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Steven Nissen, Linda Butler, and Three Gorges of Yangtze in China
reasons why their ideas were false to himself. He was very critical of Hooke, a recognized authority on astronomy and the secretary of the Royal Society, who was probably awed by Newton’s mathematic skills but was outraged by Newton’s criticisms. Newton calculated the weights, the densities, the shape of planets, and pointed out for the first time that Earth bulged at the equator. In 1687, he submitted a manuscript of The Principa to the Royal Society, which delineated his ideas on motion, velocity, and gravity. The published book, a copy of which was sent to the King, was so complex that hardly anyone understood it. It was widely criticized and rarely read. Only a few hundred copies were sold. In it he also presented his embryonic thoughts on the mathematic construct later named calculus by Leibeniz. Leibeniz was the German mathematician who became embroiled in a conflict with Newton as to who invented calculus. It is now believed that they both independently created this methodology. Newton eventually left the university and received a royal appointment as Chief of the Exchequer, where he revised much of the currency in England and was eventually knighted. By the time he died at age 83, his towering intellect was recognized all over the world. His scientific contributions set the stage for the science of physics and were recognized by Einstein who repeated Newton’s remarks “I was able to see further standing on the shoulders of giants.” Gleick’s book was a finalist in the competition for a Pulitzer Prize and I found it to be fascinating reading. Myrvin H. Ellestad,
MD
Long Beach, California 4 October 2004 doi:10.1016/j.amjcard.2004.10.005
Yawning for an Answer 1
The case report by Krantz et al of repetitive yawning in a patient with cardiac tamponade is fascinating. I was particularly intrigued by their explanations. Yawning is a common physiologic event that
can be divided into 3 distinctive phases: a long inspiratory phase, a brief acme, and a rapid expiration.2 Yawning has been mentioned since antiquity. Hippocrates had it on his lists of useful “natures.”3 Aristotle wrote a few words on the matter.3 Darwin mentioned it in connection with emotional behavior.3 Although much had been written on the neurophysiology and neuropharmacology of yawning,4 many questions remain unanswered. For example, why is yawning so contagious?5 Why do I sometimes yawn uncontrollably and repetitively even at the beginning of a very interesting lecture? It becomes a nuisance, especially in a lecture hall where everybody is paying close attention to the speaker, and I do not have cardiac tamponade and am in good health. Tsung O. Cheng,
MD
Washington, DC 22 September 2004
1. Krantz MJ, Lee JK, Spodick DH. Repetitive
yawning associated with cardiac tamponade. Am J Cardiol 2004;94:701–702. 2. Daquin G, Micallef J, Blin O. Yawning. Sleep Med Rev 2001;5:299 –312. 3. Schiller F. Yawning? J Hist Neurosci 2002;11: 392– 401. 4. Argiolas A, Melis MR. The neuropharmacology of yawning. Eur J Pharmacol 1998;343:1–16. 5. Platek SM, Critton SR, Myers TE, Gallup GG. Contagious yawning: the role of self-awareness and mental state attribution. Brain Res Cogn Brain Res 2003;17:223–227. doi:10.1016/j.amjcard.2004.09.059
Steven Nissen, Linda Butler, and Three Gorges of Yangtze in China
I really enjoyed Dr. Robert’s interview with Steven Nissen in the AJC.1 Although I do not know Dr. Nissen personally, I know him professionally through his research and publications. I also know well the prize-winning photographer Linda Butler from many of her elegant photographs exhibited and published over the years, although I did not realize that Ms. Butler is Dr. Nissen’s wife.1 I always admire Ms. Butler’s intimate photography and exquisite technique. I am delighted to know that her latest work concerns China’s Dam of Three Gorges of Yangtze River (which Dr. Nissen called the “three river
