Separators are used to protect cathodes from biofouling and to avoid electrode short-circuiting, but they can adversely affect microbial fuel cell (MFC) performance. A spray method was used to apply a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) separator to the cathode. Power densities were unaffected by the PVA separator (339±29mW/m(2)), compared to a control lacking a separator in a low conductivity solution (1m...

Background We studied the effect of exercise (7.2 to 8.0 km/h) on the efficiency of the conversion of metabolic energy to external work or stroke work (SW) by the left ventricle (LV). Methods and Results Energy use was calculated from LV myocardial oxygen consumption per beat (MVo2). LV volume was calculated from orthogonal dimensions and coronary flow measured with ultrasonic flow probes. The ...

BACKGROUND The relation between left ventricular (LV) oxygen consumption (MVO2) and pressure-volume area (PVA) developed in isolated hearts provides a powerful method to understand cardiac energetics. We investigated application of this relation to the intact circulation, determining its response to steady-state and transient load alterations and enhanced contractility in conscious animals. M...

BACKGROUND We studied the effect of exercise (7.2 to 8.0 km/h) on the efficiency of the conversion of metabolic energy to external work or stroke work (SW) by the left ventricle (LV). METHODS AND RESULTS Energy use was calculated from LV myocardial oxygen consumption per beat (MVO2). LV volume was calculated from orthogonal dimensions and coronary flow measured with ultrasonic flow probes. Th...

We have reported the linear relation of myocardial oxygen consumption per beat (VO(2)) and systolic pressure-volume area (PVA) in the left ventricle of the cross-circulated rat heart. The VO(2) intercept (PVA-independent VO(2)) is primarily composed of VO(2) for Ca(2+) handling in excitation-contraction coupling and basal metabolism. Recently, we proposed a new index for oxygen cost of contract...

Prinzmetal's angina, often referred to as "variant" angina, is a temporary increase in coronary vascular tone (vasospasm) causing a marked, but transient reduction in luminal diameter. This coronary vasospastic state is usually focal at a single site and can occur in either a normal or diseased vessel. Patients are predominantly younger women who may not have the classical cardiovascular risk f...

We have previously indicated that porcine blastocysts can be produced by in vitro fertilization (IVF) and culture (IVC) in chemically defined porcine gamete medium (PGM) and porcine zygote medium (PZM)-5, respectively, In the present study, the effects of basic media and macromolecular components on in vitro maturation (IVM) were investigated to develop a defined system for in vitro embryo prod...

Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) is a water-soluble synthetic polymer with excellent film-forming, emulsifying, and adhesive properties. The aim of this study is to design a simple process for PVA cross-linking with sodium trimetaphosphate to form membrane devices suitable for biomedical applications. This procedure requires no organic solvent, nor melting process to obtain films with high mechanical ...

Genome-linked protein VPg of Potato virus A (PVA; genus Potyvirus) has essential functions in all critical steps of PVA infection, i.e. replication, movement, and virulence. Structural features of the recombinant PVA VPg were investigated with the aim to create an outline for structure-function relationships. Circular dichroism data of PVA VPg revealed a distinct near-UV spectrum indicating tha...

Portal vein aneurysm (PVA) is a rare abnormal dilatation of the portal vein, which has not been reported in dogs. We describe the findings of ultrasound and computed tomography in a case of PVA in a young male toy poodle, with the final diagnosis established by explorative surgical observation. The dog had an aneurysmal fusiform dilatation in the extrahepatic portal vein with portal hypertensio...