Effects of estrogen-induced hyperlipidemia on the erythrocyte membrane in chicks

The effects of estrogen-induced hyperlipidemia on plasma lipid peroxidation, fatty acid composition and osmotic fragility of erythrocytes in chickens were studied. Young male chickens implanted with estrogen for three wk developed a marked hyperlipidemia. Plasma levels of triglyceride, cholesterol and phospholipid were elevated 68-, four- and 24-fold, respectively, over controls. There was also a two-fold increase in plasma lipid peroxidation measured by the thiobarbituric acid test. Vitamin E supplement (1,000 IU/kg diet) reduced the plasma lipid peroxidation to the control level, but had no effect on the plasma lipid content. Estrogen-induced hyperlipidemia resulted in changes in the fatty acid composition of membrane lipids of erythrocytes. The major changes were an increase in oleic acid from 10.0% to 14.2% and a decrease in linoleic acid from 31.3% to 26.0%. The erytrocytes with an altered membrane fatty acid composition were found to have an increased osmotic fragility. It was apparent that there was a direct correlation between the oleic acid content and the osmotic fragility of erythrocytes.     

Studies of microhardness and mar resistance using a scanning probe microscope

Scanning probe microscopy (SPM) is in a period of rapid development. It shows great promise for characterizing coating surfaces. This paper describes modification of an SPM so that it can be used to mar the surfaces of coatings under controlled conditions and to characterize the mars. Mar resistance of coatings is analyzed in terms of a ‘three response, two mechanism model.' The three responses (fracture, elastic, and plastic) can be measured quantitatively using the SPM. Of the three responses, only two (fracture and plastic deformation) are marring mechanisms – elastic deformations recover instantaneously. In some cases mars resulting from plastic deformation may recover slowly with time or with immersion in water; this phenomenon is attributed to viscoelastic creep. Microhardness is also measured with the modified SPM. Some thermoset coatings appear to be substantially harder near their surfaces than in the mass of material, and such materials may respond quite differently to stress applied at different levels near the surface. This finding has important implications for all coating properties that are strongly influenced by the surface. A quantity called ‘micro mar resistance' is defined. It may be useful for comparing different coatings under specified conditions of marring. However, there can be no single quantity that expresses ‘mar resistance' of a coating under all conditions.     

A review of the unique features of HDL apoproteins

The human plasma high density lipoproteins (HDL) are a heterogeneous ensemble of five proteins associated with both neutral and polar lipids. The sequences of all five proteins are known. ApoA-I and apoA-II are the major protein components; apoC-I, apoC-II and apoC-III are the minor protein components. All these apoproteins spontaneously recombine with phospholipids to give stable lipid-protein complexes and freely exchange between the two major HDL subclasses, HDL₂ and HDL₃. In addition, ApoC-I, apoC-II, and apoC-III exchange between HDL and very low density lipoproteins. Furthermore, certain HDL apoproteins are activators for plasma enzymes that are important in lipid metabolism. ApoA-I and apoC-I activate lecithin/cholesterol acyltransferase; apoC-II is an activator of lipoprotein lipase. The regions of apoC-I and apoC-II that are involved in the activation of these enzymes have been localized with synthetic peptides. Studies of synthetic and native fragments of apoA-II, apoC-I, apoC-II, and apoC-III as well as model lipid-binding peptides have identified specific regions with structural features common to lipid-binding proteins. These special properties, which include helical potential, sequences with a critical amphipathic length, and high hydrophobicity of the nonpolar side of the amphipathic helix, are the determinants of HDL structure and metabolism.     

Castor polyols for urethane foams

Summary A systematic investigation of some 21 castor polyols as base materials for preparing urethane foams was carried out. Prepolymers were prepared both from individual castor polyols and from mixtures of them with an anhydrous castor oil. Foams formed from these prepolymers were checked for shrinkage on cure, density, and modulus. From the wide range of results obtained it is evident that castor polyols can serve as effective urethane components. Aside from serving as major polyols for reaction with di-isocyanates, they can also be used as modifying polyols a) to speed up prepolymer preparation, b) to adjust prepolymer viscosity to any required degree, c) to minimize loss of modulus on humid aging, and as cross-linking centers with negligible loss of foam modulus. Details covering the preparation of a nonshrinking, semi-rigid, light-weight urethane foam based on an 85% anhydrous castor oil/15% epoxidized castor oil mix are outlined in the article. Presented at the Spring Meeting, American Oil Chemists' Society, Memphis, Tenn., April 20–23, 1958.     

