Reflex facilitation during eyeblink conditioning and subsequent interpositus nucleus inactivation in the rabbit (Orycotolagus cuniculus).

In eyeblink conditioning in the rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), not only is a conditioned response (CR) acquired, but also the original reflex is modified as a function of training. In Experiment 1, by comparing unconditioned responses in unpaired and paired groups, 3 types of reflex facilitation were distinguished. One type was linked to exposure to the unconditioned stimuli (USs) and/or experimental setting. The 2nd type was related to the formation of the memory trace for conditioned eyeblink. The 3rd type was linked to the conditioned stimulus immediately preceding the US in the paired group. In Experiment 2, reversible inactivation of the interpositus nucleus (IPN) abolished the CR and reduced the CR-related reflex facilitation, indicating that the latter depends on the plasticity of the IPN. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Friction coefficient for hexagonal boron nitride surfaces from ab initio calculations

The friction coefficient for two hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) sheets was estimated on the basis of ab initio calculations. Several models, both cluster and periodic one, were applied to describe h-BN and the interactions between its dimers. In all cases, the gauche orientation is favoured, the interaction energies being virtually independent of the size of the model. The friction coefficient values, in contrast, converge towards the values from periodic calculations. At the lower limit of the periodic system, the friction coefficients vary between 0.226 and 0.265 depending on the orientations of the dimers. The calculations are in good agreement with an experimental study of the friction [Saito and Honda, Wear 237 (2000) 253], which suggested a friction coefficient of 0.23–0.25 for h-BN.     

Space-time modeling of macroeconomic development

This article deals with space-time modeling of macroeconomic development or theory of spatial macroeconomic development (SMED). The theory of SMED is a new branch of economics, and it is reviewed here in terms of several published articles. The purpose of SMED is to provide a better accounting and understanding of such processes as urbanization, agricultural development of hinterlands, and spreading of population along easy paths of transporation. In general, SMED deals with growth and spreading of economic activity over space and time. Therefore, space is treated as a basic scarce resource over which economic activity develops through efforts of production, consumption, transportation and migration. In this presentation, the examples of SMED processes are discussed in terms of simple linear models. It is pointed out that such models can be generalized in several different directions in order to treat, for example, spatially inhomogeneous and nonisotropic cases, temporally nonlinear and stochastic cases with distributed lags, and cases with certain important limits to growth. SMED models can be formulated, also, as optimization and control system problems with potentially important implication for public policies for processes of economic development.     

Simultaneous Graphic Generalization of Vector Data Sets

Manual cartographic generalization is a simultaneous process. However, most automatic approaches so far have been sequential; generalization operators are applied one at a time in a certain order. This has been the case both for model generalization (generalization of the conceptual model) and graphic generalization. Our research seeks to demonstrate that the graphic part of cartographic generalization can be formulated as an optimization problem and accordingly be solved in a single step. This paper deals with several issues regarding this optimization approach. Firstly, a set of appropriate analytical constraints for the generalization process is given, as well as rules for when to apply these constraints. In our approach, we are limited to formulating these constraints on point locations. Secondly, least-squares adjustment is proposed to find the optimal solution according to the constraints. Finally, the conjugate-gradients method is recommended for solving the normal equations. A prototype system for simultaneous graphic generalization has been implemented in C++, which communicates with a commercial map production system. Results from three tests of the prototype system are included in the paper.     

Metso化学制浆新技术ChipWayTM木片制备技术

用于木片制备的称为ChipWayTM技术(如图1)，用于制浆的是PulpWayTM技术（编者注：对PulpWayTM技术，本刊今年第1期已做了详细报道）。这两项新技术是Metso造纸机械公司开发的。卸出的木材，其断裂、压碎量最少，并因此大大提高削片质量。木材GentleFeed系统另一主要优点是无障碍运行时间最长。其创造性的无链输送原理减少了计划外生产停机，如木料阻塞或链条断裂等等，而这些事故是经常在链式输送机上发生的。GentleFeed系统可根据各个浆厂的具体情况进行定制。该系统可适用于各种类型的原料，无论是短木或长木，针叶木或阔叶木，热…     

Effect of the gas/product ratio and CO2 concentration on the shelf-life of MA packed fish

Rainbow trout and Baltic herring fillets were gas packed at two different gas/product ratios and two different CO² concentrations. Two reference samples were used; one frozen and one vacuum packed. Changes in gas composition in the gas packages, microbial and sensory quality, K values and drip formation of the fillets were investigated during storage at 2°C. A gas/product ratio of 100 ml/100g gas package was as effective as a vacuum package in preserving the microbial quality of fish and a gas/product ratio of 40ml/100g gas package was as effective as a vacuum package in preserving the sensory quality of fish.     

Carbon-thirteen cross-polarization magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance and Fourier transform infrared studies of thermally modified wood exposed to brown and soft rot fungi

Thermally modified wood has many technically interesting properties, such as increased dimensional stability, low equilibrium moisture content, and enhanced biological and weather resistance. This paper describes solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopic studies on the decay of heat-treated and untreated pine (Pinus sylvestris) by brown (Poria placenta) and soft rot fungi. Both techniques combined with multivariate data analysis proved to be powerful tools for the study of wood degradation by fungi. When untreated pine was exposed to brown or soft rot fungi, a drastic decay of the cell wall polysaccharides was observed. Brown rot fungus degraded mainly hemicelluloses while soft rot fungus attacked cellulose more extensively. The aromatic region of 13C cross-polarization magic angle spinning (CPMAS) NMR spectra revealed that the structure of lignin was also altered. New carboxylic structures were formed as a consequence of the decay. The increased biological resistance of pine wood heat-treated at >220 degrees C was observed in the 13C CPMAS NMR and IR spectra.     

Formation of dimethyl sulphide from S-methylmethionine in onion seedlings (Allium cepa)

Homogenates of onion seedlings catalyse the decomposition of S-methyl-methionine into dimethyl sulphide and homoserine. The reaction is rather slow and seems not to be of primary importance in onion flavour formation or S-methylmethionine metabolism. Extracts of scarlet runner bean seedlings are also active, whereas dormant onion bulb and other seedlings tested showed no or very low activity.