Polynomial-time approximation schemes for packing and piercing fat objects

We consider two problems: given a collection of n fat objects in a fixed dimension, (1) ( packing) find the maximum subcollection of pairwise disjoint objects, and (2) ( piercing) find the minimum point set that intersects every object. Recently, Erlebach, Jansen, and Seidel gave a polynomial-time approximation scheme (PTAS) for the packing problem, based on a shifted hierarchical subdivision method. Using shifted quadtrees, we describe a similar algorithm for packing but with a smaller time bound. Erlebach et al.'s algorithm requires polynomial space. We describe a different algorithm, based on geometric separators, that requires only linear space. This algorithm can also be applied to piercing, yielding the first PTAS for that problem.     

Effect of biotransformation on multispecies plume evolution and natural attenuation

Biological transformation of volatile organic compounds is one of the key factors that influence contaminant-plume evolution and thus natural attenuation. In this study we investigate the effect of biological transformation on the transport of contaminants in the aqueous and gaseous phases. The analysis includes the study of the effect of density-driven advection of contaminants in the gaseous phase on multiphase and multispecies flow, fate and transport modeling in the subsurface. Trichloroethylene (TCE) and its two byproducts, dichloroethylene and vinyl chloride, are analyzed as the target contaminants. Our results indicate that density-driven advection of the gaseous phase, which is initiated by evaporation of TCE as a nonaqueous phase liquid, increases the downward and also the lateral migration of TCE within the unsaturated zone. This process also influences the location of high-concentration zones of the byproducts of TCE in the unsaturated and the saturated zones. Biotransformation of TCE contributes to the reduction of dissolved TCE plume development as expected. The daughter byproducts, which are introduced into the subsurface system, show distinct transport patterns as they are affected by their independent degradation kinetics and density-driven advection. These observations, which are based on our simulation results for biotransformation and transport of TCE and its byproducts, are useful in evaluating the natural attenuation processes, its potential health hazards and also the evaluation of potential plume development at contaminated sites.     

On a dynamic fractional game

Consider a two-person zero-sum game constructed by a dynamic fractional form. We establish the upper value as well as the lower value of a dynamic fractional game, and prove that the dual gap is equal to zero under certain conditions. It is also established that the saddle point function exists in the fractional game system under certain conditions so that the equilibrium point exists in this game system.     

First order dynamic inclusions on time scales

In this paper, we study existence of solutions of first order dynamic inclusions on time scales with general boundary conditions. Both the ∇-derivative and Δ-derivative cases are considered. Examples are presented to illustrate that the Δ-derivative case needs more restrictive assumptions.     

Rheological properties of polyacrylates used as synthetic road binders

Most adhesives and binders, including bitumen for asphalt mixture production, are presently produced from petrochemicals after the refining of crude oil. The fact that crude oil reserves are a finite resource means that in the future, it may become necessary to produce these materials from alternative and probably renewable sources. Suitable resources of this kind may include polysaccharides, plant oils and proteins. This paper deals with the synthesis of polymer binders from monomers that could, in future, be derived from renewable resources. These binders consist of polyethyl acrylate (PEA) of different molecular weight, polymethyl acrylate (PMA) and polybutyl acrylate (PBA), which were synthesised from ethyl acrylate, methyl acrylate and butyl acrylate, respectively, by atom transfer radical polymerisation. The rheological properties of these binders were determined by means of oscillatory testing using a dynamic shear rheometer and combinations of stress/strain, temperature and frequency sweeps. The results indicate that PEA can be produced to have rheological properties similar to that of ‘soft’ 100/150 penetration grade bitumen, PMA with similar rheological properties to that of ‘hard’ 10/20 penetration grade bitumen, while PBA, due to its highly viscous nature and low dynamic moduli, cannot be used on its own as a binder. The synthetic polymers were found to be thermo-rheologically simple, and the shift factors, used to produce the dynamic moduli master curves, were found to fit an Arrhenius function.     

Study on a Distributed Wavelength Routing Algorithm in WDM Optical Transport Networks

A new design scheme for a distributed algorithm for routing and wavelength assignment (RWA) is developed in this paper, and the communication rules between the nodes to exchange signaling packets are discussed. The Adaptive-Alternate-Routing-Least-Load (AARLL) algorithm is implemented in the distributed scheme for the first time. Under dynamic traffic circumstances, the influence of the race condition, which does not exist in centralized scheme, on the network performance is analyzed and the analyzed results show that the race condition has a major impact on network performance only under light traffic load, while under medium and heavy traffic load the impact is very small. To analyze the performance loss caused by adopting the distributed algorithm for RWA, the capacity loss factor (CLF) is introduced and the calculated results show that CLF does not exceed 6% under medium traffic load.     

Java语言及其虚拟机技术探讨

随着Internet的迅猛发展，Internet编程语言Java愈来愈成为计算机行业的焦点。本文在简述了Java的主要特点后，重点对Java最关键的技术──虚拟机进行了深入的探讨。     

高速电视摄象系统的象质评价和动态计测精度

本文对高速摄象系统(包括电视摄象系统和光机式摄象系统)的象质评价方法予以讨论,并用实验方法对目前广泛使用的Kodak SP-2000、NAC HSV-200等高速电视摄象系统及我们自己开发的一维扫描电视摄象系统的象质,在新的定义下给出了评价,对它们的动态精度作了对比性测试,同时和光机式高速摄象系统作了比较。     

Learning and transfer in dynamic decision environments

An important aspect of learning is the ability to transfer knowledge to new contexts. However, in dynamic decision tasks, such as bargaining, firefighting, and process control, where decision makers must make repeated decisions under time pressure and outcome feedback may relate to any of a number of decisions, such transfer has proven elusive. This paper proposes a two-stage connectionist model which hypothesizes that decision makers learn to identify categories of evidence requiring similar decisions as they perform in dynamic environments. The model suggests conditions under which decision makers will be able to use this ability to help them in novel situations. These predictions are compared against those of a one-stage decision model that does not learn evidence categories, as is common in many current theories of repeated decision making. Both models' predictions are then tested against the performance of decision makers in an Internet bargaining task. Both models correctly predict aspects of decision makers' learning under different interventions. The two-stage model provides closer fits to decision maker performance in a new, related bargaining task and accounts for important features of higher-performing decision makers' learning. Although frequently omitted in recent accounts of repeated decision making, the processes of evidence category formation described by the two-stage model appear critical in understanding the extent to which decision makers learn from feedback in dynamic tasks. Faison (Bud) Gibson is an Assistant Professor at College of Business, Eastern Michigan University. He has extensive experience developing and empirically testing models of decision behavior in dynamic decision environments.