Optimization Criteria Research Articles

NON-ANALYTICAL DESIGN OF THE PI CONTROLLER OPTIMAL PARAMETERS FOR A CONTINUOUS LINE

The multiple motor drives are complex and coupled MIMO nonlinear systems. Due to the complexity of their mathematical models the development of effective control systems is quite complicated task. This paper presents the design of optimal control based on the quadratic optimality criterion for the central section of the continuous production line using soft computer methods when fuzzy model of the controlled system has been used. In this case, the proposed method demonstrates non-analytical design of the optimal parameters of PI controller with emphasis on minimal knowledge on the controlled system. The realized experimental measurements on a continuous line laboratory model confirmed the effectiveness and the good dynamic properties of the optimal continuous line controller and also its applicability to others MIMO nonlinear dynamic systems.

Stepless Transmission Optimization for Green Micromobility

Small, electrified vehicles are becoming possible for urban environmental mobility due to their environmental performance, including zero-emission driving. Vehicles of this type use electric motors as sources of mechanical energy. Today, two types of transmission are most used in electrical micromobility vehicles (skateboards, scooters, tricycles, quadricycles, mopeds, motorcycles, go-karts, etc.): chain transmission and belt transmission. This transmission types provides a constant gear ratio that can only compromise between the maximum speed and the starting torque values, thus reducing the usage efficiency of the engine. This reduces vehicle manufacturers’ choice of less powerful drive and control elements, as well as balancing performance and efficiency at low and high speeds as well as on terrain.A novel design of a continuously variable transmission (CVT) for an electric go-kart is presented in this paper. The CVT consists of an inertial driving pulley mounted on an electric motor shaft, a timing V-belt, a gear wheel on the drive axle and 2 pressure rolls, which are moved by a servo motor for tensioning the V-belt. Gear ratio of a transmission can change seamlessly in the range of 1.5 - 2.2. The CVT has been tested under real conditions. The top speed of the electric go-kart with the given CVT and motor power 24.7 kW is 133km/h; time to accelerate to the top speed is 25 s. Total efficiency of the transmission (motor shaft, CVT, drive axle and wheels) is 65-72 % now, but there exist a lot of possibilities to improve it in the future. The conditions under which the novel CVT has an advantage over belt and chain transmissions with constant gear ratios have been studied. The developed mathematical model, the method for determination its constants, the algorithm for numerical calculations and the optimization criterion makes it possible to determine the optimal gear ratio for a vehicle with various CVT (not only belt) at any point in time in different racing modes. The model has been proved experimentally during acceleration and deceleration tests of the go-kart; it describes precisely the motion of the go-kart within the speed measurement error.The developed solution is applicable in urban micromobility. An optimized and stable transmission system focused on energy efficiency, resource saving, using less powerful drive and zero-emission.

Ultra-high density mapping and ablation of localized microreentrant tachycardias: insight from the CHARISMA registry

Abstract Background The optimal criteria for distinguishing microreentrant atrial tachycardias (mAT) from macroreentrant atrial arrhythmias (MAT) in clinical practice have not been definitively established. Recent advancements in ultra-high-density mapping featuring automated functionalities, has enhanced our understanding of mAT circuits and the precise localization of foci. Purpose Our intent was to observe the diagnostic support provided by high density mapping and Lumipoint algorithm in mAT as well as the ablation outcomes. Methods Consecutive patients eligible for atrial tachycardia (AT) ablation in 22 Italian centres were prospectively enrolled. all ATs were comprehensively mapped in either the left or right atrium utilizing the Rhythmia mapping system and the 64-pole Orion basket catheter. A mAT was defined as an AT characterized by slow, continuous, low fragmented potentials covering a minimum of 50% of the tachycardia cycle length (CL) within a confined area (defined as a circuit within < 1 cm2), enclosed by a couple of closed splines of the Orion catheter, and exhibiting a centrifugal activation pattern to the rest of the atria. The Lumipoint tool was systematically employed to confirm electrogram fragmentation within this defined area. Results Among 159 ATs analysed, 97 (61.0%) were identified as MAT, 50 (31.4%) as focal atrial tachycardias and 12 (7.5%) as mAT. Of these latter, 6 patients (50%) had a previous history of atrial ablation procedure. Concerning the mAT group, the predominant origin site was the left atrium (10 mAT, 83,3%); the targeted activity was localized in the anterior wall in 4 cases (33.3%), in proximity to PVs in 3 cases (25%), along the left ridge in 2 cases (16.6%) and at the roof in 1 case (8,3%). In the remaining right mAT, the foci were found in the free wall and along the CTI in 1 case (8.3% each). The electrical activity spanning the whole CL was detected by 2.7±1.8 pairs of close bipoles of the Orion catheter, was confined to a region of 0.36±0.3cm2 with the longest component of fractionated EGM per spline equal to 64.7±17% of the CL. Low voltage areas (<0.1 mV) were detected in all mAT cases and colocalized with the origin site. Voltage level was 0.2±0.1mV at the site of longest duration of the fragmented potential. A single shot RF delivery terminated each arrhythmia at targeted location. Consolidative RF ablations were then delivered in the adjacent area. Over a median of 288 [248-349] days of follow-up, 5 (3.1%) patients suffered from an AT/AF arrhythmia recurrence and of these, 3 (3.1%) were in the MAT group, 1 (2%) in the focal AT and 1 (8.3%) in the mAT group. No complications were observed. Conclusions A novel automated algorithm for microreentrant atrial tachycardia identification, coupled with the identification of matched areas of electrogram fractionation by the Orion catheter, may restrict the extent of required ablation and result in a low arrhythmia recurrence.

