Influence of probe size on the measurement accuracy of non-uniform ELF magnetic fields

The accuracy of extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic field measurements can be sensitively varied by the meter probe size when the spatial distribution of the magnetic flux density is highly non-uniform, e.g. if the measurement point is close to the field source. The deviation between measured and actual field varies from point to point depending on the probe dimension and on the source configuration, once the other measurement conditions are fixed. The analysis of this effect is developed through a two-dimensional numerical model that enables the evaluation of the actual field value and of the corresponding probe indication. The error distribution, i.e. the deviation between actual and measured value, is computed for magnetic fields generated by industrial three-phase systems under both balanced and unbalanced supply conditions. The analysis shows how, for a given source, the error depends not simply on the distance from the source in relation to the probe size, but on its spatial distribution, which is complex and cannot be a priori predicted without using a computational tool such as the one proposed.     

Properties of PAF-synthesizing phosphocholinetransferase and evidence for lysoPAF acetyltransferase activity in rat brain

Several reports have indicated that platelet-activating factor (PAF) may play a role in the physiopathology of nervous tissue. We previously have demonstrated the presence, in the microsomal fractions of rat brain, of a phosphocholinetransferase which is able to synthesize PAF by thede novo pathway. The presence of dithiothreitol in the medium increases the rate of PAF biosynthesis, whereas it inhibits the synthesis of long-chain alkylacyl- and diacyl-glycerophosphocholines (GPC), including dioctanoyl-GPC. This and other properties, such as pH dependence and thermal stability, indicate that rat brain may have two distinct enzymes for the synthesis of PAF and other choline phospholipids. The affinity of these enzymes for CDPcholine is similar to that reported for other tissues, the K_m being 42 μm and 55 μm with alkylacetylglycerol and dioctanoylglycerol as lipid substrates, respectively. The V_max values were 3.0 and 2.2 nmol/mg prot/min for PAF and dioctanoyl-GPC, respectively. In addition, it was shown that the microsomal fraction of rat brain contains an acetyltransferase which can convert lysoPAF to PAF. Since it has been reported previously that brain tissue possesses phospholipase A₂ activity that can hydrolyze alkylacyl-GPC to lysoPAF, we conclude that brain tissue has all enzymic activities for the synthesis of PAF by the “remodeling pathway”. The role of the two routes of PAF biosynthesis in nervous tissue remains to be established. Based on a paper presented at the Third International Conference on Platelet-Activating Factor and Structurally Related Alkyl Ether Lipids, Tokyo, Japan, May 1989.     

On the use of TEM cells for the calibration of power frequency electric field meters

This paper focuses on the performances of TEM cells when used in the calibration of power frequency environmental electric field meters. The spatial non-uniformity of the electric field inside a TEM cell is analyzed through experimental investigations and three-dimensional Boundary Element modeling to evaluate the field experienced by the sensing elements of actual 3D meter probes. The perturbation caused by the probe support is also taken into account. The uncertainty component associated with the spatial non-uniformity in the volume taken up by typical power and low frequency field probes is estimated. The field non-uniformity is also evaluated in relation to the use of TEM cells of reduced size. Finally, the field non-uniformity is exploited to predict the performance of an actual field meter operating in significant field gradients.     

Ferroelectric Response and Induced Biaxiality in the Nematic Phase of Bent‐Core Mesogens

The still undiscovered fluid ferroelectric nematic phase is expected to exhibit a much faster and easier response to an external electric field compared to conventional ferroelectric smectic liquid crystals; therefore, the discovery of such a phase could open new avenues in electro‐optic device technology. Here, experimental evidence of a ferroelectric response to a switching electric field in a low molar mass nematic liquid crystal is reported and connected with field‐induced biaxiality. The fluid is made of bent‐core polar molecules and is nematic over a range of 120 °C. Combining repolarization current measurements, electro‐optical characterizations, X‐ray diffraction and computer simulations, ferroelectric switching is demonstrated and it is concluded that the response is due to field‐induced reorganization of polar cybotactic groups within the nematic phase. This work represents significant progress toward the realization of ferroelectric fluids that can be aligned at command with a simple electric field.     

Protease–Antiprotease Imbalance in Bronchiectasis

Airway inflammation plays a central role in bronchiectasis. Protease–antiprotease balance is crucial in bronchiectasis pathophysiology and increased presence of unopposed proteases activity may contribute to bronchiectasis onset and progression. Proteases’ over-reactivity and antiprotease deficiency may have a role in increasing inflammation in bronchiectasis airways and may lead to extracellular matrix degradation and tissue damage. Imbalances in serine proteases and matrix-metallo proteinases (MMPs) have been associated to bronchiectasis. Active neutrophil elastase has been associated with disease severity and poor long-term outcomes in this disease. Moreover, high levels of MMPs have been associated with radiological and disease severity. Finally, severe deficiency of α1-antitrypsin (AAT), as PiSZ and PiZZ (proteinase inhibitor SZ and ZZ) phenotype, have been associated with bronchiectasis development. Several treatments are under study to reduce protease activity in lungs. Molecules to inhibit neutrophil elastase activity have been developed in both oral or inhaled form, along with compounds inhibiting dipeptydil-peptidase 1, enzyme responsible for the activation of serine proteases. Finally, supplementation with AAT is in use for patients with severe deficiency. The identification of different targets of therapy within the protease–antiprotease balance contributes to a precision medicine approach in bronchiectasis and eventually interrupts and disrupts the vicious vortex which characterizes the disease.     

Enzymic synthesis of 1-alkyl-2-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylethanolamine through ethanolaminephosphotransferase activity in the neuronal and glial cells of rabbit in vitro

The transfer of radioactivity from cytidine-5′-diphosphate ethanolamine into 1-alkyl-2-acyl-sn-glycerophosphorylethanolamine of neuronal and glial cells from adult rabbit brain cortex has been investigated in vitro. The synthesis of 1-alkyl-2-acyl-sn-glycerophosphorylethanolamine in both cell populations was stimulated 23–25-fold by the addition of 6 mM alkylacylglycerol. The neuronal cell-enriched fraction was found to possess/unit protein a 1.7–1.8-fold ethanolaminephosphotransferase activity (EC 2.7.8.1), as compared to the glial fraction, when saturating concentrations (6 mM) of alkylacylglycerols were added in the incubation system. The neuronal/glial ratio was 2.6–2.8 in the absence of lipid acceptor or with low concentrations of alkylacylglycerol. Under most favorable conditions, 6.4 and 3.3. nmoles 1-alkyl-2-acyl-sn-glycerophosphorylethanol-amine/mg protein/30 min was obtained for neurons and glia, respectively. Various kinetic properties of the 1-alkyl-2-acyl-sn-glycerophosphorylethanolamine synthesizing phosphotransferase activity were found to be similar both in neurons and glia.