corridor(s)”).1 As Dr. Nissen described, “The book will have about 100 photographs of this area in China where they are doing this devastating destruction of the environment.”1 The “Three Gorges Dam Project” has been a controversial project over the years in China’s modern history. Actually it was Dr. Sun Yatsen, the father of modern China, who first proposed building a dam on the Yangtze River in 1919 for power generation as well as flood control.2 However, the project was shelved due to unfavorable political and economic conditions. Over the ensuing three quarters of a century, the project was repeatedly revived and postponed till former premier Li Peng finally succeeded in pushing it through in 1992. While the debate of pros and cons continued both inside and outside China, the entire project is expected to be completed by 2009.2 Although displacement and resettlement of 3 million Chinese people in the area1 raise concern of many environmentalists as well as human rights advocates, the benefits are immense for the 15 million people downstream who will be better off due to increased power generation, better flood control, and improved navigation.2 This increased power supply will also ease the current energy crunch in the world; China at present consumes about 10% of the world’s energy, being the second largest energy consumer in the world, next to the United States.3 According to Dr. Nissen, the name of Ms. Butler’s new book was not decided yet at the time of the interview. I assume that it must be decided by now. If not, I would like to suggest a title: “Yangtze Tamed.” Knowing the reputation of Ms. Butler, I will have no doubt that her photography will capture and preserve images of the Yangtze River before it is changed forever by the Three Gorges Dam. Tsung O. Cheng,
MD
Washington, DC 30 August 2004
1. Roberts WC. Steven Evan Nissen, MD: a conver-
sation with the editor. Am J Cardiol 2004;94:320 – 333.
READERS’ COMMENTS
437
2. Three Gorges Dam Project. Available at:
http://www.chinaonline.com/refer/ministry_profiles/ threegorgesdam.asp. Accessed August 25, 2004. 3. Energy Consumption of China. Available at: http:// hypertextbook.com/facts/1998/JimmySeto.shtml. Accessed August 25, 2004. doi:10.1016/j.amjcard.2004.08.102
Correction
In the article titled, “One-Year Outcome of Patients After Acute Coronary Syndromes (from the Canadian Acute coronary Syndromes Registry)” by Yan et al in the July 1, 2004, issue of the AJC, there is an
error on page 25, in the Abstract section. The corrected sentence should read: “The objective of this study was to determine the management and outcome of less selected patients with an acute coronary syndrome during hospitalization and up to 1 year after discharge.” doi:10.1016/j.amjcard.2004.08.005
Correction
In the September 15, 2004, issue of the AJC, in the article ti-
438 THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CARDIOLOGY姞
VOL. 95
FEBRUARY 1, 2005
tled “Apoptotic Cardiomyocyte Death in Fatal Myocarditis,” by Kytö et al, there is an error on page 749, under the “Discussion” section. It is incorrectly mentioned that “The subjects had died on average 12 days after onset of cardiac symptoms.” The corrected sentence should read: “The subjects had died on average 5 days after the onset of cardiac symptoms.” doi:10.1016/j.amjcard.2004.10.001
MD
Long Beach, California 4 October 2004 doi:10.1016/j.amjcard.2004.10.005
Yawning for an Answer 1
The case report by Krantz et al of repetitive yawning in a patient with cardiac tamponade is fascinating. I was particularly intrigued by their explanations. Yawning is a common physiologic event that
can be divided into 3 distinctive phases: a long inspiratory phase, a brief acme, and a rapid expiration.2 Yawning has been mentioned since antiquity. Hippocrates had it on his lists of useful “natures.”3 Aristotle wrote a few words on the matter.3 Darwin mentioned it in connection with emotional behavior.3 Although much had been written on the neurophysiology and neuropharmacology of yawning,4 many questions remain unanswered. For example, why is yawning so contagious?5 Why do I sometimes yawn uncontrollably and repetitively even at the beginning of a very interesting lecture? It becomes a nuisance, especially in a lecture hall where everybody is paying close attention to the speaker, and I do not have cardiac tamponade and am in good health. Tsung O. Cheng,
MD
Washington, DC 22 September 2004
1. Krantz MJ, Lee JK, Spodick DH. Repetitive
