GLOBAL OPTIMIZATION METHODS

Training a neural network is a difficult optimization problem because of numerous local minimums. Many global search algorithms have been used to train neural networks. However, local search algorithms are more efficient with computational resources, and therefore numerous random restarts with a local algorithm may be more effective than a global algorithm. This study uses Monte-Carlo simulations to determine the relative efficiency of a local search algorithm to 9 stochastic global algorithms. The computational requirements of the global algorithms are several times higher than the local algorithm and there is little gain in using the global algorithms to train neural networks.Research Methods/ Statistical Methods,

Consumer Willingness-To-Pay for Different Organic Certification Logos in Turkey

Using data from focus group discussions with consumers and a choice experimentconducted in some of Turkey’s major cities, this study investigates whetherTurkish consumers prefer certain organic labelling schemes over others attemptsand to elicit their willingness to pay (WTP) for different organic certificationlogos. Although the level of awareness regarding organic certification logos waslow, consumers’ perceptions of the logos were generally positive. The results ofthe random parameter logit models indicated a positive WTP for the presence ofone of the three tested certification body logos in addition to the mandatorygovernmental logo. Given the low level of certification logo awareness, theconclusion is that both purchasing decisions and perceptions regarding logoswere affected by subjective criteria. Both the government and certification bodiesshould develop measures to increase consumer awareness of their logos and formconsumer perceptions and attitudes regarding the quality of the certificationimplied by the logo

Factors influencing the perception of organic certification logos in Turkey

Consumers’ perceptions on organic certification logos and the factors influencing these perceptions were explored. Data from surveys conducted in major cities of Turkey revealed that organic food consumers had little knowledge about logos, although the declared level of trust in organic logos was high. According to ordered logit models, consumer’s perceptions on organic certification logos were influenced by purchasing frequency and weight of organic foods in total food consumption. Dummy variables representing additional private certification company logos as well were generally found to have a significant effect on logo perception. This result suggests that consumers’ attitudes towards these logos and towards the governmental logo are not the same. Female and older people were more sceptical about the trustworthiness of the logos. While the credibility of the logos and the standards and control systems underlying the logos increased as frequency of purchasing organic food increased, those consumers who prefer organic open markets for buying organic food were hesitant to trust the credibility of the organic certification logos. The mandatory governmental logo and the underlying standards are trusted more than the private company logos. However, the difference of the attitudes toward logos decreases when the control system is in question. When a comparison between perceptions towards labels including different additional certification companies’ logos is made, the additional logo was found to affect the stated preferences more negatively when the companies were foreign. Enhanced interest and trust in the organic certification logos among consumers would foment the development of the organic sector, and the findings of this paper serve as an input for the achievement of this aim

Strong coupling and exceptional points in optically pumped active hyperbolic metamaterials

We investigate the interaction of light in gain-enhanced multilayered hyperbolic metamaterials in the strong interaction regime. Pumping the dye in the dielectric layers from inside the light cone, while emission occurs into the lower hyperbolic band outside the light cone, eases the problem of light incoupling. In the strong coupling regime both emission and absorption lines cause a distortion of the plasmonic modes due to Rabi splitting and a PT -symmetry broken phase, with generation of exceptional points at loss-gain compensation frequencies. We derive a semi-classical model that describes these phenomena for finite and infinite devices in detail, requiring only the overlap factor and the complex frequencies of the dye transition and the optical mode

UTILIZING STATISTICS TO DETERMINE HOW MUCH SAMPLING AND ANALYSISIS WARRANTED TO SUPPORT SAVANNAH RIVER SITEHIGH LEVEL WASTE SLUDGE BATCH PREPARATION

Accelerated cleanup initiatives at the SRS include expediting radioactive sludge processing. Sludge is the highest risk component of waste since it contains the highest concentrations of long-lived radionuclides. The sludge is staged into ''batches'' that are then the feed material to the Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF) which vitrifies the waste into a safe form for permanent disposal. The preparation of each batch includes sampling and analysis of the slurried material. The results of the characterization are used as the bases for batch blending and processing decisions. Uncertainty is inherent in the information used for planning. There is uncertainty in the quantity of sludge contained in a tank, the waste composition, and the waste physical properties. The goal of this analysis is to develop the basis for the number of physical samples that should be taken from the slurried waste tank and the number of replicates of laboratory measurements that should be performed in order to achieve a specified uncertainty level. Recommendations for sampling and analysis strategies are made based on the results of the analysis

PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL MEASUREMENTS NEEDED TO SUPPORT DISPOSITION OFSAVANNAH RIVER SITE RADIOACTIVE HIGH LEVEL WASTE SLUDGE

Radioactive high level waste (HLW) sludge generated as a result of decades of production and manufacturing of plutonium, tritium and other nuclear materials is being removed from storage tanks and processed into a glass waste-form for permanent disposition at the Federal Repository. Characterization of this HLW sludge is a prerequisite for effective planning and execution of sludge disposition activities. The radioactivity of HLW makes sampling and analysis of the sludge very challenging, as well as making opportunities to perform characterization rare. In order to maximize the benefit obtained from sampling and analysis, a recommended list of physical property and chemical measurements has been developed. This list includes distribution of solids (insoluble and soluble) and water; densities of insoluble solids, interstitial solution, and slurry rheology (yield stress and consistency); mineral forms of solids; and primary elemental and radioactive constituents. Sampling requirements (number, type, volume, etc.), sample preparation techniques, and analytical methods are discussed in the context of pros and cons relative to end use of the data. Generation of useful sample identification codes and entry of results into a centralized database are also discussed

Improved Visualization of the Necrotic Zone after Microwave Ablation Using Computed Tomography Volume Perfusion in an In Vivo Porcine Model

After hepatic microwave ablation, the differentiation between fully necrotic and persistent vital tissue through contrast enhanced CT remains a clinical challenge. Therefore, there is a need to evaluate new imaging modalities, such as CT perfusion (CTP) to improve the visualization of coagulation necrosis. MWA and CTP were prospectively performed in five healthy pigs. After the procedure, the pigs were euthanized, and the livers explanted. Orthogonal histological slices of the ablations were stained with a vital stain, digitalized and the necrotic core was segmented. CTP maps were calculated using a dual-input deconvolution algorithm. The segmented necrotic zones were overlaid on the DICOM images to calculate the accuracy of depiction by CECT/CTP compared to the histological reference standard. A receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed to determine the agreement/true positive rate and disagreement/false discovery rate between CECT/CTP and histology. Standard CECT showed a true positive rate of 81% and a false discovery rate of 52% for display of the coagulation necrosis. Using CTP, delineation of the coagulation necrosis could be improved significantly through the display of hepatic blood volume and hepatic arterial blood flow (p < 0.001). The ratios of true positive rate/false discovery rate were 89%/25% and 90%/50% respectively. Other parameter maps showed an inferior performance compared to CECT

On the Critical Temperature of Non-Periodic Ising Models on Hexagonal Lattices

The critical temperature of layered Ising models on triangular and honeycomb lattices are calculated in simple, explicit form for arbitrary distribution of the couplings.Comment: to appear in Z. Phys. B., 8 pages plain TEX, 1 figure available upon reques