On the occurrence of Calycophorae (Siphonophora) in the southern Adriatic and Tyrrhenian Sea: a comparison of the annual cycles off Dubrovnik and Naples

The 1965/66 samples taken monthly at three stations in the Bayof Naples and in the south of Dubrovnik were used to comparethe calycophore fauna of the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Adriatic.Nearly identical calycophore fauna were found, except for threerare Atlantic forms registered only by the deep-sea stationin the Tyrrhenian Sea. Of numerical importance were the neriticspecies Muggiaea kochi, Lensia subtilis, Sphaeronectes gracilisand S. irregularis, and the characteristic open-sea speciesEudoxoida spiralis and the deep-sea species Lensia melton. Theannual numerical abundance maxima in both areas were noted inspring. However, in the Tyrrhenian Sea, the values were twotimes higher, which agrees with the productivity patterns. ¹Prof. Dr Tomo Gamulin died in Dubrovnik on June 4, 1991     

Seaside transportation—from structure to function of translocation machines

The EMBO conference ‘From Structure to Function of Translocation Machines’ took place in April 2013 in Dubrovnik, Croatia. The meeting brought together a mix of established and aspiring researchers to discuss a wealth of unpublished data and ideas in a lively scientific programme of talks designed to shatter the established dogma. From new ways to envisage known protein transport pathways to a brand new and totally unconventional protein transport system, surprises were part and parcel of this excellent EMBO conference.     

Cytogenetic stability of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Centaurea ragusina</Emphasis> long-term culture

Centaurea ragusina L. (Asteraceae) is an endemic Croatian plant species, which developed xeromorphic characteristics as a consequence of its natural environment – vertical limestone cliffs above the Adriatic sea. Cytogenetic status of C. ragusina long-term culture (94th subculture) and C. ragusina seedlings was analysed and compared after 4 weeks of growth. Cytogenetic stability was investigated in root meristem cells of C. ragusina cultured plants originated from Pen đa (cliffs near Dubrovnik) and seedlings originated from three different localities in south Adriatic (Penđa, Pasjača – cliffs near Dubrovnik and island of Komiža) using mitotic index and mitotic and chromosomal abnormalities as parameters. Mitotic indices of cultured plants and ‘Penđa’ seedlings were similar and showed significant increase compared to mitotic indices of ‘Komiža’ and ‘Pasjača’ seedlings. Although the highest number of mitotic abnormalities was recorded in root meristem cells of cultured plants, it was only a bit higher than in root tips of ‘Pasjača’ and ‘Penđa’ seedlings, while that of ‘Komiža’ was two times lower compared to cultured plants. Pattern of analysed mitotic abnormalities was very similar in root tips of cultured plants and ‘Pasjača’ and ‘Penđa’ seedlings, with exception of ‘Komiža’ seedlings. Presented results suggest that long-term cultivation of C. ragusina has almost no effect on culture ageing considering similar distribution of scored mitotic abnormalities as in ‘Penđa’ and ‘Pasjača’ seedlings.     

Geriatric-palliative care units model for improvement of elderly care

The aim of this research was to indicate the necessity of a new organizational model of health and social care system for the geriatric population in Croatia. Modern geriatrics puts special emphasis on the idea that the care of the elderly should be performed through home care or long-term care institutions, rather than in the acute care hospital departments. The social healthcare of the elderly requires a multidisciplinary approach, as well as teamwork and coordination of institutional and non-institutional departments. Founding of palliative care units is clearly absent from the existing elderly care system. 33% of the total deceased geriatric population within the target area (2000-2002) has passed away in institutions (Dubrovnik General Hospital and nursing homes), what clearly indicates a need for organized palliative care on the stationary level. Nursing homes in Croatia should accept about 4% of the total number of older population (according to the gerontology research). Nevertheless, this research shows that the available capacity of the nursing homes in the Dubrovansko-Neretvanska County is 50% of the projected percentage. The solution might be setting up of palliative-geriatric units in already existing institutions, as shown by the SWOT analysis.     

Syntaxonomy of Arundo stands along the eastern Adriatic coast

Based on the diagnostic morphological characters of the Arundo taxa, and after both field and herbarium observation, three species (A. micrantha, A. plinii and A. donax) were found along the eastern Adriatic coast. Altogether, 50 phytocoenological relevés from Arundo stands were collected in Croatia, Montenegro and Albania between 2010 and 2013. Three associations with a predominance of Arundo species were determined: Arundinetum plinianae, Arundinetum micranthae and Arundini donacis–Convolvuletum sepium. Among them, Arundinetum micranthae is described and proposed as a new association, belonging to the Artemisietea vulgaris class. It occurs frequently along the coastal belt between the cities of Split and Dubrovnik in South Croatia. The syntaxonomy of the associations is discussed and comparison with similar communities from Italy is made. The vegetation and floristic structure of the associations is discussed as a potential basis for biodiversity conservation programmes and for evaluating the state of these ecosystems in the future.     

