"The Image of Limited Good": Comments on an Exercise in Description and Interpretation

Thai peasants exhibit most of the behavioral characteristics that George Foster describes for peasants generally. But the Thai peasant's society is open, and there are things he values as important "goods" that he perceives as unlimited. Such observations make unclear to whom Foster's model of the Limited Good is to apply, and open to question the psychological premises on which his interpretation rests.     

Festschrift: Short Shrift?

Book reviewed in this article:
From Tzintzuntan to the "Image of Limited Good": Essays in Honor of George M. Foster. M. Clark, R. Kemper , and C. Nelson .
Essays in Humanistic Anthropology: A Festschrift in Honor of David Bidney. Bruce T. Grindal and Dennis M. Warren .
Cross-Examinations. P. H. Gulliver .
Currents in Anthropology: Essays in Honor of Sol Tax. Robert Hinshaw .     

Computer-aided cell colony counting

Counting cell colonies is a tedious task when performed with the light microscope. Moreover, unless strict double-blind protocols are adhered to, biased counts are difficult to avoid. Presented here is a computer software application that performs accurate, reproducible cell colony counts with a minimum of user generated bias. The application is based upon the Apple IICX computer system with Image software and AppleScan. Colonies are grown on 24-well plates and prepared in such a way as to permit good quality scanning. The scans are then transferred to Image and the individual colonies in each well are counted. Good correlation with counts done by light microscopy is achieved.     

Development of new genomic microsatellite markers from robusta coffee (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Coffea canephora</Emphasis>Pierre ex A. Froehner) showing broad cross-species transferability and utility in genetic studies

Background  

Species-specific microsatellite markers are desirable for genetic studies and to harness the potential of MAS-based breeding for genetic improvement. Limited availability of such markers for coffee, one of the most important beverage tree crops, warrants newer efforts to develop additional microsatellite markers that can be effectively deployed in genetic analysis and coffee improvement programs. The present study aimed to develop new coffee-specific SSR markers and validate their utility in analysis of genetic diversity, individualization, linkage mapping, and transferability for use in other related taxa.     

"Natural" progesterone: information on fetal effects

BACKGROUND: A variety of progestational agents have been used therapeutically and evaluated for adverse effects over the last 50 years. However, progesterone itself has come into use as a therapeutic agent only recently with the development of an orally bioavailable "micronized" preparation. METHODS: The current review examines progesterone adverse effects as identified in the larger literature on the toxicity of progestational agents and pharmacokinetics. RESULTS: Progesterone has cytoplasmic and membrane receptors in a variety of reproductive and nonreproductive tissues including the brain and is a potent inhibitor of GnRH. Limited information is available on progesterone receptors and actions in the fetus. Concern about exogenous progestagen effects on fetal reproductive tract development have led to considerable human research over the years, but this literature review demonstrates that contemporary developmental toxicology research on progesterone is lacking. CONCLUSIONS: Progesterone is a potent, multi-faceted endocrine agent with an expanding therapeutic profile and a minimal scientific database for evaluating safe use during pregnancy.     

Systems Metabolic Engineering

Cover illustration Special Issue: Systems Metabolic Engineering. Metabolic engineering combines a mix of approaches, including in silico modeling, omics studies, synthetic biology and protein engineering to improve microorganism strains for increased yields and reduced production costs of desirable chemicals. Such an achievement is exemplified on this Special Issue's cover, which shows an electron microscopy image of Corynebacterium glutamicum that has been engineered to produce a sustainable bio-nylon monomer from hemicellulose sugar found in the cell walls of plants. Image provided by Buschke et al.     

"Apple coring" the nipple in subcutaneous mastectomy

A simple technique is described for removing the ductal tissue from the nipple in a subcutaneous mastectomy. We believe that complete removal of all the ductal tissue is desirable in this operation, and that it will also decrease the incidence of subsequent infection. The operative technique, the problems, the advantages, and the disadvantages of the procedure are described.     

Fluorometric microbore amino acid analyzer: the construction of an inexpensive, highly sensitive instrument using o-phthalaldehyde as a detection agent.

The construction of a highly sensitive microbore amino acid analyzer is described. It is based on a standard column chromatographic separation technique with fluorometric detection utilizing o-phthalaldehyde. This analyzer has several desirable features: low column chromatographic pressure, high sensitivity, and easy maintenance. Good precision at a level of 10 pmol is obtained and as little as 0.2 μg protein has been hydrolyzed for composition analysis. It incorporates the use of the single-column method and constant molarity buffers to shorten the analysis time. It is fully automatic and capable of analyzing 130 samples within 7 days with attention required only for reloading 20 samples while the instrument is in operation. Amino acid composition determination based on the peak area and the peak height is discussed.     

