Evolutionary Multi-Criterion Optimization. Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Evolutionary Multi-Criterion Optimization, Nantes, France, 7-10 avril 2009

This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Evolutionary Multi-Criterion Optimization, EMO 2009, held in Nantes, France in April 2009.The 39 revised full papers presented together with 5 invited talks were carefully reviewed and selected from 72 submissions. The papers are organized in topical sections on theoretical analysis, uncertainty and noise, algorithm development, performance analysis and comparison, applications, MCDM Track, Many objectives, alternative methods, as well as EMO and MCDA

Multiobjective Optimization and Multiple Constraint Handling with Evolutionary Algorithms II: Application Example

The evolutionary approach to multiple function optimization formulated in the first part of the paper (1) is applied to the optimization of the low-pressure spool speed governor of a Pegasus turbine engine. This study illustrates how a technique such as the mUltiobjective Genetic Algorithm can be applied and exemplifies how design requirements can be defined as the algorithm runs. Several objective functions and associated goals express design concerns in direct form, i.e., as the designer would state them. While such a designer-orientated formulation is very attractive, its practical usefulness depends heavily on the ability to search and optimize cost surfaces in such a class much broader than usual, as already provided to a large extent by the Genetic Algorithm (GA). The two instances of the problem studied, demonstrate the need for preference articulation in cases where many and highly competing objects lead to a non dominated set too large for a finite population to sample effectively. Further, it is sown that only a very small portion of the non-dominated set is of practical relevance, which further substantiates the need to supply preference information to the GA. The paper concludes with a discussion of the results

Multiobjective Optimization and Multiple Constraint Handling with Evolutionary Algorithms 1: A Unified Formulation

In optimization, multiple objectives and constraints cannot be handled independently of the underlying optimizer. Requirements such as continuity and differentiability of the cost surface and yet another conflicting element to the decision process. While "better" solutions should be rated higher than "worse" ones, the resulting cost landscape must also comply with such requirements. Evolutionary algorithms (EA'S), which have found application in many areas not amenable to optimization by other methods, possess many characteristics desirable in a multiobjective optimizer, most notably at the concerted handling of multiple candidate solutions. However, EA's are essentially unconstrained search techniques which require the assignment of a scalar measure of quality or fitness to such candidate solutions. After reviewing current evolutionary approaches to multiobjective constrained optimization, the paper proposes that fitness assignment be interpreted as, or at least related to, a multicriterion decision process. A suitable decision making framework based on goals and priorities is subsequently formulated in terms of a relational operator, characterized and shown to encompass a number of simpler decision strategies. Finally, the ranking of an arbitrary number of candidates is considered. The effect of preference changes on the cost surface seen by an EA is illustrated graphically for a simple problem. The paper concludes with the formulation of a multiobjective genetic algorithm based on the proposed decision strategy. Niche formation techniques are used to promote diversity among preferable candidates and progressive articulation of preferences is shown to be possible as long as the genetic algorithm can recover from abrupt changes in the cost landscape

A new methodology for assessment of pectus excavatum correction after bar removal in Nuss procedure: preliminary study

Purpose: The objective is to present a new methodology to assess quantitatively the impact of bar removal on the anterior chest wall, among patients with pectus excavatum who have undergone the Nuss procedure, and present a preliminary study using this methodology. Methods: We propose to acquire, for each patient, the surface of the anterior chest wall using a three-dimensional laser scanner at subsequent time points (short term: before and after surgery; long term: follow-up visit, 6 months, and 12 months after surgery). After surfaces postprocessing, the changes are assessed by overlapping and measuring the distances between surfaces. In this preliminary study, three time points were acquired and two assessments were performed: before vs after bar removal (early) and before vs 2-8 weeks after bar removal (interim). In 21 patients, the signed distances and volumes between surfaces were computed and the data analysis was performed. Results: This methodology revealed useful for monitoring changes in the anterior chest wall. On average, the mean, maximum, and volume variations, in the early assessment, were -0.1 +/- 0.1 cm, -0.6 +/- 0.2 cm, and 47.8 +/- 22.2 cm(3), respectively; and, in the interim assessment, were -0.5 +/- 0.2 cm, -1.3 +/- 0.4 cm, and 122.1 +/- 47.3 cm3, respectively (p < 0.05). Data analysis revealed that the time the bar was in situ was inversely and significantly correlated with postretraction and was a relevant predictor of its decrease following surgery (p < 0.05). Additionally, gender and age suggested influencing the outcome. Conclusions: This methodology is novel, objective and safe, helping on follow-up of pectus excavatum patients. Moreover, the preliminary study suggests that the time the bar was in situ may be the main determinant of the anterior chest wall retraction following bar removal. Further studies should continue to corroborate and reinforce the preliminary findings, by increasing the sample size and performing long-term assessments.FEDER funds, through the Competitiveness Factors Operational Programme (COMPETE), and by National funds, through the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), under the scope of the projects PTDC/SAU-BEB/103368/2008 and POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007038; and by the projects NORTE-07-0124-FEDER-000017 and NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000013, supported by the Northern Portugal Regional Operational Programme (NORTE 2020), under the Portugal 2020 Partnership Agreement, through the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Influência da poda mecânica na produtividade da videira, casta ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’

