bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Karyotype analysis in Hyacinthella dalmatica (Hyacinthaceae) reveals vertebrate-type telomere repeats at the chromosome ends
Authors: Puizina Jasna , Weiss-Schneeweiss Hanna , Pedrosa-Harand Andrea , Kamenjarin Juraj , Trinajstic Ivo , Riha Karel , Schweizer Dieter
Published: December 2003

Chromosome analysis of three different populations of Hyacinthella dalmatica (Lallem.) Trinajsti[Formula: see text] , an endemic species of the coastal region of southeastern Europe, showed a unique chromosome number, 2n = 2x = 20, and bimodal karyotype with one large and nine smaller pairs of chromosomes. Staining with fluorochromes CMA3 (chromomycin A3) and DAPI (4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole) revealed heterochromatic regions associated with NORs, centromeres, and several interstitial heterochromatic bands on the longest chromosome pair. Double-target FISH with two ribosomal DNA probes revealed one locus of 5S rRNA genes in the pericentromeric region of chromosome pair 3 and one locus of 18S-5.8S-26S rRNA genes on the short arm of chromosome pair 4 in all plants and populations analyzed. Southern hybridization analysis and FISH experiments demonstrated that the distal ends of H. dalmatica chromosomes contain the vertebrate telomere (5'-TTAGGG-3') repeat type rather than the Arabidopsis (5'-TTTAGGG-3') heptamer, and so suggest that this Asparagales species along with Aloe and Othocallis contains the vertebrate-type telomere repeat.Key words: Hyacinthaceae, Hyacinthella, chromosomes, ribosomal genes, telomeric repeats.
Simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers linked toE1,E3,E4, andE7maturity genes in soybean
Authors: Molnar Stephen J , Rai Satish , Charette Martin , Cober Elroy R
Published: December 2003

Soybean near isogenic lines (NILs), contrasting for maturity and photoperiod sensitivity loci, were genotyped with approximately 430 mapped simple sequence repeats (SSRs), also known as microsatellite markers. By analysis of allele distributions across the NILs, it was possible to confirm the map location of the Dt1 indeterminate growth locus, to refine the SSR mapping of the T tawny pubescence locus, to map E1 and E3 maturity loci with molecular markers, and to map the E4 and E7 maturity loci for the first time. Molecular markers flanking these loci are now available for marker-assisted breeding for these traits. Analysis of map locations identified a putative homologous relationship among four chromosomal regions; one in the middle of linkage group (LG) C2 carrying E1 and E7, one on LG I carrying E4, one at the top of LG C2, at which there is a reproductive period quantitative trait locus (QTL), and the fourth on LG B1. Other evidence suggests that homology also exists between the E1 + E7 region on LG C2 and a region on LG L linked to a pod maturity QTL. Homology relationships predict possible locations in the soybean genome of additional maturity loci, as well as which maturity loci may share a common evolutionary origin and similar mechanism(s) of action.Key words: soybean, maturity, photoperiod, microsatellite marker, near isogenic line.
Sexual mosaics induced by tetracycline treatment in the Wolbachia-infected adzuki bean borer, Ostrinia scapulalis
Authors: Kageyama Daisuke , Ohno Suguru , Hoshizaki Sugihiko , Ishikawa Yukio
Published: December 2003

Wolbachia-infected Ostrinia scapulalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) females generate all-female or nearly all-female broods. Curing the infection by tetracycline treatment during larval stages results in the generation of all-male broods in the next generation. Here we show that sexually mosaic offspring are produced by Wolbachia-infected females treated with tetracycline at the adult stage. The sexual mosaics had wings that were composed of distinctive female and male sectors. Besides wings, the sexually dimorphic mid tibiae displayed an intermediate morphology in some of the mosaics. Many of the mosaic individuals had an abnormal structure of the external genitalia as well, a combination of the male uncus and the female ovipositor. We assume that Wolbachia has a feminizing effect on O. scapulalis genetic males and, hence, incomplete curing of the Wolbachia infection results in the generation of sexually mosaic individuals.Key words: feminization, Ostrinia scapulalis, sexual mosaic, tetracycline, Wolbachia.
Two kinds of sex ratio distorters in a moth,Ostrinia scapulalis
Authors: Kageyama Daisuke , Nishimura Gen , Hoshizaki Sugihiko , Ishikawa Yukio
Published: December 2003

We surveyed female-biased sex ratio traits (SR traits) in a moth, Ostrinia scapulalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) from six geographic locations in Japan. A small proportion (8.3%) of females showed the SR trait. About half of them were associated with a Wolbachia infection (SRw+), whereas the remaining ones were not (SRw). No significant differences in frequencies were detected among locations and years for either SRw+or SRwfemales. In SRw+matrilines, the SR trait was inherited. Curing the Wolbachia infection by tetracycline at the larval stages resulted in all-male broods in the next generation. These characteristics were identical to the Wolbachia-induced SR trait observed previously in the related species Ostrinia furnacalis. The Wolbachia strain in O. scapulalis was indistinguishable from that in O. furnacalis in terms of the wsp and ftsZ gene sequences, suggesting either that infection originated from a common ancestor of the two hosts or that Wolbachia was transmitted horizontally between the host species. In SRwmatrilines, on the other hand, the SR trait was not due to bacterial infection but some other maternally inherited element, since antibiotic treatment had no effect and bacterial PCR did not give the characteristic product. In these matrilines, the SR trait occasionally failed to show, suggesting the presence of nuclear factor(s) suppressing the SR trait.Key words: Ostrinia scapulalis, Lepidoptera, maternal inheritance, sex ratio, Wolbachia.
Pseudorapidity distribution of shower particles in relativistic nucleusnucleus collisions
Authors: Allah NN Abd
Published: December 2003

