Knowledge Based Supervised Fuzzy-Classification: An Application to Image Processing

In this paper, we take an interest in representation and treatment of imprecision and uncertainty in order to propose an original approach to approximate reasoning. This work has a practical application in supervised learning pattern recognition. Production rules whose conclusions are accompanied by belief degrees, are obtained by supervised learning from a training set. The proposed learning method is multi-featured, it allows to take into account the possible predictive power of a simultaneously considered feature conjunction. On the other hand, the feature space partition allows a fuzzy representation of the features and data imprecision integration. This uncertainty is managed in the learning phase as well as in the recognition one. To introduce more flexibility and to overcome the boundary problem due to the manipulations of membership functions of fuzzy sets, we propose to use a context-oriented approximate reasoning. For this purpose, we introduce an adequate distance to compare neighbouring facts. This distance, measuring imprecision, combined with the uncertainty of classification decisions represented by belief degrees, drives the approximate inference. The proposed method was implemented in a software called SUCRAGE and confronted with a real application in the field of image processing. The obtained results are very satisfactory. They validate our approach and allow us to consider other application fields.     

A Framework for the Generation of Adaptive Courses Based on Semantic Metadata

This approach proposes the creation and management of adaptive learning systems by combining component technology, semantic metadata, and adaptation rules. A component model allows interaction among components that share consistent assumptions about what each provides and each requires of the other. It allows indexing, using, reusing, and coupling of components in different contexts powering adaptation. Our claim is that semantic metadata are required to allow a real reusing and assembling of educational component. Finally, a rule language is used to define strategies to rewrite user query and user model. The former allows searching components developing concepts not appearing in the user query but related with user goals, whereas the last allow inferring user knowledge that is not explicit in user model.John Freddy Duitama received his M.Sc. degree in system engineering from the University of Antioquia -Colombia (South America). He is currently a doctoral candidate in the GET – Institut National des Télécommunications, Evry France. This work is sponsored by the University of Antioquia, where he is assistant professor.His research interest includes semantic web and web-based learning systems, educational metadata and learning objects.Bruno Defude received his Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Grenoble (I.N.P.G) in 1986. He is currently Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the GET - Institut National des Télécommunications, Evry France where he leads the SIMBAD project (Semantic Interoperability for MoBile and ADaptive applications).His major field of research interest is databases and semantic web, specifically personalized data access, adaptive systems, metadata, interoperability and semantic Peer-to-peer systems with elearning as a privileged application area.He is a member of ACM SIGMOD.Amel Bouzeghoub received a degree of Ph.D. in Computer Sciences at Pierre et Marie Curie University, France.In 2000, she joined the Computer Sciences Department of GET-INT (Institut National des Telecommunications) at Evry (France) as an associate professor.Her research interests include topics related to Web-based Learning Systems, Semantic Metadata for learning resources, Adaptive Learning Systems and Intelligent Tutoring Systems.Claire Lecocq received an Engineer Degree and a Ph.D. in Computer Sciences respectively in 1994 and 1999. In 1997, she joined the Computer Sciences Department at GET-INT (Institut National des Télécommunications) of Evry, France, as an associate professor. Her first research interests included spatial databases and visual query languages. She is now working on adaptive learning systems, particularly on semantic metadata and user models.     

Combined passivity based control and optimal control for energy management of fuel cell/battery hybrid system

The energy management of hybrid electric vehicles is becoming an interesting topic for many researchers. Furthermore, the wise choice of the energy management strategy allows not only the best distribution of the power between the used sources, but also it allows reduction of consumption, increase in the lifetime of the sources, and improves the autonomy of the hybrid electric vehicle. The autonomy is guaranteed by the optimization of the embedded sources. In this study, the hybrid system consists of combining the fuel cell as the main source with the battery as the auxiliary source. The novelty of the proposed energy management strategy for the studied hybrid system is the combination between interconnection and damping assignment‐passivity based control and the Hamiltonian Jacobi Bellman method. The stability proof is given and the efficiency of the proposed strategy is proved by the experimental work, where the obtained results show the good and adequate results to the proposed scenario.     

A systematic approach to integrate common timed security rules within a TEFSM-based system specification

Context

Formal methods are very useful in the software industry and are becoming of paramount importance in practical engineering techniques. They involve the design and modeling of various system aspects expressed usually through different paradigms. These different formalisms make the verification of global developed systems more difficult.

Objective

In this paper, we propose to combine two modeling formalisms, in order to express both functional and security timed requirements of a system to obtain all the requirements expressed in a unique formalism.

Method

First, the system behavior is specified according to its functional requirements using Timed Extended Finite State Machine (TEFSM) formalism. Second, this model is augmented by applying a set of dedicated algorithms to integrate timed security requirements specified in Nomad language. This language is adapted to express security properties such as permissions, prohibitions and obligations with time considerations.

Results

The proposed algorithms produce a global TEFSM specification of the system that includes both its functional and security timed requirements.

Conclusion

It is concluded that it is possible to merge several requirement aspects described with different formalisms into a global specification that can be used for several purposes such as code generation, specification correctness proof, model checking or automatic test generation. In this paper, we applied our approach to a France Telecom Travel service to demonstrate its scalability and feasibility.     

