Microbiological results from milk samples obtained premilking and postmilking for the diagnosis of bovine intramammary infections.

Bacteriological culture results were compared between 336 pairs of quarter milk samples collected premilking and postmilking. Using a positive result on either premilking or postmilking samples as the definitive diagnosis, premilking sampling sensitivity was 91% for Staphylococcus aureus, 91% for coagulase-negative staphylococci, and 97% for Streptococcus other than agalactiae. Postmilking sampling sensitivities were 81, 45, and 58%, respectively, for the same pathogens. Requiring both premilking and postmilking samples for the definitive diagnosis, specificities were 92, 86, and 95% for premilking sampling alone and 96, 98, and 99% for postmilking sampling alone. Such differences in specificity would result in major differences in predictive value of a positive culture for herds with a low prevalence. Multiple isolates were significantly more common from premilking samples.     

Film morphology and reaction rate for the CVD of tungsten by the WF6—SiH4 reaction

Journal of Electronic Materials - Low pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) of tungsten (W) by SiH4 reduction of WF6 on Si(100) surfaces was studied in a single-wafer, cold-wall reactor over a...     

Bacteroides fragilis enterotoxin cleaves the zonula adherens protein, E-cadherin

Strains of Bacteroides fragilis associated with diarrheal disease (enterotoxigenic B. fragilis) produce a 20-kDa zinc-dependent metalloprotease toxin (B. fragilis enterotoxin; BFT) that reversibly stimulates chloride secretion and alters tight junctional function in polarized intestinal epithelial cells. BFT alters cellular morphology and physiology most potently and rapidly when placed on the basolateral membrane of epithelial cells, suggesting that the cellular substrate for BFT may be present on this membrane. Herein, we demonstrate that BFT specifically cleaves within 1 min the extracellular domain of the zonula adherens protein, E-cadherin. Cleavage of E-cadherin by BFT is ATP-independent and essential to the morphologic and physiologic activity of BFT. However, the morphologic changes occurring in response to BFT are dependent on target-cell ATP. E-cadherin is shown here to be a cellular substrate for a bacterial toxin and represents the identification of a mechanism of action, cell-surface proteolytic activity, for a bacterial toxin.     

Coal pyrolysis at high temperatures and pressures

At high temperatures (s> 1100°C), pyrolysis of coal plays an increasingly important role in the overall coal conversion process. This Paper presents experimental data on the extent of pyrolysis of coal at 800–1600°C. In addition, the effects of the following parameters are examined: gaseous environment (N₂, CO₂ and H₂O), pressure (1–20 atm), particle size, moisture content and type of coal. Previous data on some of these parameters are non-existent. A unique TGA apparatus constructed for this work allows high heating rates (10²–10³°Cs^?1) due to the direct radiation heating. In all the gaseous environments, a plateau in per cent pyrolysis is noticed at 1200–1400°C followed by a sharp increase in the amount of pyrolysis as the temperature is raised. This is found consistent with the three-stage mechanism proposed for the evolution of volatiles. In CO₂ and steam environments, there is slightly less pyrolysis than in pure nitrogen, while considerably more pyrolysis is noted for predried coal and for smaller particle sizes. The results suggest a strong influence of secondary volatile reactions on the extent of pyrolysis. Pyrolysis in steam at 800–900°C shows an increase with pressure similar to that reported for pyrolysis in hydrogen. Finally, gasification rates of chars immediately following the pyrolysis are found to be much higher than those of chars prepared separately and then reacted. These results suggest morphological rearrangements and crystallization effects.     

