Maximum entropy based evolutionary optimization of water distribution networks under multiple operating conditions and self-adaptive search space reduction method

Previously held under moratorium from 1st December 2016 until 1st December 2021.One of the complexities in designing WDN is evaluation of network performance. The accurate network performance measures such as reliability or failure tolerance are very time consuming calculations, thus surrogate measures are used for water distribution network (WDN) design optimization. Entropy is particularly advantageous since it involves only the flow in the pipe and the demands at the nodes. This thesis developed efficient new computational methods based on the maximum entropy formalism for the optimization of water distribution systems. Thus the maximum entropy based design approach has been extended here to include multiple operation conditions. Also, the path-related properties of the flow entropy have been exploited to develop a new self-adaptive approach for solution space reduction in multiobjective evolutionary optimization of water distribution systems that resulted in a significant reduction in the number of function evaluations required to find optimal and near optimal solutions. The novelty and originality of the current research are presented next. A new penalty-free multi-objective evolutionary optimization approach for the design of WDNs has been developed. It combines genetic algorithm with least cost design and maximum entropy. The approach can handle single operating conditions (SOC) as well as multiple operating conditions (MOC) for any given network. Previously, most of the work has been done for single loading patterns and it was assumed that nodal demands are constant. In reality nodal demand vary over the time so network designed to satisfy one operating condition might not be able to satisfy other loading patterns (i.e. pressure constraints might not be meet). The model has been applied to three well known water distribution networks. The approach has also been implemented on a large real-world network in the literature. Three different methods of designing for multiple loading patterns were investigated. Extensive testing proved that MOC outperform SOC in terms of hydraulic feasibility, pipe size distribution and reliability. The approach is computationally efficient and robust. The above mentioned penalty-free approach has been extended to form a module that would improve the convergence criteria of the GA by reducing its search space. For large real-world network GA might require extremely large number of function evaluations which could lead to delayed convergence. By reducing the search space, the GA’s effectiveness and efficiency will increase as the algorithm will identify the solutions in smaller number of function evaluations. The search space reduction method presented herein is based on entropy and uses the importance of every path through network, which is an inherent property of the entropy function. The developed algorithm is dynamic, self-adaptive and does not require pre-defining the reduced sets of candidate diameters for each pipe. The method has been applied to a large network from the literature. Two cases were studied, one based on full search space and one for reduce search space (RSS) approach. Rapid stabilization was observed for the results obtained using RSS.One of the complexities in designing WDN is evaluation of network performance. The accurate network performance measures such as reliability or failure tolerance are very time consuming calculations, thus surrogate measures are used for water distribution network (WDN) design optimization. Entropy is particularly advantageous since it involves only the flow in the pipe and the demands at the nodes. This thesis developed efficient new computational methods based on the maximum entropy formalism for the optimization of water distribution systems. Thus the maximum entropy based design approach has been extended here to include multiple operation conditions. Also, the path-related properties of the flow entropy have been exploited to develop a new self-adaptive approach for solution space reduction in multiobjective evolutionary optimization of water distribution systems that resulted in a significant reduction in the number of function evaluations required to find optimal and near optimal solutions. The novelty and originality of the current research are presented next. A new penalty-free multi-objective evolutionary optimization approach for the design of WDNs has been developed. It combines genetic algorithm with least cost design and maximum entropy. The approach can handle single operating conditions (SOC) as well as multiple operating conditions (MOC) for any given network. Previously, most of the work has been done for single loading patterns and it was assumed that nodal demands are constant. In reality nodal demand vary over the time so network designed to satisfy one operating condition might not be able to satisfy other loading patterns (i.e. pressure constraints might not be meet). The model has been applied to three well known water distribution networks. The approach has also been implemented on a large real-world network in the literature. Three different methods of designing for multiple loading patterns were investigated. Extensive testing proved that MOC outperform SOC in terms of hydraulic feasibility, pipe size distribution and reliability. The approach is computationally efficient and robust. The above mentioned penalty-free approach has been extended to form a module that would improve the convergence criteria of the GA by reducing its search space. For large real-world network GA might require extremely large number of function evaluations which could lead to delayed convergence. By reducing the search space, the GA’s effectiveness and efficiency will increase as the algorithm will identify the solutions in smaller number of function evaluations. The search space reduction method presented herein is based on entropy and uses the importance of every path through network, which is an inherent property of the entropy function. The developed algorithm is dynamic, self-adaptive and does not require pre-defining the reduced sets of candidate diameters for each pipe. The method has been applied to a large network from the literature. Two cases were studied, one based on full search space and one for reduce search space (RSS) approach. Rapid stabilization was observed for the results obtained using RSS

Water distribution network optimization using maximum entropy under multiple loading patterns

This paper proposes a maximum entropy-based multi-objective genetic algorithm approach for the design optimization of water distribution networks (WDNs). The novelty is that in contrast to previous research involving statistical entropy the algorithm can handle multiple operating conditions. We used NSGA II and EPANET 2 and wrote a subroutine that calculates the entropy value for any given WDN configuration. The proposed algorithm is demonstrated by designing a six-loop network that is well known from previous entropy studies. We used statistical entropy to include reliability in the design optimization procedure in a computationally efficient way

