Evolutionary Upgrade Research Articles

UAV Confrontation and Evolutionary Upgrade Based on Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning

UAV Confrontation and Evolutionary Upgrade Based on Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning

An Evolutionary Pathway for the Quantum Internet Relying on Secure Classical Repeaters

Until quantum repeaters become mature, quantum networks remain restricted either to limited areas of directly connected nodes or to nodes connected to a common node. We circumvent this limitation by conceiving quantum networks using secure classical repeaters combined with the quantum secure direct communication (QSDC) principle, which is a compelling form of quantum communication that directly transmits information over a quantum channel. The final component of this promising solution is our classical quantum-resistant algorithm. Explicitly, in these networks, the ciphertext gleaned from a quantum-resistant algorithm is transmitted using QSDC along the nodes, where it is read out by one node and then transmitted to the next node. At the repeaters, the information is protected by our quantum-resistant algorithm, which is secure even in the face of a quantum computer. Hence, our solution offers secure end-to-end communication across the entire network, since it is capable of both eavesdropping detection and prevention in the emerging quantum Internet. It is compatible with operational networks, and will enjoy the compelling services of the popular Internet, including authentication. Hence, it smoothens the transition from the classical Internet to the quantum Internet (Qinternet) by following a gradual evolutionary upgrade. It will act as an alternative network in quantum computing networks in the future. We have presented the first experimental demonstration of a secure classical-repeater-based hybrid quantum network constructed by a serial concatenation of an optical fiber and free-space communication link. In conclusion, secure repeater networks may indeed be constructed using existing technology and continue to support a seamless evolutionary pathway to the future Qinternet of quantum computers.

Evolutionary upgrade of stefins for secretion in parasites

Evolutionary upgrade of stefins for secretion in parasites

TOPCon – Technology options for cost efficient industrial manufacturing

Formation of an interfacial tunnel oxide capped by the polysilicon (poly-Si) layer is one of the most promising methods to realize carrier-selective contacts as it offers an evolutionary upgrade to the current mainstream PERC. Currently, PV industry is looking towards different technologically feasible options of transferring this cell concept from laboratory research towards industrial manufacturing. In this paper, we devise cost-driven strategies towards industrial manufacturing of TOPCon-based solar cells after assessing various process routes based on currently production-ready and upcoming future alternative process technologies. Our techno-economic assessment suggests that higher capital and operational costs required for TOPCon concept is distributed unevenly in the process value chain, with a significant fraction in diffusion/annealing and metallization steps. Nevertheless, under given assumptions, TOPCon-concepts are found to remain economically competitive against bifacial PERC in terms of levelized cost of electricity (LCOE), if a minimum absolute gain in cell efficiency Δη > 0.55% for most-conservative and Δη > 0.40% for most-progressive scenarios respectively can be maintained.

Efficiency Roadmap for Evolutionary Upgrades of PERC Solar Cells by TOPCon: Impact of Parasitic Absorption

Passivating contacts created via a thin interfacial oxide and a highly doped polysilicon layer, e.g., the TOPCon technology, are on the verge of being implemented in solar cell mass production. Investment decisions rely on R&D to identify the most promising implementation option, meaning a trustworthy roadmap based on predicted performance gains. This article shows how to thoroughly quantify the performance potential via numerical simulation, focusing on an evolutionary upgrade of a busbarless p-type bifacial passivated emitter rear cell (PERC) technology. We specifically highlight the need to consider not only the electrical gains of passivating contacts, but also the associated optical losses due to parasitic absorption in the polysilicon layers for front and rear illumination. The influence of free-carrier absorption in polysilicon on the solar cell optics is characterized on experimental test structures in order to verify our optical simulation model. Introducing TOPCon fully at the rear and also locally aligned to the front fingers can boost the PERC efficiency by approximately 1%abs. The final device is strongly limited by losses in the p-type c-Si bulk and phosphorus-doped front emitter. Consequently, the presented evolutionary TOPCon upgrades may well be of increased relevance for future improved p-PERC cells, as an alternative to the current focus on n-type TOPCon cells with boron emitter.

Abstract 535: Paving the path to metastasis/invasion through GIV: Identification of a polarized ex(o)citing machinery for cancer invasion

