A New Approach to Solving Applied Location/AIIocation Problems

Abstract: Facility location and customer allocation problems are pervasive in industry and in the private sector. In this paper, we outline a new approach to solving these problems that avoids the need to resort to integer programming techniques. The approach exploits the mathematical structure of the problem as well as characteristics frequently found in applied location/allocation problems. Using this approach, large scale problems are readily solvable on personal computers. We illustrate the approach on a small example and provide computational results based on a real-world application of the technique. Extensions to include additional problem features are also discussed.     

Retinal neurostimulator for a multifocal vision prosthesis.

A neurostimulator application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) with scalable circuitry that can stimulate 14 channels, has been developed for an epi-retinal vision prosthesis. This ASIC was designed to allow seven identical units to be connected to control up to 98 channels, with the ability to stimulate 14 electrodes simultaneously. The neurostimulator forms part of a vision prosthesis, designed to restore vision to patients who have lost their sight due to retinal diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa and macular degeneration. For charge balance, the neurostimulator was designed to stimulate with current sources and sinks operating together, and with the ability to drive a hexagonal mosaic of electrodes to reduce the electrical crosstalk that occurs when multiple bipolar stimulation sites are active simultaneously. A hexagonal mosaic of electrodes surrounds each stimulation site and has been shown to effectively isolate each site, increasing the ability to inject localized independent charge into multiple regions simultaneously.     

Visual insights into high-resolution earthquake Simulations.

This study focuses on the visualization of a series of large earthquake simulations collectively called TeraShake. The simulation series aims to assess the impact of San Andreas Fault earthquake scenarios in Southern California. We discuss the role of visualization in gaining scientific insight and aiding unexpected discoveries.     

Preparation and evaluation of slow-release pan-coated indomethacin granules

Granules containing indomethacin crystals are coated with Eudragit solutions of different RL/RS ratios using a pan coating technique. The process is reproducible with regard to drug content, inexpensive and the formed granules were directly compressed into tablets. In vitro release of indomethacin from coated granules, tablets and capsules was studied as a function of different ratios of Eudragit RL/RS in the coating solution. The release of the drug was significantly reduced by the coating process in comparison with a formulation made from uncoated granules, prepared using 10 per cent gelatin solution as a binder. Release data were found to follow a diffusion-controlled model.     

Efficient generation of a reshaped human mAb specific for the {alpha} toxin of Clostridium perfringens

We have used the technique of antibody reshaping to producea humanized antibody specific for the a toxin of Clostridiumperfringens. The starting antibody was from a mouse hybridomafrom which variable (V) region nucleo-tide sequences were determined.The complementarity-determining regions (CDRs) from these Vregions were then inserted into human heavy and light chainV region genes with human constant region gene fragments subsequentlyadded. The insertion of CDRs alone into human frameworks didnot produce a functional reshaped antibody and modificationsto the V region framework were required. With minor frameworkmodifications, the affinity of the original murine mAb was restoredand even exceeded. Where affinity was increased, an alteredbinding profile to overlapping peptides was observed. Computermodelling of the reshaped heavy chain V regions suggested thatamino acids adjacent to CDRs can either contribute to, or distort,CDR loop conformation and must be adjusted to achieve high bindingaffinity.     

Characterization of Flow in Intravenous Catheters

The pressure-flow (P-F) relationship in intravenous catheters is shown to be represented by the predictive model P = RLF + RTF2. The pressure loss due to F, calculated from experimental data, was found to equal the expected Poiseuille laminar flow loss. Pressure loss due to F2 was found to be the sum of turbulent P losses due to entrance length flow disturbance, kinetic energy at the outflow, and minor shape change losses. Analysis of the flow capabilities of intravenous catheters can be used to evaluate suitability for specific intravenous infusion needs.     

A self-interpretive behavior analysis.

Although it rejects self-awareness as psychological bedrock, behavior-analytic theory can be stated self-inclusively, keeping the theorist within view. Its principles of discrimination and generalization have been elaborated to include concepts and higher order conditionalities, including those of logic and of awareness. Its violating a cultural bias that is called the "fundamental attribution error" may be a primary source of controversies. Its other disagreements with mainstream psychologies hinge more on contiguous vs remote causation than on mentalism vs antimentalism, which Skinner emphasized. The nonmediational, Skinnerian theorist is a participation in the world rather than an isolated self. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)