Properties of a genetic algorithm extended by a random self-learning operator and asymmetric mutations: A convergence study for a task of powder-pattern indexing

Genetic algorithms represent a powerful global-optimisation tool applicable in solving tasks of high complexity in science, technology, medicine, communication, etc. The usual genetic-algorithm calculation scheme is extended here by introduction of a quadratic self-learning operator, which performs a partial local search for randomly selected representatives of the population. This operator is aimed as a minor deterministic contribution to the (stochastic) genetic search. The population representing the trial solutions is split into two equal subpopulations allowed to exhibit different mutation rates (so called asymmetric mutation). The convergence is studied in detail exploiting a crystallographic-test example of indexing of powder diffraction data of orthorhombic lithium copper oxide, varying such parameters as mutation rates and the learning rate. It is shown through the averaged (over the subpopulation) fitness behaviour, how the genetic diversity in the population depends on the mutation rate of the given subpopulation. Conditions and algorithm parameter values favourable for convergence in the framework of proposed approach are discussed using the results for the mentioned example. Further data are studied with a somewhat modified algorithm using periodically varying mutation rates and a problem-specific operator. The chance of finding the global optimum and the convergence speed are observed to be strongly influenced by the effective mutation level and on the self-learning level. The optimal values of these two parameters are about 6 and 5%, respectively. The periodic changes of mutation rate are found to improve the explorative abilities of the algorithm. The results of the study confirm that the applied methodology leads to improvement of the classical genetic algorithm and, therefore, it is expected to be helpful in constructing of algorithms permitting to solve similar tasks of higher complexity.     

Influence of two grinding methods on the uncertainty of determinations of heavy metals in atomic absorption spectrometry/electrothermal atomisation of plant samples

 Chemical analyses of trace elements are affected by relatively high analytical errors due to the different steps of the laboratory procedures: samples grinding, mineralisation and instrumental measurements. In the present communication, the influence of the grinding phase on the global uncertainty of Pb, Cd, Ni and Cr determinations in plant samples by the classical method of atomic absorption spectrometry/electrothermal atomisation (AAS-ETA) after dry ashing is quantified. Two grinding machines, a planetary mill with balls and jars of agate versus a stainless steel grinder were compared by analysing leaf samples of cucumber, strawberry, kiwivines, apple trees and grapevines from agricultural experimental plots under controlled conditions. Variance components due to the difference between grinding methods and experimental plots were estimated. Further, the simultaneous effects of the grinding methods on all considered metals have been evaluated by analysis of variance. With the stainless steel grinder, on average, higher levels of the considered heavy metals were obtained (up to 67% of the mean values). On average, the increments were similar for metals contained in steel (Ni and Cr) and those not contained (Pb and Cd). The true causes of these differences need further investigation to determine whether the higher metal detection is due to possible contamination, to a different grinding quality or to other reasons. Finally, the grinding methods did not seem to affect the combined uncertainty of the analyses. Received: 3 November 1997 · Accepted: 29 November 1997     

Advances in two-dimensional GC with glass capillary columns

A versatile two-dimensional gas chromatograph is described, consisting of 2 separate ovens, one intermediate trap, an auxiliary inlet, and the necessary hardware to effect off-line switching according to the principle of Deans. The unit has been designed for use with high resolution glass capillary columns. The performance of individual instrumental components was critically evaluated. Results showed that low dead volume glass to metal connections were required in the manifold and detector lines to minimize extra-column effects. The mass of the intermediate trap must be low to allow rapid heating. Operational parameters are discussed and examples of some applications are shown.     

Analysis of Early Medieval Glass Beads – The Raw Materials to Produce Green, Orange and Brown Colours

 Monochrome coloured glass beads of the Merovingians (5^th–7^th cent. AD) have been examined by different analytical methods. The elemental composition of a large number of mostly unprepared beads have been measured non-destructively by X-ray fluorescence analysis. After subtracting the content of the colouring oxides of the glass beads and normalising the residual values to 100% an identical soda-lime-glass matrix was obtained. X-ray diffraction was used for the identification of the crystalline colouring and opacifying pigments (SnO₂, Cu, Cu₂O, PbSnO₃), and scanning electron microscopy as well as electron probe microanalysis were applied to study the microstructure and the composition of white, brown, green, orange and yellow coloured glass beads. Oxidised metals, alloys (lead, copper, bronze, brass and mixtures of them) and iron smelting slag have been identified as raw materials to colour the soda-lime-glass.     

Dissociation equilibrium between uncharged and charged local anesthetic lidocaine in a surface-adsorbed film

The dissociation equilibrium between uncharged local anesthetic lidocaine (LC) and charged local anesthetic LC (LCH⁺) in a surface-adsorbed film was investigated by measuring the surface tension and pH of aqueous solutions of a mixture of hydrochloric acid and LC. The surface tension values decreased slightly with increasing total molality m_t at 0X₂0.5, where X₂ is the mole fraction of LC in the mixture, while they decreased rapidly with increasing m_t at 0.5<X₂1. It was shown from the pH measurements that almost all LC molecules were changed into LCH⁺ ions by protonation at 0X₂0.5 and both forms coexisted only at 0.5<X₂1. The quantities of the respective LC and LCH⁺ transferred from the aqueous solution to the adsorbed film, i.e., their surface densities, were calculated by applying the thermodynamic equations derived to the surface tension and pH data. A greater quantity of LC than LCH⁺ existed in the adsorbed film at the coexisting composition. The partitioning behavior of LC and LCH⁺ in the adsorbed film was characterized by three composition regions: (1) slight partitioning of low surface-active LCH⁺ in the region at 0X₂0.5, (2) preferential partitioning of LC at 0.5<X₂<around 0.7, and (3) negative partitioning of LCH⁺ at around 0.7X₂1. The present results clearly indicate that uncharged local anesthetics transfer into hydrophobic environments such as cell membranes more than charged ones.     

