bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Selectively Impaired Associative Learning in Older People with Cognitive Decline
Authors: Collie Alexander , Myers Catherine , Schnirman Geoffrey , Wood Stephen , Maruff Paul 
Published: July 2002

AbstractOlder people with declining cognitive function typically display deficits in declarative memory processes, often most evident on tests of associative learning (AL). The hippocampal formation (HF) is thought to be critically involved in the encoding and retrieval of such associations, consistent with neuroimaging findings that the HF is damaged in early stages of neurodegenerative disease and in older people with AL impairments. In the clinic, older people with cognitive decline commonly report difficulties associating names with faces. However, we have observed that such people are particularly impaired on tests requiring the association of novel stimuli. In Experiment 1, a series of AL tasks were administered to older people with cognitive decline to determine whether they were impaired at simply making associations, or at making associations between novel stimuli. In Experiment 2, we measured HF function in these subjects by administering an AL task designed to differentiate between HF-damaged and HF-intact individuals. Our experimental protocols were guided by a computational model of HF function in AL described by Gluck and Myers (1997). Older people with cognitive decline displayed impaired performance on tasks designed to be highly dependent upon intact HF function, including a task in which novel patterns and spatial locations were to be associated. These results suggest that the AL impairments observed in older people with cognitive decline may be due to HF dysfunction.
Accessory Stimulus Effects on Response Selection: Does Arousal Speed Decision Making?
Authors: Hackley Steven A. , Valle-Inclán Fernando 
Published: July 2002

Abstract
When an intense but task-irrelevant “accessory” stimulus accompanies the imperative stimulus in a choice reaction task, reaction times (RTs) are facilitated. In a similar previous study (Hackley & Valle-Inclán, 1998), we showed that this effect is not due to a reduction of the interval from onset of the lateralized readiness potential (LRP) until movement onset. In the present study, the RT task was modified to move a portion of the response selection stage into this time interval. The interval remained invariant, indicating that this late phase of the response selection process is not speeded by accessory stimulation. However, we observed amplitude modulation of the LRP on no-go trials in a condition with three alternative responses. This finding suggests that an earlier phase of response selection is influenced by accessory stimulation. In addition, a novel dependent measure was introduced to event-related potential research—the latency of spontaneous, posttrial blinking.
Equivalence of a Sprouting-and-Retraction Model and Correlation-Based Plasticity Models of Neural Development
Authors: Miller Kenneth D. 
Published: July 2002

A simple model of correlation-based synaptic plasticity via axonal sprouting and retraction (Elliott, Howarth, & Shadbolt, 1996a) is shown to be equivalent to the class of correlation-based models (Miller, Keller, & Stryker, 1989), although these were formulated in terms of weight modification of anatomically fixed synapses. Both models maximize the same measure of synaptic correlation, subject to certain constraints on connectivity. Thus, the analyses of the correlation-based models suffice to characterize the behavior of the sprouting-and-retraction model. More detailed models are needed for theoretical distinctions to be drawn between plasticity via sprouting and retraction, weight modification, or a combination. The model of Elliott et al. involves stochastic search through allowed weight patterns for those that improve correlations. That of Miller et alinstead follows dynamical equations that determine continuous changes of the weights that improve correlations. The identity of these two approaches is shown to depend on the use of subtractive constraint enforcement in the models of Miller et al. More generally, to model the idea that neural development acts to maximize some measure of correlation subject to a constraint on the summed synaptic weight, the constraint must be enforced subtractively in a dynamical model.
Price and Niche Wars in a Free-Market Economy of Software Agents
Authors: Kephart Jeffrey O. , Hanson James E. , Sairamesh Jakka 
Published: July 2002

One scenario of the future of computation populates the Internet with vast numbers of software agents providing, trading, and using a rich variety of information goods and services in an open, free-market economy. An essential task in such an economy is the retailing or brokering of information: gathering it from the right producers and distributing it to the right consumers. This article investigates one crucial aspect of brokers' dynamical behavior, their price-setting mechanisms, in the context of a simple information-filtering economy. We consider only the simplest cases in which a broker sets its price and product parameters based solely on the system's current state, without explicit prediction of the future. Analytical and numerical results show that the system's dynamical behavior in such “myopic” cases is generally an unending cycle of disastrous competitive “wars” in price/product space. These in turn are directly attributable to the existence of multiple peaks in the brokers' profitability landscapes, a feature whose generality is likely to extend far beyond our model.
LIFE INTERESTS AND INTER-GENERATIONAL TRANSFER OF PROPERTY AVOIDING THE LAW OF SUCCESSION
Authors: Carroll Lucy 
Published: July 2002

