On the possibility of using complex values in fuzzy logic for representing inconsistencies

In science and engineering, there are “paradoxical” cases in which we have some arguments in favor of some statement A (so the degree to which A is known to be true is positive (nonzero)), and we have some arguments in favor of its negation ¬A, and we do not have enough information to tell which of these two statements is correct. Traditional fuzzy logic, in which “truth values” are described by numbers from the interval [0, 1], easily describes such “paradoxical” situations: the degree a to which the statement A is true and the degree 1−a to which its negation ¬A is true can both be positive. In this case, if we use traditional fuzzy &-operations (min or product), the “truth value” a&(1−a) of the statement A&¬A is positive, indicating that there is some degree of inconsistency in the initial beliefs. When we try to use fuzzy logic to formalize expert reasoning in the humanities, we encounter the problem that is humanities, in addition to the above-described paradoxical situations caused by the incompleteness of our knowledge, there are also true paradoxes, i.e., statements that are perceived as true and false at the same time. For such statements, A&¬A=“true.” The corresponding equality a&(1−a)=1 is impossible in traditional fuzzy logic (where a&(1−a) is always≤0.5), so, to formalize such true paradoxes, we must extend the set of truth values from the interval [0, 1]. In this paper we show that such an extension can be achieved if we allow truth values to be complex numbers. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Primary Cilia Structure Is Prolonged in Enteric Neurons of 5xFAD Alzheimer’s Disease Model Mice

Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) have long been acknowledged as mere disorders of the central nervous system (CNS). However, in recent years the gut with its autonomous nervous system and the multitude of microbial commensals has come into focus. Changes in gut properties have been described in patients and animal disease models such as altered enzyme secretion or architecture of the enteric nervous system. The underlying cellular mechanisms have so far only been poorly investigated. An important organelle for integrating potentially toxic signals such as the AD characteristic A-beta peptide is the primary cilium. This microtubule-based signaling organelle regulates numerous cellular processes. Even though the role of primary cilia in a variety of developmental and disease processes has recently been recognized, the contribution of defective ciliary signaling to neurodegenerative diseases such as AD, however, has not been investigated in detail so far. The AD mouse model 5xFAD was used to analyze possible changes in gut functionality by organ bath measurement of peristalsis movement. Subsequently, we cultured primary enteric neurons from mutant mice and wild type littermate controls and assessed for cellular pathomechanisms. Neurite mass was quantified within transwell culturing experiments. Using a combination of different markers for the primary cilium, cilia number and length were determined using fluorescence microscopy. 5xFAD mice showed altered gut anatomy, motility, and neurite mass of enteric neurons. Moreover, primary cilia could be demonstrated on the surface of enteric neurons and exhibited an elongated phenotype in 5xFAD mice. In parallel, we observed reduced β-Catenin expression, a key signaling molecule that regulates Wnt signaling, which is regulated in part via ciliary associated mechanisms. Both results could be recapitulated via in vitro treatments of enteric neurons from wild type mice with A-beta. So far, only a few reports on the probable role of primary cilia in AD can be found. Here, we reveal for the first time an architectural altered phenotype of primary cilia in the enteric nervous system of AD model mice, elicited potentially by neurotoxic A-beta. Potential changes on the sub-organelle level—also in CNS-derived neurons—require further investigations.     

脲醛胶杨木/麦秸复合刨花板的工艺研究

采用正交试验的方法,研究了施胶量、热压温度、热压时间、杨木/麦秸刨花质量比例等工艺因素对脲醛胶杨木/麦秸复合刨花板的静曲强度、弹性模量、内结合强度、吸水厚度膨胀率等性能的影响。结果表明:采用杨木和麦秸为原料制造脲醛胶杨木/麦秸复合刨花板是可行的,其优化工艺参数为施胶量14%、单位热压时间40s/mm、热压温度180℃,杨木/麦秸刨花质量比例7/3。     

Application of surface modifying macromolecules in polyethersulfone membranes: Influence on PES surface chemistry and physical properties

Novel surface modifying macromolecules (SMMs) were developed for incorporation into polyethersulfone (PES) membranes, intended for pervaporation applications. These materials were synthesized with a diisocyanate, polypropylene oxide (PPO), and a fluoro-alcohol, and characterized for elemental analysis, molecular weight, and glass transition temperatures. PES/SMM blends with eight types of SMMs were characterized for surface and physical properties and compared with PES. Water droplet contact angle measurements and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy data showed that the SMMs migrated to the surface and rendered the PES material more hydrophobic. While advancing contact angle data were equivalent to those of pure Teflon™, the highest average values of receding angles of these systems were less than those of commercial Teflon™. The opaqueness of PES/SMMs films and data from differential scanning calorimetry experiments showed that the SMMs were either immiscible or only partially miscible with PES. It was also observed, for a fixed PES concentration of 25 wt %, that increases in the molecular weight of the SMMs and the weight fraction of PPO in the SMMs led to phase separation in the ternary PES/SMMs/dimethylacetamide (i.e., membrane casting solution) system. On the other hand, in the binary PES/SMMs system (i.e., cast membrane film), an increasing weight fraction of fluorine in the SMMs contributed to an increase in the phase separation. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 73: 1363–1378, 1999     

