bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence at birth of congenital abnormalities of external ears in Hungary
Authors: Paput László , Bánhidy Ferenc , Czeizel Andrew
Published: March 2011

The objective of the study was to estimate the prevalence at birth and epidemiologic characteristics of patients/cases with both isolated and multiple “syndromic” external ear congenital abnormalities (CAs) in Hungary. The Hungarian Congenital Abnormality Registry, 1980–1996, included 649 cases with isolated external ear CAs, while the number of cases with unclassified multiple CA, including ear CAs, was 331. Thus the prevalence at birth of cases with isolated external ear CAs and unclassified multiple CAs was 0.30 and 0.15, respectively, for a total 0.46 per 1000 births. After reevaluation of reported 354 cases with isolated external ears CAs in the Hungarian Case-Control Surveillance of Congenital Abnormalities, 74 (20.9%) and 236 (66.7%) were affected with mild and severe microtia, while 24 (6.8%) had anotia. The fourth group included 20 cases with the combination of anotia/microtia and external/middle ear CAs. Isolated ear CAs showed a slight male excess (54.0%) and strong predominance of unilateral manifestation (93.4%). Multiple ear CAs showed a stronger male excess (65.4%) and less frequent unilateral affection (62.2%). In conclusion, ear CAs had a low diagnostic validity; thus it was necessary to reassess the data and to reclassify several cases.
PPI_SVM: Prediction of protein-protein interactions using machine learning, domain-domain affinities and frequency tables
Authors: Chatterjee Piyali , Basu Subhadip , Kundu Mahantapas , Nasipuri Mita , Plewczynski Dariusz
Published: March 2011

Protein-protein interactions (PPI) control most of the biological processes in a living cell. In order to fully understand protein functions, a knowledge of protein-protein interactions is necessary. Prediction of PPI is challenging, especially when the three-dimensional structure of interacting partners is not known. Recently, a novel prediction method was proposed by exploiting physical interactions of constituent domains. We propose here a novel knowledge-based prediction method, namely PPI_SVM, which predicts interactions between two protein sequences by exploiting their domain information. We trained a two-class support vector machine on the benchmarking set of pairs of interacting proteins extracted from the Database of Interacting Proteins (DIP). The method considers all possible combinations of constituent domains between two protein sequences, unlike most of the existing approaches. Moreover, it deals with both single-domain proteins and multi domain proteins; therefore it can be applied to the whole proteome in high-throughput studies. Our machine learning classifier, following a brainstorming approach, achieves accuracy of 86%, with specificity of 95%, and sensitivity of 75%, which are better results than most previous methods that sacrifice recall values in order to boost the overall precision. Our method has on average better sensitivity combined with good selectivity on the benchmarking dataset. The PPI_SVM source code, train/test datasets and supplementary files are available freely in the public domain at: http://code.google.com/p/cmater-bioinfo/.
Interaction of Moringa oleifera seed lectin with humic acid
Authors: Santos Andréa , Carneiro-da-Cunha Maria , Teixeira José , Paiva Patrícia , Coelho Luana , Nogueira Regina
Published: March 2011

The aim of this work was to characterise the affinity of protein preparations from Moringa oleifera seeds, specifically extract (seeds homogenised with 0.15 M NaCl), fraction (extract precipitated with 390 mg mL−1 of ammonium sulphate) and cMoL (coagulant M. oleifera lectin) to bind humic acids using a haemagglutinating activity assay with rabbit erythrocytes and a radial diffusion assay in agarose gel. Specific haemagglutinating activity (SHA) decreased by 94 % for the extract and cMoL and by 50 % for the fraction in the presence of humic acid. Precipitation bands were observed in the diffusion gel. Both results suggested humic acid-cMoL binding. Carbohydrates, potassium, and calcium ions and pH affected the SHA of cMoL. As an example of application, cMoL was immobilised on a column packed with sepharose receiving 20 mg mL−1 of carbon humic acid solution, 30 mg of humic acid per gram of support was removed. This result suggested that protein preparations might be used in water treatment to remove humic acids.
A review of recent evolutionary computation-based techniques in wind turbines layout optimization problems
Authors: Salcedo-Sanz S. , Saavedra-Moreno B. , Paniagua-Tineo A. , Prieto L. , Portilla-Figueras A.
Published: March 2011

This paper presents a mini-review of the main works recently published about optimal wind turbines layout in wind farms. Specifically, we focus on discussing articles where evolutionary computation techniques have been applied, since this computational framework has obtained very good results in different formulations of the problem. A summary of the main concepts needed to face the problem are also included in the article, such as a basic wake model and several cost models and objective functions previously used in the literature. This review includes works published in the most significant journals and international conferences, and it gives a brief remark of the optimization models proposed and the implemented algorithms, so it can be useful for readers who want to be quickly introduced in this research area.
Development and renewal-conditions of dune pine forests second growth in the lichen and cowberry site type in Southwest Estonia
Authors: Kõresaar Kadri , Kõresaar Priit , Mandre Malle
Published: March 2011

Edela-Eesti luitemetsade järelkasvu arengust ning uuenemistingimustest sambliku ja pohla kasvukohatüübis

