INFERENCE PROCEDURES FOR FUZZY KNOWLEDGE REPRESENTATION SCHEME

This article presents a formal model of the knowledge representation scheme based on the fuzzy Petri net (FPN) theory. The model is represented as a 13-tuple consisting of the components of the FPN, two functions that give semantic meanings to the scheme and a set of contradictions. For the scheme, called the knowledge representation scheme based on the fuzzy Petri nets theory (KRFPN) the fuzzy inheritance and fuzzy recognition-inference procedures based on the dynamical properties of the FPN, are described in detail. The upper-time complexity of both the proposed inference algorithms is O(nm), where n is the number of places (concepts) and m is the number of transitions (relations) in the scheme. Illustrative examples of the fuzzy inheritance and the fuzzy recognition algorithms for the knowledge base, designed by the KRFPN, are given.     

Unsupervised Learning for Efficient Texture Estimation From Limited Discrete Orientation Data

The estimation of orientation distribution functions (ODFs) from discrete orientation data, as produced by electron backscatter diffraction or crystal plasticity micromechanical simulations, is typically achieved via techniques such as the Williams–Imhof–Matthies–Vinel (WIMV) algorithm or generalized spherical harmonic expansions, which were originally developed for computing an ODF from pole figures measured by X-ray or neutron diffraction. These techniques rely on ad-hoc methods for choosing parameters, such as smoothing half-width and bandwidth, and for enforcing positivity constraints and appropriate normalization. In general, such approaches provide little or no information-theoretic guarantees as to their optimality in describing the given dataset. In the current study, an unsupervised learning algorithm is proposed which uses a finite mixture of Bingham distributions for the estimation of ODFs from discrete orientation data. The Bingham distribution is an antipodally-symmetric, max-entropy distribution on the unit quaternion hypersphere. The proposed algorithm also introduces a minimum message length criterion, a common tool in information theory for balancing data likelihood with model complexity, to determine the number of components in the Bingham mixture. This criterion leads to ODFs which are less likely to overfit (or underfit) the data, eliminating the need for a priori parameter choices.     

On stability and performance of highly c-oriented columnar AlPO4-5 and CoAPO-5 membranes

Continuous films comprised of highly c-oriented aluminophosphate AlPO₄-5 or cobalt-substituted AlPO₄-5 (CoAPO-5) were grown on porous supports and subjected to heat treatment in order to investigate the potential for membrane applications. A study in the early stages of in-plane crystalline intergrowth revealed a potential mechanism for flake-like crystal formation between the original oriented columnar crystals. Variations in metal substitution (AlPO₄-5, CoAPO-5), support (glass, silicon, porous alumina), and calcination method (conventional, rapid thermal processing) were chosen to examine the conditions by which structural integrity was compromised following secondary (or tertiary) growth, resulting in reduced membrane functionality. Through the use of rapid thermal processing, the structure debilitation could be partially avoided. The membrane quality was inspected through pervaporation measurements consisting of a liquid hydrocarbon feed of n-heptane and 1,3,5-triisopropylbenzene. By investigating the effect of template removal on the oriented, columnar crystalline structure, useful insight is provided into the potential for the membranes to participate in applications such as molecular separations, catalysis, or host-guest assemblies.     

The Use of Object-Oriented Modeling for Water Resources Planning in Egypt

Water problems are omnipresent and are already becoming a limiting factor in the development of many countries. Currently the balance between the available and required water in Egypt is fragile. Any movement away from the balancing point means either less ambitious economic development or depletion of the resources and degradation of the environment. The continuing revolution in computer hardware and software is expected to provide more insight into the water problems and to alleviate some of the future water crises. In this paper we have investigated potential benefits which can be accrued from the application of object-oriented modeling in water resources.     

7-nitroindazole attenuates 6-hydroxydopamine-induced spatial learning deficits and dopamine neuron loss in a presymptomatic animal model of Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder in which loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons (>50%) in the substantia nigra (SN) precedes most of the overt motor symptoms, making early diagnosis and treatment interventions difficult. Because PD has been associated with free radicals generated by nitric oxide, this study tested whether treatments of 7-nitroindazole (7NI), a nitric-oxide-synthase inhibitor, could reduce cognitive deficits that often emerge before overt motor symptoms in a presymptomatic rat model of PD. Rats were given intraperitoneal injections of 50 mg/kg 7NI (or vehicle) just before receiving bilateral, intrastriatal injections of the DA-toxin, 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). The rats were then given a battery of motor tasks, and their learning ability was assessed using a spatial reversal task in a water-T maze. Results indicate that 7NI treatments attenuate 6-OHDA-induced spatial learning deficits and protect against DA cell loss in the SN, suggesting that 7NI may have potential as an early, presymptomatic pharmacotherapy for PD. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

