A comparison of general-purpose optimization algorithms forfinding optimal approximate experimental designs

Several common general purpose optimization algorithms are compared for findingA- and D-optimal designs for different types of statistical models of varying complexity,including high dimensional models with five and more factors. The algorithms of interestinclude exact methods, such as the interior point method, the Nelder–Mead method, theactive set method, the sequential quadratic programming, and metaheuristic algorithms,such as particle swarm optimization, simulated annealing and genetic algorithms.Several simulations are performed, which provide general recommendations on theutility and performance of each method, including hybridized versions of metaheuristicalgorithms for finding optimal experimental designs. A key result is that general-purposeoptimization algorithms, both exact methods and metaheuristic algorithms, perform wellfor finding optimal approximate experimental designs

Leadership best practices of Hispanic leaders in public organizations

The last five decades have seen the population of Hispanics in California rise from 16% to 39% (California State Data Center, 2013). As the number of Hispanics has grown, so has the number of Hispanics responsible for heading public organizations in the State. As more Hispanics obtain leadership positions, they face the same challenges that many other leaders’ face; to do more with less and to operate under the scrutiny of the citizens they represent (Kettle, 2009). The pressure to deliver effective and efficient services is further complicated by the hierarchical structure of public organizations; and the ideals of the old public administration, new public management, and new public service that shape how public administrations function today. The purpose of this study was to determine the best-practices that Hispanic leaders employ to make them successful in leading a public organization. This descriptive phenomenological study utilized a purposive sample of 10 participants who currently provide direct or indirect leadership to a public organization in their role as an elected official. Data was collected through semi-structured interviewed utilizing an eight-open ended question interview protocol. As a result, 6 key findings were identified. One notable finding was that Hispanic leaders of public organizations indicated that key components to their success included; (a) collaboration, (b) communication skills, and (c) continual engagement of internal and external stakeholders. As a result, this study identified current best-practices of Hispanic leaders in public organizations, which help inform current and future Hispanic leaders on what is required to lead a successful organization. It addition, it provides the components to develop a toolkit of diverse leadership skills and abilities that may assist Hispanic leaders navigating through the bureaucracy that engulfs public organizations

Methodology for the metric restoration of the historical cartography applied to Francisco Coello's cartografic series of the Royal Site of Aranjuez

Hojas Kilométricas (Kilometric Sheets). Specifically, the study focuses on those sheets referring to the city centre and surrounding area of the Royal Site of Aranjuez, a town in the south of the Province of Madrid. The aim of this study is to restore the actual size and measurements of scanned images of the Hojas Kilométricas. This would allow us, among other things, to reestablish both the format and scale of the original plans. To achieve this goal it is necessary to rectify and then georeference these images, i.e. assign them a geographic reference system. This procedure is essential in the overlaying and comparison of the Hojas Kilométricas of the Royal Site with other historical cartography as well as other sources related to the same area from different time periods. Subsequent research would allow us, for example, to reconstruct the time-evolution of the urban area, to spot new construction and to pinpoint the locations of any altered or missing buildings or architectural features. In addition, this would allow us to develop and integrate databases for GIS models applicable to the management of our cultural heritage

The Fermi problem with artificial atoms in circuit QED

We propose a feasible experimental test of a 1-D version of the Fermi problem using superconducting qubits. We give an explicit non-perturbative proof of strict causality in this model, showing that the probability of excitation of a two-level artificial atom with a dipolar coupling to a quantum field is completely independent of the other qubit until signals from it may arrive. We explain why this is in perfect agreement with the existence of nonlocal correlations and previous results which were used to claim apparent causality problems for Fermi's two-atom system.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures; typos corrected, introduction revised and experimental discussion extended, results unchange

Phase prediction, microstructure and high hardness of novel light-weight high entropy alloys

Guided by CALPHAD modeling, low-density and multiphase three novel High Entropy Alloys (HEAs), Al40Cu15Cr15Fe15Si15, Al65Cu5Cr5Si15Mn5Ti5 and Al60Cu10Fe10Cr5Mn5Ni5Mg5 were produced by large scale vacuum die casting. A mixture of simple and complex phases was observed in the as-cast microstructures, which demonstrates good agreement with CALPHAD results. The measured densities varied from 3.7 g/cm3 to 4.6 g/cm3 and microhardness from 743 Hv to 916 Hv. Finally, the hardness of all the light-weight HEAs (LWHEAs) with densities below 4.6 g/cm3 manufactured to date were reviewed. The hardness of Al40Cu15Cr15Fe15Si15 and hardness to density ratio of Al65Cu5Cr5Si15Mn5Ti5 are the highest of all LWHEAs reported up to date.This work has been partially funded by the Basque government through the Project Elkartek: KK-2017/0000

