A controlled genetic programming approach for the deceptive domain

Traditional genetic programming (GP) randomly combines subtrees by applying crossover. There is a growing interest in methods that can control such recombination operations in order to achieve faster convergence. In this paper, a new approach is presented for guiding the recombination process for genetic programming. The method is based on extracting the global information of the promising solutions that appear during the genetic search. The aim is to use this information to control the crossover operation afterwards. A separate control module is used to process the collected information. This module guides the search process by sending feedback to the genetic engine about the consequences of possible recombination alternatives.     

Towards more active and stable PdAgCr electrocatalysts for formic acid electrooxidation: The role of optimization via response surface methodology

In this study, multiwall carbon nanotube (MCNT)‐supported Pd (Pd/MWCNT) catalysts are prepared by using NaBH₄ reduction method. In order to maximize the oxidation and reduction of H₂SO₄, synthesis conditions (Pd ratio, molar ratio of NaBH₄/K₂PdCl₄, volume of deionized water, and duration of agitation) are optimized by using response surface methodology (RSM). The optimum synthesis conditions are determined as 58.2% of Pd by weight, 154.6 molar ratio of NaBH₄ to K₂PdCl₄, 19.48 mL of deionized water, and 186.16 min of agitation duration. The effect of electrochemical measurement conditions on the oxidation kinetics of Pd/MWCNT is also investigated by RSM. The optimum electrochemical measurement conditions are found as 10 μL of catalyst mixture, 90°C of H₂SO₄ solution, and 5.5 M H₂SO₄. The Pd/MWCNT, Pd₅₀Ag₅₀/MWCNT, and Pd_65.6Ag_33.6Cr_0.80/MWCNT catalysts prepared under optimized conditions are characterized by using X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, N₂ adsorption‐desorption, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The crystallite sizes of these catalysts are found as 4.85, 5.66, and 5.26 nm for Pd/MWCNT, Pd₅₀Ag₅₀/MWCNT, and Pd_65.6Ag_33.6Cr_0.80/MWCNT catalysts, respectively. Isotherms of all these catalysts are found to be similar to Type V isotherms with H3 hysteresis loop. The average particle size of Pd₅₀Ag₅₀/MWCNT and Pd_65.6Ag_33.6Cr_0.80/MWCNT catalysts are determined as 5.2 and 9.2 nm, respectively. Electrochemical performance of as‐prepared catalysts is evaluated by using cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The formic acid electrooxidation (FAEO) activities are found as 18.9, 27.8, and 51.6 mA/cm² for Pd/MWCNT, Pd₅₀Ag₅₀/MWCNT, and Pd_65.6Ag_33.6Cr_0.80/MWCNT, respectively. Pd_65.6Ag_33.6Cr_0.80/MWCNT shows the highest activity and stability. Optimization of synthesis conditions and electrochemical measurement parameters allow us to obtain very good electrochemical activity and stability for FAEO reaction compared with anode catalysts in the literature.     

Dual responsive wool fabric by cellulose nanowhisker reinforced shape memory polyurethane

Shape memory wool fabrics having both temperature and moisture responsiveness were fabricated by a functional nanocomposite treatment comprising of shape memory polyurethane (SMPU) and cellulose nanowhisker (CNW). Water vapor permeability and sweat absorption properties were investigated under different temperature or relative humidity values to test smart comfort capabilities of the treated fabrics. Besides, felting shrinkage and weight loss of the fabrics after repeated washing cycles were investigated for end use performance. It was found out that the wool fabrics functionalized by nanocomposite treatments exhibited dynamic breathability and sweat absorption changing with temperature and relative humidity of body or environment. Moreover, nanocomposite application enhanced rigidity, tear strength, anti-felting and weight loss performances of the wool fabric. 20 wt% CNW concentration can be suggested for thermal comfort, mechanical and end use performance enhancements to obtain smart garments having dynamic responsiveness to both body physiological and environmental changes. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 137, 48674.     