On the southwestern coast of Estonia dune pine forest covers approximately 3000 hectares. This area includes coastal pine forests. The dune pine forest natural renewal in Southwest Estonia is the object of research. The natural regeneration of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) at the cowberry site type and at the lichen site type are observed. The necessary observations were made and primary data were collected in 1999-2006 from 28 sample plots, wherefrom 16 were situated at the lichen and 12 at the cowberry site type. The aim of the present study was to find out how old stand and forest site type influences the growth of second growth (height, height increment, age and number of trees per unit area) and its morphological parameters (length of needles and shoots and their dry mass).
On sand knobs vegetation in Verhulitsa-Lutepää region, South-Eastern Estonia
Authors: Paal Jaanus , Kurg Kaie , Paal Taimi
Published: March 2011

Verhulitsa-Lutepää piirkonna liivikute taimkattest

Vegetation of inland sand knobs in South-Eastern Estonia was studied. 39 plant communities were described and thereafter classified into 7 syntaxonomic units: 1. Calluna vulgaris-Cladina spp. type, 2. Koeleria glauca-Cladina spp. type, 3. Juniperus communis-Arctostaphylos uva-ursi-Cladina spp. type, 4. Festuca ovina-Cladina spp. type, 4.1. Pinus sylvestris-Festuca ovina-Cladina spp. type, Deschampsia flexuosa variant, 4.2. Pinus sylvestris-Festuca ovina-Cladina spp. type, Thymus serpyllum variant, 4.3. Pinus sylvestris-Festuca ovina-Cladina spp. type, Pleurozium schreberi variant. Environmental variables determining the variation structure of samples are the amount (cover) of litter and the total cover of field and moss layers. The species richness of communities depends mostly on the amount of litter and marginally insignificantly (p = 0,051) also on humus horizon thickness. Interpreting the vegetation on 1×1 m sample quadrats as microcoenoses, 415 quadrats were clustered into 23 microcoenose types. The most frequent are the microcoenoses of Cladina arbuscula+Pycnothelia papillaria, Cladina arbuscula+Festuca ovina, Festuca ovina+Cladina arbuscula and Festuca ovina+Pilosella officinarum type, seldom occur microcoenoses of Cetraria islandica+Cladina stellaris and Polytrichum piliferum+Festuca ovina type. In all community types are presented Cladina arbuscula+Festuca ovina and Dicranum polysetum+Cladina arbuscula type microcoenoses but microcoenoses of any type are confined to only one type of communities. To maintain the peculiar features of Estonian inland sand knobs plant communities they must be kept open and in some places also the dense bottom layer vegetation must be removed.
Recent invasion of foliage fungi of pines (Pinus spp.) to the Northern Baltics
Authors: Drenkhan Rein , Hanso Märt
Published: March 2011

Recent invasion of foliage fungi of pines (Pinus spp.) to the Northern Baltics

In the wake of severe climatic extremes during recent years, several new invasive foliage fungi of pines have been reported in Estonia. In this paper the peculiarities of the fast dissemination process, particularly from south to north of two quarantined species, Mycosphaerella pini and M. dearnessii, but also of Diplodia pinea and Cyclaneusma minus on different host species are described. These species were known as destructive pathogens in several countries and continents. By today, the range of M. pini has already reached northern Finland. In its dissemination process we could follow, with the half-year steps, colonization of Estonia from south to north. Some micromorphological features of these alien species were investigated. Hypothetical risk for pine forests was shortly introduced.
Dependence of volume (oven dry weight) of harvesting residues on forest site type
Authors: Padari Allar , Mitt Risto , Pärn Linnar , Muiste Peeter
Published: March 2011

Kasvukohatingimuste mõju raiejäätmete kuivmassile

To limit the emissions of greenhouse gases the wider utilization of renewable energy is mandatory for all EU countries. The aim of the present study was to estimate the potential quantities of harvesting residues as a source of renewable fuel. The sample plots were selected to cover the majority of site types. Based on the characteristics of the stand and the weight of the harvesting residues from different site types 2 formulas of linear regression were composed. As a result it was determined that depending on the forest site type the oven dry weight of harvesting residues per m3 of the stem varies from 22 m3/ha (bog whortleberry site type) to 144 m3/ha (alder fen site type). If to consider the average bulk density to be 500 kg/m3, the share of harvesting residues from the volume of the stand varies from 4.4 to 28.8%.
Pollinator richness and abundance in Northeast Estonia: bumblebees, butterflies and day-flying moths
Authors: Diaz-Forero Isabel , Liivamägi Ave , Kuusemets Valdo , Luig Jaan
Published: March 2011

Pollinator richness and abundance in Northeast Estonia: bumblebees, butterflies and day-flying moths

