CROLoss: Towards a Customizable Loss for Retrieval Models in Recommender Systems

In large-scale recommender systems, retrieving top N relevant candidates accurately with resource constrain is crucial. To evaluate the performance of such retrieval models, Recall@N, the frequency of positive samples being retrieved in the top N ranking, is widely used. However, most of the conventional loss functions for retrieval models such as softmax cross-entropy and pairwise comparison methods do not directly optimize Recall@N. Moreover, those conventional loss functions cannot be customized for the specific retrieval size N required by each application and thus may lead to sub-optimal performance. In this paper, we proposed the Customizable Recall@N Optimization Loss (CROLoss), a loss function that can directly optimize the Recall@N metrics and is customizable for different choices of N. This proposed CROLoss formulation defines a more generalized loss function space, covering most of the conventional loss functions as special cases. Furthermore, we develop the Lambda method, a gradient-based method that invites more flexibility and can further boost the system performance. We evaluate the proposed CROLoss on two public benchmark datasets. The results show that CROLoss achieves SOTA results over conventional loss functions for both datasets with various choices of retrieval size N. CROLoss has been deployed onto our online E-commerce advertising platform, where a fourteen-day online A/B test demonstrated that CROLoss contributes to a significant business revenue growth of 4.75%.Comment: 9 pages, 5 figures. Accepted by by CIKM 202

Coordinated day-ahead reactive power dispatch in distribution network based on real power forecast errors

Reactive power outputs of DGs are used along with capacitor banks to regulate distribution network voltage. However, reactive power capability of a DG is limited by the inverter ratings and real power outputs of the DG. In order to achieve optimal power flow, minimize power losses, and minimize switching of capacitor banks, a day-ahead coordinated dispatch method of reactive power is proposed. Forecast errors of DG real power in every period are used to estimate the probability distribution of DGs reactive power capacity. Considering different output characteristics and constraints of reactive power sources, a dynamic preliminary-coarse-fine adjustment method is designed to optimize DG and shunt compensator outputs, decrease the switching cost, and reduce loss. The preliminary optimization obtains initial values, and multiple iterations between the coarse and fine optimizations are used to achieve a coordinated result. Simulations studies are performed to verify the proposed method

Allocation method of coupled PV-energy storage-charging station in hybrid AC/DC distribution networks balanced with economics and resilience

The hybrid AC/DC distribution network has become a research hotspot because of the wide access to multiple sources and loads. Meanwhile, extreme disasters in the planning period cause huge losses to the hybrid AC/DC distribution networks. A coupled PV-energy storage-charging station (PV-ES-CS) is an efficient use form of local DC energy sources that can provide significant power restoration during recovery periods. However, over investment will happen if too many PV-ES-CSs are installed. Therefore, it is important to determine the optimal numbers and locations of PV-ES-CS in hybrid AC/DC distribution networks balanced with economics and resilience. Firstly, the advantages of PV-ES-CS in normal operation and extreme disasters are analysed and the payment function is quantified accurately. Secondly, a bi-level optimal allocation model of PV-ES-CS in hybrid AC/DC distribution networks is established. In this model, the payment function using Nash equilibrium to balance economics and resilience is addressed at the upper-level, and the typical scenarios are simulated, and the optimal results are obtained using the genetic algorithm in lower level. Finally, a series of examples are analysed, which demonstrate the necessity of balancing economics and resilience, and advantages of DC lines in network restoration after disasters

The protective effect of serum carotenoids on cardiovascular disease: a cross-sectional study from the general US adult population

