Scheduling evacuation operations

In this paper, we consider a large-scale evacuation problem after a major disaster. The evacuation is assumed to occur by means of a fleet of buses, thus leading to scheduling the evacuation operations by buses [(bus evacuation problem (BEP)]. We propose time-indexed formulations as well as heuristic algorithms such as greedy algorithms and a matheuristic. This matheuristic uses the former formulation to improve the best solution obtained by the greedy heuristics. In computational experiments, we analyze and evaluate the efficiency of the proposed solution algorithms.     

Trust-based group services selection in web-based service-oriented environments

Multi-agent technologies have been widely employed for the development of web-based systems, including web-based e-markets, web-based grid computing, e-governments and service-oriented software systems. In these service-oriented systems, service provider agents and service consumer agents are autonomous and rational entities, which can enter and leave the environments freely. For simplicity, we use terms ‘provider’ and ‘consumer’ to represent this two types of agents. How to select the most suitable service providers according to a service request from a consumer in such an open environment is a very challenging issue. In this paper, we propose an innovative trust model, called the GTrust model, for service group selection in general service-oriented environments. In the GTrust model, the trust evaluation for a service group is based on the functionality coverage of the group, the dependency relationships among individual services in the group, the ratings of individual services on the attributes of the service request and a similarity measurement of the extent to which reference reports can reflect the service request in terms of the priority distribution of attributes. The experimental results and analysis demonstrate the good performance of the GTrust model on the service group selection in service-oriented environments.     

AVCOL: Availability-aware information aggregation in large distributed systems under uncollaborative behavior

Aggregation of system-wide information in large-scale distributed systems, such as p2p systems and Grids, can be unfairly influenced by nodes that are selfish, colluding with each other, or are offline most of the time. We present AVCOL, which uses probabilistic and gossip-style techniques to provide availability-aware aggregation. Concretely, AVCOL is the first aggregation system that: (1) implements any (arbitrary) global predicate that explicitly specifies any node’s probability of inclusion in the global aggregate, as a mathematical function of that node’s availability (i.e., percentage time online); (2) probabilistically tolerates large numbers of selfish nodes and large groups of colluders; and (3) scales well with hundreds to thousands of nodes. AVCOL uses several unique design decisions: per-aggregation tree construction where nodes are allowed a limited but flexible probabilistic choice of parents or children, probabilistic aggregation along trees, and auditing of nodes both during aggregation as well as in gossip-style (i.e., periodically). We have implemented AVCOL, and we experimentally evaluated it using real-life churn traces. Our evaluation and our mathematical analysis show that AVCOL satisfies arbitrary predicates, scales well, and withstands a variety of selfish and colluding attacks.     

Synthesis, Structure and Antitumour Properties of a New 1,2-Propylenediaminetetraacetate-Ruthenium(III) Compound

A novel complex formed by ruthenium (III) and the sequestering ligand 1,2-propylenediaminetetraacetic acid (PDTA) has been synthetized and characterized. The structure of the monomeric compound, studied by X-ray diffraction , shows an almost symmetric octahedral geometry around the metal ion, with two chlorine atoms in a cis conformation. The antitumour activity against a variety of murine and human cancers is reported.     

Models of Ballistic Propagation of Heat at Low Temperatures

Heat conduction at low temperatures shows several effects that cannot be described by the Fourier law. In this paper, the performance of various theories is compared in case of wave-like and ballistic propagation of heat pulses in NaF.     

Dynamics of Plug Formation in a Circular Cylinder Under Low Bond Number Conditions: Experiment and Simulation

The goal of the current study is to investigate the dynamics of two phase interface under a low Bond number condition. Silicone oil is injected into a cylinder under a Bond number of about 0.47 via a side tube forming a T-junction with the former. The time evolution of the interface of silicon oil in a cylinder is captured using a high speed camera. The volume at which the plug is formed is then determined using an image processing tool to analyze the captured images. A numerical simulation is carried out where fluid is injected into a cylinder, under a less than unity Bond number condition, via a side tube. Numerical and experimental results are then compared.     

Endoscopic sclerotherapy is useful in Dieulafoy''s disease

1.5% Capsaicin (Cap) or Vehicle was respectively used to treat the right or left sciatic nerve in 20 Sprague-Dawley rats. On the seventh day, the 20 rats were at random divided into electroacupuncture (EA) group and non-EA group, the spinal cord corresponding to the afferent segments of sciatic nerve was taken out for observing the changes of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and [3H]-quinuelidinylbenzylate (QNB) binding sites in the spinal dorsal horn (SDH). The results were as follows: (1) EA "Huantiao" could enhance AChE activity in the SDH and decrease [3H]-QNB binding sites; (2) Cap treating sciatice nerve could weaken AChE activity in the SDH and merease [3H]-QNB binding sites; (3) Cap treatment could inhibit or partially inhibit the actions of EA as above. The results indicated that ACh participated in the primary afferent of acupuncture information and might exist in Cap-sensitive neurons.     

Transmission electron microscopy study of a dental gallium alloy

Analytical transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies of a dental gallium alloy have been carried out. This commercial Ga alloy was made by triturating a Ag-Sn-Cu-rich alloy powder with a liquid Ga alloy containing Ga, In and Sn. Ga alloys are of increasing interest as an alternative to amalgam. The dental material studied in the present work was found to be a composite consisting of remaining, undissolved particles from the Ag-based alloy powder in a matrix of reaction products with the liquid Ga alloy. The phases in the matrix and the remaining Ag-based alloy particles have been identified by electron diffraction, high resolution electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. the following phases were identified: orthorhombic Ag₃Sn, cubic -Cu₉Ga₄, cubic Ag₉In₄, tetragonal -Sn and hexagonal Ag₂Ga. In addition to these well-known phases Ga-rich regions of Cu-Ga were observed consisting of an intergrowth of the tetragonal CuGa₂ and one of the cubic -Cu₉Ga₄ phases.     

Influence of serotonergic neurons and of pineal gland on the development of the neonatal androgen sterilization syndrome in the rat

The effect of the removal of pineal gland, performed in adult age or during perinatal life, was investigated in the neonatal androgen sterility (NA-CEA) syndrome, in combination with drugs acting on serotonergic neurons. Perinatal pinealectomy (Px) was more potent in preventing the development of NA-CEA state than Px performed in the adult age. These data indicate that the masculinized hypothalamus becomes less sensitive to pineal influences during the lifespan. Effect of Px was potentiated by drugs increasing the central serotonergic tone. The results lead to the assumption that pineal hormones are influential on the maturation of serotonergic neurons, which might interfere with the sterilizing property of neonatal androgen treatment during the "critical" period of sexual differentiation.