Peroxisomes in intestinal and gallbladder epithelial cells of the stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus L. (Teleostei)

The occurrence of microbodies in the epithelial cells of the intestine and gallbladder of the stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus L., is described. In the intestine the organelles are predominantly located in the apical and perinuclear zone of the cells and may contain small crystalline cores. In gallbladder epithelial cells the microbodies are distributed randomly. The latter organdies are characterized by the presence of large crystalloids. Cytochemical and biochemical experiments show that catalase and D-amino acid oxidase are main matrix components of the microbodies in both the intestinal and gallbladder epithelia. These organelles therefore are considered peroxisomes. In addition, in intestinal mucosa but not in gallbladder epithelium a low activity of palmitoyl CoA oxidase was detected biochemically. Urate oxidase and L-α hydroxy acid oxidase activities could not be demonstrated.

Multiwavelength evidence for a 15-year periodic activity in the symbiotic nova V1016 Cygni

The ~15.1 years period found in the long-term UBV photoelectric and photographic photometry of the symbiotic nova V1016 Cyg is detected also in the (J-K) colour index and in the UV continuum and emission line fluxes from IUE and HUT spectra. It could be interpreted either as the effect of recurrent enhanced mass loss episodes from the Mira type variable companion to a hot component along its ultra-wide orbit (proposed from recent HST observations) or the true orbital period of the inner, unresolved binary of a triple system. A 410-day delay of the maximum of UV emission lines fluxes with respect to the maximum of continuum was found. The pulsation period of the Mira type variable was improved to 474+/-6 days.Comment: 7 pages, 7 PostScript figures. Accepted for pubblication in A&

Comparison of codes assessing galactic cosmic radiation exposure of aircraft crew

The assessment of the exposure to cosmic radiation onboard aircraft is one of the preoccupations of bodies responsible for radiation protection. Cosmic particle flux is significantly higher onboard aircraft than at ground level and its intensity depends on the solar activity. The dose is usually estimated using codes validated by the experimental data. In this paper, a comparison of various codes is presented, some of them are used routinely, to assess the dose received by the aircraft crew caused by the galactic cosmic radiation. Results are provided for periods close to solar maximum and minimum and for selected flights covering major commercial routes in the world. The overall agreement between the codes, particularly for those routinely used for aircraft crew dosimetry, was better than ±20 % from the median in all but two cases. The agreement within the codes is considered to be fully satisfactory for radiation protection purpose

Fluorescence of Naphthol AS-MX is Readily Detectable in Dioxane Mixtures

Numerous enzymes have been demonstrated to be active in non-aqueous solutions, yet the utility of phosphatases under such conditions has been difficult to determine. Here, we demonstrate the ability to fluorescently detect naphthol AS‑MX in high percentages 1,4-dioxane with a fluorescence differential compared with naphthol AS‑MX phosphate. While intensities and maximum fluorescence wavelengths changed depending on solvent conditions, these results demonstrate this system’s potential for testing phosphatase activity in high amounts of dioxane

Determination of nutrient salts by automatic methods both in seawater and brackish water: the phosphate blank

9 páginas, 2 tablas, 2 figurasThe main inconvenience in determining nutrients in seawater by automatic methods is simply solved: the preparation of a suitable blank which corrects the effect of the refractive index change on the recorded signal. Two procedures are proposed, one physical (a simple equation to estimate the effect) and the other chemical (removal of the dissolved phosphorus with ferric hydroxide).Support for this work came from CICYT (MAR88-0245 project) and Conselleria de Pesca de la Xunta de GaliciaPeer reviewe

Spatial planning and health systems: enhancing territorial governance in Alpine Space