Interactions of mercury in rat brain

In order to study the metabolism of mercury (Hg), its affinity to metallothionein (MT), and its influence on levels of the essential metals copper and zinc in the brain tissue of rats exposed to elemental mercury (Hg^O) vapor was investigated. The major findings were:

Adaptation level effects in discrimination of flicker frequency

Pigeons accustomed to food reinforcement for responding in the presence of a 25-Hz flickering light were exposed to several sets of flicker-frequency stimuli arranged as increasing and decreasing series. In the first experiment, food was occasionally delivered for key pecks during 30-s periods of 25-Hz flicker appearing at the beginning, midway, and at the end of an ascending and descending series of nine frequencies, ranging from 13 to 37 Hz. These stimuli appeared for 15-s periods with no food available (extinction). Gradients of responding to flicker values in the ascending series differed from those in the descending series, showing displacements in peak responding toward the lower and higher frequency values, respectively. The same effects occurred when the sequence was changed so that a descending series was followed by an ascending series of frequencies. These effects are consonant with an adaptation level (AL) interpretation and were replicated in a second experiment in which durations of the extinction presentations were increased to 30s. In a final condition, only a descending series was presented and displacement of peak responding from 25 Hz to a higher frequency stimulus, 28 Hz, was observed.     

Discovery of 4-azaindoles as novel inhibitors of c-Met kinase

A series of 4-azaindole inhibitors of c-Met kinase is described. The postulated binding mode was confirmed by an X-ray crystal structure and series optimisation was performed on the basis of this structure. Future directions for series development are discussed.     

Gene rIIB from bacteriophage T4 in genetic recombination

The effect of the rIIB gene on genetic recombination in bacteriophage T4 was studied. Relationships between recombination frequency and the physical distance were determined in three series of isomarker two-factor crosses between rII mutants. In the first series of intergenic crosses (rIIa x rIIb), the rII gene function was restored owing to complementation. In the second series of crosses, identical to the first one, the rIIB gene function was suppressed, because the rIIa parent carried an additional amberlike mutation in the rIIB gene. The recombinants were scored by plating lysates on the amber-suppressor Escherichia coli strain, on which an amberlike mutation was not expressed phenotypically. In the third series, all crosses were intragenic (rIIb x rIIb). In two series of crosses in the absence of the rIIB function, the relationships between recombination frequency and the physical distance were identical, whereas enhanced recombination frequencies were observed in the rIIB+ background. The magnitude of the rIIB-related effect depended on distance, reaching the maximum in the region located 100 to 200 bp from the beginning of the rIIB gene. The possible role of the rIIB protein in genetic recombination is discussed.     

Power series expansion and structural analysis for life cycle assessment

Goal, Scope and Background The usefulness of power series expansion for an LCA system has often been doubted, as those systems may not possess the unique properties that enable power series expansion and analyses based on the power series. This paper surveys the existing literature on power series expansion of monetary input-output system and discusses how the power series expansion can be utilized for more general systems including the LCA model. Methods The inherent properties of matrices that are capable of producing power series forms for their inverse and, further, can utilize structural path analysis are analyzed. Using these analyses, the way how a matrix that is not eligible for structural analyses is converted into an eligible form is investigated. A numerical example is presented to demonstrate the findings. Results The necessary and sufficient condition for an indecomposable, real square technology matrix can be expressed using power series was identified. Two additional conditions for a technology matrix to be utilized for structural analyses using power series expansion are discussed as well. It was also shown that an LCA system that fulfills the Hawkins-Simon condition can be easily converted into the form that is eligible for structural analysis by rescaling the columns and rows. Discussion As a numerical example, an application of accumulative structural path analysis for an LCA system is shown. The implications of the results are discussed in a more plain language as well. Conclusions The survey presented in this paper provides not only the conditions under which a linear system is expressed using a power series form but also the way to appropriately convert a system to utilize the rich analytical tools using power series expansion for structural analyses. Recommendations and Perspectives Widely used LCA databases and software tools have employed the linear systems approach as the basis. Much of these developments in the domain of LCA have been made, however, in isolation of the rich findings of IOA. There will be much to benefit LCA through an active dialogue between the two disciplines. There are rich analytical tools available through the use of power series expansion. The current survey will help software developers and LCA practitioners to apply such tools in LCA.     

Discovery of a novel series of quinoxalines as inhibitors of c-Met kinase

A series of quinoxaline inhibitors of c-Met kinase is described. The postulated binding mode was confirmed by an X-ray crystal structure and optimisation of the series was performed on the basis of this structure. Future directions for development of the series are discussed together with the identification of a novel quinoline scaffold.     

