bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stimulation of human prostate cancer cell lines by factors present in human osteoblast‐like cells but not in bone marrow
Authors: Lang Shona H. , Miller William R. , Habib Fouad K.
Published: February 2007

Secondary deposits of prostate tumours are frequently found in the skeleton where they produce osteoblastic lesions. In this study both osteoblast‐like cells and bone marrow from the proximal femur have been cultured to determine whether or not they can release factors which could support the growth of secondary prostate tumours. Media conditioned by both osteoblast‐like cells (OBCM) and bone marrow were examined for their potential to stimulate prostate carcinoma cell lines. Whilst the results obtained demonstrated that OBCM could enhance the growth of both the hormone sensitive (LNCaP) and hormone unresponsive (PC‐3 and DU‐145) prostate carcinoma cell lines, no proliferative effect could be shown on cell lines derived from cancers of the breast, bladder, and liver. Significantly, media conditioned by either bone marrow or human skin fibroblasts also had no effect on the growth of prostate carcinoma cell lines. This study supports the possibility that the proliferation of prostate cancer cells at secondary skeletal sites, in vivo, may be due to osteoblast derived factors. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An architecture of self‐organizing map for temporal signal processing and its application to a Braille recognition task
Authors: Wakuya Hiroshi , Harada Hiroyuki , Shida Katsunori
Published: February 2007

A self‐organizing map (SOM) performs a mapping of an object preserving its topological relations between input and output spaces, and also can be seen as a coordinate transformer that preserves adjacency relations. Since the standard SOM cannot deal with temporal data intrinsically, in this paper we provide new feedback pathways around the competitive layer to refer to context information of the past history. An extra output layer is added next to the competitive layer to represent secondary candidates and a quantitative measure of confidence. From the viewpoint of its structural similarities, we refer to this architecture as an Elman‐type feedback SOM. In order to clarify the effectiveness of the proposed model, we then adopt a temporal signal processing task of Braille recognition. Braille is a character set for visually impaired people made up of 6 dots on a 3 by 2 grid. When Braille is read by running the fingertip over the characters, the vertical axis can be seen as providing spatial information and the horizontal axis as providing temporal information. As a result of computer simulations with partially common four city names, we confirm that the proposed model can recognize them appropriately. In addition, we find that this approach is robust to both the temporal elasticity and spatial displacement. Moreover, when we conduct an analysis with the neuro‐bar model, we find that the Braille recognition task is executed based on a series of state transition along a type ofpathwaythat has been developed during training. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 38(3): 62– 71, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.20260
License plate recognition using gray image template matching with noise reduction filters and character alignment
Authors: Takahashi Yasuko , Tanaka Hisako , Suzuki Akira , Shio Akio , Ohtsuka Sakuichi
Published: February 2007

This paper proposes a license plate recognition method using multivalued (gray image) template matching, which operates stably even under adverse illumination conditions in which the image contrast is easily degraded. The conventional method has been based on image binarization and the character extraction, which involves the problem that recognition accuracy is greatly lowered when the quality of the input image is degraded. To overcome this problem, the whole configuration of the recognition system is reviewed, and the following two‐stage method is considered. First, the individual characters are recognized. Multivalued template matching [log‐derivative‐matching (LDM) method], including a noise suppression filter based on nonlinear transformation of the gray levels and spatial frequency filtering, is used to scan the whole image. The character candidates and their locations are identified with high accuracy. Second, the license plate is recognized as follows. The likelihood of character existence for each coordinate obtained by image scanning and the character alignment rules in the license plate are compared, and the location with the highest likelihood of being the whole character string is selected. A comparison experiment was performed with more than 10,000 images taken in various outdoor illumination conditions, and it was shown that the recognition rate of the proposed method was much higher than that of the conventional method. The recognition rate for the four main digits was higher than 99% when minimum additional lighting was used, and nearly 95% under very severe illumination conditions. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 38(3): 49– 61, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.20342
An implementation of a concurrent gang scheduler for a PC‐based cluster system
Authors: Hyoudou Kazuki , Kozakai Yasuyuki , Nakayama Yasuichi
Published: February 2007

In recent years PC‐based cluster systems have been used more and more due to their excellent cost performance and high degree of flexibility. With a view to constructing systems at lower costs and with sufficient performance capacity, we have designed and implementedFireClusterthat consists of a PC‐based cluster system in which nodes are connected via the IEEE 1394 interface. Parallel job scheduling is important to use modern multiprocessor parallel computers efficiently. For example,gang schedulingis suitable for cluster systems that provide a user‐level communication library and many gang schedulers have been implemented for such systems. However, on low‐cost cluster systems with relatively low communication performance, the communications costs associated with a gang scheduling system whereby all nodes are synchronized each time the system switches jobs can be a significant problem. Therefore, we focus onconcurrent gang schedulingand have implemented a concurrent gang scheduler for PC‐based cluster systems. The experimental results show that the system is able to perform synchronization with low communications costs, switch jobs with a low overhead, and is highly scalable to increases in the number of nodes. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 38(3): 39–48, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.20458
The process of technological competence leveraging
Authors: Danneels Erwin
Published: February 2007

