Center of mass energy and system-size dependence of photon production at forward rapidity at RHIC

We present the multiplicity and pseudorapidity distributions of photons produced in Au + Au and Cu + Cu collisions at root(NN)-N-s = 62.4 and 200 GeV. The photons are measured in the region -3.7 < eta < -2.3 using the photon Multiplicity detector in the STAR experiment at RHIC. The number of photons produced per average number of participating nucleon pairs increases with the beam energy and is independent of (lie collision centrality. For collisions with similar average numbers of participating nucleons the photon multiplicities are observed to be similar for An + Au and Cu + Cu collisions at a given beam energy. The ratios of the number of charged particles to photons in the measured pseudorapidity range are found to be 1.4 +/- 0.1 and 1.2 +/- 0.1 for root(NN)-N-s = 62.4 and 200 GeV, respectively. The energy dependence of this ratio could reflect varying contributions from baryons to charged particles, while mesons are the dominant contributors to photon production in the given kinematic region. The photon pseudorapidity distributions normalized by average number of participating nucleon pairs, when plotted as a function of eta-Y-beam, are found to follow a longitudinal scaling independent of centrality and colliding ion species at both beam energies. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Scanning tunnelling microscopy observation of cytochrome-c denaturation induced by bromopyrogal red on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite

The denaturation of cytochrome-e (cyt-c) induced by bromopyrogal red (BPR) was studied by scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) on the electrochemically pretreated highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) surface. STM images reveal that denatured cyt-c molecules exist in variable states including aggregates, globular compact, partially unfolded and combined with BPR molecule. The apparently low image contrast of denatured cyt-c observed in this experiment comparing to that of native cyt-c molecules, and the relative low image contrast of the unfolded part comparing with the compact globular part, are ascribed to the unfavourable tunnelling paths for the conformational variations of denatured cyt-c molecules. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.

Dynamic spectroelectrochemical measurement for the conformational transition of cytochrome c induced by bromopyrogal red

The conformational transition of horse heart cytochrome c induced by bromopyrogal red (BPR) in very low concentration has been firstly investigated by dynamic spectroelectrochemical technique, both at the BPR adsorbed platinum gauze electrode and at a bare platinum gauze electrode in a solution containing BPR. The effect of BPR on the structure of cytochrome c was studied by UV-visible and Fourier transform IR spectroscopy. The unfolded cytochrome c behaves simply as an electron transfer protein with a formal potential of -142 mV vs. a normal hydrogen electrode. The difference between the formal potentials of the native and unfolded cytochrome c is coupled to a difference in conformational energy of the two states of about 40 kJ mol(-1), which agrees well with the result reported. The stability and slow refolding of the unfolded cytochrome c are discussed.

Preparation of Dendritic Copper Nanostructures and Their Characterization for Electroreduction

Dendritic copper nanostructures of different morphologies were synthesized by a surfactant-free electrochemical method. Single crystal nature of the nanostructures was revealed from their X-ray diffraction and electron diffraction patterns. Mechanism of dendrite formation was discussed from thermodynamic aspects using the concept of supersaturation. Supersaturation of the copper metal reduced on the surface of the electrode was the crucial factor for the generation of different morphologies. Effects of applied potential, temperature, and the solution concentration on the supersaturation were studied. The NO3- and H2O2 electroreduction ability of the dendritic materials was tested. Use of copper dendrite-modified electrode as NO3- sensor was demonstrated.

快速模糊边缘检测算法

通过对Pal.King的模糊边缘检测算法进行改进，提出了一种快速模糊边缘检测算法。该快速算法不但简化了Pal.King算法中复杂的G和G-1运算，而且通过实验，确定了Tr变换中最佳的隶属度阈值，大大地减少了迭代次数。从实验结果中可以看出，该快速算法不但提高了Pal.King算法的效率，而且具有很强的检测模糊边缘和细小边缘的能力。这种快速算法的性能优越，是一种非常实用的、高效的的图像处理算法。

Iraq and world order: a Turkish perspective

G?l, Ayla. 'Iraq and world order: a Turkish perspective', in: 'The Iraq Crisis and World Order: Structural, Institutional and Normative Challenges', (Eds) Thakur, R., Sidhu, W. P. S., United Nations University Press, Hong Kong , pp.114-133, 2006 RAE2008

