Relative Tutte polynomials of tensor products of colored graphs

The tensor product $(G_1,G_2)$ of a graph $G_1$ and a pointed graph $G_2$ (containing one distinguished edge) is obtained by identifying each edge of $G_1$ with the distinguished edge of a separate copy of $G_2$, and then removing the identified edges. A formula to compute the Tutte polynomial of a tensor product of graphs was originally given by Brylawski. This formula was recently generalized to colored graphs and the generalized Tutte polynomial introduced by Bollob\'as and Riordan. In this paper we generalize the colored tensor product formula to relative Tutte polynomials of relative graphs, containing zero edges to which the usual deletion-contraction rules do not apply. As we have shown in a recent paper, relative Tutte polynomials may be used to compute the Jones polynomial of a virtual knot

Exactness of the Original Grover Search Algorithm

It is well-known that when searching one out of four, the original Grover's search algorithm is exact; that is, it succeeds with certainty. It is natural to ask the inverse question: If we are not searching one out of four, is Grover's algorithm definitely not exact? In this article we give a complete answer to this question through some rationality results of trigonometric functions.Comment: 8 pages, 2 figure

Functional characterization of a gluthathione Stransferase gene from Limonium bicolor in response to several abiotic stresses

In the present study, we characterized a gluthathione S-transferase gene (LbGST1) in response to different abiotic stresses. Real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) indicated that the LbGST1 can be differentially regulated by stress of NaCl, NaHCO3 and low temperature, suggesting a role in plant stress response. To further investigate abiotic stress tolerance of LbGST1, the transgenic yeast harboring the LbGST1 was generated under the control of inducible GAL promoter (pYES2 vector); yeast cells transformed with empty pYES2 were also generated as a control. Stress tolerance tests showed that LbGST1 yeast transformants exhibited elevated tolerance to the stresses of thermal (53°C), alkali (NaHCO3), ultraviolet radiation, salt (NaCl), drought (sorbitol) and freezing (-20°C) compared with the control transformants, suggesting that the LbGST1 is tolerant to these abiotic stresses. Our results indicate that the LbGST1 gene is resistant to a wider repertoire of stresses and may play a common role in plant acclimation to the examined stress conditions.Key words: Gluthathione S-transferases (GST), abiotic stress, expression analysis, Limonium bicolor

Mapping Quantitative Trait Loci With Censored Observations

The existing statistical methods for mapping quantitative trait loci (QTL) assume that the phenotype follows a normal distribution and is fully observed. These assumptions may not be satisfied when the phenotype pertains to the survival time or failure time, which has a skewed distribution and is usually subject to censoring due to random loss of follow-up or limited duration of the experiment. In this article, we propose an interval-mapping approach for censored failure time phenotypes. We formulate the effects of QTL on the failure time through parametric proportional hazards models and develop efficient likelihood-based inference procedures. In addition, we show how to assess genome-wide statistical significance. The performance of the proposed methods is evaluated through extensive simulation studies. An application to a mouse cross is provided

Stress Hyperglycemia, Insulin Treatment, and Innate Immune Cells

Hyperglycemia (HG) and insulin resistance are the hallmarks of a profoundly altered metabolism in critical illness resulting from the release of cortisol, catecholamines, and cytokines, as well as glucagon and growth hormone. Recent studies have proposed a fundamental role of the immune system towards the development of insulin resistance in traumatic patients. A comprehensive review of published literatures on the effects of hyperglycemia and insulin on innate immunity in critical illness was conducted. This review explored the interaction between the innate immune system and trauma-induced hypermetabolism, while providing greater insight into unraveling the relationship between innate immune cells and hyperglycemia. Critical illness substantially disturbs glucose metabolism resulting in a state of hyperglycemia. Alterations in glucose and insulin regulation affect the immune function of cellular components comprising the innate immunity system. Innate immune system dysfunction via hyperglycemia is associated with a higher morbidity and mortality in critical illness. Along with others, we hypothesize that reduction in morbidity and mortality observed in patients receiving insulin treatment is partially due to its effect on the attenuation of the immune response. However, there still remains substantial controversy regarding moderate versus intensive insulin treatment. Future studies need to determine the integrated effects of HG and insulin on the regulation of innate immunity in order to provide more effective insulin treatment regimen for these patients

Study on segmented-rotor switched reluctance motors with different rotor pole numbers for bsg system of hybrid electric vehicles

© 1967-2012 IEEE. This paper investigates the design principles and performance optimization for segmented-rotor switched reluctance motors (SRSRMs) with different rotor pole numbers for belt-driven starter generators of hybrid electric vehicles. For the design principles, several constraints are derived for the numbers of stator and rotor poles, the dimensions, and the number of winding turns. Two SRSRMs with 16/10 and 16/14 stator/rotor poles are presented according to these principles. For the performance optimization, the two motors are optimized individually for maximizing the torque. To evaluate the effect of different segmented-rotor numbers, the overall performances of the two SRSRMs are investigated and compared. It is found that the 16/14 SRSRM has higher flux linkage and static torque. The 16/14 SRSRM exhibits higher torque and lower torque ripple at low speed operation, whereas at high speed, the 16/10 SRSRM performs better in terms of torque and power densities. Compared with the 16/14 SRSRM, the 16/10 SRSRM has higher final steady speed under the same startup condition. The 16/10 SRSRM can achieve higher steady speed under starter mode and provide higher generated power under braking mode. Moreover, the 16/10 SRSRM exhibits higher efficiency in the most feasible speed range, especially in high speed range, and it has wider high-efficiency area. Finally, a 16/10 SRSRM is prototyped and tested to validate the simulation results

A Tool for Global Resilience Analysis of Water Distribution Systems

This is a joint publication in collaboration with Centre for Water Systems at University of Exeter. This research is based on my previous work for Prof. Butler's project of "Safe and SuRe: A New Paradigm for Urban Water Management".A comprehensive assessment of resilience requires consideration of system performance under exceptional conditions, including those that are unforeseen, and can be achieved using a previously developed methodology called ‘global resilience analysis’ (GRA). GRA captures the effects of both probable and highly improbable (unknown probability) system failures and requires no knowledge of threats. Here, a simple, user-friendly tool that automates the simulations required for GRA of a water distribution system and assists comprehension of the results is presented. Provided the user can supply an Epanet .inp file for the system and that this contains demand data (an understanding of Epanet and system failure modelling is not necessary), the tool can be used to quantify the resilience of the system to pipe failure, pump failure, demand increase and contaminant intrusion. An interactive results explorer allows the user to easily identify critical system components based on the selected level of service type and failure measure (e.g. pressure, supply or contamination and failure magnitude or duration). A map of the network can be used to either color-code components based on their criticality in a single component failure analysis or to identify specific combinations of components which result in the greatest level of service failure magnitude or duration when failed simultaneously. ‘Stress-strain’ type response curves can also be automatically generated and key findings automatically extracted. Additionally, the tool enables systems to be compared on a like-for-like basis, enabling the effects of proposed interventions on resilience to be quantified and visualized