Functional networks are a recently introduced extension of neural networks, which deal with general functional models instead of sigmoidal-like ones. In this paper, we propose complex functional networks, whose inputs, outputs, neural functions and arguments are all complex-valued. The general...

Site selection plays an important role in the entire life cycle of solar thermal power plant (STPP) and the multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) methods are very important in the whole STPP site selection process. Some problems in the present MCDM methods decrease the evaluation quality of STPP...

In making alternative fuels from biomass feedstocks, the production of butyric acid is a key intermediate in the two-step production of butanol. The fermentation of glucose via <em>Clostridium tyrobutyricum </em>to butyric acid produces undesirable byproducts, including lactic acid and acetic acid, which...

A mathematical model was developed to describe batch and continuous fermentation of glucose to organic acids with <i>Clostridium tyrobutyricum</i>. A modified Monod equation was used to describe cell growth, and a Luedeking-Piret equation was used to describe the production of butyric and acetic acids....

This study attempts to examine empirically how social institutional factors relate to Internet diffusion in 39 countries. Based on nine-year cross-country data, the analytical results show that the rule of law, educational systems, and industrialization significantly influenced the global...

A number of prototype thermoelectric refrigerators are investigated and their cooling performances evaluated in terms of the coefficient-of-performance, heat-pumping capacity and cooling-down rate. The coefficient-of-performance of a thermoelectric refrigerator is found to be around 0.3-0.5 for...