Glamorgan Archives

We have measured the precise position of the 38-s eclipsing X-ray pulsar OAO 1657-415 with the Chandra X-Ray Observatory: RA = 17h00m48.90s, Dec = -41d39m21.6s, equninox J2000, error radius = 0.5 arcsec. Based on the previously measured pulsar mass function and X-ray eclipse duration, this 10.4-d high-mass X-ray binary is believed to contain a B supergiant companion. Deep optical imaging of the field did not detect any stars at the Chandra source position, setting a limit of V>23. However, near-IR imaging revealed a relatively bright star (J=14.1, H=11.9, K_s=10.7) coincident with the Chandra position, and we identify this star as the IR counterpart of OAO 1657-415. The IR colors and magnitudes and the optical non-detections for this star are all consistent with a highly reddened B supergiant (A_V= 20.4 +/- 1.3) at a distance of 6.4 +/- 1.5 kpc. This implies an X-ray luminosity of 3e36 erg/s (2-10 keV). IR spectroscopy can verify the spectral type of the companion and measure its radial velocity curve, yielding a neutron star mass measurement.

Stucco keratoses are benign acquired papular warty lesions which usually occur on the distal parts of the lower limbs of elderly men. Their nature and pathogenesis are uncertain. Eight patients with multiple stucco keratoses who presented to the Cardiff Dermatology Department over an 18-month period were studied in an attempt to characterize these lesions. All subjects were male, with ages ranging from 50 to 72 years. Their lesions were most numerous over the fronts of the lower legs, but were also evident over other areas of the limbs. Most patients had a history of prolonged solar exposure, but the relationship of this to the development of the lesions was uncertain. Histologically there were no dysplastic changes and a characteristic regular 'church spire' type retention hyperkeratosis without marked acanthosis was evident. Lack of a marked increase in the epidermal cell population size is reflected in the normal in vitro tritiated thymidine autoradiographic labelling indices (7.81 +/- 1.67%, normal range 5 to 9%). Ultrastructurally no viral particles were evident and a normal pattern of epidermal differentiation with hypergranulosis was present. Two of the patients with myriads of lesions who were treated for 2 months with etretinate showed a dramatic clinical improvement which, however, lasted for 6 months only.

Studies of Welsh have generally relied upon traditional accounts of the phonetics of the language, in terms of descriptions of articulation with little reference to instrumental investigation (e.g. S. Jones, 1926; Morris-Jones, 1913; Arwyn Watkins, 1961; and most of the unpublished dialect studies presented as theses to the University of Wales). However, certain instrumental studies of Welsh phonetics do exist, although their number and range of topics is limited.

SummaryThis paper is concerned with how psychosocial adjustment in aphasic patients is perceived by speech therapists, spouses or significant others and aphasic patients. Two important factors are considered, firstly the extent to which incongruity exists in different individuals' predictions of psychosocial adjustment to aphasia, and secondly degrees of optimism experienced by all the main parties. It is reported that in a sample of 21 aphasic patients a wide range of incongruence was found and that spouses and aphasic patients were more optimistic than speech therapists. Correlations between age and time since onset are discussed. The importance of these findings for counselling are considered and the need for longitudinal studies identified.

of values for normal children of this age is 0-7-1-1 which compares with the values given by Phillips and Vassilopoulou-Sellin.2 Our observations of somatomedin activity in this condition, although conflicting with those of Robinow and Shafer, are supported by those of Ashton and The difference between our findings and those of Professor Robinow could be due to the difference in the assays used. Both my results and those of Ashton were obtained with bioassays to determine somatomedin activity, while Robinow and Schafer used a radio- immunoassay. Direct comparison of somatomedin activity between the two types of assay used is difficult to make, particularly as the normal range quoted by Robinow and Schafer (0.4-2.0 U/ml) would cover the complete range of somatomedin activity (from hypopituitarism to acromegaly) in most bioassay systems.

Abstract The disintegration of baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) by a high pressure homogenizer, to a pressure of 25,000 psi. (172.37 MNm−2) is described, together with details of the methods of measurement used to obtain information on the valve movement and pressure transients. The theory of the mechanism of cell disintegration is discussed.