Predictive factors of psychological disorder development during recovery following SARS outbreak.

Objective: To investigate strategies for broad mass isolation during outbreaks of infectious diseases. Design: A survey using a self-administered questionnaire was conducted on 300 printing company workers in Beijing, China, which was under mass isolation following the 2003 SARS outbreak, in the 7-8 months after the isolation was lifted. Main Outcome Measures: Individuals with psychological disorders were classified on the basis of scores on the 30-item General Health Questionnaire during the recovery period. Psychological disorders were observed in 49 of 187 respondents (26.2%; 95% CI = 20.2, 32.7). Results: The predicting factor with the highest correlation was income reduction, with an odds ratio of 25.0. Other items obtained were gender, range of activities, eating restrictions, restrictions in going out, disinfection of clothing, and infection control, with odds ratios of 3.2, 5.5, 3.9, 3.2, 0.2, and 0.1, respectively, and the contribution ratio was 87.7%. Conclusion: Securing income is suggested to be important in future strategies. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Techniques in computer art

The major techniques in computer art in use so far are classified into six categories and evaluated. Among these categories, we discuss the function method in detail by showing pictures generated by our system ART-3, a small system based on the function method. By this means we show the usefulness of mathematics in this area and demonstrate the enormous possibilities of computer art. Furthermore, on the basis of our experience of using ART-3 the role of artists in technology-aided art is briefly discussed.     

Acute ingestion of yerba mate infusion (Ilex paraguariensis) inhibits plasma and lipoprotein oxidation

Yerba mate extract (Ilex paraguariensis) is a source of phenolic compounds that possesses in vitro antioxidant activities and may contribute to a reduction in the risk of cardiovascular disease. In this study we examined the acute effects of the consumption of mate infusion on ex vivo plasma and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation, plasma antioxidant capacity, and platelet aggregation. Twelve healthy fasted subjects ingested 500 mL of mate infusion and blood samples were collected before and 1 h after mate intake. Lipid peroxidation of plasma and LDL was monitored by the measurement of cholesteryl-ester hydroperoxides (CE-OOH) and cholesterol oxides. The plasma antioxidant capacity was measured as ferric-reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP). Platelet aggregation was evaluated in platelet-rich plasma stimulated with adenosine diphosphate and coagulation was tested in platelet-poor plasma. Ingestion of mate infusion diminished the ex vivo oxidizability of both plasma and LDL particles. After mate intake, the CE-OOH levels were around 50% lower in plasma oxidized with copper or 2,2′-azobis[2-amidine-propane-hydrochloride] (AAPH) and the lag time to plasma oxidation increased 2-fold (P < 0.05). Copper- and AAPH-induced LDL peroxidation were also inhibited by around 50% and 20%, respectively, after mate consumption (P < 0.05). The levels of various oxysterols were significantly reduced in oxidized-plasma and LDL (P < 0.05) and FRAP increased by 7.7% after mate intake (P < 0.01). However, mate consumption did not inhibit platelet aggregation or blood coagulation. In summary, intake of yerba mate infusion improved the antioxidant capacity and the resistance of plasma and LDL particles to ex vivo lipid peroxidation.     

Identification of interaction site of pseudoazurin with its redox partner, copper-containing nitrite reductase from Alcaligenes faecalis S-6

Pseudoazurin, a low molecular weight protein containing a singletype I copper, functions as an electron donor to a copper-containingnitrite reductase (NIR) in a denitrifying bacterium Alcaligenesfaecalis S-6. To elucidate the proteinprotein interaction betweenthese two copper-containing proteins, each of nine out of 13lysine residues on the surface of pseudoazurin were independentlyreplaced by alanine or aspartate, and the effects of the mutationson the interaction with NIR, as well as the physicochemicalproperties of pseudoazurin, were analyzed. All of the mutatedpseudoazurins showed optical spectra and oxidation-reductionpotentials almost identical to those of wildtype pseudoazurin,suggesting that none of the replacements of these lysine residuesaffected the environment around the type I copper site. Kineticanalysis of electron transfer between mutated pseudoazurinsand NIR reveals that the lysine mutations have very little effecton the rate of electron transfer to NIR, but substitution atresidues 10, 38, 57 and 77, all close to the copper site, substantiallydecreases the affinity of pseudoazurin for NIR. This suggeststhat pseudoazurin interacts with NIR through the region closeto the type I copper site. The refined X-ray structures of Lys38Aspand Lys10Asp/Lys38Asp show that the molecular structure hasindeed changed little. A new space group is observed for theLys109Ala mutant crystal. Crystal packing interactions changefor the Lys10Asp/Lys38Asp mutant but remain the same for Lys38Aspand Lys59Ala mutants.     

