Designing mm-wave electromagnetic engineered surfaces using generative adversarial networks

Neural Computing and Applications - In this paper, we investigate the capability of generative adversarial networks, including conditional and conditional convolutional generative adversarial...     

Persistence of Isoflavones Formononetin and Biochanin A in Soil and Their Effects on Soil Microbe Populations

Persistence of the isoflavones formononetin and biochanin A in soil was investigated by HPLC analysis. Biochanin A disappeared more rapidly than formononetin in nonsterile soil. In soil planted with corn seedlings, the disappearance was dramamtic for both isoflavones. The results suggested that soil microbial populations were able to metabolize these isoflavones. The response of several microbial populations to isoflavone amendments was measured in soil samples obtained from Michigan potato fields. Results suggested that the isoflavones formononetin and biochanin A were able to stimulate the growth of soil microorganisms.     

Optimizing stereo‐to‐multiview conversion for autostereoscopic displays

We present a novel stereo‐to‐multiview video conversion method for glasses‐free multiview displays. Different from previous stereo‐to‐multiview approaches, our mapping algorithm utilizes the limited depth range of autostereoscopic displays optimally and strives to preserve the scene's artistic composition and perceived depth even under strong depth compression. We first present an investigation of how perceived image quality relates to spatial frequency and disparity. The outcome of this study is utilized in a two‐step mapping algorithm, where we (i) compress the scene depth using a non‐linear global function to the depth range of an autostereoscopic display and (ii) enhance the depth gradients of salient objects to restore the perceived depth and salient scene structure. Finally, an adapted image domain warping algorithm is proposed to generate the multiview output, which enables overall disparity range extension.     

Genetic programming approach to predict a model acidolysis system

This paper models acidolysis of triolein and palmitic acid under the catalysis of immobilized sn-1,3 specific lipase. A gene-expression programming (GEP), which is an extension to genetic programming (GP)-based model was developed for the prediction of the concentration of major reaction products of this reaction (1-palmitoyl-2,3-oleoyl-glycerol (POO), 1,3-dipalmitoyl-2-oleoyl-glycerol (POP) and triolein (OOO). Substrate ratio (SR), reaction temperature (T) and reaction time (t) were used as input parameters. The predicted models were able to predict the progress of the reactions with a mean standard error (MSE) of less than 1.0 and R of 0.978. Explicit formulation of proposed GEP models was also presented. Considerable good performance was achieved in modelling acidolysis reaction by using GEP. The predictions of proposed GEP models were compared to those of neural network (NN) modelling, and strictly good agreement was observed between the two predictions. Statistics and scatter plots indicate that the new GEP formulations can be an alternative to experimental models.     

A Process Model of Rho GTP-binding Proteins in the Context of Phagocytosis

At the early stages of the phagocytic signalling, Rho GTP-binding proteins play a key role. With the stimulus from the cell membrane and with the help from the regulators (GEF, GAP, Effector, GDI), these proteins serve as switches that interact with their environment in a complex manner. We present a generic process model for the Rho GTP-binding proteins, and compare it with a previous model that uses ordinary differential equations. We then extend the basic model to include the behaviour of the GDIs. We discuss the challenges this extension brings and directions of further research.     

The Mathematical Theory of Dynamic Load Balancing in Cellular Networks

While many interesting dynamic load balancing schemes have been proposed for efficient use of limited bandwidth and to increase the capacity of congested or hot spots (or cells) in wireless networks, to date, a comprehensive mathematical framework which encompasses all of these schemes does not exist. In this paper, we provide a unified mathematical framework for dynamic load balancing, which leads to closed-form performance expressions for evaluating the performance of some of the most important dynamic load balancing strategies proposed in the literature. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first generic theoretical framework that can be used to evaluate the performance of many different dynamic load balancing schemes with simple closed-form results. The accuracy of the results predicted by these analytical expressions derived from the theoretical framework is checked by comparing these results with simulation results provided in the literature for well-known schemes.     

