Towards objective measures of algorithm performance across instance space

This paper tackles the difficult but important task of objective algorithm performance assessment for optimization. Rather than reporting average performance of algorithms across a set of chosen instances, which may bias conclusions, we propose a methodology to enable the strengths and weaknesses of different optimization algorithms to be compared across a broader instance space. The results reported in a recent Computers and Operations Research paper comparing the performance of graph coloring heuristics are revisited with this new methodology to demonstrate (i) how pockets of the instance space can be found where algorithm performance varies significantly from the average performance of an algorithm; (ii) how the properties of the instances can be used to predict algorithm performance on previously unseen instances with high accuracy; and (iii) how the relative strengths and weaknesses of each algorithm can be visualized and measured objectively

Chemistry for Sustainable Development 15 (2007) 465-471 Quality Enhancement of Straight-Run Petroleum Fractions from High-Wax Mongolian Oils

Abstract The effect of ozonation and dewaxing of Mongolian high-wax oils on the hydrocarbon type composition of petroleum fractions has been studied. The evolution of composition and properties of straight-run petroleum fractions (IBP 180 o C) during reforming on a zeolite catalyst has been examined. It has been demonstrated that after ozonation followed by oil thermolysis the petroleum fractions are enriched with aromatic hydrocarbons while the content of naphthenic ones diminishes. Dewaxing of high-wax oil with liquefied gas has been shown to remove predominantly normal alkanes from petroleum fractions. It has been demonstrated that on catalytic thermal refining of straight-run petroleum fractions the products obtained are depleted of normal paraffin and naphthenic hydrocarbons by 2-5 times, enriched with aromatics by 2-4 times, octane rating of gasoline is enhanced by 18-40 points

Minimizing the number of apertures in multileaf collimator sequencing with field splitting

In this paper we consider the problem of decomposing a given integer matrix A into an integer conic combination of consecutive-ones matrices with a bound on the number of columns per matrix. This problem is of relevance in the realization stage of intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) using linear accelerators and multileaf collimators with limited width. Constrained and unconstrained versions of the problem with the objectives of minimizing beam-on time and decomposition cardinality are considered. We introduce a new approach which can be used to find the minimum beam-on time for both constrained and unconstrained versions of the problem. The decomposition cardinality problem is shown to be NP-hard and an approach is proposed to solve the lexicographic decomposition problem of minimizing the decomposition cardinality subject to optimal beam-on time

Synthesis of the local knowledge and ecology of vansemberuu (Saussurea dorogostaiskii Palib.) for conservation, Darkhad Valley, Khuvsgul, Mongolia

Vansemberuu, Saussurea dorogostaiskii Palib., is a Critically Endangered plant endemic to northern Mongolia and central southern Russia. A poor competitor species growing in alpine talus, it is listed as threatened by climate change, medicinal harvest, and overgrazing, and its cultural significance and ecology is minimally documented. In Mongolia, this species is primarily found in the conserved area surrounding the Darkhad Valley, overseen by the Ulaan Taiga Protected Areas Administration (UTPAA), but management plans are absent. As requested by the UTPAA, I studied the uses, value, local knowledge, and habitat of this species through both Traditional and Scientific Ecological Knowledge of this species, to construct management recommendations. To document and find themes in the local knowledge, I conducted, coded, and compared open ended interviews with Darkhad citizens to determine their knowledge and values about the specie’s ecology, harvest, and conservation, and how that related to demographics. I found themes of distrust, knowledge loss, and intrinsic value of the plant. To assess its habitat on a macro and micro scale, I compared environmental factors of topography, plant community composition, talus, and soil where the plant grew and did not and created a model for its presence. I found the plant grew on steeper slopes with lower plant coverage, greater talus coverage, and warmer soils. A model that includes ammonium, rock coverage, and soil temperature best accounted for the presence of vansemberuu. Furthermore, both local and personal field observations describe this plant as growing in clusters in talus with some vegetation and soil. I recommend management actions that include Community Based Conservation Management through collaboration, increased education based upon traditional knowledge, in situ cultivation research and efforts, and continued assessment. Conservation efforts necessitate local and scientific knowledge of S. dorogostaiskii and management must include the community to work towards the survival and continued use of this species

Emerging Infectious Diseases in Mongolia

Since 1990, Mongolia’s health system has been in transition. Impressive gains have been accomplished through a national immunization program, which was instituted in 1991. Nevertheless, the country continues to confront four major chronic infections: hepatitis B and C, brucellosis, tuberculosis, and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). As of 2001, only two cases of HIV infections had been detected in Mongolia, but concern grows that the rate will increase along with the rising rates of STDs and increase in tourism. Other infectious diseases of importance in Mongolia include echinococcus, plague, tularemia, anthrax, foot-and-mouth, and rabies

A genome-wide library of MADM mice for single-cell genetic mosaic analysis

Mosaic analysis with double markers (MADM) offers one approach to visualize and concomitantly manipulate genetically defined cells in mice with single-cell resolution. MADM applications include the analysis of lineage, single-cell morphology and physiology, genomic imprinting phenotypes, and dissection of cell-autonomous gene functions in vivo in health and disease. Yet, MADM can only be applied to 96% of the entire mouse genome can now be subjected to single-cell genetic mosaic analysis. Beyond a proof of principle, we apply our MADM library to systematically trace sister chromatid segregation in distinct mitotic cell lineages. We find striking chromosome-specific biases in segregation patterns, reflecting a putative mechanism for the asymmetric segregation of genetic determinants in somatic stem cell division

Studies on the Anti-Oxidative Function of trans-Cinnamaldehyde-Included β-Cyclodextrin Complex

trans-Cinnamaldehyde (tCIN), an active compound found in cinnamon, is well known for its antioxidant, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory activities. The β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) oligomer has been used for a variety of applications in nanotechnology, including pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications. Here, we aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of tCIN self-included in β-CD complexes (CIs) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated murine RAW 264.7 macrophages. RAW 264.7 macrophages were treated with increasing concentrations of β-CD, tCIN, or CIs for different times. β-CD alone did not affect the production of nitric oxide (NO) or reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, both tCIN and CI significantly reduced NO and ROS production. Thus, CIs may have strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, similar to those of tCIN when used alone

Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness Dataset: Mongolia (2013)

Anonymous participant level dataset including variables for visual acuity, spectacle use, lens status, cause of vision impairment, cataract surgical history, barriers to cataract surgery and population count data for five-year age-gender groups for males and females 50 years and olde