Knowledge-based system for railway scheduling

In this paper, we describe a Knowledge-Based railway scheduling system (called RSS) for Taiwan Railway Administration's (TRA) railway scheduling operations. In our approach, the scheduling process is divided into two levels: global scheduling and local scheduling. In global scheduling, an initial train diagram is established by the Global Scheduler according to the master scheduling plan without considering conflicts. In local scheduling, scheduling conflicts are repaired by Local Scheduler. An embedded knowledge base provides advice for conflict resolution. Since cycles may exist among a sequence of repairs during the repair process, we also propose a cycle detection and resolution scheme in this paper. Through a graphic user interface, the user can interact with the Automatic Scheduler to solve the large-scale complex train scheduling problem in a cooperative and flexible fashion.     

Fast image retrieval using color-spatial information

In this paper, we present an image retrieval system that employs both the color and spatial information of images to facilitate the retrieval process. The basic unit used in our technique is a single-colored cluster, which bounds a homogeneous region of that color in an image. Two clusters from two images are similar if they are of the same color and overlap in the image space. The number of clusters that can be extracted from an image can be very large, and it affects the accuracy of retrieval. We study the effect of the number of clusters on retrieval effectiveness to determine an appropriate value for “optimal' performance. To facilitate efficient retrieval, we also propose a multi-tier indexing mechanism called the Sequenced Multi-Attribute Tree (SMAT). We implemented a two-tier SMAT, where the first layer is used to prune away clusters that are of different colors, while the second layer discriminates clusters of different spatial locality. We conducted an experimental study on an image database consisting of 12,000 images. Our results show the effectiveness of the proposed color-spatial approach, and the efficiency of the proposed indexing mechanism. Received August 1, 1997 / Accepted December 9, 1997     

Explaining Paradoxical Relations Between Academic Self-Concepts and Achievements: Cross-Cultural Generalizability of the Internal/External Frame of Reference Predictions Across 26 Countries.

The internal/external frame of reference (I/E) model explains a seemingly paradoxical pattern of relations between math and verbal self-concepts and corresponding measures of achievement, extends social comparison theory, and has important educational implications. In a cross-cultural study of nationally representative samples of 15-year-olds from 26 countries (total N = 55,577), I/E predictions were supported in that (a) math and verbal achievements were highly correlated, but math and verbal self-concepts were nearly uncorrelated; (b) math achievement had positive effects on math self-concept, but negative effects on verbal self-concept; and (c) verbal achievement had positive effects on verbal self-concept, but negative effects on math self-concept. Supporting the cross-cultural generalizability of predictions, multigroup structural equation models demonstrated good support for the generalizabilify of results across 26 countries participating in the Programme for International Student Assessment project sponsored by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

综合回收有色金属物料中伴生钴的研究概况

本文比较全面地阐述了目前国内外从含钴矿石和含钴物料（含钴废水,含钴浸出液等）中回收钴的现状以及所涉及的选矿,湿法冶金,萃取和微生物技术等各种富集和分离方法,同时还就理论和工艺中存在的问题提出了看法,以期对同行科技工作者有所裨益。     

Domain Engineering in ReS2 by Coupling Strain during Electrochemical Exfoliation

Chemical exfoliation has been used for the fast and large‐scale production of 2D nanosheets from graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides; however, it is rarely used for domain engineering of exfoliated nanosheets. Herein, it is found that the use of large sized molecular intercalants during electrochemical intercalation induce atomic row dislocation and parallel mirror twin boundaries (MTBs) on an otherwise pristine rhenium disulfide (ReS₂) crystal, such that the exfoliated flakes possess a parallel, multi‐domain structure. These domains can be distinguished under a polarized microscope owing to the intrinsic in‐plane optical dichroic properties of ReS₂, thereby affording a way to track the number of domains introduced versus the size of the molecular intercalant during electrochemical exfoliation. Ferromagnetism is detected on the intercalated sample using large sized molecular intercalants. Density function theory suggests that these may be due to the coupled effects of lattice strain and S vacancies in the MTBs.     

