Learning Recursive Bayesian Multinets for Data Clustering by Means of Constructive Induction

This paper introduces and evaluates a new class of knowledge model, the recursive Bayesian multinet (RBMN), which encodes the joint probability distribution of a given database. RBMNs extend Bayesian networks (BNs) as well as partitional clustering systems. Briefly, a RBMN is a decision tree with component BNs at the leaves. A RBMN is learnt using a greedy, heuristic approach akin to that used by many supervised decision tree learners, but where BNs are learnt at leaves using constructive induction. A key idea is to treat expected data as real data. This allows us to complete the database and to take advantage of a closed form for the marginal likelihood of the expected complete data that factorizes into separate marginal likelihoods for each family (a node and its parents). Our approach is evaluated on synthetic and real-world databases.     

Sol-gel Preparation and Preliminary in vitro Evaluation of Fluorapatite／Hydroxyapatite Solid Solution Films

Fluorapatite/hydroxyapatite solid solution has better biological properties than other apatites, especially used as films or coatings. In this work, sol-gel preparation and in vitro behavior of fluorapatite/hydroxyapatite solid solution films on titanium alloy were investigated. Ca(NO3)2-4H20 and PO(OH)x(OEt)3-x were selected as precursors, and hexafluorophosphoric acid (HPFo) was used as a fluorine containing reagent. The Ca and P precursors were mixed with HPFo to keep the Ca/P molar ratio 1.67. The mixtures refluxed for 12 h were used as dipping sols for the preparation of the films. The phase of the films obtained at 600℃ was apatite. The F contents in the films increased with the concentrations of HPF6 in the dipping sols. The solid solution films were shown to have better stability than hydroxyapatite films, and a reasonably good bioactivity in the in vitro evaluation.     

Thermal expansion characteristics of a titanium modified austenitic stainless steel: measurement by high-temperature X-ray diffraction and modelling using Grüneisen formalism

The thermal expansion of a titanium modified, swelling resistant austenitic stainless steel designated as D9 is studied by measuring the lattice parameter as a function of temperature in the range 300-1300 K by high-temperature X-ray diffraction technique. The thermal expansion data thus obtained is in reasonable agreement with the typical thermal expansion values reported for similar nuclear grade austenitic stainless steels. However, at temperatures exceeding 900 K, the measured thermal expansivity exhibits a pronounced non-linear increase due partly to the precipitation of complex carbide and intermetallic phases. The high-temperature thermal expansion data obtained in the present study are augmented by modelling the low-temperature thermal expansion behaviour by Grüneisen formalism.     

Hierarchical Self‐Assembly of Peptide‐Coated Carbon Nanotubes

Numerous applications, from molecular electronics to super‐strong composites, have been suggested for carbon nanotubes. Despite this promise, difficulty in assembling raw carbon nanotubes into functional structures is a deterrent for applications. In contrast, biological materials have evolved to self‐assemble, and the lessons of their self‐assembly can be applied to synthetic materials such as carbon nanotubes. Here we show that single‐walled carbon nanotubes, coated with a designed amphiphilic peptide, can be assembled into ordered hierarchical structures. This novel methodology offers a new route for controlling the physical properties of nanotube systems at all length scales from the nano‐ to the macroscale. Moreover, this technique is not limited to assembling carbon nanotubes, and could be modified to serve as a general procedure for controllably assembling other nanostructures into functional materials.     

A computational study of LP-based heuristic algorithms for two-dimensional guillotine cutting stock problems

In this paper we develop and compare several heuristic methods for solving the general two-dimensional cutting stock problem. We follow the Gilmore-Gomory column generation scheme in which at each iteration a new cutting pattern is obtained as the solution of a subproblem on one stock sheet. For solving this subproblem, in addition to classical dynamic programming, we have developed three heuristic procedures of increasing complexity, based on GRASP and Tabu Search techniques, producing solutions differing in quality and in time requirements. In order to obtain integer solutions from the fractional solutions of the Gilmore-Gomory process, we compare three rounding procedures, rounding up, truncated branch and bound and the solution of a residual problem. We have coded and tested all the combinations of algorithms and rounding procedures. The computational results obtained on a set of randomly generated test problems show their relative efficiency and allow the potential user to choose from among them, according to the available computing time. Rceived: January 9, 2001 / Accepted: December 10, 2001     

Ionomer composites based on sepiolite/hydrogenated poly(styrene butadiene) block copolymer systems

Ionomeric composites based on sepiolite and hydrogenated poly(styrene butadiene) block copolymer were obtained and characterized from a microstructural and electrical point of view. Before blending, because of the high silanol group concentration in the sepiolite, the latter could be organophilized with suitable coupling agents. The resulting materials were easily processed into thin films or membranes 0.2–0.4 mm thick, their conductivity in some cases approaching 10^?1 S/cm. Their suitability for film formation and good electrical properties indicate potential applications as electrolytes in polymer fuel cells. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 3512–3519, 2002     

Variation in Malting Quality and Heat Resistance in the Malting Barley Variety “Alexis”

In earlier studies concerning vigour, where subsamples are heat‐treated before germination there was found heat‐sensitive as well as heat‐resistant barley samples. The vigour model developed by Ellis and Roberts and further developed at Carlsberg, could only describe the heat‐sensitive barleys. Seventeen samples of the “Alexis” variety grown widely in Europe were collected from the EBC trials in 1994 in order to see if heat resistance in barley was influenced by different growing conditions. We found both heat‐sensitive samples following the vigour model as well as pronounced heat‐resistant samples, but these were not divided according to growing conditions. The germination curves dependent on heat treatment and germination time were evaluated by Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Heat‐resistant barley samples could be differentiated from heat‐sensitive samples already after ½ h of heat treatment at 68°C (12% moisture) and after 3 days of germination. The barley samples were analysed with regard to malting quality. The PCA evaluation of the data divided the samples according to growing location, mainly due to differences in protein and β‐glucan. However, the malting analyses could not describe the differences in heat resistance and sensitivity of the barleys. The biochemical background of the heat resistance found is discussed on the basis of literature. Our findings should give an experimental basis for exploiting a biochemical principle for heat resistance, which is formed during grain filling and consumed during storage and germination.     

Effect of Particle Size on Monometallic and Bimetallic (Au,Pd)/C on the Liquid Phase Oxidation of Glycerol

The influence of metal particle size of monometallic and bimetallic supported catalysts (Au, Pd, Au–Pd)/C was studied using as a model reaction the liquid phase oxidation of glycerol. By tuning the metal particle size from 2 to 16 nm a progressive decrease of activity and simultaneously an increase in the selectivity to sodium glycerate was observed. Moreover, the influence of the temperature was studied and it was found that by increasing the temperature, only with a large particle size the formed glycerate was retained and not over-oxidized to tartronate.     

Characteristics of a NaOH-Activated Blast Furnace Slag Blended with a Fine Particle Silica Waste

Mortars of blast furnace slag blended with a geothermal silica waste at various replacement levels of 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% were cured for up to 90 days. The binder was activated by 6 wt% Na₂O equivalent of sodium hydroxide. Lime was added as an activating agent and also to promote pozzolanic reaction with the silica. It was found that the presence of the silica waste increased the reactivity of the cementitious materials, as measured by means of nonevaporable water. The compressive strength was increased in the presence of the silica, except at the highest replacement level of 20%, the optimum silica replacement was that of 5%–10%. The microstructures of blended slag showed less porosity than those of neat slag mortars. The lime was completely consumed after 90 days of hydration.