Best L1 Piecewise Monotonic Data Modelling

Let us consider n data measurements of a univariate process that have been altered by random errors. We assume that an underlying model function has a substantially smaller number of turning points than the observed ones. We propose algorithms that make least the sum of the moduli of the errors by requiring k monotonic sections, alternately increasing and decreasing, in the sequence of the smoothed values. The main difficulty in this calculation is that the optimal positions of the joins of the monotonic sections have to be found automatically among so many combinations that it is impossible to test each one separately. Moreover, the calculation seems to be very intractable to general optimization techniques because O(n^k) local minima can occur. It is shown that dynamic programming can be used for separating the data into optimal disjoint sections of adjacent data, where each section requires a single L₁ monotonic calculation. This procedure is highly efficient, requiring at most O(kn²) computer operations and O(n) best L₁ monotonic calculations to subranges of data for a global minimum.     

CXFTV2: A Fortran subroutine for the discrete least squares convex approximation

A Fortan subroutine calculates the least squares approximation to n data values containing random errors subject to non-negative second divided differences (convexity). The method employs a dual active set quadratic programming technique that allows several concavities of an iterate to be corrected simultaneously, which is a distinctive feature of this calculation. A B-spline representation of the iterates reduces each active set calculation to an unconstrained minimization with fewer variables that requires only O(n) computer operations. Details in these techniques including the data structure that establishes the implementation of the method are specified. Numerical testing on a variety of data sets indicates that the subroutine is particularly efficient, terminating after a small number of active set changes, the subroutine being suitable for large numbers of data. A numerical example and its output is provided to help the use of the software.     

A Trustworthy Proof Checker

Proof-carrying code (PCC) and other applications in computer security require machine-checkable proofs of properties of machine-language programs. The main advantage of the PCC approach is that the amount of code that must be explicitly trusted is very small: it consists of the logic in which predicates and proofs are expressed, the safety predicate, and the proof checker. We have built a minimal proof checker, and we explain its design principles and the representation issues of the logic, safety predicate, and safety proofs. We show that the trusted computing base (TCB) in such a system can indeed be very small. In our current system the TCB is less than 2,700 lines of code (an order of magnitude smaller even than other PCC systems), which adds to our confidence of its correctness.     

Nuclear Data Sheets for A = 211

The evaluated spectroscopic data are presented for 11 known nuclides of mass 211 (Hg, Tl, Pb, Bi, Po, At, Rn, Fr, Ra, Ac, Th). The ²¹¹Pa nuclide is included here but its identification remains uncertain. For ²¹¹Hg, ²¹¹Tl, ²¹¹Ac and ²¹¹Th nuclei, only the ground–state information is available. Their decay characteristics are mostly unknown. ²¹¹Fr is suggested to decay partially through ε decay mode, but its decay scheme remains poorly known. While high–spin excitations, including several isomers, are well studied in ²¹¹Pb, ²¹¹Bi, ²¹¹Po, ²¹¹At, ²¹¹Rn and ²¹¹Fr, the particle–transfer data are available for only ²¹¹Po and ²¹¹Bi.This evaluation was carried out as part of joint IAEA–ICTP workshop for Nuclear Structure and Decay Data, organized and hosted by the IAEA, Vienna and ICTP, Trieste, August 6–17, 2012. This work supersedes previous A=211 evaluation (2004Br45) published by E. Browne which covered literature before January 2003.     

