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Circle size and diameter tilt: a new look at integrality and separability.

In six experiments using the speeded classification paradigm, we provide evidence that the ostensibly "separable" dimensions of size and orientation can produce patterns of either separability or asymmetric configurality, depending on the spatial arrangement of the stimuli. In all experiments, subjects classified large or small circles containing a single line in one of two possible orientations. When the line touched the circle's perimeter, thereby defining the diameter of the circle (Experiments 1-4), asymmetric configurality obtained: Variations in size interfered with classification by orientation, but variations in orientation did not interfere with classification by size, and redundancy gain was weak or absent. When the lines fell completely within (i.e., did not touch) the circles (Experiments 5 and 6), the results were consistent with separability: There was neither redundancy gain nor interference. Taken together, the results add to the growing body of evidence that classification of specific dimensional pairs as separable or integral may be less feasible than identifying the more general conditions that increase or decrease the psychological salience of dimensional structures and facilitate or interfere with selection of optimal processing strategies.

Adult

Patients who amplify bodily sensations.

Patients troubled by symptoms, regardless of the degree of demonstrable disease, are subject to fources that cause them to amplify, focus upon, and worry about these bodily perceptions. These forces are psychological, sociocultural, or part of the medical care process. Optimal management of the symptomatic and somatizing patient thus entails obtaining psychological information about emotional precipitants, relevant childhood experiences, psychiatric disorders, and the personal meaning of the symptom; searching for the somatizing personality themes of masochism and guilt, hostility, and dependence; understanding the patient's goals in obtaining medical care, such as information and explanation, psychological counseling, or social and administrative intervention; and assessing situational stress, secondary gain, and ethnic and cultural forces that foster the amplification of physical symptoms.

Anxiety

Dynamic reoptimization of a fed-batch fermentor.

Traditionally, fed-batch biochemical process optimization and control use complicated models and off-line optimizers with no on-line model adaptation and re-optimization. This work demonstrates the applicability, effectiveness, and economic potential, of a simple phenomenological model for modeling, and a novel optimizer for on-line re-optimization and control of an aerobic fed-batch fermentor.

Animals

[Effect of aerobic fermentation on the survival of Salmonella typhimurium (DT 104) and Escherichia coli in swine liquid manure].

In this study aerobic-thermophilic fermentation of untreated liquid pig manure was examined for the potential of inactivating pathogenic microorganisms. As microbial tracer organisms, Salmonella typhimurium DT 104 and Escherichia coli were used. An effective reduction of survival of these microorganisms could be demonstrated by aerobic fermentation at temperatures of 50 degrees C for at least 3 h. However, these optimal process conditions without the need of additional heating, can only be achieved by microbial substrate reduction. In contrast to the impact of temperature on hygienization processes, alteration of the pH value which occurs during fermentation had no or little influence on the tenacity of the tracer bacteria. Even under mesophilic reaction conditions the influence of the pH value was not measurable. A technical realisation of such an aerobic-thermophilic fermentation process for prophylactic disinfection is questionable since a large technical expenditure is necessary to control ammonia emission. Effective partial reduction of nitrogen, phosphate, and free carbon in liquid manure requires retention times of at least 48 h. However, thermophilic reaction conditions may ensure an effective hygienization of the final fermentation products.

Aerobiosis

Strategies for automated sequencing of human mitochondrial DNA directly from PCR products.

A rapid, robust and sensitive method has been developed for the amplification and direct sequencing of human mitochondrial DNA. A 403-bp hypervariable segment was amplified by two successive rounds of nested PCR. This was then sequenced by the dideoxy chain termination method using dye-labeled universal sequencing primers in conjunction with an automated DNA sequencer. This paper describes the assessment of four different strategies for this amplification and sequencing process. Optimal results were obtained by immobilizing the biotinylated PCR product on Dynabeads followed by solid-phase sequencing with Sequenase. Degraded samples and those containing trace amounts of DNA such as extracts from hair shafts can be analyzed by this method.

Automation

Suspension culture of mammalian cells.

