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In the spring and early summer of 2020, many agricultural production facilities were forced to reduce processing rates of agricultural commodities. Milk production plants were unable to quickly change milk packaging from ½ pint milk cartons destined for school lunches to larger containers for grocery stores as the nation's schools switched to virtual learning. Bulk commodities destined for restaurants needed to be repackaged as restaurants were closed due to the pandemic. Meat processing plants had to reduce production rates as COVID-19 outbreaks among their employees slowed production lines and increased the required time for sanitation of facilities to take place. These processing reductions led to commodity stockpiles in excess of what could be processed before spoilage. Milk needed to be land spread as a waste product, swine and poultry needed to be depopulated and disposed of since continued feeding was not feasible, and other specialty crops needed to be disposed of when storage capacity limits were reached. NRCS took steps to provide producers with technical and financial help to address the proper disposal of depopulated animals. This paper will detail the steps taken by NRCS to address this issue to protect natural resources on the farm and the environment. © ASABE 2021 Annual International Meeting

Unlike constitutively secreted proteins, peptide hormones are stored in densely packed secretory granules, before regulated release upon stimulation. Secretory granules are formed at the trans-Golgi network (TGN) by self-aggregation of prohormones as functional amyloids. The nonapeptide hormone vasopressin, which forms a small disulfide loop, was shown to be responsible for granule formation of its precursor in the TGN as well as for toxic fibrillar aggregation of unfolded mutants in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Several other hormone precursors also contain similar small disulfide loops suggesting their function as a general device to mediate aggregation for granule biogenesis. To test this hypothesis, we studied the capacity of small disulfide loops of different hormone precursors to mediate aggregation in the ER and the TGN. They indeed induced ER aggregation although to different extents in Neuro-2a and COS-1 cells. Fused to a constitutively secreted reporter protein, they also promoted sorting into secretory granules, enhanced stimulated secretion, and increased Lubrol insolubility in AtT20 cells. These results support the hypothesis that small disulfide loops act as novel signals for secretory granule biogenesis and sorting by self-aggregation.

Although tetracyclines are an important class of antibiotics for use in agriculture and the clinic, their efficacy is threatened by increasing resistance. Resistance to tetracyclines can occur through efflux, ribosomal protection, or enzymatic inactivation. Surprisingly, tetracycline enzymatic inactivation has remained largely unexplored, despite providing the distinct advantage of antibiotic clearance. The tetracycline destructases are a recently discovered family of tetracycline-inactivating flavoenzymes from pathogens and soil metagenomes that have a high potential for broad dissemination. Here, we show that tetracycline destructases accommodate tetracycline-class antibiotics in diverse and novel orientations for catalysis, and antibiotic binding drives unprecedented structural dynamics facilitating tetracycline inactivation. We identify a key inhibitor binding mode that locks the flavin adenine dinucleotide cofactor in an inactive state, functionally rescuing tetracycline activity. Our results reveal the potential of a new tetracycline and tetracycline destructase inhibitor combination therapy strategy to overcome resistance by enzymatic inactivation and restore the use of an important class of antibiotics.

Tabtoxinine-β-lactam (TβL) is a phytotoxin produced by plant pathogenic strains of Pseudomonas syringae. Unlike the majority of β-lactam antibiotics, TβL does not inhibit transpeptidase enzymes but instead is a potent, time-dependent inactivator of glutamine synthetase, an attractive and underexploited antibiotic target. TβL is produced by P. syringae in the form of a threonine dipeptide prodrug, tabtoxin (TβL-Thr), which enters plant and bacterial cells through dipeptide permeases. The role of β-lactamases in the self-protection of P. syringae from tabtoxin has been proposed, since this organism produces at least three β-lactamases. However, using in vitro and cellular assays and computational docking we have shown that TβL and TβL-Thr evade the action of all major classes of β-lactamase enzymes, thus overcoming the primary mechanism of resistance observed for traditional β-lactam antibiotics. TβL is a “stealth” β-lactam antibiotic and dipeptide prodrugs such as tabtoxin from P. syringae represent a novel antibiotic therapeutic strategy for treating multi-drug resistant Gram-negative pathogens expressing high levels of β-lactamase enzymes.

