Hepatic patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein 3 sequence,single nucleotide polymorphism presence,protein confirmation,and responsiveness to energy balance in dairy cows

Patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein 3 (PNPLA3), commonly known as adiponutrin, is part of a novel subfamily of triglyceride lipase enzymes with potential effects on triglyceride metabolism in adipose and hepatic tissues. The predicted bovine PNPLA3 sequence has been identified, but expression of the gene had not been examined. The objectives of this study were to confirm the predicted bovine PNPLA3 gene sequence, determine expression of the bovine PNPLA3 gene in response to whole-animal energy balance, identify single nucleotide polymorphisms present in dairy cows, and verify the presence of the protein in the liver. Using liver biopsy samples collected from cows at +28 d relative to calving (DRTC), RNA was isolated and used to generate a cDNA template for amplification of the entire predicted coding sequence of PNPLA3 via PCR. To determine if energy balance alters the expression of PNPLA3, RNA was isolated and mRNA expression quantified in liver samples from mid-lactation cows after a 5-d ad libitum period (n = 5) and after a subsequent 5-d 50% feed restriction period (n = 5), and in samples collected from cows at −14, +1, +14, and +28 DRTC (n = 16). The presence of PNPLA3 protein was detected by Western blot in liver protein samples collected at +28 DRTC. Expression of hepatic PNPLA3 was decreased after a period of feed restriction (8.14 vs. 1.08 ± 2.17 arbitrary units, ad libitum vs. fasted). Expression of PNPLA3 mRNA was decreased at +1 and +14 DRTC compared with −14 DRTC (23.35, 7.28, 10.17, and 14.5 ± 4.9 arbitrary units, −14, +1, +14, and +28 DRTC, respectively). The presence of PNPLA3 protein was detected as a 55-kDa band in hepatic protein isolations from liver tissue collected at +28 DRTC. These data confirm the presence and sequence of the bovine hepatic PNPLA3 gene and single nucleotide polymorphisms. Furthermore, these data indicate responsiveness of bovine hepatic PNPLA3 to energy balance.     

CO2 Capture for Fossil Fuel‐Fired Power Plants

An overview of technologies for fossil fuel‐fired power plants with drastically reduced CO₂ emissions is given. Post‐combustion capture, pre‐combustion capture, and oxyfuel technology are introduced and compared. Current research results indicate that post‐combustion capture may lead to slightly higher losses in power plant efficiency than the two other technologies. However, retrofitting of existing plants with oxyfuel technology is complex and costly, and retrofitting of pre‐combustion capture is not possible. On the other hand, post‐combustion capture can be retrofitted to existing power plants with only minimal effort. Based on the mature technology of reactive absorption, it can be implemented on a large scale in the near future. Therefore, post‐combustion capture using reactive absorption is discussed here in some detail.     

Total isothiocyanate yield from raw cruciferous vegetables commonly consumed in the United States

Dietary isothiocyanates are a group of promising chemopreventive agents obtained primarily from cruciferous vegetables. Due to their potent chemopreventive and/or anti-cancer activities, there is a growing interest in assessing dietary isothiocyanate exposure and its impact on human health. Using the HPLC-based cyclocondensation assay, the current study measured total isothiocyanate yield from raw cruciferous vegetables. A total of 73 samples comprising nine types of cruciferous vegetables were analyzed. We observed a wide range of isothiocyanate content across the individual vegetables with an average level of 16.2 μmol/100 g wet weight, ranging from 1.5 μmol in raw cauliflower to 61.3 μmol in raw mustard greens. The data represent the maximum amount of isothiocyanates released from the intake of raw cruciferous vegetables. Given that the vegetables assayed in this study include the most commonly consumed cruciferous vegetables in western diets, the data may be particularly useful in estimation of dietary isothiocyanate exposure in these populations. However, due to the variation observed within each vegetable, biomarkers such as urinary isothiocyanate level may be necessary for accurate estimation of individual exposure.     

