A Novel Discrete Binary Gaining-Sharing knowledge-based Optimization Algorithm for the Travelling Counselling Problem for Utilization of Solar Energy

This article proposes a novel binary version of recently developed Gaining-Sharing knowledge-based optimization algorithm (GSK) to solve binary optimization problems is proposed. GSK algorithm is based on the concept of how humans acquire and share knowledge during their life span. Discrete Binary version of GSK named novel binary Gaining Sharing knowledge-based optimization algorithm (DBGSK) depends on mainly two binary stages: binary junior gaining sharing stage and binary senior gaining sharing stage with knowledge factor 1. These two stages enable DBGSK for exploring and exploitation of the search space efficiently and effectively to solve problems in binary space.An improved scheduling of the technical counselling process for utilization of the electricity from solar energy power stations is introduced. The scheduling aims at achieving the best utilization of the available day time for the counselling group,n this regard,a new application problem is presented, which is called a Travelling Counselling Problem (TCP).A Nonlinear Binary Model is introduced with a real application

A Novel Discrete Binary Gaining-Sharing knowledge-based Optimization Algorithm for the Travelling Counselling Problem for Utilization of Solar Energy

This article proposes a novel binary version of recently developed Gaining-Sharing knowledge-based optimization algorithm (GSK) to solve binary optimization problems is proposed. GSK algorithm is based on the concept of how humans acquire and share knowledge during their life span. Discrete Binary version of GSK named novel binary Gaining Sharing knowledge-based optimization algorithm (DBGSK) depends on mainly two binary stages: binary junior gaining sharing stage and binary senior gaining sharing stage with knowledge factor 1. These two stages enable DBGSK for exploring and exploitation of the search space efficiently and effectively to solve problems in binary space.An improved scheduling of the technical counselling process for utilization of the electricity from solar energy power stations is introduced. The scheduling aims at achieving the best utilization of the available day time for the counselling group,n this regard,a new application problem is presented, which is called a Travelling Counselling Problem (TCP).A Nonlinear Binary Model is introduced with a real application

Mixed Depression: A Survey on Psychopathological, Diagnostic, and Therapeutic Approaches among a Sample of Italian Psychiatrists

Background: The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (5th edition) introduced the specifier “with Mixed Features” to the diagnosis of Major Depressive Episode to designate the presence of (hypo) manic symptoms as part of the clinical presentation. This change has led to renewed attention on the operational definition, diagnosis, and treatment of Mixed Depression. Objective: To investigate the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches towards Mixed Depression among a representative sample of Italian psychiatrists. Methods: Between March and April 2021, 342 psychiatrists working in Italian adult mental health services were invited to participate in an anonymous online survey comprising 32 questions designed to investigate clinical and psychopathological approaches regarding the management of mixed depression in daily psychiatric practice. Results: 83.74% of participants reported having performed a diagnosis of mixed depression in the last five years, with the majority of respondents affirming that they had not used any diagnostic tool. Only 7,5% of the surveyed psychiatrists considered the DSM-5 criteria to be fully adequate in the description of this clinical entity. The most used pharmacological approach was combined therapy, in particular antipsychotics plus mood stabilizers. For monotherapy, the preferred drugs were Valproate and Quetiapine. Regarding the conceptualization of mood disorders, 199 of the participants chose the Kraepelinian unitary spectrum view; meanwhile, 101 expressed their preference for the binary model. Conclusion: Our results suggest a prominent position of mixed depression in the context of mood disorders. Univocal operational criteria and additional research on pharmacological treatment are also needed to ensure the correct recognition and management of mixed depression.

