Heuristic algorithms for scheduling on uniform parallel machines with heads and tails

This paper considers the uniform parallel machine scheduling problem with unequal release dates and delivery times to minimize the maximum completion time.For this NP-hard problem,the largest sum of release date,processing time and delivery time first rule is designed to determine a certain machine for each job,and the largest difference between delivery time and release date first rule is designed to sequence the jobs scheduled on the same machine,and then a novel algorithm for the scheduling problem is built.To evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithm,a lower bound for the problem is proposed.The accuracy of the proposed algorithm is tested based on the data with problem size varying from 200 jobs to 600 jobs.The computational results indicate that the average relative error between the proposed algorithm and the lower bound is only 0.667%,therefore the solutions obtained by the proposed algorithm are very accurate.

A Calculation Method of Rolling Characteristics of Canard Missile with Free-Spinning Tails

The steady flow field of a canard missile on different angles of attack and Mach numbers were studied. Based on analysis, a method was proposed to reduce the calculation for the rolling characteristics of the canard missile with free-spinning tails, and was tested to obtain the relations between rolling moment coefficient, Mach number, and angle of attack. All the computed rolling moment coefficients obtained from the proposed method greatly agreed with the experimental results of FD-06 wind tunnel in CAAA, which proved that the method can not only reduce the calculation cost but also keep precision in calculating the rolling characteristics of canard missiles.

Recovery of Rare Earth Elements Present in Mining Tails, by Leaching with Nitric and Hydrochloric Solutions

The rare earth elements (REE) include the group of 15 lanthanides, scandium and yttrium and have diverse applications in technological and nuclear areas. The existence of REE in massive solid mining wastes generated in leaching processes of copper minerals in the Atacama region of Chile generates the possibility of creating added value to the treatment of this type of waste and supporting the development of a circular economy, generating a useful by-product in different industries. In order to know the behavior of these elements present in the solid carrier waste, a leaching process was carried out by using two agents separately, corresponding to hydrochloric and nitric acid. The technical feasibility to recover REE from carrier tail was demonstrated, the best leaching agent for these elements being a hydrochloric solution, obtaining a maximum recovery efficiency of 64.5%, for an acid concentration: 3M, temperature: 40°C and (liquid/solid) ratio: 4. Lanthanum and cerium present the best individual recoveries compared to the other REE, with a maximum efficiency for a hydrochloric solution of 75.7% and 70.0%, respectively. The interaction of operational parameters that most influence the REE recovery corresponds to the temperature and the (liquid/solid) ratio. After 4 hours of leaching, REE recovery efficiencies remain practically constant. Acid consumptions correspond to 11 (kg HCl/ton mining tail) and 29 (kg HNO3/ton mining tail). The highest amount recovery ratios of these elements correspond to 0.355 and 0.224 (kg REE/ton mining tail), for hydrochloric and nitric solutions, respectively. These results influence the types of reagents and parameters to be studied in the following stages of the global process.

A sharp inequality for the tail probabilities of sums of i.i.d. r.v.'s with dominatedly varying tails

Let F be a distribution function supported on (-∞,∞) with a finite mean μ. In this note we show that if its tail F = 1 - F is dominatedly varying, then for any r > max{μ, 0}, there exist C(r) > 0 and D(r) > 0 such thatfor all n ≥ 1 and all x≥rn. This inequality sharpens a classical inequality for the subexponential distribution case.

Precise large deviations for widely orthant dependent random variables with dominatedly varying tails

For the widely orthant dependent （WOD） structure, this paper mainly investigates the precise large deviations for the partial sums of WOD and non-identically distributed random variables with dominatedly varying tails. The obtained results extend some corresponding results.

THE STRUCTURE AND PRECISE MODERATE DEVIATIONS OF RANDOM VARIABLES WITH DOMINATEDLY VARYING TAILS

This paper shows the structure of the random variables with dominatedly varying tails and that of the associated random variables, and obtains some results on these r.v.s' precise moderate deviations with random centralizing constants, which extend the boundary γλ(t)of large deviations to γ(λ(t)^1/s,whereγ>0,1<s<2,λ(t)is the expectation of the random index N(t),t>0.

Comprehensive analysis of mRNA poly(A)tails by PAIso-seq2

Dear Editor,Poly(A)tails are added to the 3’-end of most mRNAs(Colgan and Manley,1997;Yu and Kim,2020).The regulatory roles of poly(A)tails have long been underestimated due to technical difficulties in analyzing homopolymers(Chang et al.,2014;Subtelny et al.,2014).Several methods were recently developed to accurately measure their length(Chang et al.,2014;Legnini et al.,2019;Liu et al.,2019;Liu et al.