Galvanic corrosion of titanium-based dental implant materials

This paper describes an investigation of the corrosion behavior of Ti-based dental materials with Au, CrNi and CoCr in Ringer solution by the use of Tafel plots, Evans diagrams and EIS Nyguist diagrams. The galvanic potentials and currents obtained for various implant couples are as follows: For, Ti6Al4V/CrNi couple −0.030 V (Ag/AgCl (3 M NaCl)) and 7.94 μA cm⁻²; for Ti6Al4V/CoCr couple −0.020 V (Ag/AgCl (3 M NaCl)) and 7.08 μA cm⁻²; for Ti6Al4V/Au couple −0.020 V (Ag/AgCl (3 M NaCl)) and 5.62 μA cm⁻². The Ti6Al4V/Au couple was found to be the most suitable one against galvanic corrosion according to both the Tafel method and mixed potential theory. The corrosion behaviors of Ti6Al4V/CoCr and Ti6Al4V/CrNi couples were found to be similar.     

On the order of the preference intensities in fuzzy AHP

We show that a recently discovered fundamental problem with the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) concerning the meaning of the resultant preference intensities is also evident for the fuzzy AHP. We prove that if there is a judgmental inconsistency in the fuzzy pair-wise comparisons, it is impossible to ensure the preservation of the order regarding to preference intensities in the resultant priority vector. Further, it is shown with an example from the published literature that the order of the preference intensities may not be preserved even there is no inconsistency in the judgment set, albeit it is possible to comply with this order via using fuzzy preference programming (FPP) methodology. Finally, it is proved that if the interval judgments regarding to the decompositions of original judgments to - level sets are consistent, FPP guarantees the preservation of the order of the preference intensities at those levels.     

Effect of Extraction Method on the Oxidative Stability of Camelina Seed Oil Studied by Differential Scanning Calorimetry

Camelina seed is a new alternative omega‐3 source attracting growing interest. However, it is susceptible to oxidation due to its high omega‐3 content. The objective of this study was to improve the oxidative stability of the camelina seed oil at the extraction stage in order to eliminate or minimize the use of additive antioxidants. Camelina seed oil extracts were enriched in terms of natural antioxidants using ethanol‐modified supercritical carbon dioxide (SC‐CO₂) extraction. Oxidative stability of the camelina seed oils extracted by ethanol modified SC‐CO₂ was studied by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), and compared with cold press, hexane, and SC‐CO₂ methods. Nonisothermal oxidation kinetics of the oils obtained by different extraction methods were studied by DSC at varying heating rates (2.5, 5, 10, and 15 ° C/min). Increasing ethanol level in the ethanol‐modified SC‐CO₂ increased the oxidative stability. Based on oxidation onset temperatures (T_on), SC‐CO₂ containing 10% ethanol yielded the most stable oil. Oxidative stability depended on the type and content of the polar fractions, namely, phenolic compounds and phospholipids. Phenolic compounds acted as natural antioxidants, whereas increased phospholipid contents decreased the stability. Study has shown that the oxidative stability of the oils can be improved at the extraction stage and this may eliminate the need for additive antioxidants.     

Impact of Prior Consumption on Sour,Sweet, Salty,and Bitter Tastes

Food sensory tests generally require panelists to abstain from food or beverage consumption 30 min to an hour before a tasting session. However, investigators do not have a complete control over panelists' intentional or unintentional consumption prior to a tasting session. Currently, it is unclear how prior consumption impacts the results of the tasting session. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of temporary and lingering mouth irritation caused by the consumption of coffee, orange juice, and gum within 1, 15, or 30 min prior to the tasting session on the perception of 4 basic tastes: sweet, salty, sour, and bitter. Fifty‐two panelists were served a beverage (orange juice, coffee, and water) or were asked to chew a piece of gum, and then, remained in the waiting room for 1, 15, or 30 min. They were then asked to report taste intensities using 15‐cm unstructured line scales. Mean intensities of all tastes were not significantly different when orange juice was a primer at 1, 15, and 30 min when compared to water. Mean intensities of bitter were significantly lower when coffee was a primer at 1, 15, and 30 min than when water was a primer. Mean intensities of sweet were significantly lower when gum was a primer at 1 and 15 min than when water was a primer. The findings showed that it is necessary for 30 min or more waiting period of no food or beverage consumption prior to sensory testing.