Technologies are often amenable to uses for a range of markets, but yet are often underutilized, and consequently not all value is extracted from them. This article presents a longitudinal case study of a firm that successfully applied a fungible technology to products for its served market, but was unable to tap its considerable potential in new markets. The processes of resource allocation and resource transformation inhibited technology leveraging, shaped by the presence of a competence to serve current customers (a customer competence trap) and the lack of a competence to gain access to new customers (a marketing competence gap). Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Robustness and uncertainty in estimates of butterfly abundance from transect counts
Authors: Gross Kevin , Kalendra Eric J. , Hudgens Brian R. , Haddad Nick M.
Published: February 2007

Many butterfly populations are monitored by counting the number of butterflies observed while walking transects during the butterfly's flight season. Methods for estimating population abundance from these transect counts are appealing because they allow rare populations to be monitored without capture–recapture studies that could harm fragile individuals. An increasingly popular method for estimating abundance from transect counts relies on strong assumptions about the counting process and the processes that govern butterfly population dynamics. Here, we study the statistical performance of this method when underlying model assumptions are violated. We find that estimates of population size are robust to departures from underlying model assumptions, but that the uncertainty in these estimates (i.e., confidence intervals) is substantially underestimated. Alternative bootstrap and Bayesian methods provide better measures of the uncertainty in estimated population size, but are conditional upon knowledge of butterfly detectability. Because of these requirements, a mixed approach that combines data from small capture–recapture studies with transect counts strikes the best balance between accurate monitoring and minimal injury to individuals. Our study is motivated by monitoring studies for St. Francis satyr (Neonympha mitchelli francisci), a rare and relatively immobile butterfly occurring only in the sandhills region of south‐central North Carolina, USA.
Regulating cytoskeleton‐based vesicle motility
Authors: Hehnly Heidi , Stamnes Mark
Published: February 2007

During vesicular transport, the assembly of the coat complexes and the selection of cargo proteins must be coordinated with the subsequent translocation of vesicles from the donor to an acceptor compartment. Here, we review recent progress toward uncovering the molecular mechanisms that connect transport vesicles to the protein machinery responsible for cytoskeleton‐mediated motility. An emerging theme is that vesicle cargo proteins, either directly or through binding interactions with coat proteins, are able to influence cytoskeletal dynamics and motor protein function. Hence, a vesicle's cargo composition may help direct its intracellular motility and targeting.
Rostral cerebellar arterial infarct in two cats
Authors: Cherubini Giunio Bruto , Rusbridge Clare , Singh Bhanu P. , Schoeniger Sandra , Mahoney Paul
Published: February 2007

A 10-year-old female neutered domestic shorthair (DSH) cat and a 6-year-old female neutered Siamese cat were presented following a peracute onset of decerebellate rigidity and a cerebellar vestibular syndrome, respectively. In both cats, physical examination and routine blood tests were unremarkable, as was routine analysis of cerebrospinal fluid obtained from the DSH cat. Based on the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features – focal wedge-shaped lesion in the cerebellum characterised by hyperintensity in T2-weighted, T2∗-gradient echo and fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) images – a presumptive diagnosis of cerebellar infarct was made in both cases. In the DSH cat, the post-mortem examination confirmed the diagnosis of cerebellar infarct and additionally found acute renal infarcts and a pulmonary neoplasia. In the Siamese cat, ultrasonographic evaluation of the heart revealed a probable low-grade chronic valvular endocarditis which was thought to be a potential source of thromboembolism. This paper describes the first two cases – one confirmed and the other suspected – of cerebellar infarct in the cat. The in vivo potential diagnostic value of the MRI study is highlighted. Cerebellar infarcts should be included in the differential diagnosis of cat with a peracute onset of cerebellar signs regardless of the severity of neurological deficits.
Effect of dehydroepiandrosterone on protein and fat digestibility, body protein and muscular composition in high-fat-diet-fed old rats
Authors: de Heredia Fátima Pérez , Cerezo David , Zamora Salvador , Garaulet Marta
Published: February 2007

The main objective of the present study was to examine the effects of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on the digestive efficiency of dietary protein and fat. Second, we analysed the specific changes in muscle composition induced by the hormone. DHEA was given in the diet (0·5 %, w/w) to 75-week-old, high-fat-fed Sprague–Dawley rats (n11) for 13 weeks; age- and weight-matched rats fed on the same diet without DHEA supplementation were used as controls (n10). To determine dietary protein and fat apparent digestibility coefficients, 1-week 24 h faecal depositions were collected. In parallel, urine N was assessed. These assays were performed twice, in the short term (2-week treatment) and in the long term (13-week treatment). Body and gastrocnemius muscle compositions were also analysed. The present results show that DHEA decreased energy intake, body weight, body fat, adipocyte size and number (P < 0·001). The feed efficiency ratio indicates that DHEA-treated rats were less efficient in transforming nutrients fed into their own biomass. Also, a short-term reduction in protein digestibility (P < 0·05) and in body-protein degradation (P < 0·01) was found in DHEA-treated rats, resulting in an increased content of body protein (P < 0·05). Gastrocnemius muscles were smaller, as a result of fat (P < 0·05) but not protein reduction. In conclusion, we confirm the slimming effect of DHEA and, for the first time, we demonstrate that DHEA has an effect at the digestive level. The anti-obesity properties of DHEA could be related to a reduction in protein digestibility in the short term and a protective effect on body protein with a selective mass loss from body fat.
Blood serum interferon-γ bioactivity is low in weanling mice subjected to acute deficits of energy or both protein and energy
Authors: Hillyer Lyn M. , Maliwichi Harry E. , Woodward Bill
Published: February 2007

