FDMC: Framework for Decision Making in Cloud for Efficient Resource Management

An effective resource management is one of the critical success factors for precise virtualization process in cloud computing in presence of dynamic demands of the user. After reviewing the existing research work towards resource management in cloud, it was found that there is still a large scope of enhancement. The existing techniques are found not to completely utilize the potential features of virtual machine in order to perform resource allocation. This paper presents a framework called FDMC or Framework for Decision Making in Cloud that gives better capability for the VMs to perform resource allocation. The contribution of FDMC is a joint operation of VM to ensure faster processing of task and thereby withstand more number of increasing traffic. The study outcome was compared with some of the existing systems to find FDMC excels better performance in the scale of task allocation time, amount of core wasted, amount of storage wasted, and communication cost

Information Security: A Coordinated Strategy to Guarantee Data Security in Cloud Computing

This paper discusses different techniques and specialized procedures which can be used to effectively protect data from the owner to the cloud and then to the user. The next step involves categorizing the data using three encryption parameters provided by the user, which are Integrity, Availability, and Confidentiality (IAC). The data is secured through various methods such as SSL and MAC protocols to ensure data integrity checks, searchable encryption, and splitting the data into three parts for cloud storage. Dividing the data into three portions not only enhances security but also facilitates easier access. Access to the encrypted data requires the user to provide the login information and password of the owner. This paper also studies critical security issues like unauthorized servers, brute force attacks, threats from cloud service providers, and loss of user identity and password

Ultra-high Performance Liquid Chromatography in Steroid Analysis

The latest version of liquid chromatography is ultra-high performance (or pressure) chromatography (UHPLC). In the technique, short and narrow-bore columns with particle sizes below 3 µm are used. The extremely high pressure used results in very short analysis times, excellent separation, and good resolution. This makes UHPLC a good choice for steroidal analysis. Steroids are a highly interesting area of study; they can be recognized as biomarkers for several diseases and are a relevant topic in doping testing. In this thesis articles on the topic ‘steroid analysis with UHPLC’, published prior to April 2017, are reviewed. UHPLC is always combined with mass spectrometry (MS) for steroid analysis. The MS utilized is usually of multi-dimension: quadrupole time of flight (QTOF) or triple quadrupole (QqQ). The instrumentation is suitable for both untargeted and targeted analysis. In untargeted studies, the study of changes in the human metabolome has been especially interesting. The articles on targeted studies are usually focused on doping control and quantification of identified biomarkers. The analysis with UHPLC-MS/MS usually provide reliable results with fast analysis time, without complicated sample preparation. Typically, the sample preparation processes can include only protein precipitation, liquid-liquid extraction or solid-phase extraction. UHPLC is also a valuable tool in simple and routine analysis. The separation efficiency is increased by the small plate height and the analysis time can thus be reduced. In this thesis work the technique was utilized for the analysis of food additives. For validation of an UHPLC method the repeatability, trueness, bias, measurement uncertainty and other factors need to be assessed. The experimental part of the thesis is dedicated to describe the development and validation of a method for analysis of five food additives and caffeine. The developed method was partly validated, with the aim to fulfil the needs of the Finnish Customs Laboratory. The optimized method comprised of an injection volume of 2 µL and a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The buffer was a phosphate buffer at pH of 4.0 and the gradient elution program was from 6 % to 30 % of acetonitrile in 1.6 minutes, then 1.6-1.7 minutes with 6% acetonitrile. The total run time was only 1.7 minutes. The limit of detection values was between 0.02 µg/mL and 1.73 µg/mL. The limit of quantitation values was between 0.054 µg/mL to 5.78 µg/mL, which should be sufficient for the Customs needs in the sense of checking if a product is over a certain limit. Expanded measurement uncertainties were around 20 %

Genome wide analysis of NAC transcription factors and their expression pattern during high temperature and drought stress in groundnut

