Common pattern of gene expression in response to hypoxia or cadmium in the gills of the European glass eel (Anguilla anguilla)

European eel (Anguilla anguilla) populations are in decline. Glass eel recruitment has fallen 10-fold since the early 1980s. Estuaries play a fundamental role in the life history of eels because glass eels must pass through them to reach freshwater ecosystems. Unfortunately, because of their geographical position at the upstream basin slopes, estuaries accumulate metals like cadmium and are important sites of hypoxia events. In this context, we studied the effect of the oxygen level on the ventilation of the glass eel. In parallel, glass eels were submitted to different dissolved cadmium concentrations (0, 2, and 10 microg L(-1)) under two oxygen levels (normoxia PO2 = 21 kPa and Hypoxia PO2 = 6 kPa). The expression level of various genes involved in the mitochondrial respiratory chain, in the cellular response to metal and oxidative stresses, was investigated. Our results showed that hypoxia enhances (1) ventilation of the postlarval stage and (2) Cd accumulation in gills only at the lowest metal water concentration tested (2 microg Cd L(-1)). At the gene level, Cd exposure mimics the effect of hypoxia since we observed a decrease in expression of genes involved in the respiratory chain and in the defense against oxidative stress.     

Gamma-ray bursts: cosmic rulers for the high-redshift universe?

The desire to extend the Hubble Diagram to higher redshifts than the range of current Type 1a Supernovae observations has prompted investigation into spectral correlations in gamma-ray bursts (GBRs), in the hope that standard candle-like properties can be identified. In this paper, we discuss the potential of these new 'cosmic rulers' and highlight their limitations by investigating the constraints that current data can place on an alternative Cosmological model in the form of Conformal Gravity. By fitting current Type 1a Supernovae and GRB data to the predicted luminosity distance redshift relation of both the standard Concordance Model and the Conformal Gravity, we show that currently neither model is strongly favoured at high redshift. The scatter in the current GRB data testifies to the further work required if GRBs are to cement their place as effective probes of the cosmological distance scale.     

FASANT: past computer tool for the analysis of on-board antennas

FASANT is a computer tool for the analysis of antennas on-board satellites, ships, aircraft, and other complex bodies. The structure under analysis, which can be metallic or dielectric (with and/or without losses), must be modeled by plane and/or curved surfaces. The geometrical input files are in DXF format, and can be generated by the most commonly used computer-aided geometrical-design (CAGD) tools. The code can also be applied to the analysis of arrays and arbitrarily shaped reflectors. The kernel of the code is based on the uniform theory of diffraction (UTD). Special algorithms have been developed to speed up the ray-tracing computation for both flat and curved surfaces. FASANT can obtain far-field patterns, field levels at points near the structure, can calculate the mutual coupling between antennas or between array elements, and can show each ray-tracing mechanism     

Epoxy-based aqueous-processable photodielectric dry film andconductive ViaPlug for PCB build-up and IC packaging

DuPont formulated a new generation of photoimageable permanent resists and conductive ViaPlug polymer to be used as building blocks for sequential build-up of printed circuit boards (PCB's), multichip module-laminates (MCM-Ls), and plastic integrated circuit (IC) packages. The buzzwords for these structures are high density interconnection structures (HDIS) and microvias. The conventional method of making PCB's and MCM-Ls is a sequential lamination of innerlayer cores or interplanes, followed by at least one mechanical drilling. In this paper we will discuss a new approach of using semi-additive plating which means starting with a multilayer core, mechanically drilling for through hole connection, filling the through-hole with conductive ViaPlug, then adding layers of dielectric to make blind or buried vias for interconnection and routing of circuits, and heat dissipation. The paper will discuss the challenges in each application, relevant industry specifications for each application, and the dielectric and conductor materials properties to meet the challenges. From the viewpoint of technology choices, we will compare photoimaging versus laser ablation and plasma etching. Lastly, we will discuss our reliability data developed internally and in conjunction with several consortia     

Eight inhibitory monoclonal antibodies define the role of individual P-450s in human liver microsomal diazepam, 7-ethoxycoumarin, and imipramine metabolism

Serotonergic 5-hydroxytryptamine-1A (5-HT1A) receptors are of interest in the pathophysiology of several neuropsychiatric disorders such as anxiety, depression and schizophrenia. [Carbonyl-11C]WAY-100635 has recently been shown to be suitable for quantitative determination of 5-HT1A receptors in the human brain using PET. For group comparisons of neuroreceptor distribution on a pixel-by-pixel basis, an anatomic standardization technique is required. In the current study, we have built a database of normal 5-HT1A receptor distribution using [carbonyl-11C]WAY-100635 and an anatomic standardization technique. METHOD: A PET examination lasting 63 min was performed on six subjects after intravenous injection of [carbonyl-11C]WAY-100635. The radioactivity of the PET images were integrated in the interval 12-63 min and normalized by the radioactivity of the cerebellum, providing a measure of the binding potential (BP) in each pixel. Each PET image was transformed into a standard brain anatomy using a computerized brain atlas system. From the standardized PET images, the sample mean and the SD of the BP were calculated in each pixel. RESULT: On the anatomically standardized average image, high BP was observed in the cerebral cortices, hippocampus and raphe nucleus, whereas low BP was observed in the basal ganglia and thalamus. This regional distribution is in good agreement with the distribution of 5-HT1A receptors known from in vitro studies. CONCLUSION: The anatomic standardization technique permits building of a database of the normal 5-HT1A receptor distribution in the living human brain. This technique can be applied for group comparisons of neuroreceptor distribution on a pixel-by-pixel basis.     

