Distribution Of Various Types Research Articles

The conceptual framework of evolutionary morphology in the studies of Ernst Haeckel and Fritz Müller

In his Gastraea studies Ernst Haeckel characterized the initial stages of the animal embryo, describing complete and incomplete cleavages in various groups, until the gastrula stage. Thereby, he was able to point out various degrees of developmental diversification in these initial stages of development. As the functional meaning of such cleavages was not clear however, it was difficult to argue about putative functional adaptations. Information about the consequences for tissue formation initiated in this primary phase of development was simply lacking. Haeckel could only provide a vague picture of a highly diversified but systematically inconsistent distribution of various types of early embryogenesis. Thereby he discusses phylogenetically preserved (palingenetic) stages of development and adaptations to certain specific situations of the embryo (cenogenesis). To decide whether such types, in the initial stages of embryogenesis, are ceno- or phaenogenetic is quite difficult. Reference to the highly diversified distribution of certain types within specific groups is an indication that there is no strict adaptive pressure on these early parts of embryonic development. This makes it possible to formulate – as Haeckel did it – the idea, that in these initial phases palingenetic attributes are dominant. Thus, he tried to use these early phases of development for the classification of larger systematic units. The result is a concept of an evolutionary morphology, that was, however, never elaborated in detail by Haeckel. Therefore, it remained without effect for evolutionary biology. On the contrary, following the Darwinian approach towards a comparative analysis of embryogenesis, Fritz Müller presented a series of examples for a comparative developmental biology that allowed one to interpret certain morphological characteristics as the outcome of common evolutionary histories within different species. For various crustacean species, he was able to demonstrate that certain attributes are not to be characterized as functionally relevant adaptations, but are evolutionarily inherited.

Graphical Representation of Run Length Distributions

ABSTRACT With the development of techniques to compute run length distributions for various types of control charts, numerous researchers have advocated using these distributions. However, it is unclear how practitioners are expected to use run length distributions in making decisions about control chart performance and chart design. To alleviate this problem, we present a graphical method of representing run length distributions. Our method allows for the easy comparison of several distributions which is not currently permitted with standard types of distribution plotting.

Comparison Study for the Distribution of Organo-Sulfur Containing Compounds of Two Kuwaiti Crude Oil Distillates

This paper deals with the comparison, analysis, and characterization of two Kuwaiti crude oil samples received from different origins. (Burgan and Al-Wafra oil fields). Systematic analysis was conducted for API gravity, sulfur content, metal content, and viscosity. The representative samples of the two Kuwaiti crude oils were fractionated into naphtha (IBP–170○C), kerosene (170–265○C), medium gas oil (265–355○C), and heavy gas oil (355–550○C) using an 80 L capacity autodistillation unit “AUTODEST-800” according to ASTM D2892 and ASTM D5236. Particular attention was paid to study the distribution of various types of sulfur compounds in each of these wide cuts, which was qualitatively and quantitatively estimated by capillary gas chromatography equipped with a sulfur chemiluminescence detector, which is suitable for a wide range of sulfur systems. The fingerprinting obtained from the analysis of GC-SCD showed different families of organo-sulfur compounds in crudes, including mercaptans, sulfides, thiophenes, benzothiophenes, dibenzothiophene, benzonaphtothiophene, and their alkyl derivatives. From the analyses the behavior and distribution of the refractory and unrefractory sulfur compounds in the two Kuwaiti crude oils can now be easily followed.

Pattern distribution in various types of random trees

Let $\mathcal{T}_n$ denote the set of unrooted unlabeled trees of size $n$ and let $\mathcal{M}$ be a particular (finite) tree. Assuming that every tree of $\mathcal{T}_n$ is equally likely, it is shown that the number of occurrences $X_n$ of $\mathcal{M}$ as an induced sub-tree satisfies $\mathbf{E} X_n \sim \mu n$ and $\mathbf{V}ar X_n \sim \sigma^2 n$ for some (computable) constants $\mu > 0$ and $\sigma \geq 0$. Furthermore, if $\sigma > 0$ then $(X_n - \mathbf{E} X_n) / \sqrt{\mathbf{V}ar X_n}$ converges to a limiting distribution with density $(A+Bt^2)e^{-Ct^2}$ for some constants $A,B,C$. However, in all cases in which we were able to calculate these constants, we obtained $B=0$ and thus a normal distribution. Further, if we consider planted or rooted trees instead of $T_n$ then the limiting distribution is always normal. Similar results can be proved for planar, labeled and simply generated trees.

