cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ALOHA with Collision Resolution: MAC layer analysis and software defined radio implementation

A cross-layer scheme, namely ALOHA with Collision Resolution (ALOHA-CR), is proposed for high throughput wireless communications in a cellular scenario. Transmissions occur in a time-slotted ALOHA-type fashion but with an important difference: simultaneous transmissions of two users can be successful. In this paper, throughput and service delay analysis is provided and the analytical results are validated on the Wireless Open Access Research Platform (WARP) [14] testbed containing software defined radio (SDR) testbed. Both analysis and experiments indicate that ALOHA-CR leads to significant increase in throughput and reduction of service delays.
RAPID IDENTIFICATION OF HEMOLYTIC GROUP A STREPTOCOCCI IN PEDIATRIC OFFICES BY THE DIRECTIGENR TEST

A prospective study for rapid identification of β-hemolytic Group A streptococci (GAS) in patients with a clinical diagnosis of sore throat or upper respiratory tract infection was carried out by six pediatricians in office practice. The DirectigenR kit (DR) was used to directly detect GAS specific antigen on throat swabs. The test readings were compared to culture results of duplicate throat swabs processed at an University Microbiology Laboratory using standard methods for identification and quantitation of β-hemol. streptococci. A total of 191 throat swabs were obtained. Of 60 bacteriologically grown β-hemol. streptococci 47 (78%) belonged to Group A, 6 (10%) to Group C, 4 (7%) to Group G and 3 (5%) to Group B. None of the non-GAS gave a positive reaction with DR. Of 186 evaluable DR tests 173 were in agreement with the culture results (93%). Specificity of DR was 99%, sensitivity, predictive value of a positive and a negative test were 75, 97 and 92% respectively. Probably because of the small number of positive tests, a great interexaminer variation of the sensitivities was observed. Sparse growth of GAS resulted more often in a negative (80%) than in a positive (20%) DR, whereas heavy growth was followed in 91% by a positive test. Of all cultured β-hemol. streptococci 20% could not be detected by DR because of the specificity of the test for GAS. 25% of isolated GAS, mainly those with low colony counts, were missed by the DR in the still ongoing study. Providing results within 70 minutes the DR is practicable in the office laboratory.
Evaluation of frequency multiplexing radiography based on multi-pixel x-ray technology

We have recently demonstrated the feasibility of frequency multiplexing radiography (FMR) technique based on the frequency division multiplexing (FDM) principle and the carbon nanotube field emission x-ray technology. The key component of the FMR technique is a multi-pixel carbon nanotube field emission x-ray source. The prototype multi-pixel x-ray source has a linear array of nine field emission x-ray pixels. By programming the control electronics, the multi-pixel x-ray source can generate spatially and temporally modulated x-ray radiation. During the multiplexing imaging process, all the x-ray pixels were turned on simultaneously with each beam modulated at different frequency. The superimposed x-ray signals generated by the multi-pixel x-ray source were captured using a high speed flat panel x-ray detector over a certain period of time. The collected composite images were then demultiplexed using a Fourier transform based algorithm to recover the original nine projection images from different view angles. The FMR technique can in principle increase the imaging speed and reduce the x-ray peak workload for applications such as computed tomography (CT). In this paper we evaluated the performance of this new radiographic imaging technique based on our simulation and experiment results. Imaging artifacts caused by the cross-talk among different frequency subchannels have been studied and the importance of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) has been demonstrated.
Effect of a Combination of Propranolol and Nicotinic Acid on the Inhibition of Norepinephrine-induced Elevations of Serum Triglyceride, Serum Glycerol, and Plasma Free Fatty Acids in the Dog

Abstract A study was made of methods to reduce the concentration of serum triglyceride by suppressing plasma free fatty acid mobilization through a dual modification of their release mechanism. Serum triglyceride, serum glycerol, serum cholesterol and plasma free fatty acids were measured under the influence of infusions of norepinephrine and low doses of propranolol and nicotinic acid in dogs. During a 4 hr infusion of norepinephrine, serum triglyceride rose 20 per cent. The addition of individual infusions of low doses of propranolol and nicotinic acid had a small effect. However, the infusion of low doses of these two agents in combination had an additive effect, causing serum triglyceride to fall 25 per cent. A similar inhibitory effect of propranolol and nicotinic acid used in combination was noted in a sustained reversal of norepinephrine-induced elevations of serum glycerol and plasma free fatty acids. Serum cholesterol was not changed over the 4-hour period by any agent as compared to saline. The effects of small doses of propranolol and nicotinic acid used in combination on the inhibition of norepinephrine-induced elevations of serum triglyceride may be explained by their additive inhibition of plasma free fatty acid mobilization.
Cover Pebbling Thresholds for the Complete Graph

Abstract We obtain first-order cover pebbling thresholds of the complete graph for Maxwell Boltzmann and Bose Einstein configurations.
Parallelizing small finite state machines, with application to pulsed signal analysis

