The C-loss function for pattern classification

This paper presents a new loss function for neural network classification, inspired by the recently proposed similarity measure called Correntropy. We show that this function essentially behaves like the conventional square loss for samples that are well within the decision boundary and have small errors, and L₀ or counting norm for samples that are outliers or are difficult to classify. Depending on the value of the kernel size parameter, the proposed loss function moves smoothly from convex to non-convex and becomes a close approximation to the misclassification loss (ideal 0–1 loss). We show that the discriminant function obtained by optimizing the proposed loss function in the neighborhood of the ideal 0–1 loss function to train a neural network is immune to overfitting, more robust to outliers, and has consistent and better generalization performance as compared to other commonly used loss functions, even after prolonged training. The results also show that it is a close competitor to the SVM. Since the proposed method is compatible with simple gradient based online learning, it is a practical way of improving the performance of neural network classifiers.     

Ligation of medically refracted patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in an extremely low body weight premature infant

Medically refracted patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in an extremely low birth weight (ELBW) preterm (gestation 24 weeks 2 days) infant was successfully ligated under general anesthesia in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Pharmacological agents are more effective to close PDA in preterm infants than in full-term infants, although within 48 h three doses of indomethacin were not sufficient to close PDA in this case. At the age of 69 h the infant developed severe symptoms including bradycardia, systemic hypotension, pulmonary hypertension, diastolic steal (reverse distal aorta flow velocity), and anuria. A PDA ligation was thus performed surgically at 72 h of age. General anesthesia and surgical stress were tolerated by this 531 g infant. Postoperatively all symptoms improved dramatically and the general conditions were stable. On the 38th day the endotracheal tube was extubated and on the 50th day nasogastric milk feeding was started. The oxygen supply was weaned on the 78th day. Growth and development until 6 months were within the normal range of very low birth weight infants. A surgical ligation as early as possible in medically refracted PDA in an ELBW infant is thus considered to be a safe and effective treatment. It prevents the development of further complications of cardiopulmonary vascular problems. Color Doppler echocardiography can reliably measure the PDA size, flow velocity, and hemodynamic changes of persistent PDA, even in tiny infants.     

Management of price uncertainty in short-term generation planning

Price uncertainty is faced by gencos in the scheduling of their units in competitive power markets. the proper way to deal with the uncertainty depends on the risk preference of the genco. two important means to manage the price uncertainty are (i) suitable flexible bids and (ii) the use of hedging tools such as forward contracts. the influence of these factors in the genco's short-term generation planning and the corresponding profit performances is studied. the market price is represented by lognormal distribution, genco risk behaviour is represented by exponential utility functions, the bid functions are taken to be flexible and simple contracts for hedging are assumed available. the unit commitment problem is combined with the hedging problem to obtain the optimal solution. formulation of the problem to maximise profit in the spot market and its extension to incorporate the risk behaviour of the gencos and the forward contacts for hedging is presented. solution method based on genetic algorithms is implemented in matlab. it is observed through numerical examples that the flexible outputs and the forward contracts can be used to hedge against price risks to achieve desired profit performance according to gencos' risk behaviour.     

Inundation analysis of the effectiveness of an estuarygate in Hori River

Storm surges and floods around bays in Japan frequently result in water disasters. Both dikes and estuary gates can be constructed in urban areas near bays as counter measures. Estuary gates at the mouth of a river are intended to protect the upstream areas from storm surges and tsunamis. The sewer systems in urban areas also decrease the inundation. In this study, a numerical simulation is carried out to examine the effectiveness of the estuary gate and performance of the sewer system. A synthetic analysis model of inundation phenomena is developed and applied to the behavior of water in the urban area near the Nagoya Port and the estuary region of the Hori River. The developed model consists of models for the sea, river, sewer, overland flood flow, and typhoon. The inundation analysis model is validated by a comparison of analytical and observed results. The features of the inundations in the urban area caused by various conditions are discussed.     

Coupled effects of sulphate and temperature on the strength development of cemented tailings backfills: Portland cement-paste backfill

Cemented paste backfill (CPB), which is a mix of tailings, water and cement, is subjected to the combined actions of temperature and sulphate during its service life. There is a need to acquire solid knowledge on the coupled effects of temperature and sulphate on the strength of CPBs for a safe, durable and cost-effective design of CPB structures. Hence, the main objective of this paper is to use an experimental approach to study the combined effect of temperature and sulphate on the strength development and microstructure (mineralogical composition of the hardened cement paste) of CPBs. About 200 CPB specimens with various initial sulphate contents (0, 5000, 15,000, and 25,000 ppm) and cured at different temperatures (0 °C, 25 °C, 20 °C, 35 °C, and 50 °C) are tested at different curing times (28, 90, and 150 days). The results show that the coupled effect of temperature and sulphate has a significant impact on the strength and mineralogical composition of the CPB. Depending on the curing time, temperature and initial sulphate content, the sulphate can have a positive or negative impact, i.e., leads to an increase or decrease of CPB strength. The obtained results show a strong indication that the absorption of sulphate by calcium–silicate–hydrate (C–S–H) could lead to the formation of lower quality C–S–H, thereby decreasing the strength of the CPB. This study has demonstrated that the coupled effect of sulphate and temperature on CPBs is an important factor for consideration in the designing of cost-effective, safe and durable CPB structures.     

Prevalence of blindness and cataract surgery in Nepal

Monoclonal antibodies against the myosin heavy chain of Amoeba proteus were obtained and used to localize myosin inside amoebae and to clone cDNAs encoding myosin. Myosin was found throughout the amoeba cytoplasm but was more concentrated in the ectoplasmic regions as determined by indirect immunofluorescence microscopy. In symbiont-bearing xD amoebae, myosin was also found on the symbiosome membranes, as checked by indirect immunofluorescence microscopy and by immunoelectron microscopy. The open reading frame of a cloned myosin cDNA contained 6,414 nucleotides, coding for a polypeptide of 2,138 amino acids. While the amino-acid sequence of the globular head region of amoeba's myosin had a high degree of similarity with that of myosins from various organisms, the tail region building a coiled-coil structure did not show a significant sequence similarity. There appeared to be at least three different isoforms of myosins in amoebae, with closely related amino acids in the globular head region.     

Neonatal renal artery blood flow velocities using color Doppler ultrasonography

The structure of mitotic chromosomes in cultured newt lung cells was investigated by a quantitative study of their deformability, using micropipettes. Metaphase chromosomes are highly extensible objects that return to their native shape after being stretched up to 10 times their normal length. Larger deformations of 10 to 100 times irreversibly and progressively transform the chromosomes into a "thin filament," parts of which display a helical organization. Chromosomes break for elongations of the order of 100 times, at which time the applied force is around 100 nanonewtons. We have also observed that as mitosis proceeds from nuclear envelope breakdown to metaphase, the native chromosomes progressively become more flexible. (The elastic Young modulus drops from 5,000 +/- 1,000 to 1,000 +/- 200 Pa.) These observations and measurements are in agreement with a helix-hierarchy model of chromosome structure. Knowing the Young modulus allows us to estimate that the force exerted by the spindle on a newt chromosome at anaphase is roughly one nanonewton.