A New Metaheuristic Bat-Inspired Algorithm

Metaheuristic algorithms such as particle swarm optimization, firefly algorithm and harmony search are now becoming powerful methods for solving many tough optimization problems. In this paper, we propose a new metaheuristic method, the Bat Algorithm, based on the echolocation behaviour of bats. We also intend to combine the advantages of existing algorithms into the new bat algorithm. After a detailed formulation and explanation of its implementation, we will then compare the proposed algorithm with other existing algorithms, including genetic algorithms and particle swarm optimization. Simulations show that the proposed algorithm seems much superior to other algorithms, and further studies are also discussed.Comment: 10 pages, 2 figure

Harmonic Analysis on the Quotient Spaces of Heisenberg Groups, II

AbstractThis article is a continuation of a previous article by the author [Harmonic analysis on the quotient spaces of Heisenberg groups, Nagoya Math. J.123 (1991), 103-117]. In this article, we construct an orthonormal basis of the irreducible invariant component H(M)Ω [A0] of the Hilbert space L2(H(g, h)R\H(g, h)R) in the previous article and also construct a nonholomorphic modular form of half integral weight using the Hermite functions

A study of milling of pure polymers and a structural transformation of polyethylene

We investigated possible physical and chemical changes in inert polymers by means of mechanical milling. No chemical changes were observed. However, in polystyrene we found two glass temperatures after milling, in contrast to one glass temperature in the original material. Under certain conditions crystalline polyethylene transformed almost completely from the orthorhombic to the monoclinic structure

The Effect of ePortfolio Satisfaction on Students’ Learning Motivation and Internet Self-efficacy

This study aims to investigate the effect of e-Portfolio satisfaction on students’ learn­ing motivation and Internet self-efficacy toward the use of e-Portfolio. The data collected for this study occurred over 3 months. Participants were 450 students taking the course of common at an university. The counting of 443 questionnaires was received. The findings revealed that there were positive correlations between learning motivation, Internet self-efficacy, and e-Portfolio satisfac­tion. For gender, the result showed that there were no significant Internet self-efficacy differences between gender. Besides, there were the significant differences in learning motivations and in Internet self-efficacy between the two groups. Furthermore, the multistep regression analysis in­dicated that the learning motivation was the significant predictor of Internet self-efficacy, and In­ternet self-efficacy was the significant predictor of e-Portfolio satisfaction. Based on the findings, educators and researchers needed to pay attention to these influences and take these factors into consideration in e-Portfolio. The study concludes by assessing the overall gains and shortcomings of the reform effort toward using the e-Portfolio to help student self-learning

Human-centered artificial intelligence in education: Seeing the invisible through the visible

The inevitable rise and development of artificial intelligence (AI) was not a sudden occurrence. The greater the effect that AI has on humans, the more pressing the need is for us to understand it. This paper addresses research on the use of AI to evaluate new design methods and tools that can be leveraged to advance AI research, education, policy, and practice to improve the human condition. AI has the potential to educate, train, and improve the performance of humans, making them better at their tasks and activities. The use of AI can enhance human welfare in numerous respects, such as through improving the productivity of food, health, water, education, and energy services. However, the misuse of AI due to algorithm bias and a lack of governance could inhibit human rights and result in employment, gender, and racial inequality. We envision that AI can evolve into human-centered AI (HAI), which refers to approaching AI from a human perspective by considering human conditions and contexts. Most current discussions on AI technology focus on how AI can enable human performance. However, we explore AI can also inhibit the human condition and advocate for an in-depth dialog between technology- and humanity-based researchers to improve understanding of HAI from various perspectives

Targeting lentiviral vectors to antigen-specific immunoglobulins

Gene transfer into B cells by lentivectors can provide an alternative approach to managing B lymphocyte malignancies and autoreactive B cell-mediated autoimmune diseases. These pathogenic B cell Populations can be distinguished by their surface expression of monospecific immunoglobulin. Development of a novel vector system to deliver genes to these specific B cells could improve the safety and efficacy of gene therapy. We have developed an efficient rnethod to target lentivectors to monospecific immunoglobulin-expressing cells in vitro and hi vivo. We were able to incorporate a model antigen CD20 and a fusogenic protein derived from the Sindbis virus as two distinct molecules into the lentiviral Surface. This engineered vector could specifically bind to cells expressing Surface immunoglobulin recognizing CD20 (αCD20), resulting in efficient transduction of target cells in a cognate antigen-dependent manner in vitro, and in vivo in a xenografted tumor model. Tumor suppression was observed in vivo, using the engineered lentivector to deliver a suicide gene to a xenografted tumor expressing αCD20. These results show the feasibility of engineering lentivectors to target immunoglobulin-specific cells to deliver a therapeutic effect. Such targeting lentivectors also Could potentially be used to genetically mark antigen-specific B cells in vivo to study their B cell biology

Eclipsing Binaries with Possible Light-Time Effect

The period changes of six eclipsing binaries have been studied with focus on the light-time effect. With the least squares method we also calculated parameters of such an effect and properties of the unresolved body in these systems. With these results we discussed the probability of presence of such bodies in the systems with respect to possible confirmation by another method. In two systems we also suggested the hypothesis of fourth body or magnetic activity for explanation of the "second-order variability" after subtraction of the light-time effect of the third body.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure, 2 tables, conference proceeding

Using Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Technologies to Detect and Map Two Aquatic Macrophytes

This paper describes the light reflectance characteristics ofwaterhyacinth [Eichhornia crassipes (Mort.) Solms] and hydrilla [Hydrilla verticillata (L.F.) Royle] and the application of airborned videography with global positioning system (GPS) and geographic information system (GIS) technologies for distinguishing and mapping the distribution of these two aquatic weeds in waterways of southern Texas. Field reflectance measurements made at several locations showed that waterhyacinth generally had higher near-infrared (NIR) reflectance than associated plant species and water. Hydrilla had lower NIR reflectance than associated plant species and higher NIR reflectance than water. Reflectance measurements made on hydrilla plants submerged below the water surface had similar spectral characteristics to water. Waterhyacinth and hydrilla could be distinguished in color-infrared (CIR) video imagery where they had bright orange-red and reddish-brown image responses, respectively. Computer analysis of the imagery showed that waterhyacinth and hydrilla infestaions could be quantified. An accuracy assessment performed on the classified image showed an overall accuracy of 87.7%. Integration of the GPS with the video imagery permitted latitude/longitude coordinates of waterhyacinth and hydrilla infestation to be recorded on each image. A portion of the Rio Grande River in extreme southern Texas was flown with the video system to detect waterhyacinth and hydrilla infestaions. The GPS coordinates on the CIR video scenes depicting waterhyacinth and hydrilla infestations were entered into a GIS to map the distribution of these two noxious weeds in the Rio Grande River

Neutron beam test of CsI crystal for dark matter search

We have studied the response of Tl-doped and Na-doped CsI crystals to nuclear recoils and $\gamma$'s below 10 keV. The response of CsI crystals to nuclear recoil was studied with mono-energetic neutrons produced by the $^3$H(p,n)$^3$He reaction. This was compared to the response to Compton electrons scattered by 662 keV $\gamma$-ray. Pulse shape discrimination between the response to these $\gamma$'s and nuclear recoils was studied, and quality factors were estimated. The quenching factors for nuclear recoils were derived for both CsI(Na) and CsI(Tl) crystals.Comment: 21pages, 14figures, submitted to NIM