Study on Adsorption Characteristics of Sulfonate Gemini Surfactant on Lignite Surface

In order to explore the adsorption characteristics of sulfonate gemini surfactants on the surface of lignite, the molecular dynamics simulation method was used, and A kind of sulfonic acid bis sodium salt (S2) and the sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) were selected. A binary model of surfactant/lignite adsorption system and a ternary model of water/surfactant/lignite system were constructed, and a series of properties such as adsorption configuration, interaction energy, order parameters, relative concentration distribution, number of hydrogen bonds, etc., were analyzed. The results showed that the adsorption strength of S2 on the surface of lignite was higher than that of SDS. The results indicated that the large-angle molecular chain in S2 tended to become smaller, the small-angle molecular chain tended to become larger, and the angle between the molecular chains and the Z axis tended to be concentrated, making the formed network structure denser during the adsorption process. The number of hydrogen bonds in the water-coal system was 42, and the number of hydrogen bonds in the system after S2 adsorption was 15, which was much lower than the 23 hydrogen bonds in the system after SDS adsorption, and S2 could better adsorb and wrap the oxygen-containing groups on the surface of the lignite. The comparative study of the adsorption characteristics of the two surfactants on the surface of lignite can help us better understand the influence of the surfactant structure on the adsorption strength. The research results have important theoretical and practical significance for developing new surfactants, and enriching and developing the basic theory of coal wettability.

The Source Conflict Cost Criterion: A Pragmatic Approach to Floating Conclusions

<p>Our research examines the problem of multiple lines of reasoning reaching the same conclusion, but only through different and unrelated arguments. In the context of non-monotonic logic, these types of conclusions are referred to as floating conclusions. The field of defeasible reasoning is divided between those who claim that floating conclusions ought not to be accepted through a prudent or skeptical point of view, whereas others argue that they are good enough conclusions to be admitted even from a conservative or skeptical standard. We approach the problem of floating conclusions through the formal framework of Inheritance Networks. These networks provide the simplest and most straightforward gateway into the technical aspects surrounding floating conclusions in the context of non-monotonic logic and defeasible reasoning. To address the problem of floating conclusions, we construct a unifying framework of analysis, namely, the Source Conflict Cost Criterion (SCCC), that contains two basic elements: source conflict and cost. Both elements are simplified through a binary model, through which we provide a comprehensive understanding of the floating conclusions as well as the problematic nature of the debate surrounding this type of inferences. The SCCC addresses three key objectives: (a) the assessment of floating conclusions and the debate surrounding its epistemological dimension, (b) the construction of a general and unified framework of analysis for floating conclusions, and (c) the specification of the normative conditions for the admission of floating conclusions as skeptically acceptable information.</p>

The Source Conflict Cost Criterion: A Pragmatic Approach to Floating Conclusions

<p>Our research examines the problem of multiple lines of reasoning reaching the same conclusion, but only through different and unrelated arguments. In the context of non-monotonic logic, these types of conclusions are referred to as floating conclusions. The field of defeasible reasoning is divided between those who claim that floating conclusions ought not to be accepted through a prudent or skeptical point of view, whereas others argue that they are good enough conclusions to be admitted even from a conservative or skeptical standard. We approach the problem of floating conclusions through the formal framework of Inheritance Networks. These networks provide the simplest and most straightforward gateway into the technical aspects surrounding floating conclusions in the context of non-monotonic logic and defeasible reasoning. To address the problem of floating conclusions, we construct a unifying framework of analysis, namely, the Source Conflict Cost Criterion (SCCC), that contains two basic elements: source conflict and cost. Both elements are simplified through a binary model, through which we provide a comprehensive understanding of the floating conclusions as well as the problematic nature of the debate surrounding this type of inferences. The SCCC addresses three key objectives: (a) the assessment of floating conclusions and the debate surrounding its epistemological dimension, (b) the construction of a general and unified framework of analysis for floating conclusions, and (c) the specification of the normative conditions for the admission of floating conclusions as skeptically acceptable information.</p>

Explainable COVID-19 Detection on Chest X-rays Using an End-to-End Deep Convolutional Neural Network Architecture

