Direct Search Research Articles

Organ Symphony "Noёl" by Paul de Maleingreau and the Christian Mystery of Christmas

The purpose of the work is to reveal the poetic-intonational spiritual-symbolic aspects of the organ symphony "Noël" by P. de Malengro in the direction of stylistic and spiritual-philosophical searches of the Franco-Belgian culture of the second half of the 19th and early 20th centuries. Research methodology. An interdisciplinary, genre-stylistic, historical-cultural approach was essential for this work, allowing to explore the factors contributing to the discovery of the spiritual-semantic specificity of the concept of "symphony" in all its variety of meanings. The scientific novelty of the work is determined by the introduction into musicological use of materials from the organ symphony "Noël" by P. de Malengro, the poetics of which was formed at the intersection of the artistic, spiritual and musical traditions of the Northern Renaissance and French modernism. Conclusions. An overview of the use of the term "symphony" in the cultural-historical and spiritual practice of different eras testifies not only to the breadth of its semantic and applied meanings, but also to the presence of general semantic indicators, in accordance with which a symphony ultimately implies a certain integrity in which merge, different numerous components are combined. A symphony as a musical work is an equally complex and comprehensive concept that represents the most diverse "models" of this genre. The organ symphony "Noël" by P. de Malengro represents the typology of the "spiritual symphony". Its expressiveness, related to the biblical mystery of Christmas, is strengthened by the composer's appeal also to the masterpieces of the Northern Renaissance (Rogir van der Weyden and the van Eyck brothers). Symphony "Noël" is a free composition (4 parts) of the suite-variation type, a "symphony-mystery", the thematic basis of which is Gregorian chants, as well as the corresponding principles of their texture and mode-intonation development (monody, heterophony, various forms of polyphonic development, reproduction of the spiritual and vocal practice of discanting of the Notre Dame School). The poetics of such a "symphony-mystery" is significantly supplemented by an appeal to the timbre qualities of the so-called "symphonic organ", the universalism of performance, dynamic and timbre-intonation capabilities of which turned out to be literally correlated with the universalism of the symphony genre as such.

Odonata assemblages at two urban wetlands in West Bengal, India

Adult Odonata represent valuable indicators of natural habitat quality, ecosystem integrity, and pollution status in freshwater ecosystems. This study aimed to investigate how varying climatic condition, sub-habitat types, and physicochemical ambience of wetlands impact Odonata diversity. We compared the abundance and richness of Odonata in two urban wetlands and their surrounding areas: Purulia Sahebbandh (PS) located amidst Purulia town and faced higher anthropogenic threats, and Adra Sahebbandh (AS) located in a slightly remote location. Sampling was conducted over a period of one year (December 2018 to November 2019) using the Pollard walk method and direct search technique. A total of 47 Odonata species were recorded, including 33 species of dragonflies (Anisoptera) and 14 species of damselflies (Zygoptera). AS exhibited significant higher overall abundance compared to PS, with the monsoon season showing the highest abundance in both wetlands. Water-associated vegetation zones harbored the highest species richness. Species richness and abundance significantly differed among most of the sub-habitat types. Physicochemical factors such as pH, electrical conductivity, salinity, nitrate and phosphate concentrations, and dissolved oxygen significantly influenced Odonata abundance and species richness. The urban location, pollution load, and lack of natural vegetation in PS’s surrounding areas likely contributed to the lower Odonata abundance. Implementing sustainable management measures for wetlands and their surroundings is crucial to enhancing ecosystem services and supporting Odonata populations.

Deep-Unfolded Tikhonov-Regularized Conjugate Gradient Algorithm for MIMO Detection

In addressing the multifaceted problem of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) detection in wireless communication systems, this work highlights the pressing need for enhanced detection reliability under variable channel conditions and MIMO antenna configurations. We propose a novel method that sets a new standard for deep unfolding in MIMO detection by integrating the iterative conjugate gradient method with Tikhonov regularization, combining the adaptability of modern deep learning techniques with the robustness of classical regularization. Unlike conventional techniques, our strategy treats the Tikhonov regularization parameter, as well as the step size and search direction coefficients of the conjugate gradient (CG) method, as trainable parameters within the deep learning framework. This enables dynamic adjustments based on varying channel conditions and MIMO antenna configurations. Detection performance is significantly improved by the proposed approach across a range of MIMO configurations and channel conditions, consistently achieving lower bit error rate (BER) and normalized minimum mean square error (NMSE) compared to well-known techniques like DetNet and CG. The proposed method has superior performance over CG and other model-based methods, especially with a small number of iterations. Consequently, the simulation results demonstrate the flexibility of the proposed approach, making it a viable choice for MIMO systems with a range of antenna configurations, modulation orders, and different channel conditions.

