On a continuous mixed strategies model for evolutionary game theory

We consider an integro-differential model for evolutionary game theory which describes the evolution of a population adopting mixed strategies. Using a reformulation based on the first moments of the solution, we prove some analytical properties of the model and global estimates. The asymptotic behavior and the stability of solutions in the case of two strategies is analyzed in details. Numerical schemes for two and three strategies which are able to capture the correct equilibrium states are also proposed together with several numerical examples

Physicochemical and biological properties of natural and synthetic C-22 and C-23 hydroxylated bile acids.

In order to define the effect of a side chain hydroxy group on bile acid (BA) physicochemical and biological properties, 23-hydroxylated bile acids were synthesized following a new efficient route involving the alpha-oxygenation of silylalkenes. 22-Hydroxylated bile acids were also studied. The synthesized bile acids included R and S epimers of 3 alpha,7 alpha,23-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholan-24-oic acid (23R epimer: phocaecholic acid), 3 alpha,12 alpha,23-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholan-24-oic (23R epimer: bitocholic acid), and 3 alpha,7 beta,23-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholan-24-oic acid. A 3 alpha,7 alpha,22-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholan-24-oic acid (haemulcholic acid) was also studied. The presence of a hydroxy group on the side chain slightly modified the physicochemical behavior in aqueous solution with respect to common BA: the critical micellar concentration (CMC) and the hydrophilicity were similar to naturally occurring trihydroxy BA such as cholic acid. The pKa value was lowered by 1.5 units with respect to common BA, being 3.8 for all the C-23 hydroxy BA. C-22 had a higher pKa (4.2) as a result of the increased distance of the hydroxy group from the carboxy group. When the C-23 hydroxylated BA were intravenously administered to bile fistula rats, they were efficiently recovered in bile (more than 80% unmodified) while the corresponding analogs, lacking the 23- hydroxy group, were almost completely glycine- or taurine-conjugated. On the other hand, the C-22 hydroxylated BA were extensively conjugated with taurine and less than 40% of the administered dose was secreted without being conjugated. In the presence of intestinal bacteria, they were mostly metabolized to the corresponding 7-dehydroxylated compound similar to common BA with the exception of bitocholic acid which was relatively stable. The presence of a hydroxy group at the C-23 position increased the acidity of the BA and this accounted for poor absorption within the biliary tree and efficient biliary secretion without the need for conjugation. 3 alpha,7 beta-23 R/S trihydroxy-5 beta-cholan-24-oic acids could improve the efficiency of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) for gallstone dissolution or cholestatic syndrome therapy, as it is relatively hydrophilic and efficiently secreted into bile without altering the glycine and taurine hepatic pool

Time--Splitting Schemes and Measure Source Terms for a Quasilinear Relaxing System

Several singular limits are investigated in the context of a $2 \times 2$ system arising for instance in the modeling of chromatographic processes. In particular, we focus on the case where the relaxation term and a $L^2$ projection operator are concentrated on a discrete lattice by means of Dirac measures. This formulation allows to study more easily some time-splitting numerical schemes

The antitumor drug, 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitroso-urea, inactivates human nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyltransferase.

Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) adenylyltransferase (EC 2.7.7.1) from human placenta is rapidly inactivated by 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU). A similar inactivation is observed with other C- and N-nitroso compounds. The inactivation by BCNU is dependent on incubation time, temperature and BCNU concentration. Protective reagents for -SH groups, dithiothreitol and beta-mercaptoethanol, and the substrate NMN are very effective in protecting NMN adenylyltransferase from BCNU inactivation and in preserving its catalytic properties, while ATP is less efficient. Incubation of BCNU-inactivated and dialysed NMN adenylyltransferase with dithiothreitol results in a partial recovery of the enzymatic activity

Changes in the pyruvic acid content correlates with phenotype traits in onion clones

