Tight analysis of the (1+1)-EA for the single source shortest path problem

We conduct a rigorous analysis of the (1+1) evolutionary algorithm for the single source shortest path problem proposed by Scharnow, Tinnefeld, and Wegener (The analyses of evolutionary algorithms on sorting and shortest paths problems, 2004, Journal of Mathematical Modelling and Algorithms, 3(4):349-366). We prove that with high probability, the optimization time is O(n2 max{?, log(n)}), where ? is the smallest integer such that any vertex can be reached from the source via a shortest path having at most ? edges. This bound is tight. For all values of n and ? we provide a graph with edge weights such that, with high probability, the optimization time is of order Ω(n2 max{?, log(n)}). To obtain such sharp bounds, we develop a new technique that overcomes the coupon collector behavior of previously used arguments. Also, we exhibit a simple Chernoff type inequality for sums of independent geometrically distributed random variables, and one for sequences of random variables that are not independent, but show a desired behavior independent of the outcomes of the previous random variables. We are optimistic that these tools find further applications in the analysis of evolutionary algorithms.     

Zusammensetzung der Muskulatur unbehandelter Pangasien (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pangasianodon hypophthalmus</Emphasis>) und Zander (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sander lucioperca</Emphasis>)

We investigated the composition of muscle tissue from 30 untreated striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) and 40 untreated pikeperch (Sander lucioperca). The analyzed fillets had a mean moisture level of 77.5 % in striped catfish and 78.7 % in pikeperch. The mean level of protein content was 19 % in striped catfish and 20.5 % in pikeperch; the pH was 6.5 in striped catfish and 6.8 in pikeperch. Our data provide a first basis on a legal opinion concerning fishery products that are suspected to contain high amounts of added water. These data can also be used for the calculation of added water regarding the regulation of the European Union (EU) No 1169/2011, provision of food information to consumers.     

Synthesis, characterization and reaction behaviour of lamellar AFm phases with aliphatic sulfonate-anions

The addition of alkanesulfonates as admixtures to cementitious materials allows the formation of new lamellar phases (AFm), which was proofed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The course of hydration was investigated by heat flow calorimetry.The layered structures of AFm phases are composed of brucite-like main layers and interlayers containing alkanesulfonate ions and additional H₂O molecules. These structural not necessary H₂O molecules release gradually at definite steps with increasing temperature. With varying relative humidity the layer thickness c′ of short aliphatic chained calcium aluminate alkanesulfonate hydrates changes considerably, whereas large organic molecules dominate the layer thickness of those with longer aliphatic chains. By means of the increase of layer thickness with increasing chain lengths it is possible to determine the tilt angles of the aliphatic chains in the interlayers.     

Comparison of selected methods for downstream processing in the production of bacterial lipase

Enzymes are of growing interest to the chemical and pharmaceutical industries as highly specific biocatalysts. An obstacle to a large-scale application of such proteins is the expenditure on recovery operations which can amount up to 80% of the total production costs. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate in detail the individual stages of downstream processing in order to obtain high product yields without loss of quality. After a survey of recovery operations and information on some special features of proteins which are relevant to downstream processing, this paper deals with the methods of precipitation, chromatography and foam fractionation. Several results obtained with a real, multicomponent system, namely the supernatant of lipase fermentation, are presented and compared with one another.     

Chromatin-unstable boar spermatozoa have little chance of reaching oocytes in vivo

In the present study, the prevalence of chromatin instability in the fertilizing-competent sperm population in the porcine oviduct in vivo was examined through qualitative analysis of the chromatin structure status of accessory boar sperm found in in vivo-derived embryos. The binding of chromatin-unstable sperm to oviductal epithelium in vitro was also studied. To examine the sperm chromatin state, a modified fluorescence microscopic sperm chromatin structure assay was used. Among a population of 173 fertile boars, individuals were selected for according to their chromatin status: 25 animals showed more than 5% of chromatin-unstable sperm in their ejaculates, and 7 showed consistently elevated percentages of chromatin-unstable sperm in three successively collected semen samples. A positive correlation was found between incidence of chromatin instability and attached cytoplasmic droplets (r=0.44, P<0.01). Analyses of accessory spermatozoa from in vivo-derived embryos demonstrated that the proportion of chromatin-unstable sperm was significantly (P<0.05) reduced in the population of fertilizing-competent sperm in the oviduct compared with the inseminated sperm. Populations of sperm bound to the oviduct in vitro had significantly (P<0.05) lower percentages of chromatin instability than in the original diluted semen sample. In conclusion, numbers of sperm with unstable chromatin are reduced in the oviductal sperm reservoir, possibly because of associated changes in the plasma membrane that prevent sperm from binding to the oviductal epithelium. We conclude that in vivo the likelihood that sperm with unstable chromatin will reach the egg and fertilize it is low.     

Quantification of Campylobacter on the surface and in the muscle of chicken legs at retail

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and numbers of Campylobacter on the skin and in the muscle of chicken legs at retail to examine the external and internal contamination for an exposure assessment. Furthermore, the study assessed seasonal influence on Campylobacter contamination in chicken legs. Of the 140 examined skin samples, 66% were positive, and the internal contamination of 115 sampled chicken legs was 27%. The enumeration of Campylobacter on the surface of positive chicken legs revealed a median of 2.4 log CFU/g of skin, and the quantification of Campylobacter in the muscle gave results mainly under the detection limit of the most-probable-number method (<0.3 MPN Campylobacter per g). The external contamination was significantly higher than the internal. In both skin and muscle samples, Campylobacter jejuni had a much higher incidence than Campylobacter coli. However, with regard to the specification of Campylobacter on the surface of chicken legs, C. coli was isolated at higher colony counts than C. jejuni. During the 1-year study, two peaks of Campylobacter contamination occurred, one in the early springtime (February and March, 100 and 90%, respectively) and the second during the warmer months in the summer (July and August, both 90%). Furthermore, a positive correlation between prevalence and numbers of Campylobacter on chicken legs was observed.     

