The SNS Cryogenic Control System: Experiences in Collaboration

The cryogenic system for the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) is designed by Jefferson Laboratory (JLab) personnel and is based on the existing JLab facility. Our task is to use the JLab control system design [2] as much as practical while remaining consistent with SNS control system standards. Some aspects of the systems are very similar, including equipment to be controlled, the need for PID loops and automatic sequences, and the use of EPICS. There are differences in device naming, system hardware, and software tools. The cryogenic system is the first SNS system to be developed using SNS standards. This paper reports on our experiences in integrating the new and the old.Comment: 3 page

The Impact of a 48-Hour Fast on Mitochondrial Biogenesis in Young Healthy Men

Please view abstract in the attached PDF fil

Including supramaximal verification reduced uncertainty in VO2peak response rate.

Many reports describe using a supramaximal verification phase - exercising at a power output higher than the highest power output recorded during an incremental cardiopulmonary test - to validate VO2max. The impact of verification phases on estimating the proportion of individuals who increased VO2peak in response to high-intensity interval training (HIIT) remains an underexplored area in the individual response literature. This analysis investigated the influence of same-day and separate-day verification phases during repeated measurements (incremental tests – INCR1 and INCR2; incremental tests + supramaximal verification phases – INCR1+ and INCR2+) of VO2peak on typical error (TE) and the proportion of individuals classified as responders (i.e. the response rate) following four weeks of HIIT (n=25) or a no-exercise control period (n=9). Incorporation of supramaximal verification consistently reduced the standard deviation of individual response, typical error, and confidence interval widths. However, variances were statistically similar across all groups (p>0.05). Response rates increased when incorