A Linear-Time Algorithm for Finding Locally Connected Spanning Trees on Circular-Arc Graphs

Suppose that T is a spanning tree of a graph G. T is called a locally connected spanning tree of G if for every vertex of T, the set of all its neighbors in T induces a connected subgraph of G. In this paper, given an intersection model of a circular-arc graph, an O(n)-time algorithm is proposed that can determine whether the circular-arc graph contains a locally connected spanning tree or not, and produce one if it exists.     

Modular Neural Tile Architecture for Compact Embedded Hardware Spiking Neural Network

Biologically-inspired packet switched network on chip (NoC) based hardware spiking neural network (SNN) architectures have been proposed as an embedded computing platform for classification, estimation and control applications. Storage of large synaptic connectivity (SNN topology) information in SNNs require large distributed on-chip memory, which poses serious challenges for compact hardware implementation of such architectures. Based on the structured neural organisation observed in human brain, a modular neural networks (MNN) design strategy partitions complex application tasks into smaller subtasks executing on distinct neural network modules, and integrates intermediate outputs in higher level functions. This paper proposes a hardware modular neural tile (MNT) architecture that reduces the SNN topology memory requirement of NoC-based hardware SNNs by using a combination of fixed and configurable synaptic connections. The proposed MNT contains a 16:16 fully-connected feed-forward SNN structure and integrates in a mesh topology NoC communication infrastructure. The SNN topology memory requirement is 50 % of the monolithic NoC-based hardware SNN implementation. The paper also presents a lookup table based SNN topology memory allocation technique, which further increases the memory utilisation efficiency. Overall the area requirement of the architecture is reduced by an average of 66 % for practical SNN application topologies. The paper presents micro-architecture details of the proposed MNT and digital neuron circuit. The proposed architecture has been validated on a Xilinx Virtex-6 FPGA and synthesised using 65 nm low-power CMOS technology. The evolvable capability of the proposed MNT and its suitability for executing subtasks within a MNN execution architecture is demonstrated by successfully evolving benchmark SNN application tasks representing classification and non-linear control functions. The paper addresses hardware modular SNN design and implementation challenges and contributes to the development of a compact hardware modular SNN architecture suitable for embedded applications     

Hydrolysis of hen egg white ovomucin

 This paper reports on the solubilization of ovomucin by hydrolysis. This glycoprotein can easily be obtained by precipitation but the precipitate itself is not soluble in ordinary buffers. Flavourzyme, a protease/peptidase complex, enables the solubilization of ovomucin in 1 h and the hydrolysis of the soluble materials. These compounds were studied by HPLC gel permeation, electrophoresis and an amino acid analyser in order to define their molecular weight, the presence of glycans and the liberation of free amino acids. High-molecular-weight glycosylated materials (>94,000 Da) and one glycopeptide (38,100 Da) were detected. Free amino acids (all amino acids are represented) and peptides (from 34,400 to 20,800 Da) were also released in the solution. Received: 14 March 1997     

Rubber-modified epoxies. II. A reaction-induced phase separation observed in-situ and a posteriori with different methods

The reaction-induced phase separation in epoxy systems modified with rubber was firstly observed in situ with small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), light transmission (LT), light scattering (LS), scanning electronic microscopy and transmission electronic microscopy techniques. The different observation windows of the SAXS, LT and LS methods allow us to follow the phase separation at two size levels. The selected system was bisphenol-A diglycidylether cured with 4,4′-diamino-3,3′-dimethyldicyciohexylmethane, in the presence of 15% wt of epoxy-terminated butadiene acrylonitrile random copolymers of different molecular weights. The phase separation inside the particles formed was followed first. Influences of precure temperature, rubber molecular weight, the postcure, vitrification and gelation on the evolution of the structure inside the particles are discussed. The real beginning of the phase separation is also discussed.     