A review of thin-film crystalline silicon for solar cell applications. Part 2: Foreign substrates

One of the most promising ways to reduce the cost of photovoltaics is thin-film crystalline silicon solar cells. This paper, together with part 1, reviews the current state of research in thin-film crystalline silicon solar cells. Deposition on silicon, novel techniques which use a high-quality, reusable silicon substrate and light trapping have been described in part 1 of this paper. This paper describes deposition on glass and ceramics and discusses cell designs for thin-film crystalline silicon solar cells.     

Glare‐limited appearances in HDR images

Abstract— Intraocular glare and simultaneous contrast control appearance in high‐dynamic‐range (HDR) images. This paper describes unique test targets that simulate real images. These targets change the HDR range by 500 times, without significantly changing the veiling glare on the retina. As well, these targets have nearly constant simultaneous contrast. The range of appearances possible from HDR images with different average luminances were measured. The targets displayed a maximum luminance range of 5.4 log units. Using magnitude estimates (MagEst) of appearances, the relationship between luminance and lightness from white to black was measured. With one exception, only small changes in appearance with large changes in dynamic range were found. It was also found that appearance was scene‐dependent. The same dark grays (MagEst = 10) were observed with luminances of 10, 4.2, 1.1, and 0.063, depending on the percentage of white area in the surround. Glare from more white increases the retinal luminance of the test areas. Simultaneous contrast counteracts glare by making the appearance range (white‐black) with a much smaller range of luminances. Appearance is controlled by both the optical scattered light and the spatial processing. A single tone‐scale function of luminance cannot describe appearance controlled by scatter and spatial processing.     

Reading pseudohomophones: Implications for models of pronunciation assembly and the locus of word-frequency effects in naming.

Pronunciation performance under speeded conditions was examined for various kinds of letter strings, including pseudohomophones (e.g., TRAX), their real word counterparts (e.g., TRACKS), and a set of nonword controls (e.g., PRAX). Experiment 1 yielded a pronunciation advantage for the pseudohomophones relative to the controls, which was largest among items having few or no orthographic neighbors. Experiment 2 ruled out an account of the pseudohomophone advantage based on differences between pseudohomophones and controls in initial phonemes. Experiment 3 established the existence of a large frequency effect on pronunciation of the base words themselves. These results suggest that whole word representations in the phonological output lexicon are consulted in the course of assembling a pronunciation and that representations in a phonological output lexicon are insensitive to word frequency. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Societal threat, authoritarianism, conservatism, and U.S. state death penalty sentencing (1977-2004).

On the basis of K. Stenner's (2005) authoritarian dynamic theory, it was hypothesized that the number of death sentences and executions would be higher in more threatened conservative states than in less threatened conservative states, and would be lower in more threatened liberal states than in less threatened liberal states. Threat was based on state homicide rate, violent crime rate, and non-White percentage of population. Conservatism was based on state voter ideological identification, Democratic and Republican Party elite liberalism-conservatism, policy liberalism-conservatism, religious fundamentalism, degree of economic freedom, and 2004 presidential election results. For 1977-2004, with controls for state population and years with a death penalty provision, the interactive hypothesis received consistent support using the state conservatism composite and voter ideological identification alone. As well, state conservatism was related to death penalties and executions, but state threat was not. The temporal stability of the findings was demonstrated with a split-half internal replication using the periods 1977-1990 and 1991-2004. The interactive hypothesis and the results also are discussed in the context of other threat-authoritarianism theories and terror management theory. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

ADVANTAGES AND USE OF A CO2 METER ON A FORCED DOWNDRAFT PERIODIC KILN AS TO TEMPERATURE DISTRIBUTION1

Notes on forced downdraft system used on dry-pressed electrical porcelain fired to cone 12 flat are discussed. The type and general construction of the kiln, heat distribution, fuel used per firing, and the use of the CO₂ meter for adjusting the draft for various conditions to get uniformly fired kilns, both as to time of firing and appearance of ware, are given.     

