Unifying metric approach to the triple parity

AbstractThe even-odd parity problem is a tough one for neural networks to handle because they assume a finite dimensional vector space. Typically, the size of the neural network increases as the size of the problem increases. The triple parity problem is even tougher. In this paper, a method is proposed for supervised and unsupervised learning to classify bit strings of arbitrary length in terms of their triple parity. The learner is modeled by two formal concepts, transformation system and stability optimization. Even though a small set of short examples were used in the training stage, all bit strings of any length were classified correctly in the online recognition stage. The proposed learner has successfully learned to devise a way by means of metric calculations to classify bit strings of any length according to their triple parity. The system was able to acquire the concept of counting, dividing, and then taking the remainder, by autonomously evolving a set of string-editing rules along with their appropriate weights to solve the difficult problem

Performance evaluation and optimal design of supermarket refrigeration systems with supermarket model "SuperSim", Part I: Model description and validation

This is the post-print version of the final paper published in International Journal of Refrigeration. The published article is available from the link below. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. Copyright @ 2010 Elsevier B.V.Conventional supermarket refrigeration systems are responsible for considerable CO2 emissions due to high energy consumption and large quantities of refrigerant leakage. In the effort to conserve energy and reduce environmental impacts, an efficient design tool for the analysis, evaluation and comparison of the performance of alternative system designs and controls is required. This paper provides a description of the modelling procedure employed in the supermarket simulation model ‘SuperSim’ for the simulation of the performance of centralised vapour compression refrigeration systems and their interaction with the building envelope and HVAC systems. The model which has been validated against data from a supermarket has been used for the comparison of R404A and CO2 refrigeration systems and the optimisation of the performance of transcritical CO2 systems. These results are presented in Part II of the paper.DEFR

A validation study of a smartphone application for functional mobility assessment of the elderly

AbstractBackgroundTo minimize the reaction time and position judgment error using stopwatch-timed measures, we developed a smartphone application to measure performance in the five-time sit-to-stand (FTSTS) and timed up-and-go (TUG) tests.ObjectiveThis study aimed to validate this smartphone application by comparing its measurement with a laboratory-based reference condition.MethodsThirty-two healthy elderly people were asked to perform the FTSTS and TUG tests in a randomized sequence. During the tests, their performance was concurrently measured by the smartphone application and a force sensor installed in the backrest of a chair. The intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC(2,1)] and Bland–Altman analysis were used to calculate the measurement consistency and agreement, respectively, between these two methods.ResultsThe smartphone application demonstrated excellent measurement consistency with the lab-based reference condition for the FTSTS test [ICC(2,1) = 0.988] and TUG test [ICC(2,1) = 0.946]. We observed a positive bias of 0.27 seconds (95% limits of agreement, −1.22 to 1.76 seconds) for the FTSTS test and 0.48 seconds (95% limits of agreement, −1.66 to 2.63 seconds) for the TUG test.ConclusionWe cross-validated the newly developed smartphone application with the laboratory-based reference condition during the examination of FTSTS and TUG test performance in healthy elderly

CFD simulations of the spent fuel pool in the loss of coolant accident

Paper presented at the 9th International Conference on Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics, Malta, 16-18 July, 2012.The study utilized the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methodology to investigate the thermal hydraulic behavior during the hypothetical event of normal operation and loss of cooling accident occurring at spent fuel pool. The boiling time, water level decreasing rate, fuel exposure time and temperature response after fuel exposure for the nuclear power plants under the accident were predicted in this study. We also analyze the flow and heat transfer for the single Atrium-10 fuel bundle. The details of the physics will be shown in this study. The results indicate that the fuel temperature in the pool will not exceed 1200°C to avoid the water-metal reaction after failure of RHR system for 4.578 days. We find that the velocity in the bundle are much faster than outside of the bundle under the LOCA accident.dc201

Targeting ataxia telangiectasia mutated and Rad3 related kinase (ATR) in PTEN deficient breast cancers for personalized therapy

Purpose: PTEN, a negative regulator of PI3K signaling, is involved in DNA repair. ATR is a key sensor of DNA damage and replication stress. We evaluated whether ATR signaling has clinical significance and could be targeted by synthetic lethality in PTEN deficient triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). Methods: PTEN, ATR and pCHK1Ser345 protein level was evaluated in 1650 human breast cancers. ATR blockade by VE-821 was investigated in PTEN-proficient (MDAMB-231) and PTEN-deficient (BT-549, MDA-MB-468) TNBC cell lines. Functional studies included DNA repair expression profiling, MTS cell-proliferation assay, FACS (cell cycle progression & γH2AX accumulation) and FITC-annexin V flow cytometry analysis. Results: Low nuclear PTEN was associated with higher grade, pleomorphism, dedifferentiation, higher mitotic index, larger tumour size, ER negativity, and shorter survival (p values <0.05). In tumours with low nuclear PTEN, high ATR and/or high pCHK1ser345 level was also linked to higher grade, larger tumour size and poor survival (all p values <0.05). VE-821 was selectively toxic in PTEN deficient TNBC cells and resulted in accumulation of double strand DNA breaks, cell cycle arrest, and increased apoptosis. Conclusion: ATR signalling adversely impact survival in PTEN deficient breast cancers. ATR inhibition is synthetically lethal in PTEN deficient TNBC cells