AbstractHowever highly eulogized as an intellectual and legal achievement, in practice many individuals consider that the Islamic law of succession would, in their particular circumstances, produce an inappropriate distribution of their estate. Several tactics have been utilized to avoid the application of the law of succession to some or all of the property. These tactics are either inconvenient to the donor (hiba) or can no longer be relied upon with confidence (South Asian hiba-bi'l-'iwad and waqf). This essay focuses on less well known transactions involving the transfer of, or the reservation of, rights in the usufruct. Hiba of the corpus combined with a reservation to the donor of rights in the usufruct permits the donor to enjoy the benefits of the property until death, while securing transfer of the property to chosen successors in a manner which completely avoids the law of succession.
Wet Nurses in Early Imperial China
Authors: Lee Jen-Der 
Published: July 2002

AbstractWet nurses in early imperial China were chosen from household slaves based on their physical and psychological conditions. A wet nurse would be asked to mind her diet and behavior, with special restrictions on sex and drinks; her duties, besides breastfeeding, often consisted of caring for, and sometimes providing preliminary instruction for, the newborn. Indolent and distrusted wet nurses could be whipped or executed, but loyal and intimate ones could bring themselves and their family material and honorary rewards. It was the honorary rewards that shattered conventional gender and status boundaries and provoked criticism from their contemporaries.
COMPARATIVISM AND SOCIOBIOLOGICAL THEORY
Authors: Martin Luther 
Published: July 2002

AbstractWhile the "academic study of religion" is often considered to be synonymous with "comparative religion," little attention has been given by scholars of religion to theories of comparison. When scholars of religion turn to the social sciences, as they often do in matters of theory, they find the situation with respect to comparison is little better. Recent attention to such theoretical reflections on comparative methods among some social scientists have, however, reopened the question of "human universals," themes familiar to scholars of religion from the phenomenology of religions but increasingly eschewed by them as ahistorical, at best, and theologically shaped, at worst. If, however, comparative studies are to avoid metaphysical musings and ethnocentric excesses, they might best proceed on the theoretical basis of natural, species-specific characteristics of human beings and demonstrate the relationships among the biological and cognitive constraints on human beings, on the one hand, and their social and historical constructions, on the other. Whatever else "religion" may be, it is a social fact and human sociality seems to be one "universal" characteristic of human beings about which there seems to be some consensus among representatives of the various sciences. This paper looks at some of the biological and cognitive explanations proposed for human sociality, outlines a social - and parallel religious - typology based on such explanations, and suggests in a preliminary way a "test" for this typological hypothesis against ethnographic/historical data from two ancient but disparate cultures, China and Greece.
Animals in Psychology Education and Student Choice
Authors: Cunningham Paul 
Published: July 2002

AbstractThis article identifies some of the important issues that underlie student-teacher conflicts regarding animal experimentation and dissection in psychology education. Understanding the reasons why students object to animal laboratories, why some teachers may refuse students access to non-animal alternatives, and why other teachers support student choice is an important first step in resolving student-teacher disputes regarding the use of animals in the psychology classroom. The article discusses why establishing an openly declared student choice policy at schools that use animals in psychology education is a reasonable thing to do and describes how a student choice policy works in practice.
The reproductive cycle of Pleurodema thaul (Anura, Leptodactylidae) in central Chile
Authors: Ortiz Juan Carlos , Díaz-Páez Helen 
Published: July 2002

