Quantitative analysis of the effects of ultrasound from an odor sprayer on moth flight behavior

A piezoelectric sprayer was recently developed for precision release of odor stimuli in olfactory research. The device replaces conventional dispensers used to release semiochemicals in studies of moth flight toward odor sources. However, the device generates high-frequency sounds in the range that some moths can hear. Ultrasound from the standard set-up sprayer had a considerable impact on flight behavior of the silver Y moth, Autographa gamma, tested in a flight tunnel. It was affected at all behavioral stages when the dispenser was driven at 120 kHz. Only 5% of the moths reached the source when exposed to 120-kHz sound from the dispenser compared to 65% in the control group without sound. The proportion taking flight was also reduced. Hearing threshold curves obtained electrophysiologically revealed that moths were sensitive to the frequency range at which the sprayer was operated and that sound intensity from the sprayer was up to 40 dB above the moths' electrophysiological hearing threshold. The audiogram for A. gamma was similar to audiograms obtained for other noctuids. Hearing sensitivity was highest at around 15 kHz, where the threshold was 35 dB SPL (sound pressure level). The threshold increased with frequency up to 94 dB SPL at 160 kHz. We improved the sprayer to operate at 300 kHz, which is beyond the hearing ability of most insects with ears. At this high frequency, the moths' sensitivity to ultrasound is reduced considerably, and we did not observe any effect on flight behavior compared to a control group without sound. Accordingly, this new piezoelectric sprayer can be used with ultrasound-sensitive insects and insensitive insects alike.     

SUPPORT VECTOR MACHINES (SVMs) WITH UNIVERSAL KERNELS

In this paper, a universal kernel function is introduced that could improve the classification accuracy of Support Vector Machines (SVMs) for both linear and nonlinear data sets. A class of universal kernel functions on the basis of the properties of the common kernels is proposed, which can find numerous applications in practice. The proposed kernels satisfy Mercer's condition and can be used for generating the most established kernels such as Gaussian Radial Function (GRF), Polynomial Radial Basis Function (PRBF), and Polynomial Exponential Radial Function (PERF) of SVMs. The SVM with the universal kernel is experimentally applied to a variety of nonseparable data sets with several attributes, leading to good classification accuracy in nearly all the data sets, especially those of high dimensions. The use of the universal kernel results in a better performance than those with established kernels.     

Term rewriting and its application to recognizing handwritten Hindu numerals

In this paper the theoretical basis is presented and the implementation of a term rewriting system based on algebraic specifications is described. The input to this system is represented by an algebraic specification language, which forms not only the set of axioms but also the sorts, variables, operators and terms of a specific simulated theory or application. Rewriting and matching mechanisms provide the formal methodology for evaluating terms and proving assertions in an algebraic theory. Specifications are evaluated by interpreting terms by means of rewrite rules. The rules are described by the axioms of the specifications where the finite termination and congruence properties are assumed. A term rewriting system to recognize handwritten Hindu numerals is introduced as a case study. Besides rewriting, a robust algorithm is proposed to segment the numeral's image into strokes based on feature points and to identify cavity features. A syntactic representation (term) of the input image is matched and rewritten against a set of rules. Experimental results proved that the proposed system is tolerant to recognize a variety of numeral shapes with 96% successful recognition rate.     

Exploring the fitness landscape and the run-time behaviour of an iterated local search algorithm for cost-based abduction

Cost-based abduction (CBA) is an important problem in reasoning under uncertainty, and can be considered a generalization of belief revision. CBA is known to be NP-hard and has been a subject of considerable research over the past decade. In this paper, we investigate the fitness landscape for CBA, by looking at fitness–distance correlation for local minima and at landscape ruggedness. Our results indicate that stochastic local search techniques would be promising on this problem. We go on to present an iterated local search algorithm based on hill-climbing, tabu search, and simulated annealing. We compare the performance of our algorithm to simulated annealing, and to Santos' integer linear programming method for CBA.     

