A new achievement scalarizing function based on parameterization in multiobjective optimization

This paper addresses a general multiobjective optimization problem. One of the most widely used methods of dealing with multiple conflicting objectives consists of constructing and optimizing a so-called achievement scalarizing function (ASF) which has an ability to produce any Pareto optimal or weakly/properly Pareto optimal solution. The ASF minimizes the distance from the reference point to the feasible region, if the reference point is unattainable, or maximizes the distance otherwise. The distance is defined by means of some specific kind of a metric introduced in the objective space. The reference point is usually specified by a decision maker and contains her/his aspirations about desirable objective values. The classical approach to constructing an ASF is based on using the Chebyshev metric L _∞. Another possibility is to use an additive ASF based on a modified linear metric L ₁. In this paper, we propose a parameterized version of an ASF. We introduce an integer parameter in order to control the degree of metric flexibility varying from L ₁ to L _∞. We prove that the parameterized ASF supports all the Pareto optimal solutions. Moreover, we specify conditions under which the Pareto optimality of each solution is guaranteed. An illustrative example for the case of three objectives and comparative analysis of parameterized ASFs with different values of the parameter are given. We show that the parameterized ASF provides the decision maker with flexible and advanced tools to detect Pareto optimal points, especially those whose detection with other ASFs is not straightforward since it may require changing essentially the reference point or weighting coefficients as well as some other extra computational efforts.     

Distribution of Pb and Po concentrations in wild berries and mushrooms in boreal forest ecosystems

The activity concentrations and distribution of ²¹⁰Pb and ²¹⁰Po in wild berries and edible mushrooms were investigated in Finnish forests. The main study areas were located in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) forests in southern and northern Finland. The activity concentrations of ²¹⁰Pb and ²¹⁰Po in blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) and lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.) samples decreased in the order: stems > leaves > berries (i.e. fruits). The activity ratios of ²¹⁰Po/²¹⁰Pb in the wild berry samples were mainly higher than one, indicating elevated activity concentrations of polonium in the samples. In mushrooms the activity concentrations of ²¹⁰Pb and especially ²¹⁰Po were higher than in fruits of the wild berries. The highest activity concentration of ²¹⁰Pb was detected in Cortinarius armillatus L. (16.2 Bq kg^− 1 d.w.) and the lowest in Leccinum vulpinum L. (1.38 Bq kg^− 1 d.w.). The ²¹⁰Po activity concentrations of the whole fruiting bodies ranged from 7.14 Bq kg^− 1 d.w. (Russula paludosa L.) to 1174 Bq kg^− 1 d.w. (L. vulpinum L.). In general, the highest activity concentrations of ²¹⁰Po were recorded in boletes. The caps of mushrooms of the Boletaceae family showed higher activity concentrations of ²¹⁰Po compared to the stipes. In most of the mushrooms analyzed, the activity concentrations of ²¹⁰Po were higher than those of ²¹⁰Pb. ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb dominate the radiation doses received via ingestion of wild berries and mushrooms in northern Finland, while in southern Finland the ingested dose is dominated by ¹³⁷Cs from the Chernobyl fallout.     

Transglutaminase cross-linking kinetics of sodium caseinate is changed after emulsification

Enzymatic cross-linking is an important method of modifying the structure of food products to control their texture and stability. In this paper we look at the effect that adsorption to the oil–water interface of triglyceride oil-in-water emulsion has on rates of cross-linking of sodium caseinate by microbial transglutaminase. The kinetics of cross-linking has also been assessed for the individual casein proteins within the caseinate. In solution the rates were α_s2-casein > β-casein > α_s1-casein > κ-casein. This order is not as expected given the rheomorphic nature of the proteins and the number of glutamine and lysine residues in each protein. In particular, the α_s1-casein was cross-linked much more slowly than expected. When sodium caseinate was adsorbed to an emulsion the rates for all constituent caseins were decreased but the cross-linking rate for α_s1-casein was markedly reduced, indicating the most significant change in accessibility following adsorption. This knowledge will facilitate optimal production of cross-linked emulsions for use in future studies aimed at engineering emulsions with improved nutritional quality.     

Global formulation for interactive multiobjective optimization

Interactive methods are useful and realistic multiobjective optimization techniques and, thus, many such methods exist. However, they have two important drawbacks when using them in real applications. Firstly, the question of which method should be chosen is not trivial. Secondly, there are rather few practical implementations of the methods. We introduce a general formulation that can accommodate several interactive methods. This provides a comfortable implementation framework for a general interactive system. Besides, this implementation allows the decision maker to choose how to give preference information to the system, and enables changing it anytime during the solution process. This change-of-method option provides a very flexible framework for the decision maker.     

Effects of ellagitannin‐rich berries on blood lipids,gut microbiota,and urolithin production in human subjects with symptoms of metabolic syndrome

Ellagitannins are polyphenols abundant in strawberries, raspberries, and cloudberries. The effects of a mixture of these berries were studied in a randomized controlled trial with subjects having symptoms of metabolic syndrome. The study focused on serum lipid profiles, gut microbiota, and ellagitannin metabolites. The results indicate that bioavailability of ellagitannins appears to be dependent on the composition of gut microbiota.     

Developmental Dynamics of Math Performance From Preschool to Grade 2.

This study investigated the developmental dynamics of mathematical performance during children's transition from preschool to Grade 2 and the cognitive antecedents of this development. 194 Finnish children were examined 6 times according to their math performance, twice during each year across a 3-year period. Cognitive antecedents, that is, counting ability, visual attention, metacognitive knowledge, and listening comprehension, were tested at the first measurement point. The results indicated that math performance showed high stability and increasing variance over time. Moreover, the growth of math competence was faster among those who entered preschool with an already high level of mathematical skills. The initial level of math performance, as well as its growth, was best predicted by counting ability. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Bayesian analysis of flaw sizing data of the NESC III exercise

Non-destructive inspections are performed to give confidence of the non-existence of flaws exceeding a certain safe limit in the inspected structural component. The principal uncertainties related to these inspections are the probability of not detecting an existing flaw larger than a given size, the probability of a false call, and the uncertainty related to the sizing of a flaw. Inspection reliability models aim to account for these uncertainties. This paper presents the analysis of sizing uncertainty of flaws for the results of the NESC III Round Robin Trials on defect-containing dissimilar metal welds. Model parameters are first estimated to characterize the sizing capabilities of various teams. A Bayesian updating of the flaw depth distribution is then demonstrated by combining information from measurement results and sizing performance.