A Computationally Efficient Limited Memory CMA-ES for Large Scale Optimization

We propose a computationally efficient limited memory Covariance Matrix Adaptation Evolution Strategy for large scale optimization, which we call the LM-CMA-ES. The LM-CMA-ES is a stochastic, derivative-free algorithm for numerical optimization of non-linear, non-convex optimization problems in continuous domain. Inspired by the limited memory BFGS method of Liu and Nocedal (1989), the LM-CMA-ES samples candidate solutions according to a covariance matrix reproduced from $m$ direction vectors selected during the optimization process. The decomposition of the covariance matrix into Cholesky factors allows to reduce the time and memory complexity of the sampling to $O(mn)$, where $n$ is the number of decision variables. When $n$ is large (e.g., $n$ > 1000), even relatively small values of $m$ (e.g., $m=20,30$) are sufficient to efficiently solve fully non-separable problems and to reduce the overall run-time.Comment: Genetic and Evolutionary Computation Conference (GECCO'2014) (2014

Contribution Of Income To Self-Management And Health Outcomes In Pediatric Type 1 Diabetes

Low income has been established as a risk factor for poorer outcomes in youth with type 1 diabetes; however, the effect of moderate income has not been studied. The purpose of this secondary analysis of baseline data from a multi-site study was to compare glycemic control, self-management, and psychosocial outcomes [depression, stress, and quality of life (QOL)] at different income levels in adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Youth (n=320, mean age=12.3+1.1, 55% female, 64% white, mean A1C=8.3±1.4) completed established self-management and psychosocial measures. A1C levels were collected from medical records. Caregivers reported annual family income, categorized as high (\u3e$80K), moderate ($40-80K), or low (\u3c$40K). Youth from high-income families had significantly lower A1C (mean=7.9±1.2) than those from the moderate-income group (8.6±1.7, p\u3c0.001) or the low-income group (mean A1C=8.6±1.5, p=0.003). Youth from the high-income group reported significantly better diabetes problem solving and more self-management goals than those from the moderate- or low-income groups (both p\u3c0.01). Youth from the high-income group also reported significantly fewer symptoms of depression, lower levels of perceived stress, and better QOL than those in the moderate or low-income groups (all p\u3c0.05). Multivariate linear regression models were used to test psychological and behavioral predictors of A1C and QOL. Parents\u27 education status (p\u3c0.05) and self-management activities (p\u3c0.01) were significant predictors of hemoglobin A1c, while income (p\u3c0.01) and self-management activities (p\u3c0.05) were significant predictors of QOL

O que a fotografia revela? Ética, imagem e memória em contextos afro-religiosos

This paper discusses photography and Afro-religiosity based on the researcher’s experience as a photographer in the field of Afro-Gaucho religions. First, the text situates the relationship between photography and Afro-Brazilian religiosity to explore the different facets of obtaining technical images within the sacred, pointing out cases that can help us reflect on the prohibitions imposed and accesses granted to photographic productions in the Afro-religious context. It argues that the construction of an ethics of visibility within religious practices is intertwined with the contexts of meaning production in which these images appear. The essay reflects on the challenges of construing an anthropological ethics of image production in such contexts, and the possibilities of an intersubjective negotiation when photography acts as a material support for perpetuating  collective memories of religious groups.Este artigo discute fotografia e afro-religiosidade com base em minha experiência como fotógrafa e pesquisadora no campo religioso afro-gaúcho. Inicialmente, situo a relação entre fotografia e religiosidade afro-brasileira buscando compreender diferentes facetas da obtenção de imagens técnicas no âmbito do sagrado. Sem fazer uma revisão histórica do tema, aponto alguns casos que podem auxiliar nas reflexões sobre os interditos e os acessos impostos ou concedidos às produções fotográficas no contexto afro-religioso. Pretendo mostrar que a construção de uma ética na visibilidade das práticas religiosas está entrelaçada com os contextos das produções de sentido nos quais estas imagens figuram. Discuto os desafios na construção de uma ética antropológica na produção de imagens em tais contextos, e as possibilidades de uma negociação intersubjetiva quando a produção fotográfica atua como um suporte material para a reverberação das memórias coletivas de grupos religiosos

The Acute Effects of Blood Flow Restriction During Exercise

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the immediate physiological response that is elicited when performing low-intensity resistance exercise in conjunction with blood flow restriction (BFR) compared to the physiological response that occurs as a result of heavy load non-BFR resistance exercise. Methods: Subjects (n=5) completed seated, incline leg press over three experimental trials. Two were BFR trials {B-60 [restriction set to 60% arterial occlusion pressure (AOP) and B-10 [10% AOP]} with a resistance load equal to 20% of one-repetition maximum resistance (1RM) (sets x reps, 1 x 30 plus 3 x 15), and one non-BFR trial at 65% 1RM (HL) (3 x 10). Measurements recorded were heart rate (HR), rate of perceived exertion (RPE), pain perception, and blood lactate. Results: A 3 x 3 ANOVA revealed a significant interaction (F4,16= 6.991, p = 0.002) between exercise condition and set for HR delta scores but no significant simple main effects. Blood lactate had no significant interaction (F6,24 = 0.49, p = 0.81) or main effects for condition (F3,1 = 2.05, p = 0.19) nor time (F2,8 = 1.93, p = 0.18). No other significant differences were observed for RPE or pain. Conclusion: Low-intensity resistance exercise with BFR did not produce consistent differences in indicators of intensity of work or subjective perceptions of the work compared to high-load resistance exercise without BFR, indicating that the acute physiological responses were comparable between the exercise conditions

Analysis of the Hydrogen-rich Magnetic White Dwarfs in the SDSS

We have calculated optical spectra of hydrogen-rich (DA) white dwarfs with magnetic field strengths between 1 MG and 1000 MG for temperatures between 7000 K and 50000 K. Through a least-squares minimization scheme with an evolutionary algorithm, we have analyzed the spectra of 114 magnetic DAs from the SDSS (95 previously published plus 14 newly discovered within SDSS, and five discovered by SEGUE). Since we were limited to a single spectrum for each object we used only centered magnetic dipoles or dipoles which were shifted along the magnetic dipole axis. We also statistically investigated the distribution of magnetic-field strengths and geometries of our sample.Comment: to appear in the proceedings of the 16th European Workshop on White Dwarfs, Barcelona, 200

MiklósRédeiJohn von Neumann: Selected LettersHistory of Mathematicsvol. 272005American Mathematical Society, London Mathematical SocietyProvidence, RI0-8218-3776-1301 pp. $59

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Losing the Battle on Obscenity, But Can We Win the War: The National Endowment for the Arts\u27 Fight against Funding Obscene Artistic Works

Theater. Symphony. Ballet. Photography. Rap. Congress established the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). This government agency promotes the arts through funding the creation and production of artistic works. Recently, however, controversial artistic works have triggered debate over NEA funding. Some artistic works featuring images that go beyond the candor of nude figures have divided viewers into supporters of art and those who shield their eyes from the controversial scenes. The threshold of what art is acceptable and what art is improper has left artists explaining or defending their craft. In 1989, Congress passed a federal law prohibiting NEA funding for obscene artistic works. Obscenity determinations were to be made exclusively by the NEA. Bella Lewitzky Dance Foundation v. Frohnmayer, the first case interpreting this legislation, found the obscenity statute unconstitutional