ABSTRACT: Health systems in Europe are currently facing numerous critical challenges; demographic change is only one example. In order to successfully cope with those challenges on a long-term perspective, effective territorial governance can positively address upcoming issues in this context. Accordingly, the purpose of this research is to contribute to the enhancement of territorial governance in the Alpine Space (AS) with regard to spatial planning and health systems. The aim is to identify main achievements of previous AS projects funded by the European Union (EU) as well as lessons learned from their realization in order to derive valuable implications for amended health and spatial planning policy development. This includes issues such as transnational needs, potential synergies as well as institutional responsibilities and competences required. Besides the goals, approaches and outputs, also problems and difficulties experienced during the projects are analysed. The unit of analyses are 10 implemented projects of the current AS programming period which can provide achievements of valuable interest in this thematic field. INITIAL SITUATION Demographic change is only one of numerous critical challenges health systems in Europe are currently facing. In order to successfully cope with such challenges on a long-term perspective, changes in present health models and governance of health systems are required. Many highly relevant issues in this context such as the need to improve the quality of life and healthcare of elderly people as well as the provision of access to care for people in medically underserved areas are related to the subjects of 'health systems' and 'spatial planning'. Accordingly, the focus of this research is on those two areas. RESEARCH OBJECTIVE AND APPROACH The purpose of this research is to contribute to the enhancement of territorial governance in the AS with regard to spatial planning and health systems. The research objective is to identify main achievements of previous AS projects as well as lessons learned from their realization. The aim is to derive relevant implications for amended policy development, including issues such as transnational needs, potential synergies as well as institutional responsibilities and competences required. To do so, besides the goals, approaches and outputs, also problems and difficulties experienced during the projects are analysed. Both topics, 'health systems' and 'spatial planning', as pillars of territorial governance, need to be addressed on a transnational level in order to generate practically relevant and valid results. Accordingly, the research question is: "What can be learned from EU-funded AS projects with regard to policy development?" The main achievements of these projects are identified in order to derive valuable lessons for future health and spatial planning policy development. RESEARCH METHOD To answer the research question, desk research and questionnaire inquiry was considered the most appropriate approach. Ten projects were selected amongst those promoted by the EU (funded by the "Alpine Space Programme 2007-13" and the "INTERREG IIB Programme 2000-2006"). These projects aim at improving inclusive growth in the Alpine Space under different dimensions through territorial governance. Based on literature review, a structured question

Weak localization in ultrananocrystalline diamond

In this letter we present results of magnetotransport measurements, carried out on heavily nitrogen-doped ultrananocrystalline diamond films, prepared by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition. This material having at room temperature appreciably high electric conductivity ( ∼ 4200 S m−1) revealed surprisingly at Kelvin temperatures a giant negative magnetoresistance reaching up to 22% at 1.28 K and at 8 T. The analysis of experimental data has borne evidence of the fact that the transport in this subsystem has a character of low-dimensional disordered metal and it is controlled by quantum interference effects of electrons resulting in their weak localization

Jovem empreendedor no Brasil: a busca do espaço da realização ou a fuga da exclusão?

This article focuses on the path of young (18-24 year old) Brazilian entrepreneurs during the period 2001 and 2008. Based on data from the GEM Study, we analyzed young peoples’ participation in entrepreneurship within Latin American and Bris countries (Brazil, Russia, India, and South Africa). Toward the goal of uncovering peculiarities of this entrepreneurial segment, we focus only on the youths’ initial entrepreneurial activities, their motivation (entrepreneurship by necessity or opportunity), revenue, education, activity sector as well as on policies and support mechanisms. Associates quantitative and qualitative methods, and contextualized with secondary sources such as IBGE, BID, PNAD, OIT, and OMS. It was found that, in Brazil, the majority of youths are self-employed, have few employees in their businesses and dispose of few resources to face risk. Factors such as low levels of education and other factors, among others, tend to push their businesses toward a higher probability of failure. Businesses that survive do not yield significant economic impacts, but rather merely maintain the precarious survival of a great number of youths that are excluded from the formal labor market. On the other hand, young people who are entrepreneurs “by opportunity” are part of a relatively small group and are able to support them. Finally, we emphasize that support and sustainability of young entrepreneurs depend on the context and public policy.Este artigo focaliza a trajetória do jovem brasileiro (18-24 anos) no empreendedorismono período de 2001-08. Com base em dados da Pesquisa GEM, analisa-se aparticipação do jovem empreendedor da América Latina e do Bris (Brasil, Rússia, Índiae África do Sul). Priorizam-se as atividades empreendedoras iniciais do jovem, suamotivação (empreender por necessidade ou oportunidade), características de renda,escolaridade, tipo de atividade e políticas públicas. Associando métodos quantitativose qualitativos, descreve-se o perfil da atividade empreendedora do jovem brasileirocontextualizando-a a partir de fontes secundárias como o IBGE, BID, PNAD, OIT eOMS. Observou-se que no Brasil a maior parte dos jovens são autoempregadores,empregam poucas pessoas em seus negócios e com pouca estrutura para enfrentamentode riscos. Baixo índice de escolaridade, entre outros fatores, encaminham onegócio no sentido de uma probabilidade maior de fracasso. Empreendimentos quesobrevivem não resultam em impactos econômicos, mantendo de forma precária asobrevivência de um grande número de jovens, excluídos do mercado de trabalhoformal. Por outro lado, os jovens que empreendem por oportunidade são um gruporelativamente pequeno. Eles identificam oportunidades e têm melhores habilidadespara sustentá-las. Por fim, destaca-se que o apoio e a sustentabilidade do jovemempreendedor dependem do contexto geral e de políticas educacionais