Automatic calibration of urban drainage model using a novel multi-objective genetic algorithm.

In order to successfully calibrate an urban drainage model, multiple calibration criteria should be considered. This raises the issue of adopting a method for comparing different solutions (parameter sets) according to a set of objectives. Amongst the global optimization techniques that have blossomed in recent years, Multi Objective Genetic Algorithms (MOGA) have proved effective in numerous engineering applications, including sewer network modelling. Most of the techniques rely on the condition of Pareto efficiency to compare different solutions. However, as the number of criteria increases, the ratio of Pareto optimal to feasible solutions increases as well. The pitfalls are twofold: the efficiency of the genetic algorithm search worsens and decision makers are presented with an overwhelming number of equally optimal solutions. This paper proposes a new MOGA, the Preference Ordering Genetic Algorithm, which alleviates the drawbacks of conventional Pareto-based methods. The efficacy of the algorithm is demonstrated on the calibration of a physically-based, distributed sewer network model and the results are compared with those obtained by NSGA-II, a widely used MOGA.     

Polarization control in strained T-bar VCSELs

A vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser device with polarization stable emission at a predefined angle is investigated. The polarization flip probability is reduced from 32% to 2% when compared to circular symmetric devices and the polarization angle follows the direction of the deliberately introduced strain.     

Synthesis of gonadotropin-releasing hormone III analogs. Structure-antitumor activity relationships

Following the observation that the activity of gonadotropin-releasing hormone III (GnRH-III) in the suppression of growth of MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 breast cancer cells surpasses that of GnRH and other analogs thereof, analogs of GnRH-III were synthesized to investigate the structural basis for the improved antitumor activity. Compounds synthesized include analogs with changes in the central sequence in which GnRH-III differs from GnRH and in the C- and N-terminal regions. The results indicate that a salt bridge between Asp6 and Lys8 stabilizes the active conformation of GnRH-III and show the importance of the Trp7. Replacement of the C-terminal Gly-NH2 with D-Ala-NH2 was not well tolerated, but replacement with ethylamide was. Replacement of pGlu1 with Ac-D-Trp appears to have a significantly deleterious effect on a unique conformation of GnRH-III which is responsible for its binding to the receptors on cancer cell lines and the resultant antitumor activity.     

Cystic duct syndrome and minimally invasive surgery

Cholecystectomy is an established successful operation which provides total relief of presurgical symptoms in up to 85% of patients. About 5% of patients after cholecystectomy experience severe episodes of upper abdominal pain, similar to those that they had prior to cholecystectomy. These so called postcholecystectomy syndromes may be due to biliary strictures, retained biliary calculi, cystic duct stump syndrome, stenosis or dyskinesis of the sphincter of Oddi. Postcholecystectomy symptoms caused by cystic stump and gallbladder remnant had been described early in this century and several papers have been published on the topic. During recent years laparoscopic cholecystectomy became popular but we have not found in the literature the mention of either that it could cause cystic duct stump syndrome or it could be used for its treatment. During the last seven years in 8 patients we found gallbladder remnants or cystic duct stumps causing their symptoms. Among the 8 patients 3 had laparoscopic and 5 classic cholecystectomies. After incomplete cholecystectomy we usually find that the cystic duct stump and the Calot triangle embedded in inflamed scar tissue. For this reason the surgical risk is to high with laparoscopic surgery to reoperate for these pathological changes. In all 8 cases the pathological cystic duct stumps and gallbladder remnants were removed using 3-4 cm single microlaparotomy incisions. The postoperative stay of these patients were uneventful and they were discharged home 2-3 days after surgery.     

Technological complexity and ethical control

The pace and complexity of technological change pose daunting challenges for our moral intelligence. The technical, social, and moral complexities of technical systems have profoundly affected the ethical control of technical systems. Control is not restricted to the use or production of technical systems, but applies to a technology's full life cycle, from invention, design, and development through manufacture and use to final disposal. Ethical control means that the ends and means involved in systems control are guided by core ethical values such as care for life (human and natural), socio-economic welfare, and communication     

量子阱半导体激光器P—I特性曲线扭折的研究

小功率窄条形半导体激光器注入电流超过阈值后，其P－I特性曲线可能偏离理想的线性区，出现扭折现象，从而会严重影响激光器与光纤的耦合。本文分析讨论了出现扭折现象与器件结构的关系。通过优化激光器纵向结构设计，采用较窄的有源区，在MOCVD结构生长中用碳作P型掺杂，制造出来的未镀膜激光器在100mA注入电流下输出光功率50mW未出现P－I特性的扭折。     

黄河中游干流泥沙组成规律

本文利用系统、 颗粒级配资料，详细分析了黄河中游主要控制站长时期泥沙组成和泥沙粒径的变化，认为近期黄河中游有来沙细化的现象，但这是由于来沙量的减少造成的，泥沙组成规律并未发生明显的趋势性变化。     

抛煤机锅炉炉内增拱气固两相流研究

在抛煤机锅炉炉内增拱强化燃烧基础上,在6000m3/h的冷态试验台上,研究炉拱对炉内气体粒子携带能力及粒子捕捉能力的影响,确定炉拱最佳捕捉粒径范围为≥154μm,拱的最佳角度为与水平面成15°夹角。     

Bioaccumulation of dioxin-like substances and selected brominated flame retardant congeners in the fat and livers of black pigs farmed within the Nebrodi Regional Park of Sicily

An observational study was designed to assess the bioaccumulation of polychlorodibenzodioxins (PCDD) and polychlorodibenzofurans (PCDF), dioxin-like polychlorobiphenyls (DL-PCB), and 13 selected polybromodiphenylethers (PBDE) in autochthonous pigs reared in the Nebrodi Park of Sicily (Italy). Perirenal fat and liver samples were drawn from animals representative of three different outdoor farming systems and from wild pigs and then analyzed for the chemicals mentioned previously. The highest concentrations of PCDD + PCDF and DL-PCB were detected in the fat (0.45 and 0.35 pg World Health Organization toxicity equivalents [WHO-TE] per g of fat base [FB], respectively) and livers (12.7 and 3.28 pg WHO-TE per g FB) of the wild group, whereas the free-ranging group showed the lowest levels (0.05 and 0.03 pg WHO-TE per g FB in fat and 0.78 and 0.27 pg WHO-TE per g FB in livers). The sum of PBDE congeners was highest in wild pigs (0.52 ng/g FB in fat and 5.64 ng/g FB in livers) and lowest in the farmed group (0.14 ng/g FB in fat and 0.28 ng/g FB in livers). The contamination levels in fat and livers of outdoor pigs had mean concentration values lower than those levels reported for intensively indoor-farmed animals. In wild pigs, bioaccumulation was associated with their free grazing in areas characterized by bush fires. The results of this study aid to emphasize the quality of the environment as a factor to guarantee food safety in typical processed pig meat products, specifically from outdoor and extensive Nebrodi farming systems.