7,029 research outputs found
A Fast Active Set Block Coordinate Descent Algorithm for -regularized least squares
The problem of finding sparse solutions to underdetermined systems of linear
equations arises in several applications (e.g. signal and image processing,
compressive sensing, statistical inference). A standard tool for dealing with
sparse recovery is the -regularized least-squares approach that has
been recently attracting the attention of many researchers. In this paper, we
describe an active set estimate (i.e. an estimate of the indices of the zero
variables in the optimal solution) for the considered problem that tries to
quickly identify as many active variables as possible at a given point, while
guaranteeing that some approximate optimality conditions are satisfied. A
relevant feature of the estimate is that it gives a significant reduction of
the objective function when setting to zero all those variables estimated
active. This enables to easily embed it into a given globally converging
algorithmic framework. In particular, we include our estimate into a block
coordinate descent algorithm for -regularized least squares, analyze
the convergence properties of this new active set method, and prove that its
basic version converges with linear rate. Finally, we report some numerical
results showing the effectiveness of the approach.Comment: 28 pages, 5 figure
On the constrained mock-Chebyshev least-squares
The algebraic polynomial interpolation on uniformly distributed nodes is
affected by the Runge phenomenon, also when the function to be interpolated is
analytic. Among all techniques that have been proposed to defeat this
phenomenon, there is the mock-Chebyshev interpolation which is an interpolation
made on a subset of the given nodes whose elements mimic as well as possible
the Chebyshev-Lobatto points. In this work we use the simultaneous
approximation theory to combine the previous technique with a polynomial
regression in order to increase the accuracy of the approximation of a given
analytic function. We give indications on how to select the degree of the
simultaneous regression in order to obtain polynomial approximant good in the
uniform norm and provide a sufficient condition to improve, in that norm, the
accuracy of the mock-Chebyshev interpolation with a simultaneous regression.
Numerical results are provided.Comment: 17 pages, 9 figure
Sull’identificazione di un gruppo fittile arcaico dal santuario di San Biagio della Venella (Metaponto)
Le tre statue fittili oggetto di questo studio provengono dal santuario di San Biagio alla Venella, nel territorio di Metaponto, e precisamente da un unico deposito votivo ubicato al suo interno. Per ragioni di ordine tecnico e iconografico, queste statue appaiono legate da un comune denominatore. Per altro verso, in virtù delle medesime connotazioni, esse si differenziano da tutti gli altri esemplari noti che compongono il corpus della statuaria fittile metapontina e, più in generale, di area ionica. Questa ricerca propone un esame specifico di questi tre manufatti, finalizzato a un migliore inquadramento della loro cronologia e ascendenza stilistica e delle valenze simboliche da esse rivestite. In particolare, un aspetto specifico che sarà approfondito riguarda la possibilità che le statue in questione appartenessero a un sistema semantico unitario, cioè a un gruppo
An Active-Set Algorithmic Framework for Non-Convex Optimization Problems over the Simplex
In this paper, we describe a new active-set algorithmic framework for
minimizing a non-convex function over the unit simplex. At each iteration, the
method makes use of a rule for identifying active variables (i.e., variables
that are zero at a stationary point) and specific directions (that we name
active-set gradient related directions) satisfying a new "nonorthogonality"
type of condition. We prove global convergence to stationary points when using
an Armijo line search in the given framework. We further describe three
different examples of active-set gradient related directions that guarantee
linear convergence rate (under suitable assumptions). Finally, we report
numerical experiments showing the effectiveness of the approach.Comment: 29 pages, 3 figure
Farm Size Adjustment and Contract Regulation (I. #203/82): Evidence From an Italian Case Study
In Italy, the structure of farm has always shown remarkable elements of weakness. Among these, the small dimension, in terms of arable land, has represented one of the most difficult to resolve. The absence of a legislation that could favour jointness of the property have remarkably reduced the market of the land. In this scenario, a new law n. 203/1982 was lunched. Now farmers are considering rent land a possible strategy to increase hectares. The object of this paper is to analyse the situation of land contract in Campania Region. A better understanding of these topics should improve public policies for a better adjustment process.Adjustment process, contract regulation, farm structure, rented land, Farm Management,
Optimal curing policy for epidemic spreading over a community network with heterogeneous population
The design of an efficient curing policy, able to stem an epidemic process at
an affordable cost, has to account for the structure of the population contact
network supporting the contagious process. Thus, we tackle the problem of
allocating recovery resources among the population, at the lowest cost possible
to prevent the epidemic from persisting indefinitely in the network.
Specifically, we analyze a susceptible-infected-susceptible epidemic process
spreading over a weighted graph, by means of a first-order mean-field
approximation. First, we describe the influence of the contact network on the
dynamics of the epidemics among a heterogeneous population, that is possibly
divided into communities. For the case of a community network, our
investigation relies on the graph-theoretical notion of equitable partition; we
show that the epidemic threshold, a key measure of the network robustness
against epidemic spreading, can be determined using a lower-dimensional
dynamical system. Exploiting the computation of the epidemic threshold, we
determine a cost-optimal curing policy by solving a convex minimization
problem, which possesses a reduced dimension in the case of a community
network. Lastly, we consider a two-level optimal curing problem, for which an
algorithm is designed with a polynomial time complexity in the network size.Comment: to be published on Journal of Complex Network
Numerical and experimental characterization of a railroad switch machine
This contribution deals with the numerical and experimental characterization of the structural behavior of a railroad switch machine. Railroad switch machines must meet a number of safety-related conditions such as, for instance, exhibiting the appropriate resistance against any undesired movements of the points due to the extreme forces exerted by a passing train. This occurrence can produce very high stress on the components, which has to be predicted by designers. In order to assist them in the development of new machines and in defining what the critical components are, FEA models have been built and stresses have been calculated on the internal components of the switch machine. The results have been validated by means of an ad-hoc designed experimental apparatus, now installed at the facilities of the Department of Industrial Engineering of the University of Bologna. This apparatus is particularly novel and original, as no Standards are available that provide recommendations for its design, and no previous studies have dealt with the development of similar rigs. Moreover, it has wide potential applications for lab tests aimed at assessing the safety of railroad switch machines and the fulfilment of the specifications by many railway companies
On Hirth Ring Couplings: Design Principles Including the Effect of Friction
Rings with Hirth couplings are primarily used for the accurate positioning of axial-symmetric components in the machine tool industry and, generally, in mechanical components. It is also possible to use Hirth rings as connection tools. Specific industries with special milling and grinding machines are able to manufacture both tailor made and standard Hirth rings available on stock. Unfortunately, no international standard (for instance ISO, DIN or AGMA) is available for the production and the design of such components. In the best-case scenario, it is possible to find simplified design formulae in the catalogue of the suppliers. The aim of this work is to provide some accurate formulae and computational methods for design to provide better awareness on the limitations and the potential of this type of connection. The work consists of five parts: (i) a review of the base calculation derived mainly from the catalogues of manufacturers; (ii) an improved calculation based on a new analytical method including the friction phenomenon; (iii) an experimentation run for validating the method; (iv) a case study applied to a machine tool; and, (v) a closed form formulation to determine an upper threshold for friction, thus ensuring the Hirth coupling regular performance
Anti-telomerase T cells adoptive transfer
Commentary on the application of TERT-specific T cell adoptive cell therapy for cancer treatmen
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