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.     

黄原酯棉富集分离火焰原子吸收法测定煤中痕量铅

研究了黄原酯棉富集分离火焰原子吸收光谱法测定煤中痕量铅的方法。试验结果表明：该方法较简便、快速和准确,相对标准偏差小于８．２％,回收率在９０％～１０８％之间     

Sea water intrusion and salt water intrusion in the coastal area of Laizhou Bay

The characteristics, pattern, hydrodynamic and hydrochemical features, and the movement pattern of the salt waterfresh water interface of the sea water intrusion and the salt water intrusion, which occur in the coastal area of Laizhou Bay in Shandong Province, are analysed. The characteristics of the two kinds of intrusion are compared as well. A three-dimensional sea water intrusion model to describe the sea water intrusion with a transitional zone 1.5–6.0 km wide in the phreatic aquifer and a solute transport model describing the behavior of cations exchange in the process of sea water intrusion are established.     

脂多糖—被动血凝试验早期诊断伤寒的价值

为评估脂多糖－被动血凝试验（ＬＰＳ－ＰＨＡ）早期诊断伤寒的应用价值,对病程不同的１０２例伤寒患者用ＬＰＳ－ＰＨＡ、肥达反应和细菌培养进行检测,２００例非伤寒发热患者作为对照。结果显示：伤寒患者病程第一周ＬＰＳ－ＰＨＡ阳性率为８０％（２４／３０）,第二周达９７７３％（４３／４４）;细菌培养阳性率２４５１％;肥达反应的伤寒与副伤寒鞭毛抗体交叉阳性率达３７２５％;对照组ＬＰＳ－ＰＨＡ有２％的假阳性。结果表明：ＬＰＳ－ＰＨＡ可早期、简便及快速诊断伤寒,有较高的敏感性和特异性。     

Relationship between the partitioning properties of motoneuron recruitment and the needle feeling propagation

Histological and physiological studies indicated that most skeletal muscles can be divided into a series of relatively independent sub-volumes: "neuromuscular compartments" and the partitioning property of the muscle result in the localization of muscle reflex. In the present experiment we studied the recruitment properties of medial gastracnemius (MG) muscle motoneuron pool of decerebrate cat with two kinds of local mechanical stimulation: local stretch and acupuncture-like stimuli. The results indicate that: (ⅰ) there is an obvious property of localization of recruitment activity, only the MNs which innervate the stimulated compartment were recruited by weaker and shorter stimuli; (ⅱ) recruitment activity spread to those MNs which supply the adjacent and distal compartments during the strength of stimulation or duration of the stimulation was increased; and (ⅲ) the recruitment property of muscle activity elicited by the local mechanical stimulation is thought similar to that of "needle feeling" along the meridian pathway during stimulation of acupuncture point.     

梯级水电站群最优运行的递阶控制算法

针对位于同一电网的梯极水电站群联合运行的情况,着重研究了在枯水季节最优调度的计算模式,提出了大系统递阶控制的优化算法。该算法也同样适用于规划中的梯级水电站。实例计算表明该算法是可行的,且解析性强。