Phylogenetic and ontogenetic influences on the distribution of anthocyanins and betacyanins in leaves of tropical plants

We examined the anatomy of expanding, mature, and senescing leaves of tropical plants for the presence of red pigments: anthocyanins and betacyanins. We studied 463 species in total, 370 genera, belonging to 94 families. This included 21 species from five families in the Caryophyllales, where betacyanins are the basis for red color. We also included 14 species of ferns and gymnosperms in seven families and 29 species with undersurface coloration at maturity. We analyzed 399 angiosperm species (74 families) for factors (especially developmental and evolutionary) influencing anthocyanin production during expansion and senescence. During expansion, 44.9% produced anthocyanins and only 13.5% during senescence. At both stages, relatively few patterns of tissue distributions developed, primarily in the mesophyll, and very few taxa produced anthocyanins in dermal and ground tissue simultaneously. Of the 35 species producing anthocyanins both in development and senescence, most had similar cellular distributions. Anthocyanin distributions were identical in different developing leaves of three heteroblastic taxa. Phylogeny has influenced the distribution of anthocyanins in the epidermis and mesophyll of expanding leaves and the palisade parenchyma during senescence, although these influences are not strong. Betacyanins appear to have similar distributions in leaves of taxa within the Caryophyllales and, perhaps, similar functions. The presence of anthocyanins in the mesophyll of so many species is inconsistent with the hypothesis of protection against UV damage or fungal pathogens, and the differing tissue distributions indicate that the pigments may function in different ways, as in photoprotection and freeradical scavenging.

Development of safety performance functions for empirical Bayes estimation of crash reduction factors

Crash reduction factors (CRFs) are used to estimate the potential number of traffic crashes expected to be prevented from investment in safety improvement projects. The method used to develop CRFs in Florida has been based on the commonly used before-and-after approach. This approach suffers from a widely recognized problem known as regression-to-the-mean (RTM). The Empirical Bayes (EB) method has been introduced as a means to addressing the RTM problem. This method requires the information from both the treatment and reference sites in order to predict the expected number of crashes had the safety improvement projects at the treatment sites not been implemented. The information from the reference sites is estimated from a safety performance function (SPF), which is a mathematical relationship that links crashes to traffic exposure. The objective of this dissertation was to develop the SPFs for different functional classes of the Florida State Highway System. Crash data from years 2001 through 2003 along with traffic and geometric data were used in the SPF model development. SPFs for both rural and urban roadway categories were developed. The modeling data used were based on one-mile segments that contain homogeneous traffic and geometric conditions within each segment. Segments involving intersections were excluded. The scatter plots of data show that the relationships between crashes and traffic exposure are nonlinear, that crashes increase with traffic exposure in an increasing rate. Four regression models, namely, Poisson (PRM), Negative Binomial (NBRM), zero-inflated Poisson (ZIP), and zero-inflated Negative Binomial (ZINB), were fitted to the one-mile segment records for individual roadway categories. The best model was selected for each category based on a combination of the Likelihood Ratio test, the Vuong statistical test, and the Akaike's Information Criterion (AIC). The NBRM model was found to be appropriate for only one category and the ZINB model was found to be more appropriate for six other categories. The overall results show that the Negative Binomial distribution model generally provides a better fit for the data than the Poisson distribution model. In addition, the ZINB model was found to give the best fit when the count data exhibit excess zeros and over-dispersion for most of the roadway categories. While model validation shows that most data points fall within the 95% prediction intervals of the models developed, the Pearson goodness-of-fit measure does not show statistical significance. This is expected as traffic volume is only one of the many factors contributing to the overall crash experience, and that the SPFs are to be applied in conjunction with Accident Modification Factors (AMFs) to further account for the safety impacts of major geometric features before arriving at the final crash prediction. However, with improved traffic and crash data quality, the crash prediction power of SPF models may be further improved.

Winter sea surface temperature reconstruction from planktic foraminiferal transfer functions in the northeastern Arabian Sea over the last two millennia

