The pathophysiological effect of scarlet fever toxin

The intravenous injection of scarlet fever toxin leads to acute changes in the white blood picture. The changes are correlated to the dose; a small dose causes lymphopenia and granulocytosis, while higher doses are followed by initial granulocytopenia. Tolerant rabbits do not have granulocytopenia, but lymphopenia persists. Tolerance to the leucopenic effect of the toxin probably develops somewhat sooner and lasts longer than tolerance to its pyrogenic effect. The blood picture of a cortisone-treated rabbit after the intravenous injection of scarlet fever toxin resembles the blood picture of a tolerant rabbit. The significance and associations of these observations are briefly discussed.     

An evaluation of the influence of modifications of selected face elements on the reliability of composite drawings

The modification of various face elements in a composite drawing influences its reliability in relation to the corresponding photograph. Changes in various face elements are the cause of this decrease in similarity, when examined by both sexes. The results of an initial test suggest: regardless of the observing subject's sex, the highest rated picture (regarded as the most similar one) was the original picture. The face with a shortened nose height (n-sn) was recognised as the least similar to the original. In the second test, this picture obtained the lowest number of points, irrespective of the examining subjects' sex. In the examining group of females, the picture with changed bigonial breadth (go-go) was rated low. In the group of males the picture with a shortened interocular breadth (en-en) appeared poorly reliable. In the case of females, the likeness of the composite drawing to the photograph is least affected by shortening of mouth breadth (ch-ch), whereas in males, by the decrease in nose breadth (al-al).     

An Attempt to Increase the Longevity of Cut Daffodils (Narcissus pseudonarcissus) by Chemical Treatments

The use of pictures to illustrate science text is not usually taken to be problematic. However, the ‘picture superiority effect’ (PSE), whereby pictures are deemed to enhance learning from text, has been examined systematically over the last decade and has been found to be more equivocal than was hitherto believed. Part 1 of this review of the PSE in learning biology examines a number of perceptual considerations that need to be given to picture construction. It examines the major parameters which appear to attract the learner's attention to the picture in the first place, and then directs their subsequent viewing. These parameters are important because they exert control over the information the learner extracts from the picture. They are also important because, once recognized, it should be possible to control their influence in such a way as to optimize learning. These parameters fall into two main categories: those residing within the picture itself (for example, figure-ground differentiation) and those within the learner (for example, cultural bias). The review discusses ways in which within-picture variables such as depth of field and colour can be manipulated to re-inforce the intended message. It also suggests that more explicit instructions need to be given to learners to guide their use of texts with picture adjuncts. The importance of teaching children how to read pictures is complicated by the ways in which picture and text interact in the mind of the learner, and future comment on this aspect of the learning process is deferred to Part 2 of the article, which deals specifically with aspects of picture-text processing.     

On the mechanism of action of carbonic anhydrase

The catalytic mechanism of the enzyme carbonic anhydrase has recently been the subject of renewed debate. The generally accepted picture of the mechanism of the enzyme's action has been thrown into doubt by new evidence derived from spectroscopic techniques. In this paper some of the points of conflict are examined and the degree is assessed to which new evidence is incompatible with the previously held picture of CA action. Reinterpretations are put forward of the mechanisms of proton transfer between enzyme and solution and of the detailed mechanism of ligand displacement at the zinc ion. These show that the generally accepted picture of the mechanism of CA action is by no means disproved and remains plausible.     

Effects of picture size reduction and blurring on emotional engagement

The activity of basic motivational systems is reflected in emotional responses to arousing stimuli, such as natural pictures. The manipulation of picture properties such as size or detail allows for investigation into the extent to which separate emotional reactions are similarly modulated by perceptual changes, or, rather, may subserve different functions. Pursuing this line of research, the present study examined the effects of two types of perceptual degradation, namely picture size reduction and blurring, on emotional responses. Both manipulations reduced picture relevance and dampened affective modulation of skin conductance, possibly because of a reduced action preparation in response to degraded or remote pictures. However, the affective modulation of the startle reflex did not vary with picture degradation, suggesting that the identification of these degraded affective cues activated the neural circuits mediating appetitive or defensive motivation.     

