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In England, the dominant policy narrative recognises no association between spending on children’s services and quality and a limited association between quality and deprivation. We combined 374 inspection outcomes between 2011 and 2019 with data on preventative and safeguarding expenditure and Indices of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) scores. A multilevel logistic regression model predicting ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ judgements suggests each £100 increase in preventative spending per child was associated with a 69 per cent increase (95 per cent CI: 27.5 per cent, 124 per cent) in the odds of a positive inspection. A one-decile increase in deprivation was associated with a 16 per cent (95 per cent CI: −25 per cent, −5.7 per cent) decrease. Safeguarding expenditure was not associated with outcomes. Deprived communities have worse access to good-quality children’s services and government policies that have increased poverty and retrenched preventative services have likely exacerbated this inequality. Further, inattention to socioeconomic context in inspections raises concerns about their use in ‘take over’ policies.

Full list of authors: Valtonen, Mauri J.; Dey, Lankeswar; Zola, S.; Ciprini, S.; Kidger, M.; Pursimo, T.; Gopakumar, A.; Matsumoto, K.; Sadakane, K.; Caton, D. B.; Nilsson, K.; Komossa, S.; Bagaglia, M.; Baransky, A.; Boumis, P.; Boyd, D.; Castro-Tirado, A. J.; Debski, B.; Drozdz, M.; Escartin Perez, A.; Fiorucci, M.; Garcia, F.; Gazeas, K.; Ghosh, S.; Godunova, V; Gomez, J. L.; Gredel, R.; Grupe, D.; Haislip, J. B.; Henning, T.; Hurst, G.; Janik, J.; Kouprianov, V. V.; Lehto, H.; Liakos, A.; Mathur, S.; Mugrauer, M.; Naves Nogues, R.; Nucciarelli, G.; Ogloza, W.; Ojha, D. K.; Pajdosz-Smierciak, U.; Pascolini, S.; Poyner, G.; Reichart, D. E.; Rizzi, N.; Roncella, F.; Sahu, D. K.; Sillanpaa, A.; Simon, A.; Siwak, M.; Soldan Alfaro, F. C.; Sonbas, E.; Tosti, G.; Vasylenko, V.; Webb, J. R.; Zielinski, P., OJ 287 is a BL Lacertae type quasar in which the active galactic nucleus (AGN) outshines the host galaxy by an order of magnitude. The only exception to this may be at minimum light when the AGN activity is so low that the host galaxy may make quite a considerable contribution to the photometric intensity of the source. Such a dip or a fade in the intensity of OJ 287 occurred in 2017 November, when its brightness was about 1.75 mag lower than the recent mean level. We compare the observations of this fade with similar fades in OJ 287 observed earlier in 1989, 1999, and 2010. It appears that there is a relatively strong reddening of the B− V colours of OJ 287 when its V-band brightness drops below magnitude 17. Similar changes are also seen in V− R, V− I, and R− I colours during these deep fades. These data support the conclusion that the total magnitude of the host galaxy is V = 18.0 ± 0.3, corresponding to MK = −26.5 ± 0.3 in the K-band. This is in agreement with the results, obtained using the integrated surface brightness method, from recent surface photometry of the host. These results should encourage us to use the colour separation method also in other host galaxies with strongly variable AGN. In the case of OJ 287, both the host galaxy and its central black hole are among the biggest known, and its position in the black hole mass–galaxy mass diagram lies close to the mean correlation. © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Royal Astronomical Society., SZ would also like to acknowledge support of the NCN grant no. 2018/29/B/ST9/01793, and KM JSPS KAKENHI grant no. 19K03930., With funding from the Spanish government through the Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence accreditation SEV-2017-0709.

This chapter considers how localisation policies may have an effect on the process of technology transfer. It presents a concise resume of technology transfer as a context against which the specific research topic may be set. Companies with weak internal technological capabilities are only likely to be able to localise Research and Development (R&D) services on a collaborative basis with external partners, but at the risk of perpetuating foreign domination of the industry. Systematic implementation of R&D projects of these types may help developing countries to stimulate multinational corporations to develop specific technological options appropriate to developing countries’ conditions and endowments. The development of long-term investment, of effective alliances and of efficient transfer mechanisms depends in essence upon the recognition that all parties concerned need to be able to perceive the possibility of beneficial outcomes. The oil industry represents no more than a particular case of technology management and development.

