Cost Of Sorting Research Articles

Energy Equivalence of Information in the Mitochondrion and the Thermodynamic Efficiency of ATP Synthase.

Half a century ago, Johnson and Knudsen resolved the puzzle of the apparent low efficiency of the kidney (∼ 0.5%) compared to most other bodily organs (∼ 40%) by taking into account the entropic cost of ion sorting, the principal function of this organ. Similarly, it is shown that the efficiency of energy transduction of the chemiosmotic proton-motive force by ATP synthase is closer to 90% instead of the oft-quoted textbook value of only 60% when information theoretic considerations are applied to the mitochondrion. This high efficiency is consistent with the mechanical energy transduction of ATP synthase known to be close to the 100% thermodynamic limit. It would have been wasteful for evolution to maximize the mechanical energy transduction to 100% while wasting 40% of the chemiosmotic free energy in the conversion of the proton-motive force into mechanical work before being captured as chemical energy in adenosine 5'-triphosphate.

An algorithm for sorting pancake by restricted reversals

In this paper, we propose an algorithm for sorting n pancakes. The previous studies were focused on finding upper bound or lower bound regarding a limited n-pancake. This study, however, suggests the algorithms for n-pancake with $$n\ge 5$$n?5. The only constraint is that $$n\ge 5$$n?5, which eliminates the very strong constraints [$$n\equiv 0$$n?0 (mod 16), $$n\equiv 0$$n?0 (mod 14), $$n\equiv 3$$n?3 (mod 4), etc.] that were used in previous studies. In addition, the sorting cost of the proposed algorithm is almost a half, from other existing studies, despite the fact that it reduces the degree from $$n-1$$n-1 to $$\frac{n}{2}+1$$n2+1. We define the term `restricted reversal', and based on that terminology, we also propose simple sorting and improved sorting algorithms for the pancake sorting. Further, we examine the worst case time complexity and average time to complete a sort using the suggested algorithms. We also propose sorting costs for the evaluation of similar sorting algorithms such as pancake, burnt pancake, and signed permutation algorithms, and compare the sorting costs and constraints that were found in existing studies. In addition, we propose a burnt pancake sorting algorithm that employs the proposed restricted reversals.

맵리듀스를 사용한 데이터 큐브의 효율적인 계산 기법

ABSTRACT MapReduce is a programing model used for parallelly processing a large amount of data. To analyze a large amount data, the data cube is widely used, which is an operator that computes group-bys for all possible combinations of given dimension attributes. When the number of dimension attributes is n, the data cube computes 2 n group-bys. In this paper, we propose an efficient method for computing data cubes using MapReduce. The proposed method partitions 2 n group-bys into n C ⌈n/2⌉ batches, and computes those batches in stages using ⎡ n/2⌉ MapReduce jobs. Compared to the existing methods, the proposed method significantly reduces the amount of intermediate data generated by mappers, so that the cost of sorting and transferring those intermediate data is reduced significantly. Consequently, the total processing time for computing a data cube is reduced. Through experiments, we show the efficiency of the proposed method over the existing methods.Keywords:Data Cube, MapReduce, Big Data, Query Processing, OLAP

Influence of autologous dendritic cells on the in-vitro expansion and functions of peripheral blood NK cells

Context: Allogeneic reactive NK cells were previously shown to exert a graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effect during allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, as well as reduce the incidence of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD).Objective: We used autologous immature DCs as feeder cells for the in-vitro expansion of NK cells and studied the function of the NK cell cultures.Materials and methods: NK cells were cultured for 15 days in the presence of autologous, immature DCs. Fold expansion, killing activity and expression of IFN-γ, perforin and granzyme B were evaluated.Results: The highest NK cell expansion efficiency was observed when the ratio of NK cells:DCs was 2:1 and when cells were cultured in a contact-dependent manner. The killing activity of NK cells was highest when the NK:DC ratio was 10:1. NK cell cultures exhibited a significant upregulation in the mRNA expression of IFN-γ, perforin and granzyme B when the ratio of NK cells to DCs was 10:1.Discussion: We successfully amplified NK cells using autologous immature DCs derived from human peripheral monocytes after induction as feeder cells. The use of autologous immature DCs for ex-vivo expansion of NK cells can be clinically applied to overcome limitations, such as the small number of NK cells in peripheral blood, and the high cost of NK cell sorting. Transfusion of allogeneic reactive NK cells has been suggested as a potential adjunctive therapeutic strategy after transplantation.Conclusion: Autologous immature DCs can be used as feeder cells for ex-vivo expansion of functional NK cells.

