As memories are becoming a ubiquitous and indispensable part of electronic devices across all industrial domains, the importance of their reliability and fault-tolerance increases. This especially holds for safety-critical applications, which exhibit different levels of data criticality. As a consequence, recent research aims to proactively engage environmentally induced soft errors, by developing new methods for error detection, mitigation, and data recovery in the mixed-critical memories. This article presents a flexible soft error correction strategy called Redundant Parity (RP), designed to enhance existing 1oo2 architectures. RP extends a 1oo2 system's ability of fault detection by enabling the recovery of faulty data utilizing the parity bit concept. An initial evaluation of the strategy in terms of its runtime performance and memory overhead is performed and compared with other software-based mitigation strategies. The preliminary results suggest that RP is indeed a suitable soft error mitigation strategy in existing 1oo2 fail-safe systems.

Many users need social media platforms to improve business. The usage of those platforms is usually focused on the marketing and customer targeting. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram or YouTube give their users a large number of reports and analytic tools. Public figures and organizations have a large number of followers who generate a significant number of activities. This paper focuses on the use of Facebook's geography analytic in the process of events planning. The problem is formulated as a combinatorial optimization problem. Data from social media platforms are used as an input to nature-inspired optimization algorithm. A public data set has been created with cities from 20 European countries. An adjusted genetic algorithm (AGA) is proposed. The greedy approach and AGA are compared on real data from several Facebook pages and on the created public dataset. The genetic algorithm shows better results and it gives the same solution as an exhaustive search for smaller instances.

The planning of concert tours can be a challenging process which requires a large amount of data to be analyzed. The greatest profit cannot be obtained only by maximizing the expected number of visitors. However, most of the organizers mainly focus on that part of planning. To achieve the maximum profit possible, organizers must include other data in their analysis. Social media play a powerful role in music industry. Most of the mentioned data can be found online on social media like Facebook, YouTube or Instagram. Such data can be found in analytic sections of fan or event pages. In this paper, algorithms for tour planning have been introduced by using above mentioned data. Proposed algorithms are based on heuristic methods such as simulated annealing and genetic algorithm. A clustering based method is also implemented. Aforementioned algorithms were tested on real-world instances from Facebook fan page analytics and use number of fans and distance between cities.

Abstract Background BRAF genomic alterations (GA) occur in multiple tumor types and BRAF/MEK targeted therapies are approved in melanoma and NSCLC. Diverse mechanisms of AR to these therapies have been proposed but have not been comprehensively assessed. Methods Hybrid-capture based comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) was performed on FFPE (n = 228,629) or blood-based cell free DNA (cfDNA, n = 15,069) samples for 222,952 patients (pts). Tumor mutational burden (TMB) was determined on 0.8-1.1 Mbp of sequenced DNA. Samples without evidence of tumor DNA or known to have not received RAF/MEK inhibitors were excluded. Paired samples were collected >60 days apart (median 523, range 71-5571). Results Paired samples with BRAF V600E (64%) or other activating BRAF GA (36%) were available for 154 pts with NSCLC (20%), melanoma (19%), CRC (15%) myeloma (8.4%) glioma (7.1%) or other (30%) cancers. Acquired GA previously described preclinically or clinically including in BRAF, KRAS, NRAS, MEK1, PIK3CA, PTEN, MET, and CCND1 occurred in 34 cases (Table). 56 additional cases had reportable acquired GA in other genes (eg. STK11, NF1). Median TMB was 4.0 vs 5.2 mut/Mb in the first vs second sample (p = 0.23). In 12% of cases (9 tissue, 9 cfDNA) a BRAF GA was not detected in the second sample. Most AR mechanisms (MET amp, KRAS mut, secondary BRAF GA) were tumor agnostic, but PIK3CA and PTEN GA were enriched in brain samples and absent in CRC, and NRAS mut were exclusive to melanoma (Table). Treatment status was available for a subset of cases. Notably V600E CRC, NSCLC and melanoma each had acquired MET amp post-dabrafenib + trametinib, and a V600E myeloma had acquired MEK C121S post-trametinib + vemurafenib. Additional clinical data will be presented. Table: 1878PD . Potential AR mechanism No. cases# AR subtypes Disease Histologies Associated Primary BRAF GA Biopsy location * KRAS mut 7 G12D (2), G12R, G12V, G13D, Q61H, K117N CRC (2), NSCLC (2), cholangiocarcinoma, multiple myeloma, CLL V600E (6), G466A omentum (2), liver NRAS mut 4 G12C, G13R, G13R/Q61H, Q61H/K melanoma (4) V600E (2), V600R, G469A brain (1), lymph node (1), soft tissue (1) NRAS amp 1 amp estimated copies: 41 NSCLC V600E pericardial fluid Secondary BRAF GA 10 N-terminal deletion exons 2-8 (6), duplications exons 10-18, L505H, N581I/D594G, amp estimated copies: 6 NSCLC (4), CRC (2), melanoma (2), multiple myeloma, pancreatic V600E (9), G466A liver (3), lymph node (2), lung, abdominal wall, brain MEK1 mut 1 C121S multiple myeloma V600E NA PIK3CA mut 5 H1047R (2), G1049R, R88Q, S405F glioma (3), NSCLC, thyroid V600E (3), N486_T491>K, R506_K507insVLR brain (4), lung PTEN GA 5 E7fs * , R130 * , G129R, splice site 165-1G>A, loss melanoma (2), glioma, NSCLC, UP neuroendocrine V600E, V600K, R506_K507insVLR, KHDRBS2-BRAF fusion brain (2), abdomen, soft tissue CCND1 amp 2 amp estimated copies: 9, 10 NSCLC, thyroid V600E, G464V brain, pleural fluid MET amp 4 amp estimated copies: 12, 14, 15, 56 NSCLC, CRC, melanoma, UP adenocarcinoma V600E (4) lymph node, colon, brain, liver * Indicated for tissue samples only (NA= not applicable); #5 cases had AR alterations in multiple genes included here; NSCLC: non-small cell lung cancer, CRC: colorectal carcinoma; CLL: chronic lymphocytic leukemia; UP: unknown primary; AR: acquired resistance; mut: mutation; amp: amplification. Conclusions Novel and previously observed potential AR alterations in paired BRAF altered clinical samples were detected using CGP. Most AR mechanisms appeared independent of tumor type and biopsy site. Additional clinical studies to explore effective treatments for these AR subsets are needed. Legal entity responsible for the study The authors. Funding Foundation Medicine. Disclosure F. Pietrantonio: Advisory / Consultancy: Roche; Advisory / Consultancy: Amgen; Advisory / Consultancy: Eli-Lily; Advisory / Consultancy: Bayer; Advisory / Consultancy: Sanofi; Advisory / Consultancy: Servier; Advisory / Consultancy: Merck Serono. J. Lee: Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options, Full / Part-time employment: Foundation Medicine; Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options: Roche. L. Boussemart: Advisory / Consultancy: Novartis; Advisory / Consultancy: Pierre Fabre. G. Srkalovic: Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Foundation Medicine. R. Madison: Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options, Full / Part-time employment: Foundation Medicine; Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options: Roche. J.S. Ross: Leadership role, Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options, Full / Part-time employment: Foundation Medicine; Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options: Roche. V.A. Miller: Leadership role, Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options, Full / Part-time employment: Foundation Medicine; Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options: Roche; Advisory / Consultancy: Revolution Medicines. B.M. Alexander: Leadership role, Full / Part-time employment: Foundation Medicine; Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options: Roche. S.M. Ali: Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options, Full / Part-time employment: Foundation Medicine; Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options: Roche. A.B. Schrock: Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options, Full / Part-time employment: Foundation Medicine; Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options: Roche. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