Ciliopathies are a group of diseases that affect kidney and retina among other organs. Here, we identify a missense mutation in PIK3R4 (phosphoinositide 3-kinase regulatory subunit 4, named VPS15) in a family with a ciliopathy phenotype. Besides being required for trafficking and autophagy, we show that VPS15 regulates primary cilium length in human fibroblasts, as well as ciliary processes in zebrafish. Furthermore, we demonstrate its interaction with the golgin GM130 and its localization to the Golgi. The VPS15-R998Q patient mutation impairs Golgi trafficking functions in humanized yeast cells. Moreover, in VPS15-R998Q patient fibroblasts, the intraflagellar transport protein IFT20 is not localized to vesicles trafficking to the cilium but is restricted to the Golgi. Our findings suggest that at the Golgi, VPS15 and GM130 form a protein complex devoid of VPS34 to ensure the IFT20-dependent sorting and transport of membrane proteins from the cis-Golgi to the primary cilium., VPS15 is known as a VPS34-associated protein that functions in intracellular trafficking and autophagy. Here the authors identify a role for VPS15 in ciliopathy and ciliary phenotypes, and show that it interacts with GM130 and functions in IFT20-dependent cis-Golgi to cilium trafficking.

Nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs) are multidomain modular biosynthetic assembly lines that polymerize amino acids into a myriad of biologically active nonribosomal peptides (NRPs). NRPS thioesterase (TE) domains employ diverse release strategies for off-loading thioester-tethered polymeric peptides from termination modules typically via hydrolysis, aminolysis, or cyclization to provide mature antibiotics as carboxylic acids/esters, amides, and lactams/lactones, respectively. Here we report the enzyme-catalyzed formation of a highly strained β-lactone ring during TE-mediated cyclization of a β-hydroxythioester to release the antibiotic obafluorin (Obi) from an NRPS assembly line. The Obi NRPS (ObiF) contains a type I TE domain with a rare catalytic cysteine residue that plays a direct role in β-lactone ring formation. We present a detailed genetic and biochemical characterization of the entire Obi biosynthetic gene cluster in plant-associated Pseudomonas fluorescens ATCC 39502 that establishes a general strategy for β-lactone biogenesis.

Introduction Transoral laser microsurgery of locally advanced carcinomas of the lateral pharynx often results in exposure of major vessels of the neck and is accompanied by a substantial risk of intra- and postoperative bleeding. We therefore only perform these operations after external protection of neck vessels, if necessary combined with flap reconstruction. Patients and methods Between October 2001 and December 2004, 11 locally advanced squamous cell carcinomas of the lateral oropharynx that reached the major vessels of the neck were treated as follows: after ipsilateral neck dissection with temporary protection of the jugular vein and carotid arteries, the neck remained open while transoral laser surgery of the primary tumor was performed. Pharyngeal defects were subsequently closed by either primary suture or a platysma myofascial flap. All patients underwent adjuvant radiotherapy. Results All primary tumors were completely resected. None of the patients required tracheotomy or placement of a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube. The mean duration of nasogastric feeding tubes was 12.7 days. In one case, the routine radiological contrast study revealed a blind cervical fistula 10 days after surgery. This healed spontaneously within 7 days. One mild postoperative hemorrhage had to be stopped by endoscopic coagulation under general anesthesia. During a mean follow-up of 19.4 months, none of the patients developed a local and/or regional recurrence. Conclusion The surgical procedure described ensures sufficient protection of neck vessels during and after the transoral resection of advanced carcinomas of the pharynx. It successfully combines the advantages of minimally invasive laser microsurgery with those of flap reconstruction known from traditional surgery.

The objective of this work was to use the logistic equation to relate grain and total plant yield of corn [Zea mays (L.)] to water and applied N. Data from field Studies in Florida and Georgia were used in the analysis. Nonlinear correlation coefficients R > 0.98 were obtained. Variation among hybrids, between plant components (grain and total plant), and among years (rainfall) was accounted for in the linear model parameter A, with constant exponential parameters b and c. The linear model parameter A exhibited linear dependence on seasonal rainfall for corn in Georgia. Data from a third study in Florida showed linear dependence of A upon seasonal rainfall plus irrigation for total amounts up to 70 cm. This model provides a convenient tool for relating corn yields to applied N and available water, with the response function separating into the product of a term depending upon water and another depending upon applied N. The equation is mathematically well‐behaved and is easy to use on a pocket cal...

