Robust DNA Methylation in the Clonal Raider Ant Brain.

Social insects are promising model systems for epigenetics due to their immense morphological and behavioral plasticity. Reports that DNA methylation differs between the queen and worker castes in social insects [1-4] have implied a role for DNA methylation in regulating division of labor. To better understand the function of DNA methylation in social insects, we performed whole-genome bisulfite sequencing on brains of the clonal raider ant Cerapachys biroi, whose colonies alternate between reproductive (queen-like) and brood care (worker-like) phases [5]. Many cytosines were methylated in all replicates (on average 29.5% of the methylated cytosines in a given replicate), indicating that a large proportion of the C. biroi brain methylome is robust. Robust DNA methylation occurred preferentially in exonic CpGs of highly and stably expressed genes involved in core functions. Our analyses did not detect any differences in DNA methylation between the queen-like and worker-like phases, suggesting that DNA methylation is not associated with changes in reproduction and behavior in C. biroi. Finally, many cytosines were methylated in one sample only, due to either biological or experimental variation. By applying the statistical methods used in previous studies [1-4, 6] to our data, we show that such sample-specific DNA methylation may underlie the previous findings of queen- and worker-specific methylation. We argue that there is currently no evidence that genome-wide variation in DNA methylation is associated with the queen and worker castes in social insects, and we call for a more careful interpretation of the available data.

Análisis Discriminante mediante SPSS.

El análisis discriminante es un método estadístico a través del cual se busca conocer qué variables, medidas en objetos o individuos, explican mejor la atribución de la diferencia de los grupos a los cuales pertenecen dichos objetos o individuos. Es una técnica que nos permite comprobar hasta qué punto las variables independientes consideradas en la investigación clasifican correctamente a los sujetos u objetos. Se muestran y explican los principales elementos que se relacionan con el procedimiento para llevar a cabo el análisis discriminante y su aplicación utilizando el paquete estadístico SPSS, versión 18, para el desarrollo del modelo estadístico, las condiciones para la aplicación del análisis, la estimación e interpretación de las funciones discriminantes, los métodos de clasificación y la validación de los resultados.

Asiakkuuksien strateginen arvottaminen ja luokittelu

Tämän tutkimuksen kohdeorganisaatio on suuren teollisuusyrityksen sisäinen raaka-aineen hankkija ja toimittaja. Tutkimuksessa selvitetään, mistä kohdeorganisaation hankinta-asiakkuuksien arvo muodostuu ja kuinka olemassa olevan liiketoimintadatan perusteella voidaan tutkia, arvioida ja luokitella kauppojen ja asiakkuuksien arvokkuutta aikaan sitomatta, objektiivisesti ja luotettavasti. Tutkimuksen teoriaosiossa esitellään lähestymistapoja ja menetelmiä, joiden avulla voidaan jalostaa olemassa olevasta datasta uutta sidosryhmätietämystä liiketoiminnan käyttöön, sekä tarkastellaan asiakaskannattavuusanalyysin, portfolioanalyysin, sekä asiakassegmentoinnin perusteita ja malleja. Näiden teorioiden ja mallien pohjalta rakennetaan kohdeorganisaatiolle räätälöity, indeksoituihin hinta-, määrä- ja kauppojen toistuvuus-muuttujiin perustuva, asiakkuuksien arvottamis- ja luokittelumalli. Arvottamis- ja luokittelumalli testataan vuosien 2003–2007 liiketoimintadatasta muodostetulla 389 336 kaupparivin otoksella, joka sisältää 42 186 arvioitavaa asiakkuussuhdetta. Merkittävin esille nouseva havainto on noin 5 000:n keskimääräistä selkeästi kalliimman asiakkuuden ryhmä. Aineisto ja sen poikkeavuudet testataan tilastollisin menetelmin, jotta saadaan selville asiakkuuden arvoon vaikuttavat ja arvoa selittävät tekijät. Lopuksi pohditaan arvottamismallin merkitystä analyyttisemman ostotoiminnan ja asiakkuudenhallinnan välineenä, sekä esitetään muutamia parannusehdotuksia.