Viscosity index. I. Evaluation of selected copolymers incorporating n-octadecyl acrylate as viscosity index improvers

Compositionally and structurally varied copolymers all containing n-octadecyl acrylate were prepared and evaluated as viscosity index improvers in a common base oil under conditions of low shear. Systems evaluated over a range of copolymer and blend composition were: copolymers of n-octadecyl acrylate with, respectively, methyl methacrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, and n-dodecyl acrylate; and homopolymers of poly(n-octadecyl acrylate), prepared with a wide range of molecular weights. Properties were compared with those of blends of commercial methacrylate copolymers (acryloids) which had been freed of their entraining liquid. Mixtures of base oil with copolymers of n-octadecyl acrylate and methyl methacrylate, compared at fixed SAE viscosities, were the most efficient of all blends studied. They had the smallest rate of change of viscosity with temperature (as measured by their ASTM slopes), particularly in the composition region of incipient polymer precipitation at room temperature. Efficiency of certain of these composition was somewhat greater than that of the acryloids. A parameter that related concentration and weight-average molecular weight was used to correlate all of the data for ASTM slope and viscosity. Empirical relations developed by using this parameter enabled rheological data to be estimated that agree within 6% of experimental values for the case of thermodynamically good base oil solvents. These data demonstrated the relatively small contributions of copolymer structure to viscosity index improvement.     

Comparison between Ni-Cr-40vol%TiC wear-resistant plasma sprayed coatings produced from self-propagating high-temperature synthesis and plasma densified powders

Plasma sprayed Ni-Cr-40vol%TiC coatings produced from powders obtained by self-propagating hightemperature synthesis (SHS) and plasma densification (PD) processes are characterized. Chemical composition, microstructure, and mechanical properties, such as microhardness and wear resistance, are evaluated and compared. SHS coatings exhibit good sliding wear performance. The exact stoichiometry of titanium carbide inclusions in the metallic matrix affects the dimension of the crystal lattice parameter and was investigated by examining the shift of x-ray diffraction (XRD) peaks of the TiC. A value of the combined carbon/titanium ratio of about 0.6 was calculated for both powders, thus excluding the influence of the stoichiometry of the carbide inclusions on the wear properties of the coatings.     

Future trends in key nickel alloy markets

Nickel and nickel alloys are critical to the stability and growth of numerous industries including aerospace (both commercial and military), power, chemical, and petrochemical, as is the growth of the nickel alloy market in China. Key industry leaders from each of these areas briefly presented their views of current and future trends in their industries during the 2006 TMS Annual Meeting in March.     

Adiabatic quantum optimization with qudits

Most realistic solid state devices considered as qubits are not true two-state systems. If the energy separation of the upper energy levels from the lowest two levels is not large, then these upper states may affect the evolution of the ground state over time and therefore cannot be neglected. In this work, we study the effect of energy levels beyond the lowest two energy levels on adiabatic quantum optimization in a device with a double-well potential as the basic logical element. We show that the extra levels can be modeled by adding additional ancilla qubits coupled to the original logical qubits, and that the presence of upper levels has no effect on the final ground state. We also study the influence of upper energy levels on the minimum gap for a set of 8-qubit spin glass instances.     

A modular rehabilitation system with enhanced functionality and safety to support improved recovery from injury and quality of life

The rehabilitation of the range of individuals covering medical patients to elite athletes is a costly and time-consuming process involving the knowledge of experienced physical therapists, medical practitioners, coaches, and dedicated training facilities. In order to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the rehabilitation process, a modular variable-resistance rehabilitation device has been developed. The mechanical, electromechanical, and software systems identified during this research have been shown to provide a step change in exercise functionality, real-time patient monitoring, performance feedback, and safety. Using distributed network concepts, the physical therapist will be able to design and implement training regimes remotely, which can subsequently be downloaded to the localized resistance devices. The patient and/or athlete is able to complete the required exercises without personal supervision. The data from these sessions can be saved and accessed for assessment at a convenient time, thereby maximizing therapist productivity and optimizing the utilization of medical resources.