Position-aware packet loss optimization on service function chain placement

The advent of Network Function Virtualization(NFV)and Service Function Chains(SFCs)unleashes the power of dynamic creation of network services using Virtual Network Functions(VNFs).This is of great interest to network operators since poor service quality and resource wastage can potentially hurt their revenue in the long term.However,the study shows with a set of test-bed experiments that packet loss at certain positions(i.e.,different VNFs)in an SFC can cause various degrees of resource wastage and performance degradation because of repeated upstream processing and transmission of retransmitted packets.To overcome this challenge,this study focuses on resource scheduling and deployment of SFCs while considering packet loss positions.This study developed a novel SFC packet dropping cost model and formulated an SFC scheduling problem that aims to minimize overall packet dropping cost as a Mixed-Integer Linear Programming(MILP)and proved that it is NP-hard.In this study,Palos is proposed as an efficient scheme in exploiting the functional characteristics of VNFs and their positions in SFCs for scheduling resources and deployment to optimize packet dropping cost.Extensive experiment results show that Palos can achieve up to 42.73%improvement on packet dropping cost and up to 33.03%reduction on average SFC latency when compared with two other state-of-the-art schemes.

An Improved Solov2 Based on Attention Mechanism and Weighted Loss Function for Electrical Equipment Instance Segmentation

The current existing problem of deep learning framework for the detection and segmentation of electrical equipment is dominantly related to low precision.Because of the reliable,safe and easy-to-operate technology provided by deep learning-based video surveillance for unmanned inspection of electrical equipment,this paper uses the bottleneck attention module(BAM)attention mechanism to improve the Solov2 model and proposes a new electrical equipment segmentation mode.Firstly,the BAM attention mechanism is integrated into the feature extraction network to adaptively learn the correlation between feature channels,thereby improving the expression ability of the feature map;secondly,the weighted sum of CrossEntropy Loss and Dice loss is designed as the mask loss to improve the segmentation accuracy and robustness of the model;finally,the non-maximal suppression(NMS)algorithm to better handle the overlap problem in instance segmentation.Experimental results show that the proposed method achieves an average segmentation accuracy of mAP of 80.4% on three types of electrical equipment datasets,including transformers,insulators and voltage transformers,which improve the detection accuracy by more than 5.7% compared with the original Solov2 model.The segmentation model proposed can provide a focusing technical means for the intelligent management of power systems.

Brain networks in newborns and infants with and without sensorineural hearing loss:A functional near-infrared spectroscopy study

BACKGROUND Understanding the impact of early sensory deficits on brain development is essential for understanding developmental processes and developing potential interventions.While previous studies have looked into the impact of prenatal experiences on language development,there is a lack of research on how these experiences affect early language and brain function development in individuals with sensorineural hearing loss(SNHL).AIM To investigate SNHL effects on early brain development and connectivity in 4-month-olds vs healthy newborns and controls.METHODS The research involved analyzing the functional brain networks of 65 infants,categorized into three groups:28 healthy newborns,224-month-old participants with SNHL,and 15 age-matched healthy participants.The resting-state functional connectivity was measured and compared between the groups using functional near-infrared spectroscopy and graph theory to assess the brain network properties.RESULTS Significant differences were found in resting-state functional connectivity between participants with SNHL and age-matched controls,indicating a developmental lag in brain connectivity for those with SNHL.Surprisingly,SNHL participants showed better connectivity development compared to healthy newborns,with connectivity strengths of 0.13±0.04 for SNHL,0.16±0.08 for controls,and 0.098±0.04 for newborns.Graph theory analysis revealed enhanced global brain network properties for the SNHL group,suggesting higher communication efficiency at 4 months.No significant differences were noted in network properties between 4-month-old SNHL participants and neonates.A unique pattern of central hubs was observed in the SNHL group,with 2 hubs in the left hemisphere compared to 6 in controls.CONCLUSION 4-month-old infants with SNHL have a distinct brain network pattern with efficient long-distance information transmission but less effective local communication compared to age-matched controls.

