Genetic algorithm hybridized with multilayer perceptron to have an economical slope stability design

The present work aimed to evaluate and optimize the design of an artificial neural network (ANN) combined with an optimization algorithm of genetic algorithm (GA) for the calculation of slope stability safety factors (SF) in a pure cohesive slope. To make datasets of training and testing for the developed predictive models, 630 finite element limit equilibrium (FELE) analyses were performed. Similar to many artificial intelligence-based solutions, the database was involved in 189 testing datasets (e.g., 30% of the entire database) and 441 training datasets; for example, a range of 70% of the total database. Moreover, variables of multilayer perceptron (MLP) algorithm (for example, number of nodes in any hidden layer) and the algorithm of GA like population size was optimized by utilizing a series of trial and error process. The parameters in input, which were used in the analysis, consist of slope angle (β), setback distance ratio (b/B), applied stresses on the slope (F_y) and undrained shear strength of the cohesive soil (C_u) where the output was taken SF. The obtained network outputs for both datasets from MLP and GA-MLP models are evaluated according to many statistical indices. A total of 72 MLP trial and error (e.g., parameter study) the optimal architecture of 4 × 8 × 1 were determined for the MLP structure. Both proposed techniques result in a proper performance; however, according to the statistical indices, the GA–MLP model can somewhat accomplish the least mean square error (MSE) when compared to MLP. In an optimized GA–MLP network, coefficient of determination (R²) and root mean square error (RMSE) values of (0.975, and 0.097) and (0.969, and 0.107) were found, respectively, to both of the normalized training and testing datasets.

     

Nonlinear evolutionary swarm intelligence of grasshopper optimization algorithm and gray wolf optimization for weight adjustment of neural network

Engineering with Computers - The advent of new data-mining techniques and, more recently, swarm-based optimization algorithms have antiquated traditional models in the field of energy performance...     

Fabrication process of open surfaces by robotic fibre placement

Composite materials are being used extensively in many industrial sectors. They offer excellent material properties compared to other structural materials available. However, the traditional fabrication process using manual hand lay-up is time consuming and labour intensive. Therefore, robotic fibre placement has been introduced to overcome these drawbacks. This approach may greatly reduce cycle time and manufacturing costs. This paper describes the overall strategy for the establishment of a flexible robotic fibre placement technique. The fabrication process planning of this new technique is presented. Three different types of fibre placement for open surfaces are discussed. These include simulation-based fibre path generation, fibre steering, and sensory-based contour following methodologies. The system architecture for the process control is also presented.     

TCP onloading for data center servers

To meet the increasing networking needs of server workloads, servers are starting to offload packet processing to peripheral devices to achieve TCP/IP acceleration. Researchers at Intel Labs have experimented with alternative solutions that improve the server's ability to process TCP/IP packets efficiently and at very high rates.     

Survival and recovery of viable but nonculturable Listeria monocytogenes cells in a nutritionally depleted medium

Survival of a desiccated five-strain Listeria monocytogenes mixture during storage in sand at 4 degrees C for 2 months was determined using the acridine orange direct count method with novobiocin and plate counts. Samples of inoculated sand were taken every 2 weeks, incubated at 37 degrees C for 6 h, stained with acridine orange, and then examined with a fluorescence microscope. Elongated viable but nonculturable cells were most frequently observed during weeks 2 and 4. At weeks 6 and 8, most of the cells either remained viable or were dead. In each microscopic field, only one or two viable but nonculturable cells were observed among hundreds of other viable culturable cells, indicating that L. monocytogenes does not generally become viable but nonculturable. Therefore, viable but nonculturable cells are not a concern when plating environmental samples or desiccated L. monocytogenes cells on nonselective media. Tryptic soy agar with 0.6% (wt/vol) yeast extract (TSAYE) and Columbia agar were used as nonselective plate count media. Modified Oxford agar and TSAYE + 5% (wt/vol) sodium chloride were used as the selective plate count media. The effects of aerobic or anaerobic incubation and media supplementation with 0.1% or 1% (wt/vol) sodium pyruvate were tested to optimize recovery of desiccated cells. Nonselective media showed better recovery when TSAYE and Columbia agar contained 0.1% (wt/vol) pyruvate and were incubated aerobically. These two culture methods were equally effective (P > 0.05) for recovering desiccated L. monocytogenes cells.     

Computer-based extraction of the inferior alveolar nerve canal in 3-D space

Computed tomography (CT) is increasingly employed in orthodontic treatment. One of the most successful applications is in dental implantology, in which an artificial root is surgically inserted into the jawbone to provide anchorage for a dental prosthesis. For successful implant surgery, it is crucial to locate internal structures such as the inferior alveolar nerve canal (IAC). This paper presents a computerized technique for extracting the IAC. To facilitate the extraction, we first generate panoramic CT images (panoramics) by reformatting the original CT images. The panoramics are a series of cross-sectional images along curved planes through the mandible (lower jawbone). Hollow canals are subsequently detected by analyzing the voxel intensities and 3-D gradient orientations in the panoramics. The axis of the IAC is then traced out by a novel 3-D line-tracking technique. The method is effective for extracting the IAC despite the open structure of the surrounding bone.     

Logistic regression in an adaptive Web cache

Adaptive Web caching offers a way to improve network performance using current technologies. The challenge facing researchers is to determine what objects should be cached. As biostatisticians use regression models to predict the risk of disease development, the authors use a logistic regression model to predict the cache worthiness of Web objects     

Low Temperature Direct of Graphene onto Metal Nano‐Spindt Tip with Applications in Electron Emission

Graphene has been known for its superior electronic properties ever since its discovery in 2004. The high aspect ratio and ballistic transport properties exhibited by this one‐dimensional material are especially useful for electron emission applications. However, they are typically grown horizontally and excess efforts, such as the use of transfer techniques, is required to orientate them before effective electron emission from the graphene edges can occur. These transfer techniques have been shown to lead to additional defects to the as‐grown graphene structure, thereby degrading its properties. Here, we present an approach to directly fabricate graphene onto metal nano‐sized spindt tips (or nanocones) using the solid‐state transformation of carbon deposited from a pulsed laser system at low temperature. Besides providing a layer of chemical and mechanical protection for the metal nanocones, the graphene‐on‐metal nanocones gave enhanced emission properties compared to bare metal nanocones. This was due to the reduction of effective field emission tunneling barrier, which was a result of graphene‐metal charge transfer interactions. Controlling the metal nanocones density was also an important factor in determining the field emission performance, as electron screening from neighboring cones should be minimized.     

Power plant maintenance scheduling using ant colony optimization: an improved formulation

It is common practice in the hydropower industry to either shorten the maintenance duration or to postpone maintenance tasks in a hydropower system when there is expected unserved energy based on current water storage levels and forecast storage inflows. It is therefore essential that a maintenance scheduling optimizer can incorporate the options of shortening the maintenance duration and/or deferring maintenance tasks in the search for practical maintenance schedules. In this article, an improved ant colony optimization-power plant maintenance scheduling optimization (ACO-PPMSO) formulation that considers such options in the optimization process is introduced. As a result, both the optimum commencement time and the optimum outage duration are determined for each of the maintenance tasks that need to be scheduled. In addition, a local search strategy is presented in this article to boost the robustness of the algorithm. When tested on a five-station hydropower system problem, the improved formulation is shown to be capable of allowing shortening of maintenance duration in the event of expected demand shortfalls. In addition, the new local search strategy is also shown to have significantly improved the optimization ability of the ACO-PPMSO algorithm.