On the design of multiple key hashing files for concurrent orthogonal range retrieval between two disks

This paper concerns the following problem: given a set of multi-attribute records, a fixed number of buckets and a two-disk system, arrange the records into the buckets and then store the buckets between the disks in such a way that, over all possible orthogonal range queries (ORQs), the disk access concurrency is maximized. We shall adopt the multiple key hashing (MKH) method for arranging records into buckets and use the disk modulo (DM) allocation method for storing buckets onto disks. Since the DM allocation method has been shown to be superior to any other allocation methods for allocating an MKH file onto a two-disk system for answering ORQs, the real issue is knowing how to determine an optimal way for organizing the records into buckets based upon the MKH concept.

A performance formula that can be used to evaluate the average response time, over all possible ORQs, of an MKH file in a two-disk system using the DM allocation method is first presented. Based upon this formula, it is shown that our design problem is related to a notoriously difficult problem, namely the Prime Number Problem. Then a performance lower bound and an efficient algorithm for designing optimal MKH files in certain cases are presented. It is pointed out that in some cases the optimal MKH file for ORQs in a two-disk system using the DM allocation method is identical to the optimal MKH file for ORQs in a single-disk system and the optimal average response time in a two-disk system is slightly greater than one half of that in a single-disk system.     

A time series approach to fatigue crack propagation

The inherently nonlinear phenomenon of fatigue crack propagation is modeled as a linear random process. To a first approximation, simple, nonstationary time series models are introduced and standard techniques for determining the parameters of autoregressive integrated moving-average processes are applied. Multiplicative time series models are next utilised for the representation of a group of crack history curves. Implementation of the models on the Virkler experimental data set yields satisfactory results. Reliable Gaussian approximations to the distribution of the time required by a crack to reach a specified critical length are obtained, and the usefulness of the approach is demonstrated when updating lifetime predictions after periodic inspections.     

巷道最佳注浆加固时机的分析研究

对松散破碎以及软弱围岩巷道进行注浆加固巷道围岩时,注浆时机的选择对注浆效果具有很大的影响。有效地进行注浆加固的先决条件是浆液能够在围岩中均匀地流动渗透到一定范围,且注浆后能明显提高围岩强度和整体承载能力。在综合考虑围岩裂隙的发育程度、注浆加固体的强度、所需控制的围岩变形量及注浆工艺等因素的基础上,确定了最佳的注浆时机——滞后15d～25d。     

Danckwerts’ law for mean residence time revisited

This paper shows that Danckwerts’ law for mean residence time in a vessel with continuous and steady throughflow holds for a stochastic model based on a Markov chain for the particle spatial position, under a set of three very general conditions on the transfer probabilities. These are natural conditions and represent mass balance conditions on the transfer between spatial regions in the process. It is shown that a stochastic model for particle residence time distribution with these three conditions may describe almost any physical flow configuration, and also covers published mathematical RTD models, independent of their mathematical form or the nature of the associated boundary conditions, models for which Danckwert's law has hitherto been shown to be satisfied on a case-by-case basis. Two examples, namely those birth-death Markov chains and fluidized bed models are discussed.     

DIFFUSION LAG TIME FOR MULTIPLE AND PERIODIC LAMINATES

The permeability and lag time for a heterogeneous diffusion system, in which the diffusivity and partition coefficient for the diffusant are dependent on position, are formulated in terms of a linear asymptotic analysis. A repeated integration of the diffusion equation is used to obtain the time dependence of the total solute release into the receiver, Q(t). The asymptotic form of Q(t) is linear in time. The slope, and intercept of this linear asymptote with the time axis, respectively, give formulas for the steady-state permeability and lag time. These formulas are then applied to diffusion systems of multiple laminates, consisting of a series of different homogeneous slabs. Thus, for the first time, a concise treatment of diffusion in multiple laminates is obtained. The formulas are also applied to periodic laminates, consisting of a series of identical slabs, but with position-dependent diffusivity and partition coefficient. We found that the lag time can be well approximated by (nh))²/(6D_eff), where n and h are, respectively, the number and thickness of individual lamella, and D_eff is an effective diffusivity, for which a relation in terms of the local property distributions is obtained. This approximation becomes more accurate with increasing number of lamellae. At n = 5, the relative error is already within 4%. Finally a procedure is discussed for readily obtaining the lag time for periodic structures consisting of a serial repetition of a multi-laminate.     

