Showing papers by "University of Vienna published in 1978"

General properties of entropy

Abstract: It is rather paradoxical that, although entropy is one of the most important quantities in physics, its main properties are rarely listed in the usual textbooks on statistical mechanics. In this paper we try to fill this gap by discussing these properties, as, for instance, invariance, additivity, concavity, subadditivity, strong subadditivity, continuity, etc., in detail, with reference to their implications in statistical mechanics. In addition, we consider related concepts such as relative entropy, skew entropy, dynamical entropy, etc. Taking into account that statistical mechanics deals with large, essentially infinite systems, we finally will get a glimpse of systems with infinitely many degrees of freedom.

Receptor basis for dopaminergic supersensitivity in Parkinson's disease

Abstract: IN patients with Parkinson's disease, the concentration of dopamine in the basal ganglia of the brain is markedly reduced in accordance with the degeneration of the nigrostriatal dopamine-containing neurones1,2. This fact provided the basis for the successful clinical introduction of L-dopa (L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalaline) for Parkinson's disease3,6. It has been suggested that one of the critical factors compensating for the loss of dopamine neurones may be the development of “denervation supersensitivity” in the striatum, as severe cases react more sensitively to L-dopa than milder cases or controls7–9. By measuring dopamine receptors in the putamen and caudate of postmortem brains from Parkinson patients, we report here evidence in support of the theory of dopaminergic supersensitivity in Parkinson's disease.

Binding of 3 H-neuroleptics and 3 H-apomorphine in schizophrenic brains

Abstract: THE neuroleptic or antipsychotic drugs, introduced in 19521, effectively prevent relapse and rehospitalisation of schizophrenic patients. These drugs provide a strategy2 for localising possible abnormalities in the brain in schizophrenia. The hypothesis that schizophrenia might be associated with abnormally sensitive dopamine synapses3–6 evolved from the suggestion that neuroleptics block dopamine receptors and thus accelerate the turnover of dopamine7,8. The hypothesis received additional support from the observations that dopamine-mimetic drugs (for example d-amphetamine, L-dopa) elicit or exacerbate psychotic symptoms9–12, that neuroleptics produce supersensitivity to dopamine13–15, that the neuroleptic and antipsychotic actions are enhanced by drugs which block the synthesis of catecholamines16, that neuroleptics all have conformations that match that of dopamine17, and that dopamine is the most potent neurotransmitter to inhibit the specific binding of 3H-haloperidol to dopamine-rich regions of the brain18–20. Although all this evidence for the dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia is circumstantial, we have now obtained direct evidence for some abnormalities in brain dopamine receptors in schizophrenia by measuring the specific binding of 3H-apomorphine and 3H-haloperidol or 3H-spiperone to four regions of postmortem brains from schizophrenic patients.

The defect correction principle and discretization methods

Abstract: Recently, a number of closely related techniques for error estimation and iterative improvement in discretization algorithms have been proposed. In this article, we expose the common structural principle of all these techniques and exhibit the principal modes of its implementation in a discretization context.

The molybdenum-nitrogen phase diagram

Abstract: In high and low pressure experiments in the Mo-N system the solidus line (α + L) and the composition and temperature of the eutectic (L = α-Mo + γ-Mo 2 N) have been determined. Mo dissolves 1.08 at.% N at the eutectic temperature of 1860°C and at the equilibrium pressure of 670 atm (6.7 × 10 7 Pa). The eutectic composition is 19 at.% N and the corresponding N content of γ-Mo 2 N is 27 at.% N. The solubility of N 2 in Mo(1) and the liquidus line (α + L) L have been calculated on the basis of existing data. For γ-Mo 2 N a melting temperature of 2000°C has been estimated. An Mo-N phase diagram is presented and the phases are discussed in detail. Equations for the solubility of N 2 in solid and liquid Mo, the solid solubility limit and the dissociation and plateau pressures are given together with the Gibbs free energy of the corresponding reactions. The special behaviour of the metal-gas system Mo-N is additionally treated in a p - c diagram.