DNA origami: single cell analysis of T cell receptors without single cell sorting. (LYM7P.719)

Abstract The immune system must be able to recognize virtually any pathogen (diversity) while maintaining enough cells specific for each pathogen in order to mount an effective response (protection). T cells generate diversity by imprecise joining of gene segments to generate alpha/beta heterodimeric receptors. Linking sequence information for TCRα and TCRβ from individual cells has been problematic due to the cost of single cell sorting and inadequate molecular approaches for linking mRNA encoding these proteins. We have developed novel DNA origami nanostructures to capture and protect both TCRα and TCRβ mRNA from individual cells, which can then be physically linked via a unique dual-primed reverse-transcription and ligation reaction to generate single amplicons containing both TCR from individual cells for use in next generation sequencing. We have demonstrated high efficiency transfection and recovery of DNA origami, optimized methods for purification with bound TCR mRNA, and validated this approach with transgenic T cells expressing a known TCR sequence. Surprisingly, we find that <1% of TCR are shared even between genetically identical individuals, challenging the idea of “public” TCR. This approach is directly amenable to single cell analysis of other immune receptors (or other species) by relatively simple modifications of the origami sequences, and could be applied to virtually any heterogeneous cell population for which sequence information on any two genes is required.

양식장 이용에 대한 수학적 모형

The range of optimization problem in aquaculture is very wide, resulting from the range of species, mode of operation. Quite a few studies focus marine net-cages, but studies on land based culture farm are few or no. This paper considers a allocation problem to meet production planning in land based aquaculture system. A water pool allocation model in land based aquaculture system was developed. The solution finds the value of decision variable to minimize yearly production costs that sums up the water pool usage cost and sorting cost. The model inputs were (1) the fish growth rate (2) critical standing corp (3) number of water pool (4) number of fish. The model outputs were (5) number of water pool in growing phase (6) cost of cultivation (6) optimal facility allocation(number of water pool for each growing phase). To solve the problem, an efficient heuristic algorithm based on a greedy manner is developed. Branch and bound and heuristic is evaluated through numerical examples.

Economic viability of packaging waste recycling systems: A comparison between Belgium and Portugal

The Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive has had an undeniable impact on waste management throughout the European Union. Whereas recycling and recovery targets are the same, member states still enjoy a considerable degree of freedom with respect to the practical organization and management strategies adopted. Nevertheless, in all cases, the industry (which brings packaging material onto the market) should be responsible for the costs associated with packaging waste recycling/recovery (following the extended producer responsibility principle). The current paper compares and contrasts the institutional frameworks and financial costs and benefits of waste management operators for Belgium and Portugal. The unit costs of selective collection and sorting of packaging waste are provided for both countries. In Belgium, the costs of recycling seem to be fully supported by the industry (through Fost Plus, the national Green Dot agency). In Portugal the fairness of the recycling system depends on the perspective adopted (economic or strictly financial). Adopting a strictly financial perspective, it seems that Sociedade Ponto Verde (SPV, the Portuguese Green Dot agency) should increase the transfers to local authorities. However, the conclusions differ for this country if the avoided costs with refuse collection and other treatment are taken into account.

Comparative Feeding on Chlorophyll-Rich Versus Remaining Organic Matter in Bivalve Shellfish

Filter feeding was compared in the blue mussel Mytilus edulis, Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis, Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas, Chinese pleated oyster Crassostrea plicatula, Chinese scallop Chlamys farreri,Manila clam Tapes phillipinarum, razor clam Sinonvacula constricta, and blood cockle Tegillarca granosa over 95 dietary conditions across nine locations in Europe and China. Conditions included natural seawater enhanced, on occasion, with variable additions of microalgal monoculture and/or natural silt collected from the surface of nearby mudflats, thereby ensuring that diets ranged from oligotrophic to hypereutrophic (>325 µg chlorophyll a/L) and highly turbid (>1,250 mg total particulate matter/L). Building on past insights into differential particle processing, we resolved the availability, filtration, and ingestion of organic matter rich in chlorophyll a, and which matter is known to be ingested selectively, from all remaining organics, such as detritus, bacteria, protozoans, and/or colloids. The forms of fitted relations that best described feeding responses were different for chlorophyll-rich versus remaining organics, that difference being consistent in all eight bivalve species, including when measured in the same species across different locations. Throughout, positive linear relations between net ingestion of chlorophyll-rich organic matter and the availability of that chlorophyll-rich organic matter indicated that each species ingested constant proportions of the organics associated with chlorophyll a, with no limitation evident to such ingestion over our experimental range. Alternatively, ingestion of the remaining organics by each species increased as saturating functions of the availability of those remaining organics alone. Differences were evident between species both in the proportions of available chlorophyll-rich organic matter that were ingested and in saturated ingestion rates for the remaining organics. Comparison of those differences suggests an evolutionary trade-off among species between their relative abilities to process chlorophyll-rich versus remaining organics. Differences also suggest congeneric adaptation to natural habitat, impressing a need for careful appraisal of each and every bivalve species. Significant costs of particle sorting, digestion, and absorption, evidenced as metabolically derived material egested and assayed within feces, were greatest in species with higher saturated capacities for the ingestion of remaining organics. Last, we describe how, compared with predictions based on chlorophyll a or total particulate organic matter alone, our approach resolving coincident differential availabilities and processing of chlorophyll-rich versus remaining organic matter has improved the accuracy of growth simulations when applying single calibrations of the generic shellfish model ShellSIM across coastal habitats that contrast in seston composition.

