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The geometry of the glutamatergic mossy-parallel fibre and climbing fibre inputs to cerebellar cortical Purkinje cells has powerfully influenced thinking about cerebellar functions. The compartmentation of the cerebellum into parasagittal zones, identifiable in olivo-cortico-nuclear projections, and the trajectories of the parallel fibres, transverse to these zones and following the long axes of the cortical folia, are particularly important. Two monoaminergic afferent systems, the serotonergic and noradrenergic, are major inputs to the cerebellar cortex but their architecture and relationship with the cortical geometry are poorly understood. Immunohistochemistry for the serotonin transporter (SERT) and for the noradrenaline transporter (NET) revealed strong anisotropy of these afferent fibres in the molecular layer of rat cerebellar cortex. Individual serotonergic fibres travel predominantly medial–lateral, along the long axes of the cortical folia, similar to parallel fibres and Zebrin II immunohistochemistry revealed that they can influence multiple zones. In contrast, individual noradrenergic fibres run predominantly parasagittally with rostral-caudal extents significantly longer than their medial–lateral deviations. Their local area of influence has similarities in form and size to those of identified microzones. Within the molecular layer, the orthogonal trajectories of these two afferent systems suggest different information processing. An individual serotonergic fibre must influence all zones and microzones within its medial–lateral trajectory. In contrast, noradrenergic fibres can influence smaller cortical territories, potentially as limited as a microzone. Evidence is emerging that these monoaminergic systems may not supply a global signal to all of their targets and their potential for cerebellar cortical functions is discussed.

Ocean acidification may shift coral reefs from a state of net ecosystem calcification (+NEC) to net ecosystem dissolution (–NEC). Changes in NEC are typically inferred from either measured or calculated total alkalinity (TA) or the dissolved calcium (Ca) to salinity ratio relative to a reference value. The alkalinity anomaly technique has historically been the primary method to estimate NEC due to the greater analytical challenges and uncertainty associated with dissolved Ca measurements in seawater. However, this method assumes that changes in salinity-normalized TA are exclusively the result of calcification and dissolution processes. In many cases, this assumption is valid, but in some environments additional processes can significantly influence seawater TA (e.g., nutrient fluxes, redox processes). Seawater Ca is unaffected or less sensitive to these processes, and therefore, Ca and TA anomalies can be used to estimate absolute or relative changes in NEC with greater confidence. Here, we present a two-year time series of monthly seawater Ca and TA measurements across the Bermuda carbonate platform and the nearby Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Study (BATS) location offshore. High precision Ca measurements (±6 μmol kg−1) were conducted using an improved spectrophotometric titration system and showed mostly good agreement with changes in TA over the same spatial and temporal scales. Ca and TA measurements across the Bermuda platform showed seasonal fluctuations relative to offshore waters, with +NEC during summer months and near-zero or possible –NEC (net dissolution) during winter months. These seasonal patterns were most pronounced at the inshore locations with the longest residence times (10+ days), which allow stronger biogeochemical signals to develop relative to the offshore source water. Although obtaining high accuracy and precision Ca measurements remains challenging, parallel measurements of Ca and TA from both inshore and offshore waters over a multi-annual timescale strengthen the validity of predictions for when, where, and why a reef system, such as the Bermuda platform, may shift from +NEC to –NEC.

Chemical properties of the California Undercurrent (CU) have been changing over the past several decades, yet the mechanisms responsible for the trend are still not fully understood. We present a survey of temperature, salinity, O2, pH, and currents at intermediate depths (defined here as 50–500 m) in the summer (30 June to 10 July) and winter (8–15 December) of 2012 in the southern region of the Southern California Bight. Observations of temperature, salinity, and currents reveal that local bathymetry and small gyres play an important role in the flow path of the California Undercurrent (CU). Using spiciness (π) as a tracer, we observe a 10% increase of Pacific Equatorial Water (PEW) in the core of the CU during the summer versus the winter. This is associated with an increase in π of 0.2, and a decrease in O2 and pH of 30 μmol kg−1 and 0.022, respectively; the change in pH is driven by increased CO2, while total alkalinity remains unchanged. The high-π, low-O2, and low-pH waters during the summer are not distributed uniformly in the study region. Moreover, mooring observations at the edge of the continental shelf reveal intermittent intrusions of PEW onto the shelf with concomitant decreases in O2 and pH. We estimate that increased advection of PEW in the CU could account for approximately 50% of the observed decrease in O2, and between 49 and 73% of the decrease in pH, over the past three decades.

