How do Distributions of Item Sizes Affect the Precision and Bias in RepresentingSummary Statistics?

Many studies have shown that observers can accuratelyperceive and evaluate the statistical summary of presentedobjects’ attribute values, such as the average, withoutattending to each object. However, it remains controversialhow the visual system integrates the attribute values (e.g.,information on size) of multiple items and computes theaverage value. In this study, we tested how distributions ofitem sizes affect the precision and bias in judging averagevalues. We predicted that if observers utilize all of theavailable size information equally, the distribution wouldhave no effect, and vice versa. Our results showed that, withnovice observers, judgement precision differed among sizedistributions and that the observers overestimated the size ofthe average value compared to the actual size under allconditions. These results imply that observations of someitems in a set could be weighted more easily than others, withthe possibility that this process is easier for larger items thansmaller ones. However, this was not the case for experiencedobservers, who showed no effects of distribution type onaverage assessment performance. Our findings imply that theprocess of representing the average value may not beexplained by a single definitive mechanism and, is rathermediated by a mixture of multiple cognitive processes

On Liver Cirrhosis which Betook an Interesting Course; to Which, Primary Liver Cancer has Occurred

Male, aged 59, who had induced some liver cirrhosis accompanied with pleuro-abdominal fluid, had entered a hospital; after that date, owing to removal of ascites that was conducted twice, as well as removal of pleural fluid conducted once, managed to keep more or less sedate state; but after 3 years, started primary liver cancer. The author, at the same time describing such symptoms and process, have investigated about the mechanism to start ascites, along with pathogenesis to start primary liver cancer

A Cadmium-Free Cu2ZnSnS4/ZnO Hetrojunction Solar Cell Prepared by Practicable Processes

A cadmium-free Cu2ZnSnS4/ZnO hetrojunction solar cell with conversion efficiency of 4.29% has been obtained. The Cu2ZnSnS4 absorber film was formed utilizing sulfurization of laminated metallic precursors, and the ZnO buffer layer was then deposited on it by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis. In comparison with a conventional Cu2ZnSnS4/CdS hetrojunction solar cell, the open circuit voltage as well as the relative quantum efficiency at the short-wavelength regions was increased. The in-plane homogeneity of p-n junction was improved by depositing the ZnO layer on Cu2ZnSnS4 film via ultrasonic spray pyrolysis. (C) 2011 The Japan Society of Applied PhysicsArticleJAPANESE JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSICS. 50(3): 032301 (2011)journal articl

Effect of the adenovirus E1A gene on nitric oxide production in alveolar epithelial cells

ABSTRACTThis study determined the effect of the adenovirus E1A gene on nitric oxide (NO) production in alveolar epithelial (A549) cells. E1A-positive A549 cells (E1A transfectants), E1A-negative A549 cells (control transfectants) and untransfected A549 cells were placed in 96-well tissue culture plates. After stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or cytokine mixture (CM), the biochemical reaction products of NO (nitrite and nitrate) in the culture medium were measured by chemiluminescence. The inducible (iNOS) and the endothelial (eNOS) isoforms of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) protein expression were examined by Western blotting. iNOS mRNA expression was examined by Northern blotting and RT-PCR. CM-induced NO production by E1A-positive A549 cells was significantly lower than that of E1A-negative cells (p < 0.0001). LPS stimulation failed to enhance NO production in both cell types. CM induced iNOS protein expression in E1A-negative A549 cells, but not in E1A-positive cells. eNOS protein expression was constitutive and was not affected by CM stimulation, LPS stimulation or E1A. CM induced iNOS mRNA expression in E1A-negative A549 cells, but not in E1A-positive cells. In conclusion, the adenovirus E1A gene suppressed NO production through transcriptional control of the iNOS gene in A549 cells. This inhibition of NO production may enable the virus to persist in human tissue, since NO is an antiviral effector of the innate immune system