Conditional Preference Networks with User's Genuine Decisions

User's choices involve habitual behavior and genuine decision. Habitual behavior is often expressed using preferences. In a multiattribute case, the Conditional Preference Network (CP-net) is a graphical model to represent user's conditional ceteris paribus (all else being equal) preference statements. Indeed, the CP-net induces a strict partial order over the outcomes. By contrast, we argue that genuine decisions are environmentally influenced and introduce the notion of “comfort” to represent this type of choices. In this article, we propose an extension of the CP-net model that we call the CP-net with Comfort (CPC-net) to represent a user's comfort with preferences. Given that preference and comfort might be two conflicting objectives, we define the Pareto optimality of outcomes when achieving outcome optimization with respect to a given CPC-net. Then, we propose a backtrack search algorithm to find the Pareto optimal outcomes. On the other hand, two outcomes can stand in one of six possible relations with respect to a CPC-net. The exact relation can be obtained by performing dominance testing in the corresponding CP-net and comparing the numeric comforts.     

Inconel 617 alloy creep life augmentation by graphene transfer coating

Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology - Presently, countries are trying to increase their energy efficiency. Therefore, the operating temperatures of very high temperature reactor (VHTR) and...     

Performance enhancement of direct methanol fuel cell using multi‐zone narrow flow fields

New serpentine and spiral flow field configurations were developed to enhance the performance of direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). The new configurations are based on two primary concepts, namely, narrowing the flow field and partitioning the total active area of the fuel cell. Three flow channel heights of 0.8, 0.4, and 0.2 mm were investigated in serpentine and spiral flow fields. The main active area is considered a single zone and is partitioned into two‐ and four‐zone designs while maintaining the total inlet mass flow rate of the reactant and oxidant. To determine the performance parameters of the newly proposed designs, a three‐dimensional single‐phase isothermal model was developed, numerically simulated, and validated through experimental measurements. The findings of the current study indicate that a serpentine flow field configuration with a channel height of 0.2 mm and two zones attains an enhancement of the net power density of 37% compared to a conventional single‐zone design with a flow channel height of 0.8 mm. Similarly, for a spiral flow field design, the maximum net power density increased by 26% using a two‐zone configuration with a channel height of 0.2 mm, in comparison to the conventional design of a single‐zone and a flow channel height of 0.8 mm. The newly developed designs utilize the lower height of the flow fields to decrease the dimensions of the fuel cell stacks and reduce the material costs required.     

Partial Sperm beta1 Integrin Subunit Deletion Proves Its Involvement in Mouse Gamete Adhesion/Fusion

We have previously shown, using antibodies, that the sperm alpha6beta1 integrin is involved in mouse gamete fusion in vitro. Here we report the conditional knockdown of the sperm Itgb1 gene. It induced a drastic failure of sperm fusogenic ability with sperm accumulation in the perivitelline space of in vitro inseminated oocytes deleted or not for the Itgb1 gene. These data demonstrate that sperm, but not oocyte, beta1 integrin subunit is involved in gamete adhesion/fusion. Curiously, knockdown males were fertile in vivo probably because of the incomplete Cre-mediated deletion of the sperm Itgb1 floxed gene. Indeed, this was shown by Western blot analysis and confirmed by both the viability and litter size of pups obtained by mating partially sperm Itgb1 deleted males with females producing completely deleted Itgb1 oocytes. Because of the total peri-implantation lethality of Itgb1 deletion in mice, we assume that sperm that escaped the Itgb1 excision seemed to be preferentially used to fertilize in vivo. Here, we showed for the first time that the deletion, even partial, of the sperm Itgb1 gene makes the sperm unable to normally fertilize oocytes. However, to elucidate the question of the essentiality of its role during fertilization, further investigations using a mouse expressing a recombinase more effective in male germ cells are necessary.