High resolution study of the spatial distributions of abyssal fishes by autonomous underwater vehicle.

On abyssal plains, demersal fish are believed to play an important role in transferring energy across the seafloor and between the pelagic and benthic realms. However, little is known about their spatial distributions, making it difficult to quantify their ecological significance. To address this, we employed an autonomous underwater vehicle to conduct an exceptionally large photographic survey of fish distributions on the Porcupine Abyssal Plain (NE Atlantic, 4850 m water depth) encompassing two spatial scales (1-10 km(2)) on and adjacent to a small abyssal hill (240 m elevation). The spatial distributions of the total fish fauna and that of the two dominant morphotypes (Coryphaenoides sp. 1 and C. profundicolus) appeared to be random, a result contrary to common expectation but consistent with previous predictions for these fishes. We estimated total fish density on the abyssal plain to be 723 individuals km(-2) (95% CI: 601-844). This estimate is higher, and likely more precise, than prior estimates from trawl catch and baited camera techniques (152 and 188 individuals km(-2) respectively). We detected no significant difference in fish density between abyssal hill and plain, nor did we detect any evidence for the existence of fish aggregations at any spatial scale assessed.

Anger and bulimic psychopathology among nonclinical women.

OBJECTIVE: Although there are well-established links between bulimic psychopathology and some affective states, the role of anger is not clearly understood. This is likely to be a product of the diverse nature of anger. The present study examines the association of different components of anger with bulimic attitudes and behaviors among a nonclinical group of women. METHODS: Eighty-three nonclinical women completed standardized measures of anger and bulimic attitudes/behaviors. RESULTS: Bulimic attitudes and behaviors were correlated specifically with state anger and anger suppression, rather than with trait anger. The pattern of results suggests that binging and vomiting behaviors may serve different functions with regard to anger. CONCLUSIONS: Bulimic attitudes and behaviors appear to reduce immediate anger states, particularly when the individual has a strong tendency to avoid expressing that emotion. Potential therapeutic implications are considered.

Assessing the risks of managed care participation: a practical analysis.

Given existing market conditions and the prevailing political winds, it is likely that managed care participation will become increasingly important to physicians and physician groups in the years ahead. To avoid the potential pitfalls, physicians must be aware of the business and legal risks inherent in managed care and should carefully evaluate those risks prior to entering into any proposed managed care contract.

Chromatography of penicillins, penicilloates, and penicilloylamides on dextran gels.

The factors influencing the chromatographic behavior on dextran gels of penicillins and their derivatives were investigated by comparing elution profiles and partition coefficients (K(D) and K(AV)) of penicillins differing in side-chain structure and among penicillin derivatives of identical side-chain but different nuclear structure. Under the conditions of pH and ionic strength employed (pH 7.4, 0.145 M NaCl, 0.05 M PO(4)), side-chain adsorptive effects best explained the anomalous behavior of benzylpenicillin and of oxacillin and its chlorine-substituted analogues. Polar side-chain substituents, such as the amino group of ampicillin and the carboxyl group of carbenicillin, and cleavage of the beta-lactam ring, exemplified by penicilloates and penicilloylamines, both appeared to interfere with side-chain-directed adsorption. The differential adsorption of penicillins and their derivatives to dextran gels is not only of theoretical interest relative to the mechanism of chromatography but of practical application to analytical and preparative procedures in penicillin chemistry.