Thermodynamic and kinetic behavior of glycerol aerosol

Glycerol and propylene glycol mixtures are common carrier solutions in electronic cigarettes. Aerosols produced from these mixtures will evaporate quickly in a dry environment due to their high volatility. In a humid environment, such as the lungs, the kinetics of evaporation and hygroscopic growth determine the evolution of aerosol plume glycerol. Here, we apply a temperature and relative humidity-controlled hygroscopicity/volatility tandem differential mobility analyzer system to study the growth and evaporation kinetics of glycerol aerosol over a wide range of temperature, relative humidity, and residence times. Results show that at dry conditions glycerol aerosols evaporate within seconds at temperatures warmer than 20°C and that the accommodation coefficient of glycerol vapor on dry glycerol particles is 0.8. Under humidified conditions, the mutual depression of vapor pressures of the aqueous glycerol/water solution slows the glycerol evaporation rate consistent with thermodynamic and kinetic model predictions. Model calculations show that water vapor aided condensation of glycerol can occur at high relative humidity for glycerol vapor concentrations that result in glycerol particle evaporation under dry conditions. The combined results will help with constraining computational modules that model the evolution of glycerol-containing aerosols along a prescribed thermodynamic trajectory.

Copyright © 2016 American Association for Aerosol Research     

A prospective study of adolescents' self-reported depressive symptoms: Are risk behaviours a stronger predictor than anxiety symptoms?

This longitudinal study of adolescents from a Nova Scotia coastal town examined whether change in self-reported depressive symptoms could be predicted from adolescents' concurrent and prior reports of anxiety symptoms and risk behaviors. Questionnaires were completed by 131 youths (80 females, 51 males; aged 12–17 yrs) in their classrooms 2 years apart. Results show that adolescents' concurrent reports of involvement in risk behaviors were linked to an increase in depressive symptoms only when they also were high on anxiety symptoms. Prior involvement in risk behaviors, but not prior anxiety symptoms, also predicted an increase in depressive symptoms. The importance of evaluating covariation among multiple types of symptoms and targeting the positive and negative consequences of risk behaviors adolescents is discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Highly reactive wood pulps for cellulose acetate production

Wood pulps highly reactive in both high- and low-catalyst cellulose acetate processes can be prepared by mercerization and then treatment with alkylene oxides; only trace levels of substitution are required. The fiber inactivating effects of mercerization after drying are overcome, and several acetate properties are improved by this process. The reactivity characteristics cannot be duplicated by similar modifications of nonmercerized fibers; in low catalyst processes such pulps actually show reduced reactivity.     

Antioxidant effects in PVC plasticized with DIDA

Antioxidants such as bisphenol A (BPA) have long been recommended for retention of physical properties on oven-aging of PVC plasticized with certain plasticizers. We have shown how BPA inhibits oxidative fragmentation of plasticizers such as diisodecyl adipate (DIDA) and thus decreases apparent volatility, and how it improves retention of modulus, elongation, and low temperature flexibility. Low concentrations are more beneficial than either zero or high concentrations, especially on longer aging. At higher concentrations, although the plasticizer is retained in the PVC, it becomes less efficient at low temperature, and low-temperature flex is impaired while elongation is preserved. DIDA exudes during oven-aging unless oxidation occurs to prevent it. When BPA is present, exudation is worst at the most efficient concentrations of antioxidant. This appears to be the normal incompatibility of DIDA at 105°C which is permitted by the antioxidant. On oxidation, the dielectric constant of DIDA rises into the 4–8 range, signifying compatibility with PVC, and the DIDA does not exude.     

Terminal (1)(q43) long-arm deletion of chromosome no. 1 in a three-year-old female

A 3-year-old Latin female is reported with a terminal deletion of the No. 1 chromosome, karyotype formula 46, XX, del(1) (q43). Principle clinical features include: Anatomic - microcephaly; bilateral, convergent strabismus; epicanthus; brachycephaly; bulbar nose; sparse hair; partial soft tissue syndactylism between 2nd and 3rd fingers which are slightly tapered; whorls on all 10 fingers; mild prognathism; solitary kidney; vaginal stenosis; vesicoureteral reflux; asymmetric feet; and subluxation of peroneal tendons around the fibula with severe pronation and heal valgus deformity. Neurologic - moderate motor and mental retardation; high-pitched, shrill cry; absent pincer grasp at 3 years; and grand mal seizures documented from 9 months of age.