A QoS-enhanced intelligent stochastic real-time packet scheduler for multimedia IP traffic

A re-configurable, QoS-enhanced intelligent stochastic real-time optimal fair packet scheduler, QUEST, for IP routers is proposed and investigated. The objective is to maximize the system QoS subject to the constraint that the processor utilization is kept at 100%. All past work on router schedulers for multimedia traffic were of earlier generation, in that they focused on maximizing utilization whereas being QoS-aware but without explicitly maximizing the QoS. Keeping utilization fixed at nearly 100%, QoS is dynamically maximized, thus moving to the next generation. QUEST’s other unique advantages are three-fold. First, it solves the challenging problem of starvation for low priority processes; second, it solves the major bottleneck of Earliest Deadline First scheduler’s failure at heavy traffic loads. Finally, QUEST offers the benefit of arbitrarily pre-programming the process utilization ratio. Three classes of multimedia IP traffic, namely, VoIP, IPTV and HTTP have been considered. Two most important QoS metrics, namely, packet loss rate (PLR) and mean waiting time, are addressed. All claims are supported by discrete event and Monte Carlo simulations. The proposed scheduler outperforms benchmark schedulers and offers 37% improvement in packet loss rate and 23% improvement in mean waiting time over the best competing current scheduler Accuracy-aware EDF. The proposed scheduler was validated in a test-bed platform of a NetFPGA® router and results were observed with Paessler® PRTG network monitor.

     

Micro-watershed level population based fuelwood consumption dynamics: Implications of seasonal vs. annual models for sustainable energy resource planning

Most developing countries such as India use biomass as a primary source of energy especially in domestic sectors in the rural area. The increasing population exerts more pressure on the biomass resource thereby initiating energy crisis in the region. The issue of shortage of fuelwood in the remote mountain regions is increasing since the alternative energy resources have limitations either due to poor economic condition of the people, complex technology involved or being inaccessible due to remoteness. It is also seen that the use of traditional biomass as a source of energy will improve the livelihood conditions of the people and it will give ecological benefits to the region if other associated factors like health, gender etc. are taken care of and thus the planners aim to focus on sustaining the natural fuelwood resources. The present paper attempts to predict the future fuelwood demand based on the present consumption pattern in the upland villages of Indian Himalaya. Major consumption characteristics such as fuelwood consumption at different altitude and per capita fuelwood consumption (PCFC) are studied. Population dynamics model is postulated in order to assess future population vs. fuelwood consumption scenario, thereby projecting the future population and the future fuelwood demand in the region.It is observed that variations in fuelwood consumption exist at different altitudes in the hilly region. Mathematical modelling and time-series simulation model was proposed and validated model to predict the future expected demand of fuelwood resources in Phakot watershed. Based on the projected population and season based fuelwood requirements, the watershed will have a total fuelwood demand of 19,327 t in 2011 which is expected to reach 36,462 t in 2021. Such studies on the future resource demand trends will help in finding suitable region-specific and need-based alternative strategies for achieving sustainable fuelwood management at the micro-level.     

Pinch Roller Failure Analysis and Resulting Enhancement of Rebar Mechanical Properties

Reinforcing bars, popularly termed “rebars,” are used to impart tensile strength to concrete structures. Concrete has high resistance to weathering and fire and high compressive strength but almost no tensile strength, hence rebars are used to provide the latter to concrete. Property consistency along the length of rebars is an important prerequisite. When the finished product is subjected to thermomechanical treatment (TMT), proper control of rolling and water box parameters and efficient pinch rolling are needed to achieve acceptable properties. Variation of yield strength (YS) along TMT bars from the front to back end has been observed within the same heat treatment. In the presented investigation, it was observed that pinch rolling ineffectiveness is the main reason for the poor mechanical properties at the back end. The pinch roller was unable to support the back end of the TMT bars properly to maintain the speed and tension of the bars, resulting in nonuniform cooling of the back end through the water box and subsequent mechanical property failure. Due to the substandard material of the pinch roller, it was unable to hold the back end of the bar properly. Based on analysis of the roller it was concluded that it failed due to improper microstructure, resulting in inadequate hardness and toughness for the stringent operating conditions. AISI H13 is a better material to use in such high-service-temperature conditions. Moreover, proper heat treatment is needed to achieve adequate hardness and microstructure properties. After proper heat treatment of pinch rollers, their service life was increased twofold, minimizing the YS variation along the rebars.     

