80,380 research outputs found
Is Our Model for Contention Resolution Wrong?
Randomized binary exponential backoff (BEB) is a popular algorithm for
coordinating access to a shared channel. With an operational history exceeding
four decades, BEB is currently an important component of several wireless
standards. Despite this track record, prior theoretical results indicate that
under bursty traffic (1) BEB yields poor makespan and (2) superior algorithms
are possible. To date, the degree to which these findings manifest in practice
has not been resolved.
To address this issue, we examine one of the strongest cases against BEB:
packets that simultaneously begin contending for the wireless channel. Using
Network Simulator 3, we compare against more recent algorithms that are
inspired by BEB, but whose makespan guarantees are superior. Surprisingly, we
discover that these newer algorithms significantly underperform. Through
further investigation, we identify as the culprit a flawed but common
abstraction regarding the cost of collisions. Our experimental results are
complemented by analytical arguments that the number of collisions -- and not
solely makespan -- is an important metric to optimize. We believe that these
findings have implications for the design of contention-resolution algorithms.Comment: Accepted to the 29th ACM Symposium on Parallelism in Algorithms and
Architectures (SPAA 2017
The structure of rotational bands in alpha-cluster nuclei
In this contribution, I discuss an algebraic treatment of alpha-cluster
nuclei based on the introduction of a spectrum generating algebra for the
relative motion of the alpha-clusters. Particular attention is paid to the
discrete symmetry of the geometric arrangement of the alpha-particles, and the
consequences for the structure of the rotational bands in the 12C and 16O
nuclei.Comment: 3 pages, 3 figures, invited talk, CGS15, Dresden, August 25-29, 201
Syndrome of inappropriate anti-diuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) and posterior cerebral artery ischaemic event : two uncommon complications following posterior fossa decompression
Neurosurgical procedures in cases of Type 1 Arnold Chiari Malformation (ACM) may result in a wide spectrum of complications. We report a case of a sixty-four year lady who underwent an elective posterior fossa decompression for Type 1 ACM. The procedure was complicated by syndrome of inappropriate anti-diuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) and an ischaemic cerebrovascular event affecting the posterior cerebral artery. The association of these complications with the procedure is rarely described in the literature. In spite of the poor prognosis associated with such complications, the patient made a relatively quick and uneventful recovery.peer-reviewe
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A comparison of stage-specific all-cause mortality between testicular sex cord stromal tumors and germ cell tumors: results from the National Cancer Database.
BackgroundTesticular sex cord stromal tumors (SCSTs) are managed similarly to germ cell tumors (GCTs); however, few studies have directly compared outcomes between these tumor types. Using the National Cancer Database (NCDB), we sought to compare overall and stage-specific all-cause mortality (ACM) between SCSTs versus GCTs.MethodsNCDB was queried for patients diagnosed with SCSTs and GCTs between 2004 and 2013. Descriptive statistics were used to compare sociodemographic and clinical characteristics between groups. Univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were used to assess associations with ACM.ResultsWe identified 42,192 patients diagnosed with testicular cancer between 2004 and 2013, with 280 having SCSTs and 41,912 patients having GCTs. Median age for SCSTs and GCTs was 45 (interquartile range [IQR] 34-59) and 34 (IQR 27-43), respectively (p <â0.001). Median follow-up was 39 and 52âmonths, respectively. Overall, patients with SCSTs had greater risk of ACM compared to those with GCTs (HR 1.69, 95% CI 1.14-2.50). Private insurance, greater education, and fewer comorbidities were associated with reduced risk of ACM (p <â0.05 for all). Among those with stage I disease, tumor type was not associated with ACM on multivariable analysis. Among those with stage II/III disease, patients with SCSTs had increased risk of ACM compared to patients with GCTs (HR 3.29, 95% CI 1.89-5.72).ConclusionsPatients with advanced SCSTs had worse survival outcomes compared to those with advanced GCTs. These data suggest a need for further investigation to ascertain effective management recommendations for SCSTs
Emotions in context: examining pervasive affective sensing systems, applications, and analyses
Pervasive sensing has opened up new opportunities for measuring our feelings and understanding our behavior by monitoring our affective states while mobile. This review paper surveys pervasive affect sensing by examining and considering three major elements of affective pervasive systems, namely; âsensingâ, âanalysisâ, and âapplicationâ. Sensing investigates the different sensing modalities that are used in existing real-time affective applications, Analysis explores different approaches to emotion recognition and visualization based on different types of collected data, and Application investigates different leading areas of affective applications. For each of the three aspects, the paper includes an extensive survey of the literature and finally outlines some of challenges and future research opportunities of affective sensing in the context of pervasive computing
Research Priorities for Robust and Beneficial Artificial Intelligence
Success in the quest for artificial intelligence has the potential to bring
unprecedented benefits to humanity, and it is therefore worthwhile to
investigate how to maximize these benefits while avoiding potential pitfalls.
This article gives numerous examples (which should by no means be construed as
an exhaustive list) of such worthwhile research aimed at ensuring that AI
remains robust and beneficial.Comment: This article gives examples of the type of research advocated by the
open letter for robust & beneficial AI at
http://futureoflife.org/ai-open-lette
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