1.5 V high-speed electrostatic discharge free BiCMOS digitalcircuit

A novel circuit design that effectively eliminates the need for input protection circuits is described. Besides having an excellent electrostatic discharge (ESD) robustness, the simulation results have shown that this design outperforms current BiCMOS circuits in terms of speed, power, crossover capacitance, and chip area for a wide range of load capacitances, power supply voltages and technologies. The proposed circuit remains functional after an ESD test     

Dynamic mechanical analysis studies of the interphase

The dynamic mechanical properties of unidirectional glass-fiber-reinforced polyester measured along the fiber direction were recently investigated. In the same polyester, the type of organosilane coated on the glass fiber, the amount of organosilane, the fiber volume fraction, and the fiber diameter affect the value of the loss tangent, tan δ, at the glass-transition temperature of the glass-fiber-reinforced polyester. The interfacial shear strength and the tan δ at the glass-transition temperature of the glass-fiber-reinforced polyester show good correlation suggesting that the latter can be used to characterize the quality of the interphase. Factors affecting the glass-transition temperature and the application of Zorowski and Murayama's equation in the characterization of the interfacial adhesion are also discussed.     

Nitroreductase-Mediated Release of Inhibitors of Lysine-Specific Demethylase 1 (LSD1) from Prodrugs in Transfected Acute Myeloid Leukaemia Cells

Lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) has evolved as a promising therapeutic target for cancer treatment, especially in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). To approach the challenge of site-specific LSD1 inhibition, we developed an enzyme-prodrug system with the bacterial nitroreductase NfsB (NTR) that was expressed in the virally transfected AML cell line THP1-NTR⁺. The cellular activity of the NTR was proven with a new luminescent NTR probe. We synthesised a diverse set of nitroaromatic prodrugs that by design do not affect LSD1 and are reduced by the NTR to release an active LSD1 inhibitor. The emerging side products were differentially analysed using negative controls, thereby revealing cytotoxic effects. The 2-nitroimidazolyl prodrug of a potent LSD1 inhibitor emerged as one of the best prodrug candidates with a pronounced selectivity window between wild-type and transfected THP1 cells. Our prodrugs are selectively activated and release the LSD1 inhibitor locally, proving their suitability for future targeting approaches.     

Urethane‐forming reaction kinetics and catalysis of model palm olein polyols: Quantified impact of primary and secondary hydroxyls

Model palm olein natural oil polyols (NOPs) with varying ratios of primary to secondary hydroxyls were synthesized, characterized, and evaluated in reaction kinetics study with isocyanate in formation of polyurethanes. Reaction rate constants and activation energies associated with primary and secondary hydroxyls of NOPs were quantified. The kinetic study in toluene shows that the NOP containing primary hydroxyls have three times higher reaction rate constants in noncatalyzed reaction with 4,4′‐diphenylmethane diisocyanate (4,4′‐MDI) compared to the model NOP containing only secondary hydroxyls, which is associated with higher activation energy of secondary hydroxyls. However, the difference in reaction rate constants of primary and secondary hydroxyls in NOPs diminished in the reactions catalyzed with dibutyltin dilaurate. Bulk polymerization reaction confirms the kinetics results in toluene, showing that the model NOP containing primary hydroxyls reached gel time at a faster rate. Evaluation of elastomers from bulk polymerization shows low degree of phase separation of hard and soft segments for elastomers based on the model NOPs. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 42955.     

4‐Biphenylalanine‐ and 3‐Phenyltyrosine‐Derived Hydroxamic Acids as Inhibitors of the JumonjiC‐Domain‐Containing Histone Demethylase KDM4A

Overexpression of the histone lysine demethylase KDM4A, which regulates H3K9 and H3K36 methylation states, has been related to the pathology of several human cancers. We found that a previously reported hydroxamate‐based histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor (SW55) was also able to weakly inhibit this demethylase with an IC₅₀ value of 25.4 μm . Herein we report the synthesis and biochemical evaluations, with two orthogonal in vitro assays, of a series of derivatives of this lead structure. With extensive chemical modifications on the lead structure, also by exploiting the versatility of the radical arylation with aryldiazonium salts, we were able to increase the potency of the derivatives against KDM4A to the low‐micromolar range and, more importantly, to obtain demethylase selectivity with respect to HDACs. Cell‐permeable derivatives clearly showed a demethylase‐inhibition‐dependent antiproliferative effect against HL‐60 human promyelocytic leukemia cells.