An ASN.1 Model and Integration Approach for Structured Text

A language for manipulating ASN.1 print files is defined as an addition to the ASN.1 data definition language as specified in the ISO standards 8824 and 8825. The language has syntax similar in spirit to SQL, and provides analogous operations. Together, ASN.1 and the manipulation language define a model that can represent attribute hierarchies, multivalued attributes, optional attributes, both ordered and unordered attributes and tuples, and unnamed attributes—constructs that are absent in the traditional relational model. In addition, the proposed model allows the semantics of order, homogeneity, optionality, choosability, and uniqueness to be attached to constructs and construct elements. The approach is well suited for modeling data where form is important, such as text and flat file databases having ad hoc formats. It also supports modeling relations. The primary motivation for developing this language is to provide a common model for a database integration approach where some of the databases are in the form of formatted flat file text, while others are relational. Although the approach is general and can be applied in many different areas, scientific database and tool integration was the primary motive for its development.     

Evolving comprehensible neural network trees using genetic algorithms

This paper presents a comprehensible neural network tree (CNNTREE). CNNTREE is a proposed general modular neural network structure, where each node in this tree is a comprehensible expert neural network (CENN). One advantage of using CNNTREE is that it is a “gray box”; because it can be interpreted easily for symbolic systems; where each node in the CNNTREE is equivalent for symbolic operator in the symbolic system. Another advantage of CNNTREE is that it can be trained as any normal multi layer feed forward neural network. An evolutionary algorithm is given for designing the CNNTREE. Back propagation is also checked as local learning algorithm that fits for real time learning constraints. The tree generalization and training performance are examined using experiments with a digit recognition problem. The article is published in the original. Elsayed Mostafa. Received the B.Sc. degree in electrical (Communication) Eng., Cairo University at 1967. Dipl.-Ing, and Dr-Ing. from Stuttgart University at 1977, 1981 respectively. He is a member of ECS and EEES. He is currently a professor of electronic circuits, Faculty of Engineering, University of Helwan. Amr Kamel. Graduated from Computer Department, Faculty of Engineering of Ain Shams University, Egypt in 1999, and studying M.Sc. degree in computer engineering from the Faculty of Engineering of Helwan University. His special fields of interest include neural networks and genetic algorithms. Alaa Hamdy. Was born in Giza in Egypt, on August 17, 1966. He graduated from the Telecommunications and Electronics Department, Faculty of Engineering and Technology of Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt in 1989. He received the M.Sc. degree in computer engineering from the same university in 1996 and the Ph.D. degree from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Poznan University of Technology, Poland in 2004. Currently he is working as a lecturer in the Faculty of Engineering of Helwan University. His special fields of interest, include image processing, pattern analysis, and machine vision.     

A multi-segmented human bioheat model for transient and asymmetric radiative environments

This paper aims to improve the Salloum et al. multi-node multi-segmented model [M. Salloum, N. Ghaddar, K. Ghali, A new transient bio-heat model of the human body and its integration to clothing models, Int. J. Therm. Sci. 46 (4) (2007) 371–384] to accurately predict the circumferential skin temperature variation of nude and clothed human body segments when subject to complex transient and spatially non-uniform radiative environments. The passive bioheat model segments the body into the 15 cylindrical segments. Each body segment is divided into one core node, six angular skin nodes, one artery blood node, and one vein blood node. The model calculates the blood circulation using the Avolio model [A.P. Avolio, Multi-branched model of the human arterial system, Med. Biol. Eng. Comp. 18 (1980) 709–718] for arteries and arterioles up to 2 mm in diameter and the Olufsen et al., semi-analytical model [M.S. Olufsen, C.S. Peskin, W.Y. Kim, E.M. Pedersen, A. Nadim, J. Larsen, Numerical simulation and experimental validation of blood flow in arteries with structured tree outflow conditions, Ann. Biomed. Eng. 28 (11) (2000) 1281–1299] for small arteries and arterioles up to a minimum diameter of 0.3 mm; thus improving prediction of blood perfusion rates in the skin. Unsteady bioheat equations are simultaneously solved for the nodes of each body segment to predict the skin, tympanic, and core temperatures, sweat rates, and the dry and latent heat losses. The nude body thermal model is integrated to a clothing model that takes into consideration the moisture adsorption by the fibers to predict heat and mass diffusion through the clothing layers. The clothing layer is divided into six parts that are aligned to the skin sub-nodes for each clothed segment. The local and mean skin temperature can then be estimated in response to non-uniform environments.The nude body and the clothed model predictions were compared with published experimental data at a variety of ambient conditions, non-uniform conditions and activity levels. The current model agreed well with experimental data during transitions from hot to cold, dry to humid environments, and in asymmetric radiative environments. Both the nude and clothed human models have an accuracy of less than 6% for the whole-body heat gains or losses; the nude human model has an accuracy of ±0.35 °C for skin temperature values.     

