Iterative analysis of Markov regenerative models

Conventional algorithms for the steady-state analysis of Markov regenerative models suffer from high computational costs which are caused by densely populated matrices. In this paper, a new algorithm is suggested which avoids computing these matrices explicitly. Instead, a two-stage iteration scheme is used. An extended version of uniformization is applied as a subalgorithm to compute the required transient quantities “on-the fly”. The algorithm is formulated in terms of stochastic Petri nets. A detailed example illustrates the proposed concepts.     

Free and forced convection boundary layer flow through a porous medium with large suction

An analytical study is made of the free and forced convection boundary layer flow past a porous medium bounded by a semi-infinite vertical porous plate. Locally similar solutions are then obtained by a perturbation method for large suction. Solutions for the velocity and temperature distributions are shown graphically for various suction velocities and values of the driving parameter G_r/R, where G_r is the Grashof number and R_e is the Reynolds number. The corresponding values of the skin friction coefficient and the Nusselt number are finally shown in tabular form.     

Using online collaboration applications for group assignments: The interplay between design and human characteristics

In recent years, educators and students are increasingly employing online collaboration applications such as Google Docs™ and PBWorks™ for group projects and assignments. Yet, the effectiveness of these emerging technologies has not been rigorously examined. Anchoring upon and informed by the existing literature, two design characteristics – sociability and visibility, and two human characteristics – gender and age, are focused on, which are salient in online collaboration applications. A field experiment was conducted to examine the direct and moderating effects of design and human characteristics on learning outcomes. The research found that sociability improved process satisfaction and positive social environment while visibility enhanced academic performance and solution satisfaction of learners. Males had higher solution satisfaction while older learners had higher academic performance. Moderating effects were also found. Both theoretical and practical implications are drawn. In particular, a rubric for online collaboration application selection for academic performance is conceived. This study provides empirical support for online collaboration application effectiveness in education which will augur well for future adoption, use and evolution.     

DCT- and DST-based splitting methods for Toeplitz systems

New splitting iterative methods for Toeplitz systems are proposed by means of recently developed matrix splittings based on discrete sine and cosine transforms due to Kailath and Olshevsky [Displacement structure approach to discrete-trigonometric transform-based preconditioners of G. Strang type and of T. Chan type, SIAM J. Matrix Anal. Appl. 26 (2005), pp. 706–734]. Theoretical analysis shows that new splitting iterative methods converge to the unique solution of a symmetric Toeplitz linear system. Moreover, an upper bound of the contraction factor of our new splitting iterations is derived. Numerical examples are reported to illustrate the effectiveness of new splitting iterative methods.     

Relaxed parallel two-stage multisplitting methods II: Asynchronous version

Two classes of asynchronous relaxed parallel two-stage multisplitting methods based on extrapolated and AOR methods are studied for the solution of nonsingular linear systems, which are called asynchronous outer relaxed or inner relaxed parallel two-stage multisplitting methods. Convergence of these methods is studied for H-matrix. Almost all methods seen in literatures can be viewed as special cases of our methods.     

High-accuracy quadrature methods for solving boundary integral equations of steady-state anisotropic heat conduction problems with Dirichlet conditions

This paper presents the mechanical quadrature methods (MQMs) for solving the boundary integral equations of steady-state anisotropic heat conduction equation on the smooth domains and polygons, respectively. The costless and high-accurate Sidi–Israeli quadrature formula are applied to deal with the integrals in which the kernels have a logarithmic singularity. Especially, the Sidi transformation is used for the polygon cases in order to obtain a rapid convergence by degrading the singularity at the corners on the boundary. The convergence and stability of the MQMs solution are proved based on Anselone's collective compact theory. In addition, asymptotic error expansion of the MQMs shows that the approximation order is of O(h³), where h is the partition size of the boundary. Finally, numerical examples are tested and results verify the theoretical analysis.     

A probabilistic integrated object recognition and tracking framework

This paper describes a probabilistic integrated object recognition and tracking framework called PIORT, together with two specific methods derived from it, which are evaluated experimentally in several test video sequences. The first step in the proposed framework is a static recognition module that provides class probabilities for each pixel of the image from a set of local features. These probabilities are updated dynamically and supplied to a tracking decision module capable of handling full and partial occlusions. The two specific methods presented use RGB color features and differ in the classifier implemented: one is a Bayesian method based on maximum likelihood and the other one is based on a neural network. The experimental results obtained have shown that, on one hand, the neural net based approach performs similarly and sometimes better than the Bayesian approach when they are integrated within the tracking framework. And on the other hand, our PIORT methods have achieved better results when compared to other published tracking methods in video sequences taken with a moving camera and including full and partial occlusions of the tracked object.     

三唑类化合物分子结构与防治小麦锈病活性关系的研究

本文用多元线性回归分析、逐步线性回归分析、主成分回归分析和偏最小二乘分析方法研究了三唑类化合物结构与防治小麦锈病活性的关系，并建立了构效关系式。对该系列化合物结构的变化对其生物性的影响作了一定的探讨。提出了设计高活性化合物的可能结构要求，并将研究结果用于实际化合物的设计中，取得了初步结果。     

利用网络日志去探索影响网站访问的先决因素

如何优化网站结构、提高访问量呢?在本文中,我们将提出一些客观方法来探讨网站的访问与一些先决因素之间关系,这些先决因素在早期利用web日志的研究中都曾经验证过。我们从万达公司网站(www.wondersgroup.com)上采集了日志数据,并建立了一个研究模型来解释这个关系。