Straight Relationship Research Articles

Feeding Habits of Spot-Bellied Salamander <i>Salamandra infraimmaculata semenovi</i> (Nesterov, 1916) Based on Examination of Three Populations from Zagros Mountains, Western Iran (Caudata: Salamandridae)

Feeding habits in three populations of fire salamander, Salamandra infraimmaculata semenovi have been studied at Zagros Mountains in western part of Iran, Kurdistan and Kermanshah provinces. Adult individuals underwent stomach flushing were applied to in June and September 2014. All three populations consumed 107 prey items from nine taxa categories. Inorganic elements and vegetal maters also were found in stomach contents. The results show that Coleoptera and Homoptera hold highest and lowest percentage abundance food contents of all populations respectively. There are significance differences between the feeding habits of three populations. The most consumption and highest feeding diversity were registered in the steep slope of valley with permanent slow water fall, surrounded with humid soil that covered with carious plants so the salamanders can feed massively in this area. Also results show that the larger salamander (distinguished with SVL) consumed a significantly higher diversity and amount of prey items than smaller individuals so the adult size can affects S. i. semenovi hunting behavior. The findings also suggest that fire salamander has seasonal fluctuation in food items both by the number and variation. In June, salamanders consumed significantly higher diversity and amount of prey items. There is a straight relationship between gender of salamanders and their food habits. Females consumed significantly higher diversity and amount of prey items. Our study highlights the importance of preserving aquatic habitats as well as terrestrial areas because some feeding items (Gastropoda and Trichoptera) spend their life cycle in water.

Toward the Classical Description of Halogen Bonds: A Quantum Based Generalized Empirical Potential for Fluorine, Chlorine, and Bromine.

The electronic effects in supramolecular systems are a great challenge for computational chemistry, and the understanding of ligand-protein interactions driven by halogen bonds can be limited by molecular mechanics point of view. In fact, the variations of the halogen bond acceptors, such as an aromatic ring and electrons lone pairs, restrict the classical approximations even more. Our work enhances the statement that halogen bonds are led mainly by orbital interactions via σ*C-X. Nonetheless, we have pointed a straight relationship between the maximum ESP value on the σ-hole and the LUMO energy levels of the halogen bond donor. In line with this scenario, the current work introduces a new promising empirical potential based on quantum parametrizations able to describe general halogen bonded systems. The new parameters allow force fields to detect variations on the molecular electronic structure of halogenated organic compounds to improve the description of fluorine, chlorine, and bromine in halogen bonds.

Emotional faces influence evaluation of natural and transformed food.

Previous evidence showed the presence of a straight relationship between feeding behavior and emotions. Despite that, no studies have focused on the influence of emotional faces on food processing. In our study, participants were presented with 72 couples of visual stimuli composed of a neutral, happy, or disgusted faces (5000ms duration in Experiment 1, adaptation; 150ms in Experiment 2, priming) followed by a food stimulus (1500ms). Food stimuli were grouped in pleasant foods, further divided in natural and transformed, and unpleasant rotten foods. The task consisted in judging the food valence (as 'pleasant' or 'unpleasant') by keypress. Results showed a different pattern of response based on the transformation level of food. In general, the evaluation of natural foods was more rapid compared with transformed foods, maybe for their simplicity and healthier perception. In addition, transformed foods yielded incongruent responses with respect to the preceding emotional face, whereas natural foods yielded congruent responses with respect to it. These effects were independent of the duration of the emotional face (i.e., adaptation or priming paradigm) and may depend on pleasant food stimuli salience.

