Search

This case study looks at the design process that resulted in the world's first colour interactive digital tablet for multimedia newspapers. NewsPad resulted from the European collaborative ESPRIT/OMI Project 9252. NewsPad is still a visionary product; in a few years such a portable digital tablet will undoubtedly become commonplace, and multimedia news will be quickly and easily accessed through it. However, as yet it is too early to determine its cost-effective performance and mass-market demand.

This paper aims to advance the systematic understanding of the role of the technical in innovation and technology development. Many studies show explicitly or implicitly that the term technology merely black-boxes the true complexity of an enormous population of specific technologies, each with its own practical implications for technological processes and innovation strategies. The paper signals a direction for future research and lays down the foundations for a generic open-ended taxonomy of technologies designed to help raise the role of the technical in the analysis and practice of innovation. The theoretical case makes use of the author's sociotechnical constituencies approach and includes a selective review of concepts and taxonomic definitions of technologies. The taxonomic instrument is applied to two empirical cases of strategic development of technology—formal methods and microprocessors. A concluding section situates the perspective of the paper within the general relationship between the social and the technical and suggests directions for further research.

This paper looks at the recat histoty of a short-lived inter-organizational European initiative in the field on microprocessors.The initiative is treated as an emerging socio-technical constituency and the concepts of alignment and “diamond of alignment” are used to explain the reasons behind its failure. It shows that the merging Europrocessor constituency advanced the alignment process in certazn directions but failed to do so in the critical dimension of “'competitive technologies”. The negotiating parties locked themselves into an antagonistic competitive situation and, subsequently, failed to extricate thenuelves in time to save the emerging constituency.A brief overview of microprocessor technology, the main factors detemzining market adoption and the position of the European industty is included.

This paper is about the diffusion or implementation of technology in the design process of a microprocessor company. It aims at casting further light on the nature of the processes whereby technologies eventually gain company recognition over (or along with) others. It focuses on the influence of social behavioural factors in the outcome of this process as well as on the role played by the nature of the ‘incoming’ technology and its relation to the company design process. More broadly, it seeks to advance the systematic treatment of these aspects into a unified understanding of intra-company technology diffusion or implementation. The argument deals with the issues through a combination of theoretical analysis and the case study of the British microprocessor company Inmos. It conducts a targeted review of concepts relevant to the nature of implementation, leading to the empirical analysis of a new technology (i.e., formal methods) born in a university environment and later transferred into the design process of Inmo. The discussion uses the author's sociotechnical constituencies approach and treats the industrial diffusion of formal methods as a process of constituency building at an intra-organisational level. Especially relevant to this analysis is the process of sociotechnical alignment underpinning constituency building. The main issues raised by the intra-organisational experience of ‘formal methods’ are discussed.

This article examines the key issues facing the emergence of multimedia in the newspaper industry. It looks at the underpinning forces coming from both the newspaper industry and the relentless advance in information and communication technologies. The fast growth in the number of newspapers in the Internet is then examined and the major business issues and dilemmas are discussed in detail. The rise of a variety of alliances bears witness to the need to collaborate to reduce the uncertainty of the multimedia newspaper (ad-)ventures.

We compared the attraction of fed versus unfed cabbage looper moths, Trichoplusia ni (HA¼bner), to male pheromone. Significantly more starved females and starved males were attracted to male pheromone than were females or males that were provided a sugar-honey mixture. Food availability did not affect male attractiveness or male pheromone production, only female responsiveness. Female T. ni that were fed either honey, fructose, glucose, maltose, or sucrose were less likely to respond to male pheromone, compared to females that were not fed. Cabbage looper moth attraction to male pheromone may be related to foodfinding behavior.

This paper aims to present a multicriteria model used to perform the correct sizing of the emergency service teams, defining them in quantitative terms, their geographical distribution and coverage of service. The implementation of the multicriteria model to distribute the quantitative of operational resources aims to help the utility to reach a best service level, with lower operating costs, reduction of unscheduled overtime and increase consumer satisfaction. (4 pages)

Normal host cells are protected from the destructive action of complement by cell surface complement regulatory proteins. In humans, decay-accelerating factor (DAF) and membrane cofactor protein (MCP) play such a biologic role by inhibiting C3 and C5 convertases. DAF and MCP accomplish this task by specific mechanisms designated decay-accelerating activity and factor I cofactor activity, respectively. In other species, including mice, structural and/or functional homologues of these proteins are not yet well characterized. Previous studies have shown that the mouse protein Crry/p65 has certain characteristics of self-protecting complement regulatory proteins. For example, Crry/p65 is expressed on a wide variety of murine cells, and when expressed on human K562 erythroleukemic cells, it prevents deposition of mouse C3 fragments on the cell surface during activation of either the classical or alternative complement pathway. We have now studied factor I cofactor and decay-accelerating activities of Crry/p65. Recombinant Crry/p65 demonstrates cofactor activity for factor I-mediated cleavage of both mouse C3b and C4b. Surprisingly, Crry/p65 also exhibits decay-accelerating activity for the classical pathway C3 convertase strongly and for the alternative pathway C3 convertase weakly. Therefore, mouse Crry/p65 uses the specific mechanisms of both human MCP and DAF. Although Crry/p65, like MCP and DAF, contains tandem short consensus repeats (SCR) characteristic of C3/C4 binding proteins, Crry/p65 is not considered to be a genetic homologue of either MCP or DAF. Thus, Crry/p65 is an example of evolutionary conservation of two specific activities in a single unique protein in one species that are dispersed to individual proteins in another. We propose that the repeating SCR motif in this family has allowed this unusual process of evolution to occur, perhaps driven by the use of MCP and DAF as receptors by human pathogens such as the measles virus.

