2,592 research outputs found
Significance Relations for the Benchmarking of Meta-Heuristic Algorithms
The experimental analysis of meta-heuristic algorithm performance is usually
based on comparing average performance metric values over a set of algorithm
instances. When algorithms getting tight in performance gains, the additional
consideration of significance of a metric improvement comes into play. However,
from this moment the comparison changes from an absolute to a relative mode.
Here the implications of this paradigm shift are investigated. Significance
relations are formally established. Based on this, a trade-off between
increasing cycle-freeness of the relation and small maximum sets can be
identified, allowing for the selection of a proper significance level and
resulting ranking of a set of algorithms. The procedure is exemplified on the
CEC'05 benchmark of real parameter single objective optimization problems. The
significance relation here is based on awarding ranking points for relative
performance gains, similar to the Borda count voting method or the Wilcoxon
signed rank test. In the particular CEC'05 case, five ranks for algorithm
performance can be clearly identified.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures, 1 tabl
The True Executor of the Execution of Mary, Queen of Scots
This paper examines the culpability of Elizabeth and her Councillors in the execution of Mary, Queen of Scots, the woman who threatened to take Elizabeth\u27s throne and life away from her
Improving Acute Pain Management for Pediatric Patients: Development of a Ketamine Infusion Protocol
Multimodal analgesia is a recommended approach for acute pain management for adults and children (ASA, 2012; Chou et al., 2016). This approach is becoming a prominent modality in pain control strategies in the pediatric population. An intravenous anesthetic, ketamine, may be a useful adjunct for acute pain management in children. Development of a pediatric ketamine infusion protocol and its subsequent introduction to the key stakeholders at the host facility in central Illinois were the focus of this project. Research has demonstrated the effectiveness of low-dose intravenous ketamine in acute pain management when used as an adjunct to other medications (Asadi et al., 2016; Cha et al., 2012; Elshammaa et al., 2011; Jabbour et al., 2014; Safavi et al., 2012). This project utilized a non-experimental design which included a verbal educational presentation with subsequent survey dissemination. The results of the survey analysis implied the education improved the participants’ knowledge regarding acute pediatric pain management. Additionally, the assessment demonstrated the staff’s support for implementation of the proposed low-dose pediatric ketamine infusion protocol. Therefore, the application of the pediatric ketamine infusion protocol at the host facility has the potential to improve acute pain outcomes in children
Fast Mesh Refinement in Pseudospectral Optimal Control
Mesh refinement in pseudospectral (PS) optimal control is embarrassingly easy
--- simply increase the order of the Lagrange interpolating polynomial and
the mathematics of convergence automates the distribution of the grid points.
Unfortunately, as increases, the condition number of the resulting linear
algebra increases as ; hence, spectral efficiency and accuracy are lost in
practice. In this paper, we advance Birkhoff interpolation concepts over an
arbitrary grid to generate well-conditioned PS optimal control discretizations.
We show that the condition number increases only as in general, but
is independent of for the special case of one of the boundary points being
fixed. Hence, spectral accuracy and efficiency are maintained as increases.
The effectiveness of the resulting fast mesh refinement strategy is
demonstrated by using \underline{polynomials of over a thousandth order} to
solve a low-thrust, long-duration orbit transfer problem.Comment: 27 pages, 12 figures, JGCD April 201
BD-22 3467, a DAO-type star exciting the nebula Abell 35
Spectral analyses of hot, compact stars with NLTE (non-local thermodynamical
equilibrium) model-atmosphere techniques allow the precise determination of
photospheric parameters. The derived photospheric metal abundances are crucial
constraints for stellar evolutionary theory.
Previous spectral analyses of the exciting star of the nebula A 35, BD-22
3467, were based on He+C+N+O+Si+Fe models only. For our analysis, we use
state-of-the-art fully metal-line blanketed NLTE model atmospheres that
consider opacities of 23 elements from hydrogen to nickel. For the analysis of
high-resolution and high-S/N (signal-to-noise) FUV (far ultraviolet, FUSE) and
UV (HST/STIS) observations, we combined stellar-atmosphere models and
interstellar line-absorption models to fully reproduce the entire observed UV
spectrum.
The best agreement with the UV observation of BD-22 3467 is achieved at Teff
= 80 +/- 10 kK and log g =7.2 +/- 0.3. While Teff of previous analyses is
verified, log g is significantly lower. We re-analyzed lines of silicon and
iron (1/100 and about solar abundances, respectively) and for the first time in
this star identified argon, chromium, manganese, cobalt, and nickel and
determined abundances of 12, 70, 35, 150, and 5 times solar, respectively. Our
results partially agree with predictions of diffusion models for DA-type white
dwarfs. A combination of photospheric and interstellar line-absorption models
reproduces more than 90 % of the observed absorption features. The stellar mass
is M ~ 0.48 Msun.
BD-22 3467 may not have been massive enough to ascend the asymptotic giant
branch and may have evolved directly from the extended horizontal branch to the
white dwarf state. This would explain why it is not surrounded by a planetary
nebula. However, the star, ionizes the ambient interstellar matter, mimicking a
planetary nebula.Comment: 13 pages, 17 figure
The Influence of Automation on Aviation Accident and Fatality Rates: 2000-2010
The purpose of this project is to evaluate if technological advances and implementation of automation have produced a decrease in the number and severity of accidents in commercial aviation over the last decade. To accomplish this evaluation historical commercial aviation accident data from 2000 to 2010 will be examined. Commercial fixed wing and rotary wing data will be evaluated. No aviation incident data will be collected; the project will be limited in scope to commercial aviation accidents. Accidents highlighting major deficiencies involving automation will be discussed in detail. To further support the projects purpose, emphasis will be given to evaluate the influence and role of pilot training in relation to automation, to pilot over-reliance on automation, to the merits of intuitive interface design, and to the role of crew coordination has played in either reducing or increasing the accident rate and severity during the specified time period
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