Infrared spectroscopy on lead silicate glass

1993

The reflectance spectra of some lead silicate glasses of general formula (PbO)x(SiO2)y have been measured in the infrared frequency range from 50 to 4000 cm−1. The dispersion and absorption spectra in the range 50–2000 cm−1 have been calculated from the reflectance data using the Kramers-Kronig relations. The band at ∼ 135 cm−1 is assigned to the stretching vibration of lead-oxygen bonds. The shoulder band of the silicon-oxygen stretching mode at ∼900 cm−1 shows a weak coupling of those bonds to the Pb2+ modifier. The vibration strength of those bands shows that the number of the Pb2+ modifier increases first up approximately to 50 Mol% with the increase of PbO content and then decreases ra…

Cocaine hepatotoxicity: two different toxicity mechanisms for phenobarbital-induced and non-induced rat hepatocytes.

1993

Abstract Hepatocytes isolated from both phenobarbital-induced and control rats were short-term cultured and exposed to cocaine (8–2000 μM) for varying times. Intracellular lactate dehydrogenase activity, free calcium levels ([Ca 2+ ] i ), reduced glutathione (GSH) and lipid peroxidation were investigated to evaluate the toxic effect of cocaine on hepatocytes. Cytochrome P450 induction by phenobarbital potentiated the in vitro cytotoxicity of cocaine by a factor of 13 (IC 50 = 84 μ M induced cells vs 1100 μM in non-induced cells). This difference in the susceptibility of the two types of hepatocytes to cocaine correlated well with the activity of cytochrome P450 2 B 1 2 . Rapid depletion of …

Wall formation by Candida albicans yeast cells: synthesis, secretion and incorporation of two types of mannoproteins.

1993

SUMMARY: The mannoprotein components solubilized from the walls of Candida albicans blastoconidia following degradation of the glucan network with β-glucanase (Zymolyase) have higher molecular masses than their probable precursors present in the supernatant of regenerating protoplasts. It therefore appears that the mannoproteins are released from the walls as part of supramolecular complexes. Immunological analysis using both polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies has demonstrated the probable relationship between molecules found in a mixed membrane preparation, those secreted by regenerating protoplasts, and those present in yeast cell walls. Some mannoproteins secreted by protoplasts incuba…

Measuring Social Mobility

1993

Abstract The paper considers the ranking of mobility matrices in a simple Markov model of social mobility. The approach is the dynamic counterpart ot the "static" inequality ranking of income distributions by the Lorenz curve. The derived partial ordering is motivated by welfare considerations, is shown to be equivalent to same intuitive mobility concepts, and is used to screen some immobility indices. The equivalence of the ranking with the "permanent income" Lorenz ordering gives support to the claim that this approach is the natural extension of Kolm′s [The optimal production of social justice, in "Public Economics (J. Margolis and H. Guitton, Eds.), MacMillan, London, 1969], Atkinson′s …

Obesity, hypertension and atherosclerosis

1993

Hypertension and obesity are associated with an increased risk of clinical cardiovascular complications due to atherosclerosis. Moreover has been reported that hypertension may predispose to atheroma development. In the present review some common aspects to hypertension and atherosclerosis including smooth muscle cell proliferation, endothelial damage and intervention of growth factors have been analyzed. Additional data have to be provided to explain if the connections between hypertension and atherosclerosis could be considered two effects with one unknown cause. In addition some aspects related to obesity and atherosclerosis have been dissected. In particular we have reported our results…

Incidence de la clarification des moûts de raisin sur les fermentescibilltés alcoolique et malolactique

1993

<p style="text-align: justify;">Des essais de débourbage en vinification en blanc, réalisés de 1988 à 1992, mettent en évidence le rôle important joué par la teneur en macromolécules solubles dans le moût de raisin. Les moûts de faible turbidité conduisent en effet à des fermentations alcooliques lentes en relation avec de faibles populations levuriennes. Il est également confirmé que la libération de polysaccharides exocellulaires par les levures au cours de la fermentation alcoolique est d'autant plus élevée que le moût de départ a été fortement appauvri en colloïdes de raisin. Par contre, ce sont dans les lots les plus clarifiés que l'on observe la meilleure fermentescibilité malol…

Endothelium-dependent component in the contractile responses of human omental arteries to adrenergic stimulation