The author discusses the recent emergence of The Open Microprocessor Initiative (OMI), a large-scale European information technology project and draws general lessons from the experience. The target of the initiative, in which many different organizations and nationalities participated, was the development of an autonomous European microprocessor capability. Using the sociotechnical constituencies approach of Organizational Behavior theory, the author describes how initially misaligned players generate the programmatic alignment of a capability-building initiative. He highlights the elements of a process of alignment that gradually and programmatically integrates the attitudes of different organizations, and shapes technology. He uses the concept of diamond of alignment to account for the several directions of social and technical alignments required in the formation of large-scale technological initiatives.

The problem of hardware implementation of parametric t-norms in reconfigurable fuzzy systems is discussed. Several parametric families of t-norms suitable for such implementation are considered. FPGA implementation of them is discussed.

Human and murine CR1 and CR2 are defined as evolutionary homologues on the basis of their in vitro activities and a shared structural motif known as a short consensus repeat (SCR). To identify additional similarities between the two species, we analyzed the functional domains within the mouse receptors by constructing mouse-human chimeric cDNAs in which the C3 binding site of human CR2 has been replaced by different regions within the first eight SCRs of mouse CR1. Rosette analysis of cells expressing chimeric proteins, with erythrocytes bearing different mouse C3 fragments, coupled with rosette inhibition studies using specific anti-mouse CR1/CR2 mAbs reveal a weak C3b binding site within SCRs 1 and 2 of mouse CR1. There is no independent C3b interacting domain within SCRs 3 to 6, but their presence enhances C3 binding. A molecule that contains only the first six SCRs of mouse CR1 also binds C3b, but with less efficiency. There is no C3d binding area within the first six SCRs, but our data confirms previous studies indicating an additional C3b/C3d binding region within SCRs 7 and 8 of mouse CR1 (SCRs 1-2 of mouse CR2). The presence of SCRs 1 to 4 is required for C3 cofactor activity. 8C12, a mAb which blocks C3b erythrocyte rosette binding and the C3 cofactor activity of mouse CR1, binds only to chimeras containing SCRs 3 to 4.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Summary The possibilities of neural transplantation were studied in functional motor recovery of 21–23-month-old Sprague-Dawley male rats. Age-dependent functional losses of rats were evaluated using the Marshall scale for swimming abilities, narrow bridge task and suspension on horizontal wire. Fifteen rats exhibited motor disabilities when were compared with young control rats. Deficient rats were divided in two groups: one group received dissociated fetal dopaminergic cells from ventral mesencephalon (E12–E14) to striatum, whereas the other group having the same level of impairment, was followed without any graft and served as age-matched controls. Cell survival and behavior were evaluated twelve weeks after grafting by immunocytochemistry (tyrosine hydroxylase=TH) and the same behavioral test battery.

From March 1991 to September 1993, 26 patients (aged 4-78 years) with brain tumors (4 glioblastoma multiforme, 10 nonglioblastoma multiforme, 1 mixed oligoastrocytoma, 2 carniopharyngiomas, 2 meningiomas and 7 metastases) were treated with stereotactic techniques at the Centro Internacional de Restauración Neurológica, La Habana, Cuba. A total of 28 stereotactic surgical procedures were performed with no operative mortality; they included biopsies in all cases, 1 stereotactic microsurgical resection and 12 permanent implants of 192Ir, followed by external beam fractionated radiation therapy (40-60 Gy). The present paper shows that the combined use of a stereotactic approach, a comprehensive and reliable stereotactic dosimetric planning system, stereotactic brachytherapy with 192Ir and complementary percutaneous radiation treatment constitutes a promising strategy for brain tumor management.