Screen Printed Electromechanical Micro-total Analysis System (μtas) for Sensitive and Rapid Detection of Infectious Diseases

The main objective of this article is to demonstrate by performing simulation measurements of biosensor that can detect the presence of pathogens through simultaneous mass and impedance techniques. This biosensor merges two biosensing techniques namely resonant frequency measurements and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) on a single biosensor. Parallel measurements provide better sensitivities, have higher diagnostics accuracy and reduce the risk of false positives. Low cost, high resolution screen printing technology was used to fabricate the microelectromechanical array of μTAS on flexible piezoelectric substrates. The basic biosensor framework includes a substrate that highly sensitive sensor like thickness shear mode and immunosensor can be fabricated using quartz crystal lattice that integrated with electrochemical sensor [1]. The quartz crystal microbalance is a label free technique, which minimizes interference with the interaction being studied. A piezoelectric device is portable, simple and cost effective, and is suitable for real-time monitoring of biospecific interactions such as antigen-antibody, receptor ligand, and enzymes-substrate interactions with high sensitivity and specificity. For instance, the biological mixtures such as antibodies are capable of binding to terminal active functional groups (i.e., COOH, OH and NH2) of self-assembled monolayers (SAM) and immunocapture antigens such as glycoproptien or other targets[2]. The QCM can consequently detect mass changes due to these molecular interactions on the surface of the QCM. The top and bottom circular excitation electrodes with 150um diameter were modeled as gold (Au) films of 16 μm thickness. A sinusoidal voltage with amplitude of 5 mV was applied across the quartz crystal. Figure 1 shows the principle of integrated biosensors which gold electrodes were printed on both sides of a thin 500um quartz layer to form the quartz crystal microbalance (QCM)-impedance device. The silver (Ag) semicircular counter electrode was modeled around the top working electrode on the same area of the quartz crystal for performing the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) experiments for detection of bacteria (E-Coli) and the results were compared to quartz crystal microbalance measurements. Furthermore, the use of gold surface can be incorporated into the transducer compatible with the biological samples such as use of highly specific monoclonal antibodies, and incorporation of amplification step to maximize the signal detection. In general, the quartz crystal is traditionally considered to be a mass sensitive sensor that produces response which it changes its resonance frequency to different thin film samples or liquids in contact with it surface. For a straight relationship between a thin film mass of the order of nanograms, the quartz crystal response will be of of the order of Hertz according to Eq. 1, Sauerbrey Equation [3]. ρq and μq are the specific density and the shear modulus in quartz, respectively. ϝ0 is the fundamental resonance frequency in quartz, related to its thickness, nq. Δm is the thin film mass deposited A, is the piezoelectrically active crystal area and n is the overtone number. Based on Eq. 1, it can be found that if the density of QCM changes, the resonant frequency of the device also changes, making the QCM suitable for monitoring changes in mass. [Display omitted] In contact with liquids, the crystal is capable of giving information about the density-viscosity product (√ρn) of the fluid by changing its resonance frequency and quality Q-factor according with Eq.3, Kanazawa equation[3]: [Display omitted] Where ρL and ηL are the density and viscosity in fluid respectively. Whilst, Eq. 4 indicates the decay characteristic length (δ) as linear relationship to the ratio viscosity to density of the liquid and inversely proportional the angular frequency (ω).Prior to device fabrication, 3D electric field analysis, resonant frequency simulations and thickness shear deformation were performed using automatic meshers by COMSOL Multiphysics. The resonator was modeled in three dimensions (3D), as an AT-cut quartz substrate of 500 μm thickness. The eigenfrequency analysis was performed to produce the quartz surface displacement and thickness shear deformation. The frequency domain analysis was conducted to obtain the resonant frequency of the resonator. Here we have tested the performance of the application of biosensors mainly in the detection of E-coli bacteria using QCM-impedance device using Escherichia coli cells as model of detection. Both frequency and impedance measurements were successfully obtained using cells both in media and in distilled water. We believe than this work offers a promising solution for the next generation of healthcare devices where high accuracy results are provided by low cost sensors.

