Do ectomycorrhizal fungi exhibit adaptive tolerance to potentially toxic metals in the environment?

The effects of potentially toxic metals on ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi and their higher plant hosts are examined in this review. Investigations at a species and community level have revealed wide inter- and intraspecific variation in sensitivity to metals. Adaptive and constitutive mechanisms of ECM tolerance are proposed and discussed in relation to proven tolerance mechanisms in bacteria, yeasts and plants. Problems with methodology and research priorities are highlighted. These include the need for a detailed understanding of the genetic basis of tolerance in the ECM symbiosis, and for studies of ECM community dynamics in polluted sites.

Does final demand for energy in Portugal exhibit long memory

In this paper, we measure the degree of fractional integration in final energy demand in Portugal using an ARFIMA model with and without adjustments for seasonality. We consider aggregate energy demand as well as final demand for petroleum, electricity, coal, and natural gas. Our findings suggest the presence of long memory in all of the energy demand variables, that the series are stationary, although the mean reversion process will be slower than in the typical short run processes. These results have important implications for the design of energy policies. The effects of temporary policy shocks on final energy demand will tend to disappear slowly. This means that even transitory shocks have long lasting effects. Given the temporary nature of these effects, however, permanent effects require permanent policies. This is unlike what would be suggested by the more standard but much more limited unit root approach, which would incorrectly indicate that even transitory policies would have permanent effects.

Branching random motions, nonlinear hyperbolic systems and traveling waves

A branching random motion on a line, with abrupt changes of direction, is studied. The branching mechanism, being independient of random motion, and intensities of reverses are defined by a particle's current direction. A soluton of a certain hyperbolic system of coupled non-linear equations (Kolmogorov type backward equation) have a so-called McKean representation via such processes. Commonly this system possesses traveling-wave solutions. The convergence of solutions with Heaviside terminal data to the travelling waves is discussed.This Paper realizes the McKean programme for the Kolmogorov-Petrovskii-Piskunov equation in this case. The Feynman-Kac formula plays a key role.

Development of a historic hearing devices exhibit

This paper discusses historic hearing devices and their benefits to users.

Do the Golden-winged Warbler and Blue-winged Warbler Exhibit Species-specific Differences in their Breeding Habitat Use?

We compared habitat features of Golden-winged Warbler (Vermivora chrysoptera) territories in the presence and absence of the Blue-winged Warbler (V. cyanoptera) on reclaimed coal mines in southeastern Kentucky, USA. Our objective was to determine whether there are species specific differences in habitat that can be manipulated to encourage population persistence of the Golden-winged Warbler. When compared with Blue-winged Warblers, Golden-winged Warblers established territories at higher elevations and with greater percentages of grass and canopy cover. Mean territory size (minimum convex polygon) was 1.3 ha (se = 0.1) for Golden-winged Warbler in absence of Blue-winged Warbler, 1.7 ha (se = 0.3) for Golden-winged Warbler coexisting with Blue-winged Warbler, and 2.1 ha (se = 0.3) for Blue-winged Warbler. Territory overlap occurred within and between species (18 of n = 73 territories, 24.7%). All Golden-winged and Blue-winged Warblers established territories that included an edge between reclaimed mine land and mature forest, as opposed to establishing territories in open grassland/shrubland habitat. The mean distance territories extended from a forest edge was 28.0 m (se = 3.8) for Golden-winged Warbler in absence of Blue-winged Warbler, 44.7 m (se = 5.7) for Golden-winged Warbler coexisting with Blue-winged Warbler, and 33.1 m (se = 6.1) for Blue-winged Warbler. Neither territory size nor distances to forest edges differed significantly between Golden-winged Warbler in presence or absence of Blue-winged Warbler. According to Monte Carlo analyses, orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata), green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) seedlings and saplings, and black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) saplings were indicative of sites with only Golden-winged Warblers. Sericea lespedeza, goldenrod (Solidago spp.), clematis vine (Clematis spp.), and blackberry (Rubus spp.) were indicative of sites where both species occurred. Our findings complement recent genetic studies and add another factor for examining Golden-winged Warbler population decline. Further, information from our study will aid land managers in manipulating habitat for the Golden-winged Warbler.