Microemulsion breakdown using the pervaporation technique: application to cutting oil models

Four microemulsions were formulated as model systems for “cutting oil” consisting of water, mineral oil as an organic component, sodium dodecylsulfate or dodiflood as a surfactant, and alcohol as a co-surfactant. Their stability was ascertained by a rheology study and their oil/water nature was confirmed by physico-chemical tests. Their breakdown with the pervaporation technique using a polydimethylsiloxane membrane ensured the preferential removal of oil from other components. The enrichment factor and the flux rate were examined as functions of time and temperature. The optimal temperature and time were found to be 40°C and 4 h, respectively.     

In Vitro Rescue of the Bile Acid Transport Function of ABCB11 Variants by CFTR Potentiators

ABCB11 is responsible for biliary bile acid secretion at the canalicular membrane of hepatocytes. Variations in the ABCB11 gene cause a spectrum of rare liver diseases. The most severe form is progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis type 2 (PFIC2). Current medical treatments have limited efficacy. Here, we report the in vitro study of Abcb11 missense variants identified in PFIC2 patients and their functional rescue using cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator potentiators. Three ABCB11 disease-causing variations identified in PFIC2 patients (i.e., A257V, T463I and G562D) were reproduced in a plasmid encoding an Abcb11-green fluorescent protein. After transfection, the expression and localization of the variants were studied in HepG2 cells. Taurocholate transport activity and the effect of potentiators were studied in Madin–Darby canine kidney (MDCK) clones coexpressing Abcb11 and the sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (Ntcp/Slc10A1). As predicted using three-dimensional structure analysis, the three variants were expressed at the canalicular membrane but showed a defective function. Ivacaftor, GLP1837, SBC040 and SBC219 potentiators increased the bile acid transport of A257V and T463I and to a lesser extent, of G562D Abcb11 missense variants. In addition, a synergic effect was observed when ivacaftor was combined with SBC040 or SBC219. Such potentiators could represent new pharmacological approaches for improving the condition of patients with ABCB11 deficiency due to missense variations affecting the function of the transporter.     

Hyaluronic Acid Scaffolds for Loco-Regional Therapy in Nervous System Related Disorders

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a Glycosaminoglycan made of disaccharide units containing N-acetyl-D-glucosamine and glucuronic acid. Its molecular mass can reach 10 MDa and its physiological properties depend on its polymeric property, polyelectrolyte feature and viscous nature. HA is a ubiquitous compound found in almost all biological tissues and fluids. So far, HA grades are produced by biotechnology processes, while in the human organism it is a major component of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in brain tissue, synovial fluid, vitreous humor, cartilage and skin. Indeed, HA is capable of forming hydrogels, polymer crosslinked networks that are very hygroscopic. Based on these considerations, we propose an overview of HA-based scaffolds developed for brain cancer treatment, central and peripheral nervous systems, discuss their relevance and identify the most successful developed systems.     

RAB10 Interacts with ABCB4 and Regulates Its Intracellular Traffic

ABCB4 (ATP-binding cassette subfamily B member 4) is an ABC transporter expressed at the canalicular membrane of hepatocytes where it ensures phosphatidylcholine secretion into bile. Genetic variations of ABCB4 are associated with several rare cholestatic diseases. The available treatments are not efficient for a significant proportion of patients with ABCB4-related diseases and liver transplantation is often required. The development of novel therapies requires a deep understanding of the molecular mechanisms regulating ABCB4 expression, intracellular traffic, and function. Using an immunoprecipitation approach combined with mass spectrometry analyses, we have identified the small GTPase RAB10 as a novel molecular partner of ABCB4. Our results indicate that the overexpression of wild type RAB10 or its dominant-active mutant significantly increases the amount of ABCB4 at the plasma membrane expression and its phosphatidylcholine floppase function. Contrariwise, RAB10 silencing induces the intracellular retention of ABCB4 and then indirectly diminishes its secretory function. Taken together, our findings suggest that RAB10 regulates the plasma membrane targeting of ABCB4 and consequently its capacity to mediate phosphatidylcholine secretion.     

Technological Performance of the Enterocin A Producer <Emphasis Type="Italic">Enterococcus faecium</Emphasis> MMRA as a Protective Adjunct Culture to Enhance Hygienic and Sensory Attributes of Traditional Fermented Milk ‘Rayeb’

Enterococcus faecium MMRA is an enterocin A producer isolated from ‘Rayeb’, a Tunisian fermented milk drink. In this work, safety aspects and its behaviour in raw milk were investigated to assess its suitability as a protective adjunct culture. E. faecium MMRA showed interesting features such as the absence of several virulence traits, susceptibility to vancomycin and other clinically relevant antibiotics, and lack of haemolytic activity. To evaluate its performance as an adjunct culture for Rayeb, changes in the overall composition of control (non-inoculated) and experimental Rayeb (inoculated with 1%, v/v, E. faecium MMRA) were determined throughout duplicate fermentations of raw milk using microbiological, chemical, HPLC and headspace GC-MS analyses. E. faecium MMRA could multiply in raw milk and produced enterocin A. Interestingly, a higher content of volatile compounds including ethanol, diacetyl and 2-propanol was observed in the presence of this bacteriocin producer. Furthermore, this strain was capable of inhibiting the growth of Listeria monocytogenes CECT 4032 in pasteurised milk, although total killing was not achieved. Further experiments confirmed the development of resistant variants to enterocin A. On similar challenge assays, L. monocytogenes CECT 5672 growth was halted by the presence of the enterocin producer, but viability was only slightly reduced during cold storage. According to our results, E. faecium MMRA meets the criteria for an autochthonous protective adjunct culture to enhance both the hygienic and the sensory attributes of Rayeb.