Channel Mismatching in Sidelobe Canceler: Limitations and Remedies

After a brief recall of the Sidelobe Canceler (SLC) working principle, including the derivation of a general formula for the Cancellation Ratio (CR), the effects of channel mismatching are investigated. In particular, curves providing CRvalues as a function of amplitude and phase channel mismatching, radar bandwidth, and jammer direction of arrival (JDOA) are provided for the cases of one and two auxiliary antennas. Subsequently, a time -space processor for performance restoration is analyzed in detail. In addition to the above mentioned quantities, the attainable CR value is expressed as a function of the space-time processor parameters. The contribution of the paper is related to the derivation of a number of mathematical equations of CR for several cases of practical interest for the radar engineer. In addition, several curves are presented to assist design of SLC systems.     

Mutation of the matrix metalloproteinase 2 gene (MMP2) causes a multicentric osteolysis and arthritis syndrome.

The inherited osteolyses or 'vanishing bone' syndromes are a group of rare disorders of unknown etiology characterized by destruction and resorption of affected bones. The multicentric osteolyses are notable for interphalangeal joint erosions that mimic severe juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (OMIMs 166300, 259600, 259610 and 277950). We recently described an autosomal recessive form of multicentric osteolysis with carpal and tarsal resorption, crippling arthritic changes, marked osteoporosis, palmar and plantar subcutaneous nodules and distinctive facies in a number of consanguineous Saudi Arabian families. We localized the disease gene to 16q12-21 by using members of these families for a genome-wide search for homozygous-by-descent microsatellite markers. Haplotype analysis narrowed the critical region to a 1.2-cM region that spans the gene encoding MMP-2 (gelatinase A, collagenase type IV; (ref. 3). We detected no MMP2 enzymatic activity in the serum or fibroblasts of affected family members. We identified two family-specific homoallelic MMP2 mutations: R101H and Y244X. The nonsense mutation effects a deletion of the substrate-binding and catalytic sites and the fibronectin type II-like and hemopexin/TIMP2 binding domains. Based on molecular modeling, the missense mutation disrupts hydrogen bond formation within the highly conserved prodomain adjacent to the catalytic zinc ion.     

Induction of hemopoietic chimerism in the caprine fetus by intraperitoneal injection of fetal liver cells

Summary Intraperitoneal injection of allogeneic liver cells from 43-day-old male fetuses into normal 60-day female goat fetuses resulted in persistent hemopoietic chimerism in surviving recipients without clinical evidence of graft-versus-host disease. Transplantation of normal fetal liver cells into preimmunocompetent goat fetuses affected with -D-mannosidosis may provide an alternative strategy for evaluating hemopoietic stem cell transplantation in the treatment of human lysosomal storage diseases.     

Changes in glycosaminoglycan sulfation and protein kinase C subcellular distribution during differentiation of the human colon tumor cell line Caco-2

Summary During the spontaneous differentiation (day 5 to day 15 of the culture) of Caco-2 cells, the sulfation of cell layer glycosaminoglycans increased, whereas protein kinase C activity was concomitantly redistributed from the membrane to the cytosol. The protein kinase C activators, 4-phorbol 12-myristate, 13-acetate and 1,2-dioctanoyl-glycerol inhibited glycosaminoglycan sulfation. By contrast, 4-phorbol 12, 13 didecanoate was ineffective.These results suggest that membrane-bound PKC may exert a modulatory effect on glycosaminoglycan sulfation, and this effect is gradually attenuated as Caco-2 cell differentiation progresses.     

