Phosphoprotein enriched in astrocytes (PEA)-15 : A potential therapeutic target in multiple disease states

Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

P-class phasor measurement unit algorithms using adaptive filtering to enhance accuracy at off-nominal frequencies

While the present standard C.37.118-2005 for Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs) requires testing only at steady-state conditions, proposed new versions of the standard require much more stringent testing, involving frequency ramps and off-nominal frequency testing. This paper presents two new algorithms for “P Class” PMUs which enable performance at off-nominal frequencies to be retained at levels comparable to the performance for nominal frequency input. The performances of the algorithms are compared to the “Basic” Synchrophasor Estimation Model described in the new standard. The proposed algorithms show a much better performance than the “Basic” algorithm, particularly in the measurements of frequency and rate-of-change-of-frequency at off-nominal frequencies and in the presence of unbalance and harmonics

Spatial patterns in the evolution of Cenozoic dynamic topography and its influence on the Antarctic continent

Our knowledge of dynamic topography in Antarctica remains in an infancy stage compared to other continents. We assess the space-time variability in dynamic topography in Antarctica by analysing grids of global dynamic topography in the Cenozoic (and late Cretaceous) based on the tomographic model S40RTS. Our model reveals that the Gamburtsev Province and Dronning Maud Land, two of the major nucleation sites for the East Antarctic Ice Sheet (EAIS) were ~500 m higher 60 Ma ago. The increased elevation may have facilitated ephemeral ice cap development in the early Cenozoic. Between ca 25 and 50 Ma the northern Wilkes Subglacial Basin was ca 200 m higher than today and a major increase in regional elevation (>600 m) occurred over the last 20-15 Ma over the northern and southern Victoria Land in the Transantarctic Mountains (TAM). The most prominent signal is observed over the Ross Sea Rift (RSR) where predicted Neogene dynamic topography exceeds 1,000 m. The flow of warm mantle from the West Antarctic Rift System (WARS)may have driven these dynamic topography effects over the TAM and RSR. However, we found that these effects are comparatively less significant over the Marie Byrd Land Dome and the interior of the WARS. If these contrasting dynamic topography effects are included, then the predicted elevations of the Ross Sea Embayment ca 20 Ma ago are more similar to the interior of the WARS, with significant implications for the early development of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet

Au@Pt Dendrimer Encapsulated Nanoparticles As Model Electrocatalysts for Comparison of Experiment and Theory

In this paper we report the electrochemical synthesis of core@shell dendrimer-encapsulated nanoparticles (DENs) consisting of cores containing 147 Au atoms (Au-147) and Pt shells having similar to 54 or similar to 102 atoms (Au-147@Pt-n (n = 54 or 102)). The significance of this work arises from the correlation of the experimentally determined structural and electrocatalytic properties of these particles with density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Specifically, we describe an experimental and theoretical study of Pb underpotential deposition (UPD) on Au-147 DENs, the structure of both Au-147@Pb-n and Au-147@Pt-n DENs, and the activity of these DENs for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). DFT calculations show that Pb binding is stronger on the (100) facets of Au as compared to (111), and the calculated deposition and stripping potentials are consistent with those measured experimentally. Galvanic exchange is used to replace the surface Pb atoms with Pt, and a surface distortion is found for Au-147@Pt-n particles using molecular dynamics simulations in which the Pt-covered (100) facets shear into (111) diamond structures. DFT calculations of oxygen binding show that the distorted surfaces are the most active for the ORR, and that their activity is similar regardless of the Pt coverage. These calculations are consistent with rotating ring-disk voltammetry measurements.Chemical Sciences, Geosciences, and Biosciences Division, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, Office of Science, U. S. Department of Energy DE-FG02-09ER16090Robert A. Welch Foundation F-0032, F-1601Institute of Computational and Engineering Sciences at UT-AustinChemistr

Art Education and the Promotion of Intercultural Understanding

The comparative study of art, of response to art, and the production of art forms which matter can help us to understand each other. Art has always been a powerful force in shaping our vision of the world. We need to understand each other\u27s vision and keep our own alive. We need to combat any art-for-art\u27s-sake attitudes that may be entrenched in schools because it is a rather peculiar notion of art and one that deters a full understanding of the role of art in a variety of contexts and cultures. In contrast, art educators who view art as a process of human action and interaction and who do not confine their attention to limited artistic products will be able to give our subject greater cultural impact and meaning