Hypothetical versus actual support providers in comparative network research

Informal social networks are the most important source of social support, which is an essential foundation for the quality of everyday life. Distributions of various types of social networks have to be studied from a comparative perspective to evaluate the effects of the change in political, social and economic systems in Slovenia on social network composition and structure. Data from two studies are compared: one made before (1987) and one after the transition (2002) on representative samples of adult residents of Slovenia. In the paper the ability of informal social networks to provide an adequate sources of social support is discussed as the substantive part of this research. The effects of characteristics of the measurement instruments (hypothetical versus actual support providers) on obtained estimates of network composition are presented and evaluated. The advantages and disadvantages of the relationship approach to measuring personal networks are discussed with regard to complete evaluation of network membership.

Using Optimal Foraging Models to Evaluate Learned Robotic Foraging Behavior

A key challenge in designing robot teams is determining how to allocate team members to specific roles according to their abilities and the demands of the environment. In this paper we explore this issue in the context of multi-robot foraging, and we show that optimal foraging theory can be used to evaluate our work in learned multi-robot foraging tasks. We present a means by which members of a multi-robot team may use reinforcement learning to allocate themselves to specific foraging roles appropriate to their environment and their abilities. We test this approach in environments with different distributions of various types of attractors and by varying the relative effectiveness of different foraging strategies. We then examine the effectiveness of the algorithm by comparing the distributions learned by the individual robots to those predicted by several optimal foraging models. We show the resulting learned distributions are substantially similar to those predicted by the optimal foraging theory models.

Verbal and nominal expressions in narrating conflict situations in Hebrew

This study examines the proposal that the use of deverbal and de-adjectival nominals which express predicative content is indicative of linguistic and cognitive development and reflects the ability to take a more distanced, objective, and generic stance when recounting events in which the narrator was personally involved. To this end, we analyze the quantitative distribution of various types of verb and verb-related predicating constructions in Hebrew personal-experience narratives as a function of age (grade-schoolers, adolescents, and adults) and modality (spoken versus oral texts), and proceed to a semantic analysis of types of predicating expressions in relation to thematic content and the lexical and syntactic constructions in which such expressions are embedded. With age and schooling, expression of predicative content relies decreasingly on verbs, which prototypically express narrative content, and involves additional, more marked devices, especially in the form of derived nominals. This applies particularly to written narratives, which overall contain more predicative type content than their spoken counterparts, although generally shorter in length. This shift in the form and content of predicating expressions in mature narratives results in a less concrete, subjective, and involved stance even in talking and writing about highly personal events.

Sources, distribution and composition of the suspended sediments, Kuwait Bay, Northern Arabian Gulf

Qualitative and quantitative assessment of suspended sediment levels and transport pathways in Kuwait's northern territorial waters are described, with special reference to Kuwait Bay. Near-surface water samples were collected from 12 stations, covering the whole of the embayment. Suspended sediment concentrations (SSCs) were derived. Heavy metal concentrations, mineralogical composition and grain size constituents were derived for the suspended sediments retained on the filter papers. The distribution pattern of the suspended sediments indicates the possibility of tidal current activity, dust fallout contribution and to a lesser extent, the effect of the Shatt Al-Arab (especially in northeastern Kuwait Bay). The distribution of various types of sediments and the variations of their textural, compositional and concentrations are controlled largely by the hydrodynamic conditions, nature of sediments. The results demonstrate clearly the potential impact of the Gulf War as manifested by the increase of SSC in 1992, compared to 1989/1990. Such an input may be attributed also to drainage processes from the Iraqi marshes. More studies are required to understand the environmental impacts of the suspended matter and the associated pollutants.