Consumer demand is oriented toward onion cultivars with lower pungency, and the pyruvic acid content of onions is highly correlated with their pungency. Therefore, breeding programmes might be based on the pyruvic acid content of the parental bulbs. The present study was performed using 97 onion clones with the aim of correlating the pyruvic acid levels with phenotype traits in the different genotypes used in breeding programmes. The onion bulbs were provided from the breeding company with blind labels, and four bulbs were individually analysed for each clone. A comparison between the spectrophotometric and HPLC determination of pyruvic acid was also carried out and showed an excellent linear regression with an R 2 = 0.951. The pyruvic acid was studied in correlation with tunic colours, pungency and precocity, and the highest correlation coefficient was found for red skinned onions. The lowest pyruvate content was found in white onions, with 6.5 \u3bcmol g -1 FW, whereas higher values (8.4-8.5 \u3bcmol g -1 FW) were observed in yellow and red onions. The chemical analyses were compared with panel taste assessments. The results confirmed that the pungency and pyruvic acid content were positively and significantly correlated (P<0.0001),even when the coefficient resulted in a relatively low value (r = 0.515). The precocity trait was associated with pyruvate content: precocious onions, in particular, showed lower pungency

Conflict of interest regulation in European parliaments: Studying the evolution of complex regulatory regimes

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Wiley via the DOI in this record.The growing complexity of parliamentary ethics regulation adopted over the last decades makes the systematic examination of its nature and the rationales underpinning regulatory choices an important endeavor. In this paper we introduce conceptualizations and measurements of conflict of interest (COI) regulation directed toward assuring the impartial and unbiased decisionmaking of national parliamentarians. We distinguish the strictness of rules, the nature of enforcement, sanctions, and transparency requirements as core elements defining COI regimes. Applying our framework to 27 European democracies, we select two cases for in-depth analysis in which legislators chose very different solutions in response to growing pressures to regulate themselves, to inductively explore the drivers underpinning the choice of COI mechanisms: the United Kingdom, which adopted a highly transparency-oriented regime, and Belgium, which adopted a highly sanction-oriented COI regime. Echoing neo-institutionalist perspectives, the longitudinal analyses indicate how the two democracies’ different institutional environments shape distinct answers to similar functional pressures.European Research CouncilCollege of Social Sciences and International Studies, University of Exete

Human Illnesses Caused by Opisthorchis felineus Flukes, Italy

We report 2 outbreaks of Opisthorchis felineus infection caused by the consumption of tench filets (Tinca tinca) from a lake in Italy. Of the 22 infected persons, 10 (45.4%) were asymptomatic. When present, symptoms (fever, nausea, abdominal pain, and myalgias) were mild. Eosinophilia occurred in all infected persons

Inestabilidad de tanques de petróleo durante su construcción : Estudio de caso

Este trabajo analiza, en forma numérica y experimental, la estabilidad de un tanque cilíndrico de acero de pared delgada sin techo (en etapa de construcción) no anclado, frente a cargas de viento. El tanque estudiado se encuentra en la zona Norte de la Patagonia y colapsó por viento a una velocidad de 50Km/h. Las normas que permiten diseñar los tanques de almacenamiento se concentran en su comportamiento finalizada la construcción, descuidando la etapa constructiva. El presente estudio se desarrolla en dos etapas. En una primera etapa se realiza un análisis fluido-dinámico midiendo presiones sobre modelos de tanques en túnel de viento. En la segunda etapa se analiza la respuesta estructural evaluando numéricamente las cargas que producen pandeo. Para el estudio numérico se simula la estructura por elementos finitos con un código de propósitos múltiples(ABAQUS), mediante análisis de bifurcación lineal y análisis no lineal geométrico con imperfecciones. Los resultados experimentales muestran que las presiones a barlovento en las paredes del tanque se incrementan un 40% debido a las presiones internas y, además, las presiones actuando en la base tienden a levantarla. Los resultados numéricos permiten vincular la carga de colapso en el tanque con las velocidades registradas en el lugar.Publicado en: Mecánica Computacional vol. XXXV no.38Facultad de Ingenierí