1993

Abstract The present study was designed to investigate the influence of endothelium-derived nitric oxide on the contractile responses of isolated human omental arteries to electrical field stimulation and noradrenaline. We measured isometric tension in artery rings obtained from portions of human omentum during the course of abdominal operations (32 patients). Electrical field stimulation induced frequency-dependent contractions which were abolished by tetrodotoxin (10−6 M) and prazosin (10−6 M), thus indicating that this effect was due to noradrenaline released from adrenergic nerves acting on α1-adrenoceptors. The increases in tension induced by electrical field stimulation were of greate…

A test of special relativity with stored lithium ions

1993

Laser spectroscopy at the heavy ion storage ring TSR in Heidelberg allows for precision experiments testing the limits of the special theory of relativity. With an opticalΛ-type three-level system of7Li+ the Doppler shift has been measured by saturation spectroscopy as a test of the time dilatation factor γ = (1 −β2)−1/2 at an ion velocity ofυ = 6.4% c. A precision ofΔν/ν < 9 × 10−9 has been obtained, which sets a second-order limit of 1.1 × 10−6 for any deviation from the time dilatation factor. The fourth-order limit of this deviation is set below 2.7 × 10−4 by the present experiment. These limits are given at a 1 σ confidence level.

CLASSIFICATION THEORY FOR PHASE TRANSITIONS

1993

A refined classification theory for phase transitions in thermodynamics and statistical mechanics in terms of their orders is introduced and analyzed. The refined thermodynamic classification is based on two independent generalizations of Ehrenfests traditional classification scheme. The statistical mechanical classification theory is based on generalized limit theorems for sums of random variables from probability theory and the newly defined block ensemble limit. The block ensemble limit combines thermodynamic and scaling limits and is similar to the finite size scaling limit. The statistical classification scheme allows for the first time a derivation of finite size scaling without reno…

Precision measurement of two iodine lines at 585 nm and 549 nm

1993

The transition frequencies of thei-component of the R(99)15-1 and thew-component of the R(85)26-0 transition in the B-X system of molecular127I2 have been determined with an overall relative standard uncertainty of 1.3 · 10−10. For this purpose a commercial linear dye laser has been modified and stabilized to the corresponding iodine line. This dye laser serves as a transportable frequency standard which is compared with the wavelength standards of the PTB. The evaluation of an experiment for testing special relativity at the test storage ring (TSR) in Heidelberg is based on the precision of the reported interferometric wavelength comparison.

Endocrine therapy of breast cancer. The experience of the Italian Cooperative Group for Chemohormonal Therapy of Early Breast Cancer (GROCTA).

1993

Differential algebras in non-commutative geometry

1993

We discuss the differential algebras used in Connes' approach to Yang-Mills theories with spontaneous symmetry breaking. These differential algebras generated by algebras of the form functions $\otimes$ matrix are shown to be skew tensorproducts of differential forms with a specific matrix algebra. For that we derive a general formula for differential algebras based on tensor products of algebras. The result is used to characterize differential algebras which appear in models with one symmetry breaking scale.

Antioxidant Activity of All-trans-retinol in Homogeneous Solution and in Phosphatidylcholine Liposomes

1993

A kinetic quantification of the lipoperoxyl radical-scavenging activity of all-trans-retinol has been carried out in homogeneous solution, when radicals were produced from the oxidation of methyl linoleate in methanol, initiated by the lipid-soluble 2,2′-azobis (2,4-dimethyl-valeronitrile) (AMVN) as well as in a soybean phosphatidylcholine membrane model, in which peroxidation was induced either by AMVN or the hydrophylic 2,2′-azobis(2-amidinopropane)hydrochloride (AAPH). The physical microenvironment contributes to the determination of antioxidant efficiency of all-trans-retinol. In homogeneous solution the kinetic constant kinh is 3.5 × 105 M-1 s-1 and appears of the same order of magnitu…

Inhibition of the epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase activity by leflunomide.

1993

AbstractThe active metabolite of leflunomide, A77 1726 inhibits the proliferation of a variety of mammalian cell lines in culture. Epidermal growth factor (EGF)-dependent proliferation is inhibited by A77 1726 at an effective dose of 30–40 μM. A77 1726 appears to directly inhibit the EGF receptor tyrosine-specific kinase activity both in intact cells and purified EGF receptors at the same effective dose. These data suggest that leflunomide inhibits cellular proliferation by the inhibition of tyrosine-specific kinase activities.