This article describes a semi-quantitative reflectance near infrared (SQ-NIR) method for blend uniformity (BU) and content uniformity (CU) analyses in early stage formulation development. Applicability of the method depends upon three factors: separation of NIR signals of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) from placebo; strength of the signal; and a quantitative relationship between API concentration and NIR signal. Based on these three criteria, suitable NIR signals of the API, separated from those of placebo through suitable pretreatment of the spectra, can be used for BU and CU calculations without calibration models. The method was applied to an early stage formulation development project. Multiple batches of tablets were prepared and analyzed using the SQ-NIR method and a validated UV-VIS reference method. The SQ-NIR method was able to distinguish between batches that had satisfactory and unsatisfactory content uniformity and potency. In addition, effects of compression force and API particle size on the SQ-NIR results are discussed. It is proposed that the SQ-NIR method may be used as an independent test in early stage formulation development. The advantages and limitations of the method compared with traditional HPLC or UV-VIS methods are also discussed.

Means of improving rates in RAFT-mediated radical emulsion polymerizations are developed, by setting out strategies to minimize the inhibition and retardation that always are present in these systems. These effects arise from the RAFT-induced exit of radicals, the desorption of the RAFT-reinitiating radical from the particles, and the specificity of the reinitiating radical to the RAFT agent. Methods for reducing the inhibition period such as using a more hydrophobic reinitiating radical are predicted to show a significant improvement in the inhibition periods. The time-dependent behavior of the RAFT adduct to the entering radical and the RAFT-induced exit (loss) of radicals from particles are studied using a previously described Monte Carlo model of RAFT/emulsion particles. It is shown that an effective way of reducing the rate coefficient for the exit of radicals from the particles is to use a less active RAFT agent. Techniques for improving the rate of polymerization of RAFT/emulsion systems are suggested based upon the coherent understanding contained in these models: the use of an oligomeric adduct to the RAFT agent, a less water-soluble RAFT re-initiating group, and a less active RAFT agent.

A method is presented by which the time-dependent average termination rate coefficient in an emulsion polymerization may be calculated as an appropriate average of the chain-length-dependent termination rate coefficients. The method takes advantage of the fact that the overall termination rate is dominated by terminations between rapidly moving short radicals and much slower long ones. This termination rate coefficient is suitable for use in the Smith-Ewart equations describing the compartmentalization of radicals in an emulsion polymerization. Rate data in emulsion polymerizations can be quantitatively interpreted if the kinetics fall into one of two categories: zero-one (showing compartmentalization; intraparticle termination is not rate-determining) or pseudo-bulk (no compartmentalization; intraparticle termination is rate-determining). The new method can be used to interpret rate data for systems falling between these categories and also can be used to find termination rate coefficients from Monte Carlo simulations of termination kinetics. The latter is especially useful for predicting and understanding kinetics in controlled radical polymerizations in disperse media. (C) 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Elevated serum levels of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-2 (IGFBP-2) and a precursor form of IGF-II are associated with marked increases in bone formation and skeletal mass in patients with hepatitis C-associated osteosclerosis. In vitro studies indicate that IGF-II in complex with IGFBP-2 has high affinity for bone matrix and is able to stimulate osteoblast proliferation. The purpose of this study was to determine the ability of the IGF-II/IGFBP-2 complex to increase bone mass in vivo. Osteopenia of the femur was induced by unilateral sciatic neurectomy in rats. At the time of surgery, 14-day osmotic minipumps containing vehicle or 2 microg IGF-II+9 microg IGFBP-2/100g body weight/day were implanted subcutaneously in the neck. Bone mineral density (BMD) measurements were taken the day of surgery and 14 days later using a PIXImus small animal densitometer. Neurectomy of the right hindlimb resulted in a 9% decrease in right femur BMD (P

