Showing papers by "Cardiff University published in 1978"
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TL;DR: Why Big Fierce Animals are Rare: An Ecologist's Perspective as discussed by the authors, by Paul Colinvaux. Pp.236, p.9.50. (Princeton University Press: New Brunswick, New Jersey, 1978)
Abstract: Why Big Fierce Animals are Rare: An Ecologist's Perspective. By Paul Colinvaux. Pp.236. (Princeton University Press: New Brunswick, New Jersey, 1978.) $9.50.
283 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the effects of such parameters as preparation technique, pH, and sodium chloride concentration on the electrophoretic mobility of sodium kaolinite are examined using the single-particle microelectrophoresis technique.
245 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, it was shown that the probability that two permutations are chosen at random from the symmetric group Sn of degree n will generate either An or Sn is greater than 1 − 2/(log log n) 2 for all sufficiently large n.
Abstract: In [2], Dixon considered the following question: \" Suppose two permutations are chosen at random from the symmetric group Sn of degree n. What is the probability that they will generate Sn? \" Actually, Netto conjectured last century that almost all pairs of elements from Sn will generate Sn or An. Dixon showed that this is true in the following sense: The proportion of ordered pairs (x, y) (x, y e Sn) which generate either An or Sn is greater than 1 — 2/(log log n) 2 for all sufficiently large n. In fact this bound is only a very rough result, as Dixon himself suggests. In this paper we shall prove
170 citations
157 citations
152 citations
TL;DR: The development of a 42-item measure of a number of personality features derived from the theory of psychological reversals that constitute a personality trait which is described as telic dominance is reported.
Abstract: The development of a 42-item measure of a number of personality features derived from the theory of psychological reversals is reported. These personality features are (a) the extent to which a person is serious-minded, (b) the extent to which a person plans ahead and organizes himself in the pursuit of goals, and (c) the extent to which a person seeks to avoid arousal. These features together are seen to constitute a personality trait which is described as telic dominance. Data concerning the test-retest reliability, criterion-related and construct validity of the Telic Dominance Scale are presented, together with the scale and scoring key.
144 citations
TL;DR: The anorectal manifestations of Crohn's disease comprise a complex and heterogeneous group of conditions which fall into two main categories: primary lesions of the active disease process and secondary lesions resulting from healing of, or infective complications of, the primary lesions.
Abstract: The anorectal manifestations of Crohn's disease comprise a complex and heterogeneous group of conditions which fall into two main categories: primary lesions of the active disease process and secondary lesions resulting from healing of, or infective complications of, the primary lesions. The lesions are classified into distinct clinicopathological entities which may be used in assessing prognosis and determining appropriate treatment. A basic principle of management is that surgery should be avoided as far as possible in the presence of disease activity, but will frequently be necessary, and satisfactory, for secondary complications.
142 citations
TL;DR: In this article, it was shown that the circular dichroism (CD) spectrum of a suspension of such particles, arbitrarily oriented but with the restriction that their axes lie in a plane perpendicular to the incident beam, is equal to the intrinsic CD spectrum modified by a "solvent factor" which depends upon the average refractive index of the cylinder relative to that of the surrounding medium.
133 citations
TL;DR: D deaths from ischaemic heart disease at the time of influenza were found to be increased at all ages, and particularly in younger age groups when deaths attributed specifically to acute myocardial infarction are considered.
Abstract: Prompted by a clinical observation of an increase in hospital admissions for acute myocardial infarction during an influenza outbreak, a study was designed to examine the number of deaths from ischaemic heart disease (IHD) at the time of influenza. Deaths from IHD were found to be increased at all ages, and particularly in younger age groups when deaths attributed specifically to acute myocardial infarction are considered. The question of whether influenza could act as a precipitating factor in acute myocardial infarction is discussed, together with a possible mechanism.
120 citations
TL;DR: The concept that polymorphonuclear leucocyte neutral proteinases play an important role in the pathogenesis of glomerulonephritis is supported.
Abstract: 1. Human polymorphonuclear leucocyte elastase and cathepsin G were incubated with preparations of isolated human glomerular basement membrane at neutral pH and 37 degrees C. 2. The ability of these enzymes to degrade glomerular basement membrane was followed by the release of hydroxyproline. Both proteinases released considerable amounts of hydroxyproline. 3. By using Sephadex G-100 it was shown that the solubilized basement membrane fragments appeared as a single peak and had a molecular weight of over 100 000. These proteins after reduction were analysed by sodium dodecyl sulphate-gel electrophoresis to examine their subunit pattern and determine their molecular size. 4. The released basement membrane proteins gave at least four precipitin lines with a rabbit anti-(glomerular basement membrane) antiserum. 5. These results support the concept that polymorphonuclear leucocyte neutral proteinases play an important role in the pathogenesis of glomerulonephritis. 6. At acid pH values cathepsin B also released hydroxyproline from human glomerular basement membrane but the lysosomal carboxyl proteinase, cathepsin D, had no action.
