In this paper we extend our previous results in dual approach to analysis and simulation of a complex ecological system of preys and predators. We first define nonlinear dynamic equations Lotka-Volterra Model (LVM) with three preys and three predators and then simulate the equivalent situation with an Agent Based Model (ABM) which models a variety of species attributes and behaviors using NetLogo simulation environment for ABM model. The idea is that the LVM and ABM methods reinforce each other as the predator-prey models become more complex and their dimensionality rises. In particular LVM’s parameters, components of community matrix, can be fine tuned using ABM simulations. Dual approach may be able to answer and qualify some of the long standing ecological paradoxes.

The design of shape-changing interfaces to show emotions relies on craft skill with few clear guidelines. Through two experiments, we explore how to design such interfaces using theories of the relation between biological motion and affect. In the first experiment, 19 participants viewed six shape-changing behaviors that varied the velocity, fluidity, direction, and orientation of the movement of an extrusion from a small box in accordance with existing theories of affective motion. Participants were able to recognize four of the six intended basic Ekman emotions (sadness, fear, happiness, surprise) with above-chance probability. The second experiment used 36 shape-changing behaviors that systematically varied speed, regularity of motion, and direction. For each behavior, 23 participants rated valence, arousal, and dominance. Speed, direction, and orientation impacted emotion ratings significantly and in the predicted directions. These results offer an initial basis for the systematic design of emotions in shape-changing interfaces.

We consider the modulus of noncompact convexity $\Delta_{X,\phi}(\varepsilon)$ associated with the minimalizable measure of noncompactness $\phi$. We present some properties of this modulus, while the main result of this paper is showing that $\Delta_{X,\phi }(\varepsilon)$ is a subhomogenous and continuous function on $[0,\phi (\bar{B}_X))$ for an arbitrary minimalizable measure of compactness $\phi$ in the case of a Banach space $X$ with the Radon-Nikodym property.

The research on 10 old and indigenous pear cultivars was conducted during 2012 and 2013 in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The following characteristics were determined: fruit weight, fruit length and width, stalk length and width, fruit flesh firmness ; soluble solids content and total dry matter content of the fruit juice ; pH, titratable acidity, vitamin C, total phenolics, total flavonoids and antioxidant activity of the fruit cell juice. On the basis of the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of pomological fruit characteristics the studied cultivars were divided into four main groups. Based on the PCA of biochemical traits the studied cultivars can be divided into three groups. Extremely high phenolic content in the cvs Mioljnjaca, Žutica, Poljakinja, Karamut and Gradiscanka recommends them for their inclusion in a breeding programme. The cvs Mioljnjaca and Poljakinja are also characterised by large and firm fruit and since the antioxidant capacity affects the duration of fruit storage, it is expected that these traditionally grown varieties can survive longer and keep their valuable nutritional ingredients longer.

Electrostatic gating enables key functionality in modern electronic devices by altering the properties of materials. While classical electrostatics is usually sufficient to understand the effects of gating in extended systems, the inherent quantum properties of gating in nanostructures offer unexplored opportunities for materials and devices. Using first-principles calculations for Co/bilayer graphene, Co/BN/graphene, and Co/BN/benzene, as well as a simple physical model, we show that heterostructures with two-dimensional materials yield tunable magnetic proximity effects. van der Waals bonding is identified as a requirement for large electronic structure changes by gating, enabling both the magnitude and sign change of spin polarization in physisorbed graphene. The ability to electrically reverse the spin polarization of an electrode provides an alternative to using the applied magnetic field or spin transfer torque in spintronic devices, thus transforming a spin valve into a spin transistor.

Mitochondria have their own translation machinery that produces key subunits of the OXPHOS complexes. This machinery relies on the coordinated action of nuclear-encoded factors of bacterial origin that are well conserved between humans and yeast. In humans, mutations in these factors can cause diseases; in yeast, mutations abolishing mitochondrial translation destabilize the mitochondrial DNA. We show that when the mitochondrial genome contains no introns, the loss of the yeast factors Mif3 and Rrf1 involved in ribosome recycling neither blocks translation nor destabilizes mitochondrial DNA. Rather, the absence of these factors increases the synthesis of the mitochondrially-encoded subunits Cox1, Cytb and Atp9, while strongly impairing the assembly of OXPHOS complexes IV and V. We further show that in the absence of Rrf1, the COX1 specific translation activator Mss51 accumulates in low molecular weight forms, thought to be the source of the translationally-active form, explaining the increased synthesis of Cox1. We propose that Rrf1 takes part in the coordination between translation and OXPHOS assembly in yeast mitochondria. These interactions between general and specific translation factors might reveal an evolutionary adaptation of the bacterial translation machinery to the set of integral membrane proteins that are translated within mitochondria.

BACKGROUND Schizophrenia is a serious public health problem and is ranked among the most disabling diseases in the world. The sub-study presented here was part of a larger project to characterize the burden of schizophrenia on healthcare systems and on individuals living with the disease in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). AIMS This sub-study aimed to assess and analyze the impact of schizophrenia on many aspects of the lives of patients and caregivers. METHODS Psychiatrists from selected centers in seven Central and Eastern European countries were asked to complete a questionnaire in order to collect information about the disease history, characteristics, treatment protocols and resources used for each randomly selected patient. All data were statistically analyzed and compared between countries. RESULTS Data from 961 patients with schizophrenia (mean age 40.7 years, 45.1% female) were included in the analysis. The mean number of days spent in hospital per patient per year across all seven countries was 25.3 days. Hospitalization occurred on average once per year, with psychiatrist visits 9.4 times per year. Of the patients in the study, 61% were single, 12% divorced and 22% married or cohabiting. Almost 84% were living with relatives or a partner; only 17% lived alone and, on average, 25% of patients received support from social workers. Relatives provided care for approximately 60% of patients and 4% of them had to stop working in order to do so. Twenty-nine percent of the patients were unemployed, and 56% received a disability pension or were retired, with only 19% in full-time employment or education. CONCLUSION Schizophrenia has a significant effect on the lives of patients and caregivers and impacts their social integration.