Distributed information service architecture for overlapping multiaccess networks

Multimedia delivery in mobile multiaccess network environments has emerged as a key area within the future Internet research domain. When network heterogeneity is coupled with the proliferation of multiaccess capabilities in mobile handheld devices, one can expect many new avenues for developing novel services and applications. New mechanisms for audio/video delivery over multiaccess networks will define the next generation of major distribution technologies, but will require significantly more information to operate according to their best potential. In this paper we present and evaluate a distributed information service, which can enhance media delivery over such multiaccess networks. We describe the proposed information service, which is built upon the new distributed control and management framework (DCMF) and the mobility management triggering functionality (TRG). We use a testbed which includes 3G/HSPA, WLAN and WiMAX network accesses to evaluate our proposed architecture and present results that demonstrate its value in enhancing video delivery and minimizing service disruption in an involved scenario.     

Sensitivity Analysis of Major Drilling Parameters on Cuttings Transport during Drilling Highly-inclined Wells

Abstract

In this study, a layered cuttings transport model is developed for high-angle and horizontal wells, which can be used for incompressible non-Newtonian fluids as well as compressible non-Newtonian fluids (i.e., foams). The effects of major drilling parameters, such as flow rate, rate of penetration, fluid density, viscosity, gas ratio, cuttings size, cuttings density, wellbore inclination and eccentricity of the drillsting on cuttings transport efficiency are analyzed. The major findings from this study are, the dominating parameter on wellbore cleaning is the flow rate, and, as the viscosity of the fluid is increased, the thickness of the cuttings bed developed in the wellbore is significantly increasing. Also, cuttings properties, fluid density, wellbore inclination and eccentricity have some influence on cuttings transport.     

Low-loss InGaAsP/InP submicron optical waveguides fabricated by ICP etching

The fabrication and characterisation of low-loss InGaAsP/InP optical submicron waveguides made with ICP etching is reported. Their width ranges from 0.2 to 2 /spl mu/m. For the 0.5 /spl mu/m width, the propagation losses at /spl lambda/=1.55 /spl mu/m as low as 4.2 dB/mm have been measured.     

Perceptual-based quality assessment for audio–visual services: A survey

Accurate measurement of the perceived quality of audio–visual services at the end-user is becoming a crucial issue in digital applications due to the growing demand for compression and transmission of audio–visual services over communication networks. Content providers strive to offer the best quality of experience for customers linked to their different quality of service (QoS) solutions. Therefore, developing accurate, perceptual-based quality metrics is a key requirement in multimedia services. In this paper, we survey state-of-the-art signal-driven perceptual audio and video quality assessment methods independently, and investigate relevant issues in developing joint audio–visual quality metrics. Experiments with respect to subjective quality results have been conducted for analyzing and comparing the performance of the quality metrics. We consider emerging trends in audio–visual quality assessment, and propose feasible solutions for future work in perceptual-based audio–visual quality metrics.     

View upsampling optimization for mixed resolution 3D video coding

3D video is composed out of two or more, temporally synchronized, 2D video streams acquired at different camera poses and accompanied by geometrical information. In a mixed resolution 3D video stream, a subset of views is coded at reduced resolution. It has been shown in the literature that subjective quality of mixed resolution 3D video is close to that of full resolution 3D video. In order to improve the coding gain in mixed resolution coding scenario we present a new depth encoding method called view upsampling optimization. A novel depth distortion metric based on the performance of the depth-based super resolution is also presented. Finally, to improve the quality of the decoded video an improved depth-based super resolution method that uses view synthesis quality mapping is used for upsampling of low resolution views. The simulations, performed with the recently standardized MVC+D encoder, show that the proposed solution combined with the state of the art view synthesis distortion outperforms the anchor MVC+D coding scheme by 14.5 % of dBR on average for the total coded bitrate and by 17 % of dBR on average for the synthesized views.     

Synthesis and Reactivity of Iron(II) Complexes with a New Tripodal Imine Ligand

A new tripodal imine ligand tris(2-(propan-2-ylideneamino)ethyl)amine (imine₃tren) was prepared in order to stabilize high valent iron-oxido complexes. Iron complexes were synthesized in template reactions from iron(II) salts, tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (tren) and acetone. Due to the reversibility of the imine formation, complexes with different ligands were obtained depending on the reaction conditions. Three complexes, [Fe(imine₃tren)(OAc)₂] ( 1 ), [Fe(imine₃tren)(OAc)]OTf ( 2 ) and [(imine₃tren)₂Fe₂(F)₂](SbF₆)₂ ( 3 ), could be synthesized and structurally characterized. However, reactions with hydrogen peroxide, iodosobenzene or ozone did not lead to any kind of “oxygen adduct” complex that could be spectroscopically observed.     

ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINANTS OF WATER QUALITY IN BOREAL RIVERS BASED ON PARTITIONING METHODS

Quantitative studies of the relationships between river water quality and environmental variables are needed to improve understanding of the impacts of natural and human factors on aquatic environments. However, multicollinearity between environmental variables can hinder the identification of key factors when water quality–environment relationship is studied using traditional regression methods. This study utilized two alternative statistical methods, variation and hierarchical partitioning, to address these difficulties in studies of river water quality. Using these methods, we explored the effects of catchment physiography, climate and land use variables on total phosphorus and nitrogen, pH, water colour and dissolved oxygen during the years 1995–2005 in 32 boreal rivers in Finland. Catchment physiography and land use explained most of the variation in water quality, especially in phosphorus, nitrogen and water colour data. The strong correlations (r_s > 0.8) between agricultural land use and phosphorus and nitrogen concentrations indicate that water quality is highly affected by agriculture in boreal regions. By determining the environmental drivers of different water quality variables, we can estimate the water quality of different catchments in response to environmental changes and identify areas that are sensitive to global changes. Our study shows that novel statistical methods integrated with geographic information system data and techniques provide deeper insights into water quality–environment relationships than traditional regression, and these should be considered when developing, for example, conservation planning for rivers. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Using foam in horizontal well drilling: A cuttings transport modeling approach

Foam is a frequently used compressible fluid in drilling applications. Cuttings transport with foam has been a focus of interest for years. Few studies have been conducted on vertical well configuration and successfully applied. However, less is known about the performance of foam in highly inclined and horizontal wells. In this study, a layered model is developed for describing cuttings transport in horizontal wells. Due to the presence of a cuttings bed, generalized rheological model parameters for foam are modified analytically as a function of fluid properties and complex conduit geometry. Using these parameters, friction between the fluid and the wellbore, between the layers and slip between the cuttings and the fluid are determined. Model performance is examined using experimental data established at The University of Tulsa's low pressure-ambient temperature flow loop. Results showed that, developed model can predict developed cuttings bed thickness and pressure loss in the wellbore with an error of less than 20%. It has been observed that very high foam flow velocities are required in order to prevent a thick bed development in the wellbore. Also, low-viscosity fluids show better performance on preventing bed development inside the wellbore than high-viscosity fluids at the same flow rates.