Racing Multi-Objective Selection Probabilities

In the context of Noisy Multi-Objective Optimization, dealing with uncertainties requires the decision maker to define some preferences about how to handle them, through some statistics (e.g., mean, median) to be used to evaluate the qualities of the solutions, and define the corresponding Pareto set. Approximating these statistics requires repeated samplings of the population, drastically increasing the overall computational cost. To tackle this issue, this paper proposes to directly estimate the probability of each individual to be selected, using some Hoeffding races to dynamically assign the estimation budget during the selection step. The proposed racing approach is validated against static budget approaches with NSGA-II on noisy versions of the ZDT benchmark functions

Minimizing the Homogeneous L2\mathcal{L}_2-Gain of Homogeneous Differentiators

The differentiation of noisy signals using the family of homogeneous differentiators is considered. It includes the high-gain (linear) as well as robust exact (discontinuous) differentiator. To characterize the effect of noise and disturbance on the differentiation estimation error, the generalized, homogeneous $\mathcal{L}_2$-gain is utilized. Analog to the classical $\mathcal{L}_p$-gain, it is not defined for the discontinuous case w.r.t. disturbances acting on the last channel. Thus, only continuous differentiators are addressed. The gain is estimated using a differential dissipation inequality, where a scaled Lyapunov function acts as storage function for the homogeneous $\mathcal{L}_2$ supply rate. The fixed differentiator gains are scaled with a gain-scaling parameter similar to the high-gain differentiator. This paper shows the existence of an optimal scaling which (locally) minimizes the homogeneous $\mathcal{L}_2$-gain estimate and provides a procedure to obtain it. Differentiators of dimension two are considered and the results are illustrated via numerical evaluation and a simulation example

Umsetzen praktischer Energiebedarfsforschung in strategischen Energiemodellen

Im folgenden wird zum einen auf die zuvor angesprochenen grundsätzlichen Probleme der Behandlung von "Energiebedarf" in strategischen Energiemodellen eingegangen und zum anderen werden die heute gebräuchlichen Verfahren der modellmäßigen Abbildung des "Energiebedarfs" diskutiert, um dann aus der Sicht desjenigen, der mit Fragen der Energieplanung befaßt ist, Anforderungen an die Energiebedarfsforschung abzuleiten. Zunächst aber seien einige Anmerkungen zum Sinn und Zweck, zu den Möglichkeiten und Grenzen strategischer Energiemodelle gemacht

Pseudomonas putida KT2440 is naturally endowed to withstand industrial-scale stress conditions

Pseudomonas putida is recognized as a very promising strain for industrial application due to its high redox capacity and frequently observed tolerance towards organic solvents. In this research, we studied the metabolic and transcriptional response of P. putida KT2440 exposed to large-scale heterogeneous mixing conditions in the form of repeated glucose shortage. Cellular responses were mimicked in an experimental setup comprising a stirred tank reactor and a connected plug flow reactor. We deciphered that a stringent response-like transcriptional regulation programme is frequently induced, which seems to be linked to the intracellular pool of 3-hydroxyalkanoates (3-HA) that are known to serve as precursors for polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA). To be precise, P. putida is endowed with a survival strategy likely to access cellular PHA, amino acids and glycogen in few seconds under glucose starvation to obtain ATP from respiration, thereby replenishing the reduced ATP levels and the adenylate energy charge. Notably, cells only need 0.4% of glucose uptake to build those 3-HA-based energy buffers. Concomitantly, genes that are related to amino acid catabolism and β-oxidation are upregulated during the transient absence of glucose. Furthermore, we provide a detailed list of transcriptional short- and long-term responses that increase the cellular maintenance by about 17% under the industrial-like conditions tested.publishersversionpublishe

Recurrent myelitis after allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Report of two cases

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Allogeneic and autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation are established treatment options for haematological malignancies and may possibly be employed to treat a range of genetic and autoimmune diseases.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We report two patients who developed an acute myelitis within their thoracic spinal cord after allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Myelitis in these patients was not related to graft versus host disease or immune reconstitution and was responsive to intravenous methylprednisolone and cyclophosphamide.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Myelitis is a possibly disabling consequence of haematopoietic stem cell transplantation.</p

KI-Methoden beim Entwurf komplexer Gebäude

Anhand von Ergebnissen aus dem FABEL-Projekt wird gezeigt, welche Beiträge Methoden der Künstlichen Intelligenz, insbesondere der Wissensverarbeitung beim Entwurf komplexer Gebäude leisten können. Exemplarisch werden spezialisierte wissensintensive Methoden, und allgemeine fallbasierte Methoden zum Retrieval und zur Wiederverwendung früherer Entwürfe vorgestellt. Es werden Fragen der Integration von Wissen, Fällen und Daten diskutiert. Der Prototyp des FABEL-Projekts verwendet die Metapher der virtuellen Baustelle, um die verschiedenen Methoden als Planungswerkzeuge in einem CAD-System integriert anzubieten. Ein Planungsmodell dient der zusätzlichen Orientierung des Planers. Die Ergebnisse sind interessant für den Entwurf komplexer Unikate, dürften aber auch als Zusatz zu elektronisch angebotenen Katalogen relevant sein

How do older people discuss their own sexuality? A systematic review of qualitative research studies

This study captured older people’s attitudes and concerns about sex and sexuality in later life by synthesising qualitative research published on this issue. The systematic review was conducted between November 2015 and June 2016 based on a pre-determined protocol. Key words were used to ensure a precise search strategy. Empirically based, qualitative literature from 18 databases was found. Twenty studies met the inclusion criteria. Thomas and Harden’s thematic synthesis was used to generate ‘analytical themes’ which summarise this body of literature. Three main themes were identified: (a) social legitimacy for sexuality in later life; (b) health, not age, is what truly impacts sexuality, and (c) the hegemony of penetrative sex. The themes illustrate the complex and delicate relation between ageing and sexuality. Older adults facing health issues that affect sexual function adopt broader definitions of sexuality and sexual activit

MNEs and flexible working practices in Mauritius

We compare how far companies based in Africa, India and the 'global North' operating in Mauritius adopt high-trust flexible working practices, and how these are linked to different clusters of wider labour management practice. Using comprehensive firm-level data collected in late 2011, we find that African/Indian company practices are closer to those of indigenous firms than to those of Northern companies. The different company groups operate in quite different ways but regional MNEs operate in a similar way to indigenous companies. We therefore conclude that Rugman and Verbeke’s ‘regionalization’ theory also applies to the HR field. We further find that both a relatively strategic approach to HRM and measures to develop employer-employee interdependence are, respectively, linked directly and indirectly to flexible working incidence