Incremental Evolution in ANNs: Neural Nets which Grow

This paper explains the optimisation of neuralnetwork topology using Incremental Evolution;that is, by allowing the network to expand byadding to its structure. This method allows anetwork to grow from a simple to a complexstructure until it is capable of fulfilling itsintended function. The approach is somewhatanalogous to the growth of an embryo or theevolution of a fossil line through time, it istherefore sometimes referred to as anembryology or embryological algorithm. Thepaper begins with a general introduction,comparing this method to other competingtechniques such as The Genetic Algorithm, otherEvolutionary Algorithms and SimulatedAnnealing. A literature survey of previous workis included, followed by an extensive newframework for application of the technique.Finally, examples of applications and a generaldiscussion are presented.     

The Effect of Restricting Cycle Times in the Economic Lot Scheduling Problem

The economic lot scheduling problem (ELSP) involves specifying economic cycle times for each of several products produced by a set of machines. The extensive, usually experimentally based, literature on the ELSP indicates that it may be desirable to restrict the possible choice of cycle times for each product to a small and very structured set of possible cycle times. In this paper we examine the economic impacts of such a restriction and give evidence that is highly supportive of this type of restriction; in particular, the “powers of 2” sets of possible cycle times used in practice appear to be very desirable from an economic viewpoint.     

Routine synovial fluid culture: is it necessary? Lessons from an audit

An estimated third of rheumatologists send aspirated synovial fluid samples for culture routinely during the course of management of their patients irrespective of the underlying diagnosis. This is done apparently even when sepsis is not suspected. This audit of 507 synovial fluid culture requests revealed that positive bacterial growth was rare even when sepsis was queried on the request forms but none was positive in any of the routine samples. Our findings throw doubt on the value of routine synovial fluid culture. We recommend that such cultures are undertaken when infection is a possibility and in immuno-compromised patients. An average health district would save pounds 3000 per annum if such a policy was adopted, but across the National Health Service as a whole the total expenditure saved on this unnecessary investigation would be considerable.     

A System for Manufacturing Scheduling with Interactive Computer Graphics

This article describes experience in developing an interactive factory scheduling system using computer graphics. The implementation contains three parts, each of which is graphically displayed and manipulated: a network-based model for describing the basic operation of the factory, a Gantt chart for scheduling the factory, and plots of inventory levels over time for evaluating the schedule. The system was implemented at Cornell's instructional computer graphics facility and used for teaching for a period of three years.     

Modeling H NMR transverse magnetization decay in polysiloxane-silica composites

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy has been used effectively in the analysis of elastomeric, soft materials and has been proven to be both sensitive to micro- and macroscopic changes associated with “aging” mechanisms. Traditional analyses, however, rely on empirical formulae containing a large number of (often arbitrary) independent variables. The resulting ambiguity can be circumvented largely by developing models of NMR observables that are based on basic polymer physics. We compare two such models, one previously published and one derived herein, along with two empirical expressions that describe the proton transverse magnetization decay associated with complex polymer networks. One particular extracted parameter, the proton-proton residual dipolar coupling (RDC), can be directly related to network topology, and a comparison of the extracted RDCs reveals high consistency among the models. An expression derived from the properties of a static Gaussian chain can minimize the number of parameters necessarily to describe the solid-like, networked proton population to a single independent parameter, the average RDC, D_avg. The distribution of RDCs derived via this methodology is qualitatively similar to those derived from previously published multiple quantum techniques, although quantitative differences between the derived RDCs persist, suggesting that further analysis is necessary.     

Multiple roles for endothelin in melanocyte development: regulation of progenitor number and stimulation of differentiation

Melanocytes in the skin are derived from the embryonic neural crest. Recently, mutations in endothelin 3 and the endothelin receptor B genes have been shown to result in gross pigment defects, indicating that this signalling pathway is required for melanocyte development. We have examined the effects of endothelins on melanocyte progenitors in cultures of mouse neural crest. Firstly, they stimulate an increase in progenitor number and act synergistically with another factor, Steel factor, in the survival and proliferation of the progenitors. These findings are consistent with findings from mice with natural mutations in the endothelin receptor B gene, which show an early loss of melanocyte progenitors. Secondly, endothelins induce differentiation of the progenitors into fully mature pigmented melanocytes. This finding is consistent with the expression of endothelins in the skin of mice at the initiation of pigmentation. The melanocytes generated in endothelin-treated cultures also become responsive to alpha melanocyte-stimulating hormone, which then acts to regulate the activity of the pigmentation pathway. These findings indicate two key roles for endothelin in melanocyte development: regulation of expansion of the progenitor pool and differentiation of progenitors into mature melanocytes.     

Particle sizing of flocculated latex particles by physisorption of nitrogen

Physisorption of nitrogen at one specific pressure is used to determine the specific surface area of a flocculated polystyrene latex by applying BET theory. Assuming that a flocculated sample of Polymer latex is composed of distinct spherical latex particles (i.e., there is no coagulation of particles), the volume–surface-average diameter can be calculated. The resulting diameters are compared to sizes obtained using a disc centrifuge sedimentometer, which fractionizes the particles by sedimentation. The diameters from both techniques were in good agreement, showing that physisorption of nitrogen, which is a simple technique, can be used to determine sizes of flocculated latex particles. This agreement also shows that the flocculation of the polystyrene latex produced separate nonporous spherical particles. When flocculation of a latex is done above its glass transition temperature, coagulation will occur. While other particle sizing techniques can produce particle size distributions, the physisorption of nitrogen only gives the volume–surface-average diameter. However, one advantage of the physisorption of nitrogen is that it covers a broad range of particle sizes compared to most other techniques. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Isolation of σ-(L-α-aminoadipyl)-L-cysteinyl-D-valine from culture broths by covalent chromatography

An efficient procedure for the isolation of reduced -(L-α-aminoadipyl)-L-cysteinyl-D-valine (ACV) from culture supernatants of β-lactam antibiotic-producing microorganisms is described. The method utilises covalent chromatography to isolate thiols from culture broths that have been deproteinised and undergone borohydride reduction. 2-Pyridyl disulphide activated thiopropyl Sepharose was employed batchwise to isolate the thiols present in such broths from cultures of the known ACV excreter Cephalosporium acremonium N2 and the penicillin producer Penicillium chrysogenum P2. ACV was separated from these mixtures of thiols by gel permeation chromatograhy. Reversed-phase HPLC analysis showed the ACV to be of a high purity unless isolated from a highly complex culture medium.     

The evolving food and nutrition agenda: policy and research priorities for the coming decade

Enormous progress has been made in the past 100 years in improving diet and nutritional status. However, the job is not done. This paper summarizes some of the current challenges and proposes priorities for future research and policy development. The nutrition agenda is more complex than it was 100 years ago. The world now faces undernutrition side-by-side with dietary excess and related chronic diseases. The complexity of modern nutrition necessitates using a systems approach to identifying effective policies and programs. There is a renewed interest in addressing the new nutrition agenda.