The k-Splittable Flow Problem

In traditional multi-commodity flow theory, the task is to send a certain amount of each commodity from its start to its target node, subject to capacity constraints on the edges. However, no restriction is imposed on the number of paths used for delivering each commodity; it is thus feasible to spread the flow over a large number of different paths. Motivated by routing problems arising in real-life applications, e.g., telecommunication, unsplittable flows have moved into the focus of research. Here, the demand of each commodity may not be split but has to be sent along a single path. In this paper a generalization of this problem is studied. In the considered flow model, a commodity can be split into a bounded number of chunks which can then be routed on different paths. In contrast to classical (splittable) flows and unsplittable flows, the single-commodity case of this problem is already NP-hard and even hard to approximate. We present approximation algorithms for the single- and multi-commodity case and point out strong connections to unsplittable flows. Moreover, results on the hardness of approximation are presented. In particular, we show that some of our approximation results are in fact best possible, unless P = NP.     

Real-Time Analysis of Alarm Pheromone Emission by the Pea Aphid (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Acyrthosiphon Pisum</Emphasis>) Under Predation

Upon attack by predators or parasitoids, aphids emit volatile chemical alarm signals that warn other aphids of a potential risk of predation. Release rate of the major constituent of the alarm pheromone in pea aphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum), (E)-b-farnesene (EBF), was measured for all nymphal and the adult stage as aphids were attacked individually by lacewing (Chrysoperla carnae) larvae. Volatilization of EBF from aphids under attack was quantified continuously for 60 min at 2-min intervals with a rapid gas chromatography technique (zNose) to monitor headspace emissions. After an initial burst, EBF volatilization declined exponentially, and detectable amounts were still present after 30 min in most cases. Total emission of EBF averaged 16.33 +/- 1.54 ng and ranged from 1.18 to 48.85 ng. Emission was higher in nymphs as compared to adults. No differences between pea aphid life stages were detected for their speed of alarm signal emission in response to lacewing larvae attack. This is the first time that alarm pheromone emission from single aphids has been reported.     

Impact of sorbitol on the thermostability and heat-induced gelation of bovine serum albumin

The influence of sorbitol (0–40 wt.%) on the thermal denaturation and gelation of bovine serum albumin (BSA, pH 7.0) in aqueous solution has been studied. The effect of sorbitol on heat denaturation of 0.5 wt.% BSA solutions was measured using ultrasensitive differential scanning calorimetry. The unfolding process was irreversible and was characterized by the thermal denaturation temperature (T_m). As the sorbitol concentration increased from 0 to 40 wt.%, T_m increased from 73.0 to 80.9 °C. The rise in T_m was attributed to the increased thermal stability of the globular state of BSA relative to its native state. The dynamic shear rheology of 4 wt.% BSA solutions containing 200 mM NaCl was monitored as they were heated from 30 to 90 °C at 1.5 °C min⁻¹, held at 90 °C for 120 min, and then cooled back to 30 °C at −1.5 °C min⁻¹. Sorbitol increased the protein gelation temperature (ΔT_gel +10 °C for 40 wt.% sorbitol), decreased the isothermal gelation rate at 90 °C, but increased the final shear modulus of the gels cooled to 30 °C. The impact of sorbitol on gel characteristics was attributed to its ability to increase protein thermal stability, increase the attractive force between proteins and decrease the protein–protein collision frequency.     

MTF Issues in Small-Pixel-Pitch Planar Quantum IR Detectors

The current trend in quantum infrared (IR) detector development is the design of very small-pixel-pitch large arrays. From the previous 30 μm pitch, the standard pixel pitch today is 15 μm and is expected to decrease to 12 μm in the next few years. Furthermore, focal-plane arrays (FPAs) with pixel pitch as small as 10 μm have been demonstrated. Such ultrasmall-pixel pitches are very small compared with the typical length ruling the electrical characteristics of the absorbing materials, namely the minority-carrier diffusion length. As an example, for low-doped n-type HgCdTe or InSb material, this diffusion length is on the order of 30 μm to 50 μm, i.e., three to five times the targeted pixel pitches. This has strong consequences for the modulation transfer function (MTF) of planar structures, where the lateral extension of the photodiode is limited by diffusion. For such aspect ratios, the self-confinement of neighboring diodes may not be efficient enough to maintain an optimal MTF. Therefore, this issue has to be addressed to take full advantage of the pixel pitch reduction in terms of image resolution. The aim of this work is to investigate the evolution of the MTF of HgCdTe and InSb FPAs when decreasing the pixel pitch below 15 μm. Both experimental measurements and finite-element simulations are used to discuss this issue. Different scenarios are compared, namely deep mesa etch between pixels, internal drift, surface recombination, and thin absorbing layers.     

Modification of Surfaces to Meet Bioadhesive Design Goals: A Review

The modern range of medical devices presents contrasting requirements for adhesion in biological environments. Strong bioadhesion is desired in many circumstances to assure device retention and immobility. Minimal adhesion is absolutely essential in others, where thrombosis or bacterial adhesion would destroy the utility of the implants. A brief review is given of some analytical approaches, based in adhesion science, most useful in addressing these needs. Familiar correlating parameters, such as the critical surface tension, are surprisingly good in predicting bioadhesive outcomes such as tissue integration. The example of dental implants is given to illustrate this correlation. In every case, primary attention must be given to the qualities of the first interfacial conditioning films of bio-macromolecules deposited from the living systems. For instance, fibrinogen deposits from blood may assume different configurations on surfaces of different initial energies, and thus trigger different physiological events. Standard surface modification techniques, such as siliconization, when properly quality controlled can yield improved blood-compatible devices like substitute blood vessels and artificial heart sacs. Promising extensions to new areas of biotechnology are forecast.