On solving constrained optimization problems with neural networks:a penalty method approach

Deals with the use of neural networks to solve linear and nonlinear programming problems. The dynamics of these networks are analyzed. In particular, the dynamics of the canonical nonlinear programming circuit are analyzed. The circuit is shown to be a gradient system that seeks to minimize an unconstrained energy function that can be viewed as a penalty method approximation of the original problem. Next, the implementations that correspond to the dynamical canonical nonlinear programming circuit are examined. It is shown that the energy function that the system seeks to minimize is different than that of the canonical circuit, due to the saturation limits of op-amps in the circuit. It is also noted that this difference can cause the circuit to converge to a different state than the dynamical canonical circuit. To remedy this problem, a new circuit implementation is proposed.     

Intussusception caused by a carcinoma of the cecum during pregnancy: report of a case and review of the literature

Respiratory infections are the most common infection in children. They differ remarkably according to age, bacteria and viruses. Therefore a careful history of outbreak, age, former infections, involvement of surroundings, symptoms, etc are essential. The present study included 50 children, aged between 0.3 and 12 yrs, all treated ambulatorily. 21 received brodimoprim (B) and 29 erythromycin (E). Indications were: tonsillitis, bronchitis, otitis media, sinusitis and scarlet fever. Dosages were: B was given 10 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) initially followed by 5 mg/kg b.w., once-a-day. The duration of treatment varied between 4 and 14 days (mean 8.3 days). E was given 30.50 mg/kg b.w. 3 times per day; duration 4 to 14 days (mean 8.6 days). Overall results were: in group B:12 cures, 5 improvements, 3 failures; 1 not assessable. In group E: 20 cures, 8 improvements, 1 failure. Side effects: in group B: vomiting (1), skin reaction (2), discontinuation (2); in group E: skin reaction (1), diarrhea (5), diarrhea+vomiting (1); discontinuation (2). The differences in efficacy and tolerability in the two groups are not statistically significant. The improved compliance with a single versus t.i.d. dosages has to be taken into account.     

MEASUREMENT OF THE SPECIFIC SURFACE AREA OF POWDERS BY THIN LAYER WICKING

The specific surface areas (A) of different clay mineral powders were measured by both the BET method and by thin layer wicking. The values of A for the BET and the wicking experiments coincided within a few percent. Thus, the simple and inexpensive thin layer wicking approach may well suffice to obtain reliable specific surface area values for most powders. From the wicking data it is also possible to obtain a rough estimate of the average particle size.     

Use of gas plasmas to increase breakdown strengths in polycarbonatefilm/foil capacitors

It is shown that the electrical breakdown voltages of polycarbonate film/metal foil capacitors can be increased. This can be achieved by briefly exposing the metal foil in these spirally wound film foil sections to a low-pressure, low-temperature gas plasma. Exposure of tin/lead foil to a 96% CF₄/4% O₂ gas plasma for four min, for example, produced >500% increase in breakdown voltage of sealed polycarbonate capacitors     

Langzeitiges Kriechrißverhalten kennzeichnender Kraftwerksstähle

Long Term Creep Crack Behaviour of Typical Power Plant Steels The creep crack behaviour of the steels was investigated in a wide loading range up to a test duration of 40 000 h and down to a creep crack growth rate of 2 · 10^?5 mm/h with specimens of different shape and size. For steels of type l%Cr-l%Mo-0.6%Ni-0.3%V, 1%Cr-0.9%Mo-0.7%Ni-03.%V, 12%Cr-1%Mo-0.3%V-0.22%C and 12%Cr-l%Mo-0.3%V-0.20%C tested at 550°C, the creep crack growth rate could be described by the parameter C₂* with significantly smaller scatter bands than by the parameter C₁* or the stress intensity factor K_I. For steel 12%Cr-2%Ni-1%Mo tested at 450°C, parameter K_I leads to the smallest scatter band. The creep crack initiation can be described in a two-criteria diagram based on nominal stress and stress intensity factor. However the method is assumed to be over-conservative in case of increasing specimen size. As a result of several aperiodic creep fatigue crack tests, precracking under fatigue conditions gave a weak increase of the creep crack growth rate whereas by precracking under creep conditions the fatigue crack rate was strongly decreased.     