Mammalian cell suspension culture systems are being used increasingly in the biotechnology industry. This is due to their many advantages including simplicity and homogeneity of culture. Suspension systems are very adaptable (e.g., for microcarrier, microencapsulation, or other methods of culture). Their engineering is thoroughly understood and standardized at large scale, and automation and cleaning procedures are well established. Suspension systems offer the possibility of quick implementation of production protocols due to their ability to be scaled easily once the basic culture parameters are understood. The only main disadvantage of the suspension culture systems to date is their inapplicability for the production of human vaccines from either primary cell lines or from normal human diploid cell lines (Hayflick et al., 1987 and references therein). One of the great advantages of suspension culture is the opportunity it provides to study interactions of metabolic and production phenomena in chemostat or turbidostat steady-state systems. Furthermore, in suspension culture systems from which cell number and cell mass measurements are easy to obtain, rigorous and quantitative estimations of the effects of growth conditions or perturbations of metabolic homeostasis can be made. Such studies can speed up the development of optimal processes. With our increasing understanding of factors influencing expression in mammalian cells (Cohen and Levinson, 1988; Santoro et al., 1988) and the direct application of new methods in suspension culture (Rhodes and Birch, 1988), its usefulness and importance is likely to increase in the future. In this chapter, we have described some of the potential uses of the various suspension culture systems and have covered most of the established technology and literature. Due to the rapid developments and needs in the biotechnology industry and the versatility of suspension culture systems, it is probable that many more variations on this theme will evolve in the near future at both the pilot and production scales.

Animals

[Thermoanalytic techniques for the study of pharmaceutical products].

During the past years, there have been frequent demonstrations that thermoanalytical methods have found wide-spread use in pharmacy. Analysts have developed these techniques in pharmaceutical field in the estimation of impurities, in quality control procedures, in preformulation studies, in the active principle identification, in accelerated stability and in production process optimization. Wide-spread use of thermal methods is devoted to the identification of solid state of drugs (polymorphism, solvate, inclusion compound,...) due to its possible implication on bioavailability or on the stability of a final dosage form. Some examples of thermoanalytical applications are reported.

Chemistry, Pharmaceutical

Effects of extracellular matrix on cytoskeletal and myofibrillar organization in vitro.

The distribution and three-dimensional relationship of myofibrillar and cytoskeletal components during myofibrillogenesis were examined in preparations of neonatal rat cardiac myocytes processed in parallel for scanning electron microscopy (SEM), intermediate voltage transmission electron microscopy (IVEM) and immunofluorescence (IF). Of the various methods used for processing, optimal results were achieved by pre-extraction with Triton X-100 in an actin-stabilizing buffer. This procedure effectively removed the surface membrane, as viewed by SEM images, while preserving myofibrillar and cytoskeletal structure, as evidenced by IF for actin, alpha-actinin and vinculin. Cytoskeletons in SEM images consisted of a cortex of anastomosing filaments through which ran parallel filament bundles oriented in the long axis of the cell and attached along their length to the substrate by numerous fine filaments. In IVEM images, myofibrils were laterally connected at the level of the Z bands. Myocytes grown on different extracellular matrices showed different patterns and distributions of both striated myofibrils and focal adhesions, as determined by IF for alpha-actinin and vinculin, respectively. Cells on collagen I and III contained striated myofibrils which extended to the cell perimeters where focal adhesions were predominately located. Cells on laminin and fibronectin matrices exhibited myofibrils and focal adhesions more centrally located. In addition, cells on laminin contained circumferential arcs of filaments near the cell periphery.

Animals

Optimal background estimation in EELS.

In quantitative electron energy loss spectrometry, it is desirable to estimate the background law below core edge energy in a way that provides the maximum signal-to-noise ratio. Assuming an inverse power background model and independently Poisson distributed measurements, it is shown how to achieve this goal by using a maximum likelihood (ML) estimation technique which provides unbiased and minimum mean square error estimates of all parameters of interest. An efficient and computationally stable implementation of this procedure is proposed. Standard logarithmic least squares estimations are then compared with the ML approach and the gain in performance due to optimal processing is quantified.

Electrons

Microscale synthesis of nitrogen-13-labeled cisplatin.

A microscale synthesis of [13N]cisplatin (cis-dichlorodiammineplatinum(II), cis-DDP) from cyclotron-produced [13N]ammonia is presented. Temperature, reaction time, ratios, and concentration of reactants have been optimized for each step of the synthesis. Purification is performed by ion exchange chromatography. Radiochemical purity and optimization processes are controlled by high performance liquid chromatography and high performance thin layer chromatography--22 mCi [13N]cisplatin in 10 ml of solution is produced. The entire procedure takes approximately 15 min and the specific activity is approximately 300 mCi/mumole at EOB.

Ammonia

Induction of antigen-specific antibody response in human peripheral blood lymphocytes in vitro by a dog kidney cell vaccine against rabies virus (DKCV).