Abstract Polarized exocytosis is a fundamental process involving the delivery of membrane and cargo proteins to target sites the plasma membrane (PM) and it is essential for a wide range of biological functions such as cell growth, morphogenesis, and polarized cell migration. Polarized exocytosis requires precise spatial control of vesicle tethering to target sites at the PM. This is mediated by the octameric exocyst complex that is conserved from yeast to man. How the exocyst complex imparts polarity during exocytosis remained a mystery until recent insights emerged from studies on budding yeast. A functional interaction between exocyst component Exo70p and the yeast polarity determinant scaffold protein Bem1p was reported, and it was shown that Bem1p regulates the targeting of Exo70p to polarized exocytic sites. Despite these insights, the counterpart of Bem1p in higher species remained elusive. Here we demonstrate that a novel polarity-determinant protein called GIV (Gα-interacting vesicle associated protein/Girdin) fulfills the key criteria and functions of its yeast counterpart Bem1p. GIV provides an evolutionary upgrade to the process of polarized exocytosis by making it responsive to growth factors and other external cues and by modulating it through G protein signaling that is unique to mammalian cells. GIV was originally identified in a yeast-2 hybrid screen as a binding partner of EXOC1, and subsequently validated by us as a PI4P-binding protein that is a direct binding partner of mammalian Exo70. Biochemical assays have confirmed that the mechanism of GIV:Exo70 interaction bears close semblance to the Bem1p:Exo70p interaction. Sequence alignment studies led to the identification of single point mutants in Bem1p and GIV that are selectively defective in binding to Exo70. Using genetic manipulation of cancer cells we have observed that GIV is essential for polarized tethering of Exo70-coated vesicles at the cell periphery. Consistent with the previously described prometastatic role of GIV, we found that GIV is required for EGF-stimulated exocytosis of matrix metalloproteases that aid in cancer invasion in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells and that specific point mutants of GIV that interrupt the interaction with Exo70 cause a reduction in the ability of these breast cancer cells to invade and degrade components of the extracellular matrix. Furthermore, GIV interacts specifically with TC-10•GTP[active], a monomeric GTPase that regulates fusion of exocytic vesicles at the plasma membrane. Insights gained continue to provide an in-depth understanding of how GIV affects a fundamental process of exocytosis, and what impact that may have on cancer invasion and metastasis. Citation Format: Cristina C. Rohena, Nina N. Sun, Nicolas Aznar, Pradipta Ghosh. Paving the path to metastasis/invasion through GIV: Identification of a polarized ex(o)citing machinery for cancer invasion [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 535. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-535

The PufX quinone channel enables the light-harvesting 1 antenna to bind more carotenoids for light collection and photoprotection.

Photosynthesis in some phototrophic bacteria requires the PufX component of the reaction centre–light‐harvesting 1–PufX (RC‐LH1‐PufX) complex, which creates a pore for quinone/quinol (Q/QH 2) exchange across the LH1 barrier surrounding the RC. However, photosynthetic bacteria such as Thermochromatium (T.) tepidum do not require PufX because there are fewer carotenoid binding sites, which creates multiple pores in the LH1 ring for Q/QH 2 exchange. We show that an αTrp‐24→Phe alteration of the Rhodobacter (Rba.) sphaeroides LH1 antenna impairs carotenoid binding and allows photosynthetic growth in the absence of PufX. We propose that acquisition of PufX and confining Q/QH 2 traffic to a pore adjacent to the RC QB site is an evolutionary upgrade that allows increased LH1 carotenoid content for enhanced light absorption and photoprotection.

Commentary: Should Gender Differences be Included in the Evolutionary Upgrade to Cognitive Load Theory?

Recent upgrades to cognitive load theory suggest that evolutionary processes have shaped the way that working memory processes cultural and social information. According to evolutionarily educational psychologists, some forms of information are processed with lower working memory loads than other forms. The former are evolutionarily salient and the latter historically recent and evolutionarily novel. Sex differences in evolutionary pressures have resulted in some differences in aspects of associated working memory systems that are relevant to cognitive load theory. For this reason this paper suggests that gender differences in information processing via evolutionary processes is an important consideration that should be added to current theory.

An Evolutionary Upgrade of Cognitive Load Theory: Using the Human Motor System and Collaboration to Support the Learning of Complex Cognitive Tasks

Cognitive load theory is intended to provide instructional strategies derived from experimental, cognitive load effects. Each effect is based on our knowledge of human cognitive architecture, primarily the limited capacity and duration of a human working memory. These limitations are ameliorated by changes in long-term memory associated with learning. Initially, cognitive load theory's view of human cognitive architecture was assumed to apply to all categories of information. Based on Geary’s (Educational Psychologist 43, 179–195 2008; 2011) evolutionary account of educational psychology, this interpretation of human cognitive architecture requires amendment. Working memory limitations may be critical only when acquiring novel information based on culturally important knowledge that we have not specifically evolved to acquire. Cultural knowledge is known as biologically secondary information. Working memory limitations may have reduced significance when acquiring novel information that the human brain specifically has evolved to process, known as biologically primary information. If biologically primary information is less affected by working memory limitations than biologically secondary information, it may be advantageous to use primary information to assist in the acquisition of secondary information. In this article, we suggest that several cognitive load effects rely on biologically primary knowledge being used to facilitate the acquisition of biologically secondary knowledge. We indicate how incorporating an evolutionary view of human cognitive architecture can provide cognitive load researchers with novel perspectives of their findings and discuss some of the practical implications of this view.