The multiplicity and pseudorapidity distributions of shower particles produced in interactions of the 24Mg at 4.5A GeV/c was studied in nuclear emulsion. The results indicated that the multiplicity distributions of shower particles produced in the collisions depend on the projectile mass. The pseudorapidity distributions are approximately Gaussian in shape. Also, the peaks of the pseudorapidity distributions of shower particles tend to shift towards the lower values of the pseudorapidity with increasing number of the shower particles. PACS Nos.: 25.75.-q, 29.40.Rg
Magnetohydrodynamic flow of non-Newtonian visco-elastic fluid through a porous medium near an accelerated plate
Authors: Eldabe Nabil TM , Moatimid Galal M , Ali Hoda Sm
Published: December 2003

An exact solution is obtained for the unsteady flow of an electrically conducting visco-elastic incompressible fluid through a porous medium on an infinite flat plate. The fluid under consideration obeys the rheological equations of state due to the Walters stressstrain relation. The plate is accelerated in the presence of a uniform magnetic field. The analysis includes the case of a solid plate as well as a porous one. The solution of the equations of motion is obtained by the use of a Laplace transform. The effects of the elasticity, magnetic field, permeability of the porous medium, and the suction of the plate on the velocity distribution, as well as on skin friction, are discussed. The analytical results are confirmed numerically. It is found that the velocity distribution increases with an increase of both elasticity and permeability, while it decreases as the magnetic parameter increases. It is also found that the skin friction decreases with an increase in the magnetic field and elasticity parameters, while it increases with an increase of both the permeability of the porous medium and the suction of the plate.PACS Nos.: 47.50.+d, 47.55.Mh, 47.85.Dh
Testing Mach's principle in electrodynamics
Authors: Fukai J , Assis A KT
Published: December 2003

We analyze the consequences of Mach's principle as applied to electromagnetism. This view reveals new effects not predicted by standard electromagnetic theory.PACS Nos.: 41.20.q, 41.20.Gz
Variational method for excited states from supersymmetric techniques
Authors: Borges G RP , Dutra A de Souza , Drigo Elso , Ruggiero J R
Published: December 2003

We suggest a method for constructing trial eigenfunctions for excited states to be used in the variational method. This method is a generalization of the one that uses a superpotential to obtain the trial functions for the ground state. The construction of an effective hierarchy of Hamiltonians is used to determine excited variational energies. The first four eigenvalues for a quartic double-well potential are calculated for several values of the potential parameter. The results are in very good agreement with the eigenvalues obtained by numerical integration. PACS Nos.: 11.30.Pb, 03.65.Ge
Wave functions for the hydrogen atom in a dense plasma
Authors: Varshni Y P
Published: December 2003

A hydrogen atom in a high-density plasma is simulated by a model in which the hydrogen atom is confined in an impenetrable spherical box, with the atom at the centre. For the protonelectron interaction the DebyeHuckel potential is used. Variational wave functions are proposed for the 1s and 2p states. Energies calculated from these for different values of the radius of box (r0) are shown to be in good agreement with the exact values. The variational wave functions are further employed to calculate the absorption oscillator strength for the 1s [Formula: see text] 2p transition and the dipole polarizability for different values of r0. PACS Nos.: 03.65.Ge, 32.70.Os, 31.70.Dk, 52.20.j
Treatment of oil refinery wastewater using crude Coprinus cinereus peroxidase and hydrogen peroxide
Authors: Ikehata Keisuke , Buchanan Ian D , Smith Daniel W
Published: December 2003

Enzymatic treatment of a strong oil refinery wastewater was investigated using crude Coprinus cinereus peroxidase (CIP) from C. cinereus UAMH 4103 and hydrogen peroxide. Phenolic compounds in the refinery wastewater were enzymatically converted to coloured polymeric products, which were subsequently removed by coagulation with alum. Unlike previously reported studies with synthetic phenolic wastewaters, neither the purity of enzyme nor the addition of poly(ethylene glycol) had an effect on the phenol transformation catalyzed by CIP. As a result of enzymatic treatment ([CIP]0 = 2 U mL–1) and alum coagulation of the wastewater containing 6.4 mM total phenol, the chemical oxygen demand and 5-d biochemical oxygen demand were reduced by 52% and 58%, respectively. Although these oxygen demands were reduced in the wastewater by the enzymatic treatment and subsequent coagulation, the dissolved organic materials in the crude CIP were apparently not affected by either process and tended to remain in the treated wastewater.Key words: enzymatic treatment, oil refinery wastewater, phenol removal, Coprinus cinereus peroxidase, Arthromyces ramosus peroxidase.
Putative virulence factors are released in association with membrane vesicles fromBurkholderia cepacia
Authors: Allan Nick D , Kooi Cora , Sokol Pamela A , Beveridge Terry J
Published: December 2003