Suppression of Bone Necrosis around Tooth Extraction Socket in a MRONJ-like Mouse Model by E-rhBMP-2 Containing Artificial Bone Graft Administration

Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is related to impaired bone healing conditions in the maxillomandibular bone region as a complication of bisphosphonate intake. Although there are several hypotheses for the onset of MRONJ symptoms, one of the possible causes is the inhibition of bone turnover and blood supply leading to bone necrosis. The optimal treatment strategy for MRONJ has not been established either. BMP-2, a member of the TGF-β superfamily, is well known for regulating bone remodeling and homeostasis prenatally and postnatally. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to evaluate whether cyclophosphamide/zoledronate (CY/ZA) induces necrosis of the bone surrounding the tooth extraction socket, and to examine the therapeutic potential of BMP-2 in combination with the hard osteoinductive biomaterial, β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP), in the prevention and treatment of alveolar bone loss around the tooth extraction socket in MRONJ-like mice models. First, CY/ZA was intraperitoneally administered for three weeks, and alveolar bone necrosis was evaluated before and after tooth extraction. Next, the effect of BMP-2/β-TCP was investigated in both MRONJ-like prevention and treatment models. In the prevention model, CY/ZA was continuously administered for four weeks after BMP-2/β-TCP transplantation. In the treatment model, CY/ZA administration was suspended after transplantation of BMP-2/β-TCP. The results showed that CY/ZA induced a significant decrease in the number of empty lacunae, a sign of bone necrosis, in the alveolar bone around the tooth extraction socket after tooth extraction. Histological analysis showed a significant decrease in the necrotic alveolar bone around tooth extraction sockets in the BMP-2/β-TCP transplantation group compared to the non-transplanted control group in both MRONJ-like prevention and treatment models. However, bone mineral density, determined by micro-CT analysis, was significantly higher in the BMP-2/β-TCP transplanted group than in the control group in the prevention model only. These results clarified that alveolar bone necrosis around tooth extraction sockets can be induced after surgical intervention under CY/ZA administration. In addition, transplantation of BMP-2/β-TCP reduced the necrotic alveolar bone around the tooth extraction socket. Therefore, a combination of BMP-2/β-TCP could be an alternative approach for both prevention and treatment of MRONJ-like symptoms.     

Transverse vibration control of axially moving web systems by regulation of axial tension

International Journal of Control, Automation and Systems - In this paper, an active control scheme to suppress the transverse vibrations of an axially moving web system by regulating its transport...     

The relationship between indoor and outdoor temperature,apparent temperature,relative humidity,and absolute humidity

Many studies report an association between outdoor ambient weather and health. Outdoor conditions may be a poor indicator of personal exposure because people spend most of their time indoors. Few studies have examined how indoor conditions relate to outdoor ambient weather. The average indoor temperature, apparent temperature, relative humidity (RH), and absolute humidity (AH) measured in 16 homes in Greater Boston, Massachusetts, from May 2011 to April 2012 was compared to measurements taken at Boston Logan airport. The relationship between indoor and outdoor temperatures is nonlinear. At warmer outdoor temperatures, there is a strong correlation between indoor and outdoor temperature (Pearson correlation coefficient, r = 0.91, slope, β = 0.41), but at cooler temperatures, the association is weak (r = 0.40, β = 0.04). Results were similar for outdoor apparent temperature. The relationships were linear for RH and AH. The correlation for RH was modest (r = 0.55, β = 0.39). Absolute humidity exhibited the strongest indoor‐to‐outdoor correlation (r = 0.96, β = 0.69). Indoor and outdoor temperatures correlate well only at warmer outdoor temperatures. Outdoor RH is a poor indicator of indoor RH, while indoor AH has a strong correlation with outdoor AH year‐round.     

Genetic algorithm-based hysteresis modeling and identification of rotary SMA actuators

This paper describes a new, modified generalized Preisach model for actuators that have severe dead-zone hysteresis, which is mainly observed in rotary SMA actuators. Along with the Preisach model, a new approach of hysteresis modeling and parameter identification using genetic algorithm was proposed. This modeling method achieved significant improvements in both accuracy and computation time. The proposed approach is general; therefore, it can be applied to identify any type of hysteresis. To demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed model, experimental results on hysteresis identification of Rotary SMA Actuator and performance of inverse hysteresis openloop controller are provided and compared.