Maximum Rate Of Decline Research Articles

Toxicity of sulfhydryl attapulgite to Eisenia fetida

ABSTRACT Sulfhydryl attapulgite is an effective material for soil remediation, but its potential toxicity to animals in soil is not fully understood. Using Eisenia fetida as the test organism, the avoidance experiments, acute toxicity and cumulative toxicity experiments were carried out. The avoidance rate of Eisenia fetida on ATP-SH is 0–60%. Eisenia fetida not only avoid, but also tend to the soil-added ATP-SH to a certain degree. In the acute toxicity test, with the increase of ATP-SH addition, the total protein (T-Protein) content gradually decreases, and the maximum rate of decline is 51.18%. The catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activities gradually increase, and the maximum increase rates are 73.56% and 51.73%, respectively. The malondialdehyde (MDA) activity significantly increase 1.8 times. In the cumulative toxicity experiment, with the increase of ATP-SH addition, the maximum increase rate of T-Protein content is 31.52%. The CAT and T-SOD activities decrease 64.38% and 43.60% at most, respectively, and MDA activity increase 0.9 times. Following exposure to the soil-added ATP-SH for 30 days, Eisenia fetida adapt to the environment through its own regulatory mechanism. ATP-SH has good application security in remediation of heavy metal-contaminated soil.

Effects of Long Term Fatigue Cycling on In Situ Fenestrations of Polyethylene Terephthalate and Expanded Polytetrafluorethylene Thoracic Aortic Stent grafts: An Experimental Study

In this study, the long term durability of fenestrations after in situ fenestration (ISF) of five commercial thoracic aortic stent grafts was evaluated in an invitro experiment after a simulated 10 year period. Five different thoracic aortic stent grafts (Relay, Valiant, Hercules, TAG, and Ankura, with a diameter of 34 mm) received both needle and laser ISF invitro. A Viabahn (11× 50 mm) was released in each fenestration as a bridging stent graft. Long term fatigue tests (simulating 10 years) of each of the fenestrated stent grafts were then conducted in a flow fatigue test system. The area, shape, margin, and the long and short axis of all the fenestrations were evaluated with light microscopy before and after the fatigue test. The leakage from the fenestration junction before and after the long term fatigue was also measured. The experimental results showed no obvious difference between needle and laser fenestrations. The long axes of all the fenestrations remained unchanged, while the short axes increased after the fatigue test, which was significant in Relay, Valiant, and Hercules polyethylene terephthalate stent grafts. The shape scores of fenestrations improved after the fatigue test in Valiant and Hercules, remained unchanged in Relay and Ankura, and worsened in the TAG. After the fatigue cycling, the average leakage from the fenestration junction decreased in all the stent grafts, and the Ankura had the maximum decline rate. The ISF technique was durable over a simulated 10 year period. The fenestrations were positively remodelled to be more circular, and the leakage from the junction decreased after long term fatigue testing.

Time-dependent transformations of the internal image of disorder in patients with chronic back pain

Rationale: Pain is the most prevalent symptom of any disease, with back pain comprising 12 to 33%. Chronic back pain ranges fourth among the causes of disability. About 60% of patients with chronic pain have symptoms of depression. However, there is paucity of empirical data on psychological aspects of the pain syndrome chronization in patients with back pain.
 Aim: To study the temporary transformation of the internal image of disorder in patients with chronic back pain.
 Materials and methods: In this observational cohort analytical study, we evaluated the contribution of pain duration into the formation of the internal image of disorder in 84 patients with chronic pain lasting for up to 55 years and caused by dorsopathy. The patients (53 women and 31 men aged 23 to 86 years, with pain intensity of up to moderate degree) were those admitted to an in-patient department for the secondary medical rehabilitation. The internal image of disorder was operationalized with the following psychometric scales: McGill Pain Questionnaire, the Restoration of the Locus of Control Scale, the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia, and the Psychological Factors of Attitudes to the Disease and its Treatment Scale.
 Results: The sensory level of the internal image of disorder was characterized by mixed (neuropathic and dysfunctional) pain in 29 (34.5%) of the cases and nociceptive pain in 55 (65.5%) of the cases. In the patients with nociceptive pain, the duration of pain was negatively correlated with their perception of self-efficacy towards the disease (the intellectual level of the internal image of disorder). With time, their self-confidence and the ability to get rid of pain was decreasing (R = -0.32, p = 0.02). The decrease looked like waning fluctuations with a maximum decline rate in the second year of the disease.
 Conclusion: During the first year from the disease manifestation, patients with nociceptive pain are convinced that they have all necessary resources to cope with the disease; mandatory psychological support should be provided to them in the second year, with a dramatic drop of their self-efficacy. As for patients with mixed types of pain, the inclusion of sessions with a medical psychologist into their individual rehabilitation plan is advisable regardless of the duration of the pain syndrome.

