61 research outputs found
Data warehousing in the age of big data
No full textData Warehousing in the Age of the Big Data will help you and your organization make the most of unstructured data with your existing data warehouse. As Big Data continues to revolutionize how we use data, it doesn't have to create more confusion. Expert author Krish Krishnan helps you make sense of how Big Data fits into the world of data warehousing in clear and concise detail. The book is presented in three distinct parts. Part 1 discusses Big Data, its technologies and use cases from early adopters. Part 2 addresses data warehousing, its shortcomings, and new architectur
An initial event in insect innate immune response: structural and biological studies of interactions between β-1,3-glucan and the N-terminal domain of β-1,3-glucan recognition protein
No full textIn response to invading microorganisms, insect β-1,3-glucan recognition protein (βGRP), a soluble receptor in the hemolymph, binds to the surfaces of bacteria and fungi and activates serine protease cascades that promote destruction of pathogens by means of melanization or expression of antimicrobial peptides. Here we report on the NMR solution structure of the N-terminal domain of βGRP (N-βGRP) from Indian meal moth (Plodia interpunctella), which is sufficient to activate the prophenoloxidase (proPO) pathway resulting in melanin formation. NMR and isothermal calorimetric titrations of N-βGRP with laminarihexaose, a glucose hexamer containing β-1,3 links, suggest a weak binding of the ligand. However, addition of laminarin, a glucose polysaccharide (~ 6 kDa) containing β-1,3 and β-1,6 links that activates the proPO pathway, to N-βGRP results in the loss of NMR cross-peaks from the backbone 15N-1H groups of the protein, suggesting the formation of a large complex. Analytical ultra centrifugation (AUC) studies of formation of N-βGRP:laminarin complex show that ligand-binding induces sel-fassociation of the protein:carbohydrate complex into a macro structure, likely containing six protein and three laminarin molecules (~ 102 kDa). The macro complex is quite stable, as it does not undergo dissociation upon dilution to sub-micromolar concentrations. The structural model thus derived from the present studies for N-βGRP:laminarin complex in solution differs from the one in which a single N-βGRP molecule has been proposed to bind to a triple helical form of laminarin on the basis of an X-ray crystallographic structure of N-βGRP:laminarihexaose complex [Kanagawa, M., Satoh, T., Ikeda, A., Adachi, Y., Ohno, N., and Yamaguchi, Y. (2011) J. Biol. Chem. 286, 29158-29165]. AUC studies and phenoloxidase activation measurements carried out with the designed mutants of N-βGRP indicate that electrostatic interactions involving Asp45, Arg54, and Asp68 between the ligand-bound protein molecules contribute in part to the stability of N-βGRP:laminarin macro complex and that a decreased stability is accompanied by a reduced activation of the proPO pathway. Increased β-1,6 branching in laminarin also results in destabilization of the macro complex. These novel findings suggest that ligand-induced self-association of βGRP:β-1,3-glucan complex may form a platform on a microbial surface for recruitment of downstream proteases, as a means of amplification of the initial signal of pathogen recognition for the activation of the proPO pathway
Limits on the Operation of Exclusion Clauses
No full textThis article discusses exclusion clauses and instances when a court should intervene to limit the operation of such clauses. The author argues that exclusion clauses which are used improperly have the potential to damage the nature of contract by undermining the transfer or creation of rights under the contract. More specifically, the author discusses that exclusion clauses may eliminate obligations owed under the contract or absolve one party from liability completely. The author further argues that exclusion clauses allow for the unilateral alteration of the allocation of risk under a contract. In discussing these issues, the author makes reference to Canadian case law, particularly the Supreme Court of Canada’s views on appropriate limits on enforcement of exclusion clauses. In conclusion, the author considers the validity of public policy as a rationale to address the various problems created by exclusion causes
BRICS in Africa: promoting development
No full textSummary of the discussion held at the book launch at Exclusive Books, V&A Waterfront, 11 OctoberAn enlightening book launch was held at Exclusive Books in the V&A Waterfront, featuring a distinguished panel including the book's co-editors Krish Chetty, Dr. Yul Derek Davids, and contributing
author Dr. Jaya Josie. The event centred around their new book, which delves into the intricate
dynamics of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) nations and their influence on African
development.N/
Network Intrusion Detection System – A Novel Approach
No full textNetwork intrusion starts off with a series of unsuccessful breakin attempts and results eventually with the permanent or transient failure of an authentication or authorization system. Due to the current complexity of authentication systems, clandestine attempts at intrusion generally take considerable time before the system gets compromised or damaging change is affected to the system giving administrators a window of opportunity to proactively detect and prevent intrusion. Therefore maintaining a high level of sensitivity to abnormal access patterns is a very effective way of preventing possible break-ins. Under normal circumstances, gross errors on the part of the user can cause authentication and authorization failures on all systems. A normal distribution of failed attempts should be tolerated while abnormal attempts should be recognized as such and flagged. But one cannot manage what one cannot measure. This paper proposes a method that can efficiently quantify the behaviour of users on a network so that transient changes in usage can be detected, categorized based on severity, and closely investigated for possible intrusion. The author proposes the identification of patterns in protocol usage within a network to categorize it for surveillance. Statistical anomaly detection, under which category this approach falls, generally uses simple statistical tests such as mean and standard deviation to detect behavioural changes. The author proposes a novel approach using spectral density as opposed to using time domain data, allowing a clear separation or access patterns based on periodicity. Once a spectral profile has been identified for network, deviations from this profile can be used as an indication of a destabilized or compromised network. Spectral analysis of access patterns is done using the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), which can be computed in Θ(N log N) operations. The paper justifies the use of this approach and presents preliminary results of studies the author has conducted on a restricted campus network. The paper also discusses how profile deviations of the network can be used to trigger a more exhaustive diagnostic setup that can be a very effective first-line of defense for any network
Surgical Strategy for Type II Long Segment Giant Spinal Schwannomas – Case Series and Review of Literature
No full textBackground:
Schwannomas have been classified according to their size, extent, and invasiveness. The type II giant intraspinal schwannomas (T2GSS) which extend for more than two vertebral bodies longitudinally are rare tumors. The challenge in surgery is the length of these lesions.
