Endothelial HO-1 induction by model TG-rich lipoproteins is regulated through a NOX4-Nrf2 pathway

Circulating levels of chylomicron remnants (CMRs) increase postprandially and their composition directly reflects dietary lipid intake. These TG-rich lipoproteins likely contribute to the development of endothelial dysfunction, albeit via unknown mechanisms. Here, we investigated how the FA composition of CMRs influences their actions on human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) by comparing the effects of model CMRs—artificial TG-rich CMR-like particles (A-CRLPs)—containing TGs extracted from fish, DHA-rich algal, corn, or palm oils. HAECs responded with distinct transcriptional programs according to A-CRLP TG content and oxidation status, with genes involved in antioxidant defense and cytoprotection most prominently affected by n-3 PUFA-containing A-CRLPs. These particles were significantly more efficacious inducers of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) than n-6 PUFA corn or saturated FA-rich palm CRLPs. Mechanistically, HO-1 induction by all CRLPs requires NADPH oxidase 4, with PUFA-containing particles additionally dependent upon mitochondrial reactive oxygen species. Activation of both p38 MAPK and PPARβ/δ culminates in increased nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) expression/nuclear translocation and HO-1 induction. These studies define new molecular pathways coupling endothelial cell activation by model CMRs with adaptive regulation of Nrf2-dependent HO-1 expression and may represent key mechanisms through which dietary FAs differentially impact progression of endothelial dysfunction

Acoustic tests of duct-burning turbofan jet noise simulation

The results of a static acoustic and aerodynamic performance, model-scale test program on coannular unsuppressed and multielement fan suppressed nozzle configurations are summarized. The results of the static acoustic tests show a very beneficial interaction effect. When the measured noise levels were compared with the predicted noise levels of two independent but equivalent conical nozzle flow streams, noise reductions for the unsuppressed coannular nozzles were of the order of 10 PNdB; high levels of suppression (8 PNdB) were still maintained even when only a small amount of core stream flow was used. The multielement fan suppressed coannular nozzle tests showed 15 PNdB noise reductions and up to 18 PNdB noise reductions when a treated ejector was added. The static aerodynamic performance tests showed that the unsuppressed coannular plug nozzles obtained gross thrust coefficients of 0.972, with 1.2 to 1.7 percent lower levels for the multielement fan-suppressed coannular flow nozzles. For the first time anywhere, laser velocimeter velocity profile measurements were made on these types of nozzle configurations and with supersonic heated flow conditions. Measurements showed that a very rapid decay in the mean velocity occurs for the nozzle tested

Acoustic tests of duct-burning turbofan jet noise simulation: Comprehensive data report. Volume 2: Model design and aerodynamic test results

The selection procedure is described which was used to arrive at the configurations tested, and the performance characteristics of the test nozzles are given

High-fat meals rich in EPA plus DHA compared with DHA only have differential effects on postprandial lipemia and plasma 8-isoprostane F-2 alpha concentrations relative to a control high-oleic acid meal: a randomized controlled trial

Background: Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) plus docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation has beneficial cardiovascular effects, but postprandial influences of these individual fatty acids are unclear. Objectives: The primary objective was to determine the vascular effects of EPA + DHA compared with DHA only during postprandial lipemia relative to control high–oleic acid meals; the secondary objective was to characterize the effects of linoleic acid–enriched high-fat meals relative to the control meal. Design: We conducted a randomized, controlled, double-blind crossover trial of 4 high-fat (75-g) meals containing 1) high–oleic acid sunflower oil (HOS; control), 2) HOS + fish oil (FO; 5 g EPA and DHA), 3) HOS + algal oil (AO; 5 g DHA), and 4) high–linoleic acid sunflower oil (HLS) in 16 healthy men (aged 35–70 y) with higher than optimal fasting triacylglycerol concentrations (mean ± SD triacylglycerol, 1.9 ± 0.5 mmol/L). Results: Elevations in triacylglycerol concentration relative to baseline were slightly reduced after FO and HLS compared with the HOS control (P < 0.05). The characteristic decrease from baseline in plasma nonesterified fatty acids after a mixed meal was inhibited after AO (Δ 0–3 h, P < 0.05). HLS increased the augmentation index compared with the other test meals (P < 0.05), although the digital volume pulse–reflection index was not significantly different. Plasma 8-isoprostane F(2α) analysis revealed opposing effects of FO (increased) and AO (reduced) compared with the control (P < 0.05). No differences in nitric oxide metabolites were observed. Conclusions: These data show differential postprandial 8-isoprostane F(2α) responses to high-fat meals containing EPA + DHA–rich fish oil compared with DHA-rich AO, but these differences were not associated with consistent effects on postprandial vascular function or lipemia. More detailed analyses of polyunsaturated fatty acid–derived lipid mediators are required to determine possible divergent functional effects of single meals rich in either DHA or EPA. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01618071

