A constraint programming approach to cutset problems

We consider the problem of finding a cutset in a directed graph G=(V,E)$G=(V,E)$, i.e., a set of vertices that cuts all cycles in G  . Finding a cutset of minimum cardinality is NP-hard. There exist several approximate and exact algorithms, most of them using graph reduction techniques. In this paper, we propose a constraint programming approach to cutset problems and design a global constraint for computing cutsets. This cutset constraint is a global constraint over boolean variables associated to the vertices of a given graph and states that the subgraph restricted to the vertices having their boolean variable set to true is acyclic. We propose a filtering algorithm based on graph contraction operations and inference of simple boolean constraints, that has a linear time complexity in O(|E|+|V|)$O(|E|+|V|)$. We discuss search heuristics based on graph properties provided by the cutset constraint, and show the efficiency of the cutset constraint on benchmarks of the literature for pure minimum cutset problems, and on an application to log-based reconciliation problems where the global cutset constraint is mixed with other boolean constraints.     

The Term Vector Database: fast access to indexing terms for Web pages

We have built a database that provides term vector information for large numbers of pages (hundreds of millions). The basic operation of the database is to take URLs and return term vectors. Compared to computing vectors by downloading pages via HTTP, the Term Vector Database is several orders of magnitude faster, enabling a large class of applications that would be impractical without such a database. This paper describes the Term Vector Database in detail. It also reports on two applications built on top of the database. The first application is an optimization of connectivity-based topic distillation. The second application is a Web page classifier used to annotate results returned by a Web search engine.     

A SWAT evaluation of the effect of climate change on the hydrology of the Volta River basin

The SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) was used to evaluate the impacts of a climate scenario based on IPCC A1B emissions on flows in the Volta River basin in West Africa for 2021–2050 and 2071–2100, using 1983–2012 as the reference period. Overall, the simulation indicates increased variability and a decrease of up to 40% in river flow as a consequence of decreasing rainfall and increasing temperature. In particular, the analysis shows smaller absolute but greater relative changes in the hydrology of the northern (upper) part of the basin, particularly at the end of the century.     

Synthesis of Nanocrystalline Lanthanum Strontium Manganite Powder by the Urea–Formaldehyde Polymer Gel Combustion Route

Nanocrystalline lanthanum strontium manganite (LSM) powder has been synthesized by combustion of a transparent gel obtained by the polymerization of methylol urea and urea in a solution containing La³⁺, Sr²⁺, and Mn²⁺ (LSM ions). Chemistry of the transparent urea–formaldehyde (UF) polymer gel formation and structure of the gel have been proposed such that the LSM ions act in between the growing UF polymer chains by interacting through NH, OH, and CO groups by co-ordination and prevent polymer self-assembly through inter-chain hydrogen bonding as evidenced from infrared spectrum. Thermally stable structures formed by the decomposition of UF polymer below 300°C undergo combustion in the presence of nitrate oxidant in a temperature range from 350°–450°C. A perovskite LSM phase has been formed by self-sustained combustion of the dried gel initiated with little kerosene. The powder obtained after deagglomeration and calcination at 600°C for 2 h has a D ₅₀ value of 0.19 μm, and the particles are aggregates of crystallites 10–25 nm in size.     

An iterative technique for fitting exponentials

An interative method to fit the function \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$\mathop \[y = \sum\nolimits_i^n { = 1} a_i e^{lix}\] $\end{document} to data is considered. The technique used is that of inversion of a linear differential operator with constant coefficients. This method reproduces the parameters for mathematically precise data and gives satisfactory results when the data are affected by random errors.     

Nanotribological characterization of human hair and skin using atomic force microscopy

Healthy hair and skin is highly desired. Characterization of their morphological, frictional, and adhesive properties (tribological properties) is essential to enhance understanding of hair and skin and to advance the science. Literature on the tribological characterization of hair and skin is scarce to date. The paper presents nanotribological data and analysis on hair (Caucasian, Asian, and African hair at virgin, chemo-mechanically damaged, and treated conditions) and synthetic hair and skin, as well as roughness data of human skin replica. Roughness statistics are presented to characterize the vertical and spatial surface parameters. Average coefficient of friction values were determined for each ethnicity and hair type, and are discussed. The directionality dependence of friction is also discussed. Magnitude and spatial distribution of adhesive force are used to estimate thickness and distribution of the conditioner film.     