Gauge-invariant top-quark form-factors from e(+)e(-) experiments

1993

Motivated by the possibility of experimental determination of top quark form factors in upcoming e+ e- experiments, as recently discussed by Atwood and Soni, we show at the one loop level that the conventionally defined magnetic dipole moment (MDM) form factor of the top quark is gauge dependent, in the class of renormalizable ($R_{\xi}$) gauges. We explicitly calculate its gauge dependence, which, due to the massiveness of the top quark, turns out to be numerically very sizable. We show how to use the S-matrix pinch technique in order to define gauge independent form factors. The real and imaginary parts of the gauge independent MDM form factor are calculated and their dependence on the to…

alpha GalNAc is essential for recognition of Exo-1 epithelial antigen by mouse monoclonal antibody Pa-G-14.

1993

Mouse monoclonal antibody Pa-G-14 detects Exo-1, an antigen whose expression is regulated in the processes of epithelial-cell differentiation and transformation. The epitope recognized by Pa-G-14 is present both in glycosphingolipids and in mucin glycoproteins. To characterize the specificity of Pa-G-14, immuno-thin-layer chromatography, biochemical, and enzymatic treatment of glycosphingolipid extracts from human pancreas were used. The antibody bound to all blood-group-A substances; alpha GalNAc, but not fucose, was essential for reactivity. In ELISA, Pa-G-14 also reacted with ovine and bovine submaxillary mucins but not with porcine submaxillary mucin. Binding to ovine submaxillary mucin…

A new measurement of direct CP violation in the neutral kaon system

1993

A new measurement of the ratio of the CP-violating amplitudes for $K_{L} \to 2\pi^{0}$ and $K_{L} \to \pi^{+}\pi^{-}$ is reported. The measured value for $\Re = |\eta_{00} / \eta_{ +-}|^{2}$ is $0.9878 \pm 0.0026 \pm 0.0030$, where the first error is the statistical uncertainty and the second is the estimate of the systematic uncertainty. This gives a value for the parameter describing direct CP violation: $\Re$ $\epsilon'/\epsilon = (2.0 \pm 0.7) \times 10^{−3}$ .

Synthesis of a Fullerene Derivative of Benzo[18]crown-6 byDiels-Alder Reaction: Complexation Ability, Amphiphilic Properties, and X-Ray Crystal Struc…

1993

A fullerene derivative 1 of benzo[18]crown-6 was obtained by Diels-Alder addition of fullerene[60](C60) to the ortho-quinodimethane prepared in situ from 4,5-bis(bromomethyl)benzo[18]crown-6 (3) with Bu4NI in toluene. Extraction experiments show that the complexation of K+ ions strongly increases the solubility of 1 in protic solvents like MeOH. Using Langmuir-Blodgett techniques, monolayers of the highly amphiphilic fullerene-derived crown ether 1 and its K+ ion complex were prepared. An X-ray crystal structure was obtained from a benzene clathrate of comparison compound 2, synthesized by Diels-Alder reaction of C60 with the ortho-quinodimethane derived from 1,2-bis(bromomethyl)-4,5-dimeth…

‘One-Pot’ Synthesis of Raumacline from Ajmaline

1993

For the alkaloid raumacline (2), which is a biotransformation product of ajmaline (1) in Rauwolfia serpentina cell cultures, an efficient ‘one-pot’ synthesis was developed using a NaBH4/riboflavin/light-mediated transformation of 1 into 2 with a total yield of 86%.

Intestinal conversion of linoleic acid to arachidonic acid in the rat

1993

Abstract The arachidonic acid (C20:4, n-6) appearing in intestinal lymph during linoleic acid (C18:2, n-6) absorption may originate from enterocyte synthesis or from the liver either after secretion in biliary phospholipids at the same time dietary linoleic acid absorption occurs or via plasma. The radioactivity measured in the total bile collected during the 6 hours of linoleic acid absorption is too small to explain hepatic origin of the C20:4 detected by high performance liquid chromatography analysis of labeled fatty acids recovered in the lymph, in the intestinal mucosa, and the intestinal wall at the peak of linoleic acid intestinal absorption. This study confirms the probability that…

New methods of delivery of amphotericin B.