Acetylcholinesterase inhibition by pitofenone: a spasmolytic compound.

Pitofenone, a spasmolytic compound, inhibited the acetylcholinesterase activity from bovine erythrocytes and from electric eel. It is a potent inhibitor of this enzyme from the two sources, with Ki values of 36 and 45 microM, respectively. Of the five compounds structurally related to pitofenone, only those containing a piperidine moiety show acetylcholinesterase inhibition. All these inhibitions are reversible, linear, and noncompetitive in nature. A qualitative correlation between the anticholinesterase and the corresponding antimuscarinic activity for some of these compounds was apparent. Good separation of these two effects would be a desirable feature for newer muscarinic antagonists.     

A “Living” Machine

Biomimetics (or bionics) is the engineering discipline that constructs artificial systems using biological principles. The ideal final result in biomimetics is to create a living machine. But what are the desirable and non-desirable properties of biomimetic product7 Where can natural prototypes be found7 How can technical solutions be transferred from nature to technology? Can we use living nature like LEC, O bricks for oonstmction our machines? How can biology help us? What is a living machine? In biomimetic practice only some “part“ (organ, part of organ, tissue) of the observed whole organism is utilized. A possible template for future super-organism extension for biornimetic methods might be drawn from experiments in holistic ecological agriculture (ecological design, permacuhure, ecological engineering, etc. ). The necessary translation of these roles to practical action can be achieved with the Russian Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ), specifically adjusted to biology. Thus, permaculture, reinforced by a TRIZ conceptual framework, might provide the basis for Super-Organismic Bionics, which is hypothesized as necessary for effective ecological engineering. This hypothesis is supported by a case study-the design of a sustainable artificial nature reserve for wild pollinators as a living machine.     

Hybrid clustering for microarray image analysis combining intensity and shape features

Background  

Image analysis is the first crucial step to obtain reliable results from microarray experiments. First, areas in the image belonging to single spots have to be identified. Then, those target areas have to be partitioned into foreground and background. Finally, two scalar values for the intensities have to be extracted. These goals have been tackled either by spot shape methods or intensity histogram methods, but it would be desirable to have hybrid algorithms which combine the advantages of both approaches.     

Oxidation-reduction potential and concomitant growth patterns of cultures of Earle's "L" cells in centrifuge bottle spinners

Previous studies of oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) variation in monolayer (Roux bottle) cultures pointed out the need for data on pH and ORP patterns in simple spinner cultures. This information was desirable for optimizing conditions of growth in small 1-L and New Brunswick fermentors. Results of experiments in 250-ml centrifuge spinner vessels are presented showing that incubation of media prior to inoculation induces desirable qualities reflected in better growth. The importance of initial ORP values of the medium is discussed. The relationship of ORP levels to yield and longevity of cell growth is also considered. The ORP level of the medium at inoculation is shown to be effected by previous incubation.     

Objective method of comparing DNA microarray image analysis systems

Many image analysis systems are available for processing the images produced by laser scanning of DNA microarrays. The image processing system takes pixel-level intensity data and converts it to a set of gene-level expression or copy number summaries that will be used in further analyses. Image analysis systems currently in use differ with regard to the specific algorithms they implement, ease of use, and cost. Thus, it would be desirable to have an objective means of comparing systems. Here we describe a systematic method of comparing image processing results produced by different image analysis systems using a series of replicate microarray experiments. We demonstrate the method with a comparison of cDNA microarray data generated by the UCSF Spot and the GenePix image processing systems.     

双向凝胶电泳在先天性肛门直肠畸形中的初步应用

目的：寻找先天性肛门直肠畸形患儿直肠末端组织中异常表达的蛋白质。方法：通过二维凝胶电泳分离先天性肛门直肠畸形患儿直肠末端组织及正常新生儿直肠末端组织,用Image Master2D Platium6．0软件比较电泳图谱中的异常蛋白质点。结果：筛选出19个表达差异的蛋白质点,其中有12个蛋白质点表达上调,7个蛋白质点表达下调,差异具有统计学意义。结论：先天性肛门直肠畸形可以导致血清中多种蛋白的异常表达。这些差异表达的蛋白可以为先天性肛门直肠畸形的进一步研究提供了依据。     

Postembedding immunogold labeling for electron microscopy using "LR White" resin

A method is described for performing postembedding immunogold immunocytochemistry on sections of LR White-embedded tissues. Fixation of tissue in a combination of paraformaldehyde and glutaraldehyde, or with low concentrations of glutaraldehyde followed by partial dehydration, resulted in preservation of antigenicity for a variety of proteins in different tissue samples. Good structural preservation facilitated high-resolution immunolabeling when coupled with the use of purified monoclonal antibodies. The technique is straightforward and versatile, offering the potential for many immunocytochemical applications with minimal modifications.     

