A Simple Testing Procedure “Control versus k Treatments” for One-sided Ordered Alternatives,with Application in Toxicology

A simple testing procedure “control versus k treatments” for one-sided ordered alternatives for univariate, continuous variables is given. With a simulation study both the first kind risk a and the power behaviour under several distributions, expected value profiles, sample sizes and a levels are shown.     

Robustness Study on Williams- and Shirley-Procedure,with Application in Toxicology

The first and second kind error behaviour of Williams and Shirley procedure under violation of normal distribution, variance homogenicity assumption and for selected expected value and sample size profiles are shown. The advantages of sequentially rejective modification were demonstrated.     

“Capacity”, “best interests”, “will and preferences” and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

The United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) is the most up‐to‐date international legal instrument concerning the rights of persons with disabilities. Such persons are taken to include those with serious mental disorders. According to an authoritative interpretation of a crucial Article (Article 12 ‐ Equal recognition before the law) by the UN CRPD Committee, involuntary detention and treatment of people with mental health disabilities are prohibited under the Convention. Both conventional mental health law and “capacity‐based” law are deemed to violate the Convention. However, some other UN bodies are not in full agreement (for example, the UN Human Rights Committee and the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment), while others are less explicitly absolutist (for example, the Human Rights Council). Furthermore, strong criticisms of the position of the CRPD Committee have been mounted from a number of academic quarters. These criticisms center on whether the role of a person's ability to make a decision can be ignored, no matter the circumstances. Much of the above debate turns on the concept of “legal capacity” and the now often‐repeated precept that one must always respect the “will and preferences” of the person with a disability. However, “will and preferences” remains undefined. In this paper, I offer an analysis of “will and preferences” that can clarify interventions that may be acceptable or non‐acceptable under the terms of the UN Convention.     

Application of the “-Omic-” technologies in phytomedicine

The proof of efficacy of phytopreparations and the determination of their mode of action are permanent challenges for an evidence-based phytotherapy. The technology platform of genomics, proteomics and metabolomics ("-omic-" technologies) are high-throughput technologies. They increase substantially the number of proteins/genes that can be detected simultaneously and have the potential to relate complex mixtures to complex effects in the form of gene/protein expression profiles. Provided that phytopreparation-specific signatures in the form of gene/protein expression profiles can be developed, these technologies will be useful for the chemical and pharmacological standardization and the proof of the toxicological potential of a plant extract. Over a long-term perspective they may economize the proof of efficacy, the determination of the mode of action of phytomedicines and allow to investigate herbal extracts without prominent active principle(s). The application of this genomics revealed already that gene expression profiles induced by single drugs and the ones induced by the combination of the same drugs can be entirely different. These results make the information of the mode of action of isolated "active principles/lead substances" of phytopreparations questionable. The application of the "-omic-" technologies may lead to a change of paradigms towards the application of complex mixtures in medicine and open the new field of phytogenomics, -proteomics and -metabolomics.     

Transfemoral catheterization of the cavernous sinus outflow with comparison of “central” and “peripheral” gonadotropin patterns in bonnet monkeys

Concentrations of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in central (C) samples obtained by transfemorally catheterizing the inferior petrosal sinus of female bonnet monkeys were compared with those in peripheral (P) samples obtained simultaneously from the saphenous veins of two intact and two oophorectomized bonnet monkeys, before, during, and after luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) stimulation. Significant differences between central and peripheral gonadotropin concentrations were detected intermittently in the resting state, and tended to be magnified by LHRH administration. In one animal in which LHRH was fortuitously administered during the course of a spontaneous LH surge, a C/P ratio for LH of 12.71, the maximum observed, was obtained. Spectral analysis exhibited periodicity for LH and, to a lesser extent, for FSH in the oophorectomized, but not in the intact, animals.     

Preliminary Observations on the Nature,Taxonomic Composition,Distribution, Behaviour and Nutrient Requirements of the “Unusual” Algal “Jellies” of Oguta Lake in Southeastern Nigeria

Preliminary observations were made between October 1982 and May 1983 on the nature, taxonomic composition, spatial distribution, buoyancy behaviour and nutrient requirements of some unusual planktonic algal “jellies” in Oguta Lake in Southeastern Nigeria. These “jellies” are macroscopic, blue-green algal masses whose excessive mucilage of high consistency acts as substrata for other epiphytic components viz. diatoms and green algae. They are more abundant in the lentic areas of the lake, undergo diurnal vertical movements and have their growth enhanced by spikes of nitrogen and phosphorus salts into their aquatic medium. The effects of these “jellies” on the ecology and general water use of the lake are discussed. Speculations on the reasons for their occurrence are given and possible control measures outlined.     

