Back-propagation learning in expert networks

Expert networks are event-driven, acyclic networks of neural objects derived from expert systems. The neural objects process information through a nonlinear combining function that is different from, and more complex than, typical neural network node processors. The authors develop back-propagation learning for acyclic, event-driven networks in general and derive a specific algorithm for learning in EMYCIN-derived expert networks. The algorithm combines back-propagation learning with other features of expert networks, including calculation of gradients of the nonlinear combining functions and the hypercube nature of the knowledge space. It offers automation of the knowledge acquisition task for certainty factors, often the most difficult part of knowledge extraction. Results of testing the learning algorithm with a medium-scale (97-node) expert network are presented.     

Comparative egg morphology of silvanid and laemophloeid beetles (Coleoptera) occurring in stored products

Eggs of eight pest species of Silvanidae and Laemophloeidae commonly occurring in stored products (grain and flour etc.) in Europe are described. Comparisons include overall appearance, size, surface sculpturing and changes in external appearance during development of the embryo. Morphological details are illustrated with scanning electron micrographs. A key for distinguishing eggs of these pests at generic level is provided. The study did not reveal structural characters of value for distinguishing eggs at the species level and thus the development of specific immunological or molecular identification methods is suggested.     

Comparative glycomic mapping through quantitative permethylation and stable-isotope labeling

Comparative glycan quantification has thus far been a challenging task due to the lack of sensitive and reproducible analytical techniques. We introduce here a combination of quantitative permethylation and isotope labeling of glycans as an approach (C-GlycoMAP) allowing precise comparison between different samples in a single MALDI-MS analysis. Samples are either methylated or deuteriomethylated prior to their mixing and mass spectrometric acquisitions. Comparative analyses are based on the ratio of the two isotopically distinct forms of the same glycan structure, thus allowing a direct absolute evaluation of the intensities of the two forms originating from two different biological samples (e.g., control and diseased). The direct comparison between the two forms eliminates a MALDI-MS low m/z bias commonly associated with this technique. These comparative analyses are highly reliable when the intensity ratios of the two forms lie between 0.125 and 6, an overall reproducibility better than 30% (RSD). The value of C-GlycoMAP is demonstrated here for N-glycans derived from human blood serum collected from a healthy individual and a breast cancer patient as well as for O-glycans derived from normal and cancer cell extracts.     

Wear performance and wear debris of semimetallic automotive brake materials

Wear performance of automotive brake material is addressed and debris collected after brake dynamometer test and after ball-milling of identical semimetallic friction lining is characterized using a combination of analytical techniques. The differences between dynamometer wear debris and ball-milled samples are demonstrated. Wear debris is typified by the presence of numerous nanoparticles formed during wear process. Their chemistry resembles the chemistry of friction layer described previously. Contradicting findings by different research groups addressing automotive wear particulates are discussed and further refinement of analytical and testing techniques as well as their combination is suggested.     

Comparative disinfection efficiency of pulsed and continuous-wave UV irradiation technologies

Pulsed UV (PUV) is a novel UV irradiation system that is a non-mercury lamp-based alternative to currently used continuous-wave systems for water disinfection. PUV polychromatic irradiation disinfection efficiency was compared to that from continuous-wave monochromatic low-pressure (LP) and polychromatic medium-pressure (MP) UV systems, using two types of actinometry (ferrioxalate and iodide-iodate) and an absolute spectral emission method for fluence measurement. All three methods were in good agreement. Once accurate and reliable methods for fluence measurement were established, the inactivation of Escherichia coli and pathogen surrogates phage T4 and T7 were investigated under each technology. Inactivation was significantly faster using PUV irradiation compared to LP or MP UV lamps at equivalent fluence levels. A significant fraction of the enhanced PUV inactivation efficiency was due to wavelengths greater than 295 nm.     

Innovative Technology for Preparation of Seamless Nitinol Tubes Using SHS Without Forming

This paper presents innovative technology for the production of seamless Ni-Ti tubes using self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS). The proposed production technology is a unique method which removes the need of forming operations, reduces machining processes, and at the same time it eliminates the negatives of production Ni-Ti alloys by conventional melting methods. The proposed process consists in SHS reaction in evacuated silica tube with the use of extremely high heating rate (over 300 K min^?1).     

Computational simulation methods for fiber reinforced composites

Trefftz-finite element method (Trefftz-FEM), adaptive cross approximation BEM (ACA BEM) and continuous source function method (CSFM) are used for the simulation of composites reinforced by short fibers (CRSF) with the aim of showing the possibilities of reducing the problem of complicated and important interactions in such composite materials.     

Simplified procedure for patterned growth of nanocrystalline diamond micro-structures

Two technological strategies to generate patterned diamond growth have been tested. The diamond micro-structures (i.e. linear stripes and 5 µm narrow channels) were grown in the thickness of 450 nm on Si/SiO₂ substrates by a microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition process. Strategy 1, employing a metal mask, resulted in unsatisfying patterned diamond growth due to instability of metal mask. Strategy 2 was based on a direct lithographic patterning of the seeding layer and resulted in a strongly selective, homogenous, and compact growth of diamond on the polymer-coated seeding patterns. This is assigned to the high seeding yield. The diamond micro-structures formed in this way exhibit surface conductivity of 10^− 7 (Ω/□)^− 1 as assessed by I–V characteristics. The observed results appear promising for the development of directly grown diamond-based transistors.     

Effect of Thermal Treatment on the Amplification and Quantification of Transgenic and Non-transgenic Soybean and Maize DNA

Processing of raw plant materials causes occurrence of degraded DNA in foods. The effect of DNA degradation on amplification and quantification of transgenic and non-transgenic DNA in raw and experimentally thermally processed foods was studied. The degree of DNA degradation was checked by agarose gel electrophoresis and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide method yielded DNA of a better quality, while Genespin and Wizard were less appropriate. Baking at 220 °C considerably reduced the size of DNA fragments. In order to measure the length of amplifiable DNA, primers for soybean and maize genes were used. Small DNA fragments ranging from 100 to 200 bp were amplified in all samples. DNA fragments over 1 kbp were amplified only if heating at 220 °C lasted less than 30 min. Baking of flour (220 °C) reduced the size of extracted DNA fragments so that 1,100 bp amplicon was no longer amplifiable, while the amplicons of 913 and 1,100 bp were obtained from the baked bread. When PCR assays targeting maize high mobility group and zein genes were used under the same conditions, analogous results were achieved. Quantification of genetically modified organism content was not influenced by baking.