Application of high-level fuzzy Petri nets to educational grading system

For the purpose of understanding the students’ learning achievement, the most direct way is to implement a test. Due to the rapid development of information technology, all kinds of combination of information technology with the adaptive test have been incessantly noted by many scholars. In general, the computerized adaptive test includes the item response theory that tests the students’ learning ability of subjects. However, the results based only on the dichotomy of correct answers and wrong answers are not so comprehensive judgments. Situations of correct answers and wrong answers should be different in their degrees; for example, completely correct, partially correct, completely wrong, and partially wrong. But the partially correct or partially wrong is vague and difficult to define. Thus it is appropriate to use fuzzy theory to solve the vagueness problem. Therefore, this study presents a novel learning evaluation model which applies high-level fuzzy Petri net (HLFPN) and infers via a fuzzy reasoning method the different answering performances generated by different examinee’s abilities corresponding to the test items in different degrees of difficulty. Finally, we synthesize the answering performance of every test item and make a reasonable evaluation.     

Substitution bias and the construction of a spatial cost of living index*

We estimate the spatial substitution bias based on the difference between a price index (PI) and the true cost of living (COL). This bias is computed at three geographical scales, using several fixed baskets and across different expenditures quartiles. Our results show a significant substitution bias for small geographical units. The choice of the base basket is also relevant for the bias estimation. Finally, the spatial substitution bias is larger for upper side of the expenditure distribution due to the heterogeneity in the consumption basket. This exercise shows that the spatial dimension affects the construction of a price index and that the approach of fixed baskets should be carefully considered in the estimation of spatial price differentials.     

Effect of P2O5 on the Structural and Magnetic Properties of Magnetite‐Based Glass‐Ceramics

The specific morphology and magnetic properties of magnetite‐based glass‐ceramics obtained by crystallization of Fe‐containing borosilicate glassmelts in the presence of P₂O₅ as nucleating agent are investigated. We found that the distribution of the tiny nanoparticles of magnetite determines the low temperature response to magnetic field. The observed effects are discussed with respect to the following factors: (1) the existence of a multimodal size distribution of the tiny grains as revealed by Mössbauer spectroscopy, magnetometry, and high‐resolution electron microscopy; (2) the existence of a disordered layer at the grain surface which is driven by field in a magnetically ordered state; and (3) the interplay between the relaxation mechanisms in different temperature ranges.     

Strategy for robot motion and path planning in robot taping

Covering objects with masking tapes is a common process for surface protection in processes like spray painting, plasma spraying, shot peening, etc. Manual taping is tedious and takes a lot of effort of the workers. The taping process is a special process which requires correct surface covering strategy and proper attachment of the masking tape for an efficient surface protection. We have introduced an automatic robot taping system consisting of a robot manipulator, a rotating platform, a 3D scanner and specially designed taping end-effectors. This paper mainly talks about the surface covering strategies for different classes of geometries. The methods and corresponding taping tools are introduced for taping of following classes of surfaces: Cylindrical/extended surfaces, freeform surfaces with no grooves, surfaces with grooves, and rotational symmetrical surfaces. A collision avoidance algorithm is introduced for the robot taping manipulation. With further improvements on segmenting surfaces of taping parts and tape cutting mechanisms, such taping solution with the taping tool and the taping methodology can be combined as a very useful and practical taping package to assist humans in this tedious and time costly work.     

Determination of the Composition of Commercial Tannin Extracts by Liquid Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (LSIMS)

The composition of various commercial tannin extracts were determined by liquid secondary ion mass spectrometry (LSIMS). Spectra were obtained directly from tannin extracts without any pre-separation. Eight different tannin powders were analysed: three gallotannins (Chinese, Turkish, tara), three ellagitannins (sweet chestnut, pendunculata oak, sessile oak), one mixed hydrolysable tannin (myrabolans) and one proanthocyanidin (grape seeds). This method enabled the main molecules in these powders to be identified.     

Fundamental Clock of Biological Aging: Convergence of Molecular,Neurodegenerative, Cognitive and Psychiatric Pathways: Non-Equilibrium Thermodynamics Meet Psychology

In humans, age-associated degrading changes, widely observed in molecular and cellular processes underly the time-dependent decline in spatial navigation, time perception, cognitive and psychological abilities, and memory. Cross-talk of biological, cognitive, and psychological clocks provides an integrative contribution to healthy and advanced aging. At the molecular level, genome, proteome, and lipidome instability are widely recognized as the primary causal factors in aging. We narrow attention to the roles of protein aging linked to prevalent amino acids chirality, enzymatic and spontaneous (non-enzymatic) post-translational modifications (PTMs ^SP), and non-equilibrium phase transitions. The homochirality of protein synthesis, resulting in the steady-state non-equilibrium condition of protein structure, makes them prone to multiple types of enzymatic and spontaneous PTMs, including racemization and isomerization. Spontaneous racemization leads to the loss of the balanced prevalent chirality. Advanced biological aging related to irreversible PTMs ^SP has been associated with the nontrivial interplay between somatic (molecular aging) and mental (psychological aging) health conditions. Through stress response systems (SRS), the environmental and psychological stressors contribute to the age-associated “collapse” of protein homochirality. The role of prevalent protein chirality and entropy of protein folding in biological aging is mainly overlooked. In a more generalized context, the time-dependent shift from enzymatic to the non-enzymatic transformation of biochirality might represent an important and yet underappreciated hallmark of aging. We provide the experimental arguments in support of the racemization theory of aging.