PLATA: An Application of LEGAL, a Machine Learning Based System, to a Typology of Archaeological Ceramics

The authors here show that machine learning techniques can be used for designing an archaeological typology, at an early stage when the classes are not yet well defined. The program (LEGAL, LEarning with GAlois Lattice) is a machine learning system which uses a set of examples and counter-examples in order to discriminate between classes. Results show a good compatibility between the classes such as the yare defined by the system and the archaeological hypotheses. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Impact of Water Temperature on Resolving the Challenge of Assuring Disinfection While Limiting Bromate Formation

Intensive pilot studies were performed to study the impact of ozone dose (0.6 to 3.5 mg/L), pH (6.0 to 7.5), and contact time (12 to 38 min) on bromate (BrO₃) formation, for different sand-filtered water qualities from the Neuilly-sur-Marne Treatment Plant (COT = 1.3 to 2.2 mg/L, TAC = 190 to 230 mg CaCO₃, [Br^?] = 25 to 50 μg/L, and T = 5°C to 26°C). Whatever the water quality studied, the main factors influencing bromate formation were ozone dose, pH, and a cross factor between them. Bromate formation was shown to be proportional to bromide concentration, and to increase only slightly with temperature, depending on the ozone dose and the pH. As on the contrary temperature has an important impact on disinfection, especially when considering Cryptosporidium inactivation, resolving the challenge of ensuring disinfection while limiting bromate formation was shown to be quite easily achievable, at intermediate temperature, and with more stringent conditions at high temperature (because of bromate formation) or at low temperature (because of disinfection).     

Triterpene alcohols, 4-methylsterols and 4-desmethylsterols of sal and illipe butters

Four 4-desmethylsterols, four 4-methylsterols and eight triterpene alcohols were isolated from sal and illipe butters and identified by¹H nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry. In addition to some components which had been shown to be present in these fats, several triterpene alcohols and one 4-methylsterol are described for the first time in these fats. An analytical method for detection of sal or illipe butters in foodstuffs is suggested.     

Capillary flow of liquid pitch

The capillary flow of liquid pitch into a granular coke bed has been theoretically investigated. An equation relating the flow rate with temperature has been derived considering the pitch as a Newtonian liquid. For a given coke granulometry, the wetting angle and the viscosity of the pitch material are the most important factors governing its flow properties. A comparison with experimental flow measurements indicates that some pitches penetrate into the granular coke bed according to the developed equation of flow.     

JAC: an aspect‐based distributed dynamic framework

In this paper, we present the Java Aspect Components (JAC) framework for building aspect‐oriented distributed applications in Java. This paper describes the aspect‐oriented programming model and the architectural details of the framework implementation. The framework enables extension of application semantics for handling well‐separated concerns. This is achieved with a software entity called an aspect component (AC). ACs provide distributed pointcuts, dynamic wrappers and metamodel annotations. Distributed pointcuts are a key feature of our framework. They enable the definition of crosscutting structures that do not need to be located on a single host. ACs are dynamic. They can be added, removed, and controlled at runtime. This enables our framework to be used in highly dynamic environments where adaptable software is needed. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Flavour release from rehydrated French beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) influenced by composition and volume of artificial saliva

Influence of saliva composition and volume on flavour release from rehydrated French beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) was studied in three types of mouth model systems; dynamic headspace (DH), dynamic headspace and mastication (DHM) and a purge-and-trap (PT) model system. Volatile compounds were analysed by gas chromatography, using flame ionization detection (FID), mass spectrometry and sniffing port detection. Areas of FID peaks were largest in the PT system, followed by those of the DHM and DH systems, respectively. Saliva composition as well as volume influenced the release of volatile compounds from rehydrated French beans. Generally, FID data showed a decrease in release by the saliva component mucin, because of interactions between volatile compounds and protein, and an increase in release by its α-amylase, probably due to degradation of inclusion complexes of starch. The decrease in flavour release by the enlarged saliva volume was evaluated by a model study. Sniffing patterns of odour active compounds were barely influenced by either saliva composition or volume.     

Computerized psychological testing: Overview and critique.

We present an overview and a critique of computerized psychological testing and assessment. Emphasis is placed on describing computer testing systems currently in place, discussing considerations (factors) in developing a computerized psychological testing system, examining the research on potential benefits and problems associated with computerized psychological testing, and discussing the need for the adoption of a set of guidelines, both scientific and ethical, for computerized psychological testing. We conclude that computerized psychological testing systems have the potential of being practical, cost-effective, and psychometrically sound means of assessing individuals. The potential of computerized psychological testing can be realized if proper considerations are made in designing, developing, and implementing these testing systems, and if professional standards (guidelines) are adhered to by computer test service providers and users. Before the adoption of computerized psychological testing becomes widespread, a number of serious issues deserve the attention of professionals. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Treatment of hyperhomocysteinemia in renal transplant recipients. A randomized, placebo-controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Stable renal transplant recipients have an excess prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia, which is a risk factor for arteriosclerosis. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of treatment with 1) vitamin B6 or 2) folic acid plus vitamin B12 on fasting and post-methionine-loading plasma total homocysteine levels in renal transplant recipients. DESIGN: Block-randomized, placebo-controlled, 2 x 2 factorial study. SETTING: University-affiliated transplantation program. PATIENTS: 29 clinically stable renal transplant recipients. INTERVENTION: Patients were randomly assigned to one of four regimens: placebo (n = 8); vitamin B6, 50 mg/d (n = 7); folic acid, 5 mg/d, and vitamin B12, 0.4 mg/d (n = 7); or vitamin B6, 50 mg/d, folic acid, 5 mg/d, and vitamin B12, 0.4 mg/d (n = 7). MEASUREMENTS: Fasting and 2-hour post-methionine-loading plasma total homocysteine levels. RESULTS: Vitamin B6 treatment resulted in a 22.1% reduction in geometric-mean post-methionine-loading increases in plasma total homocysteine levels (P = 0.042), and folic acid plus vitamin B12 treatment caused a 26.2% reduction in geometric-mean fasting plasma total homocysteine levels (P = 0.027). These results occurred after adjustment for age; sex; and pretreatment levels of total homocysteine, B vitamins, and creatinine. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin B6 should be added to the combination of folic acid and vitamin B12 for effective reduction of both post-methionine-loading and fasting plasma total homocysteine levels in renal transplant recipients.