Job Scheduling in Computational Grids is gaining importance due to the need for efficient large-scale Grid-enabled applications. Among different optimization techniques designed for the problem, Genetic Algorithm (GA) is a popular class of solution methods. As GAs are high level algorithms, specific algorithms can be designed by choosing the genetic operators as well as the evolutionary strategies such as Steady State GAs and Struggle GAs. In this paper we focus on Struggle GAs and their tuning for scheduling of independent jobs in computational grids. Our results showed that a careful hash implementation for computing the similarity of solutions was able to alleviate the computational burden of Struggle GA and perform better than standard similarity measures. This is particularly interesting for the scheduling problem in Grid systems, which due to changeability over time, has demanding time restrictions on the computation of planning the jobs to resources.
This work describes Large Eddy Simulation of backward-facing step flow laden with particles. The concentration of the particles in the flow is high enough for consideration of two-way coupling. This means that the particles are influenced by fluid and vice versa. The inter-particle collisions are neglected. The Euler-Lagrange method is adopted which means that the fluid is considered to be continuum (Euler approach) and for each individual particle is solved Lagrangian equation of motion. Particles are considered to be spherical. The simulations are performed for different volume fractions. The results are compared to the single-phase flow in order to investigate the effect of the particles on the turbulence statistics of the carrier phase. and Obsahuje seznam literatury
Úvod: Vznik kostní tkáně v tumoru ledviny je velmi vzácný fenomén. Vznik kalcifikací byl zaznamenán v nejrůznějších typech benigních i maligních renálních útvarů, jako jsou např. cystická onemocnění ledviny (s/bez karcinomu), xantogranulomatózní pyelonefritida, Wilmsův tumor, neuroblastom, osteosarkom, chondrosarkom nebo karcinom z přechodných buněk. V tomto přehledovém článku uvádíme různé teorie vysvětlující mechanizmus tvorby kostní tkáně, dále hodnotíme klinický obraz u těchto pacientů a vliv osifikace a tvorby kostní tkáně na celkovou prognózu. Materiál a metody: Hodnotili jsme publikace zabývající se vznikem kostní tkáně v tumorech ledviny v databázi PubMed? a dalších zdrojích publikované od roku 1931 do současnosti a vybrali jsme pouze články, které měly podle našeho názoru největší přínos pro tuto problematiku. Výsledky: Podle našich informací bylo v literatuře popsáno přibližně 75 případů vzniku kostní hmoty v tumorech ledviny. Kalcifikace jsou přítomny přibližně u 10 % ledvinných nádorů. Tyto nádory se manifestují podobným způsobem jako karcinom z renálních buněk nebo karcinom z přechodných buněk ledvinné pánvičky. Přibližně 20 % všech kalcifikovaných ledvinných tumorů je maligních. Onemocnění se obvykle projevuje tupou bolestí v boku, bezbolestnou hematurií a renální rezistencí. Ve většině případů se kostní tkáň tvoří v karcinomech z jasných buněk a karcinomech z přechodného epitelu v ledvinné pánvičce, bylo popsáno několik případů osifikace rovněž ve Wilmsově tumoru u dospělých pacientů. Závěr: Tvorba kostní tkáně v nádorech ledviny představuje zajímavý, ale doposud neobjasněný fenomén. Abychom získali podrobnější poznatky o tomto jevu, bude zapotřebí provedení multicentrických studií., Background: Bone formation in kidney tumour is rare phenomenon. Calcification has been reported in wide variety of benign or malignant renal masses such as renal cell carcinoma, cystic renal diseases (with or without carcinoma), xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis, Wilms’ tumour, neuroblastoma, osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma and/or transitional cell carcinoma. In this present review, we summarise the proposed theories for bone formation, clinical presentation of such patients, influence of ossification and bone formation on the overall prognosis. Material and Methods: We reviewed the literature on bone formation in renal tumours using PubMed? and other sources from 1931 till date and selected the manuscripts which seemed most relevant to this topic. Results: As per our knowledge, approximately 75 cases of renal mass with bone formation have been reported in literature. Approximately 10% of renal masses have calcifications. These tumours present in a manner similar to renal cell carcinoma or transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis. Approximately 20% of all calcified renal masses are malignant. Dull aching flank pain, painless hematuria and/or renal lump are the usual presentations. Majority of renal tumours with bone formation are clear cell carcinoma followed by transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis and few adult Wilm’s tumours have been reported. Conclusion: Bone formation in renal tumours is an interesting but baffling phenomenon. In order to know more about this phenomenon, a multicentre format for research is needed., and Singh V., Sinha R. J.
