An introduction of the condition class space with continuous value discretization and rough set theory

The granularity of an information system has an incumbent effect on the efficacy of the analysis from many machine learning algorithms. An information system contains a universe of objects characterized and categorized by condition and decision attributes. To manage the concomitant granularity, a level of continuous value discretization (CVD) is often undertaken. In the case of the rough set theory (RST) methodology for object classification, the granularity contributes to the grouping of objects into condition classes with the same condition attribute values. This article exposits the effect of a level of CVD on the subsequent condition classes constructed, with the introduction of the condition class space—the domain within which the condition classes exist. This domain elucidates the association of the condition classes to the related decision outcomes—reflecting the inexactness incumbent when a level of CVD is undertaken. A series of measures is defined that quantify this association. Throughout this study and without loss of generality, the findings are made through the RST methodology. This further offers a novel exposition of the relationship between all the condition attributes and the RST‐related reducts (subsets of condition attributes). © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Int Syst 21: 173–191, 2006.     

Introduction and Elucidation of the Quality of Sagacity in the Extended Variable Precision Rough Sets Model

This paper introduces the quality of sagacity measure in the extended variable precision rough sets model - VPRS_l,u. The need for this measure is a direct consequence of the use of the associated l and u values. Moreover, different levels of miss-classification are allowed in the classification of objects to a decision class or its compliment. This measure attempts to take this into account, by acknowledging the classification of an object to the compliment of a decision class, as an appropriate (if not optimum) classification of that object. A consequence of the analysis is a discussion of the notion of open and closed worlds in VPRS_l,u.     

Probing the early stages of polymerization of ethylene on a model chromium/silica catalyst by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

The nature of the interaction of monomer, and the early stages of growth of oligomers of ethylene on a rather more uniform surface of Cr/SiO₂ catalyst than hitherto studied has been investigated by differenceFTIR spectroscopy using C₂D₄ and C₂H₄ as reactants both with and without subsequent treatment of the catalyst with CO andTHF. The active catalyst was prepared by reaction of vapour phase CrO₂Cl₂ with the vicinal hydroxyls of the silica surface. Three distinct kinds of methylene groups were detected. Arguments are given for assigning the peaks at 2935 and 2860 cm^–1 to CH₂ groups directly bound to the active site and those at 2920 and 2850 to CH₂s in the growing chain well removed from the Cr. The peaks at 2160 and 2165 cm^–1 are attributed to CD₂ groups hydrogen bonded to surface hydroxyls.     

Alfalfa yield response to inoculation with recombinant strains of Rhizobium meliloti with an extra copy of dctABD and/or modified nifA expression

The construction of rhizobial strains which increase plant biomass under controlled conditions has been previously reported. However, there is no evidence that these newly constructed strains increase legume yield under agricultural conditions. This work tested the hypothesis that carefully manipulating expression of additional copies of nifA and dctABD in strains of Rhizobium meliloti would increase alfalfa yield in the field. The rationale for this hypothesis is based on the positive regulatory role that nifA plays in the expression of the nif regulon and the fact that a supply of dicarboxylic acids from the plant is required as a carbon and energy source for nitrogen fixation by the Rhizobium bacteroids in the nodule. These recombinant strains, as well as the wild-type strains from which they were derived, are ideal tools to examine the effects of modifying or increasing the expression of these genes on alfalfa biomass. The experimental design comprised seven recombinant strains, two wild-type strains, and an uninoculated control. Each treatment was replicated eight times and was conducted at four field sites in Wisconsin. Recombinant strain RMBPC-2, which has an additional copy of both nifA and dctABD, increased alfalfa biomass by 12.9% compared with the yield with the wild-type strain RMBPC and 17.9% over that in the uninoculated control plot at the site where soil nitrogen and organic matter content was lowest. These increases were statistically significant at the 5% confidence interval for each of the three harvests made during the growing season. Strain RMBPC-2 did increase alfalfa biomass at the Hancock site; however, no other significant increases or decreases in alfalfa biomass were observed with the seven other recombinant strains at that site. At three sites where this experiment was conducted, either native rhizobial populations or soil nitrogen concentrations were high. At these sites, none of the recombinant strains affected yield. We conclude that RMBPC -2 can increase alfalfa yields under field conditions of nitrogen limitation, low endogenous rhizobial competitors, and sufficient moisture.     

