Maximum Cycle Length Research Articles

An old problem of Erdős: A graph without two cycles of the same length

In 1975, P. Erd\H{o}s proposed the problem of determining the maximum number $f(n)$ of edges in a graph on $n$ vertices in which any two cycles are of different lengths. Let $f^{\ast}(n)$ be the maximum number of edges in a simple graph on $n$ vertices in which any two cycles are of different lengths. Let $M_n$ be the set of simple graphs on $n$ vertices in which any two cycles are of different lengths and with the edges of $f^{\ast}(n)$. Let $mc(n)$ be the maximum cycle length for all $G \in M_n$. In this paper, it is proved that for $n$ sufficiently large, $mc(n)\leq \frac{15}{16}n$. We make the following conjecture: $$\lim_{n \rightarrow \infty} {mc(n)\over n}= 0.$$

Detailed Analysis of Tachycardia Cycle Length Aids Diagnosis of the Mechanism And Location of Atrial Tachycardias.

Although the mechanism of an AT can usually be elucidated using modern high-resolution mapping systems, it would be helpful if the AT mechanism and circuit could be predicted before initiating mapping. We examined if information gathered from the cycle length (CL) of the tachycardia can help predict AT-mechanism and its localization. 138 activation maps of ATs including 8 focal-ATs, 94 macroreentrant-ATs and 36 localized-ATs in 95 patients were retrospectively reviewed. Maximal CL (MCL) and minimal CL (mCL) over a minute period were measured via a decapolar catheter in the coronary sinus. CL-variation and beat-by-beat CL-alternation were examined. Additionally, CL-respiration correlation was analyzed by the RhythmiaTM system. Both MCL and mCL were significantly shorter in macroreentrant-ATs (MCL = 288[253-348]ms, p = 0.0001; mCL = 283[243-341]ms, p = 0.0012), and also shorter in localized-ATs (MCL = 314[261-349]ms, p = 0.0016; mCL = 295[248-340]ms, p = 0.0047) compared to focal-ATs (MCL = 506[421-555]ms, mCL = 427[347-508]ms). An absolute CL-variation (MCL-mCL) < 24 ms significantly differentiated reentrant ATs from focal-ATs with a sensitivity = 96.9%, specificity = 100%, positive predictive value (PPV) = 100% and negative predictive value (NPV) = 66.7%. The beat-by-beat CL-alternation was observed in 10/138 (7.2%), all of which showed the reentrant mechanism, meaning that beat-by-beat CL-alternation was the strong sign of reentrant mechanism (PPV = 100%). Although the CL-respiration correlation was observed in 28/138 (20.3%) of ATs, this was predominantly in right-atrium (RA)-ATs (24/41, 85.7%), rather than left atrium (LA)-ATs (4/97, 4.1%). A positive CL-respiration correlation highly predicted RA-ATs (PPV = 85.7%), and negative CL-respiration correlation probably suggested LA-ATs (NPV = 84.5%). Detailed analysis of the tachycardia CL helps predict the AT-mechanism and the active AT chamber before an initial mapping.

Female Reproductive Health Disturbance Experienced During the COVID-19 Pandemic Correlates With Mental Health Disturbance and Sleep Quality.

The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected population mental health. Periods of psychological distress can induce menstrual dysfunction. We previously demonstrated a significant disruption in women’s reproductive health during the first 6 months of the pandemic. The present study investigates longer-term reproductive and mental health disturbances. A cross-sectional online survey was completed by 1335 women of reproductive age in April 2021. It included validated standardized measures of depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (GAD-7) and sleep quality (PSQI). 581 (56%) of women reported an overall change in their menstrual cycle since the beginning of the pandemic. There was no change in median cycle length [28 days (28-30)] or days of menses [5 (4-5)], but there was a wider variability in minimum (p<0.0001) and maximum (p<0.0001) cycle length. There was a significant increase in heavy menstrual bleeding, painful periods and missed periods compared to pre-pandemic (all p<0.0001). 64% of women reported worsening pre-menstrual symptoms. Rates of severe depression, anxiety and poor sleep were more than double those from large scale representative community samples. Poor sleep quality was an independent predictor of overall change in menstrual cycle (OR=1.11, 95%CI 1.05-1.18), and missed periods (OR=1.11, 95%CI 1.03-1.19) during the pandemic. Increased anxiety was independently associated with a change from non-painful to painful periods (OR=1.06, 95%CI 1.01-1.11) and worsening of pre-menstrual symptoms (OR=1.06, 95%CI 1.01-1.07) during the pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to bear a significant impact on female reproductive health. Increased levels of psychological distress and poor sleep are associated with menstrual cycle disruption.

