Showing papers by "University of New Mexico published in 1977"

Suppression of human T-cell mitogenesis by prostaglandin. Existence of a prostaglandin-producing suppressor cell.

Abstract: Small amounts of PGE inhibit mitogen-induced [3H]thymidine incorporation in human peripheral lymphocytes. The 50% inhibitory concentration is approximately 10(-7) M, and this is reduced to approximately 10(-8) M when endogenous PGE production is blocked. PGE inhibits PHA- and Con A-stimulated cultures much better than PWM cultures, suggesting a differential effect of PGE on T-cell vs. B-cell function. In vitro blockade of PG synthesis results in approximately 50% increase in [3H]thymidine incorporation in PHA cultures. PGE is produced endogenously in PHA cultures by glass adherent suppressor cells.

Prostaglandin-Producing Suppressor Cells in Hodgkin's Disease

Abstract: We examined the role of a prostaglandin producing suppressor cell in the hyporesponsiveness to phytohemagglutinin seen in Hodgkin's disease. Addition of indomethacin to phytohemagglutinin cultures of lymphocytes from six patients with Hodgkin's disease resulted in an increase of 182±60 per cent in 3H-thymidine incorporation versus a 44±18 per cent increase in 29 controls (mean ± S.D., P<0.001). Without indomethacin the mean response of the lymphocytes in Hodgkin's disease was 48 per cent of that of control. With indomethacin it was 94 per cent of the control value. Phytohemagglutinin cultures of Hodgkin-disease lymphocytes produced approximately fourfold more prostaglandin E2 after 48 hours than did normal lymphocytes (P<0.02). Removal of glass-adherent cells markedly decreased the enhancement seen with indomethacin; it reduced prostaglandin E2 production by more than 80 per cent and eliminated the differences in response to phytohemagglutinin between Hodgkin-disease and normal lymphocytes. Thus,...

Attitudes and attained proficiency in esl: a sociolinguistic study of native speakers of chinese in the united states

Abstract: The relations between various measures of attitudes toward self, the native language group, the target language group, reasons for learning English as a second language, reasons for traveling to the U.S. and attained proficiency in ESL were investigated. Subjects were Chinese speaking foreign students primarily studying at the graduate level in the U.S. It was hypothesized that positive attitudes, especially positive attitudes toward the target language group, would correspond to higher attainment in the target language, and similarly negative attitudes, especially toward the target language group would correspond to lower attainment in the target language. Results of factor analysis of the various attitude scales included in a questionnaire revealed meaningful clusters of attitudinal variables which were related to scores on an English proficiency test (based on the cloze procedure) via a multiple regression analysis. In general, attitudes toward self and the native language group—as well as attitudes toward the target language group—were positively correlated with attained proficiency in ESL. Indirect attitude scales of the type used earlier by Spolsky seemed to produce more meaningful variance than direct attitude questions which fit into the Lambert-Gardner paradigm of attitude research. However, the distinction between integrative and instrumental motives seemed helpful in explaining certain patterns in the data. Generally, learners who were apparently more integratively motivated performed better than those who were less integratively motivated. The relation between attained proficiency and attitudes toward the target language group, however, seemed more complex than the relations between attained proficiency and attitudes toward self, and towards the native language group. The relation between reasons for studying ESL or traveling to the U.S. and attained proficiency was contrary to previous predictions. For instance, there was a significant negative correlation between desire to stay in the U.S. permanently and attained ESL proficiency.

Subsensitivity of beta responses during therapy with a long-acting beta-2 preparation.

Abstract: The question whether some tolerance or subsensitivity of various beta receptors develops during therapy with long-acting oral beta-2 agents has practical and theoretical importance. We applied a strong beta-2 stimulus (terbutaline, 5.0 mg orally) at weekly intervals for up to three weeks in 19 stable asthmatics and bronchitics while commencing 5.0 mg terbutaline three times daily. The evening dose was omitted before each morning challenge. Challenges were continued at one and two weeks off terbutaline in some patients to test return of beta function. Patients received no ephedrine for two weeks before the study but were allowed aminophylline or isoproterenol inhalations up to 18 and 4 hr before challenges, respectively. Pulmonary function, pulse, and blood pressure were monitored at 0, 60, 120, and 180 min, and metabolic parameters measured at 0 and 180 min. There was significant drug tolerance in the drop and minimum diastolic pressure reached, rise in lactate, cyclic AMP, and blood glucose, and drop in eosinophils. Peak FEV1 and V50 dropped slightly, but vital capacity and minimal airway resistance did not change significantly. During continuous therapy this slight bronchial subsensitivity is probably obscured by elevated baseline function. It might assume importance during periods of excessive inhaler use or abrupt drug withdrawal.