Non-enzymatic browning path analysis of ready-to-eat crayfish(Promcambarus clarkii)tails during thermal treatment and storage

This study was carried out to reveal the browning path of ready-to-eat(RTE)crayfish tails during thermal treatment and storage using path analysis.Maillard reactions,lipid oxidation,and phenol oxidation were evaluated in combination with free radical content and FTIR analysis,and direct path coefficients as well as determination coefficients were obtained based on these parameters,such as the absorbance at 294 nm(A294),5-hydroxymethylfurfural(5-HMF),thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances(TBARS),and total phenols(TP).The result showed that the browning of seasoned RTE crayfish tails was ascribe to the synergistic effect of Maillard reaction and lipid oxidation by the order of determination coefficient.After the crayfish hepatopancreas were removed,the content of A294,5-HMF,TBARS,and TP declined more than 30%,specifically affecting the direct pathway from lipid oxidation to Maillard reaction and alleviating the browning.However,no significant change of color was observed in the group without thirteen-spices,while TBARS and free radical content increased by at least 16.7%.The removal of hepatopancreas and the control of Maillard reaction were deemed to be a good measure for inhibiting the non-enzymatic browning of RTE crayfish tails.

Randomly Weighted Sums for Negatively Associated Random Variables with Heavy Tails

In 2003, Tang Qihe et al. obtained a simple asymptotic formula for independent identically distributed (i.i.d.) random variables with heavy tails. In this paper, under certain moment conditions, we establish a formula as the same as Tang’s, when random variables are negatively associated (NA).

Necessary and sufficient conditions for moderate deviations of dependent random variables with heavy tails

This paper studies the moderate deviations of real-valued extended negatively dependent(END) random variables with consistently varying tails.The moderate deviations of partial sums are first given.The results are then used to establish the necessary and sufficient conditions for the moderate deviations of random sums under certain circumstances.

Precise Large Deviations for Sums of Negatively Associated Random Variables with Common Dominatedly Varying Tails

In this paper, we obtain results on precise large deviations for non-random and random sums of negatively associated nonnegative random variables with common dominatedly varying tail distribution function. We discover that, under certain conditions, three precise large-deviation prob- abilities with different centering numbers are equivalent to each other. Furthermore, we investigate precise large deviations for sums of negatively associated nonnegative random variables with certain negatively dependent occurrences. The obtained results extend and improve the corresponding results of Ng, Tang, Yan and Yang （J. Appl. Prob., 41, 93-107, 2004）.

New Triphenylene Based Discotic Liquid Crystals with Mixed Tails： Molecular Symmetry and Wide Columnar Mesophase Range

A series of new trialkoxytrialkanoyloxytriphenylene TP（OCnH2n＋1）3（OCOCmH2m＋1）3 （5a-5e） （n =m＋1 =4- 8） discotic liquid crystals were prepared and their mesomorphic properties were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry （DSC） and polarizing optical microscopy （POM）. The symmetrical and shorter chain triphenylenes display higher melting points and clearing points, more highly ordered and stable columnar mesophase than the asymmetrical and longer chain triphenylenes respectively.

An ex vivo assay for screening glucocorticoid signaling disruption based on glucocorticoid-response gene transcription in Xenopus tails

There is a pressing need for developing in vivo or ex vivo assays to screen the glucocorticoid（GC） signaling disruption of chemicals. Thus, we aimed to establish an ex vivo assay for screening GC signaling disruption based on the GC-response gene transcription in Xenopus laevis tails cultured ex vivo. Firstly, we investigated effects of corticosterone（CORT, a main GC in frogs） on GC-response gene expression, and determined the six genes as molecular endpoints for assaying the GC signaling disruption. CORT in the range of 1.56–400 nmol/L was found to up-regulate transcription of the six GC-response genes, exhibiting comparable or higher sensitivity than previously reported assays. To validate this ex vivo assay, then, we examined effects of dexamethasone（a known GC signaling agonist） on GC-response gene expression. Dexamethasone displayed an agonistic action in a concentration-dependent manner, further demonstrating the efficiency of the established assay. Finally, we applied the ex vivo assay to evaluate the GC signaling disruption of bisphenol A（BPA）. In accordance with previous reports, we found a concentration-dependent agonistic activity of BPA,showing that the established assay is effective for detecting the GC signaling disrupting activity of environmental chemicals. Correspondingly, the GC signaling agonistic actions of CORT and BPA in ex vivo tails accorded with the observations in vivo, indicating that the ex vivo assay is able to detect the actions of chemicals in vivo. Overall, we established an ex vivo assay that can effectively screen GC signaling disruption of environmental chemicals.

The movement dynamics of autotomized lizards and their tails reveal functional costs of caudal autotomy

Autotomy has evolved independently several times in different animal lineages.It frequently involves immediate functional costs,so regeneration evolved in many instances to restore the functionality of that body part.Caudal autotomy is a widespread antipredator strategy in lizards,although it may affect energy storage,locomotion dynamics,or survival in future encounters with predators.Here,we assessed the effect of tail loss on the locomotor performance of wall lizards(Podarcis muralis),as well as the recovery of locomotor functionality of lizards with regenerated tails,and the movement dynamics of shed tails that were either intact or having regenerated portions.Tail loss had no effect on locomotion over unhindered spaces,possibly due to compensation between a negative effect on the stride of front limbs,and a positive effect of losing mass and friction force.We found a clear negative impact of tail loss on locomotion in spaces with interspersed obstacles,in which tailed lizards jumped larger distances when leaving the obstacles.Besides,lizards that used the tail to push off the ground were able to approach the obstacles from further,so that the tail seemed to be useful when used during jumping.Regeneration fully restores lizard’s locomotor capacities,but tail antipredator value,as indicated by the intensity of post-autotomic movements,is only partially retrieved.From these results,we propose that,together with the recovery of post-autotomy antipredator capacities,the restoration of the organismal locomotor performance may have been an important,yet frequently neglected factor in the evolution of lizard’s regeneration ability.