DoubleTES detectors to investigate the CRESST low energy background: results from above-ground prototypes

In recent times, the sensitivity of low-mass direct dark matter searches has been limited by unknown low energy backgrounds close to the energy threshold of the experiments known as the low energy excess (LEE). The CRESST experiment utilises advanced cryogenic detectors constructed with different types of crystals equipped with Transition Edge Sensors (TESs) to measure signals of nuclear recoils induced by the scattering of dark matter particles in the detector. In CRESST, this low energy background manifests itself as a steeply rising population of events below 200 eV. A novel detector design named doubleTES using two identical TESs on the target crystal was studied to investigate the hypothesis that the events are sensor-related. We present the first results from two such modules, demonstrating their ability to differentiate between events originating from the crystal’s bulk and those occurring in the sensor or in its close proximity.

TRANSPORT TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO THE RESTORATION OF SHIP CARGO MECHANISMS WITH THE LATEST MODIFIED EPOXIES

The development of transport technologies today requires not only the creation of bases for the optimal technical use of vehicles, their technical operation, but also their maintenance and repair. One of the main tasks of transport technologies is the search for new promising scientific directions and their implementation in practice, as well as ensuring the effective use of the latest technologies and innovative methods for the construction or repair of water transport facilities. In this respect, the use of epoxy-based polymer composites is promising. They are characterised by improved adhesive and cohesive properties compared to other known oligomers, which determines the wide range of their application in water transport. In order to improve the properties of epoxy-based adhesives, additives of different physical nature are introduced into the epoxy matrix at the initial stage of moulding. This paper investigates the effect of the modifier d-ascorbic acid on the thermal properties of epoxies to obtain a material intended for the restoration of ship loading mechanisms. Based on the dynamics of heat resistance as a function of d-ascorbic acid concentration, the optimum content of the additive in the epoxy compound was determined, which is 1,25...1,50 pts.wt.for 100 pts.wt.of epoxy resin. The introduction of a modifier into the epoxy oligomer provides composites with the highest heat resistance values of all the materials studied. The heat resistance values increase from 341 K (for the epoxy matrix) to 352...354 K. The mechanism of increasing the heat resistance of an epoxy matrix in the presence of a modifier is substantiated, which involves the interaction of epoxy resin with an additive and a hardener as a result of chemical reactions. As a result of the reactions of structure formation of the compound based on epoxy oligomer and modifier in the presence of polyethylene polyamine, mainly strong chemical bonds of C-O, NH2, O-NH2, N=O, N-O-H, C=N type are formed, which largely determine the increase of cohesive strength of the newly formed modified epoxy matrices. It should be noted that it is the cohesive strength of the matrix that determines the thermal resistance of the material at elevated temperatures. It was found that the maximum glass transition temperature (333 K) was observed for the modified material containing d-ascorbic acid at 1,5 pts.wt. At this level of additive, the maximum values of both heat resistance and glass transition temperature were observed compared to the original epoxy matrix (327 K). At this modifier concentration, the cross-linking of the compound forms the most cross-linked structural network of an amorphous polymer with the highest number of chemical bonds.

CREATIVE ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND THE ECONOMIC CONTENT OF ADOLESCENT GIRLS' ENTREPRENEURIAL ACTIVITY

The article discusses how business ideas should be structured for adolescent girls and how, as companies grow, founders must diversify their products and services, diversify their projects, and search for directions to develop their projects.

Kinetics model with experimental validation for optimal microalgae generation in double-skin façades

Microalgae photobioreactors integrated into double-skin façades in cold climates enhance growth conditions for biomass generation, CO2 fixation, and O2 production, while reducing thermal loads. However, shading imposed by double-skin façade's assembly limits light interception for the photobioreactors. This study employs kinetics and shading models to estimate variations in biomass concentration within the light-constrained photobioreactor. To validate the accuracy and reliability of the model, the results were compared to experimental data collected by the authors from a full-scale constructed system. Biomass concentration was monitored using a developed RGB image-based monitoring technique. Direct search methods were employed to optimize the design and operational variables of the microalgae photobioreactors, with the goal of maximizing annual areal and volumetric productivities across 14 Canadian cities under various climatic conditions. Hooke-Jeeves algorithm was 65.6 % faster than Powell's conjugate direction method. This showed the system's adaptability by generating 1.3–3.0 kg/m2.year of biomass in different climates. The study established a framework for optimizing microalgae photobioreactors into façades to maximize biomass harvest.