Recourse in Kidney Exchange Programs

We introduce the problem of selecting patient-donor pairs in a kidney exchange program to undergo a crossmatch test, and we model this selection problem as a two-stage stochastic integer programming problem. The optimal solutions of this new formulation yield a larger expected number of realized transplants than previous approaches based on internal recourse or subset recourse. We settle the computational complexity of the selection problem by showing that it remains NP-hard even for maximum cycle length equal to two. Furthermore, we investigate to what extent different algorithmic approaches, including one based on Benders decomposition, are able to solve instances of the model. We empirically investigate the computational efficiency of this approach by solving randomly generated instances and study the corresponding running times as a function of maximum cycle length, and of the presence of nondirected donors. Summary of Contribution: This paper deals with an important and very complex issue linked to the optimization of transplant matchings in kidney exchange programs, namely, the inherent uncertainty in the assessment of compatibility between donors and recipients of transplants. Although this issue has previously received some attention in the optimization literature, most attempts to date have focused on applying recourse to solutions selected within restricted spaces. The present paper explicitly formulates the maximization of the expected number of transplants as a two-stage stochastic integer programming problem. The formulation turns out to be computationally difficulty, both from a theoretical and from a numerical perspective. Different algorithmic approaches are proposed and tested experimentally for its solution. The quality of the kidney exchanges produced by these algorithms compares favorably with that of earlier models.

The Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Women’s Reproductive Health

Background: The Covid-19 pandemic has profoundly affected the lives of the global population. It is known that periods of stress and psychological distress can affect women’s menstrual cycles. We, therefore, performed an observational study of women’s reproductive health over the course of the pandemic. Materials & Methods: An anonymous digital survey was shared by the authors via social media in September 2020. All women of reproductive age were invited to complete the survey. Results: 1031 women completed the survey. The mean age was 36.7 ± 6.6 years. 693/70% reported recording their cycles using an app or diary. 233/23% were using hormonal contraception. 441/46% reported a change in their menstrual cycle since the beginning of the pandemic. 483/53% reported worsening premenstrual symptoms, 100/18% reported new menorrhagia (p=0.003) and 173/30% new dysmenorrhea (p<0.0001) compared to before the pandemic. 72/9% reported missed periods who not previously missed periods (p=0.003) and the median number of missed periods was 2 (IQR 1-3). 17/21% of those who ‘occasionally’ missed periods pre-pandemic missed periods ‘often’ during the pandemic. 467/45% reported a reduced libido. There was no change in the median cycle length (28 days) or days of bleeding (5) but there was a wider variability of cycle length (p=0.01) and a 1-day median decrease in the minimum (p<0.0001) and maximum (p=0.009) cycle length. Women reported a median 2kg increase in self-reported weight and a 30-minute increase in median weekly exercise. 517/50% of women stated that their diet was worse and 232/23% that it was better than before the pandemic. 407/40% reported working more and 169/16% were working less. Women related a significant increase in low mood (p<0.0001), poor appetite (p<0.0001), binge eating (p<0.0001), poor concentration (p<0.0001), anxiety (p<0.0001), poor sleep (p<0.0001), loneliness (p<0.0001) and excess alcohol use (p<0.0001). Specific stressors reported included work stress (499/48%), difficulty accessing healthcare (254/25%), change in financial (201/19%) and living (169/16%) situation, difficulties with homeschooling children (191/19%), family or partner conflict (170/16%), family illness or bereavement (156/15%), and difficulties accessing or providing childcare (99/10%). Conclusions: The Covid-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the reproductive health of women. The long term health implications of this are yet to be determined and future studies should address this.

