21,619 research outputs found
Green Vehicle Routing Optimization Based on Carbon Emission and Multiobjective Hybrid Quantum Immune Algorithm
© 2018 Xiao-Hong Liu et al. Green Vehicle Routing Optimization Problem (GVROP) is currently a scientific research problem that takes into account the environmental impact and resource efficiency. Therefore, the optimal allocation of resources and the carbon emission in GVROP are becoming more and more important. In order to improve the delivery efficiency and reduce the cost of distribution requirements through intelligent optimization method, a novel multiobjective hybrid quantum immune algorithm based on cloud model (C-HQIA) is put forward. Simultaneously, the computational results have proved that the C-HQIA is an efficient algorithm for the GVROP. We also found that the parameter optimization of the C-HQIA is related to the types of artificial intelligence algorithms. Consequently, the GVROP and the C-HQIA have important theoretical and practical significance
An experimental study of exhaled substance exposure between two standing manikins
Conference Theme: Airborne Infection Control - Ventilation, IAQ & EnergyTransmission of the exhaled substances from one person to another in indoor environment is influenced by many individual factors. The impacts of these factors for two face-to-face standing persons are investigated by evaluating the exposure of the substances in a room ventilated by displacement. Experiments employing two breathing thermal manikins are conducted in a full-scale test room. The geometry of the test room is 4.2 m (length) × 3.6 m (width) × 2.6 m (height). The distance between two manikins is 0.8 m, which is regarded as a common distance between two persons ...postprin
Non-minimality of corners in subriemannian geometry
We give a short solution to one of the main open problems in subriemannian
geometry. Namely, we prove that length minimizers do not have corner-type
singularities. With this result we solve Problem II of Agrachev's list, and
provide the first general result toward the 30-year-old open problem of
regularity of subriemannian geodesics.Comment: 11 pages, final versio
Provably scale-covariant networks from oriented quasi quadrature measures in cascade
This article presents a continuous model for hierarchical networks based on a
combination of mathematically derived models of receptive fields and
biologically inspired computations. Based on a functional model of complex
cells in terms of an oriented quasi quadrature combination of first- and
second-order directional Gaussian derivatives, we couple such primitive
computations in cascade over combinatorial expansions over image orientations.
Scale-space properties of the computational primitives are analysed and it is
shown that the resulting representation allows for provable scale and rotation
covariance. A prototype application to texture analysis is developed and it is
demonstrated that a simplified mean-reduced representation of the resulting
QuasiQuadNet leads to promising experimental results on three texture datasets.Comment: 12 pages, 3 figures, 1 tabl
A statistical model for the identification of genes governing the incidence of cancer with age
The cancer incidence increases with age. This epidemiological pattern of cancer incidence can be attributed to molecular and cellular processes of individual subjects. Also, the incidence of cancer with ages can be controlled by genes. Here we present a dynamic statistical model for explaining the epidemiological pattern of cancer incidence based on individual genes that regulate cancer formation and progression. We incorporate the mathematical equations of age-specific cancer incidence into a framework for functional mapping aimed at identifying quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for dynamic changes of a complex trait. The mathematical parameters that specify differences in the curve of cancer incidence among QTL genotypes are estimated within the context of maximum likelihood. The model provides testable quantitative hypotheses about the initiation and duration of genetic expression for QTLs involved in cancer progression. Computer simulation was used to examine the statistical behavior of the model. The model can be used as a tool for explaining the epidemiological pattern of cancer incidence
Correction: Do cognitive interventions improve general cognition in dementia? A meta-analysis and meta-regression
There is an error in the reporting of the CIs in the abstract compared with those reported in the results section and figures 2 and 3 of the paper. In the Abstract, the sentence, 'Significant positive effect sizes (Hedges' g) were found for CS with the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) (g=0.51, 95% CI 0.29 to 0.69; p<0.001) compared to non-active controls and (g=0.35, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.65; p=0.019) compared to active controls.' should read: 'Significant positive effect sizes (Hedges' g) were found for CS with the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) (g=0.51, 95% CI 0.35 to 0.66; p<0.001) compared to non-active controls and (g=0.35, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.64; p=0.019) compared to active controls'
Effects of serum proteins on corrosion behavior of ISO 5832–9 alloy modified by titania coatings
Stainless steel ISO 5832–9 type is often used to
perform implants which operate in protein-containing physiological
environments. The interaction between proteins and
surface of the implant may affect its corrosive properties. The
aim of this work was to study the effect of selected serum
proteins (albumin and γ-globulins) on the corrosion of ISO
