Retraction and Generalized Extension of Computing with Words

Fuzzy automata, whose input alphabet is a set of numbers or symbols, are a formal model of computing with values. Motivated by Zadeh's paradigm of computing with words rather than numbers, Ying proposed a kind of fuzzy automata, whose input alphabet consists of all fuzzy subsets of a set of symbols, as a formal model of computing with all words. In this paper, we introduce a somewhat general formal model of computing with (some special) words. The new features of the model are that the input alphabet only comprises some (not necessarily all) fuzzy subsets of a set of symbols and the fuzzy transition function can be specified arbitrarily. By employing the methodology of fuzzy control, we establish a retraction principle from computing with words to computing with values for handling crisp inputs and a generalized extension principle from computing with words to computing with all words for handling fuzzy inputs. These principles show that computing with values and computing with all words can be respectively implemented by computing with words. Some algebraic properties of retractions and generalized extensions are addressed as well.Comment: 13 double column pages; 3 figures; to be published in the IEEE Transactions on Fuzzy System

Observation of prolonged coherence time of the collective spin wave of atomic ensemble in a paraffin coated Rb vapor cell

We report a prolonged coherence time of the collective spin wave of a thermal 87Rb atomic ensemble in a paraffin coated cell. The spin wave is prepared through a stimulated Raman Process. The long coherence time time is achieved by prolonging the lifetime of the spins with paraffin coating and minimize dephasing with optimal experimental configuration. The observation of the long time delayed-stimulated Stokes signal in the writing process suggests the prolonged lifetime of the prepared spins; a direct measurement of the decay of anti-Stokes signal in the reading process shows the coherence time is up to 300 us after minimizing dephasing. This is one hundred times longer than the reported coherence time in the similar experiments in thermal atomic ensembles based on the Duan-Lukin-Cirac-Zoller (DLCZ) and its improved protocols. This prolonged coherence time sets the upper limit of the memory time in quantum repeaters based on such protocols, which is crucial for the realization of long-distance quantum communication. The previous reported fluorescence background in the writing process due to collision in a sample cell with buffer gas is also reduced in a cell without buffer gas.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Damage Detection of Structures Identified with Deterministic-Stochastic Models Using Seismic Data

A deterministic-stochastic subspace identification method is adopted and experimentally verified in this study to identify the equivalent single-input-multiple-output system parameters of the discrete-time state equation. The method of damage locating vector (DLV) is then considered for damage detection. A series of shaking table tests using a five-storey steel frame has been conducted. Both single and multiple damage conditions at various locations have been considered. In the system identification analysis, either full or partial observation conditions have been taken into account. It has been shown that the damaged stories can be identified from global responses of the structure to earthquakes if sufficiently observed. In addition to detecting damage(s) with respect to the intact structure, identification of new or extended damages of the as-damaged counterpart has also been studied. This study gives further insights into the scheme in terms of effectiveness, robustness, and limitation for damage localization of frame systems

Bridge scour evaluation based on ambient vibration

The vulnerability of bridges to hazards such as earthquakes, wind and floods necessitates special structural characteristics. To guarantee the stability of bridge structures, the precise evaluation of the scour depth of bridge foundation has recently become an important issue, as most of the unexpected damage to or collapse of bridges has been attributed to hydraulic issues. In this paper, a vibration-based bridge health monitoring system that utilizes only the response of superstructure to rapidly evaluate the embedded depth of a bridge column is proposed. To clarify the complex fluid-solid coupling phenomenon, the effects of embedded depth and water level were first verified through a series of static experiments. A confined finite element model simulated by soil spring effects was then established to illustrate the relationship between the fundamental frequency and the embedded depth. Using the proposed algorithm, the health of the bridge is able to be inferred by processing the ambient vibration response of the superstructure. To implement the proposed algorithm, a SHM prototype system monitoring environmental factors such as temperature, water level, and inclination was developed to support on-line processing. The performance of the proposed system was verified by a series of dynamic bridge scour experiments conducted in a laboratory flume and compared with readings from a water-proof camera. The results showed that using the proposed vibration-based bridge health monitoring system, the embedded depth of bridge column during complex scour processes is able to be reliably calculated

{μ-6,6′-Dimeth­oxy-2,2′-[propane-1,3-diylbis(nitrilo­methyl­idyne)]diphenolato}trinitratocopper(II)europium(III)

In the title complex, [CuEu(C19H20N2O4)(NO3)3], the CuII ion is four-coordinated in a square-planar geometry by two O atoms and two N atoms of the deprotonated Schiff base. The EuIII atom is ten-coordinate, chelated by three nitrate groups and linked to the four O atoms of the deprotonated Schiff base

