Mobile Content Distribution with Vehicular Cloud in Urban VANETs

Plenty of multimedia contents such as traffic images, surveillance video, music and movie will flood into vehicular ad hoc networks. However, content distribution over VANETs is not a easy task, due to the high mobility of vehicles and intermittent connectivity. Infrastructure-based scheme can relieve the problem, but with a large amount of investment. In this paper, we propose a mobile content distribution scheme based on roadside parking cloud(RPC), which is formed by the parked car on the roadside, and mobile cloud(MC), which is formed by moving cars on the road. According to a trip history model, a mobile car can estimate its following trajectory. When it wants to download the content, gateway node of the RPC will work out a downloading schedule, which tells it how much chunks it can download from which RPCs. Moreover, the helper of the mobile car in mobile cloud would deliver specified chunks to it when there is lack of RPC in the following trip. Simulation results show that cloud-based scheme performs better than inter-vehicle communication approach and cluster-based scheme.

Hybrid Content Distribution Framework for Large-Scale Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks

Content distribution in large-scale vehicular ad hoc networks is difficult due to the scalability issue. A message may need to be carried by several vehicles till it reaches the destination. To select an appropriate next-hop carrier, the current carrier should ex- change control messages with a large number of vehicles encountered, and thus the pure ad hoc solution is not scalable. In this paper, we introduce a hybrid-network solution. We first divide the area into regions, and select a hot spot in each region to install a road-side unit （RSU）. RSUs can coordinate message exchanges between vehicles, and storage devices are used to temporarily hold a message waiting for the next-hop carrier. The RSUs and the vehicles traveling between them construct an overlay store-car- ry-and-forward content distribution network. Two types of vehicles exist, one with fixed mobility patterns such as buses, and the other with random patterns such as taxis. Considering one or both types of vehicles, utility-based optimization problems can be formulated to find the optimal routing solutions. Using the bus and taxi traces of Shanghai city, we demonstrate the effectiveness of the hybrid framework in terms of delivery delay, delivery ratio and overhead ratio.

Effects of irrigation water salinity on soil salt content distribution,soil physical properties and water use efficiency of maize for seed production in arid Northwest China

In order to explore the use of groundwater resources,field experiments were conducted for three consecutive years during 2012-2014 in the Shiyang River basin of Northwest China.Irrigation was conducted using four different water salinity levels that were arranged in a split plot design.These four water salinity levels were s0,s3,s6 and s9(0.71,3,6 and 9 g/L,respectively).The soil salt content,soil bulk density,soil porosity,saturated hydraulic conductivity,plant height,leaf area index and yield of maize for seed production were measured for studying the effects of saline water irrigation on soil salt content distribution,soil physical properties and water use efficiency.It was observed that higher salinity level of irrigation water and long duration of saline water irrigation resulted in more salt accumulation.Compared to initial values,the soil salt accumulation in 0-100 cm soil layer after three years of experiments for s0,s3,s6 and s9 was 0.189 mg/cm3,0.654 mg/cm3,0.717 mg/cm3 and 1.135 mg/cm3,respectively.Both greater salt levels in the irrigation water and frequent saline water irrigation led to greater soil bulk density,but poorer soil porosity and less saturated hydraulic conductivity.The saturated hydraulic conductivity decreased with increase in soil bulk density,but increased with improvement in soil porosity.It was noted that the maize height,leaf area index and maize yield gradually decreased with increase in water salinity.The maize yield decreased over 25%and the water use efficiency also gradually declined when irrigated with water containing 6 g/L and 9 g/L salinity levels.However,maize yield following saline water irrigation with 3 g/L decreased less than 20%and the decline in water use efficiency was not significant during the three-year experiment period.The results demonstrate that irrigation with saline water at the level of 6 g/L and 9 g/L in the study area is not suitable,while saline water irrigation with 3 g/L would be acceptable for a short duration together with salt leaching through spring irrigation before sowing.

Strategies of Collaboration in Multi-Swarm Peer-to-Peer Content Distribution

In modern Peer-to-Peer （P2P） content distribution applications, multiple swarms typically exist, each corresponding to the dissemination of one content among interested peers. A common design in the existing P2P applications is to allow peers in one swarm to help each other, while different swarms are only coupled when sharing the upload bandwidth at the dedicated content servers/publishers. In recent years, a number of proposals have emerged which advocate inter-swarm collaboration and resource sharing, where peers in one swarm may contribute their storage and bandwidth resources to help peers in the swarm of another content. Such inter-swarm collaboration can improve content availability and optimize resource uti- lization in the entire system, at the cost of additional overhead for content preloading and inter-swarm coor- dination. This paper presents a survey of studies on effective inter-swarm collaboration mechanisms in the existing literature. This paper first discusses strategies of collaboration in P2P file sharing applications, and then presents multi-channel collaborative design for P2P live and Video-on-Demand （VoD） streaming. In particular, this paper elaborates our recent design of collaboration strategies among multiple streaming channels in a P2P VoD system, and shows that the server cost can be reduced by up to 25% while high streaming qualities are guaranteed in the entire system, even during extreme scenarios such as unexpected flash crowds. This paper also discusses representative approaches to implement inter-swarm collaborations in various P2P content distribution systems.