Heavy tails of a Lévy process and its maximum over a random time interval

Let {Xt,t ≥ 0} be a Levy process with Levy measure v on （-∞,∞）, and let τ be a nonnegative random variable independent of {Xt,t ≥ 0}. We are interested in the tail probabilities of Xτ and X（τ） = sup0≤t≤τ Xt. For various cases, under the assumption that either the Levy measure v or the random variable T has a heavy right tail we prove that both Pr（XT 〉 x） and Pr（X（τ） 〉 x） are asymptotic to ETv（（x, ∞）） ＋ Pτ（τ 〉 x/（0 V EX1）） as x → ∞, where Pr（τ 〉 x/x） = 0 by convention.

3D Collagen Gels:A Promising Platform for Dendritic Cell Culture in Biomaterials Research

The three-dimensional(3D)cell culture system has garnered significant attention in recent years as a means of studying cell behavior and tissue development,as opposed to traditional two-dimensional cultures.These systems can induce specific cell reactions,promote specific tissue functions,and serve as valuable tools for research in tissue engineering,regenerative medicine,and drug discovery.This paper discusses current developments in the field of three-dimensional cell culture and the potential applications of 3D type 1 collagen gels to enhance the growth and maturation of dendritic cells.

Reinforcing effects of polypropylene on energy absorption and fracturing of cement-based tailings backfill under impact loading

Polypropylene(PP)fiber-reinforced cement-based tailings backfill(FRCTB)is a green compound material with superior crack resistance and has good prospects for application in underground mining.However,FRCTB exhibits susceptibility to dynamic events,such as impact ground pressure and blast vibrations.This paper investigates the energy and crack distribution behavior of FRCTB under dynamic impact,considering the height/diameter(H/D)effect.Split Hopkinson pressure bar,industrial computed tomography scan,and scanning electron microscopy(SEM)experiments were carried out on six types of FRCTB.Laboratory outcomes confirmed fiber aggregation at the bottom of specimens.When H/D was less than 0.8,the proportion of PP fibers distributed along theθangle direction of80°-90°increased.For the total energy,all samples presented similar energy absorption,reflectance,and transmittance.However,a rise in H/D may cause a rise in the energy absorption rate of FRCTB during the peak phase.A positive correlation existed between the average strain rate and absorbed energy per unit volume.The increase in H/D resulted in a decreased crack volume fraction of FRCTB.When the H/D was greater than or equal to 0.7,the maximum crack volume fraction of FRCTB was observed close to the incidence plane.Radial cracks were present only in the FRCTB with an H/D ratio of 0.5.Samples with H/D ratios of 0.5 and 0.6 showed similar distributions of weakly and heavily damaged areas.PP fibers can limit the emergence and expansion of cracks by influencing their path.SEM observations revealed considerable differences in the bonding strengths between fibers and the FRCTB.Fibers that adhered particularly well to the substrate were attracted together with the hydration products adhering to surfaces.These results show that FRCTB is promising as a sustainable and green backfill for determining the design properties of mining with backfill.

Rheological properties and concentration evolution of thickened tailings under the coupling effect of compression and shear

Cemented paste backfill(CPB)is a key technology for green mining in metal mines,in which tailings thickening comprises the primary link of CPB technology.However,difficult flocculation and substandard concentrations of thickened tailings often occur.The rheological properties and concentration evolution in the thickened tailings remain unclear.Moreover,traditional indoor thickening experiments have yet to quantitatively characterize their rheological properties.An experiment of flocculation condition optimization based on the Box-Behnken design(BBD)was performed in the study,and the two response values were investigated:concentration and the mean weighted chord length(MWCL)of flocs.Thus,optimal flocculation conditions were obtained.In addition,the rheological properties and concentration evolution of different flocculant dosages and ultrafine tailing contents under shear,compression,and compression-shear coupling experimental conditions were tested and compared.The results show that the shear yield stress under compression and compression-shear coupling increases with the growth of compressive yield stress,while the shear yield stress increases slightly under shear.The order of shear yield stress from low to high under different thickening conditions is shear,compression,and compression-shear coupling.Under compression and compression-shear coupling,the concentration first rapidly increases with the growth of compressive yield stress and then slowly increases,while concentration increases slightly under shear.The order of concentration from low to high under different thickening conditions is shear,compression,and compression-shear coupling.Finally,the evolution mechanism of the flocs and drainage channels during the thickening of the thickened tailings under different experimental conditions was revealed.