Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chapter 10 Polynomiality of Linear Programming

In the previous section, we presented the Simplex Method. This method turns out to be very efficient for solving linear programmes in practice. While it is known that Gaussian elimination can be implemented in polynomial time, the number of pivot rules used throughout the Simplex Method may be exponential. More precisely, Klee and Minty gave an example of a linear programme such that the Simplex Method goes through each of the 2 n extreme points of the corresponding polytope [5]. In this chapter, we survey two methods for solving linear programmes in polynomial time. On the one hand, the Ellipsoid Method [4, 2] is not competitive with the Simplex Method in practice but it has important theoretical side-effects. On the other hand, the Interior Point Methods compete with the Simplex Method in practice. First of all, we define the input size of a linear programme. Recall that an integer i ∈ Z can be encoded using < i >= ï¿¿log 2 (|i| + 1)ï¿¿ + 1 bits. For a rational number r = p/q ∈ Q, the size of r is < r >=< p > + < q >. Similarly, any rational matrix can be encoded using < A >= ∑ m i=1 ∑ n j=1 < a i, j > bits. Also, multiplying two integers a and b runs in time O(< a > + < b >). In what follows, we consider the linear programme L defined by: Maximize c T x Subject to: Ax ≤ b x ≥ 0 (10.1) We restrict ourselves to the case when A ∈ Q m×n , b ∈ Q m and c ∈ Q n have rational coefficients. Therefore, the input size of L is < L >=< A > + < b > + < c >. In other words, < L > is a polynomial in n, m and < B > where B is the largest coefficient in A, b and c. The two methods presented in this chapter are polynomial in < L >. It is a long-standing open problem to know whether linear programming is strongly polynomial, i.e., whether there exists an algorithm that solves a linear programme in time polynomial in n and m. The interest of the Ellipsoid Method comes from the fact that, in particular cases, it works independently from the number m of constraints. More precisely, if we are given a …
Air‐Coupled Impact‐Echo Method for NDT of Concrete

Air‐coupled impact‐echo method for NDT of concrete is presented. In this study, air‐coupled sensors are used to determine the thickness and find delaminations in concrete slabs with impact‐echo approach. Test results show that air‐coupled sensors work as effectively as contact impact‐echo sensors when proper impactors are used. The air‐coupled impact‐echo test is then carried out on a concrete slab containing several artificial delaminations and voids. Evaluation of the degree of delaminations is successfully conducted using the air‐coupled impact‐echo method.
Analysis of Capillary Filling in Micro Channels for Passive Fluid Dynamics in Nano Lab on Chip Domain

A fluid dynamics in a micro channel for analytical chemistry and different aspects of this type of flow for specific application has remained a long-acting problem in the last two decades considering its numerus applications in various fields, thus, Surface tension and wall adhesive forces are often used to transport fluid through micro channels in Micro Electromechanical system devices or to measure the transport and position of small amounts of fluid using micropipettes. Here we took the advantages of wall adhesion and surface tension at the air/fluid interface, fluid rises through the channel and study also calculate the velocity, pressure and shape and position of the fluid surface, the model consist of a capillary channel of radius 50μm and a chamber. The study demonstrated that the fluid freely flown into the chamber 2mm/s without using any external mechanism.
Occupational exposure to airborne nanomaterials: An assessment of worker exposure to aerosolized metal oxide nanoparticles in a semiconductor fab and subfab