The coronavirus pandemic is spreading around the world. Medical imaging modalities such as radiography play an important role in the fight against COVID-19. Deep learning (DL) techniques have been able to improve medical imaging tools and help radiologists to make clinical decisions for the diagnosis, monitoring and prognosis of different diseases. Computer-Aided Diagnostic (CAD) systems can improve work efficiency by precisely delineating infections in chest X-ray (CXR) images, thus facilitating subsequent quantification. CAD can also help automate the scanning process and reshape the workflow with minimal patient contact, providing the best protection for imaging technicians. The objective of this study is to develop a deep learning algorithm to detect COVID-19, pneumonia and normal cases on CXR images. We propose two classifications problems, (i) a binary classification to classify COVID-19 and normal cases and (ii) a multiclass classification for COVID-19, pneumonia and normal. Nine datasets and more than 3200 COVID-19 CXR images are used to assess the efficiency of the proposed technique. The model is trained on a subset of the National Institute of Health (NIH) dataset using swish activation, thus improving the training accuracy to detect COVID-19 and other pneumonia. The models are tested on eight merged datasets and on individual test sets in order to confirm the degree of generalization of the proposed algorithms. An explainability algorithm is also developed to visually show the location of the lung-infected areas detected by the model. Moreover, we provide a detailed analysis of the misclassified images. The obtained results achieve high performances with an Area Under Curve (AUC) of 0.97 for multi-class classification (COVID-19 vs. other pneumonia vs. normal) and 0.98 for the binary model (COVID-19 vs. normal). The average sensitivity and specificity are 0.97 and 0.98, respectively. The sensitivity of the COVID-19 class achieves 0.99. The results outperformed the comparable state-of-the-art models for the detection of COVID-19 on CXR images. The explainability model shows that our model is able to efficiently identify the signs of COVID-19.

Getting into the Schwing of Things: Hunter x Hunter’s Progressive Gender Depictions and Exploration of Non-Binary Possibilities

<p>This thesis investigates the depiction of gender in Madhouse’s 2011 television anime adaptation of Hunter x Hunter; a commercially successful ongoing manga (comic) series with a multitude of incarnations. The thesis examines three groups of characters across three chapters, respectively: androgynous men who embody conflicting attributes of hegemonic and homosexual masculinities; masculine women who defy traditional stereotypes via their association of domesticity with violence; and gender ambiguous characters who potentially challenge the established gender binary model by demonstrating loyalty to neither category. These characters are studied in relation to both Japanese and western gender norms to highlight cultural differences, however emphasis is placed on western interpretation through the application of western theories to the text and incorporation of western fan discourse into my own textual analysis. I assess the characters with an understanding that gender is not a biological prescription but a social construction and observe how characters are easily able to adopt masculine and feminine qualities regardless of their implied sex. I additionally aim to shed light on how Hunter x Hunter (2011) refreshingly tests the notion that mainstream shōnen (boys’) series are necessarily conservative in their alignment with normative gender ideals; on the contrary, Hunter x Hunter (2011) fearlessly challenges its viewers to question established gender norms and encourages discussion about the legitimacy of binary gender categories. Overall, I posit anime is an important area of study due to its growing popularity in the west, signalling a need to better understand the texts in relation to our own ideological perspective.</p>

Getting into the Schwing of Things: Hunter x Hunter’s Progressive Gender Depictions and Exploration of Non-Binary Possibilities

<p>This thesis investigates the depiction of gender in Madhouse’s 2011 television anime adaptation of Hunter x Hunter; a commercially successful ongoing manga (comic) series with a multitude of incarnations. The thesis examines three groups of characters across three chapters, respectively: androgynous men who embody conflicting attributes of hegemonic and homosexual masculinities; masculine women who defy traditional stereotypes via their association of domesticity with violence; and gender ambiguous characters who potentially challenge the established gender binary model by demonstrating loyalty to neither category. These characters are studied in relation to both Japanese and western gender norms to highlight cultural differences, however emphasis is placed on western interpretation through the application of western theories to the text and incorporation of western fan discourse into my own textual analysis. I assess the characters with an understanding that gender is not a biological prescription but a social construction and observe how characters are easily able to adopt masculine and feminine qualities regardless of their implied sex. I additionally aim to shed light on how Hunter x Hunter (2011) refreshingly tests the notion that mainstream shōnen (boys’) series are necessarily conservative in their alignment with normative gender ideals; on the contrary, Hunter x Hunter (2011) fearlessly challenges its viewers to question established gender norms and encourages discussion about the legitimacy of binary gender categories. Overall, I posit anime is an important area of study due to its growing popularity in the west, signalling a need to better understand the texts in relation to our own ideological perspective.</p>