Classificação de cerâmicas arqueológicas da Bacia Amazônica

In order to elucidate the traditional classification of archaeological artefacts, a multielemental analytical method for characterisation of its micro and macro chemical constituents. combined with statistical multivariate analysis for classification, were used. Instrumental thermal neutron activation analysis, for elemental chemical determination, and three statistical methods: discriminant, cluster and modified cluster analysis were applied. The statistical results obtained for the samples from Iquiri, Quinari and Xapuri archaeological phases were in good agreement with the conventional archaeological classification. Iaco and Jacuru archaeological phase were not characterised as homogenous groups. Iquiri phase were the most distinct in relation to the other analysed groups. An homogeneous group for 54% collected samples at the Los Angeles site was also found, this could be characterised as a new archaeological phase.

Profiles of Second Language Learners in Bilingual Education: A Comparative Study of the Characteristics of Finnish and American Students

The purpose of this comparative study is to profile second language learners by exploring the factors which have an impact on their learning. The subjects come from two different countries: one group comes from Milwaukee, US, and the other from Turku, Finland. The subjects have attended bilingual classes from elementary school to senior high school in their respective countries. In the United States, the subjects (N = 57) started in one elementary school from where they moved on to two high schools in the district. The Finnish subjects (N = 39) attended the same school from elementary to high school. The longitudinal study was conducted during 1994-2004 and combines both qualitative and quantitative research methods. A Pilot Study carried out in 1990-1991 preceded the two subsequent studies that form the core material of this research. The theoretical part of the study focuses first on language policies in the United States and Finland: special emphasis is given to the history, development and current state of bilingual education, and the factors that have affected policy-making in the provision of language instruction. Current language learning theories and models form the theoretical foundation of the research, and underpin the empirical studies. Cognitively-labeled theories are at the forefront, but sociocultural theory and the ecological approach are also accounted for. The research methods consist of questionnaires, compositions and interviews. A combination of statistical methods as well as content analysis were used in the analysis. The attitude of the bilingual learners toward L1 and L2 was generally positive: the subjects enjoyed learning through two languages and were motivated to learn both. The knowledge of L1 and parental support, along with early literacy in L1, facilitated the learning of L2. This was particularly evident in the American subject group. The American subjects’ L2 learning was affected by the attitudes of the learners to the L1 culture and its speakers. Furthermore, the negative attitudes taken by L1 speakers toward L2 speakers and the lack of opportunities to engage in activities in the L1 culture affected the American subjects’ learning of L2, English. The research showed that many American L2 learners were isolated from the L1 culture and were even afraid to use English in everyday communication situations. In light of the research results, a politically neutral linguistic environment, which the Finnish subjects inhabited, was seen to be more favorable for learning. The Finnish subjects were learning L2, English, in a neutral zone where their own attitudes and motivation dictated their learning. The role of L2 as a means of international communication in Finland, as opposed to a means of exercising linguistic power, provided a neutral atmosphere for learning English. In both the American and Finnish groups, the learning of other languages was facilitated when the learner had a good foundation in their L1, and the learning of L1 and L2 were in balance. Learning was also fostered when the learners drew positive experiences from their surroundings and were provided with opportunities to engage in activities where L2 was used.

Aktiivinen jännitteensäätö hajautetussa sähköntuotannossa

Hajautetun tuotannon määrä kasvaa jakeluverkossa tulevaisuudessa ja siksi jakeluverkon toiminta tulee muuttumaan aktiivisempaan suuntaan. Nykyisin tuotannon aiheuttamaa jännitteennousua rajoitetaan yleensä passiivisilla menetelmillä kuten vahvistamalla verkkoa. Tuotantolaitos ei tällöin osallistu jakeluverkon jännitteensäätöön. Tämä saattaa nostaa kapasiteetiltaan suurehkon tuotannon liittymiskustannukset niin korkeiksi, ettei tuotantolaitosta kannata rakentaa. Aktiivisella jännitteensäädöllä tuotantokapasiteettia voitaisiin merkittävästi kasvattaa nykyisissä jakeluverkoissa. Aktiivinen jännitteensäätö voi perustua joko paikalliseen säätöön, jolloin esim. tuotantolaitosta säädetään paikallisen jännitteen perusteella tai koordinoituun säätöön, jolloin verkon komponentteja säädetään kokonaisuutena. Työssä tutustutaan hajautettuun tuotantoon ja sen vaikutuksiin jakeluverkon jännitetasoissa sekä jännitteensäädössä. Työssä edetään passiivisesta jännitteensäädöstä aktiiviseen jännitteensäätöön. Aktiivisessa jännitteensäädössä tutustutaan muutamaan kirjallisuudessa esitettyyn algoritmiin ja käytännön toteutukseen. Työssä keskitytään vain verkon jännitetasoon, eikä muita jännitteen laadun ominaisuuksia oteta huomioon.

