Evolving Fault-Tolerant Neural Networks

In this paper, genetic algorithm is used to help improve the tolerance of feedforward neural networks against an open fault. The proposed method does not explicitly add any redundancy to the network, nor does it modify the training algorithm. Experiments show that it may profit the fault tolerance as well as the generalisation ability of neural networks.     

导向剂加入方式对Y型沸石合成的影响

以煤系高岭土为原料,采用液态补硅手段调节体系SiO2/Al2O3、导向剂两步加入法合成了Y型沸石.考察了导向剂不同加入方式对Y型沸石合成的影响.采用合理的导向剂两步加入法,特别是通过控制导向剂第二步加入的时间,可明显缩短Y型沸石的晶化时间,并有效地减少P型沸石的生成.     

Electrospinning of collagen-chitosan complex

The collagen-chitosan complex nanofibers have been prepared for the first time by electrospinning. The mixed HFP/TFA (the volume ratio of 90/10) was found to be the appropriate solvent for electrospinning. The concentration of the spinning solution and the ratio of chitosan/collagen were varied and adjusted to get smooth nanofibers. It was found that the diameter of the spun fibers became thick with the concentration of the solution increasing and became fine with the ratio of the chitosan/collagen increasing. We have characterised the molecular interactions in collagen-chitosan complex by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The spun fibers are designed to mimic the native extracellular matrix for tissue engineering and to develop functional biomaterials.     

Preparation and Characterization of Carboxymethyl Chitosan and β-Cyclodextrin Microspheres by Spray Drying

Three kinds of carboxymethyl chitosan/β-cyclodextrin microspheres loaded with theophylline were prepared by spray drying intended for pulmonary delivery. Mucociliotoxicity, permeation rate, and drug release characteristics of the product were investigated. The microspheres obtained by spray drying were found to be spherical with smooth or wrinkled surfaces. The mean particle size was between 3.39 and 6.06 µm. The microspheres demonstrated high product yield (43.7-50.2%), high drug loading (13.7-38.1%), and high encapsulation efficiency (86.9-92.8%). FT-IR indicated that there were interactions of theophylline with carboxymethyl chitosan matrix. Further studies on mucociliotoxicity and permeation confirmed that microspheres had better adaptability and high permeation rate. In vitro drug release from the microspheres was not related to the drug/polymer ratios.     

The deposition morphology of Brownian/non-Brownian particles within a constricted tube

The deposition morphology of Brownian/non-Brownian particles within a constricted tube is investigated by applying the Brownian dynamics simulation method in the present paper. Two different geometric structures, the parabolic constricted tube (PCT) and the sinusoidal constricted tube (SCT), are adopted. The effect of various types of the total interaction energy curves of the Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (DLVO) theory, and of the shadow area cast by those deposited particles, on the particles’ collection efficiencies are also examined. For the PCT structure, under the same interaction energy curve, it is found that the non-Brownian particles always own a higher collection efficiency than that of the Brownian particles. Since the deposition location moves closer to the constriction part of the tube, the collection efficiencies of the Brownian/non-Brownian particles increase with the decrease of flow velocity. The SCT behaves differently, it is found that the collection efficiencies of non-Brownian particles are only slightly higher than those of Brownian particles when SCT is adopted. The steep slope of the tube wall near the constriction part of SCT dominates the whole deposition process of Brownian/non-Brownian particles. In comparison with the available experimental data, it is found that the present method can give a good simulation result.     

Hydrothermal Synthesis of Magnesium Aluminate Platelets

Magnesium aluminate (MgAl₂O₄) platelets were first synthesized by hydrothermal treatment of γ-AlO(OH) in a magnesium nitrate aqueous solution at 400°C. The platelets are 100–200 nm in width and 25 nm in thickness. The influence of temperature, the anions of the magnesium salt, the amount of magnesium salt, and precursor pH on the formation of such structure was investigated. The experimental results indicated that the anions of the magnesium salt and precursor pH could have a significant influence on the growth of MgAl₂O₄. MgAl₂O₄ formation followed the in situ transformation mechanism, which was the reason why the MgAl₂O₄ crystallites had a platelet morphology.