Field Studies of Shift Work at an Austrian Oil Refinery I: Health and Psychosocial Wellbeing of Workers who Drop Out of Shiftwork

Abstract: Most of the problems that arise in shift workers prove to be social or family-bound rather than strictly medical, though health may in fact be affected seriously by these problems. The present study was concerned with the question whether, and in what way, men giving up shift work (‘ drop-outs ’) differ from those who stay on shift work, and from those on permanent day work. A questionnaire containing items about personal, family, and social life, and health, working conditions, and sleep was given to 270 workers in an oil refinery. All respondents were subsequently interviewed. Taking all the results together it is concluded that shift and night work leads, in a proportion of cases, to difficulties with regard to work and family life, as well as in social and health matters. The results from the ‘drop-outs’ group indicate that in certain individuals very long lasting ‘ psychosomatic’, ‘pseudoneurotic’ or ‘sensitisation’ reactions may develop.

Calcium Gradient-Dependent and Calcium Gradient-Independent Phosphorylation of Sarcoplasmic Reticulum by Orthophosphate

Abstract: Phosphorylation of the calcium-transport ATPase of skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum by inorganic phosphate was investigated in the presence or absence of a calcium gradient. The maximum phosphoprotein formation in the presence of a calcium gradient at 20 °C and pH 7.0 is approximately 4 nmol/mg sarcoplasmic reticulum protein, but only between 2.4 and 2.8 nmol/mg protein in the absence of a calcium gradient, using lonophore X-537 A or phospholipase-A-treated sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles. Maximum phosphoprotein formation independent of calcium gradient at 20 °C and pH 6.2 is in the range of 3.6–4 nmol/mg protein. Half-maximum phosphoprotein formation dependent on calcium gradient was achieved with 0.1–0.2 mM free orthophosphate at 10 mM free magnesium or at 0.1–0.2 mM free magnesium at 10 mM free orthophosphate. Phosphoprotein formation independent of calcium gradient is in accordance with a model which assumes, firstly, the formation of a ternary complex of the ATPase protein with orthophosphate and magnesium (E · Pi· Mg) in equilibrium with the phosphoprotein (E-Pi· Mg) and, secondly, and interdependence of both ions in the formation of the ternary complex. The apparent equilibrium constant was 0.6 and the apparent dissociation constants KMg, KMg′, KPi and KPi′ were 8.8, 1.9, 7.2 and 1.5 mM respectively, assuming a total concentration of the phosphorylation site per enzyme of 7 nmol/mg protein.

Induction of UV light tolerance by PUVA in patients with polymorphous light eruption.

Abstract: SUMMARY A tan induced by 8-methoxypsoralen-long wave ultraviolet light has proved an effective photo- protective sunscreen in 5 patients with long wave ultraviolet light-induced polymorphic light eruption.

The Use of MOSUMS for Quality Control

Abstract: The use of moving sums (MOSUMS) of recursively calculated residuals (Hack1 [9]) is demonstrated for testing the constancy of the expected value of a series of T independent observations normally distributed with equal variances. The cases of known or unknown expected value are treated separately; in the situation of unknown variance the recursive estimation of the variance is suggested in the course of the sequential application of the test procedure. Conservative probability limits are constructed and an assessment of the effective error probabilities and the power of the method is given in simulation studies. Finally the use of the procedure is demonstrated in an example.

On the rate of asymptotic eigenvalue degeneracy

Abstract: The gap between asymptotically degenerate eigenvalues of one-dimensional Schrodinger operators is estimated. The procedure is illustrated for two examples, one where the solutions of Schrodinger's equation are explicitly known and one where they are not. For the latter case a comparison theorem for ordinary differential equations is required. An incidental result is that a semiclassical (W-K-B) method gives a much better approximation to the logarithmic derivative of a wave-function than to the wave-function itself; explicit error-bounds for the logarithmic derivative are given.

Course of denervation atrophy in type I and type II fibres of rat extensor digitorum longus muscle.

