An associative memory model derived from cross-coupled Hopfield nets and its role in noise-space dynamics

In this paper, the association characteristics of cross-coupled Hopfield nets (CCHN) proposed as a modular neural network model are discussed analytically. In a CCHN, an arbitrary number of modules (Hopfield networks) can be mutually connected via feedforward networks called internetworks, whose output generates interactions among module networks. To evaluate the CCHN as a modular neural network, it has previously been applied to associative memory. Although its excellent association performance is supported by many simulation results, it is still difficult to compute the memory capacity exactly or to examine the dynamic properties rigorously, because CCHN information processing includes strong nonlinearity. Hence, as the first step to an analytical approach, this paper focuses on a single-module CCHN whose interaction is realized by a two-layered feedforward internetwork. In this case, the connection matrix of the CCHN degenerates into a single square-matrix, as does a conventional auto-association type of associative memory. Using eigenvalue analysis for the connection matrix, we reveal that the essential differences between the association characteristics of a CCHN and a conventional autocorrelation associative memory originate from dynamics in the noise-space that is the orthogonal complement of the subspace generated from memory patterns. ©1998 Scripta Technica, Electr Eng Jpn, 125(2): 27–34, 1998     

Temperature distribution along stack in an acoustic-resonance tube: discussions on advanced linearized theory

Verification of the applicability of the linearized thermoacoustic theory proposed in 1988 by Swift, J. Acoust. Soc. Am., 84 , (4), 1145–1180, to an acoustic- resonance tube refrigerator and discussions on the advanced linearized theory were conducted through a comparison with the measured temperature distribution along the stack in a simulated acoustic-resonance tube. The measured temperature in all cases of various stack configurations such as stack plate spacing and length showed an almost linear distribution along the stack, while Swift's linearized theory gave a curved distribution with relatively large deviation from experimental data. Eddy diffusivity and/or steady streaming effects excited by sound waves were taken into account in the linearized model, and the effects of these terms on the prediction of temperature distribution were examined. The agreement between theory and experiment was markedly improved by the introduction of steady streaming. This provided a guideline for the construction of an advanced linearized theory. © 1999 Scripta Technica, Heat Trans Jpn Res, 27(8): 551–567, 1998     

Effect of Polymer Dispersant Structure on Electrosteric Interaction and Dense Alumina Suspension Behavior

The present paper reports on research on the effect of molecular structure of polymer dispersants on the relationship between the electrosteric interaction of dispersants on solid surfaces and the viscosity of suspensions. Ammonium polyacrylate with different hydrophilic to hydrophobic ratios ( m:n ) was prepared and added to dense Al₂O₃ suspensions (40 vol%). The steric interactions and adsorbed structures of dispersants on Al₂O₃ powders were examined under an atomic force microscope (AFM). An optimum hydrophilic to hydrophobic group ratio, which was obtained from the maximum repulsive force and the minimum viscosity of suspension, was determined at m :n = 3:7. The changing mechanism of the adsorbed structure and the steric interaction of dispersants and the suspension viscosity by the hydrophilic to hydrophobic molecular ratio were discussed by comparing the experimental force curve and DLVO theory.     

Specialist Leaf Beetle Larvae Use Volatiles from Willow Leaves Infested by Conspecifics for Reaggregation in a Tree

Young, gregariously living larvae of the willow leaf beetles Plagiodera versicolora are known to exhibit characteristic aggregation-dispersion-reaggregation behavior and local fidelity to a host tree. In this study, we investigated whether plant volatiles induced by feeding P. versicolora larvae were involved in the reaggregation behavior. Under laboratory conditions, we conducted dual-choice bioassays and found that the first and second instars discriminated between volatiles from leaves infested by larvae and volatiles from uninfested leaves. The discriminative behavior was dependent on both the time leaves were infested and the age of discriminating larvae. First and second instars preferred odor from 1-d-infested leaves to odor from uninfested leaves, whereas third instars (solitary stage) did not discriminate between these volatile blends. Odor from 2-d-infested leaves was preferred to odor from 1-d-infested leaves by first instars, whereas odor from leaves infested for 3 d was not attractive to these very young larvae. Neither was odor of leaves infested for 1 d and then left uninfested for 1 or 2 d attractive to young larvae. The data suggest that the first and second instars use volatiles from a leaf newly infested by conspecific larvae as one of the reaggregation cues. We detected several herbivore-induced compounds in the headspace of the attractive leaves. Among those, a mixture of synthetic (E)-β-ocimene, (Z)-β-ocimene, allo-ocimene, and linalool was found to attract the larvae.     

Random mutagenesis improves the low-temperature activity of the tetrameric 3-isopropylmalate dehydrogenase from the hyperthermophile Sulfolobus tokodaii

In general, the enzymes of thermophilic organisms are more resistant to thermal denaturation than are those of mesophilic or psychrophilic organisms. Further, as is true for their mesophilic and psychrophilic counterparts, the activities of thermophilic enzymes are smaller at temperatures that are less than the optimal temperature. In an effort to characterize the properties that would improve its activity at temperatures less than the optimal, we subjected the thermostable Sulfolobus tokodaii (S. tokodaii) 3-isopropylmalate dehydrogenase to two rounds of random mutagenesis and selected for improved low-temperature activity using an in vivo recombinant Escherichia coli system. Five dehydrogenase mutants were purified and their catalytic properties and thermostabilities characterized. The mutations favorably affect the K(m) values for NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) and/or the k(cat) values. The results of thermal stability measurements show that, although the mutations somewhat decrease the stability of the enzyme, the mutants are still very resistant to heat. The locations and properties of the mutations found for the S. tokodaii enzyme are compared with those found for the previously isolated low-temperature adapted mutants of the homologous Thermus thermophilus enzyme. However, there are few, if any, common properties that enhance the low-temperature activities of both enzymes; therefore, there may be many ways to improve the low-temperature catalytic activity of a thermostable enzyme.     

