GeneaQuilts: a system for exploring large genealogies

GeneaQuilts is a new visualization technique for representing large genealogies of up to several thousand individuals. The visualization takes the form of a diagonally-filled matrix, where rows are individuals and columns are nuclear families. After identifying the major tasks performed in genealogical research and the limits of current software, we present an interactive genealogy exploration system based on GeneaQuilts. The system includes an overview, a timeline, search and filtering components, and a new interaction technique called Bring & Slide that allows fluid navigation in very large genealogies. We report on preliminary feedback from domain experts and show how our system supports a number of their tasks.     

Examining the influence of service quality and secondary influence on the behavioural intention to change internet service provider

Although the broadband market has considerably matured, follow-up research on the continued adoption of broadband is yet to be conducted. The aim of this research was therefore to investigate empirically the influence of service quality and secondary influence on consumers’ behavioural intention to change from their existing internet service provider (ISP) to an alternative service provider. The investigation focuses upon broadband household consumers within the UK. The study was conducted using a postal survey; a self-administered questionnaire was sent to 1600 households and a total of 358 completed replies were obtained. The results suggest that both service quality and secondary influence were significantly correlated to consumers’ behavioural intentions to change ISP. The implications of these findings are presented, followed by a discussion of the limitations of this research and future research directions.     

Strong local consistency algorithms for table constraints

Table constraints are important in constraint programming as they are present in many real problems from areas such as configuration and databases. As a result, numerous specialized algorithms that achieve generalized arc consistency (GAC) on table constraints have been proposed. Since these algorithms achieve GAC, they operate on one constraint at a time. In this paper we propose new filtering algorithms for positive table constraints that achieve stronger local consistency properties than GAC by exploiting intersections between constraints. The first algorithm, called maxRPWC+, is a domain filtering algorithm that is based on the local consistency maxRPWC and extends the GAC algorithm of Lecoutre and Szymanek (2006). The second algorithm extends the state-of-the-art STR-based algorithms to stronger relation filtering consistencies, i.e., consistencies that can remove tuples from constraints’ relations. Experimental results from benchmark problems demonstrate that the proposed algorithms are quite competitive with standard GAC algorithms like STR2 in some classes of problems with intersecting table constraints, being orders of magnitude faster in some cases.     

Quercus ilex L.: A rich source of polyacylated flavonoid glucosides

From the methanolic extract of Quercus ilex leaves a series of acylated flavonol glucosides were identified, among them five new naturally occurring compounds. The constituents, which were all p-coumaroyl glucosides of kaempferol, were characterised either as pure compounds or as inseparable, complicated mixtures of cis and trans isomers. Their complete structure elucidation was done by 2D NMR (COSY, HSQC, HMBC, ROESY) and HPLC-DAD-MS analyses. 2D NMR spectral data allowed the discrimination between different isomers. Quantitative analysis of the methanolic extract of the plant revealed that it is a rich source of acylated flavonoid glucosides (1.22%). Under the experimental conditions chosen HPLC-DAD-MS analyses showed that cis isomers are less polar than trans isomers and their detailed identification, the first in the literature so far, could serve as a tool for the detailed characterisation of analogous isomers by HPLC-DAD-MS in other complicated plant extracts.     

Reducing micropollutants with source control: substance flow analysis of 212 pharmaceuticals in faeces and urine.

Pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment are raising concern. It is expected that many anthropogenic pharmaceuticals are largely excreted via urine; a popular argument for introducing urine source separation. However, to date, this assumption lacks verification. We close this gap with quantitative screening of official pharmaceutical data. We analysed the excretion pathways of 212 pharmaceuticals' active ingredients (AI), equalling 1,409 products. On average, 64% (+/-27%) of each AI was excreted via urine, and 35% (+/-26%) via faeces. In urine, 42% (+/-28%) of each AI was excreted as metabolites. However, these numbers need cautious interpretation. We found an extreme variability (1) between different therapeutic groups, (2) within some groups and (3) sometimes even between products of the same AI. We discuss various therapeutic groups and include Swiss sales' quantities. For instance, urine source separation could very effectively remove the highly sold and non-degradable x-ray contrast media: 94% (+/-4%) are excreted via urine. However, for different pharmaceuticals belonging to cytostatics, excretion via urine was 6-98%. Because of such large variability we advise caution to introduce the still imperfect urine separation technology solely because of pharmaceuticals. Nonetheless, together with other good arguments for this innovation, removal of pharmaceuticals is a welcome side effect.     