We studied diversity and abundance of three groups of pollinators: bumblebees, butterflies and day-flying moths, in Ida-Viru County, Estonia. The field work was done during the summers of 2008 and 2009, in 22 semi-natural meadows located across Northeast Estonia. In total, we found 22 species of bumblebees (gen. Bombus), including 5 species of cuckoo bumblebees, 56 species of butterflies and 42 species of day-flying moths. We recorded 597 individuals of bumblebees, 768 individuals of butterflies and 330 individuals of day-flying moths in our study sites. We analysed differences between years (2008 and 2009) for the species richness and abundance of bumblebees, butterflies and day-flying moths; the relationships between insect species richness and area of meadow, the total number of species per meadow and the local abundance of each species separately. We found significant differences between bumblebee richness and abundance in 2008 and 2009, and between butterfly abundance at the same years. These differences may be due to more favourable conditions: warmer and dryer weather in the second year. We found no significant relationships between area of meadow and species richness of bumblebees, butterflies and day-flying moths; however, when we analysed the abundance of each species separately, we found that two species of bumblebees, i.e. B. pascuorum and B. schrencki, and one species of day-flying moths, i.e. Chiasmia clathrata, were negatively related with area of meadow. Although, Northeast Estonia is a region that has been environmentally affected by mining activities and the presence of power plants, it could be considered an important area that supports a significant richness and abundance of pollinators across its territory.
Bedrock and Quaternary sediment geochemistry and biodiversity in Eastern Fennoscandia and Estonia
Authors: Systra Ylo
Published: March 2011

Bedrock and Quaternary sediment geochemistry and biodiversity in Eastern Fennoscandia and Estonia

Crystalline bedrock and Quaternary sediments are the parent materials for soil, which is a substrate for plant roots and also a supplier of nutrients. Through interactions within the bedrock-soil-plant-animal-human beings system, bedrock geology and geochemistry influence all forms of life on the planet. There are 11 major elements or macronutrients that are nutritionally essential for plants and animals in constructing and maintaining cells and tissues, and up to 43 trace elements or micronutrients involved in the regulation of metabolic processes. Element concentrations in soils reflect those of parent rocks, but for healthy growth and development of plant and animal tissues there are very strict constraints on trace element concentrations. Chemical analysis of different organic materials shows that all forms of life, marine and terrestrial plants and animals, and bacteria consist of comparable proportions of the of macronutrients: O, H, C, N, P, S, Ca, Mg, K, Na, Cl, as well as trace elements. Some differences are noted in elements that are more available in sea water (Mg, I, Br, Sr, Fe, Pb) or are essential for life outside of water (terrestrial animals need more Ca and P for stronger skeletons, etc.). Limestone and dolostone of northern and central Estonia are rich in Ca and Mg, whereas the sandstones that predominate in southern Estonia consist mainly of quartz (SiO2) and contain very few nutrients. Glacial activity in Fennoscandia transported predominantly Si-rich granite rock material to Estonia, in which trace element concentrations are very low, as in the local bedrock. The bedrock geochemistry, Quaternary cover and their influence on vegetation in some selected areas in Fennoscandia and Estonia are discussed.
Tracing fire cultivation in Estonia
Authors: Jääts Liisi , Kihno Kersti , Tomson Pille , Konsa Marge
Published: March 2011

Tracing fire cultivation in Estonia

Fire cultivation is possibly the agricultural land-use method of the longest duration in Estonia; yet still it has attracted little attention from researchers. The aim of this paper is two-fold: firstly, to discuss the latest stage of historical bushland management via fire cultivation as it appears in historical sources, and secondly to look for ways in which the natural historical research methods can be combined with those of the humanities in search of more complex understanding of land-use dynamics. The material analysed are the 19th century agrarian laws and ethnographic data. These sources show that researchers have so far rather under- than overestimated the persistence and spread of fire use - a number of fire cultivation cases are reported even from the early 20th century from different parts of Estonia. Thus we suggest that bushland management with fire cultivation methods has continued longer than previously assumed. Analysis of the 19th century Livonian agrarian laws shows that legislation of the period directed the land-use pattern away from the earlier practice of a mosaic or scattered patchwork of wooded areas and cleared fields, towards bigger wooded areas and more compact cultivated areas, thus bringing about changes in the landscape.
Distribution of the Green Network of Estonia
Authors: Raet Janar , Sepp Kalev , Kaasik Are , Kuusemets Valdo , Külvik Mart
Published: March 2011

Distribution of the Green Network of Estonia

Estonia has joined the Pan-European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy which obligates signatories to participate in developing the Pan-European Ecological Network. The plan "Environmental conditions for guiding settlement and land use" was initiated in all 15 counties of Estonia in 1999. One of the important subtopics of this plan is the "Green Network". The first thematic plans were validated in three counties in 2002. The last county to validate its Green Network thematic plan was Saare County in 2008. The Green Network of Estonia is supposed to complement the network of protected areas, combining them into a unified system of natural areas. One of the goals of the Estonian Green Network was to spatially incorporate the Natura 2000 sites as areas of European importance. Results demonstrated that in 10 of the 15 counties, this goal can be considered to have been achieved, as a minimum of 95% of the Natura 2000 sites within these counties have been incorporated into the Green Network. In three of the other counties about 90% have been incorporated, but in Võru and Valga counties, this percentage is much lower. In Võru, 75% of the Natura 2000 sites have been incorporated into the Green Network and in Valga only 60%. Therefore the revision of Green Network thematic plans should be considered in these counties.
Scenerio of HIV patients reported to University Kebangsaan Medical Centre during 2006-2009
Authors: Rahman MM , Ken WK , Norzuriza MR , Isahak I , Azura SS , Tzar MN
Published: March 2011

