Structure Learning in Bayesian Networks Using Asexual Reproduction Optimization

A new structure learning approach for Bayesian networks based on asexual reproduction optimization (ARO) is proposed in this paper. ARO can be considered an evolutionary‐based algorithm that mathematically models the budding mechanism of asexual reproduction. In ARO, a parent produces a bud through a reproduction operator; thereafter, the parent and its bud compete to survive according to a performance index obtained from the underlying objective function of the optimization problem: This leads to the fitter individual. The convergence measure of ARO is analyzed. The proposed method is applied to real‐world and benchmark applications, while its effectiveness is demonstrated through computer simulations. Results of simulations show that ARO outperforms genetic algorithm (GA) because ARO results in a good structure and fast convergence rate in comparison with GA.     

Two Efficient Dual-Band and Wide-Band Low-Power DCO Designs Using Current Starving Gates,DCV and Reconfigurable Schmitt Triggers in 180 nm

Digitally controlled oscillators are the main cores in all-digital phase-locked loops (ADPLL), which are important for determining the range of frequency and power consumption in ADPLLs. In the conventional digitally controlled oscillator (DCO) designs, one single band of operation is assigned to the DCO. The following paper presents a new approach in the design of DCOs, which works in dual-band and wide-band modes with a control unit. In dual-band mode, the DCO works in two different ranges of frequencies simultaneously via digital control bits. The wide-band DCO (WBDCO) works in one wider range of frequencies consecutively. It seems that in the wide-band DCO, the gap width for the dual-band DCO (DBDCO) is zero. The previously mentioned designs allow the designer to have standard frequencies with the help of direct or multiplied frequencies. So, we can have a trade-off between power and performance. This means that we can have low power consumption in low-frequency applications and vice versa. The proposed designs are based on using digitally controlled capacitors, current starving gates and Schmitt triggers in critical points of the DCO loop, while preserving coarse and fine tunings. The non-delay linearity factors are clearly investigated and resolved with the use of a new combined control unit. The simulations of the proposed designs are performed in Hspice with a voltage of \(\mathrm{VDD}=1.8\) v in 180 nm CMOS technology for 64- and 128-bit input coarse codes. Our simulation and evaluation results showed that in the dual-band DCO, a 14.8 ps jitter was calculated at 134 MHz with 1.2131 mW power consumption, while in the wide band with overlap mode, a 68.7 ps jitter was measured at 184.61 MHz with 1.604 mW power consumption. Our designs are proper for reconfigurable and multi-standard ADPLL designs.     

A New Model of Charging Demand Related to Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles Aggregation

This paper offers a comprehensive and exact model for Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) aggregation based on the real statistics. For this purpose, available transportation and technical reports are analyzed to extract Cumulative Distribution Functions and accurate modeling of PHEVs charging load profile. We can study PHEVs effects on the distribution system by analyzing available registered data; however, the main problem is that such data, due to the low penetration of PHEVs, are not accessible, and expensive monitoring equipment such as Global Positioning Systems are needed to collect such data. Therefore, due to the lack of access to such data, researchers have offered different estimations for the charging load profile of PHEVs using statistical methods. In this study, a new model for the initial state of charge (SOC) is introduced that it is a function of fuel consumption of the vehicles. The driving behaviors such as speed and road slope have been considered in the proposed model. Simulation results show the impressiveness effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed methodology.     

A Compressible Approach to Solve Combined Natural Convection-Radiation Heat Transfer in Participating Media

The need for accurate prediction of combined natural convection-radiation heat transfer in participating media has resulted in developing a few different numerical methods with different capabilities. One important aspect in treating high-thermobuoyant flow fields is to impose the compressibility effects in predictions. The Literature shows that most previous research has used incompressible algorithms to solve the combined natural convection-radiation problem. However, the research in pure natural-convection heat transfer problems has shown that the Boussinesq assumption will not result in solutions with sufficient accuracies in domains with high temperature variations. In this work, we develop a hybrid incompressible-compressible method to solve the combined natural convection-radiation heat transfer in a participating medium without addressing the Boussinesq approximation. Our results show that there are significant differences between the compressible and incompressible results in treating such high-thermobuoyant flow fields. We also show that the compressibility effects become more dominant in combined natural convection-radiation problems than in the pure natural-convection problem. So, we conclude that use of the Boussinesq assumption cannot be definitely recommended in treating thermobuoyant flow fields with strong to moderate temperature gradients. Indeed, the current developed algorithm can be used to avoid the inaccuracies resulting from the incompressible treatment of such flow fields.     

