Improved interpretation of satellite altimeter data using genetic algorithms

Genetic algorithms (GA) are optimization techniques that are based on the mechanics of evolution and natural selection. They take advantage of the power of cumulative selection, in which successive incremental improvements in a solution structure become the basis for continued development. A GA is an iterative procedure that maintains a 'population' of 'organisms' (candidate solutions). Through successive 'generations' (iterations) the population as a whole improves in simulation of Darwin's 'survival of the fittest'. GA's have been shown to be successful where noise significantly reduces the ability of other search techniques to work effectively. Satellite altimetry provides useful information about oceanographic phenomena. It provides rapid global coverage of the oceans and is not as severely hampered by cloud cover as infrared imagery. Despite these and other benefits, several factors lead to significant difficulty in interpretation. The GA approach to the improved interpretation of satellite data involves the representation of the ocean surface model as a string of parameters or coefficients from the model. The GA searches in parallel, a population of such representations (organisms) to obtain the individual that is best suited to 'survive', that is, the fittest as measured with respect to some 'fitness' function. The fittest organism is the one that best represents the ocean surface model with respect to the altimeter data

Micromechanical Properties of Injection-Molded Starch–Wood Particle Composites

The micromechanical properties of injection molded starch–wood particle composites were investigated as a function of particle content and humidity conditions. The composite materials were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction methods. The microhardness of the composites was shown to increase notably with the concentration of the wood particles. In addition,creep behavior under the indenter and temperature dependence were evaluated in terms of the independent contribution of the starch matrix and the wood microparticles to the hardness value. The influence of drying time on the density and weight uptake of the injection-molded composites was highlighted. The results revealed the role of the mechanism of water evaporation, showing that the dependence of water uptake and temperature was greater for the starch–wood composites than for the pure starch sample. Experiments performed during the drying process at 70°C indicated that the wood in the starch composites did not prevent water loss from the samples.Peer reviewe

Graphical representation of rules in an object-oriented environment

In this paper a graphical representation of rules is proposed. The graphical rules are formulated based on Extended Entity-Relationship (EER) diagrams. Such diagrams are compiled into an object-oriented language code that is included as a component of the developed software system. Other components can be directly coded in an object-oriented language or generated using other graphical tools. We identify and discuss two types of graphical rules: class graphical rules and instance graphical rules. The syntax and semantics of both types of graphical rules are discussed. The graphical rules can contain object-oriented code in addition to graphical diagrams. The methods of integration of diagrams and object-oriented code are described

Graphical representation of rules in an object-oriented environment

In this paper a graphical representation of rules is proposed. The graphical rules are formulated based on Extended Entity-Relationship (EER) diagrams. Such diagrams are compiled into an object-oriented language code that is included as a component of the developed software system. Other components can be directly coded in an object-oriented language or generated using other graphical tools. We identify and discuss two types of graphical rules: class graphical rules and instance graphical rules. The syntax and semantics of both types of graphical rules are discussed. The graphical rules can contain object-oriented code in addition to graphical diagrams. The methods of integration of diagrams and object-oriented code are described

The Impact of UML Class Diagrams on Knowledge Modeling, Discovery and Presentations

Typically, the Unified Modeling Language (UML) is used for visualizing, specifying, constructing, and documenting the artifacts of software-intensive systems. However, there have been some projects showing the usefulness of UML modeling of systems in other areas. In this paper we discuss how to model knowledge from an example subject area and how to convert this model into a well-structured UML graph. UML models can be built to gain a deeper understanding of a subject area, to guide knowledge discovery, to prepare better presentations about the subject (including Web presentations), or to support the learning process. We concentrate our discussion on the impact of UML diagrams on improving learning and, specifically, on new generation Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI) tools that are based on UML diagrams. Keywords: Unified Modeling Language, Computer Assisted Instruction, Learning