Objective: A study was undertaken to identify the HIV-positive cases from suspected patients reported to University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC) from January, 2006 to December; 2009. Methods: Cases were identified and confirmed by three established sero-diagnostic tests: Micro particulate Enzyme Immunoassay, Passive Particle Agglutination Test and Line Immunoassay. Results: A total of 256 HIV positive patients were identified and highlighted about their age, sex, ethnic origin and year wise distribution of cases. Frequency distribution of HIV-positive cases among different age groups indicated that, 144 (%) were aged between 21 to 40 years, 81 (%) were aged 41 to 60, 19 (%) were aged above 60 and 12 (%) were in the age group of 0-20 years. It revealed that the highest number of HIV-positive patients was in the age group of 21-40 years. Among the 4 groups of people living in Malaysia, HIV infection was found more in Chinese community (101), followed by Malaya community (97), Other community (Sikhs, tribes, foreigners) living in Malaysia (30) and Indian community (28). A total of 179 male and 77 female were positive for HIV infection. Monthly records of case detection indicate more or less similar prevalence pattern throughout the study period. Conclusions: It reveals from the report that the Malysian patients are mostly infected at the adulthood unlike other countries where majority of infections occur in young age .A high percent of HIV infection in males in the country indicates that they might played a vital role in carrying and disseminating infectiions to their female parterners. Keywords: HIV/AIDS; Sero-diagnosis; Socio-demographic profile; Malaysia. DOI: 10.3329/bjms.v10i1.7315 Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.10 No.1 Jan 2010 pp.21-28
Childhood pneumococcal meningitis: may it begin with diarrhea and proceed with cerebral infarct?
Authors: Yilmaz AE , Çatal F , Ta? T , Bilici M , Örün E , Çelik N
Published: March 2011

Pneumococcal meningitis does continue to be an important cause of mortality and morbidity in childhood despite widespread vaccination. It develops thorough invasion of the meninges by the agent via bloodstream. It may manifest typical signs of meningeal irritation and even the symptoms not belonging to the central nervous system, such as diarrhea. The diagnosis is made by microscopic evaluation and culture of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) obtained by lumbar puncture. Despite the treatment, the risk of occurrence of cerebral and neurologic complications is high. A two-month old baby girl was presented to our outpatients' clinic because of fever and diarrhea; she was diagnosed with pneumococcal meningitis and developed cerebral infarct during surveillance. The reason why we presented this patient is to highlight that meningitis due to pneumococ, one of the most common causing agents in childhood meningitis, may have clinical presentations other than expected. Key words: Pneumococcal meningitis; cerebral infarct; infant.  DOI: 10.3329/bjms.v10i1.7320 Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.10 No.1 Jan 2010 pp.52-56
Big digitisation: Origins, progress and prospects
Authors: Green Andrew
Published: March 2011

The digitisation of print publications began on a small scale. In 2005 it entered a new phase, mass digitisation, with the beginning of Google's Books programme. This aimed to convert whole collections and libraries into electronic form. A US challenge to Google's digitisation plans in 2005 led to a complex legal dispute, between the company and authors, publishers and others, which remains unresolved. The advantages of the revised ‘Google Books Settlement’ (November 2009) are described, as well as the serious objections to it: these include uncertainties about ownership and use of the digitised texts and their long-term preservation, the quality of digitisation, monopoly of mass digitisation activity, and the fact that Google is not a permanent trusted institution. Alternatives to Google are analysed from the point of view of libraries and others wishing to digitise collections: these include public sponsorship and private partnerships. Future uses of the product of mass digitisation are hard to predict. Among them may be novel ways of analysing large corpora of unstructured text, and substantial interaction with contributor-users.
The Eton Myers collection virtual museum
Authors: Chapman Henry P. , Gaffney Vincent L. , Moulden Helen L.
Published: March 2011

The digitisation of museum collections provides great opportunities for broad communication and access. However, currently the majority of online ‘virtual’ museums present information two-dimensionally. Three-dimensional data capture using laser scanning provides the potential to generate 3D virtual objects that can be used for a much greater interactive experience. This paper presents the results of a JISC-funded project aimed at the generation of a 3D online museum of an internationally important collection of Egyptological artefacts that have not previously been publicly available. The results from the project demonstrate the value of 3D museums, in addition to highlighting some of the future possibilities for interaction with objects and the ways in which such virtual museums can revolutionise access to collections for education and public interest. It also stresses ways in which such collections can benefit scholars in terms of reference collections, object analysis and interpretation. The question of objectivity and authenticity of virtual collections, in comparison with real objects is raised.
Challenges and Approaches for Developing Ultrafine Particle Emission Inventories for Motor Vehicle and Bus Fleets
Authors: Keogh Diane U. , Sonntag Darrell
Published: March 2011