Precise asymptotics of longest cycles in random permutations without macroscopic cycles

We consider Ewens random permutations of length n conditioned to have no cycle longer than nβ with 0<β<1 and study the asymptotic behaviour as n→∞. We obtain very precise information on the joint distribution of the lengths of the longest cycles; in particular we prove a functional limit theorem where the cumulative number of long cycles converges to a Poisson process in the suitable scaling. Furthermore, we prove convergence of the total variation distance between joint cycle counts and suitable independent Poisson random variables up to a significantly larger maximal cycle length than previously known. Finally, we remove a superfluous assumption from a central limit theorem for the total number of cycles proved in an earlier paper.

Optimization of a deteriorated two-warehouse inventory problem with all-unit discount and shortages via tournament differential evolution

Tournamenting process plays an important role in the selection of best alternative in a knockout system. This concept is applied in the development of a hybrid algorithm based on differential evolution known as tournament differential evolution. In this work, a hybrid tournament differential evolution algorithm is applied on a two-warehouse inventory control problem of deteriorating item with the objective for determining the lot-size, maximum shortage level and cycle length of the concerned system. The corresponding inventory model is formulated with two separate warehouse facilities, partially backlogged shortages and all-unit discount. Here the demand of the product increases with time. The corresponding optimization problem of the developed inventory model is highly non-linear constrained optimization problem which cannot be solved analytically. In this context, to solve the optimization problem, the said hybrid algorithm is developed with the help of six different options of tournamenting procedure and differential evolution. Then, to examine the validity of the proposed model and also to test the performance of the hybrid algorithm, numerical experiments are performed by solving a numerical example and nonparametric statistical test. Finally, to investigate the effects of changes of different parameters, sensitivity analyses are carried out on the best found policy and a fruitful conclusion is drawn along with the future scope of research.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Women's Reproductive Health.

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly affected the lives of the global population. It is known that periods of stress and psychological distress can affect women’s menstrual cycles. We therefore performed an observational study of women’s reproductive health over the course of the pandemic thus far.Materials and MethodsAn anonymous digital survey was shared by the authors via social media in September 2020. All women of reproductive age were invited to complete the survey.Results1031 women completed the survey. Mean age was 36.7 ± 6.6 years (range, 15–54). 693/70% reported recording their cycles using an app or diary. 233/23% were using hormonal contraception. 441/46% reported a change in their menstrual cycle since the beginning of the pandemic. 483/53% reported worsening premenstrual symptoms, 100/18% reported new menorrhagia (p = 0.003) and 173/30% new dysmenorrhea (p < 0.0001) compared to before the pandemic. 72/9% reported missed periods who not previously missed periods (p = 0.003) and the median number of missed periods was 2 (1–3). 17/21% of those who “occasionally” missed periods pre-pandemic missed periods “often” during pandemic. 467/45% reported a reduced libido. There was no change in the median cycle length (28 days) or days of bleeding (5) but there was a wider variability of cycle length (p = 0.01) and a 1 day median decrease in the minimum (p < 0.0001) and maximum (p = 0.009) cycle length. Women reported a median 2 kg increase in self-reported weight and a 30-min increase in median weekly exercise. 517/50% of women stated that their diet was worse and 232/23% that it was better than before the pandemic. 407/40% reported working more and 169/16% were working less. Women related a significant increase in low mood (p < 0.0001), poor appetite (p < 0.0001), binge eating (p < 0.0001), poor concentration (p < 0.0001), anxiety (p < 0.0001), poor sleep (p < 0.0001), loneliness (p < 0.0001) and excess alcohol use (p < 0.0001). Specific stressors reported included work stress (499/48%), difficulty accessing healthcare (254/25%), change in financial (201/19%) situation, difficulties with home schooling (191/19%) or childcare (99/10%), family or partner conflict (170/16%), family illness or bereavement (156/15%).ConclusionsThe COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the reproductive health of women. The long term health implications of this are yet to be determined and future studies should address this.