The Sectoral Structure of the Economy of Russian Regions as a Factor of their Development in 2020

The dynamics of development and the structure of the economy of Russian regions are considered in the article on the basis of data on the volume of goods shipped, works performed and services performed by own forces for a full range of organizations in 2019 and 2020, as well as industrial production indices; the “shift and share” method is used. It is shown that, as in all previous crises, the sectoral structure of the regional economy was a significant factor in their economic dynamics. Despite the specifics of the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic (the maximum rate of decline in some types of services and the extraction of fuel and energy resources; on the contrary, significant growth in healthcare, the production of medicines and medical materials, and the IT sector), in 2020, patterns typical of all economic crises appeared. This is a positive impact on the economic dynamics of the regions of a high degree of economic diversification and the availability of high-tech industries, highly qualified personnel; as a result, in economically developed regions, restrictions in certain types of services were mitigated by the active introduction of digital technologies, in some cases even compensated by the dynamic development of other sectors. The traditional differences between the production of durable goods, which is experiencing a strong decline, and the production of everyday goods, which is relatively stable during the crisis, have also emerged.

Long-term and seasonal variation in groundwater storage in the North China Plain based on GRACE

The over exploitation of groundwater has seriously restricted the healthy development of social economy in North China Plain (NCP). The study of the change in the groundwater storage at different time scales is helpful to understand the characteristics of groundwater dynamic changes and real-time groundwater management. Based on Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellite products and Global Land Data Assimilation System (GLDAS) data, this paper analyses the seasonal and long-term trend changes of NCP groundwater storage from June 2003 to June 2017 by using adaptive Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition (EEMD) algorithm. Moreover, their relationships with precipitation and the South-to-North Water Diversion Middle Route Project (SWDP) are analysed. The main conclusions are as follows: (1) The change of groundwater storage in NCP mainly shows a long-term downward trend and the downward trend gradually increases from northeast to southwest, and the maximum decline rate appears in Handan, reaching 26.44 mm/yr; (2) The main spatial pattern in the seasonal variation of groundwater storage in the NCP has a good consistency and the response of seasonal groundwater variation to seasonal precipitation variation lags by 3–4 months; and (3) After implementing the SWDP, the long-term decline rate of groundwater storage is reduced and the average contribution rate of seasonal variation characteristics of groundwater storage increases from 20% to 28%. The research results of this paper are helpful to understand the dynamic change process of groundwater storage and lay a foundation for further exploring the reasons for the change of groundwater storage.

Decline of Fossil Fuels in Electricity Required for 1.5°C Target Has Historical Precedents Except in Asia

Stopping global warming requires a rapid decline in the use of fossil fuels but the feasibility of such decline is unknown. Here we identify and analyse whether there are historical precedents for the decline of fossil fuels in electricity necessary to meet climate targets. We find that the maximum rates of decline were historically lower in larger electricity systems. In continental-scale systems, the use of specific fuels declined up to 20% of total electricity supply over a decade. These precedents occurred under trade embargoes, post-Communist transitions, or, recently, in wealthy countries with stagnating electricity demand. The speed of decline needed for reaching climate targets does not generally exceed these historically observed rates with the exception of coal power in Asia between 2020-2030 (IQR: 18-34%). Thus, the rates of fossils decline in many climate mitigation pathways are not unprecedented, though their feasibility under growing electricity demand and in younger power fleets is still questionable.