Abstract: In the denervated extensor digitorum longus muscle of the rat type I and type II muscle fibres were differentiated histochemically and their course of atrophy was studied. Until 42 days after denervation type I and type II fibres could be identified by means of the myofibrillar ATPase reaction. Up to that time an exclusive atrophy of type II fibres was found. Type I fibres, the smallest of the normal muscle, did not change their diameters and therefore represented the largest fibres 42 days after denervation. Type II fibres of the “white” muscle portion, in which the larger IIB fibres are predominant, showed a higher rate of atrophy than those of the “red” muscle portion, in which the smaller IIA fibres are predominant: by 42 days the diameters of all type II fibres had gone down to equal values. Combined with a further progress of atrophy at later stages, there was a dedifferentiation of the histochemical properties, and the type I fibres exhibited atrophy as well. 120 days after denervation all muscle fibres were found to be highly atrophied.

HLA B13, B17, B37 and Cw6 in Psoriasis vulgaris: Association with the Age of Onset

Abstract: Previous studies agree that the association of HLA-B 13, B17 and B37 with psoriasis is significant in caucasoid populations [2-5] and that this association is most marked in psoriatic patients with an early age of disease onset [2, 4]. Recently HLA-Cw6 was reported as most significantly associated with psoriasis vulgaris [2]. The present study was performed in order to determine the incidence of HLA-Cw6 in patients with psoriasis vulgaris and the association of the presence of HLA-Cw6 with the age of disease onset. Seventy-seven patients with psoriasis vulgaris including different clinical types (eruptive type, plaque type, seborrhoic psoriasis) were studied. Patients with postular psoriasis and those exhibiting signs or symptoms of psoriatic arthropathy were excluded. The patients were selected for the study according to their age of disease onset: Group I consisted of 57 patients (age of onset between 10 and 20 years), group II consisted of 20 patients (age of onset between 35 and 45 years). Tissue typing for HLA-B13, B17, B37 and Cw6 was performed using the NIH standard microlymphocytotoxicity assay [1]. Statistical analyses were done using the z/-test (with Yates' correction if one of the figures was < 5). The relative risk was calculated according to Woolf [6]. 63/77 psoriatic patients were found to carry at least one of the HLA-antigens investigated. The data obtained were compared to healthy control individuals. The incidence of HLA-B13, B17, B37 and Cw6 carriers was significantly higher in the group of psoriatic patients. HLA-Cw6 was found to occur - though not statistically significant - most frequent when compared to the other HLA investigated. Table 2 demonstrates the phenotype frequency of the 4 different HLA studied. B 13 and Cw6 was significantly increased in group I of the patients in comparison to group II, while the frequencies of B 17 and B37 showed no difference. The increased frequency of Cw6 (P= 5.8 x 10 -4) was much more marked than the high prevalence of B13 (P = 0.05).

Quantitative analyses of C-banded karyotypes, and systematics in the cultivated species of the Scilla siberica group ( Liliaceae )

Abstract: Quantified C-band karyograms are presented for the related speciesScilla siberica, S. mordakiae, S. ingridae, S. amoena, andS. mischtschenkoana. Chromosome structure, banding style, and heterochromatin characters suggest a systematic grouping of two more closely related species pairs:S. siberica andS. mordakiae, S. ingridae andS. amoena; they are part of a larger aggregate, well separated fromS. mischtschenkoana. Four different heterochromatin fractions can be recognized inS. siberica and its relatives, but only two inS. mischtschenkoana. C-bands do not “replace”, but they are added to euchromatin. The particular origin and history of the cultivatedS. amoena and the triploidS. siberica cv. “Spring Beauty” appear to be responsible for their karyotype constancy, but chromosome conservatism obviously is genuine inS. mischtschenkoana. The banding data support the systematic grouping proposed on a morphological basis, and provide additional evolutionary evidence.

Demonstration of anticollagen antibodies in rheumatoid arthritis synovial fluids by 14C-radioimmunoassay.