The Dickman–Goncharov distribution

In the 1930s and 40s, one and the same delay differential equation appeared in papers by two mathematicians, Karl Dickman and Vasily Leonidovich Goncharov, who dealt with completely different problems. Dickman investigated the limit value of the number of natural numbers free of large prime factors, while Goncharov examined the asymptotics of the maximum cycle length in decompositions of random permutations. The equation obtained in these papers defines, under a certain initial condition, the density of a probability distribution now called the Dickman–Goncharov distribution (this term was first proposed by Vershik in 1986). Recently, a number of completely new applications of the Dickman–Goncharov distribution have appeared in mathematics (random walks on solvable groups, random graph theory, and so on) and also in biology (models of growth and evolution of unicellular populations), finance (theory of extreme phenomena in finance and insurance), physics (the model of random energy levels), and other fields. Despite the extensive scope of applications of this distribution and of more general but related models, all the mathematical aspects of this topic (for example, infinite divisibility and absolute continuity) are little known even to specialists in limit theorems. The present survey is intended to fill this gap. Both known and new results are given. Bibliography: 62 titles.

Pseudo Random Binary Sequence Based on Cyclic Difference Set

With the increasing reliance on technology, it has become crucial to secure every aspect of online information where pseudo random binary sequences (PRBS) can play an important role in today’s world of Internet. PRBS work in the fundamental mathematics behind the security of different protocols and cryptographic applications. This paper proposes a new PRBS namely MK (Mamun, Kumu) sequence for security applications. Proposed sequence is generated by primitive polynomial, cyclic difference set in elements of the field and binarized by quadratic residue (QR) and quadratic nonresidue (QNR). Introduction of cyclic difference set makes a special contribution to randomness of proposed sequence while QR/QNR-based binarization ensures uniformity of zeros and ones in sequence. Besides, proposed sequence has maximum cycle length and high linear complexity which are required properties for sequences to be used in security applications. Several experiments are conducted to verify randomness and results are presented in support of robustness of the proposed MK sequence. The randomness of proposed sequence is evaluated by popular statistical test suite, i.e., NIST STS 800-22 package. The test results confirmed that the proposed sequence is not affected by approximations of any kind and successfully passed all statistical tests defined in NIST STS 800-22 suite. Finally, the efficiency of proposed MK sequence is verified by comparing with some popular sequences in terms of uniformity in bit pattern distribution and linear complexity for sequences of different length. The experimental results validate that the proposed sequence has superior cryptographic properties than existing ones.

Effect of sevoflurane on phosphorylation of connexin 43 at ser368 in ventricular myocardium in isolated hearts of diabetic rats

Objective To evaluate the effect of sevoflurane on phosphorylation of connexin 43 (Cx43) at Ser368 (Cx43 Ser368) in ventricular myocardium in isolated hearts of diabetic rats. Methods Twenty-four clean-grade healthy adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 3 months, weighing 180-220 g, were used in this study.The diabetic model was established by intraperitoneally injecting streptozotocin 60 mg/kg.The hearts were rapidly excised and retrogradely perfused with K-H solution saturated with 95% O2-5% CO2 at 37 ℃ in a Langendorff apparatus.Sixteen Langendorff-perfused diabetic hearts were divided into 3 groups (n=8 each) using a random number table method: diabetes mellitus group (group D) and sevoflurane group (group DS). Another 8 Langendorff-perfused normal hearts of rats were selected and served as control group (group C). After 15 min equilibration with K-H solution, the hearts were continuously perfused for 30 min with K-H solution in group C and group D and with K-H solution saturated with 2.5% sevoflurane in group DS.S1S2 program-controlled stimulation was performed at the end of perfusion, the occurrence of induced ventricular arrhythmia (VA) and the maximal pacing cycle length (PCL) of induced VA were recorded, and conduction velocity (CV) was calculated.The expression of phosphorylated Cx43 at Ser368 (p-Cx43 Ser368) in ventricular myocytes was determined by Western blot. Results Compared with group C, the incidence of induced VA was significantly increased, the maximal PCL of induced VA was prolonged, the CV was decreased, and the expression of p-Cx43 Ser368 was up-regulated in group D (P<0.05). Compared with the incidence of induced VA was significantly decreased, the maximal PCL of induced VA was shortened, the CV was increased, and the expression of p-Cx43 Ser368 was down-regulated in group DS (P<0.05). Conclusion The mechanism by which sevoflurane stabilizes the ventricular electrical conduction is associated with decreasing the phosphorylation of Cx43 at Ser368 in diabetic rats. Key words: Anesthetics, inhalation; Diabetes mellitus; Connexins