Like many other Gram-negative bacteria, Burkholderia cepacia naturally releases membrane vesicles (n-MVs) during normal growth. Through filtration and differential centrifugation, n-MVs from clinical isolates of the IIIa and V genomovars were isolated and their characteristics compared. Electron microscopy revealed that they were spherical, 30220 nm in diameter, and bilayered. Virulence factors thought to play a role in pathogenicity (e.g., lipase, phospholipase-N, and protease, including a metalloprotease) were found associated with n-MVs, while peptidoglycan zymogram analysis also revealed 26, 28, 36, and 66 kDa peptidoglycan-degrading enzymes. n-MVs were often contaminated with flagella and pili when isolated by traditional methods, and a new strategy using a linear isopycnic sucrose gradient was utilized. For better characterization, this was applied to a representative genomovar IIIa strain (C5424) and showed that n-MVs consisted of a subset of specific outer membrane and periplasmic proteins as well as lipopoly saccharide possessing only a putative minor O-side chain polymer. This finding suggests that certain components are selected by B. cepacia during n-MV formation, and since some are putative virulence factors, this property could help deliver the factors to tissue, thereby aiding infection.Key words: membrane vesicles, virulence factors, Burkholderia cepacia, genomovar.
A metalloproteinase extracellularly released byCrithidia deanei
Authors: d'Avila-Levy Claudia Masini , Souza Rodrigo F , Gomes Rosana C , Vermelho Alane B , Branquinha Marta H
Published: December 2003

Actively motile cells from a cured strain of Crithidia deanei released proteins in phosphate buffer (pH 7.4). The molecular mass of the released polypeptides, which included some proteinases, ranged from 19 to 116 kDa. One of the major protein bands was purified to homogeneity by a combination of anion-exchange and gel filtration chromatographs. The apparent molecular mass of this protein was estimated to be 62 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate  polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDSPAGE). The incorporation of gelatin into SDSPAGE showed that the purified protein presented proteolytic activity in a position corresponding to a molecular mass of 60 kDa. The enzyme was optimally active at 37 °C and pH 6.0 and showed 25% of residual activity at 28 °C for 30 min. The proteinase was inhibited by 1,10-phenanthroline and EDTA, showing that it belonged to the metalloproteinase class. A polyclonal antibody to the leishmanial gp63 reacted strongly with the released C. deanei protease. After Triton X-114 extraction, an enzyme similar to the purified metalloproteinase was detected in aqueous and detergent-rich phases. The detection of an extracellular metalloproteinase produced by C. deanei and some other Crithidia species suggests a potential role of this released enzyme in substrate degradation that may be relevant to the survival of trypanosomatids in the host.Key words: endosymbiont, trypanosomatid, extracellular, proteinase.
Fecal testosterone in bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis): behavioural and endocrine correlates
Authors: Pelletier Fanie , Bauman Joan , Festa-Bianchet Marco
Published: December 2003

Noninvasive endocrine techniques allow repeated sampling of the same individual to study causes and consequences of variation in individual behaviour and physiology. In this study, radioimmunoassay was used to measure fecal testosterone and to assess the repeatability of the testosterone assay for bighorn rams (Ovis canadensis). Fecal samples were collected from marked males during the pre-rut and the rut over 2 years. Results were highly repeatable for samples of the same ram within a day (r = 0.93). Fecal testosterone peaked during the pre-rut (when social relationships are established) and then declined from the pre-rut to the rut. For both years of study, fecal testosterone was correlated with social rank (2001: r = 0.73, P < 0.0001; 2002: r = 0.54, P = 0.007) and age (2001: r = 0.65, P = 0.002; 2002: r = 0.53, P = 0.008) of individual rams. When age was accounted for, however, the relationship between social rank and testosterone was no longer significant. Aggressiveness (measured as hourly interaction rate) was weakly correlated with fecal testosterone (r = 0.44, P = 0.039). There was no association between aggressiveness and social rank (r = 0.13, P = 0.591). To our knowledge, this is the first report of an association between testosterone levels and individual social rank in wild ungulates.
Effects of mechanical experimental disturbance on aspects of colony responses, reproduction, and regeneration in the cold-water octocoral Gersemia rubiformis
Authors: Henry Lea-Anne , Kenchington Ellen LR , Silvaggio Angela
Published: December 2003

Responses of delicate soft corals to mechanical injuries inflicted by bottom fishing (e.g., trawling, dredging) are not known. Effects of mechanical disturbance on the soft coral Gersemia rubiformis (Ehrenberg, 1834) were examined by experimentally simulating disturbances caused by bottom fishing. Eight colonies were collected in the Bay of Fundy and maintained in individual aquaria. Four colonies were rolled over and crushed 10 times, once every 2 weeks over 2 months, while four were left undisturbed. Colony response was recorded both 4 days and 1 week post disturbance in both treatments by assigning states reflecting colony and polyp physiognomy. Proportions of corals in different states did not differ between treatments over time. Crushing immediately induced complete colony retraction and daughter colonies were produced in crushed corals. Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA genetic markers demonstrated that daughter colonies were sexually derived. Despite initial fast growth, daughter colonies experienced high mortality. Premature larval expulsion may have been intrinsically initiated to dispose of resource-costly planulae during colony repair. Corals regenerated well from acute localized injuries, which, along with the ability to temporarily retract and survive repeated crushing, may benefit G. rubiformis in heavily disturbed habitats such as areas impacted by bottom fishing activities where the probability of mechanical disturbance is high.
Tests of two functions of alarm calls given by yellow warblers during nest defence
Authors: Gill Sharon A , Sealy Spencer G
Published: December 2003

