Multi-Threaded Actors

In this paper we introduce a new programming model of multi-threaded actors which feature the parallel processing of their messages. In this model an actor consists of a group of active objects which share a message queue. We provide a formal operational semantics, and a description of a Java-based implementation for the basic programming abstractions describing multi-threaded actors. Finally, we evaluate our proposal by means of an example application.Comment: In Proceedings ICE 2016, arXiv:1608.0313

Length frequency, length-weight relationship and distribution of Psettodes erumei in the Oman Sea

Psettodes erumei is the sole fish species belonging to Psettodidae family that lives in the Oman Sea. The species has a flat body and is thicker than other flat fishes. It has a large mouth with strong teeth and gray-brown color on body surface; and is mostlysround in muddy-sandy substrates up to 25m depths. The species is carnivorous and feeds on prey fishes. The common trawl and gillnet are commonly used for catching the fish. This study was carried out in the Oman Sea in 2002 covering 86 trawling stations. After each haul, the trawl was emptied on board for separation, identification and weight measurement of the catch items. The CPUA was calculated by Swept Area method and used as an index for distribution analysis of the fish species. The maximum snout-length was found to be 66cm for the study area and the length-weight relationship was calculated as W = 0.0294TL^2 7973

The possibility of sex identification in beluga (Huso huso) by using PCR-RAPD technique

The goal of this study was to find a sex-specific DNA sequences in the male and female genomes of beluga (Huso huso), by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) assays performed on pooled DNA samples. Of the 310 different primers was tested, 7 primers produced no band. The most likely possibility is that PCR conditions have not been suitable for these 7 primers. It is also possible that these RAPD primers did not find suitable binding position to generate fragments. A single band was produced by primer 295 (OPT -17) which was specific to the male DNA. Further analysis of individual male and female beluga demonstrated that this primer yielded a product that were in fact variable and reproducible, but were the result of variation in some individual males and females and not male-specific. Therefore, of the 4146 RAPDs scored, none were tightly linked to a sex-determining gene. The results support the idea that sex chromosomes are either not present or they weakly differentiated in the genome of beluga

Retrofitting of the Compressor Foundation by Cement Grouting

In this paper, the dynamic behavior and foundation improvement of a K10-type compressor with maximum horizontal load of 1800 KN, operating at 3.3 Hz (200 rpm) located at top of a concrete foundation is studied. The vibration measurements (acceleration, velocity, and displacement) of the compressor and its foundation have been recorded before and after cement pressure grouting. In brief, the maximum displacement before cement injection exceeded the specified values by the manufacturer. Therefore, the existing pile-soil-foundation system needed to be improved. As the result, a retrofit scheme using cement pressure grouting by injection was recommended. In order to predict the dynamic behavior of the foundation after cement pressure grouting, a finite element model was constructed and then calibrated with the measurements that were taken before cement injection. Second set of measurements for compressor were carried out and results were compared with the model results after cement injection and curing procedure. It was concluded that the model has the ability to simulate and predict the behavior of the compressor accurately. The results show that the cement injection technique can be a reasonable and cost- effective remedial alternative to reduce the dynamic vibrations of the compressor. Moreover, the dynamic behavior of the compressor can be modeled using FEM

An assessment of haematological and serum biochemical indices in Salmo trutta caspius

Haematological and biochemical serum analyses were carried out in 131 fish specimens in three age and size groups including smolt, juvenile and breeder. Of these groups, smolt fish were 40 specimens in the average total length range 195.45±12.426mm and had an average weight of 84±15.5g, juvenile fish were 25 individuals and their average total length and weight were 267±20.877mm and 217.20±22.013g, respectively. The 41 breeder fish had an average total length of 578.24±68.487mm and an average weight of 1994.2±775.379g. Another 25 breeder fish were also sampled in the spawning season for blood biochemical analyses had an average total length range of 617±59.9mm and weighed on average 2227.5±647.5g each. Red blood cell counts were 866600 per mm super(3) and 1259400 per mm ^(3) in smolt and breeder fish respectively. The average hematocrit was 48.39% in smolt and 44.29% in breeder fish. The average hemoglobin was 8.85g/dl in smolt and 10.91g/dl in breeder fish. White blood cell count was 8781.58 per mm ^(3) in smolt and 5217.65 per mm ^(3) in breeder fish. Other measurements were as follows: Lymphocyte 90.57% in smolt and 73.22% in breeders, Neutrophil 5.12% in smolt and 16.92% in breeders, Monocyte 1.27% in smolt and 4.24% in breeders, and clotting time was 282.34 seconds in smolt and 291.47 seconds in breeder fish. We also measured MCV, MCH and MCHC in smolt and breeder fish along with biochemical parameters. The glucose level was 2.97mmol/1 in juvenile and 1.99mmol/1 in breeder fish. The cholesterol level was 4.26mmol/l in juvenile and 7.06mmol/1 in breeders. The triglyceride amount was 2.35mmol/l in juvenile and 2.47mmol/l in breeder specimens and the calcium level was 2.44 in juvenile and 2.61 mmol/1 in breeder fish