Robust Chaos of Cubic Polynomial Discrete Maps with Application to Pseudorandom Number Generators

Based on the robust chaos theorem of S-unimodal maps, this paper studies a kind of cubic polynomial discrete maps (CPDMs) and sets up a novel theorem. This theorem gives general conditions for the occurrence of robust chaos in the CPDMs. By using the theorem, we construct a CPDM. The parameter regions of chaotic robustness of the CPDM are larger than these of Logistic map. By using a fixed point arithmetic, we investigate the cycle lengths of the CPDM and a Logistic map. The results show that the maximum cycle lengths of 1000 chaotic sequences with length 3×107 generated by different initial value conditions exponentially increase with the resolutions. When the resolutions reach 10-7~10-13, the maximum cycle lengths of the cubic polynomial chaotic sequences are significantly greater than these of the Logistic map. When the resolution reaches 10-14, there is the situation without cycle for 1000 cubic polynomial chaotic sequences with length 3×107. By using the CPDM and Logistic map, we design four chaos-based pseudorandom number generators (CPRNGs): CPRNGI, CPRNGII, CPRNGIII, and CPRNGIV. The randomness of two 1000 key streams consisting of 20000 bits is tested, respectively, generated by the four CPRNGs. The result suggests that CPRNGIII based on the cubic polynomial chaotic generalized synchronic system has better performance.

Estimate of the maximal cycle length in the graph of polynomial transformation of Galois–Eisenstein ring

Abstract The paper is concerned with polynomial transformations of a finite commutative local principal ideal of a ring (a finite commutative uniserial ring, a Galois–Eisenstein ring). It is shown that in the class of Galois–Eisenstein rings with equal cardinalities and nilpotency indexes over Galois rings there exist polynomial generators for which the period of the output sequence exceeds those of the output sequences of polynomial generators over other rings.

Predicted luteal phase length has no influence on success of vitrified-warmed blastocyst transfer in natural cycle

BackgroundThis study evaluated the influence of menstrual cycle length, menstrual cycle variability and predicted luteal phase length on the success of vitrified-warmed blastocyst transfer in natural menstrual cycle using progesterone for luteal phase supplementation.MethodsConsecutive women undergoing vitrified-warmed blastocyst transfer in natural menstrual cycle between January 2013 and December 2015 were included in this retrospective study. Patients’ characteristics, clinical data and data about menstrual cycle length in the last year were collected from our database. Predicted luteal phase length (LPL) was defined as the period starting at ovulation (one day after positive urinary LH test) and ending on the last day before predicted menses, based on women’s usual, minimal and maximal menstrual cycle length data. Logistic regression was used to identify the predictors significantly associated with live-birth.ResultsA total of 1195 FETs (frozen-thawed embryo transfers) resulted in 457 (38.24%) clinical pregnancies, 82 (17.94%), miscarriages and 371 live births (31.04%). There were no statistically significant differences in menstrual cycle length, menstrual cycle variability, day of LH surge, day of FET and predicted LPL between FET cycles resulting in live birth and those not resulting in live birth. In the multivariate logistic regression model, only women’s age (OR 0.93, 95% CI: 0.90–0.96), transfer of morphologically optimal blastocysts (OR 2.17, 95% CI: 1.59–2.94) and endometrium thickness (OR 1.10, 95% CI: 1.03–1.17) were important independent prognostic factors for live birth.ConclusionMenstrual cycle length, menstrual cycle variability and predicted LPL do not seem to be an important factor influencing live birth after FET in natural cycles with progesterone supplementation. Results of our study suggest that FET should not be cancelled if LH surge is detected before or after the predicted period in natural cycle with progesterone supplementation.