Due to the increasing dominance of multicore processors, performing measurement analysis on larger data sets using such parallel processors is of interest. The particular measurement analysis problem studied here is that of recognizing patterns that require further processing within a stream of measured data. That is, it is desired to search through a signal looking for a particular sequence of values, states, or events. Previous work has shown one particular case where such a pattern recognition (identifying transitions in pulsed waveforms) could be done using parallel scans. However, the previous work was based on intuitive arguments and also left open the question of how in general to derive the required associative operators given a pattern of measured data-derived symbols to be recognized. The novel contribution of this work is (1) to provide a theoretical explanation for those previous results in parallelizing pulsed waveform analysis that obtained correct results but had only an intuitive but not a theoretical explanation, and (2) to demonstrate that the explanation leads to a general method for parallelizing pattern finding with FSMs. This method is tested on actual measured data.
A pumped, two-phase flow heat transport system for orbiting instrument payloads

A pumped two-phase (heat absorption/heat rejection) thermal transport system for orbiting instrument payloads is investigated. The thermofluid characteristics necessary for the system design are discussed. A preliminary design with a series arrangement of four instrument heat stations and six radiators in a single loop is described in detail, and the total mass is estimated to be 134 kg, with the radiators, instrument heat stations, and fluid reservoir accounting for approximately 86, 24, and 12 kg, respectively. The evaluation of preliminary test results shows that the system has potential advantages; however, further research is necessary in the areas of one-g and zero-g heat transfer coefficients/fluid regimes, fluid by-pass temperature control, and reliability of small pumps.
"Reeducation" of urethral sphincter mechanism in postprostatectomy incontinence.

Abstract Some cases of postprostatectomy incontinence may simply be due to disuse atrophy of the sphincter mechanism and thus be amenable to treatment with perineal exercise.
Pathways of Apoptosis in Lymphocyte Development, Homeostasis, and Disease

Apoptosis plays a critical role in lymphocyte development and homeostasis. Enhanced lymphocyte apoptosis can cause immunodeficiency through cell loss. Conversely, inhibition of apoptosis can lead to the development of autoimmunity or lymphoma. Two major pathways contribute to the regulation of lymphocyte cell death, death-by-neglect and death-by-instruction.
Fuzzy Neural Networks

In this paper, the McCulloch-Pitts model of a neuron is extended to a more general model which allows the activity of a neuron to be a “fuzzy” rather than an “all-or-none” process. The generalized model is called a fuzzy neuron. Some basic properties of fuzzy neural networks as well as their applications to the synthesis of fuzzy automata are investigated. It is shown that any n-state minimal fuzzy automatan can be realized by a network of m fuzzy neurons, where ⌈log2n⌉<m<2n. Examples are given to illustrate the procedure. As an example of application, a realization of fuzzy language recognizer using a fuzzy neural network is presented. The techniques described in this paper may be of use in the study of neural networks as well as in language, pattern recognition, and learning.
INTERSTELLAR ABUNDANCES TOWARD X Per, REVISITED

The nearby X-ray binary X Per (HD 24534) provides a useful beacon with which to measure elemental abundances in the local ISM. We examine absorption features of O, Mg, and Si along this line of sight using spectra from the Chandra Observatory's LETG/ACIS-S and XMM-Newton's RGS instruments. In general, we find that the abundances and their ratios are similar to those of young F and G stars and the most recent solar values. We compare our results with abundances required by dust grain models.
Generation and Application of Highly Ionized Quiescent Cesium Plasma in Steady State

A method of generating highly ionized quiescent plasmas in steady state is presented. Plasma densities in excess of 4×1012 ions/cm3 at greater than 90 per cent ionization have been obtained. The validity of double probe measurements of plasma density and temperature in the presence of a dc magnetic field up to about 1500 gauss has been established. The recombination coefficient a of highly ionized cesium plasmas up to densities exceeding 4×1012 ions/cm3 has been found to be equal to or less than 3×10-11 cm3/sec, at least an order of magnitude smaller than the lowest value published to date. A valuable technique for basic as well as applied plasma research has thus been developed and directly applicable results obtained.
Battlespace exploitation visualization

In today's imaging paradigm, each platform feds a single exploitation feeds a single exploitation systems a single sensor data stream. Currently, there is no ability to integrate the many exploitation capabilities arising from the ever-increasing number of imaging platforms. The solution to this dilemma is the development of a battlespace exploitation visualization environment (BEVE) capable of providing real-time visualization of multi-sensor data streams to image analysts (IAs). The vision of BEVE is a system receiving a variety of imaging data types, integrating the results of a data fusion analysis, and visually fusing this data into a variety of exploitable visualizations. This paper discuses three primary technologies related to BEVE: the processing of the input sensor data, the visualization technologies, and the interpretation and interaction with the IA.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The effect of ring strain on the acidities of fluorinated 4-oxazolidinones

Abstract Several new fluorinated 4-oxazolidinones have been prepared by the reaction of cyanide ion with fluoroketones. The acidities of these oxazolidinones are influenced by the amount of ring strain present. For example, 2,2,5,5-tetrakis-(trifluoromethyl)-4-oxazolidinone (I) is an appreciably stronger acid than perfluoro-5-oxa-10-azadispiro[3,1,3,2]-undecan-11-one (IX).
Education, Labor Markets and the Retreat from Marriage

