High-level Basis Research Articles

PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS RELATED TO ACHIEVEMENT IN YOUNG ELITE FEMALE GYMNASTS

A sample of 162 young Australian elite and non elite competitive female gymnasts were administered the Sport Competition Anxiety Test for Children, the Coopersmith Self‐esteem Inventory, the Perceived Competence Scale for Children and the Children's Nowicki‐Strickland Internal‐External Control Scale. Stepwise discriminant function analysis showed that the elite gymnasts could be discriminated from non elite on the basis of higher levels of general, physical, and cognitive competence, and higher levels of self‐esteem. The results supported the findings of previous investigations and indicated clear differences in psychological factors between elite and non elite gymnasts. 1 Authors' Notes: Preparation of this article was supported by Physiotherapy Research Foundation Grants 005/91 and 021/92 to Gregory Kolt, and the project was endorsed by the Australian Gymnastic Federation. We gratefully acknowledge Jeremy Cass, Helen Lindner, and Joanne Patton for their assistance in the preparation and analysis of the ...

An ab initio characterization of Li + complexes of benzene, phenol, pyridine and aniline

Hartree-Fock self-consistent field molecular orbital calculations with the 6–31G basis set were performed on complexes of benzene, phenol, pyridine and aniline with Li +. The calculated geometries are discussed on the basis of the nature of ion-molecule interactions. Phenols (anilines) lithiate preferentially on the oxygen (or nitrogen) atom rather than on the π site. The calculated binding energy (gas phase affinity toward Li +) is in good agreement with available experimental results, except for pyridine. Pyridine was examined using different higher-level basis sets including polarization and diffuse functions, and the Møller-Plesset perturbation theory to the fourth-order (MP4) electron correlation correction. This shows that the use of the diffuse-augmented basis set with a polarization function (6–31 + G ∗) leads to good agreement with all experiments. The charge distributions obtained reveal that the Li + ion retains 0.8–0.9 of the positive charge in its adduct, supporting the conclusion that the lithium complexes with the N-Li + (or O-Li +) bond are essentially ion dipolar in character.

Probability analysis of historical ice jam flood data for a complex reach: a case study

Two obstacles are encountered in the probability analysis of ice jam floods: the first is the general lack of long-term hydrometric records in cold regions; the second, which compounds the first, is that the few records that are available for ice jam floods are difficult to transpose to even nearby sites. This means there must be heavy reliance placed on local historical data.A good illustration of the effort required and the rewards obtained in collecting and analyzing such data is provided by the situation at Hay River, N.W.T. The flood population at this site is completely dominated by ice jam floods for which there is no standard hydrometric data.This paper describes the approach used in the collection and analysis of the historical data at this site to define the flood probability distribution. A comparison of the resulting probability distribution with the previously designated flood zone, which was defined simply on the basis of the historical high water level, reveals the risk involved in designation based on the latter approach and demonstrates that even in the complex and apparently data-limited situation at Hay River, the systematic collection, collation, and probability analysis of historical data is well worthwhile. Key words: ice jams, historical flood analysis, probability analysis, hydrology, river floods, river ice.

Accurate a b i n i t i o calculations of the quadrupole moment of acetylene. A combined study of basis set, correlation, and vibrational effects

The quadrupole moment of acetylene has been studied at the multiconfiguration self-consistent field (MCSCF) and multireference single and double configuration interaction (MRSDCI) level of theory. At the MCSCF level the π-CI complete active space SCF (CASSCF) and the valence-CI CASSCF were employed. The subsequent MRSDCI calculations were continued until the reference space included all configuration state functions (CSFs) of the MCSCF wave function with a coefficient larger than 0.01 [MRSDCI(0.01)]. The higher level basis sets in this study were all based on van Duijneveldt’s C(13s 8p) and H(6s) and extensions of that basis set. The study shows in a consistent way that both the one- and n-particle spaces are saturated at the highest level of theory. The study has revealed that in addition to the well known increase of the quadrupole moment due to the inclusion of polarizing functions in the basis (typically 0.20 a.u.), the inclusion of electronic correlation in the model wave function as well as vibrational corrections will decrease the quadrupole moment significantly more, −0.66, −0.49, and −0.36 a.u., for the correlation correction and zero-point correction for HCCH and DCCD, respectively. The most accurate computations predict the quadrupole moment of HCCH, including zero-point correction, to be 4.29±0.12 a.u., which discriminates the experimental estimates of 4.03±0.30, 4.28±0.30, and 4.57±0.30 a.u. (the first being the favored value). The quadrupole moment of DCCD is computed to 4.42±0.10 a.u. In the study it was observed that in contradiction to previous experiences the use of the model equilibrium geometries rather than the experimental geometry gives a smoother convergence as the level of theory is increased. The effects of basis set quality and electron correlation on the quadrupole moment are studied in detail. These effects are analyzed with reference to the redistribution of the electronic charge.

