Gene Transfer Systems and Molecular Cloning in Group N Streptococci: A Review

Plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid of group N streptococci codes for a wide variety of important metabolic properties associated with dairy fermentations. The increasing knowledge of the genetics of these bacteria has created exciting possibilities for genetically constructing improved starter strains. A review of current literature is presented on the genetics of group N streptococci, especially the development and implications of gene transfer and molecular cloning systems for further genetic studies and for strain improvement. Functional properties of plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid and gene transfer systems, which include transduction, conjugation, transformation, and protoplast fusion, are reviewed and followed by a discussion of recent advances in gene cloning.     

Comment on "Articulation of values."

This article clarifies several research issues raised in a recent article by Krieshok, Arnold, Kuperman, and Schmitz concerned with repertory grid methodology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The problem of demodulating across argument and literal boundaries

This article is the twenty-fourth of a series of articles discussing various open research problems in automated reasoning. The problem proposed for research asks one to find an appropriate theory for modulating across argument and across literal boundaries. Because demodulation has proved so useful—is most cases, even crucial—to automated reasoning, extending this concept to permit canonicalization to be applied at the predicate and at the clause and subclause levels merits exploration. For evaluating a proposed solution to this research problem, we suggest problems from mathematics, logic, program verification, database inquiry, and the world of puzzles.This work was supported by the Applied Mathematical Sciences subprogram of the Office of Energy Research, U.S. Department of Energy, under Contract W-31-109-Eng-38.     

Electronic Kaleidoscopes for the Mind

The goal ofthis article is to present an informal introduction and tutorial on aestheticallypleasing kaleidoscopic images. The article is intended for the non-mathematical reader interested in computer art. Simple generating formulas and recipes are included.     

Optimization Models for Layout and Pipe Design for Storm Sewer Systems

Optimization models are developed for simultaneously determining the pipe layout and the pipe design for storm sewer systems. The pipe design process includes computation of commercial diameters, slopes, and crown elevations for the storm sewer pipes. The optimization models aim to minimize the total costs of the layout and the pipe design for most of system elements. The optimization models are formulated as a 0–1 Integer Nonlinear Programming problem and solved using the General Algebraic Modeling System without the use of heuristic models which were characteristic of all previous models for the simultaneous determine of the pipe layout and pipe design of sewer networks. The models are based upon two different optimization approaches: (1) considers one or more commercial diameters of pipe connecting two manholes and (2) considers only one commercial diameter in a pipe connecting two manholes. The commercial diameters, pipe slopes, crown elevations, and total costs of the storm sewer system were compared for the two approaches using an example that illustrates the savings in cost by allowing multiple pipe sizes. The two new optimization modeling approaches developed herein can simultaneously determine the minimum cost pipe design (commercial diameters, slopes, and crown elevations) and pipe layout of storm sewer systems and satisfy all design constraints.

     

Robust pose invariant face recognition using coupled latent space discriminant analysis

We propose a novel pose-invariant face recognition approach which we call Discriminant Multiple Coupled Latent Subspace framework. It finds the sets of projection directions for different poses such that the projected images of the same subject in different poses are maximally correlated in the latent space. Discriminant analysis with artificially simulated pose errors in the latent space makes it robust to small pose errors caused due to a subject’s incorrect pose estimation. We do a comparative analysis of three popular latent space learning approaches: Partial Least Squares (PLSs), Bilinear Model (BLM) and Canonical Correlational Analysis (CCA) in the proposed coupled latent subspace framework. We experimentally demonstrate that using more than two poses simultaneously with CCA results in better performance. We report state-of-the-art results for pose-invariant face recognition on CMU PIE and FERET and comparable results on MultiPIE when using only four fiducial points for alignment and intensity features.     

An illusion of memory: False recognition influenced by unconscious perception.

The results of two experiments showed that an illusion of memory can be produced by unconscious perception. In a first phase of those experiments, a long list of words was presented for study. For the test of recognition memory given in the second phase of each experiment, presentation of a "context" word preceded that of most recognition test words. Ss were to judge whether or not the test words had been presented during the earlier study phase of the experiment. Effects of a context word on this recognition memory decision were opposite when Ss were aware vs. unaware of its presentation. For example, as compared to a condition in which no context word was presented, the probability of false recognition was increased when Ss were unaware but decreased when Ss were aware of the presentation of a context word that matched the recognition test word. Results are discussed in terms of unconscious influences on an attribution process. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Microdeformation in partially compatible blends of poly(styrene-acrylonitrile) and polycarbonate

Dilute 3-component 1-phase solutions in methylene chloride of poly(styrene-acrylonitrile) PSAN and polycarbonate PC are used to cast phase separated thin films. Films of pure PSAN, pure PC and five intermediate compositions are examined. The films are bonded to copper grids and strained at a constant rate of 4.1 × 10^–6sec^–1. The median tensile strain _v for void formation is determined using an optical microscope and the regions surrounding the voids are examined by TEM. At room temperature and slow strain rates both PSAN and PC plastically deform by shear yielding. For pure PSAN _v was found to be 0.13 whereas for PC _v exceeds 0.23. The addition of the more ductile polymer PC to PSAN at weight fractionsx forx 0.4 decreases _v. In this case voids form in crazes at the boundaries between the PC-rich inclusion and the PSAN-rich matrix. When the PC content is increased tox = 0.8, _v approaches 0.23. The effect of physical ageing (annealing belowT _g the glass transition temperature) on the mode of plastic deformation was also examined over the same compositional range. Physical ageing was found to suppress shear deformation and favour crazing in PSAN and PSAN-rich phases. Because crazes are more susceptible to breakdown than DZ's (shear deformation zones), physical ageing results in a marked decrease in _v. The breakdown statistics of these phase separated partially compatible blends was found to follow a Weibull distribution in strain from which two parameters may be extracted: the Weibull modulus and _w the Weibull scale parameter. is a measure of the breadth of distribution of void initiation and _w is a measure of the median strain to void formation in the films. The behaviour of _w was found to approximately mirror _v. The Weibull modulus appears to be primarily controlled by the matrix phase.