Search

A reduced‐rank mixed‐effects model is developed for robust modelling of sparsely observed paired functional data. In this model, the curves for each functional variable are summarized using a few functional principal components, and the association of the two functional variables is modelled through the association of the principal component scores. A multivariate‐scale mixture of normal distributions is used to model the principal component scores and the measurement errors in order to handle outlying observations and achieve robust inference. The mean functions and principal component functions are modelled using splines, and roughness penalties are applied to avoid overfitting. An EM algorithm is developed for computation of model fitting and prediction. A simulation study shows that the proposed method outperforms an existing method, which is not designed for robust estimation. The effectiveness of the proposed method is illustrated through an application of fitting multiband light curves of Type Ia supernovae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surrogate-based optimization (SBO) is a powerful approach for global optimization of high-dimensional expensive black-box functions, commonly consisting of four modules: design of experiment, function evaluation, surrogate construction, and infill sampling criterion. This work develops a robust and efficient SBO framework for aerodynamic shape optimization using discontinuous Galerkin methods as the computational fluid dynamics evaluation. Innovatively, the prior adjoint gradient information of the baseline shape is used to improve the performance of the sampling plan in the preliminary design of the experiment stage and further improve the robustness and efficiency of the construction of surrogate(s). Specifically, the initial sample points along the direction of objective rise have a high probability of being transformed into feasible points in a subspace of objective descending. Numerical experiments verified that the proposed gradient-improved sampling plan is capable of stably exploring the design space of objective descending and constraint satisfaction even with limited sample points, which leads to a stable improvement of the resultant aerodynamic performance of the final optimized shape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the results of a search for Miras and long-period variables (LPVs) in M33 using griJHKS archival observations from the Canada–France–Hawaii Telescope. We use multiband information and machine learning techniques to identify and characterize these variables. We recover ∼1300 previously discovered Mira candidates and identify ∼13 000 new Miras and LPVs. We detect for the first time a clear first-overtone pulsation sequence among Mira candidates in this galaxy. We use O-rich, fundamental-mode Miras in the LMC and M33 to derive a distance modulus for the latter of μ = 24.629 ± 0.046 mag. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Commensurability information, a butterfly diagram and a commensurability structure system were used to analyse the spatiotemporal symmetry and to assess the trends of Ms≥7.0 earthquakes in the Sichuan-Yunnan region of China. The results show that the next earthquake may occur in 2020 or 2021, as seismic signals are strong. Analysing the characteristics of epicentre spatial migration, there is a significant synchrony and symmetry between the latitudinal and longitudinal epicentre migrations. The symmetry axis is 30°N in latitude and 101.5°E in longitude. There is a northeast–southwest strike symmetry axis, and the next epicentre may migrate toward the southwest (i.e., south of 30°N and west of 101.5°E); the calculated strike symmetry axis is Y=3.5X-329. By grouping earthquake disaster events, the spatial migration pathways of the epicentres regularly exhibit jump-migration and sequential-migration. The migration distributions over the symmetry axis quadrants are ‘uniform-discrete’ and ‘concentrated-dispersion’.

Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome is a benign disease with a low incidence rate. Pregnant women with KTS may be at increased risk of thrombosis and coagulopathy due to normal hemodynamic changes during pregnancy. The choice of delivery route for KTS pregnant woman needs rigorous evaluation. This study reported a case of successful delivery by oxytocin combined with balloon catheter induction for the first time, providing more options for KTS pregnant woman. At the same time, this study reported a successful case of labor induced by oxytocin combined with balloon catheter for the first time, which further explored the obstetric management of pregnant women with KTS and provided them with more delivery options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SnO2 is regarded as a prospective anode material candidate for high energy density lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). However, rapid structural degradation and low conductivity always bring about poor cycling stability and electrochemical reversibility, becoming critical dilemmas toward its practical application. To address these issues, herein, a facile multi‐step in situ synthesis protocol is developed to tactfully achieve self‐standing 3D hollow nanoporous SnO2‐modified CuxO nanotubes with nanolamellar metallic Cu inwalls (3D‐HNP SnO2/CuxO@n‐Cu) via chemical dealloying, heat treatment, electrochemical replacement, and selective etching. The results show that the unique 3D‐HNP SnO2/CuxO@n‐Cu as a binder‐free integrated anode for LIBs exhibits superior Li storage properties with high initial reversible capacity of 3.34 mAh cm−2 and good cycling stability with 85.6% capacity retention and >99.4% coulombic efficiency after 200 cycles (capacity decay of only 0.002 mAh cm−2 per cycle). This is mainly attributed to the unique 3D hollow nanoporous configuration design composed of interlinked CuxO nanotubes modified by ultrafine SnO2 nanocrystals (4–10 nm) with two‐way mechanical strain cushion and nanolamellar metallic Cu inwalls with boosted electrical conductivity. This work can be expected to offer an original and effective approach for rational design and fabrication of advanced MOx‐based anodes toward high‐performance LIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the results of a search for Miras and long-period variables (LPVs) in M33 using griJHKS archival observations from the Canada–France–Hawaii Telescope. We use multiband information and machine learning techniques to identify and characterize these variables. We recover ∼1300 previously discovered Mira candidates and identify ∼13 000 new Miras and LPVs. We detect for the first time a clear first-overtone pulsation sequence among Mira candidates in this galaxy. We use O-rich, fundamental-mode Miras in the LMC and M33 to derive a distance modulus for the latter of μ = 24.629 ± 0.046 mag. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]