Substituted titanocenes induce caspase-dependent apoptosis in human epidermoid carcinoma cells in vitro and exhibit antitumour activity in vivo

Titanocene compounds are a novel series of agents that exhibit cytotoxic effects in a variety of human cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. In this study, the antiproliferative activity of two titanocenes (Titanocenes X and Y) was evaluated in human epidermoid cancer cells in vitro. Titanocenes X and Y induce apoptotic cell death in epidermoid cancer cells, with IC50 values that are comparable to cisplatin. Characterisation of the cell death pathway induced by titanocene compounds in A431 cells revealed that apoptosis is preceded by cell cycle arrest and the inhibition of cell proliferation. The induction of apoptosis is dependent on the activation of caspase-3 and -7 but not caspase-8. Furthermore, the antitumour activity of Titanocene Y was tested in an A431 xenograft model of epidermoid cancer. Results indicate that Titanocene Y significantly reduced the growth of A431 xenografts with an antitumour effect similar to cisplatin. These results suggest that titanocenes represent a novel series of promising antitumour agents.

On some properties of traveling water waves with vorticity

We prove that for a large class of vorticity functions the crests of any corresponding traveling gravity water wave of finite depth are necessarily points of maximal horizontal velocity. We also show that for waves with nonpositive vorticity the pressure everywhere in the fluid is larger than the atmospheric pressure. A related a priori estimate for waves with nonnegative vorticity is also given.

Selected wheat seed defense proteins exhibit competitive binding to model microbial lipid interfaces

Puroindolines (Pins) and purothionins (Pths) are basic, amphiphilic, cysteine-rich wheat proteins that play a role in plant defense against microbial pathogens. We have examined the co-adsorption and sequential addition of Pins (Pin-a, Pin-b and a mutant form of Pin-b with Trp-44 to Arg-44 substitution) and β-purothionin (β-Pth) model anionic lipid layers, using a combination of surface pressure measurements, external reflection FTIR spectroscopy and neutron reflectometry. Results highlighted differences in the protein binding mechanisms, and in the competitive binding and penetration of lipid layers between respective Pins and β-Pth. Pin-a formed a blanket-like layer of protein below the lipid surface that resulted in the reduction or inhibition of β-Pth penetration of the lipid layer. Wild-type Pin-b participated in co-operative binding with β-Pth, whereas the mutant Pin-b did not bind to the lipid layer in the presence of β-Pth. The results provide further insight into the role of hydrophobic and cationic amino acid residues in antimicrobial activity.

Oxovanadium(IV) and (V) complexes of acetylpyridine-derived semicarbazones exhibit insulin-like activity

Reaction of 2-acetylpyridine semicarbazone (H2APS), 3-acetylpyridine semicarbazone (H3APS) and 4-acetylpyridine semicarbazone (H4APS) with [VO(acac)(2)] (acac = acetylacetonate) gave [VO(H2APS)(acac)(2)] (1), (VO(H3APS)(acac)(2)] (2) and [VO(4APS)(acac) (H2O)] center dot 1/2H(2)O (3). Oxidation of complex 1 in acetonitrile gave [VO2(2APS)] (4). The crystal structures of complexes 1 and 4 have been determined. Complexes 1-3 were able to enhance glucose uptake and to inhibit glycerol release from adipocytes, which indicate their potential to act as insulin-mimics. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Use Multilevel Graph Partitioning Scheme to solve traveling salesman problem

The traveling salesman problem is although looking very simple problem but it is an important combinatorial problem. In this thesis I have tried to find the shortest distance tour in which each city is visited exactly one time and return to the starting city. I have tried to solve traveling salesman problem using multilevel graph partitioning approach.Although traveling salesman problem itself very difficult as this problem is belong to the NP-Complete problems but I have tried my best to solve this problem using multilevel graph partitioning it also belong to the NP-Complete problems. I have solved this thesis by using the k-mean partitioning algorithm which divides the problem into multiple partitions and solving each partition separately and its solution is used to improve the overall tour by applying Lin Kernighan algorithm on it. Through all this I got optimal solution which proofs that solving traveling salesman problem through graph partition scheme is good for this NP-Problem and through this we can solved this intractable problem within few minutes.Keywords: Graph Partitioning Scheme, Traveling Salesman Problem.