Cohomological aspects on complex and symplectic manifolds

We discuss how quantitative cohomological informations could provide qualitative properties on complex and symplectic manifolds. In particular we focus on the Bott-Chern and the Aeppli cohomology groups in both cases, since they represent useful tools in studying non K\"ahler geometry. We give an overview on the comparisons among the dimensions of the cohomology groups that can be defined and we show how we reach the $\partial\overline\partial$-lemma in complex geometry and the Hard-Lefschetz condition in symplectic geometry. For more details we refer to [6] and [29].Comment: The present paper is a proceeding written on the occasion of the "INdAM Meeting Complex and Symplectic Geometry" held in Cortona. It is going to be published on the "Springer INdAM Series

Study protocol for "Moving bright, eating smart"- a phase 2 clinical trial on the acceptability and feasibility of a diet and physical activity intervention to prevent recurrence in colorectal cancer survivors

Background: Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer and cancer-killer in Hong Kong with an&nbsp;alarming increasing incidence in recent years. The latest World Cancer Research Fund report concluded that foods&nbsp;low in fibre, and high in red and processed meat cause colorectal cancer whereas physical activity protects againstcolon cancer. Yet, the influence of these lifestyle factors on cancer outcome is largely unknown even though&nbsp;cancer survivors are eager for lifestyle modifications. Observational studies suggested that low intake of a&nbsp;Western-pattern diet and high physical activity level reduced colorectal cancer mortality. The Theory of PlannedBehaviour and the Health Action Process Approach have guided the design of intervention models targeting a&nbsp;wide range of health-related behaviours.Methods/design: We aim to demonstrate the feasibility of two behavioural interventions intended to improve&nbsp;colorectal cancer outcome and which are designed to increase physical activity level and reduce consumption of a&nbsp;Western-pattern diet. This three year study will be a multicentre, randomised controlled trial in a 2x2 factorialdesign comparing the &ldquo;Moving Bright, Eating Smart&rdquo; (physical activity and diet) programme against usual care.&nbsp;Subjects will be recruited over a 12-month period, undertake intervention for 12 months and followed up for a&nbsp;further 12 months. Baseline, interim and three post-intervention assessments will be conducted.&nbsp;Two hundred and twenty-two colorectal cancer patients who completed curative treatment without evidence of&nbsp;recurrence will be recruited into the study. Primary outcome measure will be whether physical activity and dietary&nbsp;targets are met at the end of the 12-month intervention. Secondary outcome measures include the magnitude andmechanism of behavioural change, the degree and determinants of compliance, and the additional health benefits&nbsp;and side effects of the intervention.Discussion: The results of this study will establish the feasibility of targeting the two behaviours (diet and physical activity) and demonstrate the magnitude of behaviour change. The information will facilitate the design of a further&nbsp;larger phase III randomised controlled trial with colorectal cancer outcome as the study endpoint to determine&nbsp;whether this intervention model would reduce colorectal cancer recurrence and mortality

Regioselective deacetylation based on teicoplanin-complexed Orf2*crystal structures

Lipoglycopeptide antibiotics are more effective than vancomycin against MRSA as they carry an extra aliphatic acyl side chain on glucosamine (Glm) at residue 4 (r4). The biosynthesis of the r4 N-acyl Glc moiety at teicoplanin (Tei) or A40926 has been elucidated, in which the primary amine nucleophile of Glm is freed from the r4 GlcNac pseudo-Tei precursor by Orf2* for the subsequent acylation reaction to occur. In this report, two Orf2* structures in complex with beta-D-octyl glucoside or Tei were solved. Of the complexed structures, the substrate binding site and a previously unknown hydrophobic cavity were revealed, wherein r4 GlcNac acts as the key signature for molecular recognition and the cavity allows substrates carrying longer acyl side chains in addition to the acetyl group. On the basis of the complexed structures, a triple-mutation mutant S98A/V121A/F193Y is able to regioselectively deacetylate r6 GlcNac pseudo-Tei instead of that at r4. Thereby, novel analogs can be made at the r6 sugar moiety