The main objective of the present study was to determine the influence of acute deficits of protein and energy on the blood serum level of interferon-γ, a signature type 1 polarising inflammatory cytokine. In two 14 d experiments, male and female C57BL/6J mice, initial age 19 d, consumed a complete purified dietad libitumor in restricted daily quantities, or had free access to an isoenergetic purified low-protein diet. A zero-time control group (age 19 d) was included in the second experiment. Serum interferon-γ was assessed in both experiments by sandwich ELISA and, in the second experiment, also by a bioassay based on inhibition of proliferation by WEHI-279 B lymphoma cells. The immunoassay detected interferon-γ inconsistently in all groups (range 0–14 pg/ml; detection limits 1·5 and 0·7 pg/ml in experiments 1 and 2, respectively). By contrast, interferon-γ bioactivity was found in all animals of each group (means 339, 499, 124 and 200 pg/ml in zero-time controls, age-matched controls, low-protein and restricted intake groups, respectively; detection limit, 12 pg/ml), and the mean serum bioactivity of each malnourished group was low compared with the age-matched control (P ≤ 0·05). The present study defines the physiological serum interferon-γ bioactivity of the adolescent mouse. Moreover, to the extent achievable by way of the blood, the results reflect the influence of metabolically diverse forms of acute malnutrition on the polarising type 1 cytokine profile within lymphoid microenvironments wherein immune responses arise. Therefore, the results suggest a mechanism underlying the cell-mediated inflammatory incompetence that characterises acute, prepubescent malnutrition.
Continuous infusion of lipoic acid rapidly reduces plasma β-hydroxybutyrate with elevation of non-esterified fatty acids in broiler chickens
Authors: Hamano Yoshio
Published: February 2007

The present study was conducted to determine the effects of α-lipoic acid (ALA) on fatty acid mobilisation and ketone body production in female broiler chickens. In the first experiment, chickens received an intravenous infusion of ALA (0, 25 or 50 mg/kg per h) for 90 min. Blood was drawn at 30 min intervals, and plasma glucose, NEFA, free glycerol and hydroxybutyrate were analysed. In the second experiment, ALA (100 mg/kg per h) was continuously infused to chickens fed or fasted for at least 24 h. Changes in plasma metabolites for 90 min were determined. In the first experiment, as shown by the response area, ALA infusion did not affect plasma glucose but increased (P < 0·05) plasma NEFA, regardless of the dose level. In contrast, plasma hydroxybutyrate was reduced at the lower infusion rate (P < 0·05). No significant changes in plasma free glycerol were observed. In experiment 2, ALA stimulated both plasma glucose (P < 0·01) and NEFA (P < 0·001) and the responses were greater than those of controls, regardless of the feeding state. The interaction between ALA and the feeding condition had a significant effect on plasma hydroxybutyrate (P < 0·01). ALA reduced plasma hydroxybutyrate, and this response was greater in the fasted birds than in those fed. Therefore, the present study found a lowering effect of ALA on plasma hydroxybutyrate level and suggests that the ALA-induced plasma NEFA increment was attributable to decreased hepatic fatty acid oxidation in chickens.
Changes in intestinal microbiota and humoral immune response following probiotic administration in brown trout (Salmo trutta)
Authors: Balcázar José Luis , de Blas Ignacio , Ruiz-Zarzuela Imanol , Vendrell Daniel , Calvo Ana Cristina , Márquez Isabel , Gironés Olivia , Muzquiz José Luis
Published: February 2007

We studied the effect of several lactic acid bacteria (LAB) on the humoral response of brown trout (Salmo trutta). LAB groups (Lactococcus(Lc.)lactisssp.lactis,Lactobacillus(Lb.)sakeiandLeuconostoc(Leu.)mesenteroides) were administered orally at 106colony-forming units/g feed to brown trout for 2 weeks, after which fish were switched to an unsupplemented feed. Blood and intestinal samples were taken from the onset of feeding supplemented diets at 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks. During the LAB-feeding period,Lc. lactisssp.lactis,Lb. sakeiandLeu. mesenteroidespersisted in the fish intestines, but the number of LAB slowly decreased in the intestines after changing to the unsupplemented diet. OnlyLb. lactisssp.lactisandLeu. mesenteroideswere detected at levels above 1 × 102colony-forming units/g at the end of the fourth week. In comparison to untreated control fish, the alternative complement activity in the serum was found to be significantly greater in all LAB groups at the end of the second week. Groups supplemented withLc. lactisssp.lactisandLeu. mesenteroidesexhibited an elevated level of lysozyme activity at the end of the third week, but the group supplemented withLb. sakeidid not exhibit any significant change in lysozyme activity. Serum immunoglobulin levels were higher compared with the control group, but there was no significant difference between the LAB and control groups.
p-Coumaric acid, a common dietary phenol, inhibits platelet activity in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Luceri Cristina , Giannini Lucia , Lodovici Maura , Antonucci Emilia , Abbate Rosanna , Masini Emanuela , Dolara Piero
Published: February 2007