GIS在卧龙野生大熊猫种群动态及栖息地监测中的应用

本文初步探讨了地理信息系统(GIS)技术在卧龙自然保护区野生大熊猫种群动态及其栖息地监测方面的应用方法,包括野外取样、定位、数据收集、室内资料整理、基本图层数字化、数据统计、卫星照片解译以及监测与栖息地专题图的制作,同时指出了提高卫片解译精度的有关问题。     

Optimization of error-correction processes with respect to time. Comparison to free energy aspects

Time aspects of selection processes with the possibility of error correction through proofreading branches are studied by mathematical modelling of the kinetics of the reaction network. The methods are similar to those previously developed for free energy aspects. The minimum time delay that is necessary for achieving a certain accuracy level can then be calculated. The main difference to previous results lies in the initial association-dissociation step. In the free energy picture, this shall be essentially equilibrated, but that would yield a too large time delay in the time picture. Characteristic features that are indicative for the optimization strategy of the cell are discussed.     

AUTOMATIC RECORDING OF MOVEMENTS OF PLANT ORGANS

An automatic photographic recording apparatus is described. It uses plates sensitized to the red end of the spectrum for recording movements of organs of plants which cannot be photographed in white light. It enables one to obtain two types of pictures: 1. A "standing plate" picture where the successive positions of the organ to be registered are superimposed on the same plate, no motion being imparted to the plate. 2. A "moving plate" picture where, by means of a clock-controlled plate shifter, each successive picture is entirely separate from the preceding one.     

Quantifying retinal capillary circulation using the scanning laser ophthalmoscope

The quantitative picture analysis of video fluorescein angiograms allows one to evaluate retinal hemodynamics. However, this method does not permit us to quantify the retinal capillary perfusion. Now, for the first time, we are able to quantify capillary bloodflow directly and objectively by means of scanning laser ophthalmoscopy. Even the measurement of the bloodflow velocity in all capillaries is now possible. Using digital frame-to-frame picture analysis of digital recordings, bloodflow velocities can be measured on the basis of the movement of dye boluses.     

Immunofluorescent staining of lung biopsy in fibrosing alveolitis

There is a group of lung diseases, as yet of unknown cause, which are characterized by a pathologic picture of alveolar wall fibrosis with an intra-alveolar exudate containing large cells. A case is reported with this clinicopathological picture in which immunofluorescent studies of the biopsied lung tissue revealed no tissue-bound immunoglobulins, complement component (β₁ C) or fibrinogen. The literature on the immunofluorescent studies of biopsied lung tissue in this group of lung diseases is reviewed. The reports are scant and varied, making it impossible to conclude that autoallergic mechanisms are solely responsible as the pathogenetic mechanism in this group of lung diseases.     

Electrostatics of Prokaryotic Ribosome and Its Biological Implication

Ribosomes are essential machines for protein synthesis in cells. Their structures are very complex but conserved in different species. Because most parts of a ribosome are composed of negatively charged RNAs, its electrostatics should play a fundamental role in the realization of its functions. However, a complete picture of the electrostatics of ribosomes is still absent at present. Here, assisted by the latest version of DelPhi (version 8.4), we illustrate a picture of the electrostatics of a prokaryotic ribosome as well as its molecular chaperones. The revealed electrostatics features are consistent with available experimental data as well as the functions of the ribosome and its molecular chaperones and provides a basis for further studying the mechanism underlying these functions.     