Motor vehicles in urban areas are the main source of ultrafine particles (diameters < 0.1 µm). Ultrafine particles are generally measured in terms of particle number because they have little mass and are prolific in terms of their numbers. These sized particles are of particular interest because of their ability to enter deep into the human respiratory system and contribute to negative health effects. Currently ultrafine particles are neither regularly monitored nor regulated by ambient air quality standards. Motor vehicle and bus fleet inventories, epidemiological studies and studies of the chemical composition of ultrafine particles are urgently needed to inform scientific debate and guide development of air quality standards and regulation to control this important pollution source. This article discusses some of the many challenges associated with modelling and quantifying ultrafine particle concentrations and emission rates for developing inventories and microscale modelling of motor vehicles and buses, including the challenge of understanding and quantifying secondary particle formation. Recommendations are made concerning the application of particle emission factors in developing ultrafine particle inventories for motor vehicle fleets. The article presents a précis of the first published inventory of ultrafine particles (particle number) developed for the urban South-East Queensland motor vehicle and bus fleet in Australia, and comments on the applicability of the comprehensive set of average particle emission factors used in this inventory, for developing ultrafine particle (particle number) and particle mass inventories in other developed countries.
To Die or to Survive, a Fatal Question for the Destiny of Prostate Cancer Cells after Androgen Deprivation Therapy
Authors: Zhang Kai-Xin , Firus Jessica , Prieur Brenda , Jia William , Rennie Paul S.
Published: March 2011

Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed non-skin cancer in adult males in North America and is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality. For locally advanced or metastatic disease, androgen deprivation, through medical or surgical castration, is the primary treatment to induce prostate cancer cell death and extend patient survival. However, the vast majority of cancers progress to a castration-resistant/androgen-independent state where the cell death processes are no longer active. This review describes the main cell death processes, apoptosis, autophagy, necrosis and necroptosis, which may be activated in prostate cancers after androgen deprivation therapy as well as the molecular mechanisms through which the cancers progress to become castration resistant. In particular, the central role of persistent androgen receptor (AR)-mediated signaling and AR crosstalk with other critical cell signaling pathways, including (i) the PI3K/Akt pathway, (ii) receptor tyrosine kinases, (iii) the p38 MAPK pathway, and (iv) the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, as well as reactivation of AR by de novo synthesized androgen are discussed in this context. Understanding the molecular changes that subvert normal cell death mechanisms and thereby compromise the survival of prostate cancer patients continues to be a major challenge.
Cancer Stem Cells of Differentiated B-Cell Malignancies: Models and Consequences
Authors: Gross Emilie , Quillet-Mary Anne , Ysebaert Loic , Laurent Guy , Fournie Jean-Jacques
Published: March 2011

The concept of cancer stem cells has revolutionized our current vision of cancer development and was validated in solid tumors and cancers of the primitive hematopoietic compartment. Proof of the principle is still lacking, however, in malignancies of differentiated B-cells. We review here the current literature, which nevertheless suggests hierarchical organizations of the tumor clone for mostly incurable B-cell cancers such as multiple myeloma, lymphomas and B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia. We propose two models accounting for cancer stem cells in these contexts: a “top-to-bottom” clonal hierarchy from memory B-cells and a “bottom-to-top” model of clonal reprogramming. Selection pressure on the growing tumor can drive such reprogramming and increase its genetic diversity.
The First Lanthanide Telluride-Bromide: La3Te4Br, a Valence Compound
Authors: Larres Markus , Mudring Anja-Verena , Meyer Gerd
Published: March 2011

The first ternary lanthanide telluride-bromide La3Te4Br was obtained from a mixture of LaTe and LaBr3 (in the presence of iridium) in a sealed tantalum container at elevated temperatures. The crystal structure (orthorhombic, Pnma, a = 1634.3(2), b = 435.0(1), c = 1426.6(2) pm, Z = 4, R1 (I0 > 2s(I0)) = 0.0349) is built from dicapped trigonal prisms of tellurium and bromine atoms surrounding lanthanum in two different ways. The dicapped trigonal prisms are connected via common edges to a threedimensional structure, in the same fashion as is known for the binary U3Te5. La3Te4Br is a valence compound according to (La3+)3(Te2-)4(Br-) and one out of three lanthanide telluride-halides known to date.
Bounded Memory, Inertia, Sampling and Weighting Model for Market Entry Games
Authors: Chen Wei , Liu Shu-Yu , Chen Chih-Han , Lee Yi-Shan
Published: March 2011

This paper describes the “Bounded Memory, Inertia, Sampling and Weighting” (BI-SAW) model, which won the http://sites.google.com/site/gpredcomp/Market Entry Prediction Competition in 2010. The BI-SAW model refines the I-SAW Model (Erev et al. [1]) by adding the assumption of limited memory span. In particular, we assume when players draw a small sample to weight against the average payoff of all past experience, they can only recall 6 trials of past experience. On the other hand, we keep all other key features of the I-SAW model: (1) Reliance on a small sample of past experiences, (2) Strong inertia and recency effects, and (3) Surprise triggers change. We estimate this model using the first set of experimental results run by the competition organizers, and use it to predict results of a second set of similar experiments later ran by the organizers. We find significant improvement in out-of-sample predictability (against the I-SAW model) in terms of smaller mean normalized MSD, and such result is robust to resampling the predicted game set and reversing the role of the sets of experimental results. Our model’s performance is the best among all the participants.
The Rate and Tract Length of Gene Conversion between Duplicated Genes
Authors: Mansai Sayaka P. , Kado Tomoyuki , Innan Hideki
Published: March 2011