Thus wrote Michelet to open his monumental history of France. By deploying this prophetic line from the book of Daniel in support of a positivistic approach to historical science, he was participating in a discourse on this perplexing passage that spanned nearly two millennia. He perhaps surmised this, though he probably did not know how deeply the passage penetrated into the intellectual tradition of the West or that he was favoring one interpretation of it over another. It is the trajectory of the interpretations of Daniel 12.4 in the Latin West from their first formulation in late antiquity that concerns the present exploration.

We present the results of our power spectral density analysis for the BL Lac object OJ\,287, utilizing the {\it Fermi}-LAT survey at high-energy $\gamma$-rays, {\it Swift}-XRT in X-rays, several ground-based telescopes and the {\it Kepler} satellite in the optical, and radio telescopes at GHz frequencies. The light curves are modeled in terms of continuous-time auto-regressive moving average (CARMA) processes. Owing to the inclusion of the {\it Kepler} data, we were able to construct \emph{for the first time} the optical variability power spectrum of a blazar without any gaps across $\sim6$ dex in temporal frequencies. Our analysis reveals that the radio power spectra are of a colored-noise type on timescales ranging from tens of years down to months, with no evidence for breaks or other spectral features. The overall optical power spectrum is also consistent with a colored noise on the variability timescales ranging from 117 years down to hours, with no hints of any quasi-periodic oscillations. The X-ray power spectrum resembles the radio and optical power spectra on the analogous timescales ranging from tens of years down to months. Finally, the $\gamma$-ray power spectrum is noticeably different from the radio, optical, and X-ray power spectra of the source: we have detected a characteristic relaxation timescale in the {\it Fermi}-LAT data, corresponding to $\sim 150$\,days, such that on timescales longer than this, the power spectrum is consistent with uncorrelated (white) noise, while on shorter variability timescales there is correlated (colored) noise., Comment: ApJ accepted

Results from regular monitoring of relativistic compact binaries like PSR 1913+16 are consistent with the dominant (quadrupole) order emission of gravitational waves (GWs). We show that observations associated with the binary black hole central engine of blazar OJ 287 demand the inclusion of gravitational radiation reaction effects beyond the quadrupolar order. It turns out that even the effects of certain hereditary contributions to GW emission are required to predict impact flare timings of OJ 287. We develop an approach that incorporates this effect into the binary black hole model for OJ~287. This allows us to demonstrate an excellent agreement between the observed impact flare timings and those predicted from ten orbital cycles of the binary black hole central engine model. The deduced rate of orbital period decay is nine orders of magnitude higher than the observed rate in PSR 1913+16, demonstrating again the relativistic nature of OJ 287's central engine. Finally, we argue that precise timing of the predicted 2019 impact flare should allow a test of the celebrated black hole "no-hair theorem" at the 10% level., 24 pages, 11 figures, 3 tables, accepted for publication in ApJ

In the 970s, the Lotharingian monk Heriger of Lobbes undertook the rewriting of the Life of St. Remaclus, the founder and patron of Stavelot. In addition to stylistic changes, Heriger expanded the earlier Life (itself a product of the ninth century) considerably. This article takes two of the most significant expansions — Remaclus’ abdication of the episcopal office and his final farewell speech to his brethren — and traces their sources and significance. The decrees of the fathers and the wisdom of the ancients denote canon law and classical learning, respectively. By infusing them into the Life of a seventh-century bishop-saint, Heriger shows the vitality of these traditions in late-tenth-century Lotharingia.