ABSTRACT This occupational exposure assessment study characterized potential inhalation exposures of workers to engineered nanomaterials associated with chemical mechanical planarization wafer polishing processes in a semiconductor research and development facility. Air sampling methodology was designed to capture airborne metal oxide nanoparticles for characterization. The research team obtained air samples in the fab and subfab areas using a combination of filter-based capture methods to determine particle morphology and elemental composition and real-time direct-reading instruments to determine airborne particle counts. Filter-based samples were analyzed by electron microscopy and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy while real-time particle counting data underwent statistical analysis. Sampling was conducted during worker tasks associated with preventive maintenance and quality control that were identified as having medium to high potential for inhalation exposure based on qualitative assessments. For each sampling event, data was collected for comparison between the background, task area, and personal breathing zone. Sampling conducted over nine months included five discrete sampling series events in coordination with on-site employees under real working conditions. The number of filter-based samples captured was: eight from worker personal breathing zones; seven from task areas; and five from backgrounds. A complementary suite of direct-reading instruments collected data for seven sample collection periods in the task area and six in the background. Engineered nanomaterials of interest (Si, Al, Ce) were identified in filter-based samples from all areas of collection, existing as agglomerates (>500 nm) and nanoparticles (100–500 nm). Particle counts showed an increase in number concentration above background during a subset of the job tasks, but particle counts in the task areas were otherwise not significantly higher than background. Additional data is needed to support further statistical analysis and determine trends; however, this initial investigation suggests that nanoparticles used or generated by the wafer polishing process become aerosolized and may be accessible for inhalation exposures by workers performing tasks in the subfab and fab. Additional research is needed to further quantify the degree of exposure and link these findings to related hazard research.
Error recovery with soft value combining for wireless cooperative systems

Due to the multi-path, multi-hop transmission structure in wireless cooperative systems, when packet errors occur, retransmissions may take longer time and more energy, and thus affect the system performance and user-perceived quality of services. How to reduce the error rate for cooperative systems is a critical issue. In this paper, a novel and simple error recovery scheme for wireless cooperative systems has been proposed by using the soft values of each bit, which are related to the confidence levels when the physical layer demodulates and decodes the bit. The receiver has a better chance to obtain the correct bit by combining the soft values associated with the relay and the direct transmission paths, respectively. We then derive the bit error rate (BER) performance for the amplify and forward (AF) cooperative systems with soft value combining. Next, we extend the soft value combining for the demodulation and forward (DMF) cooperative systems, where the relay demodulates the received signal and forwards it to the destination in a separate modulation type, in order to further improve spectrum efficiency. Numerical results have validated the analysis, and demonstrated that the proposed soft value combining scheme is simple to implement and can achieve near optimal performance.
B-type natriuretic peptide secretion following scuba diving.

AIM To examine the neurohormonal effects of a scuba dive, focusing on the acute changes in the plasma concentrations of the different peptide fragments from the B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) precursor. MATERIALS & METHODS We studied 12 healthy scuba divers (mean age ± standard deviation: 44 ± 7 years; range: 34-55 years; BMI: 24.8 ± 2.8 kg/m(2)), who performed a 15-m depth dive in salt water, with a bottom time of 30 min. Blood samples for BNPs (pro-B-type natriuretic peptide [pro-BNP], BNP and aminoterminal pro-BNP) and catecholamines were measured in plasma before immersion, and after the dive. A continuous electrocardiographic recording was obtained during the entire protocol. RESULTS BNP, aminoterminal pro-BNP and pro-BNP plasma concentrations slightly, but significantly, increased after the scuba dive (18 ± 15 to 21 ± 11 ng/l, p = 0.020; 32 ± 19 to 38 ± 21 ng/l, p = 0.008; and 7.8 ± 1.6 to 10.3 ± 3.6 ng/l, p = 0.028, respectively) in parallel with norepinephrine concentration (743 ± 323 to 1163 ± 656 ng/l, p = 0.014), with no variations in total plasma proteins, hematocrit or osmolality. A persistent sinus tachycardia was observed during all phases of the dive. CONCLUSIONS A 15-m depth scuba dive induces an acute slight release of the different peptide fragments from the BNP precursor, likely through the stimulation of a constitutive secretory pathway promoted by adrenergic activation and cardiac chamber dilation.
Increase in signal intensities on T1-weighted magnetic resonance images in asymptomatic manganese-exposed workers.