Long term phonatory function following acoustic neuroma surgery: a cohort study

Background: Acoustic neuroma (AN) is a well-recognized cause of neurological morbidity, peripheral facial paralysis being one of the most prevalent. Phonatory dysfunction in the late post-operative term has not been properly addressed so far.Objective: The objective of this study is to describe the outcomes of phonatory function on the long-term follow-up of AN surgery and identify its prognostic factors.Material and methods: This cohort study included patients submitted to AN surgery from 1999 to 2014, with a mean follow up of 6.4 ± 4.5 years. To evaluate the phonatory function, we performed a combination of noninvasive acoustic and aerodynamic measurements including vocal intensity and stability, maximum declination rate of the glottal airflow (MDR) and transglottal pressure scale (TP).Results: 101 patients were studied. 25 (24.7%) presented a deficit in phonatory function. Women comprised 56% and the mean age was 42.4 ± 13.8 years (range19–80). 100% presented reduced expiratory airflow capacity with excessive manifestation of the laryngeal musculature (TP > 1,23s ;MDR/z/<MDR/s/). Dysphonic patients presented more neurofibromatosis II (NF II) (40% vs 12.7% p = .002), large tumors (3.8 ± 1.1 p = .002) and needed less surgeries (≥256.7% vs 74.6%, p = .0073) in univariate analysis. NFII and tumor size were predictive of dysphonia according to multivariate analysis (NFII-OR 5.57, p = .006; tumor size-each 1 cm, OR1.68, p = .062).Conclusion: The late postoperative prevalence of dysphonia corresponded to 24.7%. Dysphonia could be secondary to the hyperfunction of laryngeal musculature explained by the reduced expiratory airflow found in our patients. Tumor size and NF II were predictors for the occurrence of dysphonia in the present study.HighlightsThe comprise of phonation function can be a morbidity of AN surgeryNF II and tumor size were predictive of dysphonia on late postoperative periodData of hypofunction secondary to the phonatory hyperfunction were unanimous in the dysphonic patients.The early diagnosis and treatment of phonation function could avoid alterations of pneumophono-articulatory coordination and projection deficiency.

Effects of the combination of tanshinone IIA and puerarin on cardiac function and inflammatory response in myocardial ischemia mice

