Global communication part 1: the use of apparel CAD technology

Trends needed for improved communication systems, through the development of future computer-aided design technology (CAD) applications, is a theme that has received attention due to its perceived benefits in improving global supply chain efficiencies. This article discusses the developments of both 2D and 3D computer-aided design capabilities, found within global fashion supply chain relationships and environments. Major characteristics identified within the data suggest that CAD/CAM technology appears to be improving; however, evidence also suggest a plateau effect, which is accrediting forced profits towards information technology manufactures, and arguably compromising the industry's competitive advantage. Nevertheless, 2D CAD increases communication speed; whereas 3D human interaction technology is seen to be evolving slowly and questionably with limited success. The article discusses the findings and also presents the issues regarding human interaction; technology education; and individual communication enhancements using technology processes. These are still prevalent topics for the future developments of global strategy and cultural communication amalgamation

Comparative investigations on digestion in grazing (Ceratotherium simum) and browsing (Diceros bicornis) rhinoceroses

Rhinoceroses represent the largest extant herbivores with extensive dietary specialization for plant groups like browse (black rhino Diceros bicornis) or grass (white rhino Ceratotherium simum). However, it is not clear to what extent such diet selection patterns are reflected in adaptations of digestive physiology of the respective feeding types. In this study, feeding trials with four black and five white rhinos were conducted in four zoos. The animals had ad libitum access to the same batch of grass hay (second cut; neutral detergent fiber (NDF) 63% dry matter (DM), crude protein 10.2% DM). Total intake, fecal N content, in vitro digestibility of NDF residues of feces, fecal particle size and mean retention time (MRT) of particles (Cr-mordanted fiber; 1–2 mm) and fluid (Co-EDTA) were quantified. The average daily DM intake was 70±12 g/kg BW0.75 for white and 73±10 g/kg BW0.75 for black rhinos. In the in vitro fermentation test fecal NDF residues of black rhinos resulted in higher gas productions at fermentation times of 12 to 24 h, indicating that white rhinos have a superior capacity to digest NDF. Average MRT for fluids and particles was 28±4 h and 43±5 h in white and 34±4 h and 39±4 h in black rhinos. The selectivity factor (SF=MRTparticle /MRTfluid) was higher for white (1.5±0.2) than for black rhinos (1.2±0.1) (p=0.016). In a comparison of 12 ruminant and 3 rhino species, SF was correlated to percentage of grass in diet (R=0.75). Mean fecal particle size was higher in white (9.1±1.94 mm) than in black rhinos (6.1±0.79 mm) (p=0.016). The results demonstrate differences between white and black rhinos in terms of retention times and fiber digestibility. The more selective retention of particles by the white rhino corresponds with the higher digestion of fiber measured indirectly. Furthermore there is indication for a general pattern of high SF in grazing ruminants and rhinos. The difference in fecal particle size between both rhino species might be due to the considerable difference in body weight

Mean-risk models using two risk measures: A multi-objective approach

This paper proposes a model for portfolio optimisation, in which distributions are characterised and compared on the basis of three statistics: the expected value, the variance and the CVaR at a specified confidence level. The problem is multi-objective and transformed into a single objective problem in which variance is minimised while constraints are imposed on the expected value and CVaR. In the case of discrete random variables, the problem is a quadratic program. The mean-variance (mean-CVaR) efficient solutions that are not dominated with respect to CVaR (variance) are particular efficient solutions of the proposed model. In addition, the model has efficient solutions that are discarded by both mean-variance and mean-CVaR models, although they may improve the return distribution. The model is tested on real data drawn from the FTSE 100 index. An analysis of the return distribution of the chosen portfolios is presented

Statistics of Partial Minima

Motivated by multi-objective optimization, we study extrema of a set of N points independently distributed inside the d-dimensional hypercube. A point in this set is k-dominated by another point when at least k of its coordinates are larger, and is a k-minimum if it is not k-dominated by any other point. We obtain statistical properties of these partial minima using exact probabilistic methods and heuristic scaling techniques. The average number of partial minima, A, decays algebraically with the total number of points, A ~ N^{-(d-k)/k}, when 1<=k<d. Interestingly, there are k-1 distinct scaling laws characterizing the largest coordinates as the distribution P(y_j) of the jth largest coordinate, y_j, decays algebraically, P(y_j) ~ (y_j)^{-alpha_j-1}, with alpha_j=j(d-k)/(k-j) for 1<=j<=k-1. The average number of partial minima grows logarithmically, A ~ [1/(d-1)!](ln N)^{d-1}, when k=d. The full distribution of the number of minima is obtained in closed form in two-dimensions.Comment: 6 pages, 1 figur

