Combustion of gel fuels based on organic gellants

The phenomena involved in the combustion of non-metallized organic-gellant-based gelled fuels were investigated. The droplet combustion was photographed using a high-speed digital video camera. Experiments were conducted also with a number of control fuels that were prepared especially for simulating different phenomena occurring during combustion. The organic-gellant-based gel fuel droplet is characterized by a gellant layer formed on the droplet surface because of phase separation, resulting in bubbling and jetting. Phase separation is most likely the phenomenon that dominates the combustion process. The use of control fuels confirms that phase separation is not unique to gel fuels.     

Direct isolation of human BRCA2 gene by transformation-associated recombination in yeast

Mutant forms of the BRCA2 gene contribute significantly to hereditary breast cancer. Isolation of the normal and mutant forms of the BRCA2 gene with its natural promoter would greatly facilitate analysis of the gene and its contribution to breast cancer. We have accomplished the direct isolation of the 90-kb gene from total human DNA by transformation-associated recombination in yeast using a small amount of 5' and 3' BRCA2 sequence information. Because the entire isolation procedure of a single chromosomal gene could be accomplished in approximately 2 weeks, the transformation-associated recombination cloning approach is readily applicable to studies of chromosome alterations and human genetic diseases.     

A probabilistic spatial data model

Spatial information in autonomous robot tasks is uncertain due to measurement errors, the dynamic nature of the world, and an incompletely known environment. We present a probabilistic spatial data model capable of describing relevant spatial data, such as object location, shape, composition, and other parameters, in the presence of uncertainty. Uncertain spatial information is modeled through continuous probability distributions on values of attributes. The data model is designed to support our visual tracking and navigation prototype.     

Involvement of metallothioneins in regulation of macrophage activity after combined radiation and thermal injury

OBJECTIVE: To describe a case of Fournier's gangrene. The CT findings confirmed the diagnosis and showed the extent of the lesion. METHODS/RESULTS: A young, male alcoholic developed Fournier's gangrene after an episode of urinary tract infection. The extent of the lesion observed on CT correlated with the surgical findings. CONCLUSION: CT evaluation of patients with Fournier's gangrene is advocated. In the case described herein, the extent of the lesion observed on CT correlated with the surgical findings.     

Molecular gas and dust around a radio-quiet quasar at redshift 4.69

Galaxies are believed to have formed a large proportion of their stars in giant bursts of star formation early in their lives, but when and how this took place are still very uncertain. The presence of large amounts of dust in quasars and radio galaxies at redshifts z > 4 shows that some synthesis of heavy elements had already occurred at this time. This implies that molecular gas--the building material of stars--should also be present, as it is in galaxies at lower redshifts (z approximately = 2.5, refs 7-10). Here we report the detection of emission from dust and carbon monoxide in the radio-quiet quasar BR1202 - 0725, at redshift z = 4.69. Maps of these emissions reveal two objects, separated by a few arc seconds, which could indicated either the presence of a companion to the quasar or gravitational lensing of the quasar itself. Regardless of the precise interpretation of the maps, the detection of carbon monoxide confirms the presence of a large mass of molecular gas in one of the most distant galaxies known, and shows that conditions conducive to huge bursts of star formation existed in the very early Universe.     

The surgical and endoscopic treatments of benign submucosal tumors of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum

Analysis of the results of various modes of treatment and follow-up of 160 patients with benign submucosal tumors (BST) was carried out. Most often histological type of BST was leiomyoma (43.7%). BST were mainly located in the stomach (68.7%). 22 patients underwent open operations, 37--endoscopical removal of BST, 101 patients were followed-up from 5 to 10 years. The analysis of the material makes it possible to come to the conclusions about advisability of endoscopical treatment. The results of which are not inferior to surgical method of treatment. In patients with absence or slow growth of BST endoscopic follow-up is valid.     

