Synchronization of mutually coupled chaotic systems

We report on the experimental observation of both basic frequency locking synchronization and chaos synchronization between two mutually coupled chaotic subsystems. We show that these two kinds of synchronization are two stages of interaction between coupled chaotic systems. in particular the chaos synchronization could be understood as a state of phase locking between coupled chaotic oscillations.

Embeddings of m-cycle systems and incomplete m-cycle systems: m<=14

In this paper we completely settle the embedding problem for m-cycle systems with m less than or equal to 14. We also solve the more general problem of finding m-cycle systems of K-v - K-u when m is an element of {4,6,7,8,10,12,14}.

2m-cycle systems of K2m+1/C-m

For all m greater than or equal to 3 the edges of complete graph on 2m + 1 vertices can he partitioned into m 2m-cycles and an m-cycle.

Improving wheat simulation capabilities in Australia from a cropping systems perspective: water and nitrogen effects on spring wheat in a semi-arid environment

Systems approaches can help to evaluate and improve the agronomic and economic viability of nitrogen application in the frequently water-limited environments. This requires a sound understanding of crop physiological processes and well tested simulation models. Thus, this experiment on spring wheat aimed to better quantify water x nitrogen effects on wheat by deriving some key crop physiological parameters that have proven useful in simulating crop growth. For spring wheat grown in Northern Australia under four levels of nitrogen (0 to 360 kg N ha(-1)) and either entirely on stored soil moisture or under full irrigation, kernel yields ranged from 343 to 719 g m(-2). Yield increases were strongly associated with increases in kernel number (9150-19950 kernels m(-2)), indicating the sensitivity of this parameter to water and N availability. Total water extraction under a rain shelter was 240 mm with a maximum extraction depth of 1.5 m. A substantial amount of mineral nitrogen available deep in the profile (below 0.9 m) was taken up by the crop. This was the source of nitrogen uptake observed after anthesis. Under dry conditions this late uptake accounted for approximately 50% of total nitrogen uptake and resulted in high (>2%) kernel nitrogen percentages even when no nitrogen was applied,Anthesis LAI values under sub-optimal water supply were reduced by 63% and under sub-optimal nitrogen supply by 50%. Radiation use efficiency (RUE) based on total incident short-wave radiation was 1.34 g MJ(-1) and did not differ among treatments. The conservative nature of RUE was the result of the crop reducing leaf area rather than leaf nitrogen content (which would have affected photosynthetic activity) under these moderate levels of nitrogen limitation. The transpiration efficiency coefficient was also conservative and averaged 4.7 Pa in the dry treatments. Kernel nitrogen percentage varied from 2.08 to 2.42%. The study provides a data set and a basis to consider ways to improve simulation capabilities of water and nitrogen effects on spring wheat. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.

Effect of fish oil containing parenteral lipid emulsions on neutrophil chemotaxis and resident-macrophages` phagocytosis in rats

Background & aims: There is scarce information about immune function and parenteral. fish oil (FO). The influence of a new parenteral. lipid emulsion (LE) containing fish oil (SMOF) was experimentally evaluated on neutrophils` chemotaxis and macrophages` phagocytosis. Methods: Adult mate Lewis rats (n = 40) were randomized into five groups; one non-surgical. control and four to receive parenteral LE or saline infusion through jugular vein catheterization: SMOF (mixture of 30% medium-chain triglycerides, 30% soybean, 25% olive and 15% fish oils); MCT/LCT (physical mixture of 50% medium-chain triglycerides and 50% soybean oil); MCT/LCT/FO (80% MCT/LCT supplemented with 20% FO) and SS (saline). In the 5th experimental day and after intravenous colloidal carbon injection, blood and tissue (liver, lung and spleen) samples were collected and immunological analyses were performed. Results: LE didn`t influence neutrophil chemotaxis. SMOF didn`t influence phagocytosis (p > 0.05) while MCT/LCT and MCT/LCT/FO LE increased the number of liver and lung resident macrophages that had engaged in phagocytosis compared with CO-NS and SS (p < 0.05). Only MCT/LCT/FO increased the number of spleen resident macrophages that had engaged in phagocytosis (p < 0.05). Conclusions: LE, independently of composition, had no influence on neutrophils` chemotaxis, but showed different effect on phagocytosis by macrophages. SMOF LE had neutral effect while fish oil LE enriched with MCT/LCT LE increased resident-macrophages` phagocytosis. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd and European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. All rights reserved.

The generation of H-1-NMR-detectable mobile lipid in stimulated lymphocytes: Relationship ts cellular activation, the cell cycle, and phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C

Mobile Lipids detected using H-1-NMR in stimulated lymphocytes were correlated with cell cycle phase, expression of the interleukin-2 receptor alpha and proliferation to assess the activation status of the lymphocytes. Mobile lipid levels, IL-2R alpha expression and proliferation increased after treatment with PMA and ionomycin. PMA or ionomycin stimulation alone induced increased IL-2R alpha expressiom but not proliferation, PMA- but not ionomycin-stimulation generated mobile lipid, Treatment with anti-CD3 antibody did not increase IL-2R alpha expression or proliferation but did generate increased amounts of mobile lipid, The cell cycle status of thymocytes treated with anti-CD3, PMA or ionomycin alone indicated an. accumulation of the cells in the G(1) phase of the cell cycle, The generation of mobile lipid was abrogated in anti-CD3 antibody-stimulated thymic lymphocytes but not in splenic lymphocytes, using a phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C (PC-PLC) inhibitor which blocked cells in the G(1)/S phase of the cell cycle, This suggests that the H-1-NMR-detectable mobile Lipid may be generated in anti-CD3 antibody-stimulated thymic lymphocytes by the action of PC-PLC activity via the catabolism of PC, in the absence of classical signs of activation. (C) 1997 Academic Press.