p-Coumaric acid (3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-propenoic acid; 4CA), is a ubiquitous plant metabolite with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The antiplatelet activity of this compound was analysed both ex vivo and in vitro. 4-CA, administered to rabbits for 2 weeks at the dose of 5 mg/kg, mixed with food, inhibited ADP-induced platelet aggregation without affecting blood coagulation. This effect was associated with a marked increase in plasma antioxidant activity, measured as ferric reducing ability of plasma, and with the reduction of thromboxane B2 production. The antiplatelet effect was confirmed by in vitro experiments on human blood: 4CA (500 μm and 1 mm) reduced ADP-induced platelet aggregation (55·2 (se 4·01) % and 35·6 (se 2·35) % relative to basal level, respectively). 4CA was able to modify platelet function, measured with PFA-100™, a shear-inducing device that simulates primary haemostasis. 4CA interfered also with arachidonic acid cascade, reducing thromboxane B2 production and lipopolysaccharide-induced prostaglandin E2 generation (ic50 371 and 126 μm, respectively). The data show that 4CA is an antioxidant compound with good antiplatelet activity at doses that can be obtained with dietary intervention, suggesting possible applications for primary prevention of vascular disease.
Brain evolution: Part I
Authors: Adkins-Regan Elizabeth
Published: February 2007

Striedter's accessible concept-based book is strong on the macroevolution of brains and the developmental principles that underlie how brains evolve on that scale. In the absence of greater attention to microevolution, natural selection, and sexual selection, however, it is incomplete and not fully modern on the evolution side. Greater biological integration is needed.
How neural is the neural blackboard architecture?
Authors: Choe Yoonsuck
Published: February 2007

The target article does not provide insight into how the proposed neural blackboard architecture can be mapped to known neural structures in the brain. There are theories suggesting that the thalamus may be a good candidate. However, the experimental evidence suggests that the cortex may be involved (if in fact the blackboard is implemented in the brain). Issues arising from such a mapping will be discussed.
Prior to paradigm integration, the task is to resolve construct definitions of gF and WM
Authors: Birney Damian P. , Bowman David B. , Pallier Gerry
Published: February 2007

Blair's account, like the intelligence field in general, treats many distinct constructs as if they were practically interchangeable – this is not self-evident. Paradigm integration and rationalization of redundant nomenclature are important for the continued development of understanding. The prior task is to demonstrate where synonymity of constructs across paradigms occurs, and where it fails. We present arguments why this is the case.
How anchors allow reusing categories in neural composition of sentences
Authors: Clancey William J.
Published: February 2007

van der Velde's &de Kamps's neural blackboard architecture is similar to “activation trace diagrams” (Clancey 1999), which represent how categories are temporally related as neural activations in parallel-hierarchical compositions. Examination of other comprehension examples suggests that a given syntactic categorization (structure assembly) can be incorporated in different ways within an open composition by different kinds of anchoring relations (delay assemblies). Anchors are categorizations, too, so they cannot be reused until their containing construction is completed (bindings are resolved).
Money as tool, money as resource: The biology of collecting items for their own sake
Authors: Booth David A.
Published: February 2007

Money does not stimulate receptors in mimicry of natural agonists; so, by definition, money is not a drug. Attractions of money other than to purchase goods and services could arise from instincts similar to hoarding in other species. Instinctual activities without evolutionary function include earning a billion and writing for BBS.
The phylogeny and ontogeny of adaptations
Authors: Dickins Thomas E.
Published: February 2007

Locke & Bogin (L&B) rightly point to the absence of ontogeny in theories of language evolution. However, they overly rely upon ontogenetic data to isolate components of the language faculty. Only an adaptationist analysis, of the sort seen in evolutionary psychology, can carve language at its joints and lead to testable predictions about how language works.
Towards a theory of intelligence beyond g
Authors: Flynn James R.
Published: February 2007

Brain physiology and IQ gains over time both show that various cognitive skills, such as on-the-spot problem solving and arithmetic reasoning, are functionally independent, despite being bundled up in the correlational matrix called g. We need a theory of intelligence that treats the physiology and sociology of intelligence as having integrity equal to the psychology of individual differences.
Hoarding behavior: A better evolutionary account of money psychology?
Authors: Bouissac Paul
Published: February 2007

The target article authors have been drawn into two metaphoric models of attitudes toward money that have prevented them from developing a convincing evolutionary theory able to account for the various behaviors they list and categorize as either tool-type or drug-type. Instead, hoarding could provide an evolutionary model that is better supported by behavioral and neurological evidence and could account for the whole range of behaviors they review. Moreover, the authors' focus on money as the common denominator of these behaviors brings an ideological bias to their inquiry.
Human–animal connections: Recent findings on the anthrozoology of cruelty
Authors: Herzog Harold , Arluke Arnold
Published: February 2007

