Regression-based weight generation algorithm in neural network for solution of initial and boundary value problems

This paper introduces a new algorithm for solving ordinary differential equations (ODEs) with initial or boundary conditions. In our proposed method, the trial solution of differential equation has been used in the regression-based neural network (RBNN) model for single input and single output system. The artificial neural network (ANN) trial solution of ODE is written as sum of two terms, first one satisfies initial/boundary conditions and contains no adjustable parameters. The second part involves a RBNN model containing adjustable parameters. Network has been trained using the initial weights generated by the coefficients of regression fitting. We have used feed-forward neural network and error back propagation algorithm for minimizing error function. Proposed model has been tested for first, second and fourth-order ODEs. We also compare the results of proposed algorithm with the traditional ANN algorithm. The idea may very well be extended to other complicated differential equations.     

Preparation and properties of styrene–butadiene rubber based nanocomposites: The influence of the structural and processing parameters

Rubber‐based nanocomposites were prepared with octadecyl amine modified sodium montmorillonite clay and styrene–butadiene rubber with different styrene contents (15, 23, and 40%). The solvent used to prepare the nanocomposites, the cure conditions, and the cure system were also varied to determine their effect on the properties of the nanocomposites. All the composites were characterized with X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The XRD studies revealed exfoliation for the modified clay–rubber composites. The TEM photomicrographs showed a uniform distribution of the modified clay in the rubber matrix. The thickness of the particles in the exfoliated composites was around 10–15 nm. Although the FTIR study of the unmodified and modified clays showed extra peaks due to the intercalation of the amine chains into the gallery, the spectra for the rubber–clay nanocomposites were almost the same because of the presence of a very small amount of clay in the rubber matrix. All the modified clay–rubber nanocomposites displayed improved mechanical strength. The styrene content of the rubber had a pronounced effect on the properties of the nanocomposites. With increasing styrene content, the improvement in the properties was greater. Dicumyl peroxide and sulfur cure systems displayed similar strength, but higher elongation and slightly lower modulus values were obtained with the sulfur cure system. The curing of the samples at four different durations at 160°C showed that the cure time affected the properties. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 698–709, 2004     

Preparation and cell-materials interactions of plasma sprayed strontium-containing hydroxyapatite coating

The use of strontium-containing hydroxyapatite (Sr-HA) as a biomaterial has been reported recently. In vitro and in vivo studies have shown that Sr-HA promotes osteoblast response and stimulates new bone formation. In order to extend its usage to major load-bearing applications, such as artificial hip replacement, it has been proposed that the material could be used in the form of a coating on implant surfaces. This paper reports a preliminary study of biocompatibility of plasma sprayed Sr-HA coatings on a metallic substrate. Coatings of Sr-HA containing 10 mol% Sr²⁺ was produced on titanium alloy substrates. The coating exhibited good bonding with the substrate. The bioactivity of Sr-HA coating was evaluated in vitro by immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF). After immersion in SBF, Sr-HA coating exhibited great ability to induce apatite precipitation on its surface. The possible effects of cell-materials interactions of Sr-HA coating were examined by culturing osteoprecursor cells (OPC1) on coating surfaces. The effect of Sr-HA was also compared to a hydroxyapatite (HA) coating, which is widely used in orthopedics and dentistry. The results indicated that Sr-HA coating had good biocompatibility with human osteoblasts. OPC1 cells survived and proliferated well on the surface of coating. Sr-HA coating promoted OPC1 cells attachment, and more local contacts were produced on the surface. The presence of Sr stimulated OPC1 cell differentiation and ALP expression. No deleterious effect on ECM formation and mineralization was found with Sr-HA coating. The results indicated that Sr-HA coating had good mechanical properties and bioactivity in vitro.     

Incorporating Ancestors' Influence in Genetic Algorithms

A new criterion of fitness evaluation for Genetic Algorithms is introduced where the fitness value of an individual is determined by considering its own fitness as well as those of its ancestors. Some guidelines for selecting the weighting coefficients for quantifying the importance to be given to the fitness of the individual and its ancestors are provided. This is done both heuristically and automatically under fixed and adaptive frameworks. The Schema Theorem corresponding to the proposed concept is derived. The effectiveness of this new methodology is demonstrated extensively on the problems of optimizing complex functions including a noisy one and selecting optimal neural network parameters.     

Processing of alumina and zirconia nano-powders and compacts

Magnesia–doped alumina and yttria–doped zirconia nano-powders were synthesized using sucrose as a chelating agent and template material from the aqueous solutions of aluminium nitrate, magnesium nitrate, ytrrium nitrate and zirconyl nitrate, respectively. Synthesis parameters were optimized with varying sucrose to metal ion ratio, calcinations time, and temperature to produce these nano-powders. As-synthesized powders were characterized by room temperature X-ray diffraction, BET surface area analyzer and transmission electron microscopy. Y₂O₃–ZrO₂ nano-powders had particle size in the range of 80–200 nm with specific average surface area of 119 m²/g and for MgO–Al₂O₃ powders, particle sizes were 30–200 nm with the specific average surface area of 250 m²/g. Our results indicate that this synthesis method is a versatile one and can be applied to a variety of oxide-based materials to form nano-powders. Nano-powders were compacted uniaxially and densified in a muffle furnace. Sintered discs were used for hardness testing and density measurements, as well as for microstructural characterization.     