The 2008 final CAFO regulations revise portions of the 2003 CAFO regulations and includes a process for CAFOs to self certify as No Proposal to Discharge Certified (NPDC) facilities. Under this final rule, a CAFO operator may certify that the CAFO does not discharge or propose to discharge (including but not limited to a precipitation related discharge) by signing and submitting a certification statement to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator. This paper provides a detailed overview of the procedure that USDA NRCS would use for the Animal Waste Management (AWM) and Soil-Plant-Air-Water Field and Pond Hydrology (SPAW) modeling evaluation of CAFOs that are requesting the No Proposal to Discharge Certification (NPDC) option in lieu of applying for a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. This paper discusses how to document that a storage structure may be designed to be a no discharge structure and covers some of the operation requirements to meet this design. It also provides guidance on how to perform a rigorous site-specific technical evaluation that includes use of the most recent versions of the AWM software or equivalent software, and SPAW hydrology tool. This procedure may no longer be necessary given a recent ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals.

The Waterway Design Tool (WDT), developed by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), is one engineering software application within the Engineering Field Tools package. The software shares functionality with other engineering applications currently including the Survey Engineering Tool (SET) and the Terrace Design Tool (TDT) and allows the user to design a grassed waterway system from the input of survey data to the output of construction plans and documentation information. This paper briefly describes this software component. The software and documentation can be obtained from the USDA-NRCS at: http://eft.nrcs.usda.gov/.

The efficacy of beta-blockade after myocardial infarction (MI) has been investigated in a series of studies. When beta-blockers are used during the first hours after the onset of MI, a reduction in infarct size, mortality, and nonfatal reinfarction may occur. Bisoprolol is a highly beta-1-selective beta-blocker, without intrinsic sympathomimetic activity (ISA), and with a plasma elimination half-life of 10-12 h, permitting treatment with one daily dose. Because no experience with bisoprolol was available in MI, its safety and efficacy were studied in two open, uncontrolled pilot studies. The first study was a dose-finding study in 37 patients with a 3-day-old MI. Bisoprolol was given intravenously and carefully titrated in steps of 1 mg up to a cumulative maximum dose of 5 mg. Subsequently, the patients received 10 mg of oral bisoprolol once daily (o.d.) until the end of the study. Based on the results of this first pilot study, a second pilot study was performed in which bisoprolol was given within the first 6 h after the onset of MI. Intravenous (i.v.) bisoprolol was titrated in two steps of 2.5 mg each, directly followed by 10 mg of oral bisoprolol o.d. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of i.v. and subsequent oral bisoprolol on central hemodynamics. The results of these studies demonstrate that i.v. and subsequent oral administration of bisoprolol is well tolerated and indicate that the selected dose regimen is hemodynamically safe.

Transoral laser microsurgery of locally advanced carcinomas of the lateral pharynx often results in exposure of major vessels of the neck and is accompanied by a substantial risk of intra- and postoperative bleeding. We therefore only perform these operations after external protection of neck vessels, if necessary combined with flap reconstruction.Between October 2001 and December 2004, 11 locally advanced squamous cell carcinomas of the lateral oropharynx that reached the major vessels of the neck were treated as follows: after ipsilateral neck dissection with temporary protection of the jugular vein and carotid arteries, the neck remained open while transoral laser surgery of the primary tumor was performed. Pharyngeal defects were subsequently closed by either primary suture or a platysma myofascial flap. All patients underwent adjuvant radiotherapy.All primary tumors were completely resected. None of the patients required tracheotomy or placement of a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube. The mean duration of nasogastric feeding tubes was 12.7 days. In one case, the routine radiological contrast study revealed a blind cervical fistula 10 days after surgery. This healed spontaneously within 7 days. One mild postoperative hemorrhage had to be stopped by endoscopic coagulation under general anesthesia. During a mean follow-up of 19.4 months, none of the patients developed a local and/or regional recurrence.The surgical procedure described ensures sufficient protection of neck vessels during and after the transoral resection of advanced carcinomas of the pharynx. It successfully combines the advantages of minimally invasive laser microsurgery with those of flap reconstruction known from traditional surgery.

Back pain, especially chronic back pain, is not only a medical and psychological burden but also an economic problem due to the extremely high associated costs. These are generated by treatment and rehabilitation measures, pensions and loss of working hours. The cause of pain is multifocal and frequently remains unclear. It is not the etiology of back pain that has changed in the last 20 years, but its rate of assessment and treatment options. According to the relevant literature, treatment of chronic back pain will most probably only succeed using multimodal concepts that have to consider medical/somatic and psychosocial aspects and be based on scientific training experience. Pain assessment is based on common legal and certification standards. However, typical decision and rating problems result from the difficulty of objective medical registration and grading of pain. Medical certification may often be complicated by co-morbidities such as somatic pain attacks, fibromyalgia, depression or anxiety. These cases necessitate close cooperation with other medical specialities.

