Choice between fixed and variable delays with different reward amounts.

Choice between a variable and a fixed food source was studied in pigeons. The variable source yielded different durations of access to food (changed across experimental conditions) uniquely associated with equiprobable delays of either 20 sec or 60 sec, timed from the choice point. A comparison, elapsing alternative (time-left procedure [J. Gibbon and R. M. Church; see PA, Vol 67:2812]), was associated with fixed access to feeder after a 60-sec delay, timed from the beginning of the trial. Preference was best characterized as reflecting an average of the 2 local rates of reinforcement in the variable alternative (the average of the ratio of each standard amount and its associated delay). The averaging rule characterized initial choice link data well, but terminal link responding showed that Ss also remembered the 2 delay–amount combinations separately. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Aging and everyday memory: A cross-cultural study.

Performance on computer-simulated, everyday memory tasks was found to deteriorate with age in 434 Belgian (aged 14–88 yrs) and 434 American Ss matched on gender and age. This age-related memory decline was reasonably consistent across samples. Difficulties in cross-cultural research and the advantages of ecologically valid measurement instruments are discussed. Instruments included a grocery list selective reminding test, the Wechsler Memory Scale, the Benton Visual Retention Test, and the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Travaux pratiques de conception et d’analyses de circuits intégrés analogiques réalisés sur réseau prédiffusé bipolaire

A practical work on design of analog bipolar integrated circuits is presented. The designed circuits are fabricated by Thomson composants militaires et spatiaux(TCMS,) and subsequently measured by the students. The semi-custom technique of pre-diffused array allows no prerequisite knowledge on technology. The process used(HF2C) has a large field of applications due to high performance of the available components (f_t = 3 GHz for theNPN transitors). TheCAD tools involved areSPICE for circuit simulation and Princess (Silvar Lisco) as the layout editor. After being experimented atENSERG, this possibility is extended to a national level within the frame of the French multi chip project (CMP).     

PSI’s 1 kW imaging furnace—A tool for high-temperature chemical reactivity studies

A new experiment has been installed to conduct studies at temperatures as high as 2500 K on chemical reactions that involve solids or melts and the release of condensable gases. The sample is radiatively heated by a 1 kW xenon short arc lamp placed in the upper focus of a vertically oriented ellipsoid of revolution. The optimal optical configuration has been determined by a Monte-Carlo Ray tracing method. Several methods to machine the reflector have been evaluated by experimentally determining the optical quality of the surface of plane test pieces. In the imaging furnace the sample is placed on a water-cooled support and heated by the concentrated radiation. This arrangement allows for fast heating and impedes the reaction of the sample with crucible material. A remotely controlled hammer allows for freezing the high-temperature composition of the sample by a fast quench. Thus, the sample can be later analyzed by conventional methods such as XRD or TEM. To allow for measurements under defined atmospheres and to protect the ellipsoidal reflector from liberated condensable products, the entire sample stage is enclosed by a hemispherical glass dome. The dome itself is protected from condensable compounds by a laminar flow of inert gas. Experiments with an incense cone at the place of the sample to visualize the gas flow showed that a steady layer of inert gas protects the dome from smoke, if the inert gas flow is properly adjusted. Measured peak flux densities clearly exceed 500 W cm⁻² required to access temperatures of at least 2500 K. Decomposition experiments on copper sulfides confirmed the operation of the furnace. In the near future flash assisted multi-wavelength pyrometry (FAMP) will be implemented to measure sample temperatures online. Though the imaging furnace was developed to study the decomposition of metal sulfides it is obviously suited to conduct high-temperature studies on most materials relevant for high-temperature solar technology.     

Direct and GTP-dependent interaction of ADP ribosylation factor 1 with coatomer subunit beta

A site-directed photocrosslink approach was used to elucidate components that interact directly with ADP- ribosylation factor (ARF)-GTP during coat assembly. Two ARF mutants were generated that contain a photolabile amino acid at positions distant to each other within the ARF molecule. Here we show that one of the two positions specifically interacts with coatomer subunit beta both on Golgi membranes and in isolated coat protein complex type I (COPI)-coated vesicles. Thus, a direct and GTP-dependent interaction of coatomer via beta-coat protein complex (COP) with ARF is involved in the coating of COPI-coated vesicles. These data implicate a bivalent interaction of the complex with the donor membrane during vesicle formation.     

Morphology of the acetabulum in hip dislocations caused by cerebral palsy

41 heifers of 260-440 kg body weight used in an experiment were polyovulated with PGF2 alpha and PMSG (1000 IU). Animals were slaughtered during luteal phase of ovarian cycle (day 12-15). Shortly before slaughter ovarian structures were defined by rectal palpation und ultrasonographical examination. Post mortem ovaries were collected to compare their structures with previously performed in vivo diagnosis. More follicular structures were detected sonographically (109%) than could be found by morphologic examination (100%). Concerning corpora lutea a right diagnosis was made by palpation in 94% of cases, whereas the rate was only 85% for ultrasonographical examination. Main reasons for false diagnoses of ultrasonographical examination are as follows: multiple ovarian structures, corpora lutea with holes inside, atypical shape of ovaries, atypical ultrasonographical pictures and irregular shape of follicles.     

The determination of polymer additive effects in a spherilene process HDPE matrix upon water carry-over in water quenched,cast film extrusion

A test method useful in determining the effects of polymer additives upon water carry-over (WCO) in water quenched, cast film extrusion is presented. Data from this test is obtained on film specimens based in a Spherilene process HDPE resin individually doped with 250 and 500 ppm of six various primary and secondary antioxidants and acid scavengers. Water contact angles and film surface tension data is also presented. The WCO test is reproducible and data may be applied to commercial production. Different additives that carry out the same function in the polymer may have greatly varying WCO properties; these differences are not detected by equilibrium goniometry.     

Packaging production and consumption in the world and in some industrialized countries

This paper reports on statistics concerning production and consumption of packaging (as a whole or per capita) in Europe, in the USA, in Japan and in the world. Data have been provided by National Trade Associations and by consultants specialized in packaging and in economics. It is estimated that in 1986 the global consumption of packaging reached 150 millions of tonnes valued at 1200 billions of French francs. Consumption could reach 247 million tonnes by the year 2000. Paper and board have the highest consumption rate, but plastics have the highest rate of growth. Nevertheless, consumption per capita in the industrialized countries will be more than 10 times the consumption in underdeveloped countries. The packaging industries take fourth place in the USA, sixth in Western Germany and twelfth in France. In Europe, as in the world, paper and board is the material most used (40%), with glass (a high density material) taking second place and plastics third, i.e. if we consider the quantity of materials and not their value. Some differences appear between the various countries, but the figures for USA and Japan lead to similar conclusions. The survey shows clearly that the USA as compared with Europe has twice the consumption of packaging materials per capita and this difference is even greater compared with the rest of the world.     

Activating and inactivating mutations in LH receptors

In rats, galanin modulates luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion, and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons provide a possible source of this galanin. To understand galanin's physiological role in GnRH neurons, we used double-label in situ hybridization and computerized image analysis to examine the regulation of galanin message in GnRH neurons. We found that galanin gene expression in GnRH neurons is regulated by sex steroids, induced coincident with the LH surge, and persists well after the completion of the LH surge, and that the induction of galanin message in GnRH neurons coincident with the LH surge is sexually differentiated neonatally. We postulate that the rise in galanin gene expression in GnRH neurons at the time of the LH surge serves to replenish galanin released with GnRH that is needed for the production of the LH surge, or that galanin is involved in physiological events that occur subsequent to the LH surge.