Fusing multiple Bayesian knowledge sources

We address the problem of information fusion in uncertain environments. Imagine there are multiple experts building probabilistic models of the same situation and we wish to aggregate the information they provide. There are several problems we may run into by naively merging the information from each. For example, the experts may disagree on the probability of a certain event or they may disagree on the direction of causality between two events (e.g., one thinks A causes B while another thinks B causes A). They may even disagree on the entire structure of dependencies among a set of variables in a probabilistic network. In our proposed solution to this problem, we represent the probabilistic models as Bayesian Knowledge Bases (BKBs) and propose an algorithm called Bayesian knowledge fusion that allows the fusion of multiple BKBs into a single BKB that retains the information from all input sources. This allows for easy aggregation and de-aggregation of information from multiple expert sources and facilitates multi-expert decision making by providing a framework in which all opinions can be preserved and reasoned over.     

Effect of inter-miniband tunneling on current resonances due to the formation of stochastic conduction networks in superlattices

We study the effects of inter-miniband electron tunneling and electric field domains on the current–voltage and conductance–voltage curves of biased semiconductor superlattices under the action of a magnetic field that is tilted relative to the plane of the layers. For this geometry, electrons in the superlattice minibands exhibit a unique type of stochastic semiclassical motion. At certain critical values of the electric field within the superlattice layers, the stochastic trajectories change abruptly from fully localized to completely unbounded, and map out an intricate web-like mesh of conduction channels in phase space. Delocalization of the electron paths produces a series of strong resonant peaks in the electron drift velocity versus electric field curves. We use these drift velocity characteristics to make self-consistent drift-diffusion calculations of the current–voltage and differential conductance–voltage curves of the superlattices, which reveal strong resonant features originating from the sudden delocalization of the stochastic single-electron paths. We show that this delocalization has a pronounced effect on the distribution of space charge and electric field domains within the superlattices. Inter-miniband tunneling greatly reduces the amount of space-charge buildup, thus enhancing the domain structure and both the strength and number of the current resonances.     

The changing role of physical testing in vehicle development programmes

The role of physical testing in product development is changing due to the requirements for faster new product development, reduced tolerance of failures in the field and the emergence of computer aided engineering (CAE) technologies. To be used most effectively, testing must be seen as an integral part of the process for reducing risks associated with new product introductions. Quality function deployment (QFD) and failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) can be used to establish effective test and development plans that integrate the use of virtual and physical testing. By effectively integrating virtual and physical test technologies significant improvements in product performance can be achieved within shorter times and with reduced development and manufacturing costs. The approach was illustrated by a process of reducing in-cab noise during the design of a new truck.     

Non-local conductivity and the effective potential in small metal particles

We discuss the absorption of electromagnetic radiation in small conducting particles, in the case where the electron motion is diffusive. We refine an earlier theory in which we calculated the absorption coefficient using an effective potential describing the screened electric field. Our new theory incorporates the effects of non-locality in the electrical conductivity, and shows how the two limiting behaviours of the effective potential at high and low frequencies can be derived from a unified theory. Our results are in full agreement with our earlier calculation. Received: 3 November 1997 / Accepted: 29 January 1998     

Efficient Road Transport Scheduling

Journal of the Operational Research Society -     

烟草(Nicotiana tabacum)原生质体再生成植株及影响植株分化的某些因素

从烟草(品种革新一号)单倍体花粉植株的叶和茎产生的愈伤组织,结合悬浮培养,获得的细胞分离出原生质体。在液体培养基中静置培养,12小时后原生质体开始变为卵圆形,细胞壁明显可见,24小时后完成第一次细胞分裂。以后继续分裂形成浅黄色的愈伤组织,在培养四星期后可达1毫米大小,再放到转床上进行旋转培养18天左右,愈伤组织可达3—4毫米大小。当转移到分化培养基后,分别分化出苗及根,长成完整的植株。 原生质体再生细胞的分裂与分化,不仅受不同器官来源的愈伤组织及其年龄的影响;还受分化培养基的基本成份及所用细胞分裂素的类型等的影响。     

t-Butyl isocyanide complexes of rhenium(I), chromium(O), tungsten(O,I) and platinum(II); X-ray crystal structures of bis(t-butylisocyanide)- tris(trimethylphosphine)chlororhenium(I) and tris(t-butylisocyanide)bis(trimethyl- phosphine)chlororhenium(I)

The reduction of ReCl₄(THF)₂ in the presence of excess t-butylisocyanide by sodium amalgam produces pentakis(t-butylisocyanide)chlororhenium(I), which has been converted to the corresponding methyl and ethyl derivatives. The reaction of pentakis(trimethylphosphine)chlororhenium(I) with Bu^tNC gives partially substituted complexes, ReCl(CNBu^t)₂(PMe₃)3 and ReCl(CNBu^t)₃(PMe₃)₂. The structures of both compounds have been determined by X-ray methods. Octahedral ReCl(CNBu^t)₂(PMe₃)₃ has trans isocyanide groups with one linear [C---N---C = 175(1)°] and one slightly bent [C---N---C = 159(1)°]. The Re---C bond lengths are equal within experimental error [2.004(7), 2.003(7)Å]. In the octahedral ReCl(CNBu^t)₃(PMe₃)₂, for which the structure is not well defined, due to disorder, the unique isocyanide trans to chlorine is considerably bent at the nitrogen atom [C--- ---C = 141(6)°] and appears to show the shortest Re---C bond length, 1.94(5) vs 2.02(5)Å for the other two isocyanides which are mutually trans. Protonation of these two isocyanide complexes with fluoroboric acid gives, respectively, the salts [ReCl(CNBu^t)CNHBu^t(PMe₃)₃]BF₄ and [ReCl(CNBu^t)₂CNHBu^t(PMe₃)₂]BF₄, whose configurations have been determined by NMR spectroscopy. The reduction by sodium amalgam of Cr₂(CO₂Me)₄ in tetrahydrofuran in presence of Bu^tNC gives a high yield of Cr(CNBu^t)₆ while similar reduction of the dimeric tungsten(II) complex of the anion (mhp) of 2-methyl-6- hydroxypyridine gives W(CNBu^t)₆. Interaction of W₂(mhp)₄ in methanol-ether with Bu^tNC gives a tungsten(I) complex W₂(η-mhp)₂(Bu^tNC)₄, which may be an intermediate in the reductive cleavage reaction. Interaction of cis-PtMe₂(PMe₃)₂ with Bu^tNC leads only to replacement of one PMe₃ group to give the complex cis-PtMe₂(PMe₃)(CNBu^t).