Bounded distortion homeomorphisms on ultrametric spaces

It is well-known that quasi-isometries between R-trees induce power quasi-symmetric homeomorphisms between their ultrametric end spaces. This paper investigates power quasi-symmetric homeomorphisms between bounded, complete, uniformly perfect, ultrametric spaces (i.e., those ultrametric spaces arising up to similarity as the end spaces of bushy trees). A bounded distortion property is found that characterizes power quasi-symmetric homeomorphisms between such ultrametric spaces that are also pseudo-doubling. Moreover, examples are given showing the extent to which the power quasi-symmetry of homeomorphisms is not captured by the quasiconformal and bi-H\"older conditions for this class of ultrametric spaces.Comment: 20 pages, 1 figure. To appear in Ann. Acad. Sci. Fenn. Mat

Role of the central cations in the mechanical unfolding of DNA and RNA G-quadruplexes.

Cations are known to mediate diverse interactions in nucleic acids duplexes but they are critical in the arrangement of four-stranded structures. Here, we use all-atom molecular dynamics simulations with explicit solvent to analyse the mechanical unfolding of representative intramolecular G-quadruplex structures: a parallel, a hybrid and an antiparallel DNA and a parallel RNA, in the presence of stabilising cations. We confirm the stability of these conformations in the presence of [Formula: see text] central ions and observe distortions from the tetrad topology in their absence. Force-induced unfolding dynamics is then investigated. We show that the unfolding events in the force-extension curves are concomitant to the loss of coordination between the central ions and the guanines of the G-quadruplex. We found lower ruptures forces for the parallel configuration with respect to the antiparallel one, while the behaviour of the force pattern of the parallel RNA appears similar to the parallel DNA. We anticipate that our results will be essential to interpret the fine structure rupture profiles in stretching assays at high resolution and will shed light on the mechanochemical activity of G-quadruplex-binding machinery

Application of Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy (NIRS) for Macronutrients Analysis in Alfalfa (\u3ci\u3eMedicago sativa\u3c/i\u3e L.)

Near infrared reflectance spectroscopy was used to assess the mineral composition of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) as a tool for nutritional diagnosis. One hundred and ninety four (n = 194) samples of alfalfa from different locations representing a wide range of soils were used. Samples were reflectance scanned in a NIRS 6500 (NIRSystems, USA) instrument. The coefficients of determination (R2) of the regression estimate of the concentration of nitrogen, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and sulphur and the errors in cross validation (SECV) were 0.93 (SECV: 1.6), 0.95 (SECV: 1.3), 0.93 (SECV: 1.9), 0.88 (SECV: 2.8), 0.82 (SECV: 1.9) and 0.75 (SECV: 4.7) respectively. The best NIRS predictions were obtained for calcium and nitrogen, meanwhile the poorest was obtained for sulphur

Phosphorus, Sulphur and Micronutrients on Grassland Improvement with White Clover (\u3ci\u3eTrifolium repens\u3c/i\u3e L.) on Basaltic Soils in Uruguay

Grasslands improvement with legumes is a promising technology for increasing forage quality and productivity on basaltic soils, but requires the correction of nutrient deficiencies. Phosphorus is a key element, but usual techniques of soil analysis are not good predictors. An experimental work was conducted in the northern region of the country. Evaluating the response of an improvement with white clover to P. Citric Acid showed a good association between soil P status and legume behavior. In addition there was a positive trend in forage production, in relation to S application, even though this effect was only significant in legume yield during the second year. Neither Mo nor B resulted in significant effects on forage yield. Results should be considered as preliminary, due to climatic problems that limited the experimental work

Natural history of four species of \u3ci\u3ePlatydracus\u3c/i\u3e Thomson (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) in \u3ci\u3eHeliconia bourgaeana\u3c/i\u3e Petersen (Zingiberales: Heliconiaceae) flower bracts

Abstract. The insect fauna within inflorescences of Heliconia bourgaeana Petersen (Zingiberales: Heliconiaceae) was evaluated in Parque Metlac, Fortín de las Flores, Veracruz, Mexico between May and October 1995. Floral bracts were present in May and some persisted to October, despite much destruction in August by a grackle, Quiscalus mexicanus (JF Gmelin) (Icteridae). Flowers were abundant in the bracts in May-June, after which their number declined as fruits matured. Insects that fed on the flowers were most abundant in May-June; several of them could be pollinators; the immature stages of most of these insects were absent from Heliconia Linnaeus. The floral bracts contained water enriched by decomposition of the flowers, and this provided nutrition for aquatic organisms. Syrphid larvae (Diptera) contributed the largest biomass among the aquatic insects, and their distribution among bracts was more uniform in time than that of other aquatic insects. Larvae of Culicidae and Psychodidae (Diptera) were more variable in density and were more abundant after decomposition of the flowers. The most abundant aquatic predators of culicid larvae were larvae of Toxorhynchites Theobald (Culicidae). The most abundant amphibious predators of dipterous larvae were adults of four species of Platydracus Thomson (Staphylinidae), one of them yet undescribed. To capture its prey, the Platydracus adult would immerse its head and thorax, with open mandibles, to snap at passing dipterous larvae. Resumen. La fauna insectil asociada con las inflorescencias de Heliconia bourgaeana Petersen (Zingiberales: Heliconiaceae) fue evaluada en el Parque Metlac, Fortín de las Flores, Ver., México entre mayo y octubre de 1995. Las brácteas florales estuvieron presentes en mayo y persistieron hasta octubre, aunque con mucha destrucción a partir de agosto debido a la acción del zanate mexicano (Quiscalus mexicanus (JF Gmelin), Icteridae). Las flores en las brácteas fueron abundantes en mayo y junio, después de lo cual su número se redujo conforme aumento el tamaño de los frutos, los cuales maduraron en octubre. Los insectos adultos que se alimentaron en las flores fueron más abundantes en mayo y julio; varios de ellos podrían actuar como polinizadores. Los estados inmaduros de la mayoría de estos insectos no fueron encontrados en Heliconia Linnaeus. Las brácteas florales contuvieron agua enriquecida por la descomposición de las flores, lo cual provey de nutrimentos para algunos de los organismos acuáticos. Las larvas de la familia Syrphidae (Diptera) constituyeron la mayor biomasa de las larvas de insectos y su distribución fue notablemente uniforme entre las brácteas en cada espiga floral y a lo largo del periodo de observación. Las larvas de las familias Culicidae y Psychodidae (Diptera) fueron más variables en su densidad, y más abundantes después de la descomposición de las flores. Los depredadores acuáticos de las larvas de Culicidae más abundantes fueron larvas de Toxorhynchites Theobald (Culicidae). Los depredadores anfibios más abundantes de las larvas de dípteros fueron cuatro especies de Platydracus Thomson (Staphylinidae), una de ellas aun no descrita. Para capturar su presa, un estafilínido sumerge su cabeza y su tórax, con mandíbulas abiertas, en el agua e intenta capturar las larvas de dípteros