Measuring the stability of histogram appearance when the anchor position is changed

Although the histogram is the most widely used density estimator, itis well--known that the appearance of a constructed histogram for a given binwidth can change markedly for different choices of anchor position. In thispaper we construct a stability index $G$ that assesses the potential changesin the appearance of histograms for a given data set and bin width as theanchor position changes. If a particular bin width choice leads to an unstableappearance, the arbitrary choice of any one anchor position is dangerous, anda different bin width should be considered. The index is based on the statisticalroughness of the histogram estimate. We show via Monte Carlo simulation thatdensities with more structure are more likely to lead to histograms withunstable appearance. In addition, ignoring the precision to which the datavalues are provided when choosing the bin width leads to instability. We provideseveral real data examples to illustrate the properties of $G$. Applicationsto other binned density estimators are also discussed.

Large N phases, gravitational instantons and the nuts and bolts of AdS holography

Recent results in the literature concerning holography indicate that the thermodynamics of quantum gravity (at least with a negative cosmological constant) can be modeled by the large N thermodynamics of quantum field theory. We emphasize that this suggests a completely unitary evolution of processes in quantum gravity, including black hole formation and decay, and even more extreme examples involving topology change. As concrete examples which show that this correspondence holds even when the space-time is only locally asymptotically AdS, we compute the thermodynamical phase structure of the AdS-Taub-NUT and AdS-Taub-bolt spacetimes, and compare them to a (2+1)-dimensional conformal field theory (at large N) compactified on a squashed three-sphere and on the twisted plane.

Sperm Ultrastructure of the Spider Crab Maja brachydactyla (Decapoda: Brachyura)

This study describes the morphology of the sperm cell of Maja brachydactyla, with emphasis on localizing actin and tubulin. The spermatozoon of M. brachydactyla is similar in appearance and organization to other brachyuran spermatozoa. The spermatozoon is a globular cell composed of a central acrosome, which is surrounded by a thin layer of cytoplasm and a cup-shaped nucleus with four radiating lateral arms. The acrosome is a subspheroidal vesicle composed of three concentric zones surrounded by a capsule. The acrosome is apically covered by an operculum. The perforatorium penetrates the center of the acrosome and has granular material partially composed of actin. The cytoplasm contains one centriole in the subacrosomal region. A cytoplasmic ring encircles the acrosome in the subapical region of the cell and contains the structures-organelles complex (SO-complex), which is composed of a membrane system, mitochondria with few cristae, and microtubules. In the nucleus, slightly condensed chromatin extends along the lateral arms, in which no microtubules have been observed. Chromatin fibers aggregate in certain areas and are often associated with the SO-complex. During the acrosomal reaction, the acrosome could provide support for the penetration of the sperm nucleus, the SO-complex could serve as an anchor point for chromatin, and the lateral arms could play an important role triggering the acrosomal reaction, while slightly decondensed chromatin may be necessary for the deformation of the nucleus.

Monetary policy in the Euro area: Lessons from 5 years of ECB and implications for Turkey

We examine monetary policy in the Euro area from both theoretical and empirical perspectives. We discuss what theory tells us the strategy of Central banks should be and contrasts it with the one employed by the ECB. We review accomplishments (and failures) of monetary policy in the Euro area and suggest changes that would increase the correlation between words and actions; streamline the understanding that markets have of the policy process; and anchor expectation formation more strongly. We examine the transmission of monetary policy shocks in the Euro area and in some potential member countries and try to infer the likely effects occurring when Turkey joins the EU first and the Euro area later. Much of the analysis here warns against having too high expectations of the economic gains that membership to the EU and Euro club will produce.

