Analysis of serum elements and the contaminations from devices used for serum preparation by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Two different samples of serum were prepared from a blood specimen by using two types of serum-separation tubes. Each serum sample was diluted by 100 times with deionized and sub-boiling distilled water. Thirty-six elements in the serum and exudate, from devices used for the serum preparation, were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). From the comparison of elemental concentrations in two groups of 11 serum samples, it was found that the exudate from serum-separation tubes, as well as from disposable stainless steel needles, had serious effects on the elemental concentrations in the serum. Means for the concentrations of Li, Co, Ga, Cd, Sn, Sb, Ba, La, and Ce in the two serum groups were statistically different from each other. The concentrations of Cr, Mn, Fe, and Mo in both groups were apparently higher than those reported in the literature, suggesting contamination from the disposable stainless steel needle and spectral interferences due to molecular species produced in the argon plasma.     

DNA packaging ATPase of bacteriophage T3

A defined in vitro DNA packaging system of phage T3, which is composed of purified proheads and two packaging proteins, the products of genes 18 and 19 (gp18 and gp19, respectively), displayed a DNA-dependent ATPase activity. ATP was hydrolyzed to ADP and Pi. The ATPase activity was stimulated by nonpackageable DNA, such as single-stranded or circular DNA, or RNA (nonpac-ATPase). Among the inhibitors of DNA packaging, actinomycin D specifically inhibited the ATPase activity that was tightly coupled to DNA packaging (pac-ATPase), but did not inhibit the nonpac-ATPase activity. Both activities depended upon a functional packaging complex, but the nonpac-ATPase, once activated, did not require DNA. Unpackageable pUC18 DNA inhibited the pac-ATPase and the phage yield in parallel. Approximately one molecule of ATP was hydrolyzed during the translocation of 1.8 bp of T3 DNA.     

Effects of all-trans-retinoic acid on limb development in the genetic polydactyly mouse

Pdn/+ female mice, mated with Pdn/+ males, were treated with 40 mg/kg body weight of all-trans-retinoic acid (RA) intraperitoneally on day 10 or 11 of gestation, and effects on the limb development were investigated. RA treatment induced the shortening of stylopodium and zygopodium. In the present experiment, we focused on the differences between genotypes in the shortening of stylopodium and zygopodium induced by RA. The effects of RA were milder in Pdn/Pdn than +/- (Pdn/+ and/or +/+) fetuses. The differences between genotypes in the effects of RA were more significant in the group treated on day 11 than on day 10 of gestation. Cartilage of stylopodium and zygopodium was longer in day-13 Pdn/Pdn embryos exposed to RA on day 11 of gestation than those in similarly treated +/- embryos. Many apoptotic cells were observed in the mesenchyme of the forelimb plates at 12 hr after injection of RA on day 11 of gestation. These results suggest that the Pdn gene might influence the apoptosis induced by RA in the mesenchymal cells of the limb, causing milder effects in the shortening of stylopodium and zygopodium in Pdn/Pdn fetuses.     

Fault Diagnosis by Mathematical Programming

This paper presents the problem of fault diagnosis for logically represented continuous systems that can be formulated through nonlinear mathematical programming. This problem is transformed to an integer-programming problem and solved. Possible modifications and extensions of the problem are given. Although failure tables must be prepared in ordinary fault diagnosis, they are not necessary with this mathematical programming approach. By modifying constraints in the mathematical programming problem, difficulties such as multiple faults, correlated faults, modifications of test conditions and cycles in the system, which are encountered in the ordinary failure table approach, are made tractable.     

The anodic characteristics of the massive β-MnO2 doped with noble metals in sodium chloride solution

The anodic characteristics of the massive β-MnO₂ doped with a slight amount of noble metals were investigated in NaCl aqueous solution. The doping of noble metal, especially Pd, decreases the chlorine overvoltage enormously. By the kinetic considerations, it was clarified that noble metal sites dispersed on the oxide surface serve effectively as an active site for the chlorine evolution reaction. Furthermore, it was suggested that new effective catalysts for the chlorine evolution might be developed by using such noble metal-doped β-MnO₂ systems.     

High speed ground transportation: Some current and future alternatives

High-speed transportation, the value of time, and the social and technological considerations of inter-city transportation will be discussed in this article. A particularly promising mode of high-speed ground transportation (MAGLEV) will be discussed in some detail. An average speed for HSGT service, 400 kilometers per hour, seems to be attainable for reasons that will be set forth. In conclusion, the proposal for a “hypersonic” subway will be analyzed.