Solutions of the system of operator equations BXA=B=AXBBXA=B=AXB via ∗*-order

In this paper, we establish some necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of solutions to the system of operator equations $BXA=B=AXB$ in the setting of bounded linear operators on a Hilbert space, where the unknown operator $X$ is called the inverse of $A$ along $B$. After that, under some mild conditions we prove that an operator $X$ is a solution of $BXA=B=AXB$ if and only if $B \stackrel{*}{ \leq} AXA$, where the $*$-order $C\stackrel{*}{ \leq} D$ means $CC^*=DC^*, C^*C=C^*D$. Moreover we present the general solution of the equation above. Finally, we present some characterizations of $C \stackrel{*}{ \leq} D$ via other operator equations.Comment: 13 pages, to appear in Electron. J. Linear Algebra (ELA

Parallel Hierarchies: Interactive Visualization of Multidimensional Hierarchical Aggregates

Exploring multi-dimensional hierarchical data is a long-standing problem present in a wide range of fields such as bioinformatics, software systems, social sciences and business intelligence. While each hierarchical dimension within these data structures can be explored in isolation, critical information lies in the relationships between dimensions. Existing approaches can either simultaneously visualize multiple non-hierarchical dimensions, or only one or two hierarchical dimensions. Yet, the challenge of visualizing multi-dimensional hierarchical data remains open. To address this problem, we developed a novel data visualization approach -- Parallel Hierarchies -- that we demonstrate on a real-life SAP SE product called SAP Product Lifecycle Costing. The starting point of the research is a thorough customer-driven requirement engineering phase including an iterative design process. To avoid restricting ourselves to a domain-specific solution, we abstract the data and tasks gathered from users, and demonstrate the approach generality by applying Parallel Hierarchies to datasets from bioinformatics and social sciences. Moreover, we report on a qualitative user study conducted in an industrial scenario with 15 experts from 9 different companies. As a result of this co-innovation experience, several SAP customers requested a product feature out of our solution. Moreover, Parallel Hierarchies integration as a standard diagram type into SAP Analytics Cloud platform is in progress. This thesis further introduces different uncertainty representation methods applicable to Parallel Hierarchies and in general to flow diagrams. We also present a visual comparison taxonomy for time-series of hierarchically structured data with one or multiple dimensions. Moreover, we propose several visual solutions for comparing hierarchies employing flow diagrams. Finally, after presenting two application examples of Parallel Hierarchies on industrial datasets, we detail two validation methods to examine the effectiveness of the visualization solution. Particularly, we introduce a novel design validation table to assess the perceptual aspects of eight different visualization solutions including Parallel Hierarchies.:1 Introduction 1.1 Motivation and Problem Statement 1.2 Research Goals 1.3 Outline and Contributions 2 Foundations of Visualization 2.1 Information Visualization 2.1.1 Terms and Definition 2.1.2 What: Data Structures 2.1.3 Why: Visualization Tasks 2.1.4 How: Visualization Techniques 2.1.5 How: Interaction Techniques 2.2 Visual Perception 2.2.1 Visual Variables 2.2.2 Attributes of Preattentive and Attentive Processing 2.2.3 Gestalt Principles 2.3 Flow Diagrams 2.3.1 Classifications of Flow Diagrams 2.3.2 Main Visual Features 2.4 Summary 3 Related Work 3.1 Cross-tabulating Hierarchical Categories 3.1.1 Visualizing Categorical Aggregates of Item Sets 3.1.2 Hierarchical Visualization of Categorical Aggregates 3.1.3 Visualizing Item Sets and Their Hierarchical Properties 3.1.4 Hierarchical Visualization of Categorical Set Aggregates 3.2 Uncertainty Visualization 3.2.1 Uncertainty Taxonomies 3.2.2 Uncertainty in Flow Diagrams 3.3 Time-Series Data Visualization 3.3.1 Time & Data 3.3.2 User Tasks 3.3.3 Visual Representation 3.4 Summary ii Contents 4 Requirement Engineering Phase 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Environment 4.2.1 The Product 4.2.2 The Customers and Development Methodology 4.2.3 Lessons Learned 4.3 Visualization Requirements for Product Costing 4.3.1 Current Visualization Practice 4.3.2 Visualization Tasks 4.3.3 Data Structure and Size 4.3.4 Early Visualization Prototypes 4.3.5 Challenges and Lessons Learned 4.4 Data and Task Abstraction 4.4.1 Data Abstraction 4.4.2 Task Abstraction 4.5 Summary and Outlook 5 Parallel Hierarchies 5.1 Introduction 5.2 The Parallel Hierarchies Technique 5.2.1 The Individual Axis: Showing Hierarchical Categories 5.2.2 Two Interlinked Axes: Showing Pairwise Frequencies 5.2.3 Multiple Linked Axes: Propagating Frequencies 5.2.4 Fine-tuning Parallel Hierarchies through Reordering 5.3 Design Choices 5.4 Applying Parallel Hierarchies 5.4.1 US Census Data 5.4.2 Yeast Gene Ontology Annotations 5.5 Evaluation 5.5.1 Setup of the Evaluation 5.5.2 Procedure of the Evaluation 5.5.3 Results from the Evaluation 5.5.4 Validity of the Evaluation 5.6 Summary and Outlook 6 Visualizing Uncertainty in Flow Diagrams 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Uncertainty in Product Costing 6.2.1 Background 6.2.2 Main Causes of Bad Quality in Costing Data 6.3 Visualization Concepts 6.4 Uncertainty Visualization using Ribbons 6.4.1 Selected Visualization Techniques 6.4.2 Study Design and Procedure 6.4.3 Results 6.4.4 Discussion 6.5 Revised Visualization Approach using Ribbons 6.5.1 Application to Sankey Diagram 6.5.2 Application to Parallel Sets 6.5.3 Application to Parallel Hierarchies 6.6 Uncertainty Visualization using Nodes 6.6.1 Visual Design of Nodes 6.6.2 Expert Evaluation 6.7 Summary and Outlook 7 Visual Comparison Task 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Comparing Two One-dimensional Time Steps 7.2.1 Problem Statement 7.2.2 Visualization Design 7.3 Comparing Two N-dimensional Time Steps 7.4 Comparing Several One-dimensional Time Steps 7.5 Summary and Outlook 8 Parallel Hierarchies in Practice 8.1 Application to Plausibility Check Task 8.1.1 Plausibility Check Process 8.1.2 Visual Exploration of Machine Learning Results 8.2 Integration into SAP Analytics Cloud 8.2.1 SAP Analytics Cloud 8.2.2 Ocean to Table Project 8.3 Summary and Outlook 9 Validation 9.1 Introduction 9.2 Nested Model Validation Approach 9.3 Perceptual Validation of Visualization Techniques 9.3.1 Design Validation Table 9.3.2 Discussion 9.4 Summary and Outlook 10 Conclusion and Outlook 10.1 Summary of Findings 10.2 Discussion 10.3 Outlook A Questionnaires of the Evaluation B Survey of the Quality of Product Costing Data C Questionnaire of Current Practice Bibliograph

