INVESTIGATION OF THE ROLE OF SERVICE LEVEL AGREEMENTS IN WEB SERVICE QUALITY

Context/Background: Use of Service Level Agreements (SLAs) is crucial to provide the value added services to consumers to achieve their requirements successfully. SLAs also ensure the expected Quality of Service to consumers. Aim: This study investigates how efficient structural representation and management of SLAs can help to ensure the Quality of Service (QoS) in Web services during Web service composition. Method: Existing specifications and structures for SLAs for Web services do not fully formalize and provide support for different automatic and dynamic behavioral aspects needed for QoS calculation. This study addresses the issues on how to formalize and document the structures of SLAs for better service utilization and improved QoS results. The Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) is extended in this study with addition of an SLAAgent, which helps to automate the QoS calculation using Fuzzy Inference Systems, service discovery, service selection, SLA monitoring and management during service composition with the help of structured SLA documents. Results: The proposed framework improves the ways of how to structure, manage and monitor SLAs during Web service composition to achieve the better Quality of Service effectively and efficiently. Conclusions: To deal with different types of computational requirements the automation of SLAs is a challenge during Web service composition. This study shows the significance of the SLAs for better QoS during composition of services in SOA

Introducing leaf color chart in agriculture of Sindh

Sindh land province of Pakistan is an oldest civilization of the world. Its major economy depends on agriculture. For better crop production, peoples of Sindh use all available resources. They are always interested in new technology from pre-history. Moen-Jo-Dro (Mount of deed, Sindh) peoples were made own instruments for seedbed preparation to harvest crops. This nation was inventory for maximization of crop yield. Remembering ancestors, currently, Sindhi farmers struggling to maximize the crop yield in context with the increasing rate of population, but they are facing a scarcity of agriculture technology due to poverty. They have no good agriculture machinery for better crop cultivation as well as soil analysis laboratories. Students of Sindh Agriculture University always had taken advanced steps to make stronger Sindhi farmer by providing them new modern technology for maximization of crop yield. Funding of this, recently, first time self-made leaf color chart (LCC) is introduced in agriculture of Sindh. Now farmers of Sindh can use LCC for rice to estimate and manage nitrogen deficiency. Deficit of nitrogen cause the nutrient stress which stop or retard plant growth and development, thus directly reduce the yield. Nitrogen deficiency is analyzed by many good methods including LCC becoming famous method because of simple to use. A simple experiment was taken in 2014 to make self LCC and use for rice, wheat, and sugarcane crops in Sindh. This research paper lighting up in detail what is LCC, its uses, and how we made and introduced in agriculture of Sindh

