Dynamic Multi-Objective Optimization With jMetal and Spark: a Case Study

Technologies for Big Data and Data Science are receiving increasing research interest nowadays. This paper introduces the prototyping architecture of a tool aimed to solve Big Data Optimization problems. Our tool combines the jMetal framework for multi-objective optimization with Apache Spark, a technology that is gaining momentum. In particular, we make use of the streaming facilities of Spark to feed an optimization problem with data from different sources. We demonstrate the use of our tool by solving a dynamic bi-objective instance of the Traveling Salesman Problem (TSP) based on near real-time traffic data from New York City, which is updated several times per minute. Our experiment shows that both jMetal and Spark can be integrated providing a software platform to deal with dynamic multi-optimization problems.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

On Fast and Robust Information Spreading in the Vertex-Congest Model

This paper initiates the study of the impact of failures on the fundamental problem of \emph{information spreading} in the Vertex-Congest model, in which in every round, each of the $n$ nodes sends the same $O(\log{n})$-bit message to all of its neighbors. Our contribution to coping with failures is twofold. First, we prove that the randomized algorithm which chooses uniformly at random the next message to forward is slow, requiring $\Omega(n/\sqrt{k})$ rounds on some graphs, which we denote by $G_{n,k}$, where $k$ is the vertex-connectivity. Second, we design a randomized algorithm that makes dynamic message choices, with probabilities that change over the execution. We prove that for $G_{n,k}$ it requires only a near-optimal number of $O(n\log^3{n}/k)$ rounds, despite a rate of $q=O(k/n\log^3{n})$ failures per round. Our technique of choosing probabilities that change according to the execution is of independent interest.Comment: Appears in SIROCCO 2015 conferenc

Vaginal Estrogen Therapy in Postmenopausal Overactive Bladder

Objective: To assess the efficacy of vaginal estrogen therapy in postmenopausal overactive bladder (OAB). Study design: It is an OPD (outpatient department) based prospective study. Postmenopausal women attending gynecology OPD with complaint of OAB were enrolled for the study. Women fulfilling the criteria for the study were given estradiol 2 mg vaginal tablet everyday for 2 weeks, then weekly twice for 10 weeks. Patients were assessed by 3-day bladder diary, Patient Global Impression scale, before and after the therapy. Results: Ninety-three patients completed the study. Increased frequency of micturition was cured in 92.5% cases; urgency and urge incontinence was cured in 74.2% cases. Patient’s subjective feeling of improvement scale revealed only 12.9% women felt either no change or little better; rest all were happy. Conclusion: Local estrogen therapy in postmenopausal women with OAB resulted in a good outcome

Short-term PsychoEducation for Carers To Reduce Over Medication of people with intellectual disabilities (SPECTROM): study protocol

Introduction Psychotropic medications that are primarily licenced for the treatment of psychiatric disorders are used widely (32%–85%) among people with intellectual disabilities (ID) often for the management of problem (challenging) behaviour in the absence of a psychiatric disorder. Care staff play a pivotal role in the prescribing process. Currently, no staff training programme exists to address the issue of overprescribing of psychotropic medication in people with ID, thus highlighting an urgent need for developing a psychoeducational programme (PEP) specifically designed to address this issue. We propose to develop a PEP for care staff using the methodology described in the UK Medical Research Council guide for complex interventions. Methods and analysis The development of the PEP will involve (1) gathering information on available relevant training programmes, (2) running four focus groups with care staff and other professionals to establish the content and format of the PEP, and (3) organising a co-design event involving all relevant stakeholders to discuss the format of the PEP. A core project team will develop the PEP under guidance from the PEP Development Group which will consist of 10–12 relevant stakeholder representatives. Feedback from selected stakeholders on a draft PEP will allow us to refine the PEP before implementation. The PEP will have web-based modules supplemented by face to face training sessions. When the final draft is ready, we will field test the PEP on six to eight care staff from community care homes for people with ID. After completing the field test, we will run a focus group involving participants in the PEP to get feedback on the PEP. Ethics and dissemination Ethics approval for this study was waived by the UK Health Regulatory Authority as the study does not collect any patient related information and only include care staff outside the UK NHS. This will be the first ever such universally freely available PEP supported by training manual and slides

