New reasoning techniques for dealing with uncertainty in expert systems have been embedded in RUM, a Reasoning with Uncertainty Module. RUM is an integrated software tool based on a frame system (KEE) that is implemented in an object oriented language. RUM's capabilities are subdivided into three layers: representation, inference, and control. The representation layer is based on frame-like dat...

In rats, the cerebrum, cerebellum, diencephalon and brain-stem were studied for their nucleic acid content. The values were compared between mature and descrepit rats. It was revealed that as for the decrease in RNA content by decrepitude the diencephalon ranked first, followed by the brain-stem and cereb rum in order, but the cerebellum showed almost no decrement. In any portion of the brain d...

A previous review of inbreeding in natural populations suggested that close inbreeding (inbreeding coefficient f = 0.25) is generally rare in wild birds and mammals. However, the review did not assess rates of moderate inbreeding (f = 0.125), which may make a rather larger contribution to overall inbreeding in a population. Furthermore, previous studies may have underestimated the prevalence of...

Variation between individuals is an essential component of natural selection and evolutionary change, but it is only recently that the consequences of persistent differences between individuals on population dynamics have been considered. In particular, few authors have addressed whether interactions exist between individual quality and environmental variation. In part, this is due to the diffi...

This Application Note describes both HPLC and UHPLC methods to simultaneously separate and identify seven tannin compounds as aging markers in barrel-aged alcoholic beverages. The proposed methodology was applied to four different matrixes: whisky, brandy, rum, and tequila, to demonstrate a correlation between aging time and total tannin concentration level. Such a methodology could easily lead...

Premonitory urges are a cardinal feature in Gilles de la Tourette syndrome. Severity of premonitory urges can be assessed with the "Premonitory Urge for Tic Disorders Scale" (PUTS). However, convergent validity of the measure has been difficult to assess due to the lack of other urge measures. We investigated the relationship between average real-time urge intensity assessed by an in-house deve...

Wastes produced during fermentation and distillation of crude sugarcane juice in rum factories were evaluated as a new source of waxes. The chemical composition of the crude wax extracted from adsorbat of the wastes on fuller's earth was studied by GC-mass spectrometry. Series of linear alkanes (C19-C33), and wax esters constitute the main components. In addition, phytosterols, triterpene methy...