Unia Europejska wobec nowych tworów państwowych (casus Kosowa, Abchazji i Osetii południowej)

W przypadku niejednolitego stanowiska państw członkowskich Unii Europejskiej wobec Kosowa, osłabieniu ulega prestiż i siła oddziaływania Unii na arenie międzynarodowej. W odniesieniu do problemu Abchazji i Osetii Południowej natomiast, działania UE obrazują, że samo wyrażenie zainteresowania określonym problemem oraz udzielanie ‘apolitycznej’ pomocy finansowej, którym nie towarzyszą wyraźnie i precyzyjnie zdefiniowane cele polityczne, działalność instytucji wyposażonych w silny mandat oraz proces aktywnych negocjacji, nie przyczynia się do rozwiązania palącego problemu międzynarodowego, narażając na szwank pozycję międzynarodową Unii Europejskiej. Po raz kolejny państwa członkowskie pokazują, iż koncepcja Wspólnej Polityki Zagranicznej i Bezpieczeństwa, wspierana między innymi przez Europejską Politykę Sąsiedztwa, jest pozbawiona stabilnych podstaw.

Planning humanitarian projects with educational focus in Guinea rural areas

Dissertação apresentada à Universidade Fernando Pessoa como parte dos requisitos para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Acção Humanitária, Cooperação e Desenvolvimento

Infection of monkeys by simian-human immunodeficiency viruses with transmitted/founder clade C HIV-1 envelopes.

Simian-human immunodeficiency viruses (SHIVs) that mirror natural transmitted/founder (T/F) viruses in man are needed for evaluation of HIV-1 vaccine candidates in nonhuman primates. Currently available SHIVs contain HIV-1 env genes from chronically-infected individuals and do not reflect the characteristics of biologically relevant HIV-1 strains that mediate human transmission. We chose to develop clade C SHIVs, as clade C is the major infecting subtype of HIV-1 in the world. We constructed 10 clade C SHIVs expressing Env proteins from T/F viruses. Three of these ten clade C SHIVs (SHIV KB9 C3, SHIV KB9 C4 and SHIV KB9 C5) replicated in naïve rhesus monkeys. These three SHIVs are mucosally transmissible and are neutralized by sCD4 and several HIV-1 broadly neutralizing antibodies. However, like natural T/F viruses, they exhibit low Env reactivity and a Tier 2 neutralization sensitivity. Of note, none of the clade C T/F SHIVs elicited detectable autologous neutralizing antibodies in the infected monkeys, even though antibodies that neutralized a heterologous Tier 1 HIV-1 were generated. Challenge with these three new clade C SHIVs will provide biologically relevant tests for vaccine protection in rhesus macaques.

Carbon fluxes and pelagic ecosystem dynamics near two western Antarctic Peninsula Adélie penguin colonies: an inverse model approach

An inverse food-web model for the western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) pelagic food web was constrained with data from Palmer Long Term Ecological Research (PAL-LTER) project annual austral summer sampling cruises. Model solutions were generated for 2 regions with Adelie penguin Pygoscelis adeliae colonies presenting different population trends (a northern and a southern colony) for a 12 yr period (1995-2006). Counter to the standard paradigm, comparisons of carbon flow through bacteria, microzooplankton, and krill showed that the diatom-krill-top predator food chain is not the dominant pathway for organic carbon exchanges. The food web is more complex, including significant contributions by microzooplankton and the microbial loop. Using both inverse model results and network indices, it appears that in the northern WAP the food web is dominated by the microbial food web, with a temporal trend toward its increasing importance. The dominant pathway for the southern WAP food web varies from year to year, with no detectable temporal trend toward dominance of microzooplankton versus krill. In addition, sensitivity analyses indicated that the northern colony of Adelie penguins, whose population size has been declining over the past 35 yr, appears to have sufficient krill during summer to sustain its basic metabolic needs and rear chicks, suggesting the importance of other processes in regulating the Adelie population decline.

Identidad territorial y paisaje. Evolución morfológica de los núcleos en Castilla y León.

