Automated construction of fuzzy event sets and its application toactive databases

Fuzzy sets and fuzzy logic research aims to bridge the gap between the crisp world of maths and the real world. Fuzzy set theory was applied to many different areas, from control to databases. Sometimes the number of events in an event-driven system may become very high and unmanageable. Therefore, it is very useful to organize the events into fuzzy event sets also introducing the benefits of fuzzy set theory. All the events that have occurred in a system can be stored in event histories which contain precious hidden information. We propose a method for automated construction of fuzzy event sets out of event histories via data mining techniques. The useful information hidden in the event history is extracted into a matrix called sequential proximity matrix. This matrix shows the proximities of events and it is used for fuzzy rule execution via similarity based event detection and construction of fuzzy event sets. Our application platform is active databases. We describe how fuzzy event sets can be exploited for similarity based event detection and fuzzy rule execution in active database systems     

Dielectric properties of sol-gel derived Ta2O5 thin films

The dielectric constant and the dielectric loss of tantalum pentoxide (Ta₂O₅) thin films, produced by sol-gel spin-coated process on Corning glass substrates, have been investigated in the frequency range of 20-10⁵ Hz and the temperature range of 183-403 K, using ohmic Al electrodes. The frequency and temperature dependence of relaxation time has also been determined. The capacitance and loss factor were found to decrease with increasing frequency and increase with increasing temperature. The activation energy values were evaluated and a good agreement between the activation energy values obtained from capacitance and dielectric loss factor measurements were observed.     

Association rule hiding

Large repositories of data contain sensitive information that must be protected against unauthorized access. The protection of the confidentiality of this information has been a long-term goal for the database security research community and for the government statistical agencies. Recent advances in data mining and machine learning algorithms have increased the disclosure risks that one may encounter when releasing data to outside parties. A key problem, and still not sufficiently investigated, is the need to balance the confidentiality of the disclosed data with the legitimate needs of the data users. Every disclosure limitation method affects, in some way, and modifies true data values and relationships. We investigate confidentiality issues of a broad category of rules, the association rules. In particular, we present three strategies and five algorithms for hiding a group of association rules, which is characterized as sensitive. One rule is characterized as sensitive if its disclosure risk is above a certain privacy threshold. Sometimes, sensitive rules should not be disclosed to the public since, among other things, they may be used for inferring sensitive data, or they may provide business competitors with an advantage. We also perform an evaluation study of the hiding algorithms in order to analyze their time complexity and the impact that they have in the original database.     

Electrical Switching in TlSbSe2 Chalcogenide Semiconductors

Electrical measurements were performed on TlSbSe₂ ternary crystals in the temperature range 293–413 K. The obtained I–V characteristics consist of two regions: an Ohmic region at low current densities, and nonlinear regions having negative differential resistance (NDR) at moderate and higher current densities. The nonlinear behavior of the I–V curves was studied at different ambient temperatures. The sample temperature and the threshold voltage of the NDR region were also examined as a function of the ambient temperature. We detected that the investigated samples exhibit threshold-type switching and propose that the switching mechanism has an electronic origin.     

Benchmarking the energy use of energy-intensive industries in industrialized and in developing countries

Improved energy efficiency is among the key measures for CO₂ emission abatement in the industry. Energy benchmark curves provide data measured at individual plants and they offer a basis to estimate the sectoral energy efficiency improvement potentials (IP) compared to a best practice technology (BPT) currently in operation worldwide. In this paper, we estimate the BPT energy use of 17 industry sectors based on such curves or energy indicators prepared at country-level. We compare BPT data with current energy use to estimate the IP. According to our analysis, BPT offers improvement potentials of 27 ± 8% worldwide. This is equivalent to 32.5 ± 9.6 EJ (exajoules) of final energy savings worldwide, of which three-quarters can be achieved in developing countries. Due to lack of benchmark curves and limited data availability for developing countries, our results include uncertainties. We used literature data at country-level and international energy statistics to fill data gaps and to develop energy indicators. Quality of these data should be improved and benchmark data needs to be collected for more sectors. By doing so, energy benchmarking could become a key tool to estimate energy saving potentials and energy indicators could serve as strong supplementary methodology.     

High-dose rate iridium192 afterloading therapy in combination with external beam irradiation for localized prostate cancer

The number of donors aged 60 years and over has increased. This study examined discard rates and transplant outcomes in organs recovered from older donors. Data were obtained using a standard tool for donors aged 60 years and older during 1993 and 1994 and included demographics, medical history, use of vasopressors, renal/liver function studies, organ disposition, biopsy findings, and recipient organ function. Of 58 kidneys recovered, 24 were transplanted, 26 were used for research, and 8 were discarded. Of 14 livers recovered, 11 were transplanted, 1 was used for research, and 2 were discarded. Sixty-three percent of kidney recipients had immediate function; 79% at 30 days. Nine liver recipients had immediate function; 6 at 30 days, with 1 graft lost. Results show that kidneys and livers can be transplanted from older donors with positive outcomes. Factors such as medical history, use of vasopressors, and organ function studies may help predict organ disposition and function.     

