Zinc equilibria in submerged sodic soils as influenced by application of amendments

In a pot culture experiment, the effect of gypsum (50% of soil requirement), pyrites (equivalent to gypsum), farmyard manure (0.5 g per 100g soil) and Zn (10mg Zn kg^–1 soil) on Zn equilibria in Ghabdan and Langrian series of sodic soils was studied. The equilibrium soil solutions collected anaerobically after 1, 14, 28, 42, 56, 70 and 84 days of submergence were analysed for pH, EC, HCO₃ and Zn. Submergence markedly decreased soil solution pH and Zn up to 14 days and thereafter, the former slightly increased and the latter continued to decrease. Addition of amendments decreased soil solution pH in the order gypsum, pyrites and farmyard manure (FYM) and increased Zn concentration in the order FYM, gypsum and pyrites. The values of Zn potential (pZn + 2pOH) were within the range of pKsp for Zn(OH)₂-Zn²⁺ (aq) from 16 to 84 days of submergence in Ghabdan soil and from 9 to 42 days of submergence in Langrian soil, where later it shifted to ZnCO₃-Zn²⁺ (aq) system. Addition of FYM, pyrites and gypsum shortened the period of predominant existence of Zn(OH)₂-Zn²⁺ (aq) system to 40, 30 and 12 days in Ghabdan soil and 30, 20 and 6 days in Langrian soil respectively. After these periods the system was saturated with respect to ZnCO₃-Zn²⁺ (aq) except gypsum treatment where Zn-soil (unknown solid phases) -Zn²⁺ (aq) system controlled the solubility of Zn after 38 and 28 days of submergence of Ghabdan and Langrian soil respectively.     

Emergent properties of networks of biological signaling pathways

Many distinct signaling pathways allow the cell to receive, process, and respond to information. Often, components of different pathways interact, resulting in signaling networks. Biochemical signaling networks were constructed with experimentally obtained constants and analyzed by computational methods to understand their role in complex biological processes. These networks exhibit emergent properties such as integration of signals across multiple time scales, generation of distinct outputs depending on input strength and duration, and self-sustaining feedback loops. Feedback can result in bistable behavior with discrete steady-state activities, well-defined input thresholds for transition between states and prolonged signal output, and signal modulation in response to transient stimuli. These properties of signaling networks raise the possibility that information for "learned behavior" of biological systems may be stored within intracellular biochemical reactions that comprise signaling pathways.     

Comparison of teaching the basic electrocardiographic concept of frontal plane QRS axis using the classical versus the orderly electrocardiogram limb lead displays

This study compares the effectiveness of teaching the calculation of frontal plane QRS axis with the use of the classical versus the orderly electrocardiographic limb lead display. Eighty-three students from two environments were randomized into two groups and were taught to determine frontal plane axis with one of the methods. The accuracy and time to determine the axis were tested on 10 electrocardiograms. In the United States the group using the classical display achieved 4.2 (+/-2.7) correct answers, whereas those using the orderly method achieved 6.8 (+/-3.0) (p = 0.0006). The classical group used 9.2 (+/-2.8) minutes to complete the test, whereas the orderly group needed 7.2 (+/-2.0) minutes (p = 0.015). The results achieved in Sweden were similar. The use of the orderly electrocardiographic limb lead display results in greater diagnostic accuracy in less time than the classical display when determining the frontal plane QRS axis.     

High in situ rat intestinal permeability of artemisinin unaffected by multiple dosing and with no evidence of P-glycoprotein involvement

PURPOSE: To evaluate inflammation after clear corneal incision (CCI) cataract surgery in patients with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and no retinopathy. METHODS: Forty patients with diabetes and 40 age-matched controls had standardized temporal CCI cataract surgery with implantation of a foldable intraocular lens. Anterior chamber flare was evaluated in an undilated eye with a laser flare-cell meter preoperatively and 1, 3, 7, 14, and 28 days postoperatively. RESULTS: In both groups, flare and cell values increased on the first postoperative day and successively decreased on the following days. Flare had not recovered to preoperative values by day 28. At no time was there a significant mean difference in cell and flare between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: It does not appear necessary to alter the postoperative therapeutic regimen in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and no retinopathy.     

女性掌握某些科技产品使用权

在某些科技产品的使用过程中,美国女性的主导权超过男人,比如观看电视节目、DVR使用、浏览社会类媒体网站,甚至是打游戏。这个调查结果是由Solution Research Group发布的一个新的、关于"女性和数字生活方式"报告发布的。     

A longitudinal elasticity study of hair from the human head in forensic medicine

A rapid and sensitive method for assessing hair keratin stretch elasticity modulus has been developed. The technique is based on measuring the oscillation resonance frequency of hair fragments fixed at one end. The first results indicate a high sensitivity of the method and the possibility of its use in forensic medicine.     

Superoxide dismutase mimetics inhibit neutrophil-mediated human aortic endothelial cell injury in vitro

In this study, we evaluated the ability of low molecular weight manganese-based superoxide dismutase mimetics to attenuate neutrophil-mediated oxygen radical damage to human aortic endothelial cells in vitro. Human neutrophils, when exposed to tumor necrosis factor-alpha and the complement compound C5a, induced endothelial damage assessed by the release of 51Cr into the medium. This damage correlated with the amount of superoxide generated by neutrophils. Three superoxide dismutase mimetics, with catalytic rate constants for superoxide dismutation ranging from 4 to 9 x 10(7) M-1 S-1, inhibited neutrophil- or xanthine oxidase-mediated endothelial cell injury in a concentration-dependent manner. A similar manganese-based compound with no detectable superoxide dismutase activity was ineffective in inhibiting injury. Fluorescent studies of the neutrophil respiratory burst showed that the superoxide dismutase mimetics were protective without interfering with the generation of superoxide by activated neutrophils. Catalase, elastase inhibitors, and desferrioxamine mesylate (an iron chelator and hydroxyl radical scavenger) were not protective against cell injury. This investigation demonstrates that neutrophil-mediated human aortic endothelial cell injury in vitro is mediated by the superoxide anion and that low molecular weight manganese-based superoxide dismutase mimetics are effective in abrogating this damage.