Trade-offs between conflicting animal welfare concerns and cow replacement strategy in out-wintering Scottish suckler herds

Since decoupling of the CAP, many Scottish suckler cow farms are facing financial difficulties. In response, many farmers are out-wintering extensively managed suckler cows to minimise production costs. These systems are of animal welfare concern. A range of trade-offs between animal welfare indicators and between animal welfare and farm profitability can be identified. A Dynamic Programming (DP) model was developed to study these trade-offs. Two herds were modelled assuming their feeding regimes were either low (LHERD) or high (HHERD). The objective of the DP was to maximise the expected net margin from a current cow and its successors over an infinite time horizon. Preliminary results showed that the rate of voluntary culling was higher in HHERD than in LHERD. Animals in HHERD had shorter life expectancy. The expected net present value was 58% lower in LHERD than HHERD (-£41.5 and -£24.3 respectively). These results suggest a heavier culling rate and shorter longevity for animals in HHERD that compromises animal welfare. Also HHERD had a greater implied stocking density than LHERD. This increase of the cows’ population may adversely affect the environment. The presented model provides some of the basic information required to explore some of the trade-offs between farm profit, animal welfare and the environment.Livestock Production/Industries, Beef cow, economics, dynamic programming, animal welfare,

ANIMAL WELFARE AND ECONOMIC OPTIMISATION OF FARROWING SYSTEMS

Livestock Production/Industries, alternative housing systems, animal welfare, economic optimisation, farrowing systems, pig,

Evaluation of Multiple Corrosion Protection Systems for Reinforced Concrete Bridge Decks