Sound Transmission Loss Analysis of a Double Plate-Acoustic Cavity Coupling System with In-Plane Functionally Graded Materials

In this paper, the isogeometric analysis (IGA) is employed to develop an acoustic radiation model for a double plate-acoustic cavity coupling system, with a focus on analyzing the sound transmission loss (STL). The functionally graded (FG) plate exhibits a different material properties in-plane, and the power-law rule is adopted as the governing principle for material mixing. To validate the harmonic response and demonstrate the accuracy and convergence of the isogeometric modeling, ANASYS is utilized to compare with numerical examples. A plane wave serves as the acoustic excitation, and the Rayleigh integral is applied to discretize the radiated plate. The STL results are compared with the literature, confirming the reliability of the coupling system. Finally, the investigation is conducted to study impact of cavity depth and power-law parameter on the STL.

Vibration and sound transmission loss characteristics of porous foam functionally graded sandwich panels in thermal environment

This study investigates the vibration and acoustic properties of porous foam functionally graded(FG)plates under the influence of the temperature field.The dynamics equations of the system are established based on Hamilton's principle by using the higher-order shear deformation theory under the linear displacement-strain assumption.The displacement shape function is assumed according to the four-sided simply-supported(SSSS)boundary condition,and the characteristic equations of the system are derived by combining the motion control equations.The theoretical model of vibro-acoustic coupling is established by using the acoustic theory and fluid-structure coupling solution method under the simple harmonic acoustic wave.The system's natural frequency and sound transmission loss(STL)are obtained through programming calculations and compared with the literature and COMSOL simulation to verify the validity and reliability of the theoretical model.The effects of various factors,such as temperature,porosity coefficients,gradient index,core thickness,width-to-thickness ratio on the vibration,and STL characteristics of the system,are discussed.The results provide a theoretical basis for the application of porous foam FG plates in engineering to optimize vibration and sound transmission properties.

Effect of foot reflexology on an infant with sensorineural hearing loss:A case report

BACKGROUND Our study contributes to the further understanding of the mechanism of foot reflexology.Foot reflexology has been reported to affect hearing recovery,but no physiological evidence has been provided.This lack of evidence hampers the acceptance of the technique in clinical practice.CASE SUMMARY A girl was taken to North Sichuan Medical University Affiliated Hospital for a hearing screen by her parents.Her parents reported that her hearing level was the same as when she was born.The girl was diagnosed with sensorineural hearing loss(SNHL)by a doctor in the otolaryngology department.After we introduced the foot reflexology project,the parents agreed to participate in the experiment.After 6 months of foot reflexology treatment,the hearing threshold of the girl recovered to a normal level,below 30 dB.CONCLUSION Foot reflexology should be encouraged in clinical practice and for families of infants with SNHL.

Beneficial effects of antidepressant mirtazapine in functional dyspepsia patients with weight loss

AIM: To explore the effects and mechanism of action of antidepressant mirtazapine in functional dyspepsia(FD) patients with weight loss.METHODS: Sixty depressive FD patients with weight loss were randomly divided into a mirtazapine group(MG), a paroxetine group(PG) or a conventional therapy group(CG) for an 8-wk clinical trial. Adverse effects and treatment response were recorded. The Nepean Dyspepsia Index-symptom(NDSI) checklist and the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale of Depression(HAMD-17) were used to evaluate dyspepsia and depressive symptoms, respectively. The body composition analyzer was used to measure body weight and fat. Serum hormone levels were measured by ELISA.RESULTS:(1) After 2 wk of treatment, NDSI scores were significantly lower for the MG than for the PG and CG;(2) After 4 or 8 wk of treatment, HAMD-17 scores were significantly lower for the MG and PG than for the CG;(3) After 8 wk of treatment, patients in the MG experienced a weight gain of 3.58 ± 1.57 kg, which was significantly higher than that observed for patients in the PG and CG. Body fat increased by 2.77 ± 0.14kg, the body fat ratio rose by 4%, and the visceral fat area increased by 7.56 ± 2.25 cm2; and(4) For the MG, serum hormone levels of ghrelin, neuropeptide Y(NPY), motilin(MTL) and gastrin(GAS) were significantly upregulated; in contrast, those of leptin, 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT) and cholecystokinin(CCK) were significantly downregulated. CONCLUSION: Mirtazapine not only alleviates symptoms associated with dyspepsia and depression linked to FD in patients with weight loss but also significantly increases body weight(mainly the visceral fat in body fat). The likely mechanism of mirtazapine action is regulation of brain-gut or gastrointestinal hormone levels.

