On scheduling atomic and composite continuous media objects

In multiuser multimedia information systems (e.g., movie-on-demand, digital-editing), scheduling the retrievals of continuous media objects becomes a challenging task. This is because of both intra and inter lobject time dependencies. Intraobject time dependency refers to the real-time display requirement of a continuous media object. Interobject time dependency is the temporal relationships defined among multiple continuous media objects. In order to compose tailored multimedia presentations, a user might define complex time dependencies among multiple continuous media objects with various lengths and display bandwidths. Scheduling the retrieval tasks corresponding to the components of such a presentation in order to respect both inter and intra task time dependencies is the focus of this study. To tackle this task scheduling problem (CRS), we start with a simpler scheduling problem (ARS) where there is no inter task time dependency (e.g., movie-on-demand). Next, we investigate an augmented version of ARS (termed ARS⁺) where requests reserve displays in advance (e.g., reservation-based movie-on-demand). Finally, we extend our techniques proposed for ARS and ARS⁺ to address the CRS problem. We also provide formal definition of these scheduling problems and proof of their NP-hardness     

Small torsional vibration superposed on finitely deformed state of a circular cylindrical rod of transversely isotropic elastic material

Starting with a class of small deformations superposed on a finitely deformed state of a transversely isotropic elastic solid, we study a problem of small torsional vibration superposed on homogeneous finitely deformed state of a circular cylindrical rod made of transversely isotropic elastic material. It has been found that free vibration is possible and, due to anisotropy, the speed of propagation of waves of torsion along the cylinder is increased or decreased according as the initial stressed state is under tension or compression.     

Implementation and test results of a wide-area measurement-based controller for damping interarea oscillations considering signal-transmission delay

The paper describes the implementation of a centralised control-design scheme in a real-time laboratory-based dynamic simulator. A centralised multivariable-control algorithm is designed employing remote feedback signals considering delay in signal transmission. The transmitted signals can be used for multiple-swing-mode damping using a single controller. Such an algorithm is numerically intensive owing to the high controller size and the predictor that takes care of the delay in signal transmission. The performance of the proposed controller is demonstrated by practical implementation using a rapid-prototyping controller mounted on a PC-ATX. Results of the experimental tests are shown for a detailed model of the power system implemented using Linux PC-based multiprocessor technology.     

Electron paramagnetic resonance and Mössbauer spectroscopy of transition metal ion doped mullite

Appreciable difference in the properties of undoped and oxide-doped mullite are observed. The oxidation state of cation, its concentration and the position of the mullite lattice occupied by it appear to be the responsible factors. Mullite has, therefore, been doped with four transition metal ions, Mn, Fe, Cr and Ti. With the help of EPR and Mössbauer spectroscopy (supplimented by X-ray diffractometry) the oxidation states of these ions and the mullite lattice sites where they enter has been investigated. It was observed that Mn ion was present in Mn²⁺ and Mn³⁺ states, the former remained as clusters and the latter occupied the octahedral sites in the mullite lattice. Only Fe³⁺ ion was detected and conclusive evidence was obtained for the entry of Fe³⁺ in the octahedral lattice position of mullite from the analysis of Mössbauer spectra with the help of a specially written computer programme. The Cr ion entered the mullite structure only in the Cr³⁺ state. The change in lattice parameters of Cr doped mullite were measured by the XRD technique. The results showed that the expansion of b-axis was more than that of the a-axis which supported the presence of Cr³⁺ ion in the octahedral site of mullite lattice. The absence of signal in the EPR spectra of Ti doped mullite suggested the presence of only Ti⁴⁺ (3d⁰) ion. Very low electrical resistivity of Ti doped mullite and close similarity between mullite and Al₂TiO₅ structures stood as evidence for incorporation of Ti⁴⁺ ion in the octahedral site of mullite lattice by replacing Al³⁺ ion.     

Growth and microstructure of Cd1−xZnxS films

The growth and microstructure of Cd_1–x Zn _x S films were studied by depositing the films on to freshly cleaved NaCl, KCl, and LiF substrates at various x values (0相似文献   

A novel method for synthesis of α-Si3N4 nanowires by sol–gel route

Silicon nitride (Si₃ N₄) nanowires have been prepared by carbothermal reduction followed by the nitridation (CTRN) of silica gel containing ultrafine excess carbon obtained by the decomposition of dextrose over the temperature range of 1200–1350 °C. This innovative process involves repeated evacuation followed by purging of nitrogen gas so that the interconnected nanopores of the gel are filled with nitrogen gas prior to heat treatment. During heat treatment at higher temperatures, the presence of nitrogen gas in the nanopores of the gel starts the CTRN reaction simultaneously throughout the bulk of the gel, leading to the formation of Si₃ N₄ nanowires. The in situ generated ultrafine carbon obtained by the decomposition of dextrose decreases the partial pressure of oxygen in the system to stabilize the nanowires. The nanowires synthesized by this process are of ∼500 nm diameter and ∼0.2 mm length. The product was characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive x-ray analysis (EDX), x-ray diffraction (XRD) and infrared (IR) spectra.