The Indian monsoon system is an important climate feature of the northern Indian Ocean. Small variations of the wind and precipitation patterns have fundamental influence on the societal, agricultural, and economic development of India and its neighboring countries. To understand current trends, sensitivity to forcing, or natural variation, records beyond the instrumental period are needed. However, high-resolution archives of past winter monsoon variability are scarce. One potential archive of such records are marine sediments deposited on the continental slope in the NE Arabian Sea, an area where present-day conditions are dominated by the winter monsoon. In this region, winter monsoon conditions lead to distinctive changes in surface water properties, affecting marine plankton communities that are deposited in the sediment. Using planktic foraminifera as a sensitive and well-preserved plankton group, we first characterize the response of their species distribution on environmental gradients from a dataset of surface sediment samples in the tropical and sub-tropical Indian Ocean. Transfer functions for quantitative paleoenvironmental reconstructions were applied to a decadal-scale record of assemblage counts from the Pakistan Margin spanning the last 2000?years. The reconstructed temperature record reveals an intensification of winter monsoon intensity near the year 100 CE. Prior to this transition, winter temperatures were >1.5°C warmer than today. Conditions similar to the present seem to have established after 450 CE, interrupted by a singular event near 950 CE with warmer temperatures and accordingly weak winter monsoon. Frequency analysis revealed significant 75-, 40-, and 37-year cycles, which are known from decadal- to centennial-scale resolution records of Indian summer monsoon variability and interpreted as solar irradiance forcing. Our first independent record of Indian winter monsoon activity confirms that winter and summer monsoons were modulated on the same frequency bands and thus indicates that both monsoon systems are likely controlled by the same driving force.

The VLT-FLAMES Tarantula Survey: XVIII. Classifications and radial velocities of the B-type stars

We present spectral classifications for 438 B-type stars observed as part of the VLT-FLAMES Tarantula Survey (VFTS) in the 30 Doradus region of the Large Magellanic Cloud. Radial velocities are provided for 307 apparently single stars, and for 99 targets with radial-velocity variations which are consistent with them being spectroscopic binaries. We investigate the spatial distribution of the radial velocities across the 30 Dor region, and use the results to identify candidate runaway stars. Excluding potential runaways and members of two older clusters in the survey region (SL 639 and Hodge 301), we determine a systemic velocity for 30 Dor of 271.6 ± 12.2 km s^-1 from 273 presumed single stars. Employing a 3σ criterion we identify nine candidate runaway stars (2.9% of the single stars with radial-velocity estimates). The projected rotational velocities of the candidate runaways appear to be significantly different to those of the full B-type sample, with a strong preference for either large (≥345 km s^-1) or small (≤65 km s^-1) rotational velocities. Of the candidate runaways, VFTS 358 (classified B0.5: V) has the largest differential radial velocity (-106.9 ± 16.2 km s^-1), and a preliminary atmospheric analysis finds a significantly enriched nitrogen abundance of 12 + log (N/H) ≳ 8.5. Combined with a large rotational velocity (υ_e sin i = 345 ± 22 km s^-1), this is suggestive of past binary interaction for this star.

The VLT-FLAMES tarantula survey:X. Evidence for a bimodal distribution of rotational velocities for the single early B-type stars

Aims. Projected rotational velocities (ve sin i) have been estimated for 334 targets in the VLT-FLAMES Tarantula Survey that do not manifest significant radial velocity variations and are not supergiants. They have spectral types from approximately O9.5 to B3. The estimates have been analysed to infer the underlying rotational velocity distribution, which is critical for understanding the evolution of massive stars. Methods. Projected rotational velocities were deduced from the Fourier transforms of spectral lines, with upper limits also being obtained from profile fitting. For the narrower lined stars, metal and non-diffuse helium lines were adopted, and for the broader lined stars, both non-diffuse and diffuse helium lines; the estimates obtained using the different sets of lines are in good agreement. The uncertainty in the mean estimates is typically 4% for most targets. The iterative deconvolution procedure of Lucy has been used to deduce the probability density distribution of the rotational velocities. Results. Projected rotational velocities range up to approximately 450 kms-1 and show a bi-modal structure. This is also present in the inferred rotational velocity distribution with 25% of the sample having 0 <ve <100 km s^-1 and the high velocity component having v_e ∼ 250 km s^-1. There is no evidence from the spatial and radial velocity distributions of the two components that they represent either field and cluster populations or different episodes of star formation. Be-type stars have also been identified. Conclusions. The bi-modal rotational velocity distribution in our sample resembles that found for late-B and early-A type stars.While magnetic braking appears to be a possible mechanism for producing the low-velocity component, we can not rule out alternative explanations. © ESO 2013.