Recent findings in anthrozoology – the study of human–animal interactions – shed light on psychological and social aspects of cruelty. Here we briefly discuss four areas that connect animal cruelty and cruelty directed toward humans: (1) voices of perpetrators and their audiences, (2) gender differences in cruelty, (3) cruelty as play, and (4) the putative relationship between animal abuse and interpersonal violence.
Money as epistemic structure
Authors: Chandrasekharan Sanjay
Published: February 2007

A testable model of the origin of money is outlined. Based on the notion of epistemic structures, the account integrates the tool and drug views using a common underlying model, and addresses the two puzzles presented by Lea & Webley (L&W) – money's biological roots and the adaptive significance of our tendency to acquire money.
Considering the roles of affect and culture in the enactment and enjoyment of cruelty
Authors: Kosloff Spee , Greenberg Jeff , Solomon Sheldon
Published: February 2007

Research on aggression and terror management theory suggests shortcomings in Nell's analysis of cruelty. Hostile aggression and exposure to aggressive cues are not inherently reinforcing, though they may be enjoyed if construed within a meaningful cultural framework. Terror management research suggests that human cruelty stems from the desire to defend one's cultural worldview and to participate in a heroic triumph over evil.
The key role of prefrontal cortex structure and function
Authors: Raffone Antonino , Brase Gary L.
Published: February 2007

The tension between focusing on species similarities versus species differences (phylogenetic versus adaptationist approaches) recurs in discussions about the nature of neural connectivity and organization following brain expansion. Whereas Striedter suggests a primary role for response inhibition, other possibilities include dense recurrent connectivity loops. Computer simulations and brain imaging technologies are crucial in better understanding actual neuronal connectivity patterns.
Working memory, executive function, and general fluid intelligence are not the same
Authors: Heitz Richard P. , Redick Thomas S. , Hambrick David Z. , Kane Michael J. , Conway Andrew R. A. , Engle Randall W.
Published: February 2007

Blair equates the constructs of working memory (WM), executive function, and general fluid intelligence (gF). We argue that there is good reason not to equate these constructs. We view WM and gF as separable but highly related, and suggest that the mechanism behind the relationship is controlled attention – an ability that is dependent on normal functioning of the prefrontal cortex.
Money and the autonomy instinct
Authors: Dewitte Siegfried
Published: February 2007

Applying the reciprocity instinct to monetary transactions implies that the reaction to monetary debt and monetary credit are similar. However, evidence suggests an asymmetry. I suggest that the “autonomy instinct” fits better with human behavior towards money. I show that people value autonomy, and I show how money can serve this instinct.
Individual differences, affective and social factors
Authors: Furnham Adrian
Published: February 2007

The target article overestimates the power of money as a motive/incentive in order to justify trying to provide a biological theory. A great deal of the article is spent trying to force-fit other explanations into this course categorization. Lea & Webley's (L&W's) account seems to ignore systematic, individual differences, as well as the literature on many negative affective associations of money and behavioural economics, which is a cognitive account of money motivation.
Some considerations concerning neurological development and psychometric assessment
Authors: Kaufman James C. , Kaufman Alan S.
Published: February 2007

Blair makes a strong case that fluid cognition and psychometric g are not identical constructs. However, he fails to mention the development of the prefrontal cortex, which likely makes the Gf–g distinction different in children than in adults.1 He also incorrectly states that current IQ tests do not measure Gf; we discuss several recent instruments that measure Gf quite well.
Keeping up with the Joneses: The Desire of the Desire for money
Authors: Jorion Paul
Published: February 2007

The biological basis of money lies in a three-term relationship between one subject and some others, with money acting as a mediator. The drive to acquire money is a special case of a desire for recognition. What is aimed at by subjects is their desire for the desire of some others: the former derive satisfaction from representing to themselves the admiration, or envy, of these others. This raises reproductive advantage.
Evolutionary neuroscience: Limitations and prospects
Authors: Striedter Georg F.
Published: February 2007

Overall, most of the reviewers agree that Principles of Brain Evolution was a welcome addition to the field, and kindly describe it as carefully researched and lucidly written. Thereafter, they note some gaps – principally, adaptive scenarios, microevolutionary studies, and computational models. I here admit to those deficiencies but explain why they exist and how they might be filled. In addition, one commentator criticizes my analysis of hominin brain evolution, and another finds my principle of “large equals well-connected” to be inconsistent with the data. I rebut those two critiques. Hopefully, this process of critique and counterpoint will stimulate some readers to pursue the mentioned thoughts and to engage in new research.
Fluid intelligence as cognitive decoupling
Authors: Stanovich Keith E.
Published: February 2007

The dissociation of fluid cognitive functions from g is implicit in the Cattell-Horn-Carroll gF-gC theory. Nevertheless, Blair is right that fluid functions are extremely important. I suggest that the key mental operation assessed by measures of gF is the ability to sustain mental simulation while keeping the relevant representations decoupled from the actual world – an ability that underlies all hypothetical thinking.
Fluidity, adaptivity, and self-organization
Authors: Tzafestas Elpida S.
Published: February 2007