Novel synthesis of poly(methyl methacrylate) brush encapsulated silica particles

Silica (SiO₂)‐crosslinked polystyrene (PS) particles possessing photofunctional N,N‐diethyldithiocarbamate (DC) groups on their surface were prepared by the free‐radical emulsion copolymerization of a mixture of SiO₂ (diameter = 20 nm), styrene, divinyl benzene, 4‐vinylbenzyl N,N‐diethyldithiocarbamate (VBDC), and 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate with a radical initiator under UV irradiation. In this copolymerization, the inimer VBDC had the formation of a hyperbranched structure by a living radical mechanism. The particle sizes of such core–shell structures [number‐average particle diameter (D_n) = 35–40 nm] were controlled by the variation of the feed amounts of the monomers and surfactant, or emulsion system. The size distributions were relatively narrow (weight‐average particle diameter/D_n ≈ 1.05). These particles had DC groups on their surface. Subsequently, poly(methyl methacrylate) brush encapsulated SiO₂ particles were synthesized by the grafting from a photoinduced atom transfer radical polymerization approach of methyl methacrylate initiated by SiO₂‐crosslinked PS particles as a macroinitiator. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Composite sheets with biodegradable polymers and paper,the effect of paper strengthening agents on strength enhancement,and an evaluation of biodegradability

Composite sheets composed of biodegradable polymers (BP) and paper were prepared, and their physical and biodegradable properties were investigated. The paper sheets were soaked in BP emulsions and cured at 100°C for 20 min. The wet strength of composite sheets with the same basis weight increased significantly with increasing BP content, although dry strength increased only moderately. A 0.5% addition of a common wet paper‐strengthening agent, poly(amidoamine‐epichlorohydrin) (PAE) resin, enhanced the wet strength, which reached 9.3 MPa, of composite sheets consisting of a BP : paper ratio of 20 : 80. Further enhancement was achieved by the addition of polyvinylamines (PVAm). The wet tensile strength of composite sheets consisting of BP and paper (20 : 80) increased by 27% with the addition of 0.2% PVAm and 0.5% PAE, whereas it was enhanced by only 3–4% with the addition of 0.7% PAE. The biodegradability of the composite sheets was somewhat retarded by the addition of PAE and PVAm. However, a 90% weight loss was observed 60 days after placing composite sheet samples in soil. A similar weight loss was observed after 45 days for composites without additives and after 30 days for base paper alone. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 861–866, 2005     

Synthesis of well-defined star-branched polymers by stepwise iterative methodology using living anionic polymerization

This article reviews the synthesis of regular and asymmetric star-branched polymers with well-defined structures by methodologies using living anionic polymerization, especially focusing on the synthetic approaches accessible for precisely controlled architectures of star-branched polymers concerning molecular weight, molecular weight distribution, arm number, and composition. The reason for selecting living anionic polymerization from many living/controlled polymerization systems so far developed is that this living polymerization system is still the best to meet the strict requirements for the precise structures of star-branched polymers. Furthermore, we herein mainly introduce a novel and quite versatile stepwise iterative methodology recently developed by our group for the successive synthesis of many-armed and multi-compositional asymmetric star-branched polymers. The methodology basically involves only two sets of the reaction conditions for the entire iterative synthetic sequence. The reaction sequence can be, in principle, limitlessly iterated to introduce a definite number of the same or different polymer segments at each stage of the iteration. As a result, a wide variety of many-armed and multi-compositional asymmetric star-branched polymers can be synthesized.     

Suppression of floatability of pyrite in coal processing by carrier microencapsulation

Carrier microencapsulation, CME, is a technique to form a thin layer of metal oxide or hydroxide on pyrite surface using a water soluble organic carrier combined with metal ions. The present study investigated the effect of CME using a tris-catecholato complex of Si⁴⁺, Si(cat)₃²⁻ on pyrite-coal separation by dynamic bubble pick-up experiments and Hallimond tube flotation experiments using coal, pyrite, and a coal-pyrite mixture. The mineral samples were treated in 0-5 mol m^− 3 Si(cat)₃²⁻ solutions at pH 4-9 at treatment times of 1-24 h. Dynamic bubble pick-up experiments showed that CME treatment converted the pyrite surface from hydrophobic to hydrophilic but did not affect coal's hydrophobic surface. The results of the Hallimond tube flotation experiments of a coal-pyrite mixture at pH 7-9 in the presence of kerosene as a collector showed that pyrite floatability was selectively suppressed after 1 h CME treatment with 0.5 mol^− 3 Si(cat)₃²⁻ while both coal and pyrite were floated without the treatment. This indicates that CME treatment is effective in suppressing pyrite floatability in coal-pyrite flotation.