A multistage linear array assignment problem

The implementation of certain algorithms on parallel processing computing architectures can involve partitioning contiguous elements into a fixed number of groups, each of which is to be handled by a single processor. It is desired to find an assignment of elements to processors that minimizes the sum of the maximum workloads experienced at each stage. This problem can be viewed as a multi-objective network optimization problem. Polynomially-bounded algorithms are developed for the case of two stages, whereas the associated decision problem (for an arbitrary number of stages) is shown to be NP-complete. Heuristic procedures are therefore proposed and analyzed for the general problem. Computational experience with one of the exact problems, incorporating certain pruning rules, is presented with one of the exact problems. Empirical results also demonstrate that one of the heuristic procedures is especially effective in practice

University of Strathclyde at TREC HARD

The motivation behind the University of Strathclyde's approach to this years HARD track was inspired from previous experiences by other participants, in particular research by [1], [3] and [4]. A running theme throughout these papers was the underlying hypothesis that a user's familiarity in a topic (i.e. their previous experience searching a subject), will form the basis for what type or style of document they will perceive as relevant. In other words, the user's context with regards to their previous search experience will determine what type of document(s) they wish to retrieve

Signatures of superconducting gap inhomogeneities in optical properties

Scanning tunneling spectroscopy applied to the high-$T_{c}$ cuprates has revealed significant spatial inhomogeneity on the nanoscale. Regions on the order of a coherence length in size show variations of the magnitude of the superconducting gap of order $\pm20$ or more. An important unresolved question is whether or not these variations are also present in the bulk, and how they influence superconducting properties. As many theories and data analyses for high-$T_{c}$ superconductivity assume spatial homogeneity of the gap magnitude, this is a pressing question. We consider the far-infrared optical conductivity and evaluate, within an effective medium approximation, what signatures of spatial variations in gap magnitude are present in various optical quantities. In addition to the case of d-wave superconductivity, relevant to the high-$T_c$ cuprates, we have also considered s-wave gap symmetry in order to provide expected signatures of inhomogeneities for superconductors in general. While signatures of gap inhomogeneities can be strongly manifested in s-wave superconductors, we find that the far-infrared optical conductivity in d-wave is robust against such inhomogeneity.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figure

The continuing saga of patents and non-invasive prenatal testing

This is the final version. Available on open access from Wiley via the DOI in this recordObjective: This paper examines the IP landscape for NIPT in three key regions: USA; Europe, with particular focus on the UK, and Australia. Method: We explore the patent law issues against the commercial and healthcare environment in these regions, and consider the implications for development and implementation of NIPT. Results: There are many patents held by many parties internationally, with litigation over these patents ongoing in many countries. Importantly, there are significant international differences in patent law, with patents invalidated in the USA that remain valid in Europe. Despite the many patents and ongoing litigation, there are multiple providers of testing internationally, and patents do not appear to be preventing patient access to testing for those who can pay out of pocket. Conclusion: The patent situation in NIPT remains in a state of flux, with uncertainty about how patent rights will be conferred in different jurisdictions, and how patents might affect clinical access. However, patents are unlikely to result in a monopoly for a single provider, with several providers and testing technologies, including both public and private sector entities, likely to remain engaged in delivery of NIPT. However, the effects on access in public healthcare systems are more complex and need to be monitored.Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)Australian Research CouncilNational Institute for Health Research (NIHR

Synergy: A Web-Based Tool to Facilitate Dialogic Peer Feedback

Producción CientíficaThe goal of this demonstration session is to introduce Synergy, a platform to help design and implement dialogic feedback practices. Synergy is grounded in a theoretical framework of dialogic feedback, which suggests an ongoing dialogue among the peers (providing feedback) and the target student (receiving feedback). Synergy allows instructors to create multiple review sessions with specific tasks depending on the role as feedback receiver or provider. Peer review activities are organized around three phases, in accordance with theoretical framework. Using Synergy, peers in the first phase assess student work, discuss together to align their perspectives toward the quality of the work. Then, the peers create feedback tasks (to identify who gives which feedback). In the second phase, Synergy enables peers to provide the intended feedback (based on the feedback tasks) and to build dialogue with the target student. During dialogue, in collaboration with peers, Synergy allows students to identify learning actions to translate the feedback received into concrete progress. In the last phase, when students perform the planned actions, Synergy tracks student engagement and progress per each action and also allows the students to set their progress manually. Synergy is enhanced with Learning Analytics tools to support the feedback processes During the demo, we will show interactively the use case of how Synergy can help design and facilitate dialogic peer feedback.Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (Project TIN2017-85179-C3-2-R and TIN2014-53199-C3-2-R)Junta de Castilla y León (project VA257P18), by the European Commission under project grant 588438-EPP-1-2017-1-EL- EPPKA2-KA

WCPFC-SC9-2013/SA-IP-06

Analyses of tagging data for tropical tunas, with implications for the structure of WCPO bigeye stock assessment

Isotopic evidence of a wide spectrum of feeding strategies in Southern hemisphere humpback whale baleen records