Estimating Mutual Information

We present two classes of improved estimators for mutual information $M(X,Y)$, from samples of random points distributed according to some joint probability density $\mu(x,y)$. In contrast to conventional estimators based on binnings, they are based on entropy estimates from $k$-nearest neighbour distances. This means that they are data efficient (with $k=1$ we resolve structures down to the smallest possible scales), adaptive (the resolution is higher where data are more numerous), and have minimal bias. Indeed, the bias of the underlying entropy estimates is mainly due to non-uniformity of the density at the smallest resolved scale, giving typically systematic errors which scale as functions of $k/N$ for $N$ points. Numerically, we find that both families become {\it exact} for independent distributions, i.e. the estimator $\hat M(X,Y)$ vanishes (up to statistical fluctuations) if $\mu(x,y) = \mu(x) \mu(y)$. This holds for all tested marginal distributions and for all dimensions of $x$ and $y$. In addition, we give estimators for redundancies between more than 2 random variables. We compare our algorithms in detail with existing algorithms. Finally, we demonstrate the usefulness of our estimators for assessing the actual independence of components obtained from independent component analysis (ICA), for improving ICA, and for estimating the reliability of blind source separation.Comment: 16 pages, including 18 figure

Following the TraCS of exoplanets with Pan-Planets: Wendelstein-1b and Wendelstein-2b

Hot Jupiters seem to get rarer with decreasing stellar mass. The goal of the Pan-Planets transit survey was the detection of such planets and a statistical characterization of their frequency. Here, we announce the discovery and validation of two planets found in that survey, Wendelstein-1b and Wendelstein-2b, which are two short-period hot Jupiters that orbit late K host stars. We validated them both by the traditional method of radial velocity measurements with the HIgh Resolution Echelle Spectrometer and the Habitable-zone Planet Finder instruments and then by their Transit Color Signature (TraCS). We observed the targets in the wavelength range of 4000−24 000 Å and performed a simultaneous multiband transit fit and additionally determined their thermal emission via secondary eclipse observations. Wendelstein-1b is a hot Jupiter with a radius of 1.0314_(−0.0061)^(+0.0061) R_J and mass of 0.592_(−0.129)^(+0.0165) M_J, orbiting a K7V dwarf star at a period of 2.66 d, and has an estimated surface temperature of about 1727₋₉₀⁺⁷⁸ K. Wendelstein-2b is a hot Jupiter with a radius of 1.1592_(−0.0210)^(+0.0204) R_J and a mass of 0.731_(−0.311)^(+0.0541) M_J, orbiting a K6V dwarf star at a period of 1.75 d, and has an estimated surface temperature of about 1852₋₁₄₀⁺¹²⁰ K. With this, we demonstrate that multiband photometry is an effective way of validating transiting exoplanets, in particular for fainter targets since radial velocity follow-up becomes more and more costly for those targets

Readmission and overstay after day case nasal surgery

BACKGROUND: A readmission is classified as a patient necessitating readmission to hospital due to a post-operative complication following discharge. An overstay however, is classified as a patient having to stay longer than the planned duration in hospital (not having been discharged in the interim) due to a post-operative complication. This study aims to investigate patient-related factors that predispose to readmission or overstay and thus make recommendations to decrease the likelihood of readmission or overstay. METHOD: In this retrospective study 312 'day-case nasal procedures', were selected from a total cohort of 4274 ENT patients over a 17-month period. This sub-group was investigated for a range of demographic factors including, age, gender and ethnicity with regards to their relationship to readmission rates and overstay frequency and duration. RESULTS: The rates were 2.88% and 9.62% for readmission and overstay respectively. The total number of days spent in hospital as a result of readmission was 27. Epistaxis was the leading cause for readmission/overstay (28.9%) followed by high levels of post-operative pain preventing them from being discharged (23.7%). All procedures in this study had readmission rates that were below those recommended in the guidelines set by the Royal College of Surgeons of England. Women overstayed significantly longer (t = 1.65, p < 0.05) than men. CONCLUSIONS: Suitable candidates for day-case ENT surgery highlighted by this study include healthy individuals between the ages of 20 and 60. Operating in the morning would increase the immediate post-operative recovery time, which may reduce the numbers of patients who complain of high levels of pain at the time of discharge. Procedures such as septorhinoplasty being performed routinely in the ambulatory setting require additional research into more effective methods of pain control. Standards need to be improved so that the causes of overstay and readmission are clearly identifiable in patient records