Préparation in vitro des cellules du sang marquées par des radionucléides : statut et recommandations

Labelled blood cells permit nuclear medicine imaging using their physiological behaviours. The radiolabeling must be performed in vitro because of the lack of specific markers and requires several highly technical stages of preparation. Labelled blood cells have not the medication drug status, so that the nuclear physician conducting the nuclear test is fully liable. In most cases, the physician delegates the technical responsibility to radiopharmacists. Although the status of radiolabelled autologous cells is not legally defined and in the absence of a specific repository, it is essential that their preparation is subject to the requirements of the rules of French Good Manufacturing Practice published by Agence française de sécurité sanitaire des produits de santé (Afssaps). It would be desirable to harmonize the practices of radiolabeling cellular blood components by editing a repository.     

Effects of stream-crossing by a pipeline on the benthic macroinvertebrate communities of a small mountain stream

Aquatic environmental impact associated with stream-crossing by a pipeline was monitored at Archibald Creek, B.C. for two years. Water chemistry and benthic macroinvertebrates were used as monitoring tools. Results indicated that impacts arising from stream-crossing were short-term and non-residual.Funded by a contract from Canadian Arctic Gas Study Limited, calgary, to Aquatic Environments Limited, Calgary.Aquatic Environments Limited, Calgary.Aquatic Environments Limited, Calgary.     

"This Job Is Harder Than It Looks": Rural Oaxacan Women Explain Why They Became Teachers

During the past six decades, rural women throughout the southeastern state of Oaxaca, Mexico, have comprised a significant percentage (currently the majority) of primary teachers. This article demonstrates that this phenomenon is a result of intertwining socioeconomic factors. It examines why expansion of the education system and economic opportunities may contribute to declining enrollment in teacher training programs even though the career remains a viable, and even desirable, choice for certain rural women.     

Study of soil algae

Summary Algal techniques were used to study the soil factors affecting the toxicity of herbicides. It was found that the organic matter adsorbed 18 times more herbicide than clay. The inherent phytotoxicity of different herbicides was tested by these methods and the results obtained compared favourably to those of higher plants. The order of toxicity as tested by algae was: diuron >neburon>monuron>atrazine>simazine>atratone. The prediction of application rates of diuron and simazine by algal methods was tested in the field with wheat as cereal crop. The data obtained testified that the predictions were correct and better than the commercial recommendation. Good chemical control of weeds was achieved by herbicide at the early stage of crop growth. At later stages of crop development the toxicity of the chemical was reduced to insignificance and the crop plants were then capable to compete successfully against the emerging weeds. Thus a biological weed control was obtained. Such combined chemical-biological weed control technique should be regarded as the most desirable practice in agriculture.     

Identification of apolipoprotein A-I as a "STOP" signal for myopia

Good visual acuity requires that the axial length of the ocular globe is matched to the refractive power of the cornea and lens to focus the images of distant objects onto the retina. During the growth of the juvenile eye, this is achieved through the emmetropization process that adjusts the ocular axial length to compensate for the refractive changes that occur in the anterior segment. A failure of the emmetropization process can result in either excessive or insufficient axial growth, leading to myopia or hyperopia, respectively. Emmetropization is mainly regulated by the retina, which generates two opposite signals: "GO/GROW" signals to increase axial growth and "STOP" signals to block it. The presence of GO/GROW and STOP signals was investigated by a proteomics analysis of the retinas from chicken with experimental myopia and hyperopia. Of 18 differentially expressed proteins that were identified, five displayed an expression profile corresponding to GO/GROW signals, and two corresponded to STOP signals. Western blotting confirmed that apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) has the characteristics of a STOP signal both in the retina as well as in the fibrous sclera. In accordance with this, intraocular application of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha agonist GW7647 resulted in up-regulation of apoA-I levels and in a significant reduction of experimental myopia. In conclusion, using a comprehensive functional proteomics analysis of chicken ocular growth models we identified targets for ocular growth control. The correlation of elevated apoA-I levels with reduced ocular axial growth points toward a functional relationship with the observed morphological changes of the eye.