Neural Correlates of Processing Negative and Sexually Arousing Pictures

Recent work has questioned whether the negativity bias is a distinct component of affective picture processing. The current study was designed to determine whether there are different neural correlates of processing positive and negative pictures using event-related brain potentials. The early posterior negativity and late positive potential were greatest in amplitude for erotic pictures. Partial Least Squares analysis revealed one latent variable that distinguished erotic pictures from neutral and positive pictures and another that differentiated negative pictures from neutral and positive pictures. The effects of orienting task on the neural correlates of processing negative and erotic pictures indicate that affective picture processing is sensitive to both stimulus-driven, and attentional or decision processes. The current data, together with other recent findings from our laboratory, lead to the suggestion that there are distinct neural correlates of processing negative and positive stimuli during affective picture processing.     

A model linking water and protein structures

This communication presents a new picture of protein and solvent in which they are much more closely related both structurally and functionally than hitherto described. The picture is based on the recently published model of liquid structure, which proposes that clusters in water have long-term rather than flickering existence and are as large as proteins. Their spacial dimensions ensure that the two structures have a mutual tendency to pack together and cooperate in their vibrational motion.     

Is the evolution of Cnox-2 Hox/ParaHox genes "multicolored" and "polygenealogical?"

Understanding the evolution of metazoan bauplans is linked to understanding the evolution of Hox and ParaHox genes. At the base of metazoan radiation we see in both cases a quite confusing picture yet. Here Cnox-2 is one of the best studied diploblast Hox genes. Homologs of this gene are known from Placozoa and several Cnidaria. In those cases where full length gene sequences, or at least full length homeobox sequences, are available the relationship to Hox genes from triploblastic animals as well as the classification to Hox or ParaHox genes can be controversially discussed. The existing data on possible gene functions also reveal a quite heterogeneous picture. It seems conceivable that part of the "multicolored" picture relates to a "polygenealogical" origin of the Cnox-2 gene.     

Does Viewing a Picture of a Pet During a Mental Arithmetic Task Lower Stress Levels?

Pets can reduce stress in their owner; however, they are not always permitted in public and institutional places. This study examined the impact of people viewing a picture of their pet versus other images on stress levels. One hundred and twenty participants were randomly assigned to one of six conditions. These involved completing a mental arithmetic task while viewing a picture of either their personal pet; an unfamiliar animal; a familiar, supportive person; a stranger; a pleasant image of nature; or no image. Stress was measured through subjective and physiological methods. For participants, viewing a picture of their pet did not reduce their stress response to the task, while viewing a picture of a familiar, supportive person increased the stress response, relative to the controls. Post-stressor, participants in the personal-pet condition rated the picture as making them feel more relaxed, compared with the other conditions. Active interaction with a pet may be required to reduce stress.     

多时滞三种群捕食模型的持久性和全局渐近性

研究了一类多时滞非自治三种群捕食模型的持久性和全局渐近稳定性,分别利用比较原理和构造Lyapunov函数方法得到了模型持久生存与全局渐近稳定性的充分条件,并举例说明定理的可行性且利用Matlab绘出图像.     

A Method of Fuzzy-Theory-Based Computer-Aided Exploratory Data Analysis

When evaluating functional relationships from given data in an exploratory state of investigation, we only want to get an imagination of a possibly existing trend. Usually, methods of local or empirical regression are chosen to meet this purpose. In the paper we suggest an alternative using the possibilities of modern picture processing methods and computers. The data were transformed into a grey-tone picture representing a fuzzy observation set, the maximum trace of which yields the desired first impression of the trend and may serve as the starting point for further detailed evaluation of the functional relationship. The method is illustrated by a real-data numerical example.     

The histological picture of the hypothalamus (the nucleus preopticus) and hypophysis in male Anguilla anguilla L. treated with hormones

Studies were conducted on the effect of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), testosterone and desoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) on the histological picture of the nucleus preopticus (NPO), hypophysis and gonads of male European eels. It was ascertained that none of the injections used changed the content of the Gomori-positive material within the NPO cells. HCG and testosterone injections altered the histological picture of the hypophysis and injections of HCG influenced the gonads by accelerating their maturity. The injections of DOCA did not change the histological picture of the hypophysis and gonads in male eels.