This study evaluated the corrosion resistance of epoxy-coated (ASTM A775), hot-dip galvanized (ASTM A767), and continuously galvanized (ASTM A1094) reinforcement, and the conventional reinforcement (ASTM A615) used to produce them, as well as ChromX reinforcement (ASTM A1035 Type CS) under the rapid macrocell, Southern Exposure, and cracked beam tests. To simulate the effects of handling, placing, and construction practices in the field, epoxy-coated and galvanized bars were tested in the as-received condition, with intentional damage to the coating, and after bending. To simulate the effects of outdoor exposure on epoxycoated reinforcement, selected epoxy-coated reinforcing bars were tested under accelerated ultraviolet exposure cycles, both without and with physical damage. The corrosion performance of conventional and ChromX reinforcement was also evaluated in conjunction with IPANEX and Xypex, two waterproofing admixtures. Additionally, a 100-year life cost analysis was conducted to compare the cost-effectiveness of the reinforcing bars and admixtures evaluated in providing corrosion resistance based on construction costs in the states of Oklahoma and Kansas. Finally, the effect of variability in corrosion on the predicted service life is investigated using a Monte Carlo simulation using data from conventional, ECR, and ChromX reinforcement from the current study and previous studies. Epoxy-coated reinforcement exhibited much greater corrosion resistance than conventional reinforcement, even after damage; however, ultraviolet exposure equivalent to as low as 1.2 months of outdoor exposure reduced the effectiveness of the coating resulting in increased corrosion rates. Both A767 and A1094 reinforcement exhibited better corrosion resistance than conventional reinforcement, but corrosion rates on both types of galvanized reinforcement increased when the bars were bent. Xypex was generally effective at reducing the corrosion rate iv of conventional reinforcement, but not ChromX reinforcement; further study is recommended on the effects of Xypex on the corrosion resistance of reinforced concrete. IPANEX did not affect the corrosion resistance of either type of reinforcement. Over a 100-year design life, epoxy coated, galvanized, and ChromX reinforcement are all cost-effective solutions

INSURANCE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION USING BSC-AHP COMBINED TECHNIQUE

Abstract. Insurance companies are expected to show successful performance in achieving their goals. The extent to which awareness of this organizational performance has been successful in achieving goals and where the position of organization is situated in the modern complex and dynamic context have taken on special importance to managers and organizations. Organization survival and activity are determined by competition ability and adoption of the most suitable policy for environmental changes. One of the most effective practices used by organizations is the use of performance evaluation in order to determine weaknesses and strengths of organizations and fix them and enhance their strengths. Performance management and evaluation play a prominent role in determining and implementingstrategies, as well as contributing to organizations’ competition power. In this regard, possessing a model for evaluating organization’s strategic performance seems essential. One of the techniques is the balanced scorecard which was introduced to evaluate organizations’ performance for the first time and is still recognized as a method of strategic planning which can be applicable. The balanced scorecard is a managerial concept which helps managers at all levels controls their key activities. In this research, we aim to assess the performance of various representatives of Kosar Insurance Co. in Qazvin using a combined approach, the balanced scorecard (BSC) and analytical hierarchy process (AHP), and prioritize them and explore their strengths and weaknesses.Keywords: performance evaluation, balanced scorecard, analytical hierarchy process, Qazvin Kosar Insuranc

Corrosion Resistance of Stainless Steel Clad Reinforced Bars

The corrosion resistance of No. 6 Type 316 stainless steel clad bars produced by Commercial Metals Company (CMC) was evaluated using the rapid macrocell and cracked beam tests (15 and 96 weeks, respectively), as described in the Annexes of ASTM A955. The bars were pickled in a 20% hydrochloric acid solution for five minutes, but exhibited some residue after the pickling process. Some bars were sandblasted and repickled at the University of Kansas to remove the residue; these repickled bars were also evaluated in the rapid macrocell test. Both the as received and repickled bars met the requirements of ASTM A955 when evaluated using the rapid macrocell test. Two of the bars evaluated in the cracked beam test exceeded the 0.5 μm/yr, the upper limit for corrosion rate specified in ASTM A955. Upon autopsy of the specimens, it was determined that corrosion only occurred on the cut ends of the bars and not the cladding itself. The stainless steel clad reinforcing bars evaluated in this study met the requirements of ASTM A955. It is recommended that protection of the cut ends of stainless steel clad bars be employed where the use of corrosion resistant reinforcing bars is required.Commercial Metals Compan

Integration of Differential Privacy Mechanism to Map-Reduce Platform for Preserving Privacy in Cloud Environments