Flash point is an important property of chemical compounds that is widely used to evaluate flammability hazard. However, there is often a significant gap between the demand for experimental flash point data and their availability. Furthermore, the determination of flash point is difficult and costly, particularly for some toxic, explosive, or radioactive compounds. The development of a reliable and widely applicable method to predict flash point is therefore essential. In this paper, the construction of a quantitative structure - property relationship model with excellent performance and domain of applicability is reported. It uses the largest data set to date of 9399 chemically diverse compounds, with flash point spanning from less than -130 °C to over 900 °C. The model employs only computed parameters, eliminating the need for experimental data that some earlier computational models required. The model allows accurate prediction of flash point for a broad range of compounds that are unavailable or not yet synthesized. This single model with a very broad range of chemical and flash point applicability will allow accurate predictions of this important property to be made for a broad range of new materials.

The electric-dipole forbidden a1Δg − X3 (0,0) band of gas-phase O2 has been studied in absorption at wavelengths around 1.27 μm using Fourier transform spectroscopy and a long-path absorption cell. Experiments were conducted at temperatures of 294, 243, and 200 K and at pressures in the range 140−750 Torr. Both pure O2 and a mixture of 21% O2/79% N2 were studied, and line widths, integrated line intensities, and integrated absorption intensities (AIs) for the (0,0) vibrational band were measured. Integrated AIs were found to be independent of temperature, pressure, and gas composition, and the recommended value for the vibrational band from the current study is Sint = 3.210(15) × 10-24 cm molecule-1 (1σ error) for pure 16O2, corresponding to an Einstein A-coefficient of A = 2.256(10) × 10-4 s-1. The effect of including other oxygen isotopomers is to increase the integrated AI value for this origin band to Sint = 3.226(15) × 10-24 cm molecule-1. Widths of individual spectroscopic lines decrease with increa...

Little is known about fish insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) as only small amounts have been isolated from native sources or indeed produced recombinantly. This report describes the production of milligram quantities of recombinant barramundi IGF-I (bIGF-I) and its subsequent characterization. Recombinant bIGF-I was produced in Escherichia coli using a gene fusion system similar to that previously described for the production of other non-mammalian IGFs. Recombinant bIGF-I was similar to human IGF-I (hIGF-I) in stimulating protein synthesis and in competing for binding of labelled hIGF-I to IGF receptors whether tested in rat myoblasts or in salmon embryo fibroblasts. However, recombinant bIGF-I differed from its human counterpart in its affinity for a polyclonal antibody raised against hIGF-I, with at least 200-fold more bIGF-I required to obtain 50% displacement of labelled hIGF-I from the antibody. Hence, the recombinant protein will be essential for developing a specific homologous immunoassay for measuring IGF-I concentrations in barramundi during growth and development. In addition, studies investigating the clearance of labelled bIGF-I and hIGF-I in vivo reveal that the human protein is cleared from the circulation of juvenile barramundi almost twice as fast as the barramundi protein, thus providing the first in vivo evidence that there are functional differences between fish and human IGF-Is. Neutral gel chromatography of serum from the clearance study suggest that this is due to differences in the affinities of the labelled human and fish IGF-I for the IGFBPs present in barramundi.