Effect of temperature on the development of the yam moth, Dasyses rugosella Stainton (Lepidoptera: Tineidae)

Studies on the effect of temperature on the development of the yam moth, Dasyses rugosella Stainton were carried out in the laboratory at four different temperatures, 20°C, 24°C, 29°C and 33°C. The mean fecundity per female at 20°C, 24°C, 29°C and 33°C was 37.6±1.9, 84.2±2.7, 112.3±3.9 and 109.3±3.9 eggs, respectively. Oviposition period ranged from 4.7 days at 20°C to 2.9 days at 33°C. Hatchability of eggs was highest at 29°C with 70.0% and lowest at 20°C with 15.0%. The developmental time decreased with increase in temperature. The mean developmental time at 20°C, 24°C, 29°C and 33°C was 13.8±0.3, 7.8±0.2, 5.1±0.2 and 3.9±0.2 days for the egg, 90.0±0.7, 50.1±0.7, 36.1±0.8 and 23.6±0.8 days for the larval stages, 22.3±2.6, 12.2±0.2, 10.1±0.1, and 7.8±0.2 days for the pupa and 126.1±0.8, 70.1±0.8, 51.3±0.9, and 35.1±0.8 days for the period from egg hatching to adult emergence, respectively. Since fecundity, oviposition and development of the moth were impaired at 20°C, storage of yam tubers at low temperatures (well below 20°C but not lower than 12°C to avoid chilling injury) will significantly retard the development of D. rugosella and help in its control. Unmated individuals lived longer than their mated counterparts. Adult females were always larger than the males. The wing span of the female ranges from 16.9-18.5 and in males from 13.0-15.0 mm. The body length for males ranged from 5.0-6.5 and was 6.5-9.0 mm for females.     

Decomposition of Time Series Dynamic Linear Models

This paper derives the admissible decompositions for a time series dynamic linear model, assuming only that the model is observable. The decompositions depend on factorizations of the characteristic polynomial of the state evolution matrix G into relatively prime factors. This generalizes the method of West (1997 ) which considers one decomposition in the particular case where G is diagonalizable. Conditions are derived for a decomposition to be independent. These results show that no autoregressive process of order d has an independent decomposition for any integer d . Two illustrations of this procedure are discussed in detail.     

Dynamics of Balancing Space and Time in Memory: Tau and Kappa Effects Revisited.

In 3 experiments, the authors studied the organization of spatiotemporal information in memory. Stimuli consisted of configurations of dots, presented sequentially. The stimuli were either proportional, with interdot distances corresponding to interdot durations, or not proportional, with interdol distances not corresponding to interdot durations. After a learning phase, participants reproduced the spatial (Experiment 1), temporal (Experiment 2), or spatial and temporal (Experiment 3) characteristics of the target 60 times in succession. In the nonproportional conditions, effects of variable interdot durations or distances on the reproduction of, respectively, constant distances (tau effect) or durations (kappa effect) were observed, whereas no such effects were observed when variable distances or durations were to be produced. Tau and kappa effects influenced the accuracy but not the variability of responses. The results are discussed in light of the distinction between properties of the stabilized mental image and the process of stabilization. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A Working Memory Workout: How to Expand the Focus of Serial Attention From One to Four Items in 10 Hours or Less.

Five individuals participated in an extensive practice study (10 1-hr sessions, 11,000 trials total) on a self-paced identity-judgment n-back task (n ranging from 1 to 5). Within Session 1, response time increased abruptly by about 300 ms in passing from n = 1 to n > 1, suggesting that the focus of attention can accommodate only a single item (H. Caravan, 1998; B. McElree, 2001). Within Session 10, response time was dramatically reduced and increased linearly with n for n ≤ 4, with a slope of about 30 ms. The data suggest that working memory consists of a focus of attention governed by a limited-capacity search, expandable through practice, and a content-addressable region outside the focus of attention. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)