Hydroxyoctadecadienoic Acids Regulate Apoptosis in Human THP‐1 Cells in a PPARγ‐Dependent Manner

Macrophage apoptosis, a key process in atherogenesis, is regulated by oxidation products, including hydroxyoctadecadienoic acids (HODEs). These stable oxidation products of linoleic acid (LA) are abundant in atherosclerotic plaque and activate PPARγ and GPR132. We investigated the mechanisms through which HODEs regulate apoptosis. The effect of HODEs on THP‐1 monocytes and adherent THP‐1 cells were compared with other C18 fatty acids, LA and α‐linolenic acid (ALA). The number of cells was reduced within 24 hours following treatment with 9‐HODE (p < 0.01, 30 μM) and 13 HODE (p < 0.01, 30 μM), and the equivalent cell viability was also decreased (p < 0.001). Both 9‐HODE and 13‐HODE (but not LA or ALA) markedly increased caspase‐3/7 activity (p < 0.001) in both monocytes and adherent THP‐1 cells, with 9‐HODE the more potent. In addition, 9‐HODE and 13‐HODE both increased Annexin‐V labelling of cells (p < 0.001). There was no effect of LA, ALA, or the PPARγ agonist rosiglitazone (1μM), but the effect of HODEs was replicated with apoptosis‐inducer camptothecin (10μM). Only 9‐HODE increased DNA fragmentation. The pro‐apoptotic effect of HODEs was blocked by the caspase inhibitor DEVD‐CHO. The PPARγ antagonist T0070907 further increased apoptosis, suggestive of the PPARγ‐regulated apoptotic effects induced by 9‐HODE. The use of siRNA for GPR132 showed no evidence that the effect of HODEs was mediated through this receptor. 9‐HODE and 13‐HODE are potent—and specific—regulators of apoptosis in THP‐1 cells. Their action is PPARγ‐dependent and independent of GPR132. Further studies to identify the signalling pathways through which HODEs increase apoptosis in macrophages may reveal novel therapeutic targets for atherosclerosis.     

Smart utilization of renewable energy sources in a microgrid system integrated with plug‐in hybrid electric vehicles

Mass roll‐out of plug‐in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and significant penetration of renewable energy sources in distribution system play a major role in delivering low carbon environment. However, placing and utilizing these units randomly result in overloading, increased power loss, and reduced voltage profile. This paper responds to these technical challenges by using a strategic placement method for locating the distributed generation (DG) and the charging station (CS) of PHEVs in a multi‐zone distribution system. For simultaneously scheduling of these units in each zone, the smart energy management framework is proposed in this paper. Apart from usual energy management constraints, this paper also incorporates the real‐time constraints involving the capacity of PHEV batteries, the mobility pattern, and the power level of the charging infrastructure. The simulation studies are carried out for each hour of a day. To cope with this time constraint execution, particle swarm optimization algorithm‐based approach is used. The proposed framework is tested in IEEE 33 and IEEE 69 bus radial distribution system. The obtained results imply that the presented energy management framework provides maximum profits for the vehicle owner, and meanwhile it fulfills preferences of the user in each zone simultaneously.     

Performance optimization problem in speculative prefetching

Speculative prefetching has been proposed to improve the response time of network access. Previous studies in speculative prefetching focus on building and evaluating access models for the purpose of access prediction. This paper investigates a complementary area which has been largely ignored, that of performance modeling. We analyze the performance of a prefetcher that has uncertain knowledge about future accesses. Our performance metric is the improvement in access time, for which we derive a formula in terms of resource parameters (time available and time required for prefetching) and speculative parameters (probabilities for next access). We develop a prefetch algorithm to maximize the improvement in access time. The algorithm is based on finding the best solution to a stretch knapsack problem, using theoretically proven apparatus to reduce the search space. An integration between speculative prefetching and caching is also investigated     

Quantification of surface damage of tool steels after EDM

The surface transformation and damage in AISI O1, A2, D2 and D6 tool steels after EDM were investigated. The results show that the recast layer is composed of two distinct layers: a topmost layer solidifying inwards from the specimen surface and an intermediate layer solidifying outwards from the base of the molten metal. The depth of surface cracks is found to correlate well with the thickness of the white layer, the latter being a layer of rapidly solidified material which, depending on the tool steel material, may consist either primarily of the topmost recast layer, or both the topmost and a large part of the intermediate recast layer. The density of surface cracks, however, correlates better with the thickness of the overall recast layer.