#2603 Focus on a crucial moment in decision making: evaluate peritoneal dialysis as incident renal replacement therapy

Abstract Background and Aims Chronic kidney disease affects 10% of the world population (15.1% in Spain, ENRICA 2019 study), being a health problem with important physical, emotional, and socio-occupational repercussions. Deciding on the most appropriate renal replacement therapy (RRT) for each patient, according to their lifestyle and family environment, represents a considerable challenge. Peritoneal dialysis (PD) offers several benefits, including greater independence, preserved kidney function, less restrictive diet, and better adaptation to the patient's lifestyle. It also improves the capacity for self-training and learning. Although kidney transplantation is the best RRT option, PD has demonstrated better quality of life, patient autonomy, and higher survival rates. Despite these advantages, PD as a technique for starting RRT represents 16.4% among incident patients in Spain, reaching 25% in our community, similar data to that of other northern European countries (ERA EDTA Report 2021). Method We carried out a retrospective descriptive study of patients followed in Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease (ACKD) over a period of five years (2017-2021). The inclusion criteria considered the acceptance of the technique in optimal candidates, with integrity of the peritoneal membrane and/or functional abdominal cavity, as well as the ability to learn the technique and family support. The study aimed to assess the percentage of patients who, meeting optimal criteria for PD candidacy, successfully initiated the technique. Results The analyzed population consisted of 113 patients, 73.4% males, with a mean age of 77 years. 59% of ACKD patients were considered candidates, and of these, 73% (n 38) chose PD as the modality, successfully initiating the technique. The main causes of abandonment or failure of the technique were: Out of the 38 patients successfully initiating PD as RRT, 34% continued with this modality. Conclusion PD provides quality of life and autonomy to patients who choose this technique. Individualized and ongoing training through updated information is essential during this process, as it helps reduce most complications and reinforces patient autonomy.

Optimal step stress accelerated degradation tests with the bivariate inverse Gaussian process

AbstractStep‐stress accelerated degradation test (SSADT) has become a prevailing approach to lifetime assessment for highly reliable products. In practice, many products suffer from multiple degradation processes that significantly contribute to failures. In this paper, we investigate the optimal SSADT plans for products subject to two dependent degradation characteristics modeled by a bivariate inverse Gaussian process. The drift parameter of each process is assumed to be influenced by a common stress factor. A bivariate Birnbaum‐Saunders (BVBS)‐type distribution is employed to approximate the lifetime distribution and facilitate the derivation of the objective function. The optimal plans are prescribed under three common optimality criteria in the presence of constraints on test units and inspections. A revisited example of fatigue crack is then presented to demonstrate the proposed methods. Finally, the sensitivity of the SSADT plans is studied, and the results exhibit fair robustness of the optimal plans.