Blood pressure level, trend, and variability in Dunedin children. An 8-year study of a single birth cohort.

In a birth cohort of children in the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study in New Zealand, resting blood pressures were recorded biennially five times from age 7 to 15 years. Using previously described methods, we examined the level, trend, and variability of blood pressures in those children with at least three readings. The level, trend, and variability of height, weight, and body mass index were compared among six separate groups of children. Two groups were categorized on the basis of high systolic pressure levels, one with low variability and the other with high variability, which was thought to resemble adult labile hypertension. Two additional groups were categorized on the basis of increasing and decreasing blood pressure trends; the fifth group had consistently low blood pressures, and the sixth group consisted of the remaining children. There were significant differences among the groups for the level of all the physical measurements and for the trend of body mass index. No significant differences were found among the groups for gender or socioeconomic status. A parental history of high blood pressure, stroke, or heart attack was significantly more common in the first two groups.

Acute infantile hemiplegia in a patient with propionic acidaemia

A 10-month-old girl with mild developmental delay became hemiplegic after seizures. Cranial CT scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed no lesions related to vascular diseases, but brain atrophy on the right side was remarkable. Digital subtraction angiography showed slightly decreased visualization of peripheral branches of the right medial cerebral artery. Propionic acidaemia was diagnosed on the basis of high plasma levels of propionic acid and its metabolites and the elevated urinary excretion of these acids. With therapy, the levels of these acids fell, and her left hemiplegia disappeared 3 months later.

Toxoplasmosis: Maternal and Pediatric Findings in 23,000 Pregnancies

An analysis of the antibody titers to toxoplasmosis for 22,845 pregnant women in the Collaborative Perinatal Project was conducted in relation to clinical and laboratory findings in the mothers and children through 7 years of age. More than 900 observations were considered for each mother and child. The major findings were in the children and included a predicted doubling in the frequency of deafness among children born to women with antibody to toxoplasmosis, a predicted 60% increase in microcephaly, and a 30% increase in low IQ (less than 70) in association with the presence of high maternal antibody titer (256 to 512) to toxoplasma. A serologically defined high-risk group of mothers was identified on the basis of high indirect hemagglutination antibody levels or seroconversions and increased IgM toxoplasma antibody levels (indirect fluorescent antibody greater than or equal to 32, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay greater than or equal to 0.7). Of the 15 pregnancies in this group, two children had congenital toxoplasmosis and three were stillborn.

Pyruvate kinase inhibition in the diagnosis of gliomas with an intermediate degree of malignancy.

The aim of the investigation was to see if the histological diagnosis of brain tumors showing an intermediate degree of malignancy can be improved by the measurement of L-alpha-alanine inhibition of pyruvate kinase isoenzymes. The inhibition of pyruvate kinase activity was measured in 51 gliomas with different grades of malignancy. It was confirmed that benign tumors have a low level of inhibition (less than 50%) and that the more malignant the tumor, the higher the level of inhibition became, reaching more than 75%. However, when grade II and III astrocytomas and grade II and III oligodendrogliomas were analyzed, their level of inhibition was found to be variable. Grade II showed low and moderate levels of inhibition and grade III moderate and high levels. In turn, inhibition levels ranging from 50 to 75% were not only found in brain tumors with an intermediate grade of malignancy, but also in a number of benign and malignant tumors. When the survival times of patients with brain tumors were compared with both the histological diagnosis and pyruvate kinase inhibition, the prediction of the survival time on the basis of low and high levels of inhibition correlated well with the histological diagnosis. In contrast, when moderate levels of inhibition were measured, the prediction of the patients' survival remained uncertain and no improvement was found in the prediction for tumors showing an intermediate degree of malignancy on the basis of histology.

