Branchwidth is (1,g)-self-dual

A graph parameter is self-dual in some class of graphs embeddable in some surface if its value does not change in the dual graph by more than a constant factor. We prove that the branchwidth of connected hypergraphs without bridges and loops that are embeddable in some surface of Euler genus at most g is an (1,g)-self-dual parameter. This is the first proof that branchwidth is an additively self-dual width parameter.Comment: 10 page

Poland's syndrome and recurrent pneumothorax: is there a connection?

Aim. To investigate the possible connection of Poland's syndrome with the presence of lung bullae and, thus, with an increased risk for recurrent pneumothorax. Patients-methods. Two male patients, aged 19 and 21 years respectively were submitted to our department after their second incident of pneumothorax. Both had Poland's syndrome (unilaterally hypoplastic chest wall with pectoralis major muscle atrophy) and both had multiple bullae to the ipsilateral lung based on CT findings. The patients were treated operatively (bullectomy, lung apicectomy, partial parietal pleurectomy and chemical pleurodesis) due to the recurrent state of their pneumothorax. Results. The patients had good results with total expansion of the affected lung. Conclusions. Poland's syndrome can be combined with ipsilateral presence of lung bullae, a common cause of pneumothorax. Whether this finding is part or a variation of the syndrome needs to be confirmed by a larger number of similar cases

Managing big, linked, and open earth-observation data: Using the TELEIOS/LEO software stack

Big Earth-observation (EO) data that are made freely available by space agencies come from various archives. Therefore, users trying to develop an application need to search within these archives, discover the needed data, and integrate them into their application. In this article, we argue that if EO data are published using the linked data paradigm, then the data discovery, data integration, and development of applications becomes easier. We present the life cycle of big, linked, and open EO data and show how to support their various stages using the software stack developed by the European Union (EU) research projects TELEIOS and the Linked Open EO Data for Precision Farming (LEO). We also show how this stack of tools can be used to implement an operational wildfire-monitoring service

A Monte-Carlo Approach for the Estimation of Average Transition Probabilities in Sequential Logic Circuits

This paper presents an efficient and accurate Monte-Carlo approach to the problem of estimating average node switching probabilities in sequential circuits, which are used in average power estimation and reliability analysis of these circuits. Specific error bounds for the proposed estimation method are given at a certain level of confidence. This method is based on the analysis of paths in the State Transition Graph (STG) of the circuit and is validated by both theoretical analysis as well as experimental results

New Techniques for Probabilistic Simulation of VLSI CMOS Circuits

Coordinated Science Laboratory was formerly known as Control Systems LaboratoryU.S. Rome Air Development Center / F30602-88-D0028Semiconductor Research Corporation / SRC 88-DP-109U of I OnlyRestricted to UIUC communit

ERPs in Children and Adolescents with Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Before and after an Intervention Program

According to DSM 5, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterized by excessive, uncontrollable worry about various topics that occupies the majority of the subject’s time for a period of at least six months. The aforementioned state causes distress and/or functional impairments. This paper presents the outcomes of a pilot study that evaluated the implementation of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and CBT with an SSRIs intervention program. The participants comprised 16 children and adolescents with GAD (8 males and 8 females) matched with 16 typically developing peers (8 males and 8 females) aged from 10 to 16 years old (M = 12.56 SD = 2.18). Baseline assessment consisted of event related potentials (ERPs), which indicated that participants with GAD presented cognitive deficits in attention and memory, as they exhibited longer P300 latencies. Following treatment with the CBT program and/or medication, children and adolescents with GAD did not present statistically significantly longer P300 latencies and reaction times in comparison to the control group. Lastly, children and adolescents who followed the CBT program or the CBT program with psychopharmacological assistance did not reveal statistically significant differences in 13 out of 15 topographic brain areas and in reaction time

A model of low-velocity impact damage assessment of laminated composite structures

Laminated composites have important applications in modern aeronautical structures due to their extraordinary mechanical and environmental behaviour. Nevertheless, aircraft composite structures are highly vulnerable to impact damage, either by low-velocity sources during maintenance or high-velocity sources during in-flight events. Even barely visible impact damage induced by low-velocity loading, substantially reduces the residual mechanical performance and the safe-service life of the composites structures. Despite the extensive research already carried out, impact damage of laminated composite structures is still not well understood and it is an area of on-going research. Numerical modelling is considered as the most efficient tool as compared to the expensive and time-consuming experimental testing. In this paper, a finite element model based on explicit dynamics formulations is adopted. Hashin criterion is applied to predict the intra-laminar damage initiation and evolution. The numerical analysis is performed using the ABAQUS ® programme. The employed modelling approach is validated using numerical results found in the literature and the presented results show an acceptable correlation to the available literature data. It is demonstrated that the presented model is able to capture force-time response as well as damage evolution map for a range of impact energies

A model of low-velocity impact damage assessment of laminated composite structures

Laminated composites have important applications in modern aeronautical structures due to their extraordinary mechanical and environmental behaviour. Nevertheless, aircraft composite structures are highly vulnerable to impact damage, either by low-velocity sources during maintenance or high-velocity sources during in-flight events. Even barely visible impact damage induced by low-velocity loading, substantially reduces the residual mechanical performance and the safe-service life of the composites structures. Despite the extensive research already carried out, impact damage of laminated composite structures is still not well understood and it is an area of on-going research. Numerical modelling is considered as the most efficient tool as compared to the expensive and time-consuming experimental testing. In this paper, a finite element model based on explicit dynamics formulations is adopted. Hashin criterion is applied to predict the intra-laminar damage initiation and evolution. The numerical analysis is performed using the ABAQUS® programme. The employed modelling approach is validated using numerical results found in the literature and the presented results show an acceptable correlation to the available literature data. It is demonstrated that the presented model is able to capture force-time response as well as damage evolution map for a range of impact energies

Teaching Concurrent Programming Concepts Using Scratch in Primary School: Methodology and Evaluation

Computer programming can help children develop problem solving and analytical skills. Thus, many countries have included computer science in the curriculum of primary school. Given differences in culture, available infrastructures, as well as the age pupils are introduced to computer science, forming a computer science curriculum still remains a challenge. Towards this end, this study focuses on ex-ploring the potential merits of introducing concurrent programming concepts ear-ly in the learning process. The basic premise is that although concurrent pro-gramming at its full details is a rather advanced topic even at university level, it is everyday practice to perform two or more tasks simultaneously that might need (or not) some sort of synchronization. Therefore, the tutor can capitalize on eve-ryday experience to explain basic concepts on concurrency. Such correlation be-tween life experience and concurrent programming challenges may expand the cognitive functions of the pupils and provide them with further background to improve analytical thinking. The proposed curriculum for fifth and sixth grade primary school was adopted in seven classes in Greece. Results indicate that un-initiated to programming pupils at the age of ten (fifth grade) were able to com-prehend basic concurrency topics, while pupils at the age of eleven (sixth grade) with some programming familiarity were able to understand more advanced concepts