A Balanced Energy Plan for the Interior West

Describes a Balanced Energy Plan for the Interior West region of Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana. Part of the Hewlett Foundation Energy Series

Oncostatin m is produced in adipose tissue and is regulated in conditions of obesity and type 2 diabetes

CONTEXT: Adipose tissue is a highly active endocrine organ that secretes many factors that affect other tissues and whole-body metabolism. Adipocytes are responsive to several glycoprotein 130 (gp130) cytokines, some of which have been targeted as potential antiobesity therapeutics. OBJECTIVE: Oncostatin M (OSM) is a gp130 family member known to inhibit adipocyte differentiation in vitro, but its effects on other adipocyte properties are not characterized. The expression of OSM in white adipose tissue (WAT) has not been evaluated in the context of obesity. Thus, our objective was to examine the expression of adipose tissue OSM in obese animals and humans. DESIGN: OSM expression was examined in adipose tissues from mice with diet-induced and genetic obesity and in obese humans as well as in fractionated adipose tissue from mice. Murine adipocytes were used to examine OSM receptor expression and the effects of OSM on adipocytes, including the secretion of factors such as plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 and IL-6, which are implicated in metabolic diseases. RESULTS: OSM expression is increased in rodent and human obesity/type 2 diabetes mellitus. In humans, OSM levels correlate with body weight and insulin and are inversely correlated with glucose disposal rate as measured by hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp. OSM is not produced from the adipocytes in WAT but derives from cells in the stromovascular fraction, including F4/80(+) macrophages. The specific receptor of OSM, OSM receptor-β, is expressed in adipocytes and adipose tissue and increased in both rodent models of obesity examined. OSM acts on adipocytes to induce the expression and secretion of plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 and IL-6. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that WAT macrophages are a source of OSM and that OSM levels are significantly induced in murine and human obesity/type 2 diabetes mellitus. These studies suggest that OSM produced from immune cells in WAT acts in a paracrine manner on adipocytes to promote a proinflammatory phenotype in adipose tissue

Activating Transcription Factor 4 Confers a Multidrug Resistance Phenotype to Gastric Cancer Cells through Transactivation of SIRT1 Expression

BACKGROUND: Multidrug resistance (MDR) in gastric cancer remains a major challenge to clinical treatment. Activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) is a stress response gene involved in homeostasis and cellular protection. However, the expression and function of ATF4 in gastric cancer MDR remains unknown. In this study, we investigate whether ATF4 play a role in gastric cancer MDR and its potential mechanisms. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We demonstrated that ATF4 overexpression confered the MDR phenotype to gastric cancer cells, while knockdown of ATF4 in the MDR variants induced re-sensitization. In this study we also showed that the NAD(+)-dependent histone deacetylase SIRT1 was required for ATF4-induced MDR effect in gastric cancer cells. We demonstrated that ATF4 facilitated MDR in gastric cancer cells through direct binding to the SIRT1 promoter, resulting in SIRT1 up-regulation. Significantly, inhibition of SIRT1 by small interfering RNA (siRNA) or a specific inhibitor (EX-527) reintroduced therapeutic sensitivity. Also, an increased Bcl-2/Bax ratio and MDR1 expression level were found in ATF4-overexpressing cells. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: We showed that ATF4 had a key role in the regulation of MDR in gastric cancer cells in response to chemotherapy and these findings suggest that targeting ATF4 could relieve therapeutic resistance in gastric cancer

Using Computer-Assisted Supervision in Counsellor Education Programs

The current paper uses information obtained from teaching practices to conceptualize how computers might be used to enhance the supervision of graduate counselling students (herein called beginning counsellors). Using Hill and O’Grady’s (1985) list of counsellor intentions, the author devised a computer program called Counsellor Assisted Supervision that allows beginning counsellors to monitor and evaluate counselling video tapes. The paper provides a description of the computer program, how it can be used in the supervision of beginning counsellors, and its value for use in counsellor education programs. Recommendations for supervisory practices are provided.Le présent article utilise l’information obtenue des pratiques d’enseignement afin de conceptualiser la manière selon laquelle les ordinateurs pourraient être employés pour améliorer la surveillance des étudiants de maîtrise en counselling (appelés ci-après conseillers débutants). Utilisant la liste des intentions du conseiller de Hill et O’Grady (1985), l’auteur a conçu un programme d’ordinateur appelé « Supervision assistée du conseiller » (SAC) qui permet aux conseillers débutants de contrôler et d’évaluer des cassettes vidéos sur le counselling. L’article fournit une description du programme d’ordinateur, de la façon dont on peut l’utiliser pour la surveillance des conseillers débutants et de sa valeur pour utilisation dans les programmes de conseiller en éducation. Des recommandations sont fournies pour des pratiques de supervision

Confidentiality and Informed Consent: School Counsellors Perceptions of Ethical Practices

This article presents the findings of in-depth interviews with school counsellors in Nova Scotia on issues related to confidentiality and informed consent. Of the 224 school counsellors in the province, 43 counsellors, representing all school boards, agreed to a 45-minute semi-structured telephone interview focusing on their current practices and their views on optimal practices related to confidentiality and informed consent. Analysis of interviews identified five categories of issues and concerns related to confidentiality and informed consent: informing students on issues of confidentiality, age of consent, issues of professional confidentiality, sharing client information with others, and confidentiality with teachers and principals.Cet article présente les conclusions d’entrevues en profondeur avec des conseillers scolaires en Nouvelle-Écosse sur des questions de la confidentialité et le consentement éclairé. Des 224 conseillers dans les écoles provinciales, 43 conseillers représentant toutes les commissions scolaires ont consenti à une entrevue téléphonique semi structuré d’une durée de 45 minutes portant sur leurs pratiques courantes et leurs points de vue sur les pratiques optimaux se rapportant à la confidentialité et au consentement éclairé. Une analyse des entrevues a identifié cinq catégories de questions et de soucis liés à la confidentialité et le consentement éclairé: informant les étudiants sur les questions de confidentialité, l’âge de consentement, la confidentialité professionnelle, le partage de renseignements sur le client avec d’autres personnes, et la confidentialité avec les professeurs et les directeurs

Foundations of pulsed power technology

Pulsed power technologies could be an answer to many cutting-edge applications. The challenge is in how to develop this high-power/high-energy technology to fit current market demands of low-energy consuming applications. This book provides a comprehensive look at pulsed power technology and shows how it can be improved upon for the world of today and tomorrow. Foundations of Pulsed Power Technology focuses on the design and construction of the building blocks as well as their optimum assembly for synergetic high performance of the overall pulsed power system. Filled with numerous design examples throughout, the book offers chapter coverage on various subjects such as: Marx generators and Marx-like circuits; pulse transformers; pulse-forming lines; closing switches; opening switches; multi-gigawatt to multi-terawatt systems; energy storage in capacitor banks; electrical breakdown in gases; electrical breakdown in solids, liquids and vacuum; pulsed voltage and current measurements; electromagnetic interference and noise suppression; and EM topology for interference control. In addition, the book: * Acts as a reference for practicing engineers as well as a teaching text * Features relevant design equations derived from the fundamental concepts in a single reference * Contains lucid presentations of the mechanisms of electrical breakdown in gaseous, liquid, solid and vacuum dielectrics * Provides extensive illustrations and references Foundations of Pulsed Power Technology will be an invaluable companion for professionals working in the fields of relativistic electron beams, intense bursts of light and heavy ions, flash X-ray systems, pulsed high magnetic fields, ultra-wide band electromagnetics, nuclear electromagnetic pulse simulation, high density fusion plasma, and high energy- rate metal forming techniques