Application of “Streamlined” Material Input per Service Unit Concept to Small Residential Districts in China

This article reports a new application of material and energy accounting techniques to characterize and quantify the relationships between material input (and the related energy flows and emissions) and the services provided (i.e., material input per service unit [MIPS]) at the neighborhood level. The case study focuses on China's small residential district (SRD). It is concluded that linking a service (in this case, residential function) enabled by a given product (neighborhood development) to the amount of materials, energy, and emissions used or produced in creating that product offers a potential way to reduce the environmental impact of that service through more efficient use of materials, enlarged service scales, and improved buying decisions.     

On the variability of “flexion creases” in the distal plantar areas of newborns

The plantae of 83 male and 95 female healthy, full-term Caucasian newborns from Austria (gestational age 235–301 days) were photographed and the flexion creases in the distal part were examined. Analysis of the creases was done under four different aspects, the main evaluation based on a scheme of nine creases introduced by Schenk and Patzer (1959). Two transversal (No. 1 and No. 9) and three longitudinal (Nos. 3, 6, and 7) creases are always or predominantly present, a finding corresponding with the data of Schenk on 52 male and 48 female newborns from Germany. In addition, the nine plantar creases were evaluated according to six degrees of expression, and some typical crease combinations are shown. Bilateral and bisexual similarity prevails. The results of this study might serve investigations of different populations and of medical disorders.     

Where Is the Site of the “Oxygen Burst” Located During Light Induction in Dark-Adapted Leaves？ A Study Using Photoacoustic Techniques

The “oxygen burst” phenomenon that appeared during the light-induction period of intact leaves could be monitored using a photoacoustic technique high time resolution. The relationship between oxygen bursts and dark-adapted time, far-red light pretreatment, photothermal signal, and chlorophyll a (Ch1 a) fluorescence kinetics were investigated in the present study. Using extraneous inhibitors or cofactors of electron transport, a modified vacuum-infiltration method was undertaken to locate directly the site at which oxygen bursts of intact leaves occurred. We found that the photothermal signal showed little evidence of oscillation during the light-induction period. The oxygen burst was resolved into two components if darkadapted time lasted longer than 20 min. Methyl viologen (MV) or far-red light could not eliminate the first component, whereas formate-Na (pH 7.0, 20μmol/L) eliminated the first component but had no effect on the second one. Furthermore, the photochemical quenching, the electron transport rate of Chl a fluorescence,and the first component of the oxygen bursts approached lowest values simultaneously. This evidence indicates that the site at which the first component of oxygen bursts occurred was located between photosystem (PS)I and PSII (i.e. the PQ pool). The formate-Na experiment also showed a linkage between the first component and the S state of oxygen evolution at the donor side of PSII. Furthermore, elimination of the second component by far-red light and absorption of the second component by MV indicated that the site at which the second component of oxygen bursts may be located at the acceptor side of PSII.     

Manganese and copper promote the binding of dopamine to “serotonin binding proteins” in bovine frontal cortex

The authors previously reported that Fe²⁺ is capable of increasing the binding of dopamine and of serotonin to “serotonin binding proteins” which are present in soluble extracts from calf brain. In this study, it is shown that Mn²⁺ and Cu²⁺ are also capable of increasing the binding, but for dopamine only. As for Fe²⁺, Mn²⁺ and Cu²⁺ are likely to promote the binding by virtue of their ability to enhance the oxidation of dopamine into dopamine-O-quinone, a derivative which is known to undergo covalent association with sulfhydryl groups of proteins. Data such as the irreversible nature of the majority of the binding, the inhibitory action of reducing agents (sodium ascorbate) and of reagents which contain, or modify sulfhydryl groups (reduced glutathione) are compatible with such a mechanism. The three metal ions are also capable of inactivating part of the binding sites on SBP directly; this effect is more pronounced for Cu²⁺ than for Fe²⁺ and it is only weak for Mn²⁺. The Fe²⁺-mediated binding of dopamine is inhibited by the superoxide dismutase enzyme, and it was therefore suggested that Fe²⁺ enhances the oxidation of dopamine by virtue of its ability to produce superoxide radicals out of dissolved molecular oxygen. Such a mechanism does not appear to take place in the case of Mn²⁺ and Cu²⁺. Instead, it is likely that Cu²⁺ and dopamine form a complex which is highly susceptible towards oxidation by dissolved molecular oxygen. Mn²⁺, on the other hand, can easily be oxidized into Mn³⁺, which is capable to oxidize dopamine by itself. Chronic manganese intoxication (from exposure to manganese) and Wilson's disease (related to inadequate elimination of copper) go along with neurological symptoms which are very similar to those encountered in Parkinson's disease. Our data indicate that manganese and copper ions accelerate the oxidation of catecholamines to produce toxic quinones. These quinones could, at least in part, account for the degeneration of dopamininergic neurons in such pathologies.     

