Minimum-cost multicast over coded packet networks

We consider the problem of establishing minimum-cost multicast connections over coded packet networks, i.e., packet networks where the contents of outgoing packets are arbitrary, causal functions of the contents of received packets. We consider both wireline and wireless packet networks as well as both static multicast (where membership of the multicast group remains constant for the duration of the connection) and dynamic multicast (where membership of the multicast group changes in time, with nodes joining and leaving the group). For static multicast, we reduce the problem to a polynomial-time solvable optimization problem, and we present decentralized algorithms for solving it. These algorithms, when coupled with existing decentralized schemes for constructing network codes, yield a fully decentralized approach for achieving minimum-cost multicast. By contrast, establishing minimum-cost static multicast connections over routed packet networks is a very difficult problem even using centralized computation, except in the special cases of unicast and broadcast connections. For dynamic multicast, we reduce the problem to a dynamic programming problem and apply the theory of dynamic programming to suggest how it may be solved

Spatial heterogeneities in the mass concentration of near surface aerosols over the Arabian Sea during ICARB

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Cross-understanding will help complex and diverse teams achieve mutually agreeable solutions

Teams whose members have diverse backgrounds can experience differences in task knowledge, sensitivities to various aspects of the task system, as well as beliefs and preferences about how to best approach or solve a problem. How might managers deal with this? Niranjan Janardhanan, Kyle Lewis, Rhonda R. Reger, and Cynthia K. Stevens write that, rather than focusing on common ground, team leaders should emphasise cross-understanding. Understanding the bases of someone’s views will help get to the real reasons behind differences in opinion, and therefore help to achieve mutually agreeable solutions

Clinical profile of anemia among 6–60-month children living in South Karnataka – A cross sectional study

Introduction: Anemia is a worldwide public health problem and has a variable impact on the physical development of child. This study aims to assess the epidemiological characteristics and clinical profile of anemia among 6–60 month children living in South Karnataka. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, community-based study conducted in Bengaluru, from 2012 to 2014. Participants were weighed and measured, and their blood was taken. Demographic, morbidity, and feeding data were obtained from mothers. All the collected data were tabulated and stastically analyzed. Results: Prevalence of anemia in children is 77.8%. Seventy-five children (90%) with anemia belonged to lower socioeconomic status. The chief presenting symptoms in the present study were easy fatigability (34%), loss of appetite (36%), pallor (26), and irritability (24%). The chief clinical signs in anemic children were pallor of mucosa (76%), pallor of skin, palms, and soles (64%), tachycardia (23%), cheilitis (13%), and hemic murmur (9%). Conclusions: Most of the children suffering from anemia were from lower socioeconomic status. Diarrhea was the chief associated symptom in more than half of the cases studied. Hence, the proper periodic deworming measure is advised. Furthermore, timely giving of weaning food, reducing infection by proper immunization, and good personal hygiene will help to prevent anemia

Unusual localization of parathyroid gland inferior to the thyroid gland, absence of the isthmus of thyroid gland and intra thyroid thymic tissue - A case report

Case report: Ectopic parathyroid glands are not rare and can be seen anywhere between mandibular angle and mediastinum. Absent of isthmus of thyroid was noted in a 36 year Sri Lankan male at postmortem. Lobes of thyroid were connected only by pretracheal fascia. The length of right lobe was 4.7cm and left was 4.8cm. Superior parathyroid glands (SPGs) were normal in position, left near cricothyroid junction and right just above first tracheal ring. The right inferior parathyroid gland (IPG) (8mm), tan yellow in color was observed just below lower pole of thyroid on anterior surface and extracapsular in position. Left IPG(1cm), brownish red color glandular tissue was situated at lower pole posterolateral and intracapsular in position. Histology revealed normal right IPG tissue and on left side thymic tissue with Hassall’s corpuscle present within thyroid capsule. Presence of ectopic thymic tissue within thyroid has been documented in children younger than 10 years. Agenesis of isthmus of thyroid may be due to a high division of thyroglossal duct. Thymus develops primarily from ventral and IPG from dorsal wing of third branchial pouch.Discussion: Occasionally thymus and parathyroids can be present in ectopic sites. Ectopic thymic tissue can be present in thyroid and be asymptomatic. Anatomical and clinical significance of absence of thyroid isthmus and ectopic sites of parathyroids is important for surgeons operating on the thyroid gland. Present case report is an attempt to highlight such.

Suppression of Octahedral Tilts and Associated Changes of Electronic Properties at Epitaxial Oxide Heterostructure Interfaces

Epitaxial oxide interfaces with broken translational symmetry have emerged as a central paradigm behind the novel behaviors of oxide superlattices. Here, we use scanning transmission electron microscopy to demonstrate a direct, quantitative unit-cell-by-unit-cell mapping of lattice parameters and oxygen octahedral rotations across the BiFeO3-La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 interface to elucidate how the change of crystal symmetry is accommodated. Combined with low-loss electron energy loss spectroscopy imaging, we demonstrate a mesoscopic antiferrodistortive phase transition and elucidate associated changes in electronic properties in a thin layer directly adjacent to the interface

Skewed task conflicts in teams: what happens when a few members see more conflict than the rest?

Task conflict has been the subject of a long-standing debate in the literature—when does task conflict help or hurt team performance? We propose that this debate can be resolved by taking a more precise view of how task conflicts are perceived in teams. Specifically, we propose that in teams, when a few team members perceive a high level of task disagreement while a majority of others perceive low levels of task disagreement—that is, there is positively skewed task conflict, task conflict is most likely to live up to its purported benefits for team performance. In our first study of student teams engaged in a business decision game, we find support for the positive relationship between skewed task conflict and team performance. In our second field study of teams in a financial corporation, we find that the relationship between positively skewed task conflict and supervisor ratings of team performance is mediated by reflective communication within the team