A “PAC” Algorithm for Making Feature Maps

Kohonen and others have devised network algorithms for computing so-calledtopological feature maps. We describe a new algorithm, called theCDF-Inversion (CDFI) Algorithm, that can be used to learn feature maps and, in the process, approximate an unknown probalility distribution to within any specified accuracy. The primary advantags of the algorithm over previous feature-map algorithms are that it is simple enough to analyze mathematically for correctness and efficiency, and that it distributes the points of the map evenly, in a sense that can be made rigorous. Like other vector-quantization algorithms it is potentially useful for many applications, including monitoring and statistical modeling. While not a network algorithm, the CDFI algorithm is well-suited to implementation on parallel computers.Sterling Federal Systems, Inc.NASA Ames Research Center     

Thermal Diffusion and Associated Stress Field due to High Speed Source

This paper presents a simple model of the thermal transport caused by a source moving at high speeds along an infinite half-space. The steady-state solution is obtained and examined to determine the effects of source velocity on the effective thermal penetration depth. The temperature field produced for a particular set of boundary conditions is then expanded to indicate how an abrupt temperature application can create a stress wave response incorporating the relationships included in a well-known hydrocode.     

Spring coil embolization of a patent ductus arteriosus in an adult

60 cases of immuno-sterility (treated group) were treated with Guyin Decoction, and were compared with 25 control cases treated by Western medicine. The results showed that in the treated group 19 cases were cured, 32 improved and 9 failed respond, while in the control group 6 were cured, 8 improved and 11 failed. The decoction had significant effect on serum IgA and IgG.     

Solid-phase acylating agents. I. The preparation and reactions of acetylpolystyrenesulphonates in aqueous solution

Methods of preparing acetylsulphonate acylating reagents from commercial sulphonic acid ion-exchange resins and their reaction with aqueous aniline solutions are described. The relative merits and limitations of the techniques employed are discussed.     

Bioaccessibility of mercury from traditional northern country foods measured using an in vitro gastrointestinal model is independent of mercury concentration

Human health risk assessment of dietary mercury (Hg) exposure in Canada assumes that all Hg from fish consumption is in the form of methylmercury (MeHg), the more bioavailable and hazardous form of Hg. In contrast, the risk assessment of dietary Hg to Inuit in northern Canada assumes that no more than two-thirds of dietary Hg is MeHg since mammal organs consumed by Inuit contain substantial concentrations of inorganic Hg. In vitro gastrointestinal models (e.g., the Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem) are often used for the evaluation of soil contaminant bioaccessibility, i.e., the fraction solubilized into gastrointestinal fluids, for use in site-specific human health risk assessment. In this research, we digested northern country foods using the SHIME for the measurement of Hg bioaccessibility, a novel approach for the assessment of dietary Hg bioavailability. We demonstrated that small intestinal Hg bioaccessibility from 16 fish, wild game, and marine mammal samples consumed by Inuit in northern Canada ranged between 1 and 93% and was independent of food HgT (MeHg + Hg^II) concentration. Additionally, we demonstrated that gastrointestinal microbes may affect Hg bioaccessibility of the 16 country foods, either increasing or decreasing bioaccessibility depending upon the type of food. These results indicate that gastrointestinal absorption of Hg is not likely limited by the concentration of Hg in the food, which is in agreement with in vivo Hg bioavailability studies. Furthermore, these in vitro results support the hypothesis that the gastrointestinal absorption of Hg from Inuit country foods is dependent upon food type.     

Using a computer game to develop advanced AI

Building software agents that can survive in the harsh environment of a popular computer game (Quake II) provides fresh insight into the study of artificial intelligence (AI). Our Quakebot uses Soar-an engine for making and executing decisions-as its underlying AI engine for controlling a single player. We chose Soar as our AI engine because our real research goal is to understand and develop general integrated intelligent agents     

Heat transfer in a rotating disk evaporator

Experiments were carried out in a rotating disk evaporator with and without a wiper on the evaporation side. The tests were carried out with copper and with monel disks. Overall heat transfer coefficients were obtained directly from the measurements. In addition, evaporation heat transfer coefficients were calculated and the results were correlated. The effectiveness of the wiped film evaporator was clearly manifested in the larger heat transfer coefficients that were obtained.     

Attributions of familiarity in amnesia: Evidence from a fame judgment task.

To evaluate the extent to which amnesic patients can attribute the source of familiarity to its correct source during a fame judgment task, gains in familiarity were placed in opposition to conscious recollection. In the 1st experiment, patients and controls were told specifically that nonfamous names presented just prior to a fame judgment task were not famous; in the 2nd experiment they were told that nonfamous names were in fact famous. Although such instructions produced dramatically different results in the fame judgment performance of normal control Ss, minimal change in attribution of fame occurred for the amnesic Ss. It is concluded that the amnesic Ss were unable to attribute the familiarity of a previously presented name to its correct source because of their inability to recollect a name's prior presentation. Hence, it may be the nature of the memory query rather than the adequacy of a specific memory system that determines whether or not an amnesic patient can access information in memory. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Latent hardening in cyclic deformation of copper single crystals

In order to explore latent hardening produced by cyclic deformation, single crystals of copper oriented for single slip were first cycled at strain amplitudes corresponding to those of the plateau in the cyclic stress-strain curve, and subsequently sectioned for compression testing. The specimens were cycled enough to form persistent slip bands, and orientations in the secondary test were chosen to excite selectively coplanar or non-coplanar slip systems. Coplanar systems were found to be similar in hardening to the primary system, but non-coplanar systems showed a latent hardening ratio of about 1.25. If the plastic shear strain amplitude of the initial cycling was greater than 2×10⁻³ (the threshold for producing secondary slip), then the hardening rate in the secondary test was high. If the cyclic strain amplitude was less than 2×10⁻³, the latent yield stress was high because of the frictional effect of the loop patches, but the hardening rate was found to be low.