Variability in Behavior of Application Service Workload in a Utility Cloud

Using the elasticity feature of a utility cloud, users can acquire and release resources as required and pay for what they use. Applications with time-varying workloads can request for variable resources over time that makes cloud a convenient option for such applications. The elasticity in current IaaS cloud provides mainly two options to the users: horizontal and vertical scaling. In both ways of scaling the basic resource allocation unit is fixed-sized VM, it forces the cloud users to characterize their workload based on VM size, which might lead to under-utilization or over-allocation of resources. This turns out to be an inefficient model for both cloud users and providers. In this paper we discuss and calculate the variability in different kinds of application service workload. We also discuss different dynamic provisioning approaches proposed by researchers. We conclude with a brief introduction to the issues or limitations in existing solutions and our approach to resolve them in a way that is suitable and economic for both cloud user and provider

Clinical Significance of Telomere Length and Associated Proteins in Oral Cancer

Purpose: Telomere shortening is an important event during carcinogenesis. Although studies suggest role of multiple proteins in telomere length regulation, there is dearth of reports in oral cancer which is a leading malignancy in Asian countries especially in India. Thus the present study was carried out to study these mechanisms and explore the pathways involved in telomere—telomerase regulation and identify possible prognostic markers to understand the biology of oral tumors for better treatment approaches. Methods: Telomere length was determined by Southern Hybridisation method, telomeric repeat binding factor (TRF) 1 and 2 expression was detected by Western blot method and telomerase activation by telomeric repeat amplifi cation protocol. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS (Version 10) software. Results: Significant shortening of telomeres was seen in the tumor tissues as compared to normal tissues. Poor prognosis was observed in the patients with higher telomere length in malignant tissue, higher tumor to normal telomere length ratio (T/N TRF LR). Expression of TRF-2 but not TRF-1 protein was signifi cantly higher in the malignant tissues. We also observed telomerase activation in 75 malignant tissues.Conclusions: Our results reveal signifi cant clinical usefulness of telomere length, T/N TRF LR and telomerase activation in the prognosis of oral cancer patients. TRF-2 overexpression in malignant tissues appears to play an important role in telomere length shortening in oral cancer. Abbreviations: TRF—Terminal restriction fragment; TRF-1—telomeric repeat binding factor-1; TRF-2—telomeric repeat binding factor-2; T/N TRF LR—Tumor/ Normal TRF length ratio

Deletion analysis of BMI1 oncoprotein identifies its negative regulatory domain

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The polycomb group (PcG) protein BMI1 is an important regulator of development. Additionally, aberrant expression of BMI1 has been linked to cancer stem cell phenotype and oncogenesis. In particular, its overexpression has been found in several human malignancies including breast cancer. Despite its established role in stem cell maintenance, cancer and development, at present not much is known about the functional domains of BMI1 oncoprotein. In the present study, we carried out a deletion analysis of BMI1 to identify its negative regulatory domain.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We report that deletion of the C-terminal domain of BMI1, which is rich in proline-serine (PS) residues and previously described as PEST-like domain, increased the stability of BMI1, and promoted its pro-oncogenic activities in human mammary epithelial cells (HMECs). Specifically, overexpression of a PS region deleted mutant of BMI1 increased proliferation of HMECs and promoted an epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotype in the HMECs. Furthermore, when compared to the wild type BMI1, exogenous expression of the mutant BMI1 led to a significant downregulation of p16INK4a and an efficient bypass of cellular senescence in human diploid fibroblasts.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>In summary, our data suggest that the PS domain of BMI1 is involved in its stability and that it negatively regulates function of BMI1 oncoprotein. Our results also suggest that the PS domain of BMI1 could be targeted for the treatment of proliferative disorders such as cancer and aging.</p

Leadership Competencies for Digital Transformation : Evidence from Multiple Cases

Digital transformation (DT) is disrupting industrial organizations, which require significant changes in their properties to remain competitive. This calls for strong leadership to drive this transformation. However, what leadership competencies are required to lead DT impactfully is unclear. Therefore, we seek to identify the key leadership competencies by employing a qualitative, grounded theory approach. By conducting interviews of ten DT experts from two hardcore industrial organizations, we highlight five key leadership competencies that industrial organizations need to develop in their leaders: digital vision, digital knowledge, failing fast, empowerment, and managing diverse teams. The results of this study will help industrial organizations to strategically prepare their leadership for the requirements of DT.©2020 Springer. This is a post-peer-review, pre-copyedit version of an article published in Advances in Human Factors, Business Management and Leadership: Proceedings of the AHFE 2020 Virtual Conferences on Human Factors, Business Management and Society, and Human Factors in Management and Leadership, July 16-20, 2020, USA. The final authenticated version is available online at: http://dx.doi.org/0.1007/978-3-030-50791-6_11.fi=vertaisarvioitu|en=peerReviewed

Osteopontin: A Novel Regulator at the Cross Roads of Inflammation, Obesity and Diabetes

Since its first description more than 20 years ago osteopontin has emerged as an active player in many physiological and pathological processes, including biomineralization, tissue remodeling and inflammation. As an extracellular matrix protein and proinflammatory cytokine osteopontin is thought to facilitate the recruitment of monocytes/macrophages and to mediate cytokine secretion in leukocytes. Modulation of immune cell response by osteopontin has been associated with various inflammatory diseases and may play a pivotal role in the development of adipose tissue inflammation and insulin resistance. Here we summarize recent findings on the role of osteopontin in metabolic disorders, particularly focusing on diabetes and obesity