A recursive implementation of the ALIENOR optimization method

PurposeA recursive scheme for the ALIENOR method is proposed as a remedy for the difficulties induced by the method. A progressive focusing on the most promising region, in combination with a variation of the density of the alpha-dense curve, is proposed.Design/methodology/approachALIENOR method is aimed at reducing the space dimensions of an optimization problem by spanning it by using a single alpha-dense curve: the curvilinear abscissa along the curve becomes the only design parameter for any design space. As a counterpart, the transformation of the objective function in the projected space is much more difficult to tackle.FindingsA fine tuning of the procedure has been performed in order to identity the correct balance between the different elements of the procedure. The proposed approach has been tested by using a set of algebraic functions with up to 1,024 design variables, demonstrating the ability of the method in solving large scale optimization problem. Also an industrial application is presented.Originality/valueIn the knowledge of the author there is not a similar paper in the current literature.

Retraction Note: Land subsidence in Beijing from 2017-2018 revealed by Sentinel-1A TOPS time series interferometry

The Guest Editors and the Publisher have retracted this article. This paper has been formally retracted from publication by the authors on ethical grounds. Actually, one of the authors (Mr. Peilian Ran) neglected that a similar paper was already presented and published in a previous conference proceedings. The authors are responsible for this mistake and apologise for it. Request approved by the proceedings Editor and the Publisher on February 2, 2021.

Retraction : Numerical analysis of mixed convection characteristics inside a ventilated cavity including the effects of nanoparticle suspensions

Ehsan SOURTIJI and Mofid GORJI-BANDPY, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Babol University of Technology, Babol, Mazandaran, Iran, published in the journal Thermal Science, Vol. 21, Year 2017, No. 5, pp. 2205-2215, asked Editor-in-Chief to retract paper since after positive reviews of the two reviewers, paper was published without final permission of the authors. Since, authors have not been informed by Editor-in-chief of the journal THERMAL SCIENCE, about publishing of their paper, they published similar paper in the journal Powder Technology, Volume 262, August 2014, Pages 71-81, <https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2014.04.061>. Due to this fact authors asked from Editor-in-chief of the journal THERMAL SCIENCE to retract their paper published in this journal. <br><br><font color="red"><b> Link to the retracted article <u><a href="https://doi.org/10.2298/TSCI130804001S">10.2298/TSCI130804001S</a></b></u>

Retraction: Sleep Organisation in Depression and Schizophrenia: Index of Endogenous Periodicity of Sleep as a State Marker

The article published by Ilankovic et al., 2013 [1] has been retracted by Editor-in-Chief because corresponding author published the similar paper in Psychiatria Danubina in 2014 [2]. An internal investigation has raised sufficient evidence of the originality in the first paper [1] and self plagiarism in the second paper [2]; as such, we retract this article from the literature on request by corresponding author and in accordance with guidelines and best editorial practices from the Committee on Publication Ethics. We apologize to our audience about this unfortunate situation.

Novel Packaging Material for Mango Transportation

The performances of paper pulp mould and foam net as packaging materials for mango transportation were studied and compared. Mangoes were packed in both types of packaging materials, vibration tested, and left for 24 days. Firmness, weight loss, and colour changes were measured. It is found that firmness of mangoes in both types of packaging during the first 3 days and slowly afterwards. The performances of both types of packaging are similar. Paper pulp mould performed better with regards to weight loss. Colour changes as measured by lab equipment are not conclusive but through naked eyes paper pulp mould seemed to perform better. It is concluded that paper pulp mould as a packaging material performs better than foam net in some respects, therefore an interesting alternative packaging material.

Novel Prophylactic Vaccine Using a Prime-Boost Method and Hemagglutinating Virus of Japan-Envelope against Tuberculosis

Objective.Mycobacterium tuberculosisinfection is a major global threat to human health. The only tuberculosis (TB) vaccine currently available is bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), although it has no efficacy in adults. Therefore, the development of a novel vaccine against TB for adults is desired.Method. A novel TB vaccine expressing mycobacterial heat shock protein 65 (HSP65) and interleukin-12 (IL-12) delivered by the hemagglutinating virus of Japan- (HVJ)- envelope was evaluated against TB infection in mice. Bacterial load reductions and histopathological assessments were used to determine efficacy.Results. Vaccination by BCG prime with IgHSP65+murine IL-12/HVJ-envelope boost resulted in significant protective efficacy (>10, 000-fold versus BCG alone) against TB infection in the lungs of mice. In addition to bacterial loads, significant protective efficacy was demonstrated by histopathological analysis of the lungs. Furthermore, the vaccine increased the number of T cells secreting IFN-γ.Conclusion. This vaccine showed extremely significant protection against TB in a mouse model, consistent with results from a similar paper on cynomolgus monkeys. The results suggest that further development of the vaccine for eventual testing in clinical trials may be warranted.

SEMIEMPIRICAL FORMULAS FOR CALCULATION OF L SUBSHELL IONIZATION CROSS SECTIONS

Presented are new parameters for the calculation of L subshell ionization cross sections for proton impact using a semiempirical expression. A similar paper was published by our group in early 1993 but the fitting parameters were obtained by using only 2295 experimental L shell cross section data. Since then a large number of experimental data have become available and therefore a new fitting has been performed employing more than 5000 data points. All available data were fitted separately for L1, L2 and L3 subshells. For targets with low atomic numbers (14≤Z≤42), only coefficients for L tot were obtained. Because of the slight Z dependence of the universal function, data were also devised into five sub-groups according to their atomic numbers and fitted separately within each group for L1, L2 and L3 subshells. To extend the energy range of validity of the new fitting function theoretical values were used in the high energy region where experimental data were lacking. Results are compared with ECPSSR predictions and discussed.