The Analysis and Performance of Multi-Rate Service in Distributed Video-on-Demand Systems

In this paper, we develop an end-to-end analysis of a distributed Video-on-Demand (VoD) system that includes an integrated model of the server and the network subsystems with analysis of its impact on client operations. The VoD system provides service to a heterogeneous client base at multiple playback rates. A class-based service model is developed where an incoming video request can specify a playback rate at which the data is consumed on the client. Using an analytical model, admission control conditions at the server and the network are derived for multi-rate service. We also develop client buffer requirements in presence of network delay bounds and delay jitter bounds using the same integrated framework of server and network subsystems. Results from an extensive simulation show that request handling policies based on limited redirection of blocked requests to other resources perform better than load sharing policies. The results also show that downgrading the service for blocked requests to a lower bitrate improves VoD system performance considerably. Combining the downgrade option with restrictions on access to high bitrate request classes is a powerful tool for manipulating an incoming request mix into a workload that the VoD system can handle.     

End-to-end analysis of distributed video-on-demand systems

The focus of the research presented in this paper is the end-to-end analysis of a distributed Video-on-Demand (VoD) system. We analyze the distributed architecture of a VoD system to design global request handling and admission control strategies and evaluate them using global metrics. The performance evaluation methodology developed in this paper helps in determining efficient ways of using all resources in the VoD architecture within the constraints of providing guaranteed high quality service to each request. For instance, our simulation results show that request handling policies based on limited redirection of blocked requests to other resources perform better than load sharing policies. We also show that request handling policies based on redirection have simpler connection establishment semantics than load sharing policies and, therefore, are easily incorporated into reservation or signaling protocols.     

Granular segregation in discharging cylindrical hoppers: A discrete element and experimental study

The segregation of granular materials due to differences in particle properties occurs during a variety of handling and transport processes, such as flow from a hopper. In the present work, the discrete element method (DEM) is used to investigate segregation of granular materials during discharge from a hopper. The effects of various particle properties and hopper geometries on the segregation of a spherical, bidisperse granular material during hopper discharge are studied. Particle contacts are modeled using a soft-particle model consisting of a hysteretic spring system and sliding friction. The effects of the particle diameter ratio, density ratio, fines mass fraction, hopper wall angle, hopper cross-sectional shape, and the initial fill conditions are investigated.These computational results are compared to those from a small experimental system with the same hopper dimensions and particle properties. The use of this small-scale system permits a novel, one-to-one comparison with the DEM model predictions for the purpose of model validation. The experiments utilize bidisperse glass spheres in a small, Plexiglas cylindrical hopper that is used in the ASTM International standard test for sifting segregation. Particles are discharged from either a ‘mass-flow’ or ‘funnel-flow’ hopper design and collected transiently in equal volumes until the hopper is empty. Analysis of the weight fractions of fine and coarse particles is conducted by sieving. A comparison of the computational and experimental results provides an indication of the model's success at predicting segregation during hopper discharge and the applicability of the DEM model to other granular flow systems.     

Synthesis of low loss, thermally stable CexY1−xTiTaO6 microwave ceramics

Ce_xY_1−xTiTaO₆ ceramics were prepared through the solid-state ceramic route. The materials were sintered in the range 1520-1580 °C. The structure of the system was analyzed by X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopic methods. The cell parameters of solid solutions were calculated using the least square method. The microstructure was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy. The dielectric constant (?_r), temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (τ_f) and the unloaded quality factor (Q_u) are measured in the microwave frequency region using cavity resonator method. The dielectric constant increases with higher concentrations of Ce in the solid solutions. Nearly zero temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (τ_f) was obtained for Ce_0.24Y_0.76TiTaO₆. The samples are of high quality factor and are useful electronic materials for microwave applications.     

Comparative effect of biofertilizers on fodder production and quality in guinea grass (Panicum maximum Jacq.)

