Lack of evidence for P2X-purinoceptor involvement in fast synaptic responses in intact sympathetic ganglia isolated from guinea-pigs

Recordings were made from neurons in intact pre- and paravertebral guinea-pig sympathetic ganglia using intracellular microelectrodes. Fast excitatory synaptic responses were evoked by stimulation of preganglionic and peripheral nerve trunks. Suramin (0.1-1 mM) did not affect passive or active membrane properties, nor the amplitude or decay time-course of either synaptic potentials or synaptic currents. Synaptic responses were reversibly reduced in amplitude by hexamethonium (98.7 +/- 0.8%, 50-1000 microM) and d-tubocurarine (95.3 +/- 2.6%, 10-280 microM). ATP (0.5-1 mM) and alpha,beta-methylene ATP (1-40 microM) applied in the bathing solution produced no significant changes in resting membrane potential or input resistance. Prolonged application (up to 25 min) of either compound was also without effect on synaptic responses. These substances also did not affect ganglion cells axotomized one to five days in vivo. These data suggest that activation of P2X-purinoceptors is not involved in the generation of fast excitatory synaptic responses in intact guinea-pig sympathetic ganglia. It appears that dissociation of these neurons must markedly increase their sensitivity to purine nucleotides.     

Executive functions in multiple sclerosis: An analysis of temporal ordering, semantic encoding, and planning abilities.

Previous studies have consistently demonstrated impairments in conceptual reasoning and set-shifting abilities in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Other executive functions have been less frequently examined. We compared 44 MS patients and 48 demographically matched controls on a temporal-ordering and semantic-encoding task and on a test of planning (Tower of Hanoi). Compared with controls, MS patients experienced deficient semantic encoding and planning but unimpaired temporal-order memory. For both tasks, post hoc analyses indicated that chronic-progressive MS patients contributed most to the group differences. A combination of poor planning and slowed information-processing speed was hypothesized to have contributed to MS patients' impaired Tower of Hanoi performance. Further research is needed to explore the possible relationship between semantic-encoding and planning deficits in MS and social and occupational disabilities. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Circumplex structure of Holland's RIASEC Interests across gender and time.

The authors examined circumplex models of interest structure across time (Grades 8, 10, and 12), gender, and analytic method in a secondary analysis of vocational interest type (Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional) data generated from the American College Testing database (national sample of 69,987 students). Random samples of 1,000 participants were drawn representing males and females over the 3 time periods. The authors used structural equation modeling (SEM), the randomization test of hypothesized order relations, constrained multidimensional scaling, and circular unidimensional scaling. Results indicated differences in conclusions according to the method used. SEM analyses were not supportive of the circumplex structure, whereas the other methods were. Implications for research and practice are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Consequences of influence tactics used with subordinates, peers, and the boss.

A field study was conducted to discover how a manager's use of 9 different influence tactics is related to target task commitment and the manager's effectiveness. The variables were measured with a questionnaire filled out by subordinates, peers, and the boss of each manager. The most effective tactics were rational persuasion, inspirational appeal, and consultation; the least effective tactics were pressure, coalition, and legitimating. Ingratiation and exchange were moderately effective for influencing subordinates and peers but were not effective for influencing superiors. Inspirational appeal, ingratiation, and pressure were used most in a downward direction; personal appeal, exchange, and legitimating were used most in a lateral direction; coalitions were used most in lateral and upward directions; and rational persuasion was used most in an upward direction. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

One MWth bench model cavity receiver steam generator

Design of a bench model steam generator having geometric and thermal characteristics of the full-scale steam generator to be used in energy collection-conversion modules of a 100 MW_e solar energy conversion power plant scaled for operation in the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) solar furnace at Odeillo, France, was a major element of the Solar Power System and Component Research Program.^‡

The planned follow-on program to fabricate the bench model steam generator, to provide required instrumentation-control-adaptation equipment and to perform checkout testing is being performed during 1975.     

Further results on the effect of intraclass correlation among training samples in discriminant analysis

The effect of intraclass correlation among training samples on the misclasification probabilities of Bayes' procedure has been recently studied by Basu and Odell.⁽¹³⁾ This paper investigates the effect further by expressing the misclassification probabilities in the form of asymptotic expansions. It is subsequently shown that contrary to previous conclusions the misclassification probabilities do change in the presence of simple equicorrelation among the training samples.     

Analysis of power type singularities using finite elements

A finite element formulation is described for problems with solution functions known to have local rλ variation (s), 0<λ<1, and thus singular gradients. Special 3-node triangular elements encircle the singularity and focus to share a common node at the singular point. The shape function of each triangle has the appropriate r λ mode and a smooth angular mode expressed in element natural co-ordinates. As with standard elements, the unknowns are the nodal values of the function. Even if the precise angular form of the asymptotic solution is known, the formulation makes no attempt to embed it, but instead piecewise approximates it. This allows assembly of the element coefficient matrix using standard procedures without nodeless variables and bandwidth complications. The conditions of continuity, low order solution capability, and accurate numerical integration of the singularity element are discussed with a view towards establishing the general range of applicability of the formulation. Numerical applications to the elastic fracture mechanics problems of composite bondline cracking and crack branching are discussed.