Interlocus gene conversion occurs such that a certain length of DNA fragment is non-reciprocally transferred (copied and pasted) between paralogous regions. To understand the rate and tract length of gene conversion, there are two major approaches. One is based on mutation-accumulation experiments, and the other uses natural DNA sequence variation. In this review, we overview the two major approaches and discuss their advantages and disadvantages. In addition, to demonstrate the importance of statistical analysis of empirical and evolutionary data for estimating tract length, we apply a maximum likelihood method to several data sets.
1,1,2,2-Tetrakis[(benzoylamino)methyl]hydrazine
Authors: Tanatarec Jasmina , Mikhova Bozhana , Popovski Emil
Published: March 2011

We report herein the synthesis of 1,1,2,2-tetrakis[(benzoylamino)methyl]-hydrazine from (benzamidomethyl)triethylammonium chloride and hydrazine monohydrate in the presence of triethylamine in ethanol/aqueous media. The structure of the newly synthesized compound was characterized on the basis of 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, IR and mass spectral data.
Synthesis and Characterization of Self-Assembled Nanogels Made of Pullulan
Authors: Ferreira Sílvia A. , Coutinho Paulo J. G. , Gama Francisco M.
Published: March 2011

Self-assembled nanogels made of hydrophobized pullulan were obtained using a versatile, simple, reproducible and low-cost method. In a first reaction pullulan was modified with hydroxyethyl methacrylate or vinyl methacrylate, further modified in the second step with hydrophobic 1-hexadecanethiol, resulting as an amphiphilic material, which self-assembles in water via the hydrophobic interaction among alkyl chains. Structural features, size, shape, surface charge and stability of the nanogels were studied using hydrogen nuclear magnetic resonance, fluorescence spectroscopy, cryo-field emission scanning electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering. Above the critical aggregation concentration spherical polydisperse macromolecular micelles revealed long-term colloidal stability in aqueous medium, with a nearly neutral negative surface charge and mean hydrodynamic diameter in the range 100–400 nm, depending on the polymer degree of substitution. Good size stability was observed when nanogels were exposed to potential destabilizing pH conditions. While the size stability of the nanogel made of pullulan with vinyl methacrylate and more hydrophobic chains grafted was affected by the ionic strength and urea, nanogel made of pullulan with hydroxyethyl methacrylate and fewer hydrophobic chains grafted remained stable.
Mycosporine-Like Amino Acids: Relevant Secondary Metabolites. Chemical and Ecological Aspects
Authors: Carreto Jose I. , Carignan Mario O.
Published: March 2011

Taxonomically diverse marine, freshwater and terrestrial organisms have evolved the capacity to synthesize, accumulate and metabolize a variety of UV-absorbing substances called mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) as part of an overall strategy to diminish the direct and indirect damaging effects of environmental ultraviolet radiation (UVR). Whereas the enzymatic machinery to synthesize MAAs was probably inherited from cyanobacteria ancestors via the endosymbionts hypothesis, metazoans lack this biochemical pathway, but can acquire and metabolize these compounds by trophic transference, symbiotic or bacterial association. In this review we describe the structure and physicochemical properties of MAAs, including the recently discovered compounds and the modern methods used for their isolation and identification, updating previous reviews. On this basis, we review the metabolism and distribution of this unique class of metabolites among marine organism.
Purification, Biochemical Characterization, and Bioactive Properties of a Lectin Purified from the Seeds of White Tepary Bean (Phaseolus Acutifolius Variety Latifolius)
Authors: Valadez-Vega Carmen , Guzmán-Partida Ana María , Soto-Cordova Francisco Javier , Álvarez-Manilla Gerardo , Morales-González José A. , Madrigal-Santillán Eduardo , Villagómez-Ibarra José Roberto , Zúñiga-Pérez Clara , Gutiérrez-Salinas José , Becerril-Flores Marco A.
Published: March 2011

The present work shows the characterization of Phaseolus acutifolius variety latifolius, on which little research has been published, and provides detailed information on the corresponding lectin. This protein was purified from a semi-domesticated line of white tepary beans from Sonora, Mexico, by precipitation of the aqueous extract with ammonium sulfate, followed by affinity chromatography on an immobilized fetuin matrix. MALDI TOF analysis of Phaseolus acutifolius agglutinin (PAA) showed that this lectin is composed of monomers with molecular weights ranging between 28 and 31 kDa. At high salt concentrations, PAA forms a dimer of 63 kDa, but at low salt concentrations, the subunits form a tetramer. Analysis of PAA on 2D-PAGE showed that there are mainly three types of subunits with isoelectric points of 4.2, 4.4, and 4.5. The partial sequence obtained by LC/MS/MS of tryptic fragments from the PAA subunits showed 90–100% identity with subunits from genus Phaseolus lectins in previous reports. The tepary bean lectin showed lower hemagglutination activity than Phaseolus vulgaris hemagglutinin (PHA-E) toward trypsinized human A and O type erythrocytes. The hemagglutination activity was inhibited by N-glycans from glycoproteins. Affinity chromatography with the immobilized PAA showed a high affinity to glycopeptides from thyroglobulin, which also has N-glycans with a high content of N-acetylglucosamine. PAA showed less mitogenic activity toward human lymphocytes than PHA-L and Con A. The cytotoxicity of PAA was determined by employing three clones of the 3T3 cell line, demonstrating variability among the clones as follows: T4 (DI50 51.5 µg/mL); J20 (DI50 275 µg/mL), and N5 (DI50 72.5 µg/mL).
Chemical Composition and In Vitro Activity of Plant Extracts from Ferula communis and Dittrichia viscosa against Postharvest Fungi
Authors: Mamoci Erjon , Cavoski Ivana , Simeone Vito , Mondelli Donato , Al-Bitar Lina , Caboni Pierluigi
Published: March 2011