118 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the theoretical maximum useful work obtainable from solar energy has been calculated taking account of its directional character, and the method employed is the calculation of the availability of a thermodynamic system containing such energy in an environment corresponding to the earth's surface.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors calculate eigenfrequencies (including e-folding times) for stable and unstable modes of a scalar field on a background metric which has an ergoregion.
Abstract: Rotating, ultra-compact stars in general relativity can have an ergoregion, in which all trajectories are dragged in the direction of the star's rotation. The existence of the ergoregion leads to a classical instability to emission of scalar, electromagnetic and gravitational radiation from the star. In this paper we calculate eigenfrequencies (including e-folding times) for stable and unstable modes of a scalar field on a background metric which has an ergoregion. Within a W.K.B.J. approximation for modes with angular dependence exp (imo), we find that unstable modes exist for all ImI > mo (mi depending upon the star), but that the e-folding time is asymptotically r = ro exp (2flm), where ,8 is of order 1. Typically, T0 is several orders of magnitude longer than the age of the universe. However, the techniques evolved here should be applicable to other 'rotational dragging' instabilities in general relativity. Particularly useful should be the result that links the eigenfrequencies to resonances in the effective potentials governing photon motion in the metric; these potentials are rotationally 'split'.
TL;DR: In this article, the formation of L-S tectonite fabrics in the metamorphic nappe rocks of East Laksefjord, Finnmark, is accompanied by the rotation of contemporary folds into the X direction of the finite-strain ellipsoid.
TL;DR: 42 patients with metastatic breast carcinoma were treated with aminoglutethimide, which inhibits adrenal steroid hormone synthesis, and response was commonest in patients who had previously responded to other forms of endocrine therapy.
TL;DR: This tissue culture model forms a convenient basis for the study of iron overlead and iron chelation.
TL;DR: Povidone iodine, as a mouthwash, exerts only an immediate antibacterial effect and unlike chlorhexidine, is not retained at antibacterial levels within the oral cavity after expectoration, which would appear to be relevant to its reported lack of antiplaque activity.
Abstract: Clinical and laboratory studies were carried out to compare the antibacterial properties of two antiseptic mouthwashes, namely 1% povidone iodine and 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate. In a group of 10 subjects after a single rinse with povidone iodine, an immediate mean fall in total salivary aerobes and anaerobes occurred, followed by a return to normal levels by 1-hour postrinsing. With chlorhexidine gluconate a similar but greater reduction in salivary bacterial counts was observed, which was still present up to the 7-h postrinsing period. Saliva samples obtained from the subjects 2 min after rinsing with providone iodine produced little or no inhibition to the growth of a test organism in vitro, whereas following chlorhexidine gluconate, antibacterial activity was present in the saliva specimens up to the 3-h sampling time. Using culture media containing comparable levels of soluble protein to saliva, the minimum inhibitory concentrations of povidone iodine against several standard test organisms were much higher than those of chlorhexidine gluconate. The results suggest that povidone iodine, as a mouthwash, exerts only an immediate antibacterial effect and unlike chlorhexidine, is not retained at antibacterial levels within the oral cavity after expectoration. This lack of prolonged action of povidone iodine in the oral cavity would appear to be relevant to its reported lack of antiplaque activity.
TL;DR: In this paper, a line crossing the prisms at the prenatal side of the neonatal line and a wider diffuse zone of reduced crystal density at the postnatal side were found to represent disturbances in physiological activity at birth and the succeeding 3 to 4 day period.
TL;DR: In sera from normal subjects and patients with iron overload, myocardial infarction, leukaemia and carcinoma only low concentrations of heart ferritin were found, although in the pathological sera spleen ferrit in concentrations were generally raised, and a two-site immunoradiometric assay for this protein developed.
TL;DR: Patients benefitting subjectively from manipulation were more likely to be older and to have had symptoms for a shorter period than those not deriving benefit and the age of onset of symptoms was significantly later in the responders.
Abstract: Thirty-two patients with chronic low back pain were treated three times at weekly intervals with rotational manipulation. Patients with femoral or sciatic root pain were included provided they did not exhibit root compression signs. Background therapy of codeine phosphate was administered throughout. There was a significant increase in spinal flexion measured clinically during the three-week period of manipulation followed by a significant decrease in the three-week period after manipulation. The first week of manipulative treatment was more painful than the corresponding week in the control group but in the second and third weeks there was less pain in the manipulated group. Pain scores were reduced to a significant degree within four weeks of starting treatment only in the group manipulated in the first treatment period. Patients benefitting subjectively from manipulation were more likely to be older and to have had symptoms for a shorter period than those not deriving benefit. The age of onset of symptoms was significantly later in the responders.
