Online scheduling with rejection and withdrawal

We study an online scheduling problem with rejection, in which some rearrangement of the solution is allowed. This problem is called scheduling with rejection and withdrawal. Each arriving job has a processing time and a rejection cost associated with it, and it needs to be either assigned to a machine or rejected upon arrival. At termination, it is possible to choose at most a fixed number of scheduled jobs and withdraw them (i.e., decide to reject them). We study the minimization version, where the goal is to minimize the sum of the makespan and the total rejection cost (which corresponds to the penalty), and the maximization problem, where the goal is to maximize the sum of the minimum load and the total rejection cost (which corresponds to profit). We study environments of machines, which are the case of m identical machines and the case of two uniformly related machines, and show a strong relation between these problems and the related classic online scheduling problems which they generalize, in contrast to standard scheduling with rejection, which typically makes the scheduling problems harder.     

The phase behavior of n-alkane systems

Normal alkanes show very complicated phase transition kinetics and macroscopic phase equilibrium behavior. This paper focuses on the phase stability and equilibrium of complicated mixtures like n-alkanes and on the enabling global optimization technologies needed to gather problem knowledge. The new ideas contained in this paper include:

(1) novel level set methods for gathering encoded knowledge;

(2) the differential geometry for uncovering pathways to more subtle knowledge;

(3) all supporting non-linearly constrained optimization techniques;

(4) all data handling needed to unravel complex solution structure.

These new ideas are incorporated within the integral path methodology or terrain methods recently developed by Lucia, A., & Yang, F. (2003) [Lucia, A., & Yang F. (2003). Multivariable terrain methods. AIChE Journal 49, 2553] and Lucia, DiMaggio, and Depa (2004) [Lucia, A., DiMaggio, P.A., & Depa, P. (2004). A geometric terrain methodology for global optimization. Journal of Global Optimization 29, 297]. This framework provides global knowledge for understanding solution structure, like the complex solution structure of n-alkanes. In particular, it is shown that knowledge of the Newton and tangent vector fields, Gauss curvature, integral path bifurcation points, and non-differentiable manifolds provides a deterministic way of finding additional solutions, saddle points, and other information that might otherwise go undetected.It is shown that the optimization tools developed in this work provide all knowledge of interest on the appropriate hypothetical single-phase or composite surface (i.e., minima, saddle points, singular points, and integral paths) in phase stability applications. This knowledge can be obtained by solving the phase stability problem exactly once, in a pre-processing step, and used to reliably initialize any multi-phase equilibrium calculation for any feed. This removes the need to repeatedly solve the phase stability problem as the feed composition changes and greatly increases computational efficiency. Numerical examples and geometric illustrations are used to elucidate key ideas and to show how the proposed approach can be used to unravel the complicated phase behavior of n-alkane mixtures.     

The Affective Structure of Supportive Parenting: Depressive Symptoms, Immediate Emotions, and Child-Oriented Motivation.

This study investigated the maternal concerns and emotions that may regulate one form of sensitive parenting, support for children's immediate desires or intentions. While reviewing a videotape of interactions with their 1-year-olds, mothers who varied on depressive symptoms reported concerns and emotions they had during the interaction. Emotions reflected outcomes either to children (child-oriented concerns) or to mothers themselves (parent-oriented concerns). Child-oriented concerns were associated with fewer negative emotions and more supportive behavior. Supportive parenting was high among mothers who experienced high joy and worry and low anger, sadness, and guilt. However, relations depended on whether emotions were child or parent oriented: Supportive behavior occurred more when emotions were child oriented. In addition, as depressive symptoms increased, mothers reported fewer child-oriented concerns, fewer child-oriented positive emotions, and more parent-oriented negative emotions. They also displayed less supportive behavior. Findings suggest that support for children's immediate intentions may be regulated by parents' concerns, immediate emotions, and depressive symptoms. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A survey on makespan minimization in semi-online environments

We discuss variants of online scheduling on identical and uniformly related machines, where the objective is to minimize the makespan. All variants are such that some information regarding the input is provided in advance, and therefore these models are known as semi-online problems. Algorithms are analyzed with respect to the competitive ratio. We discuss the benefit arising from different kinds of available information and find that almost all variants allow one to reduce the competitive ratio significantly compared to the best possible competitive ratio for the corresponding pure online problem.     