基于改进型Softmax Loss损失函数的面部表情识别

针对面部表情识别中Softmax Loss损失函数类内特征分散、类间特征未分离的问题,提出一种改进型Softmax Loss损失函数ACAM Loss。上述损失函数将优化集中在余弦角度上,在特征与目标权重的余弦夹角加上间隔m,在特征与非目标权重的余弦夹角减去间隔m,有效引导网络学习具备类内距离较小、类间距离较大的强区分度特征,同时加大网络训练力度优化输出,以提升分类效果。实验表明,在CK+和JAFFE数据集上,ACAM Loss函数训练模型表情识别准确率分别达到98.87%和98.92%,相比Softmax Loss函数平均增幅分别为1.35%和1.3%,识别准确率处于主流领先水平,验证了改进损失函数的有效性。

The Credibility Models under LINEX Loss Functions

LINEX(linear and exponential) loss function is a useful asymmetric loss function. The purpose of using a LINEX loss function in credibility models is to solve the problem of very high premium by suing a symmetric quadratic loss function in most of classical credibility models. The Bayes premium and the credibility premium are derived under LINEX loss function. The consistency of Bayes premium and credibility premium were also checked. Finally, the simulation was introduced to show the differences between the credibility estimator we derived and the classical one.

Application of Weighted Cross-Entropy Loss Function in Intrusion Detection

The deep learning model is overfitted and the accuracy of the test set is reduced when the deep learning model is trained in the network intrusion detection parameters, due to the traditional loss function convergence problem. Firstly, we utilize a network model architecture combining Gelu activation function and deep neural network;Secondly, the cross-entropy loss function is improved to a weighted cross entropy loss function, and at last it is applied to intrusion detection to improve the accuracy of intrusion detection. In order to compare the effect of the experiment, the KDDcup99 data set, which is commonly used in intrusion detection, is selected as the experimental data and use accuracy, precision, recall and F1-score as evaluation parameters. The experimental results show that the model using the weighted cross-entropy loss function combined with the Gelu activation function under the deep neural network architecture improves the evaluation parameters by about 2% compared with the ordinary cross-entropy loss function model. Experiments prove that the weighted cross-entropy loss function can enhance the model’s ability to discriminate samples.

Path Loss Modeling: A Machine Learning Based Approach Using Support Vector Regression and Radial Basis Function Models

Path loss prediction models are vital for accurate signal propagation in wireless channels. Empirical and deterministic models used in path loss predictions have not produced optimal results. In this paper, we introduced machine learning algorithms to path loss predictions because it offers a flexible network architecture and extensive data can be used. We introduced support vector regression (SVR) and radial basis function (RBF) models to path loss predictions in the investigated environments. The SVR model was able to process several input parameters without introducing complexity to the network architecture. The RBF on its part provides a good function approximation. Hyperparameter tuning of the machine learning models was carried out in order to achieve optimal results. The performances of the SVR and RBF models were compared and result validated using the root-mean squared error (RMSE). The two machine learning algorithms were also compared with the Cost-231, SUI, Egli, Freespace, Cost-231 W-I models. The analytical models overpredicted path loss. Overall, the machine learning models predicted path loss with greater accuracy than the empirical models. The SVR model performed best across all the indices with RMSE values of 1.378 dB, 1.4523 dB, 2.1568 dB in rural, suburban and urban settings respectively and should therefore be adopted for signal propagation in the investigated environments and beyond.

