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Aggregation
Kinds of Aggregation Terms modified by Aggregation Selected AbstractsMODEL MISSPECIFICATION: WHY AGGREGATION OF OFFENSES IN FEDERAL SENTENCING EQUATIONS IS PROBLEMATICCRIMINOLOGY, Issue 4 2003CELESTA A. ALBONETTI This paper addresses two concerns that arise from Steffensmeier and Demuth (2001) analysis of federal sentencing and their misrepresentation of my analyses of sentence severity (Albonetti, 1997). My primary concern is to alert researchers to the importance of controlling for the guidelines offense that drives the sentencing process under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. My second concern is to correct Steffensmeier and Demuth's (2001) errors in interpretation of my earlier findings of the effect of guidelines offense severity on length of imprisonment. [source] KIN-BASED RECOGNITION AND SOCIAL AGGREGATION IN A CILIATEEVOLUTION, Issue 5 2010Alexis S. Chaine Aggregative groups entail costs that must be overcome for the evolution of complex social interactions. Understanding the mechanisms that allow aggregations to form and restrict costs of cheating can provide a resolution to the instability of social evolution. Aggregation in Tetrahymena thermophila is associated with costs of reduced growth and benefits of improved survival through "growth factor" exchange. We investigated what mechanisms contribute to stable cooperative aggregation in the face of potential exploitation by less-cooperative lines using experimental microcosms. We found that kin recognition modulates aggregative behavior to exclude cheaters from social interactions. Long-distance kin recognition across patches modulates social structure by allowing recruitment of kin in aggregative lines and repulsion in asocial lines. Although previous studies have shown a clear benefit to social aggregation at low population densities, we found that social aggregation has very different effects at higher densities. Lower growth rates are a cost of aggregation, but also present potential benefits when restricted to kin aggregations: slow growth and crowd tolerance allow aggregations to form and permit longer persistence on ephemeral resources. Thus in highly dynamic metapopulations, kin recognition plays an important role in the formation and stability of social groups that increase persistence through cooperative consumptive restraint. [source] A NOTE ON CHAMBERS'S "LONG MEMORY AND AGGREGATION IN MACROECONOMIC TIME SERIES",INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC REVIEW, Issue 3 2005Leonardo Rocha Souza This note reviews some results on aggregating discrete-time long memory processes, providing a formula for the spectrum of the aggregates that considers the aliasing effect. [source] ASSESSING THE INCREMENTAL VALIDITY OF TEAM CONSENSUS RATINGS OVER AGGREGATION OF INDIVIDUAL-LEVEL DATA IN PREDICTING TEAM EFFECTIVENESSPERSONNEL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 3 2001BRADLEY L. KIRKMAN Using data collected from 98 work teams, empowerment levels were assessed based on the aggregation of individual team member ratings as well as on a team consensus approach utilized after aggregation. These 2 methods of measuring team empowerment were then compared on their ability to predict manager ratings of team effectiveness on 4 dimensions. Findings demonstrated that the consensus method of measuring team empowerment explained significantly greater variance in team effectiveness than did the aggregation method alone. We discuss implications for team research and practice based on these findings and include a discussion on when using consensus after aggregation may be most appropriate. [source] A Knowledge Formalization and Aggregation-Based Method for the Assessment of Dam PerformanceCOMPUTER-AIDED CIVIL AND INFRASTRUCTURE ENGINEERING, Issue 3 2010Corinne Curt The model's inputs are the whole set of available information and data: visual observations, monitoring measurements, calculated data, and documents related to design and construction processes. First, a formal grid is proposed to structure the inputs. It is composed of six fields: name, definition, scale, references as anchorage points on the scale, and spatial and temporal characteristics. Structured inputs are called indicators. Second, an indicator aggregation method is proposed that allows obtaining not only the dam performance but also the assessment of its design and construction practices. The methodology is illustrated mainly with the internal erosion mechanism through the embankment, but results concerning other failure modes are also provided. An application of the method for monitoring dams through time is given. [source] Reconciling Financial Information at Varied Levels of Aggregation,CONTEMPORARY ACCOUNTING RESEARCH, Issue 2 2004ANIL ARYA Abstract Financial statements summarize a firm's fiscal position using only a limited number of accounts. Readers often interpret financial statements in conjunction with other information, some of which may be aggregated in a different way (or not at all). This paper exploits properties of the double-entry accounting system to provide a systematic approach to reconciling diverse financial data. The key is