Self-assembled microstructured polymeric and ceramic surfaces

Self-assembled microstructures were manufactured by dip coating of substrates with unfilled and filler-loaded preceramic polymer mixtures in the presence of a solvent and a non-solvent. The nature of the polymers was characterized by their solubility parameters. Variation of the polymer/polymer ratio and the volume fraction of the solvent and/or non-solvent led to different surface structures. Studies of the structure formation mechanism indicate that demixing processes of the polymers are responsible for self-assembly in filler-free mixtures. In filler-loaded mixtures the structure formation process, however, is more complex. The micro-structured polymeric coatings obtained from filler loaded systems were converted into polymer derived ceramic coatings under shape retention. High specific surface areas were measured after thermal conversion.     

Ultrastructural characteristics of ovine bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stromal cells cultured with a silicon stabilized tricalcium phosphate bioceramic

Bioceramics are being used in experimental bone engineering application in association with bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM‐MSCs) as a new therapeutic tool, but their effects on the ultrastructure of BM‐MSCs are yet unknown. In this study we report the morphological features of ovine (o)BM‐MSCs cultured with Skelite, a resorbable bioceramic based on silicon stabilized tricalcium phosphate (SiTCP), able to promote the repair of induced bone defect in sheep model. oBM‐MSCs were isolated from the iliac crest, cultured until they reached near‐confluence and incubated with SiTCP. After 48 hr the monolayers were highly damaged and only few cells adhered to the plastic. Thus, SiTCP was removed, and after washing the cells were cultured until they became confluent. Then, they were trypsinizated and processed for transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and RT‐PCR analysis. RT‐PCR displayed that oBM‐MSCs express typical surface marker for MSCs. TEM revealed the presence of electron‐lucent cells and electron‐dense cells, both expressing the CD90 surface antigen. The prominent feature of electron‐lucent cells was the concentration of cytoplasmic organelles around the nucleus as well as large surface blebs containing glycogen or profiles of endoplasmic reticulum. The dark cells had a multilocular appearance by the presence of peripheral vacuoles. Some dark cells contained endocytic vesicles, lysosomes, and glycogen aggregates. oBM‐MSCs showed different types of specialized interconnections. The comparison with ultrastructural features of untreated oBM‐MSCs suggests the light and dark cells are two distinct cell types which were differently affected by SiTCP bioceramic. Skelite cultured ovine BM‐MSCs display electron‐dense and electron‐lucent cells which are differently affected by this bioceramic. This suggests that they could play a different role in bioceramic based therapy.     

Total Urban Water Cycle Models in Semiarid Environments��Quantitative Scenario Analysis at the Area of San Luis Potosi, Mexico

Systems view thinking and holistic urban water cycle concepts are increasingly called upon for integrated analysis of urban water systems to mitigate water stress in large urban agglomerations. However, integrated analysis is frequently not applied due to the inherent complexity, limitations in data availability and especially the lack of guidelines and suitable software tools. The paper presents the application of the total urban water balance model UVQ to the City of San Luis Potosi (1.2 Mio inhabitants) under the arid conditions of Northern Mexico. UVQ is a lumped parameter model which describes water and contaminant flows from source to sink in urban areas and includes all water types such as rainwater, imported water, surface runoff, wastewater and groundwater. The results were especially useful for spatially explicit groundwater recharge calculation in urban areas. A range of urban water scenarios, including different supply strategies and the effect of externalities such as demand change, were simulated and compared to a calibrated baseline scenario. The analysis demonstrated that shallow urban groundwater resources can substantially mitigate problems of water scarcity and overexploitation of deep aquifers if appropriate water quality protection or fit-for-use paradigms are put into place. The modelling exercise delivers relevant information for the decision making process and identifies the most relevant shortcomings in current monitoring systems. This represents a key step on the path to water sensitive and sustainable urban development, including the urban aquifers which have been neglected in the management policy of most cities of the Mexican arid zone.     

Therapeutic Treatments for Osteoporosis—Which Combination of Pills Is the Best among the Bad?

Osteoporosis is a chronical, systemic skeletal disorder characterized by an increase in bone resorption, which leads to reduced bone density. The reduction in bone mineral density and therefore low bone mass results in an increased risk of fractures. Osteoporosis is caused by an imbalance in the normally strictly regulated bone homeostasis. This imbalance is caused by overactive bone-resorbing osteoclasts, while bone-synthesizing osteoblasts do not compensate for this. In this review, the mechanism is presented, underlined by in vitro and animal models to investigate this imbalance as well as the current status of clinical trials. Furthermore, new therapeutic strategies for osteoporosis are presented, such as anabolic treatments and catabolic treatments and treatments using biomaterials and biomolecules. Another focus is on new combination therapies with multiple drugs which are currently considered more beneficial for the treatment of osteoporosis than monotherapies. Taken together, this review starts with an overview and ends with the newest approaches for osteoporosis therapies and a future perspective not presented so far.