Augmented reality in language learning: A state-of-the-art review of 2014–2019

This systematic review study synthesizes research findings pertaining to the use of augmented reality (AR) in language learning. Published research from 2014 to 2019 has been explored and specific inclusion and exclusion criteria have been applied resulting in 54 relevant publications. Our findings determined: (a) devices and software employed for mastering AR; languages and contexts in which AR had been applied; theoretical perspectives adopted for guiding the use of AR; the number of participants in AR activities and benefits from using AR as an educational tool in the language classroom; (b) alignment of the affordances of Augmented Reality with the KSAVE (Knowledge, Skills, Attitudes, Values, Ethics) 21st-century skills framework; (c) future directions in AR research and practice. The main findings from this review demonstrate the popularity of mobile-based AR for supporting vocabulary (23.9%), reading (12.7%), speaking (9.9%) writing (8.5%) or generic language skills (9.9%). Our findings also uncovered areas that merit future attention in the application of AR in language learning – for instance learning theories were not often considered in the implementation of AR. The study concludes with suggestions for future research especially in the areas of instructional design and user experience.     

A practical geometrical comparison between free-repelled hydraulic jumps within inclined channels

In this experimental study a practical geometrical comparison between inclined (angle φ) free and repelled hydraulic jumps (the latter in non prismatic but abruptly expanding channels) is presented, analysed and discussed. For repelled hydraulic jumps a considerable parameter is the expansion ratio r (=channels’ width ratio), which here is changing from r =0.5 to r =0.7. The comparison is made with the free jump (in prismatic channel, r =1), in the same ranges of angles φ (0° ⩽ φ ⩽8°) and Froude numbers (2⩽Fr ₁⩽8). A practical arithmetic example is presented to show the behavioral change of conjugate depths, lengths L and depths at 0.5L, in order to receive a comparison among all pertinent geometrical quantities. The present results may be useful for the hydraulic engineering when designing open channels.     

Study of the effects of thermotherapy in benign prostatic hypertrophy

The role(s) of protein kinases in the regulation of G protein-dependent activation of phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C by tumor necrosis factor-alpha was investigated in the osteoblast cell line MC3T3-E1. We have previously reported the stimulatory effects of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and A1F4-, an activator of G proteins, on this phospholipase pathway documented by a decrease in mass of PI and release of diacylglycerol. In this study, we further explored the mechanism(s) by which the tumor necrosis factor or A1F4(-)-promoted breakdown of phosphatidylinositol and the polyphosphoinositides by phospholipase C is regulated. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha was found to elicit a 4-5-fold increase in the formation of [3H]inositol-1,4-phosphate and [3H]inositol-1,4,5-phosphate; and a 36% increase in [3H]inositol-1-phosphate within 5 min in prelabeled cells. [3H]inositol-4-phosphate, a metabolite of [3H]inositol-1,4-phosphate and [3H]inositol-1,4,5-phosphate, was found to be the predominant phosphoinositol product of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and A1F4(-)-activated phospholipase C hydrolysis after 30 min. In addition, the preincubation of cells with pertussis toxin decreased the tumor necrosis factor-induced release of inositol phosphates by 53%. Inhibitors of protein kinase C, including Et-18-OMe and H-7, dramatically decreased the formation of [3H]inositol phosphates stimulated by either tumor necrosis factor-alpha or A1F4- by 90-100% but did not affect basal formation. The activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase, or protein kinase A, by the treatment of cells with forskolin or 8-BrcAMP augmented basal, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and A1F4(-)-induced [3H]inositol phosphate formation. Therefore, we report that protein kinases can regulate tumor necrosis factor-alpha-initiated signalling at the cell surface in osteoblasts through effects on the coupling between receptor, G-protein and phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C.     

Structure and development of causal€xperimental thought: From early adolescence to youth.

Investigated the structure and development of causal–experimental thought. 260 Ss (aged 12–16 yrs) were examined by 3 test batteries. The batteries involved items addressing combinatorial, hypothesis handling, experimentation, and model construction abilities. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that these abilities, although distinct from each other, do share a common functional core, and they are organized in a higher order causal–experimental specialized structural system. Rasch scaling indicated that these 4 kinds of abilities follow overlapping developmental trajectories. Saltus modeling suggested that development is continuous rather than discontinuous. Individual differences were found in the rate of acquisition but not in the structure of abilities. A model of synergic developmental causality was proposed to account for this pattern of development. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)