BackgroundCardiovascular disease (CVD) has become a key global health issue. Serum carotenoids are associated with CVD, while their effects on different diseases remain unclear. Herein, the relationship between the concentration of serum carotenoid and the CVD risk was investigated using nationwide adult samples obtained from the USA.Materials and methodsData of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) in 2001–2006 were employed. The association of serum carotenoids (total, lycopene, β-carotene, α-carotene, lutein/zeaxanthin, and β-cryptoxanthin) with CVD was explored by using multivariate logistic, linear and weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression analyses. Eventually, data from 12,424 volunteers were analyzed for this study.ResultsMultivariate model data showed that lutein/zeaxanthin, α-carotene, lycopene, and β-cryptoxanthin were negatively associated with the prevalence of CVD (p < 0.05). In comparison with the first quartile, the fourth quartile was associated with α-carotene ([OR] = 0.61 [0.47–0.79]), β-cryptoxanthin (OR = 0.67 [0.50–0.89]), lutein (OR = 0.69 [0.54–0.86]), and lycopene (OR = 0.53 [0.41–0.67]). WQS analysis revealed that the combination of serum carotenoids had negative correlation with the prevalence of total CVD (OR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.85–0.92, p < 0.001). Additionally, dose–response analysis demonstrated a negative linear association of hypertension with all the carotenoids involved (p > 0.05 for non-linearity).ConclusionThe concentration of serum carotenoids had negative correlation with the prevalence of CVD, with a more significant negative effect against heart attack and stroke

Analysis and Fault-Tolerant Control for Dual-Three-Phase PMSM Based on Virtual Healthy Model

Dual-three-phase permanent magnet synchronous machines (DTP-PMSMs) are famous for their fault-tolerant capability. However, the complex modeling, high copper loss, and torque ripple under postfault operation limit their further application. In this article, a fault-tolerant control (FTC) strategy is developed for DTP-PMSMs under the open-phase fault (OPF) with straightforward modeling and smooth output torque. The virtual healthy DTP-PMSM model, where the coordinate transformation, the modulation strategy, and the controller structure remain unchanged under OPF, is adopted in the proposed FTC scheme. And the current references are derived in sinusoidal waves with minimum copper loss. The inaccurate transmission of control signals under OPF is also focused on. Comprehensive theoretical analysis shows the relationship between the controller output voltage and the actual stator voltage should be considered in the proposed FTC strategy; otherwise, distortion in torque and current will be introduced. The voltage compensation is utilized to compensate for the voltage difference and ensure the smooth torque output. Besides, a quasi proportional resonance controller is designed to further suppress the residual torque ripple. The proposed strategy will not induce complex implementation and heavy computation burden. The simulation and experimental results prove the analysis and the effectiveness of the proposed strategy

The Evaluation of Dynamic FDG-PET for Detecting Epileptic Foci and Analyzing Reduced Glucose Phosphorylation in Refractory Epilepsy

Aims: Static fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomographic (PET) imaging plays an important role in the localization of epileptic foci. Dynamic FDG PET allows calculation of kinetic parameters. The aim of this study was to investigate whether kinetic parameters have potential for identifying epileptic foci, and to assess the correlation of parameters asymmetry indexes (ASYM) between dynamic and static FDG PET for understanding the pathophysiology of hypometabolism within intractable epilepsy.Methods: Seventeen patients who had refractory epilepsy correctly localized by static FDG PET with good outcome after foci resection were included. Eight controls were also studied. We performed dynamic and static FDG PET scan before operation. Images of both scans were coregistered to the montreal neurological institute space, regional time activity curves and activity concentration (AC) were obtained by applying the automated anatomical labeling template to the two spatially normalized images, respectively. Kinetic parameters were obtained using a two-tissue non-reversible compartmental model with an image-derived input function. AC from the static scan was used. Side-to-side ASYM of both static AC and kinetic parameters were calculated and analyzed in the hypometabolic epileptogenic regions and non-epileptogenic regions.Results: Higher values of ASYM from both kinetic parameters and static AC were found in the patients compared to the controls from epileptogenic regions. In the non-epileptogenic regions, no ASYM differences were seen between patients and controls for all parameters. In patients, static AC showed larger ASYM than influx (K1) and efflux (k2) of capillaries, but there were no statistical differences of ASYM between net metabolic flux (Ki) or the phosphorylation (k3) and static AC. ASYM of static AC positively correlated with ASYM of k3.Conclusion: Dynamic FDG PET can provide equally effective in detecting the epileptic foci compared to static FDG PET in this small cohort. In addition, compared to capillary influx, the hypometabolism of epileptic foci may be related to reduced glucose phosphorylation