Fuzzy neural network methodology applied to medical diagnosis

This paper presents a technique for building expert systems that combines the fuzzy-set approach with artificial neural network structures. This technique can effectively deal with two types of medical knowledge: a nonfuzzy one and a fuzzy one which usually contributes to the process of medical diagnosis. Nonfuzzy numerical data is obtained from medical tests. Fuzzy linguistic rules describing the diagnosis process are provided by a human expert. The proposed method has been successfully applied in veterinary medicine as a support system in the diagnosis of canine liver diseases

Melt segregation from silicic crystal mushes: a critical appraisal of possible mechanisms and their microstructural record.

One of the outstanding problems in understanding the behavior of intermediate-to-silicic magmatic systems is the mechanism(s) by which large volumes of crystal-poor rhyolite can be extracted from crystal-rich mushy storage zones in the mid-deep crust. The mechanisms commonly invoked are hindered settling, micro-settling, and compaction. The concept of micro-settling involves extraction of grains from a crystal framework during Ostwald ripening and has been shown to be non-viable in the metallic systems for which it was originally proposed. Micro-settling is also likely to be insignificant in silicic mushes, because ripening rates are slow for quartz and plagioclase, contact areas between grains in a crystal mush are likely to be large, and abundant low-angle grain boundaries promote grain coalescence rather than ripening. Published calculations of melt segregation rates by hindered settling (Stokes settling in a crystal-rich system) neglect all but fluid dynamical interactions between particles. Because tabular silicate minerals are likely to form open, mechanically coherent, frameworks at porosities as high as ~ 75%, settling of single crystals is only likely in very melt-rich systems. Gravitationally-driven viscous compaction requires deformation of crystals by either dissolution-reprecipitation or dislocation creep. There is, as yet, no reported microstructural evidence of extensive, syn-magmatic, internally-generated, viscous deformation in fully solidified silicic plutonic rocks. If subsequent directed searches do not reveal clear evidence for internally-generated buoyancy-driven melt segregation processes, it is likely that other factors, such as rejuvenation by magma replenishment, gas filter-pressing, or externally-imposed stress during regional deformation, are required to segregate large volumes of crystal-poor rhyolitic liquids from crustal mushy zones

Plagioclase Growth Rates Control Three-grain Junction Geometry in Dolerites and Gabbros

Measurements of dihedral angles at three-grain junctions in gabbros, involving two grains of plagioclase and one grain of another mineral, demonstrate that the median dihedral angle is generally the same for all minerals in any sample. The few exceptions to this can be attributed to reaction or to the cessation of growth of plagioclase during the last stages of solidification of highly evolved liquids that do not crystallize volumetrically important amounts of plagioclase. The dihedral angle is therefore primarily controlled by the growth behavior of plagioclase in the last remaining liquid. The final value of the dihedral angle is controlled by the extent to which plagioclase growth is accommodated on the (010) faces: low angles form when growth on the (010) faces is minor compared with that on the other growth faces, and high angles form when the (010) faces accommodate significant growth. The response of dihedral angles to changes in crystallization time is therefore explained by the changing response of plagioclase growth to cooling rate, with limited growth on (010) faces during rapid cooling (leading to a low dihedral angle) and more significant growth at slow cooling (leading to high dihedral angle). The correspondence between dihedral angle and plagioclase grain shape (as quantified by the average apparent aspect ratio observed in thin section) is clearly evident for non-fractionated bodies such as dolerite sills. Although the stratigraphic variation of the overall plagioclase grain shape in the floor cumulates of the Skaergaard Intrusion is broadly similar to that observed in sills, there is no correspondence to observed augite�plagioclase�plagioclase dihedral angles, which show a step-wise stratigraphic variation, corresponding to changes in the liquidus assemblage. This decoupling occurs because plagioclase growth in layered intrusions occurs in two stages, the first at, or close to, the magma�mush interface and the second within the mush. Chemical maps of samples on either side of the augite-in dihedral angle step demonstrate a step-wise change in the aspect ratio of the plagioclase grown during the second stage, with the aspect ratio of this stage corresponding to that predicted from the dihedral angles. Plagioclase shape in layered intrusions thus records two separate thermal regimes, with the overall shape controlled by the global cooling rate of the intrusion, and the second (minor) stage within the mushy layer reflecting local thermal buffering controlled by the liquidus assemblage of the bulk magma. Dihedral angles in layered intrusions record the second thermal regime

The Private Costs of Commercial Forestry, Reforestation and Social Forestry

This article is prepared for the Upland Policy Conference on March 14, 1988. It analyzes the private perspective of upland resource management mechanisms by drawing from the salient findings of studies on commercial forestry, reforestation and communal tree farming conducted under PIDS/IDRC upland resources research program.natural resources and environment, forestry sector, environmental issues, farm lands, environmental management, uplands

The Private Costs of Commercial Forestry, Reforestation and Social Forestry

This article is prepared for the Upland Policy Conference on March 14, 1988. It analyzes the private perspective of upland resource management mechanisms by drawing from the salient findings of studies on commercial forestry, reforestation and communal tree farming conducted under PIDS/IDRC upland resources research program.natural resources and environment, forestry sector, environmental issues, farm lands, environmental management, uplands

Stressors and Coping Mechanisms of the Children of Abra Bahay Pag-asa

This study was designed to determine the profile, the stressors and coping mechanisms of the 18 children of Abra Bahay Pag-asa during this pandemic.  The qualitative method of research was utilized.  An interview schedule was used to elicit the needed data in this study. The interviews were done via the Zoom platform.  The data gathered were presented and treated using thematic analysis through the generation of codes and themes for the final write-up.  The study revealed that almost all the children are teenagers, most of them are enrolled in the Senior High School and College levels and most of their case category is rape. Moreover, the children experienced several stressors particularly about the status of their cases, the situation of their families back home, their modular learning, and their mutual relationships.  Nevertheless, the children employed active and positive coping mechanisms to alleviate their worries.  Specifically, these were performing productive tasks, engaging in recreational activities, seeking social support, and spiritual activities.  As a recommendation, Abra State Institute of Sciences and Technology through the College of Teacher Education may establish a linkage with the Provincial Government of Abra through and Extension Program on juvenile empowerment for the children of Abra Bahay Pag-asa to include literacy and numeracy; arts and music; life skills training; mental health and stress management.  Additionally, other studies may be conducted again among the children to look into other aspects or factors on their personality development and rehabilitation process

Method of Creating Ultra-Fine Particles of Materials Using a High-Pressure Mill

A method for creating ultra-fine particles of material using a high-pressure mill is described. The method includes placing a material in a first chamber and subjecting the material to a high-pressure fluid jet to divide it into particles. These particles are then transferred to a second chamber in which they are subjected to cavitation to further divide the particles into relatively smaller particles. These relatively smaller particles are then transferred to a third chamber, in which the particles collide with a collider to still further divide them into ultra-fine particles of the material. The mill of the present invention includes a first chamber having an high-pressure liquid jet nozzle, first and second slurry nozzles, a second cavitation chamber and a third chamber which houses a collider. In one embodiment, the slurry nozzle has an inner surface and sharp edges that project slightly out from the inner surface. Sensors may be located throughout the mill to collect data on the comminution process and to use the data to control the resultant particle size. The product size of the ultra-fine particles made according to the mill of the present invention are preferably less than 15 microns. Further, the particles produced using the mill of the present invention are formed as flakes or platelets which have been broken along nature planes in the material