In the field of technology policy, few challenges are more intriguing than understanding the nature of technical and market trends. This paper deals with this problem by using the sociotechnical constituencies approach in order to integrate the treatment of “micro”/“macro” issues — from product to industry. The case study is that of the microprocessor industry where at present a Risc (reduced instruction set computer) technology is emerging in a field where a powerful and far-from-exhausted Cisc (complex instruction set computer) technology tends to occupy almost every segment of the market. The analysis reveals how emerging product-constituencies do implement pro-active trend-creating strategies in order to establish themselves as industrial trends, and, by so doing, they simultaneously re-define the existing content of the “macro” industrial level. The study also reveals the important role of the nature and maturity of microprocessor technology in conditioning the constituency-building strategies implemented by different players. Microprocessor technology is specifically characterised as an architectural, codified-knowledge component with indirect network externalities and weak appropriability regime. Finally, the paper also highlights the potential risks of both fragmentation and complete proprietary control of technology in technological processes involving strongly competitive situations.

In previous studies we have demonstrated that mouse Crry/p65 regulates complement component C3 deposition on self membranes, a functional property that both human decay-accelerating factor (DAF) and membrane cofactor protein (MCP) exhibit. We have proposed that Crry/p65 has a similar biologic role in mouse as MCP and perhaps DAF and is the mouse analogue of one or both of these proteins. In order to address this hypothesis and further study Crry/p65, we have prepared rat mAb and a rabbit polyclonal Ab to this protein. Using these reagents we demonstrate that, like human MCP and DAF, the tissue distribution of Crry/p65 is very broad. Most if not all cells of nonneuronal origin express this protein. In addition, by immunohistochemical analysis, Crry/p65 is shown to be more highly expressed in some tissues at potential sites of immune complex deposition and damage, such as the mesangium of the renal glomerulus and the arterial vessel endothelium. By Western blot analysis, protein isoforms can be demonstrated. Unlike human DAF, however, no phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C-sensitive Crry/p65 protein form can be demonstrated on lymphocytes or erythrocytes. Five of six anti-Crry/p65 mAb can partially or completely reverse the capacity of Crry/p65 to block C3 deposition on cell membranes. Analysis of four IgG rat anti-Crry/p65 mAb demonstrates that two major independent epitopes can be detected. Overall, Crry/p65 retains many of the major features of human MCP and DAF, and the use of these reagents should further the understanding of the biologic roles of this class of complement regulatory proteins.

A 3D formulation of quasi-static electric fields is applied to study the polymeric and porcelain insulator performances under contaminated conditions. For the analysis of the electric field stress, the pollution layers covering the insulator structures have to be taken into account. The thin conductive dirt layers positioned on the outer surface of the insulators are represented by the 2D model with a superficial conductivity avoiding additional difficulties in the 3D mesh generation.

SUMMARY Complement receptor 2 (CR2, CD21), the receptor for both the C3d,g portion of human complement component C3 and the Epstein-Barr virus, has been recently described on peripheral T cells. By using dual stain flow cytometric analysis, we have also observed that a peripheral T lymphocyte subpopulation of normal healthy donors bears CR2 in a range varying from 1·1 to 23/2% (mean 12·6%) of total CD3+ cells. T lymphocytes from nine patients with inactive SLE expressed CR2 in a similar range. Three patients with active SLE were also studied. One of them, having neuropathy and glomerulonephritis, displayed an expansion of the CR2+ T cell subpopulation which reached as much as 89% of total CD3+ cells. To examine potential functional roles of T cell CR2, cells from a Jurkat-derived CR2 expressing T cell line were found to bind in vitro to human CR2−, complement-coated K562 cell targets in a CR2- and complement-dependent fashion. Based on these studies, we hypothesize that CR2 might act to increase adherence of T cells to nucleated target cells bearing C3d,g, a function which may be relevant to cytotoxicity or other T cell activities requiring cell-cell interaction.

At present, the world's microprocessor market is completely dominated by the US semiconductor industry. In particular, two companies (Intel and Motorola) have overwhelmingly controlled the development of the market through their dominant 80 × 86 and 68000 Cisc (complex instruction set computer) architectures. This paper shows that this Cisc-based arrangement is now under pressure. The emergence of the new Risc (reduced instruction set computer) microprocessor architecture i n the mid-1980s is bringing a new era of instability to the sector. On the surface, this instability would seem to be very much an internal US affair. The author argues, however, that new opportunities are emerging for other countries or regions to play a greater part in the development of the microprocessor industry. This paper discusses the combination of factors at the heart of this process and a glance is given at the future beyond Risc.

We propose to use fuzzy context-free grammars for the analysis of DNA sequences by using the Cocke-Younger-Kasami algorithm to estimate membership grades of a DNA sequence against the language of a fuzzy grammar. As a first example of the application of the proposed method we prove that is possible to determine a fuzzy grammar of a prototype DNA sequence and then found the membership grade of any arbitrary sequence against the specific pattern. As a second example, we formulate a fuzzy grammar from an alignment of promoters by a logo sequence of Escherichia Coli K12 then show how the proposed method can be used for the discovery of regulatory motifs.

