The Heterogeneity of White Adipose Tissue

The increasing prevalence of obesity is a major factor driving the worldwide epidemic of type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Adipose tissue not only stores energy, but also controls metabolism through secretion of hormones, cytokines, proteins, and microRNAs that affect the function of cells and tissues throughout the body. Accumulation of visceral white adipose tissue (WAT) leads to central obesity and is associated with insulin resistance and increased risk of metabolic disease, whereas accumulation of subcutaneous WAT leads to peripheral obesity and may be protective of metabolic syndrome. While much attention has been paid to identifying differences between white, brown and brite/beige adipocytes, there is growing evidence that there is functional heterogeneity among white adipocytes themselves. This heterogeneity, includes depot-specific differences in development, inflammation, and endocrine properties. In addition to the depot-specific differences, even within a single fat depot, WAT is composed of developmentally and phenotypically distinct subpopulations of adipocytes. The following chapter will introduce this concept of white adipocyte heterogeneity

The Paradox of Public Diplomacy on the Web: An Empirical Analysis on Interactivity and Narratives of Nation-States\u27 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Web Sites

Against the backdrop of Habermas’ theory of communicative action, we empirically analyzed the level of interactivity and narratives offered in nation-states’ ministry of foreign affairs Web sites. A multiple regression analysis was performed in an attempt to identify factors affecting the level of interactivity in such Web sites. Findings revealed that the level of economic development is the sole significant factor in regards to the level of interactivity. Further, self-interested, goal-directed, and strategic purposes behind the allegedly transparent, engaging, and interactive public diplomacy were evidenced through a critical analysis of the objectives, key issues, and target publics addressed and highlighted in the public diplomacy narratives on the Web. The results suggested a possible digital divide in the interactive adoption of Web public diplomacy as well as strategic motives and interests embedded in the public diplomacy communication on the Web. This study helps increase our understanding of the paradox of public diplomacy in the digital age

Sr‐ and Ni‐Doped LaCoO\u3csub\u3e3\u3c/sub\u3e and LaFeO\u3csub\u3e3\u3c/sub\u3e Perovskites: New Cathode Materials for Solid‐Oxide Fuel Cells

An improved cathode material for a solid‐oxide fuel cell would be a mixed electronic and oxide‐ion conductor with a good catalytic activity for oxygen reduction at an operating temperature T op ≥ 700°C and a thermal expansion matched to that of the electrolyte and interconnect. We report on the properties of Sr‐ and Ni‐doped LaCoO3 and LaFeO3 perovskites that meet these criteria. Single‐phase regions were determined by X‐ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis measurements were used to obtain the temperatures above which oxygen loss, and hence oxide‐ion conductivity, occurs. The conductivity and Seebeck measurements indicate the coexistence of both p‐type and n‐type polaronic charge carriers resulting from an overlap of the NiIII/Ni2+ redox couple with the low‐spin/intermediate‐spin CoIV/Coiii and high‐spin Fe4+/Fe3+ redox couples. Motional enthalpies ΔHm = 0.03, 0.02, and 0.08 eV, respectively, were estimated for Ni2+, CoIV, and Fe4+ polarons. Optimal compositions have percolation pathways between dopants. Comparisons with transport data for the conventional cathode materials La1-xSrxCoO3-δ and La1-xSrxMnO3 indicate superior cathode performance can be expected

Dose de-escalation of intrapleural tissue plasminogen activator therapy for pleural infection. The alteplase dose assessment for Pleural infection Therapy project

Rationale: Intrapleural therapy with a combination of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) 10 mg and DNase 5 mg administered twice daily has been shown in randomized and open-label studies to successfully manage over 90% of patients with pleural infection without surgery. Potential bleeding risks associated with intrapleural tPA and its costs remain important concerns. The aim of the ongoing Alteplase Dose Assessment for Pleural infection Therapy (ADAPT) project is to investigate the efficacy and safety of dose de-escalation for intrapleural tPA. The first of several planned studies is presented here. Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a reduced starting dose regimen of 5 mg of tPA with 5 mg of DNase administered intrapleurally for pleural infection. Methods: Consecutive patients with pleural infection at four participating centers in Australia, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand were included in this observational, open-label study. Treatment was initiated with tPA 5 mg and DNase 5 mg twice daily. Subsequent dose escalation was permitted at the discretion of the attending physician. Data relating to treatment success, radiological and systemic inflammatory changes (blood C-reactive protein), volume of fluid drained, length of hospital stay, and treatment complications were extracted retrospectively from the medical records. Results: We evaluated 61 patients (41 males; age, 57 ± 16 yr). Most patients (n = 58 [93.4%]) were successfully treated without requiring surgery for pleural infection. Treatment success was corroborated by clearance of pleural opacities visualized by chest radiography (from 42% [interquartile range, 22–58] to 16% [8–31] of hemithorax; P < 0.001), increase in pleural fluid drainage (from 175 ml in the 24 h preceding treatment to 2,025 ml [interquartile range, 1,247–2,984] over 72 h of therapy; P <  0.05) and a reduction in blood C-reactive protein (P < 0.05). Seven patients (11.5%) had dose escalation of tPA to 10 mg. Three patients underwent surgery. Three patients (4.9%) received blood transfusions for gradual pleural blood loss; none were hemodynamically compromised. Pain requiring escalation of analgesia affected 36% of patients; none required cessation of therapy. Conclusions: These pilot data suggest that a starting dose of 5 mg of tPA administered intrapleurally twice daily in combination with 5 mg of DNase for the treatment of pl

J/Psi Propagation in Hadronic Matter

We study J/$\psi$ propagation in hot hadronic matter using a four-flavor chiral Lagrangian to model the dynamics and using QCD sum rules to model the finite size effects manifested in vertex interactions through form factors. Charmonium breakup due to scattering with light mesons is the primary impediment to continued propagation. Breakup rates introduce nontrivial temperature and momentum dependence into the J/$\psi$ spectral function.Comment: 6 Pages LaTeX, 3 postscript figures. Proceedings for Strangeness in Quark Matter 2003, Atlantic Beach, NC, March 12-17, 2003; minor corrections in version 2, to appear in J. Phys.

Integrating Research Results into a Power Engineering Curriculum

This paper presents summaries of the activities of six research active power engineering educators which were presented in a panel session of the same name at the IEEE Power Engineering Society Winter Meeting on February 3, 1997 in New York City, USA. Each of the panelists discusses how research results are incorporated into courses and how students benefit from this approach