TL;DR: Kershaw, Stephen and Riding as mentioned in this paper presented a simple parameterization scheme for stromatoporoid shape in triangular arrays which included the stromata morphotypes laminar, domical and bulbous, and varieties of them together with forms not utilized by stromatoppers.
Abstract: Kershaw, Stephen & Riding, Robert 1978 07 15: Parameterization of stromatoporoid shape. Lethaia, Vol. 11. pp. 233–242. Oslo. ISSN 0024–1164.
Stromatoporoid cross-sectional shape can be considered as a product of the interaction of three morphological variables: the relative proportions of basal, vertical and diagonal dimensions. The gross arrangement of internal lamination can be superimposed upon the resulting outlines. These shapes are taken to represent cross sections in any vertical plane through the centre of the coenosteum. This simple parameterization scheme is presented in triangular arrays which include the stromatoporoid morphotypes laminar, domical and bulbous, and varieties of them together with forms not utilized by stromatoporoids. Dendroid and irregular forms are too complex to be readily included in the scheme. Smooth and ragged varieties of laminar and domical forms are distinguished and related to sedimentation on the flanks of the coenosteum. Two types of mutual arrangement of latilaminae within the coenosteum are recognized: enveloping, where they completely overlap previous latilaminae, and non-enveloping, where they do not. Laminar-domical-bulbous forms represent a series generated mainly by reduction of the basal dimension. They commonly exhibit enveloping latilaminae except in ragged varieties and some extended domes. Measurement of defined dimensions in the field allows stromatoporoid morphotypes to be plotted onto the triangular arrays and provides a rapid method of displaying the range of forms present.
01 Jan 1978
TL;DR: This paper present a set of closely integrated studies on the interconnections between feminism and medical, social, social and educational ideas in the nineteenth century, showing that feminists had to operate in a restricting and complex social environment in which the concept of "the lady" and the ideal of the saintly mother defined the nineteenth-century woman's cultural and physical world.
Abstract: This collection of papers draws on insights from social anthropology to illuminate historical material, and presents a set of closely integrated studies on the inter-connections between feminism and medical, social and educational ideas in the nineteenth century.
Throughout the book evidence from both the USA and UK shows that feminists had to operate in a restricting and complex social environment in which the concept of "the lady" and the ideal of the saintly mother defined the nineteenth-century woman’s cultural and physical world.
TL;DR: Observations provide further support for the postulated role for substance P as a neurotransmitter in primary afferent neurones in rats with unilateral dorsal root section.
TL;DR: An immunoradiometric assay (I.R.M.A) for antihaemophilic factor (factor VIII) has been developed which is based on a human inhibitor to procoagulant factor VIII (FVIIIC) which arose in a polytransfused haemophiliac as mentioned in this paper.
01 Nov 1978
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present the state of the art of generating electricity by the thermoelectric effect and look at future prospects, including the use of radioisotopic generators for deep-space missions.
Abstract: Thermoelectric generators have no moving parts, are silent in operation and are compact, and, when coupled to an isotropic heat source, can operate unattended over long periods in inhospitable and inaccessible environments. In recent years, thermoelectric generators have found increased application in situations where combinations of their desirable properties outweigh their relatively high cost and low generating efficiency. This paper reviews the present 'state of the art' of generating electricity by the thermoelectric effect and looks at future prospects. A brief history of thermoelectricity is followed by definitions and an introduction to its basic theory. Factors that influence the selection of materials for a particular application are discussed, together with the preparation and properties of established materials. A Section dealing with the fabrication of thermoelements and the various configurations employed in module construction is followed by a general discussion of thermoelectric generators. These are divided into two types: nonisotopic powered and isotopic powered. Emphasis is placed on the latter, and applications of this type of generator are covered in some detail. The conclusion is reached that the development and application of thermoelectric generators is assured with the continuation of the US space programme, with radioisotopic thermoelectric generators (r.t.g.s) providing onboard power for deep-space missions. In marine applications, the requirement for isotopic-powered generators in submerged situations will increase, whereas their prospects in surface and terrestrial applications is not so certain. From an economic point of view, it seems unlikely that the use of radioisotopic generators can be justified in situations where air is available to burn hydro carbon fuel. In situations where it is difficult to get fuel to the site, a thermomechanical generator provides a possible alternative to thermoelectric generators. In medical applicat
TL;DR: The experimental results, together with the recognition that in all known substrates of coproporphyrinogen oxidase only those propionate groups flanked by a specific arrangement of substituents are decarboxylated, indicate that the 4-propionate group ofcoproporphirinogen III cannot be attacked until the 2-propIONate group has been decar boxylated.