STATISTICAL METHODS FOR ADVANCED ECONOMETRIC MODELS WITH APPLICATIONS TO VEHICLE HOLDING AND SPEED QUANTILES DISTRIBUTION

This dissertation proposes statistical methods to formulate, estimate and apply complex transportation models. Two main problems are part of the analyses conducted and presented in this dissertation. The first method solves an econometric problem and is concerned with the joint estimation of models that contain both discrete and continuous decision variables. The use of ordered models along with a regression is proposed and their effectiveness is evaluated with respect to unordered models. Procedure to calculate and optimize the log-likelihood functions of both discrete-continuous approaches are derived, and difficulties associated with the estimation of unordered models explained. Numerical approximation methods based on the Genz algortithm are implemented in order to solve the multidimensional integral associated with the unordered modeling structure. The problems deriving from the lack of smoothness of the probit model around the maximum of the log-likelihood function, which makes the optimization and the calculation of standard deviations very difficult, are carefully analyzed. A methodology to perform out-of-sample validation in the context of a joint model is proposed. Comprehensive numerical experiments have been conducted on both simulated and real data. In particular, the discrete-continuous models are estimated and applied to vehicle ownership and use models on data extracted from the 2009 National Household Travel Survey. The second part of this work offers a comprehensive statistical analysis of free-flow speed distribution; the method is applied to data collected on a sample of roads in Italy. A linear mixed model that includes speed quantiles in its predictors is estimated. Results show that there is no road effect in the analysis of free-flow speeds, which is particularly important for model transferability. A very general framework to predict random effects with few observations and incomplete access to model covariates is formulated and applied to predict the distribution of free-flow speed quantiles. The speed distribution of most road sections is successfully predicted; jack-knife estimates are calculated and used to explain why some sections are poorly predicted. Eventually, this work contributes to the literature in transportation modeling by proposing econometric model formulations for discrete-continuous variables, more efficient methods for the calculation of multivariate normal probabilities, and random effects models for free-flow speed estimation that takes into account the survey design. All methods are rigorously validated on both real and simulated data.

Benthic foraminiferal distribution on the southeastern Brazilian shelf and upper slope

Foraminiferal data were obtained from 66 samples of box cores on the southeastern Brazilian upper margin (between 23.8A degrees-25.9A degrees S and 42.8A degrees-46.13A degrees W) to evaluate the benthic foraminiferal fauna distribution and its relation to some selected abiotic parameters. We focused on areas with different primary production regimes on the southern Brazilian margin, which is generally considered as an oligotrophic region. The total density (D), richness (R), mean diversity (H) over bar', average living depth (ALD(X) ) and percentages of specimens of different microhabitats (epifauna, shallow infauna, intermediate infauna and deep infauna) were analyzed. The dominant species identified were Uvigerina spp., Globocassidulina subglobosa, Bulimina marginata, Adercotryma wrighti, Islandiella norcrossi, Rhizammina spp. and Brizalina sp.. We also established a set of mathematical functions for analyzing the vertical foraminiferal distribution patterns, providing a quantitative tool that allows correlating the microfaunal density distributions with abiotic factors. In general, the cores that fit with pure exponential decaying functions were related to the oligotrophic conditions prevalent on the Brazilian margin and to the flow of the Brazilian Current (BC). Different foraminiferal responses were identified in cores located in higher productivity zones, such as the northern and the southern region of the study area, where high percentages of infauna were encountered in these cores, and the functions used to fit these profiles differ appreciably from a pure exponential function, as a response of the significant living fauna in deeper layers of the sediment. One of the main factors supporting the different foraminiferal assemblage responses may be related to the differences in primary productivity of the water column and, consequently, in the estimated carbon flux to the sea floor. Nevertheless, also bottom water velocities, substrate type and water depth need to be considered.

La distribution des zéros des fonctions L

Selon la philosophie de Katz et Sarnak, la distribution des zéros des fonctions $L$ est prédite par le comportement des valeurs propres de matrices aléatoires. En particulier, le comportement des zéros près du point central révèle le type de symétrie de la famille de fonctions $L$. Une fois la symétrie identifiée, la philosophie de Katz et Sarnak conjecture que plusieurs statistiques associées aux zéros seront modélisées par les valeurs propres de matrices aléatoires du groupe correspondant. Ce mémoire étudiera la distribution des zéros près du point central de la famille des courbes elliptiques sur $\mathbb{Q}[i]$. Brumer a effectué ces calculs en 1992 sur la famille de courbes elliptiques sur $\mathbb{Q}$. Les nouvelles problématiques reliées à la généralisation de ses travaux vers un corps de nombres seront mises en évidence

Candida albicans Modifies the Protein Composition and Size Distribution of THP1 macrophages-derived Extracellular Vesicles.

