Learning Manifolds from Non-stationary Streams

Streaming adaptations of manifold learning based dimensionality reduction methods, such as Isomap, are based on the assumption that a small initial batch of observations is enough for exact learning of the manifold, while remaining streaming data instances can be cheaply mapped to this manifold. However, there are no theoretical results to show that this core assumption is valid. Moreover, such methods typically assume that the underlying data distribution is stationary and are not equipped to detect, or handle, sudden changes or gradual drifts in the distribution that may occur when the data is streaming. We present theoretical results to show that the quality of a manifold asymptotically converges as the size of data increases. We then show that a Gaussian Process Regression (GPR) model, that uses a manifold-specific kernel function and is trained on an initial batch of sufficient size, can closely approximate the state-of-art streaming Isomap algorithms. The predictive variance obtained from the GPR prediction is then shown to be an effective detector of changes in the underlying data distribution. Results on several synthetic and real data sets show that the resulting algorithm can effectively learn lower dimensional representation of high dimensional data in a streaming setting, while identifying shifts in the generative distribution.

Synthesis and Electron-Beam Modification of Zinc-Sulphide Phosphors for Solid-State Radioluminescent Light Sources (SRLS)

Radioluminescence technologies are at the front line of the optic and electronic studies. Effective, self-contained and safe radioluminescent light sources can find their application in space industry, in medicine and in military technologies. The question of the performance improvement of the solid-state radioluminescent light sources (SRLS) without raising the included activity of working radionuclide can be solved by upgrading the phosphor crystalline structure. The electron-beam treatment for zinc-sulphide phosphors initial batch has been studied in a wide range of concentrations of the activating agent (Cu) for improving the radioluminescent performances of the phosphors, for creating the structural defects that form centers of luminescence. The changes of the phase composition were investigated under different synthesis conditions. It is revealed that electron-beam treatment of the initial batch leads to the growth of the wurtzite phase content in zinc-sulphide phosphors synthesized below the phase transition temperature. The changes of the phase content promote the spectral redistribution under the tritium beta-excitation. It is obviously the reflection of the fact of «green» luminescence centers rearrangement between the volume of the crystal and its surface. The correlations between structural configuration and performances of ionizing luminescence were found. Electron beam treatment gave the 20% increase of brightness of the radioluminescence. The achieved enhancement of luminescence performances allows the development of advanced tight-packed SRLS with minimal radioactivity and high energy-light conversion.

Morphology and properties of hollow glass microspheres. Part 4. On the kinetics of the destruction of hollow glass microspheres under the action of hydrostatic pressure and methods for increasing their strength

The kinetics of destruction of hollow glass microspheres (HGM) of various size groups is investigated. It is shown that removing a certain part of large-diameter microspheres from the initial batch by sieving can significantly increase the specific strength of the remaining HGM.

Sintered Glass-Ceramics, Self-Glazed Materials and Foams from Metallurgical Waste Slag

The materials used for the synthesis of parent glass are 70% wt. metallurgical slag and 30% wt. industrial quartz sand. The initial batch is melted at and then quenched in water. The resulting glass frit is milled bellow 75 microns and pressed 1400 °C into “green” samples. In a next stage, they are heat treated at different temperatures with various heating rates and holding times. As a result, it is demonstrated the possibility for production variations, allowing the manufacture of three types of new materials by using the same pressed glass powders. We highlight the flexibility of the synthesis obtaining namely well densified glass-ceramics at about 950 °C, self-glazed glass-ceramics at about 1000 °C or glass-ceramic foams at approximately 1100 °C. The first set of materials is characterized by very well sintered structure combined with reasonable crystallinity; the second one—by smooth self-glazed surface with an attractive appearance and good properties and the third one—by 80–90% closed porosity and very good thermal stability above 1000 °C.

Exploiting a Silver–Bismuth Hybrid Material as Heterogeneous Noble Metal Catalyst for Decarboxylations and Decarboxylative Deuterations of Carboxylic Acids under Batch and Continuous Flow Conditions

Herein, we report novel catalytic methodologies for protodecarboxylations and decarboxylative deuterations of carboxylic acids utilizing a silver-containing hybrid material as a heterogeneous noble metal catalyst. After an initial batch method...

Development and implementation of the first domestic automobile-carrying cars for the transportation of automobiles in the passenger trains

One of the activities of the JSC “FPK” is the creation of competitive advantages for passenger rail transport by formulating proposals for the provision of new services in long-distance trains. Currently, there is a need for intercity and even international transportation of automobiles for passengers traveling on long-distance trains.To resolve this issue, the JSC “FPK” developed a technical task, according to which the PKTB L JSC “RZD” designed a specialized passenger car for the transportation of automobiles in the long-distance trains. It was created on the basis of a 47D model car built in Germany, which was modernized during its overhaul.Prototype of the new car has passed a full range of tests in accordance with the requirements of the technical regulations of the Customs Union (TR CU) 001/2011 at the test center of the JSC NO “TIV”. Based on the positive results of the dynamic-strength, fireprevention, electrical and other tests, the Voronezh Car Repair Plant received from the Federal Agency for Railway Transport a certificate of compliance with the requirements of the TR CU and the right to manufacture an initial batch of cars.During impact tests, the low reliability of the standard thrustscrew fastening of the car wheels was established. In order to eliminate the noted drawback, a lock-cable mount was developed. Repeated impact tests have confirmed the effectiveness of the new wheel mounting design.Operation of the first batch of cars (8 and 5 units) showed a great demand for this type of service, especially on the directions Moscow—St. Petersburg—Moscow, Moscow—Helsinki—Moscow, Moscow—Adler—Moscow. In this regard, the issue of the development and manufacture of new cars with improved performance indicators (increasing the number of transported automobiles to 8–10 units instead of 4–5 units in the operated cars) is being worked out.