During nest defence, yellow warblers (Dendroica petechia) give "seet" and "chip" calls. Seet calls are given preferentially toward brood parasitic brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater) during the yellow warblers' egg-laying period, whereas chip calls are given toward mammalian and avian nest predators throughout the nesting period. In this study, we investigated two possible functions of seet and chip calls during nest defence by playing alarm calls to nesting yellow warblers. We tested whether nest owners give seet and chip calls during defence to alert their offspring and their mates about nest threats and, in the latter case, whether the alarm calls differ in function depending on nesting stage. In response to playbacks, nestlings remained inactive for a significantly longer period when chip calls were played than when seet calls were played. Female yellow warblers returned to their nesting areas more quickly when seet calls were played than when chip calls were played, but pairs were equally likely to return to the nesting area in response to both call types. These findings suggests that both seet and chip calls alert mates but that only chip calls function to alert nestlings of potential danger.
THE CNN UNIVERSAL MACHINE: 10 YEARS LATER
Authors: ROSKA TAMÁS , CHUA LEON O.
Published: December 2003

In 1992, a new spatial temporal computing idea had been proposed, the CNN Universal Machine. It turned out that a new paradigm in computing on image flows, a Universal Machine on Flows, has ignited the intellect of hundreds of researchers. Today, visual microprocessors based on this idea can perform about TeraOPS computing power and 10 000 frames per second. In this paper, after a brief description of the history of the invention, architectural advances, physical implementation, algorithmic developments, as well as the biology relevance, theoretical aspects, mission critical applications, and new directions are reviewed.
SYNCHRONIZATION AND CLUSTER FORMATION PHENOMENA IN CNN-LIKE STRUCTURES OF COUPLED NONLINEAR CIRCUITS
Authors: GALIAS Z. , OGORZAŁEK M. J.
Published: December 2003

The aim of this paper is to investigate synchronization phenomena in arrays composed of locally interconnected chaotic circuits. Such arrays are often considered as generalized Cellular Nonlinear Networks. In our computer experiments we study in particular the phenomena of formation of synchronized spatial clusters.
ON THE SPATIO-TEMPORAL DYNAMICS OF A CLASS OF CELLULAR NEURAL NETWORKS
Authors: GORAŞ LIVIU , TEODORESCU TIBERIU DINU , GHINEA ROMEO
Published: December 2003

The stability and dynamics of a class of Cellular Neural Networks (CNNs) in the central linear part is investigated using the decoupling technique based on discrete spatial transforms, Nyquist and root locus techniques. The influence of the cell order and template neighborhood is discussed and computer simulations are presented. It is shown that, as in the case of Turing patterns, for 1D CNNs, the patterns predicted by the linear theory of the decoupling technique are often valid even when the nonlinearity has been reached.
BIFURCATIONS AND CHAOS IN CELLULAR NEURAL NETWORKS
Authors: BIEY M. , CHECCO P. , GILLI M.
Published: December 2003

The dynamic behavior of first-order autonomous space invariant cellular neural networks (CNNs) is investigated. It is shown that complex dynamics may occur in very simple CNN structures, described by two-dimensional templates that present only vertical and horizontal couplings. The bifurcation processes are analyzed through the computation of the limit cycle Floquet's multipliers, the evaluation of the Lyapunov exponents and of the signal spectra. As a main result a detailed and accurate two-dimensional bifurcation diagram is reported. The diagram allows one to distinguish several regions in the parameter space of a single CNN. They correspond to stable, periodic, quasi-periodic, and chaotic behavior, respectively. In particular it is shown that chaotic regions can be reached through two different routes: period doubling and torus breakdown. We remark that most practical CNN implementations exploit first order cells and space-invariant templates: so far only a few examples of complex dynamics and no complete bifurcation analysis have been presented for such networks.
HARMONIC BALANCE APPROACH TO PREDICT PERIOD-DOUBLING BIFURCATIONS IN NEARLY SYMMETRIC CNNs
Authors: DI MARCO MAURO , FORTI MAURO , TESI ALBERTO
Published: December 2003

This paper further investigates a basic issue that has received attention in the recent literature, namely, the robustness of complete stability of standard Cellular Neural Networks (CNNs) with respect to small perturbations of the nominal symmetric interconnections. More specifically, a class of third-order CNNs with a nominal symmetric interconnection matrix is considered, and the Harmonic Balance (HB) method is exploited for addressing the possible existence of period-doubling bifurcations, and complex dynamics, for small perturbations of the nominal interconnections. The main result is that there are indeed parameter sets close to symmetry for which period-doubling bifurcations are predicted by the HB method. Moreover, the predictions are found to be reliable and accurate by means of computer simulations.
ON THE EXISTENCE OF STABLE EQUILIBRIUM POINTS IN CELLULAR NEURAL NETWORKS
Authors: OZCAN NEYIR , ARIK SABRI , TAVSANOGLU VEDAT
Published: December 2003

