Large-scale inference and graph theoretical analysis of gene-regulatory networks in B. stubtilis

We present the methods and results of a two-stage modeling process that generates candidate gene-regulatory networks of the bacterium B. subtilis from experimentally obtained, yet mathematically underdetermined microchip array data. By employing a computational, linear correlative procedure to generate these networks, and by analyzing the networks from a graph theoretical perspective, we are able to verify the biological viability of our inferred networks, and we demonstrate that our networks' graph theoretical properties are remarkably similar to those of other biological systems. In addition, by comparing our inferred networks to those of a previous, noisier implementation of the linear inference process [17], we are able to identify trends in graph theoretical behavior that occur both in our networks as well as in their perturbed counterparts. These commonalities in behavior at multiple levels of complexity allow us to ascertain the level of complexity to which our process is robust to noise.Comment: 22 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in Physica A (2006

Entangled States and Entropy Remnants of a Photon-Electron System

In the present paper an example of entanglement between two different kinds of interacting particles, photons and electrons is analysed. The initial-value problem of the Schroedinger equation is solved non-perturbatively for the system of a free electron interacting with a quantized mode of the electromagnetic radiation. Wave packets of the dressed states so obtained are constructed in order to describe the spatio-temporal separation of the subsystems before and after the interaction. The joint probability amplitudes are calculated for the detection of the electron at some space-time location and the detection of a definite number of photons. The analytical study of the time evolution of entanglement between the initially separated electron wave packet and the radiation mode leads to the conclusion that in general there are non-vanishing entropy remnants in the subsystems after the interaction. On the basis of the simple model to be presented here, the calculated values of the entropy remnants crucially depend on the character of the switching-on and off of the interaction.Comment: 12 pages, 2 figure

Cooperating Teachers’ Perceptions of Pedagogical Importance, Competence, and Programmatic Need: A Frontline Assessment of Agricultural Student Teachers

The purpose of this descriptive study was to determine, as witnessed by cooperating teachers, what learning gaps student teachers brought to the student teaching experience “Supervision of student teachers during student teaching is a very important exercise in teacher training” (Thobega & Miller, 2008, p. 65)..Cooperating teachers spend 10 plus weeks observing student teachers of agricultural education in [state]. One may argue that the cooperating teacher is the best judge of success when looking at the student teacher. Cooperating teachers believed using computers and multimedia in classroom teaching was a strength student teachers possessed. The cooperating teachers felt that the major weaknesses included conducting parent-teacher conferences and adult programs. The findings of this study also indicate that the pre-service teachers need additional preparation in developing teaching skills in managing student behavior problems, motivating students to learn, teaching students to think critically and creatively, and conducting parent-teacher conferences

TOMA DE DECISIONES EN INSTITUCIONES DE EDUCACION SUPERIOR EN LA AMAZONIA: HACIA UNA SÍNTESIS DE RACIONALIDADES

Decision making in Institutions of Higher Education (IHE) is constant, therefore fundamental and strategic for their operation and to meeting of future challenges. In the first part, we made an analysis of the mathematical approach of the theory of decision concerning its logics, rationalities, and processes based on the comparison of the limitations in two theoretical concepts: The so-called theory of over code of decision in the multi-relational perspective as criticism of the linearity of de Lucien Sfez (and the referential analysis based on the self- referential systems theory of Niklas Luhmann). In the second part, we expose the results from an observation done at an IHE in the city of Belém (Brazil). To conclude, we propose the idea of focusing decision in a reflexive autopoietic understanding which combines an ontological level with a multi-relational level.La toma de decisiones en las Instituciones de Educación Superior (IES) es constante y por lo tanto clave y estratégica para su funcionamiento y superación de retos futuros. En la primera parte realizamos un análisis del abordaje no matemático de la teoría de la decisión sobre sus lógicas, racionalidades y procesos a partir de la comparación de las limitaciones en dos conceptos teóricos: la denominada teoría del sobrecódigo de la decisión en la perspectiva multirrelacional como crítica a la linealidad de Lucien Sfez (y el análisis referencial fundamentado en la teoría de sistemas autorreferenciales de Niklas Luhmann). En la segunda parte exponemos los resultados de una observación llevada a cabo en IES de la ciudad de Belém (Brasil). Como conclusión proponemos la idea de enfocar la decisión en una comprensión autopoiética reflexiva, la cual combina un nivel ontológico y un nivel multirrelacional

