The identity of the amyl branch in low-density polyethylenes

Amyl branches have been positively identified as one of the principal short short chain branches in low density polyethylenes prepared by high pressure processes.     

A method for monitoring uterine activity in induced labour

A system for the quantitative assessment of uterine activity during an oxytocin-induced labour has been developed. This has been achieved using relatively simple analogue techniques and can easily be used in the labour ward alongside existing monitoring equipment. Initial results indicate that a plateau of uterine activity can be easily recognised from the display and maintained at oxytocin dosage levels below those that might normally be used.     

Magnetic resonance angiography at 0.3 T using MS-325

Preliminary results on MS-325 versus ProHance enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) at low field strength in a rabbit model are reported. MS-325-enhanced images were acquired in vivo and compared with pre-contrast as well as conventional contrast-enhanced images. Visual image quality observations correlated with measurements of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). While published in vitro data show 7-fold greater relaxivity for MS-325 compared with conventional contrast agents, we observed an even greater effect here due, presumably, to better matching of the longer vascular lifetime with longer scan time in this study. In addition, overall vessel clarity improved significantly throughout all the phases of the experiment in MS-325-enhanced images when compared with conventional contrast-enhanced images.     

Ultrasound image segmentation with shape priors: application to automatic cattle rib-eye area estimation.

Automatic ultrasound (US) image segmentation is a difficult task due to the quantity of noise present in the images and the lack of information in several zones produced by the acquisition conditions. In this paper, we propose a method that combines shape priors and image information to achieve this task. In particular, we introduce knowledge about the rib-eye shape using a set of images manually segmented by experts. A method is proposed for the automatic segmentation of new samples in which a closed curve is fitted taking into account both the US image information and the geodesic distance between the evolving curve and the estimated mean rib-eye shape in a shape space. This method can be used to solve similar problems that arise when dealing with US images in other fields. The method was successfully tested over a database composed of 610 US images, for which we have the manual segmentations of two experts.     

Sensory Imbalance as Mechanism of Orientation Disruption in the Leafminer <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phyllocnistis citrella</Emphasis>: Elucidation by Multivariate Geometric Designs and Response Surface Models

Experimental designs developed to address mixtures are suited ideally to many areas of experimental biology, including pheromone blend studies, because such designs address the confounding of proportionality and concentration intrinsic to factorial and one-factor-at-a-time designs. Geometric multivariate designs coupled with response surface modeling allowed us to identify optimal blends of a two-component pheromone for attraction and trap disruption of the leafminer moth, Phyllocnistis citrella, a major pest in citrus growing areas around the world. Field trials confirmed that the natural 3:1 blend of (Z,Z,E)-7,11,13-hexadecatrienal:(Z,Z)-7,11-hexadecadienal was most effective as an attractant for male moths. However, the response surface generated in mating orientation trials revealed that the triene component alone was more effective than the natural blend in disrupting trap catch. Each individual component was effective at disrupting orientation in field trials, but (Z,Z,E)-7,11,13-hexadecatrienal was approximately 13 times more effective, at the same concentration, compared with (Z,Z)-7,11-hexadecadienal alone. In addition, the application of geometric design and response surface modeling to field studies provided insight into a possible mechanism of mating disruption and supported sensory imbalance as the operating mechanism for this species.     

Early onset of parturition induced by acute alcohol exposure in C57BL/6J mice: role of uterine PGE and PGF2alpha

These studies were designed to determine the effect of acute alcohol treatment on gestational length and to probe for a mechanism underlying alcohol-induced early onset of parturition (EOP) in mice. Experiment 1: alcohol increases the incidence of EOP. Pregnant C57BL/6J mice were given alcohol (0, 4, 5 or 6 g kg(-1), i.g.) on Gestational Day (GD) 10, 15, 16, 17 or 18. Deliveries were monitored every 6 h from GD 18. Results indicated that 6 g kg(-1) alcohol treatment on GD 17 or 18 increased the incidence of EOP. Experiment 2: prostaglandins (PGs) play roles in parturition. The purpose of Experiment 2 was to determine whether PGs mediate alcohol-induced EOP in mice. The results indicated that pretreatment on GD 17 with aspirin, a prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor, prevented alcohol-induced EOP. These data suggest that alcohol-induced EOP in mice may be mediated by PGs. Experiment 3: PGs are influenced by alcohol and are triggers of labour. Experiment 3 measured uterine PGs associated with the onset of alcohol-induced EOP in mice. Alcohol increased uterine PGE and PGF2alpha, with PGE levels higher than control before labour, and elevated PGF2alpha levels correlating with labour. Changes in gestational length have important implications for pregnancy outcome, as well as for normal fetal growth and development.     

Juvenile transfer to adult courts: A look at the prototypes for dangerousness sophistication-maturity and amenability to treatment through a legal lens.

Juvenile court judges are often required to make distinctions as to whether certain adolescents should remain in the juvenile justice system or be transferred to adult courts. Typically, 3 broad factors weigh into juvenile court judges' decision making: (a) the level of danger the juvenile poses to the community, (b) the level of sophistication-maturity of the juvenile, and (c) the extent to which the juvenile is viewed as treatable. In an earlier study, knowledge of forensic and child psychologists was tapped to elucidate core characteristics related to the transfer process (R. T. Salekin et al, 2001). The current study augments that investigation. Judges provided (a) their perspective regarding the core criteria for dangerousness, sophistication-maturity, and amenability to treatment, and (b) data on the core characteristics of juveniles who were evaluated and subsequently judged to be appropriate for transfer to adult criminal courts. Policy implications for this increasingly critical interface between law and psychology are threefold: (a) Individualized assessments are key; (b) the adoption of a national standard for transfer to adult court is required; and (c) the development of treatment programs to improve the socialization of youth is necessary. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effects of peer support and therapist contact on long-term weight loss.

This study evaluated the effectiveness of two posttreatment programs designed to enhance the maintenance of weight loss. Eighty-five obese clients were randomly assigned to either (a) behavior therapy plus a peer-support maintenance program, (b) behavior therapy plus a therapist-contact maintenance program, or (c) behavior therapy only. At a 7-month follow-up session, the therapist-contact program resulted in significantly greater maintenance of weight loss compared with the peer support and behavior therapy only conditions. However, by the time of an 18-month follow-up assessment, overall relapse rates were equivalent across conditions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Equal loudness contours derived from comparisons of sensory differences.

Determined whether stimuli differing in both frequency and intensity can be compared with respect to loudness alone or if comparisons need to be based on pitch dissimilarity, using the author and undergraduates. Ss were asked to report which of 2 pairs of tones presented sequentially had the greater loudness difference for a possible 17,995 combinations. Results indicate that loudness is an analyzable dimension of tonal experience and is separable from pitch. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)