Cytological and compositional evaluation of white asparagus spears as a function of variety,thickness, portion and storage conditions

An evaluation was made of the degree of toughening of asparagus during its storage through a study of the morphological and cellular differences of the xylem vascular bundles as a function of the variety, thickness and portion of the asparagus spear. Light microscopic examinations were carried out to determine the thickness of the cell wall to quantify the extent of the toughening. At the same time a study was made of the fractions of dietary fibre of the asparagus spear by means of chemical extraction techniques. Statistically significant differences were observed in both methods between varieties, thicknesses and portions of the asparagus spear. Different factors such as variety, degree of maturing, portion of spear, moment of harvesting, and type and time of storage have an influence on the toughening of white asparagus that should be taken into account in order to standardise its quality. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Activity of substrates in the catalyzed nucleation of poly(ethylene terephthalate) melts

The activity, Φ of AgBr, AgI, PbF₂, Ag₂S, LiF, and CaF₂ in the catalyzed nucleation of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) melts was determined using a nonisothermal differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) technique. A comparison with existing experimental data was made. It is established that the higher the melting temperature of the substrate the lower its activity as a crystallization core in the heterogeneous nucleation of PET. The lateral surface energy, σ, the end surface energy, σ_e, the adhesion energy, β, and the difference between the surface energies at the substrate/melt, σ_sf, substrate/deposit, σ^*, and the total energy of misfit dislocations, E_d [i.e., σ_sf - (σ^* - E_d)] were calculated. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 63: 349–353, 1997     

Photoresponsive polyurethane–acrylate block copolymers. I. Photochromic effects in copolymers containing 6′‐nitro spiropyranes and 6′‐nitro‐bis‐spiropyranes

The photochromic effect of polyurethane–acrylate block copolymers containing 6′‐nitro spiropyranes and 6′nitro‐bis‐spiropyranes has been investigated. The influence of incorporation of the photochromic agent into the polymeric matrix as a simple solid solution or in a chemically bonded form and the effects of the composition (polyurethane–acrylate) of the block copolymer were studied. In general, it was observed that the photoresponse for the spiropyranes and especially the bis‐spiropyranes obey the combination of several factors, mainly the spatial and electronic differences between the two forms (Sp.–Mer.) in the photoisomerization of these compounds. Such factors are discussed here. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 71: 259–266, 1999     

Comparison of two estrus-synchronization protocols and timed artificial insemination in dairy cattle

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the Ovsynch protocol with and without exogenous progesterone on pregnancy rate (PR) in cows in which estrous cycles were previously synchronized with 2 doses of PGF_2α and that were not detected in estrus during the presynchronization period. The study was conducted in Chihuahua, Mexico (8,650 Holstein milking cows; 305-d mature equivalent milk yield = 13,790 kg). On d 47 postpartum, estrous cycles in cows were synchronized by using 2 doses of PGF_2α 14 d apart. Any cow detected in estrus during this presynchronization period was inseminated. Cows not detected in estrus were selected at random and assigned to receive progesterone supplementation or to serve as controls. Controls (n = 594) were subjected to the Ovsynch protocol and cows in the progesterone supplemented treatment (n = 594) were subjected to the Ovsynch protocol plus an intravaginal insert containing 1.9 g of progesterone inserted at the time of the first GnRH injection and removed 7 d later. Progesterone-supplemented cows had a greater PR (31.2%) compared with controls (22.7%). Plasma progesterone concentrations at artificial insemination (AI) were <1 ng/mL and did not differ between treatments. At 14 d post-AI, however, more cows that received progesterone supplementation had concentrations of progesterone >1 ng/mL compared with controls. It was concluded that after a presynchronization period, cows subjected to the Ovsynch program and supplemented with exogenous progesterone had a greater PR and greater concentrations of progesterone after AI than those subjected to the Ovsynch protocol and not supplemented with progesterone.     

Survivability of Inoculated Versus Naturally Grown Bacteria in Apple Juice Under Pulsed Electric Fields

In this paper, the effect of different pulse and system parameters on the killing efficiency of pulsed electric field (PEF) treatment is investigated. Both Escherichia coli and naturally grown bacteria inoculated in apple juice were treated. Results showed that an electric field higher than 4 kV/mm is required to enhance the killing efficiency using PEF and achieve sufficient log reductions in the microbial numbers. The maximum temperature rise during pulse application was found to be around 35 $^{circ}hbox{C}$ above ambient with the treated medium temperature reaching 41 $^{circ}hbox{C}$, and it is observed that this rise in medium temperature has synergistic effect and has resulted in high inactivation. As the temperature rise can be limited to a value below the pasteurization temperature, the synergistic effect can be highly beneficial. While a high killing rate was achieved for inoculated bacteria (up to 6-log reduction), less than 2-log reduction was achieved for naturally grown bacteria in apple juice under similar test conditions.