SteelStacks艺术文化园区的骨架：胡弗梅森栈桥

正伯利恒钢铁公司是20世纪的一个工业集团,在世界范围内运作工业设施。它于1857年在宾夕法尼亚州里海谷(Lehigh Valley)创立,逐渐占据了里海河沿线1 800英亩(约728hm2)的场地。1995年,伯利恒钢铁公司停止了炼钢业务,关闭了厂房,结束了当地悠久的工业历史,以及成千上万蓝领居民与工厂密不可分的生活模式。     

Improvement of the stoichiometric network analysis for determination of instability conditions of complex nonlinear reaction systems

Stoichiometric network analysis (SNA), a known method for analyzing complex reaction systems including biochemical ones, is improved and applied to a nonlinear process studied far from equilibrium in a continuously fed, well stirred tank reactor (CSTR). A particular attention is focused on the determination of the narrow range of the control parameter values where the main steady state is unstable and where different dynamic states can be simulated numerically. The instability region, the most important feature of nonlinear reaction systems, is calculated as a function of the SNA parameters (current rates and reciprocal concentrations of intermediate species in the steady state) and simplified by retaining only the dominant terms. Since the number of the current rates is usually larger than the number of linearly independent equations to be used for their calculation, it is shown here that the current rates can be replaced with a smaller number of reaction rates at the steady state. These rates are related to the experimental data in a simple manner. The instability condition is also written as a function of dimensionless parameters derived from the SNA. This general approach is applied to a model of the Bray–Liebhafsky (BL) reaction having seven reactions without direct autocatalysis or autoinhibition, studied under CSTR conditions. Since the model has six intermediate species, it would be very difficult to analyze its instability condition by the conventional procedure, where a sixth order characteristic equation would have to be solved. On the other hand, the instability condition, obtained easily by the improved SNA, locates correctly the oscillatory region using numerical integration. Other dynamic states found earlier with a larger model of the BL reaction, such as mixed-mode oscillations, period doubling and chaos, are also obtained within the theoretically predicted oscillatory region. Thus, besides the general advantages of the improved stoichiometric network analysis as a method appropriate for the examination of complex nonlinear reactions, we show that the various mentioned dynamic states can be obtained by a very simple variant of the model of the BL reaction realized under CSTR conditions.     

Identification of Secretory Compounds from the European Callipodidan Species <Emphasis Type="Italic">Apfelbeckia insculpta</Emphasis>

Defensive secretions of the callipodidan species Apfelbeckia insculpta contain a p-cresol as the main component and phenol in traces. This is the first identification of these compounds in a European callipodidan species. The repugnatory glands of A. insculpta are of the spirobolid type and consist of a spherical reservoir, a simple duct, and a valvular cuticular infolding that opens onto the lateral surface of the millipede via a pore.     

Comparison of PCR and quantitative real-time PCR methods for the characterization of ruminant and cattle fecal pollution sources

The State of California has mandated the preparation of a guidance document on the application of fecal source identification methods for recreational water quality management. California contains the fifth highest population of cattle in the United States, making the inclusion of cow-associated methods a logical choice. Because the performance of these methods has been shown to change based on geography and/or local animal feeding practices, laboratory comparisons are needed to determine which assays are best suited for implementation. We describe the performance characterization of two end-point PCR assays (CF128 and CF193) and five real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays (Rum2Bac, BacR, BacCow, CowM2, and CowM3) reported to be associated with either ruminant or cattle feces. Each assay was tested against a blinded set of 38 reference challenge filters (19 duplicate samples) containing fecal pollution from 12 different sources suspected to impact water quality. The abundance of each host-associated genetic marker was measured for qPCR-based assays in both target and non-target animals and compared to quantities of total DNA mass, wet mass of fecal material, as well as Bacteroidales, and enterococci determined by 16S rRNA qPCR and culture-based approaches (enterococci only). Ruminant- and cow-associated genetic markers were detected in all filters containing a cattle fecal source. However, some assays cross-reacted with non-target pollution sources. A large amount of variability was evident across laboratories when protocols were not fixed suggesting that protocol standardization will be necessary for widespread implementation. Finally, performance metrics indicate that the cattle-associated CowM2 qPCR method combined with either the BacR or Rum2Bac ruminant-associated methods are most suitable for implementation.     

Substituted imino and amino derivatives of 4-hydroxycoumarins as novel antioxidant,antibacterial and antifungal agents: Synthesis and in vitro assessments

A series of imino and amino derivatives of 4-hydroxycoumarins were synthesised and evaluated for antioxidant potential, through different in vitro models such as (DPPH) free radical-scavenging activity, linoleic acid emulsion model system, reducing power assay and phosphomolybdenum method. Also, antimicrobial activity of obtained coumarins was evaluated against 13 bacteria and eight fungi. All prepared compounds possessed good antioxidant activity and among them a p-nitrophenol derivative with IC₅₀ at 25.9 μM possessed radical-scavenging activity which was comparable to BHT. Observed data for antibacterial activity indicated strong activity of all tested amino derivatives, while imines showed better antifungal properties.