Extra unit-speed machines are almost as powerful as speedy machines for flow time scheduling

We study online scheduling of jobs to minimize the flow time and stretch on parallel machines. We consider algorithms that are given extra resources so as to compensate for the lack of future information. Recent results show that a modest increase in machine speed can provide very competitive performance; in particular, using O(1) times faster machines, the algorithm SRPT (shortest remaining processing time) is 1-competitive for both flow time [C. A. Phillips et al., in Proceedings of STOC, ACM, New York, 1997, pp. 140-149] and stretch [W. T. Chan et al., in Proceedings of MFCS, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 2005, pp. 236-247] and HDF (highest density first) is O(1)-competitive for weighted flow time [L. Becchetti et al., in Proceedings of RANDOM-APPROX, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 2001, pp. 36-47]. Using extra unit-speed machines instead of faster machines to achieve competitive performance is more challenging, as a faster machine can speed up a job but extra unit-speed machines cannot. This paper gives a nontrivial relationship between the extra-speed and extra-machine analyses. It shows that competitive results via faster machines can be transformed to similar results via extra machines, hence giving the first algorithms that, using O(1) times unit-speed machines, are 1-competitive for flow time and stretch and O(1)-competitive for weighted flow time. © 2008 Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics.published_or_final_versio

Photoelectrocatalytic oxidation of rhodamine B in aqueous solution using Ti/TiO?mesh photoelectrodes

Author name used in this publication: X. Z. LiAuthor name used in this publication: F. B. LiAuthor name used in this publication: C. L. Mak2001-2002 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journalAccepted ManuscriptPublishe

Frequency-Reconfigurable Antenna using Metasurface

A frequency-reconfigurable antenna designed using metasurface (MS) to operate at around 5 GHz is proposed and studied. The frequency-reconfigurable metasurfaced (FRMS) antenna is composed of a simple circular patch antenna and a circular MS with the same diameter of 40 mm (0.67 λ) and implemented using planar technology. The MS is placed directly atop the patch antenna, making the FRMS antenna very compact and low profile with a thickness of only 3.048 mm (0.05 λ). The MS consists of rectangular-loop unit cells placed periodically in the vertical and horizontal directions. Simulation results show that the operating frequency of the antenna can be tuned by physically rotating the MS around the center with respect to the patch antenna. The MS placed atop the patch antenna behaves like a dielectric substrate and rotating the MS changes the equivalent relative permittivity of the substrate and hence the operating frequency of the FRMS antenna. Measured results show that the antenna has a tuning range from 4.76 to 5.51 GHz, a fractional tuning range of 14.6%, radiation efficiency and a realized peak gain of more than 80% and 5 dBi, respectively, across the tuning range. © 2013 IEEE.published_or_final_versio

MT1-MMP cleaves Dll1 to negatively regulate Notch signalling to maintain normal B-cell development

Notch signalling controls the differentiation of haematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs). Here, we show that loss of membrane-type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP, MMP14), a cell surface protease expressed in bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs), increases Notch signalling in HPCs and specifically impairs B-lymphocyte development. When co-cultured with BMSCs in vitro, HPCs differentiation towards B lymphocytes is significantly compromised on MT1-MMP-deficient BMSCs and this defect could be completely rescued by DAPT, a specific Notch signalling inhibitor. The defective B-lymphocyte development could also be largely rescued by DAPT in vivo. MT1-MMP interacts with Notch ligand Delta-like 1 (Dll1) and promotes its cleavage on cell surface in BMSCs. Ectopic MT1-MMP cleaves Dll1 and results in diminished Notch signalling in co-cultured cells. In addition, recombinant MT1-MMP cleaves a synthetic Dll1 peptide at the same site where MT1-MMP cleaves Dll1 on the cell surface. Our data suggest that MT1-MMP directly cleaves Dll1 on BMSCs to negatively regulate Notch signalling to specifically maintain normal B-cell development in bone marrow. © 2011 European Molecular Biology Organization.postprin