Attribution of seasonal leaf area index trends in the northern latitudes with “optimally” integrated ecosystem models

Significant increases in remotely sensed vegetation indices in the northern latitudes since the 1980s have been detected and attributed at annual and growing season scales. However, we presently lack a systematic understanding of how vegetation responds to asymmetric seasonal environmental changes. In this study, we first investigated trends in the seasonal mean leaf area index (LAI) at northern latitudes (north of 30°N) between 1982 and 2009 using three remotely sensed long‐term LAI data sets. The most significant LAI increases occurred in summer (0.009 m² m^?2 year^?1, p < .01), followed by autumn (0.005 m² m^?2 year^?1, p < .01) and spring (0.003 m² m^?2 year^?1, p < .01). We then quantified the contribution of elevating atmospheric CO₂ concentration (eCO₂), climate change, nitrogen deposition, and land cover change to seasonal LAI increases based on factorial simulations from 10 state‐of‐the‐art ecosystem models. Unlike previous studies that used multimodel ensemble mean (MME), we used the Bayesian model averaging (BMA) to optimize the integration of model ensemble. The optimally integrated ensemble LAI changes are significantly closer to the observed seasonal LAI changes than the traditional MME results. The BMA factorial simulations suggest that eCO₂ provides the greatest contribution to increasing LAI trends in all seasons (0.003–0.007 m² m^?2 year^?1), and is the main factor driving asymmetric seasonal LAI trends. Climate change controls the spatial pattern of seasonal LAI trends and dominates the increase in seasonal LAI in the northern high latitudes. The effects of nitrogen deposition and land use change are relatively small in all seasons (around 0.0002 m² m^?2 year^?1 and 0.0001–0.001 m² m^?2 year^?1, respectively). Our analysis of the seasonal LAI responses to the interactions between seasonal changes in environmental factors offers a new perspective on the response of global vegetation to environmental changes.     

“Partial Isometric” Solutions: A Special Ambiguity of the Optimal Configuration in MDS with Minkowski Metrics

This article deals with a special kind of ambiguity of the optimal configuration calculated with the MDSCAL procedure. These configurations – the so-called partial isometric solutions – are not restricted to the use of the MDSCAL procedure; they may always occur when using Minkowski metrics. For the City Block metric and the Supremum metric examples are demonstrated.     

A Modified “Best Maximum Likelihood” Estimator of Line Regression with Errors in Both Variables: An Application for Estimating Genetic Admixture

The problem of estimation when both variables are subject to error in a linear regression model has been discussed in the literature and it has wide applications in econometrics and other social sciences. In this paper we consider the relaxation of the assumption of homoscedasticity and introduce the covariance structure of errors of measurements in the analysis to obtain a Modified Best Maximum Likelihood (MBML) estimator of the regression coefficient. We also provide an application of the above modification to estimate the extent of genetic contribution of a parental population in an admixed population. With data on frequencies of “unique” African and Caucasian alleles in US Blacks, it is shown that US Blacks have 30.9·2.2 percent genes that are of Caucasian origin.     

On the Occurrence of “Arctic” Cladocera with Special Reference to those along the Strait of Belle Isle (Quebec,Labrador, Newfoundland)

In September, 1978, ten ponds inhabited by Cladocera were sampled along the coasts of the Strait of Belle Isle. Fourteen out of nineteen species that were found there also occur in Greenland. On the other hand, a comparison with faunal lists for the island of Newfoundland and several faunal regions of Western Europe, and the ecological distribution of all European Cladocera reveals that the Arctic is settled exclusively by euryecious species, so that the relatively strong “arctic” element within the cladoceran fauna along the Strait of Belle Isle indicates simply the extreme conditions. Macrothrix hirsuticornis NORMAN & BRADY and Daphnia pulex LEYDIG are new for the island of Newfoundland.     

Molecular dynamics simulation of the processive endocellulase Cel48F from Clostridium cellulolyticum: a novel “water‐control mechanism” in enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose

Glycoside hydrolase of Cel48F from Clostridium cellulolyticum is an important processive cellulose, which can hydrolyze cellulose into cellobiose. Molecular dynamics simulations were used to investigate the hydrolysis mechanism of cellulose. The two conformations of the Cel48F‐cellotetrose complex in which the cellotetroses are bound at different sites (known as the sliding conformation and the hydrolyzing conformation) were simulated. By comparing these two conformations, a water‐control mechanism is proposed, in which the hydrolysis proceeds by providing a water molecule for every other glucosidic linkage. The roles of certain key residues are determined: Glu55 and Asp230 are the most probable candidates for acid and base, respectively, in the mechanism of inverting anomeric carbon. Met414 and Trp417 constitute the water‐control system. Glu44 might keep the substrate at a certain location within the active site or help the substrate chain to move from the sliding conformation to the hydrolyzing conformation. The other hydrophobic residues around the substrate can decrease the sliding energy barrier or provide a hydrophobic environment to resist entry of the surrounding water molecules into the active site, except for those coming from a specific water channel. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.