Circular Fluid Heating—Transient Entropy Generation

A technical issue with fluid flow heating is the relatively small temperature increase as the fluid passes through the heating surface. The fluid does not spend enough time inside the heating source to significantly raise its temperature, despite the heating source itself experiencing a substantial increase. To address this challenge, the concept of the multiple circular heating of air was developed, forming the basis of this work. Two PTC heaters with longitudinal fins are located within a closed channel inside housing composed of a thermal insulation material. Air flows circularly from one finned surface to another. Analytical modeling and experimental testing were used in the analysis, with established restrictions and boundary conditions. An important outcome of the analysis was the methodology established for the optimization of the geometric and process parameters based on minimizing the transient thermal entropy. In conducting the analytical modeling, the temperature of the PTC heater was assumed to be constant at 150 °C and 200 °C. By removing the restrictions and adjusting the boundary conditions, the established methodology for the analysis and optimization of various thermally transient industrial processes can be applied more widely. The experimental determination of the transient thermal entropy was performed at a much higher air flow rate of 0.005 m3s−1 inside the closed channel. The minimum transient entropy also indicates the optimal time for the opening of the channel, allowing the heated air to exit. The novelty of this work lies in the controlled circular heating of the fluid and the establishment of the minimum transient thermal entropy as an optimization criterion.

Primary cytoreductive surgery followed by chemotherapy compared to neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by cytoreduction as a treatment for stage III and IV ovarian cancer (literature review)

Standard treatment for advanced ovarian cancer (OC) consists of a combination of chemotherapy and cytoreductive surgery, but practice varies depending on the order of these 2 procedures: neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by interval debulking surgery or primary cytoreduction followed by adjuvant chemotherapy. The aim of the work is to evaluate methods of treatment of OC of stages III, IV according to FIGO.The literature review includes publications in English from the PubMed, CochraneLibrary and Google Scholar databases on the use of neoadjuvant therapy and primary cytoreduction in late stages of OC (FIGO III–IV). 6 randomized controlled trials, 8 meta-analyses, 8 systematic reviews, 1 case report were identified. Data from publications were distributed according to the criteria for assessing the effectiveness of the treatment: overall and relapse-free survival, perioperative complications, quality of life of patients and the grade of cytoreduction.Neoadjuvant chemotherapy + interval debulking surgery is not inferior to primary debulking surgery + adjuvant chemotherapy in terms of survival outcomes in selected patients, but treatment with neoadjuvant chemotherapy + interval debulking surgery improves perioperative outcomes and optimal cytoreduction rates. It is needed to focus on finding optimal criteria for selecting patients in both groups in future studies of this issue. It is necessary to take into account X-ray, histological studies, the molecular subtype of the tumor, the patient’s condition, the qualifications of the surgical team, the drugs included in chemotherapy.

Analytical design of non-grounded tuned mass-damper-inerter for base-excited structures

This research contributes new analytical formulae for H∞ optimal tuning of non-grounded tuned mass-damper-inerter (TMDI) for minimizing free-end displacement of base-excited cantilevered structures. The derivation relies on the fixed-point theory, making use of single-mode modelling of the cantilevered structure while accommodating arbitrary TMDI placement along the structural height. Optimal TMDI tuning parameters are derived for given dominant mode shape of structure and TMDI inertial properties (i.e., secondary mass and inertance) under two different types of harmonic excitations with frequency-independent displacement and acceleration amplitudes. The applicability of the derived TMDI tuning formulae for response mitigation of lightly damped cantilevered structures under stationary broadband support excitation is established through comparisons with numerically optimal TMDI properties for a wide range of TMDI inertial properties. Moreover, the analytical TMDI tuning formulae derived in this study achieve enhanced structural performance for base-excited structures compared to those from the literature, derived under various modelling assumptions and optimality criteria. Lastly, the potential of the proposed TMDI tuning for structural response mitigation is numerically evaluated by examining displacement, acceleration, and energy dissipation response history data of an experimentally identified reinforced concrete bridge pier model subjected to 100 earthquake ground motion (GM) records. Overall, reported results demonstrate that the derived analytical formulae can significantly extend the practical application of TMDI as a bona fide dynamic vibration absorber for base-excited structures by circumventing the need for computationally demanding numerical TMDI tuning optimization.

