Performance modelling of speculative prefetching for compound requests in low bandwidth networks

To improve the accuracy of access prediction, a prefetcher for web browsing should recognize the fact that a web page is a compound. By this term we mean that a user request for a single web page may require the retrieval of several multimedia items. Our prediction algorithm builds an access graph that captures the dynamics of web navigation rather than merely attaching probabilities to hypertext structure. When it comes to making prefetch decisions, most previous studies in speculative prefetching resort to simple heuristics, such as prefetching an item with access probabilities larger than a manually tuned threshold. The paper takes a different approach. Specifically, it models the performance of the prefetcher and develops a prefetch policy based on a theoretical analysis of the model. In the analysis, we derive a formula for the expected improvement in access time when prefetch is performed in anticipation for a compound request. We then develop an algorithm that integrates prefetch and cache replacement decisions so as to maximize this improvement. We present experimental results to demonstrate the effectiveness of compound-based prefetching in low bandwidth networks.

The inhibition of hydrogen embrittlement in SAE 4340 steel in an aqueous environment with the rare earth compound lanthanum 4 hydroxy cinnamate

A preliminary study showed that the inhibitor lanthanum 4-hydroxy cinnamate ((La4OHcin)₃) at a concentration of 400 ppm prevented the hydrogen embrittlement (HE) of SAE 4340 steel tensile specimens when tested under slow strain rate conditions in a 0.01M NaCl. In the presence of the inhibitor, a complex film formed on the surface of specimens during the slow strain rate test (SSRT), and no corrosion pits were detected. Electrochemical polarization studies indicated that the La(4OHcin)₃ acted as an anodic inhibitor in the NaCl solution. This article also discusses the mechanism of HE inhibition by La(4OHcin)₃.

Semi-supervised and compound classification of network traffic

This paper presents a new semi-supervised method to effectively improve traffic classification performance when few supervised training data are available. Existing semi supervised methods label a large proportion of testing flows as unknown flows due to limited supervised information, which severely affects the classification performance. To address this problem, we propose to incorporate flow correlation into both training and testing stages. At the training stage, we make use of flow correlation to extend the supervised data set by automatically labeling unlabeled flows according to their correlation to the pre-labeled flows. Consequently, the traffic classifier has better performance due to the extended size and quality of the supervised data sets. At the testing stage, the correlated flows are identified and classified jointly by combining their individual predictions, so as to further boost the classification accuracy. The empirical study on the real-world network traffic shows that the proposed method outperforms the state-of-the-art flow statistical feature based classification methods.

Large compound vesicles from amphiphilic block copolymer/rigid-rod conjugated polymer complexes

Morphology evolution in complexes of amphiphilic block copolymers poly(styrene)-b-poly(acrylic acid) (PS-b-PAA) and poly(styrene)-b-poly(ethylene oxide) (PS-b-PEO) in the presence of polyaniline (PANI) in aqueous solution is reported. Transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and dynamic light scattering techniques were used to study the morphologies at various PANI contents [aniline]/[acrylic acid] ([ANI]/[AA]) ranging from 0.1 to 0.7. The interpolyelectrolyte complex formed between PAA and PANI plays a key role in the morphology transformation. Spherical micelles formed from pure block copolymers were transformed into large compound vesicles upon increasing PANI concentration due to internal block copolymer segregation. In addition to varying PANI content, the kinetic pathway of nanoparticle formation was controlled through different water addition methods and was critical in the formation of multigeometry nanoparticles.

Finite element analysis of residual stresses in metallic coatings through a compound casting

Al and Mg alloys are widely used in industry as main lightweight alloys. They have excellent properties, such as low density, high ductility, and high specific strength, and so on. Generally speaking, Mg alloys are better than Al alloys. However the corrosion of Mg alloys is much more difficult to control compared Al alloys. Therefore to combine these two lightweight alloys, a composite-like structure is an ideal solution since Al alloys can be used as protective coatings for Mg alloys. Compound casting is a realistic technique to get this coating system. In the current study, we numerically study the compound casting using finite element method (FEM) to make these two alloys, a composite-like structure, satisfy requirements to resist corrosion required from industry, in which the aluminum layer is acting as a protective coating for the magnesium substrate. Several finite element models have been developed by using the birth and death element technique and we focus on compound casting-induced residual stresses in the compounded structure. The numerical results obtained from the proposed finite element models show the distribution profiles of thermal residual stresses. We found the major factors influencing the residual stresses are the temperature to pre-heating the Al substrate and the thickness of Mg deposits. © (2014) Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland.