Our current understanding of Southern hemisphere humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) ecology assumes high-fidelity feeding on Antarctic krill in Antarctic waters during summer, followed by fasting during their annual migration to and from equatorial breeding grounds. An increase in the number of reported departures from this feeding/fasting model suggests that the current model may be oversimplified or, alternatively, undergoing contemporary change. Information about the feeding and fasting cycles of the two Australian breeding populations of humpback whales were obtained through stable isotope analysis of baleen plates from stranded adult individuals. Comparison of isotope profiles showed that individuals from the West Australian breeding population strongly adhered to the classical feeding model. By contrast, East Australian population individuals demonstrated greater heterogeneity in their feeding. On a spectrum from exclusive Antarctic feeding to exclusive feeding in temperate waters, three different strategies were assigned and discussed: classical feeders, supplemental feeders, and temperate zone feeders. Diversity in the interannual feeding strategies of humpback whales demonstrates the feeding plasticity of the species, but could also be indicative of changing dynamics within the Antarctic sea-ice ecosystem. This study presents the first investigation of trophodynamics in Southern hemisphere humpback whales derived from baleen plates, and further provides the first estimates of baleen plate elongation rates in the species

Dynamics of the magnetic and structural a -> e phase transition in Iron

We have studied the high-pressure iron bcc to hcp phase transition by simultaneous X-ray Magnetic Circular Dichroism (XMCD) and X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS) with an X-ray dispersive spectrometer. The combination of the two techniques allows us to obtain simultaneously information on both the structure and the magnetic state of Iron under pressure. The magnetic and structural transitions simultaneously observed are sharp. Both are of first order in agreement with theoretical prediction. The pressure domain of the transition observed (2.4 $\pm$ 0.2 GPa) is narrower than that usually cited in the literature (8 GPa). Our data indicate that the magnetic transition slightly precedes the structural one, suggesting that the origin of the instability of the bcc phase in iron with increasing pressure is to be attributed to the effect of pressure on magnetism as predicted by spin-polarized full potential total energy calculations

El papel de los padres de familia en la motivaci?n del proceso lector en los estudiantes del grado primero de educaci?n b?sica primaria del instituto psicopedag?gico El Capulli.

105 p. Recurso Electr?nicoEl papel de los padres de familia en la motivaci?n del proceso lector de los estudiantes del grado primero de educaci?n b?sica primaria del instituto psicopedag?gico el Calpulli, nace de un trabajo de observaci?n, en el cual se evidenci? la necesidad de motivaci?n en el proceso lector de estos estudiantes, ya que esta etapa escolar es propicia para fortalecer la lectura en ellos, por el inter?s en el aprendizaje y la lectura que tienen los educandos. Para ello, despu?s de trabajar herramientas como la observaci?n, la entrevista, la encuesta, los grupos focales, entre otros, se encontr? la necesidad de buscar un espacio donde los padres motivar?n el proceso lector en casa, al notar que muchos de ellos solo realizan labores con sus hijos en tareas o dejan su labor de acompa?amiento al televisor, tablets o terceros que los cuidan, por ende esta propuesta de intervenci?n trabaj? actividades basadas en el taller pedag?gico que reforzaran el proceso lector de los ni?os en casa y adem?s crear? un acercamiento a la lectura tanto de padres, como de los estudiantes, pero en estos ?ltimos basados en un enfoque motivacional que se desarrolla en su entorno, ya que ese primer contacto con las letras se da con la familia como n?cleo principal de la sociedad, se hace un efecto espejo con los adultos alrededor del ni?o donde se concluye, si el padre lee, esto motivar? en el hijo la lectura. De esta manera el trabajo que se realiz? en esta propuesta de intervenci?n, demostr? puntos importantes en el proceso lector de los estudiantes, reafirma la importancia del acompa?amiento en casa no solo en actividades acad?micas, sino como incentivo de la lectura para los ni?os y la necesidad de reconocer, de darle la importancia real al papel de los padres en la educaci?n de sus hijos y en este caso como fuente motivadora en su proceso lector.The role of parents in motivating the reader process students first grade basic education of the ?instituto Psicopedag?gico el Calpulli?, born of an observation, in which the need for motivation was evident in the reader process these students since this school stage is conducive to strengthening reading them, interest in learning and reading with students. To do this after working tools such as observation, interview, survey, focus groups, among others, the need to find a space where parents motivate the reading process at home, noting that many of them only perform work he found with their children in tasks or leave their work accompanying the TV, tablets or others who care for them, therefore this proposal to mobilize worked based on the educational workshop that strengthen the reader children home process activities and also create an approach to reading both parents, and students, but in the latter based on a motivational approach that develops in your environment, since that first contact with the letters given to the family as the core of society, it makes a mirror effect with adults around the child where it is concluded, if the parent reads this will motivate the child reading. In this way the work that was done in this proposed intervention showed significant points in the reader students process, reaffirms the importance of accompaniment at home not only in academics, but as incentive to reading for children and the need for recognize, to give real importance to the role of parents in the education of their children and in this case as a motivating source in the reading process. Keywords: Motivation, process reader, father and childre