The bioenergetic role of dioxygen and the terminal oxidase(s) in cyanobacteria

AbstractOwing to the release of 13 largely or totally sequenced cyanobacterial genomes (see http://www.kazusa.or.jp/cyano and www.jgi.doe.gov/), it is now possible to critically assess and compare the most neglected aspect of cyanobacterial physiology, i.e., cyanobacterial respiration, also on the grounds of pure molecular biology (gene sequences). While there is little doubt that cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) do form the largest, most diversified and in both evolutionary and ecological respects most significant group of (micro)organisms on our earth, and that what renders our blue planet earth to what it is, viz. the O2-containing atmosphere, dates back to the oxygenic photosynthetic activity of primordial cyanobacteria about 3.2×109 years ago, there is still an amazing lack of knowledge on the second half of bioenergetic oxygen metabolism in cyanobacteria, on (aerobic) respiration. Thus, the purpose of this review is threefold: (1) to point out the unprecedented role of the cyanobacteria for maintaining the delicate steady state of our terrestrial biosphere and atmosphere through a major contribution to the poising of oxygenic photosynthesis against aerobic respiration (“the global biological oxygen cycle”); (2) to briefly highlight the membrane-bound electron-transport assemblies of respiration and photosynthesis in the unique two-membrane system of cyanobacteria (comprising cytoplasmic membrane and intracytoplasmic or thylakoid membranes, without obvious anastomoses between them); and (3) to critically compare the (deduced) amino acid sequences of the multitude of hypothetical terminal oxidases in the nine fully sequenced cyanobacterial species plus four additional species where at least the terminal oxidases were sequenced. These will then be compared with sequences of other proton-pumping haem–copper oxidases, with special emphasis on possible mechanisms of electron and proton transfer

Peculiarities of financial information as an economic resource

У статті розглядаються особливості фінансової інформації як економічного ресурсу, що дозволяє краще зрозуміти її роль в економіці інформаційного суспільства. Виокремлено чотири особливості фінансової інформації, які обумовлені її належністю до загальної категорії інформації, а також до категорії фінансів. Розглянуто питання ціни та якості фінансової інформації.With the purpose to understand batter a role of financial information as an economic resource of the information society, economics peculiarities of the information are disclosed in the article. There are two groups of the financial information peculiarities were defined: the first group is conditioned by its belonging to the general information category and the second one - because the finance information belongs the finance category. The first group includes following three peculiarities. The first one is ability to keep a content besides changing of a form. Because financial information can coded without loose its content, expenses for storage and transportation of information can minimize and approach to zero, and speed, number and volume of transactions with information can increase very much. The second one - financial information cannot be hide forever, and it has unavoidable tendency to <(flow out>>. Objective social destination of an information as a fundamental phenomenon is to be hear, seen and any other way perceive by users. Risks appear because of information deficit. There is a tendency to disclosure of information in modern society. The third one - distinctiveness of appearance, reproduction and aging methods. The second group represented by one unique peculiarity: only financial information can presents data about surround world in universal meter - in money, which are comparable in a time and in a space. Everything compares by exchange value, and finance information is the one, which presents exchange value of everything in money meter. Economic agents can arrange analyses and control, short term and long term planning because of such unique peculiarity of financial information. There were examined problems of financial information price and quality. Because of its peculiarities, financial information becomes a key economic resource in modern information society. Appropriate financial information and its efficient use serve as the basis for taking argued decisions and mitigate risks. Financial information becomes a factor to create of value-added

Examining Differences in Middle School Student Achievement on a State Mandated Examination: Does a Full Year of Agriscience Really Make a Difference?

Early agricultural education programs in the United States existed to promote new methods and techniques to further agricultural production. Today, extending integration, general knowledge, appreciation, and literacy about agriculture is the goal, especially at the middle school level. Not only is agricultural education designed to encompass academics, but science and technology, literacy, and career preparedness are parts of the total agricultural education program. Since the passage of No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), more pressure has been put on teachers to generate increased student academic performance and improvement of test scores. The purpose of this research study was to determine if there were statistically significant differences in academic achievement on a state mandated assessment of students who completed a yearlong middle school agricultural education course and students who completed only an eight week middle school agricultural education course in the same school, with the same instructor; the significance in time spent in the course was the main issue in question. The findings showed a statistically significant relationship between the completion of the year-long agricultural education course and math, science, and social studies scores on the state mandated assessment. For example, both 7th and 8th grade students who completed a year-long brain-based agricultural education course had higher mean scores than students who completed only an eight-week brain-based agricultural education course on the math, science, and social studies portions of the assessment

Various Types of Learning with Types

International audienceThis paper suggests another look on already known grammatical inference approaches based on specialization strategies