FPC‐free LCD panel with capacitive coupling for transmission of signals and power

Abstract— A flexible‐printed‐cable (FPC) free liquid‐crystal‐display (LCD) panel by using a capacitive‐coupling technique has been developed. A QQVGAeight‐color image was successfully displayed for the first time without attaching any signal or power cables to the panel. The receiving circuitry and capacitive‐coupling electrodes were integrated on the LCD panel using a low‐temperature polysilicon (LTPS) fabrication process. In the proposed digital coding method, the receiving circuit converts derivative waveform signals via the capacitive coupling to conventional logic‐level signals. The maximum data rate of 2.4‐Mbps × 3ch (RGB) was achieved. In addition, LTPS low‐capacitance diode bridge and regulator enabled us to obtain stable DC power of 2.4 mW on the panel from the AC‐power signal. This study is the first step towards integrating the wireless‐communication function on the display panel to achieve a high‐value‐added flat‐panel display (FPD).     

Relationship between Tissue Structural Collapse and Disappearance of Flesh Transparency during Postmortem Changes in Squid Mantles

ABSTRACT:  This study evaluated the relationship between squid flesh transparency and muscle tissue microstructure. Squid mantle muscle was stored at 4 °C after being transported for 2 h by 4 different transportation methods used commonly in Japan (Group 1: live squid packed in ice-cold seawater; Group 2: live squid packed at 4 °C; Group 3: squid killed immediately after harvest and packed at 4 °C; Group 4: live squid packed in a fish tank containing seawater). Parameters of muscle tissue transparency were measured by an image analysis of digital images of squid muscle tissue. The mantle muscle tissue was observed under a transmission electron microscope to determine the postmortem structural changes at the cellular level. The ATP content of muscle tissue and rupture energy of squid flesh were also measured. As a result, the transparency of squid flesh and the ATP content of the muscles showed the same pattern of change in degree as time passed. The values of these parameters were highest in the group of squid killed immediately followed in order by those transported live, the refrigerated squid, and squid stored in ice-cold seawater. The mantle muscle tissue started to lose its transparency when the ATP in the muscle tissue started to decline. Disintegration of squid muscle tissue structure at the cellular level during storage under refrigeration for 24 h (4 °C) was observed in all methods of transportation. This suggested that destruction of the squid muscle tissue structure by autolysis is remarkably fast. The muscle tissue structure disintegrates due to decomposition of the muscle proteins, and muscle transparency is lost because the entire muscle develops a mixed coarse-minute structure.     

Different behavior between Pt and Pd catalysts in the hydrogenolysis of cyclohexanediones and hydroxycyclohexanones

Hydrogenolysis reactions of cyclohexanediones, hydroxycyclohexanones, and some related alicyclic ketones were studied over Pt, Pd, Ir, and Rh catalysts at atmospheric hydrogen pressure in t-butyl alcohol as a solvent. Pt and Pd had high catalytic activities for the hydrogenolysis of carbon-oxygen bonds. However, Ir and Rh scarcely had any activity unless 1,3-cyclohexanedione and 3-hydroxycyclohexanone were involved. The mechanisms of the hydrogenolysis differed with Pt and Pd. In the hydrogenation of 4-methoxycyclohexanone, Pt afforded cyclohexyl methyl ether as the hydrogenolysis product; while Pd afforded cyclohexanone, which was then hydrogenated to cyclohexanol. Thus Pt cleaved the carbon-oxygen double bond, and Pd cleaved the carbon-oxygen single bond. Deuterolysis of cyclohexanone and 4-methoxycyclohexanone on Pt gave mainly d₂ species of cyclohexane and cyclohexyl methyl ether as the hydrogenolysis products. This indicated that the carbon-oxygen double bonds were directly cleaved to yield methylene groups on Pt. Almost of all 3-hydroxycyclohexanone was hydrogenolyzed to cyclohexanone on Pd; whereas cyclohexanone as well as cyclohexanol was not hydrogenolyzed at all. In the case of Pd, the carbon-oxygen single bond was cleaved when it was activated by formation of π-oxoallyl adsorbed species on the catalyst at the carbon-oxygen double bond.     

Organic reactions in excess water catalyzed by solid acids

A solid acid, Cs_2.5H_0.5PW₁₂O₄₀, efficiently catalyzed the reactions in which water participates such as hydrolysis of ester, hydration of alkene, and esterification, in excess water. This acidic salt was far superior in the activity to other oxide catalysts such as H-ZSM-5, Nb₂O₅, SO²⁻₄/ZrO₂, and SiO₂–Al₂O₃. When Cs_2.5H_0.5PW₁₂O₄₀ was separated from the reactant solution and reused five times for the hydrolysis of ethyl acetate repeatedly, the reaction rate was retained more than 90%. These results demonstrates that Cs_2.5H_0.5PW₁₂O₄₀ is an efficient water-tolerant solid acid.