OBJECTIVES To clarify the clinical significance of increased signal intensities on T1 weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) we performed a large-scale epidemiological study on asymptomatic manganese (Mn)-exposed workers with its focus on MRI. METHODS We randomly selected 121 male workers out of a total of 750 workers including Mn-exposed, non-exposed manual, and non-exposed clerical workers in the factories. We studied environmental and biological monitoring, neurological examination, and MRI. RESULTS The proportion of workers with increased signal intensities among the exposed, the non-exposed manual workers, and the non-exposed clerical workers was 46.1%, 18.8%, and 0%, respectively. Especially, 73.5% of the welders showed increased signal intensities. In no subject, were clinical signs of manganism observed. The pallidal index correlated with blood Mn concentration. CONCLUSION Increase in signal intensities on the T1-weighted image reflect recent exposure to Mn, but not necessarily manganism. At which increase of signal intensity, the progression of manganism from Mn exposure occurs, remains to be solved.
The complexity of obstruction-free implementations

Obstruction-free implementations of concurrent objects are optimized for the common case where there is no step contention, and were recently advocated as a solution to the costs associated with synchronization without locks. In this article, we study this claim and this goes through precisely defining the notions of obstruction-freedom and step contention. We consider several classes of obstruction-free implementations, present corresponding generic object implementations, and prove lower bounds on their complexity. Viewed collectively, our results establish that the worst-case operation time complexity of obstruction-free implementations is high, even in the absence of step contention. We also show that lock-based implementations are not subject to some of the time-complexity lower bounds we present.
Cooperative Transmission with Partial Channel Information in Multi-User MISO Wireless Systems

In this paper, we consider novel cooperative transmission from multiple base stations in multi-user wireless systems. The proposed scheme generates multiple beams using partial channel state information, enabling to achieve both beamforming and spatial multiplexing gain. With the use of two- phase multi-user scheduling, it can also achieve multi-user diversity gain. The performance of the proposed scheme is analyzed and verified by computer simulation. Simulation results show the proposed scheme is quite effective as the spatial correlation and/or the number of users increase.
IEEE 802.11e Wireless LAN for Quality of Service

In this paper, a comprehensive overview of the new features of an upcoming new standard IEEE 802.11e to support Quality of Service (QoS) in Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs) is presented. We address Medium Access Control (MAC) enhancements found in the current 802.11e draft specification by emphasizing the differences from the legacy 802.11 standard. New mechanisms for QoS support, namely Enhanced Distributed Coordination Function (EDCF) and Hybrid Coordination Function (HCF), defined in the 802.11e draft are evaluated. The performance of those new schemes is discussed via simulation results
Bioprocess optimization using design‐of‐experiments methodology

This review surveys recent applications of design‐of‐experiments (DoE) methodology in the development of biotechnological processes. Methods such as factorial design, response surface methodology, and (DoE) provide powerful and efficient ways to optimize cultivations and other unit operations and procedures using a reduced number of experiments. The multitude of interdependent parameters involved within a unit operation or between units in a bioprocess sequence may be substantially refined and improved by the use of such methods. Other bioprocess‐related applications include strain screening evaluation and cultivation media balancing. In view of the emerging regulatory demands on pharmaceutical manufacturing processes, exemplified by the process analytical technology (PAT) initiative of the United States Food and Drug Administration, the use of experimental design approaches to improve process development for safer and more reproducible production is becoming increasingly important. Here, these options are highlighted and discussed with a few selected examples from antibiotic fermentation, expanded bed optimization, virus vector transfection of insect cell cultivation, feed profile adaptation, embryonic stem cell expansion protocols, and mammalian cell harvesting.
Non-native Accent Pronunciation Modeling in Automatic Speech Recognition

In this paper, we proposed an approach to model the pronunciation of non-native accented speech for automatic speech recognition system. The proposed method consists of two phases: phones adaptation and pronunciation generalization. In phones adaptation, we identify the phones used by non-native speakers compared to the standard phones, and then remove the mismatch, as a result of the influence from mother tongue. In pronunciation adaptation, we predict the pronunciations of words by non-native speakers. The results shown the proposed approach reduce the WER from 44.8% to 41.9%.
Sulfoacetic acid modifying poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel and its electroresponsive behavior under DC electric field

