1,480 research outputs found
Analysis of lung surfactant phosphatidylcholine metabolism in transgenic mice using stable isotopes
Full text linkStable isotope labelling of lipid precursors coupled with mass spectrometry-based lipidomic analyses and determination of isotope enrichment in substrate, intermediate and product pools provide the parameters needed to determine absolute flux rates through lipid pathways in vivo. Here, as an illustration of the power of such analyses we investigated lung phosphatidylcholine (PC) synthesis in Surfactant Protein-D (SP-D) null mice. These animals develop emphysema, foamy alveolar macrophages and an alveolar lipoproteinosis with increasing age. We used the incorporation of methyl-9-[2H] choline chloride coupled with ESI-MS/MS to quantify absolute rates of lung surfactant PC synthesis and secretion in an SP-D-/? mouse model, together with an analysis of the molecular specificity of lung PC synthesis. PC synthetic rates were comparable in control (0.52 ?moles/lung/h) and SP-D-/? (0.69 ?moles/lung/h) mice, as were rates of surfactant PC secretion (29.8 and 30.6 nmoles/lung/h respectively). Increased lung PC in the SP-D-/? mouse was due to impaired catabolism, with a rate of accumulation of 0.057 ?moles/lung/h. The relatively low rates of surfactant PC secretion compared with total lung PC synthesis were compatible with a suggested ABCA1-mediated basolateral lipid efflux from alveolar type II epithelial cells. Finally, PC molecular species analysis suggested that a proportion of newly-synthesised PC is secreted rapidly into the lung air spaces in both control and SP-D-/? mice before significant PC acyl remodelling occurs<br/
Direct numerical simulation of turbulent Couette-Poiseuille flow with zero skin friction
No full textThe near-wall scaling of mean velocity U(y) is addressed for the case of zero skin friction on one wall of a fully turbulent channel flow. The present DNS results can be added to the evidence in support of the conjecture that U is proportional to √yw in the region just above the wall at which the mean shear dU/dy = 0
Scaling and intermittency in ocean turbulence: analysis of coastal water optical properties and sea surface temperature (SST)
No full textWe consider here some scaling and intermittency properties of oceanic turbulence, with a general aim of considering the impact of turbulence on the bio-optical dynamics. For that purpose, we tried two different approaches, using in situ and satellite data. For the in situ study we adopted one dimensional and for the satellite two dimensional approaches. Different techniques such as Fourier power spectrum, Empirical mode of decomposition (EMD), Hilbert spectral analysis (HSA) have been used for analyzing the intermittency characteristics of the in situ data. For analyzing the multi-scale properties of the satellite images, we have considered Structure functions (SF) and Fourier power spectrum (1D and 2D). The general objective is to understand the multi-scale oceanic variability using scaling tools developed in the field of intermittent turbulence studies
The organization of industry in the P.R. China: A new start or resort to old concepts?
Full text linkThe Chinese have let it be known since the death of Mao Zedong and the purge of the “Gang of Four” that they would in future draw on credits from foreign governments as well as other sources to finance imports of technology. According to western conjectures China’s capital requirements may be between US $ 25 and 50 bn or even a good deal higher. Many observers have taken the view that the Chinese have thereby put all their former development principles behind them. The author of the following article was in the P.R. China about the middle of this year at the invitation of the National Planning Commission. His assessment is that the P.R. China is far from embarking on an entirely new course in its development policy
The cost of travel time variability for air and car travellers
Full text linkVerhoef, E.T. [Promotor]Pels, A.J.H. [Copromotor
Constant approximation for virtual backbone construction with guaranteed routing cost in wireless sensor networks
No full text
Commuters’ preferences for fast and reliable travel: A semi-parametric estimation approach
No full textWe employ a semi-parametric estimation approach to analyse observed and unobserved heterogeneity in the value of savings in travel time and schedule delay. Our econometric approach allows for the estimation of unobserved and observed heterogeneity in preferences in a flexible way, meaning that we do not put any structure on how individual characteristics (such as income and age) relate to the value of savings in travel time and schedule delay. Using data from a stated choice experiment, we illustrate the estimation approach and find that there is substantial heterogeneity in the value of savings in travel time and schedule delay. For our data, we find that unobserved heterogeneity is more important than heterogeneity related to individual characteristics
Economic potential of the P.R. Spring oil-impregnated deposit, Uinta Basin, Utah
No full textreportThe P.R. Spring oil-impregnated sandstone (tar sand) deposit is located in the southeastern portion of the Uinta Basin, approximately 50 miles northwest of Grand Junction, Colorado. These oil impregnated sandstones are in the Eocene Green River Formation and five zones have been identified. These zones consist of one or more lenticular beds of lacustrine sandstone, separated by intervals of barren lithologies. The degree of impregnation of individual beds within the five zones is controlled by the lateral extent of the bed, its porosity and permeability, and the distance the oil has migrated within the bed. The degree of saturation varies both laterally and vertically. The purpose of this report was to 1) determine the total hydrocarbon content of each zone in blocks of 640 acres or less, and 2) relate this data to current economic and mining feasibility. This study incorporates the results of 38 measured sections and 26 core holes. The oil extracted from the P.R. Spring tar sands is a naturally occurring, brown to black, highly viscous or solid mixture of hydrocarbons. Its composition indicates that the oil was formed in situ or migrated only a short distance. The author has calculated the total barrels of oil in place for the deposit to be approximately 3.3 billion barrels. This is less than other published calculations of 3.7 and 4.0 to 4.5 billion barrels (Byrd, 1967; Ritzma, 1974). Problems associated with the method of economic recovery of the oil remain to be solved. Only the southeastern corner of the field is strip rninable. Other areas will probably have to be exploited by in situ recovery methods and several are being tested. The only known active operation in P.R. Spring is by Bighorn Oil, located in the southeastern part of the deposit. Their operation consists of an open-pit mine and a 200-barrel-per-day extraction plant utilizing a solvent solution process. Surface water availability in the area is limited, but may be sufficient if storage, reuse and ground-water potential are considered. Oil extraction will require a fuel supply, possibly from generated coke and other byproduct fuels generated by the tar refining process or by local natural gas or coal production. Further work is needed in the area, specifically more core holes and associated analyses. Strategic drilling in T. 11 S., R. 22 and 24 E., and T. 12 S., R. 22 E., could be used to verify assumed saturation
- …
