Determination of structural building blocks in heavy petroleum systems by collision-induced dissociation Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry

Collision-induced dissociation Fourier Transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (CID-FTICR MS) was developed to determine structural building blocks in heavy petroleum systems. Model compounds with both single core and multicore configurations were synthesized to study the fragmentation pattern and response factors in the CID reactions. Dealkylation is found to be the most prevalent reaction pathway in the CID. Single core molecules exhibit primarily molecular weight reduction with no change in the total unsaturation of the molecule (or Z-number as in chemical formula C(c)H(2c+Z)N(n)S(s)O(o)VNi). On the other hand, molecules containing more than one aromatic core will decompose into the constituting single cores and consequently exhibit both molecular weight reduction and change in Z-numbers. Biaryl linkage, C(1) linkage, and aromatic sulfide linkage cannot be broken down by CID with lab collision energy up to 50 eV while C(2)+ alkyl linkages can be easily broken. Naphthenic ring-openings were observed in CID, leading to formation of olefinic structures. Heavy petroleum systems, such as vacuum resid (VR) fractions, were characterized by the CID technology. Both single-core and multicore structures were found in VR. The latter is more prevalent in higher aromatic ring classes.     

Influence of copper loading and surface coverage on the reactivity of granular iron toward 1,1,1-trichloroethane

Although iron-based bimetallic reductants offer promise in treating organohalides, the influence of additive mass loading and two-dimensional surface coverage on reductant reactivity has not been fully elucidated. In this study we examine 1,1,1-trichloroethane reduction by Cu/Fe bimetals as a function of Cu loading and surface coverage. Information from a suite of complementary techniques (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy, and cross-sectional energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy) indicates that displacement plating produces a heterogeneous metallic copper overlayer on iron. The dependence of pseudo-first-order rate constants (k(obs) values) for 1,1,1-trichloroethane reduction on Cu loading exhibits two distinct regimes. At Cu loadings less than 1 monolayer equivalent (approximately 10 micromol Cu/g Fe), a pronounced increase in k(obs) is associated with a corresponding increase in the two-dimensional surface coverage of Cu. A weaker dependence of k(obs) on Cu mass is exhibited at loadings in excess of 1 monolayer equivalent, which we ascribe to an increase in the volume of the metallic overlayer. The observed relationship between k(oba) and loading suggests that 1,1,1-trichloroethane reduction occurs on the Cu surface rather than at the interface between the Cu overlayer and the iron substrate.     

Comparing the fatty acid composition of organic and conventional milk

During a 12-mo longitudinal study, bulk-tank milk was collected each month from organic (n = 17) and conventional (n = 19) dairy farms in the United Kingdom. All milk samples were analyzed for fatty acid (FA) content, with the farming system type, herd production level, and nutritional factors affecting the FA composition investigated by use of mixed model analyses. Models were constructed for saturated fatty acids, the ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) to monounsaturated fatty acids, total n-3 FA, total n-6 FA, conjugated linoleic acid, and vaccenic acid. The ratio of n-6:n-3 FA in both organic and conventional milk was also compared. Organic milk had a higher proportion of PUFA to monounsaturated fatty acids and of n-3 FA than conventional milk, and contained a consistently lower n-6:n-3 FA ratio (which is considered beneficial) compared with conventional milk. There was no difference between organic and conventional milk with respect to the proportion of conjugated linoleic acid or vaccenic acid. A number of factors other than farming system were identified which affected milk FA content including month of year, herd average milk yield, breed type, use of a total mixed ration, and access to fresh grazing. Thus, organic dairy farms in the United Kingdom produce milk with a higher PUFA content, particularly n-3 FA, throughout the year. However, knowledge of the effects of season, access to fresh grazing, or use of specific silage types could be used by producers to enhance the content of beneficial FA in milk.     

Organometallic compounds with biological activity: a very selective and highly potent cellular inhibitor for glycogen synthase kinase 3

A chiral second-generation organoruthenium half-sandwich compound is disclosed that shows a remarkable selectivity and cellular potency for the inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK-3). The selectivity was evaluated against a panel of 57 protein kinases, in which no other kinase was inhibited to the same extent, with a selectivity window of at least tenfold to more than 1000-fold at 100 microM ATP. Furthermore, a comparison with organic GSK-3 inhibitors demonstrated the superior cellular activity of this ruthenium compound: wnt signaling was fully induced at concentrations down to 30 nM. For comparison, the well-established organic GSK-3 inhibitors 6-bromoindirubin-3'-oxime (BIO) and kenpaullone activate the wnt pathway at concentrations that are higher by around 30-fold and 100-fold, respectively. The treatment of zebrafish embryos with the organometallic inhibitor resulted in a phenotype that is typical for the inhibition of GSK-3. No phenotypic change was observed with the mirror-imaged ruthenium complex. The latter does not, in fact, show any of the pharmacological properties for the inhibition of GSK-3. Overall, these results demonstrate the potential usefulness of organometallic compounds as molecular probes in cultured cells and whole organisms.     

