A flexible and recoverable client/server database event notification system

A software architecture is presented that allows client application programs to interact with a DBMS server in a flexible and powerful way, using either direct, volatile messages, or messages sent via recoverable queues. Normal requests from clients to the server and replies from the server to clients can be transmitted using direct or recoverable messages. In addition, an application event notification mechanism is provided, whereby client applications running anywhere on the network can register for events, and when those events are raised, the clients are notified. A novel parameter passing mechanism allows a set of tuples to be included in an event notification. The event mechanism is particularly useful in an active DBMS, where events can be raised by triggers to signal running application programs. Received July 21, 1995 / Accepted May 30, 1996     

Designing Efficient and Robust Caching Algorithms for Streaming-on-Demand Services on the Internet

Content Delivery Networks (CDN) have been used on the Internet to cache media content so as to reduce the load on the original media server, network congestion, and latency. Due to the large size of media content compared to normal web objects, current caching algorithms used in the Internet are no longer suitable. This paper presents a high-performance prefetch system that accommodates user time-varying behavior. A hybrid caching technique, which combines prefetch and replacement algorithms, is also introduced. The robustness of the cache system against imperfect user request information is evaluated using three request noise models. Two prefetch performance indices are also presented to help content administrators in deciding when to update the user request profile for caching algorithms.     

An ellipsoidal particle–finite element method for hypervelocity impact simulation

A number of coupled particle–element and hybrid particle–element methods have been developed for the simulation of hypervelocity impact problems to avoid certain disadvantages associated with the use of pure continuum‐based or pure particle‐based methods. To date these methods have employed spherical particles. In recent work a hybrid formulation has been extended to the ellipsoidal particle case. A model formulation approach based on Lagrange's equations, with particle entropies serving as generalized coordinates, avoids the angular momentum conservation problems which have been reported with ellipsoidal smooth particle hydrodynamics models. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Propane heat pump with low refrigerant charge: design and laboratory tests

Independently of the choice of refrigerant, environmental and or safety issues can be minimised by reducing the amount of refrigerant charge per heat pump or refrigeration system. In the investigation reported here, a laboratory test rig was built, simulating a water-to-water heat pump with a heating capacity of 5 kW. The system was designed to minimize the charge of refrigerant mainly by use of mini-channel aluminium heat exchangers. It was shown that the system could be run with 200 g of propane at typical Swedish operating conditions without reduction of the COP compared to a traditional design. Additional charge reduction is possible by selecting proper compressor lubrication oils or by using a compressor with less lubrication oil.     

Development and evaluation of cross-training policies for manufacturing teams

This study addresses the problem of developing and evaluating cross-training policies for manufacturing teams from a Human Resource Management (HRM) and Operations Management (OM) viewpoint. A cross-training policy can be regarded as a set of rules to determine the distribution of workers' skills. The specific way in which workers and machines are connected determines the agility of the workforce. In this article, we develop an integer goal programming model to support a consequent application of alternative cross-training policies. A simulation study is performed to assess the performance of the resulting cross-training configurations within three routing structures: a parallel structure, a serial structure, and a job shop structure. Results indicate that within all routing structures, the focus of cross-training policies depends on whether a HRM or an OM viewpoint is considered. Within the parallel and the serial structures, however, HRM and OM goals are compatible and can be integrated within a single cross-training policy. Within the job shop structure, the integration of both OM and HRM goals within one cross-training policy is more difficult.     

Diffusion-limited evaporation of thin polar liquid films

The stability of evaporating very thin films of a polar liquid is investigated. The microscopic interaction with the substrate and capillarity are taken into account in a lubrication equation. The stability of a flat interface is studied when evaporation is limited by the diffusion of the vapour in the gas phase. The evaporation rate is computed and evaporation is shown to be stabilizing. A stability phase diagram is obtained. A weakly nonlinear analysis leads to a film-thickness amplitude equation that is non local in space. Physical consequences of the results are eventually discussed.     

"Prospective relations between bulimic pathology, depression, and substance abuse: Unpacking comorbidity in adolescent girls": Correction to Stice et al. (2004).

