A survey of checkpointing algorithms for parallel and distributed computers

Checkpoint is defined as a designated place in a program at which normal processing is interrupted specifically to preserve the status information necessary to allow resumption of processing at a later time. Checkpointing is the process of saving the status information. This paper surveys the algorithms which have been reported in the literature for checkpointing parallel/distributed systems. It has been observed that most of the algorithms published for checkpointing in message passing systems are based on the seminal article by Chandy and Lamport. A large number of articles have been published in this area by relaxing the assumptions made in this paper and by extending it to minimise the overheads of coordination and context saving. Checkpointing for shared memory systems primarily extend cache coherence protocols to maintain a consistent memory. All of them assume that the main memory is safe for storing the context. Recently algorithms have been published for distributed shared memory systems, which extend the cache coherence protocols used in shared memory systems. They however also include methods for storing the status of distributed memory in stable storage. Most of the algorithms assume that there is no knowledge about the programs being executed. It is however felt that in development of parallel programs the user has to do a fair amount of work in distributing tasks and this information can be effectively used to simplify checkpointing and rollback recovery

Cultural Traditions in Silapathikaram

Culture has many meanings but it refers best about the land and the spirit of the people. Culture is the refined human emotions. The customs that prevailed among the people from time to time are transformed into cultural traditions. Kundalakesi as a kundalam worn in the ears, Valayapathi as a bangle worn on the hands, Sivakasintamani as a ruby beam shining on the chest showering mercy, Manimekagalai as a pearl-studded megalai, Silapathikaram as a beautiful anklet in the feet,  all these are weared by the Tamil woman as ornaments and they enjoys it. Poet Suthananda Bharatiyar mentions that she wears Sulamani as a crown of jewels on her head and carries the scepter of Thirukkural and rules without any slippage of justice. In this article, we will see about the Silambam (anklet) on the lotus feet of such a special Tamil woman

Deity Worship in Kottai Bommakka by Kumarakesan

Community refers to a specific group of people and a larger group of people living in a homogeneous geographical area. We can call the Tamil speaking people as Tamil society. Through Sangam literary songs, we can know that worship has been practiced in Tamil society since ancient times. A collection of short stories called Kottai Bommakka written by the novelist Kumarakesan is about the worship of small idols and especially about the sacrifice and offerings to God. This article particularly deals about the offerings given to God

FLAVONOID CONTENT AND ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF ALBIZIA JULIBRISSIN. DURAZZ LEAF, STEM AND FLOWER EXTRACTS AGAINST CLINICALLY ISOLATED BACTERIAL PATHOGENS

Objective: To test the antibacterial efficacy of leaf, stem, and flower extracts of Albizia julibrissin against bacterial pathogens. Methods: Extraction of active metabolites was carried out by using six different solvents, and total flavonoid content in each extract was determined by Aluminium chloride method. To determine the antibacterial activity of extracts, disc diffusion method and tube dilution method were carried out. Zone of inhibition and Minimum inhibitory Concentration (MIC) were calculated. Results: Methanolic extracts of leaf samples of A. julibrissin showed highest extractive value (5.14g/100g) and total flavonoid content (35.14mg/g). In overall leaf extracts of A. julibrissin showed maximum zone of inhibition towards P. vulgaris (10.1 mm*) and least susceptible microorganism is S. typhi (3.5 mm*). Stem and flower extracts inhibited bacterial growth only at higher concentrations (MIC, 160-215 and 65-180µg/ml respectively). Conclusion: Apart from the energy crop, based on the results and value-added compounds present in A. julibrissin, it may be considered as antibacterial agent in future

Cotton Plant Diseases Detection Using Various Classification and Segmentation Techniques – A Survey

Cotton is a prominentcash crop that is cultivated throughout the world majorly for its fibrous fruit known as the boll. Botanically named as  Gossypium Hirsutum, cotton is a shrub that belongs to the family Malvaceae. It plays a phenomenal role in the textile industry over and above many other markets too. Like other plants, cotton plants are vulnerable to a variety of pathogenic attacks. This paper describes about the list of  diseases that affects the cotton plant and the various segmentation and classification techniques that are employed to detect those diseases along with the pros and cons, accuracy of each technique