This study was conducted to evaluate if supplementing bypass fat to cows under silvopastoral systems, increases the concentration of unsaturated fatty acids in milk, thus improving the saturated/ unsaturated ratio without a negative effect on total milk yield in fat or protein. Two concentrations of two different sources of bypass fat were evaluated for 40 days, each in a group of 24 multiparous Lucerna (Colombian breed) cows. A cross-over design of 8 Latin squares 3 x 3 was used. The variables submitted to analysis were body condition, daily milk production and milk composition. Body condition, milk yield and milk quality were not different but there was a significant decrease in the amount of saturated fatty acid in both experiments while the unsaturated fat increased significantly in experiment 1 and remained stable in experiment 2. Results, such as these have as far as we know, not been reported previously and they provide an approach for the improvement of milk as a "functional food".

The relationships between functional, biochemical, and genetic homologues of human and mouse C receptors 1 (CR1) and 2 (CR2) are incompletely understood. We have isolated and characterized a partial mouse CR2 cDNA clone and determined the exon-intron organization of the gene encoding it. Together they predict a form of mouse CR2 highly identical to the 15 short consensus repeat form of human CR2. Strong similarities in genomic organization and exon-intron junctions indicate that this mouse gene and human CR2 are evolutionary homologues. A polyclonal rabbit anti-mouse CR2 fusion protein, BRN-1, was prepared. BRN-1 immunoprecipitates bands of 155 to 160 kDa under nonreducing conditions in mouse CR2 expressing B cell lines. In mouse spleen a doublet of 155 kDa and 190 kDa under nonreducing and 165 and 205 kDa under reducing conditions is recognized by immunoprecipitation and Western blot analysis. Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease maps of these two proteins show many shared bands. Crossed immunoprecipitation using BRN-1 and 7E9, a previously described mAb reported to identify the 190-kDa mouse CR1 and a smaller 150-kDa protein, indicates that both antibodies react with the same proteins. Therefore, by using BRN-1 we have now linked the genetic mouse CR2 to its functional, biochemically characterized gene product. The observation that BRN-1 also recognizes a second 190-kDa mouse protein defined functionally as a homologue of human CR1, and that these proteins have very similar peptide maps, provides strong evidence that these two proteins are expressed by a single mouse CR2/CR1 transcription unit.

New high-performance chips and parallel computers are foreshadowing momentous changes in the established structure of the computer industry. The change is creating new opportunities for the British and European electronics industries to enhance their standing in both microprocessors and computers. The United Kingdom and Europe hold one particularly strong technical card: the transputer and a range of transputer-based parallel computers which integrate microchip, hardware and software into a coherent set of high-performance products. Technical excellence will not be enough to ensure substantial gains. The issues are complex and require understanding a process in which technical and economic factors interact with individual and institutional actors' resources, visions and interests in a context of evolving technical, market and political trends. One way of dealing with this complexity is to conceive of technological change and capabilities as being determined by the development of sociotechnical constituencies . These are dynamic ensembles of technical constituents (e.g. machines) and social constituents (e.g. institutions) which interact and shape each other in the course of the creation, production and diffusion of specific technologies such as the transputer. This paper examines transputer technologies in the light of their sociotechnical constituency and concludes that, given an appropriate set of policies, they offer Britain and Europe an opportunity to build up an important presence in the world's microprocessor and computer industry in the long run.

This article examines the development of the European single market in the light of European information and communications technologies (ICT) industries. A case is developed for a technology policy which promotes European collaboration as a major element in the development of Europe's ICT sector. A case study of a European ESPRIT programme in parallel computing provides evidence of the need for stimulating both collaboration and competition in future strategic policies for European ICT development.

La reconstrucción mamaria tras mastectomía se realiza primordialmente para proporcionar calidad de vida a la paciente. Este estudio se desarrolló para valorar la satisfacción y calidad de vida de las pacientes reconstruidas mediante colgajo D.I.E.P. (Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator) y evaluar el resultado estético de la reconstrucción. Treinta y tres pacientes, de 51 reconstrucciones mamarias con colgajo DIEP realizadas entre enero de 2000 y noviembre de 2004 fueron preguntadas acerca de aspectos generales relativos a la cirugía, imagen corporal y sensación subjetiva. El resultado de imagen corporal fue evaluado por dos observadores externos, un cirujano plástico y una enfermera, además de por la propia paciente. Para valorar la reconstrucción mamaria, se utilizó una escala de 4 puntos. La satisfacción general de nuestro estudio fue más elevada que la observada en estudios precedentes. Hemos conseguido una valoración alta en simetría, dentro de los parámetros objetivos y en integridad corporal entre los subjetivos. Hemos encontrado una correlación alta entre las respuestas de los observadores comparada con las respuestas de las propias pacientes. Por último, hemos visto una fuerte correlación entre integridad corporal y satisfacción general

The purpose of this study was to relate the genetic variants A and B of κ-casein (κ-CN) and β-lactoglobulin (β-Lg) of the milk of 10 Chilean Holstein–Friesian cows and its coagulation properties (coagulation ability of milk, curd firmness and syneresis of the curd). The results showed that β-Lg AB phenotypes have a significant effect on the studied properties in comparison with the samples containing the AA phenotype. A and B variants of κ-CN did not have a significant effect on the coagulation properties, although there was a favourable interaction between β-Lg AB and κ-CN B.