BackgroundVentricular remodeling is a major pathological process of normal heart failure. With the aging of society, poor diet control, social, psychological and other risk factors in our country, the incidence of myocardial infarction and hypertension is reported to increase yearly. Many treatment methods have effectively delayed the occurrence of ventricular remodeling. However, in order to prevent and delay the occurrence and development of ventricular remodeling, the new treatment strategy cannot be ignored. MethodsIn this study, we used male C57BL/6 mice (8 weeks old), weight 23 g–27 g, SPF grade. According to the established methods of the research group, the left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery (LAD) was used to make the model of myocardial ischemia, and which was evaluated by the change of EF value in mice. The experiment included seven groups: sham operation group, model group, metoprolol group, puerarin group, tanshinone IIA group, tanshinone IIA: puerarin =1:1 group, tanshinone IIA: puerarin =1:2 group. The changes of cardiac function in each group were observed by echocardiography and hemodynamics after the drug delivery cycle was 3d, 7d, 14d and 28d. Detection of 3d serum enzyme indexes LDH, CK and CK-MB by automatic biochemical analyzer. The expression of CD11b, F4/80, Ly6C in cardiac tissues were detected by flow cytometry at 3d and 7d. The expression of IL-1β and TNF- α in serum were detected by ELISA. IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, iNOS and other related genes were detected by RT-PCR method. HE, Masson staining and immunohistochemical staining were used to observe the changes of myocardial histomorphology in mice. We also examined the effects of different drug treatments on the proliferation and function of Raw264.7 cells, H9C2 cells and HUVECs. Western blot examined the effects of different drug treatments on the expression of inflammatory pathway related proteins TLR4 and C/EBP-β. Results1. Echocardiographic results showed that with the prolongation of ischemic time, the ejection fraction of the model group, the shortening rate of the short axis of the left ventricle, the flow rate of the outflow tract were significantly decreased, and the structure of the ventricle was significantly changed. Hemodynamic tests showed that the maximum and maximum rate of decline in the post-ischemia model group were significantly reduced, with increased systolic and diastolic volume, and a decrease in pressure difference. After treatment with drugs, all groups improved, but tanshinone IIA: puerarin = 1:1 group can significantly improve the above indicators after 28d of administration, which can effectively relieve the deterioration of cardiac function caused by acute myocardial infarction. 2. After administration for 3 and 7 days, the inflammatory cell CD11b monocytes and the F4/80 phenotype macrophages in heart tissue were detected by flow cytometry, and it was found that tanshinone IIA: puerarin = 1:1 can inhibit the release of inflammatory cells. The results of RT-PCR showed that the tanshinone IIA: puerarin = 1:1 group significantly improved the expression of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, and iNOS. In the immunohistochemical analysis of iNOS and Arg-1, the tanshinone IIA and puerarin 1:1 treatment group was able to inhibit the expression of M1 macrophages in the early stage of inflammation and promote the expression of M2 macrophages. 3. The cardiac index increased significantly and the serum TGF-β increased after 28d. The combination of tanshinone IIA and puerarin could significantly reduce these indexes. HE, Masson, Sirius red and immunohistochemical staining were found in the combination of tanshinone IIA and puerarin can significantly reduce the structure of acute ischemic myocardial cell damage and interstitial edema, reduce collagen synthesis, and fibroblasts release, thereby inhibiting myocardial fibrosis and heart remodeling. 4. MTT assay showed a significantly greater proliferation of above two cells types treated with tanshinone IIA: puerarin =1:1 and more nodes and meshes were found in tanshinone IIA: puerarin =1:1 group compared with other groups. 5. The combination of tanshinone IIA and puerarin could regulate inflammation through inhibiting the expression of TLR4 protein, but up-regulating the expression of C/EBP-β protein. ConclusionThe combination of tanshinone IIA and puerarin inhibits the immersion of inflammatory cells. Improving hemodynamics by improving cardiac function, reducing the destruction of cardiac myocytes, reducing collagen synthesis, inhibiting myocardial fibrosis and ventricular remodeling. Through the whole experiment, tanshinone IIA: puerarin = 1:1 is the best.

DIABETES MELLITUS IN THE STRUCTURE OF THE REPEATED DISABILITY OF ADULT POPULATION

In Russia in 2005-2017 990,574 persons were repeatedly recognized as disabled due to diseases of the endocrine system. The predominant etiological cause is diabetes mellitus, the specific gravity of which in the nosological structure of repeated disability due to this pathology in the dynamics is characterized by a tendency of some growth (86.8% -87.6% in 2012-2017). In the structure of recurrent disability due to diabetes mellitus, the age-adjusted PIs of retirement age prevailed - 45.5%, their specific gravity increased (from 36.1% in 2012). A decrease in the level of repeated disability due to diabetes mellitus was revealed from 4.8 to 2.5 per 10 thousand adult population (the indicator of visibility in relation to the level of 2012 was 52.1%). This trend took place in all age sectors of the adult population, with the maximum rate of decline in the indicator in 2014-2015. In 2017, the rate of decrease in the level of repeated disability among the population of middle age was -14.6%, whereas among the population of young and elderly age the indicator was 2 times lower and did not differ significantly (-7.1% and -7.7, respectively %). In the structure of recurrent disability, due to diabetes mellitus, the III group III was prevalent, however, a negative tendency was observed to decrease their specific gravity with an increase in the IIII group IIII indices (26.4% -28.4% and group I (7.1-13,0%).

