Dynamic load balancing algorithm complexity

This paper presents a theoretical analysis of the asymptotic complexity inherent in a load balancing algorithm in a loosely-coupled network, where processor communication is achieved by message passing. The load balancing complexity depends on the network topology and the overhead of processor communication for each polling strategy. The best, worst, and average case analysis of the load balancing algorithms for the various polling topologies are presented. The polling strategies considered are local, global, and random polling. The complexity is presented as a function of the number of processors in the network

SciRecSys: A Recommendation System for Scientific Publication by Discovering Keyword Relationships

In this work, we propose a new approach for discovering various relationships among keywords over the scientific publications based on a Markov Chain model. It is an important problem since keywords are the basic elements for representing abstract objects such as documents, user profiles, topics and many things else. Our model is very effective since it combines four important factors in scientific publications: content, publicity, impact and randomness. Particularly, a recommendation system (called SciRecSys) has been presented to support users to efficiently find out relevant articles

The Distance to the Vela Supernova Remnant

We have obtained high resolution Ca II and Na I absorption line spectra toward 68 OB stars in the direction of the Vela Supernova Remnant. The stars lie at distances of 190 -- 2800 pc as determined by Hipparcos and spectroscopic parallax estimations. The presence of high velocity absorption attributable to the remnant along some of the sight lines constrains the remnant distance to 250+/-30 pc. This distance is consistent with several recent investigations that suggest that the canonical remnant distance of 500 pc is too large.Comment: To be published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters Figure 1 y-axis labels correcte

Essential pediatric hypertension: defining the educational needs of primary care pediatricians

BACKGROUND: In order to better understand the educational needs regarding appropriate recognition, diagnosis and management of pediatric hypertension (HTN), we asked practicing pediatricians questions regarding their educational needs and comfort level on this topic. METHODS: We conducted 4 focus group sessions that included 27 participants representing pediatric residents, adolescent medicine physicians, clinic based pediatricians and office based pediatricians. Each focus group session lasted for approximately an hour and 90 pages of total transcriptions were produced verbatim from audio recordings. RESULTS: Four reviewers read each transcript and themes were elucidated from these transcripts. Overall, 5 major themes related to educational needs and clinical concerns were found: utilization of resources to define blood pressure (BP), correct BP measurement method(s), co-morbidities, barriers to care, and experience level with HTN. Six minor themes were also identified: differences in BP measurement, accuracy of BP, recognition of HTN, practice pattern of care, education of families and patients, and differences in level of training. The focus group participants were also questioned on their preferences regarding educational methods (i.e. e-learning, small group sessions, self-study, large group presentations) and revealed varied teaching and learning preferences. CONCLUSIONS: There are multiple methods to approach education regarding pediatric HTN for primary care pediatricians based on provider preferences and multiple educational activities should be pursued to achieve best outcomes. Based on this data, the next direction will be to develop and deliver multiple educational methods and to evaluate the impact on practice patterns of care for children and adolescents with HTN

Localized ferromagnetic resonance force microscopy in permalloy-cobalt films

We report Ferromagnetic Resonance Force Microscopy (FMRFM) experiments on a justaposed continuous films of permalloy and cobalt. Our studies demonstrate the capability of FMRFM to perform local spectroscopy of different ferromagnetic materials. Theoretical analysis of the uniform resonance mode near the edge of the film agrees quantitatively with experimental data. Our experiments demonstrate the micron scale lateral resolution in determining local magnetic properties in continuous ferromagnetic samples.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figure

Case-based reasoning approach to estimating the strength of sustainable concrete

Continuing from previous studies of sustainable concrete containing environmentally friendly materials and existing modeling approach to predicting concrete properties, this study developed an estimation methodology to predicting the strength of sustainable concrete using an advanced case-based reasoning approach. It was conducted in two steps: (i) establishment of a case database and (ii) development of an advanced case-based reasoning model. Through the experimental studies, a total of 144 observations for concrete compressive strength and tensile strength were established to develop the estimation model. As a result, the prediction accuracy of the A-CBR model (i.e., 95.214% for compressive strength and 92.448% for tensile strength) performed superior to other conventional methodologies (e.g., basic case-based reasoning and artificial neural network models). The developed methodology provides an alternative approach in predicting concrete properties and could be further extended to the future research area in durability of sustainable concrete

A comparison of two scales for assessing health professional students’ attitude toward interprofessional learning

Rationale : The validated 19-item Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale (RIPLS) is often used for assessing attitudes toward interprofessional education (IPE). The 12-item Interdisciplinary Education Perception Scale (IEPS), also used for this purpose, has not been validated among the professions of medicine, pharmacy, and physician assistants (PAs). The discriminatory ability of the two scales has not been directly compared. Comparison of the two will aid educators in selecting the optimal scale. Objective : To compare psychometric properties of the RIPLS and IEPS and to examine the ability of each scale to discriminate mean scores among student subgroups (gender, profession, seniority, and prior IPE exposure). Method : We conducted a cross-sectional (Qualtrics©) survey (RIPLS and IEPS) of junior and senior students in medicine (n=360), pharmacy (n=360), and the PA profession (n=106). Descriptive statistics were used to report aggregate mean scores of subgroups. The internal consistency of each scale was assessed using Cronbach's α. Concurrent validity was measured by Pearson's correlation coefficients. Independent-sample t-tests and analysis of variances (ANOVAs) were performed to assess the discriminatory ability of each scale. Cohen's d effect sizes were calculated for all significant pair-wise comparisons. Results : Response rate was 82%. Cronbach's α was 0.85 (RIPLS) and 0.91 (IEPS). The RIPLS discriminated scores by gender among junior students only, and scores by IPE exposure among all students. The IEPS distinguished score differences for the three professions among junior students and by prior IPE exposure for all three professions. Neither scale detected differences in mean scores by profession among all students or by level of training among the three professions. Conclusions : Neither the RIPLS nor the IEPS has greater discriminatory ability for detecting attitude differences among the student subgroups. Reason for differences may be explained by slightly different scale constructs. The RIPLS is designed to assess students’ own attitude toward interprofessional learning, while the IEPS discerns perceived attitudes about team collaboration for students’ own professions and may be more appropriate for more advanced students

Screening effects in superconductors

The partition function of the Hubbard model with local attraction and long range Coulomb repulsion between electrons is written as a functional integral with an action $A$ involving a pairing field $\Delta$ and a local potential $V$. After integration over $V$ and over fluctuations in $|\Delta|^{2}$, the final form of $A$ involves a Josephson coupling between the local phases of $\Delta$ and a "kinetic energy" term, representing the screened Coulomb interaction between charge fluctuations. The competition between Josephson coupling and charging energy allows to understand the relation between $T_{C}$ and composition in high-$T_{C}$ materials, in particular superlattices, alloys and bulk systems of low doping.Comment: 4 pages, revtex, no figures, submitted to Physica B (Proceedings of SCES '96 International Conference, held in Zurich from 19th to 21st of August