Estimates of covariance functions for growth from birth to 630 days of age in Nelore cattle

Weight records of Brazilian Nelore cattle, from birth to 630 d of age, recorded every 3 mo, were analyzed using random regression models. Independent variables were Legendre polynomials of age at recording. The model of analysis included contemporary groups as fixed effects and age of dam as a linear and quadratic covariable. Mean trends were modeled through a cubic regression on orthogonal polynomials of age. Up to four sets of random regression coefficients were fitted for animals' direct and maternal, additive genetic, and permanent environmental effects. Changes in measurement error variances with age were modeled through a variance function. Orders of polynomial fit from three to six were considered, resulting in up to 77 parameters to be estimated. Models fitting random regressions modeled the pattern of variances in the data adequately, with estimates similar to those from corresponding univariate analysis. Direct heritability estimates decreased after birth and tended to be lowest at ages at which maternal effect estimates tended to be highest. Maternal heritability estimates increased after birth to a peak around 110 to 120 d of age and decreased thereafter. Additive genetic direct correlation estimates between weights at standard ages (birth, weaning, yearling, and final weight) were moderate to high and maternal genetic and environmental correlations were consistently high.

Wannier functions of isolated bands in one-dimensional crystals

We present a simple procedure to obtain the maximally localized Wannier function of isolated bands in one-dimensional crystals with or without inversion symmetry. First, we discuss the generality of dealing with real Wannier functions. Next, we use a transfer-matrix technique to obtain nonoptimal Bloch functions which are analytic in the wave number. This produces two classes of real Wannier functions. Then, the minimization of the variance of the Wannier functions is performed, by using the antiderivative of the Berry connection. In the case of centrosymmetric crystals, this procedure leads to the Wannier-Kohn functions. The asymptotic behavior of the Wannier functions is also analyzed. The maximally localized Wannier functions show the expected exponential and power-law decays. Instead, nonoptimal Wannier functions may show reduced exponential and anisotropic power-law decays. The theory is illustrated with numerical calculations of Wannier functions for conduction electrons in semiconductor superlattices.

Wannier functions of a one-dimensional photonic crystal with inversion symmetry

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Ultrastructure of the intramandibular gland of workers and queens of the stingless bee, Melipona quadrifasciata

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

A discrete finite-dimensional phase space approach for the description of Fe8 magnetic clusters: Wigner and Husimi functions

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Modelling frequency distributions of 5 minute-averaged solar radiation indexes using Beta probability functions

Five minute-averaged values of sky clearness, direct and diffuse indices, were used to model the frequency distributions of these variables in terms of optical air mass. From more than four years of solar radiation observations it was found that variations in the frequency distributions of the three indices of optical air mass for Botucatu, Brazil, are similar to those in other places, as published in the literature. The proposed models were obtained by linear combination of normalized Beta probability functions, using the observed distributions derived from three years of data. The versatility of these functions allows modelling of all three irradiance indexes to similar levels of accuracy. A comparison with the observed distributions obtained from one year of observations indicate that the models are able to reproduce the observed frequency distributions of all three indices at the 95% confidence level.

Morphological changes in the cephalic salivary glands of females and males of Apis mellifera and Scaptotrigona postica (Hymenoptera, Apidae)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

INTEGRAL FUNCTIONALS ON C*-ALGEBRA OF VECTOR-VALUED REGULATED FUNCTIONS

In this paper we deal with the notion of regulated functions with values in a C*-algebra A and present examples using a special bi-dimensional C*-algebra of triangular matrices. We consider the Dushnik integral for these functions and shows that a convenient choice of the integrator function produces an integral homomorphism on the C*-algebra of all regulated functions ([a, b], A). Finally we construct a family of linear integral functionals on this C*-algebra.