the ability to represent the double-entry system by network flows and, thereby, access well-recognized network optimization techniques. Two specific uses are investigated: the reconciliation of audit evidence with management-prepared financial statements, and the creation of transaction-level financial ratios. [source] Part 1: Kinetics and mechanism of the crystallization processCRYSTAL RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY, Issue 1 2006Oleg D. Linnikov Abstract The kinetics of spontaneous crystallization of sodium chloride from aqueous-ethanol solutions were studied. During the crystallization the electrical conductance and optical transmission of the supersaturated solutions were measured automatically. For monitoring of the total surface of growing potassium chloride crystals at the crystallization the turbidimetric method was used. The growth rate and activation energy were determined. The crystal growth rate was proportional to supersaturation. When the volume fraction of ethanol in solution increased from 14.85 to 29.72%, the activation energy of the growth process did not change and was about 50 kJ· mol -1. Aggregation of the crystals was found. The aggregation kinetics of the crystals may be described approximately by the famous Smoluchowski equation for coagulation of colloidal particles. (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Aggregation and species coexistence in fleas parasitic on small mammalsECOGRAPHY, Issue 2 2006Boris R. Krasnov The aggregation model of coexistence states that species coexistence is facilitated if interspecific aggregation is reduced relative to intraspecific aggregation. We investigated the relationship between intraspecific and interspecific aggregation in 17 component communities (the flea assemblage of a host population) of fleas parasitic on small mammals and hypothesized that interspecific interactions should be reduced relative to intraspecific interactions, facilitating species coexistence. We predicted that the reduction of the level of interspecific aggregation in relation to the level of intraspecific aggregation would be positively correlated with total flea abundance and species richness of flea assemblages. We also expected that the higher degree of facilitation of flea coexistence would be affected by host parameters such as body mass, basal metabolic rate (BMR) and depth and complexity of burrows. Results of this study supported the aggregation model of coexistence and demonstrated that, in general, a) conspecific fleas were aggregated across their hosts; b) flea assemblages were not dominated by negative interspecific interactions; and c) the level of interspecific aggregation in flea assemblages was reduced in relation to the level of intraspecific aggregation. Intraspecific aggregation tended to be correlated positively to body mass, burrow complexity and mass-independent BMR of a host. Positive interspecific associations of fleas tended to occur more frequently in species-rich flea assemblages and/or in larger hosts possessing deep complex burrows. Intraspecific aggregation increased relative to interspecific aggregation when species richness of flea infracommunities (the flea assemblage of a host individual) and component communities increased. We conclude that the pattern of flea coexistence is related both to the structure of flea communities and affinities of host species. [source] Does aggregation benefit bark beetles by diluting predation?ECOLOGICAL ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 2 2004Links between a group-colonisation strategy, the absence of emergent multiple predator effects Abstract., 1. Aggregation in bark beetles (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) aids in mate attraction and resource procurement when colonising well-defended plants; however, some species colonise primarily poorly defended plants, and intraspecific competition increases mortality. The hypothesis that decreased risk of predation was a potential benefit to aggregation in such circumstances was tested, using the pine engraver, Ips pini (Say) and its two major predators Thanasimus dubius (F.) (Coleoptera: Cleridae) and Platysoma cylindrica (Paykull) (Coleoptera: Histeridae). Both single- and multiple-predator effects, across a range of prey densities, were tested. 2. Both male and female colonisation events increased with herbivore density, in an asymptotic fashion. 3. Predators decreased the number of colonisers in a density-dependent manner, consistent with a type II functional response. 4. The proportional impact of predators decreased with increased herbivore colonisation densities. These findings indicate that predator dilution may be a viable benefit to aggregation. 5. Total emergence of the herbivore also increased with density, although the net replacement rate during one generation was independent of initial arrival density. This was likely due to larval predation, which negates potential relationships between per capita reproductive success and establishment density. 6. Each predator species decreased I. pini's net replacement rate by approximately 42%, and their combined effect was approximately 70%. 