SQualTrack: A Tool for Robust Fault Detection

One of the techniques used to detect faults in dynamic systems is analytical redundancy. An important difficulty in applying this technique to real systems is dealing with the uncertainties associated with the system itself and with the measurements. In this paper, this uncertainty is taken into account by the use of intervals for the parameters of the model and for the measurements. The method that is proposed in this paper checks the consistency between the system's behavior, obtained from the measurements, and the model's behavior; if they are inconsistent, then there is a fault. The problem of detecting faults is stated as a quantified real constraint satisfaction problem, which can be solved using the modal interval analysis (MIA). MIA is used because it provides powerful tools to extend the calculations over real functions to intervals. To improve the results of the detection of the faults, the simultaneous use of several sliding time windows is proposed. The result of implementing this method is semiqualitative tracking (SQualTrack), a fault-detection tool that is robust in the sense that it does not generate false alarms, i.e., if there are false alarms, they indicate either that the interval model does not represent the system adequately or that the interval measurements do not represent the true values of the variables adequately. SQualTrack is currently being used to detect faults in real processes. Some of these applications using real data have been developed within the European project advanced decision support system for chemical/petrochemical manufacturing processes and are also described in this paper

Tietotyön avainhenkilöiden sitoutuminen - Case Kymenlaakson sairaanhoitopiirin lääkärit

Tutkielmassa tarkasteltiin affektiivista eli tunnepohjaista sitoutumista organisaatioon ja selvitettiin, mitkä ovat sitä lisääviä ei-taloudellisia motivointikeinoja. Tulokset osoittivat, että organisaatioon sitoutumista lisääviä ulottuvuuksia ovat itsensä kehittäminen, työtehtävien vaihto ja työn arvostus. Lisäksi selvitettiin affektiivisen sitoutumisen ja innovatiivisuuden välistä suhdetta ja niiden välillä todettiin merkittävä positiivinen yhteys. Tarkastelun kohteena olivat tietotyön avainhenkilöt, joiden sitoutuminen organisaatioon on merkityksellisintä sen toiminnan ja tuottavuuden kannalta. Ilmiötä tarkasteltiin ensisijaisesti tilastollisin menetelmin. Teoriaa testattiin empiirisesti Kymenlaakson sairaanhoitopiirin lääkäreihin, jotka edustavat erikoisosaamista julkisella sektorilla.

Análisis composicional de datos en Ciencias Geoambientales

Compositional data (concentrations) are common in geosciences. Neglecting its character mey lead to erroneous conclusions. Spurious correlation (K. Pearson, 1897) has disastrous consequences. On the basis of the pioneering work by J. Aitchison in the 1980s, a methodology free of these drawbacks is now available. The geometry of the símplex allows the representation of compositions using orthogonal co-ordinares, to which usual statistical methods can be applied, thus facilating computation ans analysis. The use of (log) ratios precludes the interpretation of single concentrations disregarding their relative character. A hydro-chemical data set is used to illustrate the point

Química Analítica de Processos

Process Analytical Chemistry (PAC) is an important and growing area in analytical chemistry, that has received little attention in academic centers devoted to the gathering of knowledge and to optimization of chemical processes. PAC is an area devoted to optimization and knowledge acquisition of chemical processes, to reducing costs and wastes and to making an important contribution to sustainable development. The main aim of this review is to present to the Brazilian community the development and state of the art of PAC, discussing concepts, analytical techniques currently employed in the industry and some applications.