Apresentam-se resultados de um ensaio de poda mecânica instalado numa vinha da Quinta da Amoreira, Cartaxo, com a casta 'Cabernet Sauvignon’. Estuda-se, comparativamente à poda manual, a influênc ia da pré-poda curta sem correcção manual - poda em sebe - na produtividade da vide ira ao longo de dois anos (1993-1994). A poda mecânica ao deixar uma maior carga à poda, repartida por um maior número de unidades de frutificação, provocou uma redução significativa na percentagem de abrolhamento e na fertilidade. Ao nível da activid ade fisiológica de folhas exposta s não se registaram efeitos significativos quer no potencial hídrico foliar de base quer na taxa fotossintética medida ao meio-dia solar. A poda mecânica deu origem a um número de cachos e a uma produção significativamente superiores à poda manual. O efeito de autorregulação da videira no peso do cacho e na qualidade do mosto não se fez sentir de forma significativa, provavelmente, devido ao facto de terem sido anos de baixas produções provocadas por desavinho, sobretudo em 1994. A poda mecânica induziu um a redução significativa do vigor quer ao nível do sarmento quer ao nível do peso de lenha de podainfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Dominance Based Crossover Operator for Evolutionary Multi-objective Algorithms

In spite of the recent quick growth of the Evolutionary Multi-objective Optimization (EMO) research field, there has been few trials to adapt the general variation operators to the particular context of the quest for the Pareto-optimal set. The only exceptions are some mating restrictions that take in account the distance between the potential mates - but contradictory conclusions have been reported. This paper introduces a particular mating restriction for Evolutionary Multi-objective Algorithms, based on the Pareto dominance relation: the partner of a non-dominated individual will be preferably chosen among the individuals of the population that it dominates. Coupled with the BLX crossover operator, two different ways of generating offspring are proposed. This recombination scheme is validated within the well-known NSGA-II framework on three bi-objective benchmark problems and one real-world bi-objective constrained optimization problem. An acceleration of the progress of the population toward the Pareto set is observed on all problems

Dignity and psychosocial related variables in elderly advanced cancer patients

Abstract Introduction: Most cancers occur in older individuals, who are more vulnerable due to functional impairment, multiple comorbidities, cognitive impairment, and lack of socio‑familial support. These can undermine patients' sense of dignity. This study seeks to compare dignity scores in older patients with advanced cancer on sociodemographic and clinical variables and analyze the predictive value of anxiety, depression, functional limitations, and social support on dignity scores. Methods: A prospective, multicenter, observational study conducted with participation of 15 hospitals in Spain from February 2020 to October 2021. Patients with newly‑diagnosed, advanced cancer completed the dignity (PPDS), anxiety and depression (BSI), Social Support (Duke-UNC‑11), and functional limitations (EORTC‑C30) scales. Lineal regression analyses explored the effects of anxiety, depression, functional status, and social support on dignity, adjusting for sociodemographic and clinical variables. Results: A total of 180 subjects participated in this study. The results of the correlation analysis revealed that dignity correlated negatively with anxiety, depression, and sex, and positively with social support, functional status, and longer estimated survival. Thus, women, and more anxious and depressed individuals scored lower on the dignity scale, whereas patients with more social support, fewer functional limitations, and longer estimated survival scored higher. Conclusion: In conclusion, being female, having a lower educational level, lower estimated survival, depression, anxiety, less social support, and limited functionality are correlated with less dignity in the elderly with advanced cancer. It is a priority to manage both physical and psychological symptoms in patients with unresectable advanced cancer to mitigate psychological distress and increase their sense of dignit

Conformally flat spacetimes and Weyl frames

We discuss the concepts of Weyl and Riemann frames in the context of metric theories of gravity and state the fact that they are completely equivalent as far as geodesic motion is concerned. We apply this result to conformally flat spacetimes and show that a new picture arises when a Riemannian spacetime is taken by means of geometrical gauge transformations into a Minkowskian flat spacetime. We find out that in the Weyl frame gravity is described by a scalar field. We give some examples of how conformally flat spacetime configurations look when viewed from the standpoint of a Weyl frame. We show that in the non-relativistic and weak field regime the Weyl scalar field may be identified with the Newtonian gravitational potential. We suggest an equation for the scalar field by varying the Einstein-Hilbert action restricted to the class of conformally-flat spacetimes. We revisit Einstein and Fokker's interpretation of Nordstr\"om scalar gravity theory and draw an analogy between this approach and the Weyl gauge formalism. We briefly take a look at two-dimensional gravity as viewed in the Weyl frame and address the question of quantizing a conformally flat spacetime by going to the Weyl frame.Comment: LATEX - 18 page