Automated QoE Evaluation of Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP

Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP (DASH) is referred to as a multimedia streaming standard to deliver high quality multimedia content over the Internet using conventional HTTP Web servers. As a fundamental feature, it enables automatic switching of quality levels according to network conditions, user requirements, and expectations. Currently, the proposed adaptation schemes for HTTP streaming mostly rely on throughput measurements and/or buffer-related metrics, such as buffer exhaustion and levels. In this paper, we propose to enhance the DASH adaptation logic by feeding it with additional information from our evaluation of the users' perception approximating the userperceived quality of video playback. The proposed model aims at conveniently combining TCP-, buffer-, and media content-related metrics as well as user requirements and expectations to be used as an input for the DASH adaptation logic. Experiments have demonstrated that the chosen model enhances the capability of the adaptation logic to select the optimal video quality level. Finally, we integrated all our findings into a real DASH system with QoE monitoring capabilitie

A Multimedia Terminal for Adaptation and End-to-end QoS Control

This paper addresses multimedia end user system design for content distribution over heterogeneous networks and terminals, with particular focus on End-to-End quality of service (QoS) control. A multimedia terminal comprising content-related metadata processor, usage environment characteristics provider, end user QoS monitor and H.264’s extension Scalable Video Coding (SVC) audio-visual player in coordination under a terminal middleware, has been conceived and implemented. This end user terminal enables End-to-End QoS control for content adaptation solution both in semantic and physical approaches to maximize end user’s perceptual experience and minimize resources. Such design approach illustrates a possible architecture for next generation multimedia end user terminal supporting MPEG-21 and H.264’s extension SVC codec standards

A Multimedia Terminal for Adaptation and End-to-end QoS Control

This paper addresses multimedia end user system design for content distribution over heterogeneous networks and terminals, with particular focus on End-to-End quality of service (QoS) control. A multimedia terminal comprising content-related metadata processor, usage environment characteristics provider, end user QoS monitor and H.264’s extension Scalable Video Coding (SVC) audio-visual player in coordination under a terminal middleware, has been conceived and implemented. This end user terminal enables End-to-End QoS control for content adaptation solution both in semantic and physical approaches to maximize end user’s perceptual experience and minimize resources. Such design approach illustrates a possible architecture for next generation multimedia end user terminal supporting MPEG- 21 and H.264’s extension SVC codec standards

An adaptive system for real-time scalable video streaming with end- to-end qos control

This paper presents a real-time adaptive video streaming system based on the latest standardized video codec H.264/MPEG-4 AVC scalable extension (SVC). The system provides a full MPEG-21 media access framework over heterogeneous networks and terminals with end-to-end QoS control and multimedia adaptation based on SVC. This adaptive streaming system is composed of a server with a real-time SVC encoder, an adaptive network node, and a terminal with appropriate feedback of perceptual quality, network conditions and user preferences for adaptation support. The system facilitates a general content adaptation solution to achieve the end-to-end QoS control

Patterns of recurrences in sinonasal cancers undergoing an endoscopic surgery-based treatment: Results of the MUSES* on 940 patients: *MUlti-institutional collaborative Study on Endoscopically treated Sinonasal cancers

The improvements in survival with expansion of the survivors' population, along with evolution of endoscopically-based treatment modalities, have contributed to emphasize the clinical relevance of recurrences in sinonasal cancers. However, at present, literature is scant regarding the pattern of recurrences and the therapeutic strategies available to manage long survivors who experienced single or multiple failures. The aim of the present study was to analyze sinonasal cancers recurrences to provide data regarding rates and patterns of relapse, predictors of failure and prognostic impact of the recurrence

Parametric analysis of GMAW-P waveforms for the derivation of human exposure values

Different pulsed current waveforms, currently used for pulse gas metal arc welding (GMAW-P), have been analyzed from the point of view of human exposure to time-varying magnetic fields. The most common waveforms presented in the literature (i.e. trapezoidal, exponential and combined trapezoidal-exponential) have been considered for a parametric analysis, and the corresponding human exposure indexes related to induced current have been derived on the basis of the EN 50444 and EN 50445 standards. The calculations have been performed in the hypothesis of uniform magnetic flux density perpendicular to a homogeneous round disk. A specific code in Matlab has been developed. A parametric analysis has been performed, varying the frequency from 100 Hz to 400 Hz and the rise time from 10 \u3bcs to 500 \u3bcs, for all the considered current waveforms. The peak current has been set at 100 A, with a duration of 1 ms, value chosen according to the one droplet per pulse (ODPP) condition. Within the cases considered, as far as the human exposure indexes are concerned, their reduction when the rise time increases was found; moreover, it resulted that the analyzed current waveforms have quite similar impact in the evaluation of these indexes

Human exposure to pulsed current waveforms below 100 kHz

A tool for the analysis below 100 kHz of pulsed current waveforms with reference to human exposure has been developed. It consists of a dedicated program written in Matlab. As input data, a trapezoidal pulsed current waveform has been considered, and, varying the rise time and the duty-cycle, a parametric analysis has been performed. Also a noise superimposed to the signal has been considered. Parameters relevant to human exposure have been calculated following the ICNIRP Guidelines. A schematic operative diagram for metal inert gas welding applications is proposed; an experimental set-up has been built and the obtained results are reported