The most common postoperative complications of total gastrectomy are esophagojejunal anastomotic leakage and subphrenic abscess. These complications are a cause of morbidity and mortality, relaparotomy, and longer postoperative stay. The use of abdominal drains is useful for the early diagnosis and management of anastomotic leaks. The aim of this study was to analyze our experience with total gastrectomy for gastric cancer in patients with and without abdominal drains, and to evaluate the results regarding postoperative morbidity, postoperative hospital stay, postoperative days for oral intake, relaparotomy and mortality. This prospective and randomized study examines the results in 60 consecutive patients (43 males and 17 females) with gastric cancer who underwent total gastrectomy in the Regional Clinical Hospital of Concepcion, Chile, between 2000 and 2003. Patients were divided into two groups: group I (without drains) and group II (two drains). We found 31 patients in group I and 29 patients in group II. The mean length of postoperative stay was 12.9 days in group I and 18.8 days in group II (p = 0.0242, s.). Morbidity was 9.7% in group I and 37.9% in group II (p = 0.0242, s.). Re-explorations were more frequent in group II (24.1%) versus group I (9.7%) (p = 0.1239, n.s.). Postoperative days for oral intake were 9.4 in group I and 12.8 in group II (p = 0.0514, n.s.) Mortality was 0% in group I and 3.4% in group II (p = 0.4833, n.s.). In our experience, morbidity and postoperative hospital stay were statistically higher in the group of patients with abdominal drains.

Angiotensin II, a profibrotic cytokine, plays a main role in the initiation of renal fibrogenesis at a very early stage leading to a progressive loss of renal function in unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). We studied the involvement of AT1 angiotensin II receptor in the physiopathology of tubulointerstitial fibrosis in UUO, focusing in the regulation of the oxidative stress state and in the HSP 70 expression, in renal tissue. UUO or control sham operation was perform to Wistar Kyoto rats after being treated with the AT1 angiotensin II receptor antagonist Losartan (10 mg/kg/day) in the drinking water for 15 days. Twenty four hours later, mRNA AT1 receptor expression was studied. Renal fibrosis was evaluated through TGFbeta expression and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, hydroxyl radicals, O2- and total antioxidant activity were measured by spectrophotometric assay. Immunohistochemical and Western blot analysis of HSP 70 were performed. A non-hypotensive dose of Losartan significantly down regulated the expression of AT1 receptor. Prevention of renal fibrogenesis by Losartan treatment was demonstrated by TGFbeta mRNA expression similar to control. Oxidative stress in obstructed kidney was evident since a decreased SOD activity and a two-fold increase in the concentration of hydroxyl radicals and O2- was observed when compared to the control. Losartan produced down regulation of ROS with recovery of the SOD activity and higher expression of HSP 70 compared to obstructed kidney of rats receiving vehicle. We can conclude that after 24 hr of UUO, protection against tubulointerstitial fibrosis by Losartan, independent from changes in blood pressure, includes decreased oxidative stress linked to upregulation of HSP 70 expression.

Nasu Hakola disease (NHD) is a progressive dementia that presents accompanied by bone cysts and, at random, epilepsy. It is an autosomal recessive hereditary disease and its genetic defect is located at the 19q13.1 chromosome. The genetic mutation was identified at DAP 12. It appears that DAP 12 is expressed in the microglial activation and the differentiation of macrophages in the central nervous system and, at the same time, in the osteoclasts in charge of bone remodelling. This double character consisting of dementia and bone cysts, which contain triglycerides and thin PAS positive membranes in a bone with cortical erosion and medullary hypoplasia, enables us to differentiate this disease from other frontotemporal neurodegenerative disorders, such as Pick s disease. At the same time this also allows it to be distinguished from multiple sclerosis, metachromatic leukodystrophy, Marchafava Bignami disease, and prion diseases (such as new variant Creutzfeldt Jakob).In this paper we describe two cases of NHD, also known as polycystic lipomembranous osteodysplasia with sclerosing leukoencephalopathy, in which progressive dementia, bone cysts and epilepsy were identified. Serious brain atrophy was found and confirmed by imaging studies and brain biopsies, which were also used to rule out other degenerative diseases of the frontal lobe, as well as Creutzfeldt Jakob disease.Both cases meet all the necessary criteria to satisfy a diagnosis of NHD. This is a hereditary, little known disease whose genetic alterations (i.e. mutations) are still in need of further study. It mainly affects males, who suffer the onset of dementia in their thirties. The neurological disorders constitute a frontal syndrome, due to predominant prefrontal involvement, and they occur in the dorsolateral area, with disorders affecting the executive and planning functions; in the orbitofrontal area, which is reflected in social maladjustment and clear obsessive compulsive traits; and also in the medial or cingulate area, which manifests itself as apathy and lack of motivation. When dealing with this disease, in addition to symptomatic therapy, genetic counselling is also important.