Endocytosis of transcobalamin in male rabbit germ cells: electron microscope radioautography study

The binding of 125I-iodinated transcobalamin to a suspension of isolated rabbit germ cells was studied by Scatchard plot. The number of binding sites was evaluated to about 1000 per cell, and its association constant (Kass) in order of 14.6 l/nmole. The distribution to structures related to endocytosis was determined by ultrastructural histomorphometric studies. Both coated and uncoated structures were present regardless of maturation stage. The number of coated vesicles was at its highest in the initial maturation steps, whereas the number of uncoated vesicles was highest in the final maturation steps. The endocytosis of 125I-iodinated transcobalamin by the suspension of germ cells was studied by electron microscope radioautography. The tracer was mostly detected over the plasma membrane, coated vesicles and multivesicular bodies of germ cells. The grains were observed mainly over spermatocytes and round spermatids; 31.6% and 32% of these cells, respectively, were labeled. In contrast the tracer was detected in only 8.11% of elongated spermatids. In conclusion, iodinated transcobalamin is internalized in rabbit germ cells by receptor-mediated endocytosis. This phenomenon was predominant in the early stages of germ cell maturation.     

Transfer RNA profiling: A new method for the identification of pathogenic Candida species

A new molecular taxonomic method applicable to the identification of medically important Candida species and other yeast species has been developed. It is based on the electrophoretic pattern of total tRNA samples (a ‘tRNA profile’) isolated from Candida species and generated using high-resolution semi-denaturing urea-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and methylene blue staining. Species-specific tRNA profiles for the species. C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis, C. guilliermondii, C. glabrata and Pichia guilliermondii were obtained. Detailed studies with the major human pathogen of the Candida genus, C. albicans, demonstrated that the tRNA profile for a given species was both reproducible and strain-independent; seven different C. albicans strains generated identical tRNA profiles. Minor strain-specific heterogeneities in the tRNA profiles of C. guilliermondii and C. parapsilosis were detected, but in neither case did they significantly alter the species-specific diagnostic tRNA profile. The potential of this method in clarifying taxonomic anomalies was demonstrated by the finding that Type I and Type II strains of C. stellatoidea generate very different tRNA profiles, with that of a Type II strain being identical to the C. albicans tRNA profile. This method offers a number of advantages over current electrophoretic karyotype methods for species identification, both within the Candida genus and with yeast species in general.     

1.1-W continuous-wave 1480-nm semiconductor lasers with distributedelectrodes for mode shaping

Diffraction-limited high-power devices may suffer from self-focusing effects due to nonuniform gain saturation. In this letter, we propose the concept of the distributed electrode, which allows one to improve the modal behavior of these lasers and to reduce spatial-hole burning effects by preferentially localizing current injection in the center of the structure, therefore shaping the optical mode. Utilizing this concept, we have realized unstable cavity lasers exhibiting single-lobe far-field patterns. We report the first realization of flared unstable cavity lasers emitting at 1480 mm with maximum output powers up to 1.1-W continuous-wave and external efficiencies as high as 0.45 W/A     

Symptom-dependent taste aversion induced by an anticoagulant rodenticide in the brown rat (–Rattus norvegicus–R).

In a series of 3 experiments with different experimental paradigms, feeding patterns of laboratory rats (Rattus norvegicus) were monitored in 2-choice feeding tests after intubation with a sublethal dose of an anticoagulant rodenticide. The authors report for the first time that contrary to accepted wisdom, anticoagulants can induce taste aversions. Furthermore, we report behavioral symptoms within the 1st day after dosing. Our data suggest that the taste aversion is induced through an inhibition of the vitamin K cycle and is transient, attenuating over the same period as the levels of vitamin K-dependent proteins return to normal. Because the taste aversion is expressed most strongly when symptoms are most pronounced and is not expressed after symptoms have disappeared, the authors term this novel form of control symptom-dependent taste aversion. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A new internal standard for GLC determination of monoglycerides and propylene glycol esters

Monoheptadecanoin (monomargarin) has been used as an internal standard for the gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) determination of monoglyceride and propylene glycol ester emulsifiers. The compound is expensive and difficult to prepare. Octadecyl glyceryl ether (batyl alcohol), a less expensive commercially available material, has been found to be acceptable as an internal standard for this determination.