A novel series of potent gamma-secretase inhibitors based on a benzobicyclo[4.2.1]nonane core

A new series of gamma-secretase inhibitors was developed from an in-house screening hit based on a benzobicyclo[4.2.1]nonane core. Lead optimisation studies led to the development of a series of potent inhibitors and in vivo efficacy was demonstrated.     

Body heat balance in man subjected to endogenous and exogenous heat load

The body heat balance, measured by a thermometric method, was investigated in humans subjected to endogenous and exogenous heat load. The purpose of the present study was to test the concept of heat exchange by a servomechanism in human thermoregulation. Two series of experiments were performed on male volunteers. In series I 15 subjects performed physical exercise (50% VO2 max) for 60 min at a constant ambient temperature of 25 degrees C. In series II 16 subjects rested in a climatic chamber where the ambient temperature was elevated over 30 min from 22 to 42 degrees C and kept stable at this level during the subsequent 60 min. It was found that in both series of experiments the sweating rate followed an exponential curve exhibiting an inertial course. Heat was stored in the body mainly at the beginning of experiment. In series I the net body heat load of 125 W/m2 was equalized by sweat evaporation, beginning after 40 min of the exercise. In series II the net body heat load of 80 W/m2 was equalized in the same way, starting after 35 min of the constant high ambient temperature. In both series of experiments the amount of heat stored in the body calculated from the body heat balance was quite close to the amount of heat calculated from the calorimetric equation. It is concluded, that under the present experimental conditions, heat loss from the body by sweat evaporation seems to be a regulated variable in the human thermoregulatory system. The observed increase in rectal temperature may result from an inertial course of the sweating reaction.     

Plant phenological records in northern Finland since the 18th century as retrieved from databases, archives and diaries for biometeorological research

Plant phenological data from northern Finland, compiled from several sources, were examined as potential biometeorological indicators of climate change since the 18th century. A common feature of individual series was their sporadic nature. In addition to waning enthusiasm, wartime hardships and crop failures had caused gaps in recording observations during the 18th and 19th centuries. The present study’s challenge was to combine separate records, as retrieved from several historical archives and personal diaries, into a single continuous series. To avoid possible biases due to the variability of data availability each year, each phenomenon-specific mean series was transformed into normalized site-specific index series. These series were compared to each other and to a regional instrumental temperature series (years 1802–2011). The inter-phenomena correlations were high. Moreover, a strong biometeorological response of the phenological series, most especially to monthly mean temperature in May, and seasonally to the April through June temperatures, was identified. This response focused on slightly later spring months compared to the responses in an earlier study conducted for southern Finland. The findings encouraged us to compute a total phenological index series as an average of all available phenomenon-specific index series for northern Finland. The earliest phenological springs were found as a cluster in the recent end of the record, whereas the anomalously-late phenological spring could be found through the centuries. This finding could indicate that potential future warming could result in an earlier onset of phenological springs (i.e. as experienced by the plants), with a remaining possibility of late phenological springs. To conclude, it was shown that the indices are reliable biometeorological indicators of the April through June temperature variations and thus of the climate variability in the region.     

Growth rate of tank-reared Mediterranean amberjack, Seriola dumerili (Risso 1810) fed on three different diets

Mediterranean amberjack Seriola dumerili (Risso 1810) has aquaculture potential. The growth rate and food conversion ratio of S. dumerili on three different types of food (A: 100% frozen sardines; B: 50% frozen sardines and 50% pellet; C: 100% pellet) were measured, and analysed with respect to temperature, condition index and chemical composition of the fish fillet. Wild S. dumerili, average body weight 248 g and average total length 26.9 cm were caught in August and September 1994 in the South Adriatic Sea near Dubrovnik, Croatia and kept in three tanks (n=15 in each tank; duration of experiment, 226 days). The fish that were fed on diet A [initial weight, 252 ± 71 g; total length (TL), 24.3 ± 2.6 cm] started feeding immediately; however, fish assigned to diet C began to feed entirely on the pelleted diet 1 month after the start of the experiment. The mortality of fish fed on diet A was negligible, the registered growth rate was 313 ± 74 g (124.2%), specific growth rate was 0.32% day^?1 and the food conversion rate was 6.7. The fish fed on diet B (initial weight, 246 ± 74 g; TL, 28.2 ± 2.5 cm) started to feed on day 3 and achieved a total growth rate of about 98% (final weight gain, 241 ± 69 g) and specific growth rate of 0.24% day^?1 (feed conversion rate of 9.00 and mortality 13%). The fish fed on diet C (initial weight, 246 ± 74 g; TL, 28.2 ± 2.5 cm) started to feed on the pellets after 1 month and had a growth rate of 87% (weight gain 214 ± 85 g), a specific growth rate of 0.24% day^?1 and a food conversion rate of 10.6 with considerable mortality (27%). In all three diet groups the fish grew with considerable variation in food consumption and growth rate, depending on seasonal temperature variations of the ambient sea water supplied to the rearing tanks. Chemical analysis showed that the protein level (amount) in the fish meat exceeded 20% in all three fish fillet samples.     

