at all with each other. We therefore conclude that EED may be contributing directly towards growth faltering, and this pathway is not entirely through the pathway of systemic inflammation

Stream-Based Authentication Strategy Using IoT Sensor Data in Multi-homing Sub-aqueous Big Data Network

Big data analytics has addressed many in-place and remote network issues in a sub-aqueous distributed computing environment. Recently, a new phenomenon is introduced in the data analytics clusters that focus on multi-homing network connectivity procedures among off-ground multiple nodes of the large-scale on-running wireless industrial applications. In this way, the clusters perform multi-layer cross-connected task processing among various networks simultaneously and perform stream based data block placement over multiple nodes in a sequential order. This satisfies the procedural performance of the cluster; however, security remains an open issue in it because of unavailability of inter-network data block processing authorization. In this paper, we propose a stream based authentication mechanism, that specifically addresses security concerns of multi-homing sub-aqueous big data networks and presents a key authorization infrastructure that performs a proper handing taking among multiple off-ground Datanodes before an inter-network data block exchange. The simulation results depict that our approach increases multi-homing network compatibility and reliability while processing a data block in the sub-aqueous distributed computing environment