Attempts were made to quantify the depth of white (or damaged) layer with respect to the process parameters and surface roughness after EDM. It is found that with a fixed dielectric and flushing condition, the damaged layer correlates well with the pulse energy irrespective of thetool steel material. On the other hand, even though the thickness of the white layer increases with the surface roughness, the result shows considerably more scatter. Based on the present findings, ways of estimating the depth of the damaged layer produced by EDM are proposed.     

Generation of an eight node brick element using Papcovitch-Neuber functions

Some conventional finite elements suffer from drawbacks, such as shear locking, membrane locking, etc. To overcome them researchers have developed various techniques, termed as tricks by some and variational crimes by others. Many attempts have been made, but satisfactory explanations for why some of these techniques work have not been obtained, especially in the case of solid elements. This paper attempts a simple non-conforming solid element using assumed displacement fields which satisfy the Navier equation exactly. Its behaviour under simple loadings like bending, torsion and tension is examined and comparisons are made with existing elements.     

An optimal model for representing the kinetics of growth and product formation by Lactobacillus rhamnosus on multiple substrates

A comprehensive model was developed to simulate Lactobacillus rhamnosus growth on a medium containing multiple limiting carbon sources. The strategy of optimizing specific growth rate to predict growth on multiple substrates was demonstrated. The model predictions were based on parameters obtained from L. rhamnosus growth on individual substrates. The model was able to simulate the growth, substrate consumption, product formation and specific growth rate profiles of L. rhamnosus accurately. The model prediction that co-metabolism of glucose and pyruvate enhances growth rate of and flavor production by the bacterium was experimentally verified.     

Pattern identification in dynamical systems via symbolic time series analysis

This paper presents symbolic time series analysis (STSA) of multi-dimensional measurement data for pattern identification in dynamical systems. The proposed methodology is built upon concepts derived from Information Theory and Automata Theory. The objective is not merely to classify the time series patterns but also to identify the variations therein. To achieve this goal, a symbol alphabet is constructed from raw data through partitioning of the data space. The maximum entropy method of partitioning is extended to multi-dimensional space. The resulting symbol sequences, generated from time series data, are used to model the dynamical information as finite state automata and the patterns are represented by the stationary state probability distributions. A novel procedure for determining the structure of the finite state automata, based on entropy rate, is introduced. The diversity among the observed patterns is quantified by a suitable measure. The efficacy of the STSA technique for pattern identification is demonstrated via laboratory experimentation on nonlinear systems.     

Parameterized complexity of the induced subgraph problem in directed graphs

In this Letter, we consider the parameterized complexity of the following problem: Given a hereditary property P on digraphs, an input digraph D and a positive integer k, does D have an induced subdigraph on k vertices with property P? We completely characterize hereditary properties for which this induced subgraph problem is W[1]-complete for two classes of directed graphs: general directed graphs and oriented graphs. We also characterize those properties for which the induced subgraph problem is W[1]-complete for general directed graphs but fixed parameter tractable for oriented graphs. These results are among the very few parameterized complexity results on directed graphs.     

Drying and color characteristics of coriander foliage using convective thin-layer and microwave drying

Heat sensitive properties (aromatic, medicinal, color) provide herbs and spices with their high market value. In order to prevent extreme loss of heat sensitive properties when drying herbs, they are normally dried at low temperatures for longer periods of time to preserve these sensory properties. High energy consumption often results from drying herbs over a long period. Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L., Umbelliferae) was dehydrated in two different drying units (thin layer convection and microwave dryers) in order to compare the drying and final product quality (color) characteristics. Microwave drying of the coriander foliage was faster than convective drying. The entire drying process took place in the falling rate period for both microwave and convective dried samples. The drying rate for the microwave dried samples ranged from 42.3 to 48.2% db/min and that of the convective dried samples ranged from 7.1 to 12.5% db/min. The fresh sample color had the lowest L value at 26.83 with higher L values for all dried samples. The results show that convective thin layer dried coriander samples exhibited a significantly greater color change than microwave dried coriander samples. The color change index values for the microwave dried samples ranged from 2.67 to 3.27 and that of the convective dried samples varied from 4.59 to 6.58.