Phenyl mercuric acetate (PMA): mercury-bearing flexible gymnasium floors in schools--evaluation of hazards and controlled abatement.

Phenyl mercuric acetate (PMA) historically has been used as a catalyst in polyurethane systems. In the 1950s-1970s, PMA was used as a catalyst in the 3M Tartan brand polyurethane flexible floors that were installed commonly in school gymnasiums. Mercury vapor is released into air above the surface of these floors.

A mathematical programming approach for scheduling physicians in the emergency room.

Preparing a schedule for physicians in the emergency room is a complex task, which requires taking into account a large number of (often conflicting) rules, related to various aspects: limits on the number of consecutive shifts or weekly hours, special rules for night shifts and weekends, seniority rules, vacation periods, individual preferences,...

Interaction of mammalian neprilysin with binding protein and calnexin in Schizosaccharomyces pombe.

Neutral endopeptidase (neprilysin or NEP, EC 3.4.24.

Airborne asbestos in Colorado public schools.

Levels of airborne asbestos for six Colorado public school facilities with sprayed-on asbestos materials were documented using three analytical techniques. Phase contrast microscopy showed levels up to the thousandths of a fiber per cubic centimeter (f/cc), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) up to the hundredths of a f/cc, and transmission electron microscopy coupled to selected area electron diffraction and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (TEM-SAED-EDXA) up to the tenths of an asbestos f/cc. Phase contrast microscopy was found to be an inadequate analytical technique for documenting the levels of airborne asbestos fibers in the schools: only large fibers which were not embedded in the filter were counted, and asbestos fibers were not distinguished from nonasbestos.