Synthesis of Al-doped Mg2Si1-xSnx compound using magnesium alloy for thermoelectric application

Abstract Mg2Si1-xSnx thermoelectric compounds were synthesized through a solid-state reaction at 700 °C between chips of Mg2Sn-Mg eutectic alloy and silicon fine powders. The Al dopants were introduced by employing AZ31 magnesium alloy that contains aluminum. The as-synthesized Mg2Si1-xSnx powders were consolidated by spark plasma sintering at 650-700 °C. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy revealed that the Mg2Si1-xSnx bulk materials were comprised of Si-rich and Sn-rich phases. Due to the complex microstructures, the electrical conductivities of Mg2Si1-xSnx are lower than Mg2Si. As a result, the average power factor of Al0.05Mg2Si0.73Sn0.27 is about 1.5 × 10^-3 W/mK² from room temperature to 850 K, being less than 2.5 × 10^-3 W/mK² for Al0.05Mg2Si. However, the thermal conductivity of Mg2Si1-xSnx was reduced significantly as compared to Al0.05Mg2Si, which enabled the ZT of Al0.05Mg2Si0.73Sn0.27 to be superior to Al0.05Mg2Si. Lastly, the electric power generation from one leg of Al0.05Mg2Si and Al0.05Mg2Si0.73Sn0.27 were evaluated on a newly developed instrument, with the peak output power of 15-20 mW at 300 °C hot-side temperature.

Computational analysis and physico-chemical characterization of an inclusion compound between praziquantel and methyl-beta-cyclodextrin for use as an alternative in the treatment of schistosomiasis

Schistosomiasis is still an endemic disease in many regions, with 250 million people infected with Schistosoma and about 500,000 deaths per year. Praziquantel (PZQ) is the drug of choice for schistosomiasis treatment, however it is classified as Class II in the Biopharmaceutics Classification System, as its low solubility hinders its performance in biological systems. The use of cyclodextrins is a useful tool to increase the solubility and bioavailability of drugs. The aim of this work was to prepare an inclusion compound of PZQ and methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (MeCD), perform its physico-chemical characterization, and explore its in vitro cytotoxicity. SEM showed a change of the morphological characteristics of PZQ:MeCD crystals, and IR data supported this finding, with changes after interaction with MeCD including effects on the C-H of the aromatic ring, observed at 758 cm(-1). Differential scanning calorimetry measurements revealed that complexation occurred in a 1:1 molar ratio, as evidenced by the lack of a PZQ transition temperature after inclusion into the MeCD cavity. In solution, the PZQ UV spectrum profile in the presence of MeCD was comparable to the PZQ spectrum in a hydrophobic solvent. Phase solubility diagrams showed that there was a 5.5-fold increase in PZQ solubility, and were indicative of a type A(L) isotherm, that was used to determine an association constant (K(a)) of 140.8 M(-1). No cytotoxicity of the PZQ:MeCD inclusion compound was observed in tests using 3T3 cells. The results suggest that the association of PZQ with MeCD could be a good alternative for the treatment of schistosomiasis.

Organic acids and/or compound with defined microorganisms to control Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis experimental infection in chickens

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Sensor array made with nanostructured films to detect a phenothiazine compound

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Structure and antimycobacterial activity of the novel organometallic [Pd(C-bzan)(SCN)(dppp)] compound

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Mutagenicity and antimutagenicity of (-)-hinokinin a trypanosomicidal compound measured by Salmonella microsome and comet assays

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Synthesis, Characterization and Pharmacological Evaluation of 1-(2-Chloro-6-Fluorophenyl)-5-Methylindolin-2-One: A New Anti-Inflammatory Compound with Reduced Gastric Ulceration Properties

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Structure and viscoelastic behavior of pharmaceutical biocompatible anionic microemulsions containing the antitumoral drug compound doxorubicin

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)