Complementary methodology in the analysis of rhythmic data, using examples from a complex situation, the rhythmicity of temperature in night shift workers

The methodology for analyzing a biological rhythm has already been the subject of much investigation. However, many questions still have no answer, for example, questions such as the periods chosen: fixed or determined. Throughout this article, we suggest a somewhat innovative methodology that makes it possible to define the steps that seem essential to us in the scientific analysis of rhythms. For some time, this methodology has been put into practice in our laboratory in various studies, some of which have given rise to publications. The notion of quality is a new notion that is present in industry and, when applied to sampling, can improve experimentation. In this way, one may judge the degree to which data samples can be explored as well as the degree of validity of the results of exploration. We provide several methods for achieving this. The search for periods is also important. For this, we have various methods but we must be able to determine those that are the most appropriate and reliable in a particular case. We propose spectral methods, two of which are new and complement 'Cosinor' methodology. On the other hand, modelling uses various methods such as those from, for example, periodic trigonometric functions or more complex chaos functions. We are interested in models from the field of regression (the cosine model) and complementary statistical tests that make it possible to validate the proposed model.     

What mirror self-recognition in nonhumans can tell us about aspects of self

Research on mirror self-recognition where animals are observed for mirror-guided self-directed behaviour has predominated the empirical approach to self-awareness in nonhuman primates. The ability to direct behaviour to previously unseen parts of the body such as the inside of the mouth, or grooming the eye by aid of mirrors has been interpreted as recognition of self and evidence of a self-concept. Three decades of research has revealed that contrary to monkeys, most great apes (humans, common chimpanzees, pygmy chimpanzees and orangutans but not the gorilla) have convincingly displayed the capacity to recognize self by mirrors. The putative discontinuity in phylogeny of the ability suggests the existence of a so-called cognitive gap between great apes and the rest of the animal kingdom. However, methodological and theoretical inconsistencies regarding the empirical approach prevail. For instance, the observation of self-directed behaviour might not be as straightforward as it seems. In addition, the interpretation of mirror self-recognition as an index of self-awareness is challenged by alternative explanations, raising doubt about some assumptions behind mirror self-recognition. To evaluate the significance of the test in discussions of the concept of self this paper presents and analyses some major arguments raised on the mirror task.     

Modelling methodology in physiopathology

Diseases are complex systems. Modelling them, i.e. systems physiopathology, is a quite demanding, complicated, multidimensional, multiscale process. As such, in order to achieve the goal of the model and further to optimise a rather-time and resource-consuming process, a relevant and easy to practice methodology is required. It includes guidance for validation. Also, the model development should be managed as a complicated process, along a strategy which has been elaborated in the beginning. It should be flexible enough to meet every case. A model is a representation of the available knowledge. All available knowledge does not have the same level of evidence and, further, there is a large variability of the values of all parameters (e.g. affinity constant or ionic current) across the literature. In addition, in a complex biological system there are always values lacking for a few or sometimes many parameters. All these three aspects are sources of uncertainty on the range of validity of the models and raise unsolved problems for designing a relevant model. Tools and techniques for integrating the parameter range of experimental values, level of evidence and missing data are needed.     

Percentage ash content of nonhuman primate long limb bones

Trotter and Hixon ('76) and Vose and Roach ('72) presented conflicting data about percentage ash content of the long limb bones of M. mulatta and M. nemestrina. The suggestion of Trotter and Hixon ('76) that this discrepancy was due to methods of preparing the bone prior to ashing, rather than to species differences, was tested using data collected by Gong ('72) on the volumetric composition of nonhuman primate bone. Masses of the various chemical fractions of bone reported by Gong ('72) were used to compute ash content as a percentage of total dry weight and ash content as a percentage of fat-free dry weight. Good agreement was found between ash content as a percentage of total dry weight and the data of Vose and Roach ('72); good agreement was also found between ash content as a percentage of fat-free dry weight and the data of Trotter and Hixon ('76). This suggests that the data of Vose and Roach ('72) conflict with those of Trotter and Hixon ('76) because Vose and Roach ('72) failed to defat the bones prior to ashing. No actual species differences exist in the ash content of bones of M. mulatta and M. nemestrina. The data of Trotter and Hixon ('76) are most likely a more adequate reflection of both the magnitude and the regional similarity of ash content in nonhuman primate bone.     