Le cloud computing peut être désigné comme utilisant les capacités de ressources matérielles et logicielles basées sur Internet; C’est la tendance de la dernière décennie dans le monde numérique d’aujourd’hui, de plus en plus rapide. Cela a changé le monde qui nous entoure. L’utilisation du cloud est devenue une norme et les utilisateurs transfèrent leurs données vers le cloud à mesure que les données grossissent et qu’il est nécessaire d’accéder aux données à partir de nombreux appareils. Des tonnes de données sont créées chaque jour et toutes les organisations, des instituts scientifiques aux entreprises industrielles, ont pour objectif d’analyser les données et d’en extraire les schémas afin d’améliorer leurs services ou à d’autres fins. Dans l’intervalle, les sociétés d’analyse de données utilisent les informations de millions de personnes et il est de plus en plus nécessaire de garantir la protection de leurs données. Des techniques d’ingénierie sociale aux attaques techniques malveillantes, les données risquent toujours de fuir et nous devrions proposer des solutions pour protéger les données des individus. Dans cette thèse, nous présentons «Parmanix», une plateforme de protection de la confidentialité pour l’analyse de données. Il est basé sur le système MapReduce et fournit des garanties de confidentialité pour les données sensibles dans les calculs distribués sur des données sensibles. Sur cette plate-forme, les fournisseurs de données définissent la politique de sécurité de leurs données. Le fournisseur de calcul peut écrire du code Mapper non approuvé et utiliser l’un des réducteurs de confiance déjà définis dans Parmanix. Comme le système garantit une surcharge acceptable, il n’y aura aucune fuite de données individuelles lors des calculs de la plate-forme.----------ABSTRACT: Cloud computing can be referred to as using the capabilities of hardware and software resources that are based on the Internet; It is the trend of the past decade growing among today’s digital world at a fast pace. It has changed the world around us. Using the cloud has become a norm and people are moving their data to the cloud since data is getting bigger and there is the need to access the data from many devices. Tones of data are creating every day and all the organizations, from science institutes to industrial companies aim to analyze the data and extract the patterns within them to improve their services or for other purposes. In between, information of millions of people is getting used by data analytic companies and there is an increasing need to guarantee the protection of their data. From social engineering techniques to malicious technical attacks, the data is always at the risk of leakage and we should propose solutions to keep an individual’s data protected. In this thesis, we present “Parmanix”, a privacy preserve module for data analytics. It is based on the MapReduce system and provides privacy guarantees for sensitive data in distributed computations on sensitive data. With this module, data providers define the security policy for their data, and computation provider can write untrusted Mapper code and use one of the trusted Reducers that we have already defined within Parmanix. As system guarantees with an acceptable amount of overhead, there would be no leakage of individual’s data through the platform computations

EVALUATION OF MULTIPLE CORROSION PROTECTION SYSTEMS FOR REINFORCED CONCRETE BRIDGE DECKS

This study evaluated the corrosion resistance of epoxy-coated (ASTM A775), hot-dip galvanized (ASTM A767), and continuously galvanized (ASTM A1094) reinforcement, and the conventional reinforcement (ASTM A615) used to produce them, as well as ChromX reinforcement (ASTM A1035 Type CS) under the rapid macrocell, Southern Exposure, and cracked beam tests. To simulate the effects of handling, placing, and construction practices in the field, epoxy-coated and galvanized bars were tested in the as-received condition, with intentional damage to the coating, and after bending. To simulate the effects of outdoor exposure on epoxy-coated reinforcement, selected epoxy-coated reinforcing bars were tested under accelerated ultraviolet exposure cycles, both without and with physical damage. The corrosion performance of conventional and ChromX reinforcement was also evaluated in conjunction with IPANEX and Xypex, two waterproofing admixtures. Additionally, a 100-year life cost analysis was conducted to compare the cost-effectiveness of the reinforcing bars and admixtures evaluated in providing corrosion resistance based on construction costs in the states of Oklahoma and Kansas. Finally, the effect of variability in corrosion on the predicted service life is investigated using a Monte Carlo simulation using data from conventional, ECR, and ChromX reinforcement from the current study and previous studies. Epoxy-coated reinforcement exhibited much greater corrosion resistance than conventional reinforcement, even after damage; however, ultraviolet exposure equivalent to as low as 1.2 months of outdoor exposure reduced the effectiveness of the coating resulting in increased corrosion rates. Both A767 and A1094 reinforcement exhibited better corrosion resistance than conventional reinforcement, but corrosion rates on both types of galvanized reinforcement increased when the bars were bent. Xypex was generally effective at reducing the corrosion rate of conventional reinforcement, but not ChromX reinforcement; further study is recommended on the effects of Xypex on the corrosion resistance of reinforced concrete. IPANEX did not affect the corrosion resistance of either type of reinforcement. Over a 100-year design life, epoxy-coated, galvanized, and ChromX reinforcement are all cost-effective solutions

Novel molecular targets in gastric adenocarcinoma.

Gastric adenocarcinoma (GAC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. A high mortality rate and resistance to treatment protocols due to a heterogeneous molecular pathogenesis has made discovering the key etiologic molecular alterations of the utmost importance. The remarkable role played by epigenetic modifications in repressing or activating many cancer-related genes and forming new epigenetic signatures can affect cancer initiation and progression. Hence, targeting the key epigenetic drivers could potentially attenuate cancer progression. MLLs, ARID1A and EZH2 are among the major epigenetic players that are frequently mutated in GACs. In this paper, we have proposed the existence of a network between these proteins that, together with PCAF and KDM6A, control the 3D chromatin structure and regulate the expression of tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) and oncogenes in GAC. Therefore, we suggest that manipulating the expression of EZH2, PCAF, and KDM6A or their downstream targets may reduce the cancerous phenotype in GAC