Size dependent ferromagnetism in dodecyl amine capped ZnO nanoparticles

We investigated the size dependent ferromagnetism in dodecyl amine capped zinc oxide nanoparticle. X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis demonstrated that density of oxygen vacancies was enhanced due to an increase in compressive strain concomitant with the decrease in particle size. Magnetic measurements showed increased ferromagnetic ordering in ZnO nanoparticles with reduced particle size. It was also found that the increase in coercive field, saturation magnetization and magnetic hysteresis loop area were invariably associated with increased oxygen defect population. The observed ferromagnetism in organic capped zinc oxide nanocrystals has therefore been assigned to defect induced phenomena. Results of sample characterization using optical absorption spectroscopy, photo luminescence spectroscopy and high resolution transmission electron microscope have also been presented.     

Determination of correlation properties of moving diffuser by spectral analyses of the scattered light emerging from two pinholes

Abstract

Correlation properties of light scattered by a moving diffuser are determined by studying the spectral characteristics of the light that emerges from two pinholes placed after the diffuser. These properties are used to determine the correlation functions of the heights of diffuser surface and the speed of the diffuser. The phase of the light on the two pinholes after it has passed through the moving diffuser, is also determined.     

Structural,Electronic Properties,Hydrogen Bonding Analyses,and Biological Activity of Two Multiple Myeloma Drugs: Lenalidomide and Pomalidomide

In this article, we made a comparative study of two multiple myeloma drugs: lenalidomide and pomalidomide. We calculated and discussed their geometries at DFT/B3LYP method. Intra-molecular hydrogen bonding in these molecules is confirmed and characterized by QTAIM calculations. Electronic parameters along with HOMO-LUMO and MESP surfaces are calculated in order to compare their chemical reactivity. The effect of structure and bonding on electronic properties and biological activities is discussed and it is established that pomalidomide is more biologically active than lenalidomide. The phenyl ring of these molecules show teratogenic effects, making a possibility of finding another new class of drugs.     

Non-traditional machining processes by means of velocity shear instability in plasma

The material removal within different machining process can be performed in distinct modalities. One of the modality is based on the effect of impact phenomenon. In this paper theoretical model of non-traditional machining process based on impact phenomenon is discussed. The material is removed from the surface due to the impact of ions. The velocity of ions is equal to the velocity at which the electrostatic ion-cyclotron instability driven by parallel flow velocity shear generated by massive ions takes place. The main ways for the material removal as consequence of the impact phenomenon are the microcracking, microcutting, melting and vaporizing of small quantities from the work-piece surface layer.     

Identification of Natural Products as Potential Pharmacological Chaperones for Protein Misfolding Diseases

Defective protein folding and accumulation of misfolded proteins is associated with neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, secretory, and metabolic disorders. Efforts are being made to identify small-molecule modulators or structural-correctors for conformationally destabilized proteins implicated in various protein aggregation diseases. Using a metastable-reporter-based primary screen, we evaluated pharmacological chaperone activity of a diverse class of natural products. We found that a flavonoid glycoside ( C-10 , chrysoeriol-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside) stabilizes metastable proteins, prevents its aggregation, and remodels the oligomers into protease-sensitive species. Data was corroborated with additional secondary screen with disease-specific pathogenic protein. In vitro and cell-based experiments showed that C-10 inhibits α-synuclein aggregation which is implicated in synucleinopathies-related neurodegeneration. C-10 interferes in its structural transition into β-sheeted fibrils and mitigates α-synuclein aggregation-associated cytotoxic effects. Computational modeling suggests that C-10 binds to unique sites in α-synuclein which may interfere in its aggregation amplification. These findings open an avenue for comprehensive SAR development for flavonoid glycosides as pharmacological chaperones for metastable and aggregation-prone proteins implicated in protein conformational diseases.