Net energy of cellulosic ethanol from switchgrass.

Perennial herbaceous plants such as switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) are being evaluated as cellulosic bioenergy crops. Two major concerns have been the net energy efficiency and economic feasibility of switchgrass and similar crops. All previous energy analyses have been based on data from research plots (<5 m2) and estimated inputs. We managed switchgrass as a biomass energy crop in field trials of 3-9 ha (1 ha = 10,000 m2) on marginal cropland on 10 farms across a wide precipitation and temperature gradient in the midcontinental U.S. to determine net energy and economic costs based on known farm inputs and harvested yields. In this report, we summarize the agricultural energy input costs, biomass yield, estimated ethanol output, greenhouse gas emissions, and net energy results. Annual biomass yields of established fields averaged 5.2-11.1 Mg x ha(-1) with a resulting average estimated net energy yield (NEY) of 60 GJ x ha(-1) x y(-1). Switchgrass produced 540% more renewable than nonrenewable energy consumed. Switchgrass monocultures managed for high yield produced 93% more biomass yield and an equivalent estimated NEY than previous estimates from human-made prairies that received low agricultural inputs. Estimated average greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from cellulosic ethanol derived from switchgrass were 94% lower than estimated GHG from gasoline. This is a baseline study that represents the genetic material and agronomic technology available for switchgrass production in 2000 and 2001, when the fields were planted. Improved genetics and agronomics may further enhance energy sustainability and biofuel yield of switchgrass.

Galectin-3 inhibits granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)-driven rat bone marrow cell proliferation and GM-CSF-induced gene transcription.

The expression of galectin-3 (formerly known as IgE-binding protein or Mac-2) in rat bone marrow (BM) was investigated by FACS, immunocytochemical and immunoblot analysis. The functional significance of rat recombinant galectin-3 on mouse recombinant granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)-driven proliferation of macrophage progenitors and gene transcription was further examined. Immunocytochemical analysis of in situ BM sections demonstrated galectin-3 in myelopoietic cells and surrounding stroma, whereas erythropoietic and lymphopoietic environments essentially lacked galectin-3 expression. FACS analysis demonstrated that incubation of freshly isolated BMC with lactose, a competing ligand for galectin-3 binding to glycoconjugates, decreased binding of antigalectin antibodies to cells primarily expressing the myeloid antigen recognized by mAb His-54. Similarly, lectin-mediated binding of exogenous galectin-3 to myeloid lineage cells was also demonstrated. Immunoblot analysis of BM eluates demonstrated galectin-3 both in the extracellular matrix and in a lactose elutable form, bound to the surface of BMC. [3H]Thymidine incorporation studies on BMC cultured in the presence of galectin-3 demonstrated suppression of GM-CSF-induced proliferation by galectin-3. In addition, differential display analysis of immediate early gene expression in BMC cultured in the presence of galectin-3 revealed a 76.2% inhibition of GM-CSF-induced gene transcription by galectin-3 assessed by the number of PCR-fragments generated. Our data suggest a role for galectin-3 in the organization of myelopoietic compartments in rat BM and regulation of the action of growth factors on myelopoietic precursor cells.

[Study and treatment of the drug addict and his family]. / Aporte al estudio y tratamiento del adicto y su grupo familar

The addict was approached at a Hospital of a private community with the following working plans: a. Amission. a.1. Diagnostic individual interview. a.2. Familiar interview. b. Evaluation. c. Therapeutic criteria and recommendations. c.1. Individual psychological. c.2. Group psychological. c.3. Drug therapy (Psychiatric). Some general characteristics common to all patients are reviewed, among them: age (all patients are adolescents); vulnerability of personality and ego weakness; absent father; narcissistic mother; disgregation of the family and pathological communication among their members; unaccepted griefs; magic expectations on the activity of the drug. Some case-studies are summarized, and some conclusions are drawn, among which: a) the patient usually employs maniac mechanisms, leading to the omnipotent negation of the illness and the refusal of any treatment; b) the family grows very anxious because of the patient, and shows marked reluctance to accept its role in the patient's disorders; c) the therapist is under permanent pressure from the patient and the family; d) the therapeutic team obtains more results from the coordinated action than the single therapist; e) the institution must provide an adequate container for the anxieties of all people involved in a therapeutic procedure.

Aporte al estudio y tratamiento del adicto y su grupo familar / [Study and treatment of the drug addict and his family]

The addict was approached at a Hospital of a private community with the following working plans: a. Amission. a.1. Diagnostic individual interview. a.2. Familiar interview. b. Evaluation. c. Therapeutic criteria and recommendations. c.1. Individual psychological. c.2. Group psychological. c.3. Drug therapy (Psychiatric). Some general characteristics common to all patients are reviewed, among them: age (all patients are adolescents); vulnerability of personality and ego weakness; absent father; narcissistic mother; disgregation of the family and pathological communication among their members; unaccepted griefs; magic expectations on the activity of the drug. Some case-studies are summarized, and some conclusions are drawn, among which: a) the patient usually employs maniac mechanisms, leading to the omnipotent negation of the illness and the refusal of any treatment; b) the family grows very anxious because of the patient, and shows marked reluctance to accept its role in the patients disorders; c) the therapist is under permanent pressure from the patient and the family; d) the therapeutic team obtains more results from the coordinated action than the single therapist; e) the institution must provide an adequate container for the anxieties of all people involved in a therapeutic procedure.

Aporte al estudio y tratamiento del adicto y su grupo familar / [Study and treatment of the drug addict and his family]

The addict was approached at a Hospital of a private community with the following working plans: a. Amission. a.1. Diagnostic individual interview. a.2. Familiar interview. b. Evaluation. c. Therapeutic criteria and recommendations. c.1. Individual psychological. c.2. Group psychological. c.3. Drug therapy (Psychiatric). Some general characteristics common to all patients are reviewed, among them: age (all patients are adolescents); vulnerability of personality and ego weakness; absent father; narcissistic mother; disgregation of the family and pathological communication among their members; unaccepted griefs; magic expectations on the activity of the drug. Some case-studies are summarized, and some conclusions are drawn, among which: a) the patient usually employs maniac mechanisms, leading to the omnipotent negation of the illness and the refusal of any treatment; b) the family grows very anxious because of the patient, and shows marked reluctance to accept its role in the patient’s disorders; c) the therapist is under permanent pressure from the patient and the family; d) the therapeutic team obtains more results from the coordinated action than the single therapist; e) the institution must provide an adequate container for the anxieties of all people involved in a therapeutic procedure.