Convergence in Diversity: New York City School Food and the Future of the Food Movement

In the context of a global food system that has given rise to widespread concerns for food security and sustainability, reformative efforts have emerged, expanded and multiplied worldwide. To enhance understanding of the multi-faceted nature of this food movement and its scope for convergence and consolidation, in this article we propose frame alignment and alliance-building as a theoretical and analytical framework. Using New York City as a case study, we explore how school food reform may act as a particularly powerful platform for coalescing the interests and goals of diverse food system actors. We conclude with a call to interrogate school food and other reform activities with specific attention to the opportunities they pose for finding ‘convergence in diversity’ — in other words, for aligning the diverse and often fragmented efforts of the ‘food movement’ around an integrated and shared agenda with heightened potential for impact.     

Dietary Monounsaturated Fatty Acids Are Protective Against Metabolic Syndrome and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors

Over 50 years of research has sought to define the role dietary fat plays in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Although optimal dietary fat quantity has been keenly pursued over past decades, attention has recently centered on the value of dietary fat quality. The purpose of the present review is to provide a critical assessment of the current body of evidence surrounding efficacy of dietary monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) for reduction of traditional risk factors defining metabolic syndrome (MetS) and CVD. Due to existing and emerging research on health attributes of MUFA rich diets, and to the low prevalence of chronic disease in populations consuming MUFA rich Mediterranean diets, national dietary guidelines are increasingly recommending dietary MUFA, primarily at the expense of saturated fatty acids (SFA). Consumption of dietary MUFA promotes healthy blood lipid profiles, mediates blood pressure, improves insulin sensitivity and regulates glucose levels. Moreover, provocative newer data suggest a role for preferential oxidation and metabolism of dietary MUFA, influencing body composition and ameliorating the risk of obesity. Mounting epidemiological and human clinical trial data continue to demonstrate the cardioprotective activity of the MUFA content of dietary fat. As the debate on the optimal fatty acid composition of the diet continues, the benefit of increasing MUFA intakes, particularly as a substitute for dietary SFA, deserves considerable attention.     

Miniature cylindrical ion trap mass spectrometer

A miniature cylindrical ion trap mass spectrometer is described, and preliminary data are presented. Functionality and performance of laboratory-scale instruments have been maintained to the extent possible in this battery-operated mass spectrometer. Capabilities include tandem mass spectrometry experiments. Custom-designed electronic components include the RF scanning and amplification system, data acquisition components, and lens power supplies, as well as a custom-software application. Direct leak and membrane introduction inlet systems are used for sample introduction. A mass/charge range of approximately 250 Th with unit mass resolution has been demonstrated.     

Enduring effects of photoperiod on affective behaviors in Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus).

The effects of perinatal and postweaning photoperiods on subsequent affective behaviors were examined in adult Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus). Hamsters exposed perinatally to short days (8 hr light/day) exhibited mixed results for adult anxiety-like behaviors and increased some depressive-like behaviors compared with hamsters exposed to long days (16 hr light/day). Postweaning exposure to short days increased depressive- and anxiety-like behaviors compared with long days. Sex differences in affective behaviors were observed. These results suggest that anxiety-like behaviors are organized early in life and endure throughout adulthood, and anxiety- and depressive-like behaviors are modified by postweaning photoperiod. The persistence of photoperiod-induced affective behaviors in rodents supports the hypothesis that symptoms of human affective disorders may reflect ancestral adaptations to seasonal environments. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)