Generalized mean for feature extraction in one-class classification problems

Biased discriminant analysis (BDA), which extracts discriminative features for one-class classification problems, is sensitive to outliers in negative samples. This study focuses on the drawback of BDA attributed to the objective function based on the arithmetic mean in one-class classification problems, and proposes an objective function based on a generalized mean. A novel method is also presented to effectively maximize the objective function. The experimental results show that the proposed method provides better discriminative features than the BDA and its variants.     

A preliminary conceptual design study for Korean fusion DEMO reactor

As the ITER is being constructed, there is a growing anticipation for an earlier realization of fusion energy, so called fast-track approach. Korean strategy for fusion energy can be regarded as a fast-track approach and one special concept discussed in this paper is a two-stage development plan. At first, a steady-state Korean DEMO Reactor (K-DEMO) is designed not only to demonstrate a net electricity generation and a self-sustained tritium cycle, but also to be used as a component test facility. Then, at its second stage, a major upgrade is carried out by replacing in-vessel components in order to show a net electric generation on the order of 300 MWe and the competitiveness in cost of electricity (COE). The major radius is designed to be just below 6.5 m, considering practical engineering feasibilities. By using high performance Nb₃Sn-based superconducting cable currently available, high magnetic field at the plasma center above 8 T can be achieved. A design concept for TF magnets and radial builds for the K-DEMO considering a vertical maintenance scheme, are presented together with preliminary design parameters.     

Mechanical property enhancement of non‐bonding electrospun mats via adhesive

In the present study, the effect of adhesive on the morphology of different electrospun polymeric mats was investigated. The modification of two polymers, poly(methyl methacrylate) and poly(vinyl chloride), was carried out by blending the polymers with different amounts of poly(butyl acrylate) (PBA) adhesive to investigate the effect of different amounts of adhesive with heat hardener in hybrid mats. The introduction of various concentrations of PBA into different polymer solutions led to the formation of point‐bonded electrospun fibrous mats. Scanning electron microscopy images indicated that point‐bonded polymer/adhesive fibers were uniformly distributed throughout the mats. Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, contact angle measurements and thermogravimetric analysis were used to study the different properties of the hybrid mats. The tensile strength of the blended fibrous electrospun mats was increased effectively. This enhancement of the mechanical properties of the mats due to the presence of adhesive increases the number of potential applications of the electrospun mats, especially for mechanically weak polymers. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Comparison of bioethanol production of simultaneous saccharification & fermentation and separation hydrolysis & fermentation from cellulose-rich barley straw

Cellulose rich barley straw, which has a glucan content of 62.5%, followed by dilute acid pretreatment, was converted to bioethanol by simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF). The optimum fractionation conditions for barley straw were an acid concentration of 1% (w/v), a reaction temperature of 158 °C and a reaction time of 15 min. The maximum saccharification of glucan in the fractionated barley straw was 70.8% in 72 h at 60 FPU/gglucan, while the maximum digestibility of the untreated straw was only 18.9%. With 6% content WIS (water insoluble solid) for the fractionated barley straw, 70.5 and 83.2% of the saccharification yield were in SHF and SSF (representing with glucose equivalent), respectively, and a final ethanol concentration of 18.46 g/L was obtained under the optimized SSF conditions: 34 °C with 15 FPU/g-glucan enzyme loading and 1 g dry yeast cells/L. The results demonstrate that the SSF process is more effective than SHF for bioethanol production by around 18%.     

Experimental study on the energy flow analysis of underwater vibration for the reinforced cylindrical structure

Energy flow analysis (EFA) can be used effectively to predict structural vibration in the medium-to-high frequency ranges. In this study, the energy flow finite element method (EFFEM), based on EFA, was used to predict the vibrations of a reinforced cylindrical structure in water. The predicted results of the vibrational energy density for the structure were compared with corresponding experimental results. The structure was divided into several subsystems in the experiment, with several accelerometers attached to each subsystem. The input power excited into the experimental structure was measured using an impedance-head adhered to an exciter. Measured input power was used to predict vibration of the reinforced cylindrical structure by EFFEM in water for comparing experimental and numerical results. A comparison between the experimental and predicted results for the vibrational energy density showed that EFFEM was an effective tool for predicting structural vibration.     