Optimal design of elastic plates

This paper is concerned with optimal design problems in the setting of the KirchhoffLove model for pure bending of a thin solid symmetric plate under a transverse load. For two isotropic elastic materials with a prescribed amount, the goal is to find their rearrangement within the domain that forms a least compliant structure. The homogenization method is used as a relaxation tool to overcome the lack of a classical solution of optimal design problem. Neccessary conditions of optimality were derived and an optimality criteria method for the single state compliance minimization problems is developed and tested on several examples.

Seeking the most informative design of test specimens for learning constitutive models

Accurate calibration of constitutive models is vital for predicting the mechanical behavior of engineering materials under various loading conditions. Traditionally, the calibration process involves a series of experiments on specimens with simple geometries to capture the complexities in the constitutive models. Each single test conveys a small amount of information that a well-trained human brain can handle, resulting in a large number of experiments needed for a complete calibration. Therefore, traditional calibration approaches are usually costly and time-consuming. With recent advancements in computational techniques, there is an emerging opportunity to leverage geometrically complex specimens in experiments to obtain a larger amount of information for computers to learn and calibrate the model. Despite some initial success, the most important question remains unsettled: How much information does a mechanical test convey? In this work, we answer this question by incorporating information entropy as a quantitative measure in the design of mechanical test specimens. We demonstrate the viability of the proposed approach by comparing the performance of selected test specimens for learning the plasticity model of sheet metal, e.g., the Hill48 anisotropic elastic-plastic model in this case. An optimal entropy criterion is proposed for selecting the appropriate heterogeneous test specimen for inverse calibration, depending on the cardinality of the stress state space considered in the model. Finally, Bayesian optimization is applied to uniaxial and biaxial tension specimens, using the stress state entropy as an objective function, to investigate the general principles of designing specimens with maximum information for learning constitutive models.

Evaluating diagnostic significance: The utilization of elastography and contrast-enhanced ultrasound for differential diagnosis in breast lesions.

The primary aim of this study is to assess the diagnostic efficacy of elastography and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in the identification of breast lesions subsequent to the optimization and correction of the BI-RADS category 4 classification obtained through conventional ultrasound. The objective is to augment both the specificity and accuracy of breast lesion diagnosis, thereby establishing a reliable framework for reducing unnecessary biopsies in clinical settings. A cohort comprising 50 cases of breast lesions classified under BI-RADS category 4 was collected during the period from November 2022 and November 2023. These cases were examined utilizing strain elastography (SE), shear wave elastography (SWE), and CEUS. Novel scoring methodologies for ultrasonic elastography (UE) and CEUS were formulated for this investigation. Subsequently, the developed UE and CEUS scoring systems were used to refine and optimize the conventional BI-RADS classification, either in isolation or in conjunction. Based on the revised classification, the benign group was classified as category 3 and the suspected malignant group was classified as category 4a and above, with pathological results serving as the definitive reference standard. The diagnostic efficacy of the optimized UE and CEUS, both independently and in combination, was meticulously scrutinized and compared using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, with pathological findings as the reference standard. Within the study group, malignancy manifested in 11 cases. Prior to the implementation of the optimization criteria, 78% (39 out of 50) of patients underwent biopsies deemed unnecessary. Following the application of optimization criteria, specifically a threshold of≥8.5 points for the UE scoring method and≥6.5 points for the CEUS scoring method, the incidence of unnecessary biopsies diminished significantly. Reduction rates were observed at 53.8% (21 out of 39) with the UE protocol, 56.4% (22 out of 39) with the CEUS protocol, and 89.7% (35 out of 39) with the combined UE and CEUS optimization protocols. The diagnostic efficacy of conventional ultrasound BI-RADS category 4 classification for breast lesions is enhanced following optimized correction using UE and CEUS, either independently or in conjunction. The application of the combined protocol demonstrates a notable reduction in the incidence of unnecessary biopsies.

