Network Processor Units (NPUs) are a compromise between software-based and hardwired packet processing solutions. While slower than hardwired solutions, NPUs have the flexibility of software-based solutions, allowing them to adapt faster to changes in network protocols. Network processors have multiple processing engines so that multiple packets can be processed simultaneously within the NPU. In addition, each of these processing engines is multi-threaded, with special hardware support built in to alleviate some of the cost of concurrency. This hardware design allows the NPU to handle multiple packets concurrently, so that while one thread is waiting for a memory access to complete, another thread can be processing a different packet. By handling several packets simultaneously, an NPU can achieve similar processing power as traditional packet processing hardware, but with greater flexibility. The flexibility of network processors is also one of the disadvantages associated with them. Programming a network processor requires an in-depth understanding of the hardware as well as a solid foundation in concurrent design and programming. This thesis explores the challenges of programming a network processor, the Intel IXP2400, using a single-threaded packet scheduling algorithm, SI-WF2Q, as a sample case. SI-WF2Q is a GPS approximation scheduler with constant time execution. The thesis examines the process of implementing the algorithm in a multi-threaded environment, and discusses the scalability and load-balancing aspects of such an algorithm. In addition, optimizations are made to the scheduler implementation to improve the potential concurrency. The synchronization primitives available on the network processor are also examined, as they play a significant part in minimizing the overhead required to synchronize memory accesses by the algorithm.


Demands for forest, farm, and developed land are evolving in the U.S. mid-Atlantic region. The demand for land in developed uses, as well as demands for various forest and farm products are changing in response to population growth, demographic shifts , and market forces. As demand factors change so do relative land values. Land area in future forest, farm, and developed uses may shift as landowners re-evaluate relative net benefits from land use alternatives. This study examines the effects of various land demand and supply factors on the determination of land use patterns in the mid-Atlantic region. Driving variables include costs and benefits from various uses, population density, and measures of land quality. Model parameters are estimated using a binomial logit procedure. Results from the study are used to estimate proportions of forest area on a county by county basis. Simulated forest landscapes under hypothetical future conditions are prepared and illustrated using geographic information system (GIS) techniques.


Frozen, ice-rich paleosol sequences with large ice wedges are widely distributed along the coast of shelf seas and the large rivers in central and eastern Siberia. These sequences are 14C dated between >50 and 12 ka BP. The spatial distribution of Ice Complex deposits is connected with vast, numerous thermokarst lakes formed during the Holocene warming, leading to substantial thawing of ice-rich permafrost deposits.The origin and formation of these 10 to 50 m thick sediments is uncertain and discussed for more than hundred years. At the end of the 19th Century, Eduard von Toll gave the first interpretation, describing ?stone ice? as glacier remains, where glacier fissures were filled with moraine material. Later, in the 20th Century, the deposits have been controversially interpreted as being of glaciolacustrine, fluviolacustrine,alluvial, eolian or multigenetic origin.Since 1998, Ice Complex sequences around the Laptev Sea have been studied within the multidisciplinary framework of joint Russian-German expeditions. The sequences are characterized by comparable cryolithogenetical,sedimentological, hydrochemical as well as paleo-ecological signatures, and include always the same Late Pleistocene stratigraphical units (Zyryanian Stadial, Karginian Interstadial, Sartanian Stadial).The deposits occur as a widely distributed cover on plains with low inclination in front coastal range orsurrounding rocky hills.The formation of the Ice Complex cover is assumed to be connected with an increased occurrence of perennialsnowfields and niveo-eolian accumulations during the Late Pleistocene. Abundant niveo-aeolian solid matter was probably collected therein. Because of an extreme continentality with low precipitation, only snowfields survived, unlike the formation of glacier ice sheet in western Eurasia during this cold period.Numerous snowfields at the slopes of arctic mountains as well as in the wide spread plains in front were sources of both water for braided streams crossing the accumulation plain and for clastic material formingIce Complex deposits. The typical bi- and multimodal grain-size distribution of these sediments indicatethat various kinds of transportation and accumulation took place more or less relating to snowfield processes.The paleogeographical situation has to be considered in connection with the dry Arctic shelf areasexisting contemporaneously. Only a little drainage took place on these large flat areas and therefore waterfrom snowfields flowed broadly without clear fluvial orientation over the shelf, where large ice-wedge polygonsystems were formed. Their growth was supported by meltwater coming from snow patches as well as suspended clastic matter transported by numerous streams. Plant and fauna remains indicate the existence of a spotty mosaic of dry and wet patches. The terms ?tundra-steppe? and ?mammoth fauna? characterizethis paleoenvironment. In this landscape the mammoth fauna existed until 12 ka BP, that is, until the end of Ice Complex formation.


Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause for visual impairment and blindness registration in the developed world. Due to the large amounts of conflicting AMD research on the role of nutrition and antioxidant intake, it is difficult for patients and practitioners to determine which measures can be taken to slow down the disease progression. The aim of this research was to determine the beliefs and knowledge that patients with AMD have about nutrition, to identify whether their condition is preventing them from eating a healthy diet, and to discover what their diet consists of. For the initial study, 158 participants with AMD (mean age 79 ± 7.8 years) and 50 participants without AMD (mean age 67 ± 8 years) were recruited from the Macular Society helpline, or from optometric practice. Participants had a 25 minute telephone interview where a 36-question survey was completed. The survey elicited demographic information, and questions covered the knowledge that participants had on nutrition and their current diet. The results from this survey uncovered three major findings: 1) 100% of AMD participants felt that they do not have enough information and support from eye-care practitioners regarding nutrition, 2) AMD patients are confused over, and display a lack of knowledge of, which foods are beneficial for eye health and when and what nutritional supplements to take, evidenced by 65% of participants not taking the correct dosage 3) AMD patients are not eating enough nutrients that would be beneficial for their condition - consuming an average of 1.4mg of lutein and zeaxanthin rather than the recommended 10mg. A clinical decision-making aid was created as an intervention based upon these findings. The aim of the aid was to help eye-care practitioners give the correct nutritional advice to their patients. Founded on the AREDS 2 inclusion and exclusion criteria, practitioners are able to identify which patients could benefit from a nutritional supplement, and which patients could benefit from dietary modification. An evaluation of the aid with 72 qualified eye-care practitioners exhibited a statistically significant increase in confidence after using the aid for two weeks. An evaluation using 51 student optometrists showed a statistically significant increase in confidence and a statistically significant increase in appropriate management of patients after using the aid. This project has elicited findings that are significant for AMD patient education. It is hoped that through these studies, patients will receive consistent advice about the risk factors for AMD, the link between AMD and nutrition, and the importance of maintaining a healthy, well-balanced diet.


Currently, the effort to overcome the tidal water disaster is merely raising the ground level which tend to be difficult and ineffective. The solution is done by using the water as drinking water with the help of water purifier. The purpose of this program is to characterize tidal water, prototyping tools, and characterize the resulting water. This water purifier is designed to use three kinds of macro filter namely silica sand, activated carbon, zeolite, and the membranes Reverse Osmosis. In addition, the tool is equipped with a photocatalyst that functions to neutralize organic compounds. Reverse Osmosis Membrane equipped with backflush process to extend the life of the membrane. Tidal water test results in Laboratory of PDAM TirtaMoedal shows some parameters that exceed drinking water quality standard, dissolved solids is 1848 mg/lt of quality standard of 500 mg/l, levels of Chloride is 1692 mg/l of quality standard of 250 mg/l, Ammonia levels is 1.28 mg/l of quality standard of 1.5 mg/l, levels of Manganese is 0.522 mg/l of quality standard of 0.1 mg/l. Then the results of lab tests show that the water output of this tool is potable, it'sindicated by dissolved solids was reduced to 10 mg/l, Chloride level is 5.98 mg/l, Ammonia level is 0.1 mg/l and Manganese level is 0,006 mg/l. Thus, it can be concluded this water purifier is capable of purifying water rob into potable water . Keywords: Tidal water, rob water, water purifier, reverse osmosis, potable water