1993

Fungal infections continue to be a major problem in the management of immunocompromised patients. Despite its formidable toxicity and treatment failures, amphotericin B is still the drug of choice for most of these infections. One strategy for reducing the toxicity of amphotericin B and thus permitting administration of higher doses is that of using less toxic formulations. Entrapping amphotericin B into liposomes or binding it to other substances reduces its toxicity to host cells, whereas the selective binding of amphotericin B to ergosterol preserves its toxicity to fungal cells. Adding fungus-specific antibodies to such liposomes may further increase the efficiency of drug targeting. Th…

Diagnosis of systemic candidiasis by enzyme immunoassay detection of specific antibodies to mycelial phase cell wall and cytoplasmic candidal antigens

1993

Diagnosis of systemic Candida infections was attempted by the use of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (EIA) to detect IgG antibodies towards cell wall-bound and cytoplasmic candidal antigens. Cell wall antigens were sequentially solubilized by treatment of germinated blastoconidia of Candida albicans (ATCC 26555 strain) with beta-mercaptoethanol (beta ME extract) and digestion with Zymolyase 20T, a beta-glucanase preparation (Zymolyase extract). Protoplasts obtained after treatment with Zymolyase were osmotically lysed (cytoplasmic antigens). Sera were obtained from patients with systemic (n = 28) and superficial (n = 46) candidiasis. Control sera were obtained from normal healthy indiv…

The institutionalisation of young offenders

1993

The role of the shape driving neutron orbital in 108Cd

1993

Abstract The nucleus 108Cd has been studied using a heavy-ion reaction and the NORDBALL multi-detector array. The yrast band has been extended to Ip = 24+, and nine quasi-rotational side bands have been identified. The n h 11 2 negative-parity orbital is found to play a dominant role both in the low-spin as well as in the high-spin structure of 108Cd. The first band crossing in the yrast band is caused by the h 11 2 neutrons. The 10+ state of the aligned n( h 11 2 ) 2 configuration decays strongly into a low-lying low-spin intruder-like positive-parity band. It is suggested that this intruder structure is dominated by a non-aligned n( h 11 2 ) 2 configuration. For the first time in this mas…

Loss of striatal histamine H2receptors in Huntington's: Chorea but not in Parkinson's disease: Comparison with animal models

1993

Autoradiographic techniques were used to study the distribution of histamine H2-receptors as labeled with [125I]iodoaminopotentidine in the brains of patients affected by human neurodegenerative pathologies, as compared with control cases. The highest levels of histamine H2 binding sites in control cases were found in the caudate, putamen, and accumbens nuclei. In Huntington's chorea, the levels of histamine H2 receptor binding sites were found to be markedly decreased in virtually all regions examined, particularly in the putamen and globus pallidus lateralis. The loss of binding sites was related to the grade of the disease. Losses were more marked in grade III disease cases. The possible…

Pathogenesis and prophylaxis of circulatory reactions during total hip replacement

1993

Circulatory reactions such as a drop in blood pressure, bradycardia, cardiac arrest, and even intraoperative death after insertion of the stem are well known events during total hip replacement. The present paper reports bone marrow intravasation after rise of intramedullary pressure in the femoral cavity during insertion of hip prostheses, demonstrated by intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography. In an animal study, the ultrasound echoes were identified as "mixed emboli" consisting of a core of bone marrow surrounded by thrombus. These results suggested the use of an intramedullary plug to restrict the intravasation of bone marrow. A trial was undertaken in 60 total hip replacement …

A universal relation for power-law confining interactions

1993

Abstract Power-law ( r α ) confining interactions are considered in the Schrodinger equation with a hyperangular momentum, which corresponds to the lowest order of the hyperspherical harmonic expansion for an N -particle system. It is shown that the product of the first odd-parity excitation energy times the mean square radius is independent of the exponent α of the potential within a few percent. This universal relation is extended to other states.