Color matching of bicomponent (PET/PTT) filaments with high performances using genetic algorithm

In recent years, a great interest has focused on the use of bicomponent filaments in several high-performance textile articles such as swimwear, sportswear and even high-quality denim. To dye fabrics containing these filaments, it is necessary to establish appropriate dye recipes allowing to obtain desired shades. In this article, we developed a genetic algorithm to optimize the color matching step of these bicomponent filaments, especially (PET/PTT) filaments. Three disperse dyes with different molecular weights were used for dyeing. The objective is to reproduce the reference color by choosing the appropriate disperse dyes among the available dyestuffs and their corresponding quantities to use on the mixture. For modeling, two sets of parameters (lied to the color formulation problem and the genetic algorithm), the objective function as well as the different stages of the algorithm were defined and described. In addition, different techniques of selection and mutation were applied and evaluated. The optimization criterion is to reduce the CMC color difference between the desired reference colors and the colors proposed by the algorithm. The developed algorithm showed good performances with very small color differences. The results indicate that the roulette wheel selection technique outperforms both rank and uniform selection methods. Moreover, employing a simple mutation strategy yields favorable outcomes with CMC color differences all lower than 1.

Performance evaluation of national and international kidney exchange programmes with the ENCKEP simulator

AbstractIn this paper we present simulations for international kidney exchange programmes (KEPs). KEPs are organised in more than ten countries in Europe to facilitate the exchanges of immunologically incompatible donors. The matching runs are typically conducted in every three months for finding optimal exchanges using hierarchical optimisation with integer programming techniques. In recent years several European countries started to organise international exchanges using different collaboration policies. In this paper we conduct simulations for estimating the benefits of such collaborations with a simulator developed by the team of the ENCKEP COST Action. We conduct our simulations on generated datasets mimicking the practice of the three largest KEPs in Europe, the UK, Spanish and the Dutch programmes. Our main performance measure is the number of transplants compared to the number of registrations to the KEP pools over a 5-year period, however, as a novelty we also analyse how the optimisation criteria play a role in the lexicographic and weighted optimisation policies for these countries. Besides analysing the performances on a single instance, we also conduct large number of simulations to obtain robust findings on the performance of specific national programmes and on the possible benefits of international collaborations.

Congressional Apportionment: A Multiobjective Optimization Approach

Two events, with major implications for U.S. voters, occur after each decennial census. First, congressional “apportionment” takes place, followed by congressional “districting.” Apportionment determines how to allocate the 435 seats in the House of Representatives across the 50 states, whereas districting determines the geographic boundaries assigned to representatives within each state. Although districting and the practice of gerrymandering often receive great attention in the media and courts, the best way to apportion representatives across states has been debated for nearly 250 years. Historical methods (including the current method) each satisfy some desirable optimality criteria that the others are not guaranteed to satisfy. Moreover, none are guaranteed to optimize certain reasonable fairness measures (e.g., minimum range, minimum bias). To our knowledge, we are the first to formulate and analyze a multiobjective optimization approach to apportionment, allowing policymakers to identify Pareto-optimal allocations and quantify their trade-offs between several competing criteria. Some of these models can be formulated and solved as mixed-integer linear programs, whereas others require the solution of mixed-integer, nonconvex, quadratically constrained quadratic programs. We take advantage of recent software advances that allow one to solve these problems with optimality guarantees. Policy implications of our work include Pareto curves from historical censuses and simulations, which suggest opportunities for improvement in some objectives at little sacrifice to others. This paper was accepted by David Simchi-Levi, operations management. Supplemental Material: The online appendix and data files are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2023.02472 .

Selective intrafascicular stimulation of myelinated and unmyelinated nerve fibers through a longitudinal electrode: A computational study

Carbon nanotube (CNT) fiber electrodes have demonstrated exceptional spatial selectivity and sustained reliability in the context of intrafascicular electrical stimulation, as evidenced through rigorous animal experimentation. A significant presence of unmyelinated C fibers, known to induce uncomfortable somatosensory experiences, exists within peripheral nerves. This presence poses a considerable challenge to the excitation of myelinated Aβ fibers, which are crucial for tactile sensation. To achieve nuanced tactile sensory feedback utilizing CNT fiber electrodes, the selective stimulation of Aβ sensory afferents emerges as a critical factor.In confronting this challenge, the present investigation sought to refine and apply a rat sciatic-nerve model leveraging the capabilities of the COMSOL-NEURON framework. This approach enables a systematic evaluation of the influence exerted by stimulation parameters and electrode geometry on the activation dynamics of both myelinated Aβ and unmyelinated C fibers. The findings advocate for the utilization of current pulses featuring a pulse width of 600 μs, alongside the deployment of CNT fibers characterized by a diminutive diameter of 10 μm, with an exclusively exposed cross-sectional area, to facilitate reduced activation current thresholds. Comparative analysis under monopolar and bipolar electrical stimulation conditions revealed proximate activation thresholds, albeit with bipolar stimulation exhibiting superior fiber selectivity relative to its monopolar counterpart. Concerning pulse waveform characteristics, the adoption of an anodic-first biphasic stimulation modality is favored, taking into account the dual criteria of activation threshold and fiber selectivity optimization. Consequently, this investigation furnishes an efficacious stimulation paradigm for the selective activation of touch-related nerve fibers, alongside provisioning a comprehensive theoretical foundation for the realization of natural tactile feedback within the domain of prosthetic hand applications.