Dose Response to Insulin in Man: Differential Effects on Glucose and Ketone Body Regulation

Abstract: This prospective study was undertaken to elucidate the relationship between progressive log increments in plasma free insulin concentration and the resultant changes in the concentrations of plasma glucose, potassium, ketones, and free fatty acids in man. We attempted to define both the maximal and minimal threshold for substrate response relative to circulating concentrations of plasma insulin. Hyperglycemia and hyperketonemia were experimentally induced with dexamethasone in six diabetic subjects. Circulating plasma insulin concentration was acutely elevated by the continuous iv infusion of insulin in order to attain ten-fold increments in circulating plasma insulin concentration. Specifically, following a progressive elevation above basal concentration, maximal increments in circulating plasma insulin of 7 μU/ml, 90μU/ml, and 1, 621 μU/ml were obtained. The differential effects of these acute alterations in plasma insulin concentration on plasma substrate concentrations were compared to a controlsaline...

A Family of Concepts of Dependence for Bivariate Distributions

Abstract: A family of concepts of stochastic dependence for bivariate distribution functions is introduced. Each concept gives rise to a family of bivariate distribution functions. We show the equivalence of some of these families with families of positively dependent distribution functions, which are known in the literature, and characterize some of them by notions from reliability theory. Interrelations among the various families are studied, and some moment inequalities are derived. Some examples and applications are discussed.

Systemic thermotherapy: description of a method and physiologic tolerance in clinical subjects.

Abstract: A safe, effective method of inducing total body hyperthermia to 42°C (108°F) has been developed and applied to clinical subjects with advanced malignancy. Physiological and biochemical parameters have been studied to determine tolerance and detect toxicity. Treatments were well tolerated with appropriate life support measures, mainly fluid and electrolyte replacement. Occasional arrhythmias and superficial cutaneous burns were the major complications. No evidence of central nervous system dysfunction was detected. Serum enzyme elevations after treatment appeared to indicate hepatic cellular injury but no clinical problems resulted. Renal, pulmonary, and hematologic parameters showed no significant changes from baseline values. Two early deaths occurred in patients with massive liver replacement with tumor and such patients may not be appropriate subjects for hyperthermia. Cancer 40:3155-3159, 1977.

Use of tetramethylbenzidine in plasma hemoglobin assay

Abstract: Plasma hemoglobin can be assayed by substituting 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine for benzidine (a carcinogen) as the chromogenic reducing substance. Sensitivity, precision, and accuracy compare well with methods in which benzidine is used. Plasma inhibition can be accommodated by preincubation with hydrogen peroxide.

When are cloze items sensitive to constraints across sentences

Abstract: To determine whether or not cloze items are sensitive to constraints across sentences, two passages of prose were selected and two types of tests were constructed over each passage. In the sequential type, items were inserted in the normal prose by a standard word-deletion procedure. In the scrambled type, the sentences of each passage of prose were systematically shuffled. Each cloze item appeared once in the sequential condition and once in the scrambled. The design was counterbalanced for passage and order of testing. Forty-one native speakers of English and 201 Japanese adults studying English as a foreign language were tested. Each subject took a cloze test over one of the passages in the sequential condition and the other in the scrambled condition. A four-way analysis-of-variance sustained the hypothesis that cloze items embedded in normal prose are sensitive to discourse constraints ranging beyond the immediate limits of a single sentence. There was a significant interaction between level of proficiency and condition indicating that the contrast between the two conditions increases with an increase in proficiency.

Observation of Resonances near 11 eV in the Photodetachment Cross Section of the H − Ion

Abstract: We have used a colliding-beam method to find two resonances in the photodetachment of electrons from H/sup -/. A nitrogen laser beam is directed at variable angle across the 800-meV H/sup -/ beam at the Clinton P. Anderson Meson Physics Facility (LAMPF), resulting in a center-of-mass photon beam wavelength which is continuously tunable from the visible to the vacuum ultraviolet. Our preliminary measurements of the two resonances observed near 11 eV agree well with theoretical predictions within our experimental resolution of 10 meV. (AIP)

Epineurial vs. perineurial repair.