Intracellular Signalling in Experimental Hypertension

1. The effects of noradrenaline and endothelin-1 on the phosphatidylinositol cycle were investigated in 2 models of experimental hypertension, the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) and the perinephritis hypertensive rabbit, at various stages during the development of hypertension. In both models freshly isolated aorta and cultured aortic smooth muscle cells were examined to ascertain the suitability of cultured aortic smooth muscle cells in this aspect of hypertension research. The coupling of endothelin-1 and noradrenaline to inositol phosphate formation via GTP-binding proteins was also investigated in cultured aortic smooth muscle cells from SHR. 2. In aortic rings from 6, 14, and 40 weeks old SHR basal inositol phosphate formation was unchanged compared to Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats. Both noradrenaline and endothelin-1 stimulated inositol phosphate formation was unchanged in aortic rings from 6 week SHR. However at 14 and 40 weeks noradrenaline and endothelin-1 stimulated inositol phosphate formation was decreased in aortic rings from SHR compared to WKY. 3. Basal inositol phosphate formation was increased in cultured aortic smooth muscle cells from 6 and 14 week SHR compared to cells from WKY. Both noradrenaline and endothelin-1 stimulated inositol phosphate formation was unchanged in cultured aortic smooth muscle cells from 6 week SHR. In cultured aortic smooth muscle cells from 14 week SHR noradrenaline stimulated inositol phosphate formation was increased while endothelin-1 stimulated inositol phosphate was decreased. 4. In aortic rings from perinephritis hypertensive rabbits 1, 2 and 6 weeks after surgery basal inositol phosphate formation was unchanged compared to uninephrectomized control rabbits. At 1 week after surgery noradrenaline stimulated inositol phosphate formation was unchanged in aortic rings from perinephritis hypertensive rabbits. However, in aortic rings from 2 week perinephritis hypertensive rabbits noradrenaline stimulated inositol phosphate formation was increased but endothelin-1 stimulated inositol phosphate formation was similar to controls. Noradrenaline stimulated inositol phosphate formation was unchanged in aortic rings from 6 week perinephritis hypertensive rabbits. Cultured aortic smooth muscle cells were prepared from the aorta of perinephritis hypertensive rabbits 2 weeks after surgery. Both noradrenaline and endothelin-1 stimulated inositol phosphate formation was unchanged in these cells compared to smooth muscle cells from control rabbits. 5. The effects of pertussis toxin on noradrenaline and endothelin-1 stimulated inositol phosphate formation in cultured aortic smooth muscle cells from 14 week SHR and WKY rats was investigated. Noradrenaline stimulated inositol phosphate formation was unaffected by pertussis toxin preincubation. However, endothelin-1 stimulated inositol phosphate formation was decreased by 50% in both SHR and WKY cells after preincubation with pertussis toxin. Therefore noradrenaline and endothelin-1 appear to be regulated independently at the level of the GTP-binding protein. Confirmation of endothelin-1's ability to activate a pertussis toxin sensitive GTP-binding protein was obtained by measuring endothelin-1's interaction with pertussis toxin dependent ADP-ribosylation in membranes prepared from cultured aortic smooth muscle cells. In the presence of endothelin-1 the pertussis toxin dependent ADP-ribosylation was decreased in both SHR and WKY membranes. 6. The free intracellular calcium concentration in cultured aortic smooth muscle cells from 14 week SHR grown on coverslips was unchanged compared to WKY cells as measured using fura 2.7. Alterations in inositol phosphate formation occur in these 2 models of hypertension. The changes are agonist specific possibly due to independent regulation by GTP-binding proteins and are likely to depend on the system (i. e. fresh tissue or cultured cells), the model and the species studied