Evidence of d-phenylglycine as delivering tool for improving l-dopa absorption

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>l</it>-Dopa has been used for Parkinson's disease management for a long time. However, its wide variety in the rate and the extent of absorption remained challenge in designing suitable therapeutic regime. We report here a design of using <it>d</it>-phenylglycine to guard <it>l</it>-dopa for better absorption in the intestine via intestinal peptide transporter I (PepT1).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p><it>d</it>-Phenylglycine was chemically attached on <it>l</it>-dopa to form <it>d</it>-phenylglycine-<it>l</it>-dopa as a dipeptide prodrug of <it>l</it>-dopa. The cross-membrane transport of this dipeptide and <it>l</it>-dopa via PepT1 was compared in brush-boarder membrane vesicle (BBMV) prepared from rat intestine. The intestinal absorption was compared by <it>in situ </it>jejunal perfusion in rats. The pharmacokinetics after i.v. and p.o. administration of both compounds were also compared in Wistar rats. The striatal dopamine released after i.v. administration of <it>d</it>-phenylglycine-<it>l</it>-dopa was collected by brain microdialysis and monitored by HPLC. Anti-Parkinsonism effect was determined by counting the rotation of 6-OHDA-treated unilateral striatal lesioned rats elicited rotation with (+)-methamphetamine (MA).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The BBMV uptake of <it>d</it>-phenylglycine-<it>l</it>-dopa was inhibited by Gly-Pro, Gly-Phe and cephradine, the typical PepT1 substrates, but not by amino acids Phe or <it>l</it>-dopa. The cross-membrane permeability (Pm*) determined in rat jejunal perfusion of <it>d</it>-phenylglycine-<it>l</it>-dopa was higher than that of <it>l</it>-dopa (2.58 ± 0.14 vs. 0.94 ± 0.10). The oral bioavailability of <it>d</it>-phenylglycine-<it>l</it>-dopa was 31.7 times higher than that of <it>l-</it>dopa in rats. A sustained releasing profile of striatal dopamine was demonstrated after i. v. injection of <it>d</it>-phenylglycine-<it>l</it>-dopa (50 mg/kg), indicated that <it>d</it>-phenylglycine-<it>l</it>-dopa might be a prodrug of dopamine. <it>d</it>-Phenylglycine-<it>l</it>-dopa was more efficient than <it>l-</it>dopa in lowering the rotation of unilateral striatal lesioned rats (19.1 ± 1.7% vs. 9.9 ± 1.4%).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The BBMV uptake studies indicated that <it>d</it>-phenylglycine facilitated the transport of <it>l</it>-dopa through the intestinal PepT1 transporter. The higher jejunal permeability and the improved systemic bioavailability of <it>d-</it>phenylglycine-<it>l</it>-dopa in comparison to that of <it>l</it>-dopa suggested that <it>d-</it>phenylglycine is an effective delivery tool for improving the oral absorption of drugs like <it>l</it>-dopa with unsatisfactory pharmacokinetics. The gradual release of dopamine in brain striatum rendered this dipeptide as a potential dopamine sustained-releasing prodrug.</p

Ethyl 5-{[(E)-2-(isonicotinoyl)hydrazinyl­idene]methyl}-3,4-dimethyl-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxyl­ate dihydrate

In the title compound, C16H18N4O3·2H2O, the dihedral angle between the pyrrole and pyridine rings in the hydrazone mol­ecule is 7.12 (3)°. In the crystal structure, inter­molecular N—H⋯O, O—H⋯N and O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds link the hydrazone and water mol­ecules into double layers parallel to (101). The crystal packing exhibits weak π–π inter­actions between the pyrrole and pyridine rings of neighbouring hydrazone mol­ecules [centroid–centroid distance = 3.777 (3) Å]. The crystal studied was a non-merohedral twin, the refined ratio of twin domains being 0.73 (3):0.27 (3)

Understanding Potential Cyber-Armies in Elections: A Study of Taiwan

Currently, online social networks are essential platforms for political organizations to monitor public opinion, disseminate information, argue with the opposition, and even achieve spin control. However, once such purposeful/aggressive articles flood social sites, it would be more difficult for users to distinguish which messages to read or to trust. In this paper, we aim to address this issue by identifying potential “cyber-armies/professional users” during election campaigns on social platforms. We focus on human-operated accounts who try to influence public discussions, for instance, by publishing hundreds/thousands of comments to show their support or rejection of particular candidates. To achieve our objectives, we collected activity data over six months from a prominent Taiwan-based social forum before the 2018 national election and applied a series of statistical analyses to screen out potential targets. From the results, we successfully identified several accounts according to distinctive characteristics that corresponded to professional users. According to the findings, users and platforms could realize potential information manipulation and increase the transparency of the online society