Pruning methods to MLP neural networks considering proportional apparent error rate for classification problems with unbalanced data

This article deals with classification problems involving unequal probabilities in each class and discusses metrics to systems that use multilayer perceptrons neural networks (MLP) for the task of classifying new patterns. In addition we propose three new pruning methods that were compared to other seven existing methods in the literature for MLP networks. All pruning algorithms presented in this paper have been modified by the authors to do pruning of neurons, in order to produce fully connected MLP networks but being small in its intermediary layer. Experiments were carried out involving the E. coli unbalanced classification problem and ten pruning methods. The proposed methods had obtained good results, actually, better results than another pruning methods previously defined at the MLP neural network area. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The rate of return, rate base methods, and the regulatory constraint /

Bibliography: leaves 18-19.

Em busca de um índice alternativo à relação Book to Market para a construção de carteiras mais rentáveis

Muitos estudos buscam tentar prever o retorno potencial sobre portfólios de ações, com intuito de obter melhor rentabilidade sobre o capital aplicado. Diversas modelagens já foram utilizadas, sendo que as mais conhecidas são as que relacionam o risco com o retorno. Nesta linha destacam-se a Teoria de Carteiras proposta por Markowitz, e o CAPM de Sharpe. Através destas teorias entende-se a questão da influência da covariância dos retornos e que para um melhor desempenho de uma carteira, não é suficiente avaliar cada ativo individualmente. Por outro lado, diversas críticas em relação ao CAPM, vêm ensejando estudos complementares na busca de outras variáveis que melhorem os métodos de seleção de ativos. Fama e French (1993) fizeram um estudo com variáveis complementares em relação ao beta do CAPM, utilizando o tamanho e a relação Book to Market, conseguindo resultados melhores que o CAPM tradicional. O presente estudo leva em conta a questão do reinvestimento do lucro gerado e utilizando o modelo de Gordon propõe uma variável de classificação de empresas de crescimento e empresas valor, conceito já utilizado na literatura de finanças.Com base nesta variável montam-se carteiras de ações entre os anos de 2005 e 2012 e observa-se que é possível obter ganhos com a lógica proposta. Ao longo do período seria possível obter com as carteiras selecionadas ganhos de até 107,85% contra os retornos de 55,58% das carteiras com todos os ativos. Organizamos os mesmos ativos pela ótica da relação Book to Market as quais obtiveram retorno total do período de 90,42%. Apesar de notar uma mudança clara de comportamento, onde apenas nos quatro primeiros anos do estudo as carteiras com empresas value são superiores e nos quatro últimos períodos as carteiras de empresas growth são as melhores. Estes resultados são compatíveis com os resultados de Braga e Leal (2000), e Mescolin, Martinelli Braga e da Costa Jr. (1997), verificando um melhor desempenho para as empresas value.

Analysis of return patterns of digital hearing aids

This paper examines the return rate for digital hearing aids and reason for the returns.

Analysis of return patterns of digital hearing aids

This paper examines the return rate for digital hearing aids and reason for the returns.

One step forward: contrasting the effects of Toe clipping and PIT tagging on frog survival and recapture probability

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Marginal Return of Infrastructure Investment on Bilateral Trade Performance

Investing in transport infrastructures such as roadways, airports and seaports has proven to improve a country's trade performance through reduction of transportation costs and providing access to production and market. This research investigates the diminishing return of infrastructure investment and also the rate of return of two types of infrastructure investment strategies on trade. An augmented gravity model is used with econometric analysis methods in this study. The results have shown that as roadway and airport densities increase, the marginal returns on trade decrease. Empirical evidence from the United States and China with all their trading partners from the past twenty years has also suggested existence of diminishing return of infrastructure investment on roadways and airports. Infrastructure investment strategy that focuses on increasing roadway and airport density experiences smaller diminishing return on trade. In contrast, seaport investment that focuses on port quality and efficiency generates higher return on trade. A trade benefiting infrastructure investment strategy that best utilizes financial resources must balance between quality and quantity based on a country's current level of infrastructure asset.

BIM : expectations and a reality check

BIM (Building Information Modelling) is an approach that involves applying and maintaining an integral digital representation of all building information for different phases of the project lifecycle. This paper presents an analysis of the current state of BIM in the industry and a re-assessment of its role and potential contribution in the near future, given the apparent slow rate of adoption by the industry. The paper analyses the readiness of the building industry with respect to the product, processes and people to present an argument on where the expectations from BIM and its adoption may have been misplaced. This paper reports on the findings from: (1) a critical review of latest BIM literature and commercial applications, and (2) workshops with focus groups on changing work-practice, role of technology, current perceptions and expectations of BIM.