I propose a neuroscience and animat research-inspired model and a thought experiment to test the hypothesis of a developmental relation between fluid and crystallized intelligence. I propose that crystallized intelligence is the result of well-defined activities and structures, whereas fluid intelligence is the physiological catalytic adaptation mechanism responsible for coordinating and regulating the crystallized structures. We can design experiments to reproduce exemplified normal and anomalous phenomena, especially disorders, and study possible cognitive treatments.
From crying to words: Unique or multilevel selective pressures?
Authors: Boero Daniela Lenti , Bottoni Luciana
Published: February 2007

In the first year of life, infants' utterances change from high-intensity crying to low-intensity acoustic sound strings, acoustically labelling the first word. This transition implies: (1) decoding of phonetic sounds, (2) encoding of phonetic sounds, and (3) a unique linking of an articulated sound to a specific object. Comparative, ontogenetic, and phylogenetic aspects are considered for multilevel selective pressures.
Phlogiston, fluid intelligence, and the Lynn–Flynn effect
Authors: Voracek Martin
Published: February 2007

Blair's assertion that fluid intelligence (gF) is distinct from general intelligence (g) is contradictory to cumulative evidence from intelligence research, including extant and novel evidence about generational IQ gains (Lynn–Flynn effect). Because of the near unity of gF and g, his hypothetical concept of gF' (gF “purged” of g variance) may well be a phlogiston theory.
How the language capacity was naturally selected: Altriciality and long immaturity
Authors: Oller D. Kimbrough , Griebel Ulrike
Published: February 2007

Critical factors that appear to encourage vocal development in humans are altriciality and long immaturity. Hominid infants appear to have evolved a specific tendency to use elaborate vocalization as a means of soliciting long-term investment from caregivers. The development of such vocal capacity provides necessary infrastructure for language development across human life history.
Comparative, continuity, and computational evidence in evolutionary theory: Predictive evidence versus productive evidence
Authors: Powers David M. W.
Published: February 2007

Of three types of evidence available to evolution theorists – comparative, continuity, and computational – the first is largely productive rather than predictive. Although comparison between extant species or languages is possible and can be suggestive of evolutionary processes, leading to theory development, comparison with extinct species and languages seems necessary for validation. Continuity and computational evidence provide the best opportunities for supporting predictions.
Evolutionary psychology and functionally empty metaphors
Authors: Ross Don , Spurrett David
Published: February 2007

Lea & Webley's (L&W's) non-exclusive distinction between tool-like and drug-like motivators is insufficiently discriminating to say much about money that is useful, as the distinction's equivocal application to sex, food, and drugs shows. Further, it appears as though the motivations of problem gamblers are non-metaphorically like those of drug addicts.
Tools, drugs, and signals in the road from evolution to money
Authors: Sanabria Federico
Published: February 2007

The problem of the biology of money is twofold: It subsumes both the identification of behavioral mechanisms that account for the power of money as an incentive, and the elucidation of the phylogeny of such mechanisms. The drugs–tool distinction, as articulated by Lea & Webley (L&W) in their fascinating synthesis, is a welcome step toward their solution. Compared to the direct invocation of instinctual drives, however, conditioning processes provide a conceptually and empirically clearer road from evolution to money.
Predation versus competition and the importance of manipulable causes
Authors: Tapper Katy
Published: February 2007

It is difficult to fully account for (1) cruelty in modern society and (2) female cruelty, referring only to a cruelty-satiation association. Instead it seems likely that cruelty acquires its reinforcing value via association with a range of reinforcers. In addition, when one's goal is violence prevention, it is important to identify causes that can be manipulated.
Money: Motivation, metaphors, and mores
Authors: Lea Stephen E. G. , Webley Paul
Published: February 2007

Our response amplifies our case that money is best seen as both a drug and a tool. Some commentators challenge our core assumptions: In this response we, therefore, explain in more detail why we assume that money is an exceptionally strong motivator, and that a biological explanation of money motivation is required. We also provide evidence to support those assumptions. Other commentators criticise our use of the drug metaphor, particularly arguing that it is empirically empty; and in our response we seek to show how it can be submitted to test – aided by some commentaries which suggest such tests. In addition, we explain, with evidence, why we do not think that the notion of money as a generalised conditioned reinforcer provides a satisfactory alternative to the tool/drug account. The largest group of commentaries suggests alternative instincts on which the drug-like effects of money might be based, other than the reciprocation and play instincts we propose; in our response, we explain why we still prefer our original proposals, but we accept that alternative or additional instincts may indeed underlie money motivation. A final group of commentaries carries the argument further, suggesting extensions to the tool/drug model, in ways with which we are broadly in sympathy. The purpose of the tool and drug metaphors is to encourage reflection on the biological origins of money motivation, and to that extent at least we believe that they have succeeded.
Burden of acute respiratory infections in a family cohort in Iran
Authors: NAGHIPOUR M. , HART C. A. , CUEVAS L. E.
Published: February 2007

Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) are the most important infectious cause of death, but there is less information of their burden in the community. This study describes the burden of ARI in a cohort of 50 Iranian families visited weekly over 2 months. Eighty-one out of 113 (72%) children and 29/103 (28%) adults had a total of 124 episodes of ARI. Seventy-five per cent of the episodes occurring in children were primary/co-primary compared to 40% of those in adults (P<0·01). Children were more likely to be the first symptomatic cases and infections were frequently transmitted within the family. Frequencies were lowest among adults, low among infants aged <6 months and highest among children aged <5 years (P<0·01). Winter episodes occurred more frequently in January (P<0·01). The high frequency and apparent transmissibility of ARI in this cohort highlights its enormous burden in the community.
Venous thromboembolism in a general hospital. An update with low molecular weight heparin prophylaxis
Authors: Schulz  , Kesselring  , Seeberger  , Andresen
Published: February 2007

Background: Patients admitted to hospital for surgery or acute medical illnesses have a high risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE). Today’s widespread use of low molecular weight heparins (LMWH) for VTE prophylaxis is supposed to have reduced VTE rates substantially. However, data concerning the overall effectiveness of LMWH prophylaxis is sparse. Patients and methods: We prospectively studied all patients with symptomatic and objectively confirmed VTE seen in our hospital over a three year period. Event rates in different wards were analysed and compared. VTE prophylaxis with Enoxaparin was given to all patients at risk during their hospital stay. Results: A total of 50 464 inpatients were treated during the study period. 461 examinations were carried out for symptoms suggestive of VTE and yielded 89 positive results in 85 patients. Seventy eight patients were found to have deep vein thrombosis, 7 had pulmonary embolism, and 4 had both deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. The overall in hospital VTE event rate was 0.17%. The rate decreased during the study period from 0.22 in year one to 0,16 in year two and 0.13 % in year three. It ranged highest in neurologic and trauma patients (0.32%) and lowest (0.08%) in gynecology-obstetrics. Conclusions: With a simple and strictly applied regimen of prophylaxis with LMWH the overall rate of symptomatic VTE was very low in our hospitalized patients. Beside LMWH prophylaxis, shortening hospital stays and substantial improvements in surgical and anasthesia techniques achieved during the last decades probably play an essential role in decreasing VTE rates.
Middle mesenteric artery: contraindication to endovascular repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm?
Authors: Vandoni  , Alerci  , Froment  , Braghetti  , Bogen  , Gertsch
Published: February 2007

Middle mesenteric artery has been described in 1923. We report the observation of a patient with an abdominal aortic aneurysm who had this rare artery arising from the anterior wall of the aneurysmal sac. His inferior mesenteric artery was occluded at its origin from the aorta and the middle and the distal colon was vascularized only by the middle mesenteric artery. Occlusion of this artery would have been necessary before endovascular repair of the aneurysm. We were concerned about the risk of colic ischemia after the occlusion of the middle mesenteric artery, so we abandoned this approach and operated on the patient via a laparotomy. Based on a case report, we here report a literature overview on the repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm in the presence of a middle mesenteric artery.
Geschlechtsunterschiede in der Gefäßmedizin
Authors: Hinrichs
Published: February 2007

In der Gefäßmedizin liegen bisher wenige Studien über geschlechtsabhängige Unterschiede bei Erkrankungen, im Krankheitsverlauf und in der Therapie vor. Die Risikofaktoren sind zwischen Männern und Frauen unterschiedlich verteilt mit unterschiedlichen Auswirkungen auf die kardiovaskulären Erkrankungen. Ein besonders hohes Risiko haben diabetische Frauen. Der Anteil der Raucherinnen mit dem Risiko für eine Aggravation der anderen Risikofaktoren nimmt zu. Bei jungen rauchenden Frauen stellt das «hypoplastische aortoiliakale Syndrom» eine besondere Verlaufsform der peripheren arteriellen Verschlusskrankheit (AVK) mit einer schlechten Prognose dar. Eine günstige Beeinflussung von Gefäßereignissen durch Hormonersatztherapie bei postmenopausalen Frauen konnte bisher nicht nachgewiesen werden. Hingegen scheint an Koronarien getestetes Testosteron einen günstigen Effekt auf Gefäßweite und Endothel zu haben. Frauen mit einer AVK sind Hochrisikopatientinnen mit einem hohen Risiko für gefäßassoziierte Todesfälle. Periprozedurale Komplikationen finden sich bei fast allen untersuchten Operationen/Interventionen häufiger bei Frauen. Zudem ist die Erkrankung bei Frauen weiter fortgeschritten, wenn eine therapeutische Intervention durchgeführt wird. Insbesondere Männer profitieren bei asymptomatischen hochgradigen Karotisstenosen von einem operativen Eingriff, da sie ein höheres Risiko für einen ischämischen Insult als Frauen haben. Bei Frauen hingegen wiegt das deutlich erhöhte perioperative Risiko den Nutzen auf. Einige Studien weisen auf einen Geschlechter-Bias in der Behandlung hin: Frauen erhalten seltener als Männer eine revaskularisierende Therapie, seltener eine leitliniengerechte medikamentöse Therapie oder eine Thromboseprophylaxe. In der Pharmakotherapie ist wegen der unterschiedlichen Metabolisierung mit mehr Nebenwirkungen bei Patientinnen zu rechnen. Trotzdem sind Frauen bisher in Medikamentenstudien im Vergleich zu Bevölkerungsanteil und Krankheitsprävalenzen unterrepräsentiert. Weitere Studien mit geschlechtsabhängiger Auswertung und eine erhöhte Sensibilität für geschlechtsbedingte Erkrankungsunterschiede sind nach den bisher vorliegenden Erkenntnissen der Genderforschung in der Gefäßmedizin dringend erforderlich.
Wertewandel und Medizin. Gibt es ethische Argumente, die den assistierten Freitod bis zum «Töten auf Verlangen» legalisieren?
Authors: Kern
Published: February 2007