Relaying strategy for peer-to-peer content distribution based on genetic algorithm

This article proposes a cooperative relaying strategy to efficiently utilize the relaying resources of Interact service providers （ISPs）, speedup distribution and save server bandwidth costs. ISPs cooperatively relay for each other, and peers assist in distributing and fetching the content as near as possible. Base on the fluid model, a constrained model is derived to get optimized global distribution performance in the channel-based system with limited relaying resources. The multi-objectives of the model are minimizing the average distribution time and the distribution time of the slowest channel. Genetic algorithm （GA） is designed to solve the optimization problem. The relaying strategy based on GA can be run periodically to update the allocation policy of ISPs. The distribution performance of the relaying strategy is analyzed in the experiments and results show that GA can provide proper solutions for various network topologies.

A Digital Right Management Model for Distribution of Digital Audiovisual Content

This paper presents a digital rights management model, which considers the integrated factors including legality, communication security, integrity of the content, and trading fairness. The architecture of the model, the necessary protocol for the copyright control and content distribution, the authentication mechanism which offer consumption registration for content fair distribution, of the model are all provided. The scheme also provides distribution and evidence for using the copyright of digital content fairly and effectively. Finally, analysis shows the proposed model has both high security and good performance.

Carbon,Nitrogen,and Sulfur Contents in Marine Phytoplankton Cells and Biomass Conversion

In this study,we isolated and cultured phytoplankton along the coast of China and measured the cellular carbon,nitrogen,and sulfur contents under four temperatures.The results showed that the contents of the cellular elements varied widely among different phytoplankton.We found that temperature is one of the important factors affecting the carbon,nitrogen,and sulfur contents in phytoplankton cells;however,the degree of influence of temperature is different for different kinds of phytoplankton.By measuring the nitrogen content in cells,we found that the C:N ratio indirectly measured in the experiment fluctuated in the range of 3.50-8.97,and the average C:N ratio was 5.52.In this experiment,we accurately measured the cell elemental contents at different temperatures and transformed the cell count results into carbon,nitrogen,and sulfur contents to express the biomass.This method ensures that the contribution of species that are small in number but with a large cell volume in biomass is considered.Moreover,this method comprehensively considers the interspecific differences of species and the uneven distribution of elements in phytoplankton cells,which is of significance in the estimation of marine carbon and nitrogen budget.The distribution of nitrogen content in marine phytoplankton can well indicate the marine eutrophication caused by human activities.Climate change can affect the community structure and element composition of marine phytoplankton,meanwhile marine carbon and nitrogen element can regulate the climate to a certain extent.

Joint Content Caching and Fetching Scheme with Cooperative Transmission in Hierarchical Networks

Concerned with the surge of contentcentric applications,it is challenging to balance network traffic and cater to low-delay requirements.Hierarchical caching architecture of both edge network(EN)and core network(CN)emerges and leverages caching resources to reduce the delivery delay of contents.Most previous work takes an impractical assumption to treat the CN as a content provider,which neglects the collaboration by intermediate CN caches.Most importantly,it is still necessary to thoroughly study the tradeoff between CN delay and edge delay for files delivery so as to minimize the overall delivery delay across the network.In this paper,we consider a hierarchical caching network with distributed CN nodes and edge nodes,where cooperative transmission is enabled for edge nodes to transmit multi-files simultaneously.This poses a joint optimization problem of hierarchical file caching and fetching to minimize the overall delivery delay of requests.Since the problem is NP-hard,we decompose the original problem and design an iterative algorithm to address it.Numerical results validate that the proposed scheme can find a balanced solution between lowering edge delay by utilizing coordinated CN caching and lowering CN delay by solely relying on edge caching.

Distribution prediction of moisture content of dead fuel on the forest floor of Maoershan national forest, China using a LoRa wireless network

The moisture content of dead forest fuel is an important indicator of risk levels of forest fires and prediction of fire spread. Moisture distribution is important to determine wild fire rating. However, it is often difficult to predict moisture distribution because of a complex terrain, changeable environments and low cover of commercial communication signals inside the forest. This study proposes a moisture content prediction system composed of environmental data collected using a long range radio frequency band 433 MHz wireless sensor network and data processing for moisture prediction based on a BP (back-propagation) neural network. In the fall of 2019, twenty nodes for the collection of environmental data were placed in four forest stands of Maoershan National Forest for a month;7440 sets of data including temperature, humidity, wind speed and air pressure were obtained. Half the data were used as a training set, the other as a testing set for a BP neural network. The results show that the average absolute error between the predicted value and the real value of moisture content of fuels of Larix gmelini, Betula platyphylla, Juglans mandshurica, and Quercus mongolica stands was 0.94%, 0.21%, 0.86%, 0.97%, respectively. The prediction accuracy was relatively high. The proposed distributed moisture content prediction method has the advantages of wide coverage and good real-time performance;at the same time, it is not limited by commercial signals and so it is especially suitable for forest fire prediction in remote mountainous areas.

