Detecting and correcting errors in ruled-based expert systems : an integration of empirical and explanation-based learning

In this paper, we argue that techniques proposed for combining empirical and explanation-based learning methods can also be used to detect errors in rule-based expert systems, to isolate the blame for these errors to a small number of rules and suggest revisions to the rules to eliminate these errors. We demonstrate that FOCL, an extension to Quinlan's FOIL program, can learn in spite of an incorrect domain theory (e.g., a knowledge base of an expert system that contains some erroneous rules). A prototype knowledge acquisition tool, KR-FOCL, has been constructed that can utilize a trace of FOCL to suggest revisions to a rule base

An information-based approach to integrating empirical and explanation-based learning

We describe a new approach to integrating explanation-based and empirical learning methods for learning relational concepts. The approach uses an information-based heuristic to evaluate components of a hypothesis that are proposed either by explanation-based or empirical methods. Providing domain knowledge to the integrated system can decrease the amount of search required during learning and increase the accuracy of learned concepts, even when the domain knowledge is incorrect and incomplete and there is noise in the training data

On the debt Capacityof growth Options

If debt capacity is defined as the incremental debt that is optimally associated with an additional asset, then the debt capacity of growth options is negative. Underinvestment costs of debt increase and free cash flow benefits of debt fall with additional growth options. Thus, if firm value increases with additional growth options, then leverage not only declines, but the firm’s optimal total debt level declines as well. This result implies a negative relation between book leverage and growth options and provides a new economic interpretation of book leverage regressions.Growth options; Book leverage

Fracture Characterization of Rolled Sheet Alloys in Shear Loading: Studies of Specimen Geometry, Anisotropy, and Rate Sensitivity

The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11340-016-0211-9Two different shear sample geometries were employed to investigate the failure behaviour of two automotive alloy rolled sheets; a highly anisotropic magnesium alloy (ZEK100) and a relatively isotropic dual phase steel (DP780) at room temperature. The performance of the butterfly type specimen (Mohr and Henn Exp Mech 47:805–820, 16; Dunand and Mohr Eng Fract Mech 78:2919-2934, 17) was evaluated at quasi-static conditions along with that of the shear geometry of Peirs et al Exp Mech 52:729-741, (27) using in situ digital image correlation (DIC) strain measurement techniques. It was shown that both test geometries resulted in similar strain-paths; however, the fracture strains obtained using the butterfly specimen were lower for both alloys. It is demonstrated that ZEK100 exhibits strong anisotropy in terms of failure strain. In addition, the strain rate sensitivity of fracture for ZEK100 was studied in shear tests with strain rates from quasi-static (0.01 s−1) to elevated strain rates of 10 and 100 s−1, for which a reduction in fracture strain was observed with increasing strain rate.Cosma International, Automotive Partnership CanadaOntario Research FundNatural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of CanadaCanada Research Chairs SecretariatCanada Foundation for Innovatio

Engineering education for sustainable development: using online learning to support the new paradigms

This paper explores the experiences of three academic members of the University of Nottingham Open Online Course (NOOC) and Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) team, comprising an engineer (tutor), an engineering education specialist (facilitator) and a specialist in higher education pedagogy (convenor). The paper explores notions of what makes for effective teaching of sustainability within a multidisciplinary online context, and the extent to which this experience has impacted upon personal behaviours and attitudes to sustainability, from an Engineering Education for Sustainable Development (EESD) perspective. Team members’ experiences are further supported by findings from student and learner evaluations of the NOOC and MOOC courses. Key findings of the research include (a) Interdisciplinarity is a strength of the course (b) The course can lead to genuine change in the understanding of sustainability; (c) Teaching sustainability online is different; (d) Involvement in the course impacts upon teaching practices; (e) Cultural and disciplinary diversity within both the course team and the student cohort is a major contributor to the overall sustainable development learning experience in the NOOC/MOOC. It is hoped that the findings of the study will pave the way for engineering and non-engineering educators to explore the potential of integrating sustainability within the modules they teach, via online teaching and learning means

An update on peptide-based therapies for type 2 diabetes and obesity

Long-acting analogues of the naturally occurring incretin, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and those modified to interact also with receptors for glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) have shown high glucose-lowering and weight-lowering efficacy when administered by once-weekly subcutaneous injection. These analogues herald an exciting new era in peptide-based therapy for type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity. Of note is the GLP-1R agonist semaglutide, available in oral and injectable formulations and in clinical trials combined with the long-acting amylin analogue, cagrilintide. Particularly high efficacy in both glucose- and weight lowering capacities has also been observed with the GLP-1R/GIP-R unimolecular dual agonist, tirzepatide. In addition, a number of long-acting unimolecular GLP-1R/GCGR dual agonist peptides and GLP-1R/GCGR/GIPR triagonist peptides have entered clinical trials. Other pharmacological approaches to chronic weight management include the human monoclonal antibody, bimagrumab which blocks activin type II receptors and is associated with growth of skeletal muscle, an antibody blocking activation of GIPR to which are conjugated GLP-1R peptide agonists (AMG-133), and the melanocortin-4 receptor agonist, setmelanotide for use in certain inherited obesity conditions. The high global demand for the GLP-1R agonists liraglutide and semaglutide as anti-obesity agents has led to shortage so that their use in T2D therapy is currently being prioritized. [Abstract copyright: Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.