Using data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing study and the Current Population Survey, we find that labor market conditions play a large role in explaining the positive relationship between educational attainment and marriage. Our results suggest that if low-educated parents enjoyed the same, stronger labor market conditions as their more-educated counterparts, then differences in marriage by education would narrow considerably. Better labor markets are positively related to marriage for fathers at all educational levels. In contrast, better labor markets are positively related to marriage for less-educated mothers but not their more-educated counterparts. We discuss the implications of our findings for theories about women's earning power and marriage, the current economic recession and future studies of differences in family structure across education groups.
The Traditional System and Structural Transformation in Subsaharan Africa

This paper is a critique of dualistic notions concerning the structure of African economies, and the nature of structural transformation in the region. First, it questions theoretical assumptions that structural transformation in Subsaharan Africa is controlled and directed by market penetration. Second, it argues that, in reality, structural transformation is a process of mutual interaction between the institutions of capital and those of the traditional system. As African individuals, households and communities make deliberate choices about what to optimize and how to undertake the optimization process within given constraints, they choose from traditional and market norms to varying degrees. Finally, it is argued that the outcome of these activities is not a rural-urban dichotomy, but a continuum which reflects different behavioral patterns in economic production and social relationships.
Metabolizable Energy Values of Treated Wheat Bran and Wheat Millrun Protein Concentrate

Abstract Using broiler chicks, the nitrogen corrected metabolizable energy (ME) was determined for wheat bran, pelleted wheat bran, and three pelleted wheat brans to which either NaOH, NH4OH, or HCl were added prior to pelleting, and wheat bran treated with a commercial cellulolytic enzyme concentrate (Pectinol 41P). The dry matter ME values were 1612, 1659, 1645, 1703, 1770, and 2132 kcal/kg, respectively. The ME values for the HCl-pelleted bran and Pectinol 41P-treated bran were both significantly higher than that of the untreated bran and significantly different from each other (P=.05). There was no significant improvement in ME from the other bran treatments. The ME was also determined for three wet alkaline processed wheat millrun protein concentrates containing oh a dry matter basis 27, 27, and 24% protein, .9, 1.0, and 1.1% crude fiber, and 47, 51, and 49% starch, respectively. The millrun concentrates were found to contain 3803, 3882, and 3770 kcal ME/kg, respectively. The average ME value of the millrun concentrates was about 96% higher than the ME of the original wheat millrun.
Controlled contamination of optics under 157-nm laser irradiation

Contamination rates of CaF2 substrates in the presence of trace levels of toluene vapor and oxygen under 157-nm irradiation have been studied to determine conditions which prevent contamination films from depositing on optical elements in lithographic projection systems. A 2 - 3 monolayer thick deposit, causing a 1 - 2% transmission drop per surface, can readily form over a range of contaminant levels in the sub-ppm range and typical background oxygen levels. In addition, stable partial surface coverage can be supported with either lower concentrations of contaminant or conversely much higher levels of oxygen. Contamination rates are also higher at lower fluences, and thus contamination effects are expected to impact the projection optics more severely than beam delivery and illumination components. Finally, a permanent degradation in transmission of coated optics has been observed on anti-reflective coatings exposed to sub-ppm levels of toluene. Taken together, the results suggest that even with hydrocarbon based contaminants, where oxygen can be introduced into the beam-line in trace levels (i.e. hundreds of ppb) without significantly degrading transmission, toluene contaminant levels will have to be maintained in the ppb range or below.
Use of the cricket Acheta domestica L. as a bioassay organism for the toxic extract from Gonyaulax monilata (Dinophyceae)

A toxic extract from unialgal cultures, of Gonyaulax monilata Howell was tested for insecticidal activity on the cricket Acheta domestica L The regression line of the activity was compared with that of ouabain in this insect as well as with that of the toxic extract in mice. Although mice are approximately 2.5°as sensitive as the cricket an a body weight basis, because of the insect's smaller mass‘(1/50 that of the mouse), one can treat 26° as many crickets with the same amount of toxic material. This fact, coupled with the simple rearing requirements of the insect, makes it an ideal bioassay organism as well as a useful subject far further investigations of the physiological properties of the toxic extract and other bioactive compounds available in limited quantities.
Surface alloy depletion and martensite formation during glass to metal joining of austenitic stainless steels

AbstractPreoxidised and glass to metal (GtM) sealed austenitic stainless steels displayed a ferritic (bcc) layer near the metal/oxide interface, as determined by electron backscatter diffraction and X-ray diffraction. Through electron probe microanalysis, it was determined that this layer was depleted of alloying elements due to the oxidation and sealing processes. Characterisation of the layer morphology suggested that it formed through the martensite transformation mechanism. Thermochemical modelling with ThermoCalc also supported a martensitic transformation as opposed to diffusional ferrite formation. The composition gradient through the layer was correlated to the Eichelman and Hull empirical relationship for martensite start (Ms) temperatures. Because of Cr, Mn and Si depletion during preoxidation and glass sealing, Ms temperatures near ambient are possible in this surface region. The martensite layer was non-uniform, however, with laths extending deeper into the alloy due to stabilised growth in th...
A High-Resolution, Far Infrared Double-Beam Lamellar Grating Interferometer

