The parameter configuration of a network protocol can be formulated as a black-box optimization problem with network simulation evaluating the performance of the blackbox, i.e., the network. This paper proposes a unified search framework (USF) to handle such large-scale black-box optimization problems. The framework is designed to provides a general platform on which tailored optimization algor...

The divergent sampling techniques for respirable dust and the analyses for crystalline silica are an important area of interest and discussion among industrial occupational hygienists in Europe. The variety of equipment for air sampling, methods and instrumentation can cause differences between results for the analysis of respirable crystalline silica (RCS). In this study, a Workplace Atmospher...

BACKGROUND True arterial blood samples are essential in making clinical decisions for respiratory patients. Previous studies using only the Portex Pro-Vent arterial sampler have shown a significant difference between arterial and venous filling times. The goal of this study was to determine whether there is a statistically significant difference between sampler filling times measured at a norma...

Silicone passive samplers have gained an increasing attention as single-phased, practical and robust samplers for monitoring of organic contaminants in the aquatic environment in recent years. However, analytical challenges arise in routine application during the extraction of analytes as silicone oligomers are co-extracted and interfere severely during chemical analyses (e.g. gas chromatograph...

The overall hypothesis of this research is that the use of passive samplers is an effective method to measure spatial and seasonal trends of atmospheric PCBs in an urban environment. In support of this, I extracted, analyzed and quantified congener specific concentrations from over 200 passive samples and over 200 active sampler, or Hi-Vols. I studied best practices for the use of methods to de...

Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) is an important computational technique for generating samples from non-standard probability distributions. A major challenge in the design of practical MCMC samplers is to achieve efficient convergence and mixing properties. One way to accelerate convergence and mixing is to adapt the proposal distribution in light of previously sampled points, thus increasing t...

The National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for PM in terms of PM10 are ambient air concentration limits set by the EPA that should not be exceeded. Further, some state air pollution regulatory agencies (SAPRAs) utilize the NAAQS to regulate criteria pollutants emitted by industries by applying the NAAQS as property-line concentration limits. Prior to and since the inclusion of the PM10 ...