Root length density distribution and associated soil water dynamics for tomato plants under furrow irrigation in a solar greenhouse

Furrow irrigation is a traditional widely-used irrigation method in the world. Understanding the dynamics of soil water distribution is essential to developing effective furrow irrigation strategies, especially in water-limited regions. The objectives of this study are to analyze root length density distribution and to explore soil water dynamics by simulating soil water content using a HYDRUS-2D model with consideration of root water uptake for furrow irrigated tomato plants in a solar greenhouse in Northwest China. Soil water contents were also in-situ observed by the ECH_2O sensors from 4 June to 19 June and from 21 June to 4 July, 2012. Results showed that the root length density of tomato plants was concentrated in the 0–50 cm soil layers, and radiated 0–18 cm toward the furrow and 0–30 cm along the bed axis. Soil water content values simulated by the HYDRUS-2D model agreed well with those observed by the ECH_2O sensors, with regression coefficient of 0.988, coefficient of determination of 0.89, and index of agreement of 0.97. The HYDRUS-2D model with the calibrated parameters was then applied to explore the optimal irrigation scheduling. Infrequent irrigation with a large amount of water for each irrigation event could result in 10%–18% of the irrigation water losses. Thus we recommend high irrigation frequency with a low amount of water for each irrigation event in greenhouses for arid region. The maximum high irrigation amount and the suitable irrigation interval required to avoid plant water stress and drainage water were 34 mm and 6 days, respectively, for given daily average transpiration rate of 4.0 mm/d. To sum up, the HYDRUS-2D model with consideration of root water uptake can be used to improve irrigation scheduling for furrow irrigated tomato plants in greenhouses in arid regions.

Fine Characterization and Analysis of Drying Strain of the ELM Board via DIC Technology

In this paper,the occurrence and development mechanism of strain on the cross-section during the wood drying is explored.Therefore,strain regularity on the cross-section of 50 mm thickness elm(Ulmus rubra)board at the temperature of 40℃and 80℃is detected via digital image correlation technology.Hence,the difference between tangential and radial strain at surface and core layers was denoted.The results showed that strain distribution in the width direction of the board is uneven.Moreover,a large drying shrinkage strain occurs at the near-core layer,while the maximum strain difference reaches 4.08%.Hence,the surface of the board is cracked along the thickness direction.The radial strain of the board is higher than the tangential strain in the early stage of drying,while these strains are reversed in the later stage of drying.The temperature is related to the difference between the tangential and radial strains of the elm board.These differences at the core layer are larger than those of the surface layer.The conducted research results provide a theoretical basis for process optimization.

Internet Load and Traffic Balancing

Load and traffic balancing for the Internet are analyzed. An intelligent domain name system(DNS) policy for the control and management of content distribution n etworks (CDN) is presented. An CDNs network based Unitech IntelliDNS is built, a nd performance of the network in realizing traffic and load balancing is measure d. It is proved that CDNs provide a valuable service and the methods are feasibl e.

Double-Edge Intelligent Integrated Satellite Terrestrial Networks

The efficient integration of satellite and terrestrial networks has become an important component for 6 G wireless architectures to provide highly reliable and secure connectivity over a wide geographical area.As the satellite and cellular networks are developed separately these years,the integrated network should synergize the communication,storage,computation capabilities of both sides towards an intelligent system more than mere consideration of coexistence.This has motivated us to develop double-edge intelligent integrated satellite and terrestrial networks(DILIGENT).Leveraging the boost development of multi-access edge computing(MEC)technology and artificial intelligence(AI),the framework is entitled with the systematic learning and adaptive network management of satellite and cellular networks.In this article,we provide a brief review of the state-of-art contributions from the perspective of academic research and standardization.Then we present the overall design of the proposed DILIGENT architecture,where the advantages are discussed and summarized.Strategies of task offloading,content caching and distribution are presented.Numerical results show that the proposed network architecture outperforms the existing integrated networks.

Chaos Dynamic Behaviour of Mineralization

Abstract: In this paper a nonlinear dynamic model for the distribution of element content and mineralization in the crust is suggested and the iteration relationship formula of this model coincides with the logistic equation. This shows that mineralization related with migration and enrichment of elements is in chaos, thus resulting in fractal structures of element content and ore reserves and their spatial distribution in the crust.

