Novel optimal real‐time admission control and buffer management for the Video‐On‐Demand (VOD) service

In order to meet the Quality of Service (QoS) requirements of the VOD service, and, on the other hand, to maximize the system throughput (revenue), it is essential that the video call request admission control algorithm be carefully designed. In this paper, in addition to the Single Segment (SS) admission control first described in [7], we propose two new types of admission control schemes called Segmental Re‐tuned (SR) admission control and Multiple Segment (MS) admission control for variable‐bit‐rate video streams under various video server architectures. The basic approach to the algorithm development is first to formulate each problem as a mathematical problem and then to identify special structures and properties for such formulations so that optimal real‐time algorithms can be developed. In computational experiments, it is shown that the proposed algorithms for the considered video server architectures, compared with the traditional admission control scheme based upon the peak frame size, typically achieve over 175–200% improvement in the system throughput. In addition, the new proposed MS scheme performs 5–25% better than SS and SR schemes. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Potentiality of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens KFCC11574P isolated from Korean traditional doenjang as a starter in the production of functional soya bean paste

Proteolytic activity, fibrinolytic activity and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)‐inhibitory activity, volatile compound profile, off‐flavour compound and sensory characteristics in soya bean paste made with Bacillus amyloliquefaciens KFCC11574P (KHG19) strain were compared with those in three different commercial soya bean paste samples. The KHG19 strain was isolated from doenjang, a traditional Korean soya bean paste, and the maximum dominance in soya bean paste prepared in this study was 68.8% after 2 months of ageing. Proteolytic and fibrinolytic activities in soya bean paste made with KHG19 strain (KHG19 soya bean paste) were higher than those in commercial soya bean pastes. The maximum proteolytic activity (2.47 cm²) was observed after 3 months of ageing, and the maximum relative fibrinolytic activity (236.98%) was appeared after 2 months of ageing. ACE‐inhibitory activity in KHG19 soya bean paste was similar to those in commercial samples. The volatile compound profile of KHG19 soya bean paste was closest to that of cheonggukjang according to the result from principal component analysis. The sensory score for off‐flavour character was significantly low in KHG19 soya bean paste (2.9) compare with the score (6.8) for Korean traditional doenjang. KHG19 strain can be used for the production of functional soya bean paste that would be affordable to global consumer.     

The Association between Hepatic Encephalopathy and Diabetic Encephalopathy: The Brain-Liver Axis

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is one of the main consequences of liver disease and is observed in severe liver failure and cirrhosis. Recent studies have provided significant evidence that HE shows several neurological symptoms including depressive mood, cognitive dysfunction, impaired circadian rhythm, and attention deficits as well as motor disturbance. Liver disease is also a risk factor for the development of diabetes mellitus. Diabetic encephalopathy (DE) is characterized by cognitive dysfunction and motor impairment. Recent research investigated the relationship between metabolic changes and the pathogenesis of neurological disease, indicating the importance between metabolic organs and the brain. Given that a diverse number of metabolites and changes in the brain contribute to neurologic dysfunction, HE and DE are emerging types of neurologic disease. Here, we review significant evidence of the association between HE and DE, and summarise the common risk factors. This review may provide promising therapeutic information and help to design a future metabolic organ-related study in relation to HE and DE.     

Development of a spectroscopic method to determine the content of free radical scavenging compounds and oxidation products in thermally oxidised oils

A simple spectroscopic method using 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) was developed to simultaneously monitor the contents of free radical scavenging antioxidants (FRSs) and oxidised lipid products during oxidation through selection of proper solvents. Validation of the DPPH method was conducted in a stripped oil matrix, and practical applicability of the method was tested with heated oils. The absorbance of DPPH in isooctane simultaneously reflected the changing amounts of both FRSs and oxidised lipid products, whereas the absorbance in methanol mainly reflected changes in FRSs. Total polar materials (TPMs) were found to be representative of oxidised lipid products, which reacted with DPPH in isooctane better than in methanol. Validation parameters including accuracy, precision, linearity, limit of detection and limit of quantification were determined using α‐tocopherol as a model for FRSs and TPMs for oxidised lipid products. The DPPH protocol in isooctane and in methanol is useful for assessing the degree of oxidation in heated oils through comparing the contents of FRSs and oxidised lipids.     

Computational modelling of manufacturing choice complexity in a mixed-model assembly line

Manufacturing systems have evolved to adopt a mixed-model assembly line enabling the production of high product variety. Although the mixed-model assembly system with semi-automation (i.e. human involvement) can offer a wide range of advantages, the system becomes very complex as variety increases. Further, while the complexity from different options can worsen the system performance, there is a lack of quantifiable models for manufacturing complexity in the literature. Thus, in this paper, we propose a novel method to quantify manufacturing choice complexity for the effective management of semi-automated systems in a mixed-model assembly line. Based on the concept of information entropy, our model considers both the options mix and the similarities between options. The proposed model, along with an illustrative case study, not only serves as a tool to quantitatively assess the impact of choice complexity on total system performance, but also provides an insight into how complexity can be mitigated without affecting the overall manufacturing throughput.     

Preventative activity of kimchi on high cholesterol diet-induced hepatic damage through regulation of lipid metabolism in LDL receptor knockout mice

Food Science and Biotechnology - This study investigated the effect of kimchi on hepatic lipid metabolism and inflammatory response. Low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout mice fed high...     

Prediction of the heat transfer characteristics on natural convection in a long rectangular enclosure with a twisted cylinder using direct simulation and artificial neural networks

Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology - A three-dimensional direct simulation was carried out to examine the natural convective fluid flow and heat transfer characteristics in a long...     

Feasibility studies on manufacturing tailored blanks by rolling partially stacked blanks

Tailored blanks with different blank thicknesses are semi-finished parts that can be used to produce lightweight vehicle parts. This study investigates a manufacturing process that can produce tailored blanks by rolling partially stacked blanks. The process was experimentally and numerically investigated using various processing conditions. To characterize the process, the deformation behaviors of upper and lower blanks were analyzed and quantified. The dimensional variations at the top end and the transition zones were analyzed based on the cross-sectional thickness profiles of formed blanks. The results show that the proposed process is feasible for the production of tailored rolled blanks that have both straight edges with a concave transition zone and convex edges with a straight transition zone.