On spectra of Hermitian Randic matrix of second kind

We propose the Hermitian Randi\'c matrix $R^\omega(X)=(R^\omega_{ij})$, where $\omega=\frac{1+i \sqrt{3}}{2}$ and $R^\omega_{ij}={1}/{\sqrt{d_id_j}}$ if $v_iv_j$ is an unoriented edge, ${\omega}/{\sqrt{d_id_j}}$ if $v_i\rightarrow v_j$, ${\overline{\omega}}/{\sqrt{d_id_j}}$ if $v_i\leftarrow v_j$, and 0 otherwise. This appears to be more natural because of $\omega+\overline{\omega}=1$ and $|\omega|=1$. In this paper, we investigate some features of this novel Hermitian matrix and study a few properties like positiveness, bipartiteness, edge-interlacing etc. We also compute the characteristic polynomial for this new matrix and obtain some upper and lower bounds for the eigenvalues and the energy of this matrix

Identification of Unknown Groundwater Pollution Sources and Determination of Optimal Well Locations Using ANN-GA Based Simulation-Optimization Model

Abstract The linked simulation-optimization model can be used for solving a complex groundwater pollution source identification problem. Advanced simulators have been developed and successfully linked with numerous optimization algorithms for identification of groundwater pollution sources. However, the identification of pollution sources in a groundwater aquifer using linked simulation-optimization model has proven to be computationally expensive. To overcome this computational burden, an approximate simulator, the artificial neural network (ANN) model can be used as a surrogate model to replace the complex time-consuming numerical simulation model. However, for large-scale aquifer system, the performance of the ANN-based surrogate model is not satisfactory when a single ANN model is used to predict the concentration at different observation locations. In such a situation, the model efficiency can be enhanced by developing separate ANN model for each of the observation locations. The number of ANN models is equal to the number of observation wells in the aquifer. As a result, the complexity of the ANN-based simulation-optimization model will be related to the number of observation wells. Thus, this study used a modified formulation to find out the optimal numbers of observation wells which will eventually reduce the computational time of the model. The performance of the ANN-based simulation-optimization model is evaluated by identifying the groundwater pollutant sources of a hypothetical study area. The limited evaluation shows that the model has the potential for field application

Self-organized Networks of Competing Boolean Agents

A model of Boolean agents competing in a market is presented where each agent bases his action on information obtained from a small group of other agents. The agents play a competitive game that rewards those in the minority. After a long time interval, the poorest player's strategy is changed randomly, and the process is repeated. Eventually the network evolves to a stationary but intermittent state where random mutation of the worst strategy can change the behavior of the entire network, often causing a switch in the dynamics between attractors of vastly different lengths.Comment: 4 pages, 3 included figures. Some text revision and one new figure added. To appear in PR

Occurrence of functional single-lobed ovary in Cirrhinus mrigala (Hamilton,1822) brood fish from Assam, India

Occurrence of abnormally developed gonads in fish is rather more uncommon in freshwater fish than marine fish. It is therefore worthwhile to disseminate the information of occurrence of a single-lobed ovary in Cirrhinus mrigala brood fish as an abnormal phenomenon. During April 2011 to March 2013, around 500 brood fish samples of Indian major carps (Labeo rohita, Catla and C. mrigala) were collected from different government and private fish farms of Assam and Tripura located in the Northeast of India. Among them, one C. mrigala specimen measuring 41 cm in total length and 640 g in weight collected from Ulubari fish seed farm of Guwahati, Assam during June, 2012 was found to have a single-lobed ovary instead of the normal bilobed structure. The ovary occupied the entire body cavity and the majority of ova were round and translucent. The ovary contributed substantially to the total body weight with gonado-somatic index of 32.81 which was the highest among all the mrigal specimens examined. The study indicates possibility of artificially inducing development of single-lobed ovary in C. mrigala for achieving possible higher spawn outputs in induced breeding of the cultivable species

Which factors affect the implementation of telerehabilitation? Study protocol for a mixed-methods systematic review with a framework synthesis

BACKGROUND: Telehealth approaches are promising for the delivery of rehabilitation services but may be under-used or under-implemented. OBJECTIVE: To report a review protocol to identify how much telerehabilitation (telehealth approaches to the delivery of rehabilitation services) have been used and implemented, and which factors have affected such implementation. METHODS: A mixed-methods systematic review with a framework synthesis. Six databases for the scientific literature will be searched, complemented by snowballing searches and additional references coming from key informants (i.e., rehabilitation researchers from a networking group in health services research). We will include English-language empirical research examining the routine use or implementation of telehealth technologies in physical rehabilitation services or by physical rehabilitation professionals from a range of study designs, excepting case studies, case reports, and qualitative studies with n < 5. Two independent reviewers will perform the screenings, quality appraisals (using the Joanna Briggs Institutes’ appraisal checklists), and the data extractions. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research will be used to synthesize the data on the enablers and barriers of the implementation of telerehabilitation approaches. All the authors will be involved at this synthesis, and key informants will provide feedback. CONCLUSION: The results can inform further implementation endeavours