7. Overall, these predators modified their prey's establishment and adult mortality relationships in additive manners. This is somewhat surprising, given the potential for emergent effects due to interactions between multiple predators foraging within a common habitat. The persistence of additivity, rather than risk reduction or enhancement to the prey, may increase the predator-swamping benefit to aggregation for this herbivore. 8. The effects of these predators are substitutable, and likely exert equivalent selective pressures to mask signals at the whole-plant level. [source] Using the Aggregation of Latex Polymers in the Fabrication of Reproducible Enzyme ElectrodesELECTROANALYSIS, Issue 17 2003Wibowo Rahmat Abstract An enzyme electrode for glucose is described as a model system to demonstrate a fabrication method using latex aggregation and entrapment of enzyme. Electrosterically-stabilized latex particles synthesized by emulsion polymerization in batch from acrylic acid, methyl methacrylate and butyl acrylate, and glucose oxidase were coagulated together at pH,5.5 with ethanol. A platinum disk electrode dipped in the solution becomes coated with latex/enzyme. The relative thickness of the film and relative amount of enzyme may be controlled by the time the electrode is in contact with the solution. The enzyme was then immobilized by covalent attachment of amine groups to carboxylic moieties in the polymer using 1-ethyl-3(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide hydrochloride and N -hydroxysuccinimide. Five minutes contact with the latex/enzyme solution and subsequent amide coupling, gave electrodes with a reproducibility of 5.7% RSD, a wide dynamic range (0,100,mM) and good storage properties. [source] Dok protein family members are involved in signaling mediated by the type 1 Fc, receptorEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 1 2003Jakub Abramson Abstract Aggregation of type 1 Fc, receptors (Fc,RI) on mast cells activates a biochemical cascade that culminates in secretion of inflammatory mediators, as well as in changes of cell morphology and adhesion properties. Some of the intracellular components involved in the early coupling events are still unidentified. Here we show that two adaptor proteins, downstream of tyrosine kinases (Dok)-1 and Dok-2, are involved in the Fc,RI coupling cascade in the rat mucosal-type mast cells of the RBL-2H3 line. Dok-1 is found to be constitutively associated with the Fc,RI, even in untreated cells, and this interaction is not affected by this receptor's aggregation. Both Dok forms undergo a fast and relatively long-term tyrosyl-phosphorylation. This modification of Dok-1 increases its association with RasGAP, suggesting that it is modulating Ras activity. Indeed, we further found that Fc,RI-mediated Ras/Raf1/Erk signaling as well as the de novo synthesis of TNF-, are markedly reduced in cells overexpressing Dok-1. Moreover, Fc,RI clustering causes both Dok-1 and Dok-2 to become docking sites for other signaling molecules including Nck, CrkL and Cas. The latter proteins have been implicated particularly in regulation of the actin-cytoskeletal reorganization. Hence Dok-1/Dok-2 may also be involved in the Fc,RI-stimulated processes of cytoskeleton rearrangement required for cell adhesion, membrane ruffling and exocytosis. [source] Tripyrrinatocadmium Complexes: Enforcing Supramolecular Aggregation by a Large IonEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 7 2007Martin Bröring Abstract A newly developed method for the preparation of free base tripyrrin ligands HTrpy by cyanide-promoted demetalation of nickel chelates TrpyNiNCO was used in order to explore the chemistry of cadmium tripyrrins TrpyCdX with a variety of anionic co-ligands X. The introduction of the large CdII ion into the tripyrrin N3 coordination site was accomplished by the use of cadmium acetate as the metal precursor. Ligand exchange experiments using sodium salts of different anions disclose a marked tendency for pentacoordination, which is achieved either by the formation of chelates or of 1D coordination polymers that form as a consequence of the size of the central metal. The attempted introduction of chlorido, iodido, or cyanato ligands thus leads mainly to decomposed material, while the use of 1,1,1-trifluoracetylacetonate, salicylate, and acetate ligands results in stable, pentacoordinate and monomeric complexes with the external ligand bound as a four- or six-membered O,O -chelate ring. With the pseudohalogenido ligands thiocyanate, selenocyanate, and azide as well as with the weakly coordinating trifluoroacetate 1D coordination polymers with a variety of chain structures were obtained and investigated by X-ray diffraction studies. Interestingly TrpyCdN3 is present in the crystal as a coordinatively and hydrogen-bonded methanol adduct with a dimeric repeating subunit. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007) [source] Non-Covalent Aggregation of Discrete Metallo-Supramolecular Helicates into Higher Assemblies by Aromatic Pathways: Structural and Chemical Studies of New Aniline-Based Neutral Metal(II) DihelicatesEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 17 2005Miguel Vázquez Abstract Neutral manganese(II), iron(II), cobalt(II), nickel(II), zinc(II) and cadmium(II) complexes with an N -tosyl-substituted N4 -donor Schiff base containing a 4,4'-methylenedianiline residue as spacer [H2La: N,N' -bis(2-tosylaminobenzylidene)-4,4'-methylenedianiline], and the zinc(II) complex with an analogous ligand [H2Lb: N,N' -bis(2-tosylaminobenzylidene)-4,4'-oxodianiline] have been prepared by an electrochemical procedure. FAB and ESI mass spectra of the complexes show peaks due to species corresponding to a general formula [M2(La,b)2 + H]+, thereby suggesting their dinuclear nature. A detailed study of the crystal packing in the unit cell of the zinc(II) complex with H2La shows that the helicates aggregate to form discrete prismatic moieties containing three molecules held together by ,,, and ,,, interactions. Moreover, the ZnII neutral dihelicate with H2Lb forms a 3D network in the solid state due to intermolecular ,-stacking interactions. 1H NMR studies of the diamagnetic compounds reported herein have been performed. Finally, the ligand H2La and its ZnII and CdII complexes have been studied by spectrophotometric and spectrofluorimetric techniques in order to get a better understanding of the formation mechanisms of the complexes and of the nature of their fluorescence emission. Emission studies show that the ZnII and CdII dihelicates with H2La display a green fluorescence in acetonitrile solution (, = 473 nm, , = 0.03 and , = 476 nm, , = 0.01, respectively). (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005) [source] Uniformly Nucleobase-Functionalized ,-Peptide Helices: Watson,Crick Pairing or Nonspecific AggregationEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 33 2007Angelina Weiß Abstract The organization and architecture of helices is fundamental in folding of protein tertiary structures. Therefore, stable ,-peptide helices are used as models for the selective organization of secondary structures. Nucleobases are already established as recognition elements to organize two ,-peptide helices in antiparallel orientation. The investigation of ,-peptide helices uniformly functionalized with one type of nucleobases provided further insight in the recognition mode and requirements for specific interaction within the linear and very rigid helical backbone topology. Specific helix interaction based on base pair recognition is predominant as soon as Watson,Crick pairing is allowed. If the hydrogen bonding donor/acceptor pattern prohibits the Watson,Crick geometry, a quite stable nonspecific interaction was found based on aromatic interactions or on a nonspecific hydrogen bonding network. The latter aggregation was also confirmed with tyrosine side chains.(© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005) [source] Quantifying the effects of aggregation, particle size and components on the colour of Mediterranean soilsEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SOIL SCIENCE, Issue 3 2004M. SÁnchez-Marańón Summary Aggregation, particle size, and chemical composition affect the colour of the soil. We have attempted to quantify and understand these effects in 12 Mediterranean soils. We measured the CIELAB colour variables hab, L*, and C*ab in aggregated and dispersed soil samples, and also in coarse sand, fine sand, silt, and clay samples before and after sequential removal of organic matter, carbonates, and Fe oxides. Grassmann's colour-mixing equations adjusted by regression analysis described the colour of the dispersed soil from its particle-size fractions with an error of 1% for hab, 4% for L*, and 9% for C*ab. This suggests that the contribution of each fraction to the colour of the dispersed soil can be accurately calculated by its colorimetric data weighted by its content and a regression coefficient, which was greatest for clay. We inferred the influence of a component within each fraction by measuring the colour changes after its removal. Iron oxides reduced hab of the silicated substrate by 19%, reduced L* by 12%, and increased C*ab by 64% in all particle-size fractions. Carbonates and organic matter had little influence: the former because they impart little colour to the silicates and the latter because there was little of it. The CIELAB colour-difference between dispersed and aggregated soil (mean ,E*ab = 15.3) was due mainly to ,L* (,14.7). Aggregation contributed to diminishing L* of dispersed soil by 34%. Scanning electron microscopy showed that Fe oxides and organic coatings cover the surface of aggregates thereby influencing soil colour. [source] KIN-BASED RECOGNITION AND SOCIAL AGGREGATION IN A CILIATEEVOLUTION, Issue 5 2010Alexis S. Chaine Aggregative groups entail costs that must be overcome for the evolution of complex social interactions. Understanding the mechanisms that allow aggregations to form and restrict costs of cheating can provide a resolution to the instability of social evolution. Aggregation in Tetrahymena thermophila is associated with costs of reduced growth and benefits of improved survival through "growth factor" exchange. We investigated what mechanisms contribute to stable cooperative aggregation in the face of potential exploitation by less-cooperative lines using experimental microcosms. We found that kin recognition modulates aggregative behavior to exclude cheaters