Time course of changes in free thyroid indices, rT3, TSH, cortisol and ACTH following exposure to sulfur mustard

In order to evaluate the time course of changes in serum concentration of thyroid hormones, cortisol and ACTH in patients exposed to chemical weapons containing sulfur mustard, we measured serum concentrations of hormones on the first, third and fifth week following injury in 13 soldiers and compared them to the results obtained from 34 control men. Free T4 and T3 indices were decreased and rT3, cortisol and ACTH were increased in the first week following exposure. There was a subnormal TSH response to TRH in 2 of 3 men tested. Except for an increase in FT4I and a decrease in TSH by the third week, and a steady decline in serum cortisol, serum hormone concentrations were unchanged until the fifth week after injury. The decline in serum cortisol occurred despite a constant increase in serum ACTH. By the fifth week only 1 of 13 men had serum cortisol levels > 10 micrograms/dl. We conclude that exposure to chemical weapons containing sulfur mustard results in alterations in serum concentrations of thyroid and adrenal hormones and ACTH, resembling changes seen in burn trauma. Some evidence of direct effects of mustard on endocrine glands exist.     

The GKS Input Model in Manifold

This paper describes the specification of the GKS input model in M anifold . The aim of the work reported in this paper was two-fold: first, to review the communication patterns implied by the GKS input model, and second, to evaluate the suitability of the M anifold language as a tool for defining complex dynamic interaction patterns that are common in non-trivial user interfaces.
The GKS input model is also adopted by all more recent ISO graphics standard documents. A more formal scrutiny of the inter-communication of the components of this model, excluding the implementation details of their functionality, is instructive in itself. It can reveal directions for improvement of its shortcomings and for generalization of its strengths for the ongoing effort to define the functionality of future graphics packages.
M anifold is a language for describing inter-process communications. Processes in M anifold communicate by means of buffered communication links called streams and by reacting to events raised asynchronously by other processes. Our experience shows that M anifold is a promising tool for describing systems of cooperating parallel processes. Our M anifold specification of the GKS input model offers a very flexible way to structure user defined logical input devices. Furthermore, it is simple and modular enough to allow easy extensions to include more functionality by local modifications. As such, it can serve as a basis for possible extensions and enhancements envisioned for future graphics packages.
1987 CR Categories: C.1.2, C.1.3, C.2.m, D.1.3, F.1.2, I.1.3, I.3.6, I.3.4.
1885 Mathematical Subject Classification: 68N99, 68Q10,68U05.