Aluminum/vacuum multilayer configuration for spatial high-energy electron shielding via electron return effects induced by magnetic field

Radiation shielding of high-energy electrons is critical for successful space missions. However, conventional passive shielding systems exhibit several limitations, such as heavy configuration, poor shielding ability, and strong secondary bremsstrahlung radiation. In this work, an aluminum/vacuum multilayer structure was proposed based on the electron return effects induced by magnetic field. The shielding property of several configurations was evaluated by using the Monte Carlo method. Results showed that multilayer systems presented improved shielding ability to electrons, and less secondary x-ray transmissions than those of conventional systems. Moreover, the influences of magnetic flux density and number of layers on the shielding property of multilayer systems were investigated using a female Chinese hybrid reference phantom based on cumulative dose. In the case of two aluminum layers, the cumulative dose in a phantom gradually decreased with increasing magnetic flux density. The maximum decline rate was found within 0.4–1 Tesla. With increasing layers of configuration, the cumulative dose decreased and the shielding ability improved. This research provides effective shielding measures for future space radiation protection in high-energy electron environments.

Immunoglobulin G-Rheumatoid Factor Interferes Negatively with Serum Hepatitis B Envelope Antigen Chemiluminescent Microparticle Immunoassay.

Rheumatoid factor (RF) can interfere both positively and negatively in immunoassays. It remains unclear whether the negative interference is an exceptional phenomenon or a denominator of immunoassays and which RF subgroup plays a key role in its causation. Serum models comprising hepatitis B envelope antigen (HBeAg) and RF were made by blending HBeAg-positive sera and RF-positive sera at a ratio of 1:9. Paramagnetic microparticles coated with P human chorionic gonadotropin (betaHCG)-anti-betaHCG complexes were used to remove RFs from the models, and HBeAg was determined in models using the chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA). HBeAg sample/cutoff (S/CO) relative light units (RLUs) measured in 27.06% of the serum models were significantly lower than those in the control models with a maximum decline rate of > 70.00%. The discrepancies between the HBeAg S/CO RLUs measured in serum and control models were not associated with the serum RF levels when these ranged from 20 to 1510 IU/mL. Pretreatment of the serum models with the paramagnetic microparticles increased the HBeAg S/CO RLUs measured and decreased the immunoglobulin (Ig) A-RF and IgG-RF levels significantly. However, the discrepancies between the HBeAg S/CO RLUs measured in serum models before and after pretreatment were only associated inversely with the discrepancies in IgG-RF levels. Measurement of HBeAg by CMIA is susceptible to negative interference from RFs. The level of IgG-RF played a key role in interfering with HBeAg CIMA and predominantly caused falsely low results. The pretreatment of samples with blocking reagents is therefore advisable prior to the interpretation of test results.

Methods for improvement of noise stability at reception of messages in radio-engineering systems of remote control and monitoring

The paper considers the possibility for optimization of the envelope shape of spectrum-effective APM-signals using the criterion of maximum rate of decline of the energy spectrum of a random keying sequence.

Alveolar hypoxia induces left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and reduces phosphorylation of phospholamban in mice

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may lead to pulmonary hypertension (PH) and reduced function of the right ventricle (RV). However, COPD patients may also develop left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction. We hypothesized that alveolar hypoxia induces LV diastolic dysfunction and changes in proteins governing Ca(2+) removal from cytosol during diastole. Mice exposed to 10% oxygen for 1, 2, or 4 wk were compared with controls. Cardiac hemodynamics were assessed with Doppler echocardiography and a microtransducer catheter under general anesthesia. The pulmonary artery blood flow acceleration time was shorter and RV pressure was higher after 4 wk of hypoxia compared with controls (both P < 0.05). In the RV and LV, 4 wk of hypoxia induced a prolongation of the time constant of isovolumic pressure decay (51% RV, 43% LV) and a reduction in the maximum rate of decline in pressure compared with control (42% RV, 42% LV, all P < 0.05), indicating impaired relaxation and diastolic dysfunction. Alveolar hypoxia induced a 38%, 47%, and 27% reduction in Ser16-phosphorylated phospholamban (PLB) in the RV after 1, 2, and 4 wk of hypoxia, respectively, and at the same time points, Ser16-phosphorylated PLB in the LV was downregulated by 32%, 34%, and 25% (all P < 0.05). The amounts of PLB and sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca(2+) ATPase (SERCA2a) were not changed. In conclusion, chronic alveolar hypoxia induces hypophosphorylation of PLB at Ser16, which might be a mechanism for impaired relaxation and diastolic dysfunction in both the RV and LV.

