We address the problem of scheduling n identical jobs on m uniform parallel machines to optimize scheduling criteria that are nondecreasing in the job completion times. It is well known that this can be formulated as a linear assignment problem, and subsequently solved in O(n3) time. We give a more concise formulation for minsum criteria, and show that general minmax criteria can be minimized in O(n2) time. We present faster algorithms, requiring only O(n +mlog m) time for minimizing makespan and total completion time, O(nlogn) time for minimizing total weighted completion time, m'aximum lateness, total tardiness and the weighted number of tardy jobs, and O(nlog2n) time for maximum weighted tardiness. In the case of release dates, we propose an O(nlogn) algorithm for minimizing makespan, and an O(mn2m+') time dynamic programming algorithm for minimizing total completion time.
Scheduling theory is proposed as a normative model for strategic behavior when operators are confronted by several tasks, all of which should be completed within a fixed time span, and when they are free to choose the order in which the tasks should be done. Three experiments are described to investigate the effect of knowing the correct scheduling rule on the efficiency of performance, subjective workload, and choice of strategy under different conditions of time pressure. The most potent effects are from time pressure. The reasons for the weak effect of knowing the rules are discussed, and implications for strategic behavior, displays, and decision aids are indicated.
The present study tested the hypothesis that prenatal exposure of neonate Outbred albino mice to Schistosoma mansoni antigens (Ags) or antibodies (Abs) modulates their immunity against postnatal responses to infection. Persistence of maternal S. mansoni Abs and/or Ags in mice born to S. mansoni-infected mothers (IF-IMs) and noninfected mothers (IF-NMs) for up to 8 weeks after delivery was investigated. A higher level of anti-S. mansoni IgG Ab was detected in sera of 1-week-old mice born to IF-IM compared to controls. Then, immunoglobulin (Ig)G gradually decreased to the eight week. No anti-S. mansoni IgM Ab was detected in sera of these offspring at any week after delivery. Schistosoma Ags were detected in liver and kidney tissues of mice born to infected mothers. However, Ags decreased markedly till the sixth week in the liver but increased significantly at the sixth week in the kidney. Eight-week-old mice born to infected and noninfected mothers were infected with 200 S. mansoni ceracriae. Their sera and livers were collected for testing IgG and granuloma formation 6 weeks postinfection. Worms were collected via portal perfusion and counted. Anti-S. mansoni IgG level, size and number of liver granuloma, and worm burden were significantly reduced in the offspring of infected mothers. These data suggest that in utero exposure of Outbred albino mice to S. mansoni may attenuate the pathogenesis of S. mansoni in subsequent challenge.
This paper introduces a solution procedure for solving the project time/cost tradeoff problem of reducing a project duration at a minimum cost. The solution to the time/cost problem is achieved by locating a minimal cut in a flow network derived from the original project network. This minimal cut is then utilized to identify the project activities which should experience a duration modification in order to achieve the total project reduction. The paper will document this cut-based procedure and provide a practical application to a project situation.
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