Bi-criteria single machine scheduling problem with a learning effect: Aneja-Nair method to obtain the set of optimal sequences

In this paper, we consider the bi-criteria single machine scheduling problem of n jobs with a learning effect. The two objectives considered are the total completion time (TC) and total absolute differences in completion times (TADC). The objective is to find a sequence that performs well with respect to both the objectives: the total completion time and the total absolute differences in completion times. In an earlier study, a method of solving bi-criteria transportation problem is presented. In this paper, we use the methodology of solvin bi-criteria transportation problem, to our bi-criteria single machine scheduling problem with a learning effect, and obtain the set of optimal sequences,. Numerical examples are presented for illustrating the applicability and ease of understanding.

CSSI-PRO: a method for secondary structure type editing, assignment and estimation in proteins using linear combination of backbone chemical shifts

Estimation of secondary structure in polypeptides is important for studying their structure, folding and dynamics. In NMR spectroscopy, such information is generally obtained after sequence specific resonance assignments are completed. We present here a new methodology for assignment of secondary structure type to spin systems in proteins directly from NMR spectra, without prior knowledge of resonance assignments. The methodology, named Combination of Shifts for Secondary Structure Identification in Proteins (CSSI-PRO), involves detection of specific linear combination of backbone H-1(alpha) and C-13' chemical shifts in a two-dimensional (2D) NMR experiment based on G-matrix Fourier transform (GFT) NMR spectroscopy. Such linear combinations of shifts facilitate editing of residues belonging to alpha-helical/beta-strand regions into distinct spectral regions nearly independent of the amino acid type, thereby allowing the estimation of overall secondary structure content of the protein. Comparison of the predicted secondary structure content with those estimated based on their respective 3D structures and/or the method of Chemical Shift Index for 237 proteins gives a correlation of more than 90% and an overall rmsd of 7.0%, which is comparable to other biophysical techniques used for structural characterization of proteins. Taken together, this methodology has a wide range of applications in NMR spectroscopy such as rapid protein structure determination, monitoring conformational changes in protein-folding/ligand-binding studies and automated resonance assignment.

Validation of a partial coherence interferometry method for estimating retinal shape

To validate a simple partial coherence interferometry (PCI) based retinal shape method, estimates of retinal shape were determined in 60 young adults using off-axis PCI, with three stages of modeling using variants of the Le Grand model eye, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Stage 1 and 2 involved a basic model eye without and with surface ray deviation, respectively and Stage 3 used model with individual ocular biometry and ray deviation at surfaces. Considering the theoretical uncertainty of MRI (12-14%), the results of the study indicate good agreement between MRI and all three stages of PCI modeling with <4% and <7% differences in retinal shapes along horizontal and vertical meridians, respectively. Stage 2 and Stage 3 gave slightly different retinal co-ordinates than Stage 1 and we recommend the intermediate Stage 2 as providing a simple and valid method of determining retinal shape from PCI data.

A novel method for the age estimation of Saddletail snapper (Lutjanus malabaricus) using Fourier Transform-near infrared (FT-NIR) spectroscopy

Near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy was investigated as a potential rapid method of estimating fish age from whole otoliths of Saddletail snapper (Lutjanus malabaricus). Whole otoliths from 209 Saddletail snapper were extracted and the NIR spectral characteristics were acquired over a spectral range of 800–2780 nm. Partial least-squares models (PLS) were developed from the diffuse reflectance spectra and reference-validated age estimates (based on traditional sectioned otolith increments) to predict age for independent otolith samples. Predictive models developed for a specific season and geographical location performed poorly against a different season and geographical location. However, overall PLS regression statistics for predicting a combined population incorporating both geographic location and season variables were: coefficient of determination (R2) = 0.94, root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) = 1.54 for age estimation, indicating that Saddletail age could be predicted within 1.5 increment counts. This level of accuracy suggests the method warrants further development for Saddletail snapper and may have potential for other fish species. A rapid method of fish age estimation could have the potential to reduce greatly both costs of time and materials in the assessment and management of commercial fisheries.

Crystal structure from packing studies: application to the triclinic structure of the cyclic hexapeptide cyclo-(gly-tyr-gly)2

The paper describes a novel method of finding the position and orientation of a relatively rigid molecule in the unit cell from criteria concerning allowed contact distances between atoms. On application to the crystal structure of a hexapeptide, C25H31N6O8.2H2O, it was possible to solve the structure from this starting point, by a series of SFLS refinements with an increasingly larger number of reflexions at successive stages. The packing analysis succeeded, even though the water molecules were not included to start with.

Analysis of vibration of clamped square plates by the Rayleigh-Ritz method with asymptotic solutions from a modified Bolotin method

Estimates of flexural frequencies of clamped square plates are initially obtained by the modified Bolotin's method. The mode shapes in “each direction” are then determined and the product functions of these mode shapes are used as admissible functions in the Rayleigh-Ritz method. The data for the first twenty eigenvalues in each of the three (four) symmetric groups obtained by the (i) Bolotin, (ii) Rayleigh and (iii) Rayleigh-Ritz methods are reported here. The Rayleigh estimates are found to be much closer to the true eigenvalues than the Bolotin estimates. The present product functions are found to be much superior to the conventional beam eigenmodes as admissible functions in the Rayleigh-Ritz method of analysis.