Rapid shift in peak melatonin secretion associated with improved performance in short shift work schedule

OBJECTIVE: To describe the changes in the characteristics of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related deaths in children with perinatally acquired infection. METHODS: A retrospective review of all deaths that occurred in HIV-infected children managed at The New York Hospital-Program for Children with AIDS during a 7-year period from January, 1990, to December, 1996. Differences in the characteristics at death between 15 children who died in 1990 and 10 children who died in 1996 were analyzed. RESULTS: Fifty-eight deaths in our cohort of HIV-infected children were identified during the 7-year period. The mean age at death was 4.43 years. Sixty-nine percent of children were black, 55% were male and 94% were receiving Medicaid. The mean weight/age Z score was -3.9 and the mean CD4 index was 0.067 with 65% having <50 CD4 cells/microl at the time of death (TOD). The most common organ/organ systems to be involved at the TOD were lung (78%) and central nervous system (61%). Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) was the most common isolate at the TOD (26%) followed by Pneumocystis carinii (20%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (17%). The leading non-infectious cause of death was cardiac failure (9%). Comparison of the characteristics at the TOD between 1990 and 1996 revealed significant differences in mean age (2.1 vs. 9.2 years, P < 0.0001), mean CD4 count index (0.18 vs. 0.02, P < 0.03), mean number of organ/organ system involvement (3.9 vs. 5.9, P < 0.05), percent receiving antiretroviral therapy (33% vs. 70%, P < 0.02), mean number of years receiving antiretroviral therapy (0.88 vs. 3.86 years, P < 0.01), percent receiving P. carinii pneumonia prophylaxis (27% vs. 100%, P < 0.001), percent receiving MAC prophylaxis/therapy (0% vs. 100%, P < 0.0001), and cause of death from P. carinii pneumonia (53% vs. 0%, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with children who died in 1990, HIV-infected children who died in 1996 were significantly older, more lymphopenic and more likely to have a greater number of organ system involvements and to have received antiviral therapy and antimicrobial prophylaxis. In 1996 no child died of P. carinii pneumonia. In 1996 MAC and P. aeruginosa were the two most important opportunistic infections causing death. These changes in the characteristics at death will warrant review of resources used in treating these children and may be critical in advising parents and care givers about the prognosis of this chronic infection.     

Associations of cytological endometritis with energy metabolism and inflammation during the periparturient period and early lactation in dairy cows

Multiparous Holstein cows (n = 108) were used to determine the associations of cytological endometritis (CE) with plasma nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) and β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) as markers of energy metabolism, calculated energy balance (EB), and plasma haptoglobin (Hp) as a marker of inflammation during the periparturient period and early lactation. Evaluation of endometrial cytology by low-volume uterine lavage was conducted on 1 d between 40 and 60 d postcalving. The incidence of CE among cows sampled was 40%. The area under the curve (AUC) was calculated for both NEFA and BHBA using data collected from 3 wk before to 3 wk after parturition. Data for NEFA and BHBA AUC were stratified into prepartum (wk −3 to parturition) and postpartum (parturition to wk +3) for statistical analysis. Prepartum AUC for neither NEFA nor BHBA was associated with subsequent CE; however, cows that subsequently developed CE tended to have higher postpartum AUC for NEFA and had higher postpartum AUC for BHBA. Consistent with the results for plasma NEFA and BHBA, calculated EB during the prepartum period was not different in cows that did or did not develop CE; however, cows with CE had lower EB during the 6-wk postpartum period compared with cows without CE. Analysis of EB by week (wk −3 to −1 before calving and wk +1 to +6 postcalving) indicated that EB in cows with CE was lower at wk +1, +2, and +3 and tended to be lower at wk +6 than cows without CE. Plasma Hp concentrations were analyzed from wk +1 to +8 of lactation; concentrations of Hp were not different during either wk +1 or the entire postpartum period between cows that did or did not develop CE. These results suggest that lower energy status during the first 3 wk postpartum, but not necessarily systemic inflammation, is associated with subsequent development of CE.