Optimal processor assignment for pipeline computations

The availability of large scale multitasked parallel architectures introduces the following processor assignment problem for pipelined computations. Given a set of tasks and their precedence constraints, along with their experimentally determined individual responses times for different processor sizes, find an assignment of processor to tasks. Two objectives are of interest: minimal response given a throughput requirement, and maximal throughput given a response time requirement. These assignment problems differ considerably from the classical mapping problem in which several tasks share a processor; instead, it is assumed that a large number of processors are to be assigned to a relatively small number of tasks. Efficient assignment algorithms were developed for different classes of task structures. For a p processor system and a series parallel precedence graph with n constituent tasks, an O(np2) algorithm is provided that finds the optimal assignment for the response time optimization problem; it was found that the assignment optimizing the constrained throughput in O(np2log p) time. Special cases of linear, independent, and tree graphs are also considered

The rationale for alternative fertilization: Equilibrium isotherm, kinetics and mass transfer analysis for urea-nitrogen adsorption from cow urine

In an effort to minimize the loss of urea-N through volatilization and concurrently recover urea in a usable form from cow urine, adsorption experiments using bamboo-based activated carbon were performed. Batch studies were undertaken to evaluate the effect of initial concentration, sorption time and temperature on the variation in urea uptake capacity of the prepared carbon. Equilibrium data were tested against various isotherms, kinetics and mass transfer models. The Langmuir monolayer sorption was found to be 146.12 mg.g−1 with nearly 90% urea recovery attained. The process was found to be reversible as seen through regeneration experiments. Thermodynamic parameters indicated that urea sorption was physical, spontaneous and exothermic in nature. Kinetic studies revealed that the rate of urea uptake was limited by both surface adsorption and intra-particle diffusion. It was concluded that the mass transfer of urea molecules over the activated carbon was governed by film diffusion at all concentrations examined

A rare case of chronic suppurative otitis media with foreign body in external auditory canal and mastoid antrum

Foreign bodies in External Auditory Canal (EAC) are common in both adults and children. Removal of foreign body requires skill but usually successfully performed in the ENT department. A 40 year old female patient presented with right ear discharge with decreased hearing. On examination, a pale, scanty, mucopurulent discharge, foul smelling with blood tinge, persisting even after medications. After aural toileting, tympanic membrane was perforated with granulation tissue in middle ear. Multiple broom sticks were found in the external auditory canal, mastoid antrum was removed via post auricular approach with excision of polyp with radical mastoid exploration. Removal of foreign body from EAC is an essential skill for ENT surgeon. Careful removal can prevent further trauma and complications. An aural polyp with ear discharge, never attempt to pull/avulsion

Statistical mechanics far from equilibrium: prediction and test for a sheared system

We report the complete statistical treatment of a system of particles interacting via Newtonian forces in continuous boundary-driven flow, far from equilibrium. By numerically time-stepping the force-balance equations of a model fluid we measure occupancies and transition rates in simulation. The high-shear-rate simulation data verify the invariant quantities predicted by our statistical theory, thus demonstrating that a class of non-equilibrium steady states of matter, namely sheared complex fluids, is amenable to statistical treatment from first principles.Comment: 4 pages plus a 3-page pdf supplemen

Towards a Stage Model for E-Business Adoption Among SMEs: Preliminary Results for Manufacturing and Service Firms

The ubiquity of the Internet has allowed companies of any size to engage in e-business. However, e-business adoption among Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) is limited because of resource constraints and a failure to understand the strategic value of e-business. In an effort to better understand the value of e-business to SMEs, this paper examines the use of over 100 e-business applications by over 400 SMEs in five different industries. Cluster analysis suggests a three stage model for e-business evolution in which firms progress from making only nominal use of the Internet to convey company information, to supply chain and order management applications in a transitional stage, to more extensive and integrated use in subsequent stages. Evidence of differences in use is also presented for firms that are manufacturers versus service providers

Simultaneous resource recovery and ammonia volatilization minimization in animal husbandry and agriculture

The study demonstrates that the minimization of ammonia volatilization and urea recovery could be coupled through the use of physical adsorption processes in continuous packed-bed columns. The potential of using microwave activated coconut shell based activated carbon toward the recovery of urea from cattle urine was investigated. The prepared carbon was immobilized onto etched glass beads to investigate the effect of initial concentration, flow rate and size of carbon support in a continuous, down-flow mode packed column. Further, to describe the sorption behavior, the experimental data were tested against different kinetic models. The analysis of the breakthrough curves allowed identification of the favorable operating parameters as: sorbate flow (8 L·h−1), initial urea concentration (60%) and glass bead support size (ϕ 1.5 cm). An equilibrium sorption of 802.8 mg·g−1 and up to 80% urea recovery was observed. Regeneration studies allowed for nearly 95% urea recovery with sorbent capacity decreasing by 5% over seven cycles of sorption/desorption

Cloud Based Framework for Autism Spectrum Disorder Therapy App

In the current era of connected devices like smart phones, the demand for data storage is increasing drastically for some set of applications involving multiuser. We require a centralized storage system where data can be accessed from any part of the world using various devices like mobiles and tabs. The cloud provides services for storing data on remote servers which can be accessed through the Internet. It is maintained, operated and managed by a cloud storage service provider on storage servers that are built on virtualization techniques and has large computational power compared to the mobile devices. The paper presented here proposes a cloud based framework for the application “AshaDeep” which was developed to provide technological support for autistic children. This mobile application generates huge number of images and data in a multiuser environment as a part of learning and evaluation activity. In this app we aim to unite multiple users by developing a common platform to track the progress of the autism children and combat autism

Using Asymmetry to Your Advantage: Learning to Acquire and Accept External Assistance During Prolonged Split-belt Walking

People can learn to exploit external assistance during walking to reduce energetic cost. For example, walking on a split-belt treadmill affords the opportunity for people to redistribute the mechanical work performed by the legs to gain assistance from the difference in belts’ speed and reduce energetic cost. Though we know what people should do to acquire this assistance, this strategy is not observed during typical adaptation studies. We hypothesized that extending the time allotted for adaptation would result in participants adopting asymmetric step lengths to increase the assistance they can acquire from the treadmill. Here, participants walked on a split-belt treadmill for 45 min while we measured spatiotemporal gait variables, metabolic cost, and mechanical work. We show that when people are given sufficient time to adapt, they naturally learn to step further forward on the fast belt, acquire positive mechanical work from the treadmill, and reduce the positive work performed by the legs. We also show that spatiotemporal adaptation and energy optimization operate over different timescales: people continue to reduce energetic cost even after spatiotemporal changes have plateaued. Our findings support the idea that walking with symmetric step lengths, which is traditionally thought of as the endpoint of adaptation, is only a point in the process by which people learn to take advantage of the assistance provided by the treadmill. These results provide further evidence that reducing energetic cost is central in shaping adaptive locomotion, but this process occurs over more extended timescales than those used in typical studies

Travelling waves in a drifting flux lattice

Starting from the time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau (TDGL) equations for a type II superconductor, we derive the equations of motion for the displacement field of a moving vortex lattice without inertia or pinning. We show that it is linearly stable and, surprisingly, that it supports wavelike long-wavelength excitations arising not from inertia or elasticity but from the strain-dependent mobility of the moving lattice. It should be possible to image these waves, whose speeds are a few \mu m/s, using fast scanning tunnelling microscopy.Comment: 4 pages, revtex, 2 .eps figures imbedded in paper, title shortened, minor textual change