Interpretation of conductivity results from 5 to 45 degrees C on three micellar systems below and above the CMC.

Electrical conductivity has been used at different temperatures to study three micellar systems: tetradecyltrimethylammonium chloride (TTACl), dodecyltrimethylammonium chloride (DTACl), and decyltrimethylammonium chloride (DeTACl). A phenomenon of premicellization is observed for DeTACl and DTACl below the critical micellar concentration (CMC). Association constants are introduced in the MSA-transport theory to correctly reproduce experimental conductivity and also calculate the effective charge of the micelles and their degree of dissociation. Various mechanisms are considered to explain premicellization. The formation of a neutral pair followed by an association involving two monomers and a counterion appears to be the most probable first step in the premicellization process.

The influence of marital adjustment on 3-year left ventricular mass and ambulatory blood pressure in mild hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Of psychosocial stressors, job strain has been associated with a sustained increase in blood pressure. The impact of marital factors on blood pressure and target organ has not been explored. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether marital adjustment, measured at baseline by self-report (Dyadic Adjustment Scale) influences left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and ambulatory blood pressure measured over 3 years in patients with mild hypertension. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted on 103 cohabiting males or females, including 72 with technically adequate echocardiograms, who at baseline were unmedicated, employed, and living with a significant other, all for a minimum of 6 months and had repeated elevated office diastolic blood pressure. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Left ventricular mass by M-mode echocardiography indexed to body surface area and blood pressure were measured by ambulatory blood pressure every 15 minutes (daytime) and hourly between 11 PM and 7 AM. RESULTS: Marital adjustment, smoking, drinking, and baseline LVMI contributed significantly to the prediction of 3-year LVMI (semipartial correlation, sr(2) = 0.04, 0.07, 0.03, and 0.22; P =.03,.008,.08, and <.001, respectively) together accounting for 36% of the total variability in follow-up LVMI. Three-year ambulatory blood pressure measures were not significantly related to marital adjustment but there were correlations with Dyadic Adjustment Scale subscales. Low or high levels of spousal contact during 3-year ambulatory blood pressure monitoring were associated with an increase or decrease of 3-year, 24-hour diastolic blood pressure, consistent with the quality of marital adjustment (P =.04) or marital satisfaction (Dyadic Adjustment Scale subscale, P =.008). CONCLUSIONS: In a cohort of subjects with mild essential hypertension, marital adjustment had an influence on 3-year LVMI. Depending on the quality of marital adjustment, spousal contact at 3 years was associated with an increase or decrease of 3-year diastolic blood pressure. Confirmation of these results, including objective marital assessment and the participation of normotensive subjects, is required. Arch Intern Med. 2000;160:3453-3458.