Illustrated key to the genera of free-living marine nematodes of the Order Enoplida

A pictorial key to US genera of free-living marine nematodes in the order Enoplida is presented. Specific morphological and anatomical features are iUustrated to facilitate use of the key. The purpose of this work is to provide a single key to the genera of enoplid nematodes to facilitate identification of these organisms by nematologists and marine biologists working with meiofauna. (PDF file contains 32 pages.)

Direct visualization of the dynamics of membrane-anchor proteins in living cells

Dynamic properties of proteins have crucial roles in understanding protein function and molecular mechanism within cells. In this paper, we combined total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy with oblique illumination fluorescence microscopy to observe directly the movement and localization of membrane-anchored green fluorescence proteins in living cells. Total internal reflect illumination allowed the observation of proteins in the cell membrane of living cells since the penetrate depth could be adjusted to about 80 nm, and oblique illumination allowed the observation of proteins both in the cytoplasm and apical membrane, which made this combination a promising tool to investigate the dynamics of proteins through the whole cell. Not only individual protein molecule tracks have been analyzed quantitatively but also cumulative probability distribution function analysis of ensemble trajectories has been done to reveal the mobility of proteins. Finally, single particle tracking has acted as a compensation for single molecule tracking. All the results exhibited green fluorescence protein dynamics within cytoplasm, on the membrane and from cytoplasm to plasma membrane.

Detection of constitutive heterodimerization of the integrin Mac-1 subunits by fluorescence resonance energy transfer in living cells

Macrophage differentiation antigen associated with complement three receptor function (Mac-1) belongs to beta(2) subfamily of integrins that mediate important cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions. Biochemical studies have indicated that Mac-1 is a constitutive heterodimer in vitro. Here, we detected the heterodimerization of Mac-1 subunits in living cells by means of two fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) techniques (fluorescence microscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy) and our results demonstrated that there is constitutive heterodimerization of the Mac-1 subunits and this constitutive heterodimerization of the Mac-1 subunits is cell-type independent. Through FRET imaging, we found that heterodimers of Mac-1 mainly localized in plasma membrane, perinuclear, and Golgi area in living cells. Furthermore, through analysis of the estimated physical distances between cyan fluorescent protein (CFP) and yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) fused to Mac-1 subunits, we suggested that the conformation of Mac-1 subunits is not affected by the fusion of CFP or YFP and inferred that Mac-1 subunits take different conformation when expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) and human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293T cells, respectively. (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Detection of constitutive homomeric associations of the integrins Mac-1 subunits by fluorescence resonance energy transfer in living cells

Integrins alpha(M)beta(2) plays important role on leukocytes, such as adhesion, migration, phagocytosis, and apoptosis. It was hypothesized that homomeric associations of integrin subunits provide a driving force for integrins activation, and simultaneously inducing the formation of integrins clusters. However, experimental reports on homomeric associations between integrin subunits are still controversial. Here, we proved the homomeric associations of the isolated Mac-1 subunits in living cells using three-channel fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) microscopy and FRET spectra methods. We found that the extent of homomeric associations between beta(2) subunits is higher than alpha(M) subunits. Furthermore, FRET imaging indicated that the extent of homomeric associations of the Mac-1 subunits is higher along the plasma membrane than in the cytoplasm. Finally, we suggested that homomeric associations of the transmernbrane domains or/and cytoplasmic domains may provide the driving force for the formation of constitutive homomeric associations between alpha(M) or beta(2) subunits. (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Interaction between single molecules of Mac-1 and ICAM-1 in living cells: An atomic force microscopy study

The interaction between integrin macrophage differentiation antigen associated with complement three receptor function (Mac-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), which is controlled tightly by the ligand-binding activity of Mac-1, is central to the regulation of neutrophil adhesion in host defense. Several "inside-out" signals and extracellular metal ions or antibodies have been found to activate Mac-1, resulting in an increased adhesiveness of Mac-1 to its ligands. However, the molecular basis for Mac-1 activation is not well understood yet. In this work, we have carried out a single-molecule study of Mac-1/ICAM-1 interaction force in living cells by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Our results showed that the binding probability and adhesion force of Mac-1 with ICAM-1 increased upon Mac-1 activation. Moreover, by comparing the dynamic force spectra of different Mac-1 mutants, we expected that Mac-1 activation is governed by the downward movement of its alpha 7 helix. (c) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Ecosystem study Altenwoerth: impacts of a hydroelectric power-station on the River Danube in Austria

