Magnus den Godes, Harald Haardraades og hans sønners sagaer;

Mode of access: Internet.

A DNA Codification for Genetic Algorithms Simulation

In this paper we propose a model of encoding data into DNA strands so that this data can be used in the simulation of a genetic algorithm based on molecular operations. DNA computing is an impressive computational model that needs algorithms to work properly and efficiently. The first problem when trying to apply an algorithm in DNA computing must be how to codify the data that the algorithm will use. In a genetic algorithm the first objective must be to codify the genes, which are the main data. A concrete encoding of the genes in a single DNA strand is presented and we discuss what this codification is suitable for. Previous work on DNA coding defined bond-free languages which several properties assuring the stability of any DNA word of such a language. We prove that a bond-free language is necessary but not sufficient to codify a gene giving the correct codification.

Analysis of P-Systems under a Multiagent Systems Perspective

Membrane computing is a recent area that belongs to natural computing. This field works on computational models based on nature's behavior to process the information. Recently, numerous models have been developed and implemented with this purpose. P-systems are the structures which have been defined, developed and implemented to simulate the behavior and the evolution of membrane systems which we find in nature. What we show in this paper is an application capable to simulate the P-systems based on a multiagent systems (MAS) technology. The main goal we want to achieve is to take advantage of the inner qualities of the multiagent systems. This way we can analyse the proper functioning of any given p-system. When we observe a P-system from a different perspective, we can be assured that it is a particular case of the multiagent systems. This opens a new possibility, in the future, to always evaluate the P-systems in terms of the multiagent systems technology.

Stomach content records for pelagic fish (herring, mackerel, blue whiting, albacore and bluefin tuna) in the northeast Atlantic

Fish stomach content records extracted from the DAPSTOM 4.5 database (held at the UK Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science - CEFAS). Data collated as part of the EU Euro-Basin project and specifically concerning herring (Clupea harengus), mackerel (Scomber scombrus), blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou), albacore (Thunnus alalunga) and bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus). The data set consist of 20720 records - collected throughout the northeast Atlantic, between 1906 and 2011 - mostly during routine fisheries monitoring research cruises.

Análisis virológico y epidemiológico del síndrome de despoblamiento de las colmenas en España: estudio de causas y consecuencias

La abeja de la miel Apis mellifera es la principal especie polinizadora empleada por el hombre para aumentar la productividad de los cultivos, y además desempeña una importante función en el mantenimiento de la biodiversidad en todo el mundo. En las últimas décadas, se ha apreciado un incremento de la mortalidad de las colonias de abejas en numerosas regiones, lo que ha llevado a generar una gran alarma debido a sus potenciales repercusiones económicas y medioambientales. Este fenómeno, caracterizado por no tener una causa conocida, se ha clasificado principalemente en “Síndrome de Despoblamiento de las Colmenas” (SDC), cuando presenta una sintomatología concreta de despoblamiento de abejas adultas, o simplemente “mortalidad invernal”, cuando las colmenas no superan el invierno por causas no identificadas. Estas pérdidas se han observado también en España, el país con mayor censo de colmenas de la Unión Europea e importante productor de miel. Esta situación ha generado la necesidad de estudiar las causas de tales pérdidas. Actualmente se considera que no existe una causa única que explique esta mortalidad sino que, por el contrario, se trata de un fenómeno en el que la interacción de varios factores afecta a las colonias. Entre estos factores considerados ‘de riesgo’ destacan la mala nutrición y la escasez de recursos, la climatología adversa y el cambio climático, la exposición a pesticidas neonicotinoides empleados en los cultivos donde pecorean las abejas, la presencia de depredadores naturales y especies invasoras y la acción de los patógenos presentes en las colmenas. Entre los patógenos que pueden afectar a la abejas, destacan los virus porque a pesar de conocerse su amplia distribución y prevalencia en las colmenas y haber sido asociados con eventos de mortalidad de colonias de abejas, aún son muchos los interrogantes sobre su patogenia, cómo se ven afectados por otros factores y cómo son capaces de alterar el equilibrio con el hospedador produciendo estados patológicos...

Dinoflagellate cysts counts of sediment core MD95-2042

Dinoflagellate cysts were analysed from IMAGES core MD952042 (37°48?N; 10°01?W) retrieved from the Tagus Abyssal Plain. Previous results of stable isotope and magnetic susceptibility measurements as well as of planktonic foraminiferal temperature reconstruction from this core, suggest the occurrence of "Heinrich-like events" (i.e. large ice-sheet decay) during Marine Isotopic Stage 5 (MIS 5). Dinoflagellate assemblages of this time period have revealed six dinocyst events that are characterised by peaks in Bitectatodinium tepikiense percentages. These events occur synchronously with "Heinrich-like events" previously identified. They are coeval with major retreats of the forest on land, indicating, therefore, drastic changes in the regional climate. However, results from the Ice-Rafted Detritus (IRD) analysis of the >150 ?m lithic fraction shows that MIS 5 of MD952042 has only recorded one significant input of iceberg discharge, located at the MIS 6/MIS 5 transition. It seems therefore that it is the only event that could be called a "true Heinrich event".

Pollen record from Eifel maar

A new interglacial pollen sequence from the Döttinger dry maar in the Eifel region of the Rheinish Schield is presented. Palynology is used to correlated to several classical north German Holsteinian sites. The lake sediments reveal the complete interglacial and also 60 m of laminated sediments from the glacial preceding the Holsteinian. The interglacial section indicates limnic conditions in its lower part and telmatic conditions in its upper part with an intermediate episode of peat formation. Ash layers document internsive volcansim during the interglacial in the Eifel region. Some of the north German Holsteinian sites reval spikes of high abundance of Pinus, Beutal and Poaceae and/or setbacks of more demanding taxa during the interglacial, often interpreted as cold events. The Döttingen profile shows similar pattern, but with little response from the thermophilous pollen taxa. In the Döttingen sequence these vegetation 'anomalies' are preceded, or accompanied by phases of active volcanism. The role/interaction of climate and/or volcanism as a likely cause for these vegetation 'anomalies' ist still to be quantified.

New contributions to the native and alien flora in riparian habitats of the Cantabrian watershed (Northern Spain)

As a result of a floristic survey carried out in riparian habitats of northern Spain, new chorological data are provided for 9 alien and 6 native plant species. Some species are reported for the first time at regional scale, such as Carex strigosa, Helianthus x laetiflorus and Persicaria pensylvanica in Cantabria. Also noteworthy is the finding of naturalised populations of the North American grass Muhlenbergia schreberi at the Urumea river basin, which represents the second reference for the Iberian Peninsula.

GIS technologies and spatial organization patterns among hunter-gatherers: an archaeological case study from Southern Patagonia (southern South America)

This paper discusses some aspects of hunter-gatherer spatial organization in southern South Patagonia, in later times to 10,000 cal yr BP. Various methods of spatial analysis, elaborated with a Geographic Information System (GIS) were applied to the distributional pattern of archaeological sites with radiocarbon dates. The shift in the distributional pattern of chronological information was assessed in conjunction with other lines of evidence within a biogeographic framework. Accordingly, the varying degrees of occupation and integration of coastal and interior spaces in human spatial organization are explained in association with the adaptive strategies hunter-gatherers have used over time. Both are part of the same human response to changes in risk and uncertainty variability in the region in terms of resource availability and environmental dynamics.