bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Some Effects of Reward on the Strength of Position Stereotypes in the White Rat
Authors: Knöpeelmacher F. 
Published: March 2008

Certain aspects of Maier's hypothesis that rigid behaviour stereotypes elicited in an insoluble problem situation are not explicable in terms of goal-motivated learning were tested thus: Forty-one white rats of Wistar stock were exposed to an insoluble problem in a water discrimination unit. Each of the twenty-four animals who formed position stereotypes was assigned to one of four groups. One of these groups served as a control and received no special treatment. Each of the remaining three experimental groups was given a different number of successively rewarded trials to the side of the stereotype. Finally, all groups were presented with a soluble problem, and the strengths of the stereotypes in each group observed in terms of the breaking of the stereotypes. It was found that the strength of the stereotype behaviour was directly proportional to the number of rewarded trials. None of the stereotypes was sufficiently rigid to meet Maier's criterion of “fixated” response patterns. More stereotypes were formed by males than females. On the other hand no sex differences appeared in the subsequent behaviour of animals who did form stereotypes. These results are interpreted as showing that stereotyped responses formed under conditions of the present experiment are not qualitatively different from learned responses.
Subjective Assessments of Firmness: A Comparison of Methods Using Rubber Cylinders and Steel Springs
Authors: Sheppard D. , Scott Blair G. W. 
Published: March 2008

Scott Blair and Coppen's work on comparisons of firmness of rubber cylinders by handling has been extended to include steel springs. Small differences in firmness of rubber cylinders can be detected with considerably greater accuracy than can those for steel springs over the same range. This would seem to be at least partly due to the yielding nature of the rubber surfaces, since covering them with light rigid disks raises the threshold to the level of that of the springs. Moreover, if the ends of the springs are faced with rubber caps, though the firmness of the springs only and not of the rubber caps is varied, a greater acuity is obtained, the threshold lying about half-way between that for uncapped rubbers and that for springs. This suggests that cutaneous cues play a much larger part in such judgments than Scott Blair and Coppen had supposed. A comparison of simultaneous with successive squeezing methods shows marked differences between subjects, but, on the average, no appreciable difference to threshold. While a single squeeze is inadequate for the best judgments, three squeezings show no advantage and perhaps a slight disadvantage as compared with two squeezings. In the case of steel springs, changing the whole range of firmness within reasonable limits does not alter the position of the threshold curve but, using subjects already familiar with the previous range, there is a marked increase in scatter. Varying the heights of the cylinders produces peculiar and partly unexplained changes in acuity; but in general, taller cylinders are judged relatively firmer than shorter ones. Preliminary experiments using an absolute method suggest the importance of the temperature of the samples and the relative unimportance of even quite long intervals (∼ several weeks) between tests, unless experiments on samples having a different range of firmness intervene.
A Pendulum Phenomenon in the Visual Perception of Apparent Movement
Authors: Hall K. R. L. , Earle A. E. , Crookes T. G. 
Published: March 2008

In setting up an apparatus for studying the phenomenon of apparent movement it was noticed that, when a metronome was employed for making the electrical contacts in the light-circuits, the path of apparent movement between the two lights was curved instead of straight. This deviation could not be attributed to the presence of any distorting structure in the visual field, and an experimental investigation of the conditions of the phenomenon was begun. So far five different display conditions have each been observed by ten or eleven subjects individually. No subject saw more than one condition in the experimental series, and their reports indicate that the following factors, in order of importance, are effective in leading to the perception of curved apparent movement: (1) the shape of the light-stimuli, (2) the regularity of the rhythm of presentation, (3) the gradient of brightening and dimming of the lights and (4) the sound of the metronome in synchrony with the appearance of the lights. The possible role of past experience in the perceptual process, and the relationship of this “pendular” phenomenon to Johansson's (1950) “wandering” phenomenon and to normal stroboscopic movement, are briefly discussed.
Asymmetry of Perception of Size between the Right and Left Hands in Normal Subjects
Authors: McPherson A. , Renfrew S. 
Published: March 2008

