Effect of small cue–response separation on pattern discrimination in macaques (Macaca fuscata and M. mulatta).

Three studies with 17 macaque and 6 rhesus monkeys examined the effect of small cue–response separations on Ss' pattern discriminations. When training on a pattern discrimination with a cue–response separation was discontinued during performance at the chance level, there was no saving on the rate of learning a 2nd task (with identical cues but a different cue–response separation) relative to the performance of naive control Ss. By contrast, when training was discontinued at a performance level a little better than chance, there was significant saving on learning a 2nd task. After learning the 2nd task, a 3rd task with new pattern cues was learned, with marked saving on the duration of performance at the chance level. Results indicate that during the initial stage of performance at the chance level, monkeys do not attend to cues if there is even a small separation between the cue and the response site. (25 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Inhibition of tumor necrosis factor-alpha production by SK&F 98625, a CoA-independent transacylase inhibitor, in cultured rat peritoneal macrophages

When rat peritoneal macrophages were incubated in medium containing thapsigargin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production was increased time-dependently. In the presence of SK&F 98625, a CoA-independent transacylase inhibitor, the thapsigargin-induced TNF-alpha production was inhibited dose-dependently. Platelet-activating factor (PAF) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production were also inhibited by SK&F 98625. The SK&F 98625-induced inhibition of TNF-alpha production was not prevented by addition of PGE2. PAF antagonists such as E6123, L-652,731 and CV-6209 partially inhibited the thapsigargin-induced TNF-alpha production, suggesting that concurrently produced PAF in thapsigargin-stimulated macrophages up-regulates TNF-alpha production. The inhibition by SK&F 98625 of thapsigargin-induced TNF-alpha production might be partly due to the inhibition of PAF production.     

Three-graft technique for ascending aorta and total aortic arch replacement

We have developed a procedure for total aortic arch replacement using three separate Hemashield grafts and establishing deep hypothermic circulatory arrest and continuous retrograde cerebral perfusion followed by antegrade cerebral perfusion. This method is technically simple and yields secure anastomoses.     

Gonadotropes

A pulsatile pattern of GnRH release by GnRH pulse generator in the hypothalamus is required for the maintenance of gonadotrope responses, Gn-subunit mRNA production and release of Gn. GnRH causes up-and down-regulation of GnRH receptors and desensitization of Gn-release. Gn-synthesis and release are modulated by gonadal steroid and peptide hormone through the hypothalamus and/or pituitary.     

Unusual effects of catechol upon the hydroliquefaction of coal

The effect of catechol on coal hydrogenolysis was studied using tetralin as a solvent vehicle. A constant high liquefaction yield was observed when the amount of catechol added was reduced from 10 to 0.1 % based on the weight of coal. Under the same hydrogenolysis conditions, identical conversion yields were observed even when no catechol was added. Separate experiments were carried out, using a new internal vessel and the original stirrer, to examine the effect of the stirrer on liquefaction yield. Improved liquefaction yields were achieved in these experiments (an increase from 31 to 64% at 400 °C and from 46 to 78% at 420 °C for Miike coal; from 26 to 48% at 400 °C and from 36 to 73% at 420 °C for Wandowan coal; and from 16 to 34% at 400 °C and 21 to 55% at 420 °C for Lithgow coal). This suggests that an active catalytic species is formed on the surface of the stirrer and the internal surface of the autocalve.     

Formation of a new catalyst (Saechol) for coal hydrogenation on the surface of molybdenum alloys by catechol treatment

For the hydrogenation of Japanese Taiheiyo coal, a new catalyst, Saechol, formed on the surfaces of blades made from molybdenum-containing alloys such as SUS316, SCM3 and SKH9 showed significant activity. The activity survived in the flame but was lost easily by washing in 6N hydrochloric acid. The activity was easily regenerated. Several procedures for generation of activity are reported.     

Size estimation method for patch used in reconstruction of LV cavity

The reconstruction of LV cavity is accomplished by suturing a patch to the viable myocardium to exclude the infarcted area from the high LV pressures. However, there is no clear guideline to estimate the size of patch used for LV reconstruction. We have designed a new method to determine the correct patch size, and applied it in 5 cases. The suture line of the patch is at the junction of contractile (functional) and infarcted portions of LV. The patch size is determined by the length of AB, termed "a", as the base, where "point A" represents the junction on the LV anterior wall side, and "point B" the junction of the LV posterior wall side, from RAO 30 degrees projection of the left ventriculogram obtained by cardiac catheterization. In LV aneurysm, we designed the patch in the range of a/2 < l < or = pi a/2, where patch length on RAO 30 degrees is considered "l". An effort was made to reconstruct to normalize LV volume and contour by designing the patch size to be a/2 < l < a, particularly when the contractile portion was enlarged by aneurysm. On the other hand, in post AMI VSD, LV contractile portion is not enlarged in early stage. Therefore, the patch was designed in the range of a < l < or = pi a/2 to maintain LV volume. Postoperative LV volume can be calculated prior to surgery, by using the lengths of the designed patch. Postoperative analysis indicated that the actual LV volume and contour were almost identical to our estimation. This method is very useful in planning the patch size for LV reconstruction.     

Enzymatic synthesis of optically active ferrocenes by immobilized lipase from Candida Antarctica

Immobilized lipase (Candida Antarctica lipase, CAL) efficiently catalyzes the transesterification and amidation of the racemic ferrocenes, 1‐hydroxyethylferrocene, (±)‐ 1 , 1‐hydroxy[3](1,1′) ferrocenophane, (±)‐ 4 , 1‐amonoethylferrocene, (±)‐ 2 , and 1‐amono[3](1,1′) ferrocenophane, (±)‐ 5 , with acyl esters, resulting in the formation of R products possessing high enantiomeric purity. When 1‐hydroxyethylferrocene, (±)‐ 1 , and 1‐hydroxy[3](1,1′) ferrocenophane, (±)‐ 4 , was used as substrate diisopropyl ether was a suitable solvent. In the reaction conditions investigated, the use of vinyl acetate in diisopropyl ether gave the best yield of (R)‐ 1a (49%, 99% ee) after 2 h of incubation at 30 °C. But, with the amino ferrocenes, 1‐amonoethylferrocene, (±)‐ 2 , and 1‐amono[3](1,1′) ferrocenophane, (±)‐ 5 , as substrate, diisopropyl ether was unsuitable as a solvent owing to the low solubility of the substrate in this solvent. Using tetrahydrofuran as a solvent, enzymatic amidation of 1‐amonoethylferrocene, (±)‐ 2 , gave the best yield of (R)‐ 2a (21%, 99% ee) after 120 h of incubation at 30 °C. CAL working in organic solvent is able to efficiently carry out the resolution of ferrocenyl alcohol and amine derivatives which have similar structures, such as (±)‐ 1 and (±)‐ 2 , (±)‐ 4 and (±)‐ 5 which possess central chirality. This enzyme accepted only non‐bulky primary alcohols and amines as ferrocenyl substrates. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry