Short-term prediction of traffic flow using a binary neural network

This paper introduces a binary neural network-based prediction algorithm incorporating both spatial and temporal characteristics into the prediction process. The algorithm is used to predict short-term traffic flow by combining information from multiple traffic sensors (spatial lag) and time series prediction (temporal lag). It extends previously developed Advanced Uncertain Reasoning Architecture (AURA) k-nearest neighbour (k-NN) techniques. Our task was to produce a fast and accurate traffic flow predictor. The AURA k-NN predictor is comparable to other machine learning techniques with respect to recall accuracy but is able to train and predict rapidly. We incorporated consistency evaluations to determine whether the AURA k-NN has an ideal algorithmic configuration or an ideal data configuration or whether the settings needed to be varied for each data set. The results agree with previous research in that settings must be bespoke for each data set. This configuration process requires rapid and scalable learning to allow the predictor to be set-up for new data. The fast processing abilities of the AURA k-NN ensure this combinatorial optimisation will be computationally feasible for real-world applications. We intend to use the predictor to proactively manage traffic by predicting traffic volumes to anticipate traffic network problems.     

Responses of the Aphids Phorodon humuli and Rhopalosiphum padi to Sex Pheromone Stereochemistry in the Field

Gynoparous female and male damson-hop aphids, Phorodon humuli (Schrank), were caught in the field by water traps that were releasing the sex pheromone of this species, (1RS,4aR,7S,7aS)-nepetalactol. No behavioral activity was elicited by (4aS,7S,7aR)-nepetalactone, the major sex pheromone component of other aphid species such as Megoura viciae Buckton, even though olfactory cells were found in the secondary rhinaria on the third antennal segment of P. humuli that responded strongly to this compound. Gynoparous female P. humuli in the field responded less strongly to (1R,4aS,7S,7aR)-nepetalactol, the sex pheromone of the bird cherry-oat aphid, Rhopalosiphum padi (L.), than they did to the (4aR,7S,7aS)-nepetalactols, but males responded only to the latter. The (4aR,7S,7aS)-nepetalactone showed no electrophysiological activity so was not used in field trials. Releasing either the (4aS,7S,7aR)-nepetalactone or the (1R,4aS,7S,7aR)-nepetalactol with the (4aR,7S,7aS)-nepetalactols did not inhibit the response of P. humuli gynoparous females and males to the latter. Males of R. padi responded as strongly to the (4aR,7S,7aS)-nepetalactols as they did to (1R,4aS,7S,7aR)-nepetalactol. Males of P. humuli and R. padi responded positively to an increased concentration of the (4aR,7S,7aS)-nepetalactols released from two vials compared with that from a single vial, as did P. humuli (in one of two experiments) and R. padi to the (1RS,4aR,7S,7aS)- and (1R,4aS,7S,7aR)-nepetalactols when released together.     

Comparative effects of docosa-4,7,10,13,16-pentaenoic acid and docosa-4,7,10,13,16,19-hexaenoic acid on the desaturation of linoleic acid and α-linolenic acid

Varying concentrations of free docosa-4,7,10,13,16-pentaenoic acid or its CoA ester were incubated with a given variable concentration of 1-¹⁴C-linoleate or 1-¹⁴C-α-linolenate as either the free fatty acid or the CoA ester, microsomal enzymes, and the appropriate cofactors for fatty acid desaturation. The results obtained were compared to the effects of docosa-4,7,10,13,16,19-hexaenoyl CoA when incubated in a similar manner in the presence of the labeled substrates. Both feedback and crossed inhibition effects were observed; these inhibition effects may play a role in the regulation of polyunsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis.     