F. communis and D. viscosa are perennial Mediterranean weeds that have been used for different therapeutic purposes in traditional pharmacopeia. Plant extracts were obtained from air dried D. viscosa young shoots (DvA) and F. communis aerial part (FcA) and roots (FcR) with n-hexane. The chemical compositions of the extracts were analyzed by HPLC-DAD, LC-MS (ESI) and LC-Q-TOF techniques. Two sesquiterpene lactones (inuviscolide, tomentosin) and three sesquiterpene acids (costic acid, hydroxycostic acid, ilicic acid) were identified from the D. viscosa extract, while in F. communis extracts three daucane sesquiterpenes (acetoxyferutinin, oxojaeskeanadioyl anisate, fertidin) and one coumarin (ferulenol) derivates were found. Biological activities of plant extracts were studied in in vitro experiments on the colonies and conidia of Botryotinia fuckeliana, Penicillium digitatum, P. expansum, Monilinia laxa, M. fructigena and Aspergillus spp. Extracts showed varying degree of antifungal activities on colony growth and conidia germination. The extract from FcA showed the least effect, while DvA extract had the strongest fungitoxic effects. FcR extract presented a fungitoxic effect on the colony growth, but it was not able to inhibit the conidia germination. These distinctions can be attributed to the differences in chemical composition of plant extracts.
Glycosides, Depression and Suicidal Behaviour: The Role of Glycoside-Linked Proteins
Authors: Serafini Gianluca , Pompili Maurizio , Innamorati Marco , Giordano Gloria , Tatarelli Roberto , Lester David , Girardi Paolo , Dwivedi Yogesh
Published: March 2011

Nowadays depression and suicide are two of the most important worldwide public health problems. Although their specific molecular mechanisms are still largely unknown, glycosides can play a fundamental role in their pathogenesis. These molecules act presumably through the up-regulation of plasticity-related proteins: probably they can have a presynaptic facilitatory effect, through the activation of several intracellular signaling pathways that include molecules like protein kinase A, Rap-1, cAMP, cADPR and G proteins. These proteins take part in a myriad of brain functions such as cell survival and synaptic plasticity. In depressed suicide victims, it has been found that their activity is strongly decreased, primarily in hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. These studies suggest that glycosides can regulate neuroprotection through Rap-1 and other molecules, and may play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of depression and suicide.
Essential Oils and Their Constituents: Anticonvulsant Activity
Authors: Nóbrega de Almeida Reinaldo , Agra Maria de Fátima , Negromonte Souto Maior Flávia , De Sousa Damião Pergentino
Published: March 2011

A literature-based survey of plants species and their essential oils with anticonvulsant activity was carried out. As results, 30 species belonging to 13 families and 23 genera were identified for their activities in the experimental models used for anticonvulsant drug screening. Thirty chemical constituents of essential oils with anticonvulsant properties were described. Information on these 30 species is presented together with isolated bioactive compound studies.
The Effect of Tannins on Mediterranean Ruminant Ingestive Behavior: The Role of the Oral Cavity
Authors: Lamy Elsa , Rawel Harshadrai , Schweigert Florian J. , Capela e Silva Fernando , Ferreira Ana , Costa Ana Rodrigues , Antunes Célia , Almeida André Martinho , Coelho Ana Varela , Sales-Baptista Elvira
Published: March 2011

Sheep, cattle and goat are domestic ruminants of significant economic interest in the Mediterranean region. Although sharing the same pasture ranges, they ingest different plants and plant parts and, consequently different levels of tannins. This suggests an ability to detect and adapt ingestion according to animal physiological limits of tolerance for plant secondary metabolites. This review will detail the effects of dietary tannins on feeding behavior, and the role of the oral cavity in this process, with focus on such ruminant species. The role of salivary protein profile in tannin perception in the oral cavity, and as a defense mechanism, will be discussed.
Functional Polymers in Protein Detection Platforms: Optical, Electrochemical, Electrical, Mass-Sensitive, and Magnetic Biosensors
Authors: Hahm Jong-in
Published: March 2011