NAC (NAM, ATAF1/2 and CUC2) is a prime plant specific transcription factor, which plays a pivotal role in stress signaling. Excavating a relatively large number of NAC TFs under complex environmental cues and understanding their molecular basis,\ua0remains a challenge. The objective of this study was to analyse a total of 76 NAC transcription factors of which 38 were from Arachis duranensis (AdNAC) and Arachis ipaensis (AiNAC) for phylogeny, chromosomal location, conserved motif identification including membrane bound NTLs (NAC trans-membrane like), promoter analysis and expression profiles under high temperature and drought stress.\ua0The study led to the identification of eight membrane bound NTLs, such as AdNAC26, AdNAC36, AiNAC16, AiNAC17, AiNAC37, AdNAC14, AiNAC12, and AiNAC29, and revealed that majority of NAC proteins had four NAC domain- containing conserved motifs and were localised at the nucleus. The study also reveals AdNAC21 and AiNAC3 as positive regulators under both stress conditions. Our results provide a basis for selection of promising stress- responsive NAC candidates for further functional analysis, leading to development of transgenics with improved productivity of groundnut varieties under drought and high temperature.NAC (NAM, ATAF1/2 et CUC2) est un facteur sp\ue9cifique primordial dans la transcription chez la plante, qui joue un r\uf4le principal dans la signalisation des stresses. Fouiller un nombre relativement important de NAC TFs sous le complexe des signaux environnementaux et comprendre leur base mol\ue9culaire, demeurent un d\ue9fi. L\u2019objectif de cette \ue9tude \ue9tait d\u2019analyser un total de 76 facteurs de transcription desquels 38 sont de Arachis duranensis (AdNAC) et Arachis ipaensis (AiNAC) pour la phylog\ue9nie, la localisation chromosomique, l\u2019identification du motif conserv\ue9 y comprises la membrane li\ue9e NTLs (semblable \ue0 NAC transe-membrane), analyse du promoteur et les profils d\u2019expression sous le stress de haute temp\ue9rature et de s\ue9cheresse. L\u2019\ue9tude a conduit \ue0 l\u2019identification de huit membranes NTLs li\ue9es, telles que AdNAC26, AdNAC36, AiNAC16, AiNAC17, AiNAC37, AdNAC14, AiNAC12, et AiNAC29, et a r\ue9v\ue9l\ue9 que la majorit\ue9 des prot\ue9ines NAC ont quatre domaines NAC- contenant des motifs conserv\ue9s et sont localis\ue9s dans le noyau. L\u2019\ue9tude a aussi r\ue9v\ue9l\ue9 AdNAC21 et AiNAC3 comme r\ue9gulateurs positifs sous les deux conditions \ue0 la fois. Nos r\ue9sultats ont fourni une base pour la s\ue9lection des NAC candidats donnant de r\ue9ponses satisfaisantes aux stresses pour une analyse fonctionnelle avanc\ue9e, conduisant au d\ue9veloppement des transg\ue9niques avec des vari\ue9t\ue9s d\u2019arachide \ue0 rendement am\ue9lior\ue9 sous la s\ue9cheresse et une haute temp\ue9rature

A study on effectiveness and progress outcomes of educational inhaler technique intervention in asthma and COPD patients

Aim: A study on effectiveness and success factors of educational inhaler technique intervention in asthma and COPD. Objectives: To identify the percentage of common errors done by people who use inhalers. To identify the risk factors associated with asthma and COPD. Method: Data was collected from the subject’s face to face interview in a community setup and the lung capacities were measured using spirometer and peak flow meter; the values were noted and the subjects were asked to demonstrate their inhaler technique using placebo inhalers; numbers of correct and incorrect steps were noted. After a period of one month; the subjects were taken to follow up and measured the lung capacities and checked the inhaler steps; number of correct and incorrect steps were noted. Results: A total of 572 samples were collected and 500 were followed up, in which 300 had Asthma and 200 had COPD. Out of which 189 were female and 311 were male. Low education level was the single most important factor leading to incorrect technique. Formal training resulted in a statistically significant increase in the percentage of correct techniques for all the devices. For pMDI (54.01% vs. 91.03%, *p=0.005 before & after training respectively). For pMDI+Spacer (52.75% vs. 94.85%, *p=0.007 before & after training respectively). For Accuhaler (54.07% vs. 91.27%, *p=0.017 before & after training respectively). For Rotahaler (63.94 vs. 98.64%. *p=0.029 before & after training respectively). For Nebuliser (56.97% vs. 91.88%, *p=0.001 before & after training respectively. Conclusion: Proper education to patients on correct usage may not only improve control of the symptoms of the disease but might also allow dose reduction in long term. The number of subjects doing correct steps gradually increased after the pharmacist led intervention. Thus, proper counselling for the inhaler use in patients must be encouraged as it is directly linked to the quality of life of patient. Keywords: Asthma and COPD control inhaler devices, inhaler technique, pharmacist intervention, inhaler education

