Using a CLIPS expert system to automatically manage TCP/IP networks and their components

A expert system that can directly manage networks components on a Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) network is described. Previous expert systems for managing networks have focused on managing network faults after they occur. However, this proactive expert system can monitor and control network components in near real time. The ability to directly manage network elements from the C Language Integrated Production System (CLIPS) is accomplished by the integration of the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) and a Abstract Syntax Notation (ASN) parser into the CLIPS artificial intelligence language

HOW TO WIN AN ELECTION

What is the best way to spend money on an election? While it may seem the best to spendcampaign funds on furthering your campaign through advertising, the most optimal way to winan election may be to spend on other candidates. This project is a political science project basedon the idea that using campaign funds on other candidates may be the best way to win anelection. The outcome of this can be that candidates match up better against one candidate ratherthan the other due to factors such as charisma, career experience, and position in politics. Anexample of this is that funds may go to a candidate that is more radical politically while thecandidate spending the money is more moderate. Therefore, the more moderate candidate willappeal to a much wider audience and therefore win rather than going against another moderatecandidate. This idea will be based around Game Theory and using statistical models to showcasethis idea. This strategy is something not commonly used, but hopefully, this project showcasesthe effectiveness of this unorthodox method

Constructing complex graphics applications with CLIPS and the X window system

This article will demonstrate how the artificial intelligence concepts in CLIPS used to solve problems encountered in the design and implementation of graphics applications within the UNIX-X Window System environment. The design of an extended version of CLIPS, called XCLIPS, is presented to show how the X Windows System graphics can be incorporated without losing DOS compatibility. Using XCLIPS, a sample scientific application is built that applies solving capabilities of both two and three dimensional graphics presentations in conjunction with the standard CLIPS features

Servant as leader : critical requirements for the appointment and training of retirement fund trustees

Abstract: The South African retirement fund industry ranks among the 15 largest retirement fund industries internationally, with some 8 million members and assets under management of close to R2 trillion. However, to be successful, retirement funds need good governance. Research purpose: To explore the most critical servant leadership qualities required that can serve as profile in the selection, appointment and training of retirement fund trustees (RFTs) to serve on boards of trustees of retirement funds in the South African context. Motivation for the study: The South African National Treasury’s retirement reform proposal clearly articulates government’s concern for the poor governance of retirement fund assets by appointed boards of trustees and the broader implications on social and economic security in retirement. It promotes the regulation of standards relating to the minimum qualifications and expertise needed to be appointed to serve on a board of trustees (BoTs). Although the measures proposed by government to improve fund governance and the role of the RFTs are sound in principle, it does not inform the character, leadership qualities or leadership competence desired for RFTs, thus leaving the management of funds in the hands of people who must make investment decisions when they themselves are not fully committed..

Quality of life of women with urinary incontinence in rehabilitation treatment

This article analyzed how sexual satisfaction, suffering, severity and impact of urinary incontinence, and psychological morbidity affected women's quality of life and whether suffering mediated the relationship between psychological morbidity and quality of life. The study included 80 women diagnosed with urinary incontinence receiving rehabilitation treatment. Regression analysis showed that sexual satisfaction, suffering, and urinary incontinence severity and impact predicted quality of life and that suffering mediated the relationship between psychological morbidity and quality of life. The findings suggest that interventions should be tailored according to the suffering reported by women and the impact of the urinary incontinence on the couple's sexual relationship.(undefined

Differences of cardiac output measurements by open-circuit acetylene uptake in pulmonary arterial hypertension and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension: a cohort study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>As differences in gas exchange between pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) have been demonstrated, we asked if cardiac output measurements determined by acetylene (C₂H₂) uptake significantly differed in these diseases when compared to the thermodilution technique.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>Single-breath open-circuit C₂H₂uptake, thermodilution, and cardiopulmonary exercise testing were performed in 72 PAH and 32 CTEPH patients.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In PAH patients the results for cardiac output obtained by the two methods showed an acceptable agreement with a mean difference of -0.16 L/min (95% CI -2.64 to 2.32 L/min). In contrast, the agreement was poorer in the CTEPH group with the difference being -0.56 L/min (95% CI -4.96 to 3.84 L/min). Functional dead space ventilation (44.5 ± 1.6 vs. 32.2 ± 1.4%, p < 0.001) and the mean arterial to end-tidal CO₂gradient (9.9 ± 0.8 vs. 4.1 ± 0.5 mmHg, p < 0.001) were significantly elevated among CTEPH patients.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Cardiac output evaluation by the C₂H₂technique should be interpreted with caution in CTEPH, as ventilation to perfusion mismatching might be more relevant than in PAH.</p