A strong electrolyte hydrogel was prepared by modifying poly (vinyl alcohol) hydrogel with sulfoacetic acid (SA–PVA). Its swelling properties, mechanical properties, and electroresponsive behavior in Na2SO4 solutions were studied. The results indicated that the water take-up ability of the hydrogel decreased with the increasing ionic strength of Na2SO4 solution. The Young’s modulus, elongation at break and tensile strength of the hydrogel swollen in deionized water are 1.247 MPa, 187% and 2.2 MPa, respectively. The hydrogel swollen in a Na2SO4 solution bent towards the cathode under non-contact dc electric fields, and its bending speed and equilibrium strain increased with increasing applied voltage. There is a critical ionic strength of 0.03 at which the maximum equilibrium strain of the hydrogel occurs. Also the bending behavior of hydrogel was not affected by the pH changes. By altering the direction of the applied potential cyclically, the hydrogel exhibited good reversible bending behavior. On this basis, a gel-worm was designed. Under a cyclically varying electric field (the period was 8 s, and the voltage ranged from −10 to 10 V), the walking speed was up to 15 cm min−1 in Na2SO4 solution with an ionic strength of 0.03.
ALOJA: A Framework for Benchmarking and Predictive Analytics in Hadoop Deployments

This article presents the ALOJA project and its analytics tools, which leverages machine learning to interpret big data benchmark performance data and tuning. ALOJA is part of a long-term collaboration between Barcelona Supercomputing Center and Microsoft to automate the characterization of cost-effectiveness on big data deployments, currently focusing on Hadoop. Hadoop presents a complex run-time environment, where costs and performance depend on a large number of configuration choices. The ALOJA project has created an open, vendor-neutral repository, featuring over 40 000 Hadoop job executions and their performance details. The repository is accompanied by a test bed and tools to deploy and evaluate the cost-effectiveness of different hardware configurations, parameters, and cloud services. Despite early success within ALOJA, a comprehensive study requires automation of modeling procedures to allow an analysis of large and resource-constrained search spaces. The predictive analytics extension, ALOJA-ML, provides an automated system allowing knowledge discovery by modeling environments from observed executions. The resulting models can forecast execution behaviors, predicting execution times for new configurations and hardware choices. That also enables model-based anomaly detection or efficient benchmark guidance by prioritizing executions. In addition, the community can benefit from ALOJA data sets and framework to improve the design and deployment of big data applications.
Effect of nitrogen impurity on the structural, mechanical and phonon properties of diamond from first-principle study

By means of density functional theory, we investigated physical properties of nitrogen-doped diamond and compared them with those of pure diamond. We showed that the nitrogen in substitution causes the strong lattice deformation near impurity, decreases elastic moduli, hardness and their anisotropy. We have confirmed experimental data that the face (111) is harder than face (100) in diamond. The nitrogen incorporation leads to an appearance of the resonant localized modes. The total and partial phonon densities of states, the mode localization, and the Raman and IR intensities in nitrogen-doped diamond were analyzed.
Psychosocial Determinants of Fruit and Vegetable Consumption

Psychosocial correlates of fruit and vegetable consumption were studied in an adult Dutch population (n = 367) based on the ASE model of attitudes, social influence and self-efficacy. Attitudes were a summation of beliefs about taste, different health consequences, and costs in time and money. Social influences were measured through the social stimulation respondents expected to get from important others to consume adequate amounts of fruit and vegetables and by asking the subjects about the behaviour of important others. Self-efficacy reflected the respondents' ability to consume adequate amounts of fruit and vegetables in various situations. Self-efficacy and attitudes were consistently and significantly associated with consumption of boiled or otherwise heated vegetables, of salads, and of fruit. Furthermore, respondents reporting low consumption of these food groups had lower self-efficacy expectations and less positive attitudes than subjects with relatively high consumption of fruit and vegetables. It is concluded that nutrition education aimed at stimulating fruit and vegetable consumption should focus especially on changing attitudes and self efficacy expectations.
Some Inplace Identities for Integer Compositions