The discovery of the benzazepine class of histamine H3 receptor antagonists

This Letter describes the discovery of a novel series of H₃ receptor antagonists. The initial medicinal chemistry strategy focused on deconstructing and simplifying an early screening hit which rapidly led to the discovery of a novel series of H₃ receptor antagonists based on the benzazepine core. Employing an H₃ driven pharmacodynamic model, the series was then further optimised through to a lead compound that showed robust in vivo functional activity and possessed overall excellent developability properties.     

Change in cerebral bioelectric activity during whole body hypothermia and regional cooling of the head]

Two series of experiments were conducted on dogs. In the first series of experiments dogs were subjected to deep hypothermia with an external chilling of the organism; in the second series-to the isolated deep hypothermia of the head with the maintenance of normothermia in the organism. Bioelectrical activity of the brain and circulation minute volume were recorded in the animals of both series. As revealed, depression of the bioelectrical activity was more pronounced and a prevalence of slow waves was observed in general hypothermia; at the same time a more even reduction of the electrical activity in all the EEG frequencies under study was seen in the series with local hypothermia. A reduction of the circulation minute volume was also more pronounced in the first series of experiments; in the authors' opinoin this was associated with the difference in the character of the EEG evolution with the same depth of hypothermia of the brain.     

Changes in evoked potentials during systematic exposure to a series of similar signals with variable intersignal intervals]

Series of clicks, standard by the number of stimuli and greatly varying by the length of interstimuli intervals in each series, were systematically presented to dogs without reinforcement. Evoked potentiale (EP) in the cortical auditory zone were recorded. It has been found that a typical U-shaped distribution of amplitude values of averaged EP is elaborated in the series in the course of repeated presentations; a maximal amplitude is observed in response to the first and last clicks, and a minimal, in the middle of the series. Such a regularity was previously found for the action of standard series with a constant interstimuli interval. It is assumed that an estimation may take place in the dog CNS of the number of signals used in a series, whose mechanism is not necessarily based on the time factor. The ability to estimate the number of signals in the series may be regarded as an elementary model of counting in the dogs' CNS.     

Dynamics of temporal parameters of sensorimotor reactions in relation to the type of human movement

The study was conducted on nine right-handed male subjects 20-24 year old and consisted of two series. In the first series one warning signal in the form of one of the digits (from 1 to 8) was successively presented to the subjects on the display and then four trigger signals which required either simple pressing of the push button (an arrow with a dot) or its holding during 0.5 s (two arrows) by the right or left hand depending on the arrow direction. The digit corresponded to one variant of signals succession. Each variant was repeated randomly among other variants 15 times. In the second series instead of arrows asterisks were presented. Reaction time and duration of push button holding were recorded. Two regularities were observed: significant decrease of RT in the series of reacting by memory and successive decrease of RT in accordance with the decrease of the number of the remaining signals observed in both series. In the first series RT successively decreased by 35-40 ms, in the second one-by 16-20 ms. It is supposed that the difference in RTs between series characterizes the time of signal structure analysis, while the difference in RTs within one block of signals in the second series-the time of extraction of selected motor program from memory.     

Event detection by forward- and backward-prediction, illustrating the analysis for behaviors of black larder beetle Dermestes haemorrhoidalis Küster

There are several studies that estimate the emergent event from the time series of behavior in some organisms. However, they do not focus on the emergent event itself. Our aim is to detect the emergent event from the time series of individual's behavior, focusing on the transition from predictable machinery behavior to purpose-oriented behavior and vice versa. We recorded the behavior of larvae and adults of black larder beetle. To detect the emergent event of the beetle, we defined a forward- and backward-prediction model. In the forward-prediction, the next state in the time series of behavior was interpreted by precedent behavior. In the backward-prediction, the previous state in the time series of behavior was interpreted by subsequent behavior. The time step with conspicuous peak of the co-intensity of errors in the forward- and backward-prediction was regarded as the timing at which the emergent event occurs. At the same time, the time series of states was estimated to determine whether noise was stationary or non-stationary. The attribute of noise was estimated using the Allan variance. The time series of the larvae's velocity of walking showed stationary noise. But in the case of the adults, whole time series contained 1/f noise. And, when time series was divided before and after the detected event, the noise changed from stationary to non-stationary and vice versa. These results suggest that development enables an individual to change the internal mechanism of walk considering the slight change of environment.