Physiological and morphological factors associated with successful fencing performance

The relation between fencing success during a season of intercollegiate competition and various physiological and morphological variables were determined in 14 fencers. Bivariate and multiple regression analysis was used to determine the extent to which the independent variables, individually and collectively, accounted for the variance in two measures of fencing success. The fencing scores correlated significantly with VE max, Vo2 max, the 2 km run, and weight, while there was no significant correlation between the fencing scores and submaximal heart rate at 6 mph, and 1 min steptest score, or other morphological measurements. Cardiorespiratory fitness variables of Vo2 max and VE max accounted for the greatest variance in each of the two fencing scores (57.7 and 58.1%, respectively). Although morphological factors play a role in fencing success, their influence is small when physiological factors are accounted for. Future energy-cost studies are suggested to determine the physiological basis for the relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness and fencing success.

Induction of acetylcholinesterase activity by beta-ecdysone in a Drosophila cell line

When cells of the Drosophila Kc-H line are treated with larger than or equal to 10(-8) molar beta-ecdysone, they extend long processes and acquire acetylcholinesterase activity. Thus, this permanent line, derived originally from embryol cultures, may be composed of cells having some neural or glial characteristics.

Comparison of 19-lodocholesterol and 6-lodomethylnorcholesterol as adrenal-scanning agents

The two adrenal-specific compounds, 19-iodocholest-5-en-3beta-ol (19-iodocholesterol) and 6beta-iodometyly-19-norcholest-5(10)-en-3beta-ol (6-iodomethylnorcholesterol), synthesized pure in gram amounts have been labeled with iodine-125 and used for tissue-distribution studies in the rat. Radioactivity from 6-iodomethylnorcholesterol is accumulated in the rat adrenal gland at least 18 times more than is radioactivity from 19-iodocholesterol at 24 hr, and 50 times more at 72 hr. The use of radioactive 6-iodomethylnorcholesterol gave superior adrenal images in rats at earlier times than did radioactive 19-iodocholesterol, and the former should be equally superior when used in humans.

Ruptured mycotic splenic artery aneurysm: angiographic diagnosis

A case of ruptured artery aneurysm is presented, emphasizing the pre-operative angiographic diagnosis of a difficult clinical problem. Although some patients have been operated on without angiography, this may prove of some difficulty if the diagnosis is not suspected. Awareness of potential routes of spread along soft tissue planes from the pancreatic bed may be of considerable importance in establishing the diagnosis.

Synthesis and purification of radioactive 6beta-iodomethyl-19-norcholest-5(10)-en-3beta-ol

A method for the synthesis and purification of 6beta-iodomethyl-19-norcholest-5(10)-ene-3beta-ol-131I of greater than 98 mole% chemical purity and greater than 99% radiochemical purity is presented. Carbon-13 and proton NMR were used to establish the identity and purity. Discrepancies in the characterization of this compound, previously published by two other research groups, are discussed.

Urinary tract infection in children: general practice survey

Urinary tract infection was in 15 per cent of 804 children presenting in general practice with symptoms suggestive of infection. Only 18 per cent of children with specific urinary symptoms and eight per cent of those with non specific symptoms were infected. All children with a proven urinary infection were investigated radiologically, and one third of these had an abnormality on a micturition cystourethrogram or intravenous pyelogram. Urine culture is the only way of detecting urinary infection, and radiological investigation is essential in all cases of proven infection.

Control of Moulting and Metamorphosis in the Tobacco Hornworm, Manduca Sexta (L.): Cessation of Juvenile Hormone Secretion as a Trigger for Pupation

During the final larval instar of the tobacco hornworm the presence of juvenile hormone (JH) inhibits the secretion of the brain's prothoracicotropic hormone (PTTH). The corpora allata cease to secrete JH when the larvae attain a weight of approximately 5 g. The JH is cleared from the haemolymph in about 24 h. This process in itself renders the brain competent to release PTTH. The actual release of PTTH occurs at the very first photo-periodic gate after the JH has disappeared from the haemolymph. A functional failure of this normal mechanism is apparently responsible for the developmental standstill of Lepidoptera which diapause as mature larvae.

Control of Moulting and Metamorphosis in the Tobacco Hornworm, Manduca Sexta (L.): Growth of the Last-Instar Larva and the Decision to Pupate

The dynamics of growth and the timing of release of the brain's prothoracicotropic hormone (PTTH) in final instar larvae of Manduca sexta are consistent with the following hypothesis. When a 5th-stage larva reaches a critical weight of about 5 g an unidentified process is initiated which requires 24 h to be completed. At the completion of this process the brain is rendered competent to release PTTH. The actual release of PTTH is gated by the photoperiod and occurs when the gate opens during the very next photophase.

Canonical analysis of the Vocational Preference Inventory and the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire

A canonical analysis was performed, relating the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire and the Vocational Preference Inventory. 145 male graduate students were Ss. Three significant canonical relationships were found. Most of the zero-order correlations were low; only 3 correlations (out of 176 possible correlations) were as large (positively or negatively) as .40.

Spermatogenesis in Cultured Testes of the Cynthia Silkworm: Effects of Ecdysone and of Prothoracic Glands

In vitro spermatogenesis takes place when intact testes are cultured in blood plasma containing ecdysone or certain other steroids possessing ecdysone activity. The ecdysone requirement can be satisfied by culturing the testes in the presence of living, active prothoracic glands. The most likely explanation of these results is that the prothoracic glands constitute the principal source of ecdysone.

Legibility of numbers as a function of contrast and illumination

While contrast is recognized as an important variable affecting legibility, scant information of what happens in the mid-ranges is available. Thus nine contrast conditions consisting of black or white lettering on white, black, or grey backgrounds were compared under three levels of illumination —0.06, 0.60, and 6.0 footcandles. 18 Ss were asked to search a stimulus array for a particular stimulus and then indicate its relative position among the other stimuli. Reaction time and errors were recorded. Illumination proved to be the single most important factor. Significant differences in performance were observed between the contrast conditions under poor illumination. It was concluded that for recognition tasks of short duration, varying contrast within wide limits has little effect on speed and accuracy of performance as long as illumination remains above 0.60 footcandles. Black lettering on a white background and white lettering on a black background did not differ significantly and were associated with the shortest reaction times and the least number of errors at all light levels.

Lethal effects of synthetic juvenile hormone on the human body louse

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Volatile Principle from Oak Leaves: Role in Sex Life of the Polyphemus Moth

An emanation from oak leaves is necessary for the mating of polyphemus moths under laboratory conditions. This requirement can be satisfied by placing the moths in the presence of oak leaves or aqueous or alcoholic extracts prepared from oak leaves. The active principle is a vola- tile, heat-stable, polar material which has been partially purified. The oak emanation acts on the female and not on the male, and the sensory receptors are located on the female antennae. The reception of the oak emanation is prerequisite for the female's release of her sex pheromone, which in turn, is necessary for the sexual activation of the male.

Lethal effects of synthetic juvenile hormone on larvae of the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti

Emergence of adult mosquitoes is blocked after the addition of 1 part of crude synthetic juvenile hormone to 100,000 parts water. Development is arrested at stages ranging from pupae to fully formed pharate adults incapable of escaping from the pupal exuvium. Fourth-stage larvae just prior to metamorphosis are most sensitive: 40 percent were killed after being exposed for 1 dayto 1 part juvenile hormone in 2 million parts water. The active material also inhibits the hatching of mosquito eggs.