Thermodynamics from three-dimensional many-body fragmentation simulations on a cellular automaton model

The thermal equilibrium of many-body systems subject to finite range interactions is investigated numerically, by means of a multipurpose 3D cellular automaton dynamic model developed by the authors. The numerical experiments, carried out at fixed number of bodies, volume and energy, demonstrate the formation of an equilibrium among 3D aggregates of bodies. The distribution of the aggregates against size obeys a power law of (negative) exponent tau approximately 2.2 (against 1.3 in 2D). Our experiments, indicating that the exponent is insensitive to the precise parameter values and the precise parametrization of the interactions, are consistent with the idea of the existence of a universality class corresponding to the thermal equilibrium. The numerical value for the exponent tau is in agreement with the theoretical thermal equilibrium analyses based on various other approaches, numerical and semianalytical, indicating that the cellular automaton approach provides an adequate methodology to investigate thermal equilibria. In this paper, as an illustration of this method, we refer to the problem of formation of clusters of nucleons in heavy ion collisions of nuclei leading on to fragmentation. The theoretical tau value, however, corresponding to the thermal equilibrium among the aggregation clusters, is 15 percent lower than the empirical value ( approximately 2.6 ) , as measured in laboratory nuclear fragmentation experiments induced by collision. There is then only a very approximate correspondence between the experimental and the thermal equilibrium value. On the basis of the results of this paper and of a previous paper of this series, we conjecture that the approximate agreement is due to a partial establishment of a thermodynamic equilibrium during the collision of the nuclei. The thermal equilibrium gives the main contribution to the observed tau value; the deviation from this possibly universal value is largely the consequence of the lack of full thermal equilibrium in actual laboratory experiments. This conjecture is extended to interpret the observed ubiquity of power laws of exponents exceeding 2.2, which refer to the distribution of various types of matter in 3D space.

Ultrastructural characterization of the distribution of melanin and epidermal macrophages in photodamaged skin.

We examined the characteristics of melanin distribution, the possible mechanisms underlying the histological incontinence of pigment, and the significance of epidermal macrophages in photodamaged skin. We used electron microscopy to compare and quantitate melanin distribution in various types of cells and structures, to qualitatively observe associations of melanin granules with melanophages, and to examine morphological differences of epidermal macrophages in sun-exposed versus sun-protected facial skin. Melanin-containing cells (such as Langerhans' cells) and melanin-containing structures (such as colloid bodies) in photodamaged skin were more numerous than in sun-protected skin, in proportion to differences in melanocyte density and in epidermal melanin content. Although the precise mechanism(s) of histological incontinence of pigment in photoaging skin appear to be very complicated, it is certainly one of the morphological hallmarks of photodamaged facial skin, and the degeneration of keratinocytes (noted by their electron-lucent properties), a feature characteristic of photoaging, contributes to that process. Furthermore, the increased numbers of epidermal macrophages in sun-exposed skin may be associated with photoaging processes (probably through their phagocytic function) as well as alterations of the cutaneous immune system.

Analysis of 1983 cases of malignant lymphoma in Thailand according to the world health organization classification

Studying a large series of malignant lymphoma is important to increasing our understanding of this disease. Based on the World Health Organization classification system, 1983 cases of lymphoma at Siriraj Hospital were classified as either non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) (92.1%) or Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) (7.9%). The NHL cases were 75% B cell type and 25% T cell type. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, unspecified peripheral T-cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma, precursor T lymphoblastic lymphoma, and Burkitt lymphoma accounted for 84.3% of all NHL cases found. Mixed cellularity and nodular sclerosis types constituted 77.7% of the HL cases found. An overall male preponderance was observed, but sex distribution differed among various types of lymphoma, and a female preponderance was observed in the elderly subjects. Changes in the frequency of B-cell NHL by age were characteristic: <50% in the first decade of life, a further decrease in the second decade, >60% in the third decade, and increases thereafter, reaching 90% after the seventh decade. High frequency of follicular lymphoma in Bangkok but low frequency in the Northeastern region and high frequency of HL in the Southern region were significant ( P <0.05). Extranodal involvement was observed in 58.7% of NHLs, commonly affecting the upper aerodigestive tract and gastrointestinal tract, with some differences in geographical distribution. Higher frequencies of T-cell NHLs involving extranodal sites and of B-cell NHLs involving lymph nodes were significant ( P <0.05). The distribution of various types of lymphoma and comparison with other large series of lymphoma further demonstrates the heterogeneity of this disease.

