On the NP-Hardness of Approximating Ordering Constraint Satisfaction Problems

We show improved NP-hardness of approximating Ordering Constraint Satisfaction Problems (OCSPs). For the two most well-studied OCSPs, Maximum Acyclic Subgraph and Maximum Betweenness, we prove inapproximability of $14/15+\epsilon$ and $1/2+\epsilon$. An OCSP is said to be approximation resistant if it is hard to approximate better than taking a uniformly random ordering. We prove that the Maximum Non-Betweenness Problem is approximation resistant and that there are width-$m$ approximation-resistant OCSPs accepting only a fraction $1 / (m/2)!$ of assignments. These results provide the first examples of approximation-resistant OCSPs subject only to P $\neq$ \NP

A Microprocessor-Based System for Monitoring Gas Turbines

The development and testing of hardware and software for a microprocessor-based monitoring system for gas turbines is described in this paper. The operators of gas turbines can be trained to monitor running hours, slip between high and low pressure compressor spools and torque on the reduction gear-box under various conditions ofoperation. The system will replace the traditional method of monitoring these parameters which are more time consuming and error prone

Semiclassical Moser--Trudinger inequalities

We extend the Moser--Trudinger inequality of one function to systems of orthogonal functions. Our results are asymptotically sharp when applied to the collective behavior of eigenfunctions of Schr\"odinger operators on bounded domains.Comment: 18 page

Potential of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Preventive Management of Novel H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) Pandemic: Thwarting Potential Disasters in the Bud

The emergence of novel H1N1 has posed a situation that warrants urgent global attention. Though antiviral drugs are available in mainstream medicine for treating symptoms of swine flu, currently there is no preventive medicine available. Even when available, they would be in short supply and ineffective in a pandemic situation, for treating the masses worldwide. Besides the development of drug resistance, emergence of mutant strains of the virus, emergence of a more virulent strain, prohibitive costs of available drugs, time lag between vaccine developments, and mass casualties would pose difficult problems. In view of this, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) offers a plethora of interesting preventive possibilities in patients. Herbs exhibit a diverse array of biological activities and can be effectively harnessed for managing pandemic flu. Potentially active herbs can serve as effective anti influenza agents. The role of CAM for managing novel H1N1 flu and the mode of action of these botanicals is presented here in an evidence-based approach that can be followed to establish their potential use in the management of influenza pandemics. The complementary and alternative medicine approach deliberated in the paper should also be useful in treating the patients with serious influenza in non pandemic situations

System for Detection of Malicious Wireless Device Patterns

The research within presents the use of Hidden Markov Models (HMM) for the detection of wireless devices in highly noisy environments using their unintended electromagnetic emissions (UEE). All electromagnetic devices emit such radiation that is unique to the electronics, housing, and other device attributes. This pattern recognition system can provide continuous detection analysis and can provide ideal information regarding the distance to an unknown device. An experiment was performed where UEE of a device was detected by a spectrum analyzer. Experimental result shows that our model can accurately detect if there is a device nearby emitting UEE or not

Inclusion parameters of pioglitazone hydrochloride and glipizide with β-cyclodextrin and its methyl derivative: calorimetric and

Solution calorimetry, a direct method to determine the thermodynamic parameters was used to investigate the inclusion phenomenon (stability constant, K; complexation enthalpy, ΔHo) of two poorly soluble oral hypoglycemic agents, pioglitazone hydrochloride  (pioglitazone HCl) and glipizide with ß- cyclodextrin (ß-CD) and its methyl derivative (methyl-ß-CD). The inclusion complexes prepared by kneading were characterized in the solid state by differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray powder diffraction. The host-guest geometry and stoichiometry for the complexes indicated by proton NMR studies was confirmed by solution calorimetry. In case of pioglitazone HCl, two types of 1:1 complexes co-existing in solution have been revealed as pyridine ring as well as thiazoledione ring can be included in the cavity of cyclodextrin. The value of K1 and K2 determined using two class binding model utilizing non-linear least square regression was found to be 1940 M-1 and 1478 M-1 at pH 8 for complex with ß-CD. Glipizide, a bigger molecule showed 1:2 complex with ß-CD with a stability constant of 1880 M-1 at pH 8 with ß-CD. The magnitude of equilibrium constants decreased at pH 4 which is attributed to the presence of ionized species for both the drug molecules at lower pH. The inclusion of the drugs in the cyclodextrin cavity is an exothermic process accompanied by small negative value of ΔGo and positive value of ΔSo. The magnitude of equilibrium constant increased with the use of methyl-ß-CD for both drugs indicating their better complexing ability. This supports the enhanced solubility and dissolution rates observed with methyl-ß-CD.© 2010 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.Keywords: Pioglitazone, glipizide, encapsulation, solubility, calorimetry, equilibrium constant

Computer aided Warship Stability Assessment

Computer aided warship stability assessment, software program effectively puts a ship stability expert onboard and provides ship board personnel with a rapid and accurate means to assess changes in vessel's stability. These changes may be :Routine - as the ship is loaded/unloaded in harbour or due to consumables enroute.Emergency - when the ship suffers collision/battle damage underway and begins to take on water.After assessing the stability status, the program helps the crew to determine the actions needed to restore optimum stability

Use of mifepristone for termination of intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD) in previously scarred uterus in later half of pregnancy (>20 weeks)

Background: Mifepristone has the potential to be used as an agent for induction of labour by increasing the uterine contractility and increasing the sensitivity of uterus to prostaglandins. The present study is an endeavor to study the effect of mifepristone alone to induce labour in scarred uterus and its risk benefit ratio.Methods: Total 39 patients with IUFD and previous uterine surgery were included in the study after their informed consent. All women in the study were given Tablet Mifepristone 200 mg orally, thrice a day, maximum 6 doses (Max -1200 mg) over a duration of 48 hours. Patients were monitored for vitals, the uterine contractions and any bleeding per vaginum. Next dose of drug was omitted if sufficient uterine contractions or cervical dilatation ≥2.5 cm achieved. Patients were shifted to the labour room after onset of active labour. Labour was augmented with oxytocin wherever required.Results: spontaneous labour occurred in 74.3% (29/39) women while operative (cesarean/ hysterotomy) delivery occurred in 17.9% (07/39). Mean induction (first dose of mifepristone) to delivery interval was 51.5 hrs in second trimester while 59.8 hrs in third trimester women. Oxytocin augmentation was done in 8 (20.5 %) women.Conclusions: The potential advantage of mifepristone over prostaglandins and oxytocin, is mainly in situations where they are contraindicated (i.e., scarred uterus). In this study authors found that with mifepristone only regimen is quite safe and effective, inducing spontaneous labour in 74.3% (29/39) women with IUFD and in reducing the operative (cesarean/ hysterotomy) delivery (17.9%)