Depression, Well-being and Hypothyroidism

Background: A connection between hypothyroidism and depression has been presumed for many years; however, the ground reality between such association has been difficult to outline with a lot of differing studies. With large cohort studies and in recent years, our understanding about this association has improved, but still the gray area remains much at large in comparison to what is crystal clear to us. Objectives: Literature was reviewed regarding thyroid function and depression to asses if relationship between these two have been established or not. Methods: PubMed was used as the database and the terms used to search literature were ‘thyroid, ‘mental health ’and ‘depression’. The key strategy was to review as many recent studies as we can and compare it to the ones which were conducted years ago. Sample size was also considered, and studies with a larger number of subjects were preferred. Results from these studies were compiled at one place and key common factors were looked for, linking hypothyroidism with depression. Results: Despite large epidemiological studies, concrete relation between thyroid function and depression can’t be established without thyroid dysfunction. The relation of the Hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid function, the chief monoamines and the clinical subtypes of depression is intricate and does not directly establish a straight relationship. Subjects taking thyroxine have subordinate psychological well-being than subjects who are euthyroid. TSH cut of value for hypothyroid patients to be psychologically sound has been established to be 2.5 MIU/L. Conclusion: After many years of research, still we remain in dark with respect to the relation between thyroid and depressive symptoms and it largely remains unclear. Hence, further studies will be required to build up strong evidence and connection between the two and to also state the pathophysiology behind it.

So close, so far: differences in long-term chlorophyll a variability in three nearby estuarine-coastal stations

ABSTRACTThree sampling stations located in the inner Patos Lagoon estuary, the lagoon’s mouth and the adjacent coastal beach were visited monthly from the end of 1992 until 2014. The stations are in close proximity, but are distributed along saline and hydrological gradients and had never previously been analysed together. Our main questions were: (1) Are the monthly, seasonal and interannual variations in chlorophyll a (Chl a) similar for the three stations? (2) Is there any type of connectivity among the sites? (3) What forces are responsible for controlling phytoplankton variability at these stations? The three stations showed distinct Chl a variability patterns, with higher concentration and variability at the beach station, where the seasonal variation presented higher values between May and October, seemingly out of phase with the estuarine station, where higher values occurred between September and January. The lagoon's mouth station acted as a transit region and incorporated the variability of the estuarine and coastal regions, and all three stations showed a lasting long-term influence from the remote and large-scale phenomenon El Niño Southern Oscillation, El Niño and La Niña periods being characterized by an increase in rainfall and drought conditions, respectively, in the region. The three stations showed no clear connectivity since the cross correlation analysis did not indicate subsequent (more than one month) influence of any station on the others with regard to Chl a. However, a large transfer of the surf-zone diatom, Asterionellopsis guyunusae, from the coast towards the estuary was observed in an apparent ‘inverted outwelling’ process. Chl a variability did not show a straight relationship with most of the measured abiotic variables, indicating that other forces such as residence time may be of greater importance.

The Relationship between Conditional Conservatism and Financial Crisis

<p>Profit and loss invoice is the main accounting information. Investors pay the priority attention to net profit as the latest information item of profit and loss invoice. Conservatism has a great influence on investment and companies’ financial crisis. The main purpose of this research is studying the relationship between conditional conservatism and financial crisis in accepted companies in Tehran Stock Exchange during time period of 2009 up to 2014. Statistical society is used by screening (omissive) model for selecting a sample which is studied in 122 companies. Current research methodology is applicative by aiming, its type is correlated, its model is panel data and for analysis by software of EVIEWS8. Also, obtained result by first subsidiary hypotheses represent a straight relationship between firm size and companies’ financial crisis and second subsidiary hypotheses represent a straight relationship between financial leverage and companies’ financial crisis. There is not a meaningful relationship between reserved cash fund and financial crisis in third subsidiary hypotheses. There is a meaningful relationship between sale growth and financial crisis in forth subsidiary hypotheses. There is a straight and meaningful relationship between tangible properties and financial crisis in fifth subsidiary hypotheses. In sixth subsidiary hypotheses, there is a negative and meaningful relationship between growth opportunity and financial crisis.</p>

