An on-line learning algorithm for the orthogonal weight estimation of MLP

We propose an on-line learning algorithm for Multi Layered Perceptrons (MLP) with an Orthogonal Weight Estimator (OWE) architecture. Such an architecture allows to dynamically and efficiently estimate the weights of a MLP in context dependent behaviour problems. The proposed learning algorithm attempts to solve the problem of time-consuming in the learning phase encountered to train these weight estimators.     

Physical degradation of genomic DNA of soybean flours does not impair relative quantification of its transgenic content

In this paper, four different physical treatments (microwaves, heating by conduction, sonication and pressure autoclaving) were performed to degrade a pure DNA extract, and their influence on GMO quantification was studied. The aim was to check the hypothesis that processing of agrofood products results in a similar degradation rate for both the transgenic target and the specific target. Indeed we could observe that even if the used physical treatments could lead to a significant increase of C _t values for both transgenic and specific targets, the resulting ΔC _t remained stable. So, the main conclusion of the study is that the aforementioned hypothesis seems valid and thus a physical degradation of DNA will not affect the relative quantitation of the GMO content, provided that both the specific and transgenic targets have very similar size. A second important issue of the experiments performed was that DNA is a very robust molecule as it is extremely difficult to reach a mean size below 100 bp. The study also gives evidence of the importance of using small targets.     

Effect of melt spinning on the microstructure and mechanical properties of three Ni-base superalloys

A microstructural and mechanical analysis was performed on three rapidly solidified nickel base superalloys. Transmission and scanning electron microscopy along with tensile tests were performed on the ribbons in the as-cast and aged condition. This investigation permitted a correlation to be made between cooling rate, microstructure, and mechanical properties. It was found that melt spinning significantly altered the physical characteristics of the alloys studied. The rapid cooling rates (∼10⁷ K/s) produced ribbons with a low dislocation density and small (∼1 μm) low angle cells. The precipitation of γ′ was suppressed, producing alloys with a smaller volume fraction of precipitates and lower APBE than in the conventionally cast condition. Also, the matrix/precipitate lattice mismatch was higher in the melt spun foils. Tensile strengths were similar to those in the conventional form; however, no measurable ductility was present. Aging the ribbons resulted in increases in γ′ volume fraction, tensile strengths, APBE, and elongations compared to the as-cast ribbons. The results of this work suggest that many of the microstructural refinements produced by melt spinning are lost after a short aging time at moderate temperatures.     

Does a regional accent perturb speech processing?

The processing costs involved in regional accent normalization were evaluated by measuring differences in lexical decision latencies for targets placed at the end of sentences with different French regional accents. Over a series of 6 experiments, the authors examined the time course of comprehension disruption by manipulating the duration and presentation conditions of accented speech. Taken together, the findings of these experiments indicate that regional accent normalization involves a short-term adjustment mechanism that develops as a certain amount of accented signal is available, resulting in a temporary perturbation in speech processing. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Asymptotic stress intensity factor density profiles for smeared-tip method for cohesive fracture

The paper presents a computational approach and numerical data which facilitate the use of the smeared-tip method for cohesive fracture in large enough structures. In the recently developed K-version of the smeared tip method, the large-size asymptotic profile of the stress intensity factor density along a cohesive crack is considered as a material characteristic, which is uniquely related to the softening stress-displacement law of the cohesive crack. After reviewing the K-version, an accurate and efficient numerical algorithm for the computation of this asymptotic profile is presented. The algorithm is based on solving a singular Abel's integral equation. The profiles corresponding to various typical softening stress-displacement laws of the cohesive crack model are computed, tabulated and plotted. The profiles for a certain range of other typical softening laws can be approximately obtained by interpolation from the tables. Knowing the profile, one can obtain with the smeared-tip method an analytical expression for the large-size solution to fracture problems, including the first two asymptotic terms of the size effect law. Consequently, numerical solutions of the integral equations of the cohesive crack model as well as finite element simulations of the cohesive crack are made superfluous. However, when the fracture process zone is attached to a notch or to the body surface and the cohesive zone ends with a stress jump, the solution is expected to be accurate only for large-enough structures.     