Extending the limits of paper recycling - improvements along the paper value chain

Aim of study: The purpose of this study is to analyze how paper recycling activities in Europe can be extended through different improvements along the paper value chain. The importance of this study lies in the identification of the present barriers in paper recycling and how they can be overcome.Area of study: Europe.Material and Methods: All the main stages along the paper value chain have been analyzed for possible improvements: collection of recovered paper (availability and quality), sorting of recovered paper, paper production, and printing and converting activities.Main results: To increase paper recycling in Europe the following improvements are necessary. First, it is mandatory to increase the availability of recovered paper through more efficient collection systems (avoiding the use of commingled collection systems) and limiting the competition with energy purposes and the exports. Second, it is necessary to extend sorting activities, which can be achieved by reducing sorting costs by the use of automatized sorting systems. Third, there is a need to increase the recyclability of paper products by the commitment of printing and converting industries to use recycling-friendly printing inks and adhesives. Finally, environmental awareness of the citizens is still an important driver for increasing recycling activities, affecting not only recovery but to all the stages along the paper recycling chain.Research highlights: Although the recycling rate in Europe is already very high (68.9%), there is still room to further extend paper recycling activities through different improvements along the paper value chain.Keywords: paper recycling; sustainability; paper value chain; recovered paper; environmental awareness.

Packaging waste recycling in Europe: Is the industry paying for it?

This paper describes and examines the schemes established in five EU countries for the recycling of packaging waste. The changes in packaging waste management were mainly implemented since the Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste entered into force. The analysis of the five systems allowed the authors to identify very different approaches to cope with the same problem: meet the recovery and recycling targets imposed by EU law. Packaging waste is a responsibility of the industry. However, local governments are generally in charge of waste management, particularly in countries with Green Dot schemes or similar extended producer responsibility systems. This leads to the need of establishing a system of financial transfers between the industry and the local governments (particularly regarding the extra costs involved with selective collection and sorting). Using the same methodological approach, the authors also compare the costs and benefits of recycling from the perspective of local public authorities for France, Portugal and Romania. Since the purpose of the current paper is to take note of who is paying for the incremental costs of recycling and whether the industry (i.e. the consumer) is paying for the net financial costs of packaging waste management, environmental impacts are not included in the analysis. The work carried out in this paper highlights some aspects that are prone to be improved and raises several questions that will require further research. In the three countries analyzed more closely in this paper the industry is not paying the net financial cost of packaging waste management. In fact, if the savings attained by diverting packaging waste from other treatment (e.g. landfilling) and the public subsidies to the investment on the “recycling system” are not considered, it seems that the industry should increase the financial support to local authorities (by 125% in France, 50% in Portugal and 170% in Romania). However, in France and Portugal the industry is paying local authorities more than just the incremental costs of recycling (full costs of selective collection and sorting minus the avoided costs). To provide a more definitive judgment on the fairness of the systems it will be necessary to assess the cost efficiency of waste management operators (and judge whether operators are claiming costs or eliciting “prices”).

A consignment stock coordination scheme for the production, remanufacturing and waste disposal problem

This paper extends the model of a production, remanufacturing and waste disposal system by adding a buyer (retailer) to the vendor’s system to form a two-level forward/reverse supply chain. The vendor and the buyer are assumed to operate according to a consignment stock policy. A mathematical model is developed for the cases when the production and remanufacturing batches are of different and equal sizes. The model also accounts for transportation, inspection and sorting costs. Numerical examples are provided and results are discussed. The results show that the collection rate of used items and the repairable rate have a significant impact on the total cost of the system and the batch sizes. It was suggested that it may not be possible to operate a system like the one described in the paper at its maximum environmental edge without receiving some incentives or tax brackets. Another possibility is for the system to undergo a continuous improvement process to reduce its operational costs, which may require additional investment.

