Ocean feature recognition using genetic algorithms with fuzzy fitness functions (GA/F3)

A model for genetic algorithms with semantic nets is derived for which the relationships between concepts is depicted as a semantic net. An organism represents the manner in which objects in a scene are attached to concepts in the net. Predicates between object pairs are continuous valued truth functions in the form of an inverse exponential function (e sub beta lxl). 1:n relationships are combined via the fuzzy OR (Max (...)). Finally, predicates between pairs of concepts are resolved by taking the average of the combined predicate values of the objects attached to the concept at the tail of the arc representing the predicate in the semantic net. The method is illustrated by applying it to the identification of oceanic features in the North Atlantic

Dibenzo (g,p) chrysene: A Challenging Experiment in Organic Synthesis

Directions are given for the four-step synthesis of dibenzo(g,p)chrysene from fluoren-9-one. The intermediate products are 9,9\u27-bifluorene-9,9\u27-diol, spiro[fluorene-9,9\u27-(l0\u27H)-phenanthren]- 10\u27-one, and spiro[fluorene-9,9\u27-(l0\u27H)-phenanthren]- 10\u27-01 in that order. The experiment is designed to illustrate carbonium ion rearrangements and reductions as well as the properties of some interesting compounds to the experienced undergraduate student

Cloud identification using genetic algorithms and massively parallel computation

As a Guest Computational Investigator under the NASA administered component of the High Performance Computing and Communication Program, we implemented a massively parallel genetic algorithm on the MasPar SIMD computer. Experiments were conducted using Earth Science data in the domains of meteorology and oceanography. Results obtained in these domains are competitive with, and in most cases better than, similar problems solved using other methods. In the meteorological domain, we chose to identify clouds using AVHRR spectral data. Four cloud speciations were used although most researchers settle for three. Results were remarkedly consistent across all tests (91% accuracy). Refinements of this method may lead to more timely and complete information for Global Circulation Models (GCMS) that are prevalent in weather forecasting and global environment studies. In the oceanographic domain, we chose to identify ocean currents from a spectrometer having similar characteristics to AVHRR. Here the results were mixed (60% to 80% accuracy). Given that one is willing to run the experiment several times (say 10), then it is acceptable to claim the higher accuracy rating. This problem has never been successfully automated. Therefore, these results are encouraging even though less impressive than the cloud experiment. Successful conclusion of an automated ocean current detection system would impact coastal fishing, naval tactics, and the study of micro-climates. Finally we contributed to the basic knowledge of GA (genetic algorithm) behavior in parallel environments. We developed better knowledge of the use of subpopulations in the context of shared breeding pools and the migration of individuals. Rigorous experiments were conducted based on quantifiable performance criteria. While much of the work confirmed current wisdom, for the first time we were able to submit conclusive evidence. The software developed under this grant was placed in the public domain. An extensive user's manual was written and distributed nationwide to scientists whose work might benefit from its availability. Several papers, including two journal articles, were produced

The Addition of Bromine to Crotonic Acid and to Ethyl Crotonate under Various Conditions

Many chemical and physical reactions are accompanied by changes in weight of the reactants due to evaporation of liquids, evolution of gases, or adsorption of gases. Studies are made using data which show the manner in which the weight changes with time. Kinetic studies are made from a knowledge of the rate of loss or gain of a component. The drying of a precipitate to constant weight involves a loss in weight. Rates of evaporation of liquids from different types of surfaces involve changes of weight as a function of time. Several instruments and methods are used to follow weight changes. Gas buret systems are used to measure the volume of a gaseous component which is adding to or subtracting from the weight of a reactant. The ordinary analytical balance is used to follow weight changes by making intermittent weighings. This latter method involves tedious operations and interruptions of the treatment of the reactants. Effort has been put forth to devise instruments which will automatically weigh substances and record these weighings on some type of graph. Gregg and Wintle (1) devised a glass automatic electrical sorption balance. Gregg (2) later described a recording system for this type balance. Eyrand (3) reported a glass sorption balance of a somewhat different type. Duval (4) described a thermal balance that automatically records changes in weight on film. Described in this paper is an instrument attached to a modified ordinary analytical balance which automatically records on graph paper changes in weight as a function of time