Development and characterization of a new nickel(II) ion selective optode based on 2-amino-1-cyclopentene-dithiocarboxylic acid

A highly sensitive and selective optical membrane sensor was prepared for the determination of ultra trace amount of Ni²⁺ ions. The plasticized PVC membrane incorporating dibuthylphthalate and 2-amino-1-cyclopentene-dithiocarboxylic acid (ACDA) as a chromoionophore works on the basis of a cation-exchange mechanism and shows a significant absorbance signal change on exposure to acidic solution containing nickel(II) ion. The sensor displays a calibration response for Ni²⁺ ion over a wide concentration range of 3.1 × 10⁻⁸-8.0 × 10⁻³ M, and a response time of 3 min. In addition to high stability, reproducibility and relatively long working lifetime, the sensor possesses good selectivity for nickel(II) ion over several common diverse ions. The sensor was successfully applied to determine the traces of Ni²⁺ ion in some water samples.     

Production of bacteriocins by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Enterococcus</Emphasis> spp. isolated from traditional,Iranian, raw milk cheeses,and detection of their encoding genes

Strong bacteriocins, or bacteriocins with a wide range of activity against pathogens and spoilage microorganisms, are actively sought for use as natural food preservatives. This work reports the inhibitory activity of 96 enterococcal isolates from two Iranian, raw milk cheeses against five indicator organisms (including Listeria innocua). Forty-eight isolates inhibited at least one indicator in spot agar assays. Of these, 20 isolates corresponding to 15 different strains were shown to produce bacteriocin-like substances in liquid cultures. PCR analysis revealed the genes coding for enterocins (enterococcal bacteriocins) A, B, P or X, or their combinations, in all but one of these 15 strains. In addition, the gene coding for enterocin 31 was detected in two strains. No amplification was obtained in one strain when using specific primers for all 13 bacteriocin genes sought. Three different enterocin genes were identified in most strains and four in one strain. Although the concomitant production of bacteriocins is still to be verified, producers of multiple enterocins could be of great technological potential as protective cultures in the cheese industry.     

Blind per tone equalization of multilevel signals using support vector machines for OFDM in wireless communication

We present an efficient support vector machine (SVM)-based blind per tone equalization for OFDM systems. Blind per tone equalization using constant modulus algorithm (CMA) and multi-modulus algorithm (MMA) are used as the comparison benchmark. The SVM-based cost function utilizes a CMA-like error function and the solution is obtained by means of an iterative re-weighted least squares algorithm (IRWLS). Moreover, like CMA, the error function allows to extend the method to multilevel modulations. In terms of bit error rate (BER), simulation experiments show that the blind per tone equalization using SVM performs better than blind per tone equalization using CMA and MMA.     

Antioxidant Activity,Reaction Mechanisms,and Kinetics of Matricaria recutita Extract in Commercial Blended Oil Oxidation

Antioxidant activity, reaction mechanisms, and kinetics of Matricaria recutita crude extract (CE; total phenolics: 41 ± 2.5 mg/g, total flavonoids: 26 ± 1.4 mg/g, IC₅₀: 82.3 ± 2.8 µg/mL and reducing power: 10.45 ± 0.56 mmol Fe²⁺/mass) in comparison to tert-Butylhydroquinone during oxidation of blended vegetable oil (sunflower, soybean, and palm oil) at 120, 130, and 140°C were studied. Good correlations existed between the Rancimat oil stability index and stability indices (induction period) calculated from peroxide value, conjugated diene value, and anisidine value with no significant differences in kinetic parameters calculated from them. The temperature acceleration (Q₁₀), activation energy (E_a), frequency factor (A), enthalpy (ΔH⁺⁺), entropy (ΔS⁺⁺), and free energy of activation (ΔG⁺⁺) for oils containing crude extract were lower than for oils containing tert-Butylhydroquinone (0.0025, 0.005, 0.01, and 0.02%). Values were independent of crude extract or tert-Butylhydroquinone concentration. For crude extract and tert-Butylhydroquinone, E_a and A were well correlated with ΔH⁺⁺ and ΔS⁺⁺ values, respectively, but correlation between E_a and Q₁₀ for crude extract compared to tert-Butylhydroquinone was poor. Furthermore, the rate of Monounsaturated:Polyunsaturated fatty acids formation did not differ significantly between crude extract and tert-Butylhydroquinone, but concentrations of them did affect Monounsaturated:Polyunsaturated ratio. Based on the results obtained, crude extract decreased the rate of the oxidation reaction due to the decrease in the concentration of the activated complex and reduction in the rate at which the activated complex dissociated into oxidation products.