A human‐like numerical technique for design of engineering systems

Because of the necessity for considering various creative and engineering design criteria, optimal design of an engineering system results in a highly‐constrained multi‐objective optimization problem. Major numerical approaches to such optimal design are to force the problem into a single objective function by introducing unjustifiable additional parameters and solve it using a single‐objective optimization method. Due to its difference from human design in process, the resulting design often becomes completely different from that by a human designer. This paper presents a novel numerical design approach, which resembles the human design process. Similar to the human design process, the approach consists of two steps: (1) search for the solution space of the highly‐constrained multi‐objective optimization problem and (2) derivation of a final design solution from the solution space. Multi‐objective gradient‐based method with Lagrangian multipliers (MOGM‐LM) and centre‐of‐gravity method (CoGM) are further proposed as numerical methods for each step. The proposed approach was first applied to problems with test functions where the exact solutions are known, and results demonstrate that the proposed approach can find robust solutions, which cannot be found by conventional numerical design approaches. The approach was then applied to two practical design problems. Successful design in both the examples concludes that the proposed approach can be used for various design problems that involve both the creative and engineering design criteria. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

YES1 as a Therapeutic Target for HER2-Positive Breast Cancer after Trastuzumab and Trastuzumab-Emtansine (T-DM1) Resistance Development

Trastuzumab-emtansine (T-DM1) is a therapeutic agent molecularly targeting human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC), and it is especially effective for MBC with resistance to trastuzumab. Although several reports have described T-DM1 resistance, few have examined the mechanism underlying T-DM1 resistance after the development of acquired resistance to trastuzumab. We previously reported that YES1, a member of the Src family, plays an important role in acquired resistance to trastuzumab in HER2-amplified breast cancer cells. We newly established a trastuzumab/T-DM1-dual-resistant cell line and analyzed the resistance mechanisms in this cell line. At first, the T-DM1 effectively inhibited the YES1-amplified trastuzumab-resistant cell line, but resistance to T-DM1 gradually developed. YES1 amplification was further enhanced after acquired resistance to T-DM1 became apparent, and the knockdown of the YES1 or the administration of the Src inhibitor dasatinib restored sensitivity to T-DM1. Our results indicate that YES1 is also strongly associated with T-DM1 resistance after the development of acquired resistance to trastuzumab, and the continuous inhibition of YES1 is important for overcoming resistance to T-DM1.     

Diamond Synthesis from Graphite in the Presence of MnCO3

In order to investigate the catalytic effect of MnCO₃, a typical transition-metal carbonate, a graphite and MnCO₃ (60:40 by weight) mixture was subjected to temperature and pressure ranges of 6.5–7.7 GPa and 1700°–2100°C, respectively. Diamonds were synthesized from graphite in the presence of MnCO₃, at 2000°C and 7.7 GPa, where MnCO₃ was confirmed to be in a molten state. Although MnO was found to be decomposed from the samples that were subjected to the aforementioned PT conditions, no diamond formation was detected from an MnO and graphite system for identical experimental conditions. Therefore, it was concluded that MnCO₃ solvent catalyzed diamond formation from graphite.     

Distribution Behavior of Neptunium by Extraction with N,N-dialkylamides (DEHDMPA and DEHBA) in Mixer-Settler Extractors

The extraction properties of N,N-di(2-ethylhexyl)-2,2-dimethylpropanamide (DEHDMPA) and N,N-di(2-ethylhexyl)butanamide (DEHBA) for Np(V) and Np(VI) were studied by a batch method using various nitrate ion concentrations. The distribution ratios of Np(VI) obtained with DEHDMPA and DEHBA exceeded unity when the nitrate ion concentration was > 3 mol/dm³, while DEHDMPA and DEHBA barely extracted Np(V). A continuous counter-current experiment using mixer-settler extractors was performed to evaluate the behavior of Np in a process comprising two cycles using DEHDMPA and DEHBA as extractants. The feed was nitric acid containing U, Pu, Np, and several fission products. The results indicated that part of Np(V) changed its valence state to Np(IV) or Np(VI) after the 1st experimental cycle. The recoveries of Np in the streams of U fraction and U-Pu fraction were 63.7% and 29.1%, respectively.     

Triangle pore arrays fabricated on Si (111) substrate by sphere lithography combined with metal-assisted chemical etching and anisotropic chemical etching

ABSTRACT: The morphological change of silicon macropore arrays formed by metal-assisted chemical etching using shape-controlled Au thin film arrays was investigated during anisotropic chemical etching in tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) aqueous solution. After the deposition of Au as the etching catalyst on (111) silicon through a honeycomb mask prepared by sphere lithography, the specimens were etched in a mixed solution of HF and H2O2 at room temperature, resulting in the formation of ordered macropores in silicon along the [111] direction, which is not achievable by conventional chemical etching without a catalyst. In the anisotropic etching in TMAH, the macropores changed from being circular to being hexagonal and finally to being triangular owing to the difference in etching rate between the crystal planes.     

(100)-Orientation of Pseudocubic Perovskite-Type LaNiO3 Thin Films on Glass Substrates via the Sol–Gel Process

(100)-oriented, perovskite-type LaNiO₃ thin films were prepared on SiO₂ glass substrates by the sol–gel method. Effects of thermal processing on the orientation, surface morphology, and electrical properties of the films were investigated. The nearly complete (100)-orientation was achieved by drying the films at temperatures above 350°C before a final heat treatment at 700°C. It was the key to heat the substrate from the other side to obtain the oriented films. A possible mechanism of the orientation is proposed on the basis of surface energies of the films and the substrates and the interfacial energy between them.     

Complement activation as a cause of transient hypotension during plasmapheresis

Hypotension is one of the most common adverse effect of plasmapheresis (PP) and often is attributed to hypovolemia due to extracorporeal circulation and the vasovagal reflex. Complements are activated during PP, and the activated complements are strong anaphylatoxins and potent vasodilators. Therefore, we studied the relationship between the transient hypotension and the plasma levels of activated complements during and after PP in 8 sessions of 7 patients using the Plasmafro OP-08 as a plasma separator. Five of the patients underwent immunoadsorption PP using the IM-TR 350 or IM-PH 350 as the adsorption column. The other underwent double filtration PP using the Evaflux 4A as a second filter. In 4 of 8 sessions, patients experienced transient hypotension with significantly elevated plasma levels of activated complements C3a and C5a. In contrast, patients without hypotension showed no increases in C3a and C5a values during PP. In this report, we emphasize the critical role of activated complements for hypotension during PP.     

Research on a face recognition system by the genetic algorithm

Computer vision and recognition is playing an increasingly important role in modern intelligent control. Object detection is the first and most important step in object recognition. Traditionally, a special object can be recognized by the template matching method, but the recognition speed has always been a problem. In this article, an improved general genetic algorithm-based face recognition system is proposed. The genetic algorithm (GA) has been considered to be a robust and global searching method. Here, the chromosomes generated by GA contain the information needed to recognize the object. The purpose of this article is to propose a practical method of face detection and recognition. Finally, the experimental results, and a comparison with the traditional template matching method, and some other considerations, are also given. This work was presented in part at the 11th International Symposium on Artificial Life and Robotics, Oita, Japan, January 23–25, 2006