A method of measuring the perception of size in the hands was applied to 4 0 right handed and 40 left-handed normal subjects. It was found that objects of equal size held simultaneously in each hand tend to be judged to be unequal, and that, in the majority of subjects, the object held in the dominant hand is perceived to be the smaller. These results are discussed in the light of previous work, and some reference is made to the examination of pathological cases.
Further Studies in the Perception of a Changing Shape
Authors: Langdon J. 
Published: March 2008

Koffka's hypothesis of “invariant relation” holding between tilt and perceived shape of an object is discussed from the standpoints both of logical tenability and of experimental findings. After discussion of certain shortcomings in the method of investigation devised by Stavrianos, two experiments are suggested, the first, of a simple character, intended to follow out in practice the hypothetical conclusions of Koffka's argument, the second to test the hypothesis under conditions which attempt to ensure the preservation of the perceptual object throughout the arc of tilt. For this purpose subjects attempt to match two shapes, one of which is stationary whilst the other revolves at a constant speed. The comparison shapes cover the range of the possible arc of tilt. The results of the first experiment, whilst appearing to contradict the requirements of the hypothesis, are by no means conclusive. The second experiment, though not absolutely conclusive, gives little support to Koffka. The main conclusion drawn is that there occur non-systematic variations in perceptual constancy throughout the arc of tilt. These are of a phasic character and are qualitatively different from results obtained by matching stationary shapes. There appears to be no simple function which would result in exhibiting a uniform constancy value for the entire arc of orientation.
Tactile Localization
Authors: Elithorn Alick , Piercy Malcolm F. , Crosskey Margaret A. 
Published: March 2008

Clinical studies suggested that errors of tactile localization made by leucotomized subjects were due to a failure of analysis of a conceptual type. The present experiment examines the normal mechanisms of localizing stimuli to different sites on the hands by measuring the time taken to make a correct response as well as by an analysis of the errors made under conditions of stress (the reaction-time situation). It is demonstrated that healthy subjects of above-average intelligence have appreciable difficulty in determining which of their fingers has been touched. The degree of this difficulty depends on which finger has been stimulated. The results strongly support the hypothesis that normal tactile localization involves the analysis of primary sensory data in terms of a few simple parameters of orientation. It is suggested that some of the errors which occur are due to contamination between different systems of conceptual analysis.
The Effects of Position in a Display upon Problem Solving
Authors: Kay Harry 
Published: March 2008

Sixty-four subjects, aged between 15 and 72 years were told how to carry out a problem-solving task, whose difficulty could be varied by changing the position of an index card in relation to a display and control. The outstanding feature, particularly of the older group's performance was the repetition of the same two kinds of mistake. Their failure seemed mainly due to an inability to rid themselves of their wrong “solutions,” in spite of the constant information indicating the mistake at each position. Whilst these differences between the age groups were hot pronounced at the easiest task, they were at the most difficult. It is suggested that: Firstly, the procedure of giving a subject the solution to a problem and observing how he reconciles his information with it, though only operating in a circumscribed area of problem-solving, is a genuine example of thinking, and, particularly where certain kinds of mistake can be predicted, it enables the experimenter to gain a more exact impression of what a subject is doing. Secondly, the manipulation of spatial contiguities lends itself to flexible and fairly precise measurement, and the principle might usefully be extended to other variables such as size, time intervals, colour, etc.
Experiments on Habit Reversal in the white Rat following Electro-Convulsive Treatment
Authors: Frankenhaeuser Marianne 
Published: March 2008

Rats in a T-maze were taught two opposite habits successively, the first being heavily over learned compared to the second. One group of 14 rats was then given a series of 6 electroconvulsive shocks. The control group of 11 rats underwent a dummy procedure. Tested subsequently the control group maintained the second habit but among the shocked animals some adopted the second habit and some the first. This was no evidence of habit reversal, however, for the behaviour of the shocked animals at the choice point was not distinguishable statistically from random behaviour. The data of earlier workers are re-examined and, in all cases, animals said to have undergone habit reversal act as if at random.
Relation of Skin Temperature to Pain Threshold
Authors: Hall K. R. L. 
Published: March 2008