This paper presents new criteria for the existence of stable equilibrium points in the total saturation region for cellular neural networks (CNNs). It is shown that the results obtained can be used to derive some complete stability conditions for some special classes of CNNs such as positive cell-linking CNNs, opposite-sign CNNs and dominant-template CNNs. Our results are also compared with the previous results derived in the literature for the existence of stable equilibrium points for CNNs.
CHARACTERISTIC OF MUTUALLY COUPLED TWO-LAYER CNN AND ITS STABILITY
Authors: YANG ZONGHUANG , NISHIO YOSHIFUMI , USHIDA AKIO
Published: December 2003

This paper presents some interesting image processing applications with the mutually coupled two-layer Cellular Neural Networks (CNNs). We found that the two-layer CNNs are very useful compared to single layer CNNs in some applications such as center point detection, skeletonization, and so on. We also focus our discussions on both their transients and operations. In addition, the stability of the two-layer CNNs with mutually coupled symmetric templates is also discussed based on those of decoupling CNN technique.
DISCRETE-TIME CELLULAR NEURAL NETWORKS FOR ASSOCIATIVE MEMORIES WITH APPLICATION TO PATTERN CLASSIFICATION
Authors: GRASSI GIUSEPPE
Published: December 2003

This paper focuses on Discrete-Time Cellular Neural Networks (DTCNNs) for associative memories with application to pattern classification. At first, DTCNNs with a globally asymptotically stable equilibrium point are designed to behave as associative memories. The objective is achieved by considering feedback parameters related to circulant matrices and by satisfying frequency domain stability criteria. The approach, by generating DTCNNs where the input data are fed via external inputs rather than initial conditions, enables both hetero-associative and auto-associative memories to be designed. Numerical examples are reported in order to show the capabilities of the design tool. Successively, an application of DTCNNs to pattern classification is illustrated. Namely, it is shown that patterns belonging to the training set as well as patterns outside it can be reliably classified using the proposed design method. Comparisons with well-established classification techniques, such as signature technique and modified Fourier descriptor technique, clearly highlight the performances of the approach developed herein.
NONLINEAR INTERPOLATIVE EFFECT OF FEEDBACK TEMPLATE FOR IMAGE PROCESSING BY DISCRETE-TIME CELLULAR NEURAL NETWORK
Authors: TAKAHASHI NOBUAKI , OTAKE TSUYOSHI , TANAKA MAMORU
Published: December 2003

Recently a discrete-time cellular neural network (DT-CNN) is applied to many image processing applications such as compression and reconstruction, recognition and so on. Conventional image processing techniques such as the discrete cosine transformation (DCT) and wavelet transforms work as a simple filter and do not make good use of interpolative dynamics by the feedback A template, which is one of the significant characteristics of a cellular neural network (CNN). If CNN is applied to a filter by an only feedforward B template, one should make a model which consists of digital filters using high speed signal processing modules such as a high speed digital signal processor. This paper describes the nonlinear interpolative effect of the feedback A template, by showing the evaluation of image compression and reconstruction.
PDE-BASED HISTOGRAM MODIFICATION WITH EMBEDDED MORPHOLOGICAL PROCESSING OF THE LEVEL-SETS
Authors: CSEREY GYÖRGY , REKECZKY CSABA , FÖLDESY PÉTER
Published: December 2003

This paper describes parallel histogram modification techniques with embedded morphological preprocessing methods within the CNN-UM framework. The procedure is formulated in terms of nonlinear partial differential equations (PDE) and approximated through finite differences in space, resulting in coupled nonlinear ordinary differential equations (ODE). The I/O mapping of the system (containing both local and global couplings) can be calculated by a complex analogic (analog and logic) algorithm executed on a stored program nonlinear array processor, called the cellular nonlinear network universal machine (CNN-UM3). We describe and illustrate how the implementation of the algorithm results in an adaptive multi-thresholding scheme when histogram modification is combined with embedded morphological processing at a finite (low) number of gray-scale levels. This has obvious advantages if the further processing steps are segmentation and/or recognition. Experimental results processing real-life and echocardiography images are measured on different hardware/software platforms, including a 64 × 64 CNN-UM chip (ACE4k6,17).
COMPUTATIONAL AND COMPUTER COMPLEXITY OF ANALOGIC CELLULAR WAVE COMPUTERS
Authors: ROSKA TAMÁS
Published: December 2003

The CNN Universal Machine is generalized as the latest step in computational architectures: a Universal Machine on Flows. Computational complexity and computer complexity issues are studied in different architectural settings. Three mathematical machines are considered: the universal machine on integers (UMZ), the universal machine on reals (UMR) and the universal machine on flows (UMF). The three machines induce different kinds of computational difficulties: combinatorial, algebraic, and dynamic, respectively. After a broader overview on computational complexity issues, it is shown, following the reasoning related the UMR, that in many cases the size is not the most important parameter related to computational complexity. Emerging new computing and computer architectures as well as their physical implementation suggest a new look on computational and computer complexities. The new analog-and-logic (analogic) cellular array computer paradigm, based on the CNN Universal Machine, and its physical implementation in CMOS and optical technologies, proves experimentally the relevance of the role of accuracy and problem parameter in computational complexity. We introduce also the rigorous definition of computational complexity for UMF and prove an NP class of problems. It is also shown that choosing the spatial temporal elementary instructions, as well as taking into account the area and power dissipation, these choices inherently influence computational complexity and computer complexity, respectively. Comments related to relevance to biology of the UMF are presented in relation to complexity theory.

