337 research outputs found
Extremal probability bounds in combinatorial optimization
No full textIn this paper, we compute the tightest possible bounds on the probability that the optimal value of a combinatorial optimization problem in maximization form with a random objective exceeds a given number, assuming only knowledge of the marginal distributions of the objective coefficient vector. The bounds are 'extremal' since they are valid across all joint distributions with the given marginals. We analyze the complexity of computing the bounds, assuming discrete marginals, and identify instances when the bounds are computable in polynomial time. For compact 0/1 V-polytopes, we show that the tightest upper bound is weakly NP-hard to compute by providing a pseudopolynomial time algorithm. On the other hand, the tightest lower bound is shown to be strongly NP-hard to compute for compact 0/1 V-polytopes by restricting our attention to Bernoulli random variables. For compact 0/1 H-polytopes, for the special case of PERT networks arising in project management, we show that the tightest upper bound is weakly NP-hard to compute by providing a pseudopolynomial time algorithm. The results in the paper complement existing results in the literature for computing the probability with independent random variables.</p
Original Thinking
No full textHistory that comes to us as a chronology of events is really a collective existence that is evolving through several stages to develop Individuality in all members of the society. The human community, nation states, linguistic groups, local castes and classes, and families are the intermediate stages in development of the Individual. The social process moves through phases of survival, growth, development and evolution. In the process it organizes the consciousness of its members at successive levels from social external manners, formed behavior, value-based character and personality to culminate in the development of Individuality. Through this process, society evolves from physicality to Mentality. The power of accomplishment in society and its members develops progressively through stages of skill, capacity, talent, and ability. Original thinking is made possible by the prior development of thinking that organizes facts into information. The immediate result of the last world war was a shift in reliance from physical force and action to mental conception and mental activity on a global scale. At such times no problem need defy solution, if only humanity recognizes the occasion for thinking and Original Thinking. The apparently insoluble problems we confront are an opportunity to formulate a comprehensive theory of social evolution. The immediate possibility is to devise complete solutions to all existing problems, if only we use the right method of thought development
Sustainability For Young Adults - Environmental Attitudes, Behaviors & Decisionmaking Processes
Get PDFThis project aims to study the relationship of environmental attitudes and behaviors in adolescents in relation to decisionmaking about sustainable design choices. The instruments used for environmental attitudes and behaviors are well validated and reliable instruments which have been tested with adolescents as well as adults. A new simulated design choice instrument is designed to study decision making. An attempt is made at moving to understand decisionmaking, as opposed to typically studied self-reported ecological behaviors. Observation of real ecological behaviors including decision making, as opposed to self-reported ecological behaviors, is sorely needed in the field of human sustainability
Neural correlates of elbow joint kinematic variability:
No full textA fundamental tenet of motor control is that point-to-point reaching motions follow an approximately straight line trajectory with a bell-shaped velocity profile. However, these abstractions are not universally observed. Previous work in our lab revealed that most spatiotemporal elbow trajectories do not necessarily conform to a straight-line, which is believed to be ‘natural’ human motion. Instead, spatiotemporal trajectories are best characterized by a small set of simple, analytic functions including both linear and non-linear waveforms. Here, I suggest that the differences observed in elbow kinematics are a direct consequence of varying motor planning, which is represented by the electromyography (EMG).
Fourteen healthy subjects were asked to perform several self-paced, untargeted elbow articulations that maximize smoothness within a comfortable range of motion; EMG of the biceps and kinematic traces were recorded simultaneously. Kinematic traces were modeled by a set of simple, monotonic functions, while EMG traces were reconstructed by parabolic waveforms, via a parameterized curve-fitting method. EMG traces (r-EMG) and their parabolic reconstructions (p-EMG) were used independently to predict adherence to each of 3 kinematic types. It was hypothesized that the p-EMG and r-EMG from the kinematic adherence group (r2 > 0.9979) would exhibit statistical and parametric differences from the departure group (r2 < 0.9951) of the same kinematic type.
Both r-EMG and p-EMG were useful in predicting adherence to global kinematic morphology with high sensitivity and specificity across subjects. Coupling the substantial predictive value and the similar information content (87.80% of the decisions were identical) of both EMG modalities implied that p-EMG can be used as a simple, informative approximant of r-EMG of the biceps during self-paced, untargeted elbow flexions. The features selected for classification were robust across subjects along with the predictive value, suggesting there is degeneracy in the neural command. Degeneracy in the neural command matches the widespread observation of highly stereotyped kinematics. Elbow trajectories most commonly adhered to sigmoid morphology. Future work should develop a comprehensive depiction of the neural control of voluntary movements.M.S.Includes bibliographical references (p. 44-45)by Gautam Siddarth Nataraja
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Microstructure and wear behaviour of AlCoCrFeNi-coated SS316L by atmospheric plasma spray process
No full textWe, the journal office and Publisher of Science and Technology of Advanced Materials (STAM), have retracted the following article:Noble, N. Radhika, N. & Natarajan, J. (2024). Microstructure and wear behaviour of AlCoCrFeNi-coated SS316L by atmospheric plasma spray process. Science and Technology of Advanced Materials, 25(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/14686996.2024.2341611Following publication, the publisher was contacted by a third party with concerns about the integrity of the data, specifically: Apparent similarities between Figure 2b in the above article and the image in Figure 3b of:Radhika, N. Noble, N. & Adediran, A.A. Electrochemical and hot corrosion behaviour of annealed AlCoCrFeNi HEA coating over steel (2024). Scientific Reports 14(5652). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-55962-1When contacted by the journal for an explanation, the authors were unable to address the concerns raised. As a result of these concerns, the STAM office no longer has confidence in the validity of the findings in the article, and therefore we are retracting the article from the journal. The corresponding author listed in this publication has been informed. The author does not agree with the retraction.We have been informed in our decision-making by our editorial policies and the COPE guidelines.The retracted article will remain online to maintain the scholarly record, but it will be digitally watermarked on each page as ‘Retracted’
Challenges and Opportunities for Complexity Analysis in Food-Energy-Water Interdependent Systems
Get PDFabstract: The Food-Energy-Water (FEW) nexus is the interaction and the interdependence of the food, energy and water systems. These interdependencies exist in all parts of the world yet little knowledge exists of the complexity within these interdependent systems. Using Arizona as a case study, systems-oriented frameworks are examined for their value in revealing the complexity of FEW nexus. Industrial Symbiosis, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Urban Metabolism are examined. The Industrial Symbiosis presents the system as purely a technical one and looks only at technology and hard infrastructure. The LCA framework takes a reductionist approach and tries to make the system manageable by setting boundary conditions. This allows the frameworks to analyze the soft infrastructure as well as the hard infrastructure. The LCA framework also helps determine potential impact. Urban Metabolism analyzes the interactions between the different infrastructures within the confines of the region and retains the complexity of the system. It is concluded that a combination of the frameworks may provide the most insight in revealing the complexity of nexus and guiding decision makers towards improving sustainability and resilience
Solitary Median Maxillary Central Incsior: A Case Report
No full text
Agenesis of one or more teeth is not an uncommon finding in both primary and permanent dentition. The most commonly missing tooth in the permanent dentition is the third molars followed by the maxillary lateral incisors or the mandibular premolar. Congenitally missing maxillary central incisor is not a frequent finding. Presence of only one maxillary central incisor is a rare clinical finding termed as solitary median maxillary central incisor. This is a case report of a 7 year old female patient who reported with only one central incisor at the midline. Early diagnosis of the condition is very essential to rule out other associated problems.
</div
Bestia 5
No full textItems included in this issue were read at the Society's Fifth International Congress in Glasgow, Scotland in July, 1992. Items in this yearbook are: Rev. Gregory I. Carlson, S.J., Fables Invite Perception; J.G.M. van Dijk, Fables in Ancient Historiography; Laura Wilhelm, Form in Action: Functions of the Fable in Russian Literary Culture; Isao S. Uemichi, Japanese Folktales of Fish; Linda Schlafer, The Beast Fable Comes to America…Or Does It?; Charles Cantalupo, The Beast in Thomas Hobbes' Leviathan; Arnold Preussner, The Actaeon Myth in Ovid, Wyatt, and Sidney; David Spooner, Of Cells and Mutation; and Nalini Natarajan, Man into Beast: Representations of Metamorphosis.Editor Benjamin Bennan
Stress management in IT companies in India
No full textFor the past few decades there were literatures based on the stress management in IT companies. However, these studies examined about the stress of Information technology professionals working in IT companies and about the stress management programs followed in those IT organizations, very less number of research have been taken place in India when compared to the developed countries like United States and United Kingdom. The main focus of this research is to explore the stress levels of IT professionals in India and its impact on their work and health. For this, the main focus was given to three different designations of Indian IT professionals - senior managers, middle level managers and developers. And this study also mentions the category facing high amount of stress and about the effective ways the organizations uses to handle their employees’ stress. For this study a qualitative research was conducted. Telephonic and email interviews were done for the same. A total of fourteen members were considered for the research, where three from senior managers, six from middle level and five from the developers. The research clearly explains that, the managers face high stress when compared to developers, especially in case of middle level and also it gives information related to various stress management programs followed by IT organizations in India
Corneal scarring after epithelium-off collagen cross-linking
No full textCollagen cross-linking (CXL) is considered as a successful therapeutic approach for corneal conditions like keratoconus and corneal ectasia. Despite its efficacy in stabilizing these conditions, the occurrence of post-CXL scars remains a concern. Keratoconus and other corneal ectasias are characterized by structural weaknesses in the cornea. This weakness contributes to the vulnerability of corneal scar formation. In addition, corneal biomechanics and tissue properties play a significant role in scar development. Procedural factors during CXL, including duration and intensity of ultraviolet light exposure, the concentration and type of riboflavin, and the precise application of treatment, have been identified as potential causes of scar formation. Individual patient factors such as variations in healing response and genetic predispositions, associated ocular allergy, and chronic contact lens wear can also impact scar development post-CXL. Understanding these variables is essential for risk stratification and personalized treatment approaches, ultimately optimizing patient outcomes. In addition, regular follow-up visits and patient education are essential to ensure optimal healing and minimize scar related complications. We have tried to explain the numerous reasons of scarring following epithelium-off CXL by conducting a thorough Medline search and reviewing our clinical images. This review serves as a concise overview of the causes and risk factors associated with scar formation after epithelium-off CXL
- …