Two recent studies have established a very close relationship between environmentally-induced changes in skin temperature and the pain threshold for radiant heat stimuli. The present experiment was designed to verify the relationship by using as pain test area the skin surface of the back of the hand, as the skin temperature here is likely to vary from individual to individual much more than for the forehead. Subjects were 50 neurotic and depressed patients of both sexes, age range 20–79. Skin temperatures were recorded on the right hand until a steady level was reached, then radiant heat stimuli were applied to a blackened area of the left hand. Results showed a highly significant negative correlation between pain threshold and skin temperature level, while differences due to age and sex were negligible. Drops in skin temperature were a common reaction during pain testing. The significance of this finding is discussed in terms of the adaptive function of skin temperature changes and their relation to tissue damage. The results are consistent with the view that the pain experience, although having its distinctive sensory components, is intimately related to, and affected by, central factors of autonomic regulation. Some implications for general experimental and clinical research on pain are briefly outlined.
A Technique for Comparing the Threshold Concentrations for Olfactory, Trigeminal, and Ocular Irritations
Authors: Moncrieff R. W. 
Published: March 2008

A new technique is described for comparing the threshold concentrations that will produce olfactory, trigeminal, and ocular irritation when odorous irritants are exposed to the nose and eyes. It depends on the reduction of concentration of an odorous irritant in air, when the air is passed through an adsorbent. Of the four odorous irritants used in this investigation, three, viz. acetic anhydride, formaldehyde and triethylamine, first irritated the eye, then became perceptible to smell and finally irritated the nasal membranes as their concentration was gradually increased. The order of sensitivity of the three senses towards them was in each case: eye irritation > smell > nasal irritation. It was not found possible to separate the three sensations when ammonia was the odorous irritant, all three seeming to appear and to disappear together.
Evolution of open access publishing in Chinese scientific journals
Authors: CHENG Weihong , REN Shengli 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTBased on the 1,608 journals covered by the Chinese Science & Technology Journal Citation Reports (2005 edition), we analyzed the open access (OA) publishing situation of Chinese scientific journals. From this database we identified 91 journals offering full OA; a further 139 journals offered delayed OA. Data collected at three different time points (January 2006, July 2006, and January 2007) showed that the OA status of these journals is not stable; some OA journals subsequently became non‐OA. Most of the Chinese OA journals are not part of a larger aggregation, but are published independently. Relatively more OA journals are published in the fields of medicine and biology. Citation indicators of OA journals were found to be higher than those of non‐OA journals.
Trends in the use of ISI citation databases for evaluation
Authors: PRINGLE James 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTThis paper explores the factors shaping the current uses of the ISI citation databases in evaluation both of journals and of individual scholars and their institutions. Given the intense focus on outcomes evaluation, in a context of increasing ‘democratization’ of metrics in today's digital world, it is easy to lose focus on the appropriate ways to use these resources, and misuse can result.
THE ROLE OF LONG ACTING THYROID STIMULATOR IN NEONATAL THYROTOXICOSIS
Authors: MAISEY M. N. , STIMMLER L. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYTen pregnant women with a history of past or present hyperthyroidism were investigated. Three of these patients had evidence of LATS activity in their serum. Two of these had infants who had LATS activity in their cord blood; a pair of twins, and a singleton. These three infants developed neonatal thyrotoxicosis. Serial samples of blood from these infants indicated a half life LATS disappearance of 4.1, 6.7 and 7.6 days respectively.
THE EFFECT OF METHANDROSTENOLONE ON PITUITARY GROWTH HORMONE SECRETION IN PREPUBERTAL CHILDREN
Authors: LARON Z. , HOCHMAN I. H. , KERET R. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYThe effect of methandrostenolone on plasma growth hormone levels was studied in twenty‐two apparently healthy prepubertal children (nineteen males and three females) with idiopathic growth retardation, following insulin hypoglycaemia (eight children) or arginine infusion (fourteen children). The tests were performed before and after 5 days or 34 months of peroral administration of methandrostenolone (0.1 54.33 or 0.03‐0.05 mg/kg/day, respectively).
STIMULATION TESTS OF PITUITARY‐LEYDIG CELL FUNCTION IN NORMAL MALE SUBJECTS AND HYPOGONADAL MEN
