Sensitivity analysis on the all pairs q-route flows in a network

Given an undirected edge-weighted network in which one edge capacity is allowed to vary, we propose in this paper a polynomial algorithm that needs only two 2-cut-trees computations to provide the all pairs maximum 2-route flow values. Moreover, we provide an extension to the case where k edge capacities may vary, and show that 2 ^k 2-cut-trees computations are necessary in order to determine the all pairs maximum 2-route-flow values. This makes our algorithm polynomial whenever     .     

Chemically induced changes in the geotechnical response of cementing paste backfill in shaking table test

Cemented paste backfill(CPB) is extensively used for underground mine support and/or tailings management.However,CPB behavior under cyclic loadings might be affected by the chemistry of its porewater,which often contains sulphate ions.Till today,no studies have addressed the effect of sulphate on the response of CPB to cyclic loadings by using shaking table technique.This study presents new findings of assessing the effect of the sulphate in the pore water of CPB on its geotechnical response to cyclic loading by using shaking table.CPB mixtures were prepared(with and without sulphate),poured into a flexible laminar shear box,cured to 4 h,and then exposed to cyclic loading using one-dimensional(1D) shaking table.Several parameters(e.g.pore water pressure,settlement,lateral deformation,acceleration,electrical conductivity,effective stress,and liquefaction susceptibility) were monitored or determined before,during,and after shaking.Obtained results indicate that the sulphate-bearing CPB cured to 4 h can be prone to liquefaction under the studied conditions.However,sulphate-free CPB samples are resistant to liquefaction.These results are expected to contribute to a better understanding of the effect of water chemistry on the cyclic behavior of CPB,consequently enhancing the cost-effective design of CPB structures.     

An algebraic continuous time parameter estimation for a sum of sinusoidal waveform signals

In this paper, a novel algebraic method is proposed to estimate amplitudes, frequencies, and phases of a biased and noisy sum of complex exponential sinusoidal signals. The resulting parameter estimates are given by original closed formulas, constructed as integrals acting as time‐varying filters of the noisy measured signal. The proposed algebraic method provides faster and more robust results, compared with usual procedures. Some computer simulations illustrate the efficiency of our method. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Dendritic chelating agents. 2. U(VI) binding to poly(amidoamine) and poly(propyleneimine) dendrimers in aqueous solutions

Chelating agents are widely employed in many separation processes used to recover uranyl [U(VI)] from contaminated aqueous solutions. This article describes an experimental investigation of the binding of U(VI) to poly(amidoamine) [PAMAM] and poly(propyleneimine) [PPI] dendrimers in aqueous solutions. We combine fluorescence spectroscopy with bench scale ultrafiltration experiments to measure the extent of binding and fractional binding of U(VI) in aqueous solutions of these dendrimers as a function of (i) metal-ion dendrimer loading, (ii) dendrimer generation, (iii) dendrimer core and terminal group chemistry, and (iv) solution pH and competing ligands (NO3-, PO4(3-), CO3(2-), and Cl-). The overall results of this study suggest that uranyl binding to PAMAM and PPI dendrimers in aqueous solutions involves the coordination of the UO2(2+) ions with the dendrimer amine, amide, and carboxylic groups. We find significant binding of U(VI) to PAMAM dendrimers in (i) acidic solutions containing up to 1.0 M HNO3 and H3PO4 and (ii) in basic solutions containing up to 0.5 M Na2CO3. However, no binding of U(VI) by PAMAM dendrimers is observed in aqueous solutions containing 1.0 M NaCl at pH 3.0. These results strongly suggest that PAMAM and PPI dendrimers can serve as high capacity and selective chelating ligands for U(VI) in aqueous solutions.     

