Gene cloning, molecular modeling, and phylogenetics of serine protease P32 and serine carboxypeptidase SCP1 from nematophagous fungi Pochonia rubescens and Pochonia chlamydosporia

The fungi Pochonia chlamydosporia and Pochonia rubescens are parasites of nematode eggs and thus are biocontrol agents of nematodes. Proteolytic enzymes such as the S8 proteases VCP1 and P32, secreted during the pathogenesis of nematode eggs, are major virulence factors in these fungi. Recently, expression of these enzymes and of SCP1, a new putative S10 carboxypeptidase, was detected during endophytic colonization of barley roots by these fungi. In our study, we cloned the genomic and mRNA sequences encoding P32 from P. rubescens and SCP1 from P. chlamydosporia. P32 showed a high homology with the serine proteases Pr1A from the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae and VCP1 from P. chlamydosporia (86% and 76% identity, respectively). However, the catalytic pocket of P32 showed differences in the amino acids of the substrate-recognition sites compared with the catalytic pockets of Pr1A and VCP1 proteases. Phylogenetic analysis of P32 suggests a common ancestor with protease Pr1A. SCP1 displays the characteristic features of a member of the S10 family of serine proteases. Phylogenetic comparisons show that SCP1 and other carboxypeptidases from filamentous fungi have an origin different from that of yeast vacuolar serine carboxypeptidases. Understanding protease genes from nematophagous fungi is crucial for enhancing the biocontrol potential of these organisms.

Synthesis of Chromen[4,3-b]pyrrolidines by Intramolecular 1,3-Dipolar Cycloadditions of Azomethine Ylides: An Experimental and Computational Assessment of the Origin of Stereocontrol

Azomethine ylides, generated from imine-derived O-cinnamyl or O-crotonyl salicylaldeyde and α-amino acids, undergo intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition, leading to chromene[4,3-b]pyrrolidines. Two reaction conditions are used: (a) microwave-assisted heating (200 W, 185 °C) of a neat mixture of reagents, and (b) conventional heating (170 °C) in PEG-400 as solvent. In both cases, a mixture of two epimers at the α-position of the nitrogen atom in the pyrrolidine nucleus was formed through the less energetic endo-approach (B/C ring fusion). In many cases, the formation of the stereoisomer bearing a trans-arrangement into the B/C ring fusion was observed in high proportions. Comprehensive computational and kinetic simulation studies are detailed. An analysis of the stability of transient 1,3-dipoles, followed by an assessment of the intramolecular pathways and kinetics are also reported.

Using multilevel modeling and mixed methods to make theoretical progress in microfoundations for strategy research

The microfoundations research agenda presents an expanded theoretical perspective because it considers individuals, their characteristics, and their interactions as relevant variables to help us understand firm-level strategic issues. However, microfoundations empirical research faces unique challenges because processes take place at different levels of analysis and these multilevel processes must be considered simultaneously. We describe multilevel modeling and mixed methods as methodological approaches whose use will allow for theoretical advancements. We describe key issues regarding the use of these two types of methods and, more importantly, discuss pressing substantive questions and topics that can be addressed with each of these methodological approaches with the goal of making theoretical advancements regarding the microfoundations research agenda and strategic management studies in general.

Fixation pattern analysis with microperimetry in nystagmus patients

Objective: To assess the usefulness of microperimetry (MP) as an additional objective method for characterizing the fixation pattern in nystagmus. Design: Prospective study. Participants: Fifteen eyes of 8 subjects (age, 12–80 years) with nystagmus from the Lluís Alcanyís Foundation (University of Valencia, Spain) were included. Methods: All patients had a comprehensive ophthalmologic examination including a microperimetric examination (MAIA, CenterVue, Padova, Italy). The following microperimetric parameters were evaluated: average threshold (AT), macular integrity index (MI), fixating points within a circle of 1° (P1) and 2° of radius (P2), bivariate contour ellipse area (BCEA) considering 63% and 95% of fixating points, and horizontal and vertical axes of that ellipse. Results: In monocular conditions, 6 eyes showed a fixation classified as stable, 6 eyes showed a relatively unstable fixation, and 3 eyes showed an unstable fixation. Statistically significant differences were found between the horizontal and vertical components of movement (p = 0.001), as well as in their ranges (p < 0.001). Intereye comparison showed differences between eyes in some subjects, but only statistically significant differences were found in the fixation coordinates X and Y (p < 0.001). No significant intereye differences were found between microperimetric parameters. Between monocular and binocular conditions, statistically significant differences in the X and Y coordinates were found in all eyes (p < 0.02) except one. No significant differences were found between MP parameters for monocular or binocular conditions. Strong correlations of corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) with AT (r = 0.812, p = 0.014), MI (r = –0.812, p = 0.014), P1 (r = 0.729, p = 0.002), horizontal diameter of BCEA (r = –0.700, p = 0.004), and X range (r = –0.722, p = 0.005) were found. Conclusions: MP seems to be a useful technology for the characterization of the fixation pattern in nystagmus, which seems to be related to the level of visual acuity achieved by the patient.