Statistical graphics in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics: a tutorial

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the use of statistical graphics in the analysis of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics data. METHODS: Information on graphic techniques and their application was retrieved from a MEDLINE search (January 1980-March 1997) of the English-language literature and bibliographic reviews of review articles and books. Data used to generate plots were extracted from some new drug applications submitted to the Food and Drug Administration and by simulation. DATA SYNTHESIS: In carrying out data analysis, we should look at data in several ways, construct a number of plots, and do several analyses, letting the results of each step suggest the next. The information from a plot should be relevant to the goals of the analysis. Thus, in choosing a graphic method, it is necessary to match the capabilities of the method to the need in the context of the application. For example, if linear relationships among variables in a set of multidimensional data are relevant, scatter plots such as the pairs plot with smoothing is likely to be more informative than other graphic methods. It is necessary to recognize what kinds of perceived structure are attributable to the data, and what kinds are artifacts of the display technique itself when using graphs for data analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Graphic techniques enable the data analyst to explore data thoroughly, look for patterns and relationships, confirm or disprove the expected, and discover new phenomena. An important element of statistical graphic techniques is flexibility, both in tailoring the analysis to the structure of the data and in responding to patterns that successive steps of analysis uncover. Statistical graphics can and should be used to enhance numeric statistical analyses.     

Antimalarial effect in vitro and lack of modulating effect of desipramine and imipramine

Pulmonary hemorrhage (PH) is a rare but potentially life-threatening manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In this report we describe a 13 year old girl with PH as the sole presenting clinical manifestation of her SLE. Her serology was diagnostic of SLE and one year after presentation she developed arthritis. She had a rapid serologic but delayed clinical response to combination therapy of intravenous pulse methylprednisolone, pulse cyclophosphamide and daily prednisone. Awareness of the possibility of pulmonary hemorrhage as a presentation of SLE may aid in the diagnosis and early, aggressive management of this condition.     

The binding protein for globular heads of complement C1q, gC1qR. Functional expression and characterization as a novel vitronectin binding factor

A binding protein for the globular head domains of complement component C1q, designated gC1qR, recently described to be present on vascular and blood cells (Ghebrehiwet, B., Lim, B.-L., Peerschke, E. I. B., Willis, A. C., and Reid, K. B. M. (1994) J. Exp. Med. 179, 1809-1821 was expressed in recombinant form in bacteria to investigate its functional and structural properties. The recombinant gC1qR was found to be functional because tetramerization of the 24.3-kDa polypeptide occurred as described for the native protein, and the binding of the ligand C1q by recombinant gC1qR was indistinguishable from binding shown by gC1qR isolated from Raji cells. Recombinant gC1qR immobilized to microspheres was used to search for additional binding proteins unrelated to C1q. Surprisingly, it was found that vitronectin or complexes containing vitronectin were retained from plasma or serum, and subsequent analysis revealed the specific binding of the ternary vitronectin-thrombin-antithrombin complex to gC1qR. Because the thrombin-antithrombin complex was unable to interact with gC1qR, direct binding with vitronectin was investigated in a purified system. The heparin binding multimeric form of vitronectin but not the plasma form of vitronectin was found to bind specifically to gC1qR isolated from Raji cell membrane as well as to recombinant gC1qR. This interaction was saturable (KD approximately 20 nM) and inhibitable by glycosaminoglycans such as heparin but not by chondroitin sulfate. C1q and vitronectin did not compete with each other for binding to gC1qR, and both ligands seem to interact with different parts of the gC1qR because a truncated version of recombinant gC1qR lacking the N-terminal 22-amino acid portion hardly interacted with vitronectin but bound C1q as well as the intact gC1qR. These findings establish gC1qR as a novel vitronectin-binding protein that may participate in the clearance of vitronectin-containing complexes or opsonized particles or cooperate with vitronectin in the inhibition of complement-mediated cytolysis.     

The end of the virus problem

Do you remember what it was like before viruses came along? You could get a disk, and just bung it in, no worries. Someone gave you a program, you'd just run it, no sweat. Someone sent you a document, you'd just read it on your word processor, you didn't have to take it to MIS to get it virus checked first. Do you remember those days? A lot of people do, but viruses have been around so long now, that a lot of people don't go back that far.