In the present report an in vitro method for obtaining a secondary human antibody response to a dog kidney cell vaccine against rabies virus (DKCV) is described. Cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from normal rabies-immune and nonimmune donors were stimulated in vitro by DKCV. The production of virus-specific antibody in supernatant fluids was monitored by ELISA. Antibody was produced by lymphocytes from rabies-immune individuals, whereas those of nonimmune subjects consistently failed to produce anti-rabies antibodies after in vitro stimulation with DKCV. The generation of the anti-rabies virus antibody response of lymphocytes stimulated with DKCV was shown to be an antigen-dependent, as well as an antigen-specific process. Optimal antigen-specific responses were observed at relatively low concentrations of antigen (10(-1) to 10(-2) micrograms/culture). At increasing concentrations of antigen in culture (greater than 1 microgram/culture), the anti-rabies virus response was suppressed. Antibody produced upon stimulation was capable of neutralizing rabies virus. The response to rabies virus requires T cell help because lymphocytes depleted of SE rosetting cells did not respond to an antigenic stimulus. Studies in which the same individuals were followed over time showed a sequential development of circulating B cell subsets. The system may provide a model for the study of human B cell differentiation in vivo and in vitro and may be valuable for testing the potency of rabies vaccines in vitro.

Animals

[Trypsin inhibitors in soy bean-based food: critical review of thermal destruction kinetics, and analytical methods].

The possible kinetic mechanisms for thermal destruction of trypsin inhibitors (TI) are analyzed in this work, based on literature data and on the authors'data. The authors suggest that first order kinetics describes the destruction mechanism. On the other hand, it is demonstrated that temperature effects on the reaction rate constant for thermal destruction of TI can be quantified in terms of Arrhenius' equation. The kinetic data are used for illustrating thermal process optimization, maximizing microorganisms and TI destruction, and minimizing the destruction of a nutrient. The analytical methods for TI activity determination are discussed, with special emphasis on the AACC Official Method. The authors show that the original method for calculating TI activity is neither correct nor appropriate. The same can be said about several recent modifications. In order to solve this situation, the authors developed a mechanistic model, to explain the reactions occurring in the reaction mixture, when analyzing TI activity. Furthermore, it is demonstrated in this paper that the model solves the uncertainties and calculation problems found in the AACC Official Method and in its modifications. Lastly, some practical suggestions for the application of the new calculation method are proposed.

Hot Temperature

[Optimization of immobilization conditions for acid proteinase from Aspergillus awamori].

To optimize the immobilization conditions for acid proteinase from Aspergillus awamori by covalent binding through glutaraldehyde, experiments were carried out using the Box-Wilson method. The optimization process was assessed on the basis of absolute activity A, coefficient of activity retention gamma and their product A gamma. The following conditions can be recommended: glutaraldehyde concentration 50--60 mg/g, enzyme concentration not less than 40 mg/g, time of glutaraldehyde treatment 2--2.5 hrs, immobilization time 2 hrs, pH about 4.0, and temperature 35--40 degrees C. Under these conditions A=220--230 U/g, gamma = 23--24% Agamma = 5,000--6,000.

Aspergillus

The macroheterogeneity of recombinant human interferon-gamma produced by Chinese-hamster ovary cells is affected by the protein and lipid content of the culture medium.

The culture environment exerts a major effect on the glycosylation pattern of recombinant human interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) produced by Chinese-hamster ovary (CHO) cells. The recombinant IFN-gamma is heterogeneous and consists of a mixture of fully (2N), partially (1N) and non-glycosylated (0N) glycoforms, and throughout batch cultures there is a decline in the proportion of fully glycosylated IFN-gamma. Glucose and glutamine, nutrients that are depleted early in such cultures, were prima facie candidates for causing such a shift in glycoform profile. Batch feeding of these nutrients did not prevent the decline in 2N glycoform, but the glycosylation pattern of IFN-gamma was affected by the initial glutamine concentration in the culture. Under different serum-free environments the extent of IFN-gamma glycosylation was affected by (1) the concentration of BSA, (2) the quality of BSA, (3) the lipid composition of the culture medium and (4) the presence of surfactants. Moreover, the inclusion of serum in cultures caused changes in the molecular masses of the major glycoforms, that was indicative of cleavage of the core polypeptide. The results reported emphasize the necessity of considering the effects of culture media on product quality as well as on product quantity during process optimization.

Animals

[Quantitative evaluation of myocardial perfusion with ultrafast magnetic resonance tomography].

