Error rates in quadratic discrimination with constraints on the covariance matrices

In multivariate discrimination of several normal populations, the optimal classification procedure is based on quadratic discriminant functions. We compare expected error rates of the quadratic classification procedure if the covariance matrices are estimated under the following four models: (i) arbitrary covariance matrices, (ii) common principal components, (iii) proportional covariance matrices, and (iv) identical covariance matrices. Using Monte Carlo simulation to estimate expected error rates, we study the performance of the four discrimination procedures for five different parameter setups corresponding to standard situations that have been used in the literature. The procedures are examined for sample sizes ranging from 10 to 60, and for two to four groups. Our results quantify the extent to which a parsimonious method reduces error rates, and demonstrate that choosing a simple method of discrimination is often beneficial even if the underlying model assumptions are wrong.The authors wish to thank the editor and three referees for their helpful comments on the first draft of this article. M. J. Schmid supported by grants no. 2.724-0.85 and 2.038-0.86 of the Swiss National Science Foundation.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Naja siamensis</Emphasis>, a cryptic species of venomous snake revealed by mtDNA sequencing

Because of possible variation in venom composition, an understanding of venomous snake systematics is of great importance for the optimization of antivenom treatment of snakebite patients. Intraspecific variation in the morphology of many venomous snakes complicates the definition and indentification of some species when allopatric populations are involved. Selectively neutral or near-neutral mtDNA sequences can reveal evolutionary relationships obscured by ecogenetically-caused morphological variation. We use comparative sequencing of the cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 gene to reveal the existence of a widespread, cryptic species of spiting cobra from southeast Asia. This species,Naja siamensis, is widely sympatric with other Asiatic cobra species. This may be of considerable medical significance, and calls for further research into venom composition in Asiatic cobras.     

Variability of sterol utilization in stored-products insects

A comparison of sterol utilization by 3 stored-products insects revealed very different capabilities. The fluor beetle,Tribolium castaneum dealkylates and converts dietary sitosterol to about equal amounts of cholesterol (43.7%) and 7-dehydrocholeterol (39.8%), whereas another flour beetle,Tenebrio molitor, produces considerably less 7-dehydrocholesterol (16.8%) and relatively more cholesterol (66.7%) from sitosterol. The lepidopteran,Plodia interpunctella, utilized dietary sterol very similar to plant-feeding lepidoptera, producing primarily cholesterol (86.5%) from sitosterol.     

用于VLSI的新型介质膜界面陷阱的特征

采用雪崩热电子注入技术和高频Ｃ－Ｖ准静态Ｃ－Ｖ特性测试,研究了新型快速热氮化的ＳｉＯｘＮｙ介质膜界面陷阱的特征,侧重于研究界面陷阱的特性与分布。结果表明：这种ＳｉＯｘＮｙ薄膜禁带中央界面陷阱密度随氮化时间的分布变化呈现”回转效应“,且存在着不同类型、密度悬殊很大的电子陷阱、指出雪崩热电子注入过程中在Ｓｉ／ＳｉＯｘＮｙ界面上产生两种性质不同的快界面态陷阱;给出了这两种界面态陷阱密度在禁带中能量的分布     

WAVELET PACKET AND FUZZY NEURAL NETWORK FOR TOOL CONDITION MONITORING *

在自动化制造中,线监控刀具状况以保护刀具与加工工件显得越来越重要．近年来,许多研究者在此领域进行了广泛的研究,然而由于加工过程的不确定性,现有的刀具监控系统的可靠性还有待提高．本文提出了一种基于小波包分析与模糊神经网络的自适应刀具监控系统,该系统利用小波包分析方法将加工过程振动信号分解为不同的频率段,并在此基础上,建立了自适应特征提取方法,为模糊神经网络提供最优的特征输入,然后模糊神经网络据此进行决策,分析刀具磨损状况．实验结果表明：该系统模糊神经网络能有效通过学习人类模糊知识和在线学习样本来提高刀具监控精度．     

A massive phytoplankton bloom induced by an ecosystem-scale iron fertilization experiment in the equatorial Pacific Ocean

The seeding of an expanse of surface waters in the equatorial Pacific Ocean with low concentrations of dissolved iron triggered a massive phytoplankton bloom which consumed large quantities of carbon dioxide and nitrate that these microscopic plants cannot fully utilize under natural conditions. These and other observations provide unequivocal support for the hypothesis that phytoplankton growth in this oceanic region is limited by iron bioavailability.     

