Sensitivity analysis of an optimized bar-spring model with hill-top branching

Summary Characteristics of optimal solutions under nonlinear buckling constraints are investigated by using a bar-spring model. It is demonstrated that optimization under buckling constraints of a symmetric system often leads to a structure with hill-top branching, where a limit point and bifurcation points coincide. A general formulation is derived for imperfection sensitivity of the critical load factor corresponding to a hill-top branching point. It is shown that the critical load is not imperfection-sensitive even for the case where an asymmetric bifurcation point exists at the limit point.     

Structural optimization with parameter-transfer finite element

A mathematical method to solve structural problems, using parameter-transfer finite elements (P-TFE) was recently proposed by the authors [1] [2] [3]. The proposed transfer finite element approach is able to create a mathematical model of a structure, taking into account directly the whole behaviour of the structure under dynamic, aerodynamic, and thermal actions, and not by assembling, in a separate fashion, the stiffness and the mass matrix on one side and the external load vector as performed by the classical finite element procedure.The purpose of this paper is to apply the above methodology to optimization problems, in particular to obtain the minimum structural weight for a beam, under primary constraints on buckling load or natural frequencies.The use of P-TFE in the field of structural optimization overcomes most difficulties of the usual techniques of solution and the element is particularly useful in the evaluation of the sensitivity matrix.The formulation of the optimization problem based on P-TFE is presented and some applications are studied. The numerical results obtained are compared with other existing methodologies and briefly discussed.

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Sommario Gli autori hanno già proposto un metodo per studiare problemi strutturali [1] [2] [3], introducendo una nuova metodologia di discretizzazione, basata sull'impiego di elementi finiti di trasferimento, funzioni esplicite di un parametro, indicati come P-TFE. Tali elementi sono in grado di rappresentare, in similitudine alla funzione di trasferimento, il comportamento completo dell'elemento strutturale in esame, soggetto ad azioni dinamiche, aerodinamiche e termiche; sono parimenti in grado di produrre, in similitudine al metodo degli elementi finiti, un modello matematico discreto di un continuo.Scopo del presente lavoro è di applicare detta metodologia a problemi di ottimizzazione, in particolare alla ricerca del minimo peso per una trave che mantenga inalterate le sue caratteristiche di carico critico o le frequenze naturali di vibrazione.Vengono quindi presentati alcuni risultati numerici dei casi esaminati e confrontati con quelli ottenuti da altri autori con l'impiego di altre metodologie.

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List of Symbols {B} _m vector of the generalized state variables - {C} _m vector of integration constants - [I] unit matrix - EI bending stiffness - A cross-sectional area - u adimensional thickness - l beam length - M,M bending moment - [N] _m shape function ofm-th order - [N*] shape function atx ₀ - P axial load - [R] _i transfer matrix of thei-th element - T,T shear force - w transverse displacement - x adimensional independent variable - x ₀ value ofx at the left of the element - {Y} vector of state variables - {Y*} imposed condition atx ₀ - _0m Kronecker delta with the first pedix always set equal to zero - normalized eigenfrequency - normalized buckling load - mass density     

Detecting cortical lesions in multiple sclerosis at 7 T using white matter signal attenuation

Cortical lesions have recently been a focus of multiple sclerosis (MS) MR research. In this study, we present a white matter signal attenuating sequence optimized for cortical lesion detection at 7 T. The feasibility of white matter attenuation (WHAT) for cortical lesion detection was determined by scanning eight patients (four relapsing/remitting MS, four secondary progressive MS) at 7 T. WHAT showed excellent gray matter-white matter contrast, and cortical lesions were hyperintense to the surrounding cortical gray matter, The sequence was then optimized for cortical lesion detection by determining the set of sequence parameters that produced the best gray matter-cortical lesion contrast in a 10-min scan. Despite the B1 inhomogeneities common at ultra-high field strengths, WHAT with an adiabatic inversion pulse showed good cortical lesion detection and would be a valuable component of clinical MS imaging protocols.     