A Review on E-Learning Technology

Nowadays E-Learning plays very important role in 21 st Century and also educational growth of any nation. Internet is the growing information technology with the sincerity of closeness and stronghold, thus, it brings globalization in every aspects of communication. It has many opportunities for rising nations to improve their learning development. It preserves also play a significant task in preparing a new age collection of teachers, as well as improvement the skills of the obtainable teaching. The E-learning initiatives have connected the whole world and have detached the barrier of age, location, time and socio-economic nature. The best parts of lecturers surveyed used e-learning in their teaching pursue the majority generally to research, right of entry and generate teaching resources and get ready lesson strategy. E-learning was used fewer regularly to communicate with learners, track learner's progress and make available one-to one concentration. E-learning had increased retention or achievement and present was limited information of a straight relationship among e-learning use (whether by learners or lecturers) and the end-point outcomes in the institutions as a complete. The E-learning resolve still most likely be utilized to situation out-of classroom and in-classroom learning experiences by means of technology.

6α-Acetoxy-7α-Hydroxy-Vouacapan Isolated from Pterodon pubescens Benth. Fruit’s with Selective Activity against Prostate Cancer Cell Line: Artifact or Natural Product?

Challenges encountered in standardization of plant-derived drugs involves the determination of many parameters that implies quality control methods throughout the entire process from growing conditions to the final product. This study highlights the complexity of factors involved in the production of secondary metabolites in plants. Compound 6α-acetoxy-7α-hydroxy-vouacapan Isolated from Pterodon pubescens Benth. (Fabeacea) fruit dichloromethane extract, with in vitro cytotoxic selectivity on human prostate cancer cell line was investigated to determine if the compound is an artifact produced overtime on plant storage or is characteristic of plant genotype. The chemical composition of samples from Sao Carlos (Sao Paulo, Brazil) and Ponto Chique (Minas Gerais, Brazil) were monitored monthly during one year for geranylgeraniol, 6α-acetoxy-7α-hydroxy-vouacapan, 6α-hydroxy- 7α-acetoxy-vouacapan-17α-oate methyl ester and 6α-acetoxy-7α-hydroxy-vouacapan-17α-oate methyl ester. In vitro cytotoxicity screening against human prostate cancer cell line, evaluating total growth inhibition parameter (TGI) displayed higher selectivity and potent anticancer activity with TGI 11.43 μg mL-1 when higher 6α-acetoxy- 7α-hydroxy-vouacapan over total voaucapan ratio (3.14) was achieved. Nevertheless, 6α-acetoxy-7α-hydroxyvouacapan maintained approximately the same content throughout the year among the samples in opposition to overall voaucapan content. Samples from Sao Carlos at time zero had 26% geranylgeraniol content whereas Minas Gerais samples contained the highest content of 1.3%. Throughout the stability test geranylgeraniol concentration decreased with a straight relationship of overall increase of vouacapan content. The chemical variability data was evaluated using the statistical procedure based on Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to determine which of the extract’s components had a real impact on the in vitro antiproliferative activity. Data presented herein did not suggest that 6α-acetoxy-7α-hydroxy-vouacapan is produced as artifact overtime in storage. Further studies are needed to establish other markers involved with therapeutic activity to provide consistency of the development of products with quality, efficiency, and safety.

Herramienta didáctica para determinar factores ergonómicos en el diseño de muebles de asiento. Mediante el análisis cualitativo de un modelo de estudio

