Generalized pulse equations for through-transmission evaluation of arbitrary multilayered structures

Generalized transit time and pulse amplitude equations have been derived for modeling the ultrasonic through-transmission wave propagation of an arbitrary n-layered structure. The equations can be programmed into an expert system and used to identify and predict the through-transmission pulse signals from the critical interfaces of a multilayered structure. To test the formulas, we measured the through-transmission responses from one- and three-layered configurations in the laboratory and compared the experimental measurements with computer-generated data that were determined using the derived equations. The results verify the validity of the formulas.     

Frequency-dependent conduction delay of motor-evoked potentials in multiple sclerosis

Paired transcranial magnetic stimulation was applied in 33 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and in 21 healthy controls. A major abnormality was found in latency of the second motor-evoked potential in MS patients. At interstimulus intervals of 75, 100, and 150 ms the central motor conduction time (CMCT) was significantly prolonged in MS patients to 139%, 150%, and 125% of the CMCT of a single magnetic stimulation (P=0.02, P=0.004, P=0.03), respectively. Voluntary contraction of the target muscle abolished the difference in latency independent of the degree of contraction. Stimulation intensity influenced the length of the interstimulus interval during which the maximal conduction delay was obtained. In MS patients there was no correlation between prolonged CMCT to a single magnetic stimulus and the frequency-dependent conduction delay to paired magnetic stimuli. It is hypothesized that the conduction delay of the conditioned response of paired magnetic stimuli in MS is of cortical origin and induced by abnormalities of the ascending volley to the neocortex.     

The effect of traditional Chinese acupuncture on severe tinnitus. A double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study with an open therapeutic surveillance]

The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of intensive acupuncture on severe tinnitus. The structure of the study was a randomized, double-blind, clinical investigation with open therapeutic surveillance and included 54 patients. All were subjected to 25 treatment sessions over a period of two months, each treatment lasting 30 minutes. Fifty-two patients completed the study. The variables used for self-registration were based on the Visual Analogue Scale, where annoyance, loudness and awareness of the tinnitus were assessed. These were recorded twice daily over a four month period starting one month before the first treatment and ending one month after the last treatment. Questionnaires, interviews and audiometry were carried out repeatedly. No statistically significant differences were found between the acupuncture group and the placebo group.     

Anatomic orthotopic heart transplantation: the surgical characteristics and the advantages of the method

Standard technique of establishment of interatrial anastomoses allows to carry out orthotopic transplantation of the heart quickly and reliably. However the accumulation of collective experience evidences about a number of unavoidable shortcomings of such operation: rhythm disturbances, worsening of hemodynamics in discordant atrial contractions of recipient and donor, atrio-ventricular valve insufficiency, thromboembolism, coronary fistulas. Since 1990 in RRCS 25 operations were carried out with the use of standard technique and we also met with the risk of developing the above complications. In experiment on 30 mongrel dogs the technique of anatomical, truly orthotopic transplantation of the heart with six anastomoses was developed: left pulmonary veins with a common cuff, separate anastomoses of the superior and inferior caval veins, anastomoses of aorta and pulmonary artery. Particular attention was paid to developing of original surgical modes for prophylaxis of stenoses in the area of anastomoses of pulmonary and caval veins. In 1997 the anatomical technique of heart transplantation was successfully introduced by us into clinical practice. Clinical electrophysiological, echocardiographic and functional examinations have confirmed the results of the experiments and have evidenced for substantial advantages of the anatomical technique of orthotopic transplantation of the heart. By reliability the new operation is not inferior to standard method of N. Shumway.     

Emotion, personality, and selective attention.

Examined the effect of presenting emotionally salient information when attention is focused away from the information. 109 undergraduates completed the Test Anxiety Scale, the Defensiveness Scale, and the Multiple Affect Adjective Check List (MAACL) 3–6 wks prior to a listening task. Emotionally salient material was embedded in the ignored channel of a dichotic listening task which Ss completed before taking the MAACL again. The emotional quality of the information presented in the ignored channel—outside awareness—exerted an influence on processing of information in the attended channel—within awareness. Sexually explicit information presented in the ignored channel was found to intrude upon awareness, whereas other kinds of information did not. State anxiety scores were predictive of these intrusions from outside awareness. Other personality measures were predictive of processing only when intrusions did not occur or when the information was presented to awareness. (41 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)