BALB/c mice are highly susceptible to infection with the protozoan parasite Leishmania major. This susceptibility has been attributed, in part, to the expansion of parasite-specific CD4+ Th2 cells that antagonize Th1 responses and promote humoral immunity. In the present study, we have utilized sera from L. major-infected BALB/c mice to screen an L. major amastigote cDNA expression library. One of the clones detected encodes a novel Ag designated as L. major stress-inducible 1 (LmSTI1). LmSTI1 contains six copies of the tetratricopeptide consensus motif and is highly related to a family of stress-inducible proteins that is conserved from yeast to humans. Sera from L. major-infected BALB/c mice have LmSTI1-specific Ab titers in excess of 1:200,000, comprised predominantly of IgG1, IgG2A, and IgG2B isotypes. Recombinant LmSTI1 protein elicited strong proliferative responses from draining lymph node cells of L. major-infected BALB/c mice at both early (10 days) and late (28 days) stages of infection and elicited production of high levels of IFN-gamma and low levels of IL-4. In contrast, soluble leishmanial lysate elicited high levels of IL-4 and low IFN-gamma production. Thus, we have identified an Ag of Leishmania capable of eliciting a mixed cellular response that is skewed toward a Th1 phenotype in susceptible BALB/c mice with advanced infections. In addition, analyses of sera from human patients with cutaneous, visceral, and post-kala azar visceral leishmaniasis indicated that a majority of individuals from all three clinical groups mounted strong humoral responses against LmSTI1.

High rates of P fertilization or high levels of plant-available P in soils have been frequently reported to induce Zn deficiency in corn (Zea mays L.). The objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term effects of annual applications of P and Zn fertilizers on corn yields. A long-term trial was established in 1965 on a Webster (fine-loamy, mixed, mesic Typic Haplaquoll)-Canisteo (fine-loamy, mixed, calcareous, mesic Typic Haplaquoll) soil complex, which tested very low in available P (6-ppm, Bray-1 method). Corn was grown continuously until 1990. Treatments were annual applications of 0, 20, 40, or 80 Ib P/acre (triple superphosphate) and 0 or 10 Ib Zn/acre (zinc sulfate) broadcast and incorporated into the soil. The fertilization treatments resulted in wide ranges of soil-test values for P and Zn. lPhosphorus fertilization increased corn yields in every year of the study. Zinc fertilization resulted in a statistically significant but small (2 bu/acre) average yield increase over the 26 yr. This yield increase would not offset the cost of the Zn fertilizer applied. Analysis of variance and observation of yield responses indicated that corn responses to Zn application were similar at all levels of applied P in most years. The conclusion of this study was that continuous applications of P ferWization at very high rates did not induce greater Zn deficiencies in corn than those observed at low rates of fertilization. Rates of P fertilization that increase soil-test values above values deemed optimum for corn production would result in diminished profits for producers cropping similar soils but would not increase needs for Zn fertilization

The genes encoding GP63, the major surface glycoprotein of the protozoan parasite Leishmania, are highly conserved across diverse species of Leishmania both within the protein coding region and in the immediate 5'-untranslated region. Located between the 3' trans-spliced leader acceptor site and the translational initiation codon of the GP63 gene is an area of conserved hexanucleotide direct repeats (CTCGCC) which vary in number according to species. To determine whether these repeats represent a site of protein DNA interaction, a Leishmania major lambda gt11 expression library was screened with a radiolabeled synthetic oligodeoxynucleotide probe containing multiple CTCGCC repeats to detect clones expressing functional DNA-binding proteins. Using this approach a gene was isolated which encodes a sequence-specific DNA-binding protein referred to as HEXBP (hexamer-binding protein). Sequence analysis of the HEXBP gene showed that HEXBP contains nine cysteine-rich motifs which are identical to a consensus sequence known as the "CCHC type" zinc finger. This motif is present in a number of nucleic acid-binding proteins including the nucleocapsid protein of retroviruses. In accordance with the activity exhibited by other proteins containing the "CCHC" motif, HEXBP binds to single-stranded nucleic acids as demonstrated by gel mobility shift assays and Southwestern blot assays.

While primary thermal stress analysis of pin grid arrays considers a nonflexible card and module delineating the structure, in this paper we consider the stress relief (resulting in a “secondary” force system) afforded by bending and stretching of the delineating plates. The primary axial force F, plate moments, M1, M2, and shear V are considered acting in radial planes, and the secondary pin forces P are solved by stipulating compatibility of deformations at the two pin ends. A collocation technique is used to evaluate the plate equations in polar symmetry. The contributions of transverse plate compliances, and in-plane compliances are evaluated numerically for a 50 mm ceramic module, and compared with known experimental force measurements.