An equivalence between rational H2 and Hankel-norm approximations

Let H(z) be a given function in H₂ A classical problem in engineering analysis is to find a rational function G (z) ε H₂ degree M say, which is closest to H(z) in 2-norm. This problem is typically approached using the cost function |H(z) − G(z)|₂, in which G(z) is allowed to vary over the set of Mth-order rational functions in H₂ and for which stationary points are sought. We show that each stationary point of degree M of this functional coincides with a weighted Hankel-norm approximant to H(z). The weighting function derives from the outer factor of the error function H(z) − G(z) stationary point of the rational H₂ approximation problem.     

Contexte géologique et risques naturels: déterminants structuraux de l'instabilité des corniches dans la Presqu'île du Cap-Vert (Sénégal)

Résumé. L'évolution géologique de la Presqu'?le du Cap-Vert (Sénégal Occidental) est marquée par la mise en place d'une tectonique distensive. Les éléments structuraux au sein desquels se sont injectées des laves sont étroitement liés à l'ouverture et à l'évolution de l'Atlantique Central. Ils ont directement influencé la sédimentation du Secondaire au Quaternaire. Parmi les divers risques naturels notés dans cette partie du Sénégal, les instabilités de talus le long des corniches représentent une des préoccupations majeures pour l'aménagement urbain de la ville de Dakar, et la plupart des mesures de stabilisation mises en oeuvre ont révélé leurs limites. A la photo-interprétation que nous avons utilisée pour analyser certains désordres et compléter l'étude structurale, nous avons ajouté l'analyse statistique des données structurales de terrain et l'interprétation de la dynamique des talus. Les résultats présentés sur l'étude de quatre sites dans la partie sud de Dakar révèle que la tectonique héritée de l'évolution de l'Atlantique constitue un facteur déterminant de l'instabilité des talus rocheux autour de Dakar, ce qui devrait inciter à bien étudier le cadre structural autour de la Presqu'?le dans tout programme d'aménagement durable. Electronic Publication     

Effect of type and level of roughage offered to sheep and urine addition on compost quality and millet growth and production in the Sahel

A greenhouse trial was carried out at the International Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), at Sadoré (13°15′ N, 2°18′ E), Niger. Experiments were conducted in conjunction with a feeding trial. The feeding trial yielded eight types of compost made from faeces and leftovers with or without urine addition from sheep fed either bush straw or millet stover offered at 60 or 80 g dry matter (DM) kg⁻¹ live weight (LW). In the second trial the agronomic value of composts to a millet crop was evaluated. The level of roughage on offer did not affect compost quality. Urine addition increased N content in composts (P<0.05), but had no effect on P. Millet stover based composts contained 24% more N and 42.5% more P than composts made with bush straw (P<0.05). Urine addition enhanced millet growth between 15 and 60 days after planting (DAP), increased millet aboveground mass by a factor 2.8, and increased the efficiency of N and P use by 100% and 50%, respectively. Millet response (growth, phytomass, N and P uptake, apparent efficiency of N and P use) to urine addition was higher with millet stover based composts than with bush straw based composts (P<0.05). It was concluded that addition of urine during composting of roughage leftovers and faeces from stall-fed animals could significantly improve nutrient recycling and consequently the productivity of mixed farming systems of semi-arid West Africa. This revised version was published online in November 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Telemedicine using mobile telecommunication: Towards syntactic interoperability in teleexpertise

Telemedicine allows collaborative activities between health professionals for the deployment of medical procedures carried out remotely by means of device using information and communication technologies. This article focuses on the Teleexpertise that allows collaboration between medical professionals in order to share knowledge and expert advices used as explanation elements for decision support. We propose a conceptual model integrating the FIPA (Foundation for Intelligent Physical Agents) Contract Net Protocol which permits to collect medical professionals’ answers for a request for teleexpertise in an efficient manner. Our model satisfies four requirements (coverage, QoS (Quality of Service) guarantees and prioritisation, mobility and roaming, service usability) on the configuration and operation of the underlying network and the services. Therefore, we provide an operational assistance by improvement of the networks quality of service via interoperable web services. Finally, we hope to bring a tangible contribution on the implementation of this suggested conceptualization that will allow to generate relevant and action-oriented findings.