Antifibrillatory effects of renal denervation on ventricular fibrillation in a canine model of pacing-induced heart failure.

What is the central question of this study? In the present study, we investigated the effects of renal denervation on the vulnerability to ventricular fibrillation and the ventricular electrical properties in a rapid pacing-induced heart failure canine model. What is the main finding and its importance? Renal denervation significantly attenuated the process of heart failure and improved left ventricular systolic dysfunction, stabilized ventricular electrophysiological properties and decreased the vulnerability of the heart to ventricular fibrillation during heart failure. Thus, renal denervation can attenuate ventricular electrical remodelling and exert a potential antifibrillatory action in a pacing-induced heart failure canine model. In this study, we investigated the effects of renal denervation (RDN) on the vulnerability to ventricular fibrillation (VF) and the ventricular electrical properties in a canine model of pacing-induced heart failure (HF). Eighteen beagles were divided into the following three groups: control (n=6), HF (n=6) and HF+RDN (n=6). Heart failure was induced by rapid right ventricular pacing. Renal denervation was performed simultaneously with the pacemaker implantation in the HF+RDN group. A 64-unipolar basket catheter was used to perform global endocardial mapping of the left ventricle. The restitution properties and dispersion of refractoriness were estimated from the activation recovery intervals (ARIs) by a pacing protocol. The VF threshold (VFT) was defined as the maximal pacing cycle length required to induce VF using a specific pacing protocol. The defibrillation threshold (DFT) was measured by an up-down algorithm. Renal denervation partly restored left ventricular systolic function and attenuated the process of HF. Compared with the control group, the VFT in the HF group was decreased by 27% (106±8.0 versus 135±10ms, P<0.01). However, RDN increased the VFT by 13% (135±10 versus 118±7.5ms, P<0.05) and decreased the DFT by 27% (30±6.3 versus 21.8±4.7J, P<0.05) in the treated hearts compared with the failing hearts. Renal denervation significantly flattened the ventricular ARI restitution curve by 15% (1.48±0.2 versus 1.26±0.11, P<0.05) and decreased the dispersion of ARI by 25% (0.08±0.02 versus 0.06±0.01, P<0.01) in the treated group compared with the HF group. The findings of this study suggest that RDN can attenuate ventricular electrical remodelling and exert a potential antifibrillatory action on VF in a canine model of pacing-induced HF.

An existence and uniqueness principle for a nonlinear version of the Lebowitz‐Rubinow model with infinite maximum cycle length

The present article deals with existence and uniqueness results for a nonlinear evolution initial‐boundary value problem, which originates in an age‐structured cell population model introduced by Lebowitz and Rubinow (1974) describing the growth of a cell population. Cells of this population are distinguished by age a and cycle length l. In our framework, daughter and mother cells are related by a general reproduction rule that covers all known biological ones. In this paper, the cycle length l is allowed to be infinite. This hypothesis introduces some mathematical difficulties. We consider both local and nonlocal boundary conditions.

COMPARISON OF HEART RATE AND BLOOD PRESSURE RESPONSE TO ULTRASOUND-GUIDED CAROTID SINUS MASSAGE IN THE SUPINE VERSUS UPRIGHT POSITION

