Application of evolutionary programming to transient andsubtransient parameter estimation

This paper presents an artificial intelligence approach of using evolutionary programming to estimate the transient and subtransient parameters of a generator under normal operation. The estimation using evolutionary programming is compared with that using a corrected extended Kalman filter. The comparisons with both simulation and micromachine test results show that evolutionary programming is robust to search the real values of parameters even when the data are highly contaminated by noise, while with the extended Kalman filter, the estimation tends to diverge with such data     

Effect of type of processing on the microstructural features and mechanical properties of Al-Cu/SiC metal matrix composites

In this study, an aluminum based metallic matrix (Al-2wt.% Cu) was reinforced with SiC particulates using a conventional casting technique and a new disintegrated melt deposition technique. Microstructural characterization studies conducted on the samples taken from disintegrated melt deposition technique revealed a more uniform distribution of SiC particulates and good interfacial integrity between SiC particulates and metallic matrix when compared to the conventionally cast composite samples. Results of ambient temperature mechanical tests demonstrate an increase in 0.2% YS and ultimate tensile strength of samples taken from disintegrated melt deposition technique when compared with the unreinforced and conventionally cast composite samples. The results of microstructural characterization and mechanical testing were finally rationalized in terms of the nature of processing technique employed to reinforce Al-2wt.% Cu metallic matrix with SiC particulates.     

Benign seizures associated with mild diarrhea: clinical analysis of 20 cases

Even without electrolyte imbalance, dehydration and fever, seizures are found occasionally in the cases of mild diarrhea. Such patients have shown favorable outcome during long-term follow-up. Twenty cases (10 boys and 10 girls) of benign seizure with mild diarrhea have been diagnosed at the Pediatric Department of Cathay General Hospital from January 1987 to March 1991. Ages-of-onset ranged from 3 months to 43 months (mean 19 months). Most cases were found between December and March (16 cases, 80%). Most seizure episodes were from 2 to 5 times (10 cases, 50%); the durations of seizures were mostly within a 5-minute period (16 cases, 80%). All seizures were generalized and symmetric, including tonic-clonic (13 cases, 65%), tonic (5 cases, 25%), and clonic (2 cases, 10%). Six out of 11 cases (54.5%) showed Rotazyme (Latex agglutination) positive. After six month to four year follow up, no patient had suffered any type of epilepsy, and psychomotor development was normal in all. Further discussion of clinical features is provided.     

Fetus-in-fetu with malignant recurrence

Fetus-in-fetu is an unusual condition in which a vertebrate fetus is enclosed within the abdomen of another fetus. These occurrences are usually benign. This report describes an instance of malignant recurrence after resection of a fetus-in-fetu.     

Random switching techniques for inverter control

New techniques which dramatically reduce acoustic noise by randomising the inverter switching frequency for inverter control are presented. It is shown that the proposed techniques combine the advantages of conventional pulsewidth modulation (PWM) techniques based on regular-sampling techniques and random PWM techniques     

Assessment of cocaine use with quantitative urinalysis and estimation of new uses

Qualitative urinalysis methods of monitoring cocaine use may over-detect frequency of use, possibly decreasing the ability of clinical trials to detect effective treatments. Quantitative urinalysis and newly developed criteria for identifying new cocaine use were evaluated as alternative measures of cocaine use. Urine specimens collected in a cocaine dosing study in non-treatment-seeking subjects (n = 5) and a cocaine treatment trial (n = 37) were analyzed for the cocaine metabolite, benzoylecgonine, with qualitative and quantitative methods. Pharmacokinetic criteria ('New Use' rules) were applied to quantitative data to identify occasions of new cocaine use. Results were compared to known cocaine administrations in the laboratory study and to self-reported drug use and qualitative urinalysis for subjects in the clinical trial. New Use criteria correctly identified cocaine administrations in the cocaine dosing study in all but a small number of specimens. In the clinical trial, quantitative urinalysis and estimated New Uses provided more information about patterns and frequency of use than qualitative urinalysis in the different treatment conditions in the clinical trial. Interpretation of quantitative urinalysis with New Use rules appears to be a useful method for monitoring treatment outcome and may be more accurate than traditional qualitative urinalysis in estimating frequency of cocaine use.