Assessing and interpreting personality change and continuity in patients treated for major depression.

Structural, mean- and individual-level, differential, and ipsative personality continuity were examined in 599 patients treated for major depression assigned to 1 of 6 forms of a 6-month pharmaco-psychotherapy program. Covariation among traits from the Five Factor model remained invariant across treatment, and patients described themselves as slightly more extraverted, open to experience, agreeable and conscientious, and substantially more emotional stable after treatment. Trait changes were only to a small extent explained by changes in depression severity. There was evidence for differential, individual-level, and ipsative stability, with stable personality profiles in terms of shape and to a lesser extent in terms of scatter and elevation. Traits remain relatively stable, except for emotional stability, despite the depressive state and the psychopharmacological interventions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A study of mixtures of poly(ethylene oxide) with polystyrene or poly(styrene-co-acrylic acid) by inverse gas chromatography and viscosimetry

Summary Systems of poly(ethylene oxide)/polystyrene and of poly(ethylene oxide)/poly(styrene-co-acrylic acid) of different ratios were studied by inverse gas chromatography using benzene and n-decane as molecule probes and by viscosimetry in tetrahydrofuran. The transition temperatures as shown in the retention diagrams and the interaction parameters as determined by inverse gas chromatography and by viscosimetry showed that whereas poly(ethylene oxide) is incompatible with polystyrene, the introduction of amounts of acrylic acid groups into polystyrene chains by free radical copolymerization led to compatible systems of the acidic copolymer with the poly(ethylene oxide).     

Dogs (Canis familiaris) learn their owners via observation in a manipulation task.

Eighty-seven pet dogs (Canis familiaris) were involved in an experiment in which they had to solve a task to obtain a ball. After witnessing a full demonstration by their owner (10 times pushing the handle of the box, which released a ball), most dogs preferred to touch the handle sooner and more frequently in comparison with other parts of the box, and they used the handle to get the ball. In contrast dogs in 3 control groups developed their own respective methods. The lack of emergence of the ball and playing after the demonstration did not affect the learning performance strongly. This suggests that in dogs the outcome of a demonstration plays only a restricted role in the manifestation of social learning. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Nitrogen dioxide effect in the reduction of nitric oxide by propane in oxidizing atmosphere

The role of nitrogen dioxide in the selective reduction of NO by propane over a Cu-MFI zeolite is investigated. NO₂ and NO reductions were carried out under similar conditions of reaction. In the presence of oxygen, the reduction of NO by C₃H₈ does not differ significantly from that of NO₂. In the absence of oxygen, the reduction of NO₂ by propane occurs with a partial decomposition of the nitric dioxide molecule. Such a decomposition leads to the formation of oxygen, which is responsible for the increase in catalytic activity by comparison with the same reaction performed with NO. NO₂ formed and released in the gas phase during the reduction of NO by propane in the presence of oxygen does not play a predominant role in the catalytic process.     

Electrophilic chlorination of methane over superacidic sulfated zirconia

Catalytic chlorination of methane was studied over SO ₄ ^2– /ZrO₂, Pt/SO ₄ ^2– /ZrO₂, and Fe/Mn/SO ₄ ^2– /ZrO₂ solid superacid catalysts. The reactions were carried out in a continuous flow reactor under atmospheric pressure, at temperatures below 240°C, with a gaseous hourly space velocity of 1000 ml/g h and a methane to chlorine ratio of 4 to 1. At 200°C with 30% chlorine converted the selectivity in methyl chloride exceeds 90%. At more elevated temperatures, the selectivity decreases but stays above 80% in methyl chloride at 225°C using the sulfated zirconia catalysts. The selectivity can be enhanced by adding platinum to sulfated zirconia catalysts. An iron and manganese-doped catalyst exhibited excellent selectivities at somewhat lower conversions. Methyl chloride is obtained at 235°C in selectivities greater than 85%. No chloroform or carbon tetrachloride is formed. The electrophilic insertion involves electron-deficient metal-coordinated chlorine into the methane C-H bond.Catalysis by solid superacids, 29. For part 28 see ref. [14].