Manufacturing practices and performances: A Malaysian study

The purpose of this study is to identify the most common manufacturing practices adopted by the Malaysian manufacturers, company performance factors and relationship between practices and performances. To fulfil the study objectives, 400 manufacturers were surveyed by a standard 400 questionnaire. Three research methodologies such as descriptive analysis, ANOVA and regression analysis have been employed in this study. The analysis revealed that Malaysian manufacturers focus on optimizing three critical performance factors: product development, less customer return rate and on time delivery (OTD). The most important competitive factor was found to be company reputation and design and manufacturing capacity is the least important factor. The findings also proved that manufacturing practices significantly influence company performances

Enhancing paramedics procedural skills using a cadaveric model

Background Paramedic education has evolved in recent times from vocational post-employment to tertiary pre-employment supplemented by clinical placement. Simulation is advocated as a means of transferring learned skills to clinical practice. Sole reliance of simulation learning using mannequin-based models may not be sufficient to prepare students for variance in human anatomy. In 2012, we trialled the use of fresh frozen human cadavers to supplement undergraduate paramedic procedural skill training. The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether cadaveric training is an effective adjunct to mannequin simulation and clinical placement. Methods A multi-method approach was adopted. The first step involved a Delphi methodology to formulate and validate the evaluation instrument. The instrument comprised of knowledge-based MCQs, Likert for self-evaluation of procedural skills and behaviours, and open answer. The second step involved a pre-post evaluation of the 2013 cadaveric training. Results One hundred and fourteen students attended the workshop and 96 evaluations were included in the analysis, representing a return rate of 84%. There was statistically significant improved anatomical knowledge after the workshop. Students' self-rated confidence in performing procedural skills on real patients improved significantly after the workshop: inserting laryngeal mask (MD 0.667), oropharyngeal (MD 0.198) and nasopharyngeal (MD 0.600) airways, performing Bag-Valve-Mask (MD 0.379), double (MD 0.344) and triple (MD 0.326,) airway manoeuvre, doing 12-lead electrocardiography (MD 0.729), using McGrath(R) laryngoscope (MD 0.726), using McGrath(R) forceps to remove foreign body (MD 0.632), attempting thoracocentesis (MD 1.240), and putting on a traction splint (MD 0.865). The students commented that the workshop provided context to their theoretical knowledge and that they gained an appreciation of the differences in normal tissue variation. Following engagement in/ completion of the workshop, students were more aware of their own clinical and non-clinical competencies. Conclusions The paramedic profession has evolved beyond patient transport with minimal intervention to providing comprehensive both emergency and non-emergency medical care. With limited availability of clinical placements for undergraduate paramedic training, there is an increasing demand on universities to provide suitable alternatives. Our findings suggested that cadaveric training using fresh frozen cadavers provides an effective adjunct to simulated learning and clinical placements.

Quantitative trait loci detection and benefits from marker-assisted selection in dairy cattle

Knowing the chromosomal areas or actual genes affecting the traits under selection would add more information to be used in the selection decisions which would potentially lead to higher genetic response. The first objective of this study was to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting economically important traits in the Finnish Ayrshire population. The second objective was to investigate the effects of using QTL information in marker-assisted selection (MAS) on the genetic response and the linkage disequilibrium between the different parts of the genome. Whole genome scans were carried out on a grand-daughter design with 12 half-sib families and a total of 493 sons. Twelve different traits were studied: milk yield, protein yield, protein content, fat yield, fat content, somatic cell score (SCS), mastitis treatments, other veterinary treatments, days open, fertility treatments, non-return rate, and calf mortality. The average spacing of the typed markers was 20 cM with 2 to 14 markers per chromosome. Associations between markers and traits were analyzed with multiple marker regression. Significance was determined by permutation and genome-wise P-values obtained by Bonferroni correction. The benefits from MAS were investigated by simulation: a conventional progeny testing scheme was compared to a scheme where QTL information was used within families to select among full-sibs in the male path. Two QTL on different chromosomes were modelled. The effects of different starting frequencies of the favourable alleles and different size of the QTL effects were evaluated. A large number of QTL, 48 in total, were detected at 5% or higher chromosome-wise significance. QTL for milk production were found on 8 chromosomes, for SCS on 6, for mastitis treatments on 1, for other veterinary treatments on 5, for days open on 7, for fertility treatments on 7, for calf mortality on 6, and for non-return rate on 2 chromosomes. In the simulation study the total genetic response was faster with MAS than with conventional selection and the advantage of MAS persisted over the studied generations. The rate of response and the difference between the selection schemes reflected clearly the changes in allele frequencies of the favourable QTL. The disequilibrium between the polygenes and QTL was always negative and it was larger with larger QTL size. The disequilibrium between the two QTL was larger with QTL of large effect and it was somewhat larger with MAS for scenarios with starting frequencies below 0.5 for QTL of moderate size and below 0.3 for large QTL. In conclusion, several QTL affecting economically important traits of dairy cattle were detected. Further studies are needed to verify these QTL, check their presence in the present breeding population, look for pleiotropy and fine map the most interesting QTL regions. The results of the simulation studies show that using MAS together with embryo transfer to pre-select young bulls within families is a useful approach to increase the genetic merit of the AI-bulls compared to conventional selection.

