Cerebrospinal fluid methylmalonic acid concentrations in neurological patients with low and normal serum cobalamin concentrations

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) methylmalonic acid (MMA) is increased in neurological patients with low serum cobalamin (Cbl, vitamin B12) concentrations as opposed to neurological patients with normal serum Cbl concentrations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We measured MMA concentrations in serum and CSF of neurological patients with low serum cobalamin concentrations, but without overt cobalamin related manifestations such as anemia or combined disease of the cord, and neurological patients with normal serum cobalamin concentrations (controls). RESULTS: Serum and CSF MMA concentrations were significantly higher in patients than in controls. Serum MMA was elevated in 4 patients of whom 3 had clearly elevated CSF MMA concentrations. CONCLUSION: Strong indications for cobalamin deficiency can be found not only in serum but also in CSF of patients with seemingly asymptomatic low serum cobalamin concentrations.     

Miscible blends of a vinylidene chloride/vinyl chloride copolymer with aliphatic polyesters

A copolymer of vinylidene chloride and vinyl chloride containing 13.5% by weight of the latter has been solution blended with four aliphatic polyesters: poly(?-caprolactone), poly(2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propylene adipate), poly(1,4-cyclohexanedimethylene succinate), and poly(2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propylene succinate). Each blend was examined visually and by differential scanning calorimetry. All blends with the copolymer form a single miscible amorphous phase at all compositions and all temperatures except for the latter mentioned polyester, which exhibits liquid–liquid phase separation at temperatures above a measured cloud point curve. Information about interactions between the components in each blend is estimated from melting point data and discussed.     

The software engineering of a microcomputer application system

A system development methodology is outlined before describing its application to the development of a microcomputer system. Structured analysis techniques were used for determining the information flow through the system. The system was then structured into modules using structured design and information hiding techniques. The detailed design of the system was described in pseudocode. The system was coded in assembler supplemented by a set of structured programming macros. A systematic bottom-up testing procedure was adopted for system integration.     

Realizable feed-element patterns for multibeam reflector antenna analysis

The radiation pattern of a feed element is approximately described by a simple function(cos theta)^{q}. For a given element spacing of the feed array, we give simple formulas for estimating the practical value ofqwhen the element is an open-ended rectangular waveguide, an open-ended circular waveguide, a pyramidal horn, or a cigar antenna.     

Simplification of Boolean-valued data by minimum covering

In this paper, a set covering problem is considered. The problem of concern is the simplification of data representation for large-scale Boolean-valued data structures by generating a minimum cover for one of the two data classes. The cover is based on a “neighborhood” concept which can be specified in terms of simple parameters. An optimal set of neighborhoods or a minimum cover is determined which corresponds to the search for an optimal solution for a data representation requiring the minimum number of parameters.     

Electrochemistry of the oxygen electrode in the KNO3KO2 system,a comparative study

Equilibrium and voltammetric measurements have been performed in molten KNO₃ on the oxygensuperoxideperoxide redox system. The results are compared with those previously reported for the eutectic NaK nitrate solvent (MNO₃). In KNO₃, superoxide ions are far more stable and peroxide ions are formed only at very negative potentials, where mainly solvent reduction produces a blocking K₂O₂ deposit on the (Pt) cathode. Other differences between the two solvents, such as in thermal stability and diffusion coefficients of electro-active species are relatively small but the KNO₃KO₂ system is more corrosive against glass and graphite. From rde limiting currents and independently measured or estimated solubility data of oxygen, extremely large diffusion coefficients D(O₂) are found in both solvents. They range from 50 to 100 times the expected values.     

Preparation of NiO-ZrO2/SO 4 -2 catalyst and its catalytic activity for ethylene dimerization

NiO-ZrO₂/SO ₄ ^-2 catalysts were prepared by coprecipitation from the solution of nickel chloride -zirconium oxychloride mixture followed by treating with H₂SO₄ NiO-ZrO₂ alone without SO ₄ ^-2 was inactive as a catalyst for ethylene dimerization, but NiO-ZrO₂/SO ₄ ^-2 was found to be very active even at room temperature. The high catalytic activity of NiO-ZrO₂/SO ₄ ^-2 was closely correlated with the increase of acid strength by the inductive effect of sulfate ion adsorbed on NiO-ZrO₂. The decrease of catalytic activity above 150‡C of evacuation temperature was explained in terms of the structural change of catalyst from amorphous phase to crystalline, and the sintering.     

Einfluß der Austenitisierungsbedingungen und einer Tiefkühlbehandlung auf die mechanischen Eigenschaften von gehärtetem Werkzeugstahl

Einfluß der Austenitisierungsbedingungen und einer Tiefkühlbehandlung auf Härte, Biegefestigkeit, 0,1-Biegegrenze sowie elastische und plastische Durchbiegung der Stähle 90 MnV 8 mit rd. 0,9% C, 2,2% Mn und 0,1% V, X 210 Cr 12 mit rd. 2% C und 12,6% Cr, 115 CrV 3 mit rd. 1,1% C, 0,6% Cr und 0,1% V, C 90 mit rd. 0,9% C, 100 CrMn 6 mit rd. 0,9% C, 0,9% Mn und 1,5% Cr und 90 MnCrWV 5 mit rd. 0,9% C, 1,1% Mn, 0,5% Cr, 0,2% V und 0,45% W.     

Developmental changes in the manifestation of a phonological deficit in dyslexic children learning to read a regular orthography.

In a longitudinal study, the development of phonological processing abilities was studied in 19 dyslexic, 17 weak, and 19 normal readers learning to read in Dutch. Among other abilities, phonological awareness and rapid automatized naming were assessed in kindergarten, in 1st grade, and in 6th grade. Dyslexic and weak readers had impairments in rapid naming from kindergarten through 6th grade. Their impairments in phonological awareness at the level of phonemes became manifest in 1st grade and tended to disappear at the end of primary school. However, in a second cross-sectional study, including 13 dyslexic and 25 normal readers, dyslexic children's awareness of phonemes was hampered when task demands increased. The various manifestations of a phonological deficit follow distinct developmental pathways. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

High-performance optical pick-up actuator with singlet objective lens for BD/DVD/CD compatible drive

For perfect compatibility of BD/DVD/CD, a heavy objective lens assembly is inevitable. However, BD format needs very high transfer rate to edit the contents of HD media, without delay. And performance of an optical pick-up actuator is one of several keys to make it possible. To secure high sensitivity, we introduce a magnetic circuit composed of two 3-pole magnets. As a result of it, despite heavy weight of lens assembly, we achieved high performance enough to operate the disc drive as BD CLV 4X.