Adapting ADtrees for improved performance on large datasets with high-arity features

The ADtree, a data structure useful for caching sufficient statistics, has been successfully adapted to grow lazily when memory is limited and to update sequentially with an incrementally updated dataset. However, even these modified forms of the ADtree still exhibit inefficiencies in terms of both space usage and query time, particularly on datasets with very high dimensionality and with high-arity features. We propose four modifications to the ADtree, each of which can be used to improve size and query time under specific types of datasets and features. These modifications also provide an increased ability to precisely control how an ADtree is built and to tune its size given external memory or speed requirements.     

Using an Experimental Design to Identify and Quantify the Effects of Environment Related Test Parameters on the In Vitro Mucoadhesivity Testing of a Propanolol Buccal Tablet

ABSTRACT

This study sought to identify and quantify the effects of environmental test parameters on the mucoadhesivity of a propranolol tablet. Their effects on Maximum Detachment Force (MDF) measurements were evaluated using a Box-Behnken design matrix. Prehydration time (PT) had a statistically significant negative main effect while contact force (CF) had no significant effect on in vitro MDF measurements. While contact time (CT) had no significant main or quadratic effects, it had a positive interaction effect with PT. The mathematical model was statistically validated and a PT of 3.5 min and a CT of 5 min was proposed for mucoadhesion testing by the tensile method during formulation optimization.     

Total mercury levels in crustacean species from Italian fishery

This study investigated mercury contamination levels in eight commercially valuable crustacean species caught off the Central Adriatic and Tyrrhenian coasts of Italy. Total mercury levels were measured by Thermal Decomposition-Amalgamation-Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. Results showed a high variability among species with values ranging from 0.070 to 1.24 (mg kg^?1 wet weight). The lowest mercury levels were detected in caramote prawn (Penaeus kerathurus), warty crab (Eriphia verrucosa) and European spider crab (Maja squinado), decapods living in shallow waters. Levels exceeding the limits established by the European Commission were found in species living in close contact with bottom sediments: deepwater rose shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris), blue and red shrimp (Aristeus antennatus) and Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus). For shrimps, the inter-individual variability observed was mostly related to the body size, indicating the accumulation of mercury with age. An estimation of the human intake of mercury associated to the consumption of the crustaceans sampled and its comparison with the Tolerable Weekly Intake are provided.     

A mathematical approach to assess research diversity: operationalization and applicability in communication sciences,political science,and beyond

Scientometrics - With today’s research production and global dissemination, there is growing pressure to assess how academic fields foster diversity. Based on a mathematical problem/solve...     

DiSeg 1.0: The first system for Spanish discourse segmentation

Nowadays discourse parsing is a very prominent research topic. However, there is not a discourse parser for Spanish texts. The first stage in order to develop this tool is discourse segmentation. In this work, we present DiSeg, the first discourse segmenter for Spanish, which uses the framework of Rhetorical Structure Theory and is based on lexical and syntactic rules. We describe the system and we evaluate its performance against a gold standard corpus, divided in a medical and a terminological subcorpus. We obtain promising results, which means that discourse segmentation is possible using shallow parsing.     

Lactic acid production using waste generated from sweet potato processing

Organic waste generated from industrial sweet potato canning is estimated to be 30% of incoming raw material with significant residual carbohydrate content. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential of waste generated from sweet potato processing material to support the growth of lactic acid bacteria and the production of lactic acid. The waste was comprised of 16.5% solids consisting of 18.5% ash, 4.4% protein, 20.5% simple sugars and 19% soluble starch. Following a screening of three lactic acid bacteria strains, Lactobacillus rhamnosus was deemed the best candidate for lactic acid production. The potential of various dilutions of the enzyme‐hydrolysed waste, with and without pH control, as a fermentation substrate was evaluated. Lactic acid production was highest in hydrolysed waste (without dilution) at pH set point 5.0, yielding 10 g L^?1 in 72 h. Thus, lactic acid, a valuable organic compound, can be generated from sweet potato waste.     

Experimental study on micro manufacturing of carbon nanotube (CNT) plastic composites

In recent years, innovative materials such as carbon nanotube composites are finding growing interest in several industrial sectors, from sports and leisure to electronics, automotive, aircraft, and defence. The reinforcing influence of the carbon nanotube is of prime interest. However, technological issues concerning the production methods and the manufacturing processes of carbon nanotube components limit the industrial application of this innovative and interesting material, especially whether small features are required. For this reason, manufacturing strategy involving new production technologies must be designed and developed. This paper studies the challenges of a manufacturing chain based on two manufacturing processes: injection moulding and micro milling. A case study based on these innovative processes is reported and discussed. The propagation chain effect and the influence of each considered process parameter on cutting force and geometrical accuracy of the features (the key characteristics of the process chain) were assessed by means of statistical analysis of variance (ANOVA). The ANOVA analysis demonstrated that cutting forces in micro milling are mainly influenced by the material and percentage of carbon nanotubes, while the main parameter influencing the geometrical accuracy of micro features is the matrix material.