Abstract: Previous work concerning the efficacy of different types of nerve repair has been reviewed. We describe a model in which epineurial and perineurial suture techniques were studied by quantitative ultramicroscopy and electrophysiology. In this model, we believe suture of the perineurium was shown to have a slight advantage over suture of the epineurium. Microscopic control and fascicular alignment are advocated to increase the percentage of axons growing into the distal stump and the periphery. The model described should lend itself to the study of other traumatic peripheral neuropathies.

Immunological and morphological effects of vasectomy in the rabbit.

Abstract: Half of the rabbits developed antisperm antibodies (measured by either indirect immunofluorescence or sperm immobilization tests) after either a unilateral or bilateral vasectomy. The raised antibody levels, particularly six months or longer after vasectomy, often accompanied patchy orchitis. Seminiferous tubules from such animals exhibited sloughed, multinucleated, and immature germinal cells which were engulfed by phagocytic cells. Mononuclear infiltrates were occasionally present. The basal lamina infolded and thickened by means of supernumerary layers and appeared to be endocytosed by cells of the seminiferous tubules. Four months after vasectomy, numerous phagocytic cells were seen in migrate through the intact epithelium of zone 1 in the caput epididymidis, and were particularly prevalent in animals that exhibited testicular damage. These macrophages may serve to present sperm antigens to lymphocytes.

Winter Territoriality of Townsend's Solitaires (Myadestes townsendi) in a Pinon-Juniper-Ponderosa Pine Ecotone

Abstract: Townsend’ s Solitaires (Myadestes townsendi) are poorly-known thrushes (but see Sibley 1973) inhabiting western North America from central Mexico to Alaska. Typically, they breed in mixed conifer forests but winter in piiion-juniper woodlands or other habitats that provide berries for food (Munro 1919, Johnston 1943, Bent 1949). In Arizona, they are summer residents of high mountains in the north, bc > they winter in berry-producing Upper Sonoran woodlands and well-wooded Lower Sonoran canyons throughout much of the state (Phillips et al. 1964). Their migration is apparently both altitudinal and latitudinal. During the breeding season, they forage like flycatchers, and their diet consists mostly of insects. During the winter, they eat mainly fruit (Beal 1915, Bent 1949). The solitaires’ habit of singing and their aggressiveness throughout the fall and winter (Mailliard 1926, Skinner 1928, Lockerbie 1939, Roest 1957) indicate that they probably maintain winter territories. Winter territoriality has been reported for a number of North American birds including Mockingbirds (Mimus polyglottos, Hailman 1960), Plain Titmice (Parus inomutus, Dixon 1956) and Redheaded Woodpeckers ( Melanerpes erythrocephalus, Kilham 1958) and for some Palaearctic migrants wintering in the tropics (Elgood et al. 1966, Medway 1970, Nisbet and Medway 1972). Pearson (1972) noted that warblers wintering in Uganda spent more time on winter territories than on breeding territories. With such a large amount of time being spent on wintering grounds, natural selection should operate to produce adaptations promoting survival during the winter, especially for birds (such as Townsend’ s Solitaires) which frequently winter in cool or cold environments. Winter territoriality may be such an adaptation, If so, then such behavior should impart some selective advantage to territorial individuals which permits them to survive better until the breeding season relative to non-territorial conspecifics. In this study, we wanted to determine if Townsend’ s Solitaires are territorial in winter. Secondly, we examined the mechanics of the solitaires’ territorial system, i.e., how territories are defended, what features of the territory are important to solitaires, and how changes in those features affect the territorial system. Finally, we attempted to determine what selective advantages individuals gain by being territorial. Using Brown and Orians’ ( 1970) definition of territory, it was necessary to show that individuals defend relatively fixed areas which become exclusive (or nearly so; Brown 1975) with respect to rivals, and that defensive behavior evokes escape or avoidance in rivals.

