An accelerated first-order method for solving SOS relaxations of unconstrained polynomial optimization problems

Our interest lies in solving sum of squares (SOS) relaxations of large-scale unconstrained polynomial optimization problems. Because interior-point methods for solving these problems are severely limited by the large-scale, we are motivated to explore efficient implementations of an accelerated first-order method to solve this class of problems. By exploiting special structural properties of this problem class, we greatly reduce the computational cost of the first-order method at each iteration. We report promising computational results as well as a curious observation about the behaviour of the first-order method for the SOS relaxations of the unconstrained polynomial optimization problem.     

Self‐similarity for accurate compression of point sampled surfaces

Most surfaces, be it from a fine‐art artifact or a mechanical object, are characterized by a strong self‐similarity. This property finds its source in the natural structures of objects but also in the fabrication processes: regularity of the sculpting technique, or machine tool. In this paper, we propose to exploit the self‐similarity of the underlying shapes for compressing point cloud surfaces which can contain millions of points at a very high precision. Our approach locally resamples the point cloud in order to highlight the self‐similarity of the shape, while remaining consistent with the original shape and the scanner precision. It then uses this self‐similarity to create an ad hoc dictionary on which the local neighborhoods will be sparsely represented, thus allowing for a light‐weight representation of the total surface. We demonstrate the validity of our approach on several point clouds from fine‐arts and mechanical objects, as well as a urban scene. In addition, we show that our approach also achieves a filtering of noise whose magnitude is smaller than the scanner precision.     

Guide to Quality Control,Second Revised English Edition

We introduce a very general “forward” method of data analysis that starts from a small, robustly chosen subset of the data and shows the effect of adding observations by a forward search. Powerful diagnostic procedures result: The observations are ordered by their agreement with the proposed transformation, masking is overcome, and the inferential effect of each observation is clear. We apply the resulting method to the transformation of both univariate and multivariate data. Other applications of the forward search are mentioned.     

外露式钢柱脚的设计方法

通过对外露式柱脚的受力分析,结合工程实例,对国内常用的锚栓计算方法进行比较,并对GB 50011-2010《建筑抗震设计规范》中对于柱脚锚栓的规定进行论证,可供设计人员参考。     

Biological performance of zinc borate-incorporated particleboard: Effects of leaching on efficacy

The decay and termite resistance and effects of a robust leaching process on the efficacy of zinc borate-incorporated particleboard were examined. Particleboards (300 × 300 × 15 mm) prepared from particles of mixed wood species generated from demolished construction materials were incorporated with zinc borate at target retentions of 0%, 1%, 1.5% and 2% of the particle weight. An in-line treatment method was utilized to introduce the powdered chemical during the blending stage. ICP analysis indicated that the amount of zinc borate was not lost during manufacturing. Standard static bending tests demonstrated that there was no significant loss in mechanical properties. The decay and termite tests indicated that the efficacy of zinc borate at a higher retention was enough to suppress the biological activity, even after application of a robust leaching process.     

Bond between FRP composites and concrete: Assessment of design procedures and analytical models

The use of fibre reinforced polymers (FRPs) to strengthen reinforced concrete (RC) structures has gained a wide popularity in the last decades. Although many experimental and analytical studies are available in literature, some issues are still under discussion in the research communities. Since the typical failure mode of FRP–concrete joints is reported to be debonding of the composite from the concrete substrate [1], the estimation of the bond strength between FRP and concrete substrate represents a key issue for the proper use of this technology. For this reason, several analytical models for the evaluation of the FRP–concrete bond strength and few models for the estimation of the effective bond length were proposed (some of them are included in design codes/recommendations/guidelines); however they were not assessed by means of an appropriate experimental database.This work shows an assessment of twenty analytical models for the evaluation of the FRP–concrete bond strength. The assessment is based on the analysis of a wide experimental database collected from the literature. The results are provided distinguishing between the test setup adopted (single or double shear test, bending test) and the material used (post impregnated sheets or pre impregnated laminates). The accuracy of each model was evaluated by means of a simplified statistical analysis. The influence of the test setup and basic material on the accuracy of the model used was analysed as well. Lastly, the accuracy of twelve available models in providing an estimation of the effective bond length was also assessed.     

城市建设规划中电力规划分析

电力规划在城市建设规划中占的地位很重要，不仅保障了城市供电系统的正常运行，而且优秀的电力规划对于城市建设经济成本的节约也有一定作用。因此为了保障整个城市建设规划的良好进行，电力规划工作必须完成好。     

A narrative metaphor to facilitate educational game authoring

In this paper we present WEEV (Writing Environment for Educational Video games), a methodology for educational point-and-click adventure game authoring. Our approach aims to allow educators to actively collaborate in the educational game development process, using a narrative-based representation. WEEV is based on a pragmatic reinterpretation of previous works on narrativity and video games, enhanced by the use of a novel visual language to represent the flow of the story or narrative. The WEEV methodology has been implemented into an actual tool based on the already established <e-Adventure> platform for educational games. This tool was improved with feedback gathered from formative evaluation, end-users testing (i.e. educators), and actual use in the development of an educational game. The system, still under development, presents some user-interaction problems along with a need for the educational effectiveness of the resulting games to be further analyzed. However, this paper highlights that, according to the qualitative results of evaluations, WEEV can indeed be successfully applied to simplify the game creation process and that by using representations of games that educators can understand, WEEV can help provide educational value to games.     

The experimental study of the granulation process

This paper deals with a comparative research between two processes of granulation,namely mini-pelletized sintering ( MPS ) and hybrid pelletized sintering ( HPS ) ,focusing on aspects such as the balling effect,production,quality,and mineralography and metallurgical performance of sinter. The results indicate that both methods can result in a satisfying capability in balling effect and metallurgical performance of sinter,qualified to meet the plant production requirements,but when the granulation time and granulating moisture are set to around 6 minutes and 7. 0% respectively,MPS is better than HPS.     

Rapid and standardized methods for detection of foodborne pathogens and mycotoxins on fresh produce

Due to the increase in consumption of fresh produce regarding to the health demand in the last decades, a considerable portion of foodborne outbreaks has been trackbacked to contaminated fresh produce, which have appeared as highly possible vehicles for foodborne outbreaks nowadays. Delays in detection of pathogens and mycotoxins on fresh produce hindered the trace-back investigations in finding the source and revealed the urgent need of rapid and reliable methods. In the frame of this review, we summarized available fast, reliable and standardized methods (conventional, molecular, rapid and recently developed methods) used for detection of the most common foodborne pathogens and mycotoxins which are the most likely causative agents of outbreaks caused by contaminated fresh produce.