BACKGROUND: Panicum maximum Jacq. is one of the most important fodder grasses of the tropics. For good production and growth it requires high amounts of N fertilizer. Chemical fertilizers have a deleterious effect on soil fertility and are not economical for resource‐poor farmers. Utilization of plant growth‐promoting bacteria and fungi proved to be beneficial for improving crop production as well as the soil fertility. In the present paper the effect of inoculation of N fixer (Azospirillum brasilense) and P solubilizers (arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi consortia and inoculum of Glomus intraradiaces) was studied in single as well as mixed inoculation on forage yield and quality in guinea grass (Panicum maximum Jacq.) at different cuttings under the cut‐and‐carry system. RESULTS: Overall five cuttings were obtained during the year. Dual inoculation, i.e., Azospirillum with indigenous AM consortia, significantly improved fodder growth, production and quality in terms of crude protein (CP) content, while neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) content decreased after this treatment. The density of soil microbes (number of Azospirillum colony‐forming units, number of AM spores) was enhanced in mixed inoculation. Chemical fertilizer improved fodder production and CP content significantly over control but also enhanced NDF and ADF content and suppressed the Azospirillum colony‐forming units, AM spores and AM root infection. CONCLUSION: It could be concluded from the present study that inoculated N fixer and P solubilizer have a synergistic effect which enhanced overall fodder production, quality and also beneficial microflora in the rhizosphere soil, which also demonstrated the sustainability of biofertilizers. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Grafting vinyl monomers onto nylon 6. VI. Graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate onto nylon 6 using acetylacetonate complex of Mn(III), Co(III), and Fe(III)

The graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate onto nylon 6 using metal complexes of Mn³⁺, Co³⁺, and Fe³⁺ as initiators was studied. The rate of polymerization, R_p, increased with increasing complex concentrations in the initial stages; but it decreased upon further increase of complex concentrations. With increasing monomer concentrations, the rate of polymerization increased progressively. The graft yield increased with increaing temperature within the range 60–75°C. A suitable kinetic scheme is presented and rate equations are derived.     

Dielectric properties of sulphonated polystyrene

Polystyrene was sulphonated with chlorosulphonic acid and the dielectric properties of the films were measured as a function of degree of sulphonation and water content at 27°C at frequencies of 10³ to 10⁶ Hz. The sulphonated samples have a high dielectric constant as compared to the unsulphonated polystyrene. The hydration of polystyrene sulphonic acid is a stepwise process.     

Co-scheduling algorithms for high-throughput workload execution

This paper investigates co-scheduling algorithms for processing a set of parallel applications. Instead of executing each application one by one, using a maximum degree of parallelism for each of them, we aim at scheduling several applications concurrently. We partition the original application set into a series of packs, which are executed one by one. A pack comprises several applications, each of them with an assigned number of processors, with the constraint that the total number of processors assigned within a pack does not exceed the maximum number of available processors. The objective is to determine a partition into packs, and an assignment of processors to applications, that minimize the sum of the execution times of the packs. We thoroughly study the complexity of this optimization problem, and propose several heuristics that exhibit very good performance on a variety of workloads, whose application execution times model profiles of parallel scientific codes. We show that co-scheduling leads to faster workload completion time (40 % improvement on average over traditional scheduling) and to faster response times (50 % improvement). Hence, co-scheduling increases system throughput and saves energy, leading to significant benefits from both the user and system perspectives.     

Synthesis, vacuum sintering and dielectric characterization of zirconia (t-ZrO2) nanopowder

Phase pure zirconium oxide powders have been synthesized using the single step auto-ignition combustion method, the particles were nanometer sized (20 nm) and the size distribution was very narrow (3.4 nm). Systematic structural characterization revealed the t-ZrO₂ and indexed for its tetragonal structure (a = 3.5975 Å and c = 5.1649 Å). Calculated microstrain in most of the plane indicated the presence of compressive stress (65-288 MPa) along various planes of the particles. Observed space group (P4₂/nmc) revealed the presence of cations in the 8e positions (0.75, 0.25, 0.75) and the anions in the 16 h positions (0.25, 0.25, 0.4534). The metal-oxide (Zr-O) band observed at the low wavenumber region further confirmed the phase purity of the as-prepared ZrO₂ nanopowders. Peaks at the binding energy positions 2.042 and 0.525 keV in the energy dispersive X-ray spectrum revealed oxygen deficient zirconia. The particle size estimated by TEM was in good agreement with the results obtained through X-ray line broadening (20.81 nm) measurements. The nanopowders were sintered to above 98% of the theoretical density by using vacuum sintering technique at a relatively low temperature of 1300 °C. Stable tetragonal ZrO₂ experimentally yield the permittivity value of about 28 at 10 MHz.