Tonsillectomy by CO(2) laser microsurgery is an almost bloodless procedure that has developed to an alternative to traditional dissection tonsillectomy during recent years. It has been suggested that the laser technique more precise than the conventional one, however, attempts to investigate this morphologically have not yet been undertaken. In addition, there is a need for large clinical studies to compare the postoperative bleeding risk of both procedures.The charts of 617 patients who underwent routine tonsillectomy between 1995 and 1998 at the ENT department of Darmstadt Hospital, were retrospectively investigated with regard to postoperative bleeding events. A total of 467 patients were treated by the conventional technique and 150 by CO(2) laser microsurgery (continuous mode, 5 W). Moreover, 2 mm serial sections of tonsils of 56 consecutive patients treated in 1999 (31 conventional and 25 laser tonsillectomies) were used to determine peritonsillar (Vp) and tonsillar tissue volumes (Vt).The postoperative bleeding risk following laser tonsillectomy differed slightly from that following the conventional technique (12.0% vs 14.6%; P=0.499; Fisher's exact test). However, the incidence of severe bleeding events requiring revision in general anesthesia was significantly reduced (0.7% vs 4.9%; P=0.015; Fisher's exact test). Tonsillar specimens that were removed by laser surgery contained significantly less peritonsillar tissue than those from conventional procedures (Vp/Vt 5.1%+/-0.6% vs 10.8%+/-1.1%; P below 0.001; Mann-Whitney U-test).CO(2) laser microsurgery improves the precision of tonsillectomy and provides a maximum protection for the peritonsillar tissue. The incidence of severe bleeding events is markedly reduced. Laser tonsillectomy is therefore recommended for patients with clotting disorders or those requiring a particularly exact preparation technique.

Monodisciplinary orthopaedic pain therapy no longer measures up to international standards. In cases of chronic back pain, in particular, there is such a gulf between the clinical findings and the patient's subjective assessment that the symptoms cannot be attributed solely to so-called degenerative changes. Back pain patients are in great danger of becoming fixated on somatic symptoms due to an excess of diagnostic procedures or incorrect diagnoses, of being treated purely somatically on the basis of associated findings, and of suffering irreversible damage from invasive management of such findings. Despite the wealth of empirical evidence, it remains difficult to expand the everyday concept of illness and its causes to include not only physical and biological factors but also social and emotional disturbances. Particularly physicians with a purely biological concept of pain have not learned to take note of affective relational factors and incorporate them into their diagnostic assessment. The decision to undertake invasive diagnostic or therapeutic procedures then frequently represents the doctor's reaction to feelings of irritation or helplessness. If this situation is to change, an interdisciplinary concept of pain must be made a part of medical training, and scientific findings must be presented in such a way that they can be integrated into routine daily practice.

After transfemoral angiography the artery has to be manually compressed in order to stop acute bleeding. Then, to prevent retarded bleeding, a continuous pressure dressing has to be fixed for up to 24 h. To simplify this procedure, we developed a novel compression device and tested it in 133 patients. Color-flow-ultra-sonography was used to scan gross alterations such as hematomas, AV-fistulas or pseudoaneurysms, and changes in tissue consistency as well. By the new device it is possible to perform femoral artery compression and to substitute pressure dressing safely and with significantly less expenditure than by the combination of manual compression and pressure dressing. We found a reduction from 18 to 3 min time requirement for primary sealing of the puncture site. Moreover, 86% of patients experienced in both methods--the conventional and the new device--would prefer the new equipment in recatheterization. It is better tolerated than the combination of pressure dressing and manual compression. The device is reusable and the compression is easily and exactly adjustable in a wide pressure range. In comparison with previously described mechanical compression systems the remarkable advantage of our device is to merge the function of compression for sealing of the puncture site and pressure dressing for prevention of retarded bleeding.

Obliteration of the mastoid cavity has been realized with calcium phosphates associated to heterologous fibrin glue in otologic surgery. 22 artificially created epitympanic and 65 femoral defects in 22 rabbits were closed by means of dense or porous granulates of hydroxyapatite with homologous fibrin glue. Follow-up was for three weeks to 6 months. Osteo-integration of the implants was significantly delayed in the first weeks, comparing the integration of the same phosphates without fibrin glue.