Reports an error in "Prospective Relations Between Bulimic Pathology, Depression, and Substance Abuse: Unpacking Comorbidity in Adolescent Girls" by Eric Stice, Emily M. Burton and Heather Shaw (Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 2004[Feb], Vol 72[1], 62-71). The findings of Leon, Fulkerson, Perry, Keel, and Klump ("Three to four year prospective evaluation of personality and behavioral risk factors for later disordered eating in adolescent girls and boys," Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 1999, Vol. 28, No. 2, pp. 181-196), cited on page 62, were incorrectly reported. Leon et al. (1999) found that the latent variable of negative affect/attitudes determined at study entrance significantly correlated with final year eating disorder risk score when conducted with the full sample and when removing Time 1 high eating disorder risk subjects. This latent variable consisted of the GBI Depression, MPQ Negative Emotionality, EDI Ineffectiveness, EDI Interoceptive Awareness, and EDI Body Dissatisfaction scales. A subsequent univariate analysis of Time 1 Negative Emotionality scale score on Time 3 eating disorder risk, adjusting for initial eating disorder risk score, showed a nonsignificant effect size (Stice, E. [2002]. Risk and maintenance factors for eating pathology: A meta-analytic review. Psychological Bulletin, 128, 825-848). (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 2004-10364-006.) To elucidate the processes that contribute to the comorbidity between bulimic pathology, depression, and substance abuse, the authors tested the temporal relations between these disturbances with prospective data from adolescent girls (N = 496). Multivariate analyses indicated that depressive symptoms predicted onset of bulimic pathology but not of substance abuse, bulimic symptoms predicted onset of depression but not of substance abuse, and substance abuse symptoms predicted onset of depression but not of bulimic pathology. Results suggest that the comorbidity arises because certain disorders are risk factors for the other disorders. Findings also provide support for select etiologic theories and further establish the clinical significance of these conditions by showing that they increase risk for onset of other psychiatric disturbances. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A ReScUE XML/EDI model

Since electronic data interchange (EDI) is one of the most important components in electronic commerce and since Extensible Markup Language (XML) provides Internet developers with a powerful vehicle for exchanging messages, XML/EDI has received much attention from almost all well‐known international enterprises and is believed to be the next generation EDI. However, since XML allows developers to design their own elements and attributes, it is almost certain businesses will receive XML documents with unknown elements. Generally, human intervention is required to solve the problem. Therefore, it is indispensable to design an efficient scheme to resolve the unknown elements. In this paper, we propose a ReScUE XML/EDI model such that transformation templates will be generated automatically for documents with unknown elements, and the documents will be converted into expected format. This model increases the flexibility of XML/EDI systems and reduces human intervention. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Clinical outcomes of an integrated treatment for depression and substance use disorders.

The authors compared longitudinal treatment outcomes for depressed substance-dependent veterans (N = 206) assigned to integrated cognitive–behavioral therapy plus standard pharmacotherapy (ICBT + P) or 12-step facilitation therapy plus standard pharmacotherapy (TSF + P). Drug and alcohol involvement and depressive symptomology were measured at intake and at 3-month intervals during treatment and up to 1 year posttreatment. Participants in both treatment conditions showed decreased depression and substance use from intake. ICBT + P participants maintained improvements in substance involvement over time, whereas TSF + P participants had more rapid increases in use in the months following treatment. Decreases in depressive symptoms were more pronounced for TSF + P than ICBT + P in the 6 months posttreatment. Within both treatment groups, higher attendance was associated with improved substance use and depression outcomes over time. Initial levels of depressive symptomology had a complex predictive relationship with long-term depression outcomes. Early treatment response predicted long-term substance use outcomes for a portion of the sample. Although both treatments were associated with improvements in substance use and depression, ICBT + P may lead to more stable substance use reductions compared with TSF + P. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Inhibition of hIAPP Amyloid Aggregation and Pancreatic β‐Cell Toxicity by OH‐Terminated PAMAM Dendrimer

Human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP, or amylin) forms amyloid deposits in the islets of Langerhans, a phenomenon that is associated with type‐2 diabetes impacting millions of people worldwide. Accordingly, strategies against hIAPP aggregation are essential for the prevention and eventual treatment of the disease. Here, it is shown that generation‐3 OH‐terminated poly(amidoamine) dendrimer, a polymeric nanoparticle, can effectively halt the aggregation of hIAPP and shut down hIAPP toxicity in pancreatic MIN6 and NIT‐1 cells as well as in mouse islets. This finding is supported by high‐throughput dynamic light scattering experiment and thioflavin T assay, where the rapid evolution of hIAPP nucleation and elongation processes is halted by the addition of the dendrimer up to 8 h. Discrete molecular dynamics simulations further reveal that hIAPP residues bound strongly with the dendrimer near the c‐terminal portion of the peptide, where the amyloidogenic sequence (residues 22–29) locates. Furthermore, simulations of hIAPP dimerization reveal that binding with the dendrimer significantly reduces formation of interpeptide contacts and hydrogen bonds, thereby prohibiting peptide self‐association and amyloidosis. This study points to a promising nanomedicinal strategy for combating type‐2 diabetes and may have broader implications for targeting neurological disorders whose distinct hallmark is also amyloid fibrillation.