Three malonato-bridged copper(II) complexes of the formulas [[Cu(H2O)3][Cu(C3H2O4)2(H2O)]]n (1), [[Cu(H2O)4]2[Cu(C3H2O4)2(H2O)]] [Cu(C3H2O4)2(H2O)2][[Cu(H2O)4][Cu(C3H2O4)2(H2O)2]] (2), and [Cu(H2O)4][Cu(C3H2O4)2(H2O)2] (3) (C3H2O4 = malonate dianion) have been prepared, and the structures of the two former have been solved by X-ray diffraction methods. The structure of compound 3 was already known. Complex 1 crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pcab, Z = 8, with unit cell parameters of a = 10.339(1) A, b = 13.222(2) A, and c = 17.394(4) A. Complex 2 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2/c, Z = 4, with unit cell parameters of a = 21.100(4) A, b = 21.088(4) A, c = 14.007(2) A, and beta = 115.93(2) degrees. Complex 1 is a chain compound with a regular alternation of aquabis(malonato)copper(II) and triaquacopper(II) units developing along the z axis. The aquabis(malonato)copper(II) unit acts as a bridging ligand through two slightly different trans-carboxylato groups exhibiting an anti-syn coordination mode. The four carboxylate oxygens, in the basal plane, and the one water molecule, in the apical position, describe a distorted square pyramid around Cu1, whereas the same metal surroundings are observed around Cu2 but with three water molecules and one carboxylate oxygen building the equatorial plane and a carboxylate oxygen from another malonato filling the apical site. Complex 2 is made up of discrete mono-, di-, and trinuclear copper(II) complexes of the formulas [Cu(C3H2O4)2(H2O)2]2-, [[Cu(H2O)4] [Cu(C3H2O4)2(H2O)2]], and [[Cu(H2O)4]2[Cu(C3H2O4)2(H2O)]]2+, respectively, which coexist in a single crystal. The copper environment in the mononuclear unit is that of an elongated octahedron with four carboxylate oxygens building the equatorial plane and two water molecules assuming the axial positions. The neutral dinuclear unit contains two types of copper atoms, one that is six-coordinated, as in the mononuclear entity, and another that is distorted square pyramidal with four water molecules building the basal plane and a carboxylate oxygen in the apical position. The overall structure of this dinuclear entity is nearly identical to that of compound 3. Finally, the cationic trimer consists of an aquabis(malonato)copper(II) complex that acts as a bismonodentate ligand through two cis-carboxylato groups (anti-syn coordination mode) toward two tetraaqua-copper(II) terminal units. The environment of the copper atoms is distorted square pyramidal with four carboxylate oxygens (four water molecules) building the basal plane of the central (terminal) copper atom and a water molecule (a carboxylate oxygen) filling the axial position. The magnetic properties of 1-3 have been investigated in the temperature range 1.9-290 K. Overall, ferromagnetic behavior is observed in the three cases: two weak, alternating intrachain ferromagnetic interactions (J = 3.0 cm-1 and alpha J = 1.9 cm-1 with H = -J sigma i[S2i.S2i-1 + alpha S2i.S2i+1]) occur in 1, whereas the magnetic behavior of 2 is the sum of a magnetically isolated spin doublet and ferromagnetically coupled di- (J3 = 1.8 cm-1 from the magnetic study of the model complex 3) and trinuclear (J = 1.2 cm-1 with H = -J (S1.S2 + S1.S3) copper(II) units. The exchange pathway that accounts for the ferromagnetic coupling, through an anti-syn carboxylato bridge, is discussed in the light of the available magneto-structural data.

The aim of the study was to analyze the factors associated with hospital mortality in patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) who required ICU admission.

The architecture called ANFIS (Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System) proposed by J.R. Jang (1993) is divided in five layers. Layers 1 and 2 in ANFIS were built by using a double-differential amplifier and a winner takes all circuit; to implement layers 3, 4 and 5, CMOS translinear blocks are used. The complete ANFIS architecture is implemented on a circuit board, using two CMOS circuits (N-well and 2 /spl mu/m minimum dimensions). The total system has two inputs with three membership functions each one, which generate a fuzzy space with nine subspaces and one single output. The system is used for classification of electrical signals.

The increase in the levels of psychotropic bacteria in the raw milk during the refrigeration period, could lead to the production of heat-resistant enzymes responsible for the deterioration of long-life industrial dairy products. Pseudomonas fluorescens is the psychotropic bacteria most commonly found in milk in Southern Chile. In the present work the enzymatic proteinases extract of cultures of Pseudomonas fluorescens RV10 at 6 degrees C in raw milk just milked were purified. It was found that the proteases corresponds to a protein with a molecular mass of 49.5 kD, that presents heat resistance and rapidly attacks the k-casein continuing with the b-casein. It is possible to conclude that storage of the milk for long-life products at 6 degrees C is risky, as it causes the loss of quality for the proteases of psychotropic bacteria.

