Hamiltonian description of self-consistent wave-particle dynamics in a periodic structure

Conservation of energy and momentum in the classical theory of radiatingelectrons has been a challenging problem since its inception. We propose aformulation of classical electrodynamics in Hamiltonian form that satisfies theMaxwell equations and the Lorentz force. The radiated field is represented witheigenfunctions using the Gel'fand $\beta$-transform. The electron Hamiltonianis the standard one coupling the particles with the propagating fields. Thedynamics conserves energy and excludes self-acceleration. A completeHamiltonian formulation results from adding electrostatic action-at-a-distancecoupling between electrons.

Exendin-4 Improves β-Cell Function in Autophagy-Deficient β-Cells

Autophagy is cellular machinery for maintenance of β-cell function and mass. The implication of autophagy failure in β-cells on the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes and its relation to the effect of treatment of diabetes remains elusive. Here, we found increased expression of p62 in islets of db/db mice and patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Treatment with exendin-4, a glucagon like peptide-1 receptor agonist, improved glucose tolerance in db/db mice without significant changes in p62 expression in β-cells. Also in β-cell-specific Atg7-deficient mice, exendin-4 efficiently improved blood glucose level and glucose tolerance mainly by enhanced insulin secretion. In addition, we found that exendin-4 reduced apoptotic cell death and increased proliferating cells in the Atg7-deficient islets, and that exendin-4 counteracted thapsigargin-induced cell death of isolated islets augmented by autophagy deficiency. Our results suggest the potential involvement of reduced autophagy in β-cell dysfunction in type 2 diabetes. Without altering the autophagic state in β-cells, exendin-4 improves glucose tolerance associated with autophagy deficiency in β-cells. This is mainly achieved through augmentation of insulin secretion. In addition, exendin-4 prevents apoptosis and increases the proliferation of β-cells associated with autophagy deficiency, also without altering the autophagic machinery in β-cells.

Identification of Acyl-CoA Thioesterase in Mouse Mesenteric Lymph Nodes

Acyl-CoA thioesterases (ACOTs) are a group of enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of fatty acyl-CoAs to free fatty acids and CoA, with the potential to regulate the intracellular levels of these molecules. In this study, we show that a cytosolic isoform, ACOT7, is expressed at a significant level in the mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) of mice. While crude preparations of the mesenteric visceral fat contained significant levels of palmitoyl-CoA thioesterase activity, enzyme activity was concentrated 6.9-fold in MLNs compared with the residual adipose portion after excision of MLNs. When MLN homogenates were centrifuged, 82% of the enzyme activity was recovered in the cytosolic fraction, concomitant with almost exclusive recovery of ACOT7. Immunoprecipitation using anti-ACOT7 antibody estimated that 87% of enzyme activity in the homogenates was accounted for by ACOT7. On MLN sections, the germinal centers of secondary lymphoid follicles were immunostained with the antibody. In MLNs of mice fasted for 16 h, ACOT7 levels were induced 1.8-fold, which reflected a 1.5-fold increase in enzyme activity. These findings suggest that ACOT7 may be involved in dietary intake-associated responses in fatty acid metabolism in MLNs.

Adsorption of Heavy Metals on Diatomite: Mechanism and Effect of Operating Variables

Processo Construtivo das Casas dos Imigrantes Japoneses do Vale do Ribeira

Influência das Políticas Públicas na Pesquisa de Fontes Alternativas de Energia Elétrica para Brasil e Colômbia

Improved High-Fat Diet-Induced Glucose Intolerance by an Oral Administration of Phytosphingosine

We have previously reported that phytoceramide and phytosphingosine (PHS) stimulated the transcriptional activity of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) in cells. PPARγ is a therapeutic target for type 2 diabetes. We found in this study that an oral administration of PHS improved diet-induced glucose intolerance in mice. Since PHS is highly expressed in yeast, PHS in fermented foods may improve diabetes.

Improvement of the Lipophilic-Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (L-ORAC) Method and Single-Laboratory Validation

We improved the procedure for lipophilic-oxygen radical absorbance capacity (L-ORAC) measurement for better repeatability and intermediate precision. A sealing film was placed on the assay plate, and glass vials and microdispensers equipped with glass capillaries were used. The antioxidant capacities of food extracts can be evaluated by this method with nearly the same precision as antioxidant solutions.

REFLEXÕES SOBRE O PAPEL DA SEGMENTAÇÃO E DO POSICIONAMENTO NO PLANO OPERACIONAL DE MARKETING

The Italian Long-Term Ecosystem Research (LTER-Italy) network: results, opportunities, and challenges for coastal transitional ecosystems

1 - The Long-Term Ecosystem Research (LTER) network, now a global reality, was founded on acombination of long-term ecological studies, short-term experiments, and comparisons among sitesand eco-domains.2 - The LTER-Italy network was officially established as a formal member of the LTER internationalnetwork in 2006, following a wider on-going process in Europe; it currently consists of 22 sitesrepresenting the main ecosystem typologies of Italy. Four coastal transitional ecosystem sites areincluded in the LTER-Italy network: on the northern Peninsula, these include the Venice Lagoon andthe lagoons of the Po River Delta, which are characterized by a temperate climate and the influenceof tides; and in the southern sector, these include the coastal ecosystems of Sardinia and the MarPiccolo of Taranto, which are characterized by a Mediterranean climate and the absence of sensibletides.3 - In this paper, we present and discuss three main issues: (1) the LTER-International and LTER-Europecontext, emphasising the most practical issues and activities that must be addressed for the effectiveorganization and maintenance of LTER networks; (2) the history, structure, and perspectives ofthe national LTER-Italy network; and (3) the opportunities, strengths, and weaknesses related toparticipation of the LTER-Italy network in the study of coastal transitional ecosystem