Search

Central cholinergic systems regulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis differentially in males and females (sexual diergism). We previously investigated the role of muscarinic receptors in this regulation by administering physostigmine (PHYSO), an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, to male and female rats pretreated with scopolamine (SCOP), a nonselective muscarinic antagonist. SCOP pretreatment enhanced adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone (CORT) responses in both sexes, but males had greater ACTH responses while females had greater CORT responses. In the present study, we further explored the role of muscarinic receptor subtypes in HPA axis regulation by administering PHYSO to male and female rats following SCOP or various doses of either the M1 or the M2 selective muscarinic receptor antagonists, pirenzepine (PIREN) or methoctramine (METHO). Blood was sampled before and at multiple times after PHYSO. ACTH and CORT were determined by highly specific immunoassays. M1 antagonism by PIREN prior to PHYSO resulted in sustained, dose-dependent increases in ACTH and CORT: ACTH responses were similar in both sexes, and CORT responses were greater in females. M2 antagonism by METHO prior to PHYSO resulted in overall decreases in ACTH and CORT: ACTH and CORT responses were higher in females but lower in both sexes than the hormone responses following PIREN or SCOP pretreatment. Area under the curve analyses supported these findings. These results suggest that specific muscarinic receptor subtypes differentially influence the HPA axis in a sexually diergic manner.

The main goal of the TRacking Aerosol Convection interactions ExpeRiment (TRACER) project was to further understand the role that regional circulations and aerosol loading play in the convective cloud life cycle across the greater Houston, Texas, area. To accomplish this goal, the United States Department of Energy and research partners collaborated to deploy atmospheric observing systems across the region. Cloud and precipitation radars, radiosondes, and air quality sensors captured atmospheric and cloud characteristics. A dense lower-atmospheric dataset was developed using ground-based remote sensors, a tethersonde, and uncrewed aerial systems (UASs). TRACER-UAS is a subproject that deployed two UAS platforms to gather high-resolution observations in the lower atmosphere between 1 June and 30 September 2022. The University of Oklahoma CopterSonde and the University of Colorado Boulder RAAVEN (Robust Autonomous Aerial Vehicle – Endurant Nimble) were flown at two coastal locations between the Gulf of Mexico and Houston. The University of Colorado Boulder RAAVEN gathered measurements of atmospheric thermodynamic state, winds and turbulence, and aerosol size distribution. Meanwhile, the University of Oklahoma CopterSonde system operated on a regular basis to resolve the vertical structure of the thermodynamic and kinematic state. Together, a complementary dataset of over 200 flight hours across 61 d was generated, and data from each platform proved to be in strong agreement. In this paper, the platforms and respective data collection and processing are described. The dataset described herein provides information on boundary layer evolution, the sea breeze circulation, conditions prior to and nearby deep convection, and the vertical structure and evolution of aerosols. The quality-controlled TRACER-UAS observations from the CopterSonde and RAAVEN can be found at 10.5439/1969004 (Lappin, 2023) and 10.5439/1985470 (de Boer, 2023), respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This planning manual illustrates why planning for transit-oriented development that serves families is important for creating complete communities and how such integrated planning can be achieved. The first half of the book lays out the why- families are an important market segment that can receive many benefits from locating in transit-rich locations with a mix of housing, retail, and other uses. Next, the manual describes the ten core connections between TOD and families, and then delves into seven action-oriented steps to support family-friendly complete communities and high-quality edcuation.