A high-resolution, far ir lamellar grating interferometer that operates in either a single-beam or a double-beam differencing mode of operation is described. The instrument covers a frequency range of 10 cm−1 to 125 cm−1 (1000 μ to 80 μ). To illustrate the general performance of the instrument the pure rotational spectrum of water vapor between 15 cm−1 and 115 cm−1 is presented. It is estimated that the absorption line centers of strong isolated lines are measured to within ±0.008 cm−1. To illustrate the resolution of the instrument, low wavenumber portions of the pure rotational spectrum of DCl are shown. The Cl35–Cl37 isotope splitting of the J = 2 → 3 transition (32.3 cm−1) is clearly resolved. The calculated separation of these two lines is 0.094 cm−1.
The Basis of Visual Constructional Disability in Patients with Unilateral Cerebral Lesions

Patients with left and right unilateral hemispheric lesions were compared on the Form Assembly Task, a visual construction task requiring perceptual but not executive, motor, or verbal skills. Right lesioned patients were inferior to lefts and normals in both degree and frequency of impairment. Performances on the assembly task and two visual discrimination tasks were correlated among right but not left lesioned patients. Left lesioned patients took significantly longer to achieve maximum level of performance than either rights or normals. Neither sex nor duration of lesion affected Form Assembly performance. Results were consistent with the hypothesis that visual perceptual deficits underlie constructional difficulties among right but not left lesioned patients.
A Net-Centric Instrument Driver Approach for Multi-Computer System Architectures

There is a growing interest among system architects to employ multiple computers. Typically, one central computer runs the test executive and user interface, and other computers control the multiple instrument chassis. This architecture produces complexity regarding the location of the instrument driver and associated development and debugging tools. This paper describes the software architecture for a complex digital test instrument that allows the driver and associated tools to be located with the test executive even though the instrument is resident remotely and controlled by another computer.
Generalizations of the Lee-Yang theorem

Abstract The zeros of the partition function of the classical Heisenberg model are shown to occur for imaginary magnetic field. The same result holds for a two-sublattice antiferromagnet in terms of the staggered magnetic field.
Characterization of oligosaccharides by lectin affinity high-performance liquid chromatography

Alterations of the oligosaccharide structures of glycoproteins are associated with differentiation, malignant transformation, and expression of the same protein in different cell types. The potential biological importance of oligosaccharides has resulted in a growing need for detailed structural information. When glycoproteins are available in limited quantities and/or bear highly heterogeneous oligosaccharides, characterization of their oligosaccharides is difficult. We have developed an efficient approach for obtaining detailed information about oligosaccharides by determining structural 'fingerprints' using lectin affinity high-performance liquid chromatography.
Introduction: The Valene Smith Tourism Poster Competition—Then, Now, and in the Future

Every year researchers focused on tourism and heritage studies gather together at the SfAA meetings. Whether presenting, visiting, or judging, students and educators of the anthropology of tourism come together to share and generate cutting edge ideas at various forums and one in particular: the Valene Smith Tourism Poster Competition. This particular poster competition can be traced to a day-long session on tourism at the 1974 American Anthropological Association meetings in Mexico City, organized by Professor Valene Smith. The papers in that session were subsequently published in the influential text, Hosts and Guests: The Anthropology of Tourism, edited by Dr. Valene Smith. As the organizer of the session and editor of the book, Valene Smith is often referred to as the "mother" or matron of tourism studies.
Ultrastructural changes in isolated spinach chloroplasts and in Chlorella pyrenoidosa chick (Emerson strain) treated with dichlone

Abstract Isolated spinach chloroplasts and Chlorella cells treated with dichlone (2,3-dichloro-1,4-naphthoquinone) exhibited morphological changes which appeared to be consistent with an alteration of protein elements in the cell. The stroma of dichlone-treated chloroplasts appeared less structured and more homogeneous than that of the control. The cell membrane in dichlone-treated Chlorella cells shrank from the cell wall and exhibited much invagination while the outer membrane of Chlorella chloroplasts appeared wavy. The changes in the cytoplasm of treated Chlorella cells closely reflected those noted in the chloroplast stroma.
Macrophage control of Brucella abortus: influence of cytokines and iron.

