Queue length‐based load balancing in data center networks

Traffic load balancing in data centers is an important requirement. Traffic dynamics and possibilities of changes in the topology (e.g., failures and asymmetries) make load balancing a challenging task. Existing end‐host–based schemes either employ the predominantly used ECN or combine it with RTT to get congestion information of paths. Both congestion signals, ECN and RTT, have limitations; ECN only tells whether the queue length is above or below a threshold value but does not inform about the extent of congestion; similarly, RTT in data center networks is on the scale of up to few hundreds of microseconds, and current data center operating systems lack fine‐grained microsecond‐level timers. Therefore, there is a need of a new congestion signal which should give accurate information of congestion along the path. Furthermore, in end‐host–based schemes, detecting asymmetries in the topology is challenging due to the inability to accurately measure RTT on the scale of microseconds. This paper presents QLLB, an end‐host–based, queue length–based load balancing scheme. QLLB employs a new queue length–based congestion signal that gives an exact measure of congestion along the paths. Furthermore, QLLB uses relative‐RTT to detect asymmetries in the topology. QLLB is implemented in ns‐3 and compared with ECMP, CONGA, and Hermes. The results show that QLLB significantly improves performance of short flows over the other schemes and performs within acceptable level, of CONGA and Hermes, for long flows. In addition, QLLB effectively detects asymmetric paths and performs better than Hermes under high loads.     

Evaluating sustainable energy harvesting systems for human implantable sensors

Achieving most appropriate energy-harvesting technique for human implantable sensors is still challenging for the industry where keen decisions have to be performed. Moreover, the available polymeric-based composite materials are offering plentiful renewable applications that can help sustainable development as being useful for the energy-harvesting systems such as photovoltaic, piezoelectric, thermoelectric devices as well as other energy storage systems. This work presents an expert-based model capable of better evaluating and examining various available renewable energy-harvesting techniques in urban surroundings subject to various technical and economic, often conflicting, criteria. Wide evaluation criteria have been adopted in the proposed model after examining their suitability as well as ensuring the expediency and reliability of the model by worldwide experts’ feedback. The model includes establishing an analytic hierarchy structure with simultaneous 12 conflicting factors to establish a systematic road map for designers to better assess such techniques for human implantable medical sensors. The energy-harvesting techniques considered were limited to Wireless, Thermoelectric, Infrared Radiator, Piezoelectric, Magnetic Induction and Electrostatic Energy Harvesters. Results have demonstrated that the best decision was in favour of wireless-harvesting technology for the medical sensors as it is preferable by most of the considered evaluation criteria in the model.     

Effect of oxidation of activated carbon on its enrichment efficiency of metal ions: comparison with oxidized and non-oxidized multi-walled carbon nanotubes

The effect of oxidation of activated carbon (AC) with various oxidizing agents (nitric acid, hydrogen peroxide, ammonium persulfate) on preconcentration of metal ions (Cr3+, Mn2+, Pb2+, Cu2+, Cd2+ and Zn2+) from environmental waters prior to their flame atomic absorption spectroscopic analysis was investigated. The highest recoveries and adsorption capacities towards metal ions were achieved when using nitric acid-oxidized AC (sorbent AC-NA) as preconcentrating sorbent at pH 9. A preconcentration procedure was optimized using AC-NA as sorbent, which was then compared with non-oxidized AC in terms of analytical performance of the preconcentration method. Higher sensitivity, lower detection limits and wider linear ranges were achieved when AC-NA was used. The analytical performance of the method using AC-NA as preconcentrating sorbent was also compared with nitric acid-oxidized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (sorbent MWCNT-NA) and non-oxidized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (sorbent MWCNT). The analytical performance of the preconcentration method using AC-NA was close to MWCNT-NA, but AC-NA was better than non-oxidized MWCNT. Application of the optimized preconcentration method (using AC-NA sorbent) to environmental waters (tap water, reservoir water, stream water) gave spike recoveries of the metals in the range 63-104%.     

Effect of dimensions of multi-walled carbon nanotubes on its enrichment efficiency of metal ions from environmental waters

The effect of dimensions (length and external diameter) of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on its preconcentration efficiency towards some metal ions (Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺ and MnO₄⁻) from environmental waters prior to their analysis by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (FAAS) was investigated. MWCNTs (as-received from the manufacturer) of various external diameters and lengths were involved. Other variables optimized included effects of pH of water sample, composition and volume of eluent, mass of the MWCNTs, breakthrough volume and coexisting ions. Maximum recovery of metal ions was obtained at pH 9 where it was thought that precipitation of metals as their hydroxides played the major factor in metals uptake by MWCNT. It was suggested that the use of appropriate dimensions of MWCNTs may support the trapping process of the precipitated metal hydroxides by MWCNTs. It was found that long MWCNT of length 5-15 μm and external diameter 10-30 nm gave the highest enrichment efficiency towards almost all the targeted metal ions. It could be used for preconcentration of MnO₄⁻, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺ and Pb²⁺ with almost full recovery; but not for Cd²⁺ due to its low recovery. The optimized solid phase extraction (SPE) procedure was capable of determining metal ions in the linear range 20-100 ng mL⁻¹ (except for Zn²⁺ from 20 to 150 ng mL⁻¹). Detection limits were 0.709 ng mL⁻¹ for MnO₄⁻, 0.278 ng mL⁻¹ for Pb²⁺, 0.465 ng mL⁻¹ for Cu²⁺, 0.867 ng mL⁻¹ for Zn²⁺. Application of the optimized SPE procedure to environmental waters (tap water, reservoir water and stream water) gave spike recoveries of the metals in the range of 81-100%.     