New photometry, including TESS data, have been combined with recent spectroscopic observations of the Orion Ib pulsating triple-star system VV Ori. This yields a revised set of absolute parameters with increased precision. Two different programmes were utilized for the light-curve analysis, with results in predictably close agreement. The agreement promotes confidence in the analysis procedures. The spectra were analysed using the FDBinary programme. The main parameters are as follows: M 1 = 11.56 ± 0.14 and M 2 = 4.81 ± 0.06 (M⊙). We estimate an approximate mass of the wide companion as M 3 = 2.0 ± 0.3 M⊙. Similarly, R 1 = 5.11 ± 0.03, R 2 = 2.51 ± 0.02, R 3 = 1.8 ± 0.1 (R⊙); T e1 = 26600 ± 300, T e2 = 16250 ± 420, and T e3 = 10000 ± 1000 (K). The close binary's orbital separation is a  = 13.91 (R⊙); its age is 8 ± 2 (Myr) and its photometric distance is 396 ± 7 pc. The primary's β Cep type oscillations support these properties and confirm our understanding of its evolutionary status. Examination of the well-defined λ6678 He  i profiles reveals the primary to have a significantly low projected rotation: some 80 per cent of the synchronous value. This can be explained on the basis of the precession of an unaligned spin axis. This proposal can resolve also observed variations of the apparent inclination and address other longer term irregularities of the system reported in the literature. This topic invites further observations and follow-up theoretical study of the dynamics of this intriguing young multiple star. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of Ce incorporation into ZrO2 on the catalytic performance of Cu/ZrO2 for the hydrogenation of CO have been investigated. A Ce0.3Zr0.7O2 solid solution was synthesized by forced hydrolysis at low pH. After calcination at 873 K, XRD and Raman spectroscopy characterization indicated that the Ce0.3Zr0.7O2 had a t'' crystal structure. 1.2 wt percent Cu/Ce0.3Zr0.7O2 exhibited H2 consumption peaks at low temperature (< 473 K) during H2-TPR indicating a significant fraction (~; 70 percent) of Ce4+ is reduced to Ce3+. 1.2 wt percent Cu/Ce0.3Zr0.7O2 is 2.7 times more active for methanol synthesis than 1.2 wt percent Cu/m-ZrO2 at 3.0 MPa at temperatures between 473 and 523 K and exhibits a higher selectivity to methanol. In-situ infrared spectroscopy shows that, analogous to Cu/m-ZrO2, the primary surface species on Cu/Ce0.3Zr0.7O2 during CO hydrogenation are formate and methoxide species. A shift in the band position of the bridged methoxide species indicated that some of these groups were bonded to both Zr4+ and Ce3+ cations. For both catalysts, the rate-limiting step for methanol synthesis is the reductive elimination of methoxide species. The higher rate of methanol synthesis on Cu/Ce0.3Zr0.7O2 relative to Cu/m-ZrO2 was primarily due to a ~; 2.4 times higher apparent rate constant, kapp, for methoxide hydrogenation, which is attributed to the higher surface concentration of H atoms on the former catalyst. The increased capacity of the Ce-containing catalyst is attributed to interactions of H atoms with Ce-O pairs present at the surface of the oxide phase.

The effect of zirconia phase on the activity and selectivity of Cu/ZrO2 for the hydrogenation of CO has been investigated. Relatively pure t-ZrO2 and m-ZrO2 were prepared with high surface areas (~; 145 m2/g). Copper was then deposited onto the surface of these materials by either incipient-wetness impregnation or deposition-precipitation. For a fixed Cu surface area, Cu/m-ZrO2 was tenfold more active for methanol synthesis than Cu/t-ZrO2 from a feed of 3/1 H2/CO at 3.0 MPa and temperatures between 473 and 523 K. Cu/m-ZrO2 also exhibited a higher selectivity to methanol. Increasing the Cu surface area on m-ZrO2 resulted in further improvement in activity with minimal change in selectivity. Methanol productivity increased linearly for both Cu/t-ZrO2 and Cu/m-ZrO2 with increasing Cu surface area. The difference in inherent activity of each phase paralleled the stronger and larger CO adsorption capacity of the Cu/m-ZrO2 as quantified by CO-TPD. The higher CO adsorption capacity of Cu/m-ZrO2 is attributed to the presence of a high concentration of anionic vacancies on the surface of m-ZrO2. Such vacancies expose cus-Zr4+ cations, which act as Lewis acid centers and enhance the Bronsted acidity of adjacent Zr-OH groups. The presence of cus-Zr4+ sites and adjacent Bronsted acidic Zr-OH groups contributes to the adsorption of CO as HCOO-Zr groups, which are the initial precursors to methanol.

The interactions of CO, CO/H2, H2, D2, and CH3OH with t-ZrO2, m-ZrO2, Cu/t-ZrO2, and Cu/m-ZrO2 have been investigated by in-situ infrared spectroscopy with the aim of understanding the nature of species involved in methanol synthesis and the dynamics of the formation and consumption of these species. With both phases of ZrO2, the primary surface species observed during CO hydrogenation were bidentate formate groups, b-HCOO-Zr, and methoxide groups, CH3O-Zr. Transient-response experiments indicated that the rate-limiting step for each catalyst is the reductive elimination of methoxide species. Relative to 1.2 wt% Cu/t-ZrO2, though, spillover of H atoms and the formation and reduction of formate and methoxide species proceeded more rapidly on the more active 1.2 wt% Cu/m-ZrO2. Steady-state intensities of surface species were also larger on 1.2 wt% Cu/m-ZrO2. These differences are attributed to the higher reactivity of the hydroxyl groups on the surface of m-ZrO2. Increasing the Cu surface area on m-ZrO2 increases the rate of reductive elimination of methoxide species up to a maximum value, determined by the eventual saturation of the ZrO2 surface with H atoms via spillover from Cu. The product of the apparent rate coefficient for reductive elimination of methoxide species and the surface concentration of these species increases linearly with increasing Cu surface area consistent with the proportionality seen in the rate of methanol synthesis at steady state.