We have previously reported the presence of a 70 kDa insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-II-specific binding protein in chicken serum using Western ligand blotting approaches. In order to ascertain the identity of this 70 kDa IGF-II binding species, the protein has been purified from chicken serum using a combination of ion-exchange and gel-permeation chromatography. Interestingly, amino acid sequencing of the purified protein revealed that it has the same N-terminal sequence as chicken vitronectin (VN). The protein has the ability to specifically bind IGF-II and not IGF-I as determined by ligand blotting, cross-linking and competitive binding assay approaches. In addition, the protein binds 125I-des(1-6)-IGF-II, suggesting that the interaction with IGF-II is different to those with other characterized IGF-binding proteins. Importantly, we have ascertained that both human and bovine VN also specifically bind IGF-II. These results are particularly relevant in the light of the recent report that the urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor, a protein that also binds VN, has been shown to associate with the cation-independent mannose-6-phosphate/IGF-II receptor and suggest a possible role for IGF-II in cell adhesion and invasion.

The crucial step of folding of recombinant proteins presents serious challenges to obtaining the native structure. This problem is exemplified by insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I which when refolded in vitro produces the native three-disulfide structure, an alternative structure with mispaired disulfide bonds and other isomeric forms. To investigate this phenomenon we have examined the refolding properties of an analog of IGF-I which contains a 13-amino acid N-terminal extension and a charge mutation at position 3 (Long- [Arg3]IGF-I). Unlike IGF-I, which yields 45% of the native structure and 24% of the alternative structure when refolded in vitro, Long-[Arg3]GF-I yields 85% and 10% of these respective forms. To investigate the interactions that affect the refolding of Long-[Arg3]IGF-I and IGF-I, we acid-trapped folding intermediates and products for inclusion in a kinetic analysis of refolding. In addition to non-native intermediates, three native-like intermediates were identified, that appear to have a major role in the in vitro refolding pathway of Long-[Arg3]IGF-I; a single-disulfide Cys18–Cys61 intermediate, an intermediate with Cys18–Cys61 and Cys6–Cys48 disulfide bonds and another with Cys18–Cys61 and Cys47–Cys52 disulfide bonds. Furthermore, from our kinetic analysis we propose that the Cys18-Cys61, Cys6-Cys48 intermediate forms the native structure, not by the direct formation of the last (Cys47-Cys52) disulfide bond, but by rearrangement via the Cys18–Cys61 intermediate and a productive Cys18–Cys61, Cys47–Cys52 intermediate. In this pathway, the last disulfide bond to form involves Cys6 and Cys48. Finally, we apply this pathway to IGF-I and conclude that the divergence in the in vitro folding pathway of IGF-I is caused by non-native interactions involving Glu3 that stabilize the alternative structure. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 62: 693–703, 1999.

Absorption spectra of gas-phase molecular oxygen and zero air at temperatures of 223 and 283 K have been measured in the laboratory using a coolable multipass-optics gas cell and Fourier transform spectroscopy in the wavelength range 455 to 830 nm (12,000-22,000 cm -1 ). Net absorption cross sections of the O 2 A-, B-, and γ-bands at

While there is considerable structural evidence that IGFs share a long evolutionary history, less is known about the conservation of IGF action. These studies have primarily been hampered by the small amounts of purified IGFs that have been available for testing. More recently, however, we have adopted recombinant strategies to produce milligram quantities of IGFs for biological studies. Thus we have been able to compare the properties of rat, kangaroo, chicken, salmon and barramundi IGF-I, proteins that differ from human IGF-I by 3, 6, 8, 14 and 16 amino acids respectively. While we have found that the IGF-I proteins exhibit similar biological activities and type-1 IGF receptor binding affinities, regardless of whether mammalian, avian or piscine cell lines are used, there was a trend suggesting that the fish proteins at least, were most effective in studies using homologous systems. Thus, salmon IGF-I was not as potent as human IGF-I in bioassays in mammalian cells, but was as effective as human IGF-I in piscine cells. As expected, the IGF-I proteins competed poorly for binding to type-2 receptors present on ovine placental membranes. Interestingly however, the two fish IGF-I proteins exhibited greater affinity for this receptor than the other IGF-I proteins, hence reminiscent of the results previously found with recombinant hagfish IGF. Despite these small differences, these results taken together indicate that the IGF-I proteins appear to have been remarkably conserved in both structure and in vitro action during vertebrate radiation.