Recent Topics in Rumen Microbiology with Particular Reference to Animal Production in Japan

Microbes with which ruminants have established symbiotic relationships include bacteria, protozoa and fungi. Microbiological studies in Japan have emphasized the ecology of the ruminal system including the physiological and biochemical interrelationships between individual microbes. The difference in the distribution of various types of microbes in the rumen was studied first and the importance of the attachment of microbes to solid feed substrates was clarified. The existence of substrate-binding factors in bacteria has also been demonstrated. Many genes encoding fibrolytic enzymes have been cloned and characterized from ruminal microbes to improve the digestion of fiber. Some highly fibrolytic bacteria were produced and the survival of recombinant bacteria in the rumen was studied. The manipulation of ruminal bacteria has not been successful and is still at a challenging stage. Both microbial genetics and ecological approaches are needed to improve ruminant productivity through microbial manipulation. As for the study of microbial protein and amino acid metabolism, a particular emphasis was given to the role of ciliate protozoa. The synthesis of lysine from diaminopimelate by protozoa was demonstrated. The metabolic pathways for many kinds of amino acids were well studied, and it was shown that protozoa actively decompose feed protein and excrete amino acids as metabolic products. Therefore, protozoa tended to reduce the microbial amino acid flow to the intestine. A specific role for pipecolic acid in the physiology and behavior of the host animal was postulated. Protozoal function is still an important problem and deserves further research. Concerning the metabolism of carbohydrate, the reduction of ruminal methane production has been studied because methane is viewed as a pollutant greenhouse gas. Some possible methods of reducing methane production with the least adverse effect have been developed. In this review, some recent topics in ruminal microbiology are described.

Chaotic rocking behavior of freestanding objects with sliding motion

This paper examines the influence of effects of sliding on the non-linear rocking response behavior of freestanding rigid objects (blocks) subjected to harmonic horizontal and vertical excitations. It is well known that the rocking responses depend strongly on the impact effect between object and the base, which takes place with abrupt reduction in kinetic energy. In this study, it is shown that the rocking behavior is significantly affected by the presence of the sliding motion. A parametric response analysis is carried out over a range of excitation amplitudes and frequencies. Chaotic responses are observed over a wide response region, particularly for the case of large vertical amplitude excitation with significant sliding motions. The chaotic characteristics are demonstrated using time histories, Poincaré sections, power spectral density and Lyapunov exponents of the rocking responses. The complex chaotic response behavior is illustrated by Poincaré section in the phase space. The distribution of various types of rocking responses and the effects of sliding motion are examined via bifurcation diagrams and examples of typical rocking responses.

Monitoring the conservation of grassland habitats, Prairie Ecozone, Canada.

The Prairie Ecozone contains 5% of Canada's land area and represents 16% of the Great Plains of North America. Current estimates indicate that 25-30% of original Canadian grassland habitats remain, largely concentrated in southeastern Alberta and southwestern Saskatchewan with fragments distributed throughout southern Manitoba. The size, distribution and condition of native grasslands serve as valuable indicators of the ecological integrity and the sustainability of those landscape types. With so little native grasslands remaining, areas that conserve grasslands serve as core sites for indicators such as gaps in ecosystem and wildlife habitat protection, i.e. which ecosystems are well-represented, poorly represented or have no representation. Such gap analyses helps to determine where protection efforts need to be placed in the future. Overall, about 3.5% of the Prairie Ecozone of Canada is under some form of conservation area status. This paper reports, relative to the ecoregions and political jurisdictions of the Prairie Ecozone, on the amount and distribution of various types of conservation areas and native grasslands. Relationships between the occurrence of conservation areas and grasslands are presented. Implications for conservation area planning and management are discussed within regional, national and international contexts. The issue of which characteristics of conservation areas should be assessed and monitored to address conservation objectives for sustainability is also discussed.

