A Multiscale Approach to Optimal Transport

In this paper, we propose an improvement of an algorithm of Aurenhammer, Hoffmann and Aronov to find a least square matching between a probability density and finite set of sites with mass constraints, in the Euclidean plane. Our algorithm exploits the multiscale nature of this optimal transport problem. We iteratively simplify the target using Lloyd's algorithm, and use the solution of the simplified problem as a rough initial solution to the more complex one. This approach allows for fast estimation of distances between measures related to optimal transport (known as Earth‐mover or Wasserstein distances). We also discuss the implementation of these algorithms, and compare the original one to its multiscale counterpart.     

Real-time visualization in the offshore industry

Real-time underwater visualization has been extremely slow to develop within the offshore industry and has generally been limited to 2D representations of vessel positions on digital charts. Only recently have marine industries realized the potential of 3D real-time virtual environments and visualization systems for effective management planning and real-time situation awareness. We describe a real-time visualization of the clean-up of a former US Naval Submarine Base, located in Holy Loch, Scotland. Our Whole-Field Modeling System has provided an accurate real-time visualization of numerous varying parameters such as remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), cranes, barges, grabs, magnets, and detailed seabed topography. The system improved the field staffs' spatial and temporal awareness and facilitated decision making within the complex offshore working environment. A side bar discusses another application, offshore diamond mining     

Thermal shock of ß-alumina with zirconia additions

Sodium-alumina electrolyte tubes were prepared from spray dried precursor powders with additions of 2, 5, 10 and 15 wt % ZrO₂ made by the sodium zirconate route. The thermal shock behaviour of ring segments cut from the tubes was examined by quenching into water at 0° C. At the 2% ZrO₂ level the dispersed ZrO₂ particle size was low, <0.5m, and the tetragonal phase was retained. For higher weight fractions, particle coarsening during the-alumina sintering schedule was extensive and the large particles transformed to monoclinic on cooling. At the 15% ZrO₂ level the-alumina had a slightly reduced strength and high resistance to thermal shock and to thermal shock damage, quenching into water from 800° C effecting only a 43% reduction in strength. These observations are consistent with the effects of microcracking in the vicinity of second phase ZrO₂ particles.     

S-phase fractions of breast carcinomas. Relationships to morphology, estrogen and progesterone receptors, and early recurrence

Analysis of the S-phase fractions (SPF) measured by in vitro thymidine labeling, morphological appearances, and estrogen receptor (ER) assays of primary invasive breast carcinomas demonstrated several interrelationships. Lobular, mucinous, tubular, and adenocystic carcinomas consistently had low SPF and were usually positive for ER. The same was true for the carcinomas of no special histologic type [the not otherwise specified (NOS) group of E. R. Fisher including "infiltrating ductal" and undifferentiated carcinomas] with minimal anaplasia. Medullary, atypical medullary, and morphologically unclassifiable carcinomas with marked nuclear anaplasia nearly always had high SPF and were usually negative for ER. High SPF was associated with advanced stages of carcinoma initially or with early recurrence following mastectomy.     

Improved Synthesis and Physicochemical Properties of Alkoxylated Inulin

Inulin, a polydisperse reserve polysaccharide extracted from chicory, has been modified by alkoxylation in a water-free medium using a basic catalyst. The reaction of inulin with ethylene oxide, as well as propylene oxide, was performed in an organic solvent, N-methylpyrrolidinone, with triethylamine as basic catalyst in almost quantitative yields. The reaction resulted in a range of products with very specific properties such as highly increased water solubility, moderate surface activities and very high cloud points in electrolyte media.     

A thermodynamic approach to the influence of plastic deformation on crack instability

It is argued that the role of plastic deformation in crack growth has been widely misinterpreted. In particular the notion that the work of plastic deformation contributes to the energy balance in such a way as to give rise to an increased effective surface energy is shown to be physically incorrect. A fundamental reappraisal of the role of plastic deformation on the instability of cracks is undertaken and a thermodynamic formulation of the problem of the energetics of crack extension is developed. This is capable of treating both moving cracks and the dislocations producing plastic deformation in a unified manner and provides a powerful tool for the study of combined crack extension and plastic deformation. A rigorous definition of plastic work is also given and it is shown that the crack extension force is the only physically meaningful parameter which can be used in the formulation of a crack instability criterion. The work of plastic deformation is not a part of the crack extension force and should not be included in the criterion for crack instability. It is found that one of the important effects of plastic deformation on crack instability is the shielding effect or the reduction it causes in the magnitude of the stress at the crack tip resulting in a smaller crack extension force. Other possible effects of plastic deformation on crack propagation are briefly discussed.     

Subjective time experience in an intergenerational sample

The roles chronological age and gender play in subjective time experience were explored in a sample of 294 adult men and women. Subjective time experience (STE: the difference between subjective age and chronological age) was found to vary widely among individuals, with some being "accurate" (SA = CA), and others either "retarded" (SA less than CA) or "advanced" (SA greater than CA). Males were more retarded in STE than females at every point in the lifespan, and patterns of age differences in adulthood differed for the two sexes as well. The results suggest that chronological age may play a key role in transitions in STE, and that chronological age is more significant in the STE of women than in the STE of men.     

Anesthetic management

Experiments were performed on obligatory bipeds to study the effects of an arteriovenous fistula on a devascularized ischemic limb. Retrograde flow of arterial blood entering the venous system by way of an arteriovenous fistula was demonstrated. Venous valves appeared not to interfere with retrograde arterial flow. The data from these experiments indicate that a "Y" type arteriovenous fistula can lead to functional revascularization in the ischemic limb with arterial obstruction. The dual mechanism of retrograde arterial flow in venous channels and the stimulation of collateral flow adjacent to the fistula seemed to be critical factors. Since a peripheral arteriovenous fistula is a potent stimulus to arterial collateralization in the extremity, its application is worthy of consideration in certain selected patients with advanced and otherwise inoperable arterial occlusive disease.     

Preoperative radiotherapy for adenocarcinoma of the rectosigmoid

Ninety-seven patients with adenocarcinoma of the rectosigmoid have been treated with high dose (5000-6000 rad) preoperative irradiation from 1960 through 1972 at the University of Oregon Health Sciences Center. Fifty-seven were initially clinically resectable and 40 were initially inoperable. Forty of the 57 initially clinically resectable patients had "curative" resections and are at risk for more than 5 years. An increase in 5-year survival (from 38% to 53%) and an absence of pelvic recurrence have occurred in those patients receiving preoperative irradiation and "curative" resection. Four of the 40 initially inoperable patients are alive without tumor. Three of the four survivors had irradiation and surgery; one had irradiation only. An additional four patients had no evidence of tumor at death. Tumor was totally sterilized by irradiation and nine patients and reduced to microfocal extent in an additional three of the 97 patients. Incidence of complications was no greater than has been reported in a surgical series from the same institution.