Introducción: Como parte del programa de Diseño Industrial dela UDLSB, en la materia de Diseño de Mobiliario se proponen proyectos que sin buscar una estricta especialización involucran a los estudiantes en problemáticas propias del área. Sin embargo, por su complejidad, es común que el mueble de asiento llegue a quedar insuficientemente resuelto en lo relativo a su ergonomía. Tras el análisis de dicha problemática, se sustenta la propuesta de una HERRAMIENTA con la que los alumnos podrán estudiar las particularidades ergonómicas en el diseño de los muebles de asiento. Lo anterior se demostró mediante casos prácticos de estudiantes que evidenciaron la utilidad didáctica de dicha propuesta.Método: La investigación contempló cuatro etapas generales; la primera se enfocó al contexto y relación del tema con el programa de Diseño Industrial enla UDLSB, así como el análisis de la problemática basada en el modo de aprendizaje de los estudiantes. La segunda etapa consistió en la planeación y ejecución dela HERRAMIENTA Didáctica tipo silla, junto con su respectivo INSTRUMENTO de análisis. Con la tercera etapa se determinó la metodología para asignar proyectos a los estudiantes, derivando en la formalización de un caso de estudio principal y otro referencial bajo la categoría de “mueble de asiento”. Finalmente, con la aplicación dela HERRAMIENTA y el diagnóstico obtenido en los casos seleccionados, en la cuarta etapa se demostró el provecho de dicho aparato, evidenciando su beneficio en la enseñanza del diseño de mobiliario.Resultados: Con los resultados del caso en cuestión, se analizó la mecánica de interacción producto – usuario de las sillas y se recomendaron ajustes previos a un prototipo definitivo, advirtiéndose riesgos a la salud debidos a una mala postura por deficiencia ergonómica en su diseño.Discusión o Conclusión: Luego de haber seleccionado y analizado un caso principal llamado “Silla 22”, se obtuvo que a pesar de su buena planificación, existieron deficiencias ergonómicas importantes, las cuales fueron evidenciadas y dictaminadas para su mejora. Este proceso fue seguido por algunos estudiantes y miembros del mismo grupo, quienes ampliaron su conocimiento al respecto. Para corroborar la funcionalidad de la HERRAMIENTA, también se probó el proyecto “Silla Odissey”, con el fin de identificar sus hallazgos ergonómicos. Al final de esta investigación se llegó a la conclusión de quela HERRAMIENTA es útil para su propósito, generando además el interés de otros estudiantes y académicos por su aporte a la investigación en el área.

Analysis of Hardness, Resistivity and Corrosion of HfN Thin Films Fabricated by D.C. Sputtering

HfN is a transition metal nitride that shows interesting mechanical and chemical properties for using electronic, mechanical, corrosion, wear areas. In this work HfN thin films were fabricated by D.C. sputtering varying nitrogen flux. The Ar/N2ratio used inside in the deposition chamber was 10, 6.66, 5, 4 and 3.33. The obtained films were analyzed by X-ray diffraction, Vickers microhardness, high resistivity measurement package and tested by D.C. electrochemical techniques in order to know their crystalline structure, hardness, resistivity and corrosion resistance. We found that a straight relationship of resistivity and crystalline structure with Ar/N2flux ratio, because of decreasing that ratio resistivity increases meanwhile hardness decreased, this behavior due to amorphous phase of HfN. Electrochemical tests showed that sample at Ar/N2ratio = 5 showed the maximum polarization resistance while the sample at Ar/N2ratio = 4 showed less polarization resistance value. All results establish that HfN is a good material in corrosion and electronic areas.

Reproductive biology of a bromeligenous frog endemic to the Atlantic Forest: Aparasphenodon arapapa Pimenta, Napoli and Haddad, 2009 (Anura: Hylidae)

The genus Aparasphenodon is restricted to South America and comprises five poorly studied species which present a straight relationship with bromeliads. Herein we present the reproductive biology of the species Aparasphenodon arapapa. Our observations indicate that A. arapapa is a prolonged breeder, reproducing throughout the year using bromeliads as a calling and breeding site. The tadpoles complete their development inside those plants. Males, females and juveniles may also use the bromeliads as a shelter. We also describe the courtship behavior and the parental care of the species with an evidence of temporary fidelity between male and female and propose a new reproductive mode.