The aim of this article is to briefly describe the effects of the Altenwoerth Barrage, on the River Danube, on some physical variables and their consequent effects on water chemistry and the biota of the river. The methods used for biological sampling are summarised, especially those used in the limnological part of the study, and the macroinvertebrate and fish fauna listed. Comparisons are then made between the impounded section of river immediately above the dam and two unimpounded free-flowing sections of the river. Further developments on the Danube are considered.

The distribution of native and introduced species of crayfish in Austria

This account concentrates on the six species of crayfish found in Austria, and the current state of knowledge on their distribution and laws affecting conservation. In general the occurrence and distribution of crayfish in Austria is poorly known, although information obtained by researchers and the general public, after careful checking, is increasing. Three native crayfish species occur in Austria: Austropotamobius torrentium which is relatively widespread, A. pallipes with a restricted distribution, and Astacus astacus which is widespread. Three species of non-native (alien) crayfish have been recorded from a total of 158 localities in Austria. They are Astacus leptodactylus from eastern Europe, and two Nearctic species: Pacifastacus leniusculus and Orconectes limosus. The introduction of alien species causes considerable problems as they act as vectors of crayfish plague and are able to outcompete native species by higher reproductive capacities.

Diagnosis of colorectal cancer using Raman spectroscopy of laser-trapped single living epithelial cells

A single-cell diagnostic technique for epithelial cancers is developed by utilizing laser trapping and Raman spectroscopy to differentiate cancerous and normal epithelial cells. Single-cell suspensions were prepared from surgically removed human colorectal tissues following standard primary culture protocols and examined in a near-infrared laser-trapping Raman spectroscopy system, where living epithelial cells were investigated one by one. A diagnostic model was built on the spectral data obtained from 8 patients and validated by the data from 2 new patients. Our technique has potential applications from epithelial cancer diagnosis to the study of cell dynamics of carcinogenesis. (c) 2006 Optical Society of America.

Análisis del mercado eléctrico EPEX SPOT (Austria, Alemania, Suiza, Francia)

El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar el mercado EPEX Spot, con el fin de ver si mediante la integración de mercados se consigue converger los precios de la electricidad de Francia, Alemania, Suiza y Austria. En primer lugar se hará una breve descripción del proceso de liberalización llevado a cabo por los países que forman este mercado. A continuación, se introducirá EPEX Spot explicando el funcionamiento y los tipos de mercados que contiene. En la tercera sección se definirá el proceso de la armonización del mercado europeo. Por último, se hará un análisis más exhaustivo de la estructura de mercado de cada país y se examinará la evolución de los precios.

On the methods of determining size/weight characteristics of food organisms of fish. (Determination of the length of Copepoda in larval stages by egg-laying females of the free living freshwater Copepoda). [Translation from: Voprosy Ikhtiologii 14, 182-194, 1960. ]

As is known, copepods play an important role in the nutrition of fish. Therefore with a view to facilitating research on the study of the quantitative side of feeding, there have recently appeared a considerable number of papers devoted to the development of methods for determining the wet. weight of these crustaceans. For the further facilitating of research in the nutrition of fish it would be of great interest to clarify the problem, is there not some kind of rule in the growth of the crustaceans during metamorphosis, and if there is such a rule is it not possible, to determine the length of the larvae at each stage, not by measuring them, but by using the formulae derived on the basis of these rules. This article examines the growth curves of different species of freshwater Copepoda, obtained on the basis of experimental observations in cultures or by way of measurement of mass material at all stages of development in samples from water-bodies. The authors study in particular the ratio of the mean diameter of the eggs to the mean length of the egg-bearing females.