It is shown that algorithms using spatial-temporal continuous elementary instructions (α-recursive functions) represent not only a new world in computing, but also, a more general type of logic inference.
NUMERICAL INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECT OF LOSS OF CELLULAR POLARITY ON CANCER INVASIVENESS AND GEOMETRY
Authors: FLEURY VINCENT , SCHWARTZ LAURENT
Published: December 2003

We have investigated the effect of loss of cell polarity at the individual cell level on the global pattern formation of squamous cell carcinoma. Simple models of cancer growth are able to reproduce qualitatively the sequence of observed abnormalities of metaplasia, dysplasia and carcinoma in situ and invasive carcinoma. The models are based on loss of cell polarity alone by cancerous cells, coupled to an otherwise normal growth rate and epithelial behavior. The models show that, as the probability of a wrong plane of cell division is increased, a transition from normal, well stratified epithelium, to an invasive, fractal, dendritic pattern is observed. This transition shows a sequence of morphologies in the following order as a function of loss of polarity: first an apparently normal but already diseased tissue, then metaplasic followed by a dysplasic tissue, and eventually carcinoma first in situ, then invasive. The model also suggests a killing mechanism of most severe cancer clones towards weaker ones.
FRACTAL BEHAVIOR OF NUCLEAR FRAGMENTS IN HIGH ENERGY INTERACTIONS
Authors: GHOSH DIPAK , DEB ARGHA , MONDAL MITALI , BHATTACHARYYA SWARNAPRATIM , GHOSH JAYITA
Published: December 2003

The multifractal analysis of data on nuclear fragments obtained from 28 Si-AgBr interactions at 14.5 A GeV is performed using three different methods (the factorial moments, G-moments and Takagi moments). The generalized fractal dimensions Dq is determined from all these methods. Data reflects multifractal geometry for the nuclear fragments. From the knowledge of Dq, the multifractal specific heat is calculated for this data and also for 16 O-AgBr interactions at 60 A GeV and 32 S-AgBr interactions at 200 A GeV.
SCALING IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF MARKS IN HIGH SCHOOL
Authors: GLIGOR MIRCEA , IGNAT MARGARETA
Published: December 2003

An empirical study accomplished on various samples of marks shows that their distribution on mark levels has some universal features. Using (classical) examination items based on commentaries and debate, the distribution displays a Gaussian form with a variance that does not depend on the profile of classes and age level of pupils. In the case of examination based on items with multiple choices, the deviation from the Gaussian form becomes relevant and the distribution gets the shape of a stable Lévy distribution with a fat tail that can be fitted to a power-law. The difficulties related to the infinite variance, typical for this class of models, can be overcome using the Truncated Lévy Distribution, frequently met in physics of socio-economic systems.
AN APPLICATION OF MULTISTATE RELIABILITY THEORY TO AN OFFSHORE GAS PIPELINE NETWORK
Authors: NATVIG BENT , MØRCH HANS W. H.
Published: December 2003

The basic multistate reliability theory was developed in the eighties and the beginning of the nineties, replacing traditional reliability theory where the system and the components are always described as functioning or failed. In Natvig et al.10 the theory was applied to an electrical power generation system for two nearby oilrigs, where the amounts of power that may possibly be supplied to the two oilrigs are considered as system states. However, there is still a need for several convincing case studies demonstrating the practicability of the generalizations introduced. In the present paper the theory is applied to the Norwegian offshore gas pipeline network in the North Sea, as of the end of the eighties, transporting gas to Emden in Germany. The system state depends on the amount of gas actually delivered, but also to some extent on the amount of gas compressed mainly by the compressor component closest to Emden.
USING THE PHASE METHOD TO MODEL DEGRADATION AND MAINTENANCE EFFICIENCY
Authors: LEFEBVRE YANNICK
Published: December 2003

We consider a repairable system that progressively wears out. Instantaneous preventive and corrective maintenance actions are carried out to slow down the ageing phenomenon. Our aim is to fit a multi-state process which describes degradation and maintenance efficiency. We show how to use the EM algorithm to estimate the parameters of the model, assuming that the preventive maintenance policy is known and that maintenance times are observed.
AN ANALYSIS AND MIMO EXTENSION OF A DOUBLE EWMA RUN-TO-RUN CONTROLLER FOR NON-SQUARED SYSTEMS
Authors: RAJAGOPAL RAMKUMAR , CASTILLO ENRIQUE DEL
Published: December 2003

The double EWMA (exponentially weighted moving average) control method is a popular algorithm for adjusting a process from run to run in semiconductor manufacturing. Until recently, the dEWMA controller had been applied only for the single controllable factor (or input), single quality charcteristic (or output) case. Recently, Del Castillo and Rajagopal4 propose a multivariate double EWMA controller for squared multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) processes, where there is an equal number of inputs and outputs. This paper extends the MIMO dEWMA controller for non-squared systems. Two different MIMO dEWMA controllers are presented and their performance studied with application to a Chemical-Mechanical Polishing (CMP) process, a critical semiconductor manufacture processing step that exhibits non-linear dynamics.
AVAILABILITY OF WEAPON SYSTEMS WITH LOGISTIC DELAYS: A SIMULATION APPROACH
Authors: UPADHYA K. SADANANDA , SRINIVASAN N. K.
Published: December 2003

