Optimizing the Number of Learning Cycles in the Design of Radial Basis Neural Networks

Abstract. Radial Basis Neural (RBN) network has the power of the universal approximation function and the convergence of those networks is very fast compared to multilayer feedforward neural networks. However, how to determine the architecture of the RBN networks to solve a given problem is not straightforward. In addition, the number of hidden units allocated in an RBN network seems to be a critical factor in the performance of these networks. In this work, the design of RBN network is based on the cooperation of n + m agents: n RBN agents and m manager agents. The n + m agents are organized in a Multi-agent System. The training process is distributed among the n RBN agents, each one with a different number of neurons. Each agent executes a number of training cyeles, a stage, when the manager decides about that is the best RBN agent and sends it the corresponding message. The m manager agents have in charge to control the evolution of each problem. Each manager agent controls one problem. Manager agents govern the whole process; each one decides about the b~st RBN agent in each stage for each problem. The results show that the proposed method is able to find them most adequate RBN network architecture. In addition, a reduction in the number of training cyeles is obtained with the proposed Multi-agent strategy instead of sequential strategy.Publicad

3D effects on transport and plasma control in the TJ-II stellarator

The effects of 3D geometry are explored in TJ-II from two relevant points of view: neoclassical transport and modification of stability and dispersion relation of waves. Particle fuelling and impurity transport are studied considering the 3D transport properties, paying attention to both neoclassical transport and other possible mechanisms. The effects of the 3D magnetic topology on stability, confinement and Alfven Eigenmodes properties are also explored, showing the possibility of controlling Alfven modes by modifying the configuration; the onset of modes similar to geodesic acoustic modes are driven by fast electrons or fast ions; and the weak effect of magnetic well on confinement. Finally, we show innovative power exhaust scenarios using liquid metals.This work has been carried out within the framework of the EUROfusion Consortium and has received funding from the Euratom research and training programme 2014-2018 under grant agreement No 633053. The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the European Comission. This work has been also funded by the Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad under Projects ENE2013-48109-P, ENE2013-48679-R, ENE2014-52174-P, ENE2014-58918-R, ENE2014-56517-R, ENE2014-56517-R, ENE2015-64914-C3-1-R, ENE2015-70142-P. Research and data analysis done by Kurchatov team (chapters 2, 3 and 7) were funded by Russian Science Foundation, Project 14-22-00193. The work of AVM was partly supported by the Competitiveness Program of NRNU MEPhI

Combined kinetic and DFT studies on the stabilization of the pyramidal form of H3PO2 at the heterometal site of [Mo3M’S4(H2O)10]4+ clusters (M’= Pd, Ni)

Kinetic and DFT studies have been carried out on the reaction of the [Mo3M’S4(H2O)10]4+ clusters (M’= Pd, Ni) with H3PO2 to form the [Mo3M’(pyr-H3PO2)S4(H2O)9]4+ complexes, in which the rare pyramidal form of H3PO2 is stabilized by coordination to the M’ site of the clusters. The reaction proceeds with biphasic kinetics, both steps showing a first order dependence with respect to H3PO2. These results are interpreted in terms of a mechanism that involves an initial substitution step in which one tetrahedral H3PO2 molecule coordinates to M’ through the oxygen atom of the P=O bond, followed by a second step that consists in tautomerization of coordinated H3PO2 assisted by a second H3PO2 molecule. DFT studies have been carried out to obtain information on the details of both kinetic steps, the major finding being that the role of the additional H3PO2 molecule in the second step consists in catalysing a hydrogen shift from phosphorus to oxygen in O-coordinated H3PO2, which is made possible by its capability of accepting a proton from P-H to form H4PO2 + and then transfer it to the oxygen. DFT studies have been also carried out on the reaction at the Mo centres to understand the reasons that make these metal centres ineffective for promoting tautomerizatio

Hypoacusia in a Patient Treated by Isotretinoin

Isotretinoin is the most effective treatment for severe acne, but there are several adverse effects associated with its use, some of them very exceptional (<1/10000). We report one case of hypoacusia and tinnitus in a 15-year-old boy treated with isotretinoin during 6 weeks, who quickly improved after isotretinoin withdrawal. Also, we comment other publications about hearing alterations in patients treated with isotretinoin and other retinoids