Etude de l'influence du mode d'anodisation sur la cinétique de croissance des films d'alumine en milieu acide sulfurique

The kinetics of growth of Al₂O₃ oxide films made by anode oxidation of ALuminium 1050A with two anodization techniques has been investigatedan compared. The first technique is the classical method based on continuous tension during the complete electrlysis duration, and the second one is the modern method ofpulsed tensions, whcih consists of periodically imposing to the material two anodc tensions E₁ and E₂ (E₁ > E₂) during time T₁ and T₂ until the end on anodization. We have shown that the second technique allows the fabrication of films more rapidly for the same electrolysis duraton. Energy and electrolysis time are saved, making it attractive from an economical viewpoint. This advantage arises from the positive effect of excess heat disiption gathered during the imposition of tension, E₁, when E₂ is imposed thereafter (recovery effect). The logging of in situ transient responses in the case of pulsed anodization is a significant asset to explain the growth film kinetics obtained with this method.     

Formulation of Controlled Release Matrices by Granulation with a Polymer Dispersion

The objective of this work was to incorporate an ethylcellulose-based controlled-release coating suspension (Surelease, Colorcon) within a tablet matrix to provide a release controlling mechanism. Anhydrous theophylline, chlorpheniramine maleate, and acetaminophen were selected as model drug entities. Surelease dispersion was incorporated as the granulating agent either to the drug entity alone or to a blended mixture of drug and filler. Control batches included simple aqueous granulations and direct compression mixtures. Tablets were prepared on a single stroke tablet press. Dissolution was performed by the USP Method I (rotating basket) in purified water for the granulations and the resulting tablets. The uncompressed granulations did not exhibit prolonged release. In general, tablets prepared with the polymer suspension as the granulating agent were non-disintegrating, and exhibited slower dissolution than the control tablets. Release profiles were affected by drug concentration and excipient levels. By the dissolution method selected, complete drug release for the various formulations ranged from less than 1 hour to greater than 12 hours. The use of the polymer dispersion appears to enhance the processing characteristics of some materials, and to provide the formulator with control over drug release.     

Optimal Sizing of a DBD Ozone Generator Using Response Surface Modeling

Dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) reactors used as ozone generators are well known today and widely used for water treatment and air disinfection. The purpose of this article is to propose an experimental procedure based on the response surface modeling in order to optimize the geometrical dimensions of the cylindrical shape ozone generator, i.e., the discharge gap and the electrodes length. Because an effective ozone generator is expected to give high ozone concentration with a minimum of power requirements, the applied high voltage was associated with the geometrical parameters to carry out a composite centered faces design. Obtained results indicate that for an efficient ozone generator, length of the electrodes needs to be optimized while the discharge gap should be minimized.     

Mono‐, Di‐ and Tetra‐Cationic Surfactants as Carbon Steel Corrosion Inhibitors

Corrosion inhibition of three new synthesized cationic surfactants, N‐(2‐(((Z)‐4‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)but‐3‐en‐1‐yl)amino)ethyl)‐N‐(2‐((E)‐(pyridin‐4‐ylmethylene)amino)ethyl)dodecan‐1‐aminium bromide I(4N), N¹,N²‐didodecyl‐N¹‐((Z)‐4‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)but‐3‐en‐1‐yl)‐N²‐(2‐((E)‐(pyridin‐4‐ylmethylene)amino)ethyl)ethane‐1,2‐diaminium bromide II(4N) and 1‐dodecyl‐4‐((E)‐((2‐(dodecyl(2‐(dodecyl((Z)‐4‐(1‐dodecylpyridin‐1‐ium‐4‐yl)but‐3‐en‐1‐yl)ammonio)ethyl)ammonio)ethyl)imino)methyl)pyridin‐1‐ium bromide IV(4N) on carbon steel was investigated by weight loss, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and polarization measurements. Results show that the synthesized cationic surfactants inhibit corrosion of carbon steel in 1 M HCl. The inhibitive action occurs by virtue of adsorption on the metal surface following a Langmuir adsorption isotherm model. Polarization curves reveal that the investigated cationic surfactants can be classified as mixed inhibitor types. The variations in the corrosion inhibition efficiency between three cationic surfactants are correlated with their chemical structures, with more hydrophobic surfactants yielding higher inhibition efficiency.