Nonstationary Gaussian Process Models Using Spatial Hierarchical Clustering from Finite Differences

Modern digital data production methods, such as computer simulation and remote sensing, have vastly increased the size and complexity of data collected over spatial domains. Analysis of these large spatial datasets for scientific inquiry is typically carried out using the Gaussian process. However, nonstationary behavior and computational requirements for large spatial datasets can prohibit efficient implementation of Gaussian process models. To perform computationally feasible inference for large spatial data, we consider partitioning a spatial region into disjoint sets using hierarchical clustering of observations and finite differences as a measure of dissimilarity. Intuitively, directions with large finite differences indicate directions of rapid increase or decrease and are, therefore, appropriate for partitioning the spatial region. Spatial contiguity of the resulting clusters is enforced by only clustering Voronoi neighbors. Following spatial clustering, we propose a nonstationary Gaussian process model across the clusters, which allows the computational burden of model fitting to be distributed across multiple cores and nodes. The methodology is primarily motivated and illustrated by an application to the validation of digital temperature data over the city of Houston as well as simulated datasets. Supplementary materials for this article are available online.     

Universality in ant behaviour

Prediction for social systems is a major challenge. Universality at the social level has inspired a unified theory for urban living but individual variation makes predicting relationships within societies difficult. Here, we show that in ant societies individual average speed is higher when event duration is longer. Expressed as a single scaling function, this relationship is universal because for any event duration an ant, on average, moves at the corresponding average speed except for a short acceleration and deceleration at the beginning and end. This establishes cause and effect within a social system and may inform engineering and control of artificial ones.     

Evaluation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">flaA</Emphasis> Short Variable Region Sequencing,Multilocus Sequence Typing,and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy for Discrimination between <Emphasis Type="Italic">Campylobacter jejuni</Emphasis> Strains

Discriminatory and robust typing methods are needed to improve the understanding of the dynamics of food-borne Campylobacter infections and epidemiology in primary animal production. To evaluate the strain discriminatory potential of typing methods, flaA short variable region (SVR) sequencing and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy were applied on a collection of 102 epidemiologically related and unrelated Campylobacter jejuni strains. Previous application of FTIR spectroscopy for subtyping of Campylobacter has been limited. A subset of isolates, initially discriminated by flaA SVR sequencing, were further subjected to multilocus sequence typing (MLST). It was found that flaA SVR sequencing had a slightly higher discriminatory power than FTIR spectroscopy, based on the Simpson diversity index. The clustering of strains indicated that FTIR spectroscopy is indeed a suitable method for discrimination of Campylobacter. The isolates were assigned to six clusters based on flaA SVR sequences and nine clusters based on the FTIR spectroscopy profiles. Furthermore, the cluster analysis of flaA SVR sequences, MLST, and FTIR spectroscopy profiles showed a high degree of congruence, assigning the isolates to similar cluster structures. In conclusion, FTIR spectroscopy can be applied for subtyping of Campylobacter, and the high discriminatory potential of both flaA SVR sequencing and FTIR spectroscopy render them suitable screening methods for large numbers of strains.     

Crosslinking of polybenzimidazole membranes by divinylsulfone post‐treatment for high‐temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell applications

Phosphoric acid‐doped polybenzimidazole (PBI) has been suggested as a promising electrolyte for proton exchange membrane fuel cells operating at temperatures up to 200 °C. This paper describes the development of a crosslinking procedure for PBI membranes by post‐treatment with divinylsulfone. The crosslinking chemistry was studied and optimized on a low‐molecular‐weight model system and the results were used to optimize the crosslinking conditions of PBI membranes. The crosslinked membranes were characterized with respect to chemical and physiochemical properties, showing improved mechanical strength and oxidative stability compared with their linear analogues. Fuel cell tests were further conducted in order to demonstrate the feasibility of the crosslinked membranes. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

n−3 fatty acids,heart rate variability,and sudden cardiac death

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a major cause of mortality in Western countries. Furthermore, SCD is often the first manifestation of coronary artery disease, making it difficult to prevent. Heart rate variability (HRV), which can be determined by extended recording of the heart rate by 24-h Holter monitoring, has been shown to be one of the best predictors of the risk of SCD. There is increasing evidence from animal experiments and clinical trials in humans that n?3 fatty acids reduce the risk of SCD. We have studied the effect of n?3 fatty acids on HRV and present data clearly showing that n?3 fatty acids increase HRV. This adds further to the hypothesis that an increased intake of n?3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of SCD.     

Marine n-3 fatty acids: Basic features and background

There is some evidence from epidemiology that intake of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) from seafood may protect against coronary artery disease (CAD). This hypothesis is further supported from animal data showing a beneficial effect of n-3 PUFA on thrombosis and atherosclerosis in animals fed fish oils in most, but not all, studies. There are several mechanisms by which an increased intake of marine n-3 PUFA may protect against CAD; the most universal finding is a reduction of plasma triglycerides. It is puzzling, however, that a very low amount of n-3 PUFA, with no known beneficial biochemical effects, seems to be cardioprotective. It has therefore been of paramount interest to perform clinical trials. Such evidence and trials are discussed in later chapters, and the results have been very encouraging.