Numerical Simulation of Moisture Movement in Unsaturated Expansive Soil Slope Suffering Permeation

This study develops a way of analyzing moisture movement in unsaturated expansive soil slope. The basic equations and the integrated finite difference method for moisture movement in unsaturated soils are briefly described, and the calculation code MFUS2 has been developed. The moisture movements in unsaturated expansive soil slopes suffering precipitation were simulated numerically. The simulation results show that expansion or contraction must be taken into account in an analysis model. A simplified equivalent model for calculating rainwater infiltration into expansive soil slopes has been developed. The simplified equivalent model divides the soil slope into two layers according to the extent of weathering of the soil mass at depth. Layer Ⅰ is intensively weathered and moisture can be fully evaporated or rapidly absorbed. The moisture movement parameters take into account the greater soil permeability caused by fissures. Layer Ⅱ is unweathered and the soil is basically undisturbed. The moisture movement parameters of homogeneous soils are applicable. The moisture movements in unsaturated ex- pansive soil slopes suffering precipitation were simulated numerically using the simplified equivalent model. The simulation results show that the moisture movement in the expansive soil slope under rainfall permeation mainly takes place in the extensively weathered layer Ⅰ which closely simulates the real situation.

Sorption and phase distribution of ethanol and butanol blended gasoline vapours in the vadose zone after release

The sorption and phase distribution of 20% ethanol and butanol blended gasoline （E20 and B20） vapours have been examined in soils with varying soil organic matter （SOM） and water contents via laboratory microcosm experiments. The presence of 20% alcohol reduced the sorption of gasoline compounds by soil as well as the mass distribution of the compounds to soil solids. This effect was greater for ethanol than butanol. Compared with the sorption coefficient （Kd） of unblended gasoline compounds, the Kd of E20 gasoline compounds decreased by 54% for pentane, 54% for methylcyclopentane （MCP） and 63% for benzene, while the Kd of B20 gasoline compounds decreased by 39% for pentane, 38% for MCP and 49% for benzene, The retardation factor （R） of E20 gasoline compounds decreased by 53% for pentane, 53% for MCP and 48% for benzene, while the R of B20 gasoline compounds decreased by 39% for pentane, 37% for MCP and 38% for benzene. For all SOM and water contents tested, the Kd and R of all gasoline compounds were in the order of unblended gasoline 〉 B20 〉 E20, indicating that the use of high ethanol volume in gasoline to combat climate change could put the groundwater at greater risk of contamination,

Experimental study and modeling of particle drying in a continuously-operated horizontal fluidized bed

Multistage fluidized beds are frequently used for product drying in industry. One advantage of these fluidized beds is that they can achieve a high throughput, when operated continuously. In this study, γ- A1203 particles were dried in a pilot-scale horizontal fluidized bed, without considering any comminution effects. For each experiment, the particle moisture content distribution and residence time distribution were determined. To take into account particle back mixing in our experiments, a one-dimensional pop- ulation balance model that considers particle residence time was introduced into a fluidized bed-drying model. Experimental particle residence time distributions were reproduced using a tank-in-series model. Subsequently, the moisture content distribution was implemented, as a second dimension to the popu- lation balance in this model. These two-dimensional simulations were able to describe the experimental data, especially the spread in the residual particle moisture distribution, much more accurately than one-dimensional simulations. Using this novel two-dimensional model, the effects of different operating parameters （process gas temperature, solid feed rate, superficial air velocity） on the particle moisture content distribution were systematically studied.

An attempt to find a suitable place for soil moisture sensor in a drip irrigation system

Determination of an appropriate location for monitoring soil water content (SWC) is a keyfactor in efficient use of water in precision agriculture, however, the main challenge is thedynamic movement of water and root development in the soil profile. The objective of thisstudy was investigating how SWC distribution in a loam soil profile at two growth stages ofmaize may impact the suitable location for SWC monitoring in a drip-tape irrigation system.A new concept, Average Moisture Representative Surface (AMRS) was proposed to determine the surface of the soil profile, which represent the average soil moisture of the wettedvolume. SWC samples were taken during two irrigation intervals (48~52 days after planting(DAP) and 68~73 DAP) and root growth pattern was studied through root length density (RLD)at 50 and 100 DAP. The results revealed that a non-uniform wetting pattern after irrigationlimits the appropriate locations for SWC monitoring to point measurements and with time,SWC depletion resulted in enlarging AMRS. At the end of growing season, an increase of rootgrowth around the drippers increased the variation of root water uptake in different soil layers, and thus optimal place for soil sensors was limited to the upper layers, where the maximum root water uptake occurred. Overall, it is recommended to install soil sensors, such astensiometers and TDRs at a horizontal distance of 5~20 cm from the crop and a depth of10~20 cm from the soil surface while drip-tape is aligned close to the maize row.