Abstract Brucella abortus is a facultative intracellular bacterium that can infect and replicate in mononuclear phagocytes. Recent work has elucidated the role of cytokines in activating macrophages to inhibit the intracellular replication of brucellae, and in recruiting macrophages to the site of infection in vivo . There is also evidence that iron increases the ability of cytokine-activated macrophages to control intracellular burcellae by mechanisms involving reactive oxygen intermediates.
Parallel procedure for the design of observers in high-order multivariable systems

This paper considers the design of minimal-order observers for reconstructing the state of high-order multivariable systems. The given system is first transformed to a lower block Hessenberg form by means of orthogonal state coordinate transformations. Then the transformed system matrices along with certain assumed block forms for the observer matrices enable the constraint equations to be decomposed and solved effectively. It is shown that a parallel procedure can be used to solve certain chain equations arising from this block decomposition.
Slosh wave excitation in a partially filled rotating tank due to gravity jitters in a microgravity environment

The dynamical behavior of fluids, in particular the effect of surface tension on partially-filled rotating fluids (cryogenic liquid helium and helium vapor), in a full-scale Gravity Probe-B Spacecraft propellant tank without probe imposed by various frequencies of gravity jitters have been investigated. Twelve case studies of slosh wave excitation due to various frequencies of gravity jitters under different rotating speeds of propellant tank and different levels of background gravity environment have been numerically simulated. Results disclose the conditions for the excitation of large amplitude slosh waves which shall be avoided in the design of cryogenic liquid propellant system.
Evaluation of peri-operative chemotherapy using a prognostic nomogram for survival after resection of colorectal liver metastases.

Abstract Introduction Nomograms are statistical tools designed to predict outcomes. This study evaluates the effects of peri-operative chemotherapy on the accuracy of a prognostic nomogram for disease-specific survival (DSS) after resection of colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) established at Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC). Methods An external cohort of 203 patients who underwent resection of CRLM between 1996 and 2006 was used to assess the nomogram. Results After median follow-up of 30.4 months (range 0.33–150), Kaplan–Meier (KM) estimates for 3-, 5- and 8-year post-resection DSS were 56%, 41%, and 32%, respectively; similar to nomogram-predicted probabilities for DSS. The concordance index for the nomogram was higher (0.602) than for the Fong colorectal risk score (CRS; 0.533). KM DSS was longer for patients (n= 50) treated with at least 6 months of peri-operative irinotecan or oxaliplatin compared with all other patients (median 66 vs. 40 months, P= 0.06). KM DSS was greater than nomogram predicted DSS for treated patients and less than nomogram predicted DSS for all other patients. Conclusions The CRLM nomogram was validated by an external cohort and more accurately predicted post-resection survival than the commonly used CRS. Differences in observed and nomogram-predicted survival may reflect the effect of treatment factors, such as peri-operative chemotherapy.
Polycythemia in small for gestational age infants

Neonatal polycythemia and related disorders were studied in 23 full-term infants small for gestational age (SGA), 23 full-term (F-AGA), and 18 preterm infants of birth weights appropriate for gestational age (P-AGA). SGA infants had significantly higher hemoglobin, hematocrit, erythrocyte count, and fetal hemoglobin concentration values than other babies. Half of the SGA infants were polycythemic (venous hematocrit greater than 60 per cent). Four of them, all male infants, had important clinical problems including respiratory difficulties, priapism, hypoglycemia, and hypocalcemia. SGA infants also demonstrated a significant decrease in reticulocyte count after the first postnatal day. In all infants, capillary hematocrits were consistently higher than venous hematocrits. All male SGA babies should have hematocrit determinations shortly after birth and be observed closely for the development of clinical complications, particularly if polycythemic.
Hydrogen catalysis of alkyl radical decay in single crystalline polyethylene

Although hydrogen gas is about tenfold more soluble in hot-filtered mats of polyethylene (PE) single crystals (SC) than in bulk linear PE, we found that no hydrogen solubility at all could be measured in freeze-dried SC. Despite this, hydrogen gas still exerts a catalytic effect on alkyl radical decay on both the fast and slow first-order decay reactions in the freeze-dried samples. Above 40/sup 0/C the first-order decay constants of the slowly decaying component decrease with increasing fold period.
Benthic fluxes and pore water studies from sediments of the central equatorial north Pacific: Nutrient diagenesis

Benthic exchange rates of radon-222, oxygen, nitrate, ammonia, and silica were determined using an in situ benthic flux chamber and by modeling pore water profiles at three sites in the central equatorial north Pacific. A comparison of these results reveals several artifacts of pore water collection and processing. Whole-core squeezer (WCS) silica profiles are influenced by adsorption during squeezing and yield calculated fluxes that are too large. Pore water ammonia profiles show near-surface maxima that appear to be an artifact of core recovery. Near-surface nitrate measurements may also be suspect due to oxidation of the ammonia released, causing anomalously large nitrate gradients that yield overestimates of benthic exchange rates. Fluxes of radon, oxygen, and nitrate calculated from WCS profiles agree with chamber fluxes to better than 40% at all sites. Fluxes of silica and nitrate calculated from pore water data collected at coarser scales (> 1 cm intervals) agree within 50% with chamber measurements. Previous flux estimates from pore water and solid phase models established at two of these sites using data collected 6 years prior to this work differ from these chamber measurements, in some cases by up to a factor of 5 due to modeling uncertainties and temporal variabilities in the delivery of organic matter to a site. The benthic oxygen consumption rates measured at these sites are similar (they average 0.36 ± 0.03 mmol m−2 day−1) and are consistent with a trend of oxygen uptake vs. water depth previously established by others on a transect through the oligotrophic north Pacific gyre.
Flowshop sequencing with non-permutation schedules

