Almost Linear B\"uchi Automata

We introduce a new fragment of Linear temporal logic (LTL) called LIO and a new class of Buechi automata (BA) called Almost linear Buechi automata (ALBA). We provide effective translations between LIO and ALBA showing that the two formalisms are expressively equivalent. While standard translations of LTL into BA use some intermediate formalisms, the presented translation of LIO into ALBA is direct. As we expect applications of ALBA in model checking, we compare the expressiveness of ALBA with other classes of Buechi automata studied in this context and we indicate possible applications

Dimer-dimer stacking interactions are important for nucleic acid binding by the archaeal chromatin protein Alba

Archaea use a variety of small basic proteins to package their DNA. One of the most widespread and highly conserved is the Alba (Sso10b) protein. Alba interacts with both DNA and RNA in vitro, and we show in the present study that it binds more tightly to dsDNA (double-stranded DNA) than to either ssDNA (single-stranded DNA) or RNA. The Alba protein is dimeric in solution, and forms distinct ordered complexes with DNA that have been visualized by electron microscopy studies; these studies suggest that, on binding dsDNA, the protein forms extended helical protein fibres. An end-to-end association of consecutive Alba dimers is suggested by the presence of a dimer-dimer interface in crystal structures of Alba from several species, and by the strong conservation of the interface residues, centred on Are and Phe(60). In the present study we map perturbation of the polypeptide backbone of Alba upon binding to DNA and RNA by NMR, and demonstrate the central role of Phe(60) in forming the dimer dimer interface. Site-directed spin labelling and pulsed ESR are used to confirm that an end-to-end, dimer dimer interaction forms in the presence of dsDNA.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Congener Host Selection by the Pre-Dispersal Seed Predator, \u3ci\u3eApion Rostrum\u3c/i\u3e (Coleoptera: Apionidae)

Apion rostrum Say (Coleoptera: Apionidae) is the major seed predator of the wild indigo congeners, Baptisia alba and B. bracteata in the Russell Kirt Tallgrass Prairie, a reconstructed prairie located at College of DuPage, Illinois. This study, conducted during 2006, investigated factors attracting A. rostrum to each congener. The two Baptisia differ in developmental period, stature, and patterns of dispersion. B. bracteata flowers and initiates pods usually along a single raceme during late spring, and is a shorter plant that grows in clusters. In contrast, B. alba flowers and initiates pods beginning a month after B. bracteata, produces a tall central raceme with often several satellite racemes, and does not grow in dense clusters. Mating and ovipositing A. rostrum were observed on B. bracteata during the first half of June, and with greater abundance on B. alba from early June through mid July. Results of stepwise multiple regression showed a positive relationship of weevil counts per plant to raceme counts per cluster for B. bracteata and to inflated pod counts per plant for B. alba. The developmental synchrony between A. rostrum and pods of B. alba is evidence of a closer evolutionary relationship than the seed predator has with B. bracteata. This can explain the greater number of reproductive weevils seen on B. alba as well as the higher levels of pod infestations

Cultural contacts and ethnic origins in Viking Age Wales and northern Britain: the case of Albanus, Britain's first inhabitant and Scottish ancestor

Albanus, an eponymous ancestor for the kingdom of Alba, provides an example of the extent to which the creation of an ethnic identity was accompanied by new ideas about origins, which replaced previous accounts. Through an analysis of the Historia Brittonum’s textual tradition and Welsh knowledge of early Roman history and medieval ethnic groups, this article establishes that Albanus was added to the Historia Brittonum in the late ninth or early tenth century as an ancestral figure for the new kingdom of Alba in northern Britain. This was potentially a result of shared political situations in Gwynedd, Alba (formerly Pictland) and Strathclyde in relation to Scandinavian power at this time, which encouraged contacts and the spread of Alba-based ideology to Gwynedd. The later development of this idea and its significance in Alba itself, Geoffrey of Monmouth's account and English claims to supremacy over Scotland are also traced

In-situ hydration studies of ye’elemite at early ages for understanding eco-cement performances'

Póster; ALBA User Meeting and VI AUSE Conferenc

Possible origin of some channels on Alba Patera, Mars

Several alternative models were proposed for the origin and mode of formation of channels and valley networks on Martian volcanoes, notably Hecates Tholus, Ceraunius Tholus, and Alba Patera. Early interpretations of Mariner 9 and Viking images suggested that these features on Alba were lava channels, while those on Ceraunius Tholus were interpreted as fluvial or volcanic debris channels. Subsequent mapping of Tyrrehna Patera and Hecate Tholus has suggested that pyroclastic activity may have characterized eruptions on these volcanoes, and that at least for Hecates the channels were probably formed by fluvial erosion of unconsolidated ash deposits on the flanks of the volcano. As part of a continuing program to better understand the eruptive history of the young volcanic centers on Mars, numerous channels were identified on the flanks of Alba Patera that resemble the channels on Hecates. As a result, the possibility is being explored that some of the small channels on the flanks of Alba Patera may be fluvial in origin and potentail water sources and modes of formation are being explored

