Types are weak omega-groupoids

We define a notion of weak omega-category internal to a model of Martin-L\"of type theory, and prove that each type bears a canonical weak omega-category structure obtained from the tower of iterated identity types over that type. We show that the omega-categories arising in this way are in fact omega-groupoids.Comment: 28 pages; v2: final journal versio

Characterizing CDMA downlink feasibility via effective interference

This paper models and analyses downlink power assignment feasibility in Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) mobile networks. By discretizing the area into small segments, the power requirements are characterized via a matrix representation that separates user and system characteristics. We obtain a closed-form analytical expression of the so-called Perron-Frobenius eigenvalue of that matrix, which provides a quick assessment of the feasibility of the power assignment for each distribution of calls over the segments. Although the obtained relation is non-linear, it basically provides an effective interference characterisation of downlink feasibility. Our results allow for a fast evaluation of outage and blocking probabilities, and enable a quick evaluation of feasibility that may be used for Call Acceptance Control. \u

Proteomics-on-a-chip for Biomarker discovery

In proteomics research still two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2D-GE) is currently used for biomarker discovery. We applied free flow electrophoresis (FFE) separation technology combined with biomolecular interaction sensing using Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) imaging in an integrated proteomics-on-a-chip device as a proof of concept for biomarker discovery

Analysis of a polling system modeling QoS differentiation in WLANs

This paper investigates a polling system with a random polling scheme, a 1-limited service discipline and deterministic service requirement modeling WLANs with QoS differentation capability. The system contains high and low priority queues that are distinguished via the probability of being served next. We propose a new iteration algorithm to approximate the waiting time of customers in the high and low priority queues. As shown by simulation results, our approximation is accurate for light to moderately loaded networks

Occlusion-related lateral connections stabilize kinetic depth stimuli through perceptual coupling

Local sensory information is often ambiguous forcing the brain to integrate spatiotemporally separated information for stable conscious perception. Lateral connections between clusters of similarly tuned neurons in the visual cortex are a potential neural substrate for the coupling of spatially separated visual information. Ecological optics suggests that perceptual coupling of visual information is particularly beneficial in occlusion situations. Here we present a novel neural network model and a series of human psychophysical experiments that can together explain the perceptual coupling of kinetic depth stimuli with activity-driven lateral information sharing in the far depth plane. Our most striking finding is the perceptual coupling of an ambiguous kinetic depth cylinder with a coaxially presented and disparity defined cylinder backside, while a similar frontside fails to evoke coupling. Altogether, our findings are consistent with the idea that clusters of similarly tuned far depth neurons share spatially separated motion information in order to resolve local perceptual ambiguities. The classification of far depth in the facilitation mechanism results from a combination of absolute and relative depth that suggests a functional role of these lateral connections in the perception of partially occluded objects

Tableaux and Systemes : Early French contributions to linear production models

Properly speaking the history of linear production modelling begins in the second half of the 18th century. A comparison between Francois Quesnay's Tableaux economiques and Achilles-Nicolas Isnard’s systèmes des richesses provides insights into the various possible directions within this nascent branch of economic analysis. Quesnay presents an idealised model of the French economy, making a number of limiting assumptions to study phenomena of economic growth and decline. Isnard's approach is more general and abstract and focuses on the interplay between reproduction, prices and distribution. The conceptual difficulties in their works, such as Quesnay's implicit assumption of unchanging prices and Isnard's lack of rules for the distribution of the surplus, were encountered again, and solved in different ways, by later theorists such as Leontief, von Neumann and Sraffa

A new approach to instanton calculations in the O(3) nonlinear sigma model

We construct all instantons in the \nlsig\ on a cylindrical space-time, known not to exist on a finite time interval. The scale parameter, $\rho$, is related to the boundary condition in time. This may cure the $\rho\rightarrow0$ divergent instanton gas, through a proper inclusion of in and out states in the path integral.Comment: References added and corrected. Contribution to Lattice'94, 27 Sep - 1 Oct 1994, Bielefeld, Germany. 3 pages PostScript, uuencoded compresse

Instanton Moduli for T**3xR

We review the specific problems that arise when studying instantons on a torus. We discuss how the Nahm transformation shows that no exact charge one instanton on T**4 can exist. However, taking one of the directions (the time) to infinity, it can be shown that vacuum to vacuum tunnelling solutions exist. A precise description of the moduli space for T**3xR, studied numerically using lattice techniques, remains an interesting open problem. New is an explicit application of the Nahm transformation to (anti-)selfdual constant curvature solutions on T**4 and a discussion of its properties relevant to instantons on T**3xR.Comment: 12p with 3 figs, uufiles -gz format. Talk at the 29th Int. Symp. on the Theory of Elem. Part., Buckow, 29 Aug.-2 Sept., 1995

