DMT of multi-hop cooperative networks

Some basic results that help in determining the Diversity-Multiplexing Tradeoff (DMT) of cooperative multihop networks are first identified. As examples, the maximum achievable diversity gain is shown to equal the min-cut between source and sink, whereas the maximal multiplexing gain is shown to equal the minimum rank of the matrix characterizing the MIMO channel appearing across a cut in the network. Two multi-hop generalizations of the two-hop network are then considered, namely layered networks as well as a class of networks introduced here and termed as K-parallel-path (KPP) networks. The DMT of KPP networks is characterized for K > 3. It is shown that a linear DMT between the maximum diversity dmax and the maximum multiplexing gain of 1 is achievable for fully-connected, layered networks. Explicit coding schemes achieving the DMT that make use of cyclic-division-algebra-based distributed space-time codes underlie the above results. Two key implications of the results in the paper are that the half-duplex constraint does not entail any rate loss for a large class of cooperative networks and that simple, amplify-and-forward protocols are often sufficient to attain the optimal DMT.

Twisted aromatics, 9-anthryl and 1-pyrenyl terpyridines organize into novel multi-directional 'ladder-like' motifs in the solid state

9-Anthryl and 1-pyrenyl terpyridines (1 and 2, respectively), key precursors for the design of novel fluorescent sensors have been synthesized and characterized by H-1 NMR, mass spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. Twisted molecular conformations for each 1 and 2 were observed in their single crystal structures. Energy minimization calculations for the 1 and 2 using the semi-empirical AM1 method show that the 'twisted' conformation is intrinsic to these systems. We observe interconnected networks of edge-to-face CH...pi interactions, which appear to be cooperative in nature, in each of the crystal structures. The two twisted molecules, although having differently shaped polyaromatic hydrocarbon substituents, show similar patterns of edge-to-face CH...pi interactions.The presently described systems comprise of two aromatic surfaces that are almost orthogonal to each other. This twisted or orthogonal nature of the molecules leads to the formation of interesting multi-directional ladder like supramolecular organizations. A combination of edge-to-face and face-to-face packing modes helps to stabilize these motifs. The ladder like architecture in 1 is helical in nature. (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.

Nonlinear Dynamics of Beams with Stochastic Parameter Variations

The aim of this paper is to investigate the steady state response of beams under the action of random support motions. The study is of relevance in the context of earthquake response of extended land based structures such as pipelines and long span bridges, and, secondary systems such as piping networks in nuclear power plant installations. The following complicating features are accounted for in the response analysis: (a) differential support motions: this is characterized in terms of cross power spectral density functions associated with distinct support motions, (b) nonlinear support conditions, and (c) stochastically inhomogeneous stiffness and mass variations of the beam structure; questions on non-Gaussian models for these variations are considered. The method of stochastic finite elements is combined with equivalent linearization technique and Monte Carlo simulations to obtain response moments.

A gradient PCR-based screen for use in site-directed mutagenesis

Site-directed mutagenesis is widely used to study protein and nucleic acid structure and function. Despite recent advancements in the efficiency of procedures for site-directed mutagenesis, the fraction of site-directed mutants by most procedures rarely exceeds 50% on a routine basis and is never 100%. Hence it is typically necessary to sequence two or three clones each time a site-directed mutant is constructed. We describe a simple and robust gradient-PCR-based screen for distinguishing site-directed mutants from the starting, unmutated plasmid. The procedure can use either purified plasmid DNA or colony PCR, starting from a single colony. The screen utilizes the primer used for mutagenesis and a common outside primer that can be used for all other mutants constructed with the same template. Over 30 site-specific mutants in a variety of templates were successfully screened and all of the mutations detected were subsequently confirmed by DNA sequencing. A single base pair mismatch could be detected in an oligonucleotide of 36 bases. Detection efficiency was relatively independent of starting template concentration and the nature of the outside primer used. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.

Two-Parameter Uniformly Elliptic Sturm–Liouville Problems With Eigenparameter-Dependent Boundary Conditions