Abstract In this paper, we give two new identities for compositions, or ordered partitions, of integers. These two identities are based on closely-related integer partition functions which have recently been studied. Thanks to the structure inherent in integer compositions, we are also able to extensively generalize both of these identities. Bijective proofs are given and generating functions are provided for each of the types of compositions which arise. A number of arithmetic properties satisfied by the functions which count such compositions are also highlighted.
An alternative view of small firm adaptation

Increasingly, small firms with a history tied to a specific geographic location are having their survival threatened by new and innovative Web‐based entrants. This paper considers the plight of such firms and proposes an alternative means to reflect on how they may or may not learn about such threats or opportunities. Adopting an evolutionary perspective, the construct absorptive capacity is used to highlight the deficiencies of current market orientation theory to explain the process of firm learning. The conceptual model of evolutionary potential provides a framework through which both the firm and its owners’/owner’s abilities to learn can be taken into account.
Similar Mutation Rates but Highly Diverse Mutation Spectra in Ascomycete and Basidiomycete Yeasts

Abstract Yeast species are extremely diverse and not monophyletic. Because the majority of yeast research focuses on ascomycetes, the mutational determinants of genetic diversity across yeast species are not well understood. By combining mutation-accumulation techniques with whole-genome sequencing, we resolved the genomic mutation rate and spectrum of the oleaginous (oil-producing) ‘red yeast’ Rhodotorula toruloides, the first such study in the fungal phylum Basidiomycota. We find that the mutation spectrum is quite different from what has been observed in all other studied unicellular eukaryotes, but similar to that in most bacteria—a predominance of transitions relative to transversions. Rhodotorula toruloides has a significantly higher A:T→G:C transition rate—possibly elevated by the abundant flanking G/C nucleotides in the GC-rich genome, as well as a much lower G:C→T:A transversion rate. In spite of these striking differences, there are substantial consistencies between R. toruloides and the ascomycete model yeasts: a spontaneous base-substitution mutation rate of 1.90 × 10 −10 per site per cell division as well as an elevated mutation rate at non-methylated 5'CpG3' sites. These results imply the evolution of variable mutation spectra in the face of similar mutation rates in yeasts.
Effect of Lubrication on Friction and Torque-Tension Relationship in Threaded Fasteners

In this research, three types of lubricants are investigated for their effects on the friction and torque-tension relationships in threaded fastener applications. Investigated lubricants included oils, greases, and solid film lubricants that were applied to the threads of the fastener and the nut, and the turning bolt underhead surface as well as the joint surface in contact with the bolt head. The oils tested were mineral oils with different viscosities, i.e. 21cst, 115cst, 1000cst respectively at 40°C. Three types of grease were tested; namely, regular grade, pure nickel special, and heavy metal free grease. For the solid lubricants, an olefinic type, an olefinic base with a polytetrafluoroethylene additive, and an olefinic base with an inorganic additive (Molybdenum disulfide), were applied. Class 8.8 M12 fasteners with both fine and coarse threads were used. The experiments were carried out using a Laboratory Fastener Testing System which measures the input torque, the fastener tension, the thread friction torque, and the angular rotation of the bolt head. The system computes the thread and bearing friction coefficients from the measured data. In each test, the fastener was repeatedly tightened and loosened five times. The tests were also conducted under different tightening speeds, varying from 1 rpm to 100 rpm. The nut factor, the coefficients of thread and the underhead friction were obtained from the experiments. The effects of the number of tightening and loosening cycles, the tightening speed, and the type of lubricant on friction and nut factor were investigated. It was found that lubrication had a significant effect on the friction and the torque-tension relationship in threaded fasteners. Presented at the STLE/ASME International Joint Tribology Conference in San Antonio, Texas, October 23-25, 2006 Review led by Thierry Blanchet