Investigation of in vitro bone cell adhesion and proliferation on Ti using direct current stimulation

Our objective was to establish an in vitro cell culture protocol to improve bone cell attachment and proliferation on Ti substrate using direct current stimulation. For this purpose, a custom made electrical stimulator was developed and a varying range of direct currents, from 5 to 25 μA, was used to study the current stimulation effect on bone cells cultured on conducting Ti samples in vitro. Cell–material interaction was studied for a maximum of 5 days by culturing with human fetal osteoblast cells (hFOB). The direct current was applied in every 8 h time interval and the duration of electrical stimulation was kept constant at 15 min for all cases. In vitro results showed that direct current stimulation significantly favored bone cell attachment and proliferation in comparison to nonstimulated Ti surface. Immunochemistry and confocal microscopy results confirmed that the cell adhesion was most pronounced on 25 μA direct current stimulated Ti surfaces as hFOB cells expressed higher vinculin protein with increasing amount of direct current. Furthermore, MTT assay results established that cells grew 30% higher in number under 25 μA electrical stimulation as compared to nonstimulated Ti surface after 5 days of culture period. In this work we have successfully established a simple and cost effective in vitro protocol offering easy and rapid analysis of bone cell–material interaction which can be used in promotion of bone cell attachment and growth on Ti substrate using direct current electrical stimulation in an in vitro model.     

Synthesis of nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite using surfactant template systems: Role of templates in controlling morphology

Hydroxyapatite (HA) nanopowder was synthesized by reverse microemulsion technique using calcium nitrate and phosphoric acid as starting materials in aqueous phase. Cyclohexane, hexane, and isooctane were used as organic solvents, and Dioctyl sulfosuccinate sodium salt (AOT), dodecyl phosphate (DP), NP5 (poly(oxyethylene)₅ nonylphenol ether), and NP12 (poly(oxyethylene)₁₂ nonylphenol ether) as surfactants to make the emulsion. Effect of synthesis parameters, such as type of surfactant, aqueous to organic ratio (A/O), pH and temperature on powder characteristics were studied. It was found that the surfactant templates played a significant role in regulating the morphology of the nanoparticle. Hydroxyapatite nanoparticle of different morphologies such as spherical, needle shape or rod-like were obtained by adjusting the conditions of the emulsion system. Synthesized powder was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), BET surface area and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Phase pure HA nanopowder with highest surface area of 121 m²/g were prepared by this technique using NP5 as a surfactant. Densification studies showed that this nanoparticle can give about 98% of their theoretical density. In vitro bioactivity of the dense HA compacts was confirmed by excellent apatite layer formation after 21 days in SBF solution. Cell material interaction study showed good cell attachment and after 5 days cells were proliferated on HA compacts in OPC1 cell culture medium. The results imply this to be a versatile approach for making hydroxyapatite nanocrystals with controlled morphology and excellent biocompatibility.     

Bone cell–materials interaction on alumina ceramics with different grain sizes

The objective of this work was to study adhesion, proliferation and differentiation of osteoblast cells (OPC1) on alumina ceramic, a bio-inert material. Alumina ceramic with different average grain sizes, 1 μm and 12 μm, respectively, were used in as-prepared condition without any grinding and polishing to understand the influence of grain size on cell–material interactions. Scanning electron microscopy and confocal imaging were used to study attachment, adhesion and differentiation of OPC1 cells. Cells attached, proliferated and differentiated well on both the substrates. Adhesion of cells, as assessed by observing the production of vinculin, was found to be a consistent phenomenon on both the substrates. On day 5 of cell culture, significant cell-attachment was observed and vinculin was detected throughout cytoplasm. MTT assay showed that proliferation of OPC1 cells was consistently higher in the case of 12 μm-alumina. Cells of different morphology, nodular, plate-like as well as elongated, were found to get anchored at grains, grain boundaries as well as pores. On day 16, there were clear signs of mineralization as well. Over all, alumina with average grain size of 12 μm showed better cell-attachment, growth and differentiation compared to 1 μm grain size samples.     

Wear Performance of Laser Processed Tantalum Coatings

This first generation investigation evaluates the in vitro tribological performance of laser-processed Ta coatings on Ti for load-bearing implant applications. Linear reciprocating wear tests in simulated body fluid showed one order of magnitude less wear rate, of the order of 10(-4)mm(3)(N.m)(-1), for Ta coatings compared to Ti. Our results demonstrate that Ta coatings can potentially minimize the early-stage bone-implant interface micro-motion induced wear debris generation due to their excellent bioactivity comparable to that of hydroxyapatite (HA), high wear resistance and toughness compared to popular HA coatings.