Postmortem Redistribution of Digoxin in Rats

Adult male Wistar rats were treated with either 0.1 or 3 mg/kg body weight X day of digoxin for five days, then killed and stored at 4 degrees C for 12 h in an attempt to mimic the normal preautopsy procedures in our hospital. In rats treated with 0.1 mg/kg body weight X day, the antemortem serum digoxin concentrations (SDC) were 1.1 +/- 0.4 ng/mL while the 12-h postmortem concentration was markedly increased (16.3 +/- 5.9 ng/mL) (P less than 0.01). In rats treated with 3 mg/kg body weight X day, SDC was not changed significantly (11.2 +/- 4.8 ng/mL antemortem and 13.3 +/- 6 ng/mL postmortem). Postmortem redistribution of digoxin was assessed by injection of 125I-labelled digoxin with or without pretreatment with the unlabelled drug. The results indicate that after death passive redistribution of digoxin may take place. When the SDC are within the therapeutic or low toxic range, digoxin may reenter the blood. High antemortem serum concentrations of digoxin may prevent such passive redistribution. Therefore, antemortem digoxin intoxication cannot be reliably inferred on the basis of high postmortem levels of the drug. Digoxin intoxication can be ruled out when postmortem SDC remain within the therapeutic range. The above changes cast doubt on some of the forensic and cardiologic literature, which has in the past been based on incorrect assumptions concerning postmortem behavior of digoxin.

The immunocompetence of murine stromal cell-associated thymocytes.

Thymocyte subpopulations that associate in vivo with distinct nonlymphoid cells of the thymus have been isolated, and their immunocompetence was analyzed. Previous studies have indicated that greater than 95% of such cells bear a surface antigen phenotype representative of immature thymocytes, and are among the earliest thymic compartments repopulated by bone marrow-derived cells after lethal and sub-lethal irradiation. Stromal cell-associated thymocytes may be activated in vivo because they proliferate well in vitro with no additional stimulus, and show little increase in proliferation with the addition of T cell mitogens or allogeneic spleen cells. Stromal cell-associated T cells contain cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) precursors that are indistinguishable from mature peripheral T cells by the parameters of self tolerance, alloreactivity, H-2 restriction, and stringency of self H-2 preference. CTL precursor frequencies and the cytotoxic activity of cells further separated on the basis of high levels of Thy-1 expression argue against the possibility that stromal cell-associated CTL activity is due solely to contaminating mature lymphocytes. Our data suggest that stromal cell-associated thymocytes represent an intermediate subpopulation of thymocytes that is functionally mature and that expresses an immature surface phenotype. Furthermore, the imposition of self tolerance and MHC restriction specificity appears to be tightly associated with the acquisition of immunocompetence in these thymocyte subpopulations.

Plasma triglyceride determines structure-composition in low and high density lipoproteins.

Because the association of hypertriglyceridemia and premature atherosclerosis is not due to the direct effects of the triglyceride molecule itself, we studied the effects of increased plasma triglyceride-rich lipoproteins on the composition and structure of low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL). We found profound changes in the core and surface domains of both lipoproteins with increasing triglyceridemia. Core cholesterol esters were progressively depleted and replaced by triglyceride molecules. Highly significant negative correlations were found between cholesterol ester/protein ratios (r = -0.64 for LDL and -0.58 for HDL (p less than 0.001); positive correlations were found for triglyceride/protein ratios (r = 0.62 for LDL and 0.58 for HDL) and for triglyceride/cholesterol ester ratios (r = 0.70 for LDL and 0.83 for HDL) when these variables were assayed as a function of plasma triglyceride concentrations. With severe hypertriglyceridemia, triglyceride/cholesterol ester ratios of more than 1.0 were consistently observed (normal, less than 0.02). This leads to an underestimation of LDL and HDL levels when cholesterol alone is measured. At the surface, LDL and HDL were depleted of phospholipid and free cholesterol, with a relative enrichment of protein. These changes can be explained on the basis of high levels of plasma triglyceride-rich lipoproteins serving as acceptors for cholesterol esters and other constituents from LDL and HDL. Concomitantly, triglycerides are transferred to LDL and HDL. These transfer processes are likely to be mediated by the activity of lipid transfer proteins present in human plasma.