Age-related hearing loss accelerates the decline in fast speech comprehension and the decompensation of cortical network connections

Patients with age-related hearing loss face hearing difficulties in daily life.The causes of age-related hearing loss are complex and include changes in peripheral hearing,central processing,and cognitive-related abilities.Furthermore,the factors by which aging relates to hearing loss via changes in audito ry processing ability are still unclear.In this cross-sectional study,we evaluated 27 older adults(over 60 years old) with age-related hearing loss,21 older adults(over 60years old) with normal hearing,and 30 younger subjects(18-30 years old) with normal hearing.We used the outcome of the uppe r-threshold test,including the time-compressed thres h old and the speech recognition threshold in noisy conditions,as a behavioral indicator of auditory processing ability.We also used electroencephalogra p hy to identify presbycusis-related abnormalities in the brain while the participants were in a spontaneous resting state.The timecompressed threshold and speech recognition threshold data indicated significant diffe rences among the groups.In patients with age-related hearing loss,information masking(babble noise) had a greater effect than energy masking(speech-shaped noise) on processing difficulties.In terms of resting-state electroencephalography signals,we observed enhanced fro ntal lobe(Brodmann’s area,BA11) activation in the older adults with normal hearing compared with the younger participants with normal hearing,and greater activation in the parietal(BA7) and occipital(BA19) lobes in the individuals with age-related hearing loss compared with the younger adults.Our functional connection analysis suggested that compared with younger people,the older adults with normal hearing exhibited enhanced connections among networks,including the default mode network,sensorimotor network,cingulo-opercular network,occipital network,and frontoparietal network.These results suggest that both normal aging and the development of age-related hearing loss have a negative effect on advanced audito ry processing capabilities and that hearing loss accele rates the decline in speech comprehension,especially in speech competition situations.Older adults with normal hearing may have increased compensatory attentional resource recruitment represented by the to p-down active listening mechanism,while those with age-related hearing loss exhibit decompensation of network connections involving multisensory integration.

ENERGY-LOSS FUNCTIONS DERIVED FROM REELS SPECTRA FOR ALUMINUM

The effective energy loss functions for Al have been derived from differential i nverse inelastic mean free path based on the extended Landau approach. It has be en revealed that the effective energy loss function is very close in value to th e theoretical surface energy loss function in the lower energy loss region but g radually approaches the theoretical bulk energy loss function in the higher ener gy loss region. Moreover, the intensity corresponding to surface excitation in e ffective energy loss functions decreases with the increase of primary electron e nergy. These facts show that the present effective energy loss function describe s not only surface excitation but also bulk excitation. At last, REELS spectra s imulated by Monte Carlo method based on use of the effective energy loss functio ns has reproduced the experimental REELS spectra with considerable success.

Economic Design of & S Control Charts Based on Taguchi's Loss Function and Its Optimization

Much research effort has been devoted to economic design of X ＆ S control charts,however,there are some problems in usual methods.On the one hand,it is difficult to estimate the relationship between costs and other model parameters,so the economic design method is often not effective in producing charts that can quickly detect small shifts before substantial losses occur;on the other hand,in many cases,only one type of process shift or only one pair of process shifts are taken into consideration,which may not correctly reflect the actual process conditions.To improve the behavior of economic design of control chart,a cost ＆ loss model with Taguchi＇s loss function for the economic design of X ＆ S control charts is embellished,which is regarded as an optimization problem with multiple statistical constraints.The optimization design is also carried out based on a number of combinations of process shifts collected from the field operation of the conventional control charts,thus more hidden information about the shift combinations is mined and employed to the optimization design of control charts.At the same time,an improved particle swarm optimization（IPSO） is developed to solve such an optimization problem in design of X ＆ S control charts,IPSO is first tested for several benchmark problems from the literature and evaluated with standard performance metrics.Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm has significant advantages on obtaining the optimal design parameters of the charts.The proposed method can substantially reduce the total cost（or loss） of the control charts,and it will be a promising tool for economic design of control charts.

ANALYSIS TO NEYMAN-PEARSON CLASSIFICATION WITH CONVEX LOSS FUNCTION

Neyman-Pearson classification has been studied in several articles before. But they all proceeded in the classes of indicator functions with indicator function as the loss function, which make the calculation to be difficult. This paper investigates Neyman- Pearson classification with convex loss function in the arbitrary class of real measurable functions. A general condition is given under which Neyman-Pearson classification with convex loss function has the same classifier as that with indicator loss function. We give analysis to NP-ERM with convex loss function and prove it＇s performance guarantees. An example of complexity penalty pair about convex loss function risk in terms of Rademacher averages is studied, which produces a tight PAC bound of the NP-ERM with convex loss function.