Systemic growth hormone and locally administered insulin-like growth factor-I have been shown in a number of studies to improve the breaking strength of incisional wounds, especially in compromised animals. The objective of the present study was to compare these two agents when administered subcutaneously distant from an incisional wound site in pigs, as well as to examine effects of a combination growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor treatment. Growth hormone was shown to increase wound breaking strength in two experiments, whereas insulin-like growth factor-I or a more potent analog had no effect. Moreover, breaking strength was only minimally improved above the vehicle groups by the combination of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-I. These effects could not be explained by changes in plasma insulin-like growth factor-I concentrations which were highest in the combination groups, nor by plasma insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 which was raised equally whenever growth hormone was administered. We conclude that systemic growth hormone but not insulin-like growth factor-I improves wound strength in normal pigs, whereas insulin-like growth factor-I reduces the magnitude of the growth hormone effect by an unknown mechanism.

Rotationally and vibrationally cooled (below 100 K) high resolution (up to 0.004 cm −1 ) mid-IR gas-phase spectra of three hydrofluorocarbons [difluoromethane (CH 2 F 2 ), trifluoromethane (CHF 3 ) and 1,1,1-trifluoroethane (CH 3 CF 3 )] have been obtained using a Bruker IFS 120HR Fourier transform spectrometer and a collisional cooling (or ‘diffusive trapping’) technique at the Laboratory Spectroscopy Facility of the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory. To demonstrate the applicability of this technique to the simplification of dense molecular absorption features, the collisionally cooled spectra are compared with higher resolution (up to 0.0016 cm −1 ) measurements of the gases in conventionally cooled gas cells at 296 and 200 K. The suppression of thermally populated vibrational states in the collisionally cooled spectra was particularly evident. The advantages of this technique over supersonic jet spectroscopy are discussed. Spectral features arising from the formation of hydrofluorocarbon molecular clusters were also observed.

Management of dairy whey has often involved implementation of the most economical disposal methods, including discharge into waterways and onto fields or simple processing into low value commodity powders. These methods have been, and continue to be, restricted by environmental regulations and the cyclical variations in price associated with commodity products. In any modern regimen for whey management, the focus must therefore be on maximizing the value of available whey solids through greater and more varied utilization of the whey components. The whey protein constituents offer tremendous opportunities. Although whey represents a rich source of proteins with diverse food properties for nutritional, biological, and functional applications, commercial exploitation of these proteins has not been widespread because of a restricted applications base, a lack of viable industrial technologies for protein fractionation, and inconsistency in product quality. These shortcomings are being addressed through the development of novel and commercially relevant whey processing technologies, the preparation of new whey protein fractions, and the exploitation of the properties of these fractions in food and in nontraditional applications. Examples include the following developments: 1) whey proteins as physiologically functional food ingredients, 2) α -lactalbumin and β -lactoglobulin as nutritional and specialized physically functional food ingredients, and 3) minor protein components as specialized food ingredients and as important biotechnological reagents. Specific examples include the isolation and utilization of lactoferrin and the replacement of fetal bovine serum in tissue cell culture applications with a growth factor extract isolated from whey.

