Retraction-based first-order feasible methods for difference-of-convex programs with smooth inequality and simple geometric constraints

In this paper, we propose first-order feasible methods for difference-of-convex (DC) programs with smooth inequality and simple geometric constraints. Our strategy for maintaining feasibility of the iterates is based on a "retraction" idea adapted from the literature of manifold optimization. When the constraints are convex, we establish the global subsequential convergence of the sequence generated by our algorithm under strict feasibility condition, and analyze its convergence rate when the objective is in addition convex according to the Kurdyka-Lojasiewicz (KL) exponent of the extended objective (i.e., sum of the objective and the indicator function of the constraint set). We also show that the extended objective of a large class of Euclidean norm (and more generally, group LASSO penalty) regularized convex optimization problems is a KL function with exponent $\frac12$; consequently, our algorithm is locally linearly convergent when applied to these problems. We then extend our method to solve DC programs with a single specially structured nonconvex constraint. Finally, we discuss how our algorithms can be applied to solve two concrete optimization problems, namely, group-structured compressed sensing problems with Gaussian measurement noise and compressed sensing problems with Cauchy measurement noise, and illustrate the empirical performance of our algorithms

Behaviour of the additive finite locus model

International audienc

A tunable common mode inductor with an auxiliary winding network

Paper 1593Track no. 5 - Devices and ComponentsIn conventional switching converter, the parasitic capacitance between switching circuit and ground introduces common mode (CM) noise problem. A CM inductor is inserted in the power feeding paths to produce a high impedance to attenuate the CM noise. However, this parasitic capacitance and the CM inductor create low-frequency resonance near the switching frequency and its harmonics. Thus, the filtering performance is diminished. Increasing the CM inductance to shift the resonant frequency to low-frequency range is one of the methods to tackle this problem. However, this approach leads to increase the power losses (both core and winding losses) of the CM inductor reducing the efficiency of the converter. In this paper, a tunable CM inductor with a small-space auxiliary winding is proposed. The auxiliary winding can be connected to a passive network to alter the frequency response of the CM inductor without affecting the original inductance. As a result, the influence of the low-frequency resonance can be mitigated. A proof-of-concept protytpe is constructed and its performance is experimentally measured. Results show that the proposed tunable CM inductor operates as theoretically anticipated. © IEEE.published_or_final_versio

Community-acquired pneumonia in children: cell-free plasma sequencing for diagnosis and management.

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a common cause of pediatric hospital admission. Empiric antibiotic therapy for hospitalized children with serious CAP now targets the most likely pathogen(s), including those that may demonstrate significant antibiotic resistance. Cell-free plasma next-generation sequencing (CFPNGS) was first made available for Pediatric Infectious Diseases physicians in June 1, 2017, to supplement standard-of-care diagnostic techniques. A retrospective chart review was performed for children hospitalized with CAP between June 1, 2017, and January 22, 2018, to evaluate the impact of CFPNGS. We identified 15 hospitalized children with CAP without other underlying medical conditions for whom CFPNGS was performed. CFPNGS identified a pathogen in 13 of 15 (86%) children compared with 47% for those using standard culture and PCR-based methods alone. Changes in antibiotic management were made in 7 of 15 (47%) of children as a result of CFPNGS

Elimination of hysteresis effect in superparamagnetic nanoparticle detection by GMR sensors for biosensing

The biosensing methods utilizing superparamagnetic nanoparticles as bio-tags and giant magneto-resistive (GMR) or tunneling magnetoresistive (TMR) sensors as signal detectors have attracted increasing interests in early disease diagnosis as well as in molecular biology research area. [1] To achieve the signal of targets, one commonly used method is to compare the sensor hysteresis loops before and after the introducing of superparamagnetic nanoparticles onto sensor surface, and the sensor response variation has been regarded as an indicator of target analyte's amount. [2, 3] However, the hysteresis effect existing in ferromagnetic material may bring an error in the sensor output reading, which can be problematic in the superparamagnetic nanoparticle signal detection. Since the hysteresis behavior exists in all magnetoresistive sensors made of ferromagnetic material, it is necessary to investigate its effect on superparamagnetic nanoparticle detection and eliminate its negative influences. © 2015 IEEE.postprin

Polarization based modulation of splitting ratio in femtosecond laser direct written directional couplers

This work characterizes a phenomenon in direct laser written directional couplers where the splitting ratio for output light is dependent on the input polarization state. In general, for laser written waveguides, different coupling strengths exist for different polarization states of the input light. If the linear polarization state of the input light is not aligned with one of the symmetry axes of the system, an additional amplitude beating is imposed on the transfer of light in directional couplers of different interaction length. We present results for in-plane and out of plane directional couplers, which are supported by theoretical analysis. These new results provide insights for understanding and controlling polarization properties of directional couplers and larger photonic circuits

Detection of multiple quantitative trait loci and their pleiotropic effects in outbred pig populations

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Simultaneous detection of multiple QTLs (quantitative trait loci) may allow more accurate estimation of genetic effects. We have analyzed outbred commercial pig populations with different single and multiple models to clarify their genetic properties and in addition, we have investigated pleiotropy among growth and obesity traits based on allelic correlation within a gamete.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Three closed populations, (A) 427 individuals from a Yorkshire and Large White synthetic breed, (B) 547 Large White individuals and (C) 531 Large White individuals, were analyzed using a variance component method with one-QTL and two-QTL models. Six markers on chromosome 4 and five to seven markers on chromosome 7 were used.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Population A displayed a high test statistic for the fat trait when applying the two-QTL model with two positions on two chromosomes. The estimated heritabilities for polygenic effects and for the first and second QTL were 19%, 17% and 21%, respectively. The high correlation of the estimated allelic effect on the same gamete and QTL test statistics suggested that the two separate QTL which were detected on different chromosomes both have pleiotropic effects on the two fat traits. Analysis of population B using the one-QTL model for three fat traits found a similar peak position on chromosome 7. Allelic effects of three fat traits from the same gamete were highly correlated suggesting the presence of a pleiotropic QTL. In population C, three growth traits also displayed similar peak positions on chromosome 7 and allelic effects from the same gamete were correlated.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Detection of the second QTL in a model reduced the polygenic heritability and should improve accuracy of estimated heritabilities for both QTLs.</p