A temporal model of linear anti-Hebbian learning

A temporal variant of Foldiak's first model with lateral inhibitory synaptic weights is proposed. The usual symmetric scalar values of the lateral weights are replaced with data driven asymmetric memory based lateral weights, which take the form of Finite Impulse Response (FIR) coefficients. Linear anti-Hebbian learning, as defined by Foldiak (IEEE/INNS International Joint Conference on Neural Networks, 1989) and Matsuoka et al. (Neural Networks, Vol. 8, pp. 411–419, 1995), is employed in the self-organisation of the network weights. The temporal anti-Hebbian learning, when applied to the separation of convolved mixtures of signals, causes the network weights to converge to the truncated FIR filter coefficients of the unmixing transfer function and so recover the original signals. Simulation results are presented for separating two natural speech sources convolved and mixed by a priori unknown direct and cross-coupled transfer functions. We compare temporal anti-Hebbian learning with information maximisation learning when applied to the blind separation of convolved sources.     

Diagnosis of Rett syndrome: can a radiograph help?

Rett syndrome (RS), a neurodevelopmental disorder almost exclusively affecting girls, is associated with severe intellectual and motor disability. In the absence of biological markers, diagnosis is determined by a set of clinical criteria. In a previous study in Scotland, shortening of the fourth metatarsal was reported clinically in 20% of classical RS cases aged 5 years or older. The Australian Rett Syndrome Study database has facilitated a population-based radiological study of the hands and feet of girls with RS. Straight radiographs of hands and feet were available from 94 cases, representing 70.1% of the known RS population in Australia. Control radiographs were matched for age, sex, and laterality. Relative shortening of the fourth metacarpal/metatarsal was assessed using the sign method. A short ulna (negative ulna variance) was defined as the distal articular surface of the ulna being at least 5mm proximal to the distal articular surface of the radius. A positive metacarpal sign was twice as common in verified cases of RS than in controls in the right but not the left hand. A short ulna was more common in subjects with RS than in controls. A short fourth metatarsal was also more common among subjects with RS. More than half (56.6%) the girls with RS over the age of 4 years had a negative ulnar variance in either wrist or a metatarsal sign in either foot. These findings will assist with the diagnosis of RS and may help direct research towards the location of the molecular defect.     

Physical and hydrodynamic characteristics of a dairy shed waste stabilisation pond system.

Waste stabilization pond systems are widely used to treat animal wastes under highly variable hydraulic loading regimes. These systems have received limited research attention with regard to their hydrodynamic behaviour and the potential impact of shock hydraulic loading on their performance. In this study a two-stage dairy shed waste stabilisation pond system was topographically surveyed to determine the physical shape and the theoretical hydraulic retention time (HRT) of each pond, as well as the extent of sludge accumulation in the primary pond. The primary pond was then subjected to a series of drogue tracking runs whereby weighted floating survey targets with submerged 'sails' were tracked during their movement through the pond at times of peak flow in order to characterise the hydrodynamic behaviour of the pond. The full capacity volumes of the primary and secondary ponds were calculated to be 1285 m3 and 2391 m3, respectively. Sludge had been accumulating in the primary pond at a rate of 0.73 m3/d over a period of 2.4 years and this has reduced the active treatment volume of the pond to 657 m3. Based on mean outflow, the HRTs of the ponds were 40 d and 137 d, respectively. The drogue runs revealed a vortex-like mixing pattern within the pond with higher velocities around the perimeter of the pond between the inlet and outlet, and lower velocities in the centre of the pond. In-pond velocities seemed relatively high in comparison with those from other drogue studies of larger ponds and the surging inflow caused the formation of a flow 'jet' that potentially contributed to significant short-circuiting. The range of influence of this flow jet, however, was limited to within 15 m of the inlet, suggesting that short-circuiting would be likely to occur only under certain high inflow conditions.     

Dynamic variation of supernatant quality in a dairy shed waste stabilisation pond system.

