Scheduling data transfers in a network and the set scheduling problem

In this paper we consider the online ftp problem. The goal is to service a sequence of file transfer requests given bandwidth constraints of the underlying communication network. The main result of the paper is a technique that leads to algorithms that optimize several natural metrics, such as max-stretch, total flow time, max flow time, and total completion time. In particular, we show how to achieve optimum total flow time and optimum max-stretch if we increase the capacity of the underlying network by a logarithmic factor. We show that the resource augmentation is necessary by proving polynomial lower bounds on the max-stretch and total flow time for the case where online and offline algorithms are using same-capacity edges. Moreover, we also give polylogarithmic lower bounds on the resource augmentation factor necessary in order to keep the total flow time and max-stretch within a constant factor of optimum.     

Stability of a deflagration front in compressible media

A two-dimensional linear analysis of the planar flame front stability for a compressible fluid is presented. The analysis shows that there are two types of perturbations. The first type, corresponding to waves in incompressible media, has already been studied by Landau. It predicts absolute instability of the flame front. The second type of perturbations is due to fluid compressibility and the dependence on upstream flow parameters of the flame front velocity. Three different regimes for these perturbations are possible: stable, acoustically unstable, and absolutely unstable. The instability results in a pronounced pressure wave generation.A one-dimensional analysis of the interaction of the flame front with flow boundaries is performed. Under some circumstances, this interaction is shown to cause exponential growth of the perturbations.     

Newby shift ofK=0 rotational bands in odd-odd rare-earths

A data set of 29 experimentally determined Newby shifts in rare-earth nuclei is examined for the reliability of each values. Using this data set, Newby shifts are obtained which are free from the Coriolis and the particle-particle coupling effects. These new empirical values help resolve the failure of a recently proposed rule for the sign of the Newby shift in the {5/2[413]p − 5/2[642]n} configuration of¹⁶⁰Tb and the {5/2[402]p − 5/2[512]n} configuration of¹⁷⁴Lu. Also the Newby shifts are significantly modified in two other cases namely the {1/2[411]p − 1/2[521]n} configuration in¹⁶⁸Tm and the {1/2[541]p − 1/2[521]n} configuration in¹⁷²Lu. Only marginal changes are seen in the rest of the cases in the rare-earth nuclei.     

Radiation induced synthesis and swelling characterization of thermo-responsive N-isopropylacrylamide-co-ionic hydrogels

Two-component thermo-responsive hydrogels poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-co-vinylbenzyltrimethylammonium chloride (NIPA-co-VBT) and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-co-p-sodium styrene sulphonate (NIPA-co-SSS) were prepared by using high energy gamma radiation. The gels were characterized by Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and sol-gel analysis. The presence of ionic monomers in NIPA leads to lower gel content. Introduction of ionic components in the matrix enhanced swelling extent but caused slower volume transition. The swelling studies in alcohol indicated that swelling extent was function of polarity of the swelling medium and all gels followed the order water > methanol > ethanol > iso-propanol. In mixed co-solvents (water-alcohol), they exhibit complex reentrant behavior. The co-polymer gels containing VBT swelled faster and to higher extent than those containing SSS. The dynamic swelling studies indicated that diffusion of water in PNIPA gel shifts from Fickian for PNIPA to anomalous for NIPA-co-ionic gels also the mean swelling time (MST) decreases for gels containing ionic monomers.     

A sensitive solid-phase fluoroimmunoassay for detection of opiates in urine

An automated flow fluorometer designed for kinetic binding analysis was adapted to develop a solid-phase competitive fluoroimmunoassay for urinalysis of opiates. The solid phase consisted of polymer beads coated with commercial monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) raised against morphine. Fluorescein-conjugated morphine (FL-MOR) was used as the fluorescein-labeled hapten. The dissociation equilibrium constant (K _D ) for the binding of FL-MOR to the anti-MOR MAb was 0.23 nM. The binding of FL-MOR to the anti-MOR MAb reached steady state within minutes and was displaced effectively by morphine and other opiates. Morphine-3-glucuronide (M3G), the major urinary metabolite of heroin and morphine, competed effectively with FL-MOR in a concentration-dependent manner for binding to the antimorphine MAb and was therefore used to construct the calibration curve. The sensitivity of the assay was 0.2 ng/mL for M3G. The assay was effective at concentrations of M3G from 0.2 to 50 ng/mL, with an IC₅₀ of 2 ng/mL. Other opiates and heroin metabolites that showed >50% crossreactivity when present at 1 μg/mL included codeine, morphine-6-glucuronide, and oxycodone. Methadone showed very low crossreactivity (<5%), which is a benefit for testing in patients being treated for opiate addictions. The high sensitivity of the assay and the relatively high cutoff value for positive opiate tests allows very small sample volumes (e.g., in saliva or sweat) to be analyzed. A double-blind comparison using 205 clinical urine samples showed good agreement between this single-step competitive assay and a commercially performed enzyme multiplied immunoassay technique for the detection of opiates and benzoylecgonine (a metabolite of cocaine).     

Stabilization of platinum(II) hydrides by tri-t-butylarsine; facile syntheses of stable trans-PtH2[As(t-Bu)3]2 and trans-PtHX[As(t-Bu)3]2 complexes

trans-PtH₂[As(t-Bu)₃]₂ was prepared in very good yield by afacile reaction of K₂PtC1₄ with As(t-Bu)₃ in alkaline ethanol. Treatment of trans-PtH₂[As(t-Bu)₃]₂ with CF₃CO₂H or HCI afforded trans-PtH(O₂CCF₃)[As(t-Bu)₃]₂ or trans-PtHCl[As(t-Bu)₃]₂. respectively, in almost quantitative yield.     

Some chemistry of mixed ligand complexes of platinum

Simple synthetic routes to the mixed ligand complexes PtLL'X₂ and PtLL'XY (L' = PEt₃; L = phosphine, arsine, etc.; X = Cl and Y = Cl, H or Me) are described; unexpectedly, these display an extensive chemistry without disproportionation, although in some cases ligand scrambling does occur.