Edinburgh Napier University

About: Edinburgh Napier University is a education organization based out in Edinburgh, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 2665 authors who have published 6859 publications receiving 175272 citations.

Adaptive Resource Allocation and Provisioning in Multi-Service Cloud Environments

Abstract: In the current cloud business environment, the cloud provider (CP) can provide a means for offering the required quality of service (QoS) for multiple classes of clients. We consider the cloud market where various resources such as CPUs, memory, and storage in the form of Virtual Machine (VM) instances can be provisioned and then leased to clients with QoS guarantees. Unlike existing works, we propose a novel Service Level Agreement (SLA) framework for cloud computing, in which a price control parameter is used to meet QoS demands for all classes in the market. The framework uses reinforcement learning (RL) to derive a VM hiring policy that can adapt to changes in the system to guarantee the QoS for all client classes. These changes include: service cost, system capacity, and the demand for service. In exhibiting solutions, when the CP leases more VMs to a class of clients, the QoS is degraded for other classes due to an inadequate number of VMs. However, our approach integrates computing resources adaptation with service admission control based on the RL model. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first attempt that facilitates this integration to enhance the CP's profit and avoid SLA violation. Numerical analysis stresses the ability of our approach to avoid SLA violation while maximizing the CP's profit under varying cloud environment conditions.

Branding strategy and consumer high‐technology product

Abstract: Purpose – The paper aims to propose a model to investigate the relationships between price, use, quality, and culture regarding the adoption of high‐technology branding strategy.Design/methodology/approach – Based on the identified areas of influence – price, use, quality and culture – a questionnaire was designed and randomly sent out to 70 respondents via e‐mail. At the same time, those respondents were asked to pass on the e‐mail, resulting in a total number of 94 people from 21 different countries responding to the request. The findings were evaluated and analysed by using the computer‐aided data analysis programme SPSS.Findings – The study concluded that people purchase high technology products primarily for prestige (usage) rather than to satisfy particular needs, and perception of change (culture) affected the adoption process of high‐technology.Research limitations/implications – Because of the focus of this survey to discover the incentives behind the adaptation process, the possibilities of usin...

Analysis of the water vapour sorption isotherms of thermally modified acacia and sesendok

Abstract: Two Malaysian hardwoods, acacia (Acacia mangium) and sesendok (Endospermum malaccense), that had been subjected to oleo-thermal modification were studied to determine their sorption isotherm behaviour using a dynamic vapour sorption apparatus. All the specimens were thermally modified using palm oil at three different temperatures (180, 200 and 220°C) and three different times (1, 2 and 3 h). The results showed that there was a reduction in equilibrium moisture content at each target relative humidity due to the heat treatment, but that the two wood species showed different behaviour in this respect. The adsorption isotherms were analysed using the Hailwood and Horrobin model, with excellent fits to the experimental data. The monolayer water and polylayer water were both reduced at a range of relative humidity values of the treated samples, although behaviour between the two wood species differed. Heat treatment resulted in an increase in hysteresis ratio, which was probably due to the increase i...

Parameterising expertise in coaching: past, present and future.

Abstract: Research into expertise is increasing across a number of domains pertinent to sport. Whilst this increase is particularly apparent in coaching, a key question is how to identify an expert coach? Accordingly, this paper draws upon existing studies into expert coaches to address this issue; in particular, the criteria used to select expert coaches for research purposes and the methods used in expert coach research. Based on these data, we contend that the elements of expertise are not fully reflected within currently accepted criteria which, in turn, results in expert coaching research not necessarily identifying the appropriate individuals to study. The paper concludes with recommendations for more rigorous criteria for selecting expert coaches and highlights the associated implications for the future training and development of expert coaches.