Improving pericardial effusion detection: evaluating sensitivity and specificity of traditional and novel ECG criteria

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements None. Introduction Historical studies have demonstrated that conventional low voltage criteria on ECG have high specificity but limited sensitivity in detecting pericardial effusion (PE). Indeed, an ECG showing low voltage can be indicative of several conditions, including PE. Purpose This study aimed to introduce new ECG criteria organized into a score called ARENA, to improve ECG diagnostic performance in detecting PE. Furthermore, we compared the sensitivity and specificity of traditional low voltage ECG criteria with the ARENA score using a test cohort. Methods This retrospective case-control study was conducted at our public University hospital from January 2022 to May 2023. Inclusion criteria were: age ≥18 years old, an available 12 lead ECG and an echocardiogram performed within 5 days from the recorded ECG. Exclusion criteria were: ventricular paced rhythm, heart transplantation, poor subcostal echocardiographic window. In the cohort of patients were selected: patients with ≥1.0 cm of PE on echocardiography and patients without effusion on echocardiography. ECG parameters were evaluated by two cardiologists blinded for the presence or absence of PE. Echocardiographic images were reviewed by an expert echocardiographer. Optimal ECG criteria with the highest ROC curve area were selected from the test cohort to develop the ARENA score. Patients were assessed using both traditional low voltage ECG criteria and the novel ARENA score. Statistical analysis showed that with 96 patients in the test cohort, there would be >90% power to detect a significant area under the curve (AUC) of 0.7 (vs. the null hypothesis of AUC of 0.5) to detect a moderate effect size. We used the AUC analysis to estimate the predicted performance of the proposed criteria. The McNemar test was used to assess the lack of agreement between the ECG criteria and the gold standard (echocardiography), and the results were reported as percentages with their respective 95% confidence intervals (CI). A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results The patient population consisted of 97 patients: 50 patients with PE, and 47 patients without it. The ARENA score showed a sensitivity of 52.0% (95% CI: 39.2% to 64.8%), compared to 14.0% (95% CI: 6.2% to 21.8%) of the traditional criteria. Specificity was 94% (95% CI: 84.1% to 100%) for ARENA Score and 100% (95% CI: 96.3% to 100%) for traditional criteria. Accuracy of the ARENA score was 70.0%, compared to 57% of the traditional criteria. The McNemar test indicated a p-value of <0.001 in the performance comparison. The AUC for the ARENA score was 0.781. Conclusion The novel ARENA score demonstrated an improved sensitivity while maintaining high specificity in detecting PE. This new score could become a valuable diagnostic tool for detecting PE by ECG in daily practice.ROC Curve ARENA ScoreECG criteria for pericardial effusion

Stereotactic body radiotherapy takes on Lung Oligometastases: Latest breakthroughs

AbstractLung oligometastases represent an intermediate state of cancer dissemination between localized and widespread metastases. Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) has emerged as an effective treatment option, with an efficacy comparable to that of surgical resection. This review aimed to provide a comprehensive summary of the latest advancements and controversial issues regarding SBRT for lung oligometastases. It focuses on four crucial perspectives: efficacy of SBRT, optimal patient selection criteria, technological innovations, and synergistic effects of SBRT combined with systemic therapy. Relevant clinical trials investigating SBRT for lung oligometastases have been conducted, with median 1‐ and 5‐year local control rates of 90% and 79%, respectively. The origin of the primary tumor, size and number of lesions, and biomarker profiles were highlighted as pivotal considerations in patient selection. The precise dose delivery was enhanced using robotic SBRT and optimized dose fractionation schemes. Evidence suggests that dose escalation above 100 Gy biologically effective dose may improve tumor control. Combined immunotherapy and SBRT have demonstrated synergistic effects in prolonging progression‐free survival and overall survival. This review provides valuable insights into the precise treatment of oligometastatic lung diseases using SBRT. Further multicenter randomized trials are warranted to develop definitive patient selection criteria and optimize the integration with systemic therapies.