Oxidation and degradation of polyethylene in hip implants

The infrared absorption spectra of polyethylene samples from 13 used acetabular cups of hip prostheses retrieved from patients after different periods of use were studied. The presence of carbonyl compounds was observed in exploited polyethylene samples, confirming progressive oxidative degradation of polyethylene in biological environment

The structure of nominal constructions in Polish Sign Language (PJM) : a corpus-based study

Składni konstrukcji nominalnych poświęcono dotychczas niewiele uwagi w szybko rozwijającej się literaturze z dziedziny lingwistyki migowej. W Polsce nie przeprowadzono dotąd niemal żadnych badań dotyczących tego tematu. Celem niniejszego artykułu jest zaprezentowanie opisu składni konstrukcji nominalnych polskiego języka migowego (PJM), czyli wizualno-przestrzennego języka używanego przez Głuchych w Polsce, odmiennego od polszczyzny pisanej/mówionej zarówno pod względem diachronicznym, jak i synchronicznym. Najważniejszym założeniem referowanego tu badania - odróżniającym je od wielu innych prac dotyczących składni języków migowych - jest wykorzystanie obszernego materiału empirycznego. Na potrzeby niniejszego studium autorzy dokonali przeglądu próby materiału wideo pochodzącego z pierwszego i jedynego korpusu PJM, który jest obecnie tworzony na Uniwersytecie Warszawskim. Wnikliwa analiza pozwoliła na opracowanie typologii konstrukcji nominalnych w PJM - zawierających zarówno przymiotniki, jak i inne modyfikatory. Niniejszy artykuł przedstawia generalizacje dotyczące szyku wyrażeń nominalnych, wyłaniające się z przestudiowanych danych. Autorzy zauważają, że przymiotniki w PJM mają tendencję do występowania w postpozycji względem rzeczownika głównego, podczas gdy inne modyfikatory (takie jak liczebniki lub elementy dzierżawcze) zazwyczaj poprzedzają rzeczownik. Dodatkowo autorzy dokonują analizy porównawczej owych wniosków z danymi dla konstrukcji nominalnych występujących w mówionej polszczyźnie, pozyskanymi z Narodowego Korpusu Języka Polskiego.The syntax of nominal constructions has so far attracted relatively little attention in the rapidly growing literature on sign languages. In Poland, there have been virtually no studies addressing the topic. The goal of the present paper is to offer an overview of the nominal syntax of PJM (polski język migowy), the visual-spatial language of the Polish Deaf, which is diachronically and synchronically independent of spoken/written Polish. A key, and novel, aspect of the present proposal is that we base our descriptive model on a detailed investigation of extensive empirical data. For the purposes of this study, we have carefully inspected a sample of video material extracted from the first-ever corpus of PJM that is currently being compiled at the University of Warsaw. An in-depth examination of the data has allowed us to produce a typology of PJM nominal constructions involving adjectives and other adnominal modifiers. The present paper outlines the word-order generalizations that emerge from the analyzed data. We observe that PJM adjectives show a clear tendency to appear in postposition with respect to the head noun, whereas other adnominal modifiers (such as numerals or possessives) most often precede the noun. Additionally, we confront these findings with data on spoken Polish nominals extracted from the National Corpus of Polish

Profilaktyka wtórna niedokrwiennego udaru mózgu w świetle medycyny opartej na dowodach

Udar mózgu należy do najczęstszych chorób układu nerwowego, a ze względu na następstwa, jakie pozostawia, niewątpliwie jest jednym z najpoważniejszych problemów medycznych. Wprawdzie w ostatnich latach dokonuje się znamienny postęp w leczeniu ostrej fazy udaru, nadal jednak daleko do sukcesu. Dlatego profilaktyka udaru urasta do rangi najważniejszego postępowania w opanowaniu chorób naczyniowych mózgu. Celem tego postępowania jest niedopuszczenie do rozwoju czynników ryzyka udaru, ograniczenie ich liczby, a jeśli już wystąpią, uzyskanie nad nimi kontroli. W pracy przedstawiono najnowsze zalecenia dotyczące profilaktyki wtórnej udaru niedokrwiennego mózgu, przybliżając jednocześnie Czytelnikowi zagadnienia związane z coraz powszechniej stosowanym pojęciem evidence-based medicine (medycyny opartej na dowodach), a raczej „medycyny wiarygodnej”

Morphometric analysis of capillaries in upper limbs in patients with ischemic stroke