The rapidly growing field of proteomics and related applied sectors in the life sciences demands convenient methodologies for detecting and measuring the levels of specific proteins as well as for screening and analyzing for interacting protein systems. Materials utilized for such protein detection and measurement platforms should meet particular specifications which include ease-of-mass manufacture, biological stability, chemical functionality, cost effectiveness, and portability. Polymers can satisfy many of these requirements and are often considered as choice materials in various biological detection platforms. Therefore, tremendous research efforts have been made for developing new polymers both in macroscopic and nanoscopic length scales as well as applying existing polymeric materials for protein measurements. In this review article, both conventional and alternative techniques for protein detection are overviewed while focusing on the use of various polymeric materials in different protein sensing technologies. Among many available detection mechanisms, most common approaches such as optical, electrochemical, electrical, mass-sensitive, and magnetic methods are comprehensively discussed in this article. Desired properties of polymers exploited for each type of protein detection approach are summarized. Current challenges associated with the application of polymeric materials are examined in each protein detection category. Difficulties facing both quantitative and qualitative protein measurements are also identified. The latest efforts on the development and evaluation of nanoscale polymeric systems for improved protein detection are also discussed from the standpoint of quantitative and qualitative measurements. Finally, future research directions towards further advancements in the field are considered.
Wireless Sensor Network-Based Greenhouse Environment Monitoring and Automatic Control System for Dew Condensation Prevention
Authors: Park Dae-Heon , Park Jang-Woo
Published: March 2011

Dew condensation on the leaf surface of greenhouse crops can promote diseases caused by fungus and bacteria, affecting the growth of the crops. In this paper, we present a WSN (Wireless Sensor Network)-based automatic monitoring system to prevent dew condensation in a greenhouse environment. The system is composed of sensor nodes for collecting data, base nodes for processing collected data, relay nodes for driving devices for adjusting the environment inside greenhouse and an environment server for data storage and processing. Using the Barenbrug formula for calculating the dew point on the leaves, this system is realized to prevent dew condensation phenomena on the crop’s surface acting as an important element for prevention of diseases infections. We also constructed a physical model resembling the typical greenhouse in order to verify the performance of our system with regard to dew condensation control.
Auto-Configuration Protocols in Mobile Ad Hoc Networks
Authors: García Villalba Luis Javier , García Matesanz Julián , Sandoval Orozco Ana Lucila , Márquez Díaz José Duván
Published: March 2011

The TCP/IP protocol allows the different nodes in a network to communicate by associating a different IP address to each node. In wired or wireless networks with infrastructure, we have a server or node acting as such which correctly assigns IP addresses, but in mobile ad hoc networks there is no such centralized entity capable of carrying out this function. Therefore, a protocol is needed to perform the network configuration automatically and in a dynamic way, which will use all nodes in the network (or part thereof) as if they were servers that manage IP addresses. This article reviews the major proposed auto-configuration protocols for mobile ad hoc networks, with particular emphasis on one of the most recent: D2HCP. This work also includes a comparison of auto-configuration protocols for mobile ad hoc networks by specifying the most relevant metrics, such as a guarantee of uniqueness, overhead, latency, dependency on the routing protocol and uniformity.
Hedonic Judgments of Chemical Compounds Are Correlated with Molecular Size
Authors: Zarzo Manuel
Published: March 2011

Different psychophysical works have reported that, when a wide range of odors is assessed, the hedonic dimension is the most salient. Hence, pleasantness is the most basic attribute of odor perception. Recent studies suggest that the molecular size of a given odorant is positively correlated with its hedonic character. This correlation was confirmed in the present study, but further basic molecular features affecting pleasantness were identified by means of multiple linear regression for the compounds contained in five chemical sets. For three of them, hedonic judgments are available in the literature. For a further two chemical sets, hedonic scores were estimated from odor character descriptions based on numerical profiles. Generally speaking, fairly similar equations were obtained for the prediction of hedonic judgments in the five chemical sets, with R2 values ranging from 0.46 to 0.71. The results suggest that larger molecules containing oxygen are more likely to be perceived as pleasant, while the opposite applies to carboxylic acids and sulfur compounds.
Taux d'intérêt et système bancaire
Authors: Szymczak Philippe
Published: March 2011

Interest rates and the banking system,

by Philippe Szymczak.

I n the face of macro-economic trends and the changing financial systems in the main Oecd member states, the financial intermediaries have shown different vulnerability and adaptability profiles from country to country and from one category of organization to another.

A simulation model of the profitability of commercial bank intermediation operations was developed to analyse certain aspects of this vulnerability to macro-financial developments in the case of France. Based on the synthetic analysis of bank balance-sheets and profit and loss accounts, this model which the author presents in the first part of the paper can be used, amongst other things, to identify the repricing gap which is at the root of the vulnerability of the French banks' interest margin in the face of decreases in the general level of interest rates. It also shows up certain constraints which are brought to bear on the structure of interest rates.

But this general model can only simulate the mean, overall changes, which cover a whole range of situations differing widely from one individual case or category to another. In order to account for certain aspects of this heterogeneous nature of the French banking system, five models were drawn up to cover different categories. They are presented in the second part of the paper and demonstrate how different types of banking establishment do indeed show differing sensitivity profiles with regard to changing interest rate levels and structures.

Finally, an analysis of debit rates also needs to take into account banking intermediation costs in general. A study of the profitability threshold of intermediation operations was therefore carried out. This approach reveals that commercial banks set debit rates as a mark-up over their costs and sheds some light on certain reasons behind the slow decreare of debit rates in periods of disinflation.

JEL: 312