A study of the fatty acid composition of milk fat, and of its variation due to geographical and seasonal effects is necessary to better understand rheological properties of milk fat (melting, spreadability, hardness), to facilitate detection of possible adulterations, and to give more information regarding the levels of butyric acid and conjugated linoleic acid C18:2, due to their nutritional importance. Milk samples were collected on a monthly basis during one year (from June 1998 to May 1999) at tank level in six dairy plants of the VIIIth, IXth and Xth regions. Fatty acids from cow’s milk were analysed as methylesters using gas-liquid chromatography. As sampling was done at tank level of dairy plants, emphasis was placed on seasonal and regional variations. For the analysis of seasonal and regional variations, the quantified fatty acids were classified according to their chain length: short chain (C4 – C10), intermediate chain (C12 – C16) and long chain (C18 – C18:2 conjugated). An effect of season was observed only in the case of short chain fatty acids, with an average value significantly (p < 0.05) lower in summer than in spring. Analysis with geographic area revealed significant differences (p < 0,05) for all fatty acids. The average values for the content of short chain fatty acids in milk from the IXth region were significantly (p < 0,05) lower (8,24%) than those in milk from the VIIIth and Xth regions; the intermediate chain fatty acids had an average value significantly (p < 0,05) higher (42,9%) in milk from the VIIIth region than those found in milk from the IXth and Xth regions; in contrast the long chain fatty acids within milk from the VIIIth region had a significantly (p < 0,05) lower value than those found in milk from the IXth and Xth region. Conjugated linoleic acid, which has been shown to inhibit carcinogenesis in test animals, was found in significantly (p < 0,05) higher concentration in samples from the IXth region, with an average value of 1,75 % in comparison with an average of 1,41 % in milk from the VIIIth region. At seasonal level, the highest value was found during the spring-summer period (1,75 %), while for the autumn-winter period the values (1,59 %) were lower. The factors of season and geographic area cause significant differences in the composition of fatty acids in cow milk fat. &nbsp, Un estudio de la composición de los ácidos grasos de la leche, sus diferentes proporciones y variaciones por efectos geográficos y estacionales es necesario, entre otras razones, para comprender mejor algunas propiedades reológicas (fundición, esparcimiento, dureza), de la grasa láctea y, facilitar la detección de posibles adulteraciones de la misma, además para conocer los niveles de ácido butírico y ácidos linoleicos conjugados C 18:2, por su importancia nutricional. Los ácidos grasos de leche de bovinos se analizaron como metil – ésteres por Cromatografía gas – líquido, las muestras de leche cruda fueron recolectadas mensualmente durante un año (junio 1998 a mayo 1999) a nivel de silos en seis plantas ubicadas en las regiones VIII, IX y X de Chile. Dado el nivel de muestreo (estanques de plantas lecheras) se enfatizaron las variaciones estacionales y regionales. Para analizar las variaciones estacionales y regionales, los ácidos grasos cuantificados se clasificaron en grupos por largo de cadena: cadenas cortas (C4 – C10), cadenas medias (C12 – C16) y cadenas largas (C18 – C18:2 conjugados). La estacionalidad se observó sólo en los ácidos grasos de cadena corta, siendo significativamente (p

The general use of refrigeration of raw milk has contributed to maintenance of its quality, but has induced the selection of a psychotrophic bacteria which during its growth produces heat-resistant enzymes responsible, in part, for the deterioration of long-life products. Given the condition of the prolonged refrigeration of the milk before the process, it was necessary to determine the growth curves for bacteria at temperatures between 2 degrees C and 10 degrees C and the kinetics of production of proteases in raw fresh milk, inoculated with Pseudomonas fluorescens RV1O, using an automatic fermentation system, with minimal agitation under conditions of controlled temperature and pH. The results show a development over 10(5) ufc/mL in the cultures at 6 degrees, 8 degrees and 10 degrees C during the first 30 h and proteasic activities over 30 microM p-NA/2 h getting levels of de 80-180 microM p-NA/2 h over 50 h of cultivation. Only the cultures at 2 degrees C appeared stable with inferior cell counts and without inducing enzymatic activity. At 4 degrees C an intermediate situation occurs.

Complement has an important role in inflammation and in the normal function of the immune system. Activated complement fragments have the capacity to bind and damage self-tissues. Cells from vertebrates express on their surface regulators of complement activation that protect them from the deleterious effects of cell-bound complement fragments. Abnormalities in these regulators of complement activation may participate in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases and inflammatory disorders. Murine Crry is one of these regulators that inhibits the activation of the third component of complement and protects self-tissues from complement-mediated damage. Experimental work on Crry has increased our understanding of the immunobiology of complement regulation and the potential role of complement and complement inhibitors in the development and treatment of human diseases.

