Effects of dietary oils and methyl ethyl ketone peroxide onin vivo lipid peroxidation and antioxidants in rat heart and liver

Weanling male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed diets for four weeks which differed in their content of n−6 (corn oil; CO) and n−3 fatty acids (fish oil; FO), but were similar in their content of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E. At the end of the four-week feeding period, each dietary group was subdivided into two groups. One group received a single placebo injection of α-tocopherol-stripped corn oil (TSCO); the other group received a single injection of the free radical generator, methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKP), in TSCO. Twenty-four hours after injection, the effect of dietary oil and MEKP treatment on endogenous lipid peroxide (LPO) production (measured as methylene blue formed by the “Determiner LPO” assay), glutathione (GSH) and vitamin E content, and fatty acid composition of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine in heart and liver from unfasted animals were measured. FO-fed rats had significantly heavier hearts and livers, increased levels of n−3 fatty acids in membrane phospholipids, and higher liver LPO levels than CO-fed rats. MEKP treatment resulted in significantly lower body weights and liver GSH levels. The data indicate that dietary n−3 fatty acids increase lipid peroxidation in liver somewhat more than in heart. The study also demonstrates that the effect of induced oxidative stress due to a single dose of MEKP on lipid peroxide formation and antioxidant status in tissues from unfasted animals was independent of the dietary oils.     

Task dynamics in self-organising task groups: expertise, motivational, and performance differences of specialists and generalists

Multi-agent simulation is applied to explore how different types of task variety cause workgroups to change their task allocation accordingly. We studied two groups, generalists and specialists. We hypothesised that the performance of the specialists would decrease when task variety increases. The generalists, on the other hand, would perform better in a high task variety condition. The results show that these hypotheses were only partly supported because both learning and motivational effects changed the task allocation process in a much more complex way. We conclude that although no task variety leads to specialisation and high task variety leads to generalisation, in general, performance is better when task variety is low. Further, in case of no task variety, specialists outperform generalists. In case of moderate variety the opposite is true. With high task variety, since there is no space for any expertise and motivational development, the behaviour of specialists and generalists becomes more similar, and, consequently also their performance.     

Troubleshooting in geoelectrical prospecting using real‐coded genetic algorithm with chromosomal extrapolation

This work presents a genetic operator developed from mathematical methods of curve extrapolation applied in solving problems in geoelectrical prospection. This operator will assist the production of fitter individuals in the population of a genetic algorithm in which inherent patterns of the best individuals of each generation are recognized. The proposed operator in conjunction with a real‐coded genetic algorithm is compared to five alternative optimization techniques known and used in the application to problems in geoelectrical prospection. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Microstructure and chemical degradation of adobe and clay bricks

The environmental degradation of adobe and fired clay brick was studied. Leaching media based on Na₂S₂O₅ solution and deionized water were used. The microstructure of the samples was evaluated by X-ray powder diffraction, nitrogen adsorption–desorption (BET method), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The predominant phases detected were kaolinite and quartz for both the adobe and fired brick samples. The high surface reactivity, associated with a large amount of OH groups, contributes to the significant degradation of adobe. The fired clay brick showed a significant decrease in the average pore diameter after the first day of the leaching process; its specific surface area exhibited a reduction of about three orders of magnitude. The results of the present investigation contribute to a better understanding of the correlation between structure and leaching behaviour in adobe and clay brick, attending the renewed interest in these materials as environmentally attractive building blocks.     

A new flow reactor for the treatment of polluted water with microwave and ultrasound

Microwave (MW) and high‐intensity ultrasound (US) provide innovative techniques for the degradation of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). When Fenton's reagent is used to treat industrial wastes, organic pollutants are degraded by highly reactive hydroxyl radicals (HO·) that can oxidize almost any organic compound to carbon dioxide and water. These reactions, when carried out under US or MW, are faster and much more efficient. The present work assesses the combined effect of US and MW using a new flow reactor developed in our laboratory. In this 5 L pilot reactor the liquid was pumped in parallel through a modified domestic MW oven and through a cell where it was irradiated with two US generators working at 20 and 300 kHz, while MW irradiation took place in a modified domestic oven. We studied the degradation of 2,4‐dibromophenol (0.1 g L^?1 in water) by Fenton's reagent, assessing the contribution of each energy source to the overall effect, and found that MW and US‐300 kHz played the main role. A modest amount of oxidant (6 mL 30% H₂O₂ per 1 L of polluted water) sufficed to achieve complete degradation within 6 h, at which time organic compounds were no longer detectable. Even if no Fenton's reagent was added, about one half of the pollutant was degraded after 3 h irradiation. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Economics of herbaceous bioenergy crops for electricity generation: Implications for greenhouse gas mitigation

This paper examines the optimal land allocation for two perennial crops, switchgrass and miscanthus that can be co-fired with coal for electricity generation. Detailed spatial data at county level is used to determine the costs of producing and transporting biomass to power plants in Illinois over a 15-year period. A supply curve for bioenergy is generated at various levels of bioenergy subsidies and the implications of production for farm income and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are analyzed. GHG emissions are estimated using lifecycle analysis and include the soil carbon sequestered by perennial grasses and the carbon emissions displaced by these grasses due to both conversion of land from row crops and co-firing the grasses with coal. We find that the conversion of less than 2% of the cropland to bioenergy crops could produce 5.5% of the electricity generated by coal-fired power plants in Illinois and reduce carbon emissions by 11% over the 15-year period. However, the cost of energy from biomass in Illinois is more than twice as high as that of coal. Costly government subsidies for bioenergy or mandates in the form of Renewable Portfolio Standards would be needed to induce the production and use of bioenergy for electricity generation. Alternatively, a modest price for GHG emissions under a cap-and-trade policy could make bioenergy competitive with coal without imposing a fiscal burden on the government.     

Randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial of coenzyme Q10 in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Adherence with inhaled beta-agonists and corticosteroids in 24 asthmatic children was tracked over 3 months utilizing the metered-dose inhaler chronolog (MDIC). Patients seldom took all of their medications as prescribed, and failed to take any inhaled corticosteroid doses on a median of 41.8% of days or inhaled beta-agonists on 28.1% of days despite prescribed daily use. Medication nonadherence was correlated with lower levels of asthma knowledge (Asthma Knowledge Questionnaire) and family dysfunction (Family Assessment Device), but not child behavior disorder (Child Behavior Checklist). Patients tended to dramatically over-report medication use. Improved identification of the markers of nonadherence can directly facilitate more efficient targeting of behavioral interventions, resulting in improved adherence, better illness control, and less requirement of urgent medication intervention.     

Stimulating the diffusion of photovoltaic systems: A behavioural perspective

This paper first discusses consumer motives for adopting photovoltaic systems (PV systems) from a behavioural-theoretical perspective. Different motives are discussed within a framework of underlying needs and the time sensitivity of various outcomes. Next, empirical data are presented concerning the motives of buyers of PV systems after a promotional and support campaign in the city of Groningen (the Netherlands). Financial support and general problem awareness are found to be critical motives, but the (strong) positive effects of information meetings, technical support meetings and social networks are also identified. Conclusions focus on the critical motives for adopting a PV system, and suggestions are presented concerning policy measures to stimulate the further diffusion of PV systems.