Fabrication and characterization of planar and channel polymer waveguides. III. Compositional distribution and solute loss in polymer thin films

For many microelectronic and optoelectronic applications, polymer thin films require the addition of small molecules. However, the thin‐film geometry and associated processing techniques will influence the final morphology and compositional distribution of the constituents. It is therefore important that these be examined directly rather than inferred from bulk measurements. As an example system, the concentration and distribution of Disperse Red 1 (DR1) molecules in poly(methyl methacrylate) thin films were examined. Ultraviolet visibility spectroscopy and dynamic secondary ion mass spectrometry indicate that the composition of the molecules decreased dramatically with thermal treatment of the film. The sublimation of the chromophore was observed to occur at temperatures well below the melting point of the small molecule and the glass transition of the pure polymer; this solute loss manifested itself in changes in the glass transition temperature of the film. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 2021–2024, 2002     

High-Temperature Stiffness and Damping Measurements to Monitor the Glassy Intergranular Phase in Liquid-Phase-Sintered Silicon Carbides

Detailed stiffness and internal friction ( Q ⁻¹) versus temperature curves were obtained for liquid-phase-sintered silicon carbides using advanced resonant beam analysis up to 1400°C. As-sintered materials display a stable Q ⁻¹-peak near 1100°C, superimposed on an increasing background. The change of stiffness associated with the damping peak is quantitatively related to the amount of matter in pockets of the amorphous intergranular phase in which the refractory SiC matrix grains are embedded. The successful removal of the amorphous pockets by annealing at 1900°C is deduced from the disappearance of the damping peak and confirmed with transmission electron microscopy.     

Controlling aliased dynamics in motion systems? An identification for sampled-data control approach

Sampled-data control systems occasionally exhibit aliased resonance phenomena within the control bandwidth. The aim of this paper is to investigate the aspect of these aliased dynamics with application to a high performance industrial nano-positioning machine. This necessitates a full sampled-data control design approach, since these aliased dynamics endanger both the at-sample performance and the intersample behaviour. The proposed framework comprises both system identification and sampled-data control. In particular, the sampled-data control objective necessitates models that encompass the intersample behaviour, i.e., ideally continuous time models. Application of the proposed approach on an industrial wafer stage system provides a thorough insight and new control design guidelines for controlling aliased dynamics.     

Methyl Oct-cis-2-enoate. its synthesis,GLC behaviour and infrared spectra

Methyl oct-cis-2-enoate was synthesized by selective hydrogenation of methyl oct-2-ynoate at atmospheric pressure with quinoline poisoned palladium as catalyst. The resulting product contained only 7% of thetrans form, as determined by GLC. The structure was confirmed by infrared spectra. Analysis of the infrared spectra is given. The cis andtrans forms of methyl oct-2-enoate were separable by GLC in polar or non-polar columns. GLC runs in polar and non-polar phases showed that the α position of the double bond of methyl oct-2-enoate so affects its properties, that practically no interaction was observed between the double bond and the polar phase. Consequently volatility was the main factor determining the retention times of cis andtrans methyl oct-2-enoate in the polar and non-polar phases studied.     

The hydrocarbon fraction of virgin olive oil and changes resulting from refining

In numerous Spanish virgin olive oils, 6,10-dimethyl-1-undecene, various sesquiterpenes, the series ofn-alkanes from C14 to C35, n-8-heptadecene and squalene are the only less volatile components detected by gas chromatography in the hydrocarbon fraction. In oils from olives of the Arbequine variety, a series ofn-9-alkenes has also been found. In refined oils, notable features are the absence of the most volatile compounds and the appearance of other hydrocarbons produced during the refining process. Among these,n-alkanes, alkadienes (mainlyn-hexacosadiene), stigmasta-3,5-diene, isomerization products of squalene, isoprenoidal polyolefins coming from hydroxy derivatives of squalene and steroidal hydrocarbons derived from 24-methylene cycloartanol were identified. Physical refining produces larger amounts of degradation products and greater losses ofn-alkanes than chemical processing. Squalene is the major hydrocarbon component in all oils, both virgin and refined. The ranges of concentration for the different hydrocarbons found in Spanish virgin olive oils are presented.