Distributed memory systems for simulating artificial neural networks

In executing tasks involving intelligent information processing, the human brain performs better than the digital computer. The human brain derives its power from a large number [O(10¹¹)] of neurons which are interconnected by a dense interconnection network [O(10⁵) connections per neuron]. Artificial neural network (ANN) paradigms adopt the structure of the brain to try to emulate the intelligent information processing methods of the brain. ANN techniques are being employed to solve problems in areas such as pattern recognition, and robotic processing. Simulation of ANNs involves implementation of large number of neurons and a massive interconnection network. In this paper, we discuss various simulation models of ANNs and their implementation on distributed memory systems. Our investigations reveal that communication-efficient networks of distributed memory systems perform better than other topologies in implementing ANNs.     

Use of TNSAC in phosphate adsorption studies and relationships. Isotherm relationships and utility in the field

There is a need for developing low cost, easily and abundantly available, yet efficient, adsorbents for the removal of phosphates during the tertiary treatment of wastewaters. The tamarind nut shell activated carbon (TNSAC) prepared on a laboratory scale has been used to evaluate its performance for phosphate adsorption. This paper describes the laboratory production of this adsorbent material in its various forms, and discusses the effects of the TNSAC process variables (the unrinsed and rinsed forms of the TNSAC and the impregnation ratio) on its performance in adsorbing phosphate. The material has been shown to be a good alternative adsorbent. As much as 95% phosphate removal by the unrinsed TNSAC is possible in about 30 min under the test conditions. The phosphate adsorbing capacity is about two times higher for the unrinsed TNSAC in comparison to the rinsed TNSAC. The adsorption rates, however, transit to extremely low rates towards the end when equilibrium conditions could be attained in about 2 h contact time. The phosphate removal mechanics are adsorption and precipitation/ion exchange when unrinsed TNSAC is used, and adsorption alone for the rinsed TNSAC. The maximum phosphate removal is found to take place at an impregnation ratio of 1.0 for both forms of the TNSAC.     

用试井方法确定注水后地层渗透率的变化

大港油田已进入开发中后期，高含水油田占73％，开发初期的一些参数已不适合现在开发的需要。研究出一套用试井方法确定注水以后地层渗透率变化的方法，对大港油田的增储上产具有重要意义。     

基于遗传神经网络的电站锅炉飞灰含碳量预测

针对锅炉飞灰含碳置影响因素复杂．实时测量难度大．精度低，提出了一种基于遗传神经网络的预测方法，并用于某电厂，结果表明，该方法是有效的。     

Supercritical fluid extraction of daphne (Laurus nobilis L.) seed oil

Laurus nobilis L., commonly known as daphne tree, is an evergreen that belongs to the Lauraceae family. Daphne trees produce grape-sized shiny purplish berries having three parts: flesh, skin, and an inner kernel (single seed). This study examines supercritical CO₂ (SC-CO₂) extraction of oil from daphne seeds. The oil yield of ground seeds varied from 14 to 28% depending on the method and particle size used for oil recovery. Yields were similar for both petroleum ether and SC-CO₂ extraction. The extraction yield decreased significantly with increasing particle size. The amount of extract collected increased exponentially with increasing SC-CO₂ pressure. The highest extraction yield was obtained at the highest temperature studied, 75°C. More than 45% of the oil was lauric acid. SC-CO₂ is a viable technique to obtain high-purity L. nobilis L. seed oil, which is a potential ingredient for the cosmetic industry.     

Reticulated Porous Multiphase Ceramics with Improved Compressive Strength and Fracture Toughness

A multiphase reticulated porous ceramic (RPC) as Si₃N₄–Al₂O₃–SiO₂ was fabricated by replication techniques. Proper volumes of additives and twice sinter- twice immerse process endow the RPC an excellent crack healing and submerging property. The compressive strength and fracture toughness improved owing to the crack bridging behavior. The existence of pores in struts in RPC blunt the crack tip and increased the external force needed to propagate the crack. The mechanisms play a beneficial role in enhancing the compressive strength and fracture strength. Si₃N₄ RPC with additives of 5%Al and 5% Al₂O₃ yielded the compressive strength of 9.8 MPa and fracture toughness of 0.3 MPa m^1/2.     

碳纳米管及其批量制备研究进展

从碳纳米管的优异性能和应用出发,综述了碳纳米管的制备方法以及我国目前在碳纳米管研究中面临的问题;分析了碳纳米管产业化对的我国纳米技术产业化发展的积极意义,特别介绍了清华-南风纳米粉体产业化工程中心开发的、具有我国自主知识产权的纳米聚团流态化技术。     

用于微波/射频集成电路的一种新型低损耗介质——多孔硅及氧化多孔硅厚膜

提出在单片微波集成电路(MMIC)中用多孔硅/氧化多孔硅厚膜作微波无源器件的低损耗介质膜.研究了厚度为70μm的多孔硅/氧化多孔硅厚膜在低阻硅衬底上的形成,这层厚膜增加了衬底的电阻率,减少了微波的有效介质损耗.通过测量在低阻硅衬底上形成的氧化多孔硅厚膜上的共平面波导的微波特性,证明了在低阻硅衬底上用厚膜氧化多孔硅可以提高共平面传输线(CPW)的微波特性.     

Variations in Spectral Slope in Lake Taihu,a Large Subtropical Shallow Lake in China

Spectral slope (S), describing the exponential decrease of the absorption spectrum over a given wavelength range, is an important parameter in the study of of chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) dynamics, and also an essential input parameter in remote sensing models. Furthermore, S is often used as a proxy for CDOM composition, including the ratio of fulvic to humic acids and molecular weight. The relative broad range in S values reported in the literature can be explained by the different spectral ranges and fitting methods used. A single exponential model is used to fit the S values for 17 investigations involving 458 samples in Lake Taihu from January to October in 2004. The average S value was 15.18 ± 1.39 μm⁻¹ for the range of 280–500 nm, which fell within the range reported in the literature. The frequency distribution of S value basically obeyed a normal distribution. Significant differences in S values between summer and other seasons showed that phytoplankton degradation was one of the important sources of CDOM in summer, whereas CDOM mainly came from the river input in other seasons. Furthermore, the estimated S value decreased with increasing wavelength range used in regression. The maximum and minimum values derived from the regression were 17.89 ± 1.25 μm⁻¹ and 13.62 ± 2.11 μm⁻¹ for the wavelength ranges of 280–380 nm and 400–500 nm, respectively, a decrease of 23.9%. S values significantly decreased with the increase of CDOM absorption coefficients. CDOM absorption coefficients could be more appropriately estimated from exponential model introducing the variation of S with absorption coefficients, making them useful for a remote sensing bio-optical model of Lake Taihu. DOC-specific absorption coefficient a*(λ) and the parameter M describing molecular size of the humic molecules could also be used as a proxy for the sources and types of CDOM. A general relationship was found between S and a*(λ), and M values. S increased with the decrease of DOC-specific absorption coefficient and the increase of M corresponding to the decrease of molecular weight.