PLAUSIBLE APPROXIMATE REASONING

Modifications to Zadeh's theory of approximate reasoning are proposed to enhance the theory's ability to produce plausible inference results. The modifications include the introduction of a different implication definition and a certainty qualification for fuzzy propositions. Plausible reasoning is characterized by a set of reasoning patterns of practical significance. This set is then used to validate the overall approximate reasoning method.     

An image analysis method as applied to study the space-temporal evolution of waves in an annular gas-liquid flow

The secondary instability of the surface of a liquid film sheared by an intensive gas flow was first discovered using high-speed modification of the laser-induced fluorescence method. To study the space-temporal evolution of waves of different types, we used image analysis tools, in particular, the Canny method. As a result, we obtained the quantitative characteristics for both wave types and the phenomenon of the back slope instability of primary waves.     

Dysfluent reading in the absence of spelling difficulties: A specific disability in regular orthographies.

Two large studies identified substantial numbers of German-speaking children (Grade 3) with marked dissociations between reading and spelling difficulties. These dissociations were expected because German exhibits high regularity in the direction of graphemes to phonemes (forward regularity) but not in the direction of phonemes to graphemes (backward regularity). High forward regularity allows reliance on phonological processing in reading (even in advanced fluent reading), whereas low backward regularity requires reliance on orthographic memory representations in spelling. Dysfluent reading in the absence of spelling difficulties was associated only with a naming speed deficit--assessed at school entrance--but not with phonological memory or phonological awareness deficits. In contrast, a specific spelling deficit was preceded by phonological deficits. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Die Adsorptionstechnik – ein Gebiet mit Zukunft

Adsorption technology – an area with potential for the future . Adsorption offers considerable industrial potential for separation of individual components or mixtures of components from gases and liquids. Since the separation process occurs at ambient temperatures or only slightly raised temperatures it offers the advantage of energetically favourable conditions. Adsorption is also particularly good for isolation of components present in very low concentrations. It therefore plays a significant role in the development of trace technology. Future possibilities depend on both the development of high performance adsorbents and on the development of adsorption devices of high specific performance. Solution of physicochemical and of engineering problems are of comparable importance. The present article describes general fundamentals of adsorption, the principal properties of adsorbents, and some technical adsorption processes. Contemporary adsorber designs are presented and some developmental trends addressed.     

Realization of a 450 mhz cable tv system compatible with existing networks

This paper describes the realization in West Germany of a 450 MHz cable TV system, which matches into the infrastructure already formed by the existing 300 MHz systems. The studies and developments done to achieve this are described, and the results of a field trial detailed. Finally the impact of the new MAC standard is discussed.     

The interaction of pulsed electric fields and texturizing ‐ antifreezing agents in quality retention of defrosted potato strips

The combination of pulsed electric fields (PEF) and texturizing and antifreeze agents on quality retention of defrosted potato strips were studied. Potato strips (10 mm thickness, 100 g) were placed in different solutions (1% w/v) of CaCl₂, glycerol, trehalose as well as NaCl and sucrose, treated with PEF (0.5 kV cm^?1, 100 pulses, 4 Hz). Then, all the samples were soaked in the same solutions for 10 min. After draining, samples were packed into polypropylene pouches and stored at ?18 °C for 12 h. Samples were thawed out at room temperature (20 °C) in 3 h. Untreated controls and PEF treated control samples were also frozen and thawed in similar conditions. To assess the potato strip quality, the thawed samples were analysed for moisture content, weight loss, firmness and colour attributes. The results indicate that PEF treatment by itself is not a suitable pre‐treatment method for frozen potato strips and should be assisted by CaCl₂ and trehalose treatment to prevent softening after defrosting. Firmness analyses determined that application of PEF alone results in 2.38 N. However, PEF in combination with CaCl₂ and trehalose result in 2.97 N and 2.99 N, respectively, which are both significantly firmer than the samples solely treated with PEF. CaCl₂ and trehalose were effective in not only maintaining the structural integrity of the cells, but also retaining colour attributes. The L* value was found to be higher (P < 0.05) in CaCl₂ and trehalose treated samples (58.95 and 57.21, respectively), as compared to PEF treated samples (53.97) denoting a darker colour. Application of CaCl₂ and trehalsoe in combination with PEF also resulted in significantly less weight loss after thawing.