from social interactions. Long-distance kin recognition across patches modulates social structure by allowing recruitment of kin in aggregative lines and repulsion in asocial lines. Although previous studies have shown a clear benefit to social aggregation at low population densities, we found that social aggregation has very different effects at higher densities. Lower growth rates are a cost of aggregation, but also present potential benefits when restricted to kin aggregations: slow growth and crowd tolerance allow aggregations to form and permit longer persistence on ephemeral resources. Thus in highly dynamic metapopulations, kin recognition plays an important role in the formation and stability of social groups that increase persistence through cooperative consumptive restraint. [source] Characterization of ,-synuclein aggregation and synergistic toxicity with protein tau in yeastFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 6 2005Piotr Zabrocki A yeast model was generated to study the mechanisms and phenotypical repercussions of expression of ,-synuclein as well as the coexpression of protein tau. The data show that aggregation of ,-synuclein is a nucleation,elongation process initiated at the plasma membrane. Aggregation is consistently enhanced by dimethyl sulfoxide, which is known to increase the level of phospholipids and membranes in yeast cells. Aggregation of ,-synuclein was also triggered by treatment of the yeast cells with ferrous ions, which are known to increase oxidative stress. In addition, data are presented in support of the hypothesis that degradation of ,-synuclein occurs via autophagy and proteasomes and that aggregation of ,-synuclein disturbs endocytosis. Reminiscent of observations in double-transgenic mice, coexpression of ,-synuclein and protein tau in yeast cells is synergistically toxic, as exemplified by inhibition of proliferation. Taken together, the data show that these yeast models recapitulate major aspects of ,-synuclein aggregation and cytotoxicity, and offer great potential for defining the underlying mechanisms of toxicity and synergistic actions of ,-synuclein and protein tau. [source] Mutant protein kinase C gamma that causes spinocerebellar ataxia type 14 (SCA14) is selectively degraded by autophagyGENES TO CELLS, Issue 5 2010Kazuhiro Yamamoto Several causal missense mutations in the protein kinase C, (,PKC) gene have been found in spinocerebellar ataxia type 14 (SCA14), an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disease. We previously showed that mutant ,PKC found in SCA14 is susceptible to aggregation and causes apoptosis. Aggregation of misfolded proteins is generally involved in the pathogenesis of many neurodegenerative diseases. Growing evidence indicates that macroautophagy (autophagy) is important for the degradation of misfolded proteins and the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases. In the present study, we examined whether autophagy is involved in the degradation of the mutant ,PKC that causes SCA14. Mutant ,PKC-GFP was transiently expressed in SH-SY5Y cells by using an adenoviral tetracycline-regulated system. Subsequently, temporal changes in clearance of aggregates and degradation of ,PKC-GFP were evaluated. Rapamycin, an autophagic inducer, accelerated clearance of aggregates and promoted degradation of mutant ,PKC-GFP, but it did not affect degradation of wild-type ,PKC-GFP. These effects of rapamycin were not observed in embryonic fibroblast cells from Atg5-deficient mice, which are not able to perform autophagy. Furthermore, lithium, another type of autophagic inducer, also promoted the clearance of mutant ,PKC aggregates. These results indicate that autophagy contributes to the degradation of mutant ,PKC, suggesting that autophagic inducers could provide therapeutic potential for SCA14. [source] Tuning and Transcription of the Supramolecular Organization of a Fluorescent Silsesquioxane Precursor into Silica-Based Materials through Direct Photochemical Hydrolysis,Polycondensation and MicropatterningADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 3 2009Xavier Sallenave Abstract A new fluorescent silsequioxane precursor with tuned optical properties and controlled aggregation properties is designed. The two cyclohexyl moieties introduced in the molecular structure allow the formation of very good quality films. The J-aggregated structure is transcribed into the solid by photoacid-catalyzed hydrolysis,polycondensation. Aggregation of the chromophores is reduced and highly fluorescent materials are obtained. The photoacid generator lies on the surface of the homogeneous layer of the sol,gel precursor. This phase separation presents several advantages, including UV protection of the chromophore and easy removal of the PAG. The first example of chemical amplification in the photolithography of the conjugated silsesquioxane precursor is demonstrated. As hydrolysis,polycondensation could be achieved in a controlled way by UV exposure, chemically amplified photolithography is achieved by irradiating a composite film (,110,nm thick) on silicon wafer by using a copper TEM grid as shadow mask. The pattern is produced uniformly on a miscroscopic scale of 3,mm, the photopatterned