Model update (MU) and candidate evaluation (CE) are classical steps incorporated inside many stochastic trust-region (TR) algorithms. The sampling effort exerted within these steps, often decided with the aim of controlling model error, largely determines a stochastic TR algorithm's sample complexity. Given that MU and CE are amenable to variance reduction, we investigate the effect of incorporating common random numbers (CRN) within MU and CE on complexity. Using ASTRO and ASTRO-DF as prototype first-order and zeroth-order families of algorithms, we demonstrate that CRN's effectiveness leads to a range of complexities depending on sample-path regularity and the oracle order. For instance, we find that in first-order oracle settings with smooth sample paths, CRN's effect is pronounced -- ASTRO with CRN achieves $\tilde{O}(\epsilon^{-2})$ a.s. sample complexity compared to $\tilde{O}(\epsilon^{-6})$ a.s. in the generic no-CRN setting. By contrast, CRN's effect is muted when the sample paths are not Lipschitz, with the sample complexity improving from $\tilde{O}(\epsilon^{-6})$ a.s. to $\tilde{O}(\epsilon^{-5})$ and $\tilde{O}(\epsilon^{-4})$ a.s. in the zeroth- and first-order settings, respectively. Since our results imply that improvements in complexity are largely inherited from generic aspects of variance reduction, e.g., finite-differencing for zeroth-order settings and sample-path smoothness for first-order settings within MU, we anticipate similar trends in other contexts.
Astronaut photography, spanning six decades of human spaceflight, presents a unique Earth observations dataset with immense value for both scientific research and disaster response. Despite their significance, accurately localizing the geographical extent of these images, which is crucial for effective utilization, poses substantial challenges. Cur-rent, manual localization efforts are time-consuming, mo-tivating the need for automated solutions. We propose a novel approach - leveraging image retrieval - to address this challenge efficiently. We introduce innovative training techniques which contribute to the development of a high-performance model, EarthLoc. We develop six evaluation datasets and perform a comprehensive benchmark comparing EarthLoc to existing methods, showcasing its superior efficiency and accuracy. Our approach marks a signifi-cant advancement in automating the localization of astro-naut photography, which will help bridge a critical gap in Earth observations data. Code and datasets are available at https://github.com/gmberton/EarthLoc.
Outcomes for patients with esophageal cancer have improved over the last decade with the implementation of multimodality therapy. There are currently no comprehensive guidelines addressing multidisciplinary management of esophageal cancer that have incorporated the input of surgeons, radiation oncologists, and medical oncologists. To address the need for multidisciplinary input in the management of esophageal cancer and to meet current best practices for clinical practice guidelines, the current guidelines were created as a collaboration between The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS), American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). Physician representatives chose 8 key clinical questions pertinent to the care of patients with locally advanced, resectable thoracic esophageal cancer (excluding cervical location). A comprehensive literature review was performed identifying 227 articles that met the inclusion criteria covering the use of induction chemotherapy, chemotherapy vs chemoradiotherapy before surgery, optimal radiation dose, the value of esophagectomy, timing of esophagectomy, the approach and extent of lymphadenectomy, the use of minimally invasive esophagectomy, and the value of adjuvant therapy after resection. The relevant data were reviewed and voted on by the panel with 80% of the authors, with 75% agreement on class and level of evidence. These data were then complied into the guidelines document.
Há mais de 2500 anos, o filósofo grego Tales de Mileto descobriu um teorema geométrico que lhe permitiu avaliar a altura da Grande Pirâmide no Egito comparando o comprimento de sua sombra com o comprimento da sombra projetada pelo bastão vertical ao mesmo tempo. Ao fazer isso, Tales estava usando três definições independentes de linha, e geometria em geral, provenientes de três reinos da física: gravidade, física quântica e atômica, e ótica. No presente trabalho analisamos as implicações físicas e filosóficas da coincidência entre três definições de espaço físico e sua geometria.
A primeira formulação de uma física completa, do ponto de vista lógico, foi feita por Aristóteles no século IV a.c. A física aristotélica dominou o pensamento ocidental por quase dois mil anos. Tentarei mostrar neste texto que as teses aristotélicas contêm um primeiro protótipo de teoria gravitacional, inteiramente refutada a partir dos conhecimentos atuais, mas mesmo assim importante pelo contexto em que surge e por suas diversas implicações.
À la charnière du xixe et du xxe siècle, des médiums spirites, en Europe et aux États-Unis, affirmèrent être en mesure de communiquer avec des Martiens. Les dialogues avaient lieu en langue martienne et les médiums enregistraient leur contenu au moyen d’écritures elles aussi martiennes. L’analyse de ces langues et écritures employées par Catherine Élise Müller (plus connue sous le nom d’Hélène Smith) et Ida Cleaveland (un peu plus connue sous le nom de Mrs Smead), considérées dans cet article comme des langues et des écritures inventées, apporte un éclairage original sur les facteurs linguistiques et cognitifs qui contraignirent ces inventions à adopter des logiques sémiotiques semblables.
The joint JAXA/NASA ASTRO-H mission is the sixth in a series of highly successful X-ray missions initiated by the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS). ASTRO-H will investigate the physics of the highenergy universe via a suite of four instruments, covering a very wide energy range, from 0.3 keV to 600 keV. These instruments include a high-resolution, high-throughput spectrometer sensitive over 0.3–12 keV with high spectral resolution of ΔE ≦ 7 eV, enabled by a micro-calorimeter array located in the focal plane of thin-foil X-ray optics; hard X-ray imaging spectrometers covering 5–80 keV, located in the focal plane of multilayer-coated, focusing hard X-ray mirrors; a wide-field imaging spectrometer sensitive over 0.4–12 keV, with an X-ray CCD camera in the focal plane of a soft X-ray telescope; and a non-focusing Compton-camera type soft gamma-ray detector, sensitive in the 40–600 keV band. The simultaneous broad bandpass, coupled with high spectral resolution, will enable the pursuit of a wide variety of important science themes.
Abstract We report on a proton radiation damage experiment on P-channel CCD newly developed for an X-ray CCD camera onboard the ASTRO-H satellite. The device was exposed up to 10 9 protons cm −2 at 6.7 MeV. The charge transfer inefficiency (CTI) was measured as a function of radiation dose. In comparison with the CTI currently measured in the CCD camera onboard the Suzaku satellite for 6 years, we confirmed that the new type of P-channel CCD is radiation tolerant enough for space use. We also confirmed that a charge-injection technique and lowering the operating temperature efficiently work to reduce the CTI for our device. A comparison with other P-channel CCD experiments is also discussed.
In this paper we present the various concepts behind the Astro-WISE Information System. The concepts form a blueprint for general scientific information systems (WISE) which can satisfy a wide and challenging range of requirements for the data dissemination, storage and processing for various fields in science. We review the main features of the information system and its practical implementation.