On soft limits of large-scale structure correlation functions

We study soft limits of correlation functions for the density and velocity fields in the theory of structure formation. First, we re-derive the (resummed) consistency conditions at unequal times using the eikonal approximation. These are solely based on symmetry arguments and are therefore universal. Then, we explore the existence of equal-time relations in the soft limit which, on the other hand, depend on the interplay between soft and hard modes. We scrutinize two approaches in the literature: the time-flow formalism, and a background method where the soft mode is absorbed into a locally curved cosmology. The latter has been recently used to set up (angular averaged) 'equal-time consistency relations'. We explicitly demonstrate that the time-flow relations and 'equal-time consistency conditions'are only fulfilled at the linear level, and fail at next-to-leading order for an Einstein de-Sitter universe. While applied to the velocities both proposals break down beyond leading order, we find that the 'equal-time consistency conditions'quantitatively approximates the perturbative results for the density contrast. Thus, we generalize the background method to properly incorporate the effect of curvature in the density and velocity fluctuations on short scales, and discuss the reasons behind this discrepancy. We conclude with a few comments on practical implementations and future directions.

Transcription of the Hsp30, Hsp70, and Hsp90 heat shock protein genes is modulated by the PalA protein in response to acid pH-sensing in the fungus Aspergillus nidulans

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Criteria for analysis of the structure of electronic scientific journals

This paper is the result of the Masters dissertation studying the role and history of scientific communication, especially the changes that have occurred after the appearance of electronic communication and computer networks. This study showed that hypertext systems are increasingly being used in the scientific and academic world in the production of electronic journals; this makes it possible for the user to rapidly access information in their area. However, these systems need to be improved to help the user during search and access to information. Both printed journals migrating to electronic media, and the exclusively electronic journals should present the current quality indicators. The attempt was made to discover whether characteristics related to printed journals are being maintained in their electronic counterparts. For this, a prototype model was developed to analyze the structure of electronic scientific journals; it composes 14 criteria expressing aspects of quality for these journals. It includes elements of Website Information Architecture and those already in place in printed scientific journals in order to ensure that basic functions - archiving and dissemination - are maintained in electronic publishing. Each criterion consists of variables, which measure the maintenance of these functions both in the migrating printed journals and the exclusively electronic ones. This prototype model was used to analyze Ciência da Informação On-line and DataGramaZero - Revista de Ciência da Informação. Results indicate that this model is able to find out if the basic functions of archiving and dissemination are being maintained in electronic journals. Therefore, its implementation is justified in electronic journals. The model can help librarians, authors, and users of electronic journals to identify quality journals, and assist editors in developing their projects. The material from the study may be included in the preservice and inservice education of Information Science professionals and to support editors of scientific journals.

Product functions: interfaces with ergonomic design

In addition to technical quality, increasing emphasis is being placed on the importance of elements such as the appearance and meaning of products. To be successful, therefore, attention must be paid to the aesthetic and symbolic functions of objects as well as to reliability and physical quality. Study of the interfaces of these functions may provide a theoretical basis for the ergonomic design of products. The objective of this review is to attempt to establish the nature of these interfaces.

Lima beans production and economic revenue as function of organic and mineral fertilization

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Synthesis and structural characterization of Eu(III)-doped Zn7Sb2O12

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Multidimensional polynomial powers of sigmoid (PPS) Wavelet neural networks

Wavelet functions have been used as the activation function in feedforward neural networks. An abundance of R&D has been produced on wavelet neural network area. Some successful algorithms and applications in wavelet neural network have been developed and reported in the literature. However, most of the aforementioned reports impose many restrictions in the classical backpropagation algorithm, such as low dimensionality, tensor product of wavelets, parameters initialization, and, in general, the output is one dimensional, etc. In order to remove some of these restrictions, a family of polynomial wavelets generated from powers of sigmoid functions is presented. We described how a multidimensional wavelet neural networks based on these functions can be constructed, trained and applied in pattern recognition tasks. As an example of application for the method proposed, it is studied the exclusive-or (XOR) problem.