Contact-implicit Model Predictive Control: Controlling diverse quadruped motions without pre-planned contact modes or trajectories

This paper presents a contact-implicit model predictive control (MPC) framework for the real-time discovery of multi-contact motions, without predefined contact mode sequences or foothold positions. This approach utilizes the contact-implicit differential dynamic programming (DDP) framework, merging the hard contact model with a linear complementarity constraint. We propose the analytical gradient of the contact impulse based on relaxed complementarity constraints to further the exploration of a variety of contact modes. By leveraging a hard contact model-based simulation and computation of search direction through a smooth gradient, our methodology identifies dynamically feasible state trajectories, control inputs, and contact forces while simultaneously unveiling new contact mode sequences. However, the broadened scope of contact modes does not always ensure real-world applicability. Recognizing this, we implemented differentiable cost terms to guide foot trajectories and make gait patterns. Furthermore, to address the challenge of unstable initial roll-outs in an MPC setting, we employ the multiple shooting variant of DDP. The efficacy of the proposed framework is validated through simulations and real-world demonstrations using a 45 kg HOUND quadruped robot, performing various tasks in simulation and showcasing actual experiments involving a forward trot and a front-leg rearing motion.

A Modified Three-terms CG Method with the MWWP Line Search and its Application to Image Restoration

Abstract In this article, an innovative method, which integrates the optimized three-term Polak–Ribière–Polyak (PRP) conjugate gradient (CG) method with the improved WWP line search rule, is presented and applied in the field of image restoration. The proposed search direction exhibits sufficient descent and trust region characteristics, maintaining its effectiveness regardless of the specific line search rule employed. We established the global convergence of the presented algorithm and eliminated the dependence on the Lipschitz continuity assumption. The numerical comparisons with the PRP CG method revealed the superior performance of the designed algorithm in the field of image restoration. This research outcome provides strong support for further advancements in the field of image recovery.

A dual-sampling based evolutionary algorithm for large-scale multi-objective optimization

The vast search space in large-scale multi-objective optimization represents a significant challenge for evolutionary algorithms to converge towards the Pareto Front. As an effective search strategy, direction-guided sampling technique could improve the search efficiency by exploring along the approximated directions to approach the Pareto set. However, the approximated directions may fail to interact with the true Pareto set and result in inefficient search. To address this issue, a dual-sampling method is proposed in this paper. In addition to the samples along the directions approximated by direction-guided sampling, fuzzy Gaussian sampling is applied to adjust the search direction and generate more accurate and evenly distributed solutions. Moreover, a convergence-and-diversity-based mating selection is introduced to balance the exploration and exploitation. The experiments on 72 test benchmarks with bi- and tri-objectives and 500 to 5000 decision variables show the superiority of the proposed algorithm compare with the state-of-the-art algorithms.

Singlet–doublet Dirac Fermion dark matter from Peccei–Quinn symmetry

Weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) and axions are arguably the most compelling dark matter (DM) candidates in the literature. Here, we consider a model where the Peccei–Quinn (PQ) symmetry solves the strong CP problem, generates radiatively Dirac neutrino masses and gives origin to a multicomponent dark sector. Specifically, scotogenic Dirac neutrino masses arise at one-loop level. The lightest fermionic mediator acts as the second DM candidate due to a residual [Formula: see text] symmetry resulting from the PQ symmetry breaking. The WIMP DM component resembles the well-known singlet–doublet fermion DM. While the lower WIMP dark mass region is usually excluded, our model reopens that portion of the parameter space (for DM masses below [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]GeV). Therefore, we perform a phenomenological analysis that addresses the constraints from direct searches of DM, neutrino oscillation data and charged lepton flavor violating processes. The model can be tested in future facilities where neutrino telescopes search for DM annihilation into Standard Model particles.

A New Hybrid Conjugate Gradient Method with Global Convergence Properties

This work introduces a novel hybrid conjugate gradient (CG) technique for tackling unconstrained optimisation problems with improved efficiency and effectiveness. The parameter is computed as a convex combination of the standard conjugate gradient techniques using and . Our proposed method has shown that when using the strong Wolfe-line-search (SWC) under specific conditions, it achieves global theoretical convergence. In addition, the new hybrid CG approach has the ability to generate a search direction that moves downward with each iteration. The quantitative findings obtained by applying the recommended technique about 30 functions with varying dimensions clearly illustrate its effectiveness and potential. This work introduces a novel hybrid conjugate gradient (CG) technique for tackling unconstrained optimisation problems with improved efficiency and effectiveness. The parameter is computed as a convex combination of the standard conjugate gradient techniques using and . Our proposed method has shown that when using the strong Wolfe-line-search (SWC) under specific conditions, it achieves global theoretical convergence. In addition, the new hybrid CG approach has the ability to generate a search direction that moves downward with each iteration. The quantitative findings obtained by applying the recommended technique about 30 functions with varying dimensions clearly illustrate its effectiveness and potential.