Effects of atmospheric pollution on human health

Most air pollutants do not lead to specific diseases. Depending on the pollutant, the concentration and the duration of exposure, some organs are more affected than others. The most frequent disorders are those caused by irritant gases and particulates on the mucous membranes and respiratory organs. The consequences are eye, nose and throat inflammations, diminished lung function, increased susceptability to respiratory infection and a higher incidence of chronic bronchitis. These disorders and diseases are, of course, influenced by other factors as well, such as immune deficiency, allergies, occupational exposure to pollutants, and particularly smoking. The effects of air pollutants are, therefore, multifactorially conditioned and nonspecific disorders are placed in the foreground. Evidence for an association of air pollution with adverse effects on human health is drawn from three sources: animal experiments, experimental human exposures, and epidemiologic studies of exposed human populations. The burden of atmospheric pollution must be reduced to protect human health by an adequate safety margin. In particular, the increased sensitivity of sick and aged people as well as children should be taken into account. In defining the maximum emmission levels, preventive aspects should have priority so as to keep the risk of damage to health and the harmful influences on the environment to a minimum.This article Effects of atmospheric pollution on human health by H. U. Wanner is a revised version of the same article that was first published in the Proceedings of the 1990 European Aerosol Conference; special issue of the J. Aerosol Sci., Vol. 21, Suppl. 1 (1990) 389–396.Reprinted with kind permission from Pergamon Press Ltd, Headington Hill Hall, Oxford OX3 0BW, Great Britain.     

Ecological long-term effects of cultigens becoming feral and of naturalization of non-native species

Transgenic cultigens may become feral as we know of some non-transgenic cultigens. The article explains two basic ways how cultigens become feral: through hybridization with a closely related wild plant and through revert to the wild-type. A long list of examples of cultigens becoming feral in Central Europe is presented. The process of becoming feral is compared to the naturalization of non-native species (Exotic Species Model). Ecological long-term effects of both cultigens becoming feral and non-native species being naturalized are discussed with special regard to the predictability of such events. The ecological aspects discussed in the article are as significant for transgenic cultigens as for non-transgenic cultigens.     

Some citrus chitinases also possess chitosanase activities

Several acidic chitinase and chitosanase isoforms were found in 4-week-old nonembryogenic sweet orange (Valencia [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck]) callus tissue. Two isoforms (designated A1-CF1 and A1-CF2) were purified to homogeneity using HPLC size exclusion, anion exchange, and chromatofocusing techniques. Both hydrolase isoforms exhibited activity with either colloidal chitin or solubilized shrimp shell chitosan. Specific activities for the purified isoforms could not be calculated because of the lack of protein and contamination of ampholytes. However, the specific activities for chitinase and chitosanase after anion exchange were respectively 404 nmol GlcNAc per min per mg protein and 2,475 nmol GlcN per min per mg protein. The M_r for both enzymes was 30,500. The homogeneous proteins cross-reacted in western blots with antiserum against a basic class I potato leaf chitinase.     

A 6,000-year sedimentary molecular record of chemocline excursions in the Black Sea

The Black Sea is the world's largest anoxic basin; it is also a contemporary analogue of the environment in which carbonaceous shales and petroleum source beds formed. Recently, Repeta et al. reported that anoxygenic photosynthesis may be an important component of carbon cycling in the present Black Sea, owing to a shoaling of the chemocline and consequent penetration of the photic zone by anaerobic waters in the past few decades. It has been suggested that this was due to an anthropogenic decrease in freshwater input to the Black Sea, although natural causes were not ruled out. Here we report the distributions of sequestered photosynthetic pigments in eight core samples of sediments from the Black Sea ranging in age from zero to 6,200 years before the present. Our results show that photosynthetic green sulphur bacteria (Chlorobiaceae [correction of Clorobiaceae]) have been active in the Black Sea for substantial periods of time in the past. This finding indicates that the penetration of the photic zone by anaerobic waters is not a recent phenomenon, and suggests that natural causes for shoaling of the chemocline are more likely than anthropogenic ones.