Abstract: Twenty-seven synovial fluids from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and 17 synovial fluids from controls were investigated in a new radioimmunoassay for anticollagen antibodies. In vitro labeled human 14C-collagen of type I in native or denatured state was used as antigen. Passive hemagglutination was used in comparison. Parameters for defining positive results in radioimmunoassay were evaluated on the basis of control synovial fluids. Synovial fluids from 20 RA patients (74%) showed antibodies to denatured collagen; synovial fluids from 8 RA patients (30%) also demonstrated antibodies to native collagen. Control fluids of posttraumatic effusions were negative; among the other controls synovial fluid from 1 psoriatic arthritis patient reacted positively. Inhibition experiments showed that antibodies to denatured collagen cross-reacted with native collagen. Inhibition with human denatured type III collagen displayed strong cross-reactivity of anti-type I collagen antibodies with type III collagen.

Beiträge zur Chemie der Pyrrolpigmente, 25. Mitt. Die diastereomeren (geometrisch isomeren) Biliverdindimethylester—Struktur, Konfiguration und Konformation

Abstract: Photoisomerization of the symmetrically substituted bilatrienes-abc1 and2 adsorbed on aluminum oxide yields the photoisomers1′ and2′, whereas the biliverdindimethylester (3) gives rise to two isomers3′ and3″. By X-ray photoelectron spectrometry of the N1s-level all these diastereomers were shown to have a bislactam structure. From1H-NMR experiments (chemical shifts, Lanthanide induced shifts, double resonance experiments) the configurations (Z,Z,Z) at the methin positions were assigned to the educts—the photoisomers1′ and2′ having the configurations (Z,Z,E). The configurations (Z,Z,E) and (E,Z,Z) could be assigned to the diastereomers3′ and3″. The conformational aspects within these series are discussed and on the basis of several studies asyn-syn-syn-helical arrangement is deduced for the systems of configuration (Z,Z,Z). For the (Z,Z,E) isomers in the region of (Z)-configuration a conformation resembling the (Z,Z,Z)-systems is reasonable, but in the region of configuration (E) a stronger twisting at the methin single bond due to steric crowding should be favoured.

Brain monoamines in human hepatic encephalopathy.

Abstract: Dopamine (DA) serotonin (5-HT), 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA), and tryptophan (Trp) were assayed spectrofluorometrically in various brain regions of 10 patients with acute hepatic coma, in 3 cases of uremic coma, 4 cases of diabetic coma, in three patients with liver cirrhosis without coma, and in 5 cases of hepatic coma treated by parenteral nutrition withi-valine a branched-chain amino acid. The results were as follows: 1. In all types of coma, brain DA showed a mild general decrease, the average reduction being 20 to 30% of the controls. 2. In hepatic and other metabolic comata, brain 5-HT and 5-HIAA were generally increased, most significantly in the brainstem tegmentum and parts of the limbic system. 3. Brain Trp was significantly increased in hepatic coma, with the highest elevation in the brainstem tegmentum. 4. In liver cirrhosis without coma, brain 5-HT was within normal range, while Trp and 5-HIAA were elevated in the brainstem, their increase being much less than in untreated hepatic coma. 5. In hepatic coma treated by parenterali-valine, brain Trp showed slight elevation similar to non-comatose cirrhosis, while 5-HIAA showed almost normal values, and 5-HT was even decreased in most brain areas.