Abstract The general belief is that near-optimal solutions can be obtained for the scheduling of serial multiproduct batch processes under the assumption of a permutation schedule (PS), which limits the search space. In this paper, we present a study of the nature of the serial multiproduct batch scheduling problem and provide justifications for considering serial flowshop scheduling under a non-permutation schedule (NPS). The problem addressed involves minimization of makespan for a given time matrix with unlimited intermediate storage between units. A comparison is made between PS and NPS solutions. NPS solutions are obtained by enumerative search for small problems and by simulated annealing (SA) for large problems. It is observed that the quality of an NPS solution compared to a PS solution is dependent on the range of processing times and also on the size of the problem. For most problems, the use of an NPS is necessary to obtain optimal or near-optimal solutions. An extension of the rapid access extensive search (RAES) heuristic, which we call generalized rapid access extensive search (GRAES), is also developed for obtaining an NPS solution. GRAES is shown to be a good technique for fast computation of NPS solutions, although the quality of solutions obtained by SA is better.
Carbonate stable isotope signals in the 1-Ma sedimentary record of the HDP-04 drill core from Lake Hovsgol, NW Mongolia

Abstract Oxygen and carbon stable isotope ratios in carbonates from the HDP-04 drill core from Lake Hovsgol, NW Mongolia, show an overall covariant relationship suggesting that for the most of the past 1 Ma Hovsgol remained a closed-basin lake. Carbonate δ 18 O ratio is responsive to regional climate change: a ca. +1.5‰ basinwide δ 18 O shift has occurred with the onset of Bolling–Allerod warming ( sensu lato ), followed by a ca. 0.8‰ depletion during the Younger Dryas. The post-glacial δ 18 O shift of the same magnitude is recorded in bulk carbonates, shells of two ostracod species and in wet-sieved fine fraction 18 O shift is nevertheless positive. This argues against changes in local temperature and hydrology as key driving mechanisms. Most likely, Lake Hovsgol δ 18 O reflects a climate-driven shift in the composition of regional precipitation. Tied into a distinct lithologic succession, the radiocarbon-dated late glacial δ 18 O shift apparently represents a ‘template’ of the lake's response to glacial–interglacial transitions: a similar pattern of parallel changes in lithology and carbonate stable isotope composition is observed in at least 10 more intervals in the 1-Ma record, including the MIS 20/MIS19 transition at the Brunhes/Matuyama paleomagnetic reversal boundary. The comparison of carbon stable isotope ratios of untreated and in vacuo roasted bulk sediment with those of detrital carbonates suggests that clastic input of carbonates by lake tributaries does not affect the geochemistry of bulk carbonates in the HDP-04 section. The profiles of bulk carbonate δ 18 O and δ 13 C in the Pleistocene section of the HDP-04 drill core suggest at ca. 15.4 ka, at ca. 100 m below today's level, Lake Hovsgol still stood relatively high as compared with prior extended periods of time during late Matuyama and early Brunhes. Isotopically heavy δ 18 O and δ 13 C ratios during the mid–late Brunhes, particularly, in carbonate crusts and oolites, are suggestive of past episodes of dramatic evaporative 18 O-enrichment of lake waters. Despite the expectation of muted amplitudes of temperature- and precipitation-related isotope signals, the sedimentary record from the sensitive ‘water gauge’ basin of Lake Hovsgol has high potential for providing important constraints on past hydrologic evolution of continental interior Asia during the Pleistocene.
Outside the Classroom and beyond Psychology: A Citation Analysis of the Scientific Influence of Teaching Activities.

A primary objective for researchers who publish teaching activities and methods in the Teaching of Psychology (ToP) is to inform best practices in classroom teaching. Beyond the learning effect in the classroom, these ToP teaching activity and method articles may also have a scientific effect that heretofore researchers have overlooked. Therefore, we conducted a bibliometric examination of 765 teaching activities published in ToP from 1975 to 2007. Teaching activities are cited a surprisingly high number of times. More important, approximately half of the citations were from sources other than ToP, demonstrating a broader scientific influence. Further, we found that teaching research citation rates are comparable to authors’ other peer-reviewed traditional psychology discipline research. We discuss findings in terms of implications for teaching as research, the potential effect of citations on tenure and promotion decisions, and ToP as a hub science.
Rare-Event Simulation for the Stochastic Korteweg--de Vries Equation