Abstract: Coproporphyrinogen oxidase (EC 1.3.3.3) catalyses the oxidative decarboxylation of the 2- and 4-propionate substituents of coproporphyrinogen III to form protoporphyrinogen IX. A 4-propionate-substituted porphyrinogen, harderoporphyrinogen, which is also a substrate for coproporphyrinogen oxidase, is formed during the reaction. Synthetic [(14)C]coproporphyrinogens III, specifically labelled in the carboxyl carbon atoms of either the 2- or 4-propionate substituents, were used to measure the rate of decarboxylation of each substituent by rat liver coproporphyrinogen oxidase. The experimental results, together with the recognition that in all known substrates of coproporphyrinogen oxidase only those propionate groups flanked by a specific arrangement of substituents are decarboxylated, indicate that the 4-propionate group of coproporphyrinogen III cannot be attacked until the 2-propionate group has been decarboxylated. Production of (14)CO(2) from the substrate labelled in the 2-propionate group therefore measures the formation of harderoporphyrinogen, whereas (14)CO(2) from the 4-propionate-labelled substrate measures protoporphyrinogen IX formation. The rate of harderoporphyrinogen formation is about twice that of protoporphyrinogen, and this ratio is unchanged by varying the concentration of coproporphyrinogen III or by competitive inhibition of the enzyme. When coproporphyrinogen III is present in an excess, two fractions of harderoporphyrinogen can be distinguished. One accumulates during the reaction, and the other, which is destined to become protoporphyrinogen IX, does not equilibrate with added harderoporphyrinogen. It is suggested that both decarboxylations take place at the same active centre, which becomes temporarily inaccessible to coproporphyrinogen III and added harderoporphyrinogen, and that the molecule rotates after the first decarboxylation to allow the second to take place.
TL;DR: Part of the right cervical sympathetic nerve abolished the cyclic changes in nasal resistance of both nasal passages in the anaesthetized pig and may prove useful in studying the physiology of the nasal cycle.
Abstract: The resistance to air flow of each nasal passage in the anaesthetized pig was determined by pumping air through the nose and measuring pressure changes in nasal cannulae. A nasal cycle was observed in the majority of the pigs. Three types of change in nasal resistance were observed and their possible causes are discussed. Section of the right cervical sympathetic nerve abolished the cyclic changes in nasal resistance of both nasal passages. The method described may prove useful in studying the physiology of the nasal cycle.
TL;DR: Detailed investigations on 42 patients with dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) are presented, emphasis being placed on the presence of other disorders having a prominent immunopathogenic basis including the atopic disorders.
Abstract: Detailed investigations on 42 patients with dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) are presented, emphasis being placed on the presence of other disorders having a prominent immunopathogenic basis. These patients and 42 age and sex matched controls were submitted to an extensive clinical and investigative search for the presence of disorders with an immunological basis including the atopic disorders. The findings provided further evidence supporting the association of dermatitis herpetiformis with thyroid disease and pernicious anaemia. A statistically increased incidence of Raynaud's phenomenon and atopy was found in the patients with dermatitis herpetiformis compared to the control group. In addition, of the patients with dermatitis herpetiformis, two had rheumatoid arthritis, two had ulcerative colitis, one had systemic lupus erythematosus and four had splenomegaly. The possible basis for these associations is discussed and it is suggested that dermatitis herpetiformis may be part of a wider spectrum of disease. Genetic linkage and the formation of immune complexes following exposure to a dietary antigen may both be responsible for the disorders associated with DH.
TL;DR: It is noted that birefringent particles are much more commonly observed in elephantiasic nodes than in non-elephantiasics, and it is suggested that this may indicate a protein coating in the latter group which could protect the tissues against the harmful effects of otherwise damaging ions.
Abstract: Previous field studies of endemic (non-filarial) elephantiasis of the lower legs in East Africa have indicated a distribution related to that of the red clays of volcanic areas. The present study on the lymphatic tissues of the lower limb of elephantiasic and non-elephantiasic subjects examines the numerous microparticles observed in these tissues, using the technique of electron microscope microanalysis.
In both groups, minerals of colloid size are present containing the elements found in clays, notably Al, Si, Mg, Na, Ca and Fe. Si is present in 80 to 90% of particles and both Si and Al in 70 to 80%. The trace elements present are those characteristic of volcanic rocks. The microparticles are seen within the macrophages of the lymph nodes and correspond to those observed by the light microscope as birefringent.
It is noted that birefringent particles are much more commonly observed in elephantiasic nodes than in non-elephantiasics, and it is suggested that this may indicate a protein coating in the latter group which could protect the tissues against the harmful effects of otherwise damaging ions; this coating would be absent in the elephantiasics.
A difference is also defined in the AlSi ratios of particles between the elephantiasics and non-elephantiasics which is statistically highly significant at p < 0·005. It appears that the two groups are handling the silicates in different ways. Further studies are being undertaken to examine this difference.