An intensive monitoring program of a standard two-stage dairy shed waste stabilisation pond system was undertaken to determine the incidence and extent of spatial and temporal variation of basic physio-chemical parameters, and to shed light on the longer term dynamic nature of in-pond conditions. The anaerobic-facultative pond system, located in a remote rural area, treats wastewater from the hosing down and hydraulic flushing of the milking parlour and holding yard at the farm dairy shed. A number of multi-parameter water quality field monitoring probes were permanently deployed at various locations within the two ponds to enable continuous measurement of temperature, pH, conductivity and dissolved oxygen. In addition, profiling of the supernatant of both ponds was undertaken at different times of the year to examine vertical variation of the same parameters. Continuous monitoring revealed spatial homogeneity in EC and pH levels in the upper metre of both ponds. Physio-chemical parameters also appear to change uniformly across the ponds in response to external stimuli such as rainfall. Neither pond, however, exhibits homogeneity down the profile of the supernatant. Seasonal stratification is prevalent in the facultative pond suggesting poor vertical mixing, while the anaerobic pond is notably affected by sludge accumulation. A long-term pattern of rising conductivity in both ponds indicated accumulation of dissolved salt species in the system due to recirculation of reclaimed effluent for hydraulic flushing of the dairy shed. In the facultative pond, diurnal fluctuations in dissolved oxygen, oxidation-reduction potential and turbidity during warmer months of the year closely followed temperature swings. The extensive data collected in this study provides a detailed picture of the physio-chemical dynamics of two-stage stabilisation pond systems treating dairy shed wastewater.     

Laryngeal glycogenic acanthosis presenting as leukoplakia

We report a case of an incidental finding of glycogenic acanthosis of the larynx on autopsy in a 79-year-old man who died of myocardial infarction. The lesion was grossly recognized as a white plaque (leukoplakia) on the subglottic compartment of the left side of the larynx. Histological sections revealed thickened squamous mucosa positive for abundant glycogen on periodic acid-Schiff staining. No epithelial dysplasia was noted. The patient had a history of smoking. This case represents the first report of glycogenic acanthosis involving the larynx. This benign condition should be added to the vast differential diagnosis of leukoplakia in this anatomical location.     

Tissue factor is rapidly induced in arterial smooth muscle after balloon injury

Tissue factor (TF) is a major activator of the coagulation cascade and may play a role in initiating thrombosis after intravascular injury. To investigate whether medial vascular smooth muscle provides a source of TF following arterial injury, the induction of TF mRNA and protein was studied in balloon-injured rat aorta. After full length aortic injury, aortas were harvested at various times and the media and adventitia separated using collagenase digestion and microscopic dissection. In uninjured aortic media, TF mRNA was undetectable by RNA blot hybridization. 2 h after balloon injury TF mRNA levels increased markedly. Return to near baseline levels occurred at 24 h. In situ hybridization with a 35S-labeled antisense rat TF cRNA probe detected TF mRNA in the adventitia but not in the media or endothelium of uninjured aorta. 2 h after balloon dilatation, a marked induction of TF mRNA was observed in the adventitia and media. Using a functional clotting assay, TF procoagulant activity was detected at low levels in uninjured rat aortic media and rose by approximately 10-fold 2 h after balloon dilatation. Return to baseline occurred within 4 d. These data demonstrate that vascular injury rapidly induces active TF in arterial smooth muscle, providing a procoagulant that may result in thrombus initiation or propagation.     

Introduction: Editorship and the editing of scientific journals, 1750–1950

The editors of scientific journals are key gatekeepers for building careers and communicating knowledge, but we know far less about them than about scientific authors and readers. Using a variety of methodological approaches, this issue of Centaurus investigates the motivations for editorship, and the practices,strategies and resources needed to carry it out successfully. It asks us to reflect on how editors, editing and editorship have differed across countries, and over two centuries.     

X-ray absorption spectroscopy of antiwear films on aluminum alloys generated from zinc dialkyldithiophosphate

The boundary lubrication of Al alloys 6061 (Al-6% Si) and A-390 (Al-18 wt% Si), by a sec-ZDDP (zinc dialkyldithiophosphate) oil blend was examined at 60 and 100°C. The wear performance in the ZDDP blend was an improvement on base stock. At 100°C the ZDDP prevented scuffing, though no antiwear films could be detected due to the severe wear. At 60°C all samples showed initial scuffing followed by a more controlled wear given by an embedded antiwear film. P L-edge X-ray near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy using synchroton radiation was used to characterize the antiwear and thermally generated deposition films on the Al alloys. P L-edge XANES results of the antiwear films at 100°C showed the absence of a polyphosphate film. A well-developed polyphosphate film was indicated at 60°C, very similar to that formed on steel at 100°C. P L-edge XANES results of the thermal deposition films showed the presence of only unchanged sec-ZDDP at 125°C with no polyphosphate present. A polyphosphate film was present at 200°C, similar to the antiwear film for Al alloy at 60°C and steel at 100°C.