Analysis of physical and physiological requirements in soccer trainings in young soccer players (under -10 years)

The aim of this study is to analyse the physical and physiological factors in soccer training at different categories of training. The participants were 30 soccer players of 8-aside soccer in the under 10’s age group (9.93±0.25 years) who participated in the under 10 Provincial Tournament in Alicante. During training, the variables of covered distance, heart rate, speed (average and maximum values) as well as the methodology used and position were registered. After the statistical analysis and its related discussion, it was concluded that the players do not show differences in the covered total distance in relation to the category. Notwithstanding, there are differences with regards to speed and heart rate, which are caused by the greater physical development of the players in comparison to the under10’s age group category. Regarding the methodology employed, it is worth stressing that the coaches used, to a greater extend, the global method, followed by the mixed method.

Phrase-based statistical machine translation: explanation of its processes and statistical models and evaluation of the English to Spanish translations produced

Statistical machine translation (SMT) is an approach to Machine Translation (MT) that uses statistical models whose parameter estimation is based on the analysis of existing human translations (contained in bilingual corpora). From a translation student’s standpoint, this dissertation aims to explain how a phrase-based SMT system works, to determine the role of the statistical models it uses in the translation process and to assess the quality of the translations provided that system is trained with in-domain goodquality corpora. To that end, a phrase-based SMT system based on Moses has been trained and subsequently used for the English to Spanish translation of two texts related in topic to the training data. Finally, the quality of this output texts produced by the system has been assessed through a quantitative evaluation carried out with three different automatic evaluation measures and a qualitative evaluation based on the Multidimensional Quality Metrics (MQM).

Ages analysis, trace elements and relative frequencies of foraminifera snd diatoms from sediment cores AvH248260-2 and AvH248260-1, Ameralik Fjord, SW Greenland

A multiproxy record including benthic foraminifera, diatoms and XRF data of a marine sediment core from a SW Greenland fjord provides a detailed reconstruction of the oceanographic and climatic variations of the region during the last 4400 cal. years. The lower part of our record represents the final termination of the Holocene Thermal Maximum. After the onset of the 'Neoglaciation' at approximately 3.2 ka cal. BP, the fjord system was subject to a number of marked hydrographical changes that were closely linked to the general climatic and oceanographic development of the Labrador Sea and the North Atlantic region. Our data show that increased advection of Atlantic water (Irminger Sea Water) from the West Greenland Current into the Labrador Sea was a typical feature of Northeast Atlantic cooling episodes such as the 'Little Ice Age' and the 'European Dark Ages', while the advection of Irminger Sea Water decreased significantly during warm episodes such as the 'Mediaeval Warm Period' and the 'Roman Warm Period'.Whereas the 'Mediaeval Warm Period' was characterized by relatively cool climate as suggested by low meltwater production, the preceding 'Dark Ages' display higher meltwater runoff and consequently warmer climate. When compared with European climate, these regional climate anomalies indicate persisting patterns of advection of colder, respectively warmer air masses in the study region during these periods and thus a long-term seesaw climate pattern between West Greenland and Europe.

Empirical crash injury modeling and vehicle-size mix. Technical report.

Mode of access: Internet.

An analysis of 1974 and 1975 professional surveys: final report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Alcohol Countermeasures, Washington, D.C.

Transportation statistical data and information. Final report.

Transportation Department, Office of Transportation Systems Analysis and Information, Washington, D.C.

