Dietary alpha-linolenic acid increases the biosynthesis of the choline glycerophospholipids from [14C]CDPcholine in rat liver and kidney but not in brain

The effect of feeding rats for 30 days with diets containing high levels of linoleic acid (sunflower oil, SO) or alpha-linolenic acid (perilla oil, PO) was studied in the liver, kidney and brain. The PO group showed a higher labeling of choline glycerophospholipids (CGP) in liver and kidney but no difference with the SO group in ethanolamine glycerophospholipids (EGP) labeling. The brain displayed the lowest incorporation of both precursors and no difference between the two diets. Analyses of brain CGP and EGP fatty acid composition showed that in the PO group the ratio n-6/n-3 was lower than in the SO group, mainly as a consequence of lower levels of n-6 fatty acids. The mole % of docosahexaenoate (DHA) in these lipids was the same for both groups and only triacylglycerols (TAG) displayed a higher DHA. Therefore, at least in the brain, the magnitude of fatty acid changes observed in CGP and EGP for the PO group does not affect the uptake/incorporation of the precursors into phospholipids.     

Activation of ErbB2 during wallerian degeneration of sciatic nerve

We used anti-phosphopeptide-immunodetecting antibodies as immunohistochemical reagents to define the location and activity state of p185(erbB2) during Wallerian degeneration. Nerve damage induces a phosphorylation event at Y1248, a site that couples p185(erbB2) to the Ras-Raf-MAP kinase signal transduction pathway. Phosphorylation of p185(erbB2) occurs within Schwann cells and coincides in time and space with Schwann cell mitotic activity, as measured by bromodeoxyuridine uptake. These visual images of receptor autophosphorylation link activation of p185(erbB2) to the Schwann cell proliferation that accompanies nerve regeneration.     

A partially debonded circular inclusion interacting with a point singularity: A classical problem revisited

The classical problem for a partially debonded circular inhomogeneity is revisited. The interaction of the interfacial crack and a point singularity such as a point force and/or a dislocation is dealt with. Also the circular arc-shaped interfacial crack under remote stress is solved. This problem has been solved by many researchers for the cases of various loading types. However, lack of generality in the solution technique together with too complicated form of the solution makes it hard to grasp the structure of the solution. Based on the recently published technique for a perfectly bonded circular inhomogeneity, this problem is revisited. The resulting form of the solution is very simple, therefore, its structure is easily understood. Due to the merit of the present method, the image force on the edge dislocation near the tip of the interfacial crack is easily obtained.     

Experimental study on the thermal performance of micro-heat pipe with cross-section of polygon

The electronic industries have been tried to develop the electronic packaging technology for high-density, light weight, and miniaturization of mobile personal information terminals such as notebook PC, personal digital assistant (PDA), or handheld PC as the performance and the portability of the system have been become important more and more. The generated heat from the CPU of the electronic system should be dissipated effectively for the stability in operation and the long life-time of the system. In the present study, micro-heat pipes (MHPs) with cross-section of polygon have been manufactured and tested for operating characteristics and heat transfer limit. An additional process for installing a wick that is an inevitable component of heat pipes is not required for the MHP. For a small-sized heat pipe in the present study, a high precision technology is needed in manufacturing process. The MHPs tested in this paper have a triangular cross-section with curved sides and a rectangular cross-section with curved sides. The material of the MHP is copper and the working fluid of it is pure water. The test was performed in a vacuum chamber to minimize heat loss. The operating temperatures of the MHP were considered from 60 to 90 °C. From the test results, the MHP with triangular cross-section can dissipate up to a thermal load of 7 W.     

A case of AV reentrant tachycardia due to a concealed accessory pathway with retrograde conduction manifested by isoproterenol

Retrograde conduction of the concealed accessory pathway (AP) is a prerequisite for the induction of atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia (AVRT). In patients with AVRT due to a concealed AP, the absence of retrograde conduction of the AP in the baseline state has rarely been reported. We report a case of AVRT due to a concealed left lateral AP, in which the retrograde conduction was absent in the baseline state and manifested by isoproterenol infusion. A 61-year-old man had suffered from intermittent palpitation for 17 years. A narrow QRS complex tachycardia with a retrograde P wave in the ST segment was recorded in 24-h Holter monitoring. An electrophysiologic study was performed while he was in a nonsedated state. No ventriculoatrial conduction over either the normal atrioventricular conduction system or the AP was demonstrated in the baseline state. Isoproterenol was infused at a rate of 1.0 microg/min. Retrograde conduction over the AP became manifest and AVRT was induced. The AP was ablated with radiofrequency energy at the left free wall. After ablation of the AP, no tachycardia was induced. To the authors'best knowledge, only 1 other similar case has been reported in the literature.     

Eigenvalue-generalized eigenvector assignment by output feedback

This note generalizes the previous results of the closed-loop eigenstructure assignment via output feedback in linear multivariable systems. Necessary and sufficient conditions for the closed-loop eigenstructure assignment by output feedback are presented. Some known results on entire eigenstructure assignment are deduced from this result.     

Phase Transformations in Dicalcium Silicate: III, Effects of Barium on the Stability of Fine-Grained α'L and β Phases

Fine-grained materials containing both α'-Ca₂SiO₄ and β-Ca₂SiO₄ were fabricated as an analogue to tetragonal zir-conia polycrystals (TZP) with the use of barium to stabilize the high-temperature polymorphs of Ca₂SiO₄. The micro-structure of dense α'_L-Ca₂SiO₄ exhibited none of the twinning or residual strain previously observed in fine-grained β-Ca₂SiO₄ and there was no evidence of barium-rich grain boundary phases. Materials fired in the α region exhibited large grain sizes. Stress-induced α'_L→β transformation was observed on ground surfaces but not on fracture surfaces.     

Synthesis and photocatalytic behaviors of Cr<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>–CNT/TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> composite materials under visible light

Cr₂O₃–CNT/TiO₂ composites derived from chromium acetylacetonate, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and titanium n-butoxide (TNB) were prepared, and the photocatalytic activity of the Cr₂O₃–CNT and CNT/TiO₂ composites was examined. The Cr₂O₃–CNT/TiO₂ composites were characterized by BET surface area measurement, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. The photocatalytic activity was determined from the decomposition of methylene blue (MB) under visible light irradiation. Methylene blue was photodegraded successfully in the presence of the Cr₂O₃–CNT/TiO₂ composite under visible light irradiation.