Best linear unbiased disaggregation of annual GDP to quarterly figures: the case of Malaysia

Long series of quarterly GDP figures are still not available for many countries. This paper suggests an empirical procedure adapted from Chow and Lin (1971) to derive quarterly estimates from annual GDP figures and produces quarterly GDP by sectors for Malaysia from 1973Q1 onwards. A comparison of these estimates with some univariate interpolations using published quarterly figures for recent years show that the use of related series can produce substantially superior estimates of GDP compared to univariate methods. The data set is available from the authors. Copyright © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

On-line Cutting Quality Recognition in Milling Using a Radical Basis Function Neural Network

Tool wear, chatter vibration, chip breaking and built-up edge are main phenomena to be monitored in modern manufacturing processes, which are considered as important factors to the quality of products.They are closely related to the cutting parameters, which are to be selected in manufacturing process.However, it is very difficult to measure directly the cutting quality based on on-line monitoring.In this study, the relationship between the cutting parameters and cutting quality is analyzed.A Radical Basis Function (RBF) neural network based on-line quality recognition scheme is also presented, which monitors the level of surface roughness.The experimental results reveal that the RBF neural network has a high prediction success rate.     

Heritable changeability: Epimutation and the legacy of negative definition in epigenetic concepts

Epigenetic concepts are fundamentally shaped by a legacy of negative definition, often understood by what they are not. Yet the function and implication of negative definition for scientific discourse has thus far received scant attention. Using the term epimutation as exemplar, we analyze the paradoxical like-but-unlike structure of a term that must simultaneously connect with but depart from genetic concepts. We assess the historical forces structuring the use of epimutation and like terms such as paramutation. This analysis highlights the positive characteristics defining epimutation: the regularity, oxymoronic temporality, and materiality of stable processes. Integrating historical work, ethnographic observation, and insights from philosophical practice-oriented conceptual analysis, we detail the distinctive epistemic goals the epimutation concept fulfils in medicine, plant biology and toxicology. Epimutation and allied epigenetic terms have succeeded by being mutation-like and recognizable, yet have failed to consolidate for exactly the same reason: they are tied simultaneously by likeness and opposition to nouns that describe things that are assumed to persist unchanged over space and time. Moreover, negative definition casts the genetic-epigenetic relationship as an either/or binary, overshadowing continuities and connections. This analysis is intended to assist practitioners and observers of genetics and epigenetics in recognizing and moving beyond the conceptual legacies of negative definition.     

Development of hyperphagia in male rats following placement of ventromedial hypothalamic lesions at four different ages

Zusammenfassung Im Gegensatz zu weiblichen Ratten zeigen männliche Tiere mit Läsionen des N. ventromedialis hypothalami im Alter von 26, 59, 75 und 140 Tagen kurz nach der Ablaktation keinen unmittelbaren Einfluss auf die Futteraufnahme, Erwachsene nie die in den gleichaltrigen weiblichen Ratten beobachtete Hyperphagie. Männliche Ratten erreichen das Kontrollniveau schon nach 5 Wochen, während die weiblichen Tiere noch ausgeprägte Hyperphagic zeigen.

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This investigation was supported by U.S.P.H.S. Grant No. HE 06975 of the National Heart Institute.     

Priority and privilege in scientific discovery

The priority rule in science has been interpreted as a behavior regulator for the scientific community, which benefits society by adequately structuring the distribution of intellectual labor across pre-existing research programs. Further, it has been lauded as an intuitively fair way to reward scientists for their contributions, as a special case of society’s “grand reward scheme”. However, we will argue that the current formal framework utilized to model the priority rule idealizes away important aspects of credit attribution, and does so in a way that impacts the conclusions drawn regarding its function in scientific communities. In particular, we consider the social dynamics of credit attribution in order to show that the priority rule can foster structural disadvantages in socially diverse science, as well as drive the distribution of intellectual labor away from optimal.     

MODELLING RANDOM CONVEX SETS

A model is developed for convex-set valued data,which are the Minkowski sum of aconvex parameter set and a convex noise set.This model is generalized to include location and scaleparameters.A further generalization results in a model for convex sets which is analogous to aone-way analysis of variance models.In each case,estimators of the parameters are given which,under certain conditions,are shown to be consistent.Data generated from the model and theestimators are studied.An outlier detection method is examined.     

Fabrication and characterization of 3D scaffold using 3D plotting system

In this paper, we design and fabricate a 3D scaffold using rapid prototyping (RP) technology for tissue engineering. The scaffold should have a three-dimensional interconnected pore network. We fabricate a polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffold with interconnecting pores and uniform porosity for cell ingrowth using a 3D plotting system. In order to keep the three dimensional shape under mechanical loading while implanted, we design an oscillating nozzle system to increase elastic modulus and yield strength of PCL ...     

A terahertz metamaterial with unnaturally high refractive index

Controlling the electromagnetic properties of materials, going beyond the limit that is attainable with naturally existing substances, has become a reality with the advent of metamaterials. The range of various structured artificial 'atoms' has promised a vast variety of otherwise unexpected physical phenomena, among which the experimental realization of a negative refractive index has been one of the main foci thus far. Expanding the refractive index into a high positive regime will complete the spectrum of achievable refractive index and provide more design flexibility for transformation optics. Naturally existing transparent materials possess small positive indices of refraction, except for a few semiconductors and insulators, such as lead sulphide or strontium titanate, that exhibit a rather high peak refractive index at mid- and far-infrared frequencies. Previous approaches using metamaterials were not successful in realizing broadband high refractive indices. A broadband high-refractive-index metamaterial structure was theoretically investigated only recently, but the proposed structure does not lend itself to easy implementation. Here we demonstrate that a broadband, extremely high index of refraction can be realized from large-area, free-standing, flexible terahertz metamaterials composed of strongly coupled unit cells. By drastically increasing the effective permittivity through strong capacitive coupling and decreasing the diamagnetic response with a thin metallic structure in the unit cell, a peak refractive index of 38.6 along with a low-frequency quasi-static value of over 20 were experimentally realized for a single-layer terahertz metamaterial, while maintaining low losses. As a natural extension of these single-layer metamaterials, we fabricated quasi-three-dimensional high-refractive-index metamaterials, and obtained a maximum bulk refractive index of 33.2 along with a value of around 8 at the quasi-static limit.     

利用杀菌剂防治松萎蔫病

松萎蔫病是一种非常复杂的病害。据报道,松材线虫(Bursaphelenchus xylophilus)及其携带的细菌诱导了该病,但是对于细菌的的作用尚存争议。笔者筛选出杀细菌剂进行了温室和林间防治松萎蔫病的实验。利用每株3年生赤松(Pinus densiflora)注射3 mg的恶喹酸,松萎蔫病防效达到71 %。利用恶喹酸或阿维菌素及两者混合物对大约20年生赤松的试验表明,3种处理均显示了很高的防效。以上结果证明伴生细菌是诱导松萎蔫病的必要因素,对松萎蔫病可利用杀细菌剂或杀细菌剂与杀线剂混合物进行防控。