Cosmological implications of a large complete quasar sample

Objective and reproducible determinations of the probabilistic significance levels of the deviations between theoretical cosmological prediction and direct model-independent observation are made for the Large Bright Quasar Sample [Foltz, C., Chaffee, F. H., Hewett, P. C., MacAlpine, G. M., Turnshek, D. A., et al. (1987) Astron. J. 94, 1423-1460]. The Expanding Universe model as represented by the Friedman-Lemaitre cosmology with parameters qo = 0, Lambda = 0 denoted as C1 and chronometric cosmology (no relevant adjustable parameters) denoted as C2 are the cosmologies considered. The mean and the dispersion of the apparent magnitudes and the slope of the apparent magnitude-redshift relation are the directly observed statistics predicted. The C1 predictions of these cosmology-independent quantities are deviant by as much as 11sigma from direct observation; none of the C2 predictions deviate by >2sigma. The C1 deviations may be reconciled with theory by the hypothesis of quasar "evolution," which, however, appears incapable of being substantiated through direct observation. The excellent quantitative agreement of the C1 deviations with those predicted by C2 without adjustable parameters for the results of analysis predicated on C1 indicates that the evolution hypothesis may well be a theoretical artifact.     

The copper-boron eutectic-unidirectionally solidified

The copper-boron eutectic is of the degenerate type requiring supersaturation for coupled growth. This has been achieved here through the use of high-temperature gradients (above 100 deg K mm^–1) in equipment designed to continuously cast a rod with a unidirectional structure, The eutectic is found to grow in three forms: globular, irregular flake-like to fibrous, and Chinese Script. This last is the steady-state form, the crystal structure of which is -rhombohedral. Tensile tests indicate a UTS of some 35 kg mm^–2 and a total elongation of about 20%. The electrical conductivity is about 83% that of copper.     

Syphilis in pregnant women and their children in the United Kingdom: results from national clinician reporting surveys 1994-7

OBJECTIVE: To measure the incidence of syphilis detected in pregnancy and congenital syphilis in the United Kingdom. DESIGN: Surveys through consultants in genitourinary medicine and paediatricians with active surveillance. SETTING: United Kingdom, 1994-7. SUBJECTS: Women treated for syphilis in pregnancy, and children with early congenital syphilis born in the United Kingdom. RESULTS: Over 3 years 139 women were diagnosed with and treated for syphilis in pregnancy; 121 were detected through antenatal screening. Thirty one had confirmed or probable congenitally transmissible syphilis, putting their pregnancies at risk. These were minimum figures but are compatible with the 90 to 100 women newly diagnosed annually as having infectious or early latent syphilis. A universal screening policy would require 18 600 and 55 700 women (maximum numbers) to be screened, respectively, to detect one woman needing treatment and to prevent one case of congenital syphilis. Nine presumptive cases of children with congenital syphilis born in the United Kingdom were reported. Mothers requiring treatment for syphilis were found in almost every health region but were more prevalent in London and the south east. Being born abroad and belonging to an ethnic minority group were strong risk factors, but 14% (19 of 121) of cases treated and six of 31 definite or probably transmissible cases occurred in white women born in the United Kingdom. CONCLUSIONS: Congenitally transmissible syphilis continues to occur among pregnant women in the United Kingdom. Cases would be missed and stillbirths and congenitally infected babies would occur if antenatal screening was abandoned.     

Comparison of secreted and extracted forms of rat pituitary prolactin

Prolactin secreted by rat anterior pituitary explants into organ culture medium was purified by salt fractionation and gel filtration. A yield of 22 mg/g was obtained, which clearly represented de novo synthesis and secretion of the hormone. Comparative characterization studies were performed on the secreted prolactin and pituitary extracted rat prolactin obtained from the National Institute of Arthritis, Metabolism and Digestive Disease. The biological and immunological activity estimates of both forms were comparable, although the specific activities of the secreted prolactin were somewhat lower than those of the pituitary prolactin. The secreted and extracted forms of prolactin appeared to be identical in primary structure as evidenced by similar amino acid compositions and identical NH2-terminal sequences. Circular dichroism spectra suggested that there may be differences in tertiary structure, since the positive tryptophan band at 292 nm, which eas observed with extracted hormone, was absent in the secreted prolactin.     

Engineering geology and future stability of the El Risco landslide,NW-Gran Canaria,Spain

A 200 m long segment of the only main road in NW-Gran Canaria is built on landslide deposits near the village of El Risco. Structural mapping and analysis of the topography reveal that the N–S striking landslide head scarp is the upper part of a sub-circular failure surface. The southern side of the landslide is delimited by a much older E–W strike-slip fault. Prior to pavement resurfacing in 2006, cracks in the road tarmac at the northern and southern sides of the landslide suggested ongoing creep movement. Slope stability analyses suggest that peak ground acceleration (PGA) was the most likely trigger for the initial failure.