NBI and MOGA-II, two complementary algorithms for Multi-Objective optimizations

The NBI-NLPQLP optimization method is tested on several multi-objective optimization problems. Its performance is compared to that of MOGA-II: since NBI-NLPQLP is based on the classical gradient-based NLPQLP, it is fast and accurate, but not as robust, in comparison with the genetic algorithm. Furthermore a discontinuous Pareto frontier can give rise to problems in the NBI´s convergence. In order to overcome this problem, a hybridization technique coupled with a partitioning method is proposed

A Polynomial Chaos Approach to Robust Multiobjective Optimization

Robust design optimization is a modeling methodology, combined with a suite of computational tools, which is aimed to solve problems where some kind of uncertainty occurs in the data or in the model. This paper explores robust optimization complexity in the multiobjective case, describing a new approach by means of Polynomial Chaos expansions (PCE). The aim of this paper is to demonstrate that the use of PCE may help and speed up the optimization process if compared to standard approaches such as Monte Carlo and Latin Hypercube sampling

Challenge of liver disease in systemic lupus erythematosus: Clues for diagnosis and hints for pathogenesis

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) encompass a broad spectrum of liver diseases. We propose here to classify them as follows: (1) immunological comorbilities (overlap syndromes); (2) non-immunological comorbilities associated to SLE; and (3) a putative liver damage induced by SLE itself, referred to as “lupus hepatitis”. In the first group, liver injury can be ascribed to overlapping hepatopathies triggered by autoimmune mechanisms other than SLE occurring with higher incidence in the context of lupus (e.g., autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis). The second group includes non-autoimmune liver diseases, such as esteatosis, hepatitis C, hypercoagulation state-related liver lesions, hyperplasic parenchymal and vascular lesions, porphyria cutanea tarda, and drug-induced hepatotoxicity. Finally, the data in the literature to support the existence of a hepatic disease produced by SLE itself, or the occurrence of a SLE-associated prone condition that increases susceptibility to acquire other liver diseases, is critically discussed. The pathological mechanisms underlying each of these liver disorders are also reviewed. Despite the high heterogeneity in the literature regarding the prevalence of SLE-associated liver diseases and, in most cases, lack of histopathological evidence or clinical studies large enough to support their existence, it is becoming increasingly apparent that liver is an important target of SLE. Consequently, biochemical liver tests should be routinely carried out in SLE patients to discard liver disorders, particularly in those patients chronically exposed to potentially hepatotoxic drugs. Diagnosing liver disease in SLE patients is always challenging, and the systematization of the current information carried out in this review is expected to be of help both to attain a better understanding of pathogenesis and to build an appropriate work-up for diagnosis.Fil: Bessone, Fernando. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Hospital Nacional del Centenario; ArgentinaFil: Poles, Natalia. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Hospital Nacional del Centenario; ArgentinaFil: Roma, Marcelo Gabriel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Rosario. Instituto de Fisiología Experimental (i); Argentin

Synthesis of a cost efficient unsaturated polyester resin for abrasion resistance polyester composites

