Integrating Evolutionary Computation with Neural Networks

There is a tremendous interest in the development of the evolutionary computation techniques as they are well suited to deal with optimization of functions containing a large number of variables. This paper presents a brief review of evolutionary computing techniques. It also discusses briefly the hybridization of evolutionary computation and neural networks and presents a solution of a classical problem using neural computing and evolutionary computing technique

Preliminary experimental results for a cryogenic brush seal configuration

Preliminary fluid nitrogen flow data are reported for a five-brush, ceramic-coated-rub-runner brush seal system, where the brushes and the rub runner were placed at each end of a centrally pressurized multifunction tester ('back-to-back' set of brushes) and tested at rotor speeds of 0, 10, 18, and 22.5 krpm. After testing, both the brushes and the ceramic-coated rub runner appeared pristine. The coating withstood both the thermomechanical and dynamic loadings with minor wear track scarring. The bristle tips showed some indication of material shearing (smearing) wear. The Ergun porous flow equation was applied to the brush seal data. The Ergun relation, which required heuristic information to characterize the coefficients, fit the gaseous data but was in poor agreement with the fluid results. The brush seal exit conditions were two phase. Two-phase, choked-flow design charts were applied but required one data point at each rotor speed to define the (C(sub f)A x Constant) flow and area coefficients. Reasonable agreement between prediction and data was found, as expected, but such methods are not to be construed as two-phase-flow brush seal analyses

The effect of a 12 week core training regimen on electromyographic activation in national-level junior swimmers

Knowledge of muscle activation during core training exercises over the duration of a training program would enhance our understanding of the physiological responses to training. The purpose of this study was to quantify the effect of a 12-week core training regimen on neuromuscular activation in swimmers. Ten national-level junior swimmers performed a core exercise regimen three times a week over a 12-week training period. Surface electromyographic (EMG) measurements from 6 core muscles were taken pre- (0 weeks), mid- (6 weeks) and post training (12 weeks). Analysis was carried out on the EMG activity during maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVCs) and on the normalized and non-normalized EMG values during the core exercises. MVC EMG activity increased with the intervention in all muscles. The magnitudes of changes in MVC EMG activity were greater during the initial phase (effect sizes - standardized mean differences 0.32 to 1.01) compared to the second phase (effect sizes -0.20 to 1.04). Substantial reductions were observed in the normalized EMG data, with these effects being greater during the initial phase (effect sizes -1.54 to -0.28) compared to the second phase (effects sizes -1.12 to -0.22). There were also substantial reductions in non-normalized absolute EMG activity in both the initial (effect sizes -2.73 to -0.27) and second (effects sizes -1.27 to -0.20) phases. Over the 12 week training program substantial neuromuscular adaptations occurred in the core muscles; activation during the core exercises reduced, whilst activation during the MVCs increased. These adaptations are indicative of improvements in neuromuscular strength and efficiency. Changes in EMG data provide objective measures of neuromuscular adaptation which can inform future iterations of training regimens for athletic populations

(1E,4Z,6E)-5-Hy­droxy-1,7-bis­(2-meth­oxy­phen­yl)-1,4,6-hepta­trien-3-one

In the title compound, C21H20O4, the central hepta­trienone unit is approximately planar, with a maximum atomic deviation of 0.1121 (11) Å; the two benzene rings are twisted with respect to the hepta­trienone mean plane by 2.73 (5) and 29.31 (4)°. The mol­ecule exists in the enol form and the hy­droxy group forms an intra­molecular hydrogen bond with the neighboring carbonyl group. Weak inter­molecular C—H⋯O hydrogen bonding is present in the crystal structure

An examination of autism spectrum traits in adolescents with anorexia nervosa and their parents

There may be a link between anorexia nervosa and autism spectrum disorders. The aims of this study were to examine whether adolescents with anorexia nervosa have autism spectrum and/or obsessive-compulsive traits, how many would meet diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder, and whether these traits are shared by parents

A sensitive and specific β-alanyl aminopeptidase-activated fluorogenic probe for the detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

We report the synthesis of the sensitive and specific fluorogenic self-immolative substrate 8b, which is hydrolzyed by β-alanyl aminopeptidase (BAP), resulting in a 1,6-elimination and the release of the highly fluorescent hydroxycoumarin 6b. This fluorophore 6b is retained within bacterial colonies, so has potential for the detection of P. aeruginosa (a BAP producer); it also has potential in liquid media due to the rapid and strong signal release from the substrate 8b, and lack of self-quenching or photobleaching.NHMR

An Analytical Study of Coupled Two-State Stochastic Resonators

The two-state model of stochastic resonance is extended to a chain of coupled two-state elements governed by the dynamics of Glauber's stochastic Ising model. Appropriate assumptions on the model parameters turn the chain into a prototype system of coupled stochastic resonators. In a weak-signal limit analytical expressions are derived for the spectral power amplification and the signal-to-noise ratio of a two-state element embedded into the chain. The effect of the coupling between the elements on both quantities is analysed and array-enhanced stochastic resonance is established for pure as well as noisy periodic signals. The coupling-induced improvement of the SNR compared to an uncoupled element is shown to be limited by a factor four which is only reached for vanishing input noise.Comment: 29 pages, 5 figure