Calcium phosphates have been proposed for obliteration of the mastoid cavity as well as TORP and PORP. Their use is based on a very good biocompatibility and host acceptance. The osseous integration of a dense and a porous hydroxyapatite is studied experimentally in artificially created epitympanic holes of rabbits. Osteoneogenesis was observed from the third week after surgery starting from the walls od the defects themselves. This had been evidenced using intravital fluorescent dyes. Porous granules showed more "osteoconductivity" in the beginning, probably due to their greater surface area. Bonding osteogenesis with both materials did not show differences after six months. No resorption was observed, excepting remodelation processes.

The techniques which pursue the closure of radical cavities include the use of local flaps as well as alloplastic material. Calcium phosphates are classified as "degradable" or "not degradable". The paper tries to offer an explanation why hydroxyapatite or tricalcium phosphate, mostly used calcium phosphates, may be include in both groups. The introduction in the use of alloplastic materials should serve as orientation for those who initiate and stimulate to revision of clinical results. The comparison of same calcium phosphates seems not to be possible as their preparation techniques may be completely different.

The indication for decompression of the optic nerve after indirect trauma is made both by the ophthalmologist and the ENT-surgeon. The ENT-surgeon usually reaches and decompresses the optic canal by a transethmoidal-transsphenoidal route. The majority of authors prefer the transfacial approach to the ethmoid including resection of the crossing plane comprising the frontal process of the maxilla, the ethmoid, the lacrimal and the frontal bone. Hitherto we have knowledge of only one author utilising an endonasal approach to decompress the optic nerve. At the university hospital of Göttingen, the ENT-surgeons gathered experience with the endonasal, endoscopically and microscopically controlled operation method, which is less traumatic to the patient and avoids postoperative mucoceles of the frontal sinus. This surgical procedure is described by surgical-anatomical specimens.

The audiological outcome of 140 stapedectomy revisions done between 1977 and 1987, as well as the pre- and intraoperative findings and the subjective appraisal of the revisions, are presented. The recurrence of the conductive deafness was the most often indication for the surgical revision and the shift of the prosthesis, verified intraoperatively, the most encountered finding. Audiological results showed, as mean value, an important reduction of the transmissive hearing loss whilst the bone conduction remained unaltered. Patients' subjective evaluation of the results were worse than audiometric controls. From the retrospective study of these 140 revisions the AA' experience is that the stapedectomy revision offers no major risk for the inner ear.

Um die Indikationsstellung der klassischen und vertikalen Teilresektion zu erweitern, wurde in der Universitats-HNO-Klinik Mainz 1978 die von Ogura 1965 inaugurierte und von Krajina und Kosokovic in Europa vertretene Technik der Kehlkopfteilresektion eingefuhrt. Hierbei wird nach Resektion des tumorbefallenen Gewebes einschlieslich entsprechender Anteile des Schildknorpels mit Hilfe eines Platysma-Faszienlappens der Kehlkopf verschlossen.

This paper reports on surgical therapy of ozena. Hydroxylapatite was implanted under the mucosa of the nasal septum and the floor of the nasal cavity in four patients with ozena. In five patients the nostrils were totally closed by the method of Young. After a period of 2 to 5 years, the clinical results in both groups enable us to recommend both surgical procedures.

The efficacy of beta-blockade after myocardial infarction (MI) has been investigated in a series of studies. When beta-blockers are used during the first hours after the onset of MI, a reduction in infarct size, mortality, and nonfatal reinfarction may occur. Bisoprolol is a highly beta1-selective beta-blocker, without intrinsic sympathomimetic activity (ISA), and with a plasma elimination half-life of 10-12 h, permitting treatment with one daily dose. Because no experience with bisoprolol was available in MI, its safety and efficacy were studied in two open, uncontrolled pilot studies. The first study was a dose-finding study in 37 patients with a 3-day-old MI. Bisoprolol was given intravenously and carefully titrated in steps of 1 mg up to a cumulative maximum dose of 5 mg. Subsequently, the patients received 10 mg of oral bisoprolol once daily (o.d.) until the end of the study. Based on the results of this first pilot study, a second pilot study was performed in which bisoprolol was given within the first 6 h after the onset of MI. Intravenous (i.v.) bisoprolol was titrated in two steps of 2.5 mg each, directly followed by 10 mg of oral bisoprolol o.d. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of i.v. and subsequent oral bisoprolol on central hemodynamics. The results of these studies demonstrate that i.v. and subsequent oral administration of bisoprolol is well tolerated and indicate that the selected dose regimen is hemodynamically safe.