Critical point approaches to Gradient-Type systems on the Sierpi\'{n}ski Gasket

We investigate the existence of multiple solutions for parametric quasi-linear systems of the gradient-type on the Sierpi\''{n}ski gasket. We give some new criteria to guarantee that the systems have at least three weak solutions by using a variational method and some critical points theorems due to Ricceri. We extend and improve some recent results. Finally, we give two examples to illustrate the main results.     

Capillary electrophoresis-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-mass spectrometry using an orthogonal interface: Set-up and system parameters

The feasibility of atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) as an alternative ionization technique for capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry (CE-MS) was investigated using a grounded sheath-flow CE-MS sprayer and an orthogonal APCI source. Infusion experiments indicated that highest analyte signals were achieved when the sprayer tip was in close vicinity of the vaporizer entrance. The APCI-MS set-up enabled detection of basic, neutral, and acidic compounds, whereas apolar and ionic compounds could not be detected. In the positive ion mode, analytes could be detected in the entire transfer voltage range (0–5 kV), whereas highest signal intensities were observed when the corona discharge current was between 1000 and 2000 nA. In the negative ion mode, the transfer voltage typically was 500 V and the optimum corona discharge current was 6000 nA. Analyte signals were raised with increasing nebulizing gas pressure, but the pressure was limited to 25 psi to avoid siphoning and current drops. Signal intensities appeared to be optimal and constant over a wide range of sheath liquid flow rate (5–25 μL/min) and vaporizer temperature (200–350 °C). APCI-MS signals were unaffected by the composition of the background electrolyte (BGE), even when it contained sodium phosphate and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). Consequently, BGE composition, sheath-liquid flow rate, and vaporizer temperature can be optimized with respect to the CE separation without affecting the APCI-MS response. The analysis of a mixture of basic compounds and a steroid using volatile and nonvolatile BGEs further demonstrates the feasibility of CE-APCI-MS. Detection limits (S/N = 3) were 1. 6–10 μM injected concentrations.     

Shock-unsteadiness model applied to oblique shock wave/turbulent boundary-layer interaction

Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes prediction of shock wave/turbulent boundary layer interactions can yield significant error in terms of the size of the separation bubble. In many applications, this can alter the shock structure and the resulting surface properties. Shock-unsteadiness modification of Sinha et al. (Physics of Fluids, Vol.15, No.8, 2003) has shown potential in improving separation bubble prediction in compression corner flows. In this article, the modification is applied to oblique shock wave interacting with a turbulent boundary layer. The challenges involved in the implementation of the shock-unsteadiness correction in the presence of multiple shock waves and expansion fans are addressed in detail. The results show that a robust implementation of the model yields appreciable improvement over standard k–ω turbulence model predictions.     

Comparison of Cut Path Deviation Between CO2 and Diode Lasers in Float-Glass Cutting

Laser cutting of glass using the controlled fracture technique leads to cut path deviation at the leading and trailing edges of the float glass sheet. In this technique, thermal stresses are used to induce the crack, and the material is separated along the cutting path by extending the crack. We show that the cut path deviation is partly due to high magnitudes of thermal stresses generated near the sheet edges. The absorption of intense radiation from the CO₂ and diode laser beams in the glass causes local temperature increases and consequently generates different thermal fields and stress distributions due to surface and volumetric heat absorption. In this paper, we report the effect of the CO₂ and diode laser wavelength interaction with the float glass and its effect on the magnitudes of thermal stresses generated near the edges of the glass sheet. We simulate the distribution of the thermal stress and temperature using finite-element analysis software Abaqus and validate it against the experimental data. We show that the CO₂ laser produces a lower surface quality and a larger cut path deviation at the leading and trailing edges of the glass sheet as compared to the diode laser.     

Combined muta- and semisynthesis: a powerful synthetic hybrid approach to access target specific antitumor agents based on ansamitocin P3

Access of four new tumor specific folic acid/ansamitocin conjugates is reported that relies on a synthetic strategy based on the combination of mutasynthesis and semisynthesis. Two bromo‐ansamitocin derivatives were prepared by mutasynthesis or by a modified fermentation protocol, respectively, that served as starting point for the semisynthetic introduction of an allyl amine linker under Stille conditions. A sequence of standard coupling steps introduced the pteroic acid/glutamic acid/cysteine unit to the modified ansamitocins. All new derivatives, including those that are expected to be generated after internalization of the folic acid/ansamitocin conjugates into the cancer cell and reductive cleavage of the disulfide linkage showed good to strong antiproliferative activity (IC₅₀ <10 nM ) for different cancer cell lines. Finally, the four conjugates were exposed to two cancer cell lines [cervix carcinoma, KB‐3‐1 (FR+) and lung carcinoma, A‐459 (FR?)], the latter devoid of the membrane‐bound folic acid receptor (FR?). All four conjugates showed strong antiproliferative activity for the FR+ cancer cell line but were inactive against the FR? cell line. The synthetic strategy pursued is based on the combination of mutasynthesis and semisynthesis and proved to be powerful for accessing new ansamitocin derivatives that are difficult to prepare by total synthesis.