Public knowledge of how to use an automatic external defibrillator in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Hong Kong

published_or_final_versio

Lie Detection using functional MRI

published_or_final_versio

On Feedback Vertex Set: New Measure and New Structures

We present a new parameterized algorithm for the {feedback vertex set} problem ({\sc fvs}) on undirected graphs. We approach the problem by considering a variation of it, the {disjoint feedback vertex set} problem ({\sc disjoint-fvs}), which finds a feedback vertex set of size $k$ that has no overlap with a given feedback vertex set $F$ of the graph $G$. We develop an improved kernelization algorithm for {\sc disjoint-fvs} and show that {\sc disjoint-fvs} can be solved in polynomial time when all vertices in $G \setminus F$ have degrees upper bounded by three. We then propose a new branch-and-search process on {\sc disjoint-fvs}, and introduce a new branch-and-search measure. The process effectively reduces a given graph to a graph on which {\sc disjoint-fvs} becomes polynomial-time solvable, and the new measure more accurately evaluates the efficiency of the process. These algorithmic and combinatorial studies enable us to develop an $O^*(3.83^k)$-time parameterized algorithm for the general {\sc fvs} problem, improving all previous algorithms for the problem.Comment: Final version, to appear in Algorithmic

Atomic-scale images of charge ordering in a mixed-valence manganite

Transition-metal perovskite oxides exhibit a wide range of extraordinary but imperfectly understood phenomena. Charge, spin, orbital, and lattice degrees of freedom all undergo order-disorder transitions in regimes not far from where the best-known of these phenomena, namely high-temperature superconductivity of the copper oxides, and the 'colossal' magnetoresistance of the manganese oxides, occur. Mostly diffraction techniques, sensitive either to the spin or the ionic core, have been used to measure the order. Unfortunately, because they are only weakly sensitive to valence electrons and yield superposition of signals from distinct mesoscopic phases, they cannot directly image mesoscopic phase coexistence and charge ordering, two key features of the manganites. Here we describe the first experiment to image charge ordering and phase separation in real space with atomic-scale resolution in a transition metal oxide. Our scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) data show that charge order is correlated with structural order, as well as with whether the material is locally metallic or insulating, thus giving an atomic-scale basis for descriptions of the manganites as mixtures of electronically and structurally distinct phases.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figures, 19 reference

A Rapid Assessment of the Quality of Neonatal Healthcare in Kilimanjaro Region, Northeast Tanzania.

While child mortality is declining in Africa there has been no evidence of a comparable reduction in neonatal mortality. The quality of inpatient neonatal care is likely a contributing factor but data from resource limited settings are few. The objective of this study was to assess the quality of neonatal care in the district hospitals of the Kilimanjaro region of Tanzania. Clinical records were reviewed for ill or premature neonates admitted to 13 inpatient health facilities in the Kilimanjaro region; staffing and equipment levels were also assessed. Among the 82 neonates reviewed, key health information was missing from a substantial proportion of records: on maternal antenatal cards, blood group was recorded for 52 (63.4%) mothers, Rhesus (Rh) factor for 39 (47.6%), VDRL for 59 (71.9%) and HIV status for 77 (93.1%). From neonatal clinical records, heart rate was recorded for3 (3.7%) neonates, respiratory rate in 14, (17.1%) and temperature in 33 (40.2%). None of 13 facilities had a functioning premature unit despite calculated gestational age <36 weeks in 45.6% of evaluated neonates. Intravenous fluids and oxygen were available in 9 out of 13 of facilities, while antibiotics and essential basic equipment were available in more than two thirds. Medication dosing errors were common; under-dosage for ampicillin, gentamicin and cloxacillin was found in 44.0%, 37.9% and 50% of cases, respectively, while over-dosage was found in 20.0%, 24.2% and 19.9%, respectively. Physician or assistant physician staffing levels by the WHO indicator levels (WISN) were generally low. Key aspects of neonatal care were found to be poorly documented or incorrectly implemented in this appraisal of neonatal care in Kilimanjaro. Efforts towards quality assurance and enhanced motivation of staff may improve outcomes for this vulnerable group

Effect of Pulsed or Continuous Delivery of Salt on Sensory Perception Over Short Time Intervals

Salt in the human diet is a major risk factor for hypertension and many countries have set targets to reduce salt consumption. Technological solutions are being sought to lower the salt content of processed foods without altering their taste. In this study, the approach was to deliver salt solutions in pulses of different concentrations to determine whether a pulsed delivery profile affected sensory perception of salt. Nine different salt profiles were delivered by a Dynataste device and a trained panel assessed their saltiness using time–intensity and single-score sensory techniques. The profile duration (15 s) was designed to match eating conditions and the effects of intensity and duration of the pulses on sensory perception were investigated. Sensory results from the profiles delivered in either water or in a bouillon base were not statistically different. Maximum perceived salt intensities and the area under the time– intensity curves correlated well with the overall perceived saltiness intensity despite the stimulus being delivered as several pulses. The overall saltiness scores for profiles delivering the same overall amount of sodium were statistically not different from one another suggesting that, in this system, pulsed delivery did not enhance salt perception but the overall amount of salt delivered in each profile did affect sensory perception