Causes of and alternatives to medication for behaviours that challenge in people with intellectual disabilities: direct care providers' perspectives

Behaviours that challenge (BtC), such as aggression and self-injury, are manifested by many people with intellectual disabilities (ID). National and international guidelines recommend non-pharmacological psychosocial intervention before considering medication to address BtC. Support staff play a pivotal role in the prescription process. Using coproduction, we developed a training programme for support staff, called SPECTROM, to give them knowledge and empower them to question inappropriate prescriptions and ask for the discontinuation of medication if appropriate and instead look for ways to help people with ID when they are distressed without relying on medication. We have presented data from two focus groups that we conducted during the development of SPECTROM: one that included support staff, and another that had service managers and trainers. In these focus groups, we explored participants’ views on the use of medication to address BtC with a particular emphasis on the causes of and alternatives to medication for BtC. Along with the participants’ views, we have also presented how we have addressed these issues in the SPECTROM resources

Attraction and diffusion in nature-inspired optimization algorithms

Nature-inspired algorithms usually use some form of attraction and diffusion as a mechanism for exploitation and exploration. In this paper, we investigate the role of attraction and diffusion in algorithms and their ways in controlling the behaviour and performance of nature-inspired algorithms. We highlight different ways of the implementations of attraction in algorithms such as the firefly algorithm, charged system search, and the gravitational search algorithm. We also analyze diffusion mechanisms such as random walks for exploration in algorithms. It is clear that attraction can be an effective way for enhancing exploitation, while diffusion is a common way for exploration. Furthermore, we also discuss the role of parameter tuning and parameter control in modern metaheuristic algorithms, and then point out some key topics for further research

Morphogenetic induction and organogenic differentiation from foliar explants of Strobilanthes flaccidifolious Nees: a natural dye yielding plant

Strobilanthes flaccidifolious is a shrub and its leaf is the source of blue color natural dye used for dying fibers and play important role in handloom industry. During the present investigation, an efficient in vitro regeneration protocol is developed from foliar segments of in vitro sourced plant materials. The first sign of response from the cultured foliar segments was recorded as swelling and curling of leaf segments within 7 days of culture followed by callusing and shoot buds formation within 3-4 wk. Amongst the different plant growth regulators tested, optimum response was recorded on MS medium enriched with 3% sucrose, 6 µM BA while other growth regulators and their concentrations did not support satisfactory morphogenetic response. Under optimum condition ~75% explants responded positively where as many as 9 shoots buds developed per leaf segment. The shoot buds converted into plantlets/micro shoots on MS medium when supplemented with 3 µM Kn where as many as 7.3 shoot buds developed per subculture of 3-4 wk duration. The micro shoots induced roots on MS medium enriched with 3 µM NAA where as many as 14 roots developed per plant within 4 wk times. The well rooted plantlets were transferred in potting mix and maintained in the poly-shed (50% light) for two months before transferring to the field.    ÂÂ

Translational Entanglement of Dipole-Dipole Interacting Atoms in Optical Lattices

We propose and investigate a realization of the position- and momentum-correlated Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen (EPR) states [Phys. Rev. 47, 777 (1935)] that have hitherto eluded detection. The realization involves atom pairs that are confined to adjacent sites of two mutually shifted optical lattices and are entangled via laser-induced dipole-dipole interactions. The EPR "paradox" with translational variables is then modified by lattice-diffraction effects, and can be verified to a high degree of accuracy in this scheme.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, to be published in PR

Approximate solutions in space mission design

In this paper, we address multi-objective space mission design problems. From a practical point of view, it is often the case that,during the preliminary phase of the design of a space mission, the solutions that are actually considered are not 'optimal' (in the Pareto sense)but belong to the basin of attraction of optimal ones (i.e. they are nearly optimal). This choice is motivated either by additional requirements that the decision maker has to take into account or, more often, by robustness considerations. For this, we suggest a novel MOEA which is a modification of the well-known NSGA-II algorithm equipped with a recently proposed archiving strategy which aims at storing the set of approximate solutions of a given MOP. Using this algorithm we will examine some space trajectory design problems and demonstrate the benefit of the novel approach