California apricot oil

Summary The characteristics and the percentages of the fatty acids present in apricot kernel oil as glycerides have been determined. The oil studied was found to contain about 90.6 per cent of unsaturated acids consisting of a mixture of oleic and linoleic acids. The saturated acids amounted to about 3.6 per cent and were composed almost entirely of palmitic and stearic acids. Mention is made of the utilization of the press cake for the recovery of volatile oil, for fertilizer, and as a feed for livestock. An analysis of the press cake is given. A table of the smoking points for various fats and oils by the J. M. McCoy procedure is given for comparison with that of apricot kernel oil. In addition to the established use of the oil by cosmetic manufacturers, other possible outlets include its use as a salad and cooking oil, for the roasting of shelled nuts, and for the manufacture of soap.     

Simulation of Binary Random Fields with Applications to Two-Phase Random Media

This paper introduces a methodology for simulation of binary random fields according to their prescribed autocorrelation function. It starts with a brief outline of the essential features of binary random fields and their implications in modeling two-phase random media. The exposition of the proposed methodology is done in two steps. In the first step, an algorithm is introduced to obtain samples of a binary field from generated realizations of a Gaussian field, using the theory of zero crossings of Gaussian fields. This mapping constitutes essentially a nonlinear transformation with memory of the Gaussian sample functions. In the second step, an iterative algorithm is introduced that allows the determination of the probabilistic characteristics of the underlying Gaussian field, so that the resulting binary field obtained through the proposed nonlinear transformation has a prescribed autocorrelation function. Several numerical examples are provided to demonstrate the capabilities of the methodology, especially in modeling two-phase random media. The methodology is shown to have a wide range of applicability and its computational cost is small, especially when a large number of realizations is needed.     

Electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry facilitates detection of fibrinogen (Bbeta 14 Arg --> Cys) mutation in a family with thrombosis

We report the first direct detection of a fibrinogen mutation by electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry. The propositus, from a family with a history of thrombosis, came to attention after a pulmonary embolism subsequent to a spontaneous abortion. Prolonged thrombin (41 s) and reptilase times (26 s) together with an impairment of fibrinopeptide B release suggested a mutation at the thrombin cleavage site of the Bbeta chain. Direct mass analysis of purified fibrin chains from a thrombin induced clot showed that 50% of the Bbeta chains remained uncleaved. The measured mass of the mono sialo isoform of this uncleaved chain was 54150 Da, compared to a value of 54198 Da for normal Bbeta chains. This decrease of 48 Da in the intact protein is indicative of either a Bbeta 14 Arg to Cys, or Arg to Leu substitution. Heterozygosity for the Bbeta 14 Arg --> Cys mutation was verified by PCR amplification and DNA sequence analysis.     

USE OF SODA FELDSPAR IN WHITEWARE BODIES *

A comparative study is presented of a soda feldspar produced by a flotation process and of two potash feldspars when tested alone and made up in semivitreous and vitreous bodies. The investigation was divided into two parts, (1) a laboratory study and (2) plant trials on semivitreous dinnerware and on vitreous sanitary porcelain. From the results of the investigation, it was concluded that (1) it should be possible to substitute soda feldspar for North Carolina potash feldspar in semivitreous bodies containing not more than 12% feldspar, on an equal basis, with no significant change in properties except possibly crazing resistance; where crazing occurs, a slight modification of the regular glaze to give it a lower thermal expansion should correct the trouble; the formula of one modified glaze for this purpose is suggested; and (2) the substitution of soda feldspar for potash feldspar in sanitary porcelain and other similar vitreous whiteware bodies will doubtless require a reduction in amount in order to duplicate the vitrification and other properties of the potash-feldspar body in use; a modification of the regular glaze to fit the soda-feldspar body will probably be required; and the castability and control of casting slips should not be affected by the use of soda feldspar in place of potash feldspar.     

Counseling: Theoretical & philosophical issues.

In this article the author discusses three main topics that focus on theoretical and philosophical issues. First he discusses "how philosophical considerations are relevant to our division," then he discusses "major theoretical orientations and question," and finally he discusses "future differences with regard to philosophical/theoretical constructions." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Early classroom behaviors and later misconduct.

