SEARCH · Search PubMed
Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.
Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.
There is ongoing debate on whether the full moon is associated with sleep and dreaming. The analysis of diaries kept by the participants (N = 196) over 28 to 111 nights showed no association of a full moon and dream recall. Psychological factors might explain why some persons associate a full moon with increased dream recall.
Previous research on the effects of lunar phase on deviant behavior has produced weak and inconsistent results and has been criticized for failing to use appropriate statistical controls. This study examined the effects of the full moon on daily absenteeism rates in a large organization while correcting for autocorrelation and controlling for the effects of the day of the week, month, and proximity to a holiday. Contrary to expectations, the full moon was associated with a significant (but very slight) decrease in absenteeism. Reasons for persistent beliefs in the effects of the full moon are discussed.
In two experiments participants reproduced the size of the moon in pictorial scenes under two conditions: when the scene element was normally oriented, producing a depth gradient like a floor, or when the scene element was inverted, producing a depth gradient like a ceiling. Target moons were located near to or far from the scene element. Consistent with size constancy scaling, the illusion reversed when the "floor" of a pictorial scene was inverted to represent a "ceiling." Relative size contrast predicted a reduction or increase in the illusion with no change in direction. The relation between pictorial and natural moon illusions is discussed.
BACKGROUND: The features of Laurence-Moon syndrome vary widely from mental retardation, hypogenitalism to retinopathy; the dominant one is progressive neurological involvement, ataxia and spastic paraplegia. Like Bardet-Biedl syndrome, its inheritance is autosomal recessive. This paper describes the endocrine investigation of a new family of Laurence-Moon syndrome subjects. CASE REPORT: The 5 patients (3 girls, 2 boys) in this family of 12 sibs, all suffered from retinopathy, mental retardation and first metacarpal hypoplasia with proximal placement of thumb. All five had had spastic paraplegia since the age of 5-6 years, growth retardation and hypogonadism. Two had had seizures; only one was obese. RESULTS: Four patients (2 girls, 2 boys, aged 19, 15, 18 and 19 years) had low basal plasma FSH and LH levels. They had no FSH-LH response to gonadotropin-releasing hormone; their plasma testosterone and oestradiol concentrations were very low. The growth hormone peak in response to arginine-insulin were low in these 4 patients (1.5 ng/ml; 3.8 ng/ml; 5 ng/ml; 4.8 ng/ml). One boy and one girl were given sex steroids for a few months, with good effect on their sexual characters. Their growth hormone levels remained low (2.9 ng/ml, 6.5 ng/ml). One boy was given FSH and LH analogues with good effects on sexual characters and testicle growth. He was also given growth hormone, and had a growth spurt of 5.5 cm after 9 months treatment. CONCLUSION: The hypogonadism of Laurence-Moon patients seems to be of central origin. It is associated with growth hormone deficiency.
The most common explanations of the moon illusion assume that the moon is seen at a specific distance in the sky, which is perceived as a definite surface. A decrease in the apparent distance to the sky with increasing elevation presumably leads to a corresponding decrease in apparent size. In Experiment 1 observers (N = 24) gave magnitude estimates of the distance to the night sky at different elevations. The results did not support the flattened-dome hypothesis. In Experiment 2 observers (N = 20) gave magnitude estimates of the distance to the sky at points around a 360 degrees circle just above the horizon. The results were consistent with those of Experiment 1, and in addition, estimates were highly correlated with the physical distances of buildings at the horizon. In a third, control experiment, observers (N = 20) gave magnitude estimates of the distances of buildings at the horizon. A power function fit the relation between estimated and physical distance (exponent = 1.17) as well as the relation between estimates of the sky points above the buildings (Experiment 2) and estimates of building distances (exponent = .46). Taken together, the results disconfirm all theories that attribute the moon illusion to a "sky illusion" of the sort exemplified by the flattened-dome hypothesis.
Possible planetary objects have now been discovered orbiting nine different main-sequence stars. These companion objects (some of which might actually be brown dwarfs) all have a mass at least half that of Jupiter, and are therefore unlikely to be hospitable to Earth-like life: jovian planets and brown dwarfs support neither a solid nor a liquid surface near which organisms might dwell. Here we argue that rocky moons orbiting these companions could be habitable if the planet-moon system orbits the parent star within the so-called 'habitable zone', where life-supporting liquid water could be present. The companions to the stars 16 Cygni B and 47 Ursae Majoris might satisfy this criterion. Such a moon would, however, need to be large enough (>0.12 Earth masses) to retain a substantial and long-lived atmosphere, and would also need to possess a strong magnetic field in order to prevent its atmosphere from being sputtered away by the constant bombardment of energetic ions from the planet's magnetosphere.