Living on the hyphen: diaspora, identity and memory in Jamaica Kincaids Annie John / Lucy and Esmeralda Santiagos When I was Puerto Rican / Almost a woman

Esta dissertação tem por objetivo investigar o desenvolvimento de identidades de sujeitos diaspóricos em formas de narrativas nas quais a memória tem um papel crucial. As autobiografias e os memoirs têm despertado a curiosidade de muitas pessoas interessadas nos processos de construção de identidade de indivíduos que vivem em realidades singulares e nos relatos que dão sobre suas próprias vidas. Assim, o crescente interesse em diásporas e nos decorrentes deslocamentos fragmentários, provocados pelo distanciamento de raízes individuais e pelo contato com diferentes códigos culturais, poderiam legitimar as narrativas autobiográficas como maneiras estratégicas de sintetizar os nichos de identificação de autores e autoras que experimentaram uma ruptura diaspórica. Desta forma, ao analisar estes tipos de narrativas, deve-se estar atento às especificidades de algumas escritoras que passaram por processos diaspóricos e a como elas recorreram as suas memórias pessoais para, em termos literários, expressar suas subjetividades. Considerando todas essas idéias, tenciono usar Annie John e Lucy, de Jamaica Kincaid e When I Was Puero Rican e Almost a Woman, de Esmeralda Santiago como fontes de análise e amostras do desenvolvimento de identidades diaspóricas em narrativas autobiográficas

Nivel de vida de los pensionistas en España

[ES] La situación socioeconómica actual ha provocado la traslación de una mayor responsabilidad a la población para organizar su ahorro a largo plazo. La planificación financiera será la hoja de ruta de los ciudadanos para, a lo largo de su ciclo vital, destinar los ahorros necesarios para su jubilación. Sin embargo, la planificación no termina una vez alcanzada dicha edad, sino que los ahorros deben seguir gestionándose de forma que garanticen la cobertura de las necesidades de los jubilados hasta su fallecimiento. La elevada tasa de paro, el aumento de la longevidad y el envejecimiento de la población son factores que afectan a las arcas públicas de la Seguridad Social. Por lo tanto, ¿tienen los actuales pensionistas la garantía de recibir una pensión de jubilación que les permita vivir dignamente? Para dar respuesta a esta pregunta, será de vital importancia conocer la acumulación de capital durante su vida de activo para así, combinando la fuente de ingresos públicos, sus gastos y sus ahorros privados, conocer cuál será su nivel de vida durante su etapa como jubilados. Por lo tanto, a lo largo de este informe trataremos de identificar cuáles son los diferentes productos de ahorro en los que ha venido invirtiendo la población española previo a la jubilación, en función de su edad y renta. Para ello analizaremos la Encuesta Financiera de las Familias del año 2011. Con todo este estudio, pretendemos obtener resultados para determinar el nivel de ingresos y gastos de los pensionistas.

RESTful Discovery and Eventing for Service Provisioning in Assisted Living Environments

Service provisioning in assisted living environments faces distinct challenges due to the heterogeneity of networks, access technology, and sensing/actuation devices in such an environment. Existing solutions, such as SOAP-based web services, can interconnect heterogeneous devices and services, and can be published, discovered and invoked dynamically. However, it is considered heavier than what is required in the smart environment-like context and hence suffers from performance degradation. Alternatively, REpresentational State Transfer (REST) has gained much attention from the community and is considered as a lighter and cleaner technology compared to the SOAP-based web services. Since it is simple to publish and use a RESTful web service, more and more service providers are moving toward REST-based solutions, which promote a resource-centric conceptualization as opposed to a service-centric conceptualization. Despite such benefits of REST, the dynamic discovery and eventing of RESTful services are yet considered a major hurdle to utilization of the full potential of REST-based approaches. In this paper, we address this issue, by providing a RESTful discovery and eventing specification and demonstrate it in an assisted living healthcare scenario. We envisage that through this approach, the service provisioning in ambient assisted living or other smart environment settings will be more efficient, timely, and less resource-intensive.

A post-tsunami assessment of coastal living resources of Langkawi Archipelago, Peninsular Malaysia

Rapid and detailed post-tsunami surveys carried out in the Langkawi archipelago in January 2005 showed that the coral reefs dOld_ID not suffer any significant structural damage. Nevertheless, there were signs of recent sediment resuspension at the sites studied. The diversity and abundance of coral reef fishes and invertebrates were low. However, this was not attributed to the tsunami effect but rather to the present environmental conditions. The extent of damage at the villages of Kubang Badak and Kuala Teriang may indicate that intact coastal ecosystems such as mangroves have the potential to protect lives and property during natural disasters.