EFFECT OF FOLIAR APPLICATION OF UREA ON DIFFERENT GROWTH STAGES OF WHEAT

The experiment was conducted at Student Farm, Department of Agronomy, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam during the year 2012-13, to evaluate the effect of foliar dose of urea on different growth stages of wheat variety TJ-83 with 3 replications, experimental design Randomized Block Design with two factors A foliar nitrogen concentration of urea with treatments control (non -treated plots), 0.5% and 1.0%however in factor B include two growth stages i.e. Tillering stage, Anthesis stage. Wheat variety TJ-83 was cultivated at net plot size 4x4= (16 m2). The results revealed that germination (%) showed non-significant response to foliar nitrogen concentrations, growth stages and their interaction whereas all other wheat traits significantly affected by different foliar fertilizers, growth stages and their interaction.The mean maximum plant height (cm), grains spike-1 and seed index (1000 grain weight g) were recorded at 0.5% urea nitrogen concentrations whereas other wheat traits tillers plant-1, spike length (cm), spikelets spike-1 and grain yield kg ha-1 were foundThe experiment was conducted at Student Farm, Department of Agronomy, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam during the year 2012-13, to evaluate the effect of foliar dose of urea on different growth stages of wheat variety TJ-83 with 3 replications, experimental design Randomized Block Design with two factors A foliar nitrogen concentration of urea with treatments control (non -treated plots), 0.5% and 1.0%however in factor B include two growth stages i.e. Tillering stage, Anthesis stage. Wheat variety TJ-83 was cultivated at net plot size 4x4= (16 m2). The results revealed that germination (%) showed non-significant response to foliar nitrogen concentrations, growth stages and their interaction whereas all other wheat traits significantly affected by different foliar fertilizers, growth stages and their interaction.The mean maximum plant height (cm), grains spike-1 and seed index (1000 grain weight g) were recorded at 0.5% urea nitrogen concentrations whereas other wheat traits tillers plant-1, spike length (cm), spikelets spike-1 and grain yield kg ha-1 were found superior at 0.5% and 1.0% foliar nitrogen concentrations.Maximum mean for growth stages was observed at plant height (cm), tillers plan-1,spike length (cm), spikelets spike-1, seed index (1000 grain weight g) and grain yield were recorded at tiilering stages whereas higher value of grains spike-1 was recorded at anthesis growth stage of wheat. The interactive results indicated that the maximum plant height (cm) was recorded at interaction of 1.0% foliar nitrogen concentration x tillering stage, however higher values of tillers plan-1, spike length (cm) spikelets spike-1, seed index (1000 grain weight g) and grain yield kg ha-1 were observed at interaction of 0.5% and 1.0% foliar nitrogen concentrations x tillering stages. Further results indicated that the foliar nitrogen concentrations, growth stages and their interaction showed enhanced values as compared to control plots where no any fertilizer was applied.&nbsp

Effects of a high-dose 24-h infusion of tranexamic acid on death and thromboembolic events in patients with acute gastrointestinal bleeding (HALT-IT): an international randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Background: Tranexamic acid reduces surgical bleeding and reduces death due to bleeding in patients with trauma. Meta-analyses of small trials show that tranexamic acid might decrease deaths from gastrointestinal bleeding. We aimed to assess the effects of tranexamic acid in patients with gastrointestinal bleeding. Methods: We did an international, multicentre, randomised, placebo-controlled trial in 164 hospitals in 15 countries. Patients were enrolled if the responsible clinician was uncertain whether to use tranexamic acid, were aged above the minimum age considered an adult in their country (either aged 16 years and older or aged 18 years and older), and had significant (defined as at risk of bleeding to death) upper or lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Patients were randomly assigned by selection of a numbered treatment pack from a box containing eight packs that were identical apart from the pack number. Patients received either a loading dose of 1 g tranexamic acid, which was added to 100 mL infusion bag of 0·9% sodium chloride and infused by slow intravenous injection over 10 min, followed by a maintenance dose of 3 g tranexamic acid added to 1 L of any isotonic intravenous solution and infused at 125 mg/h for 24 h, or placebo (sodium chloride 0·9%). Patients, caregivers, and those assessing outcomes were masked to allocation. The primary outcome was death due to bleeding within 5 days of randomisation; analysis excluded patients who received neither dose of the allocated treatment and those for whom outcome data on death were unavailable. This trial was registered with Current Controlled Trials, ISRCTN11225767, and ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01658124. Findings: Between July 4, 2013, and June 21, 2019, we randomly allocated 12 009 patients to receive tranexamic acid (5994, 49·9%) or matching placebo (6015, 50·1%), of whom 11 952 (99·5%) received the first dose of the allocated treatment. Death due to bleeding within 5 days of randomisation occurred in 222 (4%) of 5956 patients in the tranexamic acid group and in 226 (4%) of 5981 patients in the placebo group (risk ratio [RR] 0·99, 95% CI 0·82–1·18). Arterial thromboembolic events (myocardial infarction or stroke) were similar in the tranexamic acid group and placebo group (42 [0·7%] of 5952 vs 46 [0·8%] of 5977; 0·92; 0·60 to 1·39). Venous thromboembolic events (deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism) were higher in tranexamic acid group than in the placebo group (48 [0·8%] of 5952 vs 26 [0·4%] of 5977; RR 1·85; 95% CI 1·15 to 2·98). Interpretation: We found that tranexamic acid did not reduce death from gastrointestinal bleeding. On the basis of our results, tranexamic acid should not be used for the treatment of gastrointestinal bleeding outside the context of a randomised trial

A comparative study of distillery spent wash with NPK (standard chemical fertilizers) at seedling stage of sorghum (Sorghum Bicolor L.)

