In [1], Murata et al introduced an elegant representationof block placement called sequence pair. All block placement algorithms which are based on sequence pairs use simulated annealing where the generation and evaluation of a large number of sequence pairs is required. Therefore, a fast algorithm is needed to evaluate each generated sequence pair, i.e. to translate the sequence pair to its corresponding block placement. This paper presents a new approach to evaluate a sequence pair based on computing longest common subsequence in a pair of weighted sequences. We present a very simple and efficient Ç´Ò ¾ µ algorithm to solve the sequence pair evaluation problem. We also show that using a more sophisticated data structure, the algorithm can be implemented to run in Ç´Ò ÐÓ Òµ time. Both implementations of our algorithm are significantly faster than the previous Ç´Ò ¾ µ graph-based algorithm in [1]. For example, we achieve 60X speedup over the previous algorithm when input size Ò ½¾ .

The dissociation of methane in the intense laser field has been investigated experimentally and theoretically. Using an amplified ultrafast Ti:sapphire laser around 800 nm coupled to a TOF mass spectrometer, all the primary and secondary ions were produced and detected at the laser intensities 10 13 to 10 14 W/cm 2 . The experimental results show that the dissociation of methane proceeds via a stepwise mechanism by gradually increasing the laser intensity. The maximum H + yield is formed when the linearly polarized laser field is parallel to the axis of the TOF tube. A quasi-diatomic theoretical model has been proposed and used to interpret the dissociation of polyatomic molecules. The model assumes that only the dissociative bond is considered and the rest of the molecular geometry is fixed during the dissociation. For each step, the profiles of the dressed potential energy surfaces (PESs) along the dissociative bond of the molecule at different laser intensities are calculated. Quasi-classical trajectories on the dressed PESs are calculated, showing that the wave packet is modulated by the sinusoidal laser field. Theoretical dissociation probabilities are thus calculated. The results can fully interpret the overall dissociation processes and the angular dependence of H + yield.

The problem of planning the locations of large number of buffers is of utmost importance in deep submicron VLSI design. Recently, Cong et al in [1] proposed an algorithm to directly address this problem. Given a placement of circuit blocks, a key step in [1] is to use the free space between the circuit blocks for inserting as many buffers as possible. This step is very important because if all buffers can be inserted into existing spaces, no expansion of chip area would be needed. An effective greedy heuristic was used in [1] for this step. In this paper, we give a polynomial-time optimal algorithm for solving the problem of inserting maximum number of buffers into the free space between the circuit blocks. In the case where the "costs" of placing a buffer at different locations are different, we can guarantee to insert maximum number of buffers with minimum total cost. Our algorithm is based on efficient min-cost network-flow computations.

Background:Although hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) has been widely used to treat malignant ascites or as a preventive strategy for microscopic carcinomatosis following surgical resection of abdominal tumors, application of hyperthermic intrathoracic chemotherapy (HITHOC) in the treatment of malignant pleural effusion is limited. The objective of the current study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis on the application of HITHOC in the palliative treatment of malignant pleural effusion.Methods:After thorough searching of online databases, total 27 articles were included into qualitative systematic review and 5 of them were used to conduct qualitative meta-analysis.Results:It was found that most of HITHOC was used in combination of cytoreductive surgery (CRS) including pleurectomy/decortication or after surgical resection of primary tumors, which mainly were lung cancer, thymoma or thymic carcinoma, breast cancer, and ovarian cancer. Patients who received HITHOC had significantly longer median survival length compared to the patients without HITHOC (Hedges g = 0.763, P < 0.001). In addition, HITHOC therapy was favored (Hedges g = 0.848, P < 0.001) in terms of median survival length, tumor-free survival rate, with tumor survival rate or Karnofsky performance status (KPS) scale.Conclusion:HITHOC is a safe and effective therapy in controlling pleural effusion and increasing patient's survival rate.

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