Early diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis

On the basis of own observations of courses the author adopts a definite attitude to the early symptomatology of the rheumatoid arthritis. During the first weeks of the rheumatoid arthritis the following symptoms are found: articular syndromes, more frequently in form of obstinate polyarthralgias, mono-oligoarthritis, accompanied by morning rigidity and accelerated BSR as well as impairment of the general condition. In the majority of the patients only the tentative diagnosis rheumatoid arthritis may be made. After a one to three months' course of the disease the diagnosis becomes more probable. It is above all based on constancy and symmetry, characteristic localisation of the articular process, morning rigidity, radiologically paraarticular loosening of the structure and morphological symptoms of an acute and subacute synovialitis. 6 to 12 months after the beginning of the disease a clinical picture forms which allows to make the diagnosis of a certain or classical rheumatoid arthritis in accordance with the criteria of the ARA. The occurrence of a high activity of multiple affection of the joints (permanent symmetrical polyarthritis including the small joints of the hands and feet), distinctive morning rigidity, high fever and much accelerated BSR, beginning with the first weeks of the disease, speaks for the possibility of the development of an arthrovisceral form of the course of rheumatoid arthritis.     

Using Distributed Computers to Deterministically Approximate Higher Dimensional Convection Diffusion Equations

A new approach to solving D> 3 spatial dimensional convection-diffusion equation on clusters of workstations is derived by exploiting the stability and scalability of the combination of a generalized D dimensional high-order compact (HOC) implicit finite difference scheme and parallelized GMRES(m). We then consider its application to multifactor Option pricing using the Black–Scholes equation and further show that an isotropic fourth order compact difference scheme is numerically stable and determine conditions under which its coefficient matrix is positive definite. The performance of GMRES(m) on distributed computers is limited by the inter-processor communication required by the matrix-vector multiplication. It is shown that the compact scheme requires approximately half the number of communications as a non-compact difference scheme of the same order of truncation error. As the dimensionality is increased, the ratio of computation that can be overlapped with communication also increases. CPU times and parallel efficiency graphs for single time step approximation of up to a 7D HOC scheme on 16 processors confirm the numerical stability constraint and demonstrate improved parallel scalability over non-compact difference schemes.     

The characterization and functional reliability of 45 Mbit/s optical transmitters containing MBE-grown lasers

We have characterized the performance and studied the functional reliability of 45 Mbit/s lightwave transmitters containing proton-bombarded stripe lasers grown in a research environment by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). We observe that these transmitters have superior performance compared to transmitters containing lasers of similar geometry grown in production facilities by liquid phase epitaxy (LPE), and subsequently processed using the same technology. The reliability data of over 10 000 h indicate that the functional lifetime of the MBE lasers will be limited ultimately by extinction ratio degradation in our circuit strategy. The origin of the degradation is the increase of the spontaneous light at the bias current.     

Biochemical markers of strophanthin arrhythmia

The increase of the concentration of fatty acids, the reduction in the concentration of serotonin, the lowering of the activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and transketolase, and the development of compensated metabolic acidosis were discovered in the stage that preceded strophanthine arrhythmia. These characteristics may be recommended for a wider use on the clinical basis for predicting arrhythmias in the treatment of cardiac glycosides.     

Significance of adrenal hormones in brain energy metabolism

Intensity of glycolysis was studied under conditions of immobilization stress and adrenalectomy as well as with administration of adrenaline and hydrocortisone. The processes of aerobic glycolysis, activity of enzymes of the tricarboxylic acid cycle and mitochondria respiratory chain, content of total, free and protein-bound glycogen, glucose-I-phosphate, glucose-6-phosphate, pyruvate, alpha-ketoglutarate, cytrate and macroergs in the brain are shown to depend on the level of adrenal hormones producing a multilateral effect on a series of energy metabolism links.     

Light flicker test in the United States

Home appliances, like washers, dryers, refrigerators, etc., can cause voltage fluctuations and light flicker. A standardized flicker test has been established in Europe (IEC 1000-3-3). However, the European test is designed for 230-V 50-Hz power and needs to be modified for a 115-V 60-Hz supply. In this paper, the reference impedance and the limits of flicker tests for 115 V/60 Hz systems are proposed. A high-performance power analysis system, the Xitron 2803AH power analyzer, was used to study the voltage fluctuations and flicker caused by some washing machines. The analysis and test results provided in this paper can serve as a proposal for establishing a US light flicker testing standard for 115 V/60 Hz     

Use it or lose it: Engaged lifestyle as a buffer of cognitive decline in aging?

Data from the Victoria Longitudinal Study were used to examine the hypothesis that maintaining intellectual engagement through participation in everyday activities buffers individuals against cognitive decline in later life. The sample consisted of 250 middle-aged and older adults tested 3 times over 6 years. Structural equation modeling techniques were used to examine the relationships among changes in lifestyle variables and an array of cognitive variables. There was a relationship between changes in intellectually related activities and changes in cognitive functioning. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that intellectually engaging activities serve to buffer individuals against decline. However, an alternative model suggested the findings were also consistent with the hypothesis that high-ability individuals lead intellectually active lives until cognitive decline in old age limits their activities. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Infertility update: use of assisted reproductive technology

OBJECTIVE: To describe assisted reproductive technology (ART) and use of medications during these procedures. DATA SOURCES: Recent clinical literature. STUDY SELECTION: Not applicable. DATA EXTRACTION: Not applicable. DATA SYNTHESIS: ARTs are procedures used in treatment of infertility that involve removal of oocytes and their manipulation outside the woman's uterus. The simplest form of ART, in vitro fertilization, involves aspirating eggs from the ovaries, fertilizing them outside the body, and transferring the embryos into the uterus at the four- to eight-cell stage. Experimental regimens for in vitro fertilization include use of various medications (gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists, human menotropins, follicle-stimulating hormone, growth hormone) at varying points in the menstrual cycle and after introduction of the embryo into the uterus. Human chorionic gonadotropin has been used to increase implantation of embryos during the woman's luteal phase. Gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) involves transfer of oocytes and sperm into the fallopian tubes, where fertilization takes place. This technique has the advantage of causing the zygote to enter the uterus at the time it would during natural conception. Zygote intrafallopian transfer is similar to GIFT, except that fertilization occurs in vitro, with embryos placed in the fallopian tubes at the two-cell stage. Various micromanipulation techniques and innovative sperm aspiration procedures are currently under development. CONCLUSION: Many advancements have been made in ART, and pharmacists who understand these procedures can serve patients by providing medication information in an empathetic and supportive manner.