AbstractThe reproductive cycle of Pleurodema thaul is described. Males were analyzed according to their spermatogenic stage using histological sections of their testes. For females we used the size and pigmentation of the ovarian follicles. The results show a partially continuous reproductive cycle. Males produce sperm during almost all the year. Spermatogenesis is initiated in summer (February-March), when the seminiferous tubules contain abundant undifferentiated spermatozoids, which are transformed to spermatozoa as fall advances (MayJune). The first spermatozoa appeared in late May, and spermatogenesis increased from July to September, sometimes to November. Females present bimodal vitellogenic activity. The first vitellogenic phase is initiated in late February with a progressive maturation of the oocytes, reaching the post-vitellogenic stage between June and August. The breeding period is established during these months and continues until December. In September, some females can begin the vitellogenesis, with a second stage that ends in middle December, when the oocytes that were not spawned, pass massively to the atresic stage. The fat bodies show a synchronic increase with the gametogenic activity in both sexes, that coincide with the greater reproductive activity. Fat bodies are likely to be used as energetic reserve for the vitellogenic activity. Resumen. Se describe el ciclo reproductivo de Pleurodema thaul. El ciclo de los machos fue analizado según su estado espermatogénico realizando cortes histológicos de testículos. El ciclo de las hembras se analizó de acuerdo a la variación anual de los tamaños y pigmentación de los folículos ováricos. Los resultados muestran un ciclo reproductivo parcialmente continuo. Los machos producen espermatozoides durante casi todo el año. La espermatogénesis se inicia en verano (febrero-marzo), donde los túbulos seminíferos se encuentran con abundantes espermátidas indiferenciadas, que se transforman en espermatozoides a medida que avanza el otoño (mayo-junio). Los primeros espermatozoides son liberados a mediados de mayo. La espermatogénesis se incrementa de julio a septiembre y se puede extender hasta noviembre. Las hembras presentan actividad vitelogénica bimodal. Una primera onda se inicia a fines de febrero con una maduración progresiva de los oocitos, alcanzando el estado post-vitelogénico entre junio y agosto. El periodo de apareamiento se establece entre estos meses y continua hasta diciembre. En septiembre, algunas hembras parecen reiniciar la vitelogénica, con una segunda onda que concluye a mediados de diciembre, cuando los oocitos que no han sido desovados, pasan masivamente al estado atrésico. En ambos casos, los cuerpos grasos muestran un aumento en forma sincrónica con la actividad gametogénica, coincidiendo con el período de mayor actividad reproductiva, por lo que se estima su utilización como reserva energética para la actividad vitelogénica.
FEMALE CONTROL OF PATERNITY DURING COPULATION: INBREEDING AVOIDANCE IN FERAL CATS
Authors: Ishida Yasuko , Yahara Tetsukazu , Kasuya Eiiti , Yamane Akihiro 
Published: July 2002

Abstract
Although among feral cats, Felis catus, females copulate with multiple males, they do not accept all mounting or copulation attempts by males during their oestrous period. We observed eight female cats over their oestrous periods to examine whether or not female cats control paternity of their offspring in the field. The females were courted by between nine and 19 males, but copulated with only three to nine of them. Firstly, we compared female receptivity to male attempts among the eight females and tested how female traits affect their receptivity. Female receptivity to male attempts varied among the females both at mounting and at copulation. Females were more choosy at the time of copulation than at mounting. Females with a shorter oestrous duration and a lighter body weight tended to accept mounts more frequently than the females with a longer oestrous duration and a higher body weight. Older and lighter females tended to accept copulation more frequently than younger and heavier females. Females courted by fewer males per day also tended to accept copulations more frequently. Secondly, combining behavioural observations and determined kinship, we assessed whether females avoided copulating with their kin. The results showed that female cats avoid inbreeding with their close kin during copulation but not with distant relatives. Copulation attempts by kin males were less frequently accepted than those by nonkin males. Thirdly, we tested whether male age and body weight affect their mating success, but we failed to find any such correlation. These results support the hypothesis that female cats control paternity of their offspring during copulation.
AUDITORY EXPERIENCE DOES NOT SHAPE SEXUAL PREFERENCES FOR SONGS IN FEMALE NORTHERN CARDINALS
Authors: Yamaguchi Ayako 
Published: July 2002

AbstractBird song is typically used by males to attract females. As a consequence of the vocal learning process, the acoustic morphology of male songs shows marked geographic variation. Whether females use variation in male songs to choose mates has been controversial (reviewed by Catchpole & Slater, 1995). In some species, the song types that females produce when treated hormonally have been considered to be the song types they prefer in the context of mate choice. To examine this notion, I investigated the song type preferences of female northern cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis) using a more direct measure, copulation solicitation display. Unlike females of many other species of songbirds in the Temperate zone, female cardinals naturally develop songs by imitating adults just as males do, allowing direct identification of when and what song types are memorized by females for vocal production. I sought to determine if the memory trace formed for vocal performance is identical with the memory trace that guides song type preference in a sexual context, and whether females truly form any song type preference based on auditory experience during the first year of their lives. To address these questions, audio-video playback experiments were carried out on captive-raised adult cardinals whose complete auditory history was known. The results showed that female cardinals did not come to prefer any song type based on experience; they responded equally to all conspecific song types. Thus, memory formed for vocal production in females is not equal to song type preferred in sexual context. The results suggest that variation in song types is not important for mate choice in cardinals.
Heterodera glycines Ichinohe, 1952 (Nematoda: Tylenchida) from Argentina. 1. Morphological and morphometrical characterisation of second-stage juveniles
Authors: Doucet Marcelo , Lax Paola 
Published: July 2002

AbstractSecond-stage juveniles from two populations of Heterodera glycines races 1 and 3 from different areas in Argentina were characterised on the basis of an analysis of morphological and morphometrical characters. Some of the morphological characters assessed were found to be subject to intra- and inter-population variability. It was not possible to detect clear differences between the populations of the two races under consideration. Most of the morphometrical characters showed ranges different from those known for other populations of the species and reduced variability. The analysis of variance revealed significant statistical differences for most of the morphometrical characters studied.
Some observations on the morphology and protein profiles of the slug-parasitic nematodes Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita and P. neopapillosa (Nematoda: Rhabditidae)
Authors: Hooper David , Wilson Michael , Rowe Janet , Glen David 
Published: July 2002

