On the limitations of comparing mean square forecast errors

Linear models are invariant under non-singular, scale-preserving linear transformations, whereas mean square forecast errors (MSFEs) are not. Different rankings may result across models or methods from choosing alternative yet isomorphic representations of a process. One approach can dominate others for comparisons in levels, yet lose to another for differences, to a second for cointegrating vectors and to a third for combinations of variables. The potential for switches in ranking is related to criticisms of the inadequacy of MSFE against encompassing criteria, which are invariant under linear transforms and entail MSFE dominance. An invariant evaluation criterion which avoids misleading outcomes is examined in a Monte Carlo study of forecasting methods.     

Gamete formation reflects the sexual pheromone hierarchy ofDictyostelium giganteum

Summary Sexual development inDictyostelium giganteum begins with the appearance of small, amoeboid gametes that fuse to produce mainly binucleate cells which differentiate into zygote giant cells. The data presented here show that the number of gametes produced by each strain (WS589>WS606>WS607>WS588) is directly related to its position in this hierarchy.This work was supported by a grant (A6807) from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.     

Eicosapentaenoic acid in tissue lipids ofPieris brassicae

Summary Larvae of the cabbage white butterfly,Pieris brassicae, have a dietary requirement for linolenic acid (C183n3) and were found to accumulate two other members of the n-3 family, C203n3 and C205n3 (eicosapentaenoic acid) especially in testicular phospholipids. Arachidonic acid was observed in trace amounts only. During diapause the relative titer of eicosapentaenoic acid increased in testicular phospholipids to about 4.2% of the fatty acids. Eicosapentaenoic acid is a possible precursor of prostaglandins, suggesting that prostaglandins of the 3-series predominate in this insect.     

‘Waldsterben’, part IV (continuing series)

Summary Peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities, and ascorbic acid content, were measured in both intercellular fluid and cell material of current and 1-year-old needles of Norway spruce saplings treated with ozone, ambient air and activated carbon-filtered air in outdoor fumigation chambers. Ethylene evolution was also compared. Plants from carbon-filtered air treatments had significantly lower enzyme activities and higher ascorbic acid content. These changes were more marked in intercellular fluid than in cell material. Significant changes were noted at ozone levels typical of ambient air quality in a typical urban area. These results suggest the need for simultaneous screening of several biochemical markers as a way of overcoming the lack of specificity of any single marker for the identification of a perturbation by a particular stress, such as ozone.Acknowledgments. This work was supported in part by Grant Number 4849-0.85 (NFP 14) from the Swiss National Fund of Scientific Research. We thank Dr. F. Cupelin and Dr. J. Cl. Landry from the Service d'Ecotoxicologie, Genève, who provided the facilities for the monitoring of ozone levels. We also thank A. Mesrobian, A. Rossier and D. Voluntaru for technical assistance. Du Pont de Nemours International is gratefully acknowledged for the gift of TEDLAR (polyvinyl fluoride film) to build up the fumigation chambers.     

Preparation of exine-detached pollen inNicotiana tabacum

A method of preparing exine-detached pollen inNicotiana tabacum was established. Anthers containing early-middle binucleate pollen were cold-pretreated at 4–6°C for 7–14 days, and were suspended in 0.3 mol/L sucrose solution for 2 days. During this process, the exine of most pollen grains dehisced. Then they were transferred into an enzyme solution containing 1% cellulase, 1% pectinase, 0.1% pectolyase, 1 mol/L mannitol, 0.3 mol/L sorbitol, 0.5% potassium dextran sulphate and K3 medium macro elements. After 15–20 min enzymatic maceration, the exine was detached resulting in the release of exine-detached pollen. Factors affecting preparation of exine-detached pollen were investigated, including cold-pretreatment, osmoticum concentration and enzymes used. Xia Huijun: born in Oct. 1963, Ph.D. Current research interest is in plant reproductive biology Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China     

The stereochemical course of amino acid activation by methionyl- and tyrosyl-tRNA synthetases.

Stereochemical analysis has long been recognised as a powerful tool for elucidating the mechanisms of chemical and enzyme-catalysed reactions. Although much is known about the stereochemical course of reactions at saturated carbon, phosphate and thiophosphate esters whose ligands to phosphorus are also tetrahedrally disposed, are capable in principle of revealing sterochemical information about events at the active site of enzymes that transform such substrates. Nucleotidyl transferases are a group of enzymes which in general selectively use one of the diastereoisomers of a nucleoside 5'(1-thiotriphosphate), such as isomers A and B of adenosine 5'(1-thiotriphosphate), designated ATP alpha S-A and ATP alpha S-B, and allow investigation of the stereochemical course of nucleotidyl transfer. We have developed a simple method based on 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy for determining the stereochemical course of these reactions, and using this method show here that the nucleotidyl transfer step in two aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases from Escherichia coli occurs with inversion of configuration at phosphorus. These observations greatly constrain the mechanistic possibilities for these enzymes, and are interpreted most simply as a direct 'in line' transfer from ATP to the amino acid.     

基于特征融合的三维人脸识别

针对单一的人脸特征在识别中的局限性,将基于深度图像的全局特征和基于测地线的局部特征进行融合,以提高识别率.将三维人脸点云转换为深度图像后进行预处理,然后使用主成分分析法(PCA)找到一个低维的特征脸空间,依照最近邻法则将其与库集样本进行匹配,所得结果即为全局特征;将测试样本与模板人脸进行匹配,得到35个特征点,这些特征...     

Editorial

Systemic Practice and Action Research -