Simulated aircraft disaster instructional exercise at Baltimore-Washington International Airport

A major, simulated aircraft disaster exercise was held in September of 1974 at the Baltimore-Washington International Airport in Maryland. The significant aspects of community involvement and specialized airport emergency planning were tested during this simulation. This paper presents an evaluation of the experience of the various elements in this exercise. The critical matter of having a system of runners to substitute for a failure within the mobile command post is stressed. Also, the importance of adequate telephone facilities for communication with the fire/rescue stations and community hospitals is highlighted. Many other small and seemingly unimportant items are found to be of considerable significance during the handling of disasters. A strong case is made for periodic disaster simulations to maintain an efficient broadly-based apparatus for handling such disasters, should they occur.

Pathogenesis of gangrene following intra-arterial injection of drugs: a new hypothesis

We have demonstrated the toxicity of diazepam and the safety of ketamine hydrochloride following intra-arterial injection in an anaesthetized animal model. The pathogenesis of gangrene following intra-arterial injection of drugs is unclear. Clinical reports and this experiment suggest that it only follows injection of highly membrane-soluble drugs. Early swelling and disruption of capillary endothelial cells were demonstrated after intra-arterial injection of diazepam and thiopentone. We believe that a theory of pathogenesis based on this finding is consistent not only with our experimental findings, but with known in vitro effects of membrane soluble drugs on cell membranes and the clinical features following intra-arterial injections in both human subjects and in animals.

Synthesis and antiinflammatory activity of some 2-heteroaryl-alpha-methyl-5-benzoxazoleacetic acids

The syntheses of eight of the title compounds are described. The compounds possessed activity comparable with that of the previously tested 2-substituted phenyl analogs in the carrageenan-induced rat paw edema test.

Calcaneo-valgus deformity

A discussion of the essential deformity in calcaneo-valgus feet develops a theme originally put forward in 1961 on the relapsed club foot (Evans 1961). Whereas in the normal foot the medial and lateral columns are about equal in length, in talipes equino-varus the lateral column is longer and in calcaneo-valgus shorter than the medial column. The suggestion is that in the treatment of both deformities the length of the columns be made equal. A method is described of treating calcaneo-valgus deformity by inserting cortical bone grafts taken from the tibia to elongate the anterior end of the calcaneus.

Synthesis and antiinflammatory activity of some-2-substituted alpha-methyl-5-benzimidazoleacetic acids

The synthesis of alpha-methyl-5-benzimidazoleacetic acid (17), its 2-amino, 2-phenyl, 2-(4-chlorophenyl), and 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-methyl derivatives (18,4,3, and 5, respectively), and alpha-methyl-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-5-benzimidazoleacetic acid (19) is described. None of the compounds were effective in reducing carrageenan-induced edema in rat paws.

2-aryl-5-benzoxazolealkanoic acid derivatives with notable antiinflammatory activity

The synthesis and antiinflammatory activity of 5-substituted 2-arylbenzoxazoles are described. Initial screening on carrageenin-induced rat paw edema showed that alpha-methylacetic substitution in the 5 position was preferable to substitutions with the equivalent esters, amides, alcohols, amines or tetrazoles. Halogen substitution in the aryl ring led to the most active compounds which were 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-alpha-methyl-5-benzoxazoleacetic acid (14) and 2-(4-fluorophenyl)-alpha-methyl-5-benzoxazoleacetic acid (29). These compounds were three to five times more active than phenylbutazone as assessed from ED30 values determined on rat paw edema 5 hr after single oral doses.

The embryonic development of the black prickleback, Xiphister atropurpureus, a Pacific Coast blennioid fish

Spawning of Xiphister atropurpureus occurs during late April–May. Eggs are deposited in a coherent mass which is guarded by the parents. Development is divided into 35 stages. At 13 °C, eggs require 21 days to hatch. Stage 1 is an unfertilized ovum. Cleavage during stages 2–11 produces a typical teleost blastula. During epiboly, which begins at stage 12 and ends at stage 14, the embryonic axis is formed. Stages 15 to 31 are periods of embryonic growth and organ differentiation. Hatching occurs at stage 32. Larval growth occurs during stages 33–35. Yolk absorption is complete 10 days post hatching. The general pattern of development is similar to that of most teleosts. The newly hatched larva, although large, retains many embryonic characteristics. The eel-like shape of the adult is mirrored in the long body of the larva. Larval morphology and the life history of allied forms suggest a pelagic existence for Xiphister larvae. The behavioral pattern of egg aggregation during Xiphister spawning is considered to have a high survival value. (1) It reduces the probability of predation on single eggs and increases the probability of egg survival. (2) The inability of a predator to obtain positive reinforcement from finding single dispersed eggs may lead to abandonment of localized predator search patterns. (3) Since the egg mass is subject to a larger size, but numerically smaller predator class, the probability of egg-mass survival is increased. (4) As the unit of predation shifts from an egg to the egg mass, survival remains on an individual basis. Since the probability of predation is equally shared, the probability of survival appears to be increased by a factor proportional to total egg number (about 500). Parental care also enhances egg survival.