pixels remaining highly fluorescent. The sizes of the photolithographed pixels correspond to the sizes of the rectangular holes of the 300,×,75 mesh grid (hole: 63,<$>,<$>m,×,204,<$>,<$>m). [source] Reversed Crystal Growth: Implications for Crystal EngineeringADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 28 2010Wuzong Zhou Abstract The discovery of reversed crystal growth routes in zeolite analcime and zeolite A implies that crystal growth does not always follow the classic theory established 100 years ago. Aggregation of nanoparticles may dominate in the early stages of crystal growth, followed by surface crystallization, and then extension from surface to core of the disordered aggregates. A perfect polyhedral morphology can be developed in a thin surface crystalline layer of a particle with a disordered core. Evidence of such a novel crystal growth phenomenon can be also found in many other materials. This article highlights the recent achievements in this topic, which might have a significant impact on crystal engineering, materials science, and mineralogy. [source] Aggregation in Matching MarketsINTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC REVIEW, Issue 1 2000John K. Dagsvik This article develops aggregate relations for a matching market of heterogeneous suppliers and demanders. Under particular assumptions about the distribution of preferences and the matching game, asymptotic aggregate relations for the number of realized matches of different types in the presence of flexible contracts (such as a price) are derived. Simulation experiments demonstrate that the model also provides excellent predictions in small populations. The potential for applications within demographic, labor market, and welfare analyses is discussed. [source] Direct Laser Writing of Photoresponsive Colloids for Microscale Patterning of 3D Porous Structures,ADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 1 2009Matthew C. George 3D patterning of colloidal structures is enabled by the phototriggered aggregation of photoresponsive colloids. We use direct laser writing to locally control aggregation behavior of photoresponsive colloids via a 2-photon absorption process. 3D structures composed of porous walls are harvested after rinsing away unexposed colloidal species. Aggregation is fully reversible with sufficient agitation. [source] Modified method of characteristics for solving population balance equationsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN FLUIDS, Issue 11 2003Laurent Pilon Abstract This paper presents a new numerical method for solving the population balance equation using the modified method of characteristics. Aggregation and break-up are neglected but the density function variations in the three-dimensional space and its dependence on the external fields are accounted for. The method is an interpretation of the Lagrangian approach. Based on a pre-specified grid, it follows the particles backward in time as opposed to forward in the case of traditional method of characteristics. Unlike the direct marching method, the inverse marching method uses a fixed grid thus, making it compatible with other numerical schemes (e.g. finite-volume, finite elements) that may be used to solve other coupled equations such as the mass, momentum, and energy conservation equations. The numerical solutions are compared with the exact analytical solutions for simple one-dimensional flow cases. Very good agreement between the numerical and the theoretical solutions has been obtained confirming the validity of the numerical procedure and the associated computer program. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Aggregation of linguistic labels when semantics is based on antonymsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS, Issue 4 2001Vicenç Torra In this work, we introduce aggregation operators for linguistic labels (this is, ordinal scales) when different experts (or information sources) use different domains to express their knowledge. The aggregated value is computed (i) building first a unified framework, (ii) transforming all the initial values into this new framework, (iii) aggregating the transformed values, and (iv) finally applying a reversal transformation. Transformations and all the constructions are based on assuming an existing semantics for all the domains. In this work, we consider the semantics based on the existence of an antonym (or a set of them) for each element in the domain. This is equivalent to a semantics based on negation functions. