660,185 research outputs found
Some characteristics of matroids through rough sets
At present, practical application and theoretical discussion of rough sets
are two hot problems in computer science. The core concepts of rough set theory
are upper and lower approximation operators based on equivalence relations.
Matroid, as a branch of mathematics, is a structure that generalizes linear
independence in vector spaces. Further, matroid theory borrows extensively from
the terminology of linear algebra and graph theory. We can combine rough set
theory with matroid theory through using rough sets to study some
characteristics of matroids. In this paper, we apply rough sets to matroids
through defining a family of sets which are constructed from the upper
approximation operator with respect to an equivalence relation. First, we prove
the family of sets satisfies the support set axioms of matroids, and then we
obtain a matroid. We say the matroids induced by the equivalence relation and a
type of matroid, namely support matroid, is induced. Second, through rough
sets, some characteristics of matroids such as independent sets, support sets,
bases, hyperplanes and closed sets are investigated.Comment: 13 page
Application of Stationary Wavelet Support Vector Machines for the Prediction of Economic Recessions
This paper examines the efficiency of various approaches on the classification and prediction of economic expansion and recession periods in United Kingdom. Four approaches are applied. The first is discrete choice models using Logit and Probit regressions, while the second approach is a Markov Switching Regime (MSR) Model with Time-Varying Transition Probabilities. The third approach refers on Support Vector Machines (SVM), while the fourth approach proposed in this study is a Stationary Wavelet SVM modelling. The findings show that SW-SVM and MSR present the best forecasting performance, in the out-of sample period. In addition, the forecasts for period 2012-2015 are provided using all approaches
Effect of Pimobendan in Dogs with Preclinical Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease and Cardiomegaly: The EPIC Study - A Randomized Clinical Trial
Background: Pimobendan is effective in treatment of dogs with congestive heart failure (CHF) secondary to myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD). Its effect on dogs before the onset of CHF is unknown. Hypothesis/Objectives: Administration of pimobendan (0.4-0.6 mg/kg/d in divided doses) to dogs with increased heart size secondary to preclinical MMVD, not receiving other cardiovascular medications, will delay the onset of signs of CHF, cardiac-related death, or euthanasia. Animals: 360 client-owned dogs with MMVD with left atrial-to-aortic ratio >= 1.6, normalized left ventricular internal diameter in diastole >= 1.7, and vertebral heart sum >10.5. Methods: Prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, blinded, multicenter clinical trial. Primary outcome variable was time to a composite of the onset of CHF, cardiac-related death, or euthanasia. Results: Median time to primary endpoint was 1228 days (95% CI: 856-NA) in the pimobendan group and 766 days (95% CI: 667-875) in the placebo group (P = .0038). Hazard ratio for the pimobendan group was 0.64 (95% CI: 0.47-0.87) compared with the placebo group. The benefit persisted after adjustment for other variables. Adverse events were not different between treatment groups. Dogs in the pimobendan group lived longer (median survival time was 1059 days (95% CI: 952-NA) in the pimobendan group and 902 days (95% CI: 747-1061) in the placebo group) (P = .012). Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Administration of pimobendan to dogs with MMVD and echocardiographic and radiographic evidence of cardiomegaly results in prolongation of preclinical period and is safe and well tolerated. Prolongation of preclinical period by approximately 15 months represents substantial clinical benefit
Can a computer be "pushed" to perform faster-than-light?
We propose to "boost" the speed of communication and computation by immersing
the computing environment into a medium whose index of refraction is smaller
than one, thereby trespassing the speed-of-light barrier.Comment: 7 pages, 1 figure, presented at the UC10 Hypercomputation Workshop
"HyperNet 10" at The University of Tokyo on June 22, 201
Dinosaur footprints and other Ichnofauna from the Cretaceous Kem Kem Beds of Morocco
We describe an extensive ichnofossil assemblage from the likely Cenomanian-age 'lower' and 'upper' units of the 'Kem Kem beds' in southeastern Morocco. In the lower unit, trace fossils include narrow vertical burrows in cross-bedded sandstones and borings in dinosaur bone, with the latter identified as the insect ichnotaxon Cubiculum ornatus. In the upper unit, several horizons preserve abundant footprints from theropod dinosaurs. Sauropod and ornithischian footprints are much rarer, similar to the record for fossil bone and teeth in the Kem Kem assemblage. The upper unit also preserves a variety of invertebrate traces including Conichnus (the resting trace of a sea-anemone), Scolicia (a gastropod trace), Beaconites (a probable annelid burrow), and subvertical burrows likely created by crabs for residence and detrital feeding on a tidal flat. The ichnofossil assemblage from the Upper Cretaceous Kem Kem beds contributes evidence for a transition from predominantly terrestrial to marine deposition. Body fossil and ichnofossil records together provide a detailed view of faunal diversity and local conditions within a fluvial and deltaic depositional setting on the northwestern coast of Africa toward the end of the Cretaceous
Cargo compartment fire extinguishing system
In all large passenger transport airplanes, halon fire bottles are used to extinguish fire in the cargo compartments.
Halon as a fire-extinguishing agent, contributes to the destruction of stratospheric ozone in the atmosphere and it
is banned in many countries. FAA considers halon 1301 as an effective firefighting agent due to its low toxicity and
noncorrosive properties but because it damages the ozone layer, it has been phased out of production. However,
it is still widely used on commercial aircraft until a suitable replacement is found. In this paper we will present an
alternative approach to using halon 1301 as a fire fighting paradigm. In the proposed method, nitrogen is first
extracted from the atmosphere by using the onboard air separator module it is then cooled, and pressurized into the
cargo compartments to suppress any fire. Several methodologies can be used to increase the flow rate from the air
separator module, to extinguish fire in cargo compartment
Aerospace medicine and biology: A continuing bibliography with indexes (supplement 352)
This bibliography lists 147 reports, articles and other documents introduced into the NASA Scientific and Technical Information System during July 1991. Subject coverage includes: aerospace medicine and psychology, life support systems and controlled environments, safety equipment, exobiology and extraterrestrial life, and flight crew behavior and performance
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