The annual reproductive cycle of the black prickleback, Xiphister atropurpureus, a Pacific Coast blennioid fish

Semimonthly determinations of the gonad index made during the course of a year show that Xiphister atropurpureus has an annual reproductive cycle. The gonad index (ovary) increases during midwinter, attains a maximum value of 20 in late April–May, and declines to a base-line value of 0.5 from June to December. Spawning occurs during a 6-week period in late April–May. Spawning takes place in zone 4 of the intertidal habitat. Eggs deposited singly are fertilized and then shaped into a spherical mass by the parents. As egg envelopes harden, they adhere to one another to form a coherent mass. The egg mass is guarded by one or both parents. The annual reproductive cycle is considered to be a necessary consequence of the energetic demands of oogenesis combined with selection for a spawning period which is environmentally optimal. Alternative cycles based on modification of the present egg size (large)/egg number (few) relationship do not appear feasible, since the required modification of the egg size/egg number ratio would be selectively disadvantageous. The intertidal habitat of Xiphisier is subject to several potential environmental hazards: wave shock, reduced salinity due to rain and runoff, and excessively high or low temperatures. These are seasonal hazards which occur during winter or summer. Spawning is timed (April–May), so the probability that developing eggs will be exposed to environmental risks is minimized while the probability of exposure to environmental benefits is maximized. It is suggested that the reproductive cycle is under photoperiodic control.

Assisted circulation following myocardial infarction: a review of 25 patients treated before 1971

Twenty-five patients with impending death from myocardial infarction were treated with assisted circulation. Of these, 19 had suffered cardiac arrest from which they could not be resuscitated and six were in severe, intractable and expectedly terminal cardiogenic shock.All patients were treated by venoarterial bypass employing a bubble oxygenator. Assistance was continued for an average duration of one hour and 45 minutes at a flow rate between two and four litres per minute. The patients all showed improved cerebral, pulmonary and renal function and acid-base values returned to normal.Five patients survived for at least one month and two were improved; hence 28% of these otherwise terminal patients were helped by this technique of assisted circulation.

Coeliac disease, vasculitis, and cryoglobulinaemia

Four patients are described with the association of adult coeliac disease, vasculitis, and cryoglobulinaemia. In each patient the cryoglobulinaemia was of the mixed type consisting of more than one immunoglobulin class. It is suggested that the mixed cryoglobulins represent circulating immune complexes and that their deposition in small vessels causes the vasculitis. This is supported by immunofluorescent studies of skin biopsies from one of these patients. The significance of these findings in the four adult coeliac patients is discussed.

Attached Algae on Artificial and Natural Substrates in Lake Winnipeg, Manitoba

The attached algal assemblage on navigational buoys and natural rock substrate in Lake Winnipeg in 1969–70 was examined, in the fall after 145 days growth, as part of an overall limnological survey of this important Canadian Great Lake. Only three phyla were represented: Cyanophyta, Chlorophyta, and Chrysophyta (Bacillariophyceae). Green and blue-green algae were more abundant in the south basin, and diatoms were more common in the more oligotrophic north basin. Ulothrix zonata occurred only on substrates in the north basin, and Cladophora cf. callicoma was found only in the south basin. On both natural and artificial substrates a distinct zonation pattern related to water transparency or available light was prevalent. Preliminary results indicated that light was the most important physical factor affecting growth and specific composition of attached algae on substrates in Lake Winnipeg. Biomass values from all stations (dry weight) ranged from 1.7 to 29.1 mg/cm2; with the greatest values consistently occurring between 10 and 25 cm deep on buoys in the south basin. Diatom density and diatom volume were estimated from buoy samples and varied respectively, within the range 2.00 × 105–6.65 × 106 diatoms/cm2 and 0.32–10.00 mm3/cm2. Though direct evidence is lacking, it appears that nutrients may limit growth of attached algae in the north basin, whereas in the south basin, light is the major limiting factor. The specific composition of the algal assemblages on particular buoys was more related to the physical–chemical features of a major river plume in close proximity to the buoy than to a homogeneous Lake Winnipeg water mass. This factor, together with greater turbidity in the shallower south basin, is largely responsible for the observed heterogeneity among the attached algal assemblages in Lake Winnipeg.

Optical Analysis of Ball Bearing Starvation

Elastohydrodynamic oil film measurements for rolling point contact under starvation conditions are obtained using optical interferometry. The experimental measurements present a reasonably clear picture of the starvation phenomenon and are shown to agree with theoretical predictions. Starvation inhibits the generation of pressure and, therefore, reduces film thickness. It also causes the overall pressure, stress, and elastic deformation to become more Hertzian. Additional experiments using interferometry illustrate: the cavitation pattern, lubricant entrapment, grease lubrication, ball spin, and edge effects in line contact.