A longitudinal study examined the relationship between teacher-rated behaviors (the Devereux Elementary School Behavior Rating Scale) in kindergarten through Grade 3 and delinquency and school misconduct throughout adolescence. 659 children who were at risk because of their urban minority living conditions were initially assessed in 1968, and 380 were successfully followed up in 1982. An early high-risk pattern was identified in both sexes that indicated that Ss who were overly and disruptively involved socially and who failed to modulate their own behavior to accommodate others were likely to come into conflict with authority quite early in life and into adolescence. Results are discussed in relationship to other research on temperament, parent–child interaction, and possible preventive intervention. (47 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Newcasters' facial expressions and voting behavior of viewers: Can a smile elect a president?

Two studies examined the association between newscasters' facial expressions and the voting behavior of viewers. In Exp I, with 45 undergraduates, the facial expressions exhibited by network newscasters while referring to the 1984 presidential candidates prior to the election were investigated. Results indicate that 1 of the 3 newscasters exhibited significantly more positive facial expressions when referring to Reagan than when referring to Mondale. In Exp II, a telephone survey of approximately 200 individuals was conducted to determine whether voting behavior was associated with the nightly news program watched. It was found that voters who regularly watched the newscaster who exhibited the biased facial expressions were significantly more likely to vote for the candidate that the newscaster had smiled upon. Three explanations for the results are discussed: (1) Viewing the newscasters' biased facial expressions caused the viewers' voting preferences; (2) the viewers' voting preferences determined their viewing of biased newscasters' facial expressions; or (3) some other variable accounted for the findings. (30 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Negative affectivity and the reporting of stressful life events.

Replicated D. T. Lykken's study (see record 1968-18058-001) to resolve the conflict between the findings of S. R. Maddi et al (see record 1987-22446-001) and those of D. H. Schroeder and P. T. Costa (see record 1984-23643-001) regarding the impact of negative affectivity (NA; i.e., neuroticism) contaminated life event items on observed life event–illness relationships. Among 330 managers and professionals, NA-contaminated items correlated significantly with 3 measures of well-being (depression, life satisfaction, and physical symptoms). In 2 of 3 cases, correlations between contaminated items and well-being measures were significantly different from correlations between uncontaminated items and well-being indicators. Prior life event–well-being findings may be inflated considerably by the use of NA-contaminated events. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

NASA Software failure characterization experiments

A series of experiments are being conducted by NASA to generate data on which to base the development of credible methods for assessing the reliability of software targeted for flight-critical applications. Two sets of experiments designed to characterize software failure processes have been conducted by different research groups. The results of these experiments were consistent: errors caused by different faults in a program occured at widely varying rates: program failure rates exhibited a log-linear trend with respect to the number of faults corrected; some faults were found to interact in either concealing or revealing ways; and contiguous regions of the input space which cause a program to generate errors, called error crystals, were found and characterized for some faults in some programs. Collectively, these experiments have produced information on software failure which must be accounted for in software reliability modeling approaches. A current experiment is being conducted to investigate the occurrence of similar and new behaviors in real-time control software and asses the effectiveness of software development and testing methods. The application under study is the guidance and control software for a planetary landing vehicle.     

The Present Predicament and a Scientific Solution

The present period, called the scientific revolution, is characterized by the dominant factors of science and its prodigy child, technology. There is a mismatching of impedance as the power and, consequently, decision-making, are held by people ignorant in science and technology. The human quest for the truth follows three stages: mythological, ideological and scientific. Present power holders base their decisions upon ideology rather than science, with the resulting evils of terror of thermonuclear extinction, poverty, crime, unemployment and other miseries afflicting the human family. A modern economotechnic system should incorporate the amplifiers of production, namely, scientific graduate education and R&D. In this, the scientific graduate education is the derivative of R&D and R&D is the derivative of hard goods and services of production. Analysis of this system suggests that in order to achieve a high standard of living one must have a highly trained work force, a strong scientific graduate education and a strong R&D establishment. To achieve the foregoing the present scientifically blind controllers of the economotechnic system should be replaced by highly trained scientists and engineers.