Microservices Validation: Methodology and Implementation

Due to the wide spread of cloud computing, arises actual question about architecture, design and implementation of cloud applications. The microservice model describes the design and development of loosely coupled cloud applications when computing resources are provided on the basis of automated IaaS and PaaS cloud platforms. Such applications consist of hundreds and thousands of service instances, so automated validation and testing of cloud applications developed on the basis of microservice model is a pressing issue. There are constantly developing new methods of testing both individual microservices and cloud applications at a whole. This article presents our vision of a framework for the validation of the microservice cloud applications, providing an integrated approach for the implementation of various testing methods of such applications, from basic unit tests to continuous stability testing

Strain- and Adsorption-Dependent Electronic States and Transport or Localization in Graphene

The chapter generalizes results on influence of uniaxial strain and adsorption on the electron states and charge transport or localization in graphene with different configurations of imperfections (point defects): resonant (neutral) adsorbed atoms either oxygen- or hydrogen-containing molecules or functional groups, vacancies or substitutional atoms, charged impurity atoms or molecules, and distortions. To observe electronic properties of graphene-admolecules system, we applied electron paramagnetic resonance technique in a broad temperature range for graphene oxides as a good basis for understanding the electrotransport properties of other active carbons. Applied technique allowed observation of possible metal-insulator transition and sorption pumping effect as well as discussion of results in relation to the granular metal model. The electronic and transport properties are calculated within the framework of the tight-binding model along with the Kubo-Greenwood quantum-mechanical formalism. Depending on electron density and type of the sites, the conductivity for correlated and ordered adsorbates is found to be enhanced in dozens of times as compared to the cases of their random distribution. In case of the uniaxially strained graphene, the presence of point defects counteracts against or contributes to the band-gap opening according to their configurations. The band-gap behaviour is found to be nonmonotonic with strain in case of a simultaneous action of defect ordering and zigzag deformation. The amount of localized charge carriers (spins) is found to be correlated with the content of adsorbed centres responsible for the formation of potential barriers and, in turn, for the localization effects. Physical and chemical states of graphene edges, especially at a uniaxial strain along one of them, play a crucial role in electrical transport phenomena in graphene-based materials.Comment: 16 pages, 10 figure

Sharp Gaussian decay for the one-dimensional harmonic oscillator

We prove a conjecture by Vemuri by proving sharp bounds on $\ell^{\kappa}$ sums of Hermite functions multiplied by an exponentially decaying factor. More explicitly, we prove that, for each $y>0,$ we have $$\sum_{n \ge 1} |h_n(x)|^{\kappa} \frac{e^{-\kappa n y}}{n^{\beta}} \ll_y x^{\frac{1}{2} - 2\beta} e^{-\kappa x^2 \tanh(y)/2},$$ for all $x \in \mathbb{R}$ sufficiently large. Our proof involves the classical Plancherel-Rotach asymptotic formula for Hermite polynomials and a careful local analysis near the maximum point of such a bound.Comment: 5 page

A New Ant Genus (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) from the Late Eocene Rovno Amber

Based on workers from the Late Eocene Rovno amber (Ukraine), Damzenomyrmex gen. n. (Dlichoderinae) is established to include Damzenomyrmex ribbeckei sp. n., which is described here. I consider Damzenomyrmex to be a relative of Dolichoderus s. l. and assign it to the tribe Dolichoderini. Damzenomyrmex differs well from representatives of the previously established subgenera (genera) of Dolichoderus s. l., such as Dolichoderus s. str., Karawajewella, Acanthoclinea, Monoceratoclinea and Diceratoclinea by the nature of the mesosomal armature. It differs from the species of Hypoclinea in the presence of horn-like projections on the anterolateral corners of the pronotum. Regarding the last character, Damzenomyrmex reminds the species of Monacis, but readily differs from them by the non-concave posterior propodeal margin, a different shape of the petiolar scale, a not laterally marginated mesonotum, and some other characters. Furthermore, Damzenomyrmex differs from all Dolichoderus s. l. species in the cuticular structure and in the serration pattern of the mandibles, with the masticatory margin having 6–7 minor sharp teeth and a much longer apical one, the basal angle distinct and the basal margin lacking teeth or denticles. The comparative composition of Dolichoderinae and representatives of other ant subfamilies in late Eocene European ambers is considered

A quantitative stability result for the sphere packing problem in dimensions 8 and 24

We prove explicit stability estimates for the sphere packing problem in dimensions 8 and 24, showing that, in the lattice case, if a lattice is $\sim \varepsilon$ close to satisfying the optimal density, then it is, in a suitable sense, $O(\varepsilon^{1/2})$ close to the $E_8$ and Leech lattices, respectively. In the periodic setting, we prove that, under the same assumptions, we may take a large 'frame' through which our packing locally looks like $E_8$ or $\Lambda_{24}.$ Our methods make explicit use of the magic functions constructed by M. Viazovska in dimension 8 and by H. Cohn, A. Kumar, S. Miller, the second author, and M. Viazovska in dimension 24, together with results of independent interest on the abstract stability of the lattices $E_8$ and $\Lambda_{24}.$Comment: 24 page