Calculations of Energy-Loss Function for 26 Materials

We present a fitting calculation of energy-loss function for 26 bulk materials, including 18 pure elements （Ag, A1, Au, C, Co, Cs, Cu, Er, Fe, Ge, Mg, Mo, Nb, Ni, Pd, Pt, Si, Te） and 8 compounds （AgCl, Al2O3, AlAs, CdS, SiO2, ZnS, ZnSe, ZnTe） for application to surface electron spectroscopy analysis. The experimental energy-loss function, which is derived from measured optical data, is fitted into a finite sum of formula based on the Drude-Lindhard dielectric model. By checking the oscillator strength-sum and perfect- screening-sum rules, we have validated the high accuracy of the fitting results. Further-more, based on the fitted parameters, the simulated reflection electron energy-loss spec- troscopy （REELS） spectrum shows a good agreement with experiment. The calculated fitting parameters of energy loss function are stored in an open and online database at http：//micro.ustc.edu.cn/ELF/ELF.html.

Functional Weak Laws for the Weighted Mean Losses or Gains and Applications

In this paper, we show that many risk measures arising in Actuarial Sciences, Finance, Medicine, Welfare analysis, etc. are gathered in classes of Weighted Mean Loss or Gain (WMLG) statistics. Some of them are Upper Threshold Based (UTH) or Lower Threshold Based (LTH). These statistics may be time-dependent when the scene is monitored in the time and depend on specific functions w and d. This paper provides time-dependent and uniformly functional weak asymptotic laws that allow temporal and spatial studies of the risk as well as comparison among statistics in terms of dependence and mutual influence. The results are particularized for usual statistics like the Kakwani and Shorrocks ones that are mainly used in welfare analysis. Data-driven applications based on pseudo-panel data are provided.

Shrinkage Testimator in Gamma Type-II Censored Data under LINEX Loss Function

Prakash and Singh presented the shrinkage testimators under the invariant version of LINEX loss function for the scale parameter of an exponential distribution in presence Type-II censored data. In this paper, we extend this approach to gamma distribution, as Prakash and Singh’s paper is a special case of this paper. In fact, some shrinkage testimators for the scale parameter of a gamma distribution, when Type-II censored data are available, have been suggested under the LINEX loss function assuming the shape parameter is to be known. The comparisons of the proposed testimators have been made with improved estimator. All these estimators are compared empirically using Monte Carlo simulation.

Effects of Water Weight-Loss Walking Training on Lower Limb Motor Function and Gait in Stroke Patients

Background: Water weight-loss walking training is an emerging physical therapy technique, which provides new ideas for improving the motor function of stroke patients and improving the quality of life of patients. However, the rehabilitation effect of water weight-loss training in stroke patients is currently unclear. Objective: To analyze the effect of water weight loss walking training in stroke patients. Methods: A total of 180 stroke patients admitted to our hospital from January 2019 to December 2021 were selected and randomly divided into two groups. The control group received routine walking training, and the research group performed weight loss walking training in water on this basis. The lower limb motor function, muscle tone grade, daily living ability, gait and balance ability were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. Results: Compared with the control group, the FMA-LE score (Fugl-Meyer motor assessment of Lower Extremity), MBI score (Modified Barthel Index) and BBS score (berg balance scale) of the study group were higher after treatment, and the muscle tone was lower (P Conclusion: Water weight loss walking training can enhance patients’ muscle tension, correct patients’ abnormal gait, improve patients’ balance and walking ability, and contribute to patients’ motor function recovery and self-care ability improvement.

Evolution and Effectiveness of Loss Functions in Generative Adversarial Networks

Recently,the evolution of Generative Adversarial Networks(GANs)has embarked on a journey of revolutionizing the field of artificial and computational intelligence.To improve the generating ability of GANs,various loss functions are introduced to measure the degree of similarity between the samples generated by the generator and the real data samples,and the effectiveness of the loss functions in improving the generating ability of GANs.In this paper,we present a detailed survey for the loss functions used in GANs,and provide a critical analysis on the pros and cons of these loss functions.First,the basic theory of GANs along with the training mechanism are introduced.Then,the most commonly used loss functions in GANs are introduced and analyzed.Third,the experimental analyses and comparison of these loss functions are presented in different GAN architectures.Finally,several suggestions on choosing suitable loss functions for image synthesis tasks are given.