Excretion of 35S-Tobias acid (2-naphthylamino, 1-sulphonic acid) by the rat after oral and intravenous administration

The lipid-lowering effects of 3 g of the nicotinic acid derivative pentaerythritoltetranicotinate (niceritrol) given either 1 g X 3 or 1.5 g X 2 have been evaluated in 18 subjects with hyperlipoproteinaemia. When 1 g niceritrol was given three times daily, the serum TG concentration fell from 3.14 +/- 0.48 to 1.86 +/- 0.18 mmol/1 (41% reduction) and the serum cholesterol concentration from 282 +/- 9 to 227 +/- 11 mg/100 ml (20% reduction). The same daily dose, given 1.5 g twice, did not significantly lower the serum TG concentration, and serum cholesterol was lowered by only 12%. Niceritrol tablets prepared with a dissolution time of 60 or 90 min had identical lipid-lowering properties. Although patients may find it practical to take niceritrol only twice daily, such a dose regimen has considerably less effect on elevated serum lipids than a thrice-daily regimen.     

Electrode-limited conduction in amorphous boron films I. D.C. measurements

The conduction mechanism in amorphous boron films sandwiched between plane gold electrodes has been investigated. The films, in the thickness range 3000–8000 Å, were obtained by the vacuum evaporation technique. The conduction process was examined in the temperature range 260–403 K with applied electric fields ranging from 10³ to 10⁵ V cm^-1. The temperature and field dependences of the current flowing through the insulator are understandable in terms of the thermal emission of charge carriers over the Schottky barrier of a blocking contact. The theory of this type of electrode-limited conduction, derived by Simmons, predicts a current-voltage relationship of the type $\text{J～}\text{exp}\text{(β V}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>4</mtext>}}$. A good fit of the experimental J-V curves to this relationship is obtained. Furthermore, a set of parameters has been calculated: the height and the transmission coefficient of the potential barrier are respectively 0.43 eV and 10^-13, and the donor density within the insulator is equal to about 10²¹ cm^-3.     

Dyschromatopsia in diabetes mellitus and its relation to metabolic control

In 102 insulin-dependent diabetic patients without retinopathy and with visual acuity 20/20, the Farnsworth-Munsell 100-Hue test was performed, and glycosylated hemoglobin (GlHb) levels were determined. In 70% of the patients, a dyschromatopsia in the yellow-blue axis (tritanopia) was found. No correlation existed between duration of diabetes and tritanopia. On the other hand, the degree of this visual defect was positively correlated with GlHb levels. Thus, dyschromatopsia might be associated with poor metabolic control. It is suggested that dyschromatopsia is a consequence of hypoxia at the neuroepithelial level. The high levels of GlHb could be a contributory cause of hypoxia by reduction of both oxygen release capacity and erythrocyte deformability.     

Familial C/D translocation t(9;13)(9p23.13q21) in a male associated with recurrent abortion

A familial reciprocal translocation, established by R-banding as t(9;13) (9p23;13q21), is described in a phenotypically normal male carrier, whose father is also a balanced carrier and wife had four consecutive spontaneous abortions. The role of translocation in reproductive failure through production of chromosomally unbalanced gametes or by impairment of the spermatogenesis is briefly discussed.     

Mutual interactions between HIV-1 and cytokines in adherent cells during acute infection

Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) infusions of angiotensin II (AII) reliably induced c-fos expression in the supraoptic (SON) and paraventricular (PVN) nuclei, as well as other areas of the basal forebrain including the OVLT, subfornical organ (SFO), and bed nucleus (BNST). Double-labelling showed that AII-induced c-fos was observed in both vasopressin (AVP-) and oxytocin (OXY)-containing neurons of the SON and PVN in male rats. Allowing rats to drink water after AII infusions suppressed c-fos expression both AVP- and OXY-stained magnocellular neurons. Intragastric infusions of water were also effective, showing that oro-pharyngeal stimuli were not critical. Maximal suppression occurred in rats in whom water had been infused intragastrically about 5 min before i.c.v. AII infusions, suggesting that changes in osmolarity were responsible. i.c.v. AII also induced c-fos expression in a number of brainstem structures, including the solitary nucleus (NTS), lateral parabrachial nucleus (LPBN), locus coeruleus (LC), and the area postrema (AP). These results indicate that AVP and OXY-containing neurons in the magnocellular parts of the SON and PVN alter their immediate-early gene response to AII after water intake, and that this does not depend upon oro-pharyngeal factors. Furthermore, AII can induce c-fos expression in a number of brainstem nuclei associated with autonomic function, and these do not respond to water intake.     

Comparison of wild and cultured sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) quality

Chemical composition, nutritional value and other physico-chemical parameters of sea bass from two different geographical areas (Greece and Spain) and from aquaculture and wild origin were studied. Farmed and wild fish differ in proximate composition, colour, and especially in texture, fatty acids and free amino acids (FAAs) profiles. Flesh of wild fish was firmer, which could be attributed to their lower fat content and higher level of activity. Cultured fish showed a higher content of monounsaturated fatty acids and lower of saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Within the PUFA group, n−3 fatty acids were predominant in wild sea bass, while n−6 were more abundant in farmed fish. Some FAAs related to the characteristic flavour of fish, such as glutamic acid, aspartic acid, alanine, and glycine were more abundant in cultured sea bass. No differences between fish from both farms were found, due to the similar composition of the feed used.     

