A new algorithm for modeling online search behavior and studying ranking reliability variations

We design an information retrieval algorithm that mimics the stochastic behavior of decision-makers (DMs) when evaluating the alternatives displayed by an online search engine. The algorithm consists of a decision tree that incorporates all the 1024 decision nodes that may arise from the information retrieval process of DMs. We calibrate the behavior of the algorithm to the one observed from online users and run several sets of 1,000,000 queries. Each query lets DMs decide which subset of the ten alternatives composing the initial page of results to click, allowing us to evaluate their behavior as ranking reliability is assumed to decrease when DMs decide not to click on an alternative. We compare the click-through rates (CTRs) obtained when modifying the degree of ranking reliability derived from the alternatives displayed on the first page of search results. We illustrate how the stability of the CTR prevails among the top-ranked alternatives within relatively reliable scenarios while it drops when imposing large initial decrements in reliability. The resulting consequences regarding the importance of relative ranking positions are analyzed, the top three alternatives exhibiting a generally contained decrease in their CTRs that contrasts with the cumulative pattern arising from the fourth position onwards.

     

Study of tool trajectory in blisk channel ECM with spiral feeding

Electrochemical machining (ECM) plays an important role in blisk manufacturing. There are two steps in blisk ECM: machining of channels and precise shaping of blade profiles. In channel machining, channels are machined in the workpiece with allowance left to the following process. Therefore, the main aim of channel machining with ECM is to improve the allowance distribution. With this aim, a new ECM method for blisk channels, spiral feeding ECM, is developed in which the cathode feeds from blade tip to hub along with rotation motion around its axis. Through this combined motion, twisted channels are produced in the workpiece. The relationship between feed position and rotation angle is presented in the form of a mathematical model. Experiments with a feed rate of 1 mm/min confirm that spiral feeding ECM is feasible and efficient. Compared with radial ECM, the allowance differences in blank back and blank basin decrease by 32.7% and 33.6%, respectively. The surface roughnesses Ra in blank back, blank basin, and hub are 0.358, 0.308, and 0.102 µm, respectively. Thus, the allowance distribution is improved to be more uniform considerably and the surface quality is relatively high.     

A Novel Particle/Photon Detector Based on a Superconducting Proximity Array of Nanodots

The current frontiers in the investigation of high-energy particles demand for new detection methods. Higher sensitivity to low-energy deposition, high-energy resolution to identify events and improve the background rejection, and large detector masses have to be developed to detect even an individual particle that weakly interacts with ordinary matter. Here, we will describe the concept and the layout of a novel superconducting proximity array which show dynamic vortex Mott insulator to metal transitions, as an ultra-sensitive compact radiation-particle detector.     

A Metal–Polyphenol Network Coated Nanotheranostic System for Metastatic Tumor Treatments

As a characteristic trait of most tumor types, metastasis is the major cause of the death of patients. In this study, a photothermal agent based on gold nanorod is coated with metal (Gd³⁺)‐organic (polyphenol) network to realize combination therapy for metastatic tumors. This nanotheranostic system significantly enhances antitumor therapeutic effects in vitro and in vivo with the combination of photothermal therapy (PTT) and chemotherapy, also can remarkably prevent the invasion and metastasis due to the presence of polyphenol. After the treatment, an 81% decrease in primary tumor volumes and a 58% decrease in lung metastasis are observed. In addition, the good performance in magnetic resonance imaging, computerized tomography, and photothermal imaging of the nanotheranostic system can realize image‐guided therapy. The multifunctional nanotheranostic system will find a great potential in diagnosis and treatment integration in tumor treatments, and broaden the applications of PTT treatment.     

A deterministic sequential maximin Latin hypercube design method using successive local enumeration for metamodel-based optimization

Space-filling and projective properties of design of computer experiments methods are desired features for metamodelling. To enable the production of high-quality sequential samples, this article presents a novel deterministic sequential maximin Latin hypercube design (LHD) method using successive local enumeration, notated as sequential-successive local enumeration (S-SLE). First, a mesh-mapping algorithm is proposed to map the positions of existing points into the new hyper-chessboard to ensure the projective property. According to the maximin distance criterion, new sequential samples are generated through successive local enumeration iterations to improve the space-filling uniformity. Through a number of comparative studies, several appealing merits of S-SLE are demonstrated: (1) S-SLE outperforms several existing LHD methods in terms of sequential sampling quality; (2) it is flexible and robust enough to produce high-quality multiple-stage sequential samples; and (3) the proposed method can improve the overall performance of sequential metamodel-based optimization algorithms. Thus, S-SLE is a promising sequential LHD method for metamodel-based optimization.     

