Widefield Super-Resolution Infrared Spectroscopy and Imaging of Autofluorescent Biological Materials and Photosynthetic Microorganisms Using Fluorescence Detected Photothermal Infrared (FL-PTIR).

We have demonstrated high-speed, super-resolution infrared (IR) spectroscopy and chemical imaging of autofluorescent biomaterials and organisms using camera-based widefield photothermal detection that takes advantage of temperature-dependent modulations of autofluorescent emission. A variety of biological materials and photosynthetic organisms exhibit strong autofluorescence emission under ultraviolet excitation and the autofluorescent emission has a very strong temperature dependence, of order 1%/K. Illuminating a sample with pulses of IR light from a wavelength-tunable laser source causes periodic localized sample temperature increases that result in a corresponding transient decrease in autofluorescent emission.

Biodegradable Alkali-Swellable Emulsion Polymers: Industrial and Commercial Thickeners.

Sustainability and circularity are key issues facing the global polymer industry. The search for biodegradable and environmentally-friendly polymers that can replace conventional materials is a difficult challenge that has been met with limited success. Alternatives must be cost-effective, scalable, and provide equivalent performance.

Fragmentation of Protonated N-(3-Aminophenyl)Benzamide and Its Derivatives in Gas Phase.

An ion of m/z 110.06036 (ion formula [C6H8NO](+); error: 0.32 mDa) was observed in the collision induced dissociation tandem mass spectrometry experiments of protonated N-(3-aminophenyl)benzamide, which is a rearrangement product ion purportedly through nitrogen-oxygen (N-O) exchange.

Optical interferometry for measurement of the geometric dimensions of industrial parts.

We describe an instrument for the measurement of surface flatness, parallelism, and size (thickness) of plane-parallel parts in a single measurement to 1sigma gauge capability of 0.02, 0.03, and 0.

Analysis of autoantibodies to plasminogen in the serum of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Sera from patients with rheumatoid arthritis containing high titers of anti-streptokinase antibodies were found to contain anti-plasminogen antibodies of the IgG and IgA classes. High titers of anti-plasminogen autoantibodies of the IgA class were also found in sera from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and Sjögren syndrome. Studies of the immune response to thrombolytic therapy with streptokinase in patients with no prior history of autoimmune disease suggest a strong correlation between streptokinase administration and the appearance of autoantibodies to plasminogen of the IgA class.

Potential pathogenicity of deglycosylated IgG cross reactive with streptokinase and fibronectin in the serum of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: Fibronectin (FN) and the streptococcal plasminogen activator streptokinase (SK) share the epitope LTSRPA. This epitope is not reactive in native FN and it reacts with anti-SK antibodies only after plasmin digestion of the protein. To investigate a potential correlation between the high levels of anti-LTSRPA antibodies in sera of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and the perpetuation of the immune response characteristic of this disease, we analyzed their capacity to activate complement and the process of binding to the serum lectin mannan binding protein (MBP).

A prospective comparison of laser therapy and intubation in endoscopic palliation for malignant dysphagia.

There is little objective long-term follow-up comparing laser therapy with intubation for palliation of malignant dysphagia. In a prospective, nonrandomized two-center trial 43 patients treated with the neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser were compared with 30 patients treated by endoscopic intubation; the two groups were comparable for mean age and tumor position, length, and histology. Dysphagia was graded from 0 to 4 (0, normal swallowing; 4, dysphagia for liquids).

Endoscopic Nd:YAG laser treatment of rectosigmoid cancer.

Forty nine patients with rectosigmoid carcinoma considered unsuitable for surgery underwent endoscopic Nd:YAG laser treatment for palliation of symptoms and tumour eradication, if feasible. Altogether 25 (51%) of the lesions had distal margins less than 7 cm from the anus and 36 (73%) extended above the peritoneal reflection. In seven patients with tumours less than 3 cm in diameter, symptomatic improvement was achieved in all (mean follow up 16 months) and complete tumour eradication in three.

Family patterns associated with anorexia nervosa*.

A family systems perspective was used to explore familial transactional patterns related to anorexia nervosa. Father, mother and daughter, interpersonal assessments of parental initiative and daughter responsive behaviors as reported on Benjamin's (1974) Structural Analysis of Social Behavior (SASB), were combined to serve as data for a hierarchical cluster analysis. Out of the 22 families with an anorexic child and the 22 matched control families, 7 family groups with unique family dynamics differentiating one from another emerged out of the clustering procedure.

The historiography of hunger: changing views on the world food problem, 1945-1980.

The author discusses changing views on the world food problem since 1945. "The extent of the problem has been a matter of debate as hunger cannot be directly measured; estimated minimum requirements for energy have been reduced since 1945 and the causes of malnutrition reappraised. World food production has kept up with population growth since 1945, as it has in all major regions except Africa.