Further studies on neural tube defects caused by concanavalin A in early chick embryos

Summary Neural tube defects caused by concanavalin A in chick embryos are consequences of change in the cell surface of developing neuroepithelium.This study was supported in part by grants from the Rutgers University Research Council.     

Analysis of many short time sequences: Forecast improvements achieved by shrinkage

Credibility models in actuarial science deal with multiple short time series where each series represents claim amounts of different insurance groups. Commonly used credibility models imply shrinkage of group-specific estimates towards their average. In this paper we model the claim size yu in group i and at time t as the sum of three independent components: y_it = μ_r + δ_i + ?_it. The first component, μt = μ_t?1 + m_t, represents time-varying levels that are common to all groups. The second component, δ_i, represents random group offsets that are the same in all periods, and the third component represents independent measurement errors. In this paper we show how to obtain forecasts from this model and we discuss the nature of the forecasts, with particular emphasis on shrinkage. We also assess the forecast improvements that can be expected from such a model. Finally, we discuss an extension of the above model which also allows the group offsets to change over time. We assume that the offsets for different groups follow independent random walks.     

On estimation and prediction procedures for ar(1) models with power transformation

The power transformation of Box and Cox (1964) has been shown to be quite useful in short-term forecasting for the linear regression model with AR(1) dependence structure (see, for example, Lee and Lu, 1987, 1989). It is crucial to have good estimates of the power transformation and serial. correlation parameters, because they form the basis for estimating other parameters and predicting future observations. The prediction of future observations is the main focus of this paper. We propose to estimate these two parameters by minimizing the mean squared prediction errors. These estimates and the corresponding predictions compare favourably, via revs and simulated data, with those obtained by the maximum likelihood method. Similar results are also demonstrated in the repeated measurements setting.     

The effect of protein-energy malnutrition on appositional bone growth in the rat

Summary During protein-energy malnutrition appositional bone growth in the seventh caudal vertebra of the rat slows and finally ceases. During rehabilitation appositional growth begins agains and attains a rate in excess of that of the controls. This may account for alterations in skeletal proportions resulting from manutrition.Supported in part by National Research Council of Canada grant A4692.     

Fungal competition and mycotoxin production on corn

Summary Aflatoxin and secalonic acid D production in corn in laboratory and field by mixed cultures ofPencillium oxalicum andAspergillus flavus orA. parasiticus was lower than production by the pure cultures. However, mixed culture of these molds withFusarium spp. did not affect mycotoxin production.     

The effects of acute and chronic morphine on regional distribution of cardiac output in brain

Summary Both acute and chronic administration of morphine resulted in an increase in the percent cardiac output received by brain. However, various brain regions were affected differently by the drug treatments. The greatest increases in percent cardiac output received after chronic administration of morphine occurred in pons and cerebellum, while the greatest increases after acute administration occurred in cortex and midbrain. The changes found are in contrast with earlier studies which suggest that morphine has no effect on cerebral blood flow.     

Exploration of the significance of values in the design of educational systems

In recent decades, there has been increased awareness of the need for systemic change in education. In systemic change, it is of the greatest importance that stakeholders examine and clarify their individual values and articulate shared values and state them clearly. This is necessary because values underlie visions, guide choices, decisions, and actions made in the course of design and, eventually, serve as practical tools in evaluating a system and its programs. This study explores the importance of articulating values in the design of educational systems. Given the importance of the clarification of values consented to by stakeholders and the lack of previous in-depth studies, the paper concludes that it is urgent to develop systemic and comprehensive value categories to aid in articulating core values and to serve as guidelines for applying these values in educational systems design.     

Dose response of gastric secretion,and electrolyte output in pylorus-ligated rats to insulin hypoglycemia

Zusammenfassung Die Insulinwirkung auf die Magensäuresekretion wurde in männlichen Sprague-Dawley Ratten untersucht, deren Pylorus 2 h vorher unterbunden war. Eine Dosis-Wirkungskurve wurde aufgestellt. Maximale Sekretion von Magensäure und Magensaft wurden durch s.c. Injektion von 4 Einheiten krystallinischen Zink-Insulins per 100 g Körpergewicht erzielt. Grössere Dosen von Insulin unterdrücken Säure- und Magensaftsekretion. Das Verhalten der Elektrolyte im Magensaft spricht sowohl für die Neutralisierungs-Verdünnungshypothese als auch für die Austausch-Diffusionshypothese zur Erklärung der Magensaftproduktion.     

Studies on the mechanisms of neurulation in the chick: The intracellular distribution of Ca++1

Summary Coated vesicles were found to accumulate Ca⁺⁺ in neuroepithelial cells and may play a role in regulating the contractile activities of apical microfilament bundles during uplifting of neural folds in the chick.This study was supported in part by grants from the Research Council and the Charles and Johanna Busch Memorial Fund of Rutgers University.