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.     

Do ozone and boric acid affect microleakage in class V composite restorations?

The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effects of chlorhexidine gluconate (2%), sodium hypochloride (2.5%), ozone gas, and boric acid at different concentrations (1%, 3%, 5%, and 7%) on microleakage from composite restorations.

In a total of 80 extracted human canine teeth, a class V cavity was opened on the buccal surface and the samples were separated into eight groups. In the control group, no procedure was applied for cavity disinfection, then composite restoration (Z250, 3M) was made using single-stage, self-etch adhesive (Single Bond 3M). In the other groups, seven different disinfectants were used, then the cavity was restored. The teeth were split into two in the buccolingual direction, parallel to the long axes. Stain penetration was examined under stereomicroscope and scored. Examination with SEM was made on one sample from each group, selected at random. Statistical evaluations were made using Dunnett C Post Hoc Comparison and Kruskal–Wallis H tests.

In the occlusal region evaluation, the groups with the lowest level of leakage were the 3% and 5% boric acid groups, and the highest levels of microleakage were determined in the chlorhexidine group and the 1% boric acid group. In the gingival region, the lowest level of microleakage was in the 5% boric acid group and the highest levels were determined in the 1% and 7% boric acid groups.

Boric acid disinfectants used at suitable concentrations were not seen to create a risk in respect of microleakage.     

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.     

Analysis of probability and energy of nanometre CMOS circuits in presence of noise

Motivated by the necessity to consider probabilistic approaches to future designs, probability and switching energy characteristics of probabilistic CMOS (PCMOS) circuits are analysed. Using 90 and 65 nm processes, detailed analytical models for the probability of correctness (p) of these circuits are developed and verified through circuit simulations.     

An analytic hierarchy process and two-sided matching based decision support system for military personnel assignment

Assignment of military personnel to positions is very demanding, primarily a manual process performed by detailers. Detailers try to satisfy needs and preferences of commands and personnel. In this paper, an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and two sided matching based Decision Support System is proposed to assist detailers. The DSS is programmed to generate positions’ preferences from position requirement profiles and personnel competence profiles by using analytic hierarchy process and matches personnel to positions by using two-sided matching. The use of the proposed DSS is demonstrated with an example. Also, the effects of preference list length on two-sided matching are examined.     

Antioxidant activity and polyphenol content of Turkish thyme (Thymus vulgaris) monitored by liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry

Like tea, the leaves of Turkish thyme (Thymus vulgaris) can be boiled in water to produce an extract. This is widely used as syrup for the treatment of coughs and bronchitis at alternative medicine clinics in many parts of the world. In the current study, we assessed the phenolic content and antioxidant activity of thyme. The antioxidant activities of both ethanol and aqueous extracts of thyme were determined using various in vitro methods. The total phenolic and total flavonoid contents were determined to be a gallic acid equivalent and a quercetin equivalent, respectively. Finally, the quantities of the phenolic compounds were detected using high-performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. The total phenolic compounds in the aqueous extract and ethanol extracts of Turkish thyme were 256.0 μg gallic acid equivalent/mg dried extract and 158.0 μg gallic acid equivalent/mg dried extract, respectively. Conversely, the total flavonoid compounds in both extracts were 44.2 μg and 36.6 μg quercetin equivalent/mg dried extract, respectively. For the first time, we determined phenolic contents and investigated the antioxidant potential of thyme. The results indicate that Turkish thyme is a good dietary source with phenolic properties.     

Ageing: The Common Denominator?

This paper undertakes to explore the gerontological and social science literature for the purpose of highlighting that while ageing is a common phenomenon across all world societies it nevertheless remains a unique personal experience. Drawing upon the metaphorical construct of the life journey, the authors use the cultural context of ageing to illustrate how the life-path for each individual, whether long or short, is necessarily unpredictable and involves a dynamic interaction between history and biography within a particular society and cultural framework. The authors challenge prospective readers to use their sociological imagination as proffered by the renowned sociologist C.W. Mills in the interest of moving beyond the biological dimension in order to see more clearly that ??ageing into old age?? is in essence a unique personal life story. The life story of each individual is seen to represent a compilation of ongoing levels of compliance and /or tension between the individual??s subjective world and external forces the consequence of the individual being a thinking, willing and feeling person, an existential entity with potential for meaning making, self organization and adaptive responses to changing life circumstances. Notwithstanding the diverse cultural, racial and ethnic differences between people worldwide the ageing experience is shown to be a phenomenon displaying cross-cultural variability warranting further ongoing anthropological research. An examination of the many pathways to ageing utilizing a series of interactive factors helps to explain the existence of advantages and disadvantages leading to variations in availability and access to ??life chances?? resulting in many people experiencing unacceptable levels of ill-health, poverty, racism, ageism, inequality and widespread levels of social injustice and abuse of human rights.