TESTING EQUALITY OF MEANS WHEN THE OBSERVATIONS ARE FROM FUNCTIONAL TIME SERIES

There are numerous examples of functional data in areas ranging from earth science to finance where the problem of interest is to compare several functional populations. In many instances, the observations are obtained consecutively in time, and thus, the classical assumption of independence within each population may not be valid. In this article, we derive a new, asymptotically justified method to test the hypothesis that the mean curves of multiple functional populations are the same. The test statistic is constructed from the coefficient vectors obtained by projecting the functional observations into a finite dimensional space. Asymptotics are established when the observations are considered to be from stationary functional time series. Although the limit results hold for projections into arbitrary finite dimensional spaces, we show that higher power is achieved by projecting onto the principle components of empirical covariance operators that diverge under the alternative. Our method is further illustrated by a simulation study as well as an application to electricity demand data.     

Discrimination between design errors and user errors by binomial test

In laboratory usability studies, error collecting and analysis are frequently used methods of software evaluation and usually are capable of revealing the most conspicuous design deficiencies, if there are any. In certain cases, however, it is hard if not impossible to distinguish accidental user errors from systematic errors attributable to design failures without a careful statistical hypothesis testing. An appropriate, additional statistical analysis of the distribution of observed errors along the steps of the standard tasks could add further useful information to the obvious results of the study. For this purpose a simple binomial model is proposed, which proved to be applicable in a case study: by the help of this model it was possible to discover some further design failures in addition to the already obvious ones.     

Hybrid fuzzy convolution modelling and identification of chemical process systems

This paper looks at a new method of modelling nonlinear dynamic processes, using grid-type Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy models and a priori knowledge. The proposed hybrid fuzzy convolution dynamic model consists of a non-linear fuzzy steady-state static and a gainindependent impulse response model-based dynamic part. The modelling of nonlinear pH processes is chosen as a realistic case study for demonstration of the proposed modelling approach. The off-line identified hybrid fuzzy convolution model is shown to be capable of modelling the nonlinear process and providing better multiple-step prediction than the conventional grid-type Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy model.     

Comparative study between computational and experimental results for binary rarefied gas flows through long microchannels

A comparative study between computational and experimental results for pressure-driven binary gas flows through long microchannels is performed. The theoretical formulation is based on the McCormack kinetic model and the computational results are valid in the whole range of the Knudsen number. Diffusion effects are taken into consideration. The experimental work is based on the Constant Volume Method, and the results are in the slip and transition regime. Using both approaches, the molar flow rates of the He–Ar gas mixture flowing through a rectangular microchannel are estimated for a wide range of pressure drops between the upstream and downstream reservoirs and several mixture concentrations varying from pure He to pure Ar. In all cases, a very good agreement is found, within the margins of the introduced modeling and measurement uncertainties. In addition, computational results for the pressure and concentration distributions along the channel are provided. As far as the authors are aware of, this is the first detailed and complete comparative study between theory and experiment for gaseous flows through long microchannels in the case of binary mixtures.     

Cellular Chaperone Function of Intrinsically Disordered Dehydrin ERD14

Disordered plant chaperones play key roles in helping plants survive in harsh conditions, and they are indispensable for seeds to remain viable. Aside from well-known and thoroughly characterized globular chaperone proteins, there are a number of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) that can also serve as highly effective protecting agents in the cells. One of the largest groups of disordered chaperones is the group of dehydrins, proteins that are expressed at high levels under different abiotic stress conditions, such as drought, high temperature, or osmotic stress. Dehydrins are characterized by the presence of different conserved sequence motifs that also serve as the basis for their categorization. Despite their accepted importance, the exact role and relevance of the conserved regions have not yet been formally addressed. Here, we explored the involvement of each conserved segment in the protective function of the intrinsically disordered stress protein (IDSP) A. thaliana’s Early Response to Dehydration (ERD14). We show that segments that are directly involved in partner binding, and others that are not, are equally necessary for proper function and that cellular protection emerges from the balanced interplay of different regions of ERD14.     

