A review on probabilistic graphical models in evolutionary computation

Thanks to their inherent properties, probabilistic graphical models are one of the prime candidates for machine learning and decision making tasks especially in uncertain domains. Their capabilities, like representation, inference and learning, if used effectively, can greatly help to build intelligent systems that are able to act accordingly in different problem domains. Evolutionary algorithms is one such discipline that has employed probabilistic graphical models to improve the search for optimal solutions in complex problems. This paper shows how probabilistic graphical models have been used in evolutionary algorithms to improve their performance in solving complex problems. Specifically, we give a survey of probabilistic model building-based evolutionary algorithms, called estimation of distribution algorithms, and compare different methods for probabilistic modeling in these algorithms.     

Biseugenol Exhibited Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Asthmatic Effects in an Asthma Mouse Model of Mixed-Granulocytic Asthma

In the present work, the anti-inflammatory and antiasthmatic potential of biseugenol, isolated as the main component from n-hexane extract from leaves of Nectandra leucantha and chemically prepared using oxidative coupling from eugenol, was evaluated in an experimental model of mixed-granulocytic asthma. Initially, in silico studies of biseugenol showed good predictions for drug-likeness, with adherence to Lipinski’s rules of five (RO5), good Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism and Excretion (ADME) properties and no alerts for Pan-Assay Interference Compounds (PAINS), indicating adequate adherence to perform in vivo assays. Biseugenol (20 mg·kg⁻¹) was thus administered intraperitoneally (four days of treatment) and resulted in a significant reduction in both eosinophils and neutrophils of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in ovalbumin-sensitized mice with no statistical difference from dexamethasone (5 mg·kg⁻¹). As for lung function parameters, biseugenol (20 mg·kg⁻¹) significantly reduced airway and tissue damping in comparison to ovalbumin group, with similar efficacy to positive control dexamethasone. Airway hyperresponsiveness to intravenous methacholine was reduced with biseugenol but was inferior to dexamethasone in higher doses. In conclusion, biseugenol displayed antiasthmatic effects, as observed through the reduction of inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness, with similar effects to dexamethasone, on mixed-granulocytic ovalbumin-sensitized mice.     

De Novo Design of Selective Quadruplex–Duplex Junction Ligands and Structural Characterisation of Their Binding Mode: Targeting the G4 Hot-Spot

Targeting the interface between DNA quadruplex and duplex regions by small molecules holds significant promise in both therapeutics and nanotechnology. Herein, a new pharmacophore is reported, which selectively binds with high affinity to quadruplex–duplex junctions, while presenting a poorer affinity for G-quadruplex or duplex DNA alone. Ligands complying with the reported pharmacophore exhibit a significant affinity and selectivity for quadruplex–duplex junctions, including the one observed in the HIV-1 LTR-III sequence. The structure of the complex between a quadruplex–duplex junction with a ligand of this family has been determined by NMR methods. According to these data, the remarkable selectivity of this structural motif for quadruplex–duplex junctions is achieved through an unprecedented interaction mode so far unexploited in medicinal and biological chemistry: the insertion of a benzylic ammonium moiety into the centre of the partially exposed G-tetrad at the interface with the duplex. Further decoration of the described scaffolds with additional fragments opens up the road to the development of selective ligands for G-quadruplex-forming regions of the genome.     

Quantum symmetries and thermal field dynamics

In Thermal Field Dynamics, thermal states are obtained from restrictions of vacuum states on a doubled field algebra. It is shown that the suitably doubled Fock representations of the Heisenberg algebra do not need to be introduced by hand but can be canonically handed down from deformations of the extended Heisenberg bialgebra. The relationship between quantum symmetries and doublings is discussed.     

Micellar enhanced spectrofluorometric determination of chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b in fresh waters

The enhancement of the fluorescence of chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b in a non-ionic micellar media is used for the establishment of a new analytical method for the determination of these pigments. After optimization of the variables, including concentration of surfactant, pH, temperature and percentage of organic solvent, the analytical figures of merit are determined. High recovery percentages are found when the method is applied to the simultaneous determination of chlorophyll a and b in synthetic mixtures. Finally, the method is used for the determination of both chlorophylls in local fresh waters, finding excellent agreement with the results obtained by an HPLC/fluorescence method.     

Use of non-ionic surfactant solutions for the extraction and preconcentration of phenolic compounds in water prior to their HPLC-UV detection

A simple and rapid HPLC method with spectrophotometric detection to determine phenolic compounds in water, including the 11 priority phenolic pollutants, is described. As they are present in low concentrations, an extraction and preconcentration step is necessary prior to their determination. A methodology based on the cloud point phenomenon is applied using the non-ionic surfactant oligoethylene glycol monoalkyl ether (Genapol X-080) as extractant. The optimum conditions for the extraction and preconcentration of phenolic derivatives have been established and detection limits lower than 10 micrograms L-1 were obtained for all studied compounds. The method has been applied to their determination in sea water and depurated waste water samples.     

Thermal study of cyclopalladated complexes of the type [Pd<Subscript>2</Subscript>(dmba)<Subscript>2</Subscript>X<Subscript>2</Subscript>(bpe)]

The synthesis, characterization and thermal analysis of the novel cyclometallated compounds [Pd₂(dmba)₂Cl₂(μ-bpe)] (1), [Pd₂(dmba)₂(N₃)₂(μ-bpe)] (2), [Pd₂(dmba)₂(NCO)₂(μ-bpe)] (3), [Pd₂(dmba)₂(SCN)₂(μ-bpe)] (4), [Pd₂(dmba)₂(NO₃)₂(μ-bpe)] (5) (bpe=trans-1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene; dmba=N,N-dimethylbenzylamine) are described. The thermal stability of [Pd₂(dmba)₂X₂(μ-bpe)] complexes varies in the sequence 1>4>3>2>5. The final residues of the thermal decompositions were characterized as metallic palladium by X-ray powder diffraction.     

Production of hyaluronic acid by Streptococcus

The effects of the addition of lysozyme and forced aeration on the rheological properties and production of hyaluronic acid by Streptococcus zooepidemicus were investigated. Lysozyme was added to the culture broth in two pulses during the exponential and stationary phases of a fermentation carried out in a rotary shaker (150 rpm), using 200 mL Erlenmeyer flasks. The effect of aeration was evaluated by feeding air into a 2.5 L fermentor at a 2 vvm rate. The effects were analyzed in terms of concentration, viscosity, viscoelasticity, and molecular weight of the hyaluronic acid produced.