Napoleon Bonaparte--no evidence of chronic arsenic poisoning.

Napoleon Bonaparte died in exile on the island of St Helena in 1821 at the age of 51. An autopsy by his physician, Autommarchi, in the presence of Sir Thomas Reade, some staff officers and eight medical men revealed a cancerous growth of his stomach1. But mainly on the basis of high levels of arsenic detected in several samples of his hair2 it has been suggested, most recently by Hapgood and Weider3, that Napoleon was poisoned by arsenic. We have analysed a different sample of Napoleon's hair and find an almost normal arsenic content but elevated antimony.

Primary cortisol resistance in man. A glucocorticoid receptor-mediated disease.

We have studied a man suspected of having primary cortisol resistance on the basis of high 24-h mean plasma cortisol levels (27.4 micrograms/dl) and no stigmata of Cushing's syndrome. His son had slightly elevated 24-h mean plasma cortisol levels (9.9 micrograms/dl; normal 7.52 micrograms/dl). Both had high plasma protein unbound cortisol and increased urinary free cortisol. Plasma ACTH concentration was high, and both were resistant to adrenal suppression by dexamethasone. The father appeared to have mineralocorticoid excess resulting in hypertension, hypokalemia, and metabolic alkalosis. This was found to be due to markedly elevated plasma levels of deoxycorticosterone and corticosterone. The son, who was normotensive, had mildly increased plasma corticosterone and normal deoxycorticosterone levels. To study the apparent end-organ resistance to cortisol, we examined the glucocorticoid receptor in the white cells and fibroblasts of these patients. In both tissues, using both whole cell and cytosol assays, the glucocorticoid receptor was found to have reduced affinity for dexamethasone. In the cytoxol assays, a reduced receptor number was found as well. We conclude that cortisol resistance is a rare familial syndrome owing to an abnormal glucocorticoid receptor with a decreased affinity for cortisol.

Pilot study for congenital hypothyroidism, preliminary report.

Preliminary results of a pilot study on congenital hypothyroidism performed on 8,025 newborns in Italy over a 10-month period are reported. The determination of both T4 and TSH on dried blood, spotted on filter paper, as screening procedure at day 3-5 of life revealed three cases of primary hypothyroidism and one case of hypo-thyroxin-binding-globulinemia (hypo-TBG-emia). The diagnosis of primary hypothyroidism was established on the basis of low T4 and high TSH levels in two of the three cases; in the third, with elevated TSH and normal T4 levels at screening, thyroid scintiscan showed an ectopic gland located at the base of the tongue. In the case of hypo-TBG-emia, low T4 and TBG levels were associated with normal TSH values. Some cases of transient hypothyroidism were observed in premature infants.

Rabbit visual cortical neurons with simple and complex receptive fields

Receptive fields of neurons of the rabbit visual cortex selective for stimulus orientation were investigated. These receptive fields were less well differentiated than those of the analogous neurons of the cat visual cortex (large in size and circular in shape). Two mechanisms of selectivity for stimulus orientation were observed: inhibition between on and off zones of the receptive field (sample type) and oriented lateral inhibition within the same zone of the receptive field (complex type). Lateral inhibition within the same zone of the receptive field also took place in unselective neurons; "complex" selective neurons differed from them in the orientation of this inhibition. A combination of both mechanisms was possible in the receptive field of the same neuron. It is suggested that both simple and complex receptive fields are derivatives of unselective receptive fields and that "complex" neurons are not the basis for a higher level of analysis of visual information than in "simple" neurons.

Moral judgment and parental identification among children.