Associations between novel single nucleotide polymorphisms in the Bos taurus growth hormone gene and performance traits in Holstein-Friesian dairy cattle

Growth hormone, produced in the anterior pituitary gland, stimulates the release of insulin-like growth factor-I from the liver and is of critical importance in the control of nutrient utilization and partitioning for lactogenesis, fertility, growth, and development in cattle. The aim of this study was to discover novel polymorphisms in the bovine growth hormone gene (GH1) and to quantify their association with performance using estimates of genetic merit on 848 Holstein-Friesian AI (artificial insemination) dairy sires. Associations with previously reported polymorphisms in the bovine GH1 gene were also undertaken. A total of 38 novel single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) were identified across a panel of 22 beef and dairy cattle by sequence analysis of the 5′ promoter, intronic, exonic, and 3′ regulatory regions, encompassing approximately 7 kb of the GH1 gene. Following multiple regression analysis on all SNP, associations were identified between 11 SNP (2 novel and 9 previously identified) and milk fat and protein yield, milk composition, somatic cell score, survival, body condition score, and body size. The G allele of a previously identified SNP in exon 5 at position 2141 of the GH1 sequence, resulting in a nonsynonymous substitution, was associated with decreased milk protein yield. The C allele of a novel SNP, GH32, was associated with inferior carcass conformation. In addition, the T allele of a previously characterized SNP, GH35, was associated with decreased survival. Both GH24 (novel) and GH35 were independently associated with somatic cell count, and 3 SNP, GH21, 2291, and GH35, were independently associated with body depth. Furthermore, 2 SNP, GH24 and GH63, were independently associated with carcass fat. Results of this study further demonstrate the multifaceted influences of GH1 on milk production, fertility, and growth-related traits in cattle.     

A test of behavioral family therapy to augment exposure for combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder.

This study tested a family-based skills-building intervention in veterans with chronic combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Veterans and a family member were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 conditions: (a) waiting list, (b) 18 sessions of twice-weekly exposure therapy, or (c) 18 sessions of twice-weekly exposure therapy followed by 16 sessions of behavioral family therapy (BFT). Participation in exposure therapy reduced PTSD positive symptoms (e.g., reexperiencing and hyperarousal) but not PTSD negative symptoms. Positive symptom gains were maintained at 6-month follow-up. However, participation in BFT had no additional impact on PTSD symptoms. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Dopamine D2-receptor isoforms expressed in AtT20 cells inhibit Q-type high-voltage-activated Ca2+ channels via a membrane-delimited pathway

Dopamine D2 receptors both acutely and chronically inhibit high-voltage-activated Ca2+ channels (HVA-CCs). Two alternatively spliced isoforms, D2L (long) and D2S (short), are expressed at high levels in rat pituitary intermediate lobe melanotropes but are lacking in anterior lobe corticotropes. We stably transfected D2L and D2S into corticotrope-derived AtT20 cells. Both isoforms coupled to inhibition of Q-type calcium channels through pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins. Thus, we have created a model system in which to study the kinetics of D2-receptor regulation of Ca2+ channels. Rapid inhibition of HVA-CCs was characterized using a novel fluorescence video imaging technique for the measurement of millisecond kinetic events. We measured the time elapsed (lag time) between the arrival of depolarizing isotonic 66 mM K+, sensed by fluorescence from included carboxy-X-rhodamine (CXR), and the beginning of increased intracellular Ca2+ levels (sensed by changes in indo 1 fluorescence ratio). The lag time averaged 350-550 ms, with no significant differences among cell types. Addition of the D2-agonist quinpirole (250 microM) to the K+/CXR solution significantly increased the lag times for D2-expressing cells but did not alter the lag time for AtT20 controls. The increased lag times for D2L- and D2S-transfected cells suggest that at least a fraction of the Ca2+ channels was inhibited within the initial 350-550 ms. As this inhibition time is too fast for a multistep second messenger pathway, we conclude that inhibition occurs via a membrane-delimited diffusion mechanism.     

On the distinction between visual salience and stimulus-driven attentional capture.

It is often assumed that the efficient detection of salient visual objects in search reflects stimulus-driven attentional capture. Evidence for this assumption, however, comes from tasks in which the salient object is task relevant and therefore may elicit a deliberate deployment of attention. In 9 experiments, participants searched for a nonsalient target (vertical among tilted bars). In each display, 1 bar was highly salient in a different dimension (e.g., color or motion). When the target and salient elements coincided only rarely, reducing the incentive to attend deliberately to the salient stimuli, response times depended little on whether the target was salient, although some interesting exceptions were observed. It is concluded that efficient selection of an element in visual search does not constitute evidence that the element captures attention in a purely stimulus-driven fashion. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Factor replicability and validity of the Temperament and Character Inventory in substance-dependent patients.

The factor structure and validity of the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI; Cloninger, Svrakic Przybeck, & Wetzel, 1994) were evaluated in 357 inpatient and outpatient alcohol, cocaine, and opioid dependent individuals. A Procrustes rotation of principal components did not fully replicate the TCI's original factor structure in either this clinical sample or in a community sample of 183 individuals who did not abuse substances. These analyses suggested 4 reliable factors that were associated with conceptually related personality dimensions in predictable ways. Higher Novelty Seeking (or low constraint) and Harm Avoidance (or low vigor) were associated with several substance use and psychopathology indicators. Self-Transcendence and a factor we labeled Sociability (Reward Dependence and Cooperativeness) were related to fewer indicators. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A broad-band lumped element analytic model incorporating skin effect and substrate loss for inductors and inductor like components for silicon technology performance assessment and RFIC design

We present a broad-band lumped element planar inductor model that is suitable for RFIC design in silicon technologies. We provide extensions of the modeling methodology to similar components such as differential inductors, baluns, and solenoid inductors. The analytic computation of the physics-based model components, incorporating both metal skin effect and substrate loss, is described. The model is validated using measured data from over 200 inductors made with five different silicon back-end process technologies. The physics-based implementation of the model allows its use for determining the optimum process technology characteristics for specific radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) designs. The analytical based implementation with lumped elements enables effective integration into a robust CAD system for efficient design of RFIC circuits.