Thematic curriculum approach

Thematic curriculum combines disciplines and media. The process is problem-oriented and the scenario most often follows the logic of exploring or storytelling. Those two approaches to teaching are appropriate because they fit into interdisciplinary and creative open-ended problem solving through play, as insisted upon by thematic curriculum. The matrix, where seven types of abilities intersect with five types of problems according to their degree of openness, defines well the outcomes of teaching. However, it did not prove to be suitable for planning the majority of activities in thematic curriculum, for it follows with difficulty the process of exploring or storytelling i.e. it disrupts the subject matter coherence of thematic curriculum. Therefore, it is suggested that matrix should be used for disciplinary curriculum planning but for that of thematic curriculum only in exclusive cases. The matrix should be used primarily as a framework for evaluating the distribution of various types of abilities and problem situations in teaching. The logic of diverse approaches to teaching reflects itself in the manner of planning and organizing the teaching process. Conceptual, visual-graphic, structural and other aids employed during educational process planning should suit the nature of the approach chosen. On the basis of qualitative investigations of educational process, in the present paper considerations are given to various approaches to teaching development of various drafts for the planning of teaching, and recognition of the logic of storytelling and exploring in thematic curriculum.

Gender recognition method based on silhouette, footstep, and foot pressure measurements for counting customers

AbstractConventional methods of gender recognition cannot be applied to counting store customers in terms of both data acquisition conditions and processing time. To solve this problem, the authors proposed a gender recognition method based on human silhouette shape characteristics. The current study demonstrated for the first time how efficient the footstep characteristic and foot pressure characteristic are for gender recognition. It discussed the recognition technique based on joining of the mentioned characteristics with the silhouette characteristic. These were joined by the one‐dimensional compression based on the Fischer discrimination of characteristic vectors arranged in the order of characteristic rates for these three types. Based on the results of clothing‐related research aimed at department store customers, a population group consisting of 45 male and 45 female participants was gathered to simulate distribution of various types of clothing and footwear. The authors conducted recognition tests with this population group and examined distributions by types of clothes and footwear in the characteristic space. The results showed that (1) for each separate characteristic rate the recognition rate which used to be 80% increased up to 90% due to use of joint characteristics, (2) there were numerous samples that featured correct recognition by the footstep characteristic or foot pressure characteristic even with erroneous recognition by the silhouette characteristic, which demonstrated effectiveness of the proposed combination of the three types of characteristic rates. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 2, 85(8): 54–64, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjb.10066

Gender differences in various types of idiopathic ventricular tachycardia.

The aim of this study was to evaluate gender differences in the incidence and age distribution of various types of idiopathic ventricular tachycardia (VT). We conducted a search of the medical literature on idiopathic VT. According to their site of origin, we divided the VTs into three types: right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT-VT), left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT-VT), and left ventricular (LV) septum (LV-VT). We reviewed 68 articles and a total of 748 patients. Among RVOT-VT patients, there were more females than males (311 vs 153, male/female ratio 0.49). In LV-VT, males prevailed over females (175 vs 52, male/female ratio 3.37), whereas LVOT-VT was distributed almost equally between males (n = 33) and females (n = 24). To determine the age distribution, we assessed 419 patients from 51 studies. In both males and females, the highest incidence of RVOT-VT occurred in the third to fifth decade of life (males, mean 43.5 +/- 18.7; females, mean 40.9 +/- 13.8 years). LV-VT occurred at a younger age in both males and females than did RVOT-VT (mean 33.0 +/- 13.9 and 25.7 +/- 12.0 years, respectively, P < 0.0001 vs RVOT-VT). LV-VT occurred at a younger age in females than males (P < 0.005). Gender-specific differences exist in the incidence and age distribution of the various types of idiopathic VT. Studies on gender-specific differences in arrhythmia will lead to a better understanding of its mechanism(s) and provide valuable information for the development of optimal treatment strategies.