The relationship of moral judgment and parental identification was studied in 50 boys and 50 girls, all of whom were white, lower-middle-class children, aged 9 1/2 to 11 1/2 years. Two hypotheses were proposed: (1) that within each sex group, children with a higher-level parental identification attain a higher stage of moral judgment than children with a lower level of parental identification; and (2) that there are no sex differences in the stage of moral judgment attained by Ss from similar socioeconomic backgrounds. Ss were screened for socioeconomic status and age. Moral judgment was defined in terms of Piaget's "two moralities" of the child and measured by a structured interview that consisted of five subtests taken from Piaget. Parental identification was measured by means of a semantic space and differential technique, and Ss were grouped on the basis of low, medium and high levels of paternal and maternal identification. Results indicate that there are no significant sex differences in moral judgment. Within each sex group there is a clear positive relationship between high-level identification and a higher stage of moral judgment.

Chlortetracycline impregnated food‐pellets for the prophylaxis and therapy of psittacosis/ornithosis in psittacines and pigeons

Medicated food containing 5000 p.p.m. chlortetracycline (CTC) was used for the prophylaxis and therapy of psittacosis/ornithosis in approximately 3800 seed-eating psittacines representing 40 species of 22 genera, as well as 600 pigeons. On the basis of high blood levels of CTC (mostly over 1 mug/ml) in psittacines and failure to isolate Chlamydiae from pigeons after treatment, the medicated pellets seem to be effective for elimination of the causal agent. Owing to the consistently high blood levels the development of CTC-resistant strains is largely prevented.

Genetic analyses of male mating behavior in chickens. II. Crosses among selected and control lines.

Reciprocal crosses of three lines of chickens, two selected lines (high-mating and low-mating), and one randombred control line, were made in the S 10 generation of selection. Dominant and/or epistatic factors and sex-linked loci appear to influence low mating behavior, in contrast to a more additive genetic basis for high levels of mating behavior without sex-linked contributions. A hypothesis is proposed whereby two genetic systems interact to influence male mating frequency in chickens; changes in various correlated traits are also discussed.

Electrodermal lability and recovery of habituated or

The study examined the relationship between individual differences in non-specific electrodermal responding and recovery of the electrodermal component of the orienting reaction (OR) with variation in an auditory stimulus. Following habituation to criterion, 50 male Ss were presented with either the habituating stimulus (1000 Hz) or a stimulus of 1350 Hz. Ss classified as “labiles” on the basis of high levels of non-specific responding during a resting period prior to habituation showed significant increase in electrodermal response on the change trial over control level. For “stabiles”, Ss showing low levels of non-specific responding, the difference between control and change trials was not significant. It is suggested that strength of inhibitory control within the electrodermal system modifies the effect of stimulus variation on recovery of the habituated electrodermal OR.

Heritability of the effect of corticosteroids on intraocular pressure.

In the late 1950's and early 1960's, it became evident that some glaucoma patients developed elevations of intraocular pressure, which were difficult to control, following prolonged use of systemic or ocular medications containing corticosteroids (Chandler, 1955, Alfano, 1963; Armaly, 1963). In addition, some patients without glaucoma, when treated with steroids for long periods of time, developed clinical signs of chronic simple glaucoma (McLean, 1950; François, 1954; Covell, 1958; Linner, 1959; Goldman, 1962). Fortunately, the elevation of intraocular pressure was reversible if the drug was discontinued.Over the past decade, extensive investigation of the “steroid response” has been undertaken. For this presentation, the steroid response may be considered as a gradual elevation of intraocular pressure, occurring over several weeks, in an eye being medicated with corticosteroid drops several times a day. The elevation in pressure is usually accompanied by a reduction in the facility of aqueous outflow. When relatively large numbers of subjects were tested with topical steroids, so that a wide range of responsiveness could be observed, a variation in individual sensitivity was demonstrated. Frequency distributions of intraocular pressure or change in pressure following steroids showed a skew toward the high side. On the basis of trimodal characteristics which they observed in such frequency distributions, Becker and Hahn (1964), Becker (1965) and Armaly (1965, 1966) considered the possible existence of several genetically determined subpopulations. These investigators distinguished three subpopulations on the basis of low, intermediate, and high levels of pressure response. It was hypothesized that these levels of response characterized three phenotypes, corresponding to the three possible genotypes of an allele pair, wherein one member of the pair determined a low level of response, and the other member determined a high level of response (Armaly, 1967).