A futures market-based model for dynamic network resource allocation

Management of telecommunication network requires quick, continuous and decentralized allocation of network bandwidth to various sorts of demands. So as to achieve the efficient network resource allocation, this paper describes a market-based model combining futures market with the agent-based approach. That is, utilization time is divided into many timeslots, and futures markets in hereafter use of bandwidth are opened. In our model, all market participants (software agents) observe only market prices and decide to buy or sell bandwidth trying to maximize their utilities over time so that they can secure enough network resources. The authors discuss network resource allocation through simulation using the proposed model. Masayuki Ishinishi, Ph.D.: He graduated from National Defense Academy in 1995 and 2000. He received the B.E. (1995) and M.E.(2000) degrees in computer science from National Institution for Academic Degrees (NIAD). He received his Ph.D. degree from Tokyo Institute of Technology in 2003. He has been a communications officer at Air Communications and Systems Wing in Japan Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF) since 2003. His research interests include information assurance, agent-based modeling and simulation, multi-agent system and market-based control. He is a member of IEEJ, IPSJ and JSAI. Yuhsuke Koyama, Ph.D.: He received the B.Econ., M.Econ., and Ph.D. degrees in economics from Kyoto University, in 1996, 1998, 2002, respectively. He has been a research associate of Tokyo Institute of Technology since 2002. His research field is evolutionary economics, mathematical sociology and experimental economics. He is a member of JAFEE, JAMS, JASESS and JASAG. Hiroshi Deguchi, Ph.D.: He received his Ph.D. degree in systems science from Tokyo Institute of Technology, in 1986. He also received the Dr. Econ. degree from Kyoto University in 2001. He has been a Professor of Tokyo Institute of Technology since 2002. His research field is evolutionary economics, computational organization theory, agent-based modeling, social system theory, gaming simulation, and philosophy of science. He is a member of SICE, JAMS, IPSJ, PHSC, JASAG and JAFEE. Hajime Kita, Ph.D.: He received the B.E., M.E., and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from Kyoto University, in 1982, 1984, 1991, respectively. He has been a Professor of Kyoto University since 2003, His research field is systems science/engineering, and his research interests are evolutionary computation, neural networks and socio-economic analysis of energy systems, and agentbased modeling. He is a member of IEEJ, IEICE, ISCIE, JNNS, JSER, ORSJ and SICE.     

Nutritional enrichment of larval fish feed with thraustochytrid producing polyunsaturated fatty acids and xanthophylls

In marine aquaculture, rotifers and Artemia nauplii employed as larval fish feed are often nutritionally enriched with forage such as yeast and algal cells supplemented with polyunsaturated fatty acids and xanthophylls, which are required for normal growth and a high survival ratio of fish larvae. To reduce the enrichment steps, we propose here the use of a marine thraustochytrid strain, Schizochytrium sp. KH105, producing docosahexaenoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid, canthaxanthin, and astaxanthin. The KH105 cells prepared by cultivation under optimized conditions were successfully incorporated by rotifers and Artemia nauplii. The contents of docosahexaenoic acid surpassed the levels required in feed for fish larvae, and the enriched Artemia showed an increased body length. The results demonstrate that we have developed an improved method of increasing the dietary value of larval fish feed.     

Rapid Room Temperature Synthesis of Hexagonal Mesoporous Silica Using Inorganic Silicate Sources and Cationic Surfactants under Highly Acidic Conditions

The room-temperature synthesis of mesoporous silica was investigated by using cationic surfactants and inorganic Si sources, like sodium silicate and colloidal silica. Mesoporous silica analogous to the hexagonal MCM-41 could be obtained over a wide range of pH below ca. 11 within short synthesis time (3 h), when the Q⁴-state Si was absent in the Si source solution prior to mixing with an aqueous solution of cationic surfactants. It was suggested that the strongly acidic conditions (pH < 1) were favorable to give mesoporous silica materials with higher surface area and larger mesopore volume.     

Asymmetric Hydrogenation Catalyzed by (S,S)‐R‐BisPast;‐Rh and (R,R)‐R‐MiniPHOS Complexes: Scope,Limitations, and Mechanism

A new class of chiral C₂‐symmetric bis(trialkyl)phosphine ligands has been prepared and used in Rh(I)‐catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation reactions. The ligands, 1,2‐bis(alkylmethylphosphino)ethanes 1a‐g (abbreviated as BisP*, alkyl = t‐butyl, 1‐adamantyl, 1‐methylcyclohexyl, 1,1‐diethylpropyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, isopropyl) and 1,2‐bis(alkylmethylphosphino)methanes 2a‐d (abbreviated as MiniPHOS, alkyl = t‐butyl, cyclohexyl, isopropyl, phenyl) are prepared by a simple synthetic approach based on the air‐stable phosphine–boranes. These new ligands give the corresponding Rh(I) complexes, which are effective catalytic precursors for the asymmetric hydrogenation of a representative series of dehydroamino acids and itaconic acid derivatives. Enantioselectivities observed in these hydrogenations are universally high and in many cases exceed 99%. X‐Ray characterization of four precatalysts, study of the pressure effects, deuteration experiments, and characterization of the wide series of intermediates in the catalytic cycle are used for the discussion of the possible correlation between the structure of the catalysts and the outcome of the catalytic asymmetric hydrogenation.     