A high-level and scalable approach for generating scale-free graphs using active objects

The Barabasi-Albert model (BA) is designed to generate scale-free networks using the preferential attachment mechanism. In the preferential attachment (PA) model, new nodes are sequentially introduced to the network and they attach preferentially to existing nodes. PA is a classical model with a natural intuition, great explanatory power and a simple mechanism. Therefore, PA is widely-used for network generation. However the sequential mechanism used in the PA model makes it an inefficient algorithm. The existing parallel approaches, on the other hand, suffer from either changing the original model or explicit complex low-level synchronization mechanisms. In this paper we investigate a high-level Actor-based model of the parallel algorithm of network generation and its scalable multicore implementation in Haskell

5-Fluorouracil in the Treatment of Keloids and Hypertrophic Scars: A Comprehensive Review of the Literature

Hypertrophic (HTSs) and keloid scars are common dermatological complaints produced by disruption of the normal wound-healing process. Despite a wide array of therapeutic options available to treat these lesions, HTSs and keloids continue to pose a significant challenge to clinicians in everyday practice. The chemotherapeutic drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is a well-known treatment option reserved for recalcitrant HTSs and keloid lesions. We present clinicians with a comprehensive review of the published data concerning the use of 5-FU in the treatment of HTSs and keloids. The current evidence suggests that 5-FU is a safe and practical alternative for the treatment of HTSs and keloids as it may substantially improve the appearance of proliferative scars and reduce the chance of recurrence. This therapeutic option is most effective in conjunction with adjuvant therapy such as corticosteroids. Additional randomized controlled clinical trials with large sample sizes should be conducted to corroborate the existing efficacy and safety data in patients with HTSs and keloids. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s13555-016-0118-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

Laser Powder Bed Fusion of NiTiHf High-Temperature Shape Memory Alloy: Effect of Process Parameters on the Thermomechanical Behavior

Laser powder bed fusion has been widely investigated for shape memory alloys, primarily NiTi alloys, with the goal of tailoring microstructures and producing complex geometries. However, processing high temperature shape memory alloys (HTSMAs) remains unknown. In our previous study, we showed that it is possible to manufacture NiTiHf HTSMA, as one of the most viable alloys in the aerospace industry, using SLM and investigated the effect of parameters on defect formation. The current study elucidates the effect of process parameters (PPs) on the functionality of this alloy. Shape memory properties and the microstructure of additively manufactured Ni-rich NiTiHf alloys were characterized across a wide range of PPs (laser power, scanning speed, and hatch spacing) and correlated with energy density. The optimum laser parameters for defect-free and functional samples were found to be in the range of approximately 60–100 J/mm3. Below an energy density of 60 J/mm3, porosity formation due to lack-of-fusion is the limiting factor. Samples fabricated with energy densities of 60–100 J/mm3 showed comparable thermomechanical behavior in comparison with the starting as-cast material, and samples fabricated with higher energy densities (\u3e 100 J/mm3) showed very high transformation temperatures but poor thermomechanical behavior. Poor properties for samples with higher energies were mainly attributed to the excessive Ni loss and resultant change in the chemical composition of the matrix, as well as the formation of cracks and porosities. Although energy density was found to be an important factor, the outcome of this study suggests that each of the PPs should be selected carefully. A maximum actuation strain of 1.67% at 400 MPa was obtained for the sample with power, scan speed, and hatch space of 100 W, 400 mm/s, and 140 µm, respectively, while 1.5% actuation strain was obtained for the starting as-cast ingot. These results can serve as a guideline for future studies on optimizing PPs for fabricating functional HTSMAs

A Lane-based Predictive Model of Downstream Arrival Rates in a Queue Estimation Model Using a Long Short-Term Memory Network

In this study, we develop a mathematical framework to predict cycle-based queued vehicles at each individual lane using a deep learning method - the long short-term memory (LSTM) network. The key challenges are to decide the existence of residual queued vehicles at the end of each cycle, and to predict the lane-based downstream arrivals to calculate vertical queue lengths at individual lanes using an integrated deep learning method. The primary contribution of the proposed method is to enhance the predictive accuracy of lane-based queue lengths in the future cycles using the historical queuing patterns. A major advantage of implementing an integrated deep learning process compared to the previously Kalman-filter-based queue estimation approach (Lee et al., 2015) is that there is no need to calibrate the co-variance matrix and tune the gain values (parameters) of the estimator. In the simulation results, the proposed method perform better in only straight movements and a shared lane with left turning movements