The targets of therapeutic ultrasound are often located behind strongly scattering objects and layered tissue. These inhomogeneities can degrade the intended foci and misdirect acoustic energy causing unwanted hot spots or failure to meet the therapeutic endpoint at the target. We have previously shown the capabilities of dual‐mode ultrasound arrays (DMUAs) in imaging strongly scattering objects in the path of the HIFU beam and, consequently, refocusing the beam to optimize the power deposition at the target while minimizing direct exposure to the obstacles. This capability may be a key to successful transthoracic targeting of abdominal tumors. We have experimentally verified the efficacy of this approach in improving the quality of the therapeutic focus and minimizing collateral damage to critical tissue structures in the path of the HIFU beam. In order to study the phenomena associated with transthoracic focusing more thoroughly, we have developed a finite‐difference time‐domain simulation capable of characterizing the transient propagation of the therapeutic beam through inhomogeneous, attenuating media. This simulation is shown to provide the necessary information for aberration correction of deep seated foci as well as control over the acoustic field at select points. In addition, the FDTD simulation allows for computation of the temperature rise throughout the therapeutic region as governed by the transient bioheat transfer equation. We have validated the predictive abilities of our simulation with hydrophone measurements as well as thermocouple readings from within tissue mimicking phantoms. The experimental validation of the simulation model allows for its use as a key component in treatment planning of thermal therapy using HIFU. Experimental and simulation results demonstrating the role of the advantages of incorporation of the computational model in optimizing the quality of HIFU beams will be presented and discussed.

Hepatitis C-associated osteosclerosis (HCAO) is a rare syndrome of adult-onset osteosclerosis. An understanding of the factor(s) leading to the stimulation of bone formation in these patients may provide novel anabolic approaches for the treatment of osteoporosis. We have demonstrated that HCAO patients have a specific increase in circulating big IGF-II (IGF-IIE) and IGF-binding protein-2 (IGFBP-2) levels, and that IGF-IIE and IGFBP-2 circulate together in a bioavailable, 50-kDa complex. Patients with nonislet cell tumor hypoglycemia (NICTH) also have increased circulating IGF-IIE and IGFBP-2 levels. However, HCAO patients do not exhibit hypoglycemia, nor do NICTH patients exhibit obvious osteosclerosis. Thus, to better understand the reason(s) for the differing clinical manifestations of the IGF-IIE excess in the two syndromes, we characterized IGF-IIE in HCAO and NICTH sera using recently developed antibodies (Ab) recognizing either the full-length IGF-IIE 89-amino acid C-terminal extension peptide (IIE138–156 Ab) or specific cleavage forms of IGF-IIE (IIE78–88 Ab and IIE89–101 Ab). The predominant IGF-IIE form in HCAO serum migrated on SDS-PAGE as a single band at approximately 18 kDa that reacted with the IIE89–101 Ab. On the other hand, the predominant form in NICTH serum migrated as a doublet of 14 and 16 kDa that reacted with the IIE78–88 Ab. There results are consistent with differential processing of the IGF-IIE precursor at predicted cleavage sites producing IGF-IIE1–104 and IGF-IIE1–88 in HCAO and NICTH, respectively. As these two forms may have differing biological activities and/or targeting properties, our findings may explain at least in part the different manifestations of IGF-IIE overproduction in the two syndromes.

The new laboratory measurements of R. Schermaul et al. (J. Mol. Spectrosc. 208), for the near-infrared and visible spectrum of water vapor, covering the 2nu+delta, 3nu, 3nu+delta, and 4nu polyads, are combined with accurate calculations of weaker lines to provide a new, comprehensive linelist of water transitions for the spectral region 8600-15 000 cm(-1). The resulting ESA-WVR linelist reproduces the raw laboratory observations to a high level of agreement at all but the longest wavelengths. This linelist has been made available in a standard format for general use. Copyright 2001 Academic Press.

Cone penetrometer technology (CPT) provides cost-effective, real-time data for use in the characterization of the subsurface. Recent innovations in this baseline technology allow for improved access to the subsurface for environmental restoration applications. The technology has been improved by both industry and government agencies and is constantly advancing due to research efforts. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science and Technology (formerly Technology Development) has contributed significantly to these efforts. This report focuses on the advancements made in conjunction with DOE's support but recognizes Department of Defense (DOD) and industry efforts.