A semi‐adaptive control approach to closed‐loop medication infusion

This paper presents a semi‐adaptive control approach to closed‐loop medication infusion problems. The rationale underlying this approach is to design a controller that can adapt model parameters with a large impact on the model's fidelity while fixing the remaining parameters at nominal values. In this paper, a control‐oriented model for this purpose is derived via system identification and sensitivity analysis of a low‐order model capturing the direct dose‐response relationship Using the model thus derived, a model‐reference adaptive controller and a composite adaptive controller are designed and compared with each other. In‐silico simulation results using remifentanil's effect on respiratory rate as an example indicate that both controllers can regulate the output at commanded set points. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Structural design of transom pod for outboard motor in polyethylene boat

In a polyethylene boat, a transom pod is subjected to repeated thrust forces generated by an outboard motor. The structural design of the transom pod for the outboard motor must be considered because it is subjected to cyclic bending moments causing thrust forces of the outboard motor. We designed a transom pod reinforced with aluminum alloy plate inside the transom pod in a polyethylene boat and obtained an optimal thickness of the Al alloy plate to ensure the transom pod durability. We then performed a structural analysis for the transom pod reinforced with Al alloy plate and estimated the fatigue life using modified Goodman diagram. The optimal thickness of Al alloy plate was 7 mm.     

Expression of Aspergillus nidulans phy Gene in Nicotiana benthamiana Produces Active Phytase with Broad Specificities

A full-length phytase gene (phy) of Aspergillus nidulans was amplified from the cDNA library by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and it was introduced into a bacterial expression vector, pET-28a. The recombinant protein (rPhy-E, 56 kDa) was overexpressed in the insoluble fraction of Escherichia coli culture, purified by Ni-NTA resin under denaturing conditions and injected into rats as an immunogen. To express A. nidulans phytase in a plant, the full-length of phy was cloned into a plant expression binary vector, pPZP212. The resultant construct was tested for its transient expression by Agrobacterium-infiltration into Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. Compared with a control, the agro-infiltrated leaf tissues showed the presence of phy mRNA and its high expression level in N. benthamiana. The recombinant phytase (rPhy-P, 62 kDa) was strongly reacted with the polyclonal antibody against the nonglycosylated rPhy-E. The rPhy-P showed glycosylation, two pH optima (pH 4.5 and pH 5.5), an optimum temperature at 45~55 °C, thermostability and broad substrate specificities. After deglycosylation by peptide-N-glycosidase F (PNGase-F), the rPhy-P significantly lost the phytase activity and retained 1/9 of the original activity after 10 min of incubation at 45 °C. Therefore, the deglycosylation caused a significant reduction in enzyme thermostability. In animal experiments, oral administration of the rPhy-P at 1500 U/kg body weight/day for seven days caused a significant reduction of phosphorus excretion by 16% in rat feces. Besides, the rPhy-P did not result in any toxicological changes and clinical signs.     

Identification of cellulolytic bacteria associated with tunic softness syndrome in the sea squirt, Halocynthia roretzi

The edible ascidian, sea squirt Halocynthia roretzi (Drasche) is marine invertebrate that is a valuable source of foods and bioactive compounds. A severe disease of the sea squirt characterized by degeneration of tunic fibers formed of bundled cellulose microfibrils has occurred. We hypothesized that bacteria lyse the cellulose fibril structure, cellulase activity may be a causative agent of the disease. Among the bacteria isolated from diseased sea squirt, Pseudoalteromonas sp. NO3 had cellulase activity based on a Congo red overlay assay and starch-reducing activity. Sea squirts exhibited 40–100% cumulative mortality after injection with Pseudoalteromonas sp. NO3 using doses of 2×10⁶?2×10⁸ colony forming unit (CFU)/individual. Dead sea squirts possess thinner and ruptured tunics, which were similar to natural outbreaks. These results suggest that Pseudoalteromonas sp. NO3 possessing cellulase activity is one of the causes of tunic softness syndrome in sea squirt.