Contrast detection learning improves visual contrast sensitivity of cat.

Psychological studies on human subjects show that contrast detection learning promote learner's sensitivity to visual stimulus contrast. The underlying neural mechanisms remain unknown. In this study, three cats (Felis catus) were trained to perform monocularly a contrast detection task by two-alternative forced choice method.

Lipase Catalyzed Biosynthesis of Lactones.

Lactones derived from hydroxy fatty acids have many applications. Compared to conventional chemical synthesis, lipases catalyzed synthesis of lactones is simple, mild and highly productive. The effects of hydroxy fatty acid chain length, solvents, lipase type and steric factor on the yield and on the distribution of the produced lactones were investigated.