Magnetic mixed-valence d2-d1-d1 trimers with partial electron delocalization: vibronic coupling and magnetic properties

1993

Abstract The energy levels and magnetic properties of a triangular mixed-valence cluster d1-d1-d2 with electron delocalization in a pair of sites are examined from a model that takes into account electron transfer, magnetic exchange, and vibronic coupling. We show that the electron transfer process involves besides the usual double-exchange parameter, and additional parameter referred to as exchange transfer. This last parameter accounts for the interaction between the moving electron of the mixed valence pair and the electron localized in the third side. We notice that the role of double exchange is to stabilize a ferromagnetic alignment of the spins on the mixed-valence pair. A comparison…

Monte Carlo simulation of polymers at interfaces

1993

Abstract Polymers at interfaces pose challenging problems to statistical physics because their configurations often differ greatly from the bulk. Computer simulation of coarse-grained models then gives valuable insight and allows stringent tests of various theoretical predictions. Three examples are briefly treated: chain configurations of B-chains in the surface-enriched B-rich layer of an (AB) binary polymer mixture; “frustrated” lamellar ordering in ultra-thin block-copolymer films; and the collapse of polymer brushes in bad solvents.

Structure, energy and charge transport in two-dimensional crystals of cyanine dyes

1993

Abstract In order to develop systems with controlled energy or charge transfer across molecular dimensions it is highly desirable to build two-dimensional crystals of functional dye molecules: they can be addressed from the third dimension and the lateral intermolecular interactions can be well characterized due to a fixed and defined geometry. In an effort to study these possibilities we prepared crystals of different, negatively charged cyanine dyes, formed after adsorption from a water subphase to a positively charged monolayer. These crystals are one monolayer thick, of uniform dimensions between 10 and 100 μm (depending on nucleation conditions) and of rectangular shape. Single crystal…

Acute hepatic failure: limitations of medical treatment and indications for liver transplantation.

1993

Plasma levels of atrial natriuretic peptide and hemodynamic function in cardiac disease.

1993

Plasma concentrations of atrial natriuretic peptide were measured in eight patients with cardiac disease but normal resting right atrial pressure, during cardiac catheterization. No patient had clinical evidence of overt heart failure. An increase in peptide concentrations was observed between the aorta or the peripheral vein and the pulmonary artery. A linear relation was found between peripheral vein and pulmonary artery peptide concentration. Mean pulmonary artery and capillary wedge pressure also correlated with the peptide levels. No correlation was observed between mean right atrial pressure and peptide concentration. These findings demonstrate that atrial natriuretic peptide release,…

Split decomposition A technique to analyze viral evolution

1993

A clustering technique allowing a restricted amount of overlapping and based on an abstract theory of coherent decompositions of finite metrics is used to analyze the evolution of foot-and-mouth disease viruses. The emerging picture is compatible with the existence of viral populations with a quasispecies structure and illustrates various forms of evolution of this virus family. In addition, it allows the correlation of these forms with geographic occurrence.

Alcoholism and panic disorder: co-occurrence and co-transmission in families

1993

The co-occurrence of alcoholism and anxiety disorders in epidemiological and clinical samples is well established. Self-medication of anxiety disorder probands with the anxiolytic substance alcohol might be one reason for this association. Common susceptibility factors of both disorders might be alternative explanations. Controlled family studies recruiting probands with panic disorder and alcoholism are powerful tools to answer this question. A family study of this kind, however, is not available. The present study investigated 113 families of probands with either panic disorder or alcoholism or both (but without affective or psychotic disorders) and 80 families of healthy controls in orde…

Electron energy distribution in the photodetachment ofH−by two radiation fields

1993

We report on the energy distribution of the electrons emitted in two-color photodetachment of ${\mathrm{H}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ in a highly nonlinear regime, and compare these results with the ones found by averaging the cross section obtained in the presence of a static field over the values taken by the low-frequency field in a cycle. Similarities and differences are discussed.

Determination of total and free sulphur dioxide in wine with a continuous-flow microdistillation system

1993

Abstract A continuous-flow microdistillation system for the determination of SO2 (free and total) in wine samples is described. The assembly permits the successive addition of discrete volumes of sample to the microdistillation module with the aid of a nitrogen carrier stream. The nitrogen carrier also transports the volatilized SO2, after the distillation step, to the absorption module, where the analyte reacts with a solution of 2,2′-dinitro-5,5′-dithiodibenzoic acid in phosphate buffer (pH 6) to give a yellow derivative, which is monitored spectrophotometrically at 410 nm. Free and total so2 signals are obtained by operating the microdistillation module at room temperature (ca. 20°C) and…