Lipidomic Analysis of Plasma from Healthy Men and Women Shows Phospholipid Class and Molecular Species Differences between Sexes

The phospholipid composition of lipoproteins is determined by the specificity of hepatic phospholipid biosynthesis. Plasma phospholipid 20:4n-6 and 22:6n-3 concentrations are higher in women than in men. We used this sex difference in a lipidomics analysis of the impact of endocrine factors on the phospholipid class and molecular species composition of fasting plasma from young men and women. Diester species predominated in all lipid classes measured. 20/54 Phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho) species were alkyl ester, 15/48 phosphatidylethanolamine (PtdEtn) species were alkyl ester, and 12/48 PtdEtn species were alkenyl ester. There were no significant differences between sexes in the proportions of alkyl PtdCho species. The proportion of alkyl ester PtdEtn species was greater in women than men, while the proportion of alkenyl ester PtdEtn species was greater in men than women. None of the phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) or phosphatidylserine (PtdSer) molecular species contained ether-linked fatty acids. The proportion of PtdCho16:0_22:6, and the proportions of PtdEtn O-16:0_20:4 and PtdEtn O-18:2_20:4 were greater in women than men. There were no sex differences in PtdIns and PtdSer molecular species compositions. These findings show that plasma phospholipids can be modified by sex. Such differences in lipoprotein phospholipid composition could contribute to sexual dimorphism in patterns of health and disease.     

Promatech公司推出多用剑杆织机

意大利织机制造商Ｐｒｏｍａｔｅｃｈ公司以Ｓｏｍｅｔ品牌推出了一种新型剑杆织机。这种以“Ａｌｐｈａ”命名的织机于２００１年９月底首次在一个演示间里亮相，随后又成为新加坡ＩＴＭＡ　Ａｓｉａ展会上的一个亮点。Ｓｏｍｅｔ公司剑杆织机产品经理Ｐｉｅｒｍａｒｃｏ　Ａｒｎｏｌｄｉ先生说，这种新型织机操作简便，可靠性高和多用性强，能以非常高的织造速度织许多种织物。一、Ａｌｐｈａ剑杆织机的性能１．操作简便Ａｌｐｈａ的设计使操作工很容易接近机器和修复断头。例如：打纬点与胸梁之间的距离大幅度缩短，使操作工更容易用手来…     

Introduction of a nonlinearity measure for principal component models

Although principal component analysis (PCA) is an important tool in standard multivariate data analysis, little interest has been devoted to assessing whether the underlying relationship within a given variable set can be described by a linear PCA model or whether nonlinear PCA must be utilized. This paper addresses this deficiency by introducing a nonlinearity measure for principal component models. The measure is based on the following two principles: (i) the range of recorded process operation is divided into smaller regions; and (ii) accuracy bounds are determined for the sum of the discarded eigenvalues. If this sum is within the accuracy bounds for each region, the process is assumed to be linear and vice versa. This procedure is automated through the use of cross-validation. Finally, the paper shows the utility of the new nonlinearity measure using two simulation studies and with data from an industrial melter process.     

Case Study-Based Challenges of Quality Concrete Finishing for Architecturally Complex Structures

This paper focuses on the procedure utilized in the construction of tilt-up irregular concrete panels that are constructed on-site using concrete slabs and wooden formwork. The case study required high-quality concrete finishing. The erection and installation procedure called for a maximum panel-to-panel joint tolerance of 1.27?cm (0.5?in.), often 90° joints between panels. To meet precision requirements, the casting slabs were leveled and flattened with laser screed technology and smoothed with chemical solutions. To ensure that the final result met expectations, a mock-up model was built using different types of materials and to simulate site constraints. The architectural design is a composition of precast concrete panels like “Lego” pieces assembled similarly to a jigsaw puzzle. The unique construction process required a state-of-the-art analysis to produce the set quality. Quality conditions as set by the owner included creating a smooth concrete surface on all panels while avoiding damages and reducing equipment and material costs. The proposed methodology is described through its implementation on the case study, which is also described in this paper.     

Symptom correlates of attentional improvement following hospitalization for a first episode of affective psychosis

BACKGROUND: This study examined patients with a first-episode of affective psychosis during acute and compensated states in order to determine whether changes in attentional functioning over time were accompanied by changes in the severity of psychotic or affective symptoms. METHODS: Attentional performance was measured in patients (n = 27) using the degraded-stimulus continuous Performance Test (CPT) and symptoms were assessed at the time of index hospitalization, and 2 months after discharge. A comparison group of normal volunteers (n = 31) also performed the CPT two months apart. RESULTS: Patients performed significantly worse than controls at the initial testing but not at follow-up. The improvement in attentional performance significantly correlated with decreased severity of manic symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest attentional dysfunction is a state-dependent characteristic of mania, and may provide an additional measure of clinical improvement following treatment.     

Analysis of scattering from rough surfaces at large incidenceangles using a periodic-surface moment method

The moment method is used to calculate electromagnetic backscattering from one-dimensionally rough surfaces at near-grazing incidence (angles of incidence up to 89°). A periodic representation of the scattering surface is used to prevent edge effects in the calculated scattering without the use of an artificial illumination weighting function. A set of universal series common to all elements of the moment interaction matrix are derived that allow the efficient application of the moment method to the periodic surface. Comparison with other moment method implementations demonstrates the efficiency of this approach. The scattering from surfaces with Gaussian roughness spectra is calculated at both horizontal and vertical polarizations, and the results are compared with the theoretical predictions of the small-perturbation method (SPM) and Kirchhoff approximation (KA). SPM shows the expected loss of accuracy in predicting the vertically polarized backscattering from small-roughness, short-correlation-length surfaces at large incidence angles. SPM accurately predicts the backscattering from the same type of surface at incidence up to 89° at horizontal polarization, KA provides accurate estimates of the scattering from long correlation-length surfaces as long as the incidence angle is small enough that surface self-shadowing does not occur. When shadowing occurs, KA severely underpredicts vertically polarized backscattering and less severely overpredicts backscattering at horizontal polarization     

Irrigation Modelling in the Context of Basin Water Resources

Management practices for irrigation schemes can often be improved by modelling the behaviour of a scheme and by evaluating its efficiency statistics. However, looking at an irrigation scheme without regard for other water uses within the river basin may not be effective. Efficiencies computed in this way are local and, since water may be used many times within the same basin, may not be realistic. Changes in water uses (e.g. irrigation, industrial, power production, urban water supply, navigation, environmental, recreational) will often have effects on other uses; and changes in irrigation schemes (management,structural, crop pattern) may affect other users within the basin. In addition, all water users will be affected by external changes such as changes in land cover or in climate. As demand for water increases, these links become more important until, at some stage, there is insufficient water for all users and hard choices must be made. Hydrological modelling is a tool that can be used to relate irrigation schemes to the other water uses within a river basin and can help in assessing real productivities and in evaluating alternative patterns of water usage. This paper discusses the techniques available to simulate irrigation schemes within overall basin water resources using, as an example, an intensively utilized basin in western Turkey.