Inflammation in the Human Periodontium Induces Downregulation of the α1- and β1-Subunits of the sGC in Cementoclasts

Nitric oxide (NO) binds to soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC), activates it in a reduced oxidized heme iron state, and generates cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate (cGMP), which results in vasodilatation and inhibition of osteoclast activity. In inflammation, sGC is oxidized and becomes insensitive to NO. NO- and heme-independent activation of sGC requires protein expression of the α₁- and β₁-subunits. Inflammation of the periodontium induces the resorption of cementum by cementoclasts and the resorption of the alveolar bone by osteoclasts, which can lead to tooth loss. As the presence of sGC in cementoclasts is unknown, we investigated the α₁- and β₁-subunits of sGC in cementoclasts of healthy and inflamed human periodontium using double immunostaining for CD68 and cathepsin K and compared the findings with those of osteoclasts from the same sections. In comparison to cementoclasts in the healthy periodontium, cementoclasts under inflammatory conditions showed a decreased staining intensity for both α₁- and β₁-subunits of sGC, indicating reduced protein expression of these subunits. Therefore, pharmacological activation of sGC in inflamed periodontal tissues in an NO- and heme-independent manner could be considered as a new treatment strategy to inhibit cementum resorption.     

A green separation process for recovery of healthy oil from pumpkin seed

In this study, pumpkin seeds, called as “Ürgüp Sivrisi” and grown in Cappadocia region, were used as plant materials because of high aroma contents. In the supercritical fluid extraction of pumpkin seed oil, the effect of main process parameters as the particle size (250-2360 μm), the volumetric flow rate of supercritical solvent (0.06-0.30 L/h), the operating pressure (20-50 MPa), the operating temperature (40-70 °C), the type of entrainer (ethanol and n-hexane) and those concentrations (0-10 vol.%) on the extraction yield, the oil solubility and the initial extraction rate were investigated. A cross-over effect for the extraction of pumpkin seed oil using supercritical CO₂ was determined at the operating pressure of 20-30 MPa. The maximum extraction yield obtained with entrainer free was reached 0.50 g oil/g dry seed at 600-1180 μm, 0.12 L/h, 50 MPa and 70 °C for the operation time of 5 h. The maximum extraction yield obtained with ethanol as an entrainer in the experiments was reached 0.54 g oil/g dry seed at the conditions of 600-1180 μm, 0.12 L/h, 30 MPa, 40 °C and 8 vol.% for the operating time of 2 h. The oil compositions were determined by gas chromatography analysis and the results showed that the compositions of pumpkin seed oil which were obtained by means of organic solvent extraction and supercritical fluid extraction were similar. The average oil compositions determined as 9.3 (±0.43)% palmitic acid, 7.5 (±0.6)% stearic acid, 32.3 (±0.6)% oleic acid, 48.1 (±0.6)% linoleic acid and 0.7 (±0.3)% linolenic acid. The morphological changes in the seeds were determined by the scanning electron microscopy analysis.     

Calculations of neutron-induced production cross-sections of W up to 20 MeV

Neutron-induced cross-sections for the stable isotopes ^{180,182,183,184,186}W in the energy region up to 20 MeV have been calculated. Calculations were made with the codes CEM03.01 and ALICE/ASH, using the following models: the Dubna version of the intranuclear cascade model for the cascade stage of interaction; the hybrid, the geometry dependent hybrid and the exciton model for the pre-equilibrium component; the Hauser–Feshbach and the Weisskopf–Ewing statistical models for the equilibrium component. Effects of some important model parameters such as level density parameter and pairing correction were investigated. Calculated cross-sections were compared with available experimental data in the literature and with ENDF/B-VI T = 300 K and JENDL-3.3 T = 300 K evaluated data libraries.     

Seepage from a Rectangular Ditch to the Groundwater Table

This study presents both a numerical and an experimental solution to seepage from a rectangular ditch or elongated pond to a groundwater table of infinite horizontal extent. Because of the unknown location of the free surface, the flow domain is transformed into the complex potential plane using the inverse formulation method, where the free surface becomes a straight line. The method of finite differences was used to solve the boundary value problem. The problem was also investigated experimentally using a sand tank model. For comparison purposes, a one-dimensional analytical solution is also presented. The results were compared with each other and with those available in the literature obtained with other solution techniques. The parameters affecting the seepage rate were investigated and the resulting relationships are presented in dimensionless graphs. It is believed that these graphs may be of use in design problems. The conditions for which the simplified one-dimensional analytical solution agrees well with the results of the sophisticated two-dimensional numerical solution are identified.