Influence of feedback parameters on resistance control of metal nanowires by stepwise feedback-controlled electromigration

We propose a stepwise feedback-controlled electromigration (SFCE) approach to control the channel resistance of metal nanowires at room temperature. SFCE procedure finely divides a conventional feedback-controlled electromigration (FCE) scheme into several FCE cycles. This approach effectively removes thermal instability caused by large current passing through a metal nanowire, because process time of each FCE cycle can be successfully reduced. Using the SFCE approach, a wide-range control of the channel resistance of Ni nanowires was achieved ranging from the order of 10(2) omega to 10(5) omega at room temperature, without catastrophic breaks of the nanowires. Furthermore, total process time of the SFCE procedure was considerably shortened without degradation of the controllability of the resistance of the nanowires. The channel resistance of a Ni nanowire was precisely controlled from 0.2 to 600 k(omega) for 20 min at room temperature, which is 3000 times larger than the initial resistance of the channel. These results clearly indicate that a wide-range control of the channel resistance of metal nanowires can be achieved with a shortened process time using SFCE scheme.     

A study on Swirling Flows in a Rectangular Channel （LDV Measurement,Flow Visualization and Large Eddy Simulation）

IntroductionPipelines with non-circular section have beenwidely used in the industrial fields. The inner fiowsbecome more complex compared with those ofcircular section due to production of secondary flows.On the other hand, flows, which pass throughmulhple bends and discharge from fluid machinerysuch as an axial fan and blower and a water turbine,are usually accompanied by a directional swirling.When such swiriing flows discharge into the pipeline,it oscillates and happens to be broken becaus…     

Effect of milling on the burning rates of red lead-ferrosilicon-antimony(III) sulfide delay compositions

In order to clarify the effect of surface properties on the burning characteristics of a delay powder, the burning rates of the red lead-ferrosilicon-antimony(III) sulfide delay compositions have been measured when the ingredient was pulverized using a vibro-mill. It was found that the burning rates increased with the mixing time when the ferrosilicon ingredient alone was pulverized before preparation of the delay powder. On the other hand, the burning rate decreased if the red lead or the antimony(III) sulfide were pulverized. The reason for this is ascribed to the chemical reaction in the combustion wave.     

The Thermal Behavior of the Zinc Complexes as a Non‐Azide Gas Generant for Safer Driving — Zn Complexes of the Carbohydrazide and Semicarbazide

The thermal behavior was investigated for the Zn complexes of carbohydrazide and semicarbazide with Sr(NO₃)₂ and 10% CuO as the oxidizing agent. In both complexes, there was little difference in the various combustion characteristics. The combustion reactivity was relatively low compared with the case of using other oxidizing agents, such as KBrO₃, etc. But the participation of CuO in the reaction was supposed to be different based on the analysis of the combustion residue. As for the gas evolution behavior, the evolution of N₂, NH₃, N₂O, NO_x and CO_x gases was confirmed upon ignition at 500°C in both complexes (no H₂O analysis). It was interesting that CO gas not evolved from the semicarbazide complex. It was clear that the combustion reactivity and the gas evolution behavior vary in both complexes in spite of the same skeleton and similar oxygen balance.     

Complete Oxidation of Benzene Over Perovskite-Type Oxide Catalysts

Catalytic oxidation of benzene was carried out over perovskite-type oxides prepared by evaporation-to-dryness techniques. LaMnO₃ showed higher activity than LaCoO₃ and LaFeO₃ due to higher surface area and higher oxidizing ability for benzene. Effect of Sr substitution for La on the activity of LaMnO₃ depended on the calcination conditions.     

Direct association of presenilin-1 with beta-catenin

We have prepared 4-[18F]fluoromethylbenzylsulfonate esters as fluoromethylbenzylating agents. These agents are readily prepared by an [18F]fluoride ion displacement of the corresponding bissulfonate esters. The application of these 4-[18F]fluoromethylbenzylsulfonate esters to N-alkylation reaction of spiperone and 1-phenylpiperazine shows that the products 3-N-(4-[18F]fluoromethylbenzyl)spiperone and 1-N-(4-[18F]fluoromethylbenzyl)-4-phenylpiperazine are rapidly produced with high radiochemical yields under a no-carrier-added condition.