The price of commercial chemical fertilizers is beyond the purchasing power of farming community of world’s developing countries. Therefore, to find out the substitute of these commercial chemical fertilizers a comparative study was conducted at seedling stage of sorghum variety named Sarokartuho in seed testing laboratory. The experiment was carried out in completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications and three treatments, i.e. only drinking water (as check), recommended dose of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium (NPK commercial fertilizer), 30%+70% of distillery spent wash + water, 50%+50% distillery spent wash + water respectively. The results for spent wash (T2) were at seed germination% (95.33%), shoot length (6.62 cm), root length (5.49 cm), shoot fresh weight (0.18 mg), root fresh weight (0.019 mg), shoot dry weight (0.017 mg) and root-dry weight (0.005 mg) of sorghum. However, the maximum values for these all traits of observations except seed germination were recorded at recommended dose of NPK (chemical fertilizers)

Sustainable Agricultural Practices as Perceived by Farmers in Sindh Province of Pakistan

The study was conducted in Sindh Province of Pakistan. 180 respondents were selected from six district namely Badin, Mirpurkhas, Sanghar Khairpur, Larkana and Jacobabad. From each district 30 respondents were selected by using simple random sampling techniques. This study used a descriptive research design and the target population was farmers. A representative sample of 180 farmers was proposed from six districts of Sindh, namely, 1. Larkana 2. Naushehro Feroze 3. Shaheed Benazirabad 4. Sanghar 5. Mirpurkhas 6. Badin representing the agro-ecological zones of Sindh province producing Cotton, Wheat, Rice, Vegetables, Orchards and Sugar Cane crops. Multistage plan was used to collect the data. A survey questionnaire was designed to collect data for this study. A likert type scale ranging from (1) not familiar (2) to somewhat (3) for very much. This scale was used to asses the level of perceptions of the respondents. The respondents were interviewed personally by well structured and pre-tested direct interview schedule. Questionnaire items were coded and entered into the SPSS computer program. Suitable statistical techniques such as percentage analysis, mean and standard deviation were used to analyze and interpreted the data. The results revealed that out of total growers, majority (54.44%) had medium socio-economic status, whereas 28.89 percent and 16.67 percent had low and high socio-economic status respectively. Extent of knowledge of farmers: Majority of the respondents (52%) were observed in medium category of knowledge followed by high (26.67%) and low (20.56%) levels of knowledge, respectively. It was observed that the farmers were familiar to some what, familiar with sustainable agriculture practices selection of pure seed variety, maintenance and Integrated Soil Fertility, Integrated Weed Management and efficient Use of irrigation water. However the majority of farmers were not familiar with the use of genetically modified Crop, Fish farming, Mulch Technology, EM Technology and IPNMS. However, none of the farmers were found in high category of adoption levels. The respondents suggested adoption of sustainable agriculture practices should be promoted through extension services

Analysis of Coverage and Area Spectral Efficiency under Various Design Parameters of Heterogeneous Cellular Network

As day by day the population is increasing, the use of mobile phones and different applications is increasing which requires high data rate for transmission. Homogeneous cellular network cannot fulfill the demand of mobile users, so creating a heterogeneous cellular network (HCN) is a better choice for higher coverage and capacity to fulfil the increasing demand of upcoming 5G and ultra-dense cellular networks. In this research, the impact of antenna heights and gains under varying pico to macro base stations density ratio from 2G to 5G and beyond on two-tier heterogeneous cellular network has been analyzed for obtaining optimum results of coverage and area spectral efficiency. Furthermore, how the association of UEs affects the coverage and ASE while changing the BSs antenna heights and gains has been explored for the two-tier HCN network model. The simulation results show that by considering the maximum macro BS antenna height, pico BS antenna height equal to user equipment (UE) antenna height and unity gains for both macro and pico tiers, the optimum coverage and area spectral efficiency (ASE) for a two-tier fully loaded heterogeneous cellular network can be obtained