Popper or Kuhn: Truth and the progress of science

The questions of whether science pursues truth as correspondence to reality and whether science in fact progresses towards attaining a truthful understanding of physical reality are fundamental and contested in the philosophy of science. On one side of the debate stands Popper, who argues that science is objective, necessarily assumes a correspondence theory of truth, and inevitably progresses toward truth as physical theories develop, gaining a more truthful understanding of reality through progressively more sophisticated empirical analysis. Conversely Kuhn, influenced by postmodern philosophy, argues that ultimate truth cannot be attained since no objective metaphysical reality exists and it cannot be known, and consequently the notion of scientific objectivity and "progress" is a myth, marred by philosophical and ideological value judgments. Ultimately, Kuhn reduces so-called scientific progress through the adoption of successive paradigms to leaps of "faith". This paper seeks a reconciliation of the two extremes, arguing that Popper is correct in the sense that science assumes a correspondence theory of truth and may progress toward truth as physical theories develop, while simultaneously acknowledging with Kuhn that science is not purely objective and free of value judgments. The notion of faith is also critical, for it was the acknowledgement of God's existence as the creator and instituter of observable natural laws which allowed the development of science and the scientific method in the first place. Therefore, accepting and synthesising the contentions that science is to some extent founded on faith, assumes and progresses toward truth, and is subject to value judgments is necessary for the progress of science.

Molecular Characterization of Sclerospora graminicola, the Incitant of Pearl Millet Downy Mildew Using ISSR Markers

The DNA polymorphism among 22 isolates of Sclerospora graminicola, the causal agent of downy mildew disease of pearl millet was assessed using 20 inter simple sequence repeats (ISSR) primers. The objective of the study was to examine the effectiveness of using ISSR markers for unravelling the extent and pattern of genetic diversity in 22 S. graminicola isolates collected from different host cultivars in different states of India. The 19 functional ISSR primers generated 410 polymorphic bands and revealed 89% polymorphism and were able to distinguish all the 22 isolates. Polymorphic bands used to construct an unweighted pair group method of averages (UPGMA) dendrogram based on Jaccard's co-efficient of similarity and principal coordinate analysis resulted in the formation of four major clusters of 22 isolates. The standardized Nei genetic distance among the 22 isolates ranged from 0.0050 to 0.0206. The UPGMA clustering using the standardized genetic distance matrix resulted in the identification of four clusters of the 22 isolates with bootstrap values ranging from 15 to 100. The 3D-scale data supported the UPGMA results, which resulted into four clusters amounting to 70% variation among each other. However, comparing the two methods show that sub clustering by dendrogram and multi dimensional scaling plot is slightly different. All the S. graminicola isolates had distinct ISSR genotypes and cluster analysis origin. The results of ISSR fingerprints revealed significant level of genetic diversity among the isolates and that ISSR markers could be a powerful tool for fingerprinting and diversity analysis in fungal pathogens.

A novel fully validated LC–MS/MS method for quantification of pyridoxal-5′-phosphate concentrations in samples of human whole blood

Quantification of pyridoxal-5´-phosphate (PLP) in biological samples is challenging due to the presence of endogenous PLP in matrices used for preparation of calibrators and quality control samples (QCs). Hence, we have developed an LC-MS/MS method for accurate and precise measurement of the concentrations of PLP in samples (20 µL) of human whole blood that addresses this issue by using a surrogate matrix and minimizing the matrix effect. We used a surrogate matrix comprising 2% bovine serum albumin (BSA) in phosphate buffer saline (PBS) for making calibrators, QCs and the concentrations were adjusted to include the endogenous PLP concentrations in the surrogate matrix according to the method of standard addition. PLP was separated from the other components of the sample matrix using protein precipitation with trichloroacetic acid 10% w/v. After centrifugation, supernatant were injected directly into the LC-MS/MS system. Calibration curves were linear and recovery was > 92%. QCs were accurate, precise, stable for four freeze-thaw cycles, and following storage at room temperature for 17h or at -80 °C for 3 months. There was no significant matrix effect using 9 different individual human blood samples. Our novel LC-MS/MS method has satisfied all of the criteria specified in the 2012 EMEA guideline on bioanalytical method validation.

A new approach to the study of non-linear non-autonomous systems

In this paper, a new approach to the study of non-linear, non-autonomous systems is presented. The method outlined is based on the idea of solving the governing differential equations of order n by a process of successive reduction of their order. This is achieved by the use of “differential transformation functions”. The value of the technique presented in the study of problems arising in the field of non-linear mechanics and the like, is illustrated by means of suitable examples drawn from different fields such as vibrations, rigid body dynamics, etc.