With the advent of ultrafast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), it is now possible to produce images with high temporal resolution. This gives the opportunity to record the passage of the paramagnetic contrast material Gadolinium-DTPA through the tissue of the heart muscle, yielding information on regional myocardial perfusion. We assessed the accuracy of MRI to detect and quantify reductions in coronary flow secondary to stenosis in dogs and patients. Regional blood flow was measured in dogs by left atrial injection of microspheres labeled with different radioactive isotopes. Signal intensity (SI) curves were generated in regions of interest over the myocardium and the cavum of the left ventricle. A newly developed two-compartment model based on the indicator-dilution method was used for interpretation of the SI-curves. In an optimization process the free parameters of the model equation were fitted to the measured SI-curves. The following flow parameters were determined: model parameter Q*, time to peak intensity (T), maximum signal intensity (SImax) and mean transit time (MTT) as calculated from a gamma variate fit. Absolute blood flow values were calculated for the parameters MTT and Q* assuming that the intravascular volume represents 10% of the total myocardial tissue volume. Measurements were performed on a 1.5 T Magnetom SP (Siemens AG, Erlangen) using a Turbo Flash sequence (TR = 6.5 ms, TE = 3 ms, TI = 100 ms, Flip Winkel = 9 degrees). Endsystolic images (voxel size = 1.8, 2.7, 15 mm3) were taken with an 18-cm Helmholtz surface coil in the short-axis view. A Gd-DTPA bolus (0.05 mmol/kg) was injected into the left atrium of 3 anesthetized closed-chest dogs. From the myocardial SI-curves the different parameters of myocardial perfusion were compared with flow assessed by microsphere injection over a wide range of myocardial blood flows (from 0.04 ml/min/g to 7.6 ml/min/g). A third-order polynominal fit showed a good correlation for the parameter Q* and MTT, whereas T and SImax were found to have a poor correlation. The linear regression analysis for a limited range of < 2 ml/min/g showed a superior estimation of myocardial perfusion for the parameter Q* than MTT. Blood flow > 2 ml/min/g was significantly underestimated by the MRT-measurements, but the parameter Q* showed the smallest amount of the divergent changes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adult

[Selection and mutation from the theoretical information point of view--limits of the preservation of genetic information].

There is no doubt that evolution can only operate in accordance with the laws of thermodynamics. To transform this simple perception into a statement that can be quantified it is necessary to examine how the entropy (or the information content) changes by means of the two main factors of evolution: selection and mutation. In the present paper this aim was reached by using the methods of information theory. That evolution becomes possible the change of information by mutation and selection must not be negative in the long run. Consequently an upper limit for the information content of the genome must be assumed. If the evolution as a self-optimizing process gains this upper limit it reaches a dynamic equilibrium at which the increase of entropy by mutation balances the decrease of entropy by selection. In particular it was examined under which circumstances of dynamic equilibrium master-genotypes (genotypes that can preserve their specific sequence over a long time) can exist.

Biological Evolution

[Study on the test and evaluation of the toxicity of the strains preparation of the different subspecies of Bacillus thuringiensis and on the research into its standardization].

In this paper using the preparation of Bacillus thuringiensis of USA standard sample-subsp. kurstaki HD-1-S-1980 (H3a3b) the toxicity to different subspecies preparations such as subsp. dendrolimus U strain(H4a4b), subsp. galleriae C88 strain (H5a5b) is tested and evaluated. And product's standardization is also researched. Comparing their toxicity to various test-insects between the standard sample prepared from U strain and USA, standard sample, the boilogical determined results are as follows: the toxicity of U strain standard sample is respectively 18666.6 IU/mg(test-insects: Dendrolimus punctatus, 2nd larva), 22956.5 IU/mg(test-insects: Plutella kylostella, 2nd larva). The above-mentioned toxicity evaluations are higher than that of 16000 IU/mg of USA standard sample. The comparison in susceptibility shows as follows: suscepticibility of plutella kylostella is stronger than that of Dendrolimus punctatus. The products from U strain and C88 strain are trial-produced in medium-scale. The product's toxicity to test-insect Dendrolimus punctatus is determined using USA standard sample. The results are obtained as follows the toxicity evaluation of U strain products is 36444.4 IU/mg; that of C88 strain products is 28521.7 IU/mg. The both are obviously higher than that of USA standard sample. This proves that different subspecies strain's toxicity to the same test-insect is with defference and it is an important way to raise product's toxicity by improving and optimizing process in production. The whole experiment shows it is feasible to rectify the evaluation of the toxicity of our country's present products using USA standard sample, Dendrolimus punctatus and Plutella kylostella as test-insets. And it is simple and convienient as well as save time and save effort to make statistical analysis in computer with Basic program. To do statistical and operational analysis using our designed basic programming by micro-computer is more accurate and repid than by caculator.

Animals

The role of nutrition in wound healing.

Many factors, such as smoking, diabetes, anemia, steroids, and 'malnutrition, often impede the wound healing process. Optimizing patient's overall health status, in particular promoting nutrition, is an extremely effective way to improve the status of a wound. In this article, the role nutritional status plays in wound repair will be discussed.

Education, Nursing, Continuing