Fuzzy Differential Evolution Algorithm

The Differential Evolution (DE) algorithm is a powerful search technique for solving global optimization problems over continuous space. The search initialization for this algorithm does not adequately capture vague preliminary knowledge from the problem domain. This thesis proposes a novel Fuzzy Differential Evolution (FDE) algorithm, as an alternative approach, where the vague information of the search space can be represented and used to deliver a more efficient search. The proposed FDE algorithm utilizes fuzzy set theory concepts to modify the traditional DE algorithm search initialization and mutation components. FDE, alongside other key DE features, is implemented in a convenient decision support system software package. Four benchmark functions are used to demonstrate performance of the new FDE and its practical utility. Additionally, the application of the algorithm is illustrated through a water management case study problem. The new algorithm shows faster convergence for most of the benchmark functions

Water Resources Decision Making Under Uncertainty

Uncertainty is in part about variability in relation to the physical characteristics of water resources systems. But uncertainty is also about ambiguity (Simonovic, 2009). Both variability and ambiguity are associated with a lack of clarity because of the behaviour of all system components, a lack of data, a lack of detail, a lack of structure to consider water resources management problems, working and framing assumptions being used to consider the problems, known and unknown sources of bias, and ignorance about how much effort it is worth expending to clarify the management situation. Climate change, addressed in this research project (CFCAS, 2008), is another important source of uncertainty that contributes to the variability in the input variables for water resources management. This report presents a set of examples that illustrate (a) probabilistic and (b) fuzzy set approaches for solving various water resources management problems. The main goal of this report is to demonstrate how information provided to water resources decision makers can be improved by using the tools that incorporate risk and uncertainty. The uncertainty associated with water resources decision making problems is quantified using probabilistic and fuzzy set approaches. A set of selected examples are presented to illustrate the application of probabilistic and fuzzy simulation, optimization, and multi-objective analysis to water resources design, planning and operations. Selected examples include dike design, sewer pipe design, optimal operations of a single purpose reservoir, and planning of a multi-purpose reservoir system. Demonstrated probabilistic and fuzzy tools can be easily adapted to many other water resources decision making problems.https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/wrrr/1035/thumbnail.jp

Accessory auricles - Report of two cases

© 2017, University of Kragujevac, Faculty of Science. All rights reserved. Accessory auricle is a rare anomaly with an estimated incidence rate of 0.2-0.5%. The most common form of this malformation is the accessory tragus. It may be a sign of other syndromes, such as oculo-auriculo-vertebral dysplasia (Goldenhar’s syndrome). In this paper, we describe two cases of accessory auricle with a focus on diagnosis and surgical treatment

Apical root-end filling with tricalcium silicate-based cement in a patient with diabetes mellitus: A case report

Introduction. The material used for root-end filling has to be biocompatible with adjacent periapical tissue and to stimulate its regenerative processes. Tricalcium silicate cement (TSC), as a new dental material, shows good seal- ing properties with dentin, high compression strengths and better marginal adaptation than commonly used root- end filling materials. Although optimal postoperative heal- ing of periapical tissues is mainly influenced by character- istics of end-root material used, it could sometimes be af- fected by the influence of systemic diseases, such as diabe- tes mellitus (DM). Case report. We presented apical heal- ing of the upper central incisor, retrofilled with TSC, in a diabetic patient (type 2 DM) with peripheral neuropathy. Standard root-end resection of upper central incisor was accompanied by retropreparation using ultrasonic retrotips to the depth of 3 mm and retrofilling with TSC. Post- operatively, the surgical wound healed uneventfully. How- ever, the patient reported undefined dull pain in the oper- ated area that could possibly be attributed to undiagnosed intraoral diabetic peripheral neuropathy, what was evalu- ated clinically. Conclusion. Although TSC presents a suit- able material for apical root-end filling in the treatment of chronic periradicular lesions a possible presence of sys- temic diseases, like type 2 DM, has to be considered in the treatment outcome estimation

Accessory Auricles - Report of Two Cases

Accessory auricle is a rare anomaly with an estimated incidence rate of 0.2-0.5%. The most common form of this malformation is the accessory tragus. It may be a sign of other syndromes, such as oculo-auriculo-vertebral dysplasia (Goldenhar’s syndrome). In this paper, we describe two cases of accessory auricle with a focus on diagnosis and surgical treatment