Heat transfer in rarefied couette flow on the basis of discrete ordinate method

The method of discrete ordinates, in conjunction with the modified "half-range" quadrature, is applied to the study of heat transfer in rarefied gas flows. Analytic expressions for the reduced distribution function, the macroscopic temperature profile and the heat flux are obtained in the general n-th approximation. The results for temperature profile and heat flux are in sufficiently good accord both with the results of the previous investigators and with the experimental data.

Stability Analysis of Composite Skew Plates Using a Dynamic Method

Stability analysis is carried out considering free lateral vibrations of simply supported composite skew plates that are subjected to both direct and shear in-plane forces. An oblique stress component representation is used, consistent with the skew-geometry of the plate. A double series, expressed in Chebyshev polynomials, is used here as the assumed deflection surface and Ritz method of solution is employed. Numerical results for different combinations of side ratios, skew angle, and in-plane loadings that act individually or in combination are obtained. In this method, the in-plane load parameter is varied until the fundamental frequency goes to zero. The value of the in-plane load then corresponds to a critical buckling load. Plots of frequency parameter versus in-plane loading are given for a few typical cases. Details of crossings and quasi degeneracies of these curves are presented.

A new method for modulating the activity of parvalbumin-positive neurons and cerebellar Purkinje cells in vivo

Neurons can be divided into various classes according to their location, morphology, neurochemical identity and electrical properties. They form complex interconnected networks with precise roles for each cell type. GABAergic neurons expressing the calcium-binding protein parvalbumin (Pv) are mainly interneurons, which serve a coordinating function. Pv-cells modulate the activity of principal cells with high temporal precision. Abnormalities of Pv-interneuron activity in cortical areas have been linked to neuropsychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia. Cerebellar Purkinje cells are known to be central to motor learning. They are the sole output from the layered cerebellar cortex to deep cerebellar nuclei. There are still many open questions about the precise role of Pv-neurons and Purkinje cells, many of which could be answered if one could achieve rapid, reversible cell-type specific modulation of the activity of these neurons and observe the subsequent changes at the whole-animal level. The aim of these studies was to develop a novel method for the modulation of Pv-neurons and Purkinje cells in vivo and to use this method to investigate the significance of inhibition in these neuronal types with a variety of behavioral experiments in addition to tissue autoradiography, electrophysiology and immunohistochemistry. The GABA(A) receptor γ2 subunit was ablated from Pv-neurons and Purkinje cells in four separate mouse lines. Pv-Δγ2 mice had wide-ranging behavioral alterations and increased GABA-insensitive binding indicative of an altered GABA(A) receptor composition, particularly in midbrain areas. PC-Δγ2 mice experienced little or no motor impairment despite the lack of inhibition in Purkinje cells. In Pv-Δγ2-partial rescue mice, a reversal of motor and cognitive deficits was observed in addition to restoration of the wild-type γ2F77 subunit to the reticular nucleus of thalamus and the cerebellar molecular layer. In PC-Δγ2-swap mice, zolpidem sensitivity was restored to Purkinje cells and the administration of systemic zolpidem evoked a transient motor impairment. On the basis of these results, it is concluded that this new method of cell-type specific modulation is a feasible way to modulate the activity of selected neuronal types. The importance of Purkinje cells to motor control supports previous studies, and the crucial involvement of Pv-neurons in a range of behavioral modalities is confirmed.

A novel method for diameter estimation of small opaque objects using Fraunhofer diffraction

A novel optical method is proposed and demonstrated, for real-time dimension estimation of thin opaque cylindrical objects. The methodology relies on free-space Fraunhofer diffraction principle. The central region, of such tailored diffraction pattern obtained under suitable choice of illumination conditions, comprises of a pair of `equal intensity maxima', whose separation remains constant and independent of the diameter of the diffracting object. An analysis of `the intensity distribution in this region' reveals the following. At a point symmetrically located between the said maxima, the light intensity varies characteristically with diameter of the diffracting object, exhibiting a relatively stronger intensity modulation under spherical wave illumination than under a plane wave illumination. The analysis reveals further, that the said intensity variation with diameter is controllable by the illumination conditions. Exploiting these `hitherto unexplored' features, the present communication reports for the first time, a reliable method of estimating diameter of thin opaque cylindrical objects in real-time, with nanometer resolution from single point intensity measurement. Based on the proposed methodology, results of few simulation and experimental investigations carried-out on metallic wires with diameters spanning the range of 5 to 50 mu m, are presented. The results show that proposed method is well-suited for high resolution on-line monitoring of ultrathin wire diameters, extensively used in micro-mechanics and semiconductor industries, where the conventional diffraction-based methods fail to produce accurate results.

A method for in vivo [32P]phosphate labelling of testis proteins

The direct intratesticular injection of [P-32]phosphate resulted in 4-9 times more labelling of rat testis proteins compared to the conventional method of in vitro incubation. Moreover this is a simple technique requiring minimum (7-10 times less) radioactive phosphate and is less hazardous.