Minimum and maximum entropy distributions for binary systems with known means and pairwise correlations

Maximum entropy models are increasingly being used to describe the collective activity of neural populations with measured mean neural activities and pairwise correlations, but the full space of probability distributions consistent with these constraints has not been explored. We provide upper and lower bounds on the entropy for the {\em minimum} entropy distribution over arbitrarily large collections of binary units with any fixed set of mean values and pairwise correlations. We also construct specific low-entropy distributions for several relevant cases. Surprisingly, the minimum entropy solution has entropy scaling logarithmically with system size for any set of first- and second-order statistics consistent with arbitrarily large systems. We further demonstrate that some sets of these low-order statistics can only be realized by small systems. Our results show how only small amounts of randomness are needed to mimic low-order statistical properties of highly entropic distributions, and we discuss some applications for engineered and biological information transmission systems.Comment: 34 pages, 7 figure

Integrating the processes in the evolutionary system of domestication

Genetics has long been used as a source of evidence to understand domestication origins. A recent shift in the emphasis of archaeological evidence from a rapid transition paradigm of hunter-gatherers to agriculturalists, to a protracted transition paradigm has highlighted how the scientific framework of interpretation of genetic data was quite dependent on archaeological evidence, resulting in a period of discord in which the two evidence types appeared to support different paradigms. Further examination showed that the discriminatory power of the approaches employed in genetics was low, and framed within the rapid paradigm rather than testing it. In order to interpret genetic data under the new protracted paradigm it must be taken into account how that paradigm changes our expectations of genetic diversity. Preliminary examination suggests that a number of features that constituted key evidence in the rapid paradigm are likely to be interpreted very differently in the protracted paradigm. Specifically, in the protracted transition the mode and mechanisms involved in the evolution of the domestication syndrome have become much more influential in the shape of genetic diversity. The result is that numerous factors interacting over several levels of organization in a domestication system need to be taken into account in order to understand the evolution of the process. This presents a complex problem of integration of different data types which is difficult to describe formally. One possible way forward is to use Bayesian approximation approaches that allow complex systems to be measured in a way that does not require such formality

Genetic variations in accessions of Lathyrus sativus L.

Eighteen grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) accessions (donated from USDA germplasm) collected from different geographical regions were evaluated for variations of seed weight, and seed protein content. Environmental factors may not be most appropriate for explaining variations in seed weight. The presence of small-seeded accessions in Eastern Africa possibly indicate this sub-region as a new center of origin of L. sativus. There were no correlations between protein content and seed weight indicating genetic independence. Multivariate analysis (cluster and factor analysis) based on protein analysis data showed a high genetic variability among the accessions of different geographical regions and a low variability among the accessions of the same region

New heat treatment to prepare high quality polycrystalline and single crystal MgB2 in single process

We report here on a new heat treatment to prepare both dense polycrystalline and single crystal MgB2 high quality samples in one single process. Resistivity measurements for polycrystalline part of the sample gives a residual resistivity ratio RRR=16.6 and a very low normal state resistivity rho(40K)= 0.28 microOhmcm. Both SEM and SQUID study on polycrystals reveal the high quality, dense character and well coupling of grain boundaries. On the other hand, the high quality single crystals have a unique shape that resembles the hexagonal crystal structure. SQUID measurements reveals very weak flux pinning character implying our single crystals to be very clean. In this study, we conclude that heat treatment is playing a major rule on the characteristics of both polycrystalline and single crystal MgB2. Samples are thoroughly characterized by x-ray, resistivity, dc SQUID and SEM

Two-dimensional Vesicle dynamics under shear flow: effect of confinement

Dynamics of a single vesicle under shear flow between two parallel plates is studied using two-dimensional lattice-Boltzmann simulations. We first present how we adapted the lattice-Boltzmann method to simulate vesicle dynamics, using an approach known from the immersed boundary method. The fluid flow is computed on an Eulerian regular fixed mesh while the location of the vesicle membrane is tracked by a Lagrangian moving mesh. As benchmarking tests, the known vesicle equilibrium shapes in a fluid at rest are found and the dynamical behavior of a vesicle under simple shear flow is being reproduced. Further, we focus on investigating the effect of the confinement on the dynamics, a question that has received little attention so far. In particular, we study how the vesicle steady inclination angle in the tank-treading regime depends on the degree of confinement. The influence of the confinement on the effective viscosity of the composite fluid is also analyzed. At a given reduced volume (the swelling degree) of a vesicle we find that both the inclination angle, and the membrane tank-treading velocity decrease with increasing confinement. At sufficiently large degree of confinement the tank-treading velocity exhibits a non-monotonous dependence on the reduced volume and the effective viscosity shows a nonlinear behavior.Comment: 12 pages, 8 figure