Classification of osteoarthritic and normal knee function using three-dimensional motion analysis and the Dempster-Shafer theory of evidence

In this paper, a novel object classification method is introduced and developed within a biomechanical study of human knee function in which subjects are classified to one of two groups: subjects with osteoarthritic (OA) and normal (NL) knee function. Knee-function characteristics are collected using a three-dimensional motion-analysis technique. The classification method transforms these characteristics into sets of three belief values: a level of belief that a subject has OA knee function, a level of belief that a subject has NL knee function, and an associated level of uncertainty. The evidence from each characteristic is then combined into a final set of belief values, which is used to classify subjects. The final belief values are subsequently represented on a simplex plot, which enables the classification of a subject to be represented visually. The control parameters, which are intrinsic to the classification method, can be chosen by an expert or by an optimization approach. Using a leave-one-out cross-validation approach, the classification accuracy of the proposed method is shown to compare favorably with that of a well-established classifier-linear discriminant analysis. Overall, this study introduces a visual tool that can be used to support orthopaedic surgeons when making clinical decisions.     

A Macintosh Hypercard stack for calculation of thermodynamically-corrected buffer recipes

This paper describes a stack for the Apple Macintosh Hypercard environment that facilitates the calculation of a set of thermodynamically-corrected pH buffers. Presented in the familiar Macintosh mouse-based environment, the program allows comprehensive buffer design and gives the user full control of buffer species, temperature, ionic strength, pH and choice of counter-ion to maintain the ionic strength at a fixed value. Addition of new buffers to the stack is straightforward and the recipes that are generated, including the weights of the various components, can be displayed on the screen or saved to a disk file for subsequent printing.     

PHYSICAL SIMULATION OF INTERFACIAL CONDITIONS IN HOT FORMING OF STEELS

1.~nonNUInericalmodellingbythefiniteelement(FE)methodhasbecomeaneffectiveandeconomyicmeansforsimulatingmetalfoeingprocesses.However,accuratemodellingdemandsthecorrectdefinitionandinputsofthedataforthethermalandphysicalpIDPertiesoftheworkpieceandtoolmaterials,theboUndaryconditionsattheworkpiece--toolinterfaceandinotherareas,inadditiontoappropriatemeshgenerationandnumericalsolutions.Althoughmostofthematerialdataareavailable,thedataforinterfacialheattransferandfrictionconditions,Whichhavesubst…     

IR study of the interaction of hydroxyl groups of silica gel with Cr species of Phillips' type catalysts

Spectroscopic evidence for the interaction of hydroxyl groups and chromium ions was obtained using a catalyst prepared from chromyl chloride. A new OH peak, observed at 3705 cm^–1 after pumping away CO gas, is attributed to the direct interaction of OH with the low-valent chromium. This peak shifts to 3590 cm^–1 on contact with O₂ at room temperature and it is assigned to a hydroxyl interacting with the oxidized chromium. New assignments are also proposed for IR bands of CO presorbed on the catalyst. The peak due to CO at 2188 cm^–1 decreases as the OH intensity at 3705 cm^–1 increases, suggesting that the former peak arises from adsorption on Cr(II) species to which two oxygen atoms are attached.     

Towards an Environmentally Acceptable Heterogeneous Catalytic Method of Producing Adipic Acid by the Oxidation of Hydrocarbons in Air

A survey is given of the catalytic methods potentially available for the production of adipic acid by the oxidation of readily available hydrocarbon precursors under environmentally benign conditions. Encouraging results are reported using H₂O₂ as oxidant and microporous FeAlPO-5 as catalyst at moderate temperatures.