The effects of dietary fat sources, levels, and feeding intervals on pork fatty acid composition.

Two experiments investigated the quantitative relationship between dietary fat and fatty acid composition of pork. Experiment 1 was designed to establish the rate of decline for linoleic acid and iodine value of pork fat during the late fattening phase following a dietary reduction. Gilts (n = 288) were fed diets varying in linoleic acid content from 4.11 to 1.56% for 4, 6, or 8 wk prior to slaughter. The maximum rate of decline was 2% 18:2 per week and 2.5 iodine value units per week. Experiment 2 evaluated the effects of dietary fat source and level on carcass fatty acid composition and on pork quality characteristics. Barrows (n = 147) and gilts (n = 147) were allocated to seven dietary treatments for the last 6 wk of the finishing phase. Diets contained 0, 2.5, or 5% dietary fat comprised of 100, 50, or 0% beef tallow. The balance was provided by animal-vegetable blended fat. As the level of tallow increased there was a linear decrease (P < 0.05) in 18:2 content and iodine value of carcass fat. Conversely, 16:1 and 18:1 increased linearly (P < 0.05) as tallow increased. However, 16:1 decreased linearly (P < 0.05) as level of fat increased. As the level of tallow was increased a greater reduction in 18:2 and iodine value was observed in diets with 5% dietary fat compared to diets with 2.5% fat (P < 0.05). These results indicate that reduction of dietary PUFA content had the desired effect of lowering 18:2 content and iodine value of pork fat and that significant alterations could be elicited in as little as 6 to 8 wk of feeding.

Rapid decline in body temperature before sleep: fluffing the physiological pillow?

A novel approach to the analysis of body core temperature was employed in an effort to further clarify the temporal relationship between the nightly decline in body temperature and the timing of the onset of nocturnal sleep. Core body temperature and EEG sleep recordings were obtained from 10 healthy elderly subjects while they lived in the laboratory and self-selected bedtimes and wake-up times. A rate-of-change curve was then generated for each temperature data set, showing the relative magnitude by which body core temperature declined (or increased) from minute to minute across the recording period. The time at which the maximum rate of decline (MROD) occurred was determined, and this time was compared with subjects' self-selected bedtimes and with subsequent EEG-defined sleep onsets. Eight of the 10 subjects' body temperature curves showed a maximum rate of decline well before (mean 41 min) the decision was made to retire. There was a significant positive correlation between the amount of wakefulness within the first hour after initial sleep onset and MROD relative to both bedtime and sleep onset (rs = 0.70; p < 0.04). That is, the closer MROD occurred to either bedtime or sleep onset, the less wakefulness there was within the first hour after sleep onset. The findings indicate that the process of sleep initiation is most likely to occur when body temperature is declining at its maximum rate and is most successfully accomplished at this phase of the temperature cycle.

Freeze-dried mixed cultures as reference samples in quantitative and qualitative microbiological examinations of food.

Two simulated food samples in the form of mixtures of bacteria, freeze-dried in small glass vials, were tested for their suitability as reference materials in food microbiology. Stability and homogeneity of the samples were assessed during a 1 year period when stored at 2-6 degrees C. Samples were examined for aerobic plate counts, coliform counts, Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium perfringens, Bacillus cereus, enterococci, yeasts and salmonellas. The samples were homogeneous but the number of colony forming units of some organisms declined during the time period studied. The maximum rate of decline (0.8 log units per year) was observed for the coliforms. Precision estimates (reproducibility and repeatability) for the different testing methods used are given. When compared with these data, the rate of decline was considered to be of less importance.