The availability of weapon systems such as fighter aircraft, battle tanks and warships during high intensity conflicts becomes low. In this paper the availability of fighter aircraft with five major subsystems (structures, engine, avionics, electrical and environmental) are considered. This depends mainly on attrition factors (failure due to unreliability and failure due to battle damage) and logistic delays, which affect repair process. We develop a simulation model considering the fighter aircraft as the weapon system for arriving at transient solutions for availability with logistic delays. The methodology is based on discrete event simulation using Monte Carlo techniques. The failure time distribution (Weibull) for different subsystems, repair time distribution (exponential) and logistic delay time distribution (lognormal) were chosen with suitable parameters. The results indicate the pronounced decrease in availability (to as low as 20% in some cases) due to logistic delays. The results are however sensitive to the reliability, maintainability and logistic delay parameters.
MULTI-CHARACTERISTICS PARAMETER DESIGN: A DESIRABILITY FUNCTION APPROACH BASED ON PROCESS CAPABILITY INDICES
Authors: LEE PAL-HUN , YUM BONG-JIN
Published: December 2003

A PCI (Process Capability Index)-based desirability function approach for multi-characteristics parameter design problems is presented. Three types of PCI's, including the one newly developed for the-nominal-the-best characteristic, are employed depending on the type of performance characteristics, and a new desirability function (i.e. a logistic function) is proposed for the PCI's. The weighted geometric mean of the desirabilities for PCI's is then used as an aggregated performance measure for compromising the conflicts among the levels of a design parameter. Using PCI's and a logistic desirability function for solving a multi-characteristics parameter design problem is relatively simple and easy to implement. In addition, the proposed approach yields dispersion-sensitive results regardless of the type of performance characteristics. The developed approach is illustrated with an example from a drawing process of optical fiber, and compared with the existing desirability function approaches.
A BAYESIAN BELIEF NETWORK BASED METHOD FOR PERFORMANCE EVALUATION AND TROUBLESHOOTING OF MULTISTATE SYSTEMS
Authors: BOUISSOU MARC , POURRET OLIVIER
Published: December 2003

This article proposes a new method for evaluating the performances of a class of industrial multistate systems, i.e., production units with variable instantaneous output. The method is based on the construction of a Bayesian Belief Network. The main advantage of the approach is that the model can be used for troubleshooting, as well as for evaluation. The resolution of a test case illustrates the use of the method.
A DEGENERATE STOCHASTIC PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATION FOR THE PURELY ATOMIC SUPERPROCESS WITH DEPENDENT SPATIAL MOTION
Authors: DAWSON DONALD A. , LI ZENGHU , WANG HAO
Published: December 2003

A purely atomic superprocess with dependent spatial motion is characterized as the pathwise unique solution of a stochastic partial differential equation, which is driven by a time-space white noise defining the spatial motion and a sequence of independent Brownian motions defining the branching mechanism.
EFFECTIVE DETERMINATION OF POISSON NOISE
Authors: SI SI
Published: December 2003

We give an effective definition of higher dimensional parameter Poisson noise. The idea comes from the observation of the conditional probablistic behavior of a Poisson process under the condition that it jumps over the unit time interval exactly as many times as n. Also, taking the optimality into account we can give effective determination of a Poisson noise with multi-dimensional parameter, which is in agreement with the formal generalization of a Poisson noise in terms of the characteristic functional.
MARTINGALE CHARACTERIZATIONS OF INCREMENT PROCESSES IN A LOCALLY COMPACT GROUP
Authors: HEYER HERBERT , PAP GYULA
Published: December 2003

Martingale characterizations and the related martingale problem are studied for processes with independent (not necessarily stationary) increments in an arbitrary locally compact group. In the special case of a compact Lie group, a Lévy-type characterization is given in terms of a faithful finite dimensional representation of the group and its tensor square. For the proofs noncommutative Fourier theory is applied for the convolution hemigroups associated with the increment processes.
THE COMBINATORICS OF THE r-FREE CONVOLUTION
Authors: KRYSTEK ANNA , YOSHIDA HIROAKI
Published: December 2003

In this paper we shall give combinatorial remarks on the r-free convolution. In particular, we shall introduce the set partition statistic on non-crossing partitions, which gives the r-free deformed moment-cumulant formula. We shall also give the probability measure of the r-free Poisson law and its moments, exactly.
THEORY OF DISTRIBUTION IN THE SENSE OF CONNES–HIDA AND FEYNMAN PATH INTEGRAL ON A MANIFOLD
Authors: LÉANDRE RÉMI
Published: December 2003

On p. 1096 of Ref. 31, we remark that the Witten current defined in Ref. 13 is an analogue of Hida distribution, Wiener chaos being replaced by Chen iterated integrals. We clarify this remark in the case of a Feynman path integral on a manifold.
OPTIMAL CONSUMPTION AND PORTFOLIO IN A BLACK–SCHOLES MARKET DRIVEN BY FRACTIONAL BROWNIAN MOTION
Authors: HU YAOZHONG , ØKSENDAL BERNT , SULEM AGNÈS
Published: December 2003

We present a mathematical model for a Black–Scholes market driven by fractional Brownian motion BH(t) with Hurst parameter [Formula: see text]. The interpretation of the integrals with respect to BH(t) is in the sense of Itô (Skorohod–Wick), not pathwise (which is known to lead to arbitrage).