Stripe domains in electrodeposited Ni90Fe10 thin films

Here we have investigated the formation of stripe domains in electrodeposited Ni90Fe10 films, a metallic alloy with relevant magnetoelastic properties. The X-ray diffractometry patterns confirm the deposition of NiFe with an experimental lattice parameter close to the theoretical value. We have analyzed the influence of both magnetic stirring and an applied magnetic field perpendicular to the sample plane on the formation of stripe domains in Ni90Fe10 films. It is observed the characteristic fingerprint of stripe domains, i.e. the transcritical shape in the in-plane hysteresis loops when the electrolyte is not magnetically stirred during electrodeposition. The quality factor reveals a moderate perpendicular magnetic anisotropy which is confirmed by the stripe periodicity inferred by Magnetic Force Microscopy. In particular, stripe domains are only visible by this technique when the sample thickness is well above the theoretical critical thickness for the stripe domains to be formed. Finally, in samples released after being grown in outward bent flexible substrates it has been promoted an induced in-plane magnetoelastic magnetic anisotropy that reduces the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. The high quality of the samples studied in this work from the magnetoelastic point of view is reflected by the magnetostriction constant of-22 ppm that it has been experimentally inferred

Obtaining and evaluation of enzymatic extract from Aspergillus spp. by saccharification of sour cassava starch liqued

The saccharification enzymes are more expensive than liquefaction enzymes for that reason are sought strategies that allow the supply of these enzymes at low cost. The objectives of this study were to evolve saccharolytic enzymatic extracts from native strains, to select an extract and to determine the best variables for the production of glucose syrups from liquefied bitter cassava starch.Thirteen mushrooms isolated from sour cassava (Manihot sp). were evaluated for their saccharolytic activity, hydrolysis of maltose, glucose production and biomass formation in submerged fermentation. Aspergillus A1 was selected because it had the highest volumetric activity (0.09UI.L-1). During solid-state fermentation, the presence of proteins was corroborated by electrophoresis SDS-PAGE. Through various experiments, the best experimental condition were pH 4.0, agitation 0r.p.m and temperature 55.0°C; the effect of cofactors Cu2+, K+, Mg2+ and Na+ was evaluated, Mg2+ increases the activity in 1.32UImg-1 (32.4%). The thermal stability at 55.0°C is 120 minutes. Finally, the saccharolytic capacity of the enzymatic extract was confirmed using liquefied cassava starch.Comercialmente as enzimas de sacarificação são mais custosas do que as de liquefação, por esta razão procuram-se estratégias que permitam fornecer este tipo de enzimas a baixo custo. Os objetivos deste estúdio foram avaliar extratos enzimáticos sacarolīticos de cepas nativas, selecionar um extrato e determinar as melhores variáveis para a produção de xaropes de glicose. Para isto, de treze fungos filamentosos isolados de mandioca amarga Manihot sp., foram avaliadas a atividade sacarolítica, a hidrólise de maltose, a produção de glicose e a formação de biomassa em condições de fermentação submersa. O isolamento Aspergillus A1 foi selecionado por apresentar a maior atividade volumétrica (0,091UI.L-1). Durante a fermentação em superfície a presença de proteínas foi confirmada pelo método de eletroforese de SDS-PAGE junto com uma banda de maior intensidade com peso molecular entre os 60 e 70kDa. Para os preparados enzimáticos de Aspergillus A1 determinou-se que as melhores condições experimentais de sacarificação usando maltose como substrato foram pH 4,0, temperatura de 55,0°C, sem agitação. Igualmente na avaliação do efeito dos cofatores Cu2+, K+, Mg2+ e Na+ em concentrações de 1 mM, observou-se que todos incrementam a atividade enzimática principalmente o Mg2+ em 1,32UI.mg-1 (32,4%) em relação ao controle. A estabilidade térmica da proteína de 55,0°C é de 120 minutos. A capacidade sacarolítica do extrato enzimático foi confirmada usando substrato hidrolisado de mandioca amarga.Comercialmente las enzimas de sacarificación son más costosas que las de licuefacción, por tal razón se buscan estrategias que permitan el suministro de estas enzimas a bajo costo. Los objetivos de este estudio fueron evaluar extractos enzimáticos sacarolíticos a partir de cepas nativas, seleccionar un extracto y determinar las mejores variables para la producción de jarabes de glucosa. Para ello, en trece hongos filamentosos aislados de yuca amarga Manihot sp. fueron evaluadas la actividad sacarolítica, la hidrólisis de maltosa, la producción de glucosa y la formación de biomasa bajo condiciones de fermentación sumergida. El aislamiento identificado como Aspergillus A1 fue seleccionado por presentar la más alta actividad volumétrica (0,09UI.L-1). Durante la fermentación en estado sólido se corroboró la presencia de proteínas mediante el método de electroforesis SDS-PAGE y se evidenció una banda de mayor intensidad con peso molecular entre 60 y 70 kDa. Para el extracto enzimático de Aspergillus A1 se determinó que las mejores condiciones experimentales de sacarificación, con el uso de maltosa como sustrato, fueron pH 4,0, temperatura 55,0 °C, y sin agitación. Igualmente en la evaluación del efecto de los cofactores Cu2+, K+, Mg2+ y Na+ en concentraciones de 1 mM, se observó que todos incrementan la&nbsp;actividad enzimática especialmente el Mg2+ , el cual la aumenta en 1,32 UI.mg-1 (32,4%). La estabilidad térmica de la proteína a 55,0°C fue de 120 minutos. La capacidad sacarolítica del extracto enzimático fue confirmada usando como sustrato almidón de yuca amarga licuado

