Resource allocation model and double-sphere crowding distance for evolutionary multi-objective optimization

Convergence speed and diversity of nondominated solutions are two important performance indicators for Multi-Objective Evolutionary Algorithms (MOEAs). In this paper, we propose a Resource Allocation (RA) model based on Game Theory to accelerate the convergence speed of MOEAs, and a novel Double-Sphere Crowding Distance (DSCD) measure to improve the diversity of nondominated solutions. The mechanism of RA model is that the individuals in each group cooperate with each other to get maximum benefits for their group, and then individuals in the same group compete for private interests. The DSCD measure uses hyper-spheres consisting of nearest neighbors to estimate the crowding degree. Experimental results on convergence speed and diversity of nondominated solutions for benchmark problems and a real-world problem show the efficiency of these two proposed techniques.     

Sequential resource allocation with constraints: Two-customer case

We study a two-customer sequential resource allocation problem with equity constraint, which is reflected by a max–min objective. For finite discrete demand distribution, we give a sufficient and necessary condition under which the optimal solution has monotonicity property. However, this property never holds with unbounded discrete distribution.     

Well adjusted: Using expediting and cancelation to manage store replenishment inventory for a seasonal good

We consider an inventory problem that can be translated into a two-period newsvendor setting where the day prior to sales, the newsvendor places an initial preliminary order—a semi-binding forecast—with the publisher. At the beginning of the actual day of sales, the newsvendor has a better forecast for the day’s demand: based on knowing the actual content of the paper, he knows whether it will be a high-demand day due to breaking news or a low-demand day due to slow news. He then can revise the preliminary order quantity by expediting additional papers or canceling all or part of the order, but each of these activities has an associated cost.     

A possible human counterpart of the principle of increasing entropy

It is well-known that the principle of increasing entropy holds for isolated natural systems that contain non-adaptive molecules. Here we present, for the first time, an experimental evidence for a possible human counterpart of the principle in an isolated social system that involves adaptive humans. Our work shows that the human counterpart is valid even though interactions among humans in social systems are distinctly different from those among molecules in natural systems. Thus, it becomes possible to understand social systems from this natural principle, at least to some extent.     

DYNAMIC STEREOCHEMISTRY OF SYMMETRICALLY BUT DIFFERENTLY SUBSTITUTED DIPHOSPHANES

Abstract

The main interest of our work in Bonn during the last years was in the field of phosphorus-carbon compounds with multiple bonds. Beside the synthesis of new classes of compounds we were particularly interested in the amazing analogy between the PC- and the CC-double bond, which could be proved by evidence of E/Z isomers and a clear indication of pericyclic reactions.     

Mobile relays for enhanced broadband connectivity in high speed train systems

With the introduction of wireless modems and smart phones, the passenger transport industry is witnessing a high demand to ensure not only the safety of the trains, but also to provide users with Internet access all the time inside the train. When the Mobile Terminal (MT) communicates directly with the Base Station (BS), it will experience a severe degradation in the Quality of Service due to the path loss and shadowing effects as the wireless signal is traveling through the train. In this paper, we study the performance in the case of relays placed on top of each train car. In the proposed approach, these relays communicate with the cellular BS on one hand, and with the MTs inside the train cars on the other hand, using the Long Term Evolution (LTE) cellular technology. A low complexity heuristic LTE radio resource management approach is proposed and compared to the Hungarian algorithm, both in the presence and absence of the relays. The presence of the relays is shown to lead to significant enhancements in the effective data rates of the MTs. In addition, the proposed resource management approach is shown to reach a performance close to the optimal Hungarian algorithm.     

U.S. EPA Regulatory Perspectives on the Use of QSAR for New and Existing Chemical Evaluations

Abstract

As testing is not required, ecotoxicity or fate data are available for ≈ 5% of the approximately 2,300 new chemicals/year (26,000 + total) submitted to the US-EPA. The EPA's Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT) regulatory program was forced to develop and rely upon QSARs to estimate the ecotoxicity and fate of most of the new chemicals evaluated for hazard and risk assessment. QSAR methods routinely result in ecotoxicity estimations of acute and chronic toxicity to fish, aquatic invertebrates, and algae, and in fate estimations of physical/chemical properties, degradation, and bioconcentration. The EPA's Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Inventory of existing chemicals currently lists over 72,000 chemicals. Most existing chemicals also appear to have little or no ecotoxicity or fate data available and the OPPT new chemical QSAR methods now provide predictions and cross-checks of test data for the regulation of existing chemicals. Examples include the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI), the Design for the Environment (DfE), and the OECD/SIDS/HPV Programs. QSAR screening of the TSCA Inventory has prioritized thousands of existing chemicals for possible regulatory testing of: 1) persistent bioaccumulative chemicals, and 2) the high ecotoxicity of specific discrete organic chemicals.     

一种基于STM32的NAND flash的块分配框架设计

STM32对大容量数据文件存储与管理问题可通过NAND flash来解决。而NAND flash的高效管理需要文件系统参与。NAND flash有特殊的块读写及擦除机制,一般的嵌入式文件系统组织结构并不完全兼容NAND flash。针对NAND flash的特点兼顾STM32的资源承受力要提出新的NAND flash块分配框架,框架通过块分配槽这种数据结构,在不使用块分配表与垃圾表的情况下,实现了NAND flash均衡负载与垃圾块的回收;同时通过节点分配栈与文件节点表的配合来提高STM32对文件的读写速度,空间利用率和系统性能。仿真实验和计算结果表明该块分配框架可有效提高NAND flash块的均衡负载与节省RAM空间。