Functionality, Robustness and Control of Nonlinear Network Dynamics: Modeling and Understanding the C. elegans Connectome

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Washington, 2016-06

Does industry matter? Examining the role of industry structure and organizational learning in innovation and brand performance

A manager's perception of industry structure (dynamism) has the potential to impact various organizational strategies and behaviors. This may be particularly so with regard to perceptions driving organizational learning orientations and innovation based marketing strategy. The position taken here suggests that firms operating within a competitive industry tend to pursue innovative ways of performing value-creating activities, which requires the development of learning capabilities. The results of a study of SMEs suggest that market focused learning, relative to other learning capabilities plays a key role in the relationships between industry structure, innovation and brand performance. The findings also show that market focused learning and internally focused learning influence innovation and that innovation influences a brand's performance. (c) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Enhancement of drug affinity for cell membranes by conjugation with lipoamino acids II. Experimental and computational evidence using biomembrane models

Lipoamino acids (LAAs) are promoieties able to enhance the amphiphilicity of drugs, facilitating their interaction with cell membranes. Experimental and computational studies were carried out on two series of lipophilic amide conjugates between a model drug (tranylcypromine, TCP) and LAA or alkanoic acids containing a short, medium or long alkyl side chain (C-4 to C-16). The effects of these compounds were evaluated by monolayer surface tension analysis and differential scanning calorimetry using dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine nnonolayers and liposomes as biomembrane models. The experimental results were related to independent calculations to determine partition coefficient and blood-brain partitioning. The comparison of TCP-LAA conjugates with the related series of TCP alkanoyl amides confirmed that the ability to interact with the biomembrane models is not due to the mere increase of lipophilicity, but mainly to the amphipatic nature and the kind of LAA residue. (C) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

How is leflunomide prescribed and used in Australia? analysis of prescribing and adverse effect reporting

Purpose To evaluate the use of leflunomide in the Australian community since introduction in 2000. Trends in adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting were also studied. Methods Annual Australian prescription and dispensing statistics were analysed. Drug utilisation was estimated as defined daily doses (DDD)/1000 inhabitants/day. ADR data from the Therapeutic Goods Administration's Adverse Drug Reactions Advisory Committee (ADRAC) national monitoring system were compared with the World Health Organisation (WHO) Vigibase records. Results Leflunomide use in Australia (dispensing data) increased from 0.2 in 2000 to 0.4 DDD/1000 inhabitants/day in 2002. The same overall pattern was observed in the 'authority to prescribe' data. From 2000-2002, prescribing of the starter pack (3 x 100 mg loading dose plus 30 x 20 mg tablets) declined (down 74%); likewise for the 20mg (30 tablets) pack. Gradual increases were noted for the 10 mg (30 tablets) pack (up 40%). Approximately 135 reports, detailing about 370 individual ADR, were generated annually. Gastro-intestinal disorders predominated, accounting for 24% of reactions reported to ADRAC. Skin and appendages disorders constituted 14% of reported reactions. Deaths in leflunomide users were attributed to a combination of haematological and gastro-intestinal complications, but it was not possible to ascertain other medication usage or contributing factors. Trends observed with the ADRAC reports were consistent with the WHO database. Conclusions Leflunomide was the first registered DMARD in Australia in over a decade and its use has increased within the community. The ADR reports might have contributed to Australian rheumatologists gradually abandoning loading patients with high doses of leflunomide in favour of starting therapy at lower doses. Copyright (c) 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The Seduction of Sarah: travel memoirs and intercultural learning

The paper explores the nexus between intercultural storytelling and intercultural learning. Noting the wide appeal of the travel memoir set in France, it takes as a case study a book that, while positioned within that genre, attempts to shift some predictable patterns: Sarah Turnbull’s best-selling Almost French. Analysis shows that the book in fact participates in a subtle play of genres, whereby the lure of the travel memoir is used to entice readers towards a position where they read the book as a guide to French culture. The particular form of hybridity attempted is, however, a delicate enterprise, as the reception of the book demonstrates, in that the intercultural lessons on offer risk being overshadowed by the expectations readers bring to the genre of the travel memoir. The paper examines the competing seductions operating throughout the text and relates the conditions for taking up the opportunity for intercultural learning to questions of genre. It offers a pedagogical uptake of the textual analysis, thus bridging disciplines in a way that mirrors Turnbull’s bridging of genres