Lipidomic Analysis of Plasma from Healthy Men and Women Shows Phospholipid Class and Molecular Species Differences between Sexes

The phospholipid composition of lipoproteins is determined by the specificity of hepatic phospholipid biosynthesis. Plasma phospholipid 20:4n-6 and 22:6n-3 concentrations are higher in women than in men. We used this sex difference in a lipidomics analysis of the impact of endocrine factors on the phospholipid class and molecular species composition of fasting plasma from young men and women. Diester species predominated in all lipid classes measured. 20/54 Phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho) species were alkyl ester, 15/48 phosphatidylethanolamine (PtdEtn) species were alkyl ester, and 12/48 PtdEtn species were alkenyl ester. There were no significant differences between sexes in the proportions of alkyl PtdCho species. The proportion of alkyl ester PtdEtn species was greater in women than men, while the proportion of alkenyl ester PtdEtn species was greater in men than women. None of the phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) or phosphatidylserine (PtdSer) molecular species contained ether-linked fatty acids. The proportion of PtdCho16:0_22:6, and the proportions of PtdEtn O-16:0_20:4 and PtdEtn O-18:2_20:4 were greater in women than men. There were no sex differences in PtdIns and PtdSer molecular species compositions. These findings show that plasma phospholipids can be modified by sex. Such differences in lipoprotein phospholipid composition could contribute to sexual dimorphism in patterns of health and disease.     

Symptom correlates of attentional improvement following hospitalization for a first episode of affective psychosis

BACKGROUND: This study examined patients with a first-episode of affective psychosis during acute and compensated states in order to determine whether changes in attentional functioning over time were accompanied by changes in the severity of psychotic or affective symptoms. METHODS: Attentional performance was measured in patients (n = 27) using the degraded-stimulus continuous Performance Test (CPT) and symptoms were assessed at the time of index hospitalization, and 2 months after discharge. A comparison group of normal volunteers (n = 31) also performed the CPT two months apart. RESULTS: Patients performed significantly worse than controls at the initial testing but not at follow-up. The improvement in attentional performance significantly correlated with decreased severity of manic symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest attentional dysfunction is a state-dependent characteristic of mania, and may provide an additional measure of clinical improvement following treatment.     

Analysis of scattering from rough surfaces at large incidenceangles using a periodic-surface moment method

The moment method is used to calculate electromagnetic backscattering from one-dimensionally rough surfaces at near-grazing incidence (angles of incidence up to 89°). A periodic representation of the scattering surface is used to prevent edge effects in the calculated scattering without the use of an artificial illumination weighting function. A set of universal series common to all elements of the moment interaction matrix are derived that allow the efficient application of the moment method to the periodic surface. Comparison with other moment method implementations demonstrates the efficiency of this approach. The scattering from surfaces with Gaussian roughness spectra is calculated at both horizontal and vertical polarizations, and the results are compared with the theoretical predictions of the small-perturbation method (SPM) and Kirchhoff approximation (KA). SPM shows the expected loss of accuracy in predicting the vertically polarized backscattering from small-roughness, short-correlation-length surfaces at large incidence angles. SPM accurately predicts the backscattering from the same type of surface at incidence up to 89° at horizontal polarization, KA provides accurate estimates of the scattering from long correlation-length surfaces as long as the incidence angle is small enough that surface self-shadowing does not occur. When shadowing occurs, KA severely underpredicts vertically polarized backscattering and less severely overpredicts backscattering at horizontal polarization     

Characterization of titanium alloy implant surfaces with improved dissolution resistance

The present work sets out to investigate the structure and chemistry of surface treated oxides (either aged in boiling water or air-heated) with improved dissolution resistance compared to conventionally passivated surfaces. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) has demonstrated a significant reduction in oxidized aluminium associated with an ageing-based surface treatment. Angle-dependent XPS has revealed an increase in amphoteric-OH surface sites for the thermal treatments. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) investigation suggests that these sites play a role in the improved proteinadsorption properties of these surfaces. These observations form the basis of a model which describes the influence of surface oxide on the kinetics of metal ion dissolution.     

玻璃两面重叠手印拍摄机理

根据斯涅尔定律和菲涅尔公式阐述清水衬底法消除玻璃下界面手印或玻纹的影像，以及用偏振光，紫外线拍摄玻面痕迹的方法和机理。     

High-temperature sensible-heat storage options

Alkali-metal carbonate salts meet the requirements for high-temperature solar central receiver systems, but because of their corrosiveness they present special problems in the design of storage tanks. In order to reduce corrosion and temperature sufficiently to retain strength in the storage containing wall, internal and thermal insulation is required. We present design options and operation criteria for sensible-heat, molten-salt storage with internal insulation.     

Nursing home food services linked with risk of malnutrition.

PURPOSE: Links between food service characteristics and residents' risk of malnutrition were examined. METHODS: Cognitively intact residents meeting inclusion criteria and living in one of 38 participating nursing homes were randomly sampled. The final sample consisted of 132 residents, who were screened for risk of malnutrition and completed a face-to-face interview questionnaire about dining experiences. Additional data came from participants' medical charts, and each institution's food service manager completed a written questionnaire. Frequencies and logistic regressions were used to describe the sample and to examine relationships between risk of malnutrition and food service characteristics. RESULTS: Overall, 37.4% of participants were at risk of malnutrition. Food service factors, including food packages, lids, and dishes that were difficult to manipulate (b=0.285, p=0.009), bulk food-delivery systems (b=1.329, p=0.036), overall food satisfaction (b=0.253, p=0.044), menu cycle length (b=-2.162, p=0.003), and porcelain dishes (b=-0.345, p=0.052), all were significantly associated with risk of malnutrition. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings clearly show a need for nursing homes to modify certain aspects of food service that may increase the risk of malnutrition among cognitively intact residents.     

掺杂铁电纳米粉的液晶的电光特性

铁电纳米粒子悬浮在向列相液晶母体中，增强介电各向异性，而且对施加的电场信号敏感。本文也展示了纳米粒子对所述复合材料可实现的总的相变的作用。这种方法也许可应用于设计新型显示材料。     

Successful Aging

This issue's Works in Progress department presents six abstracts for projects that are developing interesting solutions to the elderly's quality of life challenges. The first two abstracts discuss projects that will help provide the elderly with freedom and independence by instrumenting their environments with supportive technology. The next two abstracts discuss projects building specialized user interfaces for addressing some of the challenges associated with aging, such as vision impairment. The final two abstracts present projects that will aid independence for the elderly by providing remote monitoring and assistance.