scholarly journals Multi-Task Optimization and Multi-Task Evolutionary Computation in the Past Five Years: A Brief Review

Mathematics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 864
Author(s):  
Qingzheng Xu ◽  
Na Wang ◽  
Lei Wang ◽  
Wei Li ◽  
Qian Sun
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary Computation ◽  
Explicit Knowledge ◽  
Optimization Problems ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Typical Application ◽  
The Past ◽  
Current State ◽  
Evolution Algorithms ◽  
Application Fields

Traditional evolution algorithms tend to start the search from scratch. However, real-world problems seldom exist in isolation and humans effectively manage and execute multiple tasks at the same time. Inspired by this concept, the paradigm of multi-task evolutionary computation (MTEC) has recently emerged as an effective means of facilitating implicit or explicit knowledge transfer across optimization tasks, thereby potentially accelerating convergence and improving the quality of solutions for multi-task optimization problems. An increasing number of works have thus been proposed since 2016. The authors collect the abundant specialized literature related to this novel optimization paradigm that was published in the past five years. The quantity of papers, the nationality of authors, and the important professional publications are analyzed by a statistical method. As a survey on state-of-the-art of research on this topic, this review article covers basic concepts, theoretical foundation, basic implementation approaches of MTEC, related extension issues of MTEC, and typical application fields in science and engineering. In particular, several approaches of chromosome encoding and decoding, intro-population reproduction, inter-population reproduction, and evaluation and selection are reviewed when developing an effective MTEC algorithm. A number of open challenges to date, along with promising directions that can be undertaken to help move it forward in the future, are also discussed according to the current state. The principal purpose is to provide a comprehensive review and examination of MTEC for researchers in this community, as well as promote more practitioners working in the related fields to be involved in this fascinating territory.

Software suite for determining the tilts of tower-type structures according to terrestrial laser scanning

2020 ◽  
Vol 961 (7) ◽  
pp. 2-7
Author(s):  
A.V. Zubov ◽  
N.N. Eliseeva
Keyword(s):  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Optimization Problems ◽  
Optimization Methods ◽  
User Participation ◽  
Software Suite ◽  
Current State ◽  
Visual Basic For Applications ◽  
Operational Data ◽  
Theoretical Developments

The authors describe a software suite for determining tilt degrees of tower-type structures according to ground laser scanning indication. Defining the tilt of the pipe is carried out with a set of measured data through approximating the sections by circumferences. They are constructed using one of the simplest search engine optimization methods (evolutionary algorithm). Automatic filtering the scan of the current section from distorting data is performed by the method of assessing the quality of models constructed with that of least squares. The software was designed using Visual Basic for Applications. It contains several blocks (subprograms), with each of them performing a specific task. The developed complex enables obtaining operational data on the current state of the object with minimal user participation in the calculation process. The software suite is the result of practical implementing theoretical developments on the possibilities of using search methods at solving optimization problems in geodetic practice.

scholarly journals Machine Learning Interpretability: A Survey on Methods and Metrics

Electronics ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 832 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diogo V. Carvalho ◽  
Eduardo M. Pereira ◽  
Jaime S. Cardoso
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
Research Field ◽  
Learning Systems ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
The Past ◽  
Current State ◽  
Black Boxes ◽  
Interpretable Models

Machine learning systems are becoming increasingly ubiquitous. These systems’s adoption has been expanding, accelerating the shift towards a more algorithmic society, meaning that algorithmically informed decisions have greater potential for significant social impact. However, most of these accurate decision support systems remain complex black boxes, meaning their internal logic and inner workings are hidden to the user and even experts cannot fully understand the rationale behind their predictions. Moreover, new regulations and highly regulated domains have made the audit and verifiability of decisions mandatory, increasing the demand for the ability to question, understand, and trust machine learning systems, for which interpretability is indispensable. The research community has recognized this interpretability problem and focused on developing both interpretable models and explanation methods over the past few years. However, the emergence of these methods shows there is no consensus on how to assess the explanation quality. Which are the most suitable metrics to assess the quality of an explanation? The aim of this article is to provide a review of the current state of the research field on machine learning interpretability while focusing on the societal impact and on the developed methods and metrics. Furthermore, a complete literature review is presented in order to identify future directions of work on this field.

