Why Does Flow Director Cause Packet Reordering?

Intel Ethernet Flow Director is an advanced network interface card (NIC) technology. It provides the benefits of parallel receive processing in multiprocessing environments and can automatically steer incoming network data to the same core on which its application process resides. However, our analysis and experiments show that Flow Director cannot guarantee in-order packet delivery in multiprocessing environments. Packet reordering causes various negative impacts. E.g., TCP performs poorly with severe packet reordering. In this paper, we use a simplified model to analyze why Flow Director can cause packet reordering. Our experiments verify our analysis

An evaluation of dexterity and cutaneous sensibility tests for use with medical gloves

© 2015 Institution of Mechanical Engineers.The ability of selected dexterity and cutaneous sensibility tests to measure the effect of medical glove properties (material, fit, and number of layers) on manual performance was analyzed. Manual performance testing of gloves to-date has focused on thicker gloves where the effects are more obvious. However, clinicians have reported dissatisfaction with some medical gloves and a perceived detriment to performance of new materials compared to latex. Three tests (Purdue Pegboard Test, Crawford Small Parts Dexterity Test, and Semmes-Weinstein Monofilaments) were performed by 18 subjects in five hand conditions (ungloved; best-fitting, loose-fitting and a double layer of latex examination gloves; best-fitting vinyl gloves). Tests were performed in the ungloved condition first, and the order of the gloved tests was randomized. Learning behavior was also measured. The Purdue test showed a significant effect of hand condition, but no differences between latex and vinyl. No significant effect of hand condition was found in the Crawford "Pins and Collars" test, but the "Screws" test showed promising discrimination between glove types. The Monofilaments test showed a significant effect of hand condition on cutaneous sensibility, particularly a reduction when "double-gloving," but no significant differences between glove types. Existing tests show some ability to measure the effect of gloves and their properties on manual performance but are not comprehensive and require further validation. In order to fully describe the effects of medical gloves on manual performance, further tests should be designed with greater resolution and that better replicate clinical manual tasks

Isomerisation versus carbonylative pathways in the hydroxy-carbonylation, methoxy-carbonylation, and amino-carbonylation of N-tosyl-3-pyrroline

The authors thank the EPSRC for funding, primarily from grant number EP/M003868/1.The reactivity of N-tosyl-3-pyrroline is significantly lower than that of mono-substituted alkenes in Pd catalysed methoxycarbonylation reactions. For example, most bulky diphosphine/ Pd catalysts, including the well-known Pd catalyst derived from 1,2-bis(di-tert-butylphosphino)xylene (DTBPX), were found to give no product at all in the methoxycarbonylation of N-tosyl-3-pyrroline. The competing pathways in methoxycarbonylation of N-methane-sulfonyl-3-pyrroline using Pd/ DTBPX were studied using DFT calculations; these show that the coordination of the alkene is unfavourable, and once coordinated, isomerisation is a lower energy pathway that ultimately leads to an alternative product. Experimentally a side product resulting from alkene isomerisation and addition of methanol is formed slowly (if CO is present), and rapidly if CO is not. A less bulky derivative of DTBPX forms the required alkene complex with much lower barriers. A study has been made of the enantioselective carbonylation of N-tosyl-3-pyrroline using water, methanol or aniline as nucleophile. This study revealed that there is a range of possible products with most of these initiated by a Pd-catalysed isomerisation of the alkene. Using less bulky members of the Pd/Phanephos family of catalysts, it is possible to produce the methoxycarbonylation product from this poorly reactive alkene with reasonably good chemoselectivity and around 80% e.e. at higher pressures of CO.PostprintPeer reviewe

Reconnaissance of Landslides and Debris Flows Associated with the July 2022 Flooding in Eastern Kentucky

Between July 25 and July 30, 2022, a series of convective storms generated approximately 14–16 inches of rainfall across parts of eastern Kentucky, predominately in Clay, Leslie, Perry, Breathitt, Knott, and Letcher Counties. The peak rainfall occurred on the evening of July 27 and the morning of July 28, with the hardest-hit areas experiencing more than 10 inches in a 24-hour period. The historic rainfall led to catastrophic flooding along many rivers and streams, but also triggered widespread landslides and debris flows that damaged roads, homes, property, and other infrastructure. Once initial relief and recovery efforts were established, the Kentucky Geological Survey (KGS) geohazard section conducted a preliminary field reconnaissance that observed and documented landslides and debris flows triggered by the July storm event. We documented landslides from late August to early November 2022 using (1) visual field inspection methods and (2) a remote sensing technique called normalized differencing vegetation index (NDVI). Visual field inspection occurred primarily along roads through documentation of landslide type and location. The NDVI technique allowed identification of larger landslides and debris flows not easily accessible in a vehicle. We identified more than 1,000 new landslides and debris flows triggered by the July event. The majority of landslides the team identified were shallow translational slides, supplemented by some rotational slides (slumps), and debris flows. Documenting landslides in the field before they perish is important for future hazard assessment modeling. Landslide inventories associated with large storm events, and large impact areas, will improve our understanding of landslide occurrence and rainfall rates, and potentially our ability to forecast landslides. The data is intended for use by both scientists and non-scientists, such as emergency managers and public safety decision-makers

A research and evaluation capacity building model in Western Australia

Evaluation of public health programs, services and policies is increasingly required to demonstrate effectiveness. Funding constraints necessitate that existing programs, services and policies be evaluated and their findings disseminated. Evidence-informed practice and policy is also desirable to maximise investments in public health. Partnerships between public health researchers, service providers and policymakers can help address evaluation knowledge and skills gaps. The Western Australian Sexual Health and Blood-borne Virus Applied Research and Evaluation Network (SiREN) aims to build research and evaluation capacity in the sexual health and blood-borne virus sector in Western Australia (WA). Partners’ perspectives of the SiREN model after 2 years were explored. Qualitative written responses from service providers, policymakers and researchers about the SiREN model were analysed thematically. Service providers reported that participation in SiREN prompted them to consider evaluation earlier in the planning process and increased their appreciation of the value of evaluation. Policymakers noted benefits of the model in generating local evidence and highlighting local issues of importance for consideration at a national level. Researchers identified challenges communicating the services available through SiREN and the time investment needed to develop effective collaborative partnerships. Stronger engagement between public health researchers, service providers and policymakers through collaborative partnerships has the potential to improve evidence generation and evidence translation. These outcomes require long-term funding and commitment from all partners to develop and maintain partnerships. Ongoing monitoring and evaluation can ensure the partnership remains responsive to the needs of key stakeholders. The findings are applicable to many sectors