Uso del fuego prescrito para la creación de rodales cortafuegos: estudio del caso de Las Mesas de Ana López, Vega de San Mateo, Gran Canaria (España)

Los regímenes de fuegos forestales están cambiando en Gran Canaria y los grandes incendios forestales son más probables que antiguamente. Esto es un cambio importante en el régimen de perturbaciones y una grave amenaza a la biodiversidad. El Plan de Prevención de Incendios Forestales de Gran Canaria, año 2002 dejó clara la obligación de cambiar las estructuras de vegetación de la Isla en dos ámbitos: paisaje y protección de zonas sensibles. El uso de fuego prescrito (años 2002-2005) ha resultado ser una herramienta especialmente eficiente en este ámbito y muy adecuada para compatibilizar las acciones de prevención de incendios con el mantenimiento de los procesos ecológicos. Estas primeras experiencias en Gran Canaria muestran la idoneidad de los tratamientos para establecer rodales resistentes al paso del fuego en zonas estratégicas (deducidas tras simulación con Farsite y FlamMap). Y revelan lo conveniente que es que estos rodales resistentes estén distribuidos por nuestros montes de modo que los incendios potencialmente grandes encuentren zonas en las que sea factible controlar los perímetros. Este control se pudo hacer eficientemente en el incendio de las Mesas de 17 de agosto de 2004.

The lipopolysaccharide of Aeromonas spp: structure-activity relationships.

Marine microorganisms, including Aeromonas, are a source of compounds for drug development that have generated great expectations in the last decades. Aeromonas infections produce septicaemia, and ulcerative and haemorrhagic diseases in fish. Among the pathogenic factors associated with Aeromonas, the lipopolysaccharides (LPS), a surface glyconconjugate unique to Gram-negative bacteria consisting of lipid A (lipid anchor of the molecule), core oligosaccharide and O-specific polysaccharide (O antigen), are key elicitors of innate immune responses. The chemical structure of these three parts has been characterized in Aeromonas. Based on the high variability of repeated units of O-polysaccharides, a total of 97 O-serogroups have been described in Aeromonas species, of which four of them (O:11; O:16; O:18 and O:34) account for more than 60% of the septicemia cases. The core of LPS is subdivided into two regions, the inner (highly conserved) and the outer core. The inner core of Aeromonas LPS is characterized by the presence of 3-deoxy-D-manno-oct-2-ulosonic (ketodeoxyoctonic) acid (Kdo) and L-glycero-D-manno-Heptoses (L,D-Hep), which are linked to the outer core, characterized by the presence of Glc, GlcN, Gal, and GalNAc (in Aeromonas salmonicida), D,D-Hep (in Aeromonas salmonicida), and L,D-Hep (in Aeromonas hydrophila). The biological relevance of these differences in the distal part of the outer core among these species has not been fully assessed to date. The inner core is attached to the lipid A, a highly conserved structure that confers endotoxic properties to the LPS when the molecule is released in blood from lysed bacteria, thus inducing a major systemic inflammatory response known as septic or endotoxic shock. In Aeromonas salmonicida subsp. salmonicida the Lipid A components contain three major lipid A molecules, differing in acylation patterns corresponding to tetra-, penta- and hexaacylated lipid A species and comprising of 4′-monophosphorylated β-2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucopyranose-(1→6)-2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucopyranose disaccharide. In the present review, we discuss the structure-activity relationships of Aeromonas LPS, focusing on its role in bacterial pathogenesis and its possible applications.