5832–9 alloy (trade name M30NW) which surface was modified
by titania coatings. These coatings were obtained by sol–
gel method and heated at temperatures of 400 and 800 °C. To
evaluate the effect of the proteins, the corrosion tests were
performed with and without the addition of proteins with
concentration of 1 g L−1 to the physiological saline solution
(0.9 % NaCl, pH 7.4) at 37 °C. The tests were carried out
within 7 days. The following electrochemical methods were
used: open circuit potential, linear polarization resistance, and
electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. In addition, surface
analysis by optical microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy
(XPS) method was done at the end of weekly corrosion
tests. The results of corrosion tests showed that M30NW
alloy both uncoated and modified with titania coatings exhibits
a very good corrosion resistance during weekly exposition
to corrosion medium. The best corrosion resistance in
0.9 % NaCl solution is shown by alloy samples modified by
titania coating annealed at 400 °C. The serumproteins have no
significant effect onto corrosion of investigated biomedical
steel. The XPS results confirmed the presence of proteins on
the alloy surface after 7 days of immersion in proteincontaining
solutions.The investigations were supported by the National Science Centre project No. N N507 501339. The authors gratefully acknowledge Dr. Janusz
Sobczak and Dr. hab. Wojciech Lisowski from Institute of Physical
Chemistry of PAS for XPS surface analyses
A western diet increases serotonin availability in rat small intestine
Diet-induced obesity is associated with changes in gastrointestinal function and induction of a mild inflammatory state. Serotonin (5-HT) containing enterochromaffin (EC) cells within the intestine respond to nutrients and are altered by inflammation. Thus, our aim was to characterize the uptake and release of 5-HT from EC cells of the rat ileum in a physiologically relevant model of diet-induced obesity. In chow-fed (CF) and Western diet-fed (WD) rats electrochemical methods were used to measure compression evoked (peak) and steady state (SS) 5-HT levels with fluoxetine used to block the serotonin reuptake transporter (SERT). The levels ofmRNAfor tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (TPH1) and SERT were determined by quantitative PCR, while EC cell numbers were determined immunohistochemically. In WD rats, the levels of 5-HT were significantly increased (SS: 19.2±3.7 ±M; peak: 73.5±14.1 ±M) compared with CF rats (SS: 12.3±1.8 ±M; peak: 32.2±7.2 ±M), while SERTdependent uptake of 5-HT was reduced (peak WD: 108% of control versus peak CF: 212% control). In WD rats, there was a significant increase in TPH1 mRNA, a decrease in SERT mRNA and protein, and an increase in EC cells. In conclusion, our data show that foods typical of a Western diet are associated with an increased 5-HT availability in the rat ileum. Increased 5-HT availability is driven by the up-regulation of 5-HT synthesis genes, decreased re-uptake of 5-HT, and increased numbers and/or 5-HT content of EC cells which are likely to cause altered intestinal motility and sensation in vivo. Copyright © 2010 The Endocrine Society. All rights reserved
Laser powder bed fusion of high-strength and corrosion-resistant Inconel alloy 725
The development of additive manufacturing, or three-dimensional (3D) printing, technologies has produced breakthroughs in the design and manufacturing of products by enhancing design freedom and minimising manufacturing steps. In addition, the complex, unique microstructures imparted by the additive processes offer prospects of unprecedented advances to produce high-performance metal alloys for high-temperature and corrosive environments. Here, we present the first additive manufacturing of Inconel alloy 725, an advanced nickel-base superalloy that is the widely accepted gold standard material of choice for oil and gas, chemical, and marine applications. We explore the printability of Inconel alloy 725 and identify a wide processing space to build material with a crack- and near-pore-free microstructure. The conventionally heat-treated Inconel alloy 725 has an equiaxed, near-fully recrystallised microstructure containing copious twin boundaries and nano-precipitates. It also displays promising tensile properties and corrosion resistance compared to its wrought counterpart. Our work opens the door toward additive manufacturing of Inconel alloy 725 components with optimised microstructure and topology geometry for applications in harsh environments
Observation of An Evolving Magnetic Flux Rope Prior To and During A Solar Eruption
Explosive energy release is a common phenomenon occurring in magnetized
plasma systems ranging from laboratories, Earth's magnetosphere, the solar
corona and astrophysical environments. Its physical explanation is usually
attributed to magnetic reconnection in a thin current sheet. Here we report the
important role of magnetic flux rope structure, a volumetric current channel,
in producing explosive events. The flux rope is observed as a hot channel prior
to and during a solar eruption from the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA)
telescope on board the Solar Dynamic Observatory (SDO). It initially appears as
a twisted and writhed sigmoidal structure with a temperature as high as 10 MK
and then transforms toward a semi-circular shape during a slow rise phase,
which is followed by fast acceleration and onset of a flare. The observations
suggest that the instability of the magnetic flux rope trigger the eruption,
thus making a major addition to the traditional magnetic-reconnection paradigm.Comment: 13 pages, 3 figure
- …