Brain Metastases

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jasmin Jo ◽  
David Schiff
Keyword(s):  
Brain Metastases ◽  
Whole Brain Irradiation ◽  
Whole Brain ◽  
Brain Irradiation ◽  
The Past ◽  
Whole Brain Radiation ◽  
Current State ◽  
Brain Radiation ◽  
Definitive Management

In the past, detection of brain metastases signaled the conclusion of aggressive systemic treatment and shifted the focus of care toward palliation. The median survival for patients with single brain metastasis without brain-directed treatment is about a month. Whole brain radiation therapy was the traditional palliative treatment utilized, offering an additional 2 to 5 months. More recently, in addition to whole brain irradiation, the roles of surgery, stereotactic radiosurgery, chemotherapy, and targeted therapies in the definitive management of brain metastases have been investigated in numerous studies. In selected patients, the use of aggressive local therapies can be associated with long survival and good quality of life. This chapter discusses the current state of the art therapeutic options for brain metastases.

scholarly journals Traditional Chinese Medicine in the United States: Current state, regulations, challenges, and the way forward

2020 ◽  
Vol 03 (02) ◽  
pp. 77-84
Author(s):  
Louis Lei Jin ◽  
Jin Zheng ◽  
Niyaz M. Honarvar ◽  
Xiqun Chen
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Chinese Medicine ◽  
Traditional Chinese Medicine ◽  
The United States ◽  
Medical Systems ◽  
State Regulations ◽  
The Past ◽  
Current State ◽  
The Way

In the United States, there has been a steady presence and growth of Traditional Medicine (interchangeable in this paper with Complementary or Alternative Medicine) over the past few decades. The costs for such practices are relatively low along with minimal-to-no obvious side effects. Amongst a variety of traditional medical systems, Traditional Chinese Medicine is one of the most popular alternatives to help manage chronic health conditions or to improve the overall quality of life. While not exhaustive, this paper provides a snapshot of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the United States with insights into its current state, regulations, challenges, and the way forward.

scholarly journals A Canadian Massage Therapy Education Environmental Scan

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 12-24
Author(s):  
Amanda Baskwill, PhD, MSc, BEd, RMT ◽  
Bryn Sumpton, BScN ◽  
Stacey Shipwright, BA(Hons), RMT ◽  
Lynda Atack, PhD ◽  
Janet Maher, PhD
Keyword(s):  
Massage Therapy ◽  
Recent Change ◽  
Environmental Scan ◽  
Program Accreditation ◽  
The Past ◽  
Current State ◽  
Therapy Education ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Potential Challenge

Background: Massage therapists have been a part of Canadian’s health care since 1919. The profession has gone through great change over the past 100 years including adjustments to entry-to-practice education. An important recent change was the implementation of massage therapy (MT) education program accreditation. In light of the likely disruption as a result of programs becoming accredited, a scan of the current state of MT education in Canada was undertaken. Methods: An environmental scan informed by seminal medical education efforts was used to describe the thoughts and opinions of MT education stakeholders in Canada. Specifically, stakeholders were interviewed regarding the current state of MT education and their comments were analyzed for common themes. Results: Twenty-one stakeholders participated. Four themes were constructed: variation, isolation, stagnation, and accreditation. Variation is described as the impact of differences in content and quality of the education provided in MT colleges. Isolation is described as the feeling of the participant being separated, or disconnected, from the regulator, accreditor, or colleagues due, at least in part, to a lack of communication or networking opportunities. Stagnation is described as a lack of activity, growth, or development within MT education. Participants talked about accreditation, both as a solution for some of the challenges previously mentioned, and as a potential challenge in itself. Conclusions: Several challenges to MT education were described by stakeholders that they hoped would be remedied by national MT program accreditation. Despite some limitations, this environmental scan forms a baseline for stakeholder views on massage education in Canada upon which future comparisons can be made. While the environmental scan results are most useful when applied to the MT in Canada context, stakeholders in other countries may also find them interesting and valuable when considering challenges facing their own education programs.

Nontuberculous Mycobacteria in Cystic Fibrosis

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (06) ◽  
pp. 737-750 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher J. Richards ◽  
Kenneth N. Olivier
Keyword(s):  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Nontuberculous Mycobacteria ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Current Management ◽  
The Past ◽  
Current State ◽  
Clinical Responses ◽  
Management Recommendations ◽  
High Treatment

AbstractOver the past decade, the incidence of nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infection has been increasing in cystic fibrosis patients. Along with this have come a host of complications and burdens to patients that threaten longevity and quality of life. The two main constituents of NTM pulmonary disease, Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) and M. abscessus, are notoriously difficult to treat with suboptimal clinical responses and are accompanied by high treatment burdens for patients. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge of NTM epidemiology, pathogenesis, professional society guidelines for diagnosis and treatment, and the efficacy of current management recommendations, with attention to cystic fibrosis patients. We go on to examine drugs of emerging but unknown efficacy in clinical use to provide a comprehensive assessment of the current state of management of NTM for cystic fibrosis patients.

scholarly journals Recommendations for a doctor-patient communicating in oncology, obstetrics, gynecology and pediatrics

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. e0304126
Author(s):  
Lidia Trachuk
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Evidence Based Medicine ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Diagnostic Process ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Patient Centered ◽  
Current State ◽  
Medical Diagnostic ◽  
Based Medicine