A Joint Numerical-Experimental Study on Impact Induced Intra-laminar and Inter-laminar Damage in Laminated Composites

The investigation of the mechanical response of fibre-reinforced composite laminates under impact loads can be very difficult due to the occurrence of simultaneous failure phenomena. Indeed, as a consequence of low velocity impacts, intra-laminar damages, like fibre and matrix cracking, and inter-laminar damages, such as delaminations, can take place simultaneously. These damage mechanisms can lead to significant reductions in strength and stability of the composite structure. In this paper a joint numerical-experimental study is proposed which, by means of non-destructive testing techniques (Ultra-sound and thermography) and non-linear explicit FEM analyses, aims to completely characterise the impact induced damage in composite laminates under low velocity impacts. Indeed the proposed numerical tool has been used to improve the understanding of the experimental data obtained by Non-Destructive Techniques. Applications on samples tested according to the AECMA (European Association of Aerospace Manufacturers) prEn6038 standard at three different impact energies are presented. The interaction between numerical and experimental investigation allowed to obtain an exhaustive insight on the different phases of the impact event considering the inter-laminar damage formation and evolution.     

Application potential of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSCs) based tissue-engineering for spinal cord defect repair in rat fetuses with spina bifida aperta

Spina bifida aperta are complex congenital malformations resulting from failure of fusion in the spinal neural tube during embryogenesis. Despite surgical repair of the defect, most patients who survive with spina bifida aperta have a multiple system handicap due to neuron deficiency of the defective spinal cord. Tissue engineering has emerged as a novel treatment for replacement of lost tissue. This study evaluated the prenatal surgical approach of transplanting a chitosan–gelatin scaffold seeded with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in the healing the defective spinal cord of rat fetuses with retinoic acid induced spina bifida aperta. Scaffold characterisation revealed the porous structure, organic and amorphous content. This biomaterial promoted the adhesion, spreading and in vitro viability of the BMSCs. After transplantation of the scaffold combined with BMSCs, the defective region of spinal cord in rat fetuses with spina bifida aperta at E20 decreased obviously under stereomicroscopy, and the skin defect almost closed in many fetuses. The transplanted BMSCs in chitosan–gelatin scaffold survived, grew and expressed markers of neural stem cells and neurons in the defective spinal cord. In addition, the biomaterial presented high biocompatibility and slow biodegradation in vivo. In conclusion, prenatal transplantation of the scaffold combined with BMSCs could treat spinal cord defect in fetuses with spina bifida aperta by the regeneration of neurons and repairmen of defective region.     

Cell-protection mechanism through autophagy in HGFs/<Emphasis Type="Italic">S. mitis</Emphasis> co-culture treated with Chitlac-nAg

Silver-based products have been proven to be effective in retarding and preventing bacterial growth since ancient times. In the field of restorative dentistry, the use of silver ions/nanoparticles has been explored to counteract bacterial infections, as silver can destroy bacterial cell walls by reacting with membrane proteins. However, it is also cytotoxic towards eukaryotic cells, which are capable of internalizing nanoparticles. In this work, we investigated the biological effects of Chitlac-nAg, a colloidal system based on a modified chitosan (Chitlac), administered for 24–48?h to a co-culture of primary human gingival fibroblasts and Streptococcus mitis in the presence of saliva, developed to mimic the microenvironment of the oral cavity. We sought to determine its efficiency to combat oral hygiene-related diseases without affecting eukaryotic cells. Cytotoxicity, reactive oxygen species production, apoptosis induction, nanoparticles uptake, and lysosome and autophagosome metabolism were evaluated. In vitro results show that Chitlac-nAg does not exert cytotoxic effects on human gingival fibroblasts, which seem to survive through a homoeostasis mechanism involving autophagy. That suggests that the novel biomaterial Chitlac-nAg could be a promising tool in the field of dentistry.     

光纤光栅形状传感器的研究

传感器总长810mm,直径为2.5mm,4根光纤布喇格光栅(fiber Bragg grating,FBG)互成90°分布在用记忆合金丝(Shap Memory Alloy,SMA)做基材的表面。通过在波分复用的基础上添加光时分复用来改进传感网络布置,提高测量精度;同时,设计了一套封装装置来确保封装时FBG与基材之间的准确定位以及黏结剂能够均匀的涂覆在基材和FBG表面,提高传感器的封装精度。实验结果表明,该FBG形状传感器的测量精度为3.1%。