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Characterization of the syngas produced in the gasification process has been performed at commercial-scale Energy-from-Waste plants under various conditions of lambda value and syngas temperature. The lambda value from the gasification process is here defined as the ratio of the gasification air to the total stoichiometric air for complete combustion of the fuel input. Evaluation of the syngas calorific value has been performed by three different methods, i.e., estimation of the syngas calorific value from continuous in-line process measurements by mass and energy conservation equations, measurement of the syngas composition based on gas chromatography and calculation of the Gross Calorific Value from the measured composition, and direct continuous measurement of the calorific value using based on gas calorimeter.

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Preterm labor becomes more difficult to inhibit as the degree of cervical dilation increases. Indeed, some physicians do not even attempt tocolysis with advanced cervical dilation. We compared single- versus double-agent tocolytic therapy when the cervix was dilated 3 cm or greater. We conducted a retrospective study of 44 patients with preterm labor of unknown etiology and with cervical dilation of greater than 3 cm. At the admitting physician's discretion, patients were treated with either magnesium sulfate or with magnesium sulfate and indomethacin in combination. Longer duration of successful tocolysis was noted in the group that received both magnesium sulfate and indomethacin (368.3 hours versus 70.9 hours). No maternal complications occurred in either group. These pilot data suggest that tocolysis with magnesium sulfate and indomethacin is a safe, effective method of tocolysis in patients with advanced cervical dilation.

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The construction of plasmids which over-produce the Escherichia coli DNA gyrase A and B proteins (GyrA and GyrB) is described. Both plasmids are based on the pTTQ vectors of Stark [Gene 51 (1987) 255-267] and contain either the gyrA or gyrB gene under the tight control of the hybrid tac promoter. Expression of the gyrase genes is shown to be repressed in the absence of the inducer IPTG, but in its presence, strains containing these plasmids synthesise the A and B proteins to about 40% of soluble cell protein.

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Endocrine manipulation has a valuable role in the management of advanced breast cancer. However, it is only effective in some cases and at least 12 weeks is required before efficacy can be ascertained. In an attempt to achieve earlier assessment of response, changes in lymphocyte counts have been studied in patients receiving endocrine therapy. Absolute lymphocytes were not significantly changed by 6 weeks in any patients but there was a significant increase (P less than 0.05) in absolute T counts by 6 weeks in patients who achieved partial remission when compared with those whose disease continued to progress. Percentage T counts increased significantly from pretreatment values (P less than 0.002) in patients in whom disease progression was stopped by endocrine manipulation and this rise was maintained during clinical benefit. Fall in percentage T counts to pretreatment values predated objective evidence of recurrence by as much as 2 months. There was no increase in percentage T counts in patients in whom disease progression continued despite treatment, indicating that the rise in percentage T counts is a secondary phenomenon to tumour response. T-lymphocyte counts may permit earlier evaluation of the patient during treatment, allowing earlier selection of alternative treatment modalities.

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In vitro monocyte lysozyme production (IVMLP) was assessed in 10 male patients preoperatively and at intervals postoperatively. A similar procedure was carried out in 6 sex- and age-matched controls. In contrast to the control group where the IVMLP was constant, the IVLMP levels in the surgical group showed a marked increase at 6-10 h postoperatively, falling to control levels after 10 days. In addition, peripheral monocyte counts were carried out using a Technicon Hemalog D counter which produces accurate reproducible counts for cells such as monocytes which occur at low frequency. The peripheral monocyte counts were stable in the control group, whilst in the surgical patients there were significantly higher readings at 36-48 h, which persisted for up to 10 days compared with preoperative counts. This study suggests that surgery has both a qualitative (IVMLP) and quantitative (monocyte counts) effect on the mononuclear phagocytes. These data may be relevant when considering factors that influence the early stages of wound healing.

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A species of Stephanofilaria closely resembling S. stilesi is recorded as the cause of lesions on the head, neck and sternum of cattle in northern Queensland. Macroscopic and histopathological description of the lesions are given, together with a brief description of the parasite.

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