1. Erythrocytes were incubated in buffers with different [bicarbonate]/[chloride] ratios. 2. The erythrocyte sodium content was higher in buffers with higher [bicarbonate]/ [chloride] ratios. 3. The rise in erythrocyte sodium concentration with increase in [bicarbonate]/[chloride] ratio was independent of the effects of ouabain and ouabain plus ethacrynic acid. Primaquine-induced changes in membrane permeability, ATP depletion by starvation and the use of potassium-free buffers did not change the effect. 4. The results may demonstrate a system which either increases the permeability of erythrocytes to sodium or regulates the sodium content of erythrocytes by a carrier system which is independent of ATP.


This paper provides a brief guide to recent developments in data imputation methods which are of value in transport studies. 'Non-response' or 'missing data' are found in many types of surveys commonly used in transportation research and development control practice. A number of the more common (imputation) methods, used to 'fill the gaps' when non-response has occurred, are demonstrated using a sample dataset taken from the Trip Rate Information Computer System (TRICS). In addition, some of the more recent and less well known developments such as the Approximate Bayesian Bootstrap (ABB) are discussed. Based upon a simple trip generation model (for a selection of UK Office developments), it is shown that the alternative methods can potentially lead to serious 'missing data bias'. Accordingly, it is suggested that considerable caution is exercised when drawing policy implications out of data analysis featuring imputed elements. A transparency principle is suggested as an appropriate guiding tool when dealing with transport survey data with missing elements.


This paper describes a test method which relies on the actual observation of supply current (I,,) waveforms. The method can be used to supplement the standard IDDe test method because it can 15e easily applied to dynamic logic circuits. The method allows us to detect faults which may not be detected by IDDe methods, and is sensitive enough to detect potential faults, which do not manifest themselves as functional errors. A simple built-in current sensol; which prove to be adequate in verifying the feasibility of using the ID, waveforms anczlysis to try to detect faults in CMOS circuits, is proposed to safely observe the current waveforms without sign$cantl~, changing the waveforms.


Over the last 25 years, archaeologists and historians have been increasingly aware of the importance of woodland in the developing British landscape - in particular, how trees have been a vital component of the living cultural landscape. "Ancient Trees, Living Landscapes" begins by questioning the myth that in prehistoric times Britain was swathed in a virtually impenetrable wildwood. In fact, from the earliest times woodland has been manipulated and transformed. The author then looks at Britain's great 'landmark trees', before examining the function of ancient trees and hedgerows in the landscape. The Middle Ages saw the multiplication of deer parks, with the special management needed to feed and shelter deer and to give cover to stalkers. These, with their lawns, groves and pollard-studded pastures, greatly influenced the great landscape parks of the eighteenth century, developed by Repton and Lancelot Brown. There are, too, important chapters on the life and work of the Men of the Forest, and on Woodlands of the Mind - the all-important symbolism of trees as well as their utilitarian function in Britain's landscape. Throughout the book Richard Muir, who describes himself as 'a Dalesman by birth, a Scot by inclination', gives equal weight to the evidence from the north of Britain, whereas earlier writers have concentrated on the south. In an age when institutional interests are increasingly pervasive, he stresses the importance of the work of the individual researcher and amateur enthusiast.


This paper records the path by which African Americans were transformed from enslaved persons in the American economy to partial participants in the progress of the economy. The path was not monotonic, and we organize our tale by periods in which inclusiveness rose and fell. The history we recount demonstrates the staying power of the myth of black inferiority held by a changing white majority as the economy expanded dramatically. Slavery was outlawed after the Civil War, and blacks began to participate in American politics en masse for the first time during Reconstruction. This process met with white resistance, and black inclusion in the growing economy fell as the Gilded Age followed and white political will for black political participation faded. The Second World War also was followed by prosperity in which blacks were included more fully into the white economy, but still not completely. The Civil Rights Movement proved no more durable than Reconstruction, and blacks lost ground as the 20th century ended in the growth of a New Gilded Age. Resources that could be used to improve the welfare of whites and blacks continue to be spent on the continued repressions of blacks.


Paugan generating station was built in the 1920s. Although the generators were converted from 25 Hz to 60 Hz in the mid 1950s, the original runners were in place until recently when a runner replacement program was initiated and newly-designed runners were gradually installed to increase overall output and optimize turbine efficiency. Initial flow and efficiency measurements were performed on unit No. 4, which was chosen to quantify the overall gain achieved. This unit was tested both before and after runner replacement using the pressure-time method for turbine flow measurement. Flow and efficiency measurements were eventually done on unit No. 3 also equipped with a new runner. Turbine flow was measured this time by the current-meter method. Neither unit presented physical conditions particularly favorable for either pressure-time or current-meter flow measurements. Study results are discussed.


Video is one of the most exciting features on today's Internet, with widespread adoption being made possible by advances in bandwidth and software. But simply streaming video clips to Web users is only the tip of the iceberg! Flash CS3 offers a whole host of advanced video features, allowing you to create breathtaking user experiences. And this book, the 2nd edition of the critically-acclaimed Foundation Flash 8 Video, shows you how to make the most of video in Flash CS3. The authors start with the basics of creating video ready for use on the web using popular applications such as Windows Movie Maker and iMovie, creating FLV (Flash video) using both Flash and other applications such as Sorenson Squeeze, and importing that video into Flash. With that out the way, then turn their attention to essential practical techniques such as creating and customizing video players, applying blends and filters to Flash Video, effective use of video alpha channel and masks, captioning, cue points, interactivity using the Camera object, going full screen, and much more. This edition is fully-updated for Flash CS3 and ActionScript 3.0, and includes many new examples. Learn how to create video for the web using popular applications such as iMovie and Movie Maker, and turn it into Flash Video using Flash, and other tools such as Sorenson Squeeze Learn several essential practical techniques for manipulating video in Flash New edition fully-updated for Flash CS3 and ActionScript 3.0, with new examples What you'll learn All the essential video features of Flash CS3 and ActionScript 3.0 How to create video using iMovie and Windows Movie Maker How to process that video into Flash Video (FLV) using Flash, Sorenson Squeeze, and Flix Pro How to create a video player and customize it How to apply fantastic filters and blend modes to your video How to use masks with video How to create applications with multiple videos How to allow the user to interact with your Flash using the camera object How to add captions to your video How to work will full screen video A whole host of tips and special effects Who is this book for? This book is for anyone who wants to learn Flash video from the ground up. Summary of Contents Chapter 1 Creating and Playing Flash Video Chapter 2 Editing Video for Flash Chapter 3 Alternative FLV-Creation Tools Chapter 4 Creating a Custom Player Chapter 5 "Talking Head" Video and Alpha Channels Chapter 6 Adding Filters and Blend Effects to Flash Video Chapter 7 Masking Video Chapter 8 Flash Video Tricks, Tips, and Special Effects Chapter 9 Playing with Multiple Videos Chapter 10 The Camera Object and Flash Video Chapter 11 Cue Points and Captions in Flash Video Chapter 12 Going Small and Going Big with Flash Video


This is a study of aniconic Buddhist art in India and China that refers back to the iconoclasm (Bilderstreit) of the 8th and 9th centuries in the Byzantine empire and the subsequent development of an image theory that justified the already well established image cult. By deliberately adopting methodological approaches and terms that have been used for some time in Byzantine art history, relevant visual and textual evidence about the Buddhist tradition will be restructured and evaluated, pointing out similarities and dissimilarities. Anthropomorphic Buddha images and aniconic representations of the Buddha in India and China are compared; furthermore, an overview of the establishment of a Buddhist icon cult with image worship in China is given, discussing related phenomena like narratives about the First Image, the True Countenance, and miracle-working Divine Images. Against this background, Chinese aniconic tendencies and the image discourse within the Chinese Buddhist community around the time of the second Buddhist persecution (574-577) are explored, when rock inscriptions in Shandong province preferred the Buddha's Golden Words to his image.