Distribution network power flow (DNPF) is a core application of distribution management system (DMS). Two methods to implement fast DNPF are using Newton-Raphson (NR) approach and current iteration (CI) approach. In distribution systems with high penetration of renewable energy sources both methods must be able to model PV nodes correctly and efficiently. This paper explores implementations of NR DNPF and CI DNPF, their execution time and performance in networks with numerous distributed generators.

For unstructured environments, multi-leg platforms such as hexapods, introduce better stability and adaptation during the moving in a more complex environment. The common hexapod robots, which are controlled by discrete conventional microcontrollers would require new chip replacement due to I/O constraint. With an FPGA, the user can scale design and include new functionality later in the design process without buying new additional hardware. In this paper, we introduce the hybrid architecture as a combination of FPGA and microcontroller design. The goal of this work is to extend context arbitration of a fuzzy behavior-based approach for hexapod robot navigation at the FPGA device. Verilog has been used to develop FLC on FPGA. The controller algorithm is developed and implemented on FPGA Altera Cyclone IV board. An experimental evaluation of hexapod autonomous navigation at a rough terrain presents advantages of this hierarchy approach for real-time robot embedded systems.

In order to validate and demonstrate newly developed ranging techniques, a flexible test platform for signal acquisition enabling offline signal processing is generally needed. Developing such a platform becomes challenging when working with wideband (> 100MHz) signals due to the critical timing, the very high sampling rates and the huge data throughput involved. In this paper, we introduce an Ettus X310 SDR platform using custom designed logic allowing for dual-channel 400 Msps data transmission and acquisition for centimeter level ranging applications. Furthermore, we present initial measurement results as a benchmark of the platform, which show that the time delay of a 10 m cable can be estimated with high accuracy, in the order of 50 ps.

This paper presents a new meta-heuristic algorithm called Playground algorithm. The Playground algorithm is designed to model social interaction amongst children, and the mechanisms and operators of the algorithm are inspired by the model of child interaction and engagement in games during a child's stay at the playground. In order to evaluate the performance of the algorithm, a series of tests were performed over a class of functions selected so that they possess properties such as: multimodality / unimodality, (non) separability, (non) differentiability, (non) convexity, existence of ridges and valleys and multidimensionality. During testing, the values of the algorithm parameters are varied, in order to determine their recommended values. The analysis was carried out with an overview of the effects of the algorithm parameters on the performance of the algorithm in the problem area, performance in the criterion domain, and the execution time.