Paralinguistic features and stylistic techniques of advertising communication

The purpose of this study is to study the theoretical provisions of pragmalinguistics regarding advertising texts, to describe their paralinguistic features and stylistic techniques in advertising communication. The objectives of the study are: to analyze domestic and foreign theoretical and practical scientific research in the field of pragmalinguistics of advertising discourse and advertising texts; to identify and describe the main theoretical positions of approaches and technologies in advertising communication; present and study classifications of types of English- language advertising slogans based on structural, stylistic, semantic and functional characteristics. The research methodology is based on methods of theoretical and empirical levels were used to solve research tasks to achieve the goal. As a result of the conducted research, the two main strategies that advertising uses to convince the target audience to buy certain goods or services: psychodynamic and socio-cultural. In the socio-cultural strategy, it is obvious that the culture within which an individual makes decisions about actions is of great importance for the formation of his behavior, since the advertising slogan interacts with cultural requirements. Advertising slogans are designed to reflect the culture and appeal to the feelings of people in a given society

Statistical analysis and forecast of assessing the development of grain market on the south of Russia

Purpose: The article aims to identify the trends in the development of grain production in the Rostov region. The expert assessment of the production and export of grain, with a breakdown of the main achievements, is very important from the point of view of forecasting the development of the results of agricultural production of farmers in this region. Design/Methodology/Approach: To identify the prospects for the development of production for grain crops in the Rostov region, it is necessary: first, to identify the main directions of their development, second, to identify negative phenomena in this sector and third to identify the main activities that will help to eliminate agricultural sector reform. Findings: To identify trends in the development of grain production in the Rostov region, as well as assess the export volume of grain abroad, detailing the main achievements and results of agricultural production of farmers, a large array of statistical data from leading Russian and international analytical agencies were used. By expert evaluation, they were processed, which allowed the authors to make a forecast of grain production and export. Practical Implications: The results of the study can be used to draw up sound plans for the volumes of grain production and grain exports, as well as to further assess the forecasts for the development of agricultural production. Originality/Value: The study made it possible to draw a conclusion on the development of agricultural production in part of the grain market in a single region.peer-reviewe

Straintronics in Phosphorene: Tensile vs Shear Strains and Their Combinations for Manipulating the Band Gap

We study the effects of the uniaxial tensile strain and shear deformation as well as their combinations on the electronic properties of single-layer black phosphorene. The evolutions of the strain-dependent band gap are obtained using the numerical calculations within the tight-binding (TB) model as well as the first-principles (DFT) simulations and compared with previous findings. The TB-model-based findings show that the band gap of the strain-free phosphorene agrees with the experimental value and linearly depends on both stretching and shearing: increases (decreases) as the stretching increases (decreases), whereas gradually decreases with increasing the shear. A linear dependence is less or more similar as compared to that obtained from the ab initio simulations for shear strain, however disagrees with a non-monotonic behaviour from the DFT-based calculations for tensile strain. Possible reasons for the discrepancy are discussed. In case of a combined deformation, when both strain types (tensile/compression + shear) are loaded simultaneously, their mutual influence extends the realizable band gap range: from zero up to the values respective to the wide-band-gap semiconductors. At a switched-on combined strain, the semiconductor-semimetal phase transition in the phosphorene is reachable at a weaker (strictly non-destructive) strain, which contributes to progress in fundamental and breakthroughs.Comment: 16 pages,5 figures, 1 tabl

Improvement of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease treatment

Aim of investigation. To estimate efficacy of combined hepatotropic drug «Hepaguard Active» for prevention of progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) at steatosis stage.Material and methods. Overall 25 patients with verified NAFLD at steatosis stage were studied. All patients received Hepaguard Active 1 capsule tid at meal time for 3 months. Before and after treatment course general examination was performed, including: inquiry and physical examination, clinical and biochemical blood tests, FibroMax tests, large intestine contents culture, bioimpedance analysis of componental body composition, ultrasound investigation of abdominal organs.Results. On a background of «Hepaguard Active» therapy improvement of symptoms was marked, condition of hepatobiliary tract has improved, lipid spectrum was normalized, excessive body weight decreased, quality of life improved.Conclusions. Hepaguard Active can be recommended to patients with NAFLD at steatosis stage for correction of revealed disorders and prevention of disease progression

Donors of effective genes for scald resistance in barley

Background. One of the most harmful diseases of barley in all areas of its cultivation is scald. The causal agent Rhynchosporium commune Zaffarano, B.A. McDonald & A. Linde (formerly – Rhynchosporium secalis (Oudem.) J.J. Davis) is characterized by a high level of variability, which leads to the emergence of new pathotypes and the loss of resistance of a number of cultivars. Most barley cultivars recommended for cultivation are highly affected by the pathogen. The aim of the study was to find new donors of effective barley resistance genes to R. commune.Materials and methods. Resistance to the fungus was tested in 99 accessions of barley landraces from 18 countries under laboratory and field conditions. The experiments employed isolates and clones of R. commune isolated from plants collected in Leningrad Province. Plant resistance was scored using point scales. Genetic control of fungal resistance was studied in the selected accessions using hybridological analysis.Results and conclusions. We identified 3 accessions of barley landraces, which retained high resistance to the fungus for six years of study in the field under inoculation with different populations of R. commune. Accessions k-31504 (Macedonia), k-31505 (Ethiopia) and k-31503 (India) are protected by R. commune resistance genes, which differ from each other, are not allelic to the previously identified effective Rrs9 gene, and manifest themselves throughout all stages of barley ontogenesis. Each of accessions k-31504 and k-31505 incorporates 2 recessive pathogen resistance genes; k-31503 carries 3 recessive resistance genes