A Novel Assessment of Delayed Neutron Detector Data in CANDU Reactors

A common opportunity for nuclear power plant operators is ensuring that routinely collected data are fully leveraged. Exploiting data analytics can enable improvements in anomaly detection and condition monitoring by identifying previously unseen data trends and correlations without major financial investment. One such opportunity is in facilitating the detection of fuel defects by augmenting the delayed neutron (DN) monitoring system deployed in the majority of Canada deuterium uranium (CANDU) reactors. In this paper, we demonstrate using archive data that the detection of fuel defects can be accelerated using this system in combination with the use of a deeper historical dataset and the introduction of a smoothing algorithm. The current defect identification process relies on the analysis of data of high variance and is subject to the judgment of a domain expert, resulting in variable defect identification periods. The proposed approaches seek to mitigate this and alleviate the variable identification time. Initial results presented here show that for an initial batch of 30 defects, identification periods can be meaningfully reduced compared to the current process, with defects potentially visible on an average of 11.4 days earlier. By shortening this identification period, fuel containing defects can be scheduled for earlier removal, reducing the risk of statutory shutdown obligations, protecting personnel, and promoting industry best practice. Exploring a historical dataset identifies previously undocumented trends and we discuss the potential to produce correlations with other reactor parameters. The application of this knowledge can lead to opportunities in the use of machine learning algorithms and, ultimately, more accurate predictions.

Enterprise in a Market Environment: A Double Tetrad Model

System-based economic theory is a natural platform for the duality concept application in modeling and studying of economic systems. Aside from revealing the nature of economic events and showing regular connections between them, the analysis of duality also allows to develop methods to efficiently manage economic processes. This paper reexamines modeling methods of economic system performance. New approach uses double description method, via dual tetrads, one illustrative of intrasystem processes and the other exhibiting external interactions of the system. It is suggested that interactions between business and market are representable as production and implementation cycles. During the former, the initial batch of raw and producing materials are sequenced through object, environment, process and project subsystems of the enterprise. Then finished product enters implementation cycle and passes through object, environment, process and project subsystems of the enterprise’s external environment. Within this cycle the object subsystem represent the enterprise as a manufacturer; environment subsystem represents market environment for sales; process subsystem represents sales process; project subsystem represents delivery of products to the customer and transfer of revenue to the manufacturer. Production flow therefore loops through the stages of these cycles as a going concern, ensuring continuous operation of the enterprise conditioned upon coordination with market. The dual tetrad model allows to determine the roles of administration (with internal content being a controlled object) and marketing (where external environment is a controlled object) in the structure of enterprise management. This paper also analyses general patterns for identification of duality phenomena in system-based economic theory and mathematical economic models of business administration.This article is an expanded report presented at the plenary session of the XX “Corporate Planning and business Development” Anniversary Symposium (April 9–10, 2019, Moscow).

Key Findings and Implications of a Recent Systematic Review of the Potential Adverse Effects of Caffeine Consumption in Healthy Adults, Pregnant Women, Adolescents, and Children

In 2016–2017, we conducted and published a systematic review on caffeine safety that set out to determine whether conclusions that were presented in the heavily cited Health Canada assessment, remain supported by more recent data. To that end, we reviewed data from 380 studies published between June 2001 and June 2015, which were identified from an initial batch of over 5000 articles through a stringent search and evaluation process. In the current paper, we use plain language to summarize our process and findings, with the intent of sharing additional context for broader reach to the general public. We addressed whether caffeine doses previously determined not to be associated with adverse effects by Health Canada (400 mg/day for healthy adults, 300 mg/day for pregnant women, 2.5 mg/kg body weight/day for adolescents and children, and 10 g/day for acute effects) remain appropriate for five outcome areas (acute toxicity, cardiovascular toxicity, bone & calcium effects, behavior, and development and reproduction) in healthy adults, pregnant women, adolescents, and children. We used a weight-of-evidence approach to draw conclusions for each of the five outcomes, as well as more specific endpoints within those outcomes, which considered study quality, consistency, level of adversity, and magnitude of response. In general, updated evidence confirms the levels of intake that were put forth by Health Canada in 2003 as not being associated with any adverse health effects, and our results support a shift in caffeine research from healthy to sensitive populations.

Key Findings and Implications of a Recent Systematic Review of the Potential Adverse Effects of Caffeine Consumption in Healthy Adults, Pregnant Women, Adolescents, and Children

In 2016–2017, we conducted and published a systematic review on caffeine safety [1] that set out to determine whether conclusions presented in the heavily cited Health Canada assessment, Nawrot et al. [2], remain supported by more recent data. To that end, we reviewed data from 380 studies published between June 2001 and June 2015, which were identified from an initial batch of over 5,000 articles through a stringent search and evaluation process [1]. In the current paper, we use plain language to summarize our process and findings, with the intent of sharing additional context for broader reach to the general public. We addressed whether caffeine doses previously determined not to be associated with adverse effects by Health Canada (400 mg/day for healthy adults, 300 mg/day for pregnant women, 2. 5 mg/kg body weight/day for adolescents and children, and 10 g/day for acute effects) remain appropriate for five outcome areas (acute toxicity, cardiovascular toxicity, bone & calcium effects, behavior, and development and reproduction) in healthy adults, pregnant women, adolescents, and children. We used a weight-of-evidence approach to draw conclusions for each of the five outcomes, as well as more specific endpoints within those outcomes, which considered study quality, consistency, level of adversity, and magnitude of response. In general, updated evidence confirms the levels of intake put forth by Nawrot et al., as not being associated with any adverse health effects, and our results support a shift in caffeine research from healthy to sensitive populations.