Justice Joseph Story and death in early 19th-century America.

Justice Joseph Story, associate justice of the United States Supreme Court from 1811 until his death in 1845, suffered many losses during his lifetime. His first wife died a little more than one-half year after their marriage, and her death was followed a few months later by the death of Story's father. Five of his 7 children died. Other family members, friends, and colleagues died. Story was insightful and articulate in describing these losses. Thus a study of his reactions to, and coping mechanisms for, these deaths provides an excellent perspective on how death was dealt with in early 19th-century America.

N-aryl-3,3,3-trifluoro-2-hydroxy-2-methylpropanamides: KATP potassium channel openers. Modifications on the western region.

A subset of antiandrogen compounds, the N-aryl-3,3,3-trifluoro-2-hydroxy-2-methylpropanamides 1, were found to activate ATP sensitive potassium channels (KATP) and represent a new class of potassium channel openers (PCOs). A structure-activity relationship was carried out on the western region of this series with the goal of obtaining an activator of the ATP sensitive potassium channel suitable for use in the treatment of urge urinary incontinence. In particular three large 4-(N-aryl) substituents, the (N-phenyl-N-methylamino)sulfonyl, benzoyl, and 4-pyridylsulfonyl moieties, yielded non-antiandrogen, KATP potassium channel openers (39, 41, and 64, respectively) that are bladder selective in an in vivo rat model that simultaneously measures bladder contractions, heart rate, and blood pressure. Substitutions of the aryl rings of 41 and 64 gave several derivatives that also display selectivity in the in vivo rat model; however, none appear to offer a substantial advantage over 41 and 64. The PCO activity of 41 and 64 resides in the (S)-(-) enantiomers. ZD6169, 41(S), has been selected into development for the treatment of urge urinary incontinence.

Computer software for the on-line measurement of the left ventricular end-systolic pressure-dimension relationship.

A microcomputer system was designed to measure the end-systolic pressure-dimension relationship (ESPDR), an index of cardiac contractility that is independent of preload, afterload, and heart rate. To test the system, pressure-dimension data were obtained from swine left ventricles and from a mathematical model of the heart. Algorithms for filtering, location of end-systole, selection of the measurement interval, and calculation of the ESPDR were evaluated on the basis of speed, precision, accuracy, and robustness. The resulting program runs on an IBM-AT and measures ESPDR on-line within 60 seconds of the start of data acquisition. By reducing the time spent in data analysis and providing rapid feedback of information, the on-line software has increased productivity and facilitated improvements in experimental technique.

Rapid-sequence orotracheal intubation: a comparison of three techniques.

The authors compared tracheal intubating conditions using three techniques for rapid-sequence orotracheal intubation. Sixty patients were randomly assigned to one of three groups: priming with vecuronium (0.01 mg/kg priming dose, 4-min priming interval, 0.14-mg/kg intubating dose along with thiopental 4-6 mg iv); timing with vecuronium (0.15-mg/kg intubating dose given before thiopental and timed to weakness of hand grip); and succinylcholine (1.5 mg/kg). Blinded intubators graded intubating conditions 60 s after the induction of anesthesia with thiopental. Intubation scores in the succinylcholine group were significantly better than in the priming group (P = 0.009). Intubation scores of the succinylcholine and the timing groups were not significantly different. Use of the timing principle for rapid-sequence orotracheal intubation is a reliable alternative in cases where succinylcholine is contraindicated.

Parent-child communication in widowed families.

When a parent dies the surviving parent and children are often unable to work together to cope with the loss. We propose that this situation arises from their inability to accept the finality of death. Parents and children have difficulty adjusting to life without the deceased because of their expectation that he or she will return.

The victimizer: recognition and character.

A particular personality type, the victimizer, is an important component of destructive conflict. A victimizer syndrome includes a deep sense of deprivation and loss with a need for restitution, and a perception of the self as ineffectual in producing changes in his own life. The possible origin of the syndrome and societal effects on it are also discussed.

Sky brightness during eclipses: a review.

This paper is abstracted from the introductory section of "Sky Brightness During Eclipses: A Compendium from the Literature," AFCRL-TR-74-0363, Special Reports 180, Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories, Hanscom AFB, Massachusetts 01731. This report should be consulted for fuller details and tables.

Summary of sky brightness measurements during eclipses of the sun.

A selected group of measurements of the sky brightness during total solar eclipses is used to determine a standard light curve during the period from no obscuration to totality. It is found that the sky light may be considered as attenuated sunlight up to at least 99.8% obscuration. During totality, the sky light consists of multiply scattered light from outside the umbral region. The effects of solar elevation angle, cloud cover, and albedo and the variability of the light curve during totality are discussed.

Measurements of the zenith sky intensity and spectral distribution during the solar eclipse of 12 november 1966 at bage, Brazil, and on an aircraft.

Measurements of the zenith sky intensity and spectral distribution during the solar eclipse of 12 November 1966 at Bage, Brazil, and on an aircraft over the Atlantic are reported. These, together with measurements reported elsewhere from Santa Ines, Peru, and Quehua, Bolivia, are used to define the intensities and changes in spectral distribution during totality and to discuss the dependence of these on such factors as height and terrain.

Optical environment in gemini space flights.

The optical environment of spacecraft is discussed in terms of sky luminance, spacecraft corona, spacecraft scattered light, and glare sources. Rocket data show that sky luminance is not normally a significant factor; that spacecraft corona may be important at times; and that scattering from spacecraft protrusions and glare sources may be very significant. The range of effects for the scattered light sources is very broad and will depend on spacecraft geometry. An alternative approach in terms of primary sources is used to emphasize the overriding importance of sunlight scattered directly or indirectly.

Zenith skylight intensity and color during the total solar eclipse of 20 July 1963.

The zenith skylight intensity was measured, with a resolution of 10 A, over the wavelength range from 5200 A to 6400 A during a total solar eclipse at Hermon, Maine. The intensity was found to change by about two orders of magnitude in the 2-min period before totality and reached a minimum during totality of 19.5 kR/A at 5200 A. The spectral distribution remained that of the day sky until the sun was more than 99.8% obscured. During totality, the shorter wavelengths were enhanced, indicating a shift to the blue in sky color. Comparisons with an independent measurement from an aircraft show that the intensity scale height of the secondary scattered component, predominating at totality, is significantly less than that of the day sky. The measurements are compared with the day and twilight sky.