La Puerta Park

The thesis at hand analyzed ecological corridors, biophilic design, and native planting as individual design entities, and eventually combined them through the creation of a comprehensive park proposal called La Puerta Park. The park was located in the urban matrix of Claremont, CA on a 10-acre parcel of land. The land was recently purchased by Trumark Housing, and a housing development plan was put forth. This project creates a superior alternative to the high levels of impervious surfaces, loss of biodiversity, and lack of community that would ensue after the housing plan implementation. The design process was fluid, as each of the three theories informed one another, producing a cohesive final park proposal. The culminating design offered a precedent for park-making in urban contexts through establishing an interconnected green space hospitable for humans, flora, and fauna

PEA‐15 (Phosphoprotein Enriched in Astrocytes 15) Is a Protective Mediator in the Vasculature and Is Regulated During Neointimal Hyperplasia

This work was supported by a grant from the Medical Research Council, UK (MR/K012789/1). Additional information can be downloaded from the publisher's websitePeer reviewedPublisher PD

Bakkhylides 11 and the Rule of the «Slaves» at Argos

Herodots Bericht über die Ereignisse nach der Niederlage und dem Massaker der Argiver bei Sepeia im Jahre 494 v. Chr. wird im Allgemeinen so interpretiert, dass die Bürger von Argos entweder die Kontrolle des Staats an Mitglieder einer sozial niedrigeren Schicht verloren oder sie mit ihnen teilten. Die Wissenschaftler sind sich auch anscheinend darüber einig, dass der Bericht Herodots das früheste Zeugnis dieser Ereignisse darstellt. Der Artikel will hingegen aufzeigen, dass eine Passage bei Bakkhylides (11) einen zeitgenössischen Hinweis enthält. Nach einer neuen Überprüfung der betreffenden Passagen aus Herodot, Aristoteles, Diodor und Plutarch schlägt der Autor vor, dass die neuen Bürger aus der Elite der περίοικοι von Argos stammten.Herodotos’ account of the events that followed the defeat and massacre of the Argives at Sepeia in 494 BC is generally interpreted to imply that the Argive citizens either lost control of the state to the members of a lower social order or shared it with them. Scholars also appear to be in agreement that the report of Herodotos is the earliest evidence for these events. Here, however, a case is presented for the view that a passage from Bakkhylides 11 contains a contemporary reference. Considered with a reexamination of the relevant texts from Herodotos, Aristotle, Diodoros and Plutarch, this passage suggests that the new citizens came from the elite among the Argive περίοικοι.Le récit par Hérodote des événements qui ont suivi la défaite et le massacre des Argiens à Sépeia, en 494 a.C., est généralement interprété comme s’il était question de la perte du contrôle de l’état par les ci- toyens d’Argos au profit des membres d’un ordre social inférieur, ou comme le partage de ce pouvoir entre eux. Les spécialistes sont apparemment d’accord pour dire que le récit d’Hérodote est le plus ancien témoignage de ces événements. Ici, cependant, on soutient l’idée qu’un passage de Bacchylide 11 contient une référence contemporaine aux événements. Mis en relation avec une étude des textes d’Hérodote, d’Aristote, de Diodore et de Plutarque, ce passage suggère que les nouveaux citoyens pro- venaient de l’élite des περίοικοι argiens

Unbundling the Regime Complex: The Effects of Private Authority

There is a commonly held view that forms of private regulation and governance arise when intergovernmental cooperation fails. While we do not dispute that this is sometimes the case, this paper focuses on the longer-term effects of private authority – namely, the ways that public and private authority interact over time. We argue that a more complete understanding of regime complexity must include private authority, which we define as situations in which non-state actors make rules or set standards that other actors in world politics adopt, and its interactions with public authority. Interactions among public and private actors occur in two ways – one static and one dynamic. We show how each of these interactions affects the overall “design” of the regime complex and its evolution over time. To explore these two arguments, we propose an “unbundling” of the regime complex, to trace the specific mechanisms through which public and private authority co-exist and interact. We argue that private authority is not merely a response to gaps in public authority, rather, we explore the possibility that private authority can address the political and institutional constraints present in public authority. We argue that private authority can provide functional improvements to existing regime complexes by helping to overcome path dependencies that public authority may face. We describe three specific mechanisms through which this might occur: by providing a redefinition of the problem, supplying a “repository” where different policy approaches can exist until their time becomes “ripe”, or serving as an additional means through which to diffuse public authority