Heat Capacity Mapping Mission

The Tasman Front was delineated by airborne expendable bathythermograph survey; and an Heat Capacity Mapping Mission (HCMM) IR image on the same day shows the same principal features as determined from ground-truth. It is clear that digital enhancement of HCMM images is necessary to map ocean surface temperatures and when done, the Tasman Front and other oceanographic features can be mapped by this method, even through considerable scattered cloud cover

Make It Too Difficult and I’ll Give-Up; Let Me Succeed and I’ll Excel: The Interaction between Assigned and Personal Goals

We examine the motivational effects of setting both assigned and personal non-binding goals on a real effort laboratory experiment. In order to derive conjectures for our experiment, we develop a model with goal-dependent preferences. In line with previous studies, we find that goal setting leads to a higher performance. We also find that goal-setting is most effective if subjects were able to achieve previous goals. Therefore, in goal setting, “success breeds success”. In particular, we observe that when subjects are initially allowed to attain assigned goals, they are better at self-motivating in the future when performing under personal goals

Bowel cancer screening and people with intellectual disabilities: working in co-production and establishing principles for good practice initiatives

Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in England, and with one in 20 people developing the condition, it is the second highest cause of cancer deaths. If diagnosed early, treatment can be more effective and bowel cancer screening programmes can reduce these mortality figures, yet for people with learning disabilities, the uptake of screening is significantly lower than the rest of the population. Aims To describe the process of co-production when working with a group of people with learning disabilities to explore why they may be reluctant to access bowel cancer screening. Methods A consultation meeting was held with one of the authors, six people with learning disabilities, an advocate and two specialist nurses. A feedback session was organised and a report using clear information was written in conjunction with the participants. Findings Participants discussed what gets in the way of attending for bowel screening and what might help to increase uptake, including awareness, support and clear information. Conclusion Working in co-production proved mutually beneficial as local clinicians also learned how to communicate more effectively with people who have learning disabilities

Line Broadening in Field Metal-poor Red Giant and Red Horizontal Branch Stars

We report 349 radial velocities for 45 metal-poor field red giant and red horizontal branch stars. We have have identified one new spectroscopic binary, HD 4306, and one possible such system, HD 184711. We also report 57 radial velocities for 11 of the 91 stars reported on previously by Carney et al. (2003). As was found in the previous study, radial velocity "jitter" is present in many of the most luminous stars. Excluding stars showing spectroscopic binary orbital motion, all 7 of the red giants with M(V) <= -2.0 display jitter, as well as 3 of the 14 stars with -2.0 <= M(V) <= -1.4. We have also measured line broadening in all of the new spectra, using synthetic spectra as templates. The most luminous red giants show significant line broadening, as do many of the red horizontal branch stars, and we discuss briefly possible causes.Comment: To appear in the Astronomical Journa

Calculated properties of nitrogen-vacancy complexes in beryllium- and magnesium-doped GaN

The properties of defect complexes consisting of a nitrogen vacancy with a substitutional beryllium or magnesium atom on neighboring lattice sites in hexagonal GaN are calculated using the AIMPRO local-density-functional theory method. Both types of defects VN−BeGa and VN−MgGa are bound with respect to their isolated constituents. They do not appear to have any electronic levels in the bandgap, and are expected to be neutral defects. Important structural differences are found. In its minimum energy configuration, the Be atom in the VN−BeGa complex lies nearly in the same plane as the three equivalent N atoms nearest to it. Thus, it has shorter Be−N bonds than the Ga−N distance in the bulk crystal, while the Mg atom in the VN−MgGa complex occupies a position closer the lattice site of the Ga atom it replaces. Hence, the VN−BeGa complex has a larger open volume than the VN−MgGa complex. This is consistent with positron annihilation experiments [Saarinen et al., J. Cryst. Growth 246, 281 (2002); Hautakangas et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 90, 137402 (2003)]. The frequency of the highest local vibrational mode of the VN−BeGa center is calculated to be within 3–4 % of an infrared absorption line detected in Be-doped GaN [Clerjaud (private communication)].Peer reviewe