The effects of 7 days' s.c. infusion of 111-700 micrograms/day IGF-I on gut growth and absorptive function were examined in growing rats following removal of 70 or 80% of the jejuno-ileum, and compared with the responses to the analogues, LR3IGF-I and des(1-3)IGF-I, which bind poorly to IGF binding proteins. Administration of 278 micrograms/day IGF-I, LR3IGF-I or des(1-3)IGF-I following 70% jejuno-ileal resection significantly attenuated malabsorption of fat and nitrogen. Responses in rats with 80% resection were less substantial, but a dose-responsive reduction in malabsorption was apparent with LR3IGF-I. Both IGF-I and LR3IGF-I were shown to increase body weight gain and food conversion efficiency in a dose-dependent manner following 80% jejuno-ileal resection. Total gut weight was increased by up to 21%, due predominantly to increased weight of the stomach and proximal small bowel, with the latter effect attributable at least in part to an increased bowel length. LR3IGF-I was more potent than IGF-I at stimulating body weight gain and food conversion efficiency, but its potency advantage on gut absorptive function and small intestinal re-growth was less marked. We conclude that administration of IGF-I peptides improves gastro-intestinal absorptive function following partial gut resection, most likely reflecting, at least in part, an increase in gut absorptive surface area.

Rates of energy expenditure (J/kg fat-free mass (FFM) per min) in normal weight, ‘small-eating’ men were compared with those obtained for normal weight (n8) and underweight (n5) ‘large-eating’ men. For the matched groups of ‘large-’ and ‘small-eaters’ there were no differences in resting metabolic rate (RMR) measurements but during controlled daily activities there was a small but significant increase (P< 0.05) in energy expenditure in the ‘large-eaters’. These results contrast with those obtained for the unmatched groups where energy requirements were about 10 % (P< 0.01) higher in the underweight ‘large-eaters’ at rest but were not different during the more energetic (walking) activities. However, after adjustment for differences in FFM between these two groups, the resting energy expenditures of the ‘large-eaters’ (82·54 (SE 1·51) J/kg FFM per min) were similar to those of the ‘small-eaters’ (81·87 (SE 1·51) J/kg FFM per min). Oral temperatures were significantly higher in the matched (0·35–0·65°) and unmatched (0·7–0·9°) ‘large-eaters’ both at rest and during the different activities, but the thermic effect of food (50 kJ/kg FFM) was one fifth lower (not significant) in both groups of ‘large-eaters’. These results provide little evidence for any major metabolic differences between groups of ‘large-eating’ and ‘small-eating’ men.

The improved stratospheric and mesospheric sounder (ISAMS) is one of the instruments on the NASA Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite which was launched in September 1991. ISAMS is a limb-viewing infrared radiometer which measures thermal emission in 24 pass bands (some of which are obtained by gas correlation). This enables the daily mapping over much of the Earth of temperature, the concentrations of 8 chemical species (water vapor, methane, ozone, nitric acid, nitrogen dioxide, nitric oxide, dinitrogen pentoxide, carbon monoxide), and aerosol opacity in the stratosphere and mesosphere. The instrument has eight separate focal planes, each consisting of a 4-element detector array, which are cooled by two mechanical coolers developed specifically for the instrument. The instrument uses a moveable mirror to scan the limb in elevation and to view at a variable azimuth angle to avoid Doppler shifts; the view may be to either side of the spacecraft in order to improve the geographical coverage.

The extinction spectra of aqueous sulfuric acid aerosols fully covering the mid-IR to visible regions from 750 to 23,000 cm(-1) (13.9-0.4 microm) have been measured in the laboratory with a Fourier-transform spectrometer. Both large and small aerosol particles with compositions of approximately 60-70-wt. % H(2)SO(4) were generated and their spectra recorded at 230 and 294 K. The spectra were fitted to a model incorporating room-temperature refractive-index data [Appl. Opt. 14, 208 (1975)] and Mie theory calculations to characterize the composition and size distributions of the aerosol samples.

