We focus on adaptive policies for load balancing in clustered web servers, based on the size distribution of the requested documents. The proposed scheduling policy, ADAPTLOAD, adapts its balancing parameters on-the-fly, according to changes in the behavior of the customer population such as fluctuations in the intensity of arrivals or document popularity. Detailed performance comparisons via s...

The objectives of this study were to compare the effects of three different Pilates regimes on chronic, mild low back pain symptoms and to determine whether the efficiency of load transfer through the pelvis is improved by those exercises. A between subjects equivalent group experimental design was used. The independent variable was the type of exercise training (three groups) and the two-depen...

To improve the selectivity of closed cracks for objects other than cracks in ultrasonic imaging, we propose an extension of a novel imaging method, namely, subharmonic phased array for crack evaluation (SPACE) as well as another approach using the subtraction of responses at different external loads. By applying external static or dynamic loads to closed cracks, the contact state in the cracks ...

BACKGROUND Left ventricular (LV) structure and function are predictors of cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality and are related to resting peripheral haemodynamic load in older adults. The central haemodynamic response to exercise may reveal associations with LV structure and function not detected by traditional peripheral (brachial) measures in a younger population. PURPOSE To examine ...

The complementary variational problems for finite plasticity with strainhardening effect are developed in this paper based on the theory of convex analysis. A new lower bound theorem for the load intensity factor, in which the plastic yield condition is relaxed by a complementary plastic superpotential, is proved. A simple illustrative example is worked out.

OBJECTIVES This study evaluates the effect of a 2-hour reading task between 70 and 75 dB(A) in 16 normophonic and 16 dysphonic female teachers with vocal nodules. METHODS Objective measurements (acoustic analysis, voice range measurements, and aerodynamic measurements) and subjective self-ratings were collected before and every 30 minutes during the reading to determine the voice evolution in...

The circadian cycle in all-out competitive performance may be due to changes in motivational drive to tolerate strenuous exercise rather than to rhythms in maximal physiological functions. This experiment explored the hypothesis that a fixed relative loading of high intensity aerobic effort could be sustained for longer in the evening compared with the morning. Eight females cycled to exhaustio...

BACKGROUND Proper exercise training modifies intra miocellular energy utilization, glucose transport and mitochondrial biogenesis. AIM To determine the therapeutic effects of a high intensity intermittent training (HIIT) program on glucose homeostasis, physical fitness and body fat in glucose intolerant patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS Eighteen patients with overweight or obesity and glucose ...

N(2) fixation by Chlorobium phaeobacteroides from Lake Kinneret was dependent on ammonia concentration and light intensity. In the thermocline of Lake Kinneret, N(2) fixation and photosynthesis were low. It was concluded that the bacteria do not contribute significantly to the organic nitrogen load of the lake.

An alternative approach in the study of muscle fatigue is to address the question, "What causes task failure during a fatiguing contraction?" This approach is described by considering how variation in the type of load supported and contraction intensity influence both the time to task failure and the centrally mediated adjustments in reflex activity and motor unit behavior.