Background. The aim of study was to answer whether acute phase of ischemic stroke may provoke upper limb capillary changes. We also tried to assess the character of the changes and the correlation between them and severity of ischemic stroke its acute phase as well as coexisting factors, which may facilitate skin capillary circulation abnormalities, i.e. blood hypertension, diabetes mellitus t. 2, and smoking. Material and methods. A qualitative and quantitative analysis of nailfold capillaries of upper limbs was done on 92 patients: 39 women and 53 men aged 46–92 years (on the average 67.7 yrs) admitted to the Department of Neurology between 2002 and 2003 because of first-ever episode of ischemic stroke. Control group consisted of 30 individuals: 13 women and 17 men suffered from diseases, which should not influence the capillaries. The nailfold capillaroscopy was done by means of Olympus PV10 videomicroscope connected with the KONTRON KS-100 v. 2.0 imaging system (license No. 0100176). The assessment has been done twice: on the first and 7th–10th day after ischemic stroke onset. Conclusions. In patients with ischemic stroke the skin capillaries of fingers appeared to be dilated. It was found in both upper limbs, but the dilation was significantly more distinct in arm involved by stroke. The skin capillary loops dilation was transient and disappeared within acute phase of stroke. Transient central and peripheral autonomic disregulation in the initial period of stroke is probably responsible for capillary dilation. The extent of dilation does not depend on intensity of paresis, however it correlated with smoking.Wstęp. Celem pracy była jakościowa i ilościowa ocena zmian w krążeniu włośniczkowym skóry w kończynach górnych u chorych z niedokrwiennym udarem mózgu i próba odpowiedzi na pytania, czy w ostrej fazie udaru dochodzi do zaburzeń w krążeniu włośniczkowym skóry i jaki te zaburzenia mają charakter, a także czy występują korelacje między zaburzeniami w krążeniu włośniczkowym skóry a ciężkością i fazą udaru oraz współwystępującymi nadciśnieniem tętniczym, cukrzycą typu 2 i paleniem tytoniu. Materiał i metody. Badaniu poddano 92 chorych: 39 kobiet i 53 mężczyzn w wieku 46–92 lat (śr. wieku 67,7 lat), hospitalizowanych w Klinice Neurologii PAM w latach 2002-2003 z powodu wystąpienia pierwszego w życiu udaru niedokrwiennego mózgu. Grupę kontrolną stanowiło 30 osób: 13 kobiet, 17 mężczyzn w wieku 45-82 lat (śr. wieku 62 lata), leczonych w Klinice z powodu chorób, które nie powinny wpływać na stan włośniczek w kończynach. Biorących udział w badaniu 2-krotnie poddano kapilaroskopii wału paznokciowego, przeprowadzonej za pomocą wideomikroskopu Olympus PV10, po raz pierwszy w 1. dobie udaru i kolejny - między 7. a 10. dobą udaru. Wnioski. 1. U chorych z niedokrwiennym udarem mózgu dochodzi do rozszerzenia naczyń włosowatych skóry. Zjawisko to dotyczy obu kończyn górnych, jednak znamiennie większe jest w kończynie niedowładnej. 2. Rozszerzenie pętli włośniczkowych skóry ma charakter przemijający i cofa się jeszcze w ostrej fazie udaru niedokrwiennego. Za poszerzenie włośniczek przypuszczalnie odpowiada przejściowe, czynnościowe zaburzenie funkcji ośrodkowych i obwodowych struktur układu autonomicznego w początkowym okresie ostrej fazy udaru niedokrwiennego. 3. Stopień rozszerzenia pętli włośniczkowych skóry nie zależy od głębokości niedowładu ani współwystępującego nadciśnienia tętniczego i cukrzycy typu 2, natomiast koreluje z paleniem tytoniu

Self-adaptive solution-space reduction algorithm for multi-objective evolutionary design optimization of water distribution networks

An effective way to improve the computational efficiency of evolutionary algorithms is to make the solution space of the optimization problem under consideration smaller. A new reliability-based algorithm that does this was developed for water distribution networks. The objectives considered in the formulation of the optimization problem were minimization of the initial construction cost and maximization of the flow entropy as a resilience surrogate. After achieving feasible solutions, the active solution space of the optimization problem was re-set for each pipe in each generation until the end of the optimization. The algorithm re-set the active solution space by reducing the number of pipe diameter options for each pipe, based on the most likely flow distribution. The main components of the methodology included an optimizer, a hydraulic simulator and an algorithm that calculates the flow entropy for any given network configuration. The methodology developed is generic and self-adaptive, and prior setting of the reduced solution space is not required. A benchmark network in the literature was investigated, and the results showed that the algorithm improved the computational efficiency and quality of the solutions achieved by a considerable margin

Comparison of surrogate measures for the reliability and redundancy of water distribution systems

An investigation into the effectiveness of surrogate measures for the hydraulic reliability and/or redundancy of water distribution systems is presented. The measures considered are statistical flow entropy, resilience index, network resilience and surplus power factor. Looped network designs that are maximally noncommittal to the surrogate reliability measures were considered. In other words, the networks were designed by multi-objective evolutionary optimization free of any influence from the surrogate measures. The designs were then assessed using each surrogate measure and two accurate but computationally intensive measures namely hydraulic reliability and pipe-failure tolerance. The results indicate that by utilising statistical flow entropy, the reliability of the network can be reasonably approximated, with substantial savings in computational effort. The results for the other surrogate measures were often inconsistent. Two networks in the literature were considered. One example involved a range of alternative network topologies. In the other example, based on whole-life cost accounting, alternative design and upgrading schemes for a 20-year design horizon were considered. Pressure-dependent hydraulic modelling was used to simulate pipe failures for the reliability calculations