Recently, several investigators have implemented time-accurate finite difference simulations of incompressible flows based on the method of artificial compressibility. Here we validate the method against the discrete vortex method on the problem of a compact vortex being convected by an inviscid mean flow through a converging/ diverging channel. This can be regarded as a model problem that isolates the effect of finite airfoil thickness on the interaction of a cascade with a nonuniform inflow. Good qualitative agreement between the computed pressure and vorticity fields is shown. A quantitative comparison is made of the unsteady force on the channel walls. We demonstrate the numerical use of a volume-integral formula for computing the unsteady force. In the case of the finite difference method, more accurate results were obtained from this formula than by simply integrating the surface pressure on the channel walls due to the reduced accuracy of the solution near the boundaries. We also describe a direct way of computing pressure with the discrete vortex method.

(.)Four annual K treatments ranging from 0 to 90 lb K/acre were superimposed on plots having various initial soil test K values that had been established by applying 0 to 1200 lb K/acre from 1971 to 1975. The rate of annual K required to maintain STK values increased with increases in initial STK values (.)

(...) A study was conducted from 1979 to 1989 on a high-testing (28 ppm for P, 170 ppm for K) Kenyon loam (fine-loamy, mixed, mesic, Typic Hapludoll) soil in northeastern Iowa to determine the effects of P and K fertilization on soil test values and yields of corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) grown in rotation. Factorial combinations of 0, 20, and 40 Ib P/acre of 0, 60, and 120 Ib K/acre were applied annually to each crop. For both nutrients, the greatest rates of application caused increases in soil test values, and the smallest rates caused decreases in theses values. (...)

Since the CGRO operation in 1991-2000, one of the primary unresolved questions about the blazar gamma-ray emission has been its possible correlation with the low-energy (in particular optical) emission. To help answer this problem, the Whole Earth Blazar Telescope (WEBT) consortium has organized the GLAST-AGILE Support Program (GASP) to provide the optical-to-radio monitoring data to be compared with the gamma-ray detections by the AGILE and GLAST satellites. This new WEBT project started in early September 2007, just before a strong gamma-ray detection of 0716+714 by AGILE. We present the GASP-WEBT optical and radio light curves of this blazar obtained in July-November 2007, about various AGILE pointings at the source. We construct NIR-to-UV spectral energy distributions (SEDs), by assembling GASP-WEBT data together with UV data from the Swift ToO observations of late October. We observe a contemporaneous optical-radio outburst, which is a rare and interesting phenomenon in blazars. The shape of the SEDs during the outburst appears peculiarly wavy because of an optical excess and a UV drop-and-rise. The optical light curve is well sampled during the AGILE pointings, showing prominent and sharp flares. A future cross-correlation analysis of the optical and AGILE data will shed light on the expected relationship between these flares and the gamma-ray events., 5 pages, 5 figures, to be published in A&A (Letters); revised to match the final version (changes in Fig. 5 and related text)

A multiwavelength campaign to observe the BL Lac object AO 0235+16 (z = 0.94) was set up by the Whole Earth Blazar Telescope (WEBT) collaboration during the observing seasons 2003-2004 and 2004-2005, involving radio, near-IR and optical photometric monitoring, VLBA monitoring, optical spectral monitoring, and three pointings by the XMM-Newton satellite. Here we report on the results of the first season, which involved the participation of 24 optical and near-IR telescopes and 4 radio telescopes, as well as the first XMM-Newton pointing, which occurred on January 18-19, 2004. Unpublished data from previous epochs were also collected (from 5 optical-NIR and 3 radio telescopes), in order to fill the gap between the end of the period presented in Raiteri et al. (2001) and the start of the WEBT campaign. The contribution of the southern AGN, 2 arcsec distant from the source, is taken into account. It is found to especially affect the blue part of the optical spectrum when the source is faint. In the optical and near-IR the source has been very active in the last 3 years, although it has been rather faint most of the time, with noticeable variations of more than a magnitude over a few days. In contrast, in the radio bands it appears to have been "quiescent" since early 2000. The major radio (and optical) outburst predicted to peak around February-March 2004 (with a six month uncertainty) has not occurred yet. When comparing our results with the historical light curves, two different behaviours seem to characterize the optical outbursts: only the major events present a radio counterpart. The X-ray spectra obtained by the three EPIC detectors are well fitted by a power law with extra-absorption at z = 0.524; the energy index in the 0.2-10 keV range is well constrained: α = 0.645 ± 0.028 and the 1 keV flux density is 0.311 ± 0.008 μJy. The analysis of the X-ray light curves reveals that no significant variations occurred during the pointing. In contrast, simultaneous dense radio monitoring with the 100 m telescope at Effelsberg shows a ∼2-3% flux decrease in 6-7 h, which, if intrinsic, would imply a brightness temperature well above the Compton limit and hence a lower limit to the Doppler factor δ ≳ 46. We construct the broad-band spectral energy distribution of January 18-19, 2004 with simultaneous radio data from Effelsberg, optical data from the Nordic Optical Telescope (NOT), optical-UV data from the Optical Monitor onboard XMM-Newton, and X-ray data by the EPIC instruments. Particular care is taken to correct data for extinction due to both the Milky Way and the z = 0.524 absorber. The resulting SED suggests the existence of a bump in the UV spectral region., La lista completa de autores que integran el documento puede consultarse en el archivo., Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísicas, Instituto Argentino de Radioastronomía