The main goal of the TRacking Aerosol Convection interactions ExpeRiment (TRACER) project was to further understand the role that regional circulations and aerosol loading play in the convective cloud life cycle across the greater Houston, Texas area. To accomplish this goal, the United States Department of Energy and research partners collaborated to deploy atmospheric observing systems across the region. Cloud and precipitation radars, radiosondes, and air quality sensors captured atmospheric and cloud characteristics. A dense lower atmospheric dataset was developed using ground-based remote sensors, a tethersonde, and uncrewed aerial systems (UAS). TRACER-UAS is a subproject that deployed two UAS platforms to gather high-resolution observations in the lower atmosphere between 1 June and 30 September 2022. The University of Oklahoma CopterSonde and the University of Colorado Boulder RAAVEN (Robust Autonomous Aerial Vehicle - Endurant Nimble) were flown at two coastal locations between the Gulf of Mexico and Houston. The University of Colorado RAAVEN gathered measurements of atmospheric thermodynamic state, winds and turbulence, and aerosol size distribution. Meanwhile, the University of Oklahoma CopterSonde system operated on a regular basis to resolve the vertical structure of the thermodynamic and kinematic state. Together, a complementary dataset of over 200 flight hours across 61 days was generated, and data from each platform proved to be in strong agreement. In this paper, the platforms and respective data collection and processing are described. The dataset described herein provides information on boundary layer evolution, the sea breeze circulation, conditions prior to and nearby deep convection, and the vertical structure and evolution of aerosols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stereotype threat has been demonstrated to reduce the performance of stereotyped individuals in the threatened domain (Steele & Aronson, 1995). This study attempted to replicate the finding that stereotype threat instruction can erase the performance deficit women experience in math performance (Johns, Schmader, & Martens, 2005) and to further evaluate the arousal hypothesis of stereotype threat (e.g. Ben-Zeev, Fein & Inzlicht, 2005). The study provided no evidence of stereotype threat F(2, 91) = 1.60, p = 0.208, partial h[superscript 2] = 0.034. Stereotype threat may be less likely to affect performance at a small, liberal arts institution where the learning environment is both nurturing and personal. (Contains 3 tables.)

New spectrometric (HERCULES) and ground-based multicolour photometric data on the multiple star V410 Puppis are combined with satellite photometry (HIPPARCOS and TESS), as well as historic astrometric observations. Absolute parameters for V410 Pup Aab are derived: M Aa = 3.15 ± 0.10, M Ab = 1.83 ± 0.08 (M⊙); R Aa = 2.12 ± 0.10, R Ab = 1.52 ± 0.08 (R⊙); a = 6.57 ± 0.04 R⊙; T Aa = 12500 ± 1000, T Ab = 9070 ± 800(K), and photometric distance 350 ± 10 (pc). We report the discovery of a low-amplitude SPB variation in the light curve and also indications of an accretion structure around V410 Pup B as well as emission cores in V410 Pup C. We argue that V410 Pup is probably a young formation connected with the Vela 2 OB Association. The combined evidence allows an age in the range 7–25 Myr from comparisons with standard stellar evolution modelling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2010.01.013 Byline: Francis Agyenim, Ian Knight, Michael Rhodes Keywords: Electrical COP; Cold store; LiBr/H.sub.2O absorption chiller; Solar thermal Abstract: A domestic-scale prototype experimental solar cooling system has been developed based on a LiBr/H.sub.2O absorption system and tested during the 2007 summer and autumn months in Cardiff University, UK. The system consisted of a 12m.sup.2 vacuum tube solar collector, a 4.5kW LiBr/H.sub.2O absorption chiller, a 1000l cold storage tank and a 6kW fan coil. The system performance, as well as the performances of the individual components in the system, were evaluated based on the physical measurements of the daily solar radiation, ambient temperature, inlet and outlet fluid temperatures, mass flow rates and electrical consumption by component. The average coefficient of thermal performance (COP) of the system was 0.58, based on the thermal cooling power output per unit of available thermal solar energy from the 12m.sup.2 Thermomax DF100 vacuum tube collector on a hot sunny day with average peak insolation of 800W/m.sup.2 (between 11 and 13.30h) and ambient temperature of 24[degrees]C. The system produced an electrical COP of 3.6. Experimental results prove the feasibility of the new concept of cold store at this scale, with chilled water temperatures as low as 7.4[degrees]C, demonstrating its potential use in cooling domestic scale buildings. Author Affiliation: The Welsh School of Architecture, Bute Building, King Edward VII Avenue, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3NB Wales, UK Article History: Received 12 November 2008; Revised 7 July 2009; Accepted 11 January 2010 Article Note: (miscellaneous) Communicated by: Associated Editor W.S. Duff