Effect of Freezing Rate on Quality of Cryopreserved Goat Spermatozoa Using a Programmable Freezer

Abstract: A total of 45 ejaculates from nine Beetal bucks collected by artificial vagina, washed and extended i

A surrogate model for simulation–optimization of aquifer systems subjected to seawater intrusion

This study presents the application of Evolutionary Polynomial Regression (EPR) as a pattern recognition system to predicate the behavior of nonlinear and computationally complex aquifer systems subjected to seawater intrusion (SWI). The developed EPR models are integrated with a multi objective genetic algorithm to examine the efficiency of different arrangements of hydraulic barriers in controlling SWI. The objective of the optimization is to minimize the economic and environmental costs. The developed EPR model is trained and tested for different control scenarios, on sets of data including different pumping patterns as inputs and the corresponding set of numerically calculated outputs. The results are compared with those obtained by direct linking of the numerical simulation model with the optimization tool. The results of the two above-mentioned simulation–optimization (S/O) strategies are in excellent agreement. Three management scenarios are considered involving simultaneous use of abstraction and recharge to control SWI. Minimization of cost of the management process and the salinity levels in the aquifer are the two objective functions used for evaluating the efficiency of each management scenario. By considering the effects of the unsaturated zone, a subsurface pond is used to collect the water and artificially recharge the aquifer. The distinguished feature of EPR emerges in its application as the metamodel in the S/O process where it significantly reduces the overall computational complexity and time. The results also suggest that the application of other sources of water such as treated waste water (TWW) and/or storm water, coupled with continuous abstraction of brackish water and its desalination and use is the most cost effective method to control SWI. A sensitivity analysis is conducted to investigate the effects of different external sources of recharge water and different recovery ratios of desalination plant on the optimal results

A self-organized model for cell-differentiation based on variations of molecular decay rates

Systemic properties of living cells are the result of molecular dynamics governed by so-called genetic regulatory networks (GRN). These networks capture all possible features of cells and are responsible for the immense levels of adaptation characteristic to living systems. At any point in time only small subsets of these networks are active. Any active subset of the GRN leads to the expression of particular sets of molecules (expression modes). The subsets of active networks change over time, leading to the observed complex dynamics of expression patterns. Understanding of this dynamics becomes increasingly important in systems biology and medicine. While the importance of transcription rates and catalytic interactions has been widely recognized in modeling genetic regulatory systems, the understanding of the role of degradation of biochemical agents (mRNA, protein) in regulatory dynamics remains limited. Recent experimental data suggests that there exists a functional relation between mRNA and protein decay rates and expression modes. In this paper we propose a model for the dynamics of successions of sequences of active subnetworks of the GRN. The model is able to reproduce key characteristics of molecular dynamics, including homeostasis, multi-stability, periodic dynamics, alternating activity, differentiability, and self-organized critical dynamics. Moreover the model allows to naturally understand the mechanism behind the relation between decay rates and expression modes. The model explains recent experimental observations that decay-rates (or turnovers) vary between differentiated tissue-classes at a general systemic level and highlights the role of intracellular decay rate control mechanisms in cell differentiation.Comment: 16 pages, 5 figure

Type of Findings Generated by the Occupational Therapy Workforce Research Worldwide: Scoping Review and Content Analysis

Occupational therapists are needed to meet the health and occupational needs of the global population, but we know little about the type of findings generated by occupational therapy workforce research conducted worldwide. We aim to synthesize these findings and their range of content to inform future investigations. A scoping review with content analysis was used. Six scientific databases, websites of official institutions, snowballing, and key informants were used for searches. Two independent reviewers took selection decisions against the eligibility criteria published a priori in the review protocol. Of the 1246 unique references detected, 57 papers were included for the last 25 years. A total of 18 papers addressed issues of attractiveness and retention, often in Australia, and 14 addressed the issues of supply, demand, and distribution, often in the US. Only these two categories generated subtopics. Many workforce issues were rarely addressed as a main topic (e.g., race/ethnic representation). Cross-national, cross-regional, or cross-professional studies generated more actionable findings. Overall, we found few discernable trends, minimal evidence of research programs, and various gaps in content coverage or in the use of contemporary research approaches. There is a need for a coordinated strengthening of the occupational therapy workforce research worldwide