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of an asthma resource centre in improving treatment and quality of life for asthmatic patients Design: Community based randomised controlled trial Setting: 41 general practices in Greenwich with a practice nurse Subjects: All registered patients aged 15-50 years Intervention: Nurse specialists in asthma who educated and supported practice nurses, who in turn educated patients in the management of asthma according to the British Thoracic Society9s guidelines Main outcome measures: Quality of life of asthmatic patients, attendance at accident and emergency departments, admissions to local hospitals, and steroid prescribing by general practitioners Results: Of 24 400 patients randomly selected and surveyed in 1993, 12 238 replied; 1621 were asthmatic of whom 1291 were sent a repeat questionnaire in 1996 and 780 replied. Of 24 400 patients newly surveyed in 1996, 10 783 (1616 asthmatic) replied. No evidence was found for an improvement in asthma related quality of life among newly surveyed patients in intervention practices compared with control practices. Neither was there evidence of an improvement in other measures of the quality of asthma care. Weak evidence was found for an improvement in quality of life in intervention practices among asthmatics registered with study practices in 1993 and followed up in 1996. Neither attendances at accident and emergency departments nor admissions for asthma showed any tendency to diverge in intervention and control practices over the study period. Steroid prescribing rates rose steadily during the study period. The average annual increase in steroid prescribing was 3% per year higher in intervention than control practices (95% confidence interval −1% to 6%, P=0.10) Conclusions: This model of service delivery is not effective in improving the outcome of asthma in the community. Further development is required if cost effective management of asthma is to be introduced

A great deal of the care of patients with asthma takes place in general practices. The aim of the present study was to describe the impact of asthma in the community and to identify current asthma self-management practices. A two-part questionnaire survey was conducted in a random sample (23%; n=24,398) of persons aged 16-50 yrs, registered with one of the 41 general practices in Greenwich, London, UK. The two parts were: a screening questionnaire identifying persons with current asthma (defined as waking with shortness of breath in the last 12 months, attack of asthma in the last 12 months, or currently taking treatment for asthma); and an asthma questionnaire (completed by those with asthma) assessing quality of life, frequency of asthma symptoms, possession and use of self-management tools, and action in the event of an exacerbation of asthma. The crude response rate was 51%, but this may be an underestimate due to errors in the sampling frame. The prevalences of wheeze and asthma in the past 12 months were 26% and 14%, respectively. Among asthma patients: 43% reported symptoms occurring three or more times per week, and 20% were woken by asthma symptoms on three or more nights per week; most had asthma with a mild impact on quality of life; 26% used inhaled steroids on most days in the preceding month; 16% had a peak flow meter at home; and 7% had oral steroids available. Of the 44% of subjects with asthma, who could identify an exacerbation of asthma in the preceding 6 months: 19% had used a peak flow meter during the episode; 19% had changed their treatment without first being told to do so by a doctor; and 50% had sought urgent medical help. Smokers used less appropriate asthma management and subjects whose asthma had a severe impact on quality of life used more treatment and peak flow monitoring. In conclusion, the prevalence of asthma among adults in Greenwich, UK, has increased since a similar survey in 1986. Many people have fairly mild asthma and a smaller number have severe disease. Much remains to be done to promote appropriate strategies for self-management of asthma exacerbations.

