Food selection by western gorillas (G.g. gorilla) in relation to food chemistry

Summary Samples of stems, leaves, shoots and fruit (N=36) from lowland, African rain forest are analyzed for nutrients, digestibility and digestion-inhibiting substances. Plants from which the samples are drawn are all important in the diet of western gorillas, large generalist herbivores in coastal Cameroon. Many of the plants are common in the early succession following disturbance to the forest. Analysis of food chemistry in relation to food preference indicates that lignin, digestibility and crude protein are the most significant factors in food selection for western gorillas at this site. Food chemistry of western gorillas is compared to food chemistry of mountain gorillas in the montane forest of East Africa. Foliage consumed by western gorillas contains more condensed tannin than does foliage consumed by mountain gorillas. The greater content of condensed tannin in the leaves consumed by western gorillas is related to the greater representation of woody plants in the western diet.     

Genomic patenting and the utility requirement

This paper analyses the ways in which genomic knowledge is portrayed as useful knowledge in gene patenting in order to fulfil the 'utility'/'industrial applicability' requirement for patentability. It gives examples of utility claims in gene patents and asks whether genomics (as opposed to genetics) changes our ideas about what is useful and what can be patented. It puts forward a provisional classification of different types of utility and argues that merely identifying the physiological function of a gene diverges radically from our commonsense understanding of what it is for an invention to be useful. Furthermore, social, political and ethical issues inevitably arise when discussing the utility requirement, because an invention cannot be useful in isolation from a social context.     

Role of lectins in plant--microorganism interactions. IV. Ultrastructural localization of soybean lectin binding sites of Rhizobium japonicum

The binding of purified, ferritin-labeled soybean seed lectin to the cell surfaces of Rhizobium japonicum 31 lb 138 has been examined by whole mount, thin section, and freeze-etch electron microscopy. The ferritin-labeled lectin binds in a biochemically specific manner to the capsular material of this bacterium. The lectin does not bind to the outer membranes of the cells or to flagella. Labeled lectin binds to sites throughout the capsular structure, although the density of labeling is somewhat greater on the outer surface of the capsule. Some cells appear to be partially encapsulated. Preservation of the capsular material proved difficult, and methods for retaining most of the capsular material were developed.     

Predicting consumer behavior: using novel mind-reading approaches

Advances in machine learning as applied to functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data offer the possibility of pretesting and classifying marketing communications using unbiased pattern recognition algorithms. By using these algorithms to analyze brain responses to brands, products, or existing marketing communications that either failed or succeeded in the marketplace and identifying the patterns of brain activity that characterize success or failure, future planned campaigns or new products can now be pretested to determine how well the resulting brain responses match the desired (successful) pattern of brain activity without the need for verbal feedback. This major advance in signal processing is poised to revolutionize the application of these brain-imaging techniques in the marketing sector by offering greater accuracy of prediction in terms of consumer acceptance of new brands, products, and campaigns at a speed that makes them accessible as routine pretesting tools that will clearly demonstrate return on investment.     

每搏量变异度在围手术期容量治疗监测中的应用

每搏量变异度是动态的容量监测指标.机械通气患者心肺的相互作用是每搏量变异度的产生基础,通过动脉压力波形分析技术可以进行连续监测.每搏量变异度能够准确预测容量治疗反应,与静态的血流动力学参数相比,对于优化心输出量和组织氧供更有优势,但也存在一定的局限性.每搏量变异度受多种因素影响且不能用于自主呼吸和心律失常的患者.临床应用时应该综合考虑其影响因素,结合其他的指标和方法指导容量治疗.     

Effect of dietary selenium on the response of stressed and unstressed chickens toEscherichia coli challenge and antigen

Selenium was added to the feed of White Leghorn type chickens 1 day prior to challenge with eitherEscherichia coli or sheep erythrocyte antigen. the incidence of death or lesions was reduced from 86% to 21% at the optimal dose of selenium (0.4 mg/kg resulting in feed concentration of 0.45 mg/kg). After the chickens were stressed by chilling, selenium was ineffective againstE. coli. Dietary additions of selenium between 0.1 and 0.8 mg/kg resulted in an antibody titer increase from 2.2 to 3.9 to the log₂ against sheep erythrocytes (SRBC). Followng chilling, antibody titer response was reduced from 4.9 to 2.4 to the log₂. This titer reduction could be prevented with dietary additions of selenium between 0.1 and 1.2 mg/kg. The effects of a nitrofuran and selenium were additive againstE. coli challenge infection.