α-Helices in the Type III Secretion Effectors: A Prevalent Feature with Versatile Roles

Type III Secretion Systems (T3SSs) are multicomponent nanomachines located at the cell envelope of Gram-negative bacteria. Their main function is to transport bacterial proteins either extracellularly or directly into the eukaryotic host cell cytoplasm. Type III Secretion effectors (T3SEs), latest to be secreted T3S substrates, are destined to act at the eukaryotic host cell cytoplasm and occasionally at the nucleus, hijacking cellular processes through mimicking eukaryotic proteins. A broad range of functions is attributed to T3SEs, ranging from the manipulation of the host cell’s metabolism for the benefit of the bacterium to bypassing the host’s defense mechanisms. To perform this broad range of manipulations, T3SEs have evolved numerous novel folds that are compatible with some basic requirements: they should be able to easily unfold, pass through the narrow T3SS channel, and refold to an active form when on the other side. In this review, the various folds of T3SEs are presented with the emphasis placed on the functional and structural importance of α-helices and helical domains.     

Bayesian analysis of two dependent 2×2 contingency tables

Bayesian analysis of correlated binary data when individual information is not available is considered. In particular, a binary outcome is measured on the same subjects of two independent groups at two separate occasions (usually time points). The groups are formulated through a binary exposure or a prognostic factor. Interest lies in estimating the association between exposure and outcome over time. Standard methods for this purpose apply on the individual item responses and are insufficient in case these are missing. Moreover it is assumed that the only available information is the marginal 2×2 cross-tabulations between the grouping variable and the response for each occasion. Assuming independent binomial distributions for the two groups, the success probabilities for each occasion as well as the associations between exposure and outcome, based on the corresponding odds ratios, are estimated. In order to deal with the missing information of each item’s response and to estimate the corresponding transition probabilities, a Bayesian procedure is adopted.     

Polymer mediated formation of corona-embedded gold nanoparticles in block polyelectrolyte micelles

Micelles having a hydrophobic core of poly(tert-butylstyrene) and a hydrophilic corona of poly(sodium sulfamate/carboxylate-isoprene) anionic polyelectrolyte, were formed through self-assembly of the diblock copolymer poly[tert-butylstyrene-b-sodium (sulfamate/carboxylate-isoprene)] (BS-SCI) in water. HAuCl₄, as the metal precursor, was preferentially dissolved and coordinated into the corona of the micelles. Au nanoparticles were formed within the corona block by subsequent reduction of Au³⁺ to Au⁰ without introducing any reducing agent, since the amine group of the corona block acts as both the reducing and stabilizing agent. The kinetics of the Au reduction reaction was followed by UV-vis spectroscopy by direct observation of the exact position and the intensity of the surface plasmon resonance band of created Au nanoparticles. The colloidal stability and structural response of the BS-SCI/Au nanohybrid was studied as a function of pH, ionic strength and temperature by dynamic light scattering (DLS). Additional information on the structure of the hybrid systems and the metal nanoparticle characteristics were gathered by UV-vis spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Taking into account the polyelectrolyte nature and biocompatibility of the SCI corona of the BS-SCI/Au nanoassembly, the interactions with a model globular protein (lysozyme) were investigated, aiming at exploring the potential application of such hybrid colloids in protein assay protocols.     

Assessment of Metals Pollution from Tailing Sites in the North Caucuses Region,Russia

The concentrations of metals were determined in the water and bottom sediments of both the Urup and Kuban Rivers near tailings sites in the North Caucasus region of southern Russia. The average concentrations in the Urup followed the order Fe?>?Mn?>?Pb?>?Cu?>?Zn?>?Cd?>?Ni?>?Co, while in the Kuban, the order was Fe?>?Pb?>?Zn?>?Ni?>?Mn?>?Cd, with copper and cobalt not detected. The levels of Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, and Ni were above Russia’s maximum permissible concentration in both rivers. The water pollution index (WPI) values in Urup ranged from 12.97 to 28.17, indicating that the river is extremely polluted (Class VII), while the WPI value for Kuban ranged from 2.34 to 4.33 downstream of the tailings site, which corresponds to Class IV (contaminated). Calculating the coefficient of accumulation in sediments (CAS) revealed that in Urup, the CAS values for Ni and Cu were 3046 and 11638, respectively, which indicates an emergency environmental situation, while for Co, Fe, and Mn, the situation is high level chronic pollution (CAS?>?10⁴). The Kuban CAS values of Fe and Mn were also >?10⁴, again highly and chronically polluted. Most of the metals in both rivers are bound to the sediments, with minimal mobility. The potential ecological risk is moderate to considerable in Urup, and low in the Kuban River.