Effect of Ethanolamine and HCl on structural and optical properties of Nickel oxide thin films

In the present work, Nickel Oxide thin films were prepared by spin coating technique. The effects of Ethanolamine and HCl on structural and optical properties of NiO thin films are studied. The structural properties of NiO thin films were examined by X-ray Diffraction (XRD). The amorphous nature of NiO thin films were observed from XRD pattern. FESEM studies of the surface morphology of NiO thin films exhibits smooth and uniform surface with average particle size of 200 nm for Ethanolamine doping sample and 300 nm for HCl doping sample. The functional groups and surface roughness of NiO thin films were investigated by FTIR and 3 D Laser Profilometry. The surface roughness of the prepared samples increases with increasing thickness from 4.49 μm to 6.81 μm. The optical characteristics of the samples were determined by UV Visible Spectrophotometer. This results shows that the prepared NiO thin films exhibits high optical transparency

A study on the association of diabetes and semen quality in and around Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Background: Globally prevalence of diabetes is gradually increasing in individual at reproductive stage. Uncontrolled blood sugar affects biological systems including reproductive. Thus, this study was aimed to analyze the association of diabetes and male infertility in and around Chennai. Methods: Fifty-four male participants who visited the fertility clinic was grouped in two based on the sugar value. An anthropometric measurement, clinical, blood, seminal parameters and life style behaviors was analyzed. All study variables was analyzed to examine the association of diabetes and semen quality. Results: Study results shows that people with diabetes had abnormal semen parameters as compared to non- diabetic study participants. Pearson’s correlation between the semen parameters and blood sugar value of the study participants showed semen parameters: volume (r=-0.28, p<0.05), count (r=-0.22, p<0.05), and motility (r=-0.23, p<0.05), has a significantly week negative correlation with blood sugar level.  Scatter plots also showed semen parameters:  volume (r2=-0.079), count (r2=-0.048), and motility (r2=-0.053), had a significantly week negative linear correlation with blood sugar level. Conclusions: From the study it was concluded that the uncontrolled blood sugar levels affect the reproductive health of the study participants.

Biofuel Production Using Marine Microbes

One of the greatest challenges for world in the twenty-first century is to meet the growing demand for energy for transportation, heating and industrial processes and to provide raw material for the industry in a sustainable way. Today, ethanol is being promoted as a clean and renewable fuel that will reduce global warming, air pollution and reliance on diminishing gasoline. In the present study conversion of agricultural residue such as wood powder, corn stalk, paddy straw, ragi stalk, millet stalk and sugarcane stalk in to ethanol production was aimed by two processes. 1. Hydrolysis of cellulosed in lignocellulosic materials to fermentable reducing sugars using cellulolytic marine bacteria and 2. Fermentation of the sugars to ethanol using marine yeast. Among the 15 potential cellulase producers isolated, 3 strains namely Klebsiella ozeanae, Pseudomonas aerugionsa and Enterobacter cloacae were found to be the most potent strains. Growth optimization study revealed that K. ozeanae preferred pH: 7, temperature: 35oC, salinity: 3% and 30 hours of incubation period as optimum for maximum growth. Whereas for P. aeruginosa the optimum growth conditions were pH: 8, temperature: 35oC, Salinity: 2% and 36 hours incubation period. Likewise for E. cloacae it was pH: 7, temperature: 35oC, Salinity: 2% and 36 hours incubation period. All the strains preferred cellulose as the most preferable substrate for the cellulase production at which 271, 263 and 231 U/ml/min. of enzyme activity was observed for K. ozeanae, P. arurginosa and E. cloacae respectively. Among the nitrogen sources yeast extract showed maximum enzyme activity in the above strains respectively of 282, 275 and 263 U/ml/min. in mass scale production with 1% cellulose as carbon source and 1% yeast extract as nitrogen source resulted in 293, 280 and 264 U/ml/min. enzyme activity was observer for K. ozeanae, P. aeruginosa and E. cloacae respectively. It was interesting to note that with cheaper substrate (wood powder) also almost equal amount of enzyme production was observed. When all three strains were used as a consortium at optimum growth conditions such as pH-7, temperature-35oC, salinity -2%, 30 hrs incubation period in an anaerobic condition 11% of ethanol production was observed which was found to be highest ever reported. These wild strains as such cane be used for industrial ethanol production.Keywords: Microbs, biofuel, Hydrolysis, Fermentatio