Optimal Error Bounds in the Absence of Constraint Qualifications with Applications to p-Cones and Beyond

We prove tight Hölderian error bounds for all p-cones. Surprisingly, the exponents differ in several ways from those that have been previously conjectured. Moreover, they illuminate p-cones as a curious example of a class of objects that possess properties in three dimensions that they do not in four or more. Using our error bounds, we analyse least squares problems with p-norm regularization, where our results enable us to compute the corresponding Kurdyka–Łojasiewicz exponents for previously inaccessible values of p. Another application is a (relatively) simple proof that most p-cones are neither self-dual nor homogeneous. Our error bounds are obtained under the framework of facial residual functions, and we expand it by establishing for general cones an optimality criterion under which the resulting error bound must be tight. Funding: The second author was partly supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists [Grants 19K20217, 23K16844] and Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research [Grant (B)21H03398]. The third author was partly supported by the Hong Kong Research Grants Council [Grant PolyU153000/20p].

Optimizing Last-Mile Delivery: A Multi-Criteria Approach with Automated Smart Lockers, Capillary Distribution and Crowdshipping

Background: This publication presents a review, multiple criteria optimization models, and a practical example pertaining to the integration of automated smart locker systems, capillary distribution networks, crowdshipping, last-mile delivery and supply chain management. This publication addresses challenges in logistics and transportation, aiming to enhance efficiency, reduce costs and improve customer satisfaction. This study integrates automated smart locker systems, capillary distribution networks, crowdshipping, last-mile delivery and supply chain management. Methods: A review of the existing literature synthesizes key concepts, such as facility location problems, vehicle routing problems and the mathematical programming approach, to optimize supply chain operations. Conceptual optimization models are formulated to solve the complex decision-making process involved in last-mile delivery, considering multiple objectives, including cost minimization, delivery time optimization, service level minimization, capacity optimization, vehicle minimization and resource utilization. Results: The multiple criteria approaches combine the vehicle routing problem and facility location problem, demonstrating the practical applicability of the proposed methodology in a real-world case study within a logistics company. Conclusions: The execution of multi-criteria models optimizes automated smart locker deployment, capillary distribution design, crowdshipping and last-mile delivery strategies, showcasing its effectiveness in the logistics sector.

Optimization of resolution as a simultaneous function of solvent composition, pH and temperature in reversed-phase liquid chromatography

BackgroundThe latest chromatographic retention models are capable of accurately describe the dependencies of retention over a wide range of experimental conditions. By using a suitable conversion, these models can be transformed into equations expressing the optimization criteria as function of multiples variables. Even though that theoretical models significantly reduce the experimental requirements for optimizations, these models have been barely used. Instead, most optimizations rely on empirical exploration of the relationships between criterions and variables.There is a need for a strategy to reduce the required number of experiments in multivariated optimization of separations, and Fundamental Models offer a clear opportunity for addressing it. ResultsA Fundamental Model is used to give the simultaneous dependence of chromatographic retention of seven ionizable pesticides on the three variables: solvent composition, temperature and pH (w, T, pH). Based on few experiments, the 10 parameters required to predict the chromatographic retention of those compounds, taken as model analytes, can be obtained. Two mathematical treatments to convert retentions into resolutions between pairs are used: one considering extracolumn dispersions and other neglecting these contributions. Using the Overlapped Resolutions Maps, extended to four dimensions, two optimal conditions can be found for the two different mathematical conversions. Chromatographic conditions were empirically evaluated obtaining the best results for the optimization considering extracolumn dispersions, proving that this condition is a true optimal. It was demonstrated that any small shift in any of the variables from this true optimal leads to a loss in resolution. SignificanceFundamental Models describing chromatographic retention as a simultaneous function of multiple variables are nowadays very accurate. In this work is demonstrated that these models are useful not only to predict retentions, but also to optimize separations, even in the more challenging mode: isocratic, isothermal and iso-pH. However, the success in the optimization procedure depends also on the proper definition of the mathematical conversion of the Fundamental Models into optimization criteria.