Bounds on the number of samples needed for neural learning.

The relationship between the number of hidden nodes in a neural network, the complexity of a multiclass discrimination problem, and the number of samples needed for effect learning are discussed. Bounds for the number of samples needed for effect learning are given. It is shown that Omega(min (d,n) M) boundary samples are required for successful classification of M clusters of samples using a two-hidden-layer neural network with d-dimensional inputs and n nodes in the first hidden layer.     

Performance of hashed cache data migration schemes on multicomputers

Many researchers approach the problem of programming distributed memory machines by assuming a global shared name space. Thus the user views the distributed memory of the machine as though it were shared. A major issue that arises at this point is how to manage the memory. When a processor accesses data stored on another processor's memory, data must be moved between the two processors. Once these data are retrieved from another processor's memory, several interesting issues are raised. Where should these data be stored locally? What transformations must be performed to the code to guarantee that the nonlocal accesses reference the correct memory location? What optimizations can be performed to reduce the time spent in accessing the nonlocal data? In this paper we examine various data migration mechanisms that allow an explicit and controlled mapping of data to memory. We describe, experimentally evaluate, and model a set of schemes for storing and retrieving off-processor array elements. The schemes are all based on using hash tables for efficient access of nonlocal data. The three different techniques evaluated are the basic hashed cache, partial enumeration, and full enumeration, the details of which are described in the paper. In all three schemes, nonlocal data are stored in hash tables—the difference is in the amount of memory used by the schemes and the retrieval mechanisms for nonlocal data.     

Collection of biological materials in biodiversity prospecting in India: problems and solutions

Forests are the chief resource for the collection and exploration of biological materials. The past few decades have witnessed a large scale deforestation in India due to substantial pressures generated by population growth, leading to demand for more land for agriculture, urbanization and industrial activities, in addition to increased demand for fuel wood and timber. This has resulted in the loss of soil cover, habitat destruction, environmental degradation and ecological imbalance. This scenario has created a progressive awareness for the conservation and restoration of habitats and, thus, the declaration of many forest areas into protected zones, such as national parks, biosphere reserves, etc., including the protection of some marine areas, by both the National and State Governments. Normally, permission for biological collecting is not granted in these protected areas. In India, forests are a State subject and grant for collection permission is vested with the State Forest Departments. In the absence of any rules, regulations and guidelines, either from National or State Governments, forest authorities impose their terms and conditions, which are arbitrary and even contradictory at times, in the process of granting collecting permits. A set of new rules to be applied throughout the country is needed.     

Viscosity of compressed cold lake bitumen

Viscosity data over a temperature range of 37-115°C and a pressure range of 0-10 MPa gauge are presented for a Cold Lake bitumen sample. These data show that the compression of Cold Lake bitumen results in a significant increase in its viscosity. Results are compared with those from a similar study on an Athabasca bitumen sample. Also presented are two correlations for the effects of pressure and temperature on the viscosity of Cold Lake bitumen.     

Modelling a circulating fluidized bed riser reactor with gas—solids downflow at the wall

A predictive model was developed for the fully developed zone of a circulating fluidized bed (CFB) riser reactor operating in the fast fluidization regime that overcomes limitations of existing models. The model accounts for the upward flow of gas and solids in the core and downward flow of the two phases in the annulus. Additionally, a numerical solution methodology for the simulation of a riser reactor employing the hydrodynamic model was devised. A simulation was performed using the fast, main Claus reaction to demonstrate the effects of backmixing in the fast fluidization regime. It was found that the molar flow rates of the reactants leaving a fast fluidized CFB riser reactor were significantly higher than those leaving an identical reactor operating in the pneumatic transport regime.     

Plaster of Paris activated supersulfated slag cement

Hydration and strength behavior of supersulfated cement produced by activating a granulated Indian blastfurnace slag by plaster of Paris has been investigated. It is shown that plaster of Paris is a better activator than the conventional hard burnt gypsum (anhydrite) at least for a class of blastfurnace slags which are ordinarily considered less than ideal for this purpose. The setting characteristics of the plaster of Paris activated slag were controlled by small additions of a set retarder which does not adversely affect the strength properties of the cement. X-ray analysis and DTA have been used to identify the hydration products, interpret the strength data, and to compare the plaster of Paris activated cement with anhydrite activated slag cement.     

Molar volume and ultrasonic studies of europium soaps in mixed organic solvents

The ultrasonic velocity and density measurements of europium soaps in a mixture of benzene and methanol (3:2, vol/vol) were used to evaluate various acoustic parameters and molar volume and to determine the critical micelle concentration. The results showed that the ultrasonic velocity, specific acoustic impedance, molar sound velocity, and molar compressibility increase, and intermolecular free length, adiabatic Compressibility, and relative association decrease with increasing concentration and chainlength of the soap. The results were interpreted in terms of soap-solvent interaction.     

Measurement of intrinsic rates for homogeneous gas‐phase reactions at high temperatures

A coiled quartz tubular reactor has been designed to measure the intrinsic reaction kinetics for homogeneous reactions at high temperatures up to 1100°C. Actual gas residence times were less than 100 ms. A simple and well‐studied test reaction (i.e., the decomposition of nitrous oxide, N₂O), with published intrinsic kinetics, was used to verify the operation of the experimental reactor. For this system, Peclet numbers (Pe = uL/DL) computed from experimental conversion data were greater than 1000, indicating that the plug flow assumption could be used with this reactor system to determine intrinsic rate expressions with errors of less than 5% for the conditions studied.