Statistical analyses of electromyographic activity in spasmodic dysphonic and normal control subjects

Heterogeneity in the quality and task sensitivity of vocal symptoms in the spasmodic dysphonia (SD) population contributes to controversy as to whether this is a single disorder or two disorders with different etiologies (neurogenic versus psychogenic). Perceptual and acoustic assessments of vocal symptoms are inadequate to resolve this controversy. However, myoelectric events are intimately proximal to the source of vocal disruption and may be informative. The present report employs statistical modeling of quantitative amplitude measures of electromyographic activity recorded from thyroarytenoid to examine neuromotor bases of vocal symptoms in SD. Consideration of perceptual ratings of the quality and task sensitivity of vocal symptoms in the context of statistical models provides support for the conclusion that the range of vocal symptoms identified as SD represents a single, neurogenic disorder.     

Global Optimization of 0-1 Hyperbolic Programs

We develop eight different mixed-integer convex programming reformulations of 0-1 hyperbolic programs. We obtain analytical results on the relative tightness of these formulations and propose a branch and bound algorithm for 0-1 hyperbolic programs. The main feature of the algorithm is that it reformulates the problem at every node of the search tree. We demonstrate that this algorithm has a superior convergence behavior than directly solving the relaxation derived at the root node. The algorithm is used to solve a discrete p-choice facility location problem for locating ten restaurants in the city of Edmonton.The research was supported in part by NSF awards DMII 95-02722 and BES 98-73586 to NVS.     

De novo synthesis of a galacto-papulacandin moiety via an iterative dihydroxylation strategy

A short and highly efficient route to both the pyranose and furanose forms of a galacto-papulacandin ring system has been developed. The key to the overall transformation is the sequential two osmium-catalyzed dihydroxylation reactions of substituted 2,4-dienone. The resulting tetrol can be efficiently transformed into the two spiroketal moieties of galacto-papulacandin, which can also be inter-converted via acid catalyzed equilibration.     

Classification of limiting shapes for isotropic curve flows

A complete classification is given of curves in the plane which contract homothetically when evolved according to a power of their curvature. Applications are given to the limiting behaviour of the flows in various situations.

     

A Multi-Stage Stochastic Integer Programming Approach for Capacity Expansion under Uncertainty

This paper addresses a multi-period investment model for capacity expansion in an uncertain environment. Using a scenario tree approach to model the evolution of uncertain demand and cost parameters, and fixed-charge cost functions to model the economies of scale in expansion costs, we develop a multi-stage stochastic integer programming formulation for the problem. A reformulation of the problem is proposed using variable disaggregation to exploit the lot-sizing substructure of the problem. The reformulation significantly reduces the LP relaxation gap of this large scale integer program. A heuristic scheme is presented to perturb the LP relaxation solutions to produce good quality integer solutions. Finally, we outline a branch and bound algorithm that makes use of the reformulation strategy as a lower bounding scheme, and the heuristic as an upper bounding scheme, to solve the problem to global optimality. Our preliminary computational results indicate that the proposed strategy has significant advantages over straightforward use of commercial solvers.     

Imaging through scattering medium by recording 3D “spatial-frequential” interferograms

Speed acquisition for image formation process through scattering medium is a challenge in optical coherence tomography (OCT) approach. Besides time domain (TD), spectral Fourier domain (FD) is now widely studied. By using a swept laser source, we demonstrate that a particular time domain OCT method (optical SISAM correlator) can be simultaneously implemented in a single set-up with the corresponding Fourier domain OCT approach (spectral interferometry). Then, FD-OCT and TD-OCT signals are obtained by processing a 3D “spatial-frequential” interferences pattern. We show that these two numerical approaches can be complementary when imaging in scattering medium is achieved.     

Portraits of some representatives of metal boride carbide and boride silicide compounds

Different ternary alkaline-earth and rare-earth metal boron carbide and silicide compounds are examined using the solid-state language of Zintl-Klemm concept, band structures, and density of states, in order to show that the topology of the non-metal sub-lattice is highly dependent on the electron count. It is also shown that the chemistry of rare-earth metal-boron-silicon does not parallel that of rare-earth metal-boron-carbon. B-C bonds are easily formed in the latter, leading to a large variety of different structural arrangements, whereas Si-B bonds are hardly observed in the former, except in insertion compounds.     

Stereoselective synthesis of new spirobenzodihydropyrancyclohexanes

A stereoselective synthesis of unknown spirobenzodihydropyrancyclohexanes is described starting from arylcyclohexenes alkylated and cyclized via a coumarin intermediate and leading to new amino derivatives which are rigid analogs of dopamine.     

The inverse optimal value problem

This paper considers the following inverse optimization problem: given a linear program, a desired optimal objective value, and a set of feasible cost vectors, determine a cost vector such that the corresponding optimal objective value of the linear program is closest to the desired value. The above problem, referred here as the inverse optimal value problem, is significantly different from standard inverse optimization problems that involve determining a cost vector for a linear program such that a pre-specified solution vector is optimal. In this paper, we show that the inverse optimal value problem is NP-hard in general. We identify conditions under which the problem reduces to a concave maximization or a concave minimization problem. We provide sufficient conditions under which the associated concave minimization problem and, correspondingly, the inverse optimal value problem is polynomially solvable. For the case when the set of feasible cost vectors is polyhedral, we describe an algorithm for the inverse optimal value problem based on solving linear and bilinear programming problems. Some preliminary computational experience is reported.Mathematics Subject Classification (1999):49N45, 90C05, 90C25, 90C26, 90C31, 90C60Acknowledgement This research has been supported in part by the National Science Foundation under CAREER Award DMII-0133943. The authors thank two anonymous reviewers for valuable comments.     

Mechanism of combustion dynamics in a backward-facing step stabilized premixed flame

Combustion dynamics leading to thermoacoustic instability in a rearward-facing step stabilized premixed flame is experimentally examined with the objective of investigating the fluid dynamic mechanism that drives heat release rate fluctuations, and how it couples with the acoustic field. The field is probed visually, using linear photodiode arrays that capture the spatiotemporal distribution of CH* and OH*; an equivalence ratio monitor; and a number of pressure sensors. Results show resonance between the acoustic quarter wave mode of the combustion tunnel and a fluid dynamic mode of the wake. Under unstable conditions, the flame is convoluted around a large vortex that extends several step heights downstream. During a typical cycle, while the velocity is decreasing, the vortex grows, and the flame extends downstream around its outer edge. As the velocity reaches its minimum, becoming mostly negative, the vortex reaches its maximum size, and the flame collides with the upper wall; its leading edge folds, trapping reactants pockets, and its trailing edge propagates far upstream of the step. In the next phase, while the velocity is increasing, the heat release grows rapidly as trapped reactant’ pockets are consumed by flames converging towards their centers, and the upstream flame is dislodged back downstream. The heat release rate reaches its maximum halfway into the velocity rise period, leading the maximum velocity by about 90°. In this quarter-wave mode, the pressure leads the velocity by 90° as well, that is, it is in phase with the heat release rate. Numerical modeling results support this mechanism. Equivalence ratio contribution to the instability mechanism is shown to be minor, i.e., heat release dynamics are governed by the cyclical formation of the wake vortex and its interaction with the flame.