Bandwidth management for WDM EPONs

We explore the problem of bandwidth management for the evolutionary upgrade of WDM EPONs. We divide the bandwidth management problem into two subproblems: (1) grant sizing and (2) grant scheduling. We then apply a scheduling theoretical approach to find a best scheduler for WDM EPONs. We show by means of extensive simulations that a multidimensional scheduling approach using results from scheduling theory can provide much better bandwidth management by means of better wavelength utilization than a static wavelength assignment. We also show that an online scheduling approach can provide lower queueing delays than a cyclical offline scheduling approach. We conclude with some specific guidance on future research on bandwidth management for WDM EPONs.

PROTECTORATION: a fast and efficient multiple-failure recovery technique for resilient packet ring using dark fiber

The two protection methods wrapping and steering used in IEEE 802.17 resilient packet ring (RPR) provide fast but very inefficient and limited network failure recovery. Due to the increased length of the backup path, RPR suffers from high traffic loss, a decreased throughput-delay performance, and the lack of resilience against multiple link and/or node failures. To achieve an improved resilience, interconnecting a subset of the ring nodes by means of a dark-fiber single-hop star wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) network is proposed. In doing so, the ring network is divided into separate domains, each being fully recoverable from a single link or node failure without losing full network connectivity. A novel hybrid fault recovery technique, termed protectoration, is proposed and examined by means of probabilistic analysis and simulation in terms of stability, channel utilization, and throughput-delay performance. The proposed protectoration technique 1) combines the fast recovery time of protection and the bandwidth efficiency of restoration, 2) provides full recovery from multiple link and node failures, 3) builds on both wrapping and steering protection methods of RPR and, thus, allows for an evolutionary upgrade of existing RPR networks, and 4) does not require the convergence of routing protocols in response to failures and, thus, improves the routing stability and network availability. Numerical investigations in this paper show that the location of failures has a strong impact on the network performance. For a given failure location, the protectoration technique is able to accommodate multiple ring failures without significant performance loss.

Open systems avionics architectures considerations

Australia has announced that it will join the System Development and Demonstration phase of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter programme. The JSF boasts an advanced integrated avionics architecture that will utilise commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware and software, and embrace an Open Systems Architecture. If Australia should procure the JSF, it will move from a base experience in second generation avionics architectures to a fourth-generation system. It will also move from supporting and accepting MIL-SPEC unique avionics to COTS-based computer equipment. Further, the mid-life or block upgrade mindset for increasing capability may be transformed with the introduction of COTS equipment to a constant or evolutionary upgrade path that will have ramifications for logistics, engineering certification, and acceptance into operational service.

Evolutionary Upgrade

Evolutionary Upgrade

TOBASCO: an innovative approach for upgrading CATV fiber-coax networks for broadband interactive services

To introduce broadband interactive services in a fiber-coax CATV network with high splitting ratio, a high-density wavelength multiplexing upgrading strategy in combination with conventional TDMA techniques is presented. It features flexible network reconfiguration via wavelength reassignment at the fiber terminating network units, a high interactive services capacity per user, and improved network scalability. On the fiber part of the network the interactive channels are carried in baseband, time-multiplexed (in ATM) in a number of wavelength channels. The article gives an overview of the most distinctive characteristics of TOBASCO. The system architecture as well as the evolutionary upgrade path are presented. The implications of the flexible wavelength allocation scheme on the network topology and, in particular, dynamic assignment strategies are analyzed. Finally, the field trial to be carried out in Gent is discussed.

Loss-of-Coolant Accident Aspects of the Combustion Engineering Advanced Light Water Reactor—System 80+

Combustion Engineering’s advanced light water reactor, System 80+, is an evolutionary upgrade of the proven System 80® nuclear steam supply system design. While both plants are rated at 3817 MW(thermal), System 80+ incorporates a number of design enhancements, including direct vessel injection for the safety injection (SI) system and other changes to the reactor cooling system.The results of a best-estimate small-break loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA) study that addresses utility investment protection concerns is presented. Specifically, the size piping break that can be tolerated without the liquid or two-phase fluid level falling below the top of the active core is addressed. Using best-estimate analytical procedures, and assuming no single failure, the active core remains covered with substantial margin for breaks up to 0.254-m (10-in.) diameter. This reduces the possibility of core damage due to a small LOCA.A large-break, cold-leg LOCA licensing analysis is also presented that addresses the reflood capability after the end of SI tank discharge without credit for a low-pressure SI pump system. This analysis confirms that the improved high-pressure SI system provides adequate reflood capability to satisfy the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission LOCA licensing criteria.

A high-quality switched FM video system

At issue in the delivery of broadband cable television services is whether their promise will be realized through the adoption of a revolutionary switched distribution system or an evolutionary upgrade to the existing broadcast, tree-and-branch coaxial cable television systems. This issue is examined in the context of the key factors of economics and consumer demand. Architectural objectives established to satisfy likely cable television system requirements five to ten years in the future are highlighted. A high-quality switched video system optimized for the likely cable television requirements of the later 1990s is described, both as conceptualized and as proven in the laboratory. The headend, switch and upconverters, optical link, tap, set-top unit, and link performance are described, and laboratory results are presented. Hurdles standing in the way of large-scale commercial viability are identified. >