Synthesis of Sucrose-HDI Cooligomers: New Polyols for Novel Polyurethane Networks

Sucrose-1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) cooligomers were synthesized and used as new polyols for poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL)-based polyurethanes. The polyaddition reaction of sucrose and HDI was monitored by MALDI-TOF MS. It was found that by selecting appropriate reaction conditions, mostly linear oligomer chains containing 16 sucrose units could be obtained. For the synthesis of polyurethane networks, prepolymers were prepared by the reaction of poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL, 10 kg/mol) with HDI or 4,4′-methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) and were reacted with sucrose-HDI cooligomers. The so-obtained sucrose-containing polyurethanes were characterized by means of attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FT IR), swelling, mechanical (uniaxial tensile tests) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).     

Electrodeposition of Co-Ni-Cu/Cu multilayers: 1. Composition, structure and magnetotransport properties

Co-Ni-Cu/Cu multilayers have been deposited from a sulfate/sulfamate bath by controlling the current and the potential for the deposition of the magnetic and the copper layer, respectively. The magnetic layer thickness was varied between 1.2 nm and 12 nm, while the Cu layer thickness was in the range of 1.1-2.3 nm. Alloys with direct current have also been produced for comparison. All multilayer deposits exhibited a face centered cubic structure, while a small amount of hexagonal close packed phase was also present in the d.c. deposited alloys. The composition analysis showed that the codeposition of Co and Ni can be classified as anomalous codeposition for both d.c. and compositionally modulated deposits, regardless of the simultaneous deposition of Cu. The composition of the magnetic layer was affected by its layer thickness. This finding led to the conclusion that there must be a composition gradient in the magnetic layer in the growth direction. The magnetoresistance of the multilayers increased with increasing copper layer thickness, while the superparamagnetic contribution in the magnetoresistance increased with decreasing deposition current density of the magnetic layers.     

A genetic analysis of the stoned locus and its interaction with dunce, shibire and Suppressor of stoned variants of Drosophila melanogaster

The genetic complementation patterns of both behavioral and lethal alleles at the stoned locus have been characterized. Mosaic analysis of a stoned lethal allele suggests that stoned functions either in the nervous system or in both the nervous system and musculature, but is not required for gross neural development. The behavioral alleles stnts and stnC, appear to be defective in a diametrically opposite sense, show interallelic complementation, and indicate distinct roles for the stoned gene product in the visual system and in motor coordination. A number of other neurological mutations have been investigated for their possible interaction with the viable stoned alleles. Mutations at two loci, dunce and shibire, act synergistically with the stnts mutations to cause lethality, but fail to interact with stnC. A third variant (Suppressor of stoned) has been identified which can suppress the debilitation associated with the stnts mutations. These data, together with a previously identified interaction between the stnts and tan mutants, indicate a central role for the stoned gene product in neuronal function, and suggests that the stoned gene product interacts, either directly or indirectly, with the neural cAMP second messenger system, with the synaptic membrane recycling pathway via dynamin, and with biogenic amine metabolism.     

Elimination of cardiopulmonary bypass: a prime goal in reoperative coronary artery bypass surgery

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate morbidity and mortality in reoperative coronary artery bypass surgery using the New York State database. METHODS: Patients undergoing reoperative coronary artery bypass between January-1995 and December 1996 were included. Patients were operated using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB group, n = 184) or without cardiopulmonary bypass (non-CPB group, n = 105) by surgeon preference. Groups were compared for preoperative risk factors, postoperative mortality and major complications. RESULTS: Crude mortality was lower in the non-CPB group, despite a higher expected mortality, resulting in a risk-adjusted mortality of 1.3% versus 2.7% for the CPB group (NS). Of non-CPB patients, 91.4% were without complications, while only 72.1% of CPB patients (P < 0.0001) were complication-free. Major complications were significantly reduced in non-CPB patients compared to CPB patients: stroke 0% versus 3.8% (P < 0.04), cardiovascular complications 4.8% versus 15.8% (P < 0.005), other major complications 1.9% versus 10.4% (P < 0.007). Postoperative IABP support was needed in 1.9% of the non-CPB group patients and in 14.2% of the CPB group (P < 0.0007). CONCLUSIONS: The main object of reoperative CABG is to relieve symptoms, since the survival benefit of the procedure has not been demonstrated. Performance of reoperative coronary artery bypass surgery without cardiopulmonary bypass significantly reduces morbidity. We conclude that cardiopulmonary bypass should be avoided whenever possible in reoperative coronary bypass surgery.