Weather Variability, Tides, and Barmah Forest Virus Disease in the Gladstone Region, Australia

In this study we examined the impact of weather variability and tides on the transmission of Barmah Forest virus (BFV) disease and developed a weather-based forecasting model for BFV disease in the Gladstone region, Australia. We used seasonal autoregressive integrated moving-average (SARIMA) models to determine the contribution of weather variables to BFV transmission after the time-series data of response and explanatory variables were made stationary through seasonal differencing. We obtained data on the monthly counts of BFV cases, weather variables (e.g., mean minimum and maximum temperature, total rainfall, and mean relative humidity), high and low tides, and the population size in the Gladstone region between January 1992 and December 2001 from the Queensland Department of Health, Australian Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland Department of Transport, and Australian Bureau of Statistics, respectively. The SARIMA model shows that the 5-month moving average of minimum temperature (β = 0.15, p-value < 0.001) was statistically significantly and positively associated with BFV disease, whereas high tide in the current month (β = −1.03, p-value = 0.04) was statistically significantly and inversely associated with it. However, no significant association was found for other variables. These results may be applied to forecast the occurrence of BFV disease and to use public health resources in BFV control and prevention

Spatio-Temporal Patterns of Barmah Forest Virus Disease in Queensland, Australia

Background Barmah Forest virus (BFV) disease is a common and wide-spread mosquito-borne disease in Australia. This study investigated the spatio-temporal patterns of BFV disease in Queensland, Australia using geographical information system (GIS) tools and geostatistical analysis. Methods/Principal Findings We calculated the incidence rates and standardised incidence rates of BFV disease. Moran's I statistic was used to assess the spatial autocorrelation of BFV incidences. Spatial dynamics of BFV disease was examined using semi-variogram analysis. Interpolation techniques were applied to visualise and display the spatial distribution of BFV disease in statistical local areas (SLAs) throughout Queensland. Mapping of BFV disease by SLAs reveals the presence of substantial spatio-temporal variation over time. Statistically significant differences in BFV incidence rates were identified among age groups (χ2 = 7587, df = 7327,p<0.01). There was a significant positive spatial autocorrelation of BFV incidence for all four periods, with the Moran's I statistic ranging from 0.1506 to 0.2901 (p<0.01). Semi-variogram analysis and smoothed maps created from interpolation techniques indicate that the pattern of spatial autocorrelation was not homogeneous across the state. Conclusions/Significance This is the first study to examine spatial and temporal variation in the incidence rates of BFV disease across Queensland using GIS and geostatistics. The BFV transmission varied with age and gender, which may be due to exposure rates or behavioural risk factors. There are differences in the spatio-temporal patterns of BFV disease which may be related to local socio-ecological and environmental factors. These research findings may have implications in the BFV disease control and prevention programs in Queensland

Snake Bite in South Asia: A Review

Snake bite is one of the most neglected public health issues in poor rural communities living in the tropics. Because of serious misreporting, the true worldwide burden of snake bite is not known. South Asia is the world's most heavily affected region, due to its high population density, widespread agricultural activities, numerous venomous snake species and lack of functional snake bite control programs. Despite increasing knowledge of snake venoms' composition and mode of action, good understanding of clinical features of envenoming and sufficient production of antivenom by Indian manufacturers, snake bite management remains unsatisfactory in this region. Field diagnostic tests for snake species identification do not exist and treatment mainly relies on the administration of antivenoms that do not cover all of the important venomous snakes of the region. Care-givers need better training and supervision, and national guidelines should be fed by evidence-based data generated by well-designed research studies. Poorly informed rural populations often apply inappropriate first-aid measures and vital time is lost before the victim is transported to a treatment centre, where cost of treatment can constitute an additional hurdle. The deficiency of snake bite management in South Asia is multi-causal and requires joint collaborative efforts from researchers, antivenom manufacturers, policy makers, public health authorities and international funders