Electrochemical Functionalization of a Gold Electrode with Redox-Active Self-Assembled Monolayer for Electroanalytical Application

The electrochemical functionalization of a Au electrode with a redox-active monolayer and the electroanalytical applications of the functionalized electrode are described. Reaction of the electrochemically derived o-quinone on the self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of 6-mercaptopurine (MPU) on a Au electrode gives a redox-active 4-(6-mercapto-purin-9-yl)benzene-1,2-diol (MPBD) self-assembly under optimized conditions. Electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance technique has been employed to follow the functionalization of the electrode in real time. Electrochemically derived o-quinone reacts at the N(9) position of the self-assembled MPU in neutral pH. Raman spectral measurement confirms the reaction of o-quinone on MPU self-assembly. MPBD shows a well-defined reversible redox response, characteristic of a surface-confined redox mediator at 0.21 V in neutral pH. The anodic peak potential (Epa) of MPBD shifts by −60 mV while changing the solution pH by 1 unit, indicating that the redox reaction involves two electrons and two protons. The surface coverage (Γ) of MPBD was 7.2 ± 0.3 × 10-12 mol/cm2. The apparent heterogeneous rate constant (ksapp) for MPBD was 268 ± 6 s-1. MPBD efficiently mediates the oxidation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and ascorbate (AA). A large decrease in the overpotential and significant increase in the peak current with respect to the unmodified electrode has been observed. Surface-confined MPBD has been successfully used for the amperometric sensing of NADH and AA in neutral pH at the nanomolar level.

Photoelectrochemical oxidation of p-nitrophenol on an expanded graphite-TiO2 electrode

In the quest for more efficient photoanodes in the photoelectrochemical oxidation processes for organic pollutant degradation and mineralisation in water treatment, we present the synthesis, characterisation and photoelectrochemical application of expanded graphite-TiO2 composite (EG-TiO2) prepared using the sol-gel method with organically modified silicate. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area analyser, ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry, Raman spectrometry and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were employed for the characterisation of the composites. The applicability of the EG-TiO2 as photoanode material was investigated by the photoelectrochemical degradation of p-nitrophenol as a target pollutant in a 0.1 M Na2SO4 (pH 7) solution at a current density of 5 mA cm(-2). After optimising the TiO2 loading, initial p-nitrophenol concentration, pH and current density, a removal efficiency of 62% with an apparent kinetic rate constant of 10.4 x 10(-3) min(-1) was obtained for the photoelectrochemical process as compared to electrochemical oxidation and photolysis, where removal efficiencies of 6% and 24% were obtained respectively after 90 min. Furthermore, the EG-TiO2 electrode was able to withstand high current density due to its high stability. The EG-TiO2 electrode was also used to degrade 0.3 x 10(-4) M methylene blue and 0.1 x 10(-4) M Eosin Yellowish, leading to 94% and 47% removal efficiency within 120 reaction time. This confirms the suitability of the EG-TiO2 electrode to degrade other organic pollutants.

Boundary conditions at the solid-liquid surface over the multiscale channel size from nanometer to micron

The boundary condition at the solid surface is one of the important problems for the microfluidics. In this paper we study the effects of the channel sizes on the boundary conditions (BC), using the hybrid computation scheme adjoining the molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and the continuum fluid mechanics. We could reproduce the three types of boundary conditions (slip, no-slip and locking) over the multiscale channel sizes. The slip lengths are found to be mainly dependent on the interfacial parameters with the fixed apparent shear rate. The channel size has little effects on the slip lengths if the size is above a critical value within a couple of tens of molecular diameters. We explore the liquid particle distributions nearest the solid walls and found that the slip boundary condition always corresponds to the uniform liquid particle distributions parallel to the solid walls, while the no-slip or locking boundary conditions correspond to the ordered liquid structures close to the solid walls. The slip, no-slip and locking interfacial parameters yield the positive, zero and negative slip lengths respectively. The three types of boundary conditions existing in "microscale" still occur in "macroscale". However, the slip lengths weakly dependent on the channel sizes yield the real shear rates and the slip velocity relative to the solid wall traveling speed approaching those with the no-slip boundary condition when the channel size is larger than thousands of liquid molecular diameters for all of the three types of interfacial parameters, leading to the quasi-no-slip boundary conditions.

Localization of Na+-K+ ATPases in Quasi-Native Cell Membranes

Na+-K+ ATPases have been observed and located by in situ AFM and single molecule recognition technique, topography and recognition imaging (TREC) that is a unique technique to specifically identify single protein in complex during AFM imaging. Na+-K+ ATPases were well distributed in the inner leaflet of cell membranes with about 10% aggregations in total recognized proteins. The height of Na+-K+ ATPases measured by AFM is in the range of 12-14 nm, which is very consistent with the cryoelectron microscopy result. The unbinding force between Na+-K+ ATPases in the membrane and anti-ATPases on the AFM tip is about 80 pN with the apparent loading rate at 40 nN/s.