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. [source] Chirally Modified Platinum Nanoparticles Stabilized by Dendritic Core-Multishell Architectures for the Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Ethyl PyruvateADVANCED SYNTHESIS & CATALYSIS (PREVIOUSLY: JOURNAL FUER PRAKTISCHE CHEMIE), Issue 9 2010Juliane Keilitz Abstract In this paper we present the asymmetric hydrogenation of ,-keto esters with platinum nanoparticles homogeneously stabilized in dendritic core-multishell architectures. The main focus lies on recycling and metal leaching, because little is reported so far about these aspects. It is shown that the stabilizing polymer allows for the efficient modification of the Pt surface with the chiral alkaloid cinchonidine, thereby inducing enantioselectivity and enhancing the reaction rate in the asymmetric hydrogenation of ethyl pyruvate. After optimization of the reaction conditions 63% ee for (R)-ethyl lactate was obtained. During recycling it was found that this value could even be increased upon ultrafiltration of the catalyst prior to use. Recycling was accomplished for 10,cycles with stable activity and enantioselectivity (,73% ee) in the first eight runs. Aggregation of the initially well dispersed nanoparticles was observed by transmission electron microscope (TEM) analysis, leading to reduced conversion after the 8th cycle, but metal leaching into the product has been observed only in the very first run. [source] A quantitative study of day,night changes in the spatial distribution of insects in a stony streamJOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY, Issue 1 2002J. M. Elliott Summary 1As many invertebrates are nocturnal, their spatial distribution may change from day to night. This behavioural aspect of their population dynamics has been ignored, but is now examined for the first time by testing the hypotheses: (i) a power function was a suitable model for the spatial distribution of common species of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera in a stony stream; (ii) the spatial distribution varied between species but was similar within species for larvae greater and smaller than half-size; (iii) diurnal and nocturnal spatial distributions were significantly different for each species. To ensure that the conclusions were consistent, large samples (n = 30) were taken near midday and midnight in April, June and November over 4 years. 2Twenty,one species were taken in sufficient numbers for the analyses; seven species were too sparse to be included. The first hypothesis was supported. A power function, relating spatial variance (s2) to mean (m), was an excellent fit in all the analyses (P < 0·001, r2 > 0·95), i.e. the spatial variance was density,dependent. The power b, often used as an ,index of aggregation', varied in the range 0·88,2·50. 3Most analyses supported the second hypothesis. For four species, the difference between the two size groups was just significant (P < 0·05), but was due to inadequate data for three species. Large larvae of the fourth species, the caddis Odontocerum albicorne, were less aggregated than small larvae at night, and were the only group with a b -value less than one. 4The third hypothesis was partially supported. The distribution did not change significantly (P > 0·05) for nine species; five burrowers in gravel, moss or mud, two highly mobile predators, one sedentary, case,building, Trichoptera species, and one net,spinning Trichoptera species. Aggregation was reduced significantly (P < 0·001) at night for four species, all case,building Trichoptera larvae. Aggregation increased significantly (P < 0·001) at night, except at low densities, for the remaining eight species, one being a nocturnal predator and the others being herbivorous species; all occurred frequently in night samples of invertebrate drift. Day,night changes in spatial distribution were therefore an essential part of the behavioural dynamics of 12 of the 21 species, and should be investigated in other species, including terrestrial species. [source] Aggregation of Staphylococcus aureus following treatment with the antibacterial flavonol galanginJOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 5 2007T.P.T. Cushnie Abstract Aim:, The flavonol galangin, an antimicrobial constituent of the traditional medicines propolis and Helichrysum aureonitens, is being assessed as part of an ongoing investigation into the antibacterial activity of flavonoids. The present study sought to establish whether galangin has any aggregatory effect on bacterial cells. Methods and Results:, In preparatory time-kill assays, 50 ,g ml,1 of galangin was found to reduce colony counts of c. 5 × 107 CFU ml,1Staphylococcus aureus NCTC 6571 by approximately 15 000-fold during 60 min of incubation. Subsequent light microscopy studies demonstrated significant increases in the number of large clusters of bacterial cells in populations treated with the flavonol. Conclusion:, Data presented here show that galangin causes aggregation of bacterial cells. Significance and Impact of the Study:, The finding that galangin causes bacterial cells to clump together may implicate the cytoplasmic membrane as a target site for this compound's activity. More importantly, this observation indicates that decreases in CFU numbers detected in time-kill and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) assays in previous investigations were at least partially attributable to this aggregatory effect. This raises the possibility that galangin is not genuinely bactericidal in action, and calls into question the suitability of time-kill and MBC assays for determining the nature of activity of naturally occurring flavonoids. [source] Aggregation of opinions based on correlated cues and advisorsJOURNAL OF BEHAVIORAL DECISION MAKING, Issue 2 2007David V. Budescu Abstract We study the process by which decision makers (DMs) aggregate probabilistic opinions