Characterization of a population of helicotylenchus dihystera (cobb, 1893) sher, 1961, parasitizing maize roots, in southern Córdoba, Argentina

Los nematodos en espiral del género Helicotylenchus, son parásitos de raíz de numerosas plantas cultivadas y no cultivadas. La identificación específica puede resultar compleja porque comparten diferentes caracteres diagnósticos similares y muestran una considerable variabilidad interespecífica. Su reconocimiento resulta esencial para poder establecer estrategias apropiadas de control o para prevenir su propagación a otras áreas. En este trabajo se evaluaron caracteres morfológicos y caracteres morfométricos de una población relacionada con el cultivo de maíz. Al mismo tiempo, análisis moleculares por PCR de una región del D2-D3 del gen 28s y la región 5.8s-ITS2 permitieron generar dos nuevas secuencias que fueron depositadas en Genbank. Además, por análisis filogenéticos utilizando inferencia Bayesiana, se complementó la identificación de la especie. Este trabajo constituye la primera caracterización morfológica, morfométrica y molecular de una población de Helicotylenchus dihystera para Argentina.Fil: Brücher, Elsa. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias; ArgentinaFil: Vuletic, Ezequiel Esteban.Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias; ArgentinaFil: Guerra, Fernando Andrés. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias; ArgentinaFil: De Rossi, Roberto Luis. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias; ArgentinaFil: Plazas, María Cristina. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias; ArgentinaFil: Guerra, Gustavo Darío. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias; Argentin

Immunohistochemical analysis of knee chondral defect repair after autologous particulated cartilage and platelet-rich plasma treatment in sheep

This study performs an analysis that will enable the evaluation of the quality, durability, and structure of repaired cartilaginous extracellular matrix tissue using an autologous-based particulated autograft cartilage and platelet-rich plasma treatment (PACI + PRP). A single-blind controlled experiment was conducted on 28 sheep to evaluate the efficacy of the PACI + PRP treatment for cartilage defects. Full-thickness 8 mm diameter defects were created in the weight-bearing area of both knees. The right knees received PACI + PRP. The left knees were treated with Ringer’s lactate solution (RLS) or hyaluronic acid (HA) injections. Sheep were euthanized at 9- or 18-months post-surgery. An extensive immunohistochemical analysis was performed to assess collagen types (I, II, III, V, VI, IX, X, XI) and aggrecan positivity. A semiquantitative scoring system provided a detailed evaluation of immunostaining. Collagens and aggrecan scores in the PACI + PRP groups were similar to healthy cartilage. Significant differences were found in collagens associated with matrix maturity (II and V), degradation (IX), structure and mechanics (VI), and hypertrophy (X) between healthy cartilage and RLS- or HA-repaired cartilage. The PACI + PRP treatment advanced the repair cartilage process in chondral defects with mature hyaline cartilage and enhanced the structural and mechanical qualities with better consistent cartilage, less susceptible to degradation and without hypertrophic formation over tim