Authors: ANDERSON D. C. , MARSHALL J. C. , YOUNG J. L. , RUSSELL FRASER T. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYThe Leydig cell reserve was assessed by measuring plasma 17 ß‐hydroxy androgens (17 OHA) after two injections of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) 2000 i.u. 3 days apart. In fifteen normal men the 17 OHA rose by a mean of 109%, to above 11 ng/ml, between 1 and 3 days after intramuscular injection. In cryptorchid boys the response was much slower, adult levels being reached in 1‐4 weeks. In panhypopituitarism 17 OHA levels rose rapidly to the normal range, whereas in isolated gonadotrophin deficiency the response was much more variable. Subjects with chromatin‐positive Klinefelter's syndrome also responded to HCG. No response was seen in patients with complete testicular degeneration. Peak serum HCG levels occurred at 24 hr.Pituitary luteinizing hormone (LH) production was tested with clomiphene citrate 3 mg/kg/day for 10 days. In nine normal men LH levels rose by a mean of 107% to above the normal range, and the 17 OHA by a mean of 114% to above 11.5 ng/ml. No response was seen in early puberty, in panhypopituitarism or in isolated gonadotrophin deficiency where LH and 17 OHA levels remained low. In Klinefelter's syndrome and testicular degeneration the high LH levels were unchanged.The HCG test is of value in confirming the presence of functioning Leydig cells, while the principal use of the clomiphene test is in diagnosing gonadotrophin deficiency, where basal LH levels may be only borderline low.
A TRIAL OF MEDROXYPROGESTERONE ACETATE IN ACROMEGALY
Authors: RAKE J.S. , HAFIZ S.A. , LESSOF M.H. , SNODGRASS G. J. A. I. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYIn a series of acromegalic patients treated with radiotherapy to the pituitary high growth hormone levels were frequently found to persist after treatment. However, a late fall in the fasting plasma level of growth hormone was often seen. There was no evidence as to its cause.The use of medroxyprogesterone in a dose of 10 mg 6‐hourly over a period of 3 months resulted in a fall in growth hormone level in three cases out of thirteen. Twelve of the treated patients had previously received radiotherapy to the pituitary.As judged by growth hormone levels there was no evidence that medroxyprogesterone offers an effective treatment for acromegaly. The urinary excretion of hydroxyproline fell significantly during treatment, and this requires further evaluation.
SKIN COLLAGEN AND THICKNESS IN ACROMEGALY AND HYPOPITUITARISM
Authors: BLACK M. M. , SHUSTER* SAM , BOTTOMS EVA 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYThe thickness of the forearm skin and its collagen content and density were measured in a group of patients with acromegaly and hypopituitarism. In acromegaly the total content, thickness and collagen density were all increased. There was a smaller and less consistent increase in percentage collagen content. In hypopituitarism total skin collagen and thickness were both decreased and collagen density and percentage collagen content remained normal.
URINARY PREGNANEDIOL AND PREGNANETRIOL IN THE SALT‐LOSING AND NONSALT‐LOSING FORMS OF C‐21‐HYDROXYLASE DEFICIENCY
Authors: HAMILTON WILLIAM , GRAY CHRISTINA E. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYSix patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21‐hydroxylase defect were investigated by administering both metyrapone and corticotrophin during an acute 3 day test. Urinary pregnanediol and pregnanetriol were estimated in the third day urine. Three patients had salt‐loss while three were without salt‐loss.Pregnanediol and pregnanetriol were detected in all cases suggesting that 21‐hydroxylation of progesterone (P) and 17α‐hydroxyprogesterone (17P) is defective in both types. Contrary to the view that salt‐loss is due to a complete enzyme defect while nonsalt‐loss is due to partial enzyme defect, more pregnanediol and pregnanetriol was excreted by nonsalt‐losers than by salt‐losers. This suggests that the basic difference in the two types is not simply a quantitative enzyme defect. The findings, supported by quoted work of other authors, suggest either that metabolic pathways in this condition may be different from the accepted normal or alternatively there is a difference in the availability of precursor substrate in the two clinical types.
ENDOCRINE PROFILES IN PREMENSTRUAL TENSION
Authors: ADAMOPOULOS D. A. , LORAINE J. A. , LUNN S. F. , COPPEN A. J. , DALY R. J. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYStudies on pituitary and ovarian function as assessed by the urinary output of total gonadotrophic activity, the three classical oestrogens, pregnanediol and, in some cases, testosterone and epitestosterone, were conducted in eight patients suffering from premenstrual tension. Major abnormalities in endocrine function were not a feature of the condition. Ovulation, as judged by pregnanediol assays, was absent in seven out of the fifteen cycles investigated. Contrary to traditional belief, the symptoms of premenstrual tension could exist in the presence of cycles with anovulatory hormonal patterns.
PATTERN OF SERUM THYROXINE, TRIIODOTHYRONINE AND THYROTROPHIN AFTER TREATMENT OF THYROTOXICOSIS
Authors: BELLABARBA D. , BÉNARD B. , LANGLOIS M. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYSerial measurements of the levels of thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3) and thyrotrophin (TSH) have been made in sixty‐two patients with thyrotoxicosis during the management of their disease. Thirty‐six patients received 131I, twenty antithyroid drugs and six underwent thyroidectomy. All have been followed for 1–2 years. Serum T4 concentrations were determined by a modification of the Murphy technique (N: 5–12 μg/100 ml). Serum T3 values were assessed by the method of Sterling et al. (N: 150–270 ng/100 ml). TSH was measured by radioimmunoassay (N: 0–8 μU/ml). The following hormonal and clinical patterns were observed.