Adopting epidemic model to optimize medication and surgical intervention of excess weight

We combined an epidemic model with an objective function to minimize the weighted sum of people with excess weight and the cost of a medication and surgical intervention in the population. The epidemic model is consisted of ordinary differential equations to describe three subpopulation groups based on weight. We introduced an intervention using medication and surgery to deal with excess weight. An objective function is constructed taking into consideration the cost of the intervention as well as the weight distribution of the population. Using empirical data, we show that fixed participation rate reduces the size of obese population but increases the size for overweight. An optimal participation rate exists and decreases with respect to time. Both theoretical analysis and empirical example confirm the existence of an optimal participation rate, $u^{?}$. Under $u^{?}$, the weighted sum of overweight (S) and obese (O) population as well as the cost of the program is minimized. This article highlights the existence of an optimal participation rate that minimizes the number of people with excess weight and the cost of the intervention. The time-varying optimal participation rate could contribute to designing future public health interventions of excess weight.     

可迁图的超常边连通度的最优性

图的超常边连通度是图的边连通度概念的推广,对于n阶点可迁或正则边可迁的简单连通图来说,它的h阶超常边连通度λ_h一定存在(1≤h≤n/2)。本文证明了:当d_-正则的n_-阶点可迁简单连通图满足n≥6,d≥4且围长g≥5时,或d_-正则的n_-阶边可迁简单连通图满足n≥6,d≥4且围长g≥4时,对于任何的h:1≤h≤min{g-1,n/2},λ_h达到其最大可能值,即λ_h=hd-2(h-1)。     

Optimization of the slowly actively Q-switched laser

By taking into account turnoff time of the slowly active Q-switch, the coupled equations of a slowly actively Q-switched laser are given. These rate equations are solved numerically. The key parameters of an optimally coupled actively Q-switched laser with the turnoff time are determined, and a group of general curves are generated for the first time. These key parameters include the optimal normalized coupling parameter which maximizes the output energy, and the corresponding normalized energy, normalized peak power and normalized pulse width. The curves clearly show the dependence of the optimal key parameters on the parameters of the gain medium and the resonator. In addition, the importance of including turnoff time of the slowly active Q-switch is also shown. The optimal calculations for an actively Q-switched Nd:YVO₄ laser with acoustic–optic modulator are presented to demonstrate the use of the curves and the related formulas.     

改进人工蜂群算法优化ELM分类模型

针对极限学习机(Extreme Learning Machine,ELM)参数优化问题,提出改进人工蜂群算法(Improvement Artificial bee colony, IABC)优化ELM分类模型。算法采用解更新策略池代替固定不变的更新策略,将邻域搜索自适应化;优化侦察蜂搜索方式,利用Kent映射产生均匀性更优的初始随机数序列。在分类数据集中,将IABC-ELM分类模型同ELM、PSO-ELM分类模型进行对比实验。实验中,IABC-ELM模型取得了最佳的分类结果,得到了最低的输出权重范数。结果表明,IABC-ELM模型分类效果显著优于对比模型,证实了IABC算法优化ELM分类模型的有效性和优越性。     

双级制冷压缩机配置的节能优化

通过对国产典型产品比较发现,双级螺杆式压缩机COP值高于双级活塞式压缩机。在-35℃/35℃典型工况下,平均COP值高11.4%,最大增加了18.3%。实例分析表明,不同方案配置的电机功率差别很大。活塞机比螺杆机方案电机总功率明显偏大,平均大20%,差别最大的总功率增加了42%。因此,在制冷系统设计选型阶段,应对压缩机不同选型方案COP及电机功率进行优化,应认真核算实际需要的电机功率。对于年运行≥3000小时的系统,应选用Y2-E或者YX系列高效节能型电动机。     

An advanced implementation of the Dantzig—Wolfe decomposition algorithm for linear programming

Since the original work of Dantzig and Wolfe in 1960, the idea of decomposition has persisted as an attractive approach to large-scale linear programming. However, empirical experience reported in the literature over the years has not been encouraging enough to stimulate practical application. Recent experiments indicate that much improvement is possible through advanced implementations and careful selection of computational strategies. This paper describes such an effort based on state-of-the-art, modular linear programming software (IBM's MPSX/370).