Cation competition in a natural subsurface material: Prediction of transport behavior

Predicting the transport of reactive chemicals in subsurface porous media requires accurate adsorption models. This study compares the ability of various cation exchange models to quantitatively capture the transport behavior of major cations (i.e., calcium and sodium) in soil laboratory columns over a wide range of pore water composition. Experimental breakthrough curves were compared with model predictions without adjustable parameters. Various one‐site and multisite cation exchange models were independently calibrated with batch adsorption data. Our results show that a one‐site cation exchange model based on the well‐known Gaines‐Thomas convention yields good predictions of cation transport behavior, although some deviations from experimental data remain. The most reliable predictions were obtained with multisite cation exchange models with a distribution of various types of exchange sites.

A prospective observational study on tears during vaginal delivery: occurrences and risk factors.

To ascertain the occurrence and distribution of various types of I-IV degree tears, during childbirth, and analyze risk factors for perineal II degree tears. A total of 2883 consecutive vaginal deliveries, during 1995-97 at Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Göteborg Sweden, were included. All tears were classified according to an especially designed protocol, and risk factors for II degree tears were evaluated by use of univariate and logistic regression analysis. Only 6.6% of nulliparous parturients had no detectable tear as compared to 34.2% in parous women. Almost half of the women suffered from a II degree tear during birth, and a higher proportion of nulliparous (16.6%) than parous (9.4%) women had extensive perineal lacerations. In addition, nulliparous were more likely than parous parturients to be subjected to a perineotomy (18.1% versus 5.6%). Stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed that the following factors remained independently associated with II degree tear: slight perineal edema, high infant weight, excellent visualization of perineum, increasing age of the mother, excellent cooperation of the women, protracted second phase (> 60 min) and duration of second phase < 30 min. The majority of women (78%) undergoing childbirth had a tear and 47.1% suffered from perineal lacerations. Nulliparous women were more likely to have severe perineal lacerations or episiotomies. Similar risk factors were found for II degree tears as previously shown for III/IV degree tears.

Geology of the lujavrites from the Ilímaussaq alkaline complex South Greenland, with information from seven bore holes

Lujavrites, melanocratic agpaitic nepheline syenites, are the most highly evolved rocks of the Ilímaussaq alkaline complex, South Greenland. They have elevated contents of U. U-rich occurrences at Kvanefjeld in the northern part of the complex have been extensively drilled. Lujavrites from other parts of the complex were examined in seven bore holes, I to VII, in 1962 in an evaluation of the U potential of the complex. The study presents a general overview of the geology of the lujavrites, the distribution of various types of lujavrite and the structure of the complex partly based on the information obtained from the study of drill cores I-VII. The lujavrites are sandwiched between the roof and floor series of the complex. The drill cores penetrate the lower part of the roof series and present an incomplete section through the lujavrites. The lowermost lujavrites are dominated by aegirine lujavrites, cumulitic rocks directly succeeding the rocks of the floor series. The overlying arfvedsonite lujavrites intrude the lower part of the roof series.&#x0D; The alternation of aegirine- and arfvedsonite-bearing lujavrites and the formation of layering are interpreted to be caused by changes in the physico-chemical conditions of the lujavritic magma, especially changes in PH2O and fO2. Villiaumite, NaF, has only been found in drill cores from high levels in the complex. Naujakasite, which is a common constitutent of the hyper-agpaitic lujavrites at Kvanefjeld, has not been observed in drill cores I-VII. This may be linked to its formation at higher levels in the complex than represented by these drill cores. The lujavrites of bore holes I-VII have with few exceptions moderate contents of U.