The effectiveness of macrophages in the response to systemic candidiasis is crucial to an effective clearance of the pathogen. The secretion of proteins, mRNAs, non-coding RNAs and lipids through extracellular vesicles (EVs) is one of the mechanisms of communication between immune cells. EVs change their cargo to mediate different responses, and may play a role in the response against infections. Thus, we have undertaken the first quantitative proteomic analysis on the protein composition of THP1 macrophages-derived EVs during the interaction with Candida albicans. This study revealed changes in EVs sizes and in protein composition, and allowed the identification and quantification of 717 proteins. Of them, 133 proteins changed their abundance due to the interaction. The differentially abundant proteins were involved in functions relating to immune response, signaling, or cytoskeletal reorganization. THP1-derived EVs, both from control and from Candida-infected macrophages, had similar effector functions on other THP1-differenciated macrophages, activating ERK and p38 kinases, and increasing both the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and the candidacidal activity; while in THP1 non-differenciated monocytes, only EVs from infected macrophages increased significantly the TNF-α secretion. Our findings provide new information on the role of macrophage-derived EVs in response to C. albicans infection and in macrophages communication.

La distribution des zéros des fonctions L

Selon la philosophie de Katz et Sarnak, la distribution des zéros des fonctions $L$ est prédite par le comportement des valeurs propres de matrices aléatoires. En particulier, le comportement des zéros près du point central révèle le type de symétrie de la famille de fonctions $L$. Une fois la symétrie identifiée, la philosophie de Katz et Sarnak conjecture que plusieurs statistiques associées aux zéros seront modélisées par les valeurs propres de matrices aléatoires du groupe correspondant. Ce mémoire étudiera la distribution des zéros près du point central de la famille des courbes elliptiques sur $\mathbb{Q}[i]$. Brumer a effectué ces calculs en 1992 sur la famille de courbes elliptiques sur $\mathbb{Q}$. Les nouvelles problématiques reliées à la généralisation de ses travaux vers un corps de nombres seront mises en évidence

Obtaining environmental favourability functions from logistic regression

Logistic regression is a statistical tool widely used for predicting species’ potential distributions starting from presence/absence data and a set of independent variables. However, logistic regression equations compute probability values based not only on the values of the predictor variables but also on the relative proportion of presences and absences in the dataset, which does not adequately describe the environmental favourability for or against species presence. A few strategies have been used to circumvent this, but they usually imply an alteration of the original data or the discarding of potentially valuable information. We propose a way to obtain from logistic regression an environmental favourability function whose results are not affected by an uneven proportion of presences and absences. We tested the method on the distribution of virtual species in an imaginary territory. The favourability models yielded similar values regardless of the variation in the presence/absence ratio. We also illustrate with the example of the Pyrenean desman’s (Galemys pyrenaicus) distribution in Spain. The favourability model yielded more realistic potential distribution maps than the logistic regression model. Favourability values can be regarded as the degree of membership of the fuzzy set of sites whose environmental conditions are favourable to the species, which enables applying the rules of fuzzy logic to distribution modelling. They also allow for direct comparisons between models for species with different presence/absence ratios in the study area. This makes themmore useful to estimate the conservation value of areas, to design ecological corridors, or to select appropriate areas for species reintroductions.

Assessing landscape functional connectivity in a forest carnivore using path selection functions

Context Understanding connectivity patterns in relation to habitat fragmentation is essential to landscape management. However, connectivity is often judged from expert opinion or species occurrence patterns, with very few studies considering the actual movements of individuals. Path selection functions provide a promising tool to infer functional connectivity from animal movement data, but its practical application remains scanty. Objectives We aimed to describe functional connectivity patterns in a forest carnivore using path-level analysis, and to explore how connectivity is affected by land cover patterns and road networks. Methods We radiotracked 22 common genets in a mixed forest-agricultural landscape of southern Portugal. We developed path selection functions discriminating between observed and random paths in relation to landscape variables. These functions were used together with land cover information to map conductance surfaces. Results Genets moved preferentially within forest patches and close to riparian habitats. Functional connectivity declined with increasing road density, but increased with the proximity of culverts, viaducts and bridges. Functional connectivity was favoured by large forest patches, and by the presence of riparian areas providing corridors within open agricultural land. Roads reduced connectivity by dissecting forest patches, but had less effect on riparian corridors due to the presence of crossing structures. Conclusions Genet movements were jointly affected by the spatial distribution of suitable habitats, and the presence of a road network dissecting such habitats and creating obstacles in areas otherwise permeable to animal movement. Overall, the study showed the value of path-level analysis to assess functional connectivity patterns in human-modified landscapes.