Carotid Sinus Massage (CSM) is recommended in the work-up of syncope. Opinions vary as to whether CSM is best done supine or upright to evoke a significant hemodynamic response. CSM was performed in 39 patients ( 23M/16F; age 49±17) undergoing tilt table testing for suspected neurocardiogenic syncope. Right and left Carotid Artery (CA) bifurcations were located by ultrasound (US), marked in ink, and CSM performed at this location supine on the right (RCSMsup) and left (LCSMsup). The participant was then tilted (60°) and CSM repeated 4-6 minutes following tilt on the right (RCSMtilt) and left (LCSMtilt). CSM was done for 10 sec while the breath was held beginning 5 sec after end-expiration. In 17 participants, sham CSM was also done supine (RCSMsham, LCSMsham) while the breath was held and a finger was place on the skin without pressure. The difference (Δ) between maximum sinus cycle length (SCL) during CSM and SCL just prior to CSM, as well as Δ between minimum systolic blood pressure (SBP) during CSM and that just prior to CSM and Δ diastolic (D)BP were measured. No significant ΔSCL was observed with RCSMsham (13±38 ms) and LCSMsham (10±40 ms). SCL prolongation of at least 50 ms (Mean+1SD of sham effect) occurred in 28/39 subjects to at least one of RCSMsup or LCSMsup, but only in 22/39 on tilt. However, there was no statistically significant difference in effect of CSM supine or upright (ΔRCSMsup: 61± 82 ms; ΔRCSMtilt: 42± 89 ms; ΔLCSMsup: 47± 67 ms; ΔLCSMtilt: 38± 52 ms) using t-test or non-parametric testing (Friedmann). Similarly, there was no difference in ΔSBP whether supine or upright (ΔRCSMsup : -7±17 mm Hg; ΔRCSMtilt : -7±17 mm Hg; ΔLCSMsup : -6±12 mm Hg; ΔLCSMtilt: -5±15 mm Hg) or in ΔDBP (ΔRCSMsup: -4±11 mm Hg; ΔRCSMtilt: -5±11 mm Hg; ΔLCSMsup: -4±8 mm Hg; ΔLCSMtilt: -4±11 mm Hg). A non-significant tendency to greater prolongation of SCL in the older group (n = 28; age > 40) with ΔRCSMsup 71±92 ms vs in the younger group (n=11; age ≤ 40) ΔRCSMsup 36±38 ms was absent with tilt and was not observed with LCSM either supine or upright. Using US localization of the CA bifurcation, there is no added value to performing CSM in the upright position compared to supine testing. In fact, there is a tendency to a lesser bradycardic response and no greater BP lowering in the upright position.

Differential property of Present-like structure

Present is a lightweight block cipher designed by Bogdanov et al. We define the Present-like structure and study its differential property. Present has the 2-dimensional Present-like structure. With a new proof technique, we confirm that Bogdanov et al.’s proof for differential property of Present is true: any 5-round differential characteristic has at least 10 active S-boxes. We prove that for dimensions 3, 4, and 5, any 7-, 9-, and 11-round differential characteristics have at least 20, 28, and 43 active S-boxes, respectively. Especially, the result for dimension 3 can be applied to security analysis of the lightweight hash function Spongent with b≥256. Furthermore, we find that this differential property is deeply related to permutations with maximal cycle length.

Sensitivity analysis of optimization models for two adjacent intersections with correlated short left-turn lanes

The correlated short left-turn lanes sometimes exist on the common section between two adjacent intersections. These short lanes can reduce the approach capacity and impact on each other. According to operational research, three kinds of multi-objective optimization models are put forward in order to reasonably allocate the time-space resources of two intersections. Since the solutions to these models depend on the concrete forms of their objective functions, six feasible objective functions and the corresponding solution method are proposed. Next, the sensitivity of the optimization results to the parameters (minimum and maximum cycle lengths) is emphatically analyzed and compared. Moreover, to testify the effects of these models on traffic flow operations, three typical optimization scenarios are simulated together with the existing one. The models and methods are illustrated via the 2010 field data from the city of Dalian, China. Also, the better models and their suitable parameter values or ranges are recommended. Finally, the application procedure of the recommended models is given in actual engineering practice. First Published Online: 11 Oct 2013

Traffic Guiding Method Based on Actuated Control and Phase Jump

In the process of conventional traffic control, it often occurs that no vehicles run on a lane when the lane gets a right of way, which lengthens the vehicles waiting time and brings down the guiding efficiency. To get rid of this drawback, this paper proposes a traffic guiding method based on actuated control and phase jump. Time to make a phase jump is decided by the obtained knowledge of queued vehicles. For a light traffic, this paper has deduced the dynamic green time, designed a detector and achieved signal timing by the actuated guiding algorithm; For an almost saturated traffic, the maximum green time and cycle length are restricted by Webster-Monte Carlo Simulation. From the comparison of principles and applications of different guiding strategies, it is found that the method proposed in this paper has a better performance in guiding traffic flow than the existing actuated guiding strategy and the adaptive guiding strategy.