EFFICIENCY OF CURCUMIN AND CHITOSAN NANOPARTICLES AGAINST TOXICITY OF POTASSIUM DICHROMATE IN MALE MICE

Objective: The purpose of this work is to examine the protective effect of nanocurcumin and nanochitosan supplementation against potassium dichromate toxicity in male mice. Methods: Male albino mice weighing 25-30 gm were divided into six groups; the first group received saline. Second and third groups were given oral dose of nanocurcumin and nanochitosan respectively for 5 d. Fourth group was injected subcutaneously with a single dose of potassium dichromate for 24 h. Group five and six were administrated nanocurcumin and nanochitosan, respectively prior to potassium dichromate. Animals were anesthetized by ether anesthesia then bone marrow was harvested for chromosomal examination and epididymal sperms were collected for sperm morphology, while Kidneys and testes were collected for western blot and biochemical analysis. Results: Potassium dichromate induced significant (P≤0.05) increase in chromosome and sperm abnormalities as well as testicular and renal MDA, renal MPO, renal contents of IL-18 and IGF-1, testicular contents of caspase 3 and cytosolic cytochrome c, a reduction in testosterone level, and GPx of renal and testicular tissues compared to control group. Pretreatment with both types of nanoparticles showed significant (P≤0.05) mitigation against most alterations induced by potassium dichromate; moreover, nanochitosan gave more significant (P≤0.05) improvement against chromosome and sperm abnormalities than nanocurcumin. Conclusion: The present study revealed that the selected nanoparticles have antioxidant as well as antigenotoxic properties against toxicity of potassium dichromate

Treatability Study of Car Wash Wastewater Using Upgraded Physical Technique with Sustainable Flocculant

Grease, oil, hydrocarbon residues, heavy metals, and surfactants are all present in car wash wastewater (CWW), which all can have detrimental effects on the environment and human health. This study was designed to assess CWW treatment using an upgraded physical technique combined with a range of conventional and more sustainable coagulants. Physical treatment effectively lowered the oil and grease (O&G) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) of the CWW by 79 ± 15% and 97 ± 1.6%, respectively. Additional treatment was provided using chemical coagulation–flocculation– settling. In jar test studies, humic acid (HA) and alum were found to provide significantly higher turbidity removal, 79.2 ± 3.1% and 69.8 ± 8.0%, respectively, than anionic polyacrylamide (APA), 7.9 ± 5.6% under influent turbidity values from 89 to 1000 NTU. Overall physical/chemical treatment of CWW yielded 97.3 ± 0.8% COD removal, and 99.2 ± 0.4% O&G removal using HA and alum. Due to the numerous problems created when using synthetic coagulants, naturally occurring coagulants that have no impact on human health, such as HA, are highly desirable options. The findings of this study show that treating CWW provides several advantages for sustainable development, health and well-being, and raising public knowledge and support for water reuse

Catch rate of juveniles Ethamatosa fimbriata, Sardinella maderensis, and Brachydeuterus auritus fishing in Freetown Peninsular

We investigated the incidences of juvenile fishing according to fishing practices in Freetown peninsular. The industrial trawl fishing sector, despite its technology is not fully selective to avoid bycatch of juvenile fish, and artisanal fishing is so less for economic reasons. Ineffective enforcement of fishing regulations is a major cause to the catch of both targeted and non-targeted juvenile fish. We collected data on the quantity of juvenile fish and the daily duration of fishing trips in four landing sites over a two-week period Bernoulli random variables and properties of uniform distribution were used to analyze the data. Catch rates of juveniles Ethamatosa fimbriata, Sardinella maderensis, and Brachydeuterus auritus around the Freetown peninsular were 170.8, 212.4 and 194.60 kg per hour per day, respectively. This rate revealed that the current trend of juvenile fish landings is a threat to the sustainability of fishery capital, revenue, and biodiversity.Key words: High juvenile, landing, national problem, Sierra Leone, by-catch juvenile