The bioactive glass ceramic material (Ceravital) is fully accepted in osseous areas without formation of surrounding fibrous tissue; it is fixed by direct chemical bond. The use of this material in ENT surgery was tested in animals. In 70 rabbit ears, defects were inflicted on the tympanic membrane, ossicular chain and posterior wall of the external auditory meatus. Using standard tympanoplastic procedures, these defects were reconstructed using glass ceramic implants. The histological examinations of the preparations, which were embedded in Methylmetacrylate were performed using transmission light microscopy and fluorescence microscopy with incident light. The reactions between the implant and the host tissue, e.g., mucous membrane, free transplanted fascia and skin, were examined. In 85 patients Ceravital implants were used to reconstruct the ossicular chain and the posterior meatal wall of the outer ear canal. Functional results were satisfactory. No disturbances in woundhealing were observed.

Keratocysts are a special entity of jaw cysts. The horizontal and distal regions of the mandible and the ascending ramus of the mandible are the most common locations of these cysts. Keratocysts of the os zygomaticum and orbital floor are extremely rare. In case of infection radiologic and histologic diagnosis are difficult and these cysts are often misdiagnosed as radicular and follicular cysts. The case of a 49-year old man is reported, who was admitted to hospital suffering from recurrent episodes of maxillary sinusitis with orbital involvement. He had previous sinus surgery six times. The clinical, histologic and radiologic characteristics are reported. In a literature review the present case is discussed. Because the recurrent-rate of keratocysts is rather high, complete removal and careful post-operative follow-up are mandatory.

An 8-year follow-up of Ceravital middle ear prostheses showed there was extremely good tolerance in the middle ear space. Incompatibility phenomena were not observed, and inflammatory reactions were neither caused nor supported by the implants. The tympanoplasties were always performed without interposition of cartilage between the tympanic membrane or the tympanic membrane graft and the disk-shaped portion of the implant, and extrusions were never observed. Long-lasting inflammatory processes appeared to destroy implants the same way they destroy ossicles. Transient inflammatory periods (such as episodes of purulent otitis media, which occurred soon after the prostheses were implanted) did not lead to any remarkable changes of the surface of the implant. In healthy middle ears, the hearing results were stable.

Soot concentrations and particle sizes were measured by light scattering and probe measurements in the burnt gas region of atmospheric pressure propane-oxygen flames and propane-oxygen flames to which hydrogen or ammonia were added. The results show that the soot concentrations in propane-oxygen flames, to which hydrogen is added are lower compared to propane-oxygen flames. The decrease of soot concentration is much stronger when ammonia is added. Associated with the reduction of soot concentration is a reduction of mean particle size of the soot particles and a lower breadth of the particle size distributions. Electron micrographs of soot particles from the probe measurements showed that soot particles from flames with high soot concentrations (propane oxygen flames) are aggregates with chain or cluster structure while the structure of the particles from flames with lower soot concentration (propane oxygen flames with hydrogen or ammoniaadded) is more compact. Light scattering measurements were evaluated by nonlinear regression analysis of the scattering curves using different scattering models. Light scattering measurements and probe measurements which give high consistency for flames with low soot concentration and a more compact structure of the particles are discussed with respect to particle structure. The soot inhibiting effect of hydrogen and ammonia added to propane oxygen flames and their influence on the soot particle sizes are discussed as a strong deceleration of the reactions which lead to nucleation and a deceleration of the surface growth reactions for the built nuclei. This can be elucidated by simulation of particle growth of soot particles in these flames by a model including nucleation, surface growth and coagulation.

Fifty patients were treated for one week, and 30 patients for three weeks, with nose drops to reduce swelling. All patients of both groups suffered from perforation of the ear drum. Fifteen controls, also with perforations, were used for purposes of comparison.

Organizational purchasing usually involves numerous functional areas within a business. However, the specific nature of the interaction among various areas is relatively unknown. This research contributes to the body of knowledge in this area by examining the role that the engineering function plays in a variety of purchase situations. The results indicated that the engineering function often plays a major role in the purchasing process. This has specific implications for the content of academic programs in engineering. Additionally, the results have significant implications for both improving purchasing effectiveness and enhancing the flow of communications within organizations.