Detection process approach of tool wear in high speed milling

The cutting tool wear degrades the quality of the product in the manufacturing process, for this reason an on-line monitoring of the cutting tool wear level is very necessary to prevent any deterioration. Unfortunately there is no direct manner to measure the cutting tool wear on-line. Consequently we must adopt an indirect method where wear will be estimated from the measurement of one or more physical parameters appearing during the machining process such as the cutting force, the vibrations, or the acoustic emission, etc. The main objective of this work is to establish a relationship between the acquired signals variation and the tool wear in high speed milling process; so an experimental setup was carried out using a horizontal high speed milling machine. Thus, the cutting forces were measured by means of a dynamometer whereas; the tool wear was measured in an off-line manner using a binocular microscope. Furthermore, we analysed cutting force signatures during milling operation throughout the tool life. This analysis was based on both temporal and frequential signal processing techniques in order to extract the relevant indicators of cutting tool state. Our results have shown that the variation of the variance and the first harmonic amplitudes were linked to the flank wear evolution. These parameters show the best behavior of the tool wear state while providing relevant information of this later.     

Combined Treatment with Dif1stat<Superscript>®</Superscript> and Diet Reduce Plasma Lipid Indicators of Moderate Hypercholesterolemia More Effectively than Diet Alone: A Randomized Trial in Parallel Groups

An open-labeled randomized trial with parallel groups was carried out to study the effects of Dif1stat^® (Monascus purpureus–Linear aliphatic alcohols–Niacin) in the treatment of primary moderate hypercholesterolemia. The trial lasted 8 months. The patients, males and females, were assigned to two groups: A (#130), treated with diet, and B (#110) submitted to diet + Dif1stat^®. After 4 months, group A did not show significant changes in Total cholesterol (TC), LDL-cholesterol (LDLC), HDL-cholesterol (HDLC) or non-HDL-cholesterol (non-HDLC). The same group, showed a reduction in TC (–22%), LDLC (–30%) and non-HDLC (–27%) after 8 months (P ≤ 0.001). After 4 months, TC (–21.3%), LDLC (–29%), and non-HDLC (–26%) were significantly lowered in group B (P ≤ 0.001). In group B, TC, LDLC and non-HDLC showed a further reduction after 8 months: –29.4, –38 and –37%, respectively (P ≤ 0.001). Even triglycerides (TG) decreased significantly (–33%) (P ≤ 0.001). After 8 months, group B showed a significant reduction of TG (–33%) (P ≤ 0.001), when compared to group A. Some safety parameters were significantly reduced in both groups: AST and γ-GT in group A after 4 and 8 months, as well as ALT, AST and γ-GT in group B after 8 months (P ≤ 0.001). Dif1stat^®, given with a suitable diet, was well tolerated in the long-term and induced an anti-atherogenic plasma lipid and lipoprotein profile, in patients with moderate hypercholesterolemia.     

Structure optimization of energy supply systems in tertiary sector buildings

Trigeneration systems, also known as Combined Heat, Cooling and Power (CHCP) systems, are interesting alternatives to supply different energy services in urban districts and in large buildings, particularly in warm areas such as Mediterranean countries. These systems can provide substantial benefits from economic, energetic, and environmental viewpoints, since the cogenerated heat can be used for heating in winter as well as cooling in summer with an absorption refrigerator. This paper develops an optimization model using Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) to determine the type, number and capacity of equipment in CHCP systems installed in the tertiary sector as well as to establish the optimal operation mode for the different plant components on an hour-by-hour basis throughout the year. The objective function to be minimized is the annual total cost. The optimization model considers the legal constraints imposed to feed the surplus autogenerated electricity into the grid at a regulated feed-in tariff. The optimization model is applied to design a system providing energy services for a hospital located in the city of Zaragoza (Spain). The effects of the financial market conditions and energy prices in the optimal structure of the system are analyzed.     

Influence of Barium Incorporation on the Electrochemical Performance of Ln0.58Sr0.4Fe0.8Co0.2O3–δ (Ln=La,Pr, Sm) Perovskites for Oxygen Activation at Intermediate Temperatures

Highly active perovskite‐based electrodes were obtained through partial substitution of lanthanides (La, Pr and Sm) by barium in the Ln_0.58Sr_0.4Fe_0.8Co_0.2O₃ system. These compositions were obtained as single phase crystalline compounds through a sol–gel synthetic route and tested by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) as symmetrical cells on GDC‐electrolyte samples in the temperature range 450–650 °C. Cooperative effects arose through the incorporation of a large divalent active cation (Ba⁺²) in the perovskite lattice of lanthanide‐based strontium ferrites‐cobaltites. Reduction in the electrode polarisation resistance with respect to non‐substituted compositions is obtained irrespective of the amount of barium substitution and lanthanide nature. Barium addition also reduces the activation energy of these compositions, indicating changes in the oxygen activation processes. The specific effect of the barium incorporation on the electrode performance was dependent on the nature of the partially substituted lanthanide. Lanthanum–barium‐based compositions exhibited the lowest electrode polarisation resistance when the amount of the replaced barium was increased up to 50% molar. On the other hand, for praseodymium‐ or samarium–barium‐based compositions, the minimum in electrode polarisation resistance was achieved at barium substitutions close to 25% molar. The study of the effect of oxygen partial pressure on EIS data allowed in improving the understanding of the processes governing the electrode operation.