Fir-dominated forests in Bavaria, Germany

The map of “Regional natural forest composition by main tree species” (WALENTOWSKI et al. 2001) depicts Bavaria as a region largely predominated by the European beech (Fagus sylvatica). Analyses of climatope, hygrotope and trophotope of fir-dominated regional natural units make evident that the reasons for the preponderance of the European silver fir (Abies alba) are edaphic. In terms of regeneration vigour, growth and yield the fir particularly dominates in habitats with a combination of humus cover, acid-oligotrophic topsoils and clayey or waterlogged subsoils, where the beech usually exhibits stunted and malformed growth forms. This ecological preference has the effect that Bavarian Abies alba-forests are restricted to small patches within a matrix of potential natural vegetation formed by mixed deciduous-coniferous mountain forests. Within European Natura 2000 areas Abies- forests should be recorded carefully as special habitats. Their transitional character between temperate beech forests (habitat type 9130) and boreal spruce forests (habitat type 9410), the ecological preference of Abies alba as an endangered tree species and their sensitivity against environmental stressors, including changes in forest structure, air quality, and climate, make them important objects for nature conservation

Revisión taxonómica del complejo Centaurea alba L. (Asteraceae) en la Península Ibérica

Taxonomic revision of the Centaurea alba L. complex (Asteraceae) in the Iberian Peninsula.- A taxonomic revision of the Centaurea alba L. complex (Centaurea L. sect. Centaurea) in the Iberian Peninsula is presented, which is represented by two species, C. alba and C. costae Willk. Three subspecies of C. alba with reasonably well-defined areas are recognized: C. alba subsp. alba, with three varieties –alba, macrocephala Pau and latronum (Pau) E. López & Devesa-, C. alba subsp. aristifera (Pau) E. López & Devesa and C. alba subsp. tartesiana Talavera, two of them are proposed as new nomenclatural combinations. Centaurea costae is segregated from C. alba and three varieties are recognized: costae, montsicciana Pau & Font Quer and maluqueri Font Quer. In the case of C. alba var. latronum, C. alba var. macrocephala and C. alba subsp. aristifera, the chromosome number was also studied (2n = 18).Revisión taxonómica del complejo Centaurea alba L. (Asteraceae) en la Península Ibérica.- Se efectúa la revisión taxonómica del complejo de Centaurea alba L. (Centaurea L. sect. Centaurea) en la Península Ibérica, representado por dos especies, C. alba y C. costae Willk. Para C. alba se reconocen tres subespecies con áreas bien definidas: C. alba subsp. alba, con tres variedades –alba, macrocephala Pau y latronum (Pau) E. López & Devesa-, C. alba subsp. aristifera (Pau) E. López & Devesa y C. alba subsp. tartesiana Talavera, proponiéndose dos nuevas combinaciones. Se segrega Centaurea costae de C. alba, y se reconocen para ella tres variedades: costae, montsicciana Pau & Font Quer y maluqueri Font Quer. En el caso de C. alba var. latronum, C. alba var. macrocephala y C. alba subsp. aristifera se ha estudiado además el número cromosómico (2n = 18)

Plumeria alba latex as a new plant protease for waragashi cheese production: A comparative assessment of yield and physicochemical and textural characteristics

The Peuhl cheese (Waragashi, Warangachi, Wagashi, or Wara in local language) is a soft cheese with a high nutritional value, prepared by coagulation of whole milk under the action of calotropaïne, a plant enzyme from Calotropis procera. In this study, Plumeria alba latex has been used as an alternative source of enzymes for the production of Waragashi cheese. The effect of temperature on the milk-clotting activity (MCA), as well as the physicochemical properties of the Waragashi cheeses were investigated and compared with the ones prepared with C. procera and C. papaya latices. C. procera and C. papaya latices exhibited a maximum MCA at temperatures close to 55°C, while P. alba latex exhibited a maximum MCA at temperatures close to 80°C. Waragashi cheese produced using P. alba showed textural properties comparable with those prepared using C. procera, while the yield of production varied as a function of the quantity of the different coagulants and milk temperature. The results of these studies, it is clear that the P. alba latex can be used to produce Waragashi cheese, similar to the latices of C. procera and C. papaya. the next challenge of this study is to verify the toxicity of P. Alba latex

PROMOTIONAL STRATEGY OF THE ALBA IULIA FORTRESS

The specific character of The Fortress of Alba Iulia results from its value as anelement of historical and cultural patrimony. This value must be kept and brought into prominence,and for this it must be promoted with the help of cultural tourism. This paper presents some issuesregarding the promotional strategy of the Alba Iulia Fortress.promotional strategy, cultural tourism