An examination of the number molecular weight distribution from emulsion polymerizations, obtained by using gel permeation chromatography, shows that, at low conversion, a distinct maximum is present at low molecular weights, while at higher molecular weights the distribution is exponential with decay constant given by the ratio of the rate coefficients of propagation and transfer. The maximum is attributed to coagulation of precursor particles during particle formation.

Since Robbins (1951) first introduced the compound decision problem, there has evolved a large literature on the subject for the most part dealing with the construction of compound rules whose excess risk over the simple envelope is no greater than zero in the limit as the number N of component problems goes to infinity. Such rules have compound risk which is asymptotically subminimax. Johns (1967) has introduced more stringent (extended) envelopes and has proposed extended compound rules whose risks achieve these envelopes in the limit. This paper reports some Monte Carlo results on the compound risk behavior of selected unextended and extended rules for moderate N values and certain parameter sequences for Robbins original example. The results show that the extended rules compare favorably with the minimax rule and the unextended rules for moderate N and parameter sequences exhibiting higher order empirical dependencies, for example, those generated by a Markov process.

1. Isolated parenchymal cells were prepared by collagenase perfusion of livers from fed rats that had been previously injected with [3H]leucine to label liver proteins. When these cells were incubated in a salts medium containing glucose, gelatin and EDTA, cellular integrity was maintained over a period of 6h. 2. Cells incubated in the presence of 2mm-leucine to minimize radioactive isotope reincorporation released [3H]leucine into the medium at a rate accounting for the degradation of 4.5% of the labelled cell protein per h. 3. Degradation of [3H]protein in these cells was inhibited by insulin and by certain amino acids, of which tryptophan and phenylalanine were the most effective. 4. Protein degradation was decreased by several proteinase inhibitors, particularly those that are known to inhibit lysosomal cathepsin B, and by inhibitors of cell-energy production. 5. Ammonia inhibited degradation, but only at concentrations above 1.8mm. Aliphatic analogues of ammonia were effective at lower concentrations than was ammonia. 6. High concentrations of ammonia inhibited degradation by 50%. The extent of this inhibition could not be increased further by the addition of the cathepsin B inhibitor leupeptin, which by itself inhibited degradation by approx. 30%. 7. The sensitivity of proteolysis in isolated hepatocytes to these various inhibitory agents is discussed in relation to their possible modes of action.

The excretion of endogenous creatinine and 3-methylhistidine by subjects with muscle diseases has been measured in order to assess muscle mass and fractional rates of myofibrillar protein degradation. Increases in the rates of myofibrillar protein breakdown were observed in all subjects with Duchenne, Becker, autosomal recessive Duchenne-like, and limb-girdle muscular dystrophy; dystrophia myotonica; myotonia congenita; peroneal muscular atrophy; myasthenia gravis; and central core disease; in some cases of spinal muscular atrophy; but in no cases of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy of dystonia musculorum deformans. All increases in myofibrillar protein breakdown were associated with reductions in muscle proportion below the normal. Muscle-wasting diseases may respond to therapy directed towards an inhibition of muscle protease activity; the efficacy of such therapy can be monitored by the 3-methylhistidine-to-creatinine excretion ratio.

The following paper was presented at the July 3, 1974 meeting of the University of Missouri (Columbia) Land Use Committee which acts as an interdisciplinary information exchange and educational conduit. While “The Politics of Land Use Controls: Noble Intentions — Fatally Executed” does not deal with Housing per se, it does deal with a basic piece of the Housing mosaic — that of land and the constant conflict over its use, type of use, and nonuse. Ballard’s paper, while referring in some cases to Missouri, has implications for the entire nation and its states. In a style reminiscent of Mark Twain he brings us face to face with the reality of power and its frequently “negative” results before he leads us to a cautious “optimism” founded on the conceptual pillars of “information” and “insulation.” The article is important to us as housing educators because it deals with power which must be faced, before practical considerations can be applied to land and housing and raising a family; and on occasion housing ...