Using genetically-defined rodent strains for the identification of hippocampal traits relevant for two-way avoidance behavior: a non-invasive approach

Summary Genetically-defined rodent strains permit the identification of hippocampal traits which are of functional relevance for the performance of two-way avoidance behavior. This is exemplified here by analyzing the relationship between infrapyramidal mossy fibers (a tiny projection terminating upon the basal dendrites of hippocampal pyramidal neurons) and two-way avoidance learning in about 800 animals. The necessary steps include 1) identification of structural traits sensitive to selective breeding for extremes in two-way avoidance, 2) testing the robustness of the associations found by studying individual and genetical correlations between hippocampal traits and behavior, 3) establishing causal relationships by Mendelian crossing of strains with extreme structural traits and studying the behavioral consequences of such structural randomization, 4) confirming causal relationships by manipulating the structural variable in inbred (isogenic) strains, thereby eliminating the possibility of genetic linkage, and 5) ruling out the possibility of spurious associations by studying the correlations between the hippocampal trait and other behaviors known to depend on hippocampal functioning.In comparison with the classical lesion approach for identifying relationships between brain and behavior, the present procedure appears to be superior in two aspects: it is non-invasive, and it focuses automatically on those brain traits which are used by natural selection to shape behaviorally-defined animal populations, i.e., it reveals the natural regulators of behavior.     

In vivo effects of immunostimulating lipopeptides on mouse liver microsomal cytochromes P-450 and on paracetamol-induced toxicity

Summary Immunomodulating lipopeptides lauroyl-L-Ala--D-Glu-LL-A2pmNH2-Gly (RP 44.102) and lauroyl-L-Ala--D-Glu-LL-A2pmNH2 (RP 56.142) were found to protect mice against the hepatotoxicity of paracetamol, which is due to cytochrome P-450 dependent formation of toxic metabolites and radicals. In fact they decreased the amount of hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450, and the level of CCl₄-induced lipid peroxidation. In contrast lauroyl-L-Ala--D-Glu-DD-A2pmNH2 (RP 53.204), which only differs by the configuration of the two chiral carbons of A2pm (diaminopimelic acid) and is not an immunomodulating agent, failed to protect against poisoning by paracetamol and had no effect on the level of hepatic cytochrome P-450 or the microsomal CCl₄-induced lipid peroxidation. This provides a clear connection between the immunostimulating properties of a compound and its effects on xenobiotic biotransformations.     

The European Science Foundation: Excerpts from the annual report for 1987

Science Policy News

The European Science Foundation: Excerpts from the annual report for 1987     

Chemical ecology of oviposition in phytophagous insects

Summary Selection of a suitable site for oviposition by phytophagous insects is critical for successful development of the offspring. The behavioral events leading to oviposition are mediated to a large extent by chemical cues associated with potential host plants. Orientation and landing are primarily guided by volatile constituents of a plant, whereas assessment of a leaf surface depends on contact stimuli. Chemical mechanisms that ensure adequate spacing of progeny on limited resources include the production of oviposition-deterring pheromones as well as recognition of plant constituents released as a result of previous damage. Perception of chemical cues that affects oviposition involves receptors on antennae, tarsi, mouthparts or the ovipositor. Complex behavior such as tarsal drumming or stem runs may serve to provide increased receptor contact with chemical stimuli. Abiotic and biotic environmental factors often influence the production or release of behavior-modifying chemicals by a plant, and therefore affect oviposition preferences. Plant chemistry may be involved in associative learning, but may also lead to mistakes. Thus a clear correlation between oviposition preference and offspring success does not always exist.     

Methodological foundations of systems methodologies

In social systems science generally, and in management science particularly, recent developments in the variety of types of specific problem-solving methodologies (under the rubric of hard and soft systems approaches) have given an impetus to a line of inquiry, as well as debate on the nature of those methodologies. On the one hand, there has been the view that what we are witnessing is a form of Kuhnian crisis. On the other hand, a complementarist view of developments has been argued and a contingency approach proposed. But one thing has been common among the competing views: a belief that the prospects for further advances in the design and application of those methodologies, and in resolving the current controversies, lie in serious attempts to reconsider and clarify the underlying metatheoretical assumptions and concerns. This paper is an attempt to contribute to such an endeavor. A brief exposition of three methodological foundations (namely, empiricism, hermeneutics, and critique) is made, not only with the purpose of highlighting the nature as well as the limits of their epistemological and ethical claims, but also as a basis for illuminating both the nature of contemporary work on systems inquiry, design, and problem solving and the ongoing debate on what constitutes appropriate criteria for choice of specific methodologies.