Studies of Brazilian meteorites III. Origin and history of the Angra dos Reis achondrite

Abstract: The mineral composition of the Angra dos Reis meteorite, which fell in 1869, is described. This achondrite contains phases reported in a meteorite for the first time. Petrofabric analysis shows that fassaite has a preferred orientation and lineation, which is interpreted as being due to cumulus processes, possibly the effect of post-depositional magmatic current flow or laminar flow of a crystalline mush. The mineral chemistry indicates crystallization from a highly silica-undersaturated melt at low pressure. Several aspects of the mineral composition are discussed with reference to the implications of crystallization conditions.

Recovery of cognition after prolonged vegetative state

Abstract: A 43-year-old man remained in a vegetative state for one and one-half years after resuscitation from cardiac arrest. During the vegetative period neurological examinations provided little indication of recovery. Initially, his EEG showed activity of delta and theta frequencies. After eighteen months intellectual functions partially recoverd; his verbal WAIS score is now 100, although he remains severely physically disabled. The usual prognostic criteria did not predict the cognitive outcome in this patient with prolonged medical coma.

A Generalized Index of Concentration

Abstract: A generalized nth power index of concentration is defined; for n = 1 it yields the entropy-based "relative redundancy, " and for n = 2 it yields the Ray and Singer (1973) concentration coefficient. Relations are established with a dozen other indices of concentration, diversity, fragmentation, differentiation, and inequality used in social science literature. Explicit conversion formulas are given for these often apparently unrelated indices. For multicomponent systems, equivalent two-component systems are defined.

Descending tentorial herniation: findings on computed tomography.

Abstract: Descending tentorial herniation (DTH) can be diagnosed by computed tomography. Encroachment upon the lateral aspect of the suprasellar cistern is an early sign of impending tentorial herniation. Actual herniation is evidenced by rotation and shift of the brain stem with consequent widening of the crural and ambient cisterns on the side of the space-occupying lesion. In a more advanced stage of herniation, obliteration of cisternal spaces at the tentorial level will occur. Aqueductal compression secondary to the herniation will cause increased intraventricular pressure with widening of those parts of the lateral ventricles that are not exposed parts of the lateral ventricles that are not exposed to the compression by the mass; a characteristic finding is widening of the temporal horn on the side opposite the space-occupying lesion. Infarction in the territory of the posterior cerebral artery may complicate DTH.

Effects of altruism on mood.

Abstract: Summary Three studies were conducted to discover both whether or not helping is perceived as leading to a good mood and whether or not helping actually does affect mood. A total of 157 male and 159 female college students participated. Ss believed that performing five different altruistic behaviors would raise their mood significantly but that a sixth, giving money to a panhandler, would lower it. Two field experiments revealed that (a) giving directions to a person requesting them had no effect on mood, but (b) Ss induced to help a female confederate search for a “lost” piece of paper reported a significantly more positive mood than control group Ss. It was concluded that some but not all types of helping can indeed produce a good mood.

Experimental vaporization of the Holbrook chondrite

Abstract: The vapor phase composition obtained by heating samples of the Holbrook L6 chondrite to 1300 C was determined quantitatively by Knudsen cell-quadrupole mass spectrometry. Maximum observed vapor pressures, produced at 1200 C, are reported for Na, K, Fe, and Ni, and the implications of the Na/K ratio are considered. The Fe and Ni data are discussed with attention to their migration in individual equilibrated chondrites. S2 (with minor SO2), H2O, and CO2 were also present in the high-temperature gas phase. Vesicles formed by the release of intrinsically derived volatiles are compared with vesicles in the Ibitira eucrite. Chondrite evolution is briefly discussed.

Application of variable criterion theory to choice reaction time

Abstract: A theory of choice reaction time ICRT is presented which is based on a variable criterion model assuming the decision criterion to be normally distributed. The theory provides functions of time describing the growth of component processes following stimulus onset. For correct responses, these processes are sensory and associative strength. For errors, the processes are sensory strength, generalized associative strength, and associative inhibition. A model for separating the effects of these processes from that of response competition is presented. The theory describes, with great accuracy, the CRT distributions of correct responses and errors, not only for the experiment for which it was derived, but also for a second experiment in which the criterion was experimentally manipulated. It accounts for the basic facts of the speed-accuracy tradeoff, not only with respect to the two experiments with different speed requirements, but also with respect to the variation of speed over trials within each experiment. While derived from group data, the theory also describes the performance of individual subjects. The mean and variability of the criterion distribution and the ability to utilize associative inhibition are identified as the major sources of individual differences. Methodological problems involved in the scaling analysis of group data are also discussed.