The lipopolysaccharide of Aeromonas spp: structure-activity relationships

Marine microorganisms, including Aeromonas, are a source of compds. for drug development that have generated great expectations in the last decades. Aeromonas infections produce septicemia, and ulcerative and haemorrhagic diseases in fish. Among the pathogenic factors assocd. with Aeromonas, the lipopolysaccharides (LPS)​, a surface glyconconjugate unique to Gram-​neg. bacteria consisting of lipid A (lipid anchor of the mol.)​, core oligosaccharide and O-​specific polysaccharide (O antigen)​, are key elicitors of innate immune responses. The chem. structure of these three parts has been characterized in Aeromonas. Based on the high variability of repeated units of O-​polysaccharides, a total of 97 O-​serogroups have been described in Aeromonas species, of which four of them (O:11; O:16; O:18 and O:34) account for more than 60​% of the septicemia cases. The core of LPS is subdivided into two regions, the inner (highly conserved) and the outer core. The inner core of Aeromonas LPS is characterized by the presence of 3-​deoxy-​d-​manno-​oct-​2-​ulosonic (ketodeoxyoctonic) acid (Kdo) and l-​glycero-​d-​manno-​Heptoses (l,​d-​Hep)​, which are linked to the outer core, characterized by the presence of Glc, GlcN, Gal, and GalNAc (in Aeromonas salmonicida)​, d,​d-​Hep (in Aeromonas salmonicida)​, and l,​d-​Hep (in Aeromonas hydrophila)​. The biol. relevance of these differences in the distal part of the outer core among these species has not been fully assessed to date. The inner core is attached to the lipid A, a highly conserved structure that confers endotoxic properties to the LPS when the mol. is released in blood from lysed bacteria, thus inducing a major systemic inflammatory response known as septic or endotoxic shock. In Aeromonas salmonicida subsp. salmonicida the Lipid A components contain three major lipid A mols., differing in acylation patterns corresponding to tetra-​, penta- and hexa-​acylated lipid A species and comprising of 4'-​monophosphorylated β-​2-​amino-​2-​deoxy-​d-​glucopyranose-​(1→6)​-​2-​amino-​2-​deoxy-​d-​glucopyranose disaccharide. In the present review, we discuss the structure-​activity relationships of Aeromonas LPS, focusing on its role in bacterial pathogenesis and its possible applications.

The lipopolysaccharide of Aeromonas spp: structure-activity relationships

Marine microorganisms, including Aeromonas, are a source of compds. for drug development that have generated great expectations in the last decades. Aeromonas infections produce septicemia, and ulcerative and haemorrhagic diseases in fish. Among the pathogenic factors assocd. with Aeromonas, the lipopolysaccharides (LPS)​, a surface glyconconjugate unique to Gram-​neg. bacteria consisting of lipid A (lipid anchor of the mol.)​, core oligosaccharide and O-​specific polysaccharide (O antigen)​, are key elicitors of innate immune responses. The chem. structure of these three parts has been characterized in Aeromonas. Based on the high variability of repeated units of O-​polysaccharides, a total of 97 O-​serogroups have been described in Aeromonas species, of which four of them (O:11; O:16; O:18 and O:34) account for more than 60​% of the septicemia cases. The core of LPS is subdivided into two regions, the inner (highly conserved) and the outer core. The inner core of Aeromonas LPS is characterized by the presence of 3-​deoxy-​d-​manno-​oct-​2-​ulosonic (ketodeoxyoctonic) acid (Kdo) and l-​glycero-​d-​manno-​Heptoses (l,​d-​Hep)​, which are linked to the outer core, characterized by the presence of Glc, GlcN, Gal, and GalNAc (in Aeromonas salmonicida)​, d,​d-​Hep (in Aeromonas salmonicida)​, and l,​d-​Hep (in Aeromonas hydrophila)​. The biol. relevance of these differences in the distal part of the outer core among these species has not been fully assessed to date. The inner core is attached to the lipid A, a highly conserved structure that confers endotoxic properties to the LPS when the mol. is released in blood from lysed bacteria, thus inducing a major systemic inflammatory response known as septic or endotoxic shock. In Aeromonas salmonicida subsp. salmonicida the Lipid A components contain three major lipid A mols., differing in acylation patterns corresponding to tetra-​, penta- and hexa-​acylated lipid A species and comprising of 4'-​monophosphorylated β-​2-​amino-​2-​deoxy-​d-​glucopyranose-​(1→6)​-​2-​amino-​2-​deoxy-​d-​glucopyranose disaccharide. In the present review, we discuss the structure-​activity relationships of Aeromonas LPS, focusing on its role in bacterial pathogenesis and its possible applications.