Exportación peruana de oro a Suiza y su impacto en las exportaciones nacionales de oro, periodo 2010-2017

La presente investigación titulada “Exportación peruana de oro a Suiza y su impacto en las exportaciones nacionales de oro, periodo 2010-2017” tiene como objetivo determinar el impacto de las exportaciones peruanas de oro a Suiza en las exportaciones nacionales de oro, periodo 2010 – 2017, evaluando las variables para disponer alguna solución a la problemática presente. La presente investigación está dentro del enfoque cuantitativo, tipo de estudio aplicada, no experimental, de nivel explicativo longitudinal. Para el procesamiento de datos, se tomará en cuenta a 21 empresas exportadoras de oro peruano como población, analizando las informaciones recolectadas y así conseguir los resultados por medio de cuadros y gráficos

Análisis de la adición de microsílice en la permeabilidad de un concreto convencional 280kg/cm2 en la ciudad de Lima, 2020

El proyecto de investigación tuvo como objetivo analizar la influencia de la adición de microsílice en un concreto convencional de resistencia a la compresión f´c = 280kg/cm2, para lograr el objetivo propuesto, se desarrolló tres diseños de mezcla, el primero sin contenido de microsílice que será considerado como el diseño estándar, el segundo diseño con una adición de microsílice del 3% respecto al peso del cemento y el tercer diseño con una adición de microsílice del 8% respecto al peso del cemento. La metodología del estudio desarrollado fue de tipo aplicado, enfoque cuantitativo, nivel correlacional y diseño experimental. La penetración de agua en el concreto en el diseño sin adición de microsílice fue de 6.91cm, mientras que el concreto con 3% y 8% de adición de microsílice el valor de la penetración de agua fue de 5.70cm y 3.31cm respectivamente, lo que indica una disminución del 17.5% y 52.1% respecto al diseño inicial. Además la resistencia a la compresión aumento en los diseños de concreto con adición de microsílice. De acuerdo al análisis realizado a los datos obtenidos, se concluye que la adición del mineral microsílice en las mezclas de concreto convencional 280kg/cm2 influye reduciendo la permeabilidad del concreto

Eosinophils as a Biomarker in Asthma and COPD

Asthma and COPD are two diseases related to eosinophils. But at present, we do not know with certainty how much these cells participate in these diseases, beyond that the treatment of the underlying cause produces the resolution of eosinophilia in a “reactive” way. Eosinophil-related diseases are a spectrum of systemic diseases such as Asthma and COPD in pneumology area. Under inflammatory conditions, the number of circulating eosinophils or tissues can increase dramatically, with rapid development of eosinophilia and we can obtain in a simple laboratory test. In general, the number of eosinophils in the blood can provide useful information and considering the differential diagnosis and for the subsequent test of patients presenting with eosinophilia. The treatment of eosinophilia currently in number of 300 cells in which is the criteria and the target to be treat. The best known and most used of all treatments for diseases related to eosinophils are corticosteroids, which decrease circulating and tissue eosinophils in a few hours, through mechanisms that include the direct activation of eosinophil program death. Targeted treatment against eosinophils could improve airway remodeling through mechanisms that are not fully known, and their effects on lung function are variable and decreasing symptoms in patients

Influencia del aditivo SIKA WT-200P en la resistencia a la compresión y permeabilidad de concretos para estructuras hidráulicas, Trujillo 2021

La investigación que se presenta fue desarrollada en la ciudad de Trujillo, haciendo uso de un diseño cuasi experimental; logrando determinar la influencia del aditivo Sika WT-200P en la resistencia a la compresión y permeabilidad de concretos para estructuras hidráulicas. El muestreo utilizado fue de tipo no probabilístico, y, la observación y guía de observación sirvieron como técnica e instrumento de recolección de datos respectivamente; asimismo, la estadística descriptiva y la estadística inferencial sirvieron como técnicas para el análisis de datos. La problemática se basa en la necesidad de tecnologías que impermeabilicen el concreto de estructuras sometidas a grandes esfuerzos como las hidráulicas, permitiendo mejorar su comportamiento durante el desarrollo de su vida útil, aumentando su durabilidad y reduciendo su mantenimiento; por ello, se diseñaron dos tipos de concreto f’c=210kg/cm2, siendo uno patrón y uno con aditivo Sika WT-200P al 1%, a los que se les evaluó su comportamiento en las propiedades de resistencia a la compresión, velocidad de absorción y profundidad de penetración de agua bajo presión; logrando demostrar que el aditivo empleado mejora la resistencia a la compresión del concreto y reduce su permeabilidad, pasando de una permeabilidad media a una permeabilidad baja gracias a la clasificación que brinda la norma técnica colombiana NTC 4483