The blazar 3C 279, one of the brightest identified extragalactic objects in the gamma-ray sky, underwent a flare of a factor 10 amplitude in gamma-rays towards the end of a 3-week pointing by CGRO, in 1996 January-February. The flare peak represents the highest gamma-ray intensity ever recorded for this object. During the high state, extremely rapid gamma-ray variability was seen. Coordinated multifrequency observations were carried out with RXTE, ASCA, ROSAT and IUE and from many ground-based observatories, covering most accessible wavelengths. The well-sampled, simultaneous RXTE light curve shows an outburst of lower amplitude (factor of ~3) well correlated with the gamma-ray flare without any apparent lag. The optical-UV light curves, which are not well sampled during the high energy flare, exhibit more modest variations (factor of ~2) and a lower degree of correlation. The flux at millimetric wavelengths was near an historical maximum during the gamma-ray flare peak, with suggestion of a correlated decay. We present simultaneous spectral energy distributions of 3C 279 prior to and near to the flare peak. The gamma-rays vary by more than the square of the observed IR-optical flux change, which poses some problems for specific blazar emission models. The synchrotron-self Compton model would require that the largest synchrotron variability occurred in the mostly unobserved sub-mm/far-infrared region. Alternatively, a large variation in the external photon field could occur over a time scale of few days. This occurs naturally in the ``mirror'' model, wherein the flaring region in the jet photoionizes nearby broad-emission-line clouds, which in turn provide soft photons that are Comptonized to gamma-ray energies., Comment: 18 pages, Latex, 2 tables, 3 postscript figures, to appear in The Astrophysical Journal

A simplified approach to waveform generation and scan conversion is described. Wave tables are used to store correction waveforms for Geometry, Convergence and Uniformity. Over-sampling is used to restore the original wave shape from the tables. Scan format conversion is separate from waveform generation. Raster line numbers are ‘up’ converted to scan address for the over-sampler.

Basic principles of conventional edge-detection are reviewed, along with a detailed description of the sub-pixel edge-detection algorithms used by Display Laboratories. Special emphasis is given to the application of these principles to achieve rapid, highly accurate correction of color misconvergence in CRT-based computer monitors which allow zone-based alignment adjustment.

The leaf concentrations of N, P, and K were primarily influenced by the respective fertilizer nutrient, except P, vhich also was influenced by the fertilizer N. Increasing rates of the nutrients well above those recommended for normal corn production increased the leaf nutrient concentrations, but not yields after the first increment of fertilizer. The effect of dry veather reduced yields 0.7 quintals per hectare per day and also vas negatively correlated with the leaf N and leaf P concentrations (0.01 probability level).

A technique is described whereby an assessment of the extent of reaction at any time and at any selected depth beneath the surface of a solid film is obtained from infrared spectrophotometric data. The resultant reaction profiles can be used to investigate the kinetics in planes normal to the surface. Group concentration–time curves can be constructed for planes at selected depths parallel to the surface and used to assess the kinetics in such planes. As a result it is possible to study realistically reactions which do not occur homogeneously throughout a solid, e.g., those effected by oxidation, irradiation, plasma treatment, etc.

A method is described for the sub-micro determination of bromine in organic compounds. A colorimetric finish is used employing cresol red as a reagent. 2–40 μg of bromine were determined with standard deviations of 0.08–0.16 μg. Straight line calibration curves were obtained within this range. Interferences were given only by chloride and iodide, provided that oxidising and reducing agents were absent. The procedure has been succesfully applied to the analysis of a number of organic materials.

Summary A 71-year-old man with acromegaly is described. Investigations for dyspnoea and daytime somnolence showed upper airway obstruction but not sleep apnoea. An upper respiratory tract infection precipitated stridor which required urgent tracheostomy.