Mutant Lurcher mice represent an animal model of naturally
occurring cerebellar degeneration. A gene mutation causes the
demise of all Purkinje cells, as along with certain other types, as
well as the functional elimination of the cerebellar cortex.
Involvement in the research using this model of the C3H strain
began at the Department of Physiology, UCL in 1995/96.
It continued in scientific cooperation with other European
laboratories where we obtained Lurcher mice of the B6CBA
strain. The aim of the effort was first to identify the extent to
which the cerebellum is involved in the higher nervous activity,
i.e. cognitive and other functions. In that research, use was
made of an entire array of methodological procedures to examine
learning, memory, motor functions and emotional behavior.
It was completed with an electrophysiological examination of the
brain and special microscopic procedures. The results
demonstrated that the cerebellum (aside from its traditional
tasks) does in fact play a significant role in cognitive function,
emotions, etc. It was further found that the neurodegenerative
processes also affected the immune and endocrine functions,
confirming the concept of the unity of the psychoneuroendocrine-immune system. Surprisingly, despite their
neurological impairment, the affected animals were able to learn
to some extent and, make progress with physical training,
improving not only their motor skills but also learning and
memory, including deferring of signs of aging. These particular
findings may prove useful for human medicine.
Preventing human-wildlife conflict is key to maintaining viable predator populations. In Namibia, over 90% of cheetahs are found outside of protected areas, therefore risk of conflict with farmers is high. Since 1994, the Cheetah Conservation Fund has implemented a programme to prevent livestock depredation using livestock guarding dogs (LGDs). Long-term (25-year period) monitoring efforts in Namibia have provided insights on the efficiency and performance of LGDs and farmers‘ perceptions. LGDs reduced livestock losses for 91% of respondents and farmers were highly satisfied with their LGD. Poor performance from behavioural issues, such as “staying at home” and “chasing game”, was linked to the LGDs receiving less care and being found in poorer body condition. Unwanted ecological impacts of wildlife killings by LGDs merit further investigation, but occurrence of behavioural issues reduced over time, suggesting a targeted and adaptive management approach to increase performance. Addressing behavioural issues, increasing LGD lifespans and understanding LGD performance under different conditions will be crucial for optimising LGD management leading to better performance. Our long-term study provides unique insights into a highly successful programme and is recommended to be replicated and adapted where imminent human-predator conflicts threaten coexistence.
The aim of our study was to evaluate the potential differences in blood pressure (BP) profile in subjects with different forms of primary aldosteronism (PA). Simultaneously, we studied the effects of PA treatment on BP curve. We therefore monitored 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure values in 22 subjects with aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA), 22 subjects with idiopathic hyperaldosteronism (IHA) and 33 subjects with essential hypertension (EH) as controls. We found a significantly attenuated nighttime systolic BP decline in the APA group (P=0.02). Patients with IHA had lower nighttime systolic BP values (P=0.01) and also a diastolic BP decline (P=0.02) during the night in comparison with EH. We did not detect any significant differences in BP profile characteristics between APA and IHA. Specific treatment of primary aldosteronism (adrenalectomy, treatment with spironolactone) led to the normalization of the BP curve with a marked BP decline. Our study thus demonstrates a blunted diurnal BP variability in patients with primary aldosteronism the specific treatment of which normalized previously attenuated nocturnal BP fall., T. Zelinka, J. Widimský., and Obsahuje bibliografii
In order to understand friction processes in wheel/rail contact a new experimental device has been developed. Twin-disc approach has been used to determine adhesion curves in wheel-rail contact under various conditions. This paper describes some details about the design of the twin-disc experimental device. Finally, preliminary results are discussed. and Obsahuje seznam literatury
Among the many characterizations of the class of Baire one, Darboux real-valued functions of one real variable, the 1907 characterization of Young and the 1997 characterization of Agronsky, Ceder, and Pearson are particularly intriguing in that they yield interesting classes of functions when interpreted in the two-variable setting. We examine the relationship between these two subclasses of the real-valued Baire one defined on the unit square.