A survivable multicast routing mechanism in WDM optical networks

In Next Generation Networks (NGN), survivability and availability are becoming more and more key features. Reliability gains more importance in high- capacity networks where IP and optical technologies have converged toward a common control plane, such as GMPLS. In most previous research works, survivability aspects were mainly limited to a single fiber failure and a few considered the differentiated reliability concepts when routing new connection requests. In this article, a novel survivable multicast routing mechanism under SRLG constraints is proposed. We first formulate the problem as an Integer Linear Programming (ILP) model that is shown NP-Complete. We then propose a heuristic algorithm that alleviates the problem’s complexity by decomposing it into two sub-problems resolved separately. Compared with another algorithm proposed in the literature, our algorithm allows for higher acceptance rates even for stringent reliability requirements.     

Bin weather data for the provinces of the Eastern Anatolia in Turkey

This paper presents information about bin weather data that have been generated from weather histories and recorded over a period of many years for 14 cities located in the Eastern Anatolia region in Turkey. The analysis covers 14 provinces: A?r?, Ardahan, Bingöl, Bitlis, Elaz??, Erzincan, Erzurum, Hakkari, I?d?r, Kars, Malatya, Mu?, Tunceli, and Van. The bin data for dry-bulb temperature from ?36 °C to 45 °C with 3 °C increments are calculated in six daily 4-h shifts (1–4, 5–8, 9–12, 13–16, 17–20 and 21–24 h). In the calculations, the hourly dry-bulb temperatures recorded by the Turkish State Meteorological Affairs between the years 1990 and 2005 (16 years) are used. Monthly and yearly bin data are presented in tables and on graphs. The information and data presented in this paper hope to fill a gap in information needed by building designers and engineers for simplified energy calculations of buildings in the Eastern Anatolia region.     

Effect of boronizing and shot peening in ferrous based FeCu–Graphite powder metallurgy material on wear,microstructure and mechanical properties

Ferrous based materials manufactured by powder metallurgy (P/M) method are widely used in industry. These materials are very important because they do not require machining, have self-lubricated properties as journal bearing material, find applications in medical industry. In this study, powder metal parts were manufactured from ferrous based FeCu–Graphite composites by P/M method. Wear and mechanical test samples were manufactured and boronizing and boronizing + shot peening was applied to samples. Wear properties of these parts were investigated by wearing at 17 N load and 50 rpm on pin-on-disc wear test rig under dry conditions. Moreover, mechanical properties of powder parts were investigated in detail.     

Dielectric,humidity behavior and conductivity mechanism of Mn<Subscript>0.2</Subscript>Ni<Subscript>0.3</Subscript>Zn<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> ferrite prepared by co-precipitation method

Mn–Ni–Zn ferrite with the chemical formula of Mn_0.2Ni_0.3Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ was prepared by co-precipitation method. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) results show that the prepared sample crystallizes in the cubic spinel structure with the space group of Fm3m. The morphological analysis of the sample was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The dielectric properties of Mn_0.2Ni_0.3Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ ferrite were studied in a frequency range from 20 Hz to 10 MHz and at a temperature range from 293 to 733 K. The dielectric constant decreases with the increasing frequency for all the temperature values chosen. The AC conductivity mechanism was found the small polaron type of conductivity, and in addition to that, the DC conductivity can be explained by Arrhenius type conductivity. According to the dielectric results, relaxation process fits Cole–Cole model. Finally, the effect of the relative humidity upon the impedance of the sample was discussed for a frequency range between 20 Hz and 10 MHz. It is found that the impedance values decrease almost linearly with the increasing % RH (relative humidity) values at low frequencies, while the impedance of the sample is independent of % RH at high frequencies.     

Emphysematous cystitis: apropos of 2 cases

Emphysematous cystitis is a rare infectious disease of the lower urinary tract. Its reputedly serious prognosis is related to treatment failures revealing ignorance concerning its pathophysiological mechanisms. Two cases of this disease were seen in our department, both in diabetic men over the age of 70 years with a history of prostatism. They presented to the emergency department with complete urinary retention and alteration of the general state and fever. Urine culture isolated Klebsiella pneumoniae in both cases. Treatment consisted of bladder drainage associated with adapted antibiotic therapy and control of diabetes. A suprapubic prostatectomy was subsequently performed in one case and transurethral prostatic resection was performed in the other case. The prognosis of this disease depends on early diagnosis and rapid introduction of effective treatment.     

Determination of ftorafur and 5-fluorouracil levels in plasma and urine

The clinical diagnosis of meniscus lesions is often difficult. The authors have therefore used arthrograpy of the knee with double contrast medium. The fluoroscopic technique used in fifty cases is described. The results obtained are reported and compared with 105 other cases in which arthrography was carried out with standard radiological technique. The diagnostic accuracy for meniscus lesions is very high.     

A fully personalization strategy of E-learning scenarios

The personalization in E-learning systems has been the subject of many recent research efforts. While a large number of systems have been implemented, many of these systems allow the application of very few if not just one predefined personalization strategy. This is a constraint for providing effective E-learning experience and for rationalizing the personalization needs of the pedagogues, the professors and the learners. In this paper, we propose a new approach for personalization of learning scenarios based on two levels: The first level allows the personalization of learning scenarios according to a predefined personalization strategy. The second level allows teachers to select personalization parameters and combine them flexibly to define different personalization strategies according to the specifics of courses. The proposed solution is a step to federate the research efforts on the E-learning personalization by integrating and combining the personalization parameters. Concerning the technological aspect, Web service technology constitutes an operational solution for implementing our approach and for the interoperability with other E-learning personalization systems. Beside the implementation of an interoperable solution, we also aim to enable teachers to provide proper personalized learning scenarios.