Wear of grinding wheels

Wear phenomena accompanying cylindrical grinding were investigated directly from the wear particles removed from the wheel. The self-dressing mechanism was identified from the wear particle size distribution.     

Behavioral impairments related to cognitive dysfunction in the autoimmune New Zealand black mouse.

Compared the sensorimotor competence and performance of 7–20 mo old male New Zealand Black (NZB) mice and CFW mice on tasks requiring learning and memory, including passive shock avoidance, taste avoidance, tailflick, rotorod, locomotor activity, reflex evaluation, auditory startle response, shock-induced startle response, and active shock avoidance. Results demonstrate that NZBs showed pronounced deficits in performance of passive and active shock avoidance responses. These deficits could not be accounted for by the slight sensorimotor disadvantage of NZBs relative to CFWs. No difference between the 2 mouse strains was seen in passive avoidance behavior at 1.5 mo of age. It is concluded that NZBs display a behavioral deficit related to cognitive dysfunction and that autoimmune mechanisms may be involved in the etiology of this deficit. It is suggested that such behavioral disturbances produced by an autoimmune mechanism may have relevance for the neurological declines observed in aging since the incidence of autoimmune disorders increases markedly in old age. (12 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Development of a method employing reversed‐phase thin‐layer chromatography for establishing milk fat purity with respect to adulteration with vegetable oils

A systematic study was conducted using reversed‐phase thin‐layer chromatography wherein unsaponifiable matter of samples namely, pure cow and buffalo milk fats, vegetable oils (groundnut oil, soya bean oil and sunflower oil) and milk fats adulterated with vegetable oils (≥1%) were run along with the reference standards using two new solvent systems to detect adulteration in milk fat. The results of the study revealed that adulteration at even a 1% level could easily be detected using this rapid, reliable and reproducible method based on the presence of β‐sitosterol as a marker and some additional spots ascribable to their occurrence in vegetable oils only.     

Arsenic speciation of solvent-extracted leachate from new and weathered CCA-treated wood

For the past 60 yr, chromate-copper-arsenate (CCA) has been used to pressure-treat millions of cubic meters of wood in the United States for the construction of many outdoor structures. Leaching of arsenic from these structures is a possible health concern as there exists the potential for soil and groundwater contamination. While previous studies have focused on total arsenic concentrations leaching from CCA-treated wood, information pertaining to the speciation of arsenic leached is limited. Since arsenic toxicity is dependent upon speciation, the objective of this study was to identify and quantify arsenic species leaching from new and weathered CCA-treated wood and CCA-treated wood ash. Solvent-extraction experiments were carried out by subjecting the treated wood and the ash to solvents of varying pH values, solvents defined in the EPA's Synthetic Precipitation Leaching Procedure (SPLP) and Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP), rainwater, deionized water, and seawater. The generated leachates were analyzed for inorganic As(III) and As(V) and the organoarsenic species, monomethylarsonic acid (MMAA) and dimethylarsinic acid (DMAA), using high-performance liquid chromatography followed by hydride generation and atomic fluorescence spectrometry (HPLC-HG-AFS). Only the inorganic species were detected in any of the wood leachates; no organoarsenic species were found. Inorganic As(V) was the major detectable species leaching from both new and weathered wood. The weathered wood leached relatively more overall arsenic and was attributed to increased inorganic As(III) leaching. The greater presence of As(III) in the weathered wood samples as compared to the new wood samples may be due to natural chemical and biological transformations during the weathering process. CCA-treated wood ash leached more arsenic than unburned wood using the SPLP and TCLP, and ash samples leached more inorganic As(III) than the unburned counterparts. Increased leaching was due to higher concentrations of arsenic within the ash and to the conversion of some As(V) to As(III) during combustion.