Ternäre Thallium-Übergangsmetall-Chalkogenide mit ThCr2Si2-Struktur

Abstract: The existence of ternary chalcogenides of general composition TlT2X2 (T=Fe,Co,Ni,X=S;T=Fe,Co,Ni,Cu,X=Se) crystallizing in the ThCr2Si2-structure type has been established. The crystal structure of TlCo2S2 was refined from single crystal diffractometer data. The dimensions of the tetragonal unit cells are: TlFe2S2;a=3.755 (1),c=13.35 (1) A; TlCo2S2:a= =3.7410 (5),c=12.956(5) A; TlNi2S2:a=3.792 (1),c=12.77 (1) A; TlFe2Se2:a=3.890 (1),c=14.00(1) A; TlCo2Se2:a=3.847 (1),c=13.54 (1) A; TlNi2Se2:a=3.866 (1),c=13.41 (1) A; TlCu2Se2:a=3.852 (1),c=14.01 (1) A. These phases are the first chalcogenides found to crystallize in the ThCr2Si2-structure type. Unlike the already known representatives of this structure type they show a pronounced partial ionic character. Interatomic distances as well as the relations to the alkali thiometallates of Co and Mn are discussed.

Photoprotective effect of a psoralen-UVA-induced tan.

Abstract: To determine whether a tan produced by 8-MOP and UVA protects from subsequent solar light irradiation, volunteers were irradiated with unfiltered Xenon arc light before and 10 days after a 1 week's course of four 8-MOP-UVA treatments. Evaluation of the minimal erythema doses and of histological changes before and after 8-MOP-UVA treatment revealed that the 8-MOP-UVA induced tan protected against the erythemogenic and cell damaging effects of Xenon arc light. Unscheduled repair DNA synthesis, used as a measure for UVB-induced DNA damage and repair, was also investigated in skin irradiated with the Xenon arc before and after 8-MOP-UVA induced tanning. Both the number of grains per sparse labeled cell and the number of sparse labeled cells per 1000 cells, were found to be significantly lower in tanned skin; taking decreased unscheduled repair DNA synthesis as a measure for decreased DNA-damage, these findings also demonstrate a photoprotective effect of the 8-MOP-UVA induced tan.

Non-inflammatory dermal elastolysis.

Abstract: SUMMARY A 33-year-old woman is described who suffers from an idiopathic loss of mid-dermal elastic tissue which leads to wrinkling of the skin and to discrete perifollicular protrusions. In accordance with Shelley & Wood (1977) we conclude that these findings represent a new entity for which we propose the term ‘non-inflammatory dermal elastolysis’.

"Schrödinger inequalities" and asymptotic behavior of many-electron densities

Abstract: Upper bounds are derived to the many-electron density ${\ensuremath{\rho}}_{k}({x}_{1}, \dots{}, {x}_{k})$ ($2\ensuremath{\le}k\ensuremath{\le}n$) of an $n$-electron atomic or molecular wave function The derivation is based on former results on the decay of the one-electron density and on the "Schr\"odinger inequality" for ${({\ensuremath{\rho}}_{k})}^{\frac{1}{2}}$ which, by means of a comparison theorem, allows the deduction of upper bounds for ${\ensuremath{\rho}}_{k}$ in the region ${G}^{k}={({x}_{1}, \dots{}, {x}_{k})|{r}_{i}\ensuremath{\ge}c, 1\ensuremath{\le}i\ensuremath{\le}k}$, $c$ being a constant and ${r}_{i}=|{x}_{i}|$, provided an upper bound to ${\ensuremath{\rho}}_{k}$ is available on the boundary $\ensuremath{\partial}{G}^{k}$ The latter can be obtained from bounds to ${\ensuremath{\rho}}_{k\ensuremath{-}1}$ A recurrence procedure leads to the final result which for the case of an atom is given by ${\ensuremath{\rho}}_{k}\ensuremath{\le}\mathrm{dS}\ensuremath{\Pi}{i=1}^{k}[{r}_{i}^{2[\frac{Z}{2}{(2{\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{i})}^{\frac{1}{2}}\ensuremath{-}1]} {e}^{\ensuremath{-}{(2{\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{i})}^{\frac{1}{2}}}{r}_{i}]$ ($d$ is a constant, $S$ acts as a symmetrizer, $Z$ denotes the nuclear charge, and the ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{i}$ ($1\ensuremath{\le}i\ensuremath{\le}k$) denote the successive ionization potentials of the state under consideration) We further report an improved bound for ${\ensuremath{\rho}}_{2}$ which depends explicitly on the interelectronic distance