Mismatch Loss Reduction in Photovoltaic Arrays as a Result of Sorting Photovoltaic Modules by Max-Power Parameters

Variations in photovoltaic (PV) module current-voltage curves result in a power loss in PV arrays often referred to as mismatch loss (MML). As a means of reducing MML, newly fabricated PV modules are sorted to meet a set tolerance for variation in overall maximum power output with respect to a given module’s rated power. Starting with flash test data sets for two different polycrystalline PV modules and a simulated sorting procedure, Monte Carlo techniques were used to generate a large number of artificial PV arrays. The MMLs for each of these arrays were then calculated to assess the sorting procedure’s ability to reduce MML. Overall MMLs were quite small (0.001–0.01%). Sorting by Imp resulted in the most consistent MML reductions. Sorting by Vmp yielded insignificant results. Sorting by Pmp yielded significant MML reduction in only one of the two PV module data sets. Analysis was conducted to quantify if additional sorting on top of what both manufacturers had already done would make economic sense. Based on high level economic analysis, it appears that additional sorting yields little economic gain; however, this is highly dependent upon manufacturer sorting cost.

Development and evaluation of deep intra-uterine artificial insemination using cryopreserved sexed spermatozoa in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)

Since its development in bottlenose dolphins, widespread application of AI with sex-selected, frozen–thawed (FT) spermatozoa has been limited by the significant expense of the sorting process. Reducing the total number of progressively motile sperm (PMS) required for an AI would reduce the sorting cost. As such, this research compared the efficacy of small-dose deep uterine AI with sexed FT spermatozoa (SEXED-SMALL; ~50×106PMS, n=20), to a moderate dose deposited mid-horn (SEXED-STD, ~200×106PMS; n=20), and a large dose of FT non-sexed spermatozoa deposited in the uterine body (NONSEXED-LARGE, 660×106PMS, n=9). Ten of the 11 calves resulting from use of sexed spermatozoa were of the predetermined sex. Similar rates of conception (NONSEXED-LARGE: 78%, SEXED-STD: 60%, SEXED-SMALL: 57%) and total pregnancy loss (TPL: NONSEXED-LARGE: 28.6%; SEXED-STD: 41.0%; SEXED-SMALL: 63.6%) were observed across groups, but early pregnancy loss (EPL, <day 120 post-conception) was greater (P=0.04) for SEXED-SMALL (54.5%) compared to NONSEXED-LARGE (0%). Animals experiencing EPL were older (31.3 y, P=0.007) than those that calved (21.4y) or did not conceive (19.4y). After excluding females ≥25y, SEXED-SMALL (15.4%) had a tendency for having reduced calving rates compared to NONSEXED-LARGE (50.0%; P=0.08), while SEXED-STD did not differ (40.0%, 4/10; P=0.341). Current findings indicate that acceptable conception and calving rates using sexed FT spermatozoa are achieved after mid-horn deposition of 200×106 PMS, when used with females aged less than 25 y.

Economic Risks of Aflatoxin Contamination in Marketing of Peanut in Benin

Aflatoxin (AF) is a human health, nutrition, and financial risk to many people in the developing world. AF contamination in peanut is caused by the fungi:Aspergillus flavusandAspergillus parasiticus. AF is a potent carcinogenic toxin that also causes millions of dollars of financial losses to people in Africa. The fungus producing the AF can be reduced to an acceptable level by proper drying, sorting, storage, and cleaning of peanut. Government intervention and regulation can also encourage market participants to reduce AF contamination. In this paper, we examine the financial risk associated with sorting, and storing of peanut and peanut products along the marketing chain. Study results show that the prices paid for peanut, prices received, the costs of sorting and storage are dominant factors in reducing AF levels in peanut. Practices such as drying, sorting, and storing, however, pose financial risks to market traders of peanut. Unless government intervenes by requesting an AF-reduced peanut and provides assistance for market liberalization where market participants consider quality in trading decisions, suppliers of peanut will be reluctant to adopt AF-reducing techniques.

An Alternate Algorithm for (3x3) Median Filtering of Digital Images

Median filtering is a commonly used technique in image processing. The main problem of the median filter is its high computational cost (for sorting N pixels, the temporal complexity is O(N·log N), even with the most efficient sorting algorithms). When the median filter must be carried out in real time, the software implementation in general-purpose processorsdoes not usually give good results. This Paper presents an efficient algorithm for median filtering with a 3x3 filter kernel with only about 9 comparisons per pixel using spatial coherence between neighboring filter computations. The basic algorithm calculates two medians in one step and reuses sorted slices of three vertical neighboring pixels. An extension of this algorithm for 2D spatial coherence is also examined, which calculates four medians per step.