AbstractThe slug parasitic nematodes Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita and P. neopapillosa are described and figured including observations with the scanning electron microscope. P. hermaphrodita is a protandrous hermaphrodite and males were not found in most of the cultures derived from slugs. Populations in which males were common were identified as P. neopapillosa. Apart from their mode of reproduction, these two species are morphologically identical. Protein electrophoresis using the Pharmacia PhastSystem or a cellulose acetate system stained for phosphoglucose isomerase resulted in very different patterns for the two species, indicating that their different specific identities are warranted. Quelques observations sur la morphologie et les profils proteiniques des nematodes parasites de limaces Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita et P. neopapillosa (Nematoda: Rhabditida) - Les nematodes parasites de limaces Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita et P. neopapillosa sont decrits et illustres notamment en microscopie electronique a balayage. L'electrophorese des proteines a l'aide du Pharmacia PhastSystem ou d'une procedure utilisant un systeme a l'acetate de cellulose colorant la phosphoglucose isomerase definit des profils tres differents chez les deux especes, confirmant ainsi a chacune leur statut d'espece valide.
Effects of chemical composition and temperature of heating on the infrared spectra of Li-saturated dioctahedral smectites. (I) Mid-infrared region
Authors: Madejová J. , Bujdák J. , Petit S. , Komadel P. 
Published: July 2002

AbstractInfrared spectroscopy in the mid-IR region was used to follow the structural changes occurring in five Li-saturated dioctahedral smectites upon heating. The smectites included three montmorillonites, an Fe-beidellite and a ferruginous smectite. Fixation of Li+ ions in the structure even upon heating at 120°C caused the appearance of an AlMgLiOH-stretching band near 3670 cm–1 in the spectra of all three montmorillonites. This band confirmed the presence of Li(I) in the previously vacant octahedral positions in montmorillonites. No similar band was observed in the spectra of ferruginous heated smectites with prevailing tetrahedral charge. A gradual upward frequency shift and decrease in intensity of the AlAlOH-bending band showed that Li(I) present in the hexagonal cavities causes pronouncedperturbation of this OH-bending mode. The Li(I) present in the octahedral sheets causes small perturbations of the OH-bending mode near 850 cm–1 and activation of a new OH-bending mode near 803 cm–1. Reversible changes in the positions of the stretching Si–O and bending OH bands in the spectra of Fe-beidellite and a ferruginous smectite proved that Li was present in these minerals primarily in the hexagonal holes of the tetrahedral sheets.
Impaired survival of bone marrow hematopoietic progenitor cells in cyclic neutropenia
Authors: Aprikyan Andrew A. G. , Liles W. Conrad , Rodger Elin , Jonas Mechthild , Chi Emil Y. , Dale David C. 
Published: July 2002

Abstract
Cyclic neutropenia (CN) is a congenital hematopoietic disorder characterized by remarkably regular oscillations of blood neutrophils from near normal to extremely low levels at 21-day intervals. Recurring episodes of severe neutropenia lead to repetitive and sometimes life-threatening infections. To investigate the cellular mechanism of CN, the ultrastructure and the proliferative and survival characteristics of bone marrow–derived CD34+ early progenitors, CD33+/CD34− myeloid progenitors, and CD15+ neutrophil precursors from CN patients and healthy volunteers were studied. The ultrastructural studies showed profound apoptotic features in bone marrow progenitor cells in CN. Colony-forming assays demonstrated a 75% decrease in the number of early myeloid-committed colonies compared with controls. Long-term culture-initiating cell assays demonstrated a 6-fold increase in production of primitive progenitor cells in CN. To determine whether accelerated apoptosis might account for the underproduction of myeloid progenitors, the hematopoietic subpopulations were labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate–annexin V and analyzed by flow cytometry. Short-term culture of CN cells resulted in apoptosis of approximately 65% of CD34+ cells, 80% of CD33+/CD34− cells, and more than 70% of CD15+ cells, as compared with 20%, 7%, and 15% apoptosis in respective control subpopulations. Evidence of accelerated apoptosis of bone marrow progenitor cells was observed in all 8 patients participating in the study, regardless of the stage in the CN cycle in which bone marrow aspirations were obtained. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor therapy of CN patients significantly improved survival of bone marrow progenitor cells. These data indicate that ineffective production of neutrophils is due to accelerated apoptosis of bone marrow myeloid progenitor cells in CN.