We consider the two-parameter Sturm–Liouville system $$ -y_1''+q_1y_1=(\lambda r_{11}+\mu r_{12})y_1\quad\text{on }[0,1], $$ with the boundary conditions $$ \frac{y_1'(0)}{y_1(0)}=\cot\alpha_1\quad\text{and}\quad\frac{y_1'(1)}{y_1(1)}=\frac{a_1\lambda+b_1}{c_1\lambda+d_1}, $$ and $$ -y_2''+q_2y_2=(\lambda r_{21}+\mu r_{22})y_2\quad\text{on }[0,1], $$ with the boundary conditions $$ \frac{y_2'(0)}{y_2(0)} =\cot\alpha_2\quad\text{and}\quad\frac{y_2'(1)}{y_2(1)}=\frac{a_2\mu+b_2}{c_2\mu+d_2}, $$ subject to the uniform-left-definite and uniform-ellipticity conditions; where $q_{i}$ and $r_{ij}$ are continuous real valued functions on $[0,1]$, the angle $\alpha_{i}$ is in $[0,\pi)$ and $a_{i}$, $b_{i}$, $c_{i}$, $d_{i}$ are real numbers with $\delta_{i}=a_{i}d_{i}-b_{i}c_{i}>0$ and $c_{i}\neq0$ for $i,j=1,2$. Results are given on asymptotics, oscillation of eigenfunctions and location of eigenvalues.

Water quality parameter estimation in steady-state distribution system

The maintenance of chlorine residual is needed at all the points in the distribution system supplied with chlorine as a disinfectant. The propagation and level of chlorine in a distribution system is affected by both bulk and pipe wall reactions. It is well known that the field determination of wall reaction parameter is difficult. The source strength of chlorine to maintain a specified chlorine residual at a target node is also an important parameter. The inverse model presented in the paper determines these water quality parameters, which are associated with different reaction kinetics, either in single or in groups of pipes. The weighted-least-squares method based on the Gauss-Newton minimization technique is used for the estimation of these parameters. The validation and application of the inverse model is illustrated with an example pipe distribution system under steady state. A generalized procedure to handle noisy and bad (abnormal) data is suggested, which can be used to estimate these parameters more accurately. The developed inverse model is useful for water supply agencies to calibrate their water distribution system and to improve their operational strategies to maintain water quality.

Multi-Armed Bandit Mechanisms for Multi-Slot Sponsored Searth Auctions

In pay-per click sponsored search auctions which are currently extensively used by search engines, the auction for a keyword involves a certain number of advertisers (say k) competing for available slots (say m) to display their ads. This auction is typically conducted for a number of rounds (say T). There are click probabilities mu_ij associated with agent-slot pairs. The search engine's goal is to maximize social welfare, for example, the sum of values of the advertisers. The search engine does not know the true value of an advertiser for a click to her ad and also does not know the click probabilities mu_ij s. A key problem for the search engine therefore is to learn these during the T rounds of the auction and also to ensure that the auction mechanism is truthful. Mechanisms for addressing such learning and incentives issues have recently been introduced and would be referred to as multi-armed-bandit (MAB) mechanisms. When m = 1,characterizations for truthful MAB mechanisms are available in the literature and it has been shown that the regret for such mechanisms will be O(T^{2/3}). In this paper, we seek to derive a characterization in the realistic but nontrivial general case when m > 1 and obtain several interesting results.

Strategies for Rescheduling Tightly-Coupled Parallel Applications in Multi-Cluster Grids

As computational Grids are increasingly used for executing long running multi-phase parallel applications, it is important to develop efficient rescheduling frameworks that adapt application execution in response to resource and application dynamics. In this paper, three strategies or algorithms have been developed for deciding when and where to reschedule parallel applications that execute on multi-cluster Grids. The algorithms derive rescheduling plans that consist of potential points in application execution for rescheduling and schedules of resources for application execution between two consecutive rescheduling points. Using large number of simulations, it is shown that the rescheduling plans developed by the algorithms can lead to large decrease in application execution times when compared to executions without rescheduling on dynamic Grid resources. The rescheduling plans generated by the algorithms are also shown to be competitive when compared to the near-optimal plans generated by brute-force methods. Of the algorithms, genetic algorithm yielded the most efficient rescheduling plans with 9-12% smaller average execution times than the other algorithms.

A Nonlinear Voltage Regulator With One Tunable Parameter for Multimachine Power Systems

This paper proposes a nonlinear voltage regulator with one tunable parameter for multimachine power systems. Based on output feedback linearization, this regulator can achieve simultaneous voltage regulation and small-signal performance objectives. Conventionally output feedback linearization has been used for voltage regulator design by taking infinite bus voltage as reference. Unfortunately, this controller has poor small-signal performance and cannot be applied to multimachine systems without the estimation of the equivalent external reactance seen from the generator. This paper proposes a voltage regulator design by redefining the rotor angle at each generator with respect to the secondary voltage of the step-up transformer as reference instead of a common synchronously rotating reference frame. Using synchronizing and damping torques analysis, we show that the proposed voltage regulator achieves simultaneous voltage regulation and damping performance over a range of system and operating conditions by controlling the relative angle between the generator internal voltage angle delta and the secondary voltage of the step up transformer. The performance of the proposed voltage regulator is evaluated on a single machine infinite bus system and two widely used multimachine test systems.