It all started with Margalef’s paper of 1951

As early as 1951, Margalef speculated on the production of soluble phosphatases by zooplankton; "entomostracans" were producing their own phosphatases and so contributing to phosphate regeneration. After analytical techniques had been considerably improved and introduced into limnology laboratories, it was verified, almost three decades later, that the eminent scientist was right. The role of soluble phosphatase in fresh waters can be investigated either in straight relationship to plankton phosphatase producers or simply in connection with other chemical entities abundant in lake water, with capacity to condition enzyme activity. Such is the case of humic substances which complex with soluble phosphatase; the enzyme activity will be inactivated when making part of the complex (linked to the humic molecule) and reactivated again once the complex is broken down, e.g. by the action of UV light from the sun.

Solving the combined economic load and emission dispatch problems using new heuristic algorithm

The power system needs to satisfy its customers demand with minimum cost and emission. Fuel cost has straight relationship with energy cost. This paper presents an advanced parallelized particle swarm optimization algorithm (PSPSO) for finding optimal combination of power generation units that minimizes the total fuel cost and emission. In this algorithm, time requirements for solving complex large-scale CEED problem can be substantially reduced using parallel computation and it performs the update of positions and velocities in the end of each iteration. The proposed approach is applied on four test systems and compared with other techniques. The results represent that PSPSO has better convergence than other techniques.

Erratum to: Neogene sediment deformations and tectonic features of northeastern Tunisia: evidence for paleoseismicity

The Neogene stratigraphic series is characterized by predominant clayey facies alternated by other sand layers. The outcrop and subsurface studies show varied and complex styles of deformations and lead to relate the structures to paleoseismic events. The seismicity of eastern onshore and offshore Tunisian margin follows the master fault corridors oriented globally N–S, E–W, and NW–SE that correspond to the bordering faults of grabens and syncline corridors and associated faulted drag fold structures oriented NE–SW. Epicenters of magnitudes between 3 and 5 are located along these border fault corridors. The Neogene strata record brittle structures, including numerous and deep faults and fractures with straight and high-angle dipping planes. The structuring of NE–SW en echelon folds and synclines inside and outside NW–SE and E–W right lateral and N–S and NE–SW left lateral tectonic corridors indicates the strike-slip type of bordering faults and their seismogenic nature. Wrench fault movements that induce mud and salt diapirs, mud volcanoes, and intrusive ascensions are related to seismic shocks. Seismic waves caused by activity along one, or most likely, several tectonic structures would have propagated throughout the Quaternary cover producing seismites. The similarity of deposits, structuring, and seismites between the Tunis-Bizerte to the North and Hammamet-Mahdia to the South accredits the hypothesis that the seismic episodes might have affected sedimentation patterns along the Sahalian large geographic area. The paleoseismic events in northeastern Tunisia might be related to tectonic fault reactivations through time. This hypothesis is consistent with the geomorphologic context of the study area, characterized by several morphostructural lineaments with strong control on the sediment distribution, as well as uplifted and subsiding terrains. The estimated magnitude of the seismic events and the great regional tectonically affected areas demonstrate that the northeastern Tunisia experienced stress through the last geological episodes of its evolution. This Neogene kinematic reconstruction highlights the neotectonic system inducing the actual seismicity on this margin. Therefore, there is a straight relationship between deepseated faults and seismicity.

Glutathione improves early somatic embryogenesis in Araucaria angustifolia (Bert) O. Kuntze by alteration in nitric oxide emission

In this work, it was observed a straight relationship between the manipulation of the reduced glutathione (GSH)/glutathione disulfide (GSSG) ratio, nitric oxide emission and quality and number of early somatic embryos in Araucaria angustifolia, a Brazilian endangered native conifer. In low concentrations GSH (0.01 and 0.1mM) is a potential NO scavenger in the culture medium. Furthermore, it can increase the number of early SE formed in cell suspension culture media in a few days. However, the maintenance in this low redox state lead to a loss of early somatic embryos polarization. In gelled culture medium, high levels of GSH (5mM) allows the development of globular embryos presenting a high NO emission on embryo apex, stressing its importance in the differentiation and cell division. Taken together these results indicate that the modification of the embryogenic cultures redox state might be an effective strategy to develop more efficient embryogenic systems in A. angustifolia.