LUCIFERASE REPORTER MYCOBACTERIOPHAGES FOR EVALUATING NORBORNENE-BASED ANTITUBERCULOSIS DRUG SUSCEPTIBILITY TESTING ON MYCOBACTERIUM TUBERCULOSIS

  Objective: In 2015, 9.6 million people around the world became sick with tuberculosis (TB) disease and 1.5 million TB-related deaths worldwide. Recent increasing incidence of multidrug-resistant (MDR; resistance to at least rifampicin (RIF) and isoniazid [INH]) and extensively drug-resistant (MDR resistance plus resistance to a fluoroquinolone and an aminoglycoside) makes TB a serious concern. Lot of research is needed to deal with this infectious disease for a better alternative in treatment or modification of these older TB drugs. The present study aimed at evaluating antimycobacterial activity of norbornene (NOR) derived INH copolymer with poly ethylene glycol (NOR- polyethylene glycol [PEG]-INH) a novel nanocarrier along with the anti-TB drug using luciferase reporter phages (LRPs).Methods: NOR derived INH accounts for 74% of INH, 24% of NOR, and 2% of PEG. H37Rv control strain, a sensitive, and a resistant strain of Mycobacterium TB (MTB) used in this study. The in vitro activity of the drug was evaluated using absolute concentration method. The resistant strain was evaluated using LRP assay to observe the minimum inhibitory concentration of the drug.Results: Reduction in light units was observed for the resistant strain exposed to plain INH and NOR-PEG-INH separately. 24% of reduction was observed in strains exposed to plain INH whereas 37% of reduction was observed in strains exposed to NOR-PEG-INH.Conclusion: NOR-based INH had better antimycobacterial activity compared to plain INH and RIF. Antimycobacterial activity of INH and RIF increases even with very low dosage with NOR conjugate

Effect of organic and inorganic nutrients on rice (Oryza sativa var. CO 51) productivity and soil fertility in the Western zone of Tamil Nadu, India

In sustainable agriculture, to ensure high-quality food production, a combination of organic and inorganic nutrient sources are required. During the winter season of 2020, a field experiment was undertaken in the western zone of Tamil Nadu to assess the effects of organics and inorganics on the growth, yield, and soil properties of rice, Oryza sativa var. CO 51. The experiment was framed in Random Block Design (RBD) comprising of 8 treatments viz., Recommended dose of fertilizer Soil Test Crop Response (STCR) approach (T1), RDF 75 % + Farm yard manure @ 12.5 t ha-1 (T2), T2 + Seed treatment with Azospirillum and Phosphobacteria + Soil application of AM fungi (T3), RDF 75 % + Vermicompost @ 5 t ha-1 (T4), T4 + Seed treatment with Azospirillum and Phosphobacteria + Soil application of AM fungi (T5), FYM @ 12.5 t ha-1 + Seed treatment with Azospirillum and Phosphobacteria + Soil application of AM fungi (T6), Vermicompost @ 5 t ha-1+ Seed treatment with Azospirillum and Phosphobacteria + Soil application of AM fungi (T7) and absolute control (T8) , replicated thrice. Among the integrated nutrient management practices, T5 proved its superiority over other treatments with respect to growth and physiological parameters followed by T3. This would have been because of the solubilization of phosphorus in the soil by AM organisms which is made accessible for crop growth. Utilization of biofertilizer enhanced the N availability and solubilized the inaccessible phosphorus, which thus recorded higher N accessibility and better phosphorus uptake when applied along with a recommended dose of fertilizer for rice.