Protein kinase A anchoring proteins are required for vasopressin-mediated translocation of aquaporin-2 into cell membranes of renal principal cells

The antidiuretic hormone arginine-vasopressin (AVP) regulates water reabsorption in renal collecting duct principal cells by inducing a cAMP-dependent translocation of water channels (aquaporin-2, AQP-2) from intracellular vesicles into the apical cell membranes. In subcellular fractions from primary cultured rat inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD) cells, enriched for intracellular AQP-2-bearing vesicles, catalytic protein kinase A (PKA) subunits and several protein kinase A anchoring proteins (AKAPs) were detected. In nonstimulated IMCD cells the majority of AQP-2 staining was detected intracellularly but became mainly localized within the cell membrane after stimulation with AVP or forskolin. Quantitative analysis revealed that preincubation of the cells with the synthetic peptide S-Ht31, which prevents the binding between AKAPs and regulatory subunits of PKA, strongly inhibited AQP-2 translocation in response to forskolin. Preincubation of the cells with the PKA inhibitor H89 prior to forskolin stimulation abolished AQP-2 translocation. In contrast to H89, S-Ht31 did not affect the catalytic activity of PKA. These data demonstrate that not only the activity of PKA, but also its tethering to subcellular compartments, are prerequisites for cAMP-dependent AQP-2 translocation.     

A class of frequency hop codes with nearly ideal characteristicsfor use in multiple-access spread-spectrum communications and radar andsonar systems

The problem of constructing frequency hop codes for use in multiuser communication systems such as multiple-access spread-spectrum communications and multiuser radar and sonar systems is addressed. Previous frequency hopping techniques are reviewed. The construction of a new family of frequency hopping codes called hyperbolic frequency hop codes is given. The concepts of multiple-access spread-spectrum communication systems and multiuser radar and sonar systems are reviewed, and it is shown that the hyperbolic frequency hop codes possess nearly ideal characteristics for use in both types of system. Specifically, in multiple-access communications the codes achieve minimum error probability, while in radar and sonar systems the codes have at most two hits in their auto- and cross-ambiguity function. Examples of address assignment for multiple-access communications systems and radar and sonar auto- and cross-ambiguity functions are also given     

Flame-Based Technologies and Reactive Spray Deposition Technology for Low-Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells: Technical and Economic Aspects

The economic and technical breakthroughs in solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) for commercial success still depend on high-quality manufacture, reliability, efficiency, and must have an acceptable cost when compared to competing technologies. The application of flame-based technologies as a one-step deposition technique for SOFC component manufacture has potential to reduce both cost and production time. In this article, cells produced by flame processes have been reviewed with emphases placed on the Reactive Spray Deposition Technology technique. Various experimental methods and examples for the synthesis of porous electrodes and dense electrolytes are reviewed. The studies focus on determining the range of the flame conditions under which each of the individual cell components for low temperature SOFC applications ~600 °C could be successfully deposited.     

Organic milk improves Bifidobacterium lactis counts and bioactive fatty acids contents in fermented milk

In functional dairy products, polyunsaturated fatty acids such as, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and α-linolenic acid (ALA) have been highlighted for their benefits related to prevention of some chronic diseases. In order to study the effect of type of milk (conventional vs. organic, characterized by a specific fatty acid composition), Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis (BB12, B94, BL04 and HN019) counts, acidification activity and chemical composition (pH, lactose, lactic acid contents and fatty acids profile) were investigated before fermentation and after 24 h of products stored at 4 °C. Organic and conventional milk influenced acidification performance and bacteria counts, which was strain-dependent. Higher counts of BB12 were observed in organic milk, whereas superior counts of BL04 were found in conventional milk. Organic fermented milk showed lower levels in saturated fatty acids (FA) and higher in monounsaturated FA contents. Similarly, among bioactive FA, organic fermented milks have higher amounts of trans vaccenic acid (TVA–C18:1t), conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and slightly higher contents of α-linoleic acid (ALA).     

A transmission length limit for space division multiplexing in step-index silica optical fibres

ABSTRACT

By solving the power flow equation, we investigate the influence of mode coupling on space division multiplexing capability of three multimode step-index silica optical fibres with a different strengths of mode coupling. Results show that mode coupling significantly limits the length of these fibres at which the space division multiplexing can be realized with a minimal crosstalk between the neighbour optical channels. This is most pronounced in silica optical fibres with the strongest mode coupling. The two and three spatially multiplexed channels in the investigated step-index silica optical fibres can be employed with a minimal crosstalk up to the fibre lengths of few hundred of meters and few tens of meters, respectively. These lengths are much shorter than kilometer lengths at which these fibres are usually employed without space division multiplexing. Such characterization of optical fibres should be considered in designing an optical fibre transmission system for space division multiplexing.     

Solution of mode coupling in step-index optical fibers by the Fokker-Planck equation and the Langevin equation

The power-flow equation is approximated by the Fokker-Planck equation that is further transformed into a stochastic differential (Langevin) equation, resulting in an efficient method for the estimation of the state of mode coupling along step-index optical fibers caused by their intrinsic perturbation effects. The inherently stochastic nature of these effects is thus fully recognized mathematically. The numerical integration is based on the computer-simulated Langevin force. The solution matches the solution of the power-flow equation reported previously. Conceptually important steps of this work include (i) the expression of the power-flow equation in a form of the diffusion equation that is known to represent the solution of the stochastic differential equation describing processes with random perturbations and (ii) the recognition that mode coupling in multimode optical fibers is caused by random perturbations.     

Influence of numerical aperture on mode coupling in step-index plastic optical fibers

Using the power-flow equation, we have examined the state of mode coupling in step-index plastic optical fibers with different numerical apertures. Our results confirm that the coupling rates vary with the coupling coefficient of the fibers as the dominant parameter, especially in the early stage of coupling near the input fiber end. However, we show that the fiber's numerical aperture has a significant influence on later stages of this process. Consequently, equilibrium mode distribution and steady-state distribution are achieved at overall fiber lengths that depend on both of these factors. As one of our examples demonstrates, it is possible for the coupling length of a high-aperture fiber to be similar to that of a low-aperture fiber despite the three-times-larger coupling coefficient of the former.     

Microscopic Cascading Devices for Boosting Mucus Penetration in Oral Drug Delivery—Micromotors Nesting Inside Microcontainers

In the case of macromolecules and poorly permeable drugs, oral drug delivery features low bioavailability and low absorption across the intestinal wall. Intestinal absorption can be improved if the drug formulation could be transported close to the epithelium. To achieve this, a cascade delivery device comprising Magnesium-based Janus micromotors (MMs) nesting inside a microscale containers (MCs) has been conceptualized. The device aims at facilitating targeted drug delivery mediated by MMs that can lodge inside the intestinal mucosa. Loading MMs into MCs can potentially enhance drug absorption through increased proximity and unidirectional release. The MMs will be provided with optimal conditions for ejection into any residual mucus layer that the MCs have not penetrated. MMS confined inside MCs propel faster in the mucus environment as compared to non-confined MMs. Upon contact with a suitable fuel, the MM-loaded MC itself can also move. An in vitro study shows fast release profiles and linear motion properties in porcine intestinal mucus compared to more complex motion in aqueous media. The concept of dual-acting cascade devices holds great potential in applications where proximity to epithelium and deep mucus penetration are needed.