A funding and governing model for achieving sustainable growth of computing e-infrastructures

The current access policies and funding schemes of computing e-infrastructures represent a huge challenge for the sustainable growth of computing e-infrastructures and a serious jeopardy for investments made into these e-infrastructures. In order to be able to address these issues, the economics of computing e-infrastructures has to be understood thoroughly. As a first step in this direction, this paper conducts a set of computing e-infrastructure case studies and discusses the economic issues of different global computing e-infrastructure efforts. The analyses results show that the major shortcomings that need to be resolved are the insufficient involvement of the private sector in the development of computing e-infrastructures, the restricted user access to e-infrastructure resources, and the lack of sustainable funding. As a solution to these shortcomings, we propose a new funding and governing model for computing e-infrastructures. It follows a token-based market mechanism that allows a business-oriented operation of the computing e-infrastructure. We argue that this new model fosters the transition towards a sustainable computing e-infrastructure, being another requirement for successfully implementing the cloud computing vision. Our arguments are supported by an analytical analysis.     

Application of polypyrrole to flexible substrates

Conducting polymers such as polypyrrole may be useful in smart packaging products, provided application methods can be developed that circumvent the insolubility and infusibility of these materials. Experiments were conducted in five research areas relevant to the application of polypyrrole to nonrigid substrates. The studies reveal that application of polypyrrole from the liquid phase, either by deposition from depleted bulk solution or inkjet printing dispersions, is unlikely to give films as regular as those produced by vapor phase polymerization. Using the latter approach, two potential methods of applying patterned polypyrrole films to nonrigid substrates were developed. The first used hypochlorite to pattern a continuous film of polypyrrole, previously applied by vapor phase polymerization. The second used inkjet printing to apply an oxidant solution, whose pH had been raised with a volatile base, to nonrigid substrates. The higher pH reduced corrosion of the print head, increasing the lifetime of printers exposed to oxidative compounds. The base was subsequently evaporated by heating, and the dried oxidant used as a template for vapor phase polymerization of polypyrrole. This method gave smooth, shiny and adherent polypyrrole films on papers and polyester transparency, with high resolution. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 104: 3938–3947, 2007     

The hydrometallurgical extraction of rhenium from copper industrial wastes

An attempt has been made in this investigation to develop a wet chemical method for treating a rhenium-containing lead slime produced during copper manufacture. The effects of temperature, grain size, oxygen partial pressure, and leaching time as well as the kinetics of the leaching process were studied.     

Release of proinflammatory cytokines during pediatric cardiopulmonary bypass: heparin-bonded versus nonbonded oxygenators

BACKGROUND: Heparin bonding of the cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) circuit may be associated with a reduced inflammatory response and improved clinical outcome. The relative contribution of a heparin-bonded oxygenator (ie, >80% of circuit surface area) to these effects was assessed in a group of pediatric patients. METHODS: Twenty-one pediatric patients undergoing CPB operations were assigned randomly to receive either a heparin-bonded oxygenator (group H, n = 11) or a nonbonded oxygenator (group C, n = 10) in otherwise nonbonded circuits. The two groups were similar in pathology, age, weight, CPB time, and cross-clamp time. Plasma levels of the cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, and interleukin-8, as well as terminal complement complex, neutrophils, and elastase, were analyzed before, during, and after CPB. RESULTS: Significant levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha were not detected in either group. Plasma levels of all other markers increased during and after CPB compared with baseline. Plasma levels of interleukin-6 peaked in both groups 2 hours after the administration of protamine but remained significantly higher in group C 24 hours after operation. Plasma concentrations of interleukin-8 peaked at similar levels in both groups 30 minutes after protamine administration and returned to baseline thereafter. Levels of terminal complement complex and elastase peaked in both groups 30 minutes after protamine administration. Plasma levels of terminal complement complex were significantly higher at the end of CPB and after protamine administration in group C. Elastase levels were significantly higher 2 and 24 hours after CPB in group C. The ventilation time of patients in group H was significantly lower than that of patients in group C: 10 (range, 3 to 24) versus 22 (range, 7 to 24) hours, respectively (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The present study confirms the proinflammatory nature of pediatric operations and demonstrates a lessened systemic inflammatory response with the use of heparin-bonded oxygenators. This is achieved without bonding of the entire circuit, which could have significant cost-benefit implications by negating the need for custom-built heparin-bonded circuitry.