Modelling and analysis of pH responsive hydrogels for the development of biomimetic photo-actuating structures

ABSTRACTPhoto-actuating structures inspired by the chemical sensing and signal transmission observed in sun-tracking leaves have recently been proposed by Dicker et al. The proposed light tracking structures are complex, multicomponent material systems, principally composed of a reversible photoacid or base, combined with a pH responsive hydrogel actuator. New modelling and characterization approaches for pH responsive hydrogels are presented in order to facilitate the development of the proposed structures. The model employs Donnan equilibrium for the prediction of hydrogel swelling in systems where the pH change is a variable resulting from the equilibrium interaction of all free and fixed (hydrogel) species. The model allows for the fast analysis of a variety of combinations of material parameters, allowing for the design space for the proposed photo-actuating structures to be quickly established. In addition, experimental examination of the swelling of a polyether-based polyurethane and poly(acrylic acid) interpenetrating network hydrogel is presented. The experiment involves simultaneously performing a titration of the hydrogel, and undertaking digital image correlation (DIC) to determine the hydrogel’s state of swelling. DIC allows for the recording of the hydrogel’s state of swelling with previously unattained levels of resolution. Experimental results provide both model material properties, and a means for model validation.</jats:p

Markerless attenuation correction for carotid MRI surface receiver coils in combined PET/MR imaging.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of attenuation of MR coils on quantitative carotid PET/MR exams. Additionally, an automated attenuation correction method for flexible carotid MR coils was developed and evaluated.The attenuation of the carotid coil was measured by imaging a uniform water phantom injected with 37 MBq of 18F-FDG in a combined PET/MR scanner for 24 min with and without the coil. In the same session, an ultra-short echo time (UTE) image of the coil on top of the phantom was acquired. Using a combination of rigid and non-rigid registration, a CT-based attenuation map was registered to the UTE image of the coil for attenuation and scatter correction. After phantom validation, the effect of the carotid coil attenuation and the attenuation correction method were evaluated in five subjects.Phantom studies indicated that the overall loss of PET counts due to the coil was 6.3% with local region-of-interest (ROI) errors reaching up to 18.8%. Our registration method to correct for attenuation from the coil decreased the global error and local error (ROI) to 0.8% and 3.8%, respectively. The proposed registration method accurately captured the location and shape of the coil with a maximum spatial error of 2.6 mm. Quantitative analysis in human studies correlated with the phantom findings, but was dependent on the size of the ROI used in the analysis.MR coils result in significant error in PET quantification and thus attenuation correction is needed. The proposed strategy provides an operator-free method for attenuation and scatter correction for a flexible MRI carotid surface coil for routine clinical use

Chiral perylene materials by ionic self-assembly

Two chiral complexes (1-SDS and 1-SDBS) were prepared via the ionic self-assembly of a chiral perylene diimide tecton with oppositely charged surfactants. The effect of surfactant tail architecture on the self-assembly properties and supramolecular structure was investigated in detail using UV–vis, IR, circular dichroism, light microscopy, X-ray diffraction studies, and electron microscopy. The results obtained revealed the molecular chirality of the parent perylene tecton could be translated into supramolecular helical chirality of the resulting complexes via primary ionic interactions through careful choice of solvent and concentration. Differing solvent-dependent aggregation behavior was observed for these complexes as a result of the different possible noncovalent interactions via the surfactant alkyl tails. The results presented in this study demonstrate that ionic self-assembly (ISA) is a facile strategy for the production of chiral supramolecular materials based on perylene diimides. The structure–function relationship is easily explored here due to the wide selection and easy availability of common surfactants