Complexity analysis and numerical implementation of a new interior-point algorithm for semidefinite optimization

We generalize Zhang and Xu's (2011) [22] interior point algorithm for linear optimization to semidefinite optimization problems in order to define a new search direction. The symmetrization of the search direction is based on the full Nesterov-Todd scaling scheme. Moreover, we show that the obtained algorithm solves the studied problem in polynomial time and that the short-step algorithm has the best-known iteration bound, namely O(nlog⁡nε)-iterations. Finally, we report a comparative numerical study to show the efficiency of our proposed algorithm.

Educational environment and Pedagogical space and their importance the formation of ecological awareness

The formation of students' ecological awareness in an educational environment organized by means of pedagogical methodology in the pedagogical space of a technical university determined the directions of the research search.

Considering the Cost-Effectiveness of Accredited Continuing Medical Education: A Landscape Analysis of Economic Concepts in Continuing Medical Education Research.

In health care, cost-effectiveness analysis evaluates changes in health outcomes as a function of costs. The cost-effectiveness of continuing professional development for health care providers has not been historically well characterized despite substantial investment. This literature review identified publications considering the costs and cost-effectiveness of accredited continuing medical education activities. Searches were conducted for English language records in PubMed and the gray literature using a 10-year lookback period from March 10, 2023. Search terms included concepts related to continuing medical education, cost, effect, and utilization. One reviewer conducted title/abstract screening, full-text review, and data extraction, with direction and adjudication of search and screening concepts provided by the lead advisor. Publications were categorized as related to costs of an educational intervention (Concept 1) and/or the impact of education on health care costs (Concept 2). Results were summarized using descriptive statistics. A total of 668 database records were screened, 125 (19%) underwent full-text review, and 25 of 125 (20%) were accepted; 7 of 351 (2%) gray literature sources were accepted for a total of 32 included records. The most common reason for rejection was not being an accredited activity. Of the 32 records, 27 (84%) were related to Concept 1 only, 3 (9%) to Concept 2 only, and 2 (6%) to both Concepts 1 and 2. Approximately half (n = 19, 59%) mentioned costs without supporting data. These findings show that considerations of cost and cost-effectiveness are rare in the accredited continuing medical education literature, which may limit how the value of continuing medical education is characterized.

Complexity analysis of primal-dual interior-point methods for semidefinite optimization based on a new type of kernel functions

Kernel functions are essential for designing and analyzing interior-point methods (IPMs). They are used to determine search directions and reduce the computational complexity of the interior point method. Currently, IPM based on kernel functions is one of the most effective methods for solving LO [1,20], second-order cone optimization (SOCO) [2], and symmetric optimization (SO) and is a very active research area in mathematicalprogramming. This paper presents a large-update primal-dual IPM for SDO based on a new bi-parameterized hyperbolic kernel function. Then we proved that the proposed large-update IPM has the same complexity bound as the best-known IPMs for solving these problems. Taking advantage of the favorable characteristics of the kernel function, we can deduce that the iteration bound for the large update method is $\mathcal{O}\left( \sqrt{n}\log n\log\dfrac{n}{\varepsilon }\right) $ when a takes a special value utilizing the favorable properties of the kernel function. These theoretical results play an essential role in the design and analysis of IPMs for CQSCO [7] and the Cartesian$\ P_{\ast }\left( \kappa \right) $-SCLCP [8]. The proximity function has never been used. In order to validate the efficacy of our algorithm and verify the effectiveness of our algorithm, examples aregiven to illustrate the applicability of our main results, and we compare our numerical results with some alternatives presented in the literature.

