Replica Creation Algorithm for Data Grids

Data grid system is a data management infrastructure that facilitates reliable access and sharing of large amount of data, storage resources, and data transfer services that can be scaled across distributed locations. This thesis presents a new replication algorithm that improves data access performance in data grids by distributing relevant data copies around the grid. The new Data Replica Creation Algorithm (DRCM) improves performance of data grid systems by reducing job execution time and making the best use of data grid resources (network bandwidth and storage space). Current algorithms focus on number of accesses in deciding which file to replicate and where to place them, which ignores resources’ capabilities. DRCM differs by considering both user and resource perspectives; strategically placing replicas at locations that provide the lowest transfer cost. The proposed algorithm uses three strategies: Replica Creation and Deletion Strategy (RCDS), Replica Placement Strategy (RPS), and Replica Replacement Strategy (RRS). DRCM was evaluated using network simulation (OptorSim) based on selected performance metrics (mean job execution time, efficient network usage, average storage usage, and computing element usage), scenarios, and topologies. Results revealed better job execution time with lower resource consumption than existing approaches. This research contributes replication strategies embodied in one algorithm that enhances data grid performance, capable of making a decision on creating or deleting more than one file during same decision. Furthermore, dependency-level-between-files criterion was utilized and integrated with the exponential growth/decay model to give an accurate file evaluation

Ancient pots and potters of the Atures Rapids region: occupation and interaction processes in pre-colonial Middle Orinoco, Venezuela

The earliest written sources on the Middle Orinoco inhabitants singled-out the Átures Rapids as a key trading centre between the 16th and 18th century and from before the Spanish arrival. The previous archaeological studies described the ceramic materials in terms of form and style, following a cultural historic approach, and mostly interested in answering chronological questions. However, the pre- colonial indigenous occupation of the area and exchange network was still poorly known. In particular, the peopling of this area has been the centre of debate since most of the archaeological materials found along the river present a varied range of co-occurring paste recipes that used several different inorganic and organic ingredients, followed distinct production technologies and displayed different vessel forms, challenging the idea of a traditionally defined ‘ceramic culture’. Co-existing, distinct ceramic wares with different production sequences are reconstructed in the present research using petrography, portable X-ray fluorescence and macro trace analysis, which suggest a more nuanced ‘reading’ on the ancient inhabitants of the Orinoco river. Based on ceramic technology studies, interaction, emulation, innovation and trading activities are discussed through the analysis of pottery sherds recovered from three newly excavated sites: Culebra (cal. AD 437-1155), Rabo de Cochino island (cal. 100 BC- AD 1440) and Picure island (cal. AD 310-1480). The stratigraphic distribution, persistence of ceramics through the sequence and variability in these sites will be presented as part of an initial discussion that intends to contribute to the reconstruction of various pre-colonial occupations and interaction processes of the Átures region in Venezuela

Quality Assessment of Meat Patties Cooked by Commercial Preparation Methods, Chill Stored, and Microwave Reheated

Food quality assessments based on yield, cooking losses, and palatability factors were applied to a model food cooked by commercial preparation methods in a simulated chill/serve food service system. Frozen, soy-extended meat patties of a standard formulation represented a common food material flowing through a food service system. Batch sizes of 24 patties were prepared by (1) grilling, (2) baking by natural convection, and (3) baking by forced-air convection. Refrigerating of bulk packed samples and microwave reheating of plated samples concluded the input effects. Cooked, whole meat patties were portioned with a specially designed cutting tool and recombined into composite patties which included portions of all three cooking treatments. After 30 sec microwave reheating of the composite patties, consumer panelists were presented three hot portions for tasting while two other portions were pooled by treatment for measurements of percent moisture and shear force. Objective determinations of factors affecting quality included cooking losses, yield, moisture, moisture retention, and shear force index. Results indicated that greater percentage yields and fewer cooking losses occurred by the oven methods than by the grill method. Values for percent moisture and percent moisture retention were not significantly different for cooked whole patties but were significantly different for composite patties. Portions of samples were sheared in the Kramer Shear Cell attachment to the Instron, universal testing machine. Shear force index was calculated as an indicator of tenderness of the cooked meat patties. No significant differences in tenderness due to treatment were determined for samples in this study. Subjective assessments of factors affecting quality were made by a total of 89 consumer panelists. Appearance, flavor, juiciness, overall acceptability, and preference were scored. Samples baked by forced-air convection were scored highest for appearance and flavor. Tenderness scores-were higher for the oven methods than the grill method, but differences were not significant. Significant contributions to overall acceptability were predicted for flavor, appearance, and tenderness. However, mean scores for overall acceptability were not significantly different and indicated like slightly on the hedonic scale. Sensory scores failed to identify a preferred method of commercial preparation for the meat patties in the study

Integration of Online and Offline Channels in Retail: The Impact of Sharing Reliable Inventory Availability Information