We find explicitly the optimal consumption rate and the optimal portfolio in such a market for an agent with utility functions of power type. When H → 1/2+ the results converge to the corresponding (known) results for standard Brownian motion.
SUPPORT OF A JOINT RESOLUTION OF IDENTITY AND THE PROJECTION SPECTRAL THEOREM
Authors: PULEMYOTOV ARTEM D.
Published: December 2003

Let A = (Ax)x ∈ Xbe a family of commuting normal operators in a separable Hilbert space H0. Obtaining the spectral expansion of A involves constructing of the corresponding joint resolution of identity E. The support supp E is not, in general, a set of full measure. This causes numerous difficulties, in particular, when proving the projection spectral theorem, i.e. the main theorem about the expansion in generalized joint eigenvectors. In this work, we show that supp E has a full outer measure under the conditions of the projection spectral theorem. Using this result, we simplify the proof of the theorem and refine its assertions.
CENTRAL GAUSSIAN CONVOLUTION SEMIGROUPS ON COMPACT GROUPS: A SURVEY
Authors: BENDIKOV A. , SALOFF-COSTE L.
Published: December 2003

This is a survey article on Brownian motions on compact connected groups and the associated Gaussian convolution semigroups. The emphasize is on infinite dimensional groups such as the infinite dimensional torus and infinite products of special orthogonal groups. We discuss the existence of Brownian motions having nice properties such as marginales having a continuous density with respect to Haar measure. We relate the existence of these Brownian motions to the algebraic structure of the group. The results we describe reflect the conflicting effects of, on the one hand, the infinite dimensionality and, on the other hand, the compact nature of the underlying group.
VISUAL HAND GESTURES CLASSIFICATION USING WAVELET TRANSFORMS
Authors: KUMAR SANJAY , KUMAR DINESH K. , SHARMA ARUN , McLACHLAN NEIL
Published: December 2003

This paper presents a novel technique for classifying human hand gestures based on stationary wavelet transform (SWT) and compares the results with classification based on Hu moments. The technique uses view-based approach for representation of hand actions, and artificial neural networks (ANN) for classification. This approach uses a cumulative image-difference technique where the time between the sequences of images is implicitly captured in the representation of action. This results in the construction of Motion History Images (MHI). These MHI's are decomposed into four sub-images using SWT. The average image (fll) is fed as the global image descriptors to the ANN for classification. The recognition criterion is established using backpropagation based multilayer perceptron (MLP). The preliminary experiments show that such a system can classify human hand gestures with a classification accuracy of 97%. The work is motivated by the previous research in appearance-based motion recognition of human hand actions. The overall goal of our research is to determine the reliability of using this wavelet based computationally inexpensive gesture classification technique that may be used for helping disabled or aged people interact with computers.
SYMMETRIC LIFTING FACTORIZATION AND MATRIX REPRESENTATION OF BIORTHOGONAL WAVELET TRANSFORMS
Authors: SUN YAN-KUI
Published: December 2003

This paper introduces some properties of symmetric Laurent polynomials, and then extends Euclidean algorithm to symmetric Laurent polynomials. The new results are used to investigate factorization of polyphase matrix for biorthogonal finite filters. It is shown that there exists one and only one symmetric factorization of the polyphase matrix, and the symmetric factorization can be determined directly and efficiently by Euclidean algorithm for symmetric Laurent polynomials. Finally, symmetric implementation and matrix representation of biorthogonal wavelet transforms are introduced, and the study demonstrates that the symmetric implementation has the least multiplication number in all lifting implementations, and it is equivalent to a matrix transform on finite dimensional vector space.
WAVELETS AND FRACTAL IMAGE COMPRESSION BASED ON THEIR SELF-SIMILARITY OF THE SPACE-FREQUENCY PLANE OF IMAGES
Authors: UENO YOSHITO
Published: December 2003

This paper presents a fusion scheme for wavelets and fractal image compression based on the self-similarity of the space-frequency plane of sub-bands after wavelet transformation of images. Various kinds of wavelet transform are examined for the characteristics of their self-similarity and evaluated for the adoption of fractal encoder. The aim of this paper is to reduce the information of the two sets of blocks involved in the fractal image compression by using the self-similarity of images. And also, the new video encoder using the fusion method of wavelets and fractal adopts the similar manner as the motion compensation technique of MPEG encoder. Experimental results show almost the same PSNR and bits rate as conventional fractal image encoder by depending on the sampled images through computer simulations.
NOISY SIGNAL COMPRESSION BY WAVELET TRANSFORM WITH OPTIMAL DOWNSAMPLING
Authors: ZHANG LEI , WU XIAOLIN , BAO PAUL
Published: December 2003

This paper presents a wavelet transform (WT) based on simultaneous de-noising and compression scheme for noisy signal. Due to the downsampling in decomposition process, the orthogonal wavelet transform (OWT) is translation variant, which significantly hinders its performance in coding and denoising. In this paper the wavelet bintree decomposition (WBD), which is equivalent to a translation invariant WT, is first formed and an optimal downsampling route is then traversed among all the routes of the bintree. The WT with the optimal route would most effectively decorrelate and compactly represent the signal. During the process of noisy signal encoding, wavelet thresholding based denoising is performed. Thresholding is similar to the quantization of a zero-zone in lossy encoding procedure. We applied a signal-adaptive threshold to the wavelet coefficients and quantized the coefficients outside the zero-zone. Experiments show that the proposed scheme significantly outperforms the OWT-based method.