Given that the physiology of heine oxygenase-1 (HO-1) encompasses mitochondrial biogenesis, we tested the hypothesis that the HO-1 product, carbon monoxide (CO), activates mitochondrial biogenesis in skeletal muscle and enhances maximal oxygen uptake ([??].sub.2max]) in humans. In l0 healthy subjects, we biopsied the vastus lateralis and performed [??].sub.2max] tests followed by blinded randomization to air or CO breathing (1 h/day at 100 parts/million for 5 days), a contralateral muscle biopsy on day 5, and repeat [??].sub.2max] testing on day 8. Six independent subjects underwent CO breathing and two muscle biopsies without exercise testing. Molecular studies were performed by real-time RT-PCR, Western blot analysis, and immunochemistry. After [??].sub.2max] testing plus CO breathing, significant increases were found in mRNA levels for nuclear respiratory factor-1, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-[gamma] coactivator-1[alpha], mitochondrial transcription factor-A (Tfam), and DNA polymerase [gamma](Pol[gamma]) with no change in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number or [??].sub.2max]. Levels of myosin heavy chain I and nuclear-encoded HO-1, superoxide dismutase-2, citrate synthase, mitofusin-1 and -2, and mitochondrial-encoded cytochrome oxidase subunit-I (COX-I) and ATPase-6 proteins increased significantly. None of these responses were reproduced by [??].sub.2max] testing alone, whereas CO alone increased Tfam and Pol[gamma] mRNA, and COX-I, ATPase-6, mitofusin-2, HO-1, and superoxide dismutase protein. These findings provide evidence linking the HO/CO response involved in mitochondrial biogenesis in rodents to skeletal muscle in humans through a set of responses involving regulation of the mtDNA transcriptosome and mitochondrial fusion proteins autonomously of changes in exercise capacity. heme oxygenase-1; superoxide dismutase-2; peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-[gamma] coactivator-1[alpha]; nuclear respiratory factor-1; oxygen uptake

To purchase or authenticate to the full-text of this article, please visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9744.2007.00535.x Byline: Michael Craig Rhodes (1) Keywords: apophasis/apophatic thought/apophaticism; beauty; Dionysius the Areopagite (Denys); empirical being; ikon; science; theology; theophanic Abstract: Abstract. This essay is an interdisciplinary study of beauty that attempts to bridge the gap between religion/theology and science in some measure by drawing from Dionysius the Areopagite (c. 500) a notion of being that I argue is consonant with the notion of the sense of the beautiful, which I develop using Steven Weinberg's and Werner Heisenberg's discussions of empirical beauty. I use the term ikon to refer concisely to Dionysius' theophanic notion of being, namely, that the beyond-being is nonsubstantially present in being. Author Affiliation: (1)Instructor of theology at Loyola University, 6525 N. Sheridan Road, Chicago, IL 60626-5385; e-mailmichaelcraigrhodes@yahoo.com.

Porter, Valerie A., Michael T. Rhodes, Helen L. Reeve, and David N. Cornfield. Oxygen-induced fetal pulmonary vasodilation is mediated by intracellular calcium activation of [K.sub.ca] channels. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 281: L1379-L1385, 2001.--[O.sub.2] sensing in fetal pulmonary artery smooth muscle is critically important in the successful transition to air breathing at birth. However, the mechanism by which the fetal pulmonary vasculature senses and responds to an acute increase in [O.sub.2] tension is not known. Isolated fetal pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells were kept in primary culture for 5-14 days in a hypoxic environment (20-30 mmHg). These cells showed a 25.1 [+ or -] 1.7% decrease in intracellular calcium in response to an acute increase in [O.sub.2] tension. Low concentrations of caffeine (0.5 mM) and diltiazem also decreased intracellular calcium. The decrease in intracellular calcium concentration in response to increasing [O.sub.2] was inhibited by iberiotoxin and ryanodine. Freshly isolated fetal pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells exhibited 'spontaneous transient outward currents,' indicative of intracellular calcium spark activation of calcium-sensitive potassium channels. The frequency of spontaneous transient outward currents increased when [O.sub.2] tension was increased to normoxic levels. Increasing fetal pulmonary [O.sub.2] tension in acutely instrumented fetal sheep increased fetal pulmonary blood flow. Ryanodine attenuated [O.sub.2]-induced pulmonary vasodilation. This study demonstrates that fetal pulmonary vascular smooth muscle cells are capable of responding to an acute increase in [O.sub.2] tension and that this [O.sub.2] response is mediated by intracellular calcium activation of calcium-sensitive potassium channels. smooth muscle cells; spontaneous transient outward current; calcium-sensitive potassium channel Received 31 October 2000; accepted in final form 1 August 2001