Using Adaptive Priority Controls for Service Differentiation in QoS-enabled Web Servers

Abstract. We propose an architecture for the provision of differentiated services at the web server level. The architecture is validated by means of a simulation model and real web server traces are used as workload. We implement an adaptive algorithm which allows the tuning of the priority level provided and determines how strict the use of priorities will be. The server can then adapt itself to various workloads, an essential feature in a highly dynamic environment such as the Web.

Smart design and manufacturing of power transformers tanks

Industry is undergoing through noteworthy changes, where most of the methodologies and procedures are increasingly assisted by advanced information systems. In addition, the communications between the entire product chain have been progressively more effective, allowing to support better decisions in the early phases of the product development. This industrial change demands companies to rethink the planning, design and manufacturing phases, so as to take advantage of these developments. This article addresses an empirical assessment based on the Design for eXcellence (DfX) concepts aiming a smarter design and manufacturing of fully customized power transformers. Several design for excellence disciplines are discussed and analysed considering a specific case study, where the transformer tank geometry was changed. The resulting consequences in the final product can be systematized analysing the overall product lifecycle. Inputs to the product development through these design disciplines have the capability to identify advantages, disadvantages and improvement opportunities. Furthermore, the accumulated knowledge and the consideration of these approaches in a continuous improvement action will allow the enhancement of the efficiency and reliability throughout the design and production cycle of a power transformer.This work is supported by the project POCI-0247-FEDER-017584, with acronym iCubas5D, co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through COMPETE2020 - Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização (POCI) under "Portugal 2020" Programme

Characterisation of microbial attack on archaeological bone

As part of an EU funded project to investigate the factors influencing bone preservation in the archaeological record, more than 250 bones from 41 archaeological sites in five countries spanning four climatic regions were studied for diagenetic alteration. Sites were selected to cover a range of environmental conditions and archaeological contexts. Microscopic and physical (mercury intrusion porosimetry) analyses of these bones revealed that the majority (68%) had suffered microbial attack. Furthermore, significant differences were found between animal and human bone in both the state of preservation and the type of microbial attack present. These differences in preservation might result from differences in early taphonomy of the bones. © 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved