A Hybrid Genetic Algorithm and Sperm Swarm Optimization (HGASSO) for Multimodal Functions

In this paper, we propose a hybrid algorithm combining two different metaheuristic methods, “Genetic Algorithms (GA)” and “Sperm Swarm Optimization (SSO)”, for the global optimization of multimodal benchmarks functions. The proposed Hybrid Genetic Algorithm and Sperm Swarm Optimization (HGASSO) operates based on incorporates concepts from GA and SSO in which generates individuals in a new iteration not only by crossover and mutation operations as proposed in GA, but also by techniques of local search of SSO. The main idea behind this hybridization is to reduce the probability of trapping in local optimum of multi modal problem. Our algorithm is compared against GA, and SSO metaheuristic optimization algorithms. The experimental results using a suite of multimodal benchmarks functions taken from the literature have evinced the superiority of the proposed HGASSO approach over the other approaches in terms of quality of results and convergence rates in which obtained good results in solving the multimodal benchmarks functions that include cosine, sine, and exponent in their formulation.

A Perturbation-Based Methodology to Estimate the Equivalent Inertia of an Area Monitored by PMUs

This paper proposes a novel methodology to estimate equivalent inertia of an area, observed from its boundary buses where Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs) are assumed to be installed. The areas are divided according to the measurement points, and the methodology proposed can obtain the equivalent dynamic response of the area dependent of or independent of coherency of the generators inside, which is the first contribution of this paper. The methodology is divided in three parts: estimating the frequency response, estimating the power imbalance and estimating inertia through the solution of the swing equation by Least-Squares Method (LSM). The estimation of the power imbalance is the second contribution of this paper, enabling the study of areas that contain perturbations and attending the limitation of methods of the literature that rely on assumptions of slow mechanical power. It can be further divided in three steps: accounting the total power injected, estimating an equivalent load behavior and estimating an equivalent mechanical power. The quality of results is proved with test systems of different sizes, simulating different types of perturbations.

Publication Trends on Mitophagy in the World and China: A 16-Year Bibliometric Analysis

In the past 16 years, research on mitophagy has increasingly expanded to a wider range of subjects. Therefore, comprehensively analyzing the relevant progress and development trends on mitophagy research requires specific methods. To assess the hotspots, directions, and quality of results in this field worldwide, we used multiple tools to examine research progress and growing trends in research on the matter during the last 16 years (from 2005 to 2020). We also compared the quantity and quality of the literature records on mitophagy published by research institutions in China and other developed countries, reviewed China’s contribution, and examined the gap between China and these developed countries. According to the results of our bibliometric analysis, the United States and its research institutes published the most papers. We identified cell biology as the most commonly researched subject on mitophagy and AUTOPHAGY as the most popular journal for research on mitophagy. We also listed the most cited documents from around the world and China. With gradually increased funding, China is progressively becoming prominent in the field of mitophagy; nevertheless, the gap between her and major countries in the world must be closed.

An FPGA-Based LOCO-ANS Implementation for Lossless and Near-Lossless Image Compression Using High-Level Synthesis

In this work, we present and evaluate a hardware architecture for the LOCO-ANS (Low Complexity Lossless Compression with Asymmetric Numeral Systems) lossless and near-lossless image compressor, which is based on JPEG-LS standard. The design is implemented in two FPGA generations, evaluating its performance for different codec configurations. The tests show that the design is capable of up to 40.5 MPixels/s and 124 MPixels/s per lane for Zynq 7020 and UltraScale+ FPGAs, respectively. Compared to the single thread LOCO-ANS software implementation running in a 1.2 GHz Raspberry Pi 3B, each hardware lane achieves 6.5 times higher throughput, even when implemented in an older and cost-optimized chip like the Zynq 7020. Results are also presented for a lossless only version, which achieves a lower footprint and approximately 50% higher performance than the version that supports both lossless and near-lossless. Interestingly, these great results were obtained applying High-Level Synthesis, describing the coder with C++ code, which tends to establish a trade-off between design time and quality of results. These results show that the algorithm is very suitable for hardware implementation. Moreover, the implemented system is faster and achieves higher compression than the best previously available near-lossless JPEG-LS hardware implementation.

PENGARUH KUALITAS PELAYANAN PADA KEPUASAN PELANGGAN MABAR & GAME COFFEE

ABSTRAKBisnis kuliner berupa café yang menjamur saat ini membuat para pemilik usaha berfikir keras untuk membuat café miliknya berbeda dengan yang lain sehingga dapat menarik minat pelanggan untuk datang, salah satunya pada Mabar & Game Coffee. Peneliti ingin melihat apakah ada pengaruh antara kualitas pelayanan pada kepuasan pelanggan di Mabar & Game Coffee. Penelitian ini memakai metode penelitian kuantitatif deskriptif dengan variabel X terdiri dari, variabel X1 adalah identitas fisik, variabel X3 adalah manajemen organisasi, variabel X2 adalah identitas non fisik, variabel X5 adalah aktivitas dan pola hubungan, variabel X4 adalah kualitas hasil, dan variabel Y adalah kepuasan pelanggan. Teknik analisis data yang digunakan yaitu regresi linier berganda, penghitungan hipotesis menggunakan uji F dan uji t dimana uji F adalah untuk mengetahui pengaruh simultan antara variable X ke Y, sedangkan uji t untuk mengetahui pengaruh secara parsial dari variable X ke Y. dari hasil penghitungan menggunakan SPSS, didapatkan hasil bahwa variable X yang terdiri dari identitas fisik, aktivitas dan pola hubungan, kualitas hasil, manajemen organisasi, identitas non fisik memiliki pengaruh secara simultan terhadap variabel Y yaitu kepuasan pelanggan. Sedangkan dari penghitungan menggunakan uji T ditemukan bahwa identitas non fisik merupakan variabel yang paling dominan, sehingga menurut pelanggan, identitas non fisik yang dimiliki oleh Mabar & Game Coffee sangat mempengaruhi kepuasan mereka.Kata kunci: kualitas pelayanan, kepuasan pelanggan, cafe ABSTRACTThe culinary business in the form of a cafe that is mushrooming at this time makes business owners think hard to make their café different from the others so that it can attract customers to come, one of which is Mabar & Game Coffee. Researchers want to see if there is an influence between service quality on customer satisfaction at Mabar & Game Coffee. This research uses descriptive quantitative research method with variable X consisting of, variable X1 is physical identity, variable X3 is organizational management, variable X2 is non-physical identity, variable X5 is activity and relationship patterns, variable X4 is quality of results, and variable Y is customer satisfaction. The data analysis technique used is multiple linear regression, calculating the hypothesis using the F test and t test where the F test is to determine the simultaneous effect between the X to Y variables, while the t test is to determine the partial effect of the X to Y variables. SPSS, it was found that variable X which consists of physical identity, non-physical identity, organizational management, quality of results, activities and relationship patterns have a simultaneous influence on variable Y, namely customer satisfaction. Meanwhile, from the calculation using the T test, it was found that non-physical identity is the most dominant variable, so that according to customers, Mabar & Game Coffee's non-physical identity greatly affects their satisfaction.Keywords: service quality, customer satisfaction, cafe

Subsoil Recognition for Road Investment Supported by the Integration of Geodetic and GPR Data in the Form of a Point Cloud

During road construction investments, the key issue affecting the structure’s safety is accurate subsoil recognition. Identifying subsoil variability zones or natural voids can be performed using geophysical methods, and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) is recommended for this task as it identifies the location and spatial range karst formations. This paper describes the methodology of acquisition and processing of GPR data for ground recognition for road investment. Additional subsoil research was performed after karst phenomena were identified in the investment area, formations not revealed by geological recognition from earlier studies during the pre-design stage. Mala Ramac CU II radar with a 250 MHz antenna and a Leica DS2000 with 250 and 700 MHz antennas with real-time geopositioning were used to obtain the data. Regarding GPR data postprocessing, we present a method of converting spatial visualization into a point cloud that allows for GPR and geodetic data integration and confrontation. This approach enabled us to determine the locations of control trenches, the results of which were used for material validation, which is necessary to improve the reliability of subsoil recognition. The results showed a high correlation between the recorded GPR signals and the subsoil structure. Additionally, differences in the quality of results for measurements conducted before laying supporting layers with slag and on the completed road structure surface are illustrated.

The Masseteric-Facial Anastomosis With Intratemporal Translocation of the Facial Nerve: Step-by-Step Technique and Results

BACKGROUND In the absence of a viable proximal nerve stump, damaged after surgical procedures around the skull base, numerous techniques for facial reanimation have been developed over time, aiming to restore baseline symmetry and active mimicry. OBJECTIVE To report experience using the masseteric nerve as a direct transfer to the facial nerve rerouted after intratemporal translocation. This paper illustrates the main steps of the technique and the quality of results. METHODS Eleven patients were treated with a masseteric direct transfer to the facial nerve. Its extratemporal rerouting toward the zygoma allowed tension-free coaptation between donor and recipient nerves. RESULTS Of the 11 patients, 8 had a good to excellent recovery, showing different patterns of time and scores, according to age, surgical timing, and masseteric nerve function quality. The return of activity in the frontalis muscle, never obtained after reinnervation via the hypoglossal nerve, is of particular interest. The quality of the smile can be improved with re-education and practice but remains under volitional control. A true emotional response is still lacking. CONCLUSION The masseteric nerve is an excellent alternative to the hypoglossal nerve and can reinnervate the whole territory of the facial nerve rerouted after intratemporal translocation. The overall results are remarkable, but the low quality of the trigeminal nerve, eventually affected by the first surgery, may be an important limitation. Even if the patients appear more at ease in re-education than with other techniques, a fully natural facial expression remains impossible to obtain.

Correlation between number of false positive variants and quality of results in Ion Torrent PGM Sequencing to screen BRCA genes

Introduction: Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) is cost-effective, capable to investigate the genes faster but the protocol has challenges throughout its steps. Objective: We investigated different adjustments of protocol to screen the BRCA genes using Ion Torrent PGM sequencing and correlate the results with number of False Positive (FP) variants. Material and methods: Library preparation process, number of FP InDels, library concentration, number of cycles in amplify targets step, purity of nucleic acid, input, and number of samples/Ion 314 chip were analyzed in association with the results obtained by NGS. Results: 51 reactions and 9 adjustments of protocols were done and 8 FP InDels were observed in homopolymer regions. No FP Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism variant was observed. Protocol variables jointly are associated in 67.5% with the quality of results obtained(p<0.05). The number of FP InDels decreased when the quality of results increased. Conclusion: Ion AmpliSeq BRCA1/BRCA2 Community Panel had better performance with 4 samples per Ion-314 chip instead of 8 and the number of cycles in the amplification step, even using DNA with high quality, was better with 23. We observed better results when the manual equalization process was done, without the Ion Library Equalizer kit. These adjustments provided higher coverage of the variants and fewer artifacts (6.7-fold). Laboratories must perform the internal validation because FP InDel variants can vary according to the quality of results. NGS assay must be validated with Sanger.

Incorporating inter-individual variability in experimental design improves the quality of results of animal experiments

Inter-individual variability in quantitative traits is believed to potentially inflate the quality of results in animal experimentation. Yet, to our knowledge this effect has not been empirically tested. Here we test whether inter-individual variability in emotional response within mouse inbred strains affects the outcome of a pharmacological experiment. Three mouse inbred strains (BALB/c, C57BL/6 and 129S2) were behaviorally characterized through repeated exposure to a mild aversive stimulus (modified Hole Board, five consecutive trials). A multivariate clustering procedure yielded two multidimensional response types which were displayed by individuals of all three strains. We show that systematic incorporation of these individual response types in the design of a pharmacological experiment produces different results from an experimental pool in which this variation was not accounted for. To our knowledge, this is the first study that empirically confirms that inter-individual variability affects the interpretation of behavioral phenotypes and may obscure experimental results in a pharmacological experiment.