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Hierarchical System (hierarchical + system)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Life Sciences	50%

Selected Abstracts

Multiplex primer extension analysis for rapid detection of major European mitochondrial haplogroups

ELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 19 2006
Martina Wiesbauer
Abstract The evolution of the human mitochondrial genome is reflected in the existence of ethnically distinct lineages or haplogroups. Alterations of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) have been instrumental in studies of human phylogeny, in population genetics, and in molecular medicine to link pathological mutations to a variety of human diseases of complex etiology. For each of these applications, rapid and cost effective assays for mtDNA haplogrouping are invaluable. Here we describe a hierarchical system for mtDNA haplogrouping that combines multiplex PCR amplifications, multiplex single-base primer extensions, and CE for analyzing ten haplogroup-diagnostic mitochondrial single nucleotide polymorphisms. Using this rapid and cost-effective mtDNA genotyping method, we were able to show that within a large, randomly selected cohort of healthy Austrians (n,=,1172), mtDNAs could be assigned to all nine major European haplogroups. Forty-four percent belonged to haplogroup H, the most frequent haplogroup in European Caucasian populations. The other major haplogroups identified were U (15.4%), J (11.8%), T (8.2%) and K (5.1%). The frequencies of haplogroups in Austria is within the range observed for other European countries. Our method may be suitable for mitochondrial genotyping of samples from large-scale epidemiology studies and for identifying markers of genetic susceptibility. [source]

Sensitivity of different taxonomic levels of soil Gamasina to land use and anthropogenic disturbances

AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 2 2010
José Camilo Bedano
1The effect of taxonomic level on the sensitivity of bioindicators has been widely investigated in aquatic ecosystems and, to a lesser extent, in terrestrial ecosystems. However, no studies have been conducted on the sensitivity of the different taxonomic levels of soil mites, especially Gamasina, to human activities. 2The present study aimed to assess the sensitivity of different taxonomic levels of soil Gamasina mites to anthropogenic disturbances in Europe and Argentina. We arranged the data from previous projects in a hierarchical system and conducted a study to identify the critical taxonomical levels that had the highest discriminative potential between sites (Europe and Argentina) or management types (forests, grasslands, fallows, succession, recultivation and agricultural sites). 3For the Gamasina community, geographical location was by far more important than the influence of any land use type. The analysis including only the European sites demonstrated that communities belonging to sites subjected to different land uses were also significantly different. 4The species data set provided a clearer separation of sites according to both the geographical and the land-use gradients than the genus and family data sets. The genus and, to a lesser extent, the family approach may be sufficient to elucidate the influence of great geographical differences and also of certain land uses (e.g. grasslands from the forests and arable sites). 5Species presence/absence data provided valuable information in our analyses, although the use of quantitative data yielded a clearer separation of sites. [source]

Modelling recruitment training in mathematical human resource planning

APPLIED STOCHASTIC MODELS IN BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY, Issue 1 2002
A. C. Georgiou
Abstract This paper deals with mathematical human resource planning; more specifically, it suggests a new model for a manpower-planning system. In general, we study a k -classed hierarchical system where the workforce demand at each time period is satisfied through internal mobility and recruitment. The motivation for this work is based on various European Union incentives, which promote regional or local government assistance programs that could be exploited by firms not only for hiring and training newcomers, but also to improve the skills and knowledge of their existing personnel. In this respect, in our augmented mobility model we establish a new ,training/standby' class, which serves as a manpower inventory position for potential recruits. This class, which may very well be internal or external to the system, is incorporated into the framework of a non-homogeneous Markov chain model. Furthermore, cost objectives are employed using the goal-programming approach, under different operating assumptions, in order to minimize the operational cost in the presence of system's constraints and regulations. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Notes on coastal lagoon typology in the light of the EU Water Framework Directive: Italy as a case study

AQUATIC CONSERVATION: MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS, Issue 5 2006
Davide Tagliapietra
Abstract 1.The European Water Framework Directive (WFD) requires that Member States differentiate the transitional water bodies into types. 2.WFD assigns coastal lagoons to two different water categories, ,transitional waters' and ,coastal waters' on the basis of freshwater influence. 3.The main physical factors that contribute to the genesis and characterization of coastal lagoons are coastal typology, tidal range and climate. 4.Italian lagoons are presented as an example of how these physical factors can be used in coastal lagoon characterization and typology. On this basis, a clear distinction of Italian lagoons into two main groups is possible: Northern Adriatic and Mediterranean. 5.Large lagoons can be profitably subdivided into a hierarchical system of sub-basins facilitating both the comparison of parts of the same lagoon and the comparison between different lagoons. 6.The basins are consistent water bodies that can be used as managerial units for environmental conservation, species protection and wise use of resources. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]