Henkilöstöresurssien optimointi ja hallinta sataman operaattoriyhtiössä

Työn tavoitteena on selvittää erilaisten työaikamallien ja henkilöstön määrän vaikutuksia Finnsteven henkilöstökustannuksiin ja ylitöiden määrään. Selvitystyö toteutetaan simuloimalla vaihtoehtoisia työaikamalleja ja henkilöstömääriä tilastollisten menetelmien avulla. Työn toisena tavoitteena on ehdottaa yritykselle toimintatapaa suorittaa lopullinen henkilöstöresurssien optimointi. Työn teoriaosuudessa esitellään aluksi yritystä ja sen toimintaympäristöä. Tämän jälkeen tarkastellaan nykyisen TE-sopimuksen mahdollistamia työaikamalleja. Seuraavaksi perustellaan käytettävät tilastolliset menetelmät ja tiedonkeruumenetelmät. Edetessään työ syventyy tarkastelemaan yrityksen tekemän työn kohdentumista aikatyöhön ja ylityöhön sekä viikonpäiville että työvuoroille. Lopuksi kuvataan työn optimoinnissa käytetty logiikka, analysoidaan saatuja tuloksia ja esitellään optimointityökalun toteutussuunnitelma. Diplomityössä tehdyn selvityksen mukaan satamatyössä tehdään nykyisellään erittäin paljon ylitöitä. Siten työaikamallien optimointi on perusteltua. Optimoinnilla saavutettavat potentiaaliset kustannussäästöt ovat erittäin huomattavia. Lopullinen optimointi on haastava tehtävä, jota henkilöstöhallinto ei pysty ratkaisemaan pelkkään kokemukseensa luottaen. Tuotannonsuunnittelun avuksi tarvitaan täten työkalu, joka palvelee paitsi mallien luontia, toimii suunnittelun apuna jatkossakin.

Strategic choices and performance – an empirical analysis of largest European and North American energy companies

Energy industry has gone through major changes globally in past two decades. Liberalization of energy markets has led companies to integrate both vertically and horizontally. Growing concern on sustainable development and aims to decrease greenhouse gases in future will increase the portion of renewable energy in total energy production. Purpose of this study was to analyze using statistical methods, what impacts different strategic choices has on biggest European and North American energy companies’ performance. Results show that vertical integration, horizontal integration and use of renewable energy in production had the most impact on profitability. Increase in level of vertical integration decreased companies’ profitability, while increase in horizontal integration improved companies’ profitability. Companies that used renewable energy in production were less profitable than companies not using renewable energy.

Estudo da mobilização de metais e elementos traços em ambientes aquáticos do semi-árido brasileiro aplicando análises de componentes principais

The spatial and temporal retention of metals has been studied in water and sediments of the Gavião River, Anagé and Tremedal Reservoirs, located in the semi-arid region, Bahia - Brazil, in order to identify trends in the fluxes of metals from the sediments to the water column. The determination of metals was made by ICP OES and ET AAS. The application of statistical methods showed that this aquatic system presents suitable conditions to move Cd2+ and Pb2+ from the water column to the sediment.

Validação de métodos cromatográficos para a determinação de resíduos de medicamentos veterinários em alimentos

Different agencies that supply validation guidelines worldwide establish almost the same parameters to be evaluated in the validation process of bioanalytical methods. However, they recommend different procedures, as well as establish different acceptance criteria. The present review delineates and discusses the stages involved in the validation procedures of bioanalytical methods designed for determining veterinary residues in food, explaining the main differences in the guidelines established for this purpose by the main regulatory agencies in the world.

DETERMINAÇÃO DO TEOR DE BIODIESEL EM DIESEL EMPREGANDO O ENSAIO COLORIMÉTRICO DO ÁCIDO HIDROXÂMICO

The aim of this paper was to use colorimetric assays for hydroxamic acid to quantify the biodiesel content in diesel and compare it with the traditional method (infrared spectroscopy, using the EN 14078 method). Samples were prepared from B2 to B10 with two kinds of diesel - S500 (red) and S50 (yellow) - to obtain two calibration curves. Through statistical methods it was shown that the slopes of the straight lines obtained for the different types of diesel were the same. Thus, the type of diesel did not influence the results of the colorimetric assay for hydroxamic acid. Real samples collected from gas stations were analyzed by both methods (colorimetry and EN 14078). By applying Student's t-test it was concluded that the methods could be considered statistically equivalent. Therefore, it was confirmed that the colorimetric assay for hydroxamic acid is suitable for detecting and quantifying the content of biodiesel in biodiesel/diesel blends and can also be easily adapted to field analyses.