An asymptotic analysis of the tail probabilities for the dynamics of a soliton wave $U(x,t)$ under a stochastic time-dependent force is developed. The dynamics of the soliton wave $U(x,t)$ is described by the Korteweg--de Vries (KdV) equation with homogeneous Dirichlet boundary conditions under a stochastic time-dependent force, which is modeled as a time-dependent Gaussian noise with amplitude $\epsilon$. The tail probability considered is $w(b):=P(\sup_{t\in[0,T]}U(x,t)>b)$, as $b\to\infty$, for some constant $T>0$ and a fixed $x$, which can be interpreted as tail probability of the amplitude of a water wave on the shallow surface of a fluid or long internal wave in a density-stratified ocean. Our goal is to characterize the asymptotic behaviors of $w(b)$ and evaluate the tail probability of the event that the soliton wave exceeds a certain threshold value under a random force term. Such rare-event calculation of $w(b)$ is especially useful for fast estimation of the risk of the potential damage that co...
Reflections on likeness of meaning

Two arguments which are fairly explicit in his paper may be taken to support this. One is based upon Goodman's proposal that we adopt a certain new criterion for synonymy, the other upon a semantical principle which Goodman claims is a natural requirement we all make upon any satisfactory criterion of synonymy, but which, he shows, leads to the denial of (1). Standing alone, Goodman's first argument has little stature, since we ordinarily presume that for any criterion of synonymy to be adequate it must at least uphold (1). But if his second argument is correct, (1) would be repudiated nonarbitrarily-hence its denial by his proposed criterion would be in his favor. Thus the second argument is basic to Goodman's position. The semantical principle fundamental to this argument is:
Core principles in acceptance and commitment therapy: An application to anorexia

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) views cognition and emotion differently in their roles in psychological problems. Both popular culture and many models of psychopathology conceive of negative thoughts and emotions as states that must be eliminated, reduced, or supplanted. ACT posits that these negative emotional, cognitive, and bodily states may or may not produce behavior problems. Further, ACT suggests that attempts to control these states may actually worsen mental health problems. Strategies to control, eliminate, or suppress negative states, called experiential avoidance, are directly targeted. ACT seeks to treat the functional class of experiential avoidance rather than specific diagnostic categories. However, ACT has been applied to a number of DSM-IV disorders. We detail the application of ACT to an adolescent diagnosed with anorexia and comment on the treatment implemented by Heffner, Sperry, Eifert, and Detweiler (2002) . We discuss the broad assessment issues necessitated by the type of difficulties a patient with anorexia may have. The general structure of an ACT intervention is elaborated on, including values, exposure, defusion, and empowerment.
Failure of the urinalysis and quantitative urine culture in diagnosing symptomatic urinary tract infections in patients with long-term urinary catheters

Abstract Since urine culture and urinalysis are both of uncertain reliability in diagnosing symptomatic urinary tract infections in patients with chronic urinary catheters, we performed sequential quantitative cultures and urinalyses on 177 urine specimens from 14 patients with long-term urinary catheters during a 12-month period. We found high concentrations of ⩾2 species of aerobic bacteria or fungi in most specimens examined. Pyuria was common even during asymptomatic periods; hematuria was less common. During symptomatic urinary tract infections, neither urinalyses nor quantitative urine cultures exhibited changes specific for such infections. Thus neither urinalysis nor urine culture appears to be a reliable test for symptomatic urinary tract infections in patients with chronic urinary catheters.
PDX-1 Expression Is Associated with Islet Proliferation In Vitro and In Vivo

Background Transcription factor pancreatic duodenal homeobox-1 (PDX-1) is critical for β-cell differentiation and insulin gene expression. In this study, we investigated the role of PDX-1 in ductal-to-islet cell transdifferentiation, islet cell apoptosis, and proliferation in addition to other regulators associated with these processes in two developing β-cell models. Materials and methods CAPAN-1 cells were cultured with the GLP-1 analogue Exendin-4 (Ex-4) to induce transdifferentiation to an insulin-producing phenotype. Expression patterns of PDX-1, somatostatin receptors (SSTR) 1, 2, and 5, p27, and p38 were analyzed. To model pancreatic regeneration in vivo , subtotal pancreatectomies were performed in rats and remnant pancreata were compared to sham laparotomy controls to determine islet size, morphology, apoptosis, and PDX-1 expression. Results In Ex-4-treated cells, PDX-1 expression increased 67% above basal levels within 24 h and was followed by a 10-fold decline in expression by the end of the study. Expression of cell-cycle inhibitor p27 was down-regulated by 81% at 24 h, while levels of the pro-apoptotic modulator p38 significantly increased 4-fold. When compared to controls, SSTR1 expression declined, while SSTR2 and SSTR5 expression were significantly up-regulated in treated cells. Immunofluorescence of pancreatic remnants following subtotal pancreatectomy revealed increased PDX-1 staining at 24 h followed by a significant decline at 72 h post-pancreatectomy. Conclusion GLP-1 analogue Ex-4 resulted in up-regulation of PDX-1 in CAPAN-1 cells and PDX-1 was up-regulated in proliferating islets following subtotal pancreatectomy in rats. The increase was seen in the first 24 h. These findings suggest a possible relationship between PDX-1 and the state of islet proliferation, islet-to-ductal transdifferentiation, apoptosis, and the expression of SSTRs.
Distributed Routing Algorithms for Underwater Acoustic Sensor Networks

