We obtain upper bounds on the spectral gap of Markov chains constructed by parallel and simulated tempering, and provide a set of sufficient conditions for torpid mixing of both techniques. Combined with the results of [22], these results yield a two-sided bound on the spectral gap of these algorithms. We identify a persistence property of the target distribution, and show that it can lead unex...

This paper summarizes existing and describes ongoing work on securit ypolicy definition and particularly enforcement in heterogeneous distributed systems. Based on a formal model of operating systems and interactions among networked nodes in a distributed system axiomatizing relations among and abstractions in distributed systems, arbitrary security policies can be defined over the same model; ...

Developing efficient MCMC algorithms is indispensable in Bayesian inference. In parallel tempering, multiple interacting chains run to more efficiently explore the state space and improve performance. The advance independently through local moves, performance enhancement steps are exchange where pause their current sample amongst each other. To accelerate independent they may be performed simul...

Glass-ionomer cements (GICs) are regarded as aqueous gels made up of polyalkenoic acid salts containing ion-leachable glass fillers. The consequence of water permeation across the GIC-dentin interface is unknown. This study used SEM, field-emission/environmental SEM (FE-ESEM), and TEM to examine the ultrastructure of GIC-bonded moist dentin. Dentin surfaces bonded with 6 auto-cured GICs were ex...

1,2,3‐Tris(4‐cyanatophenyl)propane, a new tricyanate ester monomer analogous to cyanated novolac or “phenolic triazine (PT) resin” that features more flexible chemical linkages at the central branch point, was synthesized in nine steps with an overall yield of 26%. The highly purified monomer exhibited an activation energy of 110 kJ/mol for auto‐catalytic cure at temperatures of 210 °C ...

quart bottle, through the rubber stopper of which pass two pieces of glass tubing,?one short,-just reaching the neck of the bottle. To this the can ill a is attached by about four feet of rubber tubing such as is used for infants' feeding bottles. The canuia can be made by the silversmith out of a rupee, or a hydrocele canuia can be firmly tied in. I have on one occasion used a small quill. The...

Despite limitations of glass packaging for vaccines, the industry has been slow to implement alternative formats. Polymer containers may address many of these limitations, such as breakage and delamination. However, the ability of polymer containers to achieve cost of goods sold (COGS) and total cost of delivery (TCOD) competitive with that of glass containers is unclear, especially for cost-se...