from multiple, correlated sources with a special emphasis on the determinants of the DM's confidence, which is a predictor of the DM's willingness to accept the implications of the aggregation process. Our model assumes that (a) DM combines the advisors' opinions by weighting them according to the amount of information underlying them, and (b) the DM's confidence increases as a function of a variety of factors that reduce the variance of the aggregate. We report results of three studies that manipulate the predictive validity of the cues and their inter-correlations. Most of the models' predictions are supported but, contrary to the model's prediction, the DMs' confidence is not sensitive to the inter-cue correlation. The best predictors of the DMs' confidence are the perceived predictability of the event, the level of agreement among the advisors, and the advisors' self-reports of confidence. This pattern of results is explained by the ,system neglect' hypothesis. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Forest plant species richness in small, fragmented mixed deciduous forest patches: the role of area, time and dispersal limitationJOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY, Issue 6 2001Hans Jacquemyn Aim The research aimed to investigate how plant species richness of small, fragmented forest patches changes over time. Also interactions between time and area were studied in relation to species richness. Finally, the relative importance of plant dispersal limitation on the process of species accumulation was examined by investigating how species were distributed within a regional landscape. Location Mixed deciduous forest patches in central Belgium. Methods The land use history of a region of 80 km2 was reconstructed using nine historical maps dating from 1775 to 1991. Within a central area of 42 km2, 241 forest patches were surveyed for presence/absence of 203 species predominantly occurring in forests. Aggregation of species within this region was estimated using a Monte Carlo simulation. Spatial and temporal patterns of species richness were investigated by both regression and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results Fifty-one of 103 species showed significant spatial aggregation patterns, suggesting severe dispersal limitation. Species richness significantly increased with age. However, the effects of time on species richness could not be separated from area and area and time clearly interacted. Slopes of regression equations for species number on area and patch age were shown to be significantly interrelated. Main conclusions Area and time cannot be treated independently as predictors of plant species richness. Dispersal proved to be important in structuring local forest plant community composition, contrary to most other studies that have investigated local forest plant community structure. The processes of forest succession and species accumulation are controlled by both local and regional processes. More studies focusing on the regional factors determining local community composition are needed in order to fully understand the process of forest plant community assembly. [source] Effect of an essential oil-containing antiseptic mouthrinse on induction of platelet aggregation by oral bacteria in vitroJOURNAL OF CLINICAL PERIODONTOLOGY, Issue 5 2000E. J. Whitaker Abstract Background: With an increasing body of data suggesting an association between periodontitis and cardiovascular disease, studies have been conducted to elucidate potential mechanisms by which oral bacteria might exert systemic effects. 2 oral bacteria, Streptococcus sanguis and Porphyromonas gingivalis, have been shown to induce platelet aggregation in vitro. This study was conducted to determine the effect of treatment with an essential oil mouthrinse (Listerine® Antiseptic) on the platelet-aggregating activity of these organisms. Method: Bacteria were grown under standard culture conditions. S. sanguis ATCC strain 10556 was exposed for 3 min to the essential oil mouthrinse at either full strength or a 1:1 dilution, while P. gingivalis FDC strain 381 was exposed to the essential oil mouthrinse at a 1:10 dilution. Positive control cells were treated with Hanks balanced salt solution (HBSS). Aggregation was measured using a recording platelet aggregometer. The assay of each organism in its respective mouthrinse dilution(s) or HBSS was repeated 5 times. Results: In all cases, the HBSS-treated organisms induced platelet aggregation, with mean(±S.E.) lag times of 12.30 (±1.36) min and 11.36 (±0.58) min for P. gingivalis and S. sanguis, respectively. In contrast, treatment with the essential oil mouthrinse completely inhibited the platelet aggregating activity of P. gingivalis and of S. sanguis exposed to the 1:1 mouthrinse dilution in all assays; the aggregating activity of S. sanguis treated with full-strength mouthrinse was completely inhibited in 4 of 5 assays, and inhibited by 75% in the 5th, for a mean inhibition of 95±1.5%. Conclusion: This study provides additional evidence that the essential oil mouthrinse can interfere with bacterial cell surface-associated activities which may have clinical relevance. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||