Underwater Acoustic Sensor Networks (UW-ASNs) consist of devices with sensing, processing, and communication capabilities that are deployed underwater to perform collaborative monitoring tasks to support a broad range of applications. The enabling communication technology for distances over one hundred meters is wireless acoustic networking because of the high attenuation and scattering affecting radio and optical waves, respectively. In this work, the problem of data gathering is investigated by considering the interactions between the routing functions and the characteristics of the underwater acoustic channel. Two distributed geographical routing algorithms for delay-insensitive and delay-sensitive applications are proposed and shown through simulation experiments to meet the application requirements.
Withdrawn: Effects of OmniGen‐AF on blood neutrophil gene expression, milk leucocyte populations and production performance of early lactating dairy cows

Withdrawn The following article from Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition, ‘Effects of OmniGen-AF on blood neutrophil gene expression, milk leucocyte populations and production performance of early lactating dairy cows’ by R. D. Schramm, S. L. Shields, P. Rezamand, K. S. Seo, M. A. McGuire, published online on 6th July 2011 in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com), has been withdrawn by agreement between the journal Editors and Blackwell Verlag GmbH. The article has been withdrawn for legal reasons.
Monitoring osteoarthritis in the rat model using optical coherence tomography

A need exists for an animal model to assess therapeutics for osteoarthritis (OA) without sacrificing the animal. Our goal is to assess the progression of experimentally induced osteoarthritis in the rat knee joint by monitoring articular cartilage thickness, surface abnormalities, and collagen organization using a new technology known as optical coherence tomography (OCT). OA was generated in Wistar Hanover rats via injection of sodium iodoacetate into the left articular joint of the knee while normal saline was injected as a control in the contralateral right knee. Rats were sacrificed at 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, and 8-week intervals and the knee joints were subsequently harvested and imaged using normal and polarization sensitive OCT (PS-OCT). Treated knees were compared to normal counterparts in the contralateral leg. Following imaging, knees underwent both routine histological processing and picrosirus staining for organized collagen. OCT images indicate that injection of sodium iodoacetate resulted in a progressive decrease in cartilage thickness and loss of the bone-cartilage interface which correlated with histology. In addition, PS-OCT was able to detect collagen disorganization, an early indicator of OA. The use of OCT in combination with the induction of OA in rats is a promising new animal model for assessing articular changes with the goal of monitoring therapeutics longitudinally. Future work will extend the model to in vivo assessments.
Effective Cost Reduction for Elastic Clouds under Spot Instance Pricing Through Adaptive Checkpointing

Cloud computing users are most concerned about the application turnaround time and the monetary cost involved. For lower monetary costs, less expensive services, like spot instances offered by Amazon, are often made available, albeit to their relatively frequent resource unavailability that leads to on-going execution being evicted, thereby undercutting execution performance. Meanwhile, multithreaded applications may take advantage of elastic resource availability and cost fluctuation inherent to the systems. However, their potential gains on utilizing spot instances would be contingent upon how they handle resource unavailability, calling for an effective checkpointing. This work presents design and implementation of our enhanced adaptive incremental checkpointing (EAIC) for multithreaded applications on the RaaS clouds under spot instance pricing. EAIC model takes into account spot instance revocation events, besides hardware failures, for fast and accurately predicting the desirable points of time to take checkpoints so as to markedly reduce the expected job turnaround time and the monetary cost. The experimental results from our established test bed on PARSEC benchmarks under real spot instance price traces from Amazon EC2 show that EAIC lowers both the application turnaround time and the monetary cost markedly (by up to 58% and 59%, respectively) in comparison to its recent checkpointing counterpart.
Turnover of Cholesterol in the Artery Walls of Normal Chickens

Studies of cholesterol metabolism in the walls of arteries of normal intact cockerels indicate that plasma cholesterol is the major precursor of the cholesterol in the artery wall, but that local synthesis may contribute a significant fraction. The fractional turnover of cholesterol in the wall of the abdominal aorta is faster than in either the thoracic aorta or the brachiocephalic arteries. However, considered in relation to endothelial surface area, the rate of cholesterol transfer from plasma is smallest in the abdominal aorta. The abdominal aorta also has a lower cholesterol concentration in this species than do the other large arteries.
Financialization and Its Entrepreneurial Consequences

The U.S. financial sector expanded dramatically over the last hundred years in both relative and absolute terms. This expansion has had a number of causes and consequences, most of which can be lumped broadly under the heading of increased 'financialization' of the economy. This led, in part, to the financial crisis of 2008/2009. In this paper, however, we consider the implications of financialization for the structure of the U.S. economy, in particular for entrepreneurship.
Semantics-sensitive image retrieval: an information fusion approach

We present an information fusion approach to designing a semantics-sensitive image retrieval system. Our approach is based on the three different types of classifiers, which extract and provide semantic cues of image regions. This local information from the proposed classifiers is fused together to generate the semantic labels of images. The experimental results show that our information fusion approach makes image retrieval more semantics-sensitive and improves the image retrieval performance significantly.