English

Today's environment creates a growing way for organizations to perform their functions through teams and groups. Organizations want to hire individuals who can perform better in groups and frequently adjust with people from various cultures and handle intercultural communications. People need to know other cultures and interact with people from other cultures. Consequently, they need cultural intelligence. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between cultural intelligence and its facets with group effectiveness in Mobarakeh Steel Company. Forty Seven teams participated in this study. According to the results, cultural intelligence and its facets (metacognition, cognition, motivation and behavior) have significant and straight relationship with group effectiveness. Also, motivation and behavior facets can predict group effectiveness.   Key words: Group, group effectiveness, cultural differences, cultural intelligence.

Intestinal permeability assessed by 51Cr-EDTA in rats with CCl4 - induced cirrhosis

The straight relationship between cirrhosis and impaired intestinal barrier has not been elucidated yet. To verify (51)Cr-EDTA-intestinal permeability in rats with CCl(4)-induced cirrhosis and controls. Fifty male Wistar rats weighing 150-180 g were separated in three groups: 25 animals received CCl(4) 0.25 mL/kg with olive oil by gavage with 12 g/rat/day food restriction for 10 weeks (CCl(4)-induced cirrhosis); 12 received the same food restriction for 10 weeks (CCl(4)-non exposed). Other 13 rats received indomethacin 15 mg/kg by gavage as positive control of intestinal inflammation. The median (25-75 interquartile range) (51)Cr-EDTA-IP values of cirrhotic and CCl(4)-non exposed rats were 0.90% (0.63-1.79) and 0.90% (0.60-1.52) respectively, without significant difference (P = 0.65). Animals from indomethacin group showed (51)Cr-EDTA-IP, median 7.3% (5.1-14.7), significantly higher than cirrhotic and CCl(4)-non exposed rats (P<0.001). This study showed the lack of difference between (51)Cr-EDTA-intestinal permeability in rats with and without cirrhosis. Further studies are necessary to better clarify the relationship between intestinal permeability and cirrhosis.

The relationship between CAG repeat length polymorphism and infertility in Southern Chinese Han women

To research the relationship between polymorphism of trinucleotide (CAG)n repeat alleles of the Exon 1 of androgen receptor gene and women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), or with endometriosis. One hundred and forty-one control women and 74 women with PCOS and with endometriosis were recruited. The (CAG)n repeat alleles were genotyped with 3100 genetic analyser. The repeat number and frequency distributions of (CAG)n alleles were compared and analyzed statistically. The results showed that mean repeat number of the (CAG)n was significantly lower in women with PCOS than in controls (p<0.001). The mean repeat number of the (CAG)n was significantly different between infertile women with endometriosis (p<0.05). However, the differences between infertile women with PCOS and fertile women with PCOS was not significant (p>0.05). These data indicated that (CAG)n repeat polymorphism have some influence, but have not a straight relationship in infertile women with PCOS and with endometriosis in this research population.

Speculative bubbles as anomaly of modern capital markets

Speculative bubbles are one of the main problems that modern economics is dealing with today. It is important problem because there is a straight relationship between bubbles and financial crises about which we hear everyday. From the 17th century “tulip bubble” to the “internet bubble” in which the prices of technological company’s shares surged and then collapsed, many investors have lost fortunes of money. What exactly causes so much panic and trouble in financial markets? In the understanding of these phenomena the behavioural finance can play an important role and consequently give us better knowledge of these phenomena. In the following paper, I have analyzed important behavioural aspects of a bubble, including: herd behaviour, information cascade, overconfidence and optimism, representativeness heuristics and conservatism bias. All these aspects will help to better understand structure of a bubble and suggest ways to mitigate the occurrences and collapses of it in financial markets.