Changing the Price of Marriage: Evidence from Blood Test Requirements

We use state repeals of blood test requirements for a marriage license that occurred between 1980 and 2005 to examine the impact of changes in the price of marriage on the marriage decision. Using a within-group estimator that holds constant state and year effects and exploits variation in the repeal dates of BTRs across states, we find that BTRs are associated with a 5.7% decrease in marriage licenses issued by a state. Using individual-level marriage license data from 1981-1995, we find that about half of this effect is due to couples seeking marriage licenses in other states, with the other half is due to deterred marriages. We also examine the marital status of mothers using birth certificate and Current Population Survey data, and find that blood test requirements reduce the fraction of first-time mothers who are married at the time of birth. The marriage-deterrent effects of BTRs are larger for lower socio-economic groups.

Generalized Geologic Map for Land-Use Planning: Breckinridge County, Kentucky

This map is not intended to be used for selecting individual sites. Its purpose is to inform land-use planners, government officials, and the public in a general way about geologic bedrock conditions that affect the selection of sites for various purposes. The properties of thick soils may supercede those of the underlying bedrock and should be considered on a site-to-site basis. At any site, it is important to understand the characteristics of both the soils and the underlying rock

System support software for the Space Ultrareliable Modular Computer (SUMC)

The highly transportable programming system designed and implemented to support the development of software for the Space Ultrareliable Modular Computer (SUMC) is described. The SUMC system support software consists of program modules called processors. The initial set of processors consists of the supervisor, the general purpose assembler for SUMC instruction and microcode input, linkage editors, an instruction level simulator, a microcode grid print processor, and user oriented utility programs. A FORTRAN 4 compiler is undergoing development. The design facilitates the addition of new processors with a minimum effort and provides the user quasi host independence on the ground based operational software development computer. Additional capability is provided to accommodate variations in the SUMC architecture without consequent major modifications in the initial processors

Performance evaluation of high-temperature superconducting current leads for micro-SMES systems

As part of the U.S. Department of Energy`s Superconductivity Technology Program, Argonne National Laboratory and Superconductivity, Inc., are developing high-temperature superconductor (HTS) current leads for application to micro-SMES systems. Two 1500-A HTS leads have been designed and constructed. A component performance evaluation program was conducted to confirm performance predictions and/or to qualify the design features for construction. The evaluations included HTS characteristics, demountable electrical connections, and heat intercept effectiveness. The performance of current lead assemblies is being evaluated in a zero-magnetic-field test program that included assembly procedures, tooling, and quality assurance; thermal and electrical performance; and flow and mechanical characteristics. The leads were installed in a liquid helium test cryostat and connected at their cold ends by a current jumper. The leads were heat intercepted with a cryocooler

Prediction of preterm birth with and without preeclampsia using mid-pregnancy immune and growth-related molecular factors and maternal characteristics.

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate if mid-pregnancy immune and growth-related molecular factors predict preterm birth (PTB) with and without (±) preeclampsia. STUDY DESIGN:Included were 400 women with singleton deliveries in California in 2009-2010 (200 PTB and 200 term) divided into training and testing samples at a 2:1 ratio. Sixty-three markers were tested in 15-20 serum samples using multiplex technology. Linear discriminate analysis was used to create a discriminate function. Model performance was assessed using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). RESULTS:Twenty-five serum biomarkers along with maternal age <34 years and poverty status identified >80% of women with PTB ± preeclampsia with best performance in women with preterm preeclampsia (AUC = 0.889, 95% confidence interval (0.822-0.959) training; 0.883 (0.804-0.963) testing). CONCLUSION:Together with maternal age and poverty status, mid-pregnancy immune and growth factors reliably identified most women who went on to have a PTB ± preeclampsia