Quantitative histochemical evaluation of normal human skeletal muscle

Skeletal muscle tissue was obtained by open biopsy from the vastus lateralis and peroneus brevis muscles from 12 and 16 healthy paid volunteers, respectively. Frozen sections were examined with standard histochemical methods. Central nuclei, small and large angular fibers, and small round fibers were the most common "abnormalities" present. The number of fibers of these types were quantified, along with other more rare deviations from normal morphology. Several of the abnormalities were more common in the peroneus brevis than in the vastus lateralis.     

Dietary exposure to brominated flame retardants correlates with male blood levels in a selected group of Norwegians with a wide range of seafood consumption

This study investigates dietary exposure and serum levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) in a group of Norwegians (n = 184) with a wide range of seafood consumption (4-455 g/day). Mean dietary exposure to Sum 5 PBDEs (1.5 ng/kg body weight/day) is among the highest reported. Since concentrations in foods were similar to those found elsewhere in Europe, this may be explained by high seafood consumption among Norwegians. Oily fish was the main dietary contributor both to Sum PBDEs and to the considerably lower HBCD intake (0.3 ng/kg body weight/day). Milk products appeared to contribute most to the BDE-209 intake (1.4 ng/kg body weight/day). BDE-209 and HBCD exposures are based on few food samples and need to be confirmed. Serum levels (mean Sum 7 PBDEs = 5.2 ng/g lipid) and congener patterns (BDE-47 > BDE-153 > BDE-99) were comparable with other European reports. Correlations between individual congeners were higher for the calculated dietary exposure than for serum levels. Further, significant but weak correlations were found between dietary exposure and serum levels for Sum PBDEs, BDE-47, and BDE-28 in males. This indicates that other sources in addition to diet need to be addressed.     

Communication of emotional intent by facial expression.

An experiment to: (a) ascertain the extent to which college students (expressors) can convey to other students (judges) via facial expressions alone, their emotional intent and (b) determine some correlates of this enactment ability. 50 expressors portrayed 10 emotions to 4 judges. Results: (a) The expressors were all able to enact recognizably at levels better than chance, but there were considerable individual differences in this ability. (b) Happiness, love, fear, and determination were more often accurately recognized than disgust, contempt, and suffering. (c) For these enactments, the Woodworth-Schlosberg scale was found to contain 5 rather than 6 categories and was not circular. (d) Contrary to expectation, no personality correlates of enactment ability were found. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Optical dephasing of rare earth ions in mixed crystalline and size-restricted systems

High resolution optical hole burning spectroscopy of rare earth ions is used to study the dynamics of disordered and size-restricted crystalline solids. Materials described include mixed crystals of Ca_1−xLa_xF_2+x and Ca_1−xY_xF_2+x with Eu³⁺ and Pr³⁺ and sol–gel prepared nanometer scale γ-Al₂O₃:Eu³⁺. All of these materials exhibit, at low temperatures, a temperature dependence of their spectral hole linewidth which is similar to the dynamical properties observed in amorphous materials such as glasses. This suggests an enhanced density of states at low frequencies. The results on the mixed alkaline earth fluorides are discussed in relation to far infrared and heat capacity measurements, which indicate the presence of low frequency excitations. It appears that while the density of defect states responsible for the dynamics increases with Y or La content, the density saturates at low concentrations. Both persistent and transient hole burning mechanisms occur for nanoscale sol–gel γ-Al₂O₃:Eu³⁺. The nearly exponential increase in the linewidth above 7 K is explained by Raman scattering by phonons associated with the size-restricted nature of the phonon density of states.     

Local detection of electromagnetic energy transport below the diffraction limit in metal nanoparticle plasmon waveguides

Achieving control of light-material interactions for photonic device applications at nanoscale dimensions will require structures that guide electromagnetic energy with a lateral mode confinement below the diffraction limit of light. This cannot be achieved by using conventional waveguides or photonic crystals. It has been suggested that electromagnetic energy can be guided below the diffraction limit along chains of closely spaced metal nanoparticles that convert the optical mode into non-radiating surface plasmons. A variety of methods such as electron beam lithography and self-assembly have been used to construct metal nanoparticle plasmon waveguides. However, all investigations of the optical properties of these waveguides have so far been confined to collective excitations, and direct experimental evidence for energy transport along plasmon waveguides has proved elusive. Here we present observations of electromagnetic energy transport from a localized subwavelength source to a localized detector over distances of about 0.5 microm in plasmon waveguides consisting of closely spaced silver rods. The waveguides are excited by the tip of a near-field scanning optical microscope, and energy transport is probed by using fluorescent nanospheres.     

Effects of subchronic treatment with valproate on L-5-HTP-induced cortisol responses in mania: evidence for increased central serotonergic neurotransmission

The mechanisms underlying the acute and prophylactic antimanic properties of valproate have remained elusive. There are some reports that treatment with valproic acid may increase brain serotonergic neurotransmission in the rodent. This study was carried out in order to investigate the effects of subchronic therapy with valproate on central serotonin metabolism in manic patients. Toward this end, the authors examined plasma cortisol responses to 200 mg (orally) L-5-hydroxy-tryptophan (L-5-HTP) in 10 manic patients both before and after subchronic treatment with valproate. Administration of L-5-HTP resulted in significantly increased cortisol responses both before and after treatment with valproate. The L-5-HTP-induced cortisol responses were significantly higher after treatment with valproate than before treatment. It is suggested that valproate may increase central serotonergic neurotransmission and that this stimulation may play a role in the antimanic effects of valproate.     

Industrial/Organizational Psychology in Poland.

The author discusses his impressions of industrial psychology in Poland. The purpose of the article is to inform others who have stereotyped notions of the psychology situation in Poland and invite them to change their stereotypes into knowledge and discover facts about industrial and organizational psychology there. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)