We report a 30-year-old European (Ashkenazi Jewish) male with Laurence-Moon-Biedl syndrome (Bardet-Biedl type) who was hospitalized because of severe recalcitrant plaque-type psoriasis. Laurence-Moon-Biedl syndrome has been shown to be linked to the chromosome 11q region in the majority of the patients of European descent. The same 11q region had increased frequency of aberrations in the study that included cytogenetic analysis of 477 psoriatic patients. The animal model of the syndrome (mice) showed abnormalities in hair growth and epidermal differentiation. This genetic association between Laurence-Moon-Biedl syndrome and psoriasis can contribute to the understanding of the factors involved in the initiation of psoriasis and factors that modulate its severity and resistance to therapy.
The Sea-Viewing Wide-Field-of-View Sensor (SeaWiFS) has made monthly observations of the Moon since 1997. Using 66 monthly measurements, the SeaWiFS calibration team has developed a correction for the instrument's on-orbit response changes. Concurrently, a lunar irradiance model has been developed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) from extensive Earth-based observations of the Moon. The lunar irradiances measured by SeaWiFS are compared with the USGS model. The comparison shows essentially identical response histories for SeaWiFS, with differences from the model of less than 0.05% per thousand days in the long-term trends. From the SeaWiFS experience we have learned that it is important to view the entire lunar image at a constant phase angle from measurement to measurement and to understand, as best as possible, the size of each lunar image. However, a constant phase angle is not required for using the USGS model. With a long-term satellite lunar data set it is possible to determine instrument changes at a quality level approximating that from the USGS lunar model. However, early in a mission, when the dependence on factors such as phase and libration cannot be adequately determined from satellite measurements alone, the USGS model is critical to an understanding of trends in instruments that use the Moon for calibration. This is the case for SeaWiFS.
An adaptation theory of visual space is developed and applied to the data of a variety of studies of visual space perception. By distinguishing between the perceived distance of an object and that of the background or sky, the theory resolves the paradox of the moon illusions and relates both perceived size and perceived distance of the moon to the absolute level of spatial adaptation. The theory assumes that visual space expands or contracts in adjustment to changes in the sensory indicators of depth and provides a measure, A, of this adaptation-level. Changes in A have two effects--one on perceived size, one on perceived distance. Since A varies systematically as a function of angle of regard, availability of cues, and the total space-value, A is a measure of the moon illusions, and a practical index of individual differences by pilots and astronauts in the perception of the size and distance of objects on the ground and in the air.
Templer, Veleber, and Brooner in 1982 claimed that an excess number of injuries occur on nights with a full or new moon. In this note, we show that their claim is based upon trivial differences, on overlapping observations, possible violations of statistical assumptions, a failure to consider confounding between phases of the moon and days of the week when data cover short (6 mo. and 1 yr.) periods of time, and the possibility of an effect due to darkness during new moon nights.
UNLABELLED: A synchronous relationship between the menstrual cycle and lunar rhythm was confirmed by: Investigative data: Among the 826 female volunteers with a normal menstrual cycle, aged between 16 and 25 years, a large proportion of menstruations occurred around the new moon (28.3%), while at other times during the lunar month the proportion of menstruations occurring ranged between 8.5-12.6%; the difference was significant (p less than 0.01). LABORATORY FINDINGS: The 6-hydroxymelatonin levels in the urina sanguinis of 3 female volunteers reached their zenith prior to and during menstruation, gradually declining to their nadir during ovulation. The difference in 6-hydroxymelatonin between menstruation and ovulation was significant (p less than 0.01). Two of these three volunteers had their zenith in the period of the new moon and nadir 3-4 days prior to the full moon respectively. Clinical experience: The lunar-menses-regulatory therapy in treatment of Nephropenic secondary amenorrhea revealed 4 clinical cure, 5 marked effect, 8 menogogue and 3 ineffect out of 20 cases.
The adjustable half-moon consists of a flexible braided Dacron tube fitted with two internal Teflon-impregnated sutures. The sutures are anchored at each end of the tube and can be tightened at its centre. Implantation is performed along the annular tissue corresponding to the anterior and posterior tricuspid leaflets. Shortening of the half-moon in unilateral or bilateral fashion can be accomplished after its implantation. Two prosthetic sizes are available, "small" and "large", with a tolerance between 4.5 and 9.0 cm. The device preserves the natural tricuspid valve configuration, avoids the cardiac conduction tissue, permits annular adjustment after completed implantation and provides proper support. Following positive experience in 5 cases with severe functional tricuspid incompetence further use of the adjustable half-moon is advocated.
In two experiments, the apparent size of a simulated horizon moon was measured as a function of the location of visible texture in the natural vistas against which it appeared. Size was found to increase as the visible scene extended farther into the distance and to decrease as the moon rose above the vista of surface texture. In the second experiment, the observers' eye accommodation distances to various scenes were also measured with a laser optometer, and after appropriate transformations, size judgments were found to correlate 0.89 with measured accommodation values, thereby suggesting the hypothesis that the fabled moon illusion is mediated by the oculomotor adjustments of visual accommodation.
