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Interval type-2 fuzzy logic systems (IT2-FLSs) have recently been utilized in many control processes due to their ability to model uncertainties better than their type-1 (T1) counterparts. While an IT2-FLS has the capability to model more complex relationships, the output of a type-2 fuzzy inference engine needs to be type-reduced. The high computational cost of the type-reduction (TR) process means that it is more expensive to deploy the IT2-FLSs, which may hinder them from certain cost-sensitive real-world applications. This paper proposes a new method of TR to reduce their computational cost and also, it improves the performance of the IT2-FLS. The proposed TR method is compared with the Karnik-Mendel (KM) based TR method which is the standard way to do these operations and other alternative TR methods. The simulation results show that the performance of the IT2-FLS based on the proposed TR method is made significantly improved the performance over a wide range of structured uncertainties and the effect of the external disturbances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the natural course of adrenal incidentalomas in 115 patients by means of a long-term endocrine and morphological (CT) follow-up protocol (median 4 year, range 1-7 year). At entry, we observed 61 subclinical hormonal alterations in 43 patients (mainly concerning the ACTH-cortisol axis), but confirmatory tests always excluded specific endocrine diseases. In all cases radiologic signs of benignity were present. Mean values of the hormones examined at last follow-up did not differ from those recorded at entry. However in individual patients several variations were observed. In particular, 57 endocrine alterations found in 43 patients (37.2%) were no longer confirmed at follow-up, while 35 new alterations in 31 patients (26.9%) appeared de novo. Only four alterations in three patients (2.6%) persisted. Confirmatory tests were always negative for specific endocrine diseases. No variation in mean mass size was found between values at entry (25.4+/-0.9 mm) and at follow-up (25.7+/-0.9 mm), although in 32 patients (27.8%) mass size actually increased, while in 24 patients (20.8%) it decreased. In no case were the variations in mass dimension associated with the appearance of radiological criteria of malignancy. Kaplan-Meier curves indicated that the cumulative risk for mass enlargement (65%) and for developing endocrine abnormalities (57%) over time was progressive up to 80 months and independent of haemodynamic and humoral basal characteristics. In conclusion, mass enlargement and the presence or occurrence over time of subclinical endocrine alterations are frequent and not correlated, can appear at any time, are not associated with any basal predictor and, finally, are not necessarily indicative of malignant transformation or of progression toward overt disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In viticulture, biotype identification problems have traditionally been solved using ampelography, ampelometry and chemical traits analysis. However, these tools have resulted in several false attributions, in particular when used at the clonal level. The availability of relatively cheap, reliable and reproducible tools to identify genetic differences at the clonal level would greatly facilitate the work of clonal patenting. In this work, 24 accessions of ‘Traminer’ cultivars were characterized using molecular markers. Three different approaches were applied: simple sequence repeats (SSR), amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and methyl-sensitive amplified length polymorphism (MSAP). Results showed that SSRs were not a powerful tool for clonal distinction. In contrast, the AFLP technique was able to distinguish 16 out of the 24 cultivars, even though the average similarity was high (97.1%). The MSAP technique was used to evaluate qualitative differences in the degree of DNA methylation among clones. Results suggest that morphological differences among clones are probably due to the synergetic effect of genetic and epigenetic modifications, and that clonal identification could be greatly improved using molecular tools such as AFLP and MSAP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The expression of ATP-gated ion channels (P2X receptors) was investigated in testes of adult rats by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting with antibodies against all seven P2X receptor subtypes. Immunoreactive cells were identified and monitored during germ cell maturation. Results of immunohistochemical and Western blotting experiments showed the expression of P2X[sub 1] , P2X[sub 2] , P2X[sub 3] , P2X[sub 5] and P2X[sub 7] receptors, while P2X[sub 4] and P2X[sub 6] receptors were absent from the testis. Blood vessels displayed immunostaining for P2X[sub 1] and P2X[sub 2] receptors; the P2X[sub 1] receptors were present exclusively in blood vessels. P2X[sub 2] , P2X[sub 3] and P2X[sub 5] receptors were found to be expressed differentially in the various germ cell types throughout the different stages of the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium; P2X[sub 2] and P2X[sub 3] receptors were always observed together in the same cell types and at the same stages. Sertoli cells also showed differential staining for P2X[sub 2] and P2X[sub 3] receptors during the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium, whereas P2X[sub 7] receptor expression was present throughout all stages. No immunostaining for P2X receptors was detected on Leydig cells. The possible roles of purinergic signalling in the control of germ cell maturation are discussed. In particular, it is suggested that purinergic signalling may play a role in controlling the maturation of germ cell subsets of different developmental ages that exist alongside each other in the adult testis.Copyright © 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Provides information on a study which investigated the localization of P2X1 purinoceptors binding sites in rat kidneys. Materials and methods; Analytical discussion of the results; Conclusions.

The Opuntia genus includes over 181 species comprising, on the basis of morphological traits, a total of 29 series [The Cactaceae (1919)]. Starting from this classification, several authors have investigated the Opuntia genus taxonomy but the large morphological variation within different species, suggests that phenotypical characteristics will not serve to produce a stable classification. In this work chloroplastic simple sequence repeat (cpSSR) and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) were used to evaluate the usefulness of molecular markers in Opuntia species characterization and to study the relationships among different species. Results show that the combination of cpSSR and AFLP markers provide a quantitative estimation of genetic relationships among several Opuntia species. Both molecular analyses reveal a genetic similarity among species of series 20 and 21 [The Cactaceae (1919)] as suggested also by morphological traits. Particular attention was focused on the genetic relationship between Opuntia ficus-indica and Opuntia megacantha: individuals from different populations of the two species were analyzed with both molecular markers. A common genetic constitution of O. ficus-indica and O. megacantha was detected. On the basis of molecular data, morphological traits and biogeographical distribution, we suggest that O. ficus-indica should be considered as a domesticated form of O. megacantha. Our results suggest the importance of a revision of Opuntia genus classification using several tools: molecular, morphological and biogeographical analysis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]