Twin closeness and co-twin risk for substance use disorders: assessing the impact of the equal environment assumption

Studies were conducted from May, 1993 to April, 1995 to determine the changing patterns of infection by the liver fluke, Clonorchis sinensis, among residents and fish hosts in Kyongbuk Province. The infection rate among residents was 7.7% by stool examination. The rate in males (11.3%) was significantly higher than females (4.1%). Positive rate of intradermal test was 27.6% in the same population. The special type of a simple catalytic model was applied for the analysis of intradermal positive reactors by age and sex, and the equation was y = 0.4776 (1 - e-0.0375t) for males and, y = 0.2085 (1 - e-0.0138t) for females. Analysis of stool examination data by two-stage catalytic model revealed y = 0.025 (e-0.00471 - e-0.0235t). The annual Clonorchis infection rate was 4.7 per 1,000 susceptibles and the annual loss rate was 23.5 per 1,000 infected. The frequency distribution by the eggs per gram (EPG) was calculated as well as the cumulative percentages of positives. The regression equations were y = 0.929 + 1.506 log x for males and, y = 0.473 + 1.767 log x for females. Of the 25 fish species, 7 species were infected with Clonorchis metacercariae. Infection rates varied by the species, and ranged from 2.8% in Puntungia herzi to 30.0% in Pseudorasbora parva. Average number of the matacercariae per gram of flesh was 58.1 in P. parva, followed by 10.2 in Gnathopogon atromaculatus, 7.0 in Saurogobio dabryi, and 3.0 in Paracheilognathus rhombea. The present study indicates that clonorchiasis in Kyongbuk Province is less prevalent than that of several decades ago.     

Extension of a typology of alcohol dependence based on relative genetic and environmental loading

Mild, severe, and dyssocial subtypes of alcohol dependence, previously identified among Caucasian men from the Epidemiologic Catchment Area study, were also identified among Caucasian men and women with DSM-IV alcohol dependence from the National Longitudinal Alcohol Epidemiologic Survey (n = 2,703; 1,746 respectively). These subtypes were not identified among African American and Hispanic American men or women with DSM-IV alcohol dependence. Among Caucasians with alcohol dependence, the subtypes were characterized by differential loading on three dimensions: genetic, general environmental, and dyssocial environmental symptom scales developed in a prior twin study. The mild subtype (60% of men and 66% of women) was distinguished by low mean scores on all three scales; the dyssocial subtype (24% of men and 20% of women) by low mean genetic and general environmental scores but high mean dyssocial environmental scores; and the severe subtype (16% of men and 14% of women) by high scores on the genetic and general environmental scales. These subtypes also showed the expected distinctions in clinical characteristics. The severe subtype showed greater comorbid drug dependence and major depression, more treatment seeking, and a higher prevalence of parental alcoholism. The severe subtype also showed significantly greater genetic influence adjusted for overall severity of alcohol dependence (genetic ratio). Only the severe subtype showed a pattern of scale scores and clinical characteristics suggestive of substantial genetic influence. The present study indicates a robustness of the typology originally developed among DSM-III alcohol-dependent Caucasian men by empirical extension of the subtypes to a different sample of Caucasian men and, separately, Caucasian women. The use of this typology may aid in distinguishing between Caucasian alcohol-dependent individuals on the basis of relative genetic influence, enabling genetic, behavioral, and epidemiological investigations to reduce genetic or environmental "noise" and better focus on specific aspects of alcohol dependence.     

Collaborative Information Seeking

An examination of the roles and dimensions of collaborative search reveals new opportunities for information-seeking support tools.     

The weldability of lithium-containing aluminium alloys

Lithium-containing aluminium alloys have reduced density and increased elastic modulus compared with conventional aluminium alloys. Many such alloys are currently under development for aircraft applications, which usually involve mechanical fastening. Consequently, the weldability of lithium-containing aluminium alloys is currently receiving relatively little attention. The weldability of lithium-containing aluminium alloys is reviewed. The vast majority of the welding studies performed have been on the Soviet Al-5 wt% Mg-2 wt% Li alloy, 01420. Alloy 01420 and other lithium-containing aluminium alloys are indeed fusion weldable, and weldments having high joint efficiencies have been made.     