yawning associated with cardiac tamponade. Am J Cardiol 2004;94:701–702. 2. Daquin G, Micallef J, Blin O. Yawning. Sleep Med Rev 2001;5:299 –312. 3. Schiller F. Yawning? J Hist Neurosci 2002;11: 392– 401. 4. Argiolas A, Melis MR. The neuropharmacology of yawning. Eur J Pharmacol 1998;343:1–16. 5. Platek SM, Critton SR, Myers TE, Gallup GG. Contagious yawning: the role of self-awareness and mental state attribution. Brain Res Cogn Brain Res 2003;17:223–227. doi:10.1016/j.amjcard.2004.09.059
Steven Nissen, Linda Butler, and Three Gorges of Yangtze in China
I really enjoyed Dr. Robert’s interview with Steven Nissen in the AJC.1 Although I do not know Dr. Nissen personally, I know him professionally through his research and publications. I also know well the prize-winning photographer Linda Butler from many of her elegant photographs exhibited and published over the years, although I did not realize that Ms. Butler is Dr. Nissen’s wife.1 I always admire Ms. Butler’s intimate photography and exquisite technique. I am delighted to know that her latest work concerns China’s Dam of Three Gorges of Yangtze River (which Dr. Nissen called the “three river
corridor(s)”).1 As Dr. Nissen described, “The book will have about 100 photographs of this area in China where they are doing this devastating destruction of the environment.”1 The “Three Gorges Dam Project” has been a controversial project over the years in China’s modern history. Actually it was Dr. Sun Yatsen, the father of modern China, who first proposed building a dam on the Yangtze River in 1919 for power generation as well as flood control.2 However, the project was shelved due to unfavorable political and economic conditions. Over the ensuing three quarters of a century, the project was repeatedly revived and postponed till former premier Li Peng finally succeeded in pushing it through in 1992. While the debate of pros and cons continued both inside and outside China, the entire project is expected to be completed by 2009.2 Although displacement and resettlement of 3 million Chinese people in the area1 raise concern of many environmentalists as well as human rights advocates, the benefits are immense for the 15 million people downstream who will be better off due to increased power generation, better flood control, and improved navigation.2 This increased power supply will also ease the current energy crunch in the world; China at present consumes about 10% of the world’s energy, being the second largest energy consumer in the world, next to the United States.3 According to Dr. Nissen, the name of Ms. Butler’s new book was not decided yet at the time of the interview. I assume that it must be decided by now. If not, I would like to suggest a title: “Yangtze Tamed.” Knowing the reputation of Ms. Butler, I will have no doubt that her photography will capture and preserve images of the Yangtze River before it is changed forever by the Three Gorges Dam. Tsung O. Cheng,
MD
Washington, DC 30 August 2004
1. Roberts WC. Steven Evan Nissen, MD: a conver-
sation with the editor. Am J Cardiol 2004;94:320 – 333.
READERS’ COMMENTS
437
2. Three Gorges Dam Project. Available at:
http://www.chinaonline.com/refer/ministry_profiles/ threegorgesdam.asp. Accessed August 25, 2004. 3. Energy Consumption of China. Available at: http:// hypertextbook.com/facts/1998/JimmySeto.shtml. Accessed August 25, 2004. doi:10.1016/j.amjcard.2004.08.102
Correction
In the article titled, “One-Year Outcome of Patients After Acute Coronary Syndromes (from the Canadian Acute coronary Syndromes Registry)” by Yan et al in the July 1, 2004, issue of the AJC, there is an
error on page 25, in the Abstract section. The corrected sentence should read: “The objective of this study was to determine the management and outcome of less selected patients with an acute coronary syndrome during hospitalization and up to 1 year after discharge.” doi:10.1016/j.amjcard.2004.08.005
Correction
In the September 15, 2004, issue of the AJC, in the article ti-
438 THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CARDIOLOGY姞
VOL. 95
FEBRUARY 1, 2005
tled “Apoptotic Cardiomyocyte Death in Fatal Myocarditis,” by Kytö et al, there is an error on page 749, under the “Discussion” section. It is incorrectly mentioned that “The subjects had died on average 12 days after onset of cardiac symptoms.” The corrected sentence should read: “The subjects had died on average 5 days after the onset of cardiac symptoms.” doi:10.1016/j.amjcard.2004.10.001