Using Wittgenstein’s Family Resemblance Principle to Learn Exemplars

The introduction of the notion of family resemblance represented a major shift in Wittgenstein’s thoughts on the meaning of words, moving away from a belief that words were well defined, to a view that words denoted less well defined categories of meaning. This paper presents the use of the notion of family resemblance in the area of machine learning as an example of the benefits that can accrue from adopting the kind of paradigm shift taken by Wittgenstein. The paper presents a model capable of learning exemplars using the principle of family resemblance and adopting Bayesian networks for a representation of exemplars. An empirical evaluation is presented on three data sets and shows promising results that suggest that previous assumptions about the way we categories need reopening.

Structural and functional basis for GABAA receptor heterogeneity

When gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in vertebrate brain, binds to its receptor it activates a chloride channel. Neurotransmitter action at the GABAA receptor is potentiated by both benzodiazepines and barbiturates which are therapeutically useful drugs (reviewed in ref. 1). There is strong evidence that this receptor is heterogeneous. We have previously isolated complementary DNAs encoding an alpha- and a beta-subunit and shown that both are needed for expression of a functional GABAA receptor. We have now isolated cDNAs encoding two additional GABAA receptor alpha-subunits, confirming the heterogeneous nature of the receptor/chloride channel complex and demonstrating a molecular basis for it. These alpha-subunits are differentially expressed within the CNS and produce, when expressed with the beta-subunit in Xenopus oocytes, receptor subtypes which can be distinguished by their apparent sensitivity to GABA. Highly homologous receptor subtypes which differ functionally seem to be a common feature of brain receptors.     

Soil biota and exotic plant invasion

Invasive plants are an economic problem and a threat to the conservation of natural systems. Escape from natural enemies might contribute to successful invasion, with most work emphasizing the role of insect herbivores; however, microbial pathogens are attracting increased attention. Soil biota in some invaded ecosystems may promote 'exotic' invasion, and plant-soil feedback processes are also important. Thus, relatively rare species native to North America consistently demonstrate negative feedbacks with soil microbes that promote biological diversity, whereas abundant exotic and native species demonstrate positive feedbacks that reduce biological diversity. Here we report that soil microbes from the home range of the invasive exotic plant Centaurea maculosa L. have stronger inhibitory effects on its growth than soil microbes from where the weed has invaded in North America. Centaurea and soil microbes participate in different plant-soil feedback processes at home compared with outside Centaurea's home range. In native European soils, Centaurea cultivates soil biota with increasingly negative effects on the weed's growth, possibly leading to its control. But in soils from North America, Centaurea cultivates soil biota with increasingly positive effects on itself, which may contribute to the success of this exotic species in North America.     

In situ analyses of genome instability in breast cancer

Transition through telomere crisis is thought to be a crucial event in the development of most breast carcinomas. Our goal in this study was to determine where this occurs in the context of histologically defined breast cancer progression. To this end, we assessed genome instability (using fluorescence in situ hybridization) and other features associated with telomere crisis in normal ductal epithelium, usual ductal hyperplasia, ductal carcinoma in situ and invasive cancer. We modeled this process in vitro by measuring these same features in human mammary epithelial cell cultures during ZNF217-mediated transition through telomere crisis and immortalization. Taken together, the data suggest that transition through telomere crisis and immortalization in breast cancer occurs during progression from usual ductal hyperplasia to ductal carcinoma in situ.     

GC/MS法追踪摇头丸杂质体系

本文运用GS/MS的总离子流法,选择离子法,对南京地区常见的几种摇头丸进行全面分析,找出与合成途径相关的痕量杂质,根据杂质情况初步确定其合成途径.     

Uptake from blood and conjugation of bilirubin by the intestinal Mucosa of Wistar,Gunn and hepatectomized rats

Resumen Se infundió bilirrubina no conjugada en tres grupos de ratas: normales, totalmente hepatectomizadas y Gunn homocigotas, observándose la aparición de bilirrubina conjugada en la mucosa intestinal de los dos primeros grupos. Dichos experimentos, confirmados con el uso de bilirrubina-¹⁴C, demuestran que la bilirrubina no conjugada sérica puede ser captada y conjugada por la mucosa intestinal de la rata.

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This work was supported in part by a grant from C.O.F.O.I.C., Pcia. de Santa Fe, República Argentina. We thank Mr.J. Rassero for his invaluable technical assistance.     

Interactions between amphetamine and reserpine in vitro

Resumen Se estudia en el conducto deferente aislado de rata la respuesta a la reserpina después de la estimulación del preparado con anfetamina. En estas condiciones, la reserpina produce una contracción que es proporcional a las concentraciones de anfetamina y reserpina utilizadas, y es máxima para una concentración de reserpina de 2,5×10^–5 g/ml, para ser luego decreciente cualquiera que sea la concentración de anfetamina que se haya empleado previamente. Se discuten los posibles mecanismos que regulan la respuesta a la reserpina después de la anfetamina.     

In vitro studies on bilirubin transport by the small intestine of the rat

Resumen Se estudió el transporte de bilirrubina no conjugada en asas intestinales aisladas y perfundidas de rata. Los resultados indican un pasaje bidireccional con la probable participación de un mecanismo de difusión simple.

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This work was supported by grants from the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, República Argentina, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda (Md., USA) and Ministerio de Salud Publica y Bienestar Social de la Provincia de Santa Fé (Republica Argentina).