We describe a 26-year-old man in whom the Laurence-Moon-Biedl-Bardet syndrome had been associated with congenital cystic dilations of both the intrahepatic and extrahepatic biliary tract. The fact of the simultaneous occurence of two rare diseases in a single patient suggests the congenital origin of cystic dilation of the biliary tract and the importance of examining for a possible association of anomalies in the alimentary tract with the Laurence-Moon-Biedl-Bardet syndrome.
The case of a girl with Laurence-Moon-Biedl syndrome without polydactyly is described. Additional features were small stature, diabetes insipidus neurohormonalis and a renal disorder. The diabetes insipidus neurohormonalis was successfully treated with a new vasopressin analogue, DDAVP. The importance of renal studies in patients with Laurence-Moon-Biedl syndrome is emphasized.
The fatty acid composition of erythrocyte membrane, the glutathione-peroxidase activity of erythrocytes and platelets, the production of malondialdehyde by platelets and the activity of the main systems of transmembrane cation transport have been studied in 5 members of a family, 2 of whom affected by Laurence-Moon-Barter-Biedl Syndrome. A remarkable increase of polyunsaturated fatty acids (particularly arachidonic acid) and of cholesterol/phospholipid molar ratio has been noted. This pattern of membrane lipids was associated to an increment of malondialdehyde production and an increase activity of glutathione-peroxidase. Serum retinol and a-tocopherol were in the normal range, whereas serum selenium was low in 3 out of 5 members. Moreover, the alteration of membrane lipids was associated to a decrease of the maximal velocity of Li-Na countertransport. We speculate that the enrichment of polyunsaturated fatty acids on the cell membranes may represent a condition favoring the lipoperoxidation and therefore the development of the retinitis pigmentosa characteristic feature of Laurence-Moon-Barter-Biedl Syndrome.
In previous papers in this series the smoothed particle hydrodynamics method (SPH) has been used to explore the conditions in which a major planetary collision may have been responsible for the formation of the Moon. In Paper II (W. Benz, W.L. Slattery, and A.G.W. Cameron 1987, Icarus 71, 30-45) it was found that the optimum conditions were obtained when the mass ratio of the impactor to the protoearth was 0.136. In the present paper we investigate the importance of the equation of state by running this optimum case several times and varying the equation of state and other related parameters. The two equations of state compared are the Tillotson (used in the previous papers) and the CHART D/CSQ ANEOS. Because of differences in these equations of state, including the fact that different types of rocks were used in association with each, it was not possible to prepare initial planetary models that were comparable in every respect, so several different simulations were necessary in which different planetary parameters were matched between the equations of state. We also used a new version of the SPH code. The results reaffirmed the previous principal conclusions: the collisions produced a disk of rocky material in orbit, with most of the material derived from the impacting object. These results indicate that the equation of state is not a critical factor in determining the amount of material thrown into orbit. This confirms the conclusions of Paper II that gravitational torques, and not pressure gradients, inject the orbiting mass. However, the way this mass is distributed in orbit is affected by the equation of state and the choice of rock material, the Tillotson equation for granite giving slightly larger mean orbital radius for the particles left in orbit than the ANEOS dunite for the same impact parameter. We also find, compared to Paper II, that in all subsequent cases the new SPH code leads to a slightly less extended prelunar accretion disk. We think this is due to the new shape adopted for the kernel. A few additional calculations were made to test the effects of increasing the impact parameter on the calculations, other parameters remaining unchanged. The motivation for this was that solar tides will have reduced the Earth-Moon angular momentum somewhat over the course of time. An increment of 6% in the angular momentum of the collision increases the amount of iron-free material in orbit and its mean orbital radius, but more than that leaves increasing amounts of iron in orbit (the iron has a small mean orbital radius). The debris from the destroyed impacting object tends to form a straight rotating bar which is very effective in transferring angular momentum. If the material near the end of the bar extends well beyond the Roche lobe, it may become unstable against gravitational clumping.
MELISSA (Micro-Ecological Life Support System Alternative) has been conceived as a micro-organism based ecosystem intended as a tool for developing the technology for a future artificial ecosystem for long term space missions, as for example a lunar base. The driving element of MELISSA is the recovering of edible biomass from waste, CO2, and minerals with the use of sun light as energy source. In this publication, we focus our attention on the potential applications of MELISSA for a precursor mission to the Moon. We begin by a short review of the requirements for bioregenerative Life Support. We recall the concept of MELISSA and the theoretical and technical approaches of the study. We present the main results obtained since the beginning of this activity and taking into account the requirements of a mission to the Moon we propose a preliminary experiment based on the C cycle of the MELISSA loop.