Models for the assessment of resilience in water distribution networks

The following thesis work focuses on the use and implementation of advanced models for measuring the resilience of water distribution networks. In particular, the functions implemented in GRA Tool, a software developed by the University of Exeter (UK), and the functions of the Toolkit of Epanet 2.2 were investigated. The study of the resilience and failure, obtained through GRA Tool and the development of the methodology based on the combined use of EPANET 2.2 and MATLAB software, was tested in a first phase, on a small-sized literature water distribution network, so that the variability of the results could be perceived more clearly and with greater immediacy, and then, on a more complex network, that of Modena. In the specific, it has been decided to go to recreate a mode of failure deferred in time, one proposed by the software GRA Tool, that is failure to the pipes, to make a comparison between the two methodologies. The analysis of hydraulic efficiency was conducted using a synthetic and global network performance index, i.e., Resilience index, introduced by Todini in the years 2000-2016. In fact, this index, being one of the parameters with which to evaluate the overall state of "hydraulic well-being" of a network, has the advantage of being able to act as a criterion for selecting any improvements to be made on the network itself. Furthermore, during these analyzes, was shown the analytical development undergone over time by the formula of the Resilience Index. The final intent of this thesis work was to understand by what means to improve the resilience of the system in question, as the introduction of the scenario linked to the rupture of the pipelines was designed to be able to identify the most problematic branches, i.e., those that in the event of a failure it would entail greater damage to the network, including lowering the Resilience Index.

Mechanisms Predisposing Penile Fracture And Long-term Outcomes On Erectile And Voiding Functions.

Purpose. To determine the mechanisms predisposing penile fracture as well as the rate of long-term penile deformity and erectile and voiding functions. Methods. All fractures were repaired on an emergency basis via subcoronal incision and absorbable suture with simultaneous repair of eventual urethral lesion. Patients' status before fracture and voiding and erectile functions at long term were assessed by periodic follow-up and phone call. Detailed history included cause, symptoms, and single-question self-report of erectile and voiding functions. Results. Among the 44 suspicious cases, 42 (95.4%) were confirmed, mean age was 34.5 years (range: 18-60), mean follow-up 59.3 months (range 9-155). Half presented the classical triad of audible crack, detumescence, and pain. Heterosexual intercourse was the most common cause (28 patients, 66.7%), followed by penile manipulation (6 patients, 14.3%), and homosexual intercourse (4 patients, 9.5%). Woman on top was the most common heterosexual position (n = 14, 50%), followed by doggy style (n = 8, 28.6%). Four patients (9.5%) maintained the cause unclear. Six (14.3%) patients had urethral injury and two (4.8%) had erectile dysfunction, treated by penile prosthesis and PDE-5i. No patient showed urethral fistula, voiding deterioration, penile nodule/curve or pain. Conclusions. Woman on top was the potentially riskiest sexual position (50%). Immediate surgical treatment warrants long-term very low morbidity.

Effect Of Platform Connection And Abutment Material On Stress Distribution In Single Anterior Implant-supported Restorations: A Nonlinear 3-dimensional Finite Element Analysis.

Although various abutment connections and materials have recently been introduced, insufficient data exist regarding the effect of stress distribution on their mechanical performance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of different abutment materials and platform connections on stress distribution in single anterior implant-supported restorations with the finite element method. Nine experimental groups were modeled from the combination of 3 platform connections (external hexagon, internal hexagon, and Morse tapered) and 3 abutment materials (titanium, zirconia, and hybrid) as follows: external hexagon-titanium, external hexagon-zirconia, external hexagon-hybrid, internal hexagon-titanium, internal hexagon-zirconia, internal hexagon-hybrid, Morse tapered-titanium, Morse tapered-zirconia, and Morse tapered-hybrid. Finite element models consisted of a 4×13-mm implant, anatomic abutment, and lithium disilicate central incisor crown cemented over the abutment. The 49 N occlusal loading was applied in 6 steps to simulate the incisal guidance. Equivalent von Mises stress (σvM) was used for both the qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the implant and abutment in all the groups and the maximum (σmax) and minimum (σmin) principal stresses for the numerical comparison of the zirconia parts. The highest abutment σvM occurred in the Morse-tapered groups and the lowest in the external hexagon-hybrid, internal hexagon-titanium, and internal hexagon-hybrid groups. The σmax and σmin values were lower in the hybrid groups than in the zirconia groups. The stress distribution concentrated in the abutment-implant interface in all the groups, regardless of the platform connection or abutment material. The platform connection influenced the stress on abutments more than the abutment material. The stress values for implants were similar among different platform connections, but greater stress concentrations were observed in internal connections.