微波-同时蒸馏萃取分离肉桂挥发性成分分析

经粉碎的肉桂干燥树皮置于去离子水中微波加热处理后,用自制的同时蒸馏-萃取装置,以重蒸乙醚为溶剂将试样中的挥发组分萃取分离。用旋转蒸发器除去乙醚后即得到含有试样中挥发组分的透明的黄色液体,收得率为6.5%,应用GC/MS法对黄色液体的组分进行定性和定量分析。借助于联机的计算机和相关软件并用峰面积-归一化计算测得其中共有27个化合物,其中含量最高的是肉桂醛,达94.36%。另取部分上述挥发油(即黄色液体),用加成分解法将其中肉桂醛转化为一种加成产物以沉淀形式析出,即将黄色液体与NaHSO3共置于微波炉中,在不超过10℃的条件下处理直至加成物完全析出。将此加成物分出,并用0.1 mol.L-1盐酸进行水解处理,使加成物恢复成纯度较高的肉桂醛,用IR及MS对其组成及结构作进一步确认。     

紫外分光光度法测定高山红景天根及其浸膏的有效成分

使用紫外分光光度法测定了高山红景天根不同部位及其浸膏中主要有效成分的含量.红景天甙、酪醇对照品溶液和供试品溶液在276nm处具有最大吸收峰,红景天甙对照品溶液的线性回归方程为A=0.00529c+0.00189,r=0.99997(n=8),线性范围为7.97～71.71mg/L,平均回收率为98.08%,RSD为2.60%(n=5).测得高山红景天原药材内层部分、外皮层部分和总体混合物部分主要有效成分(红景天甙和酪醇)的含量(以红景天甙计)分别为2.789%,2.385%和2.617%,其浸膏中主要有效成分的质量分数分别为6.384%,13.80%和6.700%.并用HPLC法验证了该法的准确性,结果表明,该法可用于红景天属植物原药材及其浸膏中主要有效成分的定量分析.     

Fermentation characteristics and the dynamic trend of chemical components during fermentation of Massa Medicata Fermentata

As a representative of traditionally fermented Chinese medicine, Massa Medicata Fermentata (MMF) shows the functions of invigorating the spleen and stomach and promoting digestion, which plays an important role in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. The fermentation mechanism and the key factors that affect the quality of MMF have not been revealed yet, which has become an urgent issue that limits its clinical application. This article aims to systematically and comprehensively reveal the transformation of physical properties and the dynamic trend of chemical components including substrate components, volatile components, and lactic acid as anaerobic fermentation product during MMF fermentation. Along with obvious hyphae growth observed for MMF, the weight of MMF decreased, and the moisture and temperature increased. Through the quantified 14 components from substrate, ferulic acid increased from 45.53 ± 6.94 to 141.89 ± 78.40 μg/g, while glycosides and phenolic acids declined except caffeic acid. Also, within the 66 volatile components analyzed, alcohols and acids increased, while aldehydes and ketones decreased. Lactic acid was not detected in the fermentation substrate, but an apparent increase in lactic acid content was observed along with the increased fermentation days, resulting in 2.54 ± 0.15 mg/g on day 8. Based on the tested components, the fermentation process of MMF was discriminated into three distinct stages by principal component analysis, and an optimal fermentation time of four days was proposed. The results of this study will be of great significance to clarify the characteristics of fermentation and conduce to improving quality standards of MMF.     

油菜花粉气味成分研究

为了提高气相色谱/质谱的检出灵敏度,采用进样新方法对油菜花粉气味组分进行分离测定,对下列11种成分作了鉴定:二甲二硫;正辛烷;1,3-二甲苯,异硫氰酸丙烯酯;1,4-二甲苯;1,2-二甲苯;3,4-二甲基庚烷;二甲三硫;2-甲基-5-已烯腈;萘;对-甲氧基苯丙烯。     

军民融合背景下地方政府支持与民企参军行为的演化博弈研究

民参军是军民融合的重要组成内容,政府支持对于民参军的顺利进行发挥着关键作用。本文通过建立军民融合背景下的地方政府支持与民企参军行为的演化博弈模型,考察了参与者的决策演化过程,分析了参与者的进化稳定策略及影响因素。研究表明,增加地方政府对民企的资金奖励、加大民企参军税收优惠、民企资金收益率的提升,以及积极参军成本的降低,会使民企策略选择向积极参军方向演化,但却使地方政府行为向弱力度支持策略演化;而提升中央政府对地方政府的资金补助,降低地方政府支持民企积极参军的服务成本,不仅促使民企选择积极参军策略,还能促使地方政府选择强力度支持策略。最后,对模型结果进行算例分析,验证了结论的合理性。研究结果可以为当前民参军实践提供一定的理论指导。