Robust Statistical Analysis for MSW Characterization Studies

Tennessee State University conducted a pilot municipal solid waste study for Tennessee Department of Environment at two Tennessee municipal solid waste disposal facilities. A major goal for the pilot study was to develop and demonstrate statistical analysis methodologies to be used in a future statewide municipal solid waste study. In municipal solid waste studies the costs of sorting and weighing a sufficient number of samples to obtain reasonably precise estimates is prohibitive for some waste constituents. This issue regarding the number of municipal solid waste samples was addressed using a real-time iterative analysis that involved simultaneous tracking of the mean, trimmed mean, and median of the sample populations. Sampling was terminated for a particular waste category based on observation of dimensioning incremental improvement in 90 percent confidence intervals for the mean and median. This approach was adopted to take advantage of the robustness of efficiency of the mean for waste categories with near normal distribution and the robustness of validity of the median for grossly non-normally distributed categories. The trimmed mean was included in the analysis as an intermediate estimator to the mean and median with regard to loss of sample information. The convergence of the three estimators for nearly normal data and the trimmed mean intermediate relationship to the mean and median provided excellent field guidance regarding the tradeoff between precision and sampling cost. This approach also provides the option of making statistical inference on the median for grossly non-normal waste subcategories when additional sampling to designate the mean is not an option.

Sticky Thoughts

Cognitive inflexibility may play an important role in rumination, a risk factor for the onset and maintenance of depressive episodes. In the study reported here, we assessed participants’ ability to either reverse or maintain in working memory the order of three emotion or three neutral words. Differences (or sorting costs) between response latencies in backward trials, on which participants were asked to reverse the order of the words, and forward trials, on which participants were asked to remember the words in the order in which they were presented, were calculated. Compared with control participants, depressed participants had higher sorting costs, particularly when presented with negative words. It is important to note that rumination predicted sorting costs for negative words but not for positive or neutral words in the depressed group. These findings indicate that depression and rumination are associated with deficits in cognitive control.

A model for design and performance estimation of pick‐and‐sort order picking systems

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study the performances of “pick‐and‐sort” order‐picking systems (OPSs) and investigate picking efficiency and design issues as a function of the number and length of the picking waves.Design/methodology/approachAn analytical model is proposed to estimate the picking efficiency as a function of wavelength. The model, which has been tested by simulations, includes an algorithm to estimate the expected overlapping of order lines. Finally, a case study illustrates the use of the model in the initial assessment phase of OPS design, and resolves the trade‐off between picking efficiency and sorting cost.FindingsThe effect of the wavelength on picking efficiency is calculated.Research limitations/implicationsThe trade‐off analysis between picking efficiency and sorting cost refers to a specific sorting system and picking area layout.Practical implicationsThe paper provides a tool to support the design of “pick‐and‐sort” OPS, where the importance of the length of the picking wave emerges.Originality/valueThis paper presents an innovative model that can be used in the initial phase of “pick‐and‐sort” OPS design.

SCREENING AND MERGER ACTIVITY*

In our paper, the target of a proposed merger, by setting a reserve price, is able to screen prospective acquirers according to their (expected) ability to generate merger‐specific synergies. Both empirical evidence and many merger models suggest that the difference between high and low‐synergy mergers becomes smaller during booms. Thus, a target's opportunity cost for sorting out relatively less fitting acquirers increases and, hence, targets screen less tightly during booms, which leads to a hike in merger activity. Our screening mechanism not only predicts that merger activity is intense during booms and subdued during recessions but is also consistent with other stylized facts about takeovers and generates novel testable predictions.

ENDOGENOUS CONSUMER PARTICIPATION AND THE RECYCLING PROBLEM*

We endogenise the extent of consumer participation in the recycling process, and analyse its effect on the ‘recycling problem’. When recycling requires consumers to undertake costly sorting activities to separate scrap from household waste, they will participate only if the net reward from sorting is positive. Consumers' sorting cost is subject to a network effect arising due to social norms. With heterogeneous consumers differing in terms of their sorting cost, the entire output of the recyclable product may not be subsequently available as scrap to the recycling firms. This increases the virgin producer's monopoly power, and may also lead to multiple equilibria if the network effect of sorting is sufficiently large. The latter result suggests a role for the government in influencing equilibrium selection to improve social welfare. Depending on the fraction of consumers that participate in recycling, increased societal pressure on consumers to recycle may decrease consumer participation and increase the virgin producer's market power.