Objective:
The author critically reviewed literature with a view to decide on an ideal surgical strategy for these tumors.
Material and Methods:
A retrospective study was performed of the authors’ cases to identify those which qualified to be T2GSS. An online search was conducted to identify previously published cases in English literature. These were then analyzed especially for surgical approach and results.
Results:
Four cases from the author and 13 cases from the literature formed the basis of the study. The majority involved the cervical spine (15/17). In 4 patients, the lesion extended into the foramen magnum. The average length of the tumors was 6.5 (range 4–13), with 9 tumors located anteriorly. The approaches used included laminectomy – 5/17, laminoplasty – 4/17, hemilaminectomy – 2/17, and anterior corpectomy – 2/17. The author used a unilateral minimal laminotomy in 4 patients. There were no intraoperative complications recorded. Postoperative morbidity included pseudomeningocele, residual tumor, and swan neck deformity.
Conclusions:
The T2GSS is a rare tumor with this report being the first case series. The surgery for these tumors needs to take into account their longitudinal extent to avoid complications related to laminectomy. A unilateral posterior approach with minimal bone removal appears to be the appropriate strategy to be adopted along with good microsurgical techniques
Search strategy
No full textSearch for peer-reviewed literature will be conducted under the guidance of an experienced health Services librarian. The following search terms and their combinations will be used: 'autism', OR 'autism spectrum disorder', AND either of the following terms: 'menarche', 'menstruation, 'menses', 'menopause', dysmenorrhea', 'PMDD', 'premenstrual dysphoric disorder', and ‘premenstrual’. Date of publication limit (1980) will be applied. The final search results will be exported into Excel and duplicates were removed by the first author, with subsequent verification by the second author. Two reviewers will independently screen all titles and abstracts of potential references, excluding those that did not meet the search criteria. The full texts of the papers will then be independently screened by both authors, with discrepancies resolved by consensus between the authors. Next, the two authors will separately check the included papers’ reference lists for identifying additional relevant studies. In the final step, we will glimpse at Google scholar for articles’ citing current publications, maximizing our efforts to collect all relevant studies
Performance specifications for real-time hybrid testing of 1:50-scale floating wind turbine models
No full textA Portrayal of Inter-caste Marriage in Chetan Bhagat’s Novel ‘2 States: The Story of My Marriage’
No full textThe aim of this paper is to understand the varied cultures and traditions existing in contemporary India which create impediments in inter-caste marriages for a young generation. Chetan Bhagat’s novels are emblems of the true thoughts of contemporary young India. 2 States: The Story of My Marriage is a love story of Krish, a Punjabi boy and Ananya, a Tamilian girl, and their attempts to convert their love into marriage with the endorsement of their parents. Author humorously delineates cultural aspects of Tamil Brahmin and Punjabi communities which are in sharp contrast to each other. The paper helps us to understand the cultural and social barriers between North-India and South-India and their impact on inter-caste marriages
Operando Fabricated Quasi-Solid-State Electrolyte Hinders Polysulfide Shuttles in an Advanced Li-S Battery
No full textLithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries are a promising option for energy storage due to their theoretical high energy density and the use of abundant, low-cost sulfur cathodes. Nevertheless, several obstacles remain, including the dissolution of lithium polysulfides (LiPS) into the electrolyte and a restricted operational temperature range. This manuscript presents a promising approach to addressing these challenges. The manuscript describes a straightforward and scalable in situ thermal polymerization method for synthesizing a quasi-solid-state electrolyte (QSE) by gelling pentaerythritol tetraacrylate (PETEA), azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN), and a dual salt lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) and lithium nitrate (LiNO3)-based liquid electrolyte. The resulting freestanding quasi-solid-state electrolyte (QSE) effectively inhibits the polysulfide shuttle effect across a wider temperature range of −25 °C to 45 °C. The electrolyte’s ability to prevent LiPS migration and cluster formation has been corroborated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Raman spectroscopy analyses. The optimized QSE composition appears to act as a physical barrier, thereby significantly improving battery performance. Notably, the capacity retention has been demonstrated to reach 95% after 100 cycles at a 2C rate. Furthermore, the simple and scalable synthesis process paves the way for the potential commercialization of this technology
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