The behavior and derivatizations of carbohydrates in hydrogen fluoride

Low molecular weight β, 1 → 4-glucans (cellodextrins) are favorably prepared by cleavage of cellulose in liquid hydrogen fluoride at temperatures between ?15 and ?30°C. This is due to the suppression of the reversion reaction in that low temperature range. Under conditions favorable for reversion the presence of water leads to a competing hydrolysis and lower the average degree of polycondensation. For the preparation of defined O-glycosides from glucose and alcohols, hydrogen fluoride is not suitable as a reaction medium. Under reversion conditions, monohydroxy compounds are inferior in their reactivity to the competing carbohydrate molecules, and polyols like sorbitol furnish mixtures of isomeric glycosides. Gaseous hydrogen fluoride represents a highly suitable agent for the degradation of carbohydrate and lignin containing biomass, such as waste wood, for the purpose of providing fermentation raw material. As a model, lignocellulose was studied and the heat of reaction of the hydrogen fluoride sorption and desorption processes were examined. The practically important desorption value was found to be approximately 870 kJ/kg HF.     

Stereoisomere aromastoffe

Zusammenfassung Die optische Reinheit des Aromastoffs 1-Octen-3-ol in Champignons und Pfifferlingen und der chiralen Fruchtester Essigsäure-(Buttersäu-re)-Petan-2-ylester, Essigsäure-(Buttersäure)-heptan-tan2-ylester und Hexansäure-pentan-2-ylester in Bananen wird untersucht. Über das Vorkommen der chiralen Lactone -Octa-, -Deca- bzw. -Dodecalacton in Kokosnüssen wird berichtet. Die Bedeutung der Chiralität als Beurteilungskriterium natürlicher Aromastoffe wird diskutiert.

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Stereoisomeric flavour compounds.XXI. Chiral aroma compounds in foods

Summary The optical purity of 1-octen-3-ol in mushrooms and the chiral esters of pentan-2-ol, heptan-2-ol with acetic acid, butyric acid and hexanoic acid in bananas is investigated. The analysis of the chiral lactones -octa-, -deca-, and -dodecalactone in coconuts is also reported and the importance of chirality with respect to the identification of natural aroma compounds is discussed.

     

Status of the tick-borne diseases in sheep and goats in Turkey

A patient treatment is presented to demonstrate a technique using visible-light-cured (VLC) resin to create a characterized denture base for an interim denture. This indication for characterization is routinely seen with African-Americans with dark-pigmented gingiva. Using a combination of blue VLC tray resin and pink VLC denture base resin, the mixture achieves a darker-colored denture base. This technique was used for the fabrication of an interim denture for a patient who required an immediate interim denture. The prosthesis was worn during the healing phase and allowed the patient to function while the definitive prosthesis was being fabricated.     

Stereoisomere Aromastoffe XXVII. Optisch reine Carbons?urealkan-3-ylester - Darstellung und Eigenschaften

Summary Diastereomeric (S)-O-acetyllactic acid alkan-3-yl esters were separated by liquid chromatography to yield optically pure alkan-3-ols by reductive cleavage. The absolute configuration of alkan-3-ol enantiomers was concluded from the¹H-NMR data of their diastereomeric esters with optically pure (R)-2-phenylpropionic acid and (R)--methoxy--(trifluoromethyl)phenylacetic acid. The¹H-NMR spectroscopic behaviour of diastereomeric (S)-O-acetyllactic acid alkan-3-yl ester was found to be very similar to those of the corresponding (R) 2-methoxy-2-(trifloromethyl)phenyl acetic acid esters; the direct elucidation of the absolute configuration of (S)-O-acetyl-lactic acid alkan-3-yl esters was demonstrated. The esterification of alkan-3-ols (C₆–Cn8) with acetic acid, butyric acid, hexanoic acid and octanoic acid respectively yields 12 pairs of optically pure mirror images. Their sensory properties are discussed.Zusammenfassung Die aromarelevanten chiralen Alkohole Hexan-, Heptan- und Octan-3-ol werden durch flüssigchromatographische Trennung diastereomerer (S)-O-Acetylmilchsäureester und anschließende reduktive Esterspaltung in optisch reiner Form erhalten. Die Zuordnung der absoluten Konfiguration wird durch¹H-NMR Spektroskopie diastereomerenreiner (R)-2-Phenylpropionsäurealkan-3-ylester bestimmt. Es wird gezeigt, daß die Konfigurationszuordnung auch aus dem¹H-NMR spektroskopischen Verhalten diastereomerer (S)-O-Acetylmilchsäureal-kan-3-ylester abgeleitet werden kann. Die enantiomeren Alkan-3-ole werden mit den Säurechloriden der Essigsäure, Buttersäure, Hexan- and Octansäure zu chiralen Carbonsdurealkan-3-ylestern umgesetzt. Zwölf Enantiomerenpaare werden optisch rein dargestellt und sensorisch beurteilt.