Thermodynamic description of the C-Ge and C-Mg systems

The thermodynamic modeling for the C-Ge and C-Mg systems is performed by the CALPHAD method. The enthalpy of formation for Mg2C3, the experimental value of which is not available in the literature, is obtained via first-principles calculation to refine the thermodynamic modeling of the C-Mg system. A comparison of the thermodynamic calculations with the available literature data shows that the presently obtained two sets of thermodynamic parameters for the C-Ge and C-Mg systems can well describe the these two systems

Pheromonal predisposition to social parasitism in the honeybee Apis mellifera capensis

In honeybees, worker reproduction is mainly regulated by pheromones produced by the brood and the queen. The source of one of the queen pheromones influencing worker reproduction has been located in the mandibular glands. In nonlaying workers, this gland's profile is dominated by fatty acids that are incorporated into the food given to the brood and to nest mates. After queen loss and onset of reproductive activity, workers are able to synthesize different fatty acids, which are normally only produced by queens and that contribute to their reproductive success. Apis mellifera capensis workers have the ability to rapidly produce queen-like mandibular profiles that could represent an important factor in their ability to behave as facultative intraspecific social parasites. Indeed, A. m. capensis workers can take over reproduction from the host queens in colonies of other subspecies. Here, we show that in the presence of their own queen, the mandibular gland profile of A. m. capensis workers is dominated by the precursor of the major compound of the queen pheromone. This is a unique trait among honeybee workers and suggests that A. m. capensis workers are primed for reproduction and that this phenomenon represents a pheromonal predisposition to social parasitism. We identified geographical variation in the ratio of queen- to worker-specific compounds in the mandibular gland profile of A. m. capensis workers, which corresponds with the introgression with the neighboring subspecies A. m. scutellat

Maximal independent families and a topological consequence

AbstractFor κ⩾ω and X a set, a family A⊆P(X) is said to be κ-independent on X if |⋂A∈FAf(A)|⩾κ for each F∈[A]<ω and f∈{−1,+1}F; here A+1=A and A−1=X⧹A.Theorem 3.6For κ⩾ω, some A⊆P(κ) with |A|=2κ is simultaneously maximal κ-independent and maximal ω-independent on κ. The family A may be chosen so that every two elements of κ are separated by 2κ-many elements of A.Corollary 5.4For κ⩾ω there is a dense subset D of {0,1}2κ such that each nonempty open U⊆D satisfies |U|=d(U)=κ and no subset of D is resolvable. The set D may be chosen so that every two of its elements differ in 2κ-many coordinates.Remarks(a) Theorem 3.6 answers affirmatively a question of Eckertson [Topology Appl. 79 (1997) 1–11]. Two proofs are given here. (b) Parts of Corollary 5.4 have been obtained by other methods by Feng [Topology Appl. 105 (2000) 31–36] and (for κ=ω) by Alas et al. [Topology Appl. 107 (2000) 259–273]

Multilayered feed forward Artificial Neural Network model to predict the average summer-monsoon rainfall in India

In the present research, possibility of predicting average summer-monsoon rainfall over India has been analyzed through Artificial Neural Network models. In formulating the Artificial Neural Network based predictive model, three layered networks have been constructed with sigmoid non-linearity. The models under study are different in the number of hidden neurons. After a thorough training and test procedure, neural net with three nodes in the hidden layer is found to be the best predictive model.Comment: 19 pages, 1 table, 3 figure

Zeros of analytic functions, with or without multiplicities

The classical Mason-Stothers theorem deals with nontrivial polynomial solutions to the equation $a+b=c$. It provides a lower bound on the number of distinct zeros of the polynomial $abc$ in terms of the degrees of $a$, $b$ and $c$. We extend this to general analytic functions living on a reasonable bounded domain $\Omega\subset\mathbb C$, rather than on the whole of $\mathbb C$. The estimates obtained are sharp, for any $\Omega$, and a generalization of the original result on polynomials can be recovered from them by a limiting argument.Comment: This is a retitled and slightly revised version of my paper arXiv:1004.359

A fault identification and classification scheme for an automobile door assembly process

A process fault identification and classification scheme for an automobile door assembly process is presented based on multivariate in-line dimensional measurements and principal component factor analysis. First, the door assembly process and the dimensional measurement system are briefly introduced. Second, the technique of principal component factor analysis is presented for process fault identification. Process faults are summarized based on off-line identified case studies. Finally a machine classification scheme based on principal components and principal factors is presented and evaluated, using the pattern knowledge obtained off-line. This scheme is shown to be effective in classifying process faults using production data.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/45569/1/10696_2005_Article_BF01324797.pd

Equivalence of 2 effective graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis regimens: Results of a prospective double-blind randomized trial

AbstractWe have previously demonstrated a decrease in the incidence of acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) with the addition of methotrexate (MTX) to cyclosporine (CSP) and prednisone (PSE) chemotherapy in patients with leukemia. We have now completed a prospective randomized trial comparing the 3-drug regimen (CSP/MTX/PSE, including 3 doses of MTX) to the standard 2-drug regimen (CSP/MTX, including 4 doses of MTX) to investigate the benefit of PSE used up front for the prevention of acute and chronic GVHD. In the trial, 193 patients were randomized and 186 were included in the final analysis. All patients received a bone marrow graft from a fully histocompatible sibling donor. The preparatory regimen consisted of fractionated total-body irradiation (fTBI) and etoposide in all but 13 patients, who received fTBI and cyclophosphamide. The patients were randomized to receive either CSP/MTX/PSE or CSP/MTX. The 2 groups were well balanced with respect to diagnosis, disease stage, age, donor-recipient sex, and parity. In an intent-to-treat analysis, the incidence of acute GVHD was 18% (95% confidence interval [CI] 12-28) for the CSP/MTX/PSE group compared with 20% (CI 10-26) for the CSP/,MTX group (P = .60), with a median follow up of 2.2 years. Overall survival was 65% for those receiving CSP/MTX/PSE and 72% for those receiving CSP/MTX (P = .10); the relapse rate was 15% for the CSP/MTX/PSE group and 12% for the CSP/MTX group (P = .83). The incidence of chronic GVHD was similar (46% versus 52%; P = .38), with a follow-up of 0.7 to 6.0 years. Of interest, 21 patients went off study due to GVHD (5 in the CSP/MTX/PSE group and 16 in the CSP/MITX group [P = .02]), and 11 patients went off study because of alveolar hemorrhage (3 in the CSP/MTX/PSE group and 8 in the CSP/MTX group [P = .22]). The addition of PSE did not result in a higher incidence of infectious complications, bacterial (66% versus 58%), viral (77% versus 66%), or fungal (20% versus 20%), in those receiving CSP/MTX/PSE versus CSP/MTX, respectively. These data suggest that the addition of PSE was associated with a somewhat lower incidence of early posttransplantation complications but did not have a positive impact on the incidence of acute or chronic GVHD or event-free or overall survival.Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 2000;6(3):254-61

What Drives Fitness Apps Usage? An Empirical Evaluation

Part 3: Creating Value through ApplicationsInternational audienceThe increased health problems associated with lack of physical activity is of great concern around the world. Mobile phone based fitness applications appear to be a cost effective promising solution for this problem. The aim of this study is to develop a research model that can broaden understanding of the factors that influence the user acceptance of mobile fitness apps. Drawing from Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) and Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM), we conceptualize the antecedents and moderating factors of fitness app use. We validate our model using field survey. Implications for research and practice are discussed