Infrastructure of a distribution systems is facing major challenges with deregulated power system. Reactive power compensation can reduce energy losses in system, improve voltage profile and release feeder capacity. Installation of capacitors in distribution network is ensuring more efficient systems, but also provides economic benefit to utility and users. Vital task for capacitor implementation is to determine the best locations and size of capacitors. Hence, capacitor placement has an important role in distribution system planning. In this paper, using the professional software tool DigSILENT Power Factory, optimal capacitor placement is analysed in real low voltage distribution network. Results and analysis show that by optimal capacitor placement annual losses and adequate size for installed capacitors can be calculated. The capacitor placement problem consists of objective function which is composed of power losses and capacitor installation costs subject to bus voltage constraints. Optimization placement calculation is compared to installation of four capacitors in given case study distribution grid. Simulation results show that with appropriate software techniques optimal capacitor placement can be achieved in distribution grid.

The scope and scale of biological data are increasing at an exponential rate, as technologies like next-generation sequencing are becoming radically cheaper and more prevalent. Over the last two decades, the cost of sequencing a genome has dropped from $100 million to nearly $100—a factor of over 106—and the amount of data to be analyzed has increased proportionally. Yet, as Moore’s Law continues to slow, computational biologists can no longer rely on computing hardware to compensate for the ever-increasing size of biological datasets. In a field where many researchers are primarily focused on biological analysis over computational optimization, the unfortunate solution to this problem is often to simply buy larger and faster machines. Here, we introduce Seq, the first language tailored specifically to bioinformatics, which marries the ease and productivity of Python with C-like performance. Seq starts with a subset of Python—and is in many cases a drop-in replacement—yet also incorporates novel bioinformatics- and computational genomics-oriented data types, language constructs and optimizations. Seq enables users to write high-level, Pythonic code without having to worry about low-level or domain-specific optimizations, and allows for the seamless expression of the algorithms, idioms and patterns found in many genomics or bioinformatics applications. We evaluated Seq on several standard computational genomics tasks like reverse complementation, k-mer manipulation, sequence pattern matching and large genomic index queries. On equivalent CPython code, Seq attains a performance improvement of up to two orders of magnitude, and a 160× improvement once domain-specific language features and optimizations are used. With parallelism, we demonstrate up to a 650× improvement. Compared to optimized C++ code, which is already difficult for most biologists to produce, Seq frequently attains up to a 2× improvement, and with shorter, cleaner code. Thus, Seq opens the door to an age of democratization of highly-optimized bioinformatics software.

The ascending trend in retail electricity prices since the first energy package is often blamed on the market reforms and the cost of a low carbon economy. The present study analyzes EU-28 statistical data on retail prices for the medium households and industries, for the years 2008–2017, a period of economic slowdown. We focus especially on six countries, Austria, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Latvia and Spain and examine retail prices against the degree of renewable energy sources (RES) penetration and the market liberalization in each country. We also examine the cases of three Western Balkan countries that still have a very low degree of liberalization. The increasing percentage of RES in electricity generation, the number of retailers and the market share of the main retailer are analyzed with respect to the retail electricity price for the period studied. In spite of the different specifics of each country's economy, there are certain common trends. The price increase has been found to be the result of levies and taxes, rather than the energy cost, with the burden carried mostly by households. In the cases studied here, the increase correlates with either the increase in RES or increased competition or both depending on the market structures in place during the examined period and the maturity and performance of the measures towards a liberalized electricity market and a low carbon economy.

Introduction: Color Doppler and CT angiography are diagnostic methods commonly used to determine the degree of carotid stenosis. Aim: To evaluate how the degree of carotid stenosis determined by the Color Doppler correlates with the degree of stenosis determined by the CT angiography. Material and Methods: The study was designed as a retrospective study. It included 42 patients with carotid stenosis. From medical records we collected anamnestic data (gender, age and risk factors - hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, smoking and obesity) and the results regarding the degree of carotid stenosis determined by Color Doppler and CT angiography. Results: Out of the total number of patients (n=42), 73.8% were males and 26.2% were females. Average age of examined patients was 65.24±8.61. Most frequent risk factor of atherosclerosis was hypertension, followed by hyperlipidemia and smoking. NASCET grading distinguishes: first (0-29%), second (30-69%) and third (70-99%) degree of carotid stenosis. According to the Color Doppler evaluation findings, the second degree had 8 patients and 34 patients had the third degree of carotid stenosis. CT angiography have shown that 35 patients had third degree carotid stenosis, while 7 patients had the second degree carotid stenosis. In only one case results of evaluated methods differed regarding assessment of carotid stenosis. We have found that there is a significant positive correlation of the degree of carotid stenosis determined by the Color Doppler with the degree of stenosis determined by CT angiography (p=0.0002). Risk factors of atherosclerosis did not have a significant correlation with the degree of carotid stenosis (p>0.05). Conclusion: The degree of carotid stenosis estimated by the Color Doppler positively correlates with the degree of stenosis estimated by CT angiography.