Extremes in dune preservation: controls on the completeness of fluvial deposits

Understanding sedimentary preservation underpins our ability to interpret the ancient sedimentary record and reconstruct palaeoenvironments and palaeoclimates. Dune sets are ubiquitous in preserved river deposits and are typically interpreted based on a model that that describes the recurrence of erosion in a vertical sequence, but without consideringspatial variability. However, spatial variability in flow and sediment transport will change the recurrence of erosion, and therefore dune preservation. In order to better understand the limits of these Interpretations and outline the causes of potential variability in preservation potential, this paper reviews existing work and presents new observations of an extreme end-member of dune preservation: ?form-sets?, formed by dunes in which both stoss- and lee- slopes are preserved Intact. These form-sets do not conform to models that are based on the recurrence of erosion, since erosion does not recur in their case, and can therefore be used to evaluate the assumptions that underpin sedimentary preservation. New Ground Penetrating Radar data from the Río Paraná, Argentina, show dune fields that are buried intact within larger scale barforms. These trains of form-sets are up to 300 m in length, are restricted to unit-bar troughs in the upper 5 m of the channel deposits, occur in >5% of the mid-channel bar deposits, show reactivation surfaces, occur in multiple levels, and match the size of average-flow dunes. A review of published accounts of form-sets highlights a diversity of processes that can be envisaged for their formation: i) abandonment after extreme floods, ii) slow burial of abandoned dune forms by cohesive clay in sheltered bar troughs and meander-neck cut-offs, iii) fast burial by mass-movement processes, and iv)climbing of dune sets due to local dominance of deposition over dune migration.Analysis of these new and published accounts of form-sets and their burial processes highlights that form-sets need not be indicative of extreme floods. Instead, form-sets are closely associated with surrounding geomorphology such as river banks, meander-neck cutoffs,and bars because this larger-scale context controls the local sediment budget and the nature of recurrence of erosion. Locally enhanced preservation by the ?extreme? dominance of deposition is further promoted by finer grain sizes and prolonged changes in flow stage. Such conditions are characteristic, although not exclusive, of large lowland rivers such as the Río Paraná. The spatial control on dune preservation is critical: although at-a-point models adequately describe near-horizontal sets of freely migrating dunes in uniform flows, they are unsuitable for inclined dune co-sets and other cases where multiple scales of bedforms interact. Spatial and temporal variations in flow and sediment transport betweenthe thalweg and different positions on larger bar-forms can change the preservation potential of dunes within river channels. Therefore, dune set thickness distributions are likely grouped in larger-scale units that reflect both formative dune geometries and bar-scale variations inpreservation potential. The multi-scale dynamics of preservation highlighted herein also provides a useful comparison for other sedimentary systemsFil: Reesink, Arnold J.. University Of Binghamton; Estados UnidosFil: Van den Berg, J. H.. University of Utrecht; Países BajosFil: Parsons, Daniel R.. University Of Hull; Reino UnidoFil: Amsler, Mario Luis. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias Hídricas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Best, James L.. University of Illinois. Urbana - Champaign; Estados UnidosFil: Hardy, Richard J.. University Of Durham; Reino UnidoFil: Orfeo, Oscar. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Centro de Ecología Aplicada del Litoral. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Centro de Ecología Aplicada del Litoral; ArgentinaFil: Szupiany, Ricardo Nicolas. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias Hídricas; Argentin

Using synthetic biological parts and microbioreactors to explore the protein expression characteristics of Escherichia coli

Synthetic biology has developed numerous parts for the precise control of protein expression. However, relatively little is known about the burden these place on a host, or their reliability under varying environmental conditions. To address this, we made use of synthetic transcriptional and translational elements to create a combinatorial library of constructs that modulated expression strength of a green fluorescent protein. Combining this library with a microbioreactor platform, we were able to perform a detailed large-scale assessment of transient expression and growth characteristics of two Escherichia coli strains across several temperatures. This revealed significant differences in the robustness of both strains to differing types of protein expression, and a complex response of transcriptional and translational elements to differing temperatures. This study supports the development of reliable synthetic biological systems capable of working across different hosts and environmental contexts. Plasmids developed during this work have been made publicly available to act as a reference set for future research.</p