Metabolism of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and lipid transfer to high-density lipoprotein in young obese and normal-weight patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

Objective: To clarify whether the metabolism of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and lipid transfer to high-density lipoprotein (HDL) are altered in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Design: Case control study. Setting: Endocrinology clinics. Patient(s): Eight normal-weight (NW) and 15 obese (013) patients with PCOS were compared with 10 NW and 10 Ob women without PCOS paired for age and body mass index. Intervention(s): Determination of triglyceride-rich lipoprotein metabolism and lipid transfer to HDL. Main Outcome Measure(s): Participants were injected triglyceride-rich emulsions labeled with (14)C-cholesteryl esters and (3)H-triglycerides and the fractional clearance rate (FCR, in min(-1)) of labels was determined. Lipid transfer from artificial nanoemulsions to HDL was performed by incubating radioactively labeled lipid nanoemulsions with plasma during 1 hour, followed by radioactive counting of HDL-containing supernatant after chemical precipitation. Result(s): Lipolysis estimated by triglyceride FCR was equal in PCOS groups (NW = 0.043 +/- 0.032, Ob = 0.033 +/- 0.009) and respective controls (NW = 0.039 +/- 0.015, Ob = 0.044 +/- 0.019). However, the remnant removal as estimated by cholesteryl ester FCR was reduced in both PCOS groups (NW = 0.005 +/- 0.006, Ob = 0.005 +/- 0.005) compared with controls (NW = 0.016 +/- 0.006, Ob = 0.011 +/- 0.072). Lipid transfer rates were not different among groups, but triglyceride transfer rates were positively correlated with homeostasis model assessment estimate of insulin resistance in PCOS. Conclusion(s): PCOS patients showed decreased removal of atherogenic remnants even when fasting glucose was <100 mg/dL. This reinforces the usefulness of the measures taken to prevent cardiovascular events in PCOS patients. (Fertil Steril (R) 2010;93:1948-56. (C)2010 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.)

HDL concentration, lipid transfer to HDL, and HDL size in normolipidemic nonobese menopausal women

Objective: To determine the impact of menopause on lipid transfer from donor lipoproteins to high-density lipoproteins (HDLs)-a process that is related to the protective function of HDL-and the size of HDL particles. Method: Plasma from 22 prernenopausal and 18 postmenopausal nonobese, normolipidemic women paired for age (40-50 years) was incubated in an artificial nanoemulsion labeled with radioactive lipids. Then the HDL fraction was assessed for radioactivity; the percentage of radioactive lipids transferred from the nanoemulsion to HDL was determined; and the size of HDL particles was measured by laser light scattering. Results: There were no differences between the 2 groups in serum concentration of HDL cholesterol (61 12 mg/dL vs 61 +/- 14 mg/dL) or apolipoprotein A(1) (1.5 +/- 0.3 g/L vs 1.5 +/- 0.2 g/L); lipid transfer to HDL; or size of HDL particles (8.8 +/- 0.8 vs 9.0 +/- 0.5 nm). Conclusion: Menopause was not found to affect HDL cholesterol plasma concentration, lipid transfer to HDL, or size of HDL particles in normolipidemic nonobese women. (C) 2008 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.All rights reserved.

Body Mass Index Increase, Serum Leptin, Adiponectin, Neuropeptide Y and Lipid Levels during Treatment with Olanzapine and Haloperidol

Introduction: Body mass index (BMI) increase is an undesired effect associated with antipsychotics, and crucial for patients` global health and treatment compliance. We aimed to investigate the relation between BMI during olanzapine or halopericlol treatments and leptin, neuropeptide Y (NPY), adiponectin and lipid serum levels. Methods: In this 9-month, randomized and naturalist study, 34 male patients, 18 on olanzapine and 16 on haloperidol group were enrolled, all were under monotherapy. Patient outcome was evaluated with positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS) at every 3-month period. In each visit, BMI, leptin, NPY, lipid, olanzapine or haloperidol levels were also monitored. Results and Discussion: Leptin levels positively correlated with BMI in olanzapine (r = 0.64, p < 0.001) and haloperidol (r = 0.73, p < 0.001) groups; only in olanzapine patients, the former also correlated with PANSS score (r = 0.54, p < 0.05). NPY levels negatively correlated with olanzapine levels (r = -0.65, p < 0.01). Adiponectin levels had not significantly varied. Conclusion: Antipsychotics probably interfere on leptin and NPY signalling ways and disturb these hormones in eating behaviour control.