Beta-adrenoceptor stimulation-mediated preconditioning-like cardioprotection in perfused rat hearts

The metabolic rates of six female grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) pups were measured during their postweaning fast at air temperatures between -15 degrees and 30 degrees C. The composite of their individual thermal neutral zones extended from a mean lower critical temperature of -7.1 degrees +/- 0.7 degree C to a mean upper critical temperature of 23.0 degrees +/- 0.4 degree C. Within the thermal neutral zone, mean standard metabolic rate of the fasting animals was 1,265 +/- 82 kcal d-1, or about 1.1 times the value predicted for an adult animal of similar body mass (mean mass = 40.9 +/- 1.2 kg). For those grey seal populations that reproduce during winter months in the eastern and western Atlantic and in the Baltic Sea, the lower critical temperature of fasting pups corresponds closely with the coldest mean monthly air temperature at the northern end of their breeding ranges. This observation supports the hypothesis that cold ambient air temperatures limit the northern breeding distribution of grey seals, primarily through their thermoregulatory effects on small, fasting pups before they enter the water.     

Clinical efficacy of three-dimensional chemical shift imaging (3D-CSI)--a study of 3D-CSI in the human heart and its clinical perspectives for the future

The main purpose of this study was to investigate whether in vivo 31P three-dimensional chemical shift imaging(3D-CSI) of the human heart could serve as a useful tool for evaluating myocardial metabolism. We performed slice-selective 3D-CSI employing nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR) imaging with slice selection in one dimension and phase encoding in two dimensions. 31P NMR images of phosphocreatine (PCr) and ATP were superimposed on a corresponding 1H image of the heart. Our study revealed that while accurate in vivo 31P 3D-CSI measurement of the human heart is difficult to achieve it is not impossible, although various additional techniques for improving signal to noise ratio are indicated.     

Presence of anti-pituitary antibodies and GAD antibodies in NIDDM and IDDM

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical significance of the presence of anti-pituitary antibodies (APAs) in patients with NIDDM or IDDM and to examine the relationship of APAs to GAD antibodies (GADAs). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Serum samples were obtained from patients with NIDDM and IDDM. APAs, determined by Western blot analysis, and GADAs, determined by radioimmunoassay, were detected in the patients' sera and control sera. Urinary levels of C-peptide (U-CPR) were measured. RESULTS: The prevalence of APAs was significantly higher in patients with NIDDM (24.2%) or IDDM (56.8%) than in healthy control subjects (6%). In patients with NIDDM, the levels of U-CPR were significantly lower, and the prevalence of insulin deficiency was higher in APA+ patients than in APA- patients. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to demonstrate that the prevalence of APAs is increased in patients with NIDDM and IDDM. The presence of APAs may be related to reduced secretion of insulin in NIDDM patients.     

Novel Approach for the Reduction of ZnO and MgO Using a Direct Diode-Laser

In this work, we present the results of using the diode laser with an energy density of 6.6 × 10¹¹ W/m³ for reducing ZnO to Zn in vacuum as a first step. Subsequently, we use the diode laser for the reduction of MgO using Zn as the reducing agent. Although Zn is one of the candidates proposed for the renewable energy cycle, it is more auspicious to use it as a recyclable reducing agent. Herein, the reduction efficiency was measured in terms of moles of Zn or Mg obtained per moles of ZnO or MgO ablated. The energy efficiency is measured in terms of mass of Zn or Mg produced per energy consumed by diode laser. For the first part, the largest reduction rate was 15.8 mg/s, corresponding to reduction and energy efficiencies of 76.6 pct and 16.14 mg/kJ, respectively. The yield for the process was 8.8 pct of the theoretically calculated one, which is only better than the solar ZnO reduction process. For the second part, the reduction of MgO with Zn was attainable by diode laser, the resultant Mg was associated with Zn traces, and the electron probe micro analysis results showed that the MgO reduction efficiency fluctuates between 14.4 and 26.6 pct. Different scenarios were suggested for the mechanism of the reaction.     

臭氧高级氧化组合技术处理垃圾渗滤液达标

分别选取上海某垃圾焚烧厂及填埋场的垃圾渗滤液MBR出水为处理对象,采用臭氧高级氧化(AOP)技术,并结合混凝预处理及生化处理进行小试.结果表明:对于垃圾焚烧厂MBR出水,采用AOP1(O3)/生化/AOP2(O3组合)处理,当总AOP投加量在3～3.5个单位时就可达到COD＜ 100 mg/L的新排放标准;对于垃圾填埋场MBR出水,采用混凝/AOP(O3/H2O2)处理,当AOP投加量为6个单位时就可达到COD＜100 mg/L的排放标准.综合经济性因素,臭氧氧化组合处理工艺[(混凝)/AOP1(O3)/生化/AOP2(O3/H2O2)]为垃圾渗滤液深度处理的最佳方式.     

Modeling the impact of CO2 releases in Kagoshima Bay,Japan

A model is developed to simulate CO₂ gas releases from moderate ocean depths. It can simulate CO₂ releases from a single point, or releases spread over an area (non-point source). The model uses multi-species Lagrangian parcels approach to model CO₂ in both gas and dissolved gas phases (i.e. the changes in the gas released as well as the changes in the ambient water caused by the dissolved gas). The physico-chemical processes included are: gas expansion during upward travel due to pressure changes; gas dissolution and its impact on bubble volume; continuous recalculation of bubble buoyant velocity based on the volume and density changes; and tracking the transport and dispersion of dissolved and free gas. The buoyant velocity and dissolution computations take the non-circular nature of the bubble into consideration. The Model calculates dissolved CO₂ concentration, pH, and TCO₂ in water. The model is used to calculate and compare the changes in pH values due to natural CO₂ releases in Kagoshima Bay, Japan. The comparisons are reasonably good. The results show that pH value in seawater can change slightly after many hours of release for the cases considered.     

Power differential method for discrimination between fault andmagnetizing inrush current in transformers

To avoid the needless trip by magnetizing inrush current, the second harmonic component is commonly used for the blocking differential relay in power transformers. However, the second harmonic component in fault current is increased by the introduction of underground 500 kV lines. This paper describes a new method to discriminate internal fault from inrush current by the sum of active power flowing into transformers from each terminal. The average power is almost zero for energizing, but an internal fault consumes large power. To check the performance of this method, actual inrush current and voltage waveforms of a 500/154 kV transformer are accurately measured by digital equipment. The usefulness is confirmed by applying the method to the measured inrush and simulated fault data     

Patch clamp studies on ion pumps of the cytoplasmic membrane of Escherichia coli. Formation, preparation, and utilization of giant vacuole-like structures consisting of everted cytoplasmic membrane

Formation of giant protoplasts from normal Escherichia coli cells resulted in the formation of giant vacuole-type structures (which we designate as provacuoles) in the protoplasts. Electron microscopic observation revealed that these provacuoles were surrounded by a single membrane. We detected inner (cytoplasmic) membrane proteins in the provacuolar membrane but not outer membrane proteins. Biochemical analyses revealed that the provacuoles consist of everted cytoplasmic membranes. We applied the patch clamp method to the giant provacuoles. We have succeeded in measuring current that represents inward movement of H+ because of respiration and to ATP hydrolysis by the FoF1-ATPase. Such current was inhibited by inhibitors of the respiratory chain or FoF1-ATPase. This method is applicable for analyses of ion channels, ion pumps, or ion transporters in E. coli or other microorganisms.