Pattern Views: Concept and Tooling for Interconnected Pattern Languages

Patterns describe proven solutions for recurring problems. Typically, patterns in a particular domain are interrelated and organized in pattern languages. As real-world problems often require patterns of multiple domains, different pattern languages have to be considered to address these problems. However, cross-domain knowledge about how patterns of different languages relate to each other is either hidden in individual pattern descriptions or not documented at all. This makes it difficult to identify relevant patterns across pattern languages. Therefore, we introduce a concept and tooling that enables to capture patterns and their relations across pattern languages for a particular problem context

Characterisation of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L. ssp. vulgaris) varieties using microsatellite markers

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Sugar beet is an obligate outcrossing species. Varieties consist of mixtures of plants from various parental combinations. As the number of informative morphological characteristics is limited, this leads to some problems in variety registration research.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We have developed 25 new microsatellite markers for sugar beet. A selection of 12 markers with high quality patterns was used to characterise 40 diploid and triploid varieties. For each variety 30 individual plants were genotyped. The markers amplified 3-21 different alleles. Varieties had up to 7 different alleles at one marker locus. All varieties could be distinguished. For the diploid varieties, the expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.458 to 0.744. The average inbreeding coefficient F_iswas 0.282 ± 0.124, but it varied widely among marker loci, from F_is= +0.876 (heterozygote deficiency) to F_is= -0.350 (excess of heterozygotes). The genetic differentiation among diploid varieties was relatively constant among markers (F_st= 0.232 ± 0.027). Among triploid varieties the genetic differentiation was much lower (F_st= 0.100 ± 0.010). The overall genetic differentiation between diploid and triploid varieties was F_st= 0.133 across all loci. Part of this differentiation may coincide with the differentiation among breeders' gene pools, which was F_st= 0.063.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Based on a combination of scores for individual plants all varieties can be distinguished using the 12 markers developed here. The markers may also be used for mapping and in molecular breeding. In addition, they may be employed in studying gene flow from crop to wild populations.</p

Religious transformations in the Middle Ages: towards a new archaeological agenda

The study of religious change in Europe between the collapse of the Roman Empire and the Reformation forms one of the cornerstones of medieval archaeology but has been riven by period, denominational and geographical divisions. This paper lays the groundwork for a fundamental rethink of archaeological approaches to medieval religions, by adopting a holistic framework that places Christian, pagan, Islamic and Jewish case studies of religious transformation in a long-term, comparative perspective. Focused around the analytical themes of ‘hybridity and resilience’ and ‘tempo and trajectories’, our approach shifts attention away from the singularities of national narratives of religious conversion towards a deeper understanding of how religious beliefs, practices and identity were renegotiated by medieval people in their daily lives

Immunofluorescence sensor for water analysis

We demonstrated a bulk optical fluorescence based immunosensor capable of multianalyte water analysis. Calibration curves obtained for 2.3-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and simazine had detection limits of 0.035µg/l and 0.026µg/l respectively. The sensor is reusable due to its regenerability and cost effective due to the use of components customary in the trade. Ways to further enhance device sensitivity by means of a high index film deposited on the sensor surface or by employing an integrated optical waveguide as transducer are presented. A concept for the detection of a varying range of analytes on the same transducer is discussed

Sensitivity enhancement of transducers for total internal reflection fluorescence

We have developed, modeled and optimized optical transducers for total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF). The transducers are part of a compact and rugged immuno-analytical instrument designed for simultaneous detection of up to six analytes in aquatic samples (e.g. atrazine and 2,4-D). Binding inhibition assays, using Cy5.5 labeled antibodies to detect the target analytes, have been carried out. Calibration curves with mid-points of tests below 1 µg/1 and detection limits below 0.1 µg/1 have been achieved. As transducer either ion exchanged integrated optical channel waveguides or planar multimode slab waveguides have been employed. The transducer performance was significantly enhanced by incorporating thin high index films at the waveguide surface and by applying high refractive index solutions in the superstrate. Peak signal enhancement factors of more than ten have been observed and an increase in signal to noise ratio by a factor of more than four have been achieved. Strong polarization dependent effects on the enhancement by high index films have been found both theoretically and experimentally

Integrated optical immunofluorescence sensor for environmental monitoring

We have demonstrated a regenerable waveguide fluorescence sensor for environmental monitoring. Characterisation of the sensor as a detector of the pesticide 2,4 dichlorophenoxyacetic acid in water is presented. A binding inhibition assay, using fluorescent Cy5.5 dye-labelled antibodies, was monitored at the modified surface of the glass waveguide to detect the target analyte. Incorporation of a thin high-index film at the waveguide surface enhanced device sensitivity