Two of the most potent cytokines regulating anterior pituitary cell function are leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and interleukin (IL)-6, which belong to the cytokine family using the common gp130 signal transducer. Recently, the expression and action of two other members of this family, IL-11 and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), on different cell lines has also been demonstrated. We studied the expression of the specific receptor subunits for CNTF in mammotropic, non-functioning and somatotropic tumors and the action of CNTF and IL-11 in the regulation of hormone secretion in these and normal pituitary cells. The mRNA for the alpha chain specific for the CNTF receptor was detected by Northern blot in tumors secreting prolactin (PRL) and GH and in non-functioning tumors. We found that both IL-11 and CNTF exerted a similar stimulatory effect on GH mRNA expression in somatotropic monolayer cell cultures from acromegalic tumors, but these cytokines had no significant influence on GH secretion. CNTF stimulates prolactin secretion in lactotropic monolayer cell cultures from patients with prolactinoma. In monolayer cell cultures from normal rat anterior pituitary, IL-11 and CNTF had no significant effect on the release of either GH or PRL, or on GH mRNA. However, when the cells were cultured in aggregate cultures, in which the three-dimensional structure of the cells is reconstituted, both cytokines, in doses at which they had no effect on monolayer cultures, significantly stimulated both PRL and GH secretion. These data show that IL-11 and CNTF may act as regulatory factors in anterior pituitary cells, in which the three-dimensional structure of the gland is of critical importance.

Four sampling stations were set 200-500 m off Limon Port, Costa Rica, at an average depth of 20 m. From October 1996 to May 1997 horizontal subsuperficial trawls were done for 12 minutes at a speed of about 2 Km/h, with a 1,000 microns plancton net. A total of 28 samples were processed and 104 physical-chemistry parameter measurements were taken. Average salinity was 30.1 +/- 3.7 and dissolved oxygen 6.9 +/- 0.6 mg l-1 reflecting good aeration throughout the sampling period. This suggests good mixture and a highly dynamic hydrography. Temperature showed no drastic variations (28.0 +/- 1.7 degrees C), possibly because of the constant mixing with shallow water. The highest larval counts were for November and early January and include families common to reefs and estuaries (Balistidae, Lutjanidae) and to coastal areas (Centropomidae, Gerreidae, Haemulidae, Carangidae, Engraulidae, Hemiramphidae, and representative Pleuronectiformes) existing in a common area.

La prueba de alcohol se utiliza en la industria lechera como prueba de recepción de leche a fin de medir su termoestabilidad; la concentración de etanol recomendada inicialmente fue de 68% v/v, la cual ha sido aumentada por las industrias hasta 78% (v/v), lo cual podrían producirse rechazos de leche no justificadamente, ya que desde el punto de vista de la calidad higiénica y composicional no presentan problemas. El presente estudio tuvo como finalidad determinar la correlación entre prueba de alcohol y termoestabilidad de la leche, además de relacionar dicha prueba con otros parámetros de calidad, como acidez, pH, recuento de células somáticas y recuento total de bacterias aerobias mesófilas. Se analizaron 96 muestras de leche cruda de 11 predios de pequeños productores del Centro de Acopio Lechero (CAL) de Reumén, ubicado en la provincia de Valdivia, efectuándose un total de 8 muestreos entre los meses de septiembre y diciembre de 1999. Los análisis de calidad se realizaron de acuerdo a normas nacionales y la prueba de termoestabilidad se realizó según el método descrito por Davies y White (1966a), modificado. La prueba de alcohol se llevó a cabo a nivel de CAL con cuatro concentraciones de etanol (70, 75, 80 y 85% v/v). Los valores promedios de análisis de acidez y pH estuvieron dentro del rango permitido en Chile, según el Ministerio de Salud (2000). En los parámetros de calidad higiénica de la leche se obtuvieron promedios para recuento de células somáticas de 299,000(cél/ml) ± 69,950 y para recuento total de bacterias log 4,58 (ufc/ml) ± 0,40. En la prueba de termoestabilidad se obtuvo un promedio de 63,38 (s) ± 3,96. Las variables termoestabilidad, pH y recuento total de bacterias presentaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas (p

This paper is concerned with the development of sustainable industrial capabilities, understood as a country's ability to shape significantly the content, direction and dynamism of the long-term evolution of target industrial clusters. It purports, on the one hand, to advance the existing theoretical apparatus to deal with the understanding and practice of processes of industrial clusters and innovative capabilities; and, on the other, to implement this theoretical apparatus to the practical experience of electronics cluster fostering in Scotland. The theoretical work focuses on the integration of fundamental insights of industrial clusters and national systems of innovation (NSI) approaches with insights coming from the socio-technical constituencies (STC) approach. The empirical work concentrates on the analysis of the depth and sustainability of Scotland's electronics clustering experience, with particular emphasis on the governance dominating its evolution.