Deep reinforcement learning assisted novelty search in Voronoi regions for constrained multi-objective optimization

Solving constrained multi-objective optimization problems (CMOPs) requires optimizing multiple conflicting objectives while satisfying various constraints. Existing constrained multi-objective evolutionary algorithms (CMOEAs) cross infeasible regions by ignoring constraints. However, these methods might neglect promising search directions, leading to insufficient exploration of the search space. To address this issue, this paper proposes a deep reinforcement learning assisted constrained multi-objective quality-diversity algorithm. The proposed algorithm designs a diversity maintenance mechanism to promote evenly coverage of the final solution set on the constrained Pareto front. Specifically, first, a novelty-oriented archive is created using a centroid Voronoi tessellation, which divides the search space into a desired number of Voronoi regions. Each region acts as a repository of non-dominated solutions with different phenotypic characteristics to provide diversity information and supplementary evolutionary trails. Secondly, to improve resource utilization, a deep Q-network is adopted to learn a policy to select suitable Voronoi regions for offspring generation based on their novelty scores. The exploration of these regions aims to find a set of diverse, high-performing solutions to accelerate convergence and escape local optima. Compared with eight state-of-the-art CMOEAs, experimental studies on four benchmark suites and nine real-world applications demonstrate that the proposed algorithm exhibits superior or at least competitive performance, especially on problems with discrete and narrow feasible regions.

Dark matter-electron scattering and freeze-in scenarios in the light of Z′ mediation

We investigate dark matter (DM-)electron scattering in a minimal U(1)X extension of the Standard Model (SM), where the DM can appear as a Majorana fermion, a complex singlet scalar, or a Dirac fermion. To study bounds on the U(1)X gauge coupling (gX) and new gauge boson mass (MZ′), from DM-electron scattering, we consider several direct search experiments like CDMS, DAMIC, SENSEI, PandaX-II, DarkSide-50, and XENON1T-S2 for different U(1)X charges. In this setup, we consider DM production via freeze-in in both radiation-dominated and modified cosmological background to project sensitivities onto gX−MZ′ plane satisfying observed relic abundance. DM-electron scattering could provide comparable, or even stronger, bounds compared to those obtained from the electron/muon (g−2), low-energy scattering, and intensity frontier experiments within 0.01 GeV≲MZ′≲0.1 GeV. Constrains from freeze-in could provide stronger sensitivities for MZ′≳O(1) GeV; however, these limits are comparable to those obtained from LHCb and LEP experiments for O(10) GeV≲MZ′≲150 GeV. In the future, electron-muon scattering (MUonE), proton (FASER and DUNE), and electron/positron (ILC) beam-dump experiments could probe these parameters. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

A derivative free projection method for the singularities of vector fields with convex constraints on Hadamard manifolds

ABSTRACT The objective of this paper is to introduce a derivative free projection method designed to find the singularities of pseudomonotone vector fields with convex constraints on Hadamard manifolds. This innovative approach combines the hyperplane projection method with a novel search direction. The global convergence of the proposed method is established under certain conditions. Our method improves some existing results in the literature on Hadamard manifolds. Additionally, illustrative numerical examples are provided to demonstrate the practical efficacy of our method.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder as a first manifestation of Ataxia with Oculomotor Apraxia type 2 due to a novel mutation of SETX gene.

Ataxia with oculomotor apraxia type 2 (AOA2) is an autosomal recessive disorder presenting with cerebellar ataxia, sensory-motor axonal neuropathy, oculomotor apraxia, cerebellar atrophy and high alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) serum level. AOA2 is due to coding mutations of the SETX gene, mapped to chromosome 9q34. Seldom noncoding mutations affecting RNA processing have been reported too. To date psychiatric symptoms have never been reported in AOA2. A 19 years-old man came to our attention for progressive gait ataxia debuted five years earlier. His past medical history was unremarkable, while his parents were consanguineous. On neurological examination, he had bilateral horizontal gaze-evoked nystagmus with hypometric saccades and saccadic horizontal smooth pursuit, appendicular ataxia, limbs and trunk myoclonic involuntary movements with hands' dystonic postures and dance of the tendons. Psychological evaluation described intrusive and obsessive thoughts experienced by the patient, then diagnosed as obsessive-compulsive disorder. Blood tests detected an elevated AFP level. Brain MRI showed cerebellar atrophy, while electroneuromyography revealed an axonal sensory-motor polyneuropathy. In the suspicion of a pathology belonging to the autosomal recessive cerebellar ataxias (ARCA) spectrum disorder, a direct search of point mutations by whole-exome sequencing was performed revealing a novel biallelic variant in SETX gene (c.6208+2dupT), which was classified as likely pathogenic. The present case expands the genotypic and phenotypic spectrum of AOA2, reporting a novel likely pathogenic SETX mutation (c.6208+2dupT) and highlighting an early psychiatric involvement in AOA2, suggesting the need for psychiatric assessment in these neurologic patients.