Im Text werden zunächst allgemeine Beispiele des Wertewandels in den westlichen Gesellschaften genannt. Auch die Medizin unterliegt diesem Wertewandel.Am Beispiel der Euthanasie wird dieses Thema diskutiert. Im Laufe der abendländischen Geschichte änderte sich die Einstellung zur Euthanasie grundlegend. Ergebnis dieser Entwicklung: «Töten auf Verlangen» ist durch Gesetz und ärztliche Standesethik verboten. Eine neue philosophische Ethiktheorie ermöglicht es uns dagegen, sogar «Töten auf Verlangen» zu begründen. Der Autor stimmt dieser Begründung zu. In seltenen und wohl definierten Situationen ist «Töten auf Verlangen» durch das Recht auf Selbstbestimmung gedeckt.
Fundamental‐mode basin oscillations in the Japan/East Sea
Authors: Xu Yongsheng , Watts D. Randolph , Wimbush Mark , Park Jae‐Hun
Published: February 2007

We present observational evidence from coastal tide station and bottom pressure data that basin‐mode oscillations are frequently excited in the Japan/East Sea (JES). The fundamental basin‐mode is a Kelvin‐wave‐like oscillation consisting of a single amphidromic system around which the high water propagates counter‐clockwise. Its period is about 6.7 hours and its coastal wavelength is equivalent to the circumference of the JES. The relative amplitudes of the observed oscillations agree with Rikiishi's 1986 model results except for stations near the Korea Strait where the closed boundary in the model produces unrealistically high amplitudes. The basin oscillation amplitude varies on synoptic time scales (2–17 days) and exhibits seasonal variations. The optimal wind direction to generate basin‐mode oscillations is along 60°/240° T.
Wind work in a model of the northwest Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Zhai Xiaoming , Greatbatch Richard J.
Published: February 2007

The work done by the wind over the northwest Atlantic Ocean is examined using a realistic high‐resolution ocean model driven by synoptic wind forcing. Two model runs are conducted with the difference only in the way the wind stress is calculated. Our results show that the effect of including ocean surface currents in the wind stress formulation is to reduce the total wind work integrated over the model domain by about 17%. The reduction is caused by a sink term in the wind work calculation associated with the presence of ocean currents. In addition, the modelled eddy kinetic energy decreases by about 10%, in response to direct mechanical damping by the surface stress. A simple scaling argument shows that the latter can be expected to be more important than bottom friction in the energy budget.
Methane carbon isotope effects caused by atomic chlorine in the marine boundary layer: Global model results compared with Southern Hemisphere measurements
Authors: Allan W. , Struthers H. , Lowe D. C.
Published: February 2007

Recent measurements of the apparent kinetic isotope effect (KIE) of the methane (CH4) atmospheric sink in the extratropical Southern Hemisphere (ETSH) have shown the apparent KIE to be larger in magnitude than expected if the sink were the hydroxyl radical (OH•) alone. We present results from simulations using the U.K. Met Office's Unified Model (UM) to evaluate whether atomic chlorine (Cl•) in the marine boundary layer (MBL) could give this effect. We modify the UM to include sources of 12CH4 and 13CH4, soil and stratospheric sinks, and a tropospheric OH• sink. Also included is a Cl• sink in the MBL with a large seasonal cycle and a constant mean value (Cl•mean) in latitude. We show that analysis of the simulated seasonal cycles in CH4 mixing ratio and δ13C give an accurate estimate of the OH• KIE at ETSH midlatitudes. The apparent KIE of the combined OH• and Cl• sink increases in magnitude as Cl•mean increases. The experimentally measured values of apparent KIE in the ETSH midlatitudes of −15‰ in 1994–1996 and −7‰ in 1998–2000 are attained with MBL Cl•mean values of 28 × 103 atoms cm−3 and 9×103 atoms cm−3, respectively (although we consider the latter to be a lower bound). We suggest that 18×103 atoms cm−3 is a reasonable midrange estimate of Cl•mean in the MBL. This value results in a Cl• sink strength of 25 Tg y−1 (range 13–37 Tg y−1) and an enrichment in δ13C of atmospheric CH4 by 2.6‰ (range 1.4–3.8‰). This sink strength is significant but has not yet been included in global CH4 budgets.