Essential fatty acids in trout serum lipoproteins,vitellogenin and egg lipids

This paper describes evidence of (n−3) and particularly of 22∶6 (n−3) fatty acid enrichment in trout lipoproteins as well as in vitellogenin, egg lipovitellin and oil globule. Among the lipoproteins, HDL and LDL were the main forms of blood lipid transport, whereas phospholipids and cholesteryl esters are the preferential chemical carriers for (n−3) fatty acid transport. However, cholesteryl esters were less important as esterified fatty acid carriers than in man. Taken together with the data obtained in mammals, our results suggest that there may be a relationship between EFA activity and the distribution of the EFA among the lipoprotein lipid fractions in vertebrates, irrespective of the EFA series. Administration of an (n−3) fatty acid deficient diet for three months prior to trout spawning produced a significant increase in egg lipid content, primarily as a result of the increase of the oil globule composed almost exclusively of triacylglycerols. This diet decreased the 22∶6 (n−3), as well as the (n−3) fatty acid contents of lipoproteins, lipovitellin, vitellogenin and the oil globule. In contrast, the (n−3) fatty acid level was always higher in lipoproteins and lipovitellin than in the vitellogenin and the oil globule. Moreover, the relative levels of 22∶6 (n−3) and total (n−3) fatty acids were quite similar in lipoproteins and lipovitellin on the one hand, and in vitellogenin and the oil globule on the other. These findings suggest a direct relationship between the two forms of plasma lipid transport and the two egg compartments. During ovogenesis, dietary lipids seemed to be diverted from the adipose tissue and essentially deposited in the egg.     

Effect of Molybdenum on the Structure and on the Crystallization of SiO2–Na2O–CaO–B2O3 Glasses

Crystallization of the poorly durable Na₂MoO₄ phase able to incorporate radioactive cesium must be avoided in SiO₂–Al₂O₃–B₂O₃–Na₂O–CaO glasses developed for the immobilization of Mo-rich nuclear wastes. Increasing amounts of B₂O₃ and MoO₃ were added to a SiO₂–Na₂O–CaO glass, and crystallization tendency was studied. Na₂MoO₄ crystallization tendency decreased with the increase of B₂O₃ concentration whereas the tendency of CaMoO₄ to crystallize increased due to preferential charge compensation of BO₄⁻ entities by Na⁺ ions. ²⁹Si MAS NMR showed that molybdenum acts as a reticulating agent in glass structure. Trivalent actinides surrogate (Nd³⁺) were shown to enter into CaMoO₄ crystals formed in glasses.     

Associations between apolipoprotein E genotype and circulating F<Subscript>2</Subscript>-isoprostane levels in humans

Apolipoprotein E (apoE), an important determinant of plasma lipoprotein metabolism, has three common alleles (ε2, ε3, and ε4). Population studies have shown that the risk of diseases characterized by oxidative damage, such as coronary heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease, is significantly higher in ɛ4 carriers. We evaluated the association between apoE genotypes and plasma F₂-isoprostane levels, an index of lipid peroxidation, in humans. Two hundred seventy-four healthy subjects (104 males, 170 females; 46.9±13.0 yr; 200 whites, 74 blacks; 81 nonsmokers, 64 passive smokers, and 129 active smokers) recruited for a randomized clinical antioxidant intervention trial were included in this analysis. ApoE genotype was determined by PCR and restriction enzyme digestion. Free plasma F₂-isoprostane was measured by GC-MS. Genotype groups were compared using multiple regression analysis with adjustment for sex, age, race, smoking status, body mass index, plasma ascorbic acid, and β-carotene. Subjects with ε3/ε4 and ε4/ε4 genotype (ε4-carriers) and with ε2/ε3 and ε3/ε3 (non-ε4-carriers) were pooled for analysis. In subjects with high cholesterol levels (total cholesterol above 200 mg/dl), plasma F₂-isoprostane levels were 29% higher in ε4 carriers than in non-ε4-carriers (P=0.0056). High-cholesterol subjects that are ε4 carriers have significantly higher levels of lipid peroxidation as assessed by circulating F₂-isoprostane levels.     

Finite Element Simulation of Deep Drawing of Tailored Heat Treated Blanks

Using a laser system for local heat treatment, it is possible to adjust the mechanical properties of aluminum blanks in a restricted area by influencing the precipitation structure to manufacture so called Tailored Heat Treated Blanks (THTB). These blanks are characterized by a distribution of the mechanical properties adapted particularly for the forming conditions during deep drawing.This paper presents a finite element (FE) based procedure to determine adequate laser parameters for the heat treatment process to enhance the forming limits. Both FE and experimental results show the improved process compared to the conventional drawing of homogeneous aluminum blanks.     

Copper planar microcoils applied to magnetic actuation

Recent advances in microtechnology allow realization of planar microcoils. These components are integrated in MEMS as magnetic sensor or actuator. In the latter case, it is necessary to maximize the effective magnetic field which is proportional to the current passing through the copper track and depends on the distance to the generation microcoil. The aim of this work was to determine the optimal microcoil design configuration for magnetic field generation. The results were applied to magnetic actuation, taking into account technological constraints. In particular, we have considered different realistic configurations that involve a magnetically actuated device coupled to a microcoil. Calculations by a semi-analytical method using Matlab software were validated by experimental measurements. The copper planar microcoils are fabricated by UV micromoulding on different substrates: flexible polymer (Kapton^®) and silicate on silicon. They are constituted by a spiral-like continuous track. Their total surface is about 1 mm².     

Membrane computing and brain modelling

We briefly discuss variants of (extended) spiking neural P systems that combine features from the areas of membrane computing and spiking neurons. This work was presented in part at the 13th International Symposium on Artificial Life and Robotics, Oita, Japan, January 31–February 2, 2008     

Retrieval of microphysical and optical properties in aerosol plumes with hyperspectral imagery: L-APOM method

This paper presents the retrieval method L-APOM which aims at characterizing the microphysical and optical properties of aerosol plumes from hyperspectral images with high spatial resolution. The inversion process is divided into three steps: estimation of the ground reflectance below the plume, characterization of the standard atmosphere (gases and background aerosols) and estimation of the plume aerosols properties. As using spectral information only is not sufficient to insure uniqueness of solutions, original constraints are added by assuming slow spatial variations of particles properties within the plume. The whole inversion process is validated on a large set of simulated images and reveals to remain accurate even in the worst cases of noise: relative estimation errors of aerosol properties remain between 10% and 20% in most cases. L-APOM is applied on a real AVIRIS hyperspectral image of a biomass burning plume for which in situ measurements are available. Retrieved properties appear globally consistent with measurements.     

Global Interoperability Using Semantics, Standards, Science and Technology (GIST)

“Global Interoperability Using Semantics, Standards, Science and Technology” is a concept that is predicated on the assumption that the semantic integration, frameworks and standards that support information exchange, and advances in science and technology can enable information-systems interoperability for many diverse users. This paper recommends technologies and approaches for enabling interoperability across a wide spectrum of political, geographical, and organizational levels, e.g. coalition, federal, state, tribal, regional, non government, and private. These recommendations represent steps toward the goal of the Semantic Web, where computers understand information on web sites through knowledge representations, agents, and ontologies.