现代民族植物学引论

提出了“现代民族植物学”的概念,阐述了其内涵,简要介绍了研究思路和方法,并用具体事例说明了现代民族植物学的重要意义.现代民族植物学是民族植物学的一个发展阶段,是指利用现代科学技术手段(计算机科学、信息科学、分子生物学、药物化学等等)研究当地人群与植物之间的相互作用关系.以AFLP和SSR分子标记技术研究云南藏区青稞种质资源的研究为例,证明了传统文化在植物遗传多样性保护中的作用.对滇东南瑶族药浴植物荷花藤的药物化学研究,证实了其传统药浴知识的科学合理性.现代民族植物学具有广阔的发展和应用前景.     

Valuation methods within LCA - Where are the values?

It is generally recognised that the valuation in LCA requires political, ideological and/or ethical values (hence the term). These values, however, are seldom discussed, and this paper may he seen as an early attempt. One result is that not only the valuation weighting factors, but also the choice of valuation methodology and the choice of using a valuation weighting method at all, are influenced by fundamental ethical and ideological valuations. Since there is no societal consensus on these fundamental values, and never will be one in an open democratic society, there is no reason to expect consensus either on valuation weighting factors, or on the valuation method or even on the choice of using a valuation weighting method at all. Another result of the discussion on values is that the ethical and ideological valuations are often made implicitly in the choice of method, data, etc., thus making it difficult to discuss the values and the implications of different standpoints. Although this paper focus on the valuation methods within LCA, it is expected that much of the discussion and the conclusions are of relevance for other environmental management tools, e.g. Environmental Impact Assessment.     

一株Bacillus sublitisJH-1发酵产木聚糖酶培养基的响应面优化

利用刚果红透明圈法从秸秆堆肥中筛选出一株产木聚糖酶菌株Bacillus sublitis JH-1,以单因素试验为基础,采用响应面试验设计对Bacillus sublitis JH-1液态发酵产木聚糖酶的培养基进行了优化,得到产木聚糖酶发酵最适条件为:培养温度33℃,p H值6.0,麦芽糖浓度为2.6%,酵母粉浓度为1.2%,KH2PO4浓度为1.2%,发酵产酶量比优化前提高了1.8倍。     

On Bennett's measure of sex dimorphism

A modified measure of sex dimorphism for quantitative traits is suggested considering the regions of nonoverlap of the distributions of the trait in the two sex groups. Some inadequacies of an earlier measure that disregards the presence of members of the opposite sex group beyond the threshold value discriminating the two distributions are indicated.     

Analysis of petroleum biodesulfurization in an airlift bioreactor using response surface methodology

For the first time, growing cells of Gordonia alkanivorans RIPI90A were used for biodesulfurization (BDS) of diesel. This process was carried out in an internal airlift bioreactor. BDS parameters (oil/water phase ratio and initial sulfur concentration) were optimized in flasks using response surface methodology. Predicted results were found to be in good agreement with experimental results. Initial sulfur concentration had a remarkable effect on BDS process. Maximum removal of sulfur (21 mg/l) can be achieved at oil/water phase ratio of 25% (v/v) and initial sulfur concentration of 28 mg/l. Moreover, effect of superficial gas velocity (Ug) and working volume (v) on volumetric gas liquid mass transfer coefficient was studied in an airlift bioreactor for BDS of diesel. The best results were achieved at Ug and v of 2.5l/min and 6.6l, respectively. Subsequently, BDS of diesel was investigated in an airlift bioreactor under optimized conditions. Sulfur reduction after 30 h was 14 mg/l.     

Simulation experiments in bionics: a regulative methodological perspective

Bionic technologies connecting biological nervous systems to computer or robotic devices for therapeutic purposes have been recently claimed to provide novel experimental tools for the investigation of biological mechanisms. This claim is examined here by means of a methodological analysis of bionics-supported experimental inquiries on adaptive sensory-motor behaviours. Two broad classes of bionic systems (regarded here as hybrid simulations of the target biological system) are identified, which differ from each other according to whether a component of the biological target system is replaced by an artificial component, or else a component of an artificial system is replaced by a biological component. The role of these hybrid systems in the modelling of adaptive sensory-motor biological behaviours is discussed with reference to bionics-supported experiments on the mechanisms of body stabilization in lampreys. Methodological problems emerging from these case studies often arise in computer-based and biorobotic simulations of biological behaviours too. Accordingly, the present analysis contributes to identifying a more general regulative methodological framework for the machine-based modelling of biological systems.