Effect of single oral dose of azithromycin, clarithromycin, and roxithromycin on polymorphonuclear leukocyte function assessed ex vivo by flow cytometry

Azithromycin was given as a single oral dose (20 mg/kg of body weight) to 12 volunteers in a crossover study with roxithromycin (8 to 12 mg/kg) and clarithromycin (8 to 12 mg/kg). Flow cytometry was used to study the phagocytic functions and the release of reactive oxygen products following phagocytosis by neutrophil granulocytes prior to administration of the three drugs, 16 h after azithromycin administration, and 3 h after clarithromycin and roxithromycin administration. Phagocytic capacity was assessed by measuring the uptake of fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled bacteria. Reactive oxygen generation after phagocytosis of unlabeled bacteria was estimated by the amount of dihydrorhodamine 123 converted to rhodamine 123 intracellularly. Azithromycin resulted in decreased capacities of the cells to phagocytize Escherichia coli (median [range], 62% [27 to 91%] of the control values; P < 0.01) and generate reactive oxygen products (75% [34 to 26%] of the control values; P < 0.01). Clarithromycin resulted in reduced phagocytosis (82% [75 to 98%] of control values; P < 0.01) but did not alter reactive oxygen production (84% [63 to 113%] of the control values; P > 0.05). Roxithromycin treatment did not affect granulocyte phagocytosis (92% [62 to 118%] of the control values; P > 0.05) or reactive oxygen production (94% [66 to 128%] of the control value; P > 0.05). No relation between intra- and/or extracellular concentrations of azithromycin and/or roxithromycin and the polymorphonuclear phagocyte function and/or reactive oxygen production existed (P > 0.05 for all comparisons). These results demonstrate that the accumulation of macrolides in neutrophils can suppress the response of phagocytic cells to bacterial pathogens after a therapeutic dose.     

A novel metal-insulator-metal structure for field-programmabledevices

A metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor structure has been developed for use in field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) as a voltage-programmable link (VPL). The structure relies on a combination of a refractory metal and aluminum as the lower electrode, and either a similar combination or aluminum alone as the top electrode. The insulator is prepared by means of plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). It comprises a sandwich of nearly stoichiometric silicon dioxide interposed between two like layers of silicon-rich silicon nitride. The structure has displayed characteristics desirable for use in emerging FPGA technology, including high density, low on-resistance, reduced capacitance, and low programming voltage     

On the application of the Neuron MOS transistor principle formodern VLSI design

In this paper, the speed performance, power consumption, and layout area of Neuron MOS transistor circuits are monitored considering the requirements of modern VLSI design. The Neuron MOS transistor is a recently discovered device principle which has a number of input gates that couple capacitively to a floating gate. The floating gate potential controls the current of a transistor channel. This device can be used in logic circuits. A threshold current through the Neuron MOS transistor can be defined that causes a switching of the output of the logic circuits as soon as the channel current surmounts or falls below the specified value. We designed two different multiplier cells, one based on a Neuron MOS inverter, and the other on a Neuron MOS n-MOSFET which is used as one input device of a comparator circuit. Functionality of both cells is proven for data rates up to 50 MHz which represents the first high-speed measurement of a circuit based on this new design principle. A perspective for the upper speed limit found at more than 500 MHz is given by simulation. The new design principle has a layout area reduced by more than a factor of two compared to usual multiplier cells. Moreover, it is shown, that depending on the design chosen, high speed operation leads to considerable power savings. In view of those advantages it is concluded that the principle of threshold logic qualifies for a major breakthrough for packing density improvement of CMOS-based applications     

Peritoneal healing after fibrin glue application: a comparative study in a rat model

The influence of fibrin glue on adhesion formation and peritoneal healing is evaluated in a prospective, randomized, controlled study. In all, 20 Wistar rats underwent microsurgical suturing of two silicone sheets, one covered with a fibrin glue barrier, to the anterior peritoneum. Each animal thus served as its own control. After 10 days, adhesions and peritoneal healing were evaluated by a blinded observer through a second-look laparotomy. Adhesions were scored using a modification of the classification of Diamond. Tissue around the silicone sheet was examined histologically and by scanning electron microscopy to evaluate the inflammatory reaction and peritoneal healing (ingrowth of blood vessels and quality of peritoneal cells). Adhesion scores for treated and control sides were (mean +/- SD) 2.89 +/- 4.68 and 6.79 +/- 9.09 (P = 0.181) respectively, and the percentage of the sheet covered by peritoneum was 26.25 +/- 31.50 and 29.21 +/- 40.21 (P = 0.226) respectively. Using the paired Wilcoxon rank test, the P values for the ingrowth of blood vessels and peritoneal healing evaluated by histology and scanning electron microscopy were 0.842, 0.692 and 0.695 respectively. We conclude that although the mean adhesion score was reduced by > 50% by fibrin glue, there is no statistically significant difference concerning adhesion formation or peritoneal healing with the use of fibrin glue.