A modified teaching–learning-based optimisation algorithm for bi-objective re-entrant hybrid flowshop scheduling

In this paper, a modified teaching–learning-based optimisation (mTLBO) algorithm is proposed to solve the re-entrant hybrid flowshop scheduling problem (RHFSP) with the makespan and the total tardiness criteria. Based on the simple job-based representation, a novel decoding method named equivalent due date-based permutation schedule is proposed to transfer an individual to a feasible schedule. At each generation, a number of superior individuals are selected as the teachers by the Pareto-based ranking phase. To enhance the exploitation ability in the promising area, the insertion-based local search is embedded in the search framework as the training phase for the TLBO. Due to the characteristics of the permutation-based discrete optimisation, the linear order crossover operator and the swap operator are adopted to imitate the interactions among the individuals in both the teaching phase and the learning phase. To store the non-dominated solutions explored during the search process, an external archive is used and updated when necessary. The influence of the parameter setting on the mTLBO in solving the RHFSP is investigated, and numerical tests with some benchmarking instances are carried out. The comparative results show that the proposed mTLBO outperforms the existing algorithms significantly.     

Application potential of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSCs) based tissue-engineering for spinal cord defect repair in rat fetuses with spina bifida aperta

Spina bifida aperta are complex congenital malformations resulting from failure of fusion in the spinal neural tube during embryogenesis. Despite surgical repair of the defect, most patients who survive with spina bifida aperta have a multiple system handicap due to neuron deficiency of the defective spinal cord. Tissue engineering has emerged as a novel treatment for replacement of lost tissue. This study evaluated the prenatal surgical approach of transplanting a chitosan–gelatin scaffold seeded with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in the healing the defective spinal cord of rat fetuses with retinoic acid induced spina bifida aperta. Scaffold characterisation revealed the porous structure, organic and amorphous content. This biomaterial promoted the adhesion, spreading and in vitro viability of the BMSCs. After transplantation of the scaffold combined with BMSCs, the defective region of spinal cord in rat fetuses with spina bifida aperta at E20 decreased obviously under stereomicroscopy, and the skin defect almost closed in many fetuses. The transplanted BMSCs in chitosan–gelatin scaffold survived, grew and expressed markers of neural stem cells and neurons in the defective spinal cord. In addition, the biomaterial presented high biocompatibility and slow biodegradation in vivo. In conclusion, prenatal transplantation of the scaffold combined with BMSCs could treat spinal cord defect in fetuses with spina bifida aperta by the regeneration of neurons and repairmen of defective region.     

Preliminary Study on Quantitative Research Methods of Discussion-based Teaching: CAD/CAM Course

Computer-aided design and manufacturing,or CAD/CAM,in a narrow sense,is the use of a computer for component design and machining. As a specialized course for students,CAD/CAM course is a required course for undergraduates majoring in mechanical engineering and related engineering majors and also the core technical skills to be mastered during the undergraduate study. Based on the teaching practices of CAD/CAM course,this paper tries to introduce the discussion-based method in curriculum design and the implementation of the course,and enhance the interaction between teachers and students through using new information interaction tools such as We Chat group and course homepage to stimulate students' interest,and also expand the learning space and time. Thus,the problems students have will be solved in real time. In this study,for the first time,the statistical methods are used to record detailed the speaking time,keywords and the frequency of teachers and students' interaction,and also carries out quantitative analysis in order to explore the interactive patterns between teacher and students in discussion-based teaching,so as to improve communication and learning efficiency between teacher and students. Meanwhile,this paper also discussed the advantages and the disadvantages of using discussion-based teaching in the hope that it can provide reference for the following discussion-based teaching of CAD/CAM course in mechanical or related engineering majors.     

On the definition of the intuitionistic fuzzy subgroups

In this paper, a new kind of intuitionistic fuzzy subgroup theory, which is different from that of Ma, Zhan and Davvaz (2008) [22], [23], is presented. First, based on the concept of cut sets on intuitionistic fuzzy sets, we establish the neighborhood relations between a fuzzy point $x_a$ and an intuitionistic fuzzy set $A$. Then we give the definitions of the grades of $x_a$ belonging to $A$, $x_a$ quasi-coincident with $A$, $x_a$ belonging to and quasi-coincident with $A$ and $x_a$ belonging to or quasi-coincident with $A$, respectively. Second, by applying the 3-valued Lukasiewicz implication, we give the definition of $(\alpha ,\beta )$-intuitionistic fuzzy subgroups of a group $G$ for $\alpha ,\beta \in \{\in ,q,\in \wedge q,\in \vee q\}$, and we show that, in 16 kinds of $(\alpha ,\beta )$-intuitionistic fuzzy subgroups, the significant ones are the $(\in ,\in )$-intuitionistic fuzzy subgroup, the $(\in ,\in \vee q)$-intuitionistic fuzzy subgroup and the $(\in \wedge q,\in )$-intuitionistic fuzzy subgroup. We also show that $A$ is a $(\in ,\in )$-intuitionistic fuzzy subgroup of $G$ if and only if, for any $a\in (0,1]$, the cut set $A_a$ of $A$ is a 3-valued fuzzy subgroup of $G$, and $A$ is a $(\in ,\in \vee q)$-intuitionistic fuzzy subgroup (or $(\in ,\in \vee q)$-intuitionistic fuzzy subgroup) of $G$ if and only if, for any $a\in (0,0.5]$(or for any $a\in (0.5,1]$), the cut set $A_a$ of $A$ is a 3-valued fuzzy subgroup of $G$. At last, we generalize the $(\in ,\in )$-intuitionistic fuzzy subgroup, $(\in ,\in \vee q)$-intuitionistic fuzzy subgroup and $(\in \wedge q,\in )$-intuitionistic fuzzy subgroup to intuitionistic fuzzy subgroups with thresholds, i.e., $(s,t]$-intuitionistic fuzzy subgroups. We show that $A$ is a $(s,t]$-intuitionistic fuzzy subgroup of $G$ if and only if, for any $a\in (s,t]$, the cut set $A_a$ of $A$ is a 3-valued fuzzy subgroup of $G$. We also characterize the $(s,t]$-intuitionistic fuzzy subgroup by the neighborhood relations between a fuzzy point $x_a$ and an intuitionistic fuzzy set $A$.     

