Comments on PMS BDD generation in 'A BDD-based algorithm for Reliability Analysis of phased-mission systems'

This paper discusses some of the difficulties in the paper: "A BDD-based algorithm for reliability analysis of phased-mission systems" by X. Zang, H. Sun, and K. S. Trivedi.     

A separable ternary decision diagram based analysis of generalized phased-mission reliability

This paper considers the reliability analysis of a generalized phased-mission system (GPMS) with two-level modular imperfect coverage. Due to the dynamic behavior & the statistical dependencies, generalized phased-mission systems offer big challenges in reliability modeling & analysis. A new family of decision diagrams called ternary decision diagrams (TDD) is proposed for use in the resulting separable approach to the GPMS reliability evaluation. Compared with existing methods, the accuracy of our solution increases due to the consideration of modular imperfect coverage; the computational complexity decreases due to the nature of the TDD, and the separation of mission imperfect coverage from the solution combinatorics. In this paper, the TDD-based separable approach is presented, and compared with existing methods for analyzing the GPMS reliability. An example generalized phased-mission system is analyzed to illustrate the advantages of our approach.     

BDD-based reliability analysis of phased-mission systems with multimode failures

This paper proposes a new algorithm (DEP-BDD) based on binary decision diagram (BDD) for reliability analysis of phased-mission systems (PMS) with multimode failures. DEP-BDD is a BDD-based combinatorial model which can be used to deal with more than one kind of dependences by applying dependence algebra, which is a generalization of phase algebra that handles more complex dependences. The nature of the BDD contributes the efficiency and low computational complexity of this algorithm. Two examples are analysed to illustrate the applications and advantages of our approach.     

Inclusion of Flaxseed in Hay- and Barley Silage Diets Increases Alpha-Linolenic Acid in Cow Plasma Independent of Forage Type

Feeding flaxseed to cattle may be a means of increasing omega-3 fatty acid levels in ruminant products, but possible interactions with conserved forages have not been investigated. Twelve Holstein cows were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin Square experiment. Cows were fed one of four 50:50 forage:concentrate diets (DM basis): hay (hay control, HC), hay plus 15% ground flaxseed (hay-flaxseed, HF), barley silage (silage control, SC), and barley silage plus 15% ground flaxseed (silage-flaxseed, SF). Plasma concentrations of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) did not differ between SC and HC diets. Flaxseed increased ALA (P < 0.05), but levels were not influenced by forage type. Flaxseed slightly increased 18:2n-6 (P < 0.05) and some n-6 and n-3 elongation and desaturation products, particularly arachidonic acid (ARA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Flaxseed also increased C18:0 (P < 0.05) with this increase being greater (P < 0.01) for cows fed SF than HF. Feeding flaxseed also increased plasma C18:1-trans isomers (P < 0.01), predominantly vaccenic acid (VAA, 18:1-t11), with this increase being greater (P < 0.05) in cows fed HF than SF. Although conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) was increased (P < 0.001) with flaxseed it was not influenced by forage type (P = 0.06). Overall, feeding flaxseed increased plasma ALA, EPA, ARA and CLA independently of forage type. Feeding flaxseed with silage, however, resulted in more 18:0, while feeding flaxseed with hay resulted in greater accumulations of plasma 18:1-trans isomers mainly in the form of VAA.     

Some effects of pressure on the oxidation of methyl oleate

The oxidation of methyl oleate under gas pressures up to 800 p.s.i.a. has been investigated. At 120°C. the samples oxidized under pressure built up hydroperoxides rapidly and exploded. There is no necessary connection between hydroperoxide concentration and explosiveness. Oxidations at 100°C are stable, but peroxide formation is drastically reduced. The presence of cobalt acetate increases the instability of the oxidizing oleate, causing it to explode even at 100°C.     

Application of near infrared spectrophotometry to the study of the autoxidation products of fats

Summary The usefulness and limitations of near infrared spectroscopy as applied to the oxygenated products of fat oxidation has been studied. Hydroperoxides, acids, alcohols, esters, aldehydes, and ketones all absorb in the narrow range from 2,700 mμ to 3,000 mμ. Alcohols may be distinguished from hydroperoxides and acids, but the latter are too close together to be resolved. In mixtures all the C=O absorptions attributable to esters, aldehydes, and ketones combine to form one band. In autoxidizing methyl oleate, the increase in alcohol, carbonyl, and combined acid-hydroperoxide can be followed in the near infrared spectra of CCl₄ solutions. In the absence of acid the increase in hydroperoxide absorbance is linear with peroxide value. The changes in the spectra of a reduced and bicarbonate-washed sample of oxidized methyl oleate correlate well with the expected chemical changes. Presented at the 31st Fall Meeting of the American Oil Chemists’ Society, Cincinnati, O., Sept.30–Oct. 2, 1957. American Meat Institute Foundation Journal Paper Number 156.     

Factors in sales success.

For the job of combination agent, an objective measure of job performance was correlated with each of 17 other variables in a sample of 346 agents, on whom were also obtained scores on a test of life insurance knowledge and data on life insurance ownership. "The data presented are consistent with the conclusion that the salesman's belief in his product (as measured by his own buying behavior) and his motivation are more important in determining how well he does his job than is product knowledge. Length of service shows no significant relation to job performance." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)