A study of the hot-working behavior of SiC-Al alloy

The hot-working behavior of two metal matrix composites (7090 + 20 vol pct SiC whiskers and 6061 + 20 vol pct SiC whiskers) and their powder metallurgy matrix alloys (7090 and 6061) was studied by hot torsion testing. Flow stress (σ_o) and strain-to-failure (ε _f ) data were generated at deformation temperatures and strain rates corresponding to the potential range for commercially hot-working these alloys. Based on the hot torsion data, hot-working parameters were recommended where σ_o was low and ε _f was high. Strain rate sensitivities and activation energies of deformation were computed for the alloys. Formerly with Martin Marietta Laboratories, Baltimore, MD     

The effect of solution heat-treatment on grain boundary segregation and stress-corrosion cracking of Al-Zn-Mg alloys

The relationship between susceptibility to stress-corrosion cracking (SCC) and grain boundary (GB) chemistry was investigated to elucidate the SCC mechanism in two Al-Zn-Mg alloys (Al-6.92Zn-2.85Mg-0.13Zr, Al-4.40Zn-3.70Mg; wt pct). Grain boundary chemistry was measured by Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) fromin situ fractures on the actual GB surface. The fractures were produced by pre-exposing specimens to water-vapor-saturated air, which induced hydrogen embrittlement of the GB. Susceptibility to SCC was varied by changing either solution heat-treatment temperature (SHT) or aging time. The SCC susceptibility, as measured by plateau crack velocity or reciprocal time-to-failure in a chromate-inhibited brine solution, was shown to decrease with increasing SHT and in general, to decrease with increasing aging time. “Free Mg,”i.e., unbound in MgZn₂ precipitates and present in the region between two grains, was present on all boundaries, as shown by AES, but no correlation was observed between free Mg concentration and SCC susceptibility. Possible explanations for these results are discussed.     

Genetic influences in antisocial personality and drug use disorders

Small stress proteins protect against the cytotoxicity mediated by oxidative stress. The relationship between Hsp25 expression and the integrity of the actin network was studied in H2O2-treated murine L929 fibrosarcoma cells overexpressing endogenous wild-type (wt-) or non-phosphorylatable mutant (mt-) Hsp25. We show here that both proteins prevented actin network disruption induced by a 1 h treatment with 400 microM H2O2. In contrast, SB203580, a p38 MAPkinase inhibitor which suppresses Hsp25 phosphorylation, abolished the protective activity conferred by both wt- and mt-Hsp25. Hence, phosphorylation does not appear essential for Hsp25 protective activity against H2O2-induced actin disruption, and SB203580-sensitive events other than Hsp25 phosphorylation may be important for actin network regulation. Since, in L929 cells, wt- or mt-Hsp25 expression modulates intracellular glutathione levels, analyses were performed which revealed a direct correlation between glutathione and the integrity of the actin network. Moreover, laser scanning confocal immunofluorescences revealed that only a small fraction of wt- or mt-Hsp25 colocalized with actin microfilaments. Taken together, our results suggest that, in L929 cells, the protection against actin network disruption is probably a consequence of the redox change mediated by Hsp25 rather than a direct effect of this stress protein towards actin.     

Aluminium powder metallurgy technology for high-strength applications

A literature survey of aluminium powder metallurgy (PM) for high-strength applications was undertaken. Improvements in aluminium—base alloys made via ingot metallurgy (IM) are reaching the point of diminishing returns. PM offers an alternative technology, capable of producing alloys having improved fatigue, corrosion, and stress-corrosion resistance, as well as improved strength and toughness at room or elevated temperatures. The steps involved in powder metallurgy: powder manufacture, powder processing, de-gassing, and consolidation, are described. The merits and deficiencies of the various processes for each step are compared. The key to successful application of Al powder metallurgy alloys appears to be the de-gassing and consolidation of the powder. The properties of several new PM alloys are compared, with particular emphasis on highstrength, corrosion-resistant alloys and alloys developed for use at elevated temperatures.