Dynamically modulated intensity interrogation scheme using waveguide coupled surface plasmon resonance sensors

An electro-optically modulated intensity interrogation method based on tunable waveguide coupled surface plasmon resonance sensors has been proposed. It has been theoretically and experimentally demonstrated that the proposed scheme can enable sensitive measurement of measurand variations. By modulating the refractive index in the waveguide layer, this interrogation method yields modulated signal whose amplitude is related to measurand's refractive index. This amplitude modulated signal offers a higher signal to noise ratio and eliminates additive noise in the sensor system. A preliminary investigation using saline buffers with different NaCl concentrations shows a resolution of 2.3 × 10^?6 refractive index unit by our approach. Resolution can be controlled by the amplitude of the applied modulation voltage and can be further enhanced by optimizing the device structure or improving the electro-optical (E-O) coefficient of the E-O material. This approach is simple, stable, and promising for low-cost or multi-channel SPR biosensor applications.     

Robustness of fuzzy operators in environments with random perturbations

In many applications, such as intelligent decision systems, there are usually random perturbations caused by the constant changing of real situations, thus the analysis of the robustness with respect to random perturbations is practically important. In the side of fuzzy methods, a corresponding problem arises: will a small random perturbation of fuzzy input cause a big variance of fuzzy output? This paper study the robustness of fuzzy schemes in environments with random perturbations. It focuses on fuzzy algebraic operators, and proposes two methods to analyze their robustness in environments with random perturbations. The effectiveness and features of the methods are shown by simulations.     

Analysis and application of Bio-Inspired Multi-Net Security Model

With the rapid development of network technologies and deteriorating of network environment, traditional single-net security system cannot satisfy the security requirement. The excellent security performance of biological systems impels the bio-inspired network security theory to be a hot research area currently. Based on Bio-inspired Multidimensional Network Security Model we have put forward, we have advanced Bio-inspired Multi-Net Security system by implementing the functional distribution of different subnets of different transient states in Multi-Net Paralleling structure. Firstly, parameter estimation and modified algorithms of Hidden Markov Model are introduced to construct the mathematical mode of B-MNS; secondly, the integrated performance of our modified B-MNS has been tested and its simulation has been carried out. So the feasibility, validity and high efficiency of our model have been demonstrated theoretically, and practically.     

Analysis by data mining in the emergency medicine triage database at a Taiwanese regional hospital

“Emergency medicine” is the front line of medical service a hospital provides; also it is the department people seek medical care from immediately after an emergency happens. The statistics by the Department of Health, Executive Yuan, indicate that over years, the number of people at the emergency department has been increasing. The US has introduced and practiced the triage system in the emergency medicine in 1960, whereby to aid the emergency department in allocating the patients, to give them appropriate medical care by the fast decision of the nurses and doctors in case of the patients’ seriousness through their judgment.This study takes on the knowledge contained in the massive data of unknown characteristics in the triage database at a Taiwanese regional hospital, using the cluster analysis and the rough set theory as tools for data mining to extract, with the analysis software ROSE2 (Rough Sets Data Explorer) and through rule induction technique, the imprecise, uncertain and vague information of rules from the massive database, and builds the model that is capable of simplifying massive data while maintaining the accuracy in classifying rules. After analyzing and evaluating the knowledge obtained from relevant mining in the hospitals past medical data for the consumption of emergency medical resources, this thesis proposes suggestions as reference for the hospitals in subsequent elevation of medical quality and decrease in operative costs.     

基于改进傅里叶描绘子的CBIR系统

在现有的基于傅里叶描绘子的CBIR系统中,为了提高检索速度,一般需要舍去物体轮廓经傅里叶变换后的大部分高频分量.当物体轮廓在细节部分具有较高能量时,此方法不具备有效性.为尽可能保证检索准确率并兼顾检索速度,在原有傅里叶描绘子上进行扩展,避免直接舍去高频分量,引入Fisher判别分析法将描绘子映射到子空间进行降维,并保证...