Using a proprietary data set, we analyze the impact of the implementation of a “buy-online, pick-up-in-store” (BOPS) project. The implementation of this project is associated with a reduction in online sales and an increase in store sales and traffic. These results can be explained by two simultaneous phenomena: (1) additional store sales from customers who use the BOPS functionality and buy additional products in the stores (cross-selling effect) and (2) the shift of some customers from the online to the brick-and-mortar channel and the conversion of noncustomers into store customers (channel-shift effect). We explain these channel-shift patterns as an increase in “research online, purchase offline” behavior enabled by BOPS implementation, and we validate this explanation with evidence from the change of cart abandonment and conversion rates of the brick-and-mortar and online channels. We interpret these results in light of recent operations management literature that analyzes the impact of sharing inventory availability information. Our analysis illustrates the limitations of drawing conclusions about complex interventions using single-channel data

Archaeological Investigations between Cayenne Island and the Maroni River

Stratigraphic archaeological research in French Guiana is barely 50 years old and has been conducted primarily in the coastal zone, stretching approximately between 5 and 50 kilometres from the Atlantic coast to the Precambrian Shield. This bias, mainly caused by means of modern infrastructure, has sketched an archaeological record concerning pre-Columbian French Guiana focussing on the Late Ceramic Age (AD 900-1500) of Cayenne Island as well as the western Holocene coastal plains. The present study contains the results of six archaeological investigations, conducted from a compliance archaeological perspective, in order to enhance our knowledge of the afore-mentioned coastal area. It not only presents us with fresh archaeological data on the (Late) Archaic and Early Ceramic Age, a hiatus that is now partially filled up, but also sheds new light on the Late Ceramic Age of this specific region concerning funerary rites, ceramic series and subsistence economy. Martijn van den Bel studied History and Archaeology of Indigenous America at Leiden University and graduated in 1995 with an ethnoarchaeological study on the Palikur potters of French Guiana. Currently he works as a project leader for Inrap in French Guiana. He carries out compliance archaeological research in the French Guiana and the French Lesser Antilles. Next to archaeology, Martijn is interested in the early history of the Guianas and the Lesser Antilles, notably the encounter between Amerindians and Europeans during the 16th and 17th century, resulting in various publications

Archaeological investigations on St. Martin (Lesser Antilles). The sites of Norman Estate, Anse des Pères, and Hope Estate. With a contribution to the 'La Hueca problem'

Wetensch. publ. non-refereedFaculty of Archeolog

Zinc Injection as a Novel Castration Method and Carry-Over Effects of Growth-Promoting Implants in Beef Cattle

In experiment 1, crossbred bull calves (n = 31; body weight (BW) = 114.3 ± 26.3 kg; age = 119 ± 18.4 d) were allocated to treatments by BW and birthdate. Twenty-seven bull calves were allocated to 3 injectable castration treatments (n = 9 calves/injectable castration treatment) to reflect 3 dosage levels of zinc. Intact bulls had greater (P \u3c 0.001) serum testosterone concentrations compared to bulls injected with zinc. In experiment 2, crossbred beef bulls (n = 180) were blocked by initial BW (337 ± 10.9 kg; 6 blocks) and assigned randomly to 1 of 3 treatments on d 0: 1) INJ; received 1 mL (100 mg Zn) of a Zn solution in each testis, 2) BAN; banded, 3) BUL; intact. Final BW was greater (P \u3c 0.01) for INJ (672 kg) and BUL (686 kg) compared to BAN (611 kg). Serum haptoglobin concentration was greater (P \u3c 0.01) in INJ compared to BUL and BAN on d 1, 3, 5, and 7. Zinc injection resulted in sterilization but not castration in feedlot bulls although it was efficacious in castration of young bulls at branding. In experiment 3, crossbred beef steers (n = 106; BW = 96 ± 3.9 kg; age = 74 ± 2.0 d) were blocked by parity of dam (≤ 2 or \u3e 2 parities), stratified by BW, calf age, calf sire, cow BW and body condition score to 1 of 4 treatments: 1) RALG, Ralgro, Ralgro, Revalor XS, at branding (D 0), weaning (D 156), and feedlot processing (D 325), 2) COMP, Component E-C, Component TE-G, Revalor XS, 3) N-REV, none, Revalor-G, Revalor XS, and 4) CTRL, no growth-promoting implants administered. Implantation of male calves at branding increased growth performance at weaning. At the end of the stocker phase on d 323, RAGL (330 kg), COMP (324 kg), and N-REV (318 kg) were heavier (P = 0.02) compared to CTRL (297 kg). Steers first implanted at weaning (N-REV) gained more during the stocker phase; however, steers implanted at branding had a 6 to 12 kg BW advantage at time of feedlot shipment

GREEDY SINGLE USER AND FAIR MULTIPLE USERS REPLICA SELECTION DECISION IN DATA GRID

Replication in data grids increases data availability, accessibility and reliability. Replicas of datasets are usually distributed to different sites, and the choice of any replica locations has a significant impact. Replica selection algorithms decide the best replica places based on some criteria. To this end, a family of efficient replica selection systems has been proposed (RsDGrid). The problem presented in this thesis is how to select the best replica location that achieve less time, higher QoS, consistency with users' preferences and almost equal users' satisfactions. RsDGrid consists of three systems: A-system, D-system, and M-system. Each of them has its own scope and specifications. RsDGrid switches among these systems according to the decision maker