Modelling Techniques Used in The Analysis of Stratified Thermal Energy Storage: A Review

Thermal energy storage plays an important role in the energy management and has got great attention for many decades; stratification is a key parameter to be responsible for the performance of the stratified thermal energy storage tank. In this paper detailed study of modelling techniques used to analyse thermal energy storage has been conducted. The division of literature has been made as numerical, analytical, and artificial neural network-based. Numerical modelling being very physical based and required more specific software’s tools remain costly and computationally very complex at the same time it provides the detailed insights into the system, analytical model provide the exact solutions but need some assumptions which make the system unrealistic in some cases but is easy and flexible in terms of computational requirements, ANN though recently used modelling technique is a black box model which merely needs the data rather than any physical based complex calculations is attracting the scientific community

Quality Attributes of Immature Fruit of Different Mango Varieties

The study was carried out to evaluate quality attributes of immature fruits of four commercially grown varieties of mango namely Sindhri, Chaunsa, Langra and Desi. The immature mango fruits were collected from basin of mango tree in the end of April followed by washing, surface drying and extraction of fruit pulp. The extracted fruit pulp was assessed for pH, TSS, moisture and ash percentage, acidity, vitamin C, fat, protein and sugars. Besides, minerals including sodium, calcium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, iron, copper, chromium, and manganese were also determined. On the basis of varietal comparison Sindhri had more moisture (88.60%), ash and fat (0.60%) each, total sugars (6.99%) and reducing sugars (2.78%) as compared to rest of the varieties. However TSS (9.35%), protein (0.71%), and non reducing sugars (4.86%) were recorded the highest in Langra variety. Only the Chaunsa variety had maximum pH of 3.01 and vitamin-C (27.16 mg 100g-1). Regarding mineral elements, Desi was found potential in terms of sodium (453.93 mg kg-1), calcium (403.79 mg kg-1), Zinc (3.47 mg kg-1) and iron (5.95 mg kg-1). The zinc and iron was at par with the results obtained from Langra. However, potassium (904.58 mg kg-1) and copper (2.58 mg kg-1) were observed the highest in Langra, magnesium (78.09 mg kg-1) in Chaunsa and manganese (2.43 mg kg-1) in Sindhri

Effect of NPK rates and irrigation frequencies on the growth and yield performance of <em>Trifolium alexandrium</em> L.

The limiting of water resource and traditional farming practices are threatening the sustainability of important minor crops in Pakistan, including berseem, which is a key source of fodder for dairy farms. Each year, 2% reduction of cultivated area, low yield and grower’s non-preference (to rotate or replace wheat-cotton pattern) factors are adversely affecting the livestock sector. Consequently, animal rearing business is suffering badly due to lack of fresh forage in the country. Therefore, a three-replicated randomized complete block design (RCBD) field experiment was conducted during rabi season to evaluate berseem crop in term of yield and profit under existing farming practice (85:115:00 NPK kg ha−1 + 12 irrigations with 15 days intervals) and optimized treatments (70:100:30 NPK kg ha−1, 55:85:15 NPK kg ha−1 + 12, 08, 04 irrigations + 15, 18, 21 days intervals). The net plot size was 12 m2 with a pH range of 8.1 silty clay loam soil type. In addition, the climate was monitored as well, there was no rainfall observed during the entire crop period. The analysis of statistical data showed a significant (p &lt; 0.05) vegetative, reproductive and economic performance of berseem in optimized farming practices compared to traditional practice. Thus, maximum plant height, leaves plant−1, branches plant−1, plant weight, fodder and seed yield, net profit, and profit on $−1 (81.8 cm, 100.8, 36.0, 19.3 (g), 72.0 t, 829.30 kg ha−1,$1910.8 ha−1, $2.03 respectably) were measured from treatment 70:100:30 NPK kg ha−1 + 12 irrigations at 15 days intervals, which is recommended to the farmers of synonymic agro-environmental conditions. Furthermore, the treatment 70:100:30 NPK kg ha−1 + 8 irrigations was also better with the aspect of satisfactory outcome and 33% less use of water