530 research outputs found

    Reliable Real-Time Optimization of Nonconvex Systems Described by Parametrized Partial Differential Equations

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    The solution of a single optimization problem often requires computationally-demanding evaluations; this is especially true in optimal design of engineering components and systems described by partial differential equations. We present a technique for the rapid and reliable optimization of systems characterized by linear-functional outputs of partial differential equations with affine parameter dependence. The critical ingredients of the method are: (i) reduced-basis techniques for dimension reduction in computational requirements; (ii) an "off-line/on-line" computational decomposition for the rapid calculation of outputs of interest and respective sensitivities in the limit of many queries; (iii) a posteriori error bounds for rigorous uncertainty and feasibility control; (iv) Interior Point Methods (IPMs) for efficient solution of the optimization problem; and (v) a trust-region Sequential Quadratic Programming (SQP) interpretation of IPMs for treatment of possibly non-convex costs and constraints.Singapore-MIT Alliance (SMA

    The Arbitral Tribunal As An Alternative Legal Instrument For Solving Water Conflicts In Brazil

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    Historically water has been and remains a key factor for our development. The State, through its Judicial Power, assuming the environment custody, has released several legal measures for its protection and repair. However, due to the overflowed system, the absence of public policies and the time consuming nature of the judicial process, such actions are ineffective or insufficient in the face of daily needs. It is imperative that the Judiciary adopt alternative work methods, aiming its relief and greater effectiveness in terms of emergency, preventive and reparatory guardianship. We encounter in National Water Resources Policy in Article 38, II, an agreement for Basins Committees to use arbitration in administrative channels on water conflicts. Thus, the creation of a Water Arbitration Tribunal, with extrajudicial action parallel with indicated judicial measures, would effectively contribute to the prevention/minimization of environmental damage and the consequent indiscriminate viable access to the natural resource.19114516

    Preclinical and clinical evidence of immune responses triggered in oncologic photodynamic therapy: clinical recommendations

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    Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an anticancer strategy utilizing light-mediated activation of a photosensitizer (PS) which has accumulated in tumor and/or surrounding vasculature. Upon activation, the PS mediates tumor destruction through the generation of reactive oxygen species and tumor-associated vasculature damage, generally resulting in high tumor cure rates. In addition, a PDT-induced immune response against the tumor has been documented in several studies. However, some contradictory results have been reported as well. With the aim of improving the understanding and awareness of the immunological events triggered by PDT, this review focuses on the immunological effects post-PDT, described in preclinical and clinical studies. The reviewed preclinical evidence indicates that PDT is able to elicit a local inflammatory response in the treated site, which can develop into systemic antitumor immunity, providing long-term tumor growth control. Nevertheless, this aspect of PDT has barely been explored in clinical studies. It is clear that further understanding of these events can impact the design of more potent PDT treatments. Based on the available preclinical knowledge, recommendations are given to guide future clinical research to gain valuable information on the immune response induced by PDT. Such insights directly obtained from cancer patients can only improve the success of PDT treatment, either alone or in combination with immunomodulatory approaches.Tumorimmunolog

    Genome-wide association meta-analysis of fish and EPA+DHA consumption in 17 US and European cohorts

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    Background: Regular fish and omega-3 consumption may have several health benefits and are recommended by major dietary guidelines. Yet, their intakes remain remarkably variable both within and across populations, which could partly owe to genetic influences. Objective: To identify common genetic variants that influence fish and dietary eicosapentaenoic acid plus docosahexaenoic acid (EPA+DHA) consumption. Design: We conducted genome-wide association (GWA) meta-analysis of fish (n = 86, 467) and EPA +DHA (n = 62, 265) consumption in 17 cohorts of European descent from the CHARGE (Cohorts for Heart and Aging Research in Genomic Epidemiology) Consortium Nutrition Working Group. Results from cohort-specific GWA analyses (additive model) for fish and EPA+DHA consumption were adjusted for age, sex, energy intake, and population stratification, and meta-analyzed separately using fixed-effect meta-analysis with inverse variance weights (METAL software). Additionally, heritability was estimated in 2 cohorts. Results: Heritability estimates for fish and EPA+DHA consumption ranged from 0.13

    Observation Of A High-energy Cosmic-ray Family Caused By A Centauro-type Nuclear Interaction In The Joint Emulsion Chamber Experiment At The Pamirs

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    An exotic cosmic-ray family event is observed in the large emulsion chamber exposed by the joint at the Pamirs (4360 m above sea level). The family is composed of 120γ-ray-induced showers and 37 hadron-induced showers with individual visible energy exceeding 1 TeV. The decisive feature of the event is the hadron dominance: ΣEγ, ΣE(γ) h, 〈Eγ, 〈E(γ) h〉, 〈Eγ·Rγ〉 and 〈E(γ)·Rh〉 being 298 TeV, 476 TeV, 2.5 TeV, 12.9 TeV, 28.6 GeV m and 173 GeV m, respectively. Most probably the event is due to a Centauro interaction, which occured in the atmosphere at ∼700 m above the chamber. The event will constitute the second beautiful candidate for a Centauro observed at the Pamirs. © 1987.1901-2226233Bayburina, (1981) Nucl. Phys. B, 191, p. 1Lattes, Fujimoto, Hasegawa, Hadronic interactions of high energy cosmic-ray observed by emulsion chambers (1980) Physics Reports, 65, p. 151(1984) Trudy FIAN, 154, p. 1Borisov, (1984) Proc. Intern. Symp. on Cosmic rays and particle physics, p. 3. , TokyoRen, (1985) 19th Intern. Cosmic ray Conf., 6, p. 317. , La JollaYamashita, (1985) 19th Intern. Cosmic ray Conf., 6, p. 364. , La JollaTamada, (1977) Nuovo Cimento, 41 B, p. 245T. Shibata et al., to be publishedHillas, (1979) 16th Intern. Cosmic ray Conf., 6, p. 13. , KyotoBattiston, Measurement of the proton-antiproton elastic and total cross section at a centre-of-mass energy of 540 GeV (1982) Physics Letters B, 117, p. 126UA5 Collab., G.J. Alner et al., preprint CERN-EP/85-62Taylor, (1976) Phys. Rev. D, 14, p. 1217Burnett, (1984) Proc. Intern. Symp. on Cosmic rays and particle physics, p. 468. , Toky
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