A randomised, double-blind trial of atropine, atropine plus papaveretum, and atropine plus diazepam given intramuscularly as premedication for fibreoptic bronchoscopy in 60 patients showed no difference between the three regimens as assessed by bronchoscopist or patient. Bronchoscopists frequently attributed a sedative action to atropine alone and their assessment of tolerance and sedation was more optimistic than that of the patients. In a second study comparing intravenous diazepam (10 mg) with saline, after prior intramuscular atropine (0.6 mg), both the bronchoscopists and the patients noted a significant sedative effect of diazepam, and coughing was reduced by diazepam.

Serum alpha-thiol protease inhibitor (alpha-TPI) concentration was assayed by radial immunodiffusion in normal subjects, pregnant women, and in a wide variety of diseases. The normal concentration (448 (SD 75) mg/l) increased significantly (p less than 0.001) in pregnancy to 575 (89) mg/l, and in prostatic cancer treated by oestrogens to 666 (87) mg/l. Inconsistent changes were observed in inflammatory and malignant disease and in liver disease. A temporary pronounced fall of alpha-TPI was seen after burn injury, and a sustained fall after bone marrow transplantation. Crossed immunoelectrophoresis showed that the serum alpha-TPI occurred in two forms, with alpha 2 and alpha 1 electrophoretic mobilities. A heavy demand on this antiprotease may result in suppression of the alpha 1 form.

In vitro, efficient translocation and glycosylation of the precursor of yeast alpha-factor can take place post-translationally. This property of prepro-alpha-factor appears to be unique as it could not be extended to other yeast protein precursors such as preinvertase or preprocarboxypeptidase Y. In order to determine if specific domains of prepro-alpha-factor were involved in post-translational translocation, we carried out a series of experiments in which major domains were either deleted or fused onto reporter proteins. Fusion of various domains of prepro-alpha-factor onto the reporter protein alpha-globin did not allow post-translational translocation to occur in the yeast in vitro system. Prepro-alpha-factor retained its ability to be post-translationally translocated when parts or all of the pro region were deleted. Removal of the C-terminal repeats containing mature alpha-factor had the most profound influence as post-translational translocation decreased in proportion to the number of repeats deleted. Taken together, these results suggest that efficient post-translational translocation requires a signal sequence and the four C-terminal repeats. There does not however, appear to be specific information contained within the C-terminus, as their presence in fusion did not enable the post-translational translocation of reporter proteins. Lastly, the ability to post-translationally translocate radiochemically pure prepro-alpha-factor that had been isolated by immuno-affinity chromatography required the addition of a yeast lysate fraction. Moreover, post-translational translocation is a function of the microsomal membrane of yeast microsomes and not of a factor peculiar to the yeast lysate, as reticulocyte lysate supported this as well.

Signal recognition particle (SRP) consists of a 7SL RNA molecule and 6 protein subunits. We have isolated and characterized cDNA clones from human liver which encode the 19kDa protein subunit (SRP19). This subunit binds to the RNA directly and mediates binding of a second polypeptide, the 54kDa subunit which is involved in signal sequence recognition. Amino acid sequences deduced from the human cDNA sequence were identical to amino acid sequences of tryptic peptides from canine pancreatic SRP19. In vitro transcription and translation of the human cDNA resulted in a protein product the same size as canine SRP19 which could be immunoprecipitated by an antiserum raised against canine SRP19. SRP19 synthesized in a cell-free system specifically bound to 7SL RNA. The sequence of SRP19 is discussed with respect to its binding to 7SL RNA.

Publisher Summary The influx of new fertilizers in recent years has resulted from simultaneous developments in the fertilizer industry, agriculture, and other related fields. Technological advances in fertilizer chemistry and manufacturing have made possible the use of processes resulting in the production of materials, which were not feasible or were unknown in the past. There is a need for continuing research on an evaluation of fertilizers because of the increasing number and complexity of fertilizers being used commercially. Because of the difficulties of measuring differences in crop response among fertilizers in field experiments, increasing use should be made of laboratory and greenhouse pot methods in screening new fertilizers and fertilizer compounds. However, experiments conducted under field conditions are still necessary in some cases. Emphasis should be placed on the best possible techniques for carrying out field experiments and response to applied fertilizers should be related to measured characteristics of the fertilizer, weather, and soil.