Este estudio intenta esclarecer las transformaciones físicas y socioeconómicas de los asentamientos rurales de la región española de Castilla y León, durante la segunda mitad del siglo XX. Se analiza la evolución temporal de la forma urbana a través de un Sistema de Información Geográfico (SIG), calculando unos índices métricos y comparándolos con la información demográfica histórica. Los resultados pretenden mostrar los efectos de la especialización funcional económica, causada por la integración en las jerarquías productivas globales, sobre la estructura urbana. La pérdida gradual de las características tradicionales de los pueblos castellanos, como la compacidad y la integración en el entorno, debido a la pérdida o degradación de la arquitectura popular y la construcción de nuevas edificaciones industriales, supone un riesgo para las futuras políticas de desarrollo local. Se considera necesario preservar la identidad paisajística y evitar la destrucción del patrimonio cultural para poder revitalizar estos territorios.

Aplicación de modelos semióticos al análisis de poesía narrativa popular ecuatoriana difundida en audiovisuales

Se expone una fundamentación teórica, lógica y metodológica de tres modelos semióticos: los elementos y funciones de la comunicación de Jakobson; el modelo actancial de Greimas; y los mundos: real, referencia y posible de Eco, aplicados al análisis de poesía narrativa popular difundida en distintos formatos audiovisuales.

Evaluation of the antidiabetic activity of DPP IV resistant N-terminally modified versus mid-chain acylated analogues of glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide

Glucose dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) is a gastrointestinal hormone with therapeutic potential for type 2 diabetes due to its insulin-releasing and antihyperglycaemic actions. However, development of GIP-based therapies is limited by N-terminal degradation by DPP IV resulting in a very short circulating half-life. Numerous GIP analogues have now been generated exhibiting DPP IV resistance and extended bioactivity profiles. In this study, we report a direct comparison of the long-term antidiabetic actions of three such GIP molecules, N-AcGIP, GIP(LyS(37)PAL) and N-AcGIP(LyS(37)PAL) in obese diabetic (ob/ob) mice. An extended duration of action of each GIP analogue was demonstrated prior to examining the effects of once daily injections (25 nmol kg(-1) body weight) over a 14-day period. Administration of either N-AcGIP, GIP(LyS(37)PAL) or N-AcGIP(LyS37PAL) significantly decreased non-fasting plasma glucose and improved glucose tolerance compared to saline treated controls. All three analogues significantly enhanced glucose and nutrient-induced insulin release, and improved insulin sensitivity. The metabolic and insulin secretory responses to native GIP were also enhanced in 14-day analogue treated mice, revealing no evidence of GIP-receptor desensitization. These effects were accompanied by significantly enhanced pancreatic insulin following N-AcGIP(Lys(37)PAL) and increased islet number and islet size in all three groups. Body weight, food intake and circulating glucagon were unchanged. These data demonstrate the therapeutic potential of once daily injection of enzyme resistant GIP analogues and indicate that N-AcGIP is equally as effective as related palmitate derivatised analogues of GIP. (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

GIP(Lys16PAL) and GIP(Lys37PAL): novel long-acting acylated analogues of glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide with improved antidiabetic potential.

Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) is a physiological insulin releasing peptide. We have developed two novel fatty acid derivatized GIP analogues, which bind to serum albumin and demonstrate enhanced duration of action in vivo. GIP(Lys(16)PAL) and GIP(Lys(37)PAL) were resistant to dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV) degradation. In vitro studies demonstrated that GIP analogues retained their ability to activate the GIP receptor through production of cAMP and to stimulate insulin secretion. Intraperitoneal administration of GIP analogues to obese diabetic (ob/ob) mice significantly decreased the glycemic excursion and elicited increased and prolonged insulin responses compared to native GIP. A protracted glucose-lowering effect was observed 24 h following GIP(LyS(37)PAL) administration. Once a day injection for 14 days decreased nonfasting glucose, improved glucose tolerance, and enhanced the insulin response to glucose. These data demonstrate that fatty acid derivatized GIP peptides represent a novel class of long-acting stable GIP analogues for therapy of type 2 diabetes.