Background: The quality and effectiveness of health care is largely determined by the quality of contact between doctor and patient. Possessing communicative skills and knowledge of effective means of medical communication allows a doctor of any specialty to solve more effectively complex tasks that arise in the medical-diagnostic process.  Methods: This review is based on materials of the articles on the recommendations of evidence-based medicine concerning the communication of doctors and patients in oncology, obstetrics and gynecology and pediatrics clinics.  Results: As result, we anticipate that this review will distribute and promote knowledge about methods of evidence-based medicine for improving communication in obstetrics-gynecology, pediatrics and oncology clinics. Conclusion: The physicians’ ability to communicate effectively is the key to a successful relationship between a patient and a doctor. The current state of the health care system requires increased clinical efficacy and less time for each patient, which may impede the quality of communication between the patient and the physician. The use of a patient-centered approach, empathy, shared decision-making improves the relationship between patient and physician, the effectiveness of therapy and increased adherence to prescribed treatment in oncology, obstetrics, gynecology and pediatrics.

Immunoferritin localization of intracellular antigens in positively stained frozen sections

1978 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 168-169
Author(s):  
K. T. Tokuyasu
Keyword(s):  
Surface Tension ◽  
Water Surface ◽  
Thin Layers ◽  
The Other ◽  
Positive Staining ◽  
Frozen Sections ◽  
The Past ◽  
Ultrathin Frozen Sections ◽  
Definition Of

During the past investigations of immunoferritin localization of intracellular antigens in ultrathin frozen sections, we found that the degree of negative staining required to delineate u1trastructural details was often too dense for the recognition of ferritin particles. The quality of positive staining of ultrathin frozen sections, on the other hand, has generally been far inferior to that attainable in conventional plastic embedded sections, particularly in the definition of membranes. As we discussed before, a main cause of this difficulty seemed to be the vulnerability of frozen sections to the damaging effects of air-water surface tension at the time of drying of the sections.Indeed, we found that the quality of positive staining is greatly improved when positively stained frozen sections are protected against the effects of surface tension by embedding them in thin layers of mechanically stable materials at the time of drying (unpublished).

Exercise Capacity in Chronic Heart Failure

2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gina G Mentzer ◽  
Alex J Auseon
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Heart Failure ◽  
Exercise Training ◽  
Exercise Capacity ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Pharmacologic Therapy ◽  
The Past ◽  
Diagnosis And Prognosis ◽  
Future Therapy

Heart failure (HF) affects more than 5 million people and has an increasing incidence and cost burden. Patients note symptoms of dyspnea and fatigue that result in a decreased quality of life, which has not drastically improved over the past decades despite advances in therapies. The assessment of exercise capacity can provide information regarding patient diagnosis and prognosis, while doubling as a potential future therapy. clinically, there is acceptance that exercise is safe in hf and can have a positive impact on morbidity and quality of life, although evidence for improvement in mortality is still lacking. specific prescriptions for exercise training have not been developed because many variables and confounding factors have prevented research trials from demonstrating an ideal regimen. Physicians are becoming more aware of the indices and goals for hf patients in exercise testing and therapy to provide comprehensive cardiac care. it is further postulated that a combination of exercise training and pharmacologic therapy may eventually provide the most benefits to those suffering from hf.

Bioethics In Neurospinal Patient Care

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Andi Asadul Islam
Keyword(s):  
Time Frame ◽  
Hippocratic Oath ◽  
Moral Vision ◽  
Human Identity ◽  
The Past ◽  
Harvey Cushing ◽  
Sharp Focus ◽  
Realistic Approach ◽  
Cord Injury

Neurosurgery is among the newest of surgical disciplines, appearing in its modern incarnation at the dawn of twentieth century with the work of Harvey Cushing and contemporaries. Neurosurgical ethics involves challenges of manipulating anatomical locus of human identity and concerns of surgeons and patients who find themselves bound together in that venture.In recent years, neurosurgery ethics has taken on greater relevance as changes in society and technology have brought novel questions into sharp focus. Change of expanded armamentarium of techniques for interfacing with the human brain and spine— demand that we use philosophical reasoning to assess merits of technical innovations.Bioethics can be defined as systematic study of moral challenges in medicine, including moral vision, decisions, conduct, and policies related to medicine. Every surgeon should still take the Hippocratic Oath seriously and consider it a basic guide to follow good medical ethics in medical practice. It is simple and embodies three of the four modern bioethics principles – Respecting autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice.Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating condition often affecting young and healthy individuals around the world. Currently, scientists are pressured on many fronts to develop an all-encompassing “cure” for paralysis. While scientific understanding of central nervous system (CNS) regeneration has advanced greatly in the past years, there are still many unknowns with regard to inducing successful regeneration. A more realistic approach is required if we are interested in improving the quality of life of a large proportion of the paralyzed population in a more expedient time frame.

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