V tem magistrskem delu je bila raziskana možnost sintetiziranja cenovno ugodne nenasičene poliestrske smole z uporabo diciklopentadiena prek Diels-Alderjeve reakcije za abrazijsko odporne poliestrske kompozite. Ta smola je bila primerjana s smolo s tetrahidroftalnim anhidridom in smolo z izoftalno kislino. Smole so bile okaraterizirane s FT-IR in NMR spektroskopijo. Termične lastnosti so bile določene z DSC-analizo. Mehanske lastnosti so bile določene s tritočkovnim upogibnim testom in HDT-testom. Abrazijska odpornosti je bila testirana s Taber abraserjem. Ugotovljeno je bilo, da je rezultat abrazijske odpornosti smole s diciklopentadienom boljši od smole z izoftalno kislino, a slabši od rezultata smole s tetrahidroftalnim anhidridom. Z ekonomskega vidika je smola z diciklopentadienom cenejša od smole s tetrahidroftalnim anhidridom zaradi cene surovin. Proces sinteze se bistveno ne razlikuje, zato ne vpliva na ceno končnega proizvoda.The synthesis of a cost efficient unsaturated polyester resin via Diels Alder reaction with dicyclopentadiene for abrasion resistant composites was examined. Resin with dicyclopentadiene was compared to a resin with tethrahydrophthalic anhydride and a resin with isophthalic acid. Resins were characterised by FT-IR and NMR spectroscopy. Thermal properties were determined by DSC analysis. Mechanical properties were determined by three-point flexular test and HDT test. Abrasion resistance was tested by Taber abrasion test. Results suggested that the resin with dicyclopentadiene has better abrasion resistance in comparison with the resin with isophthalic acid. However, it has worse abrasion resistance than the resin with tethrahydrophthalic anhydride. From economic point of view it can be stated that the resin with dicyclopentadiene is cheaper than the resin with tethrahydrophthalic anhydride. This is due to lower prices of raw materials. Process of synthesis of the two resins is very similar and thus does not affect the price of the resin

The Reliability of Vascular and Hemodynamic Measures Across the Oral Contraceptive Cycle

The oral contraceptive (OC) cycle is often controlled for in physiological studies by measuring OC users solely in the inactive phase. While this practice seeks to reduce potential measurement variability due to the impact of hormonal fluctuation on physiological function, it also impairs our understanding of women’s physiology, conceals sex differences, and decreases generalizability. Since this variability is not consistently demonstrated across the current literature, there is a need for further investigation into whether controlling for the cycle is necessary, by assessing physiological measurement reliability in OC users. This study therefore investigated the reliability of vascular and hemodynamic measures across the OC cycle in young, healthy women. Our study found acceptable reliability for all vascular and hemodynamic outcomes across the OC cycle. Therefore, it may not be necessary to control for the cycle, as these measures of interest appear equally representative of cardiovascular function in each cycle phase.Master of Art

Perceptions of fecal microbiota transplantation for Clostridium difficile infection: factors that predict acceptance.

BackgroundDespite the effectiveness of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) for treating recurrent Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) infection, some patients are reluctant to accept this therapy. Our study examined attitudes towards FMT and factors that contribute to patients' acceptance of this treatment.MethodsWe distributed patient surveys at a Veterans Affairs hospital, a public hospital, and an academic faculty practice. Multivariable logistic regression was performed, adjusting for factors associated with FMT acceptance on univariate analysis and prior experience with C. difficile infection.ResultsOf 267 patients, only 12% knew of FMT prior to the survey, but 77% would undergo the procedure if medically indicated. On multivariable analysis, those with children and with college degrees or higher were more likely to agree to FMT (odds ratio [OR] 2.11, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-4.35; OR 2.27, 95% CI 1.11-4.60 respectively). Sixty-five respondents (71%) chose colonoscopy as the preferred vehicle for FMT, while nasogastric tube was least preferred. Disease transmission was the most common concern (30%, n=242), and FMT success rate was the least selected concern (9.1%).ConclusionsMost patients in a diverse sample of gastroenterology clinics had no prior knowledge of FMT, but were receptive to the procedure. Having children and higher education levels were predictors for FMT acceptance. Our findings suggest that barriers to FMT utilization may be overcome with counseling about safety concerns. More data on the risk of transmitting diseases or clinical characteristics, such as obesity, through FMT are needed and will be important for the acceptance of this procedure

Implementation of a simple mobile robot that safely moves in a confined area

The aim of the thesis is the implementation of a simple mobile robotic unit that can safely move around in a confined area. This system will also perceive faces in the space and greet them with synthetic speech. The system has been implemented using computer framework ROS and the Python programming language. In the first part we will present the mobile unit and the computer framework ROS, and in the middle part the methods and evaluation of the implemented system. The evaluation will be used to check the functioning of the operating methods and of the entire system. In conclusion, we will present the findings of the evaluations and possible options for the future system upgrades