Phonatory function associated with hyperfunctionally related vocal fold lesions

A combination of noninvasive acoustic and aerodynamic measures were used to compare and contrast vocal function among patients having one of four major types of hyperfunctionally related vocal fold lesions: nodules, polyps, polypoid degeneration, or contact ulcers. Measures included: (a) vocal intensity and fundamental frequency, (b) parameters derived from inverse filtered approximations of the glottal airflow waveform and (c) estimates of transglottal pressure and average glottal airflow. Preliminary results showed that a combination of measures of fundamental frequency, transglottal pressure, and maximum declination rate of the glottal airflow waveform appeared to differentiate among three of the different types of lesions studied (nodules, polypoid degeneration, and contact ulcers). These results were interpreted as evidence that different underlying phonatory mechanisms are associated with different types of hyperfunctionally related vocal fold lesions. A combination of noninvasive acoustic and aerodynamic measures were used to compare and contrast vocal function among patients having one of four major types of hyperfunctionally related vocal fold lesions: nodules, polyps, polypoid degeneration, or contact ulcers. Measures included: (a) vocal intensity and fundamental frequency, (b) parameters derived from inverse filtered approximations of the glottal airflow waveform and (c) estimates of transglottal pressure and average glottal airflow. Preliminary results showed that a combination of measures of fundamental frequency, transglottal pressure, and maximum declination rate of the glottal airflow waveform appeared to differentiate among three of the different types of lesions studied (nodules, polypoid degeneration, and contact ulcers). These results were interpreted as evidence that different underlying phonatory mechanisms are associated with different types of hyperfunctionally related vocal fold lesions.

Atmosphere–Ocean Coupling and Atlantic Cod Migrations: Effect of Wind-Forced Variations in Sea Temperatures and Currents or Nearshore Distributions and Catch Rates of Gadus morhua

Coastal upwellings and downwellings forced by alongshore winds on the north shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence were associated with variability in onshore movements and inshore daily catches of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). Mean cod densities in the zone offshore from the trap sites, determined by hydroacoustic integration scaled by an in situ dual beam determined mean backscatter, ranged from 2.6 to 82.7 fish/105 m3. Cod were located where sea temperatures ranged from −0.5 to 8.5 °C. Catches were nil where temperatures were outside this range. Cod were located at depths which correlated with the strength of alongshore currents (r = −0.55). A path analysis model with predictors alongshore wind stress and current, sea temperature, and cod density accounted for 76% of the variance in catch. Cod abundance in the offshore zone accounted for the most variance independent of other factors (27%). Sea temperature and currents accounted for 15 and 13%, respectively. Peaks in catch (to 1500 kg/d) coincided with maximum rates of decline in sea temperatures and with NE upwelling currents. Low catches coincided with maximum rates of increase in temperatures and with SW currents. In a regression model, four lags of alongshore wind accounted for 83% of the variance in catch.

Impaired rate of left ventricular filling in idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis and valvular aortic stenosis.

In order to determine whether there is any interference with left atrial emptying or left ventricular filling in idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis (IHSS) and aortic stenosis, the fall in pressure (y descent) of the left atrial v wave following the opening of the mitral valve was analyzed in 27 patients with IHSS and in 22 patients with valvular aortic stenosis, and the results were compared to those for 13 normal subjects and 24 patients with mitral stenosis. The y descent in 0.1 sec and the mean rate of the y descent, as well as the maximum rate of decline, were reduced in all three groups of patients, as compared to those of the normal group. The changes in IHSS were more marked than those occurring in patients with aortic stenosis or mitral stenosis. These findings in patients with IHSS and valvular aortic stenosis appear to result from reduced left ventricular compliance. It is concluded that there is an impairment of left ventricular filling in IHSS and that obstruction to ventricular inflow, as well as to outflow, contributes to the hemodynamic changes in this condition.