Euthyroidism, with normal T4, T3 and TSH in forty‐four patients.
Persistence of hyperthyroidism with high serum T3 (370–676 ng/100 ml), normal T4 and undetectable TSH, in four patients treated with 131I and in four managed with antithyroid drugs.
In four out of six patients, clinically euthyroid after 131I therapy, serum TSH became elevated (32–93 μU/ml). In this group serum T4 was decreased (1.3–3.6 μg/100 ml), but T3 was normal or somewhat elevated (170–348 ng/100 ml). Three of these patients eventually developed hypothyroidism and T3 levels fell below normal.
Four patients showed a transient (2–4 months) fall of serum T4 below the normal level. Serum T3 was normal and they were clinically euthyroid.

These results show that during the management of thyrotoxicosis, serum T4 may be misleading. The measurement of T3 and TSH, in addition to T4, provides a better correlation between clinical status and laboratory findings.
STEROID 17, 20‐DESMOLASE DEFICIENCY: A NEW CAUSE OF MALE PSEUDOHERMAPHRODITISM
Authors: ZACHMANN M. , VÖLLMIN J. A. , HAMILTON W. , PRADER A. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYIn a child with male pseudohermaphroditism (ambiguous external genitalia, XY sex chromosomal constitution and normal adrenocortical function), incubations of testicular tissue with pregnenolone/progesterone, 17α‐hydroxy‐pregnenolone/17α‐hydroxyprogesterone and androstenedione/dehydroepiandrosterone showed that testosterone could be formed from androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone only, but not from other substrates. In urine, testosterone did not increase after HCG, but small amounts of pregnanetriolone were found, which increased after HCG and ACTH. There was no DHA increment after ACTH.It is concluded that this patient, as well as a first cousin and a gonadectomized maternal 'aunt' with the same clinical and urinary steroid findings have testicular and adrenal steroid 17,20‐desmolase deficiency, causing a defect of androgen biosynthesis, which has not previously been described. The heredity of this condition seems to be autosomal or X‐chromosomal.
PLASMA THYROTROPHIN AND ITS RESPONSE TO THYROTROPHIN RELEASING HORMONE IN ENDEMIC GOITRE
Authors: RASTOGI G. K. , DASH R. J. , KANNAN V. , SINHA M. K. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYThe basal plasma thyrotropin (TSH) level and the thyrotrophin releasing hormone (TRH) induced TSH secretion were measured in euthyroid goitrous subjects and non‐goitrous subjects; both groups lived in a known endemic area under iodide prophylaxis in North India. The results were similar in both groups. Elevated TSH levels are not necessary for goitre maintenance.