Multi-objective optimization and decision making approaches to cricket team selection

Selection of players for a sports team within a finite budget is a complex task which can be viewed as a constrained multi-objective optimization and a multiple criteria decision making problem. The task is specially challenging for the game of cricket where a team requires players who are efficient in multiple roles. In the formation of a good and successful cricket team, batting strength and bowling strength of a team are major factors affecting its performance and an optimum trade-off needs to be reached. We propose a novel gene representation scheme and a multi-objective approach using the NSGA-II algorithm to optimize the overall batting and bowling strength of a team with 11 players as variables. Fielding performance and a number of other cricketing criteria are also used in the optimization and decision-making process. Using the information from the trade-off front obtained, a multi-criteria decision making approach is then proposed for the final selection of team. Case studies using a set of players auctioned in Indian Premier League (IPL) 4th edition are illustrated and players’ current statistical data is used to define performance indicators. The proposed computational techniques are ready to be extended according to individualistic preferences of different franchises and league managers in order to form a preferred team within the budget constraints. It is also shown how such an analysis can help in dynamic auction environments, like selecting a team under player-by-player auction. The methodology is generic and can be easily extended to other sports like American football, baseball and other league games.     

III-Nitride Heterostructure Layered Tunnel Barriers For a Tunable Hyperspectral Detector

We report on the fabrication and characterization of Ill-nitride layered tunnel barriers with applications for a new type of tunable hyperspectral imaging detector with intrinsically hyperspectral pixels. This would enable each pixel to be individually tunable in real-time through a range of wavelengths, with the number and width of spectral channels being dynamically adjustable. Shape-engineered electron barriers fabricated from III-nitride heterostructures allow barrier height to be varied by application of a voltage. A spectroscopy of photon wavelength is enabled via the collection of photoexcited electrons across this barrier. The device is envisioned for tunable detection of ultraviolet through infrared wavelengths.     

Photoluminescent properties of ZnS:Mn nanoparticles with in-built surfactant

Mn-doped ZnS nanoparticles, having average diameter 3–5 nm, have been synthesized using chemical precipitation technique without using any external capping agent. Zinc blende crystal structure has been confirmed using the X-ray diffraction studies. The effect of various concentrations of Mn doping on the photoluminescent properties of ZnS nanoparticles has been studied. The time-resolved photoluminescence spectra of the ZnS:Mn quantum dots have been recorded and various parameters like lifetimes, trap depths, and decay constant have been calculated from the decay curves at room temperature. The band gap was calculated using UV–Visible absorption spectra.     

Launching the Transactions into the new millennium-a historical perspective

The author presents an historical review of the development of IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices from 1990 to 2000. The paper covers the tool building phase and the system execution phase of the development.     

Post-transplant hyperlipidaemia

The correction of post-transplant hyperlipidaemia warrants the judicious and timely use of pharmacological agents with dietary modification and exercise. Reduction in hyperlipidaemia may have some role in decreasing the incidence of chronic rejection of allografts. The awareness that the morbidity and mortality of atherosclerotic disease may be lowered by active intervention will result in a better quality of life for transplant recipients.     

Percutaneous repair of a traumatic bile duct laceration in a liver transplant allograft

BACKGROUND: Phrenic nerve palsy in infants and young children usually results from birth injury or iatrogenic damage. The newborn almost invariably presents with severe respiratory distress, diaphragmatic elevation, and paradoxical movement at the affected side. METHODS/RESULTS: In this retrospective analysis a group of 23 patients below the age of 1 year with an obstetric or postoperative phrenic nerve injury was studied and compared with cases in the literature. All patients were admitted between 1986 and 1997 to the Pediatric Surgical Center, Amsterdam. Thirteen of 18 patients with an obstetric phrenic nerve injury underwent plication of the diaphragm after an average observation period of 100 days. In the remaining five children with an obstetric phrenic nerve injury, spontaneous recovery appeared within 1 month. Only one of five patients with a phrenic nerve palsy after a cardiac surgical procedure underwent plication of the diaphragm. Fifteen of the 34 patients described in the literature underwent plication of the diaphragm after an average of 54 days. CONCLUSIONS: If after 1 month no spontaneous recovery of the diaphragmatic paralysis caused by a phrenic nerve injury occurs, plication of the diaphragm is indicated. This operation proved to be successful for relief of symptomatic phrenic nerve injury in all cases. If the condition of the patient clinically deteriorates during this first month of life, the patient should be operated on immediately.     

Noise considerations in the design of long haul lightwave communication systems

Magnitude of the signal relative to noise determines the ultimate quality of all information transmission. In a lightwave system, there are several fundamental and nonfundamental noise mechanisms that govern the system performance. In this paper, concepts related to these issues will be developed and a review of the current status of this rapidly evolving field will be given.     

The role of cell migration and microchimerism in the induction of tolerance after solid organ transplantation

A new hypothesis has been proposed which states that microchimerism is the basis for the clinical tolerance seen in long-term survivors of solid organ transplants. Efforts to enhance microchimerism include simultaneous infusion of bone marrow of donor origin and transplantation of a solid organ. Studies are in progress to verify the phenomenon of microchimerism and its role in clinical tolerance.     

Synthesis of graft copolymers of binary vinyl monomer mixtures onto acetylated Saccharum spontaneum L and characterization

Methylmethacrylate (MMA) + acrylamide (AAm), MMA + acrylonitrile (AN), and MMA + acrylic acid (AA) binary vinyl monomer mixtures were graft copolymerization onto acetylated Saccharum spontaneum L, was carried out and maximum graft yield (185.6 %) was found with MMA+AAm binary mixture. Synthesized graft co‐polymers were characterized with FT‐IR spectrophotometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermal analysis TGA/DTA/DTG, and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. Thermal stability of Ss‐g‐poly(MMA + AAm) was found to be more than that of natural, acetylated S. spontaneum fiber and other graft copolymers. Although on grafting, percentage crystallinity and crystallinity index were found to decrease but graft copolymers were found to exhibit more moisture, chemical, and thermal resistance. Also, it can be observed that the surface of the grafted fibers is highly rough in comparison with the ungrafted fiber. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Enzyme-based green approach for the synthesis of gum tragacanth and acrylic acid cross-linked hydrogel: its utilization in controlled fertilizer release and enhancement of water-holding capacity of soil

Enzyme lipase catalyzed graft copolymerization of acrylic acid onto gum tragacanth was carried out in an aqueous medium using glutaraldehyde as a cross-linker, one more step towards green chemistry. Various reaction variables such as time, amount of solvent, temperature, pH, lipase concentration, and monomer and cross-linker concentrations were optimized to achieve a cross-linked candidate polymer with maximum fluid absorbance capacity. The structure and morphology were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The synthesized hydrogel held a large amount of water and was used as a device for controlled release of urea. A 10 % (w/w) of swelled hydrogel was found to enhance the water-holding capacity of the soil. The synthesized device could increase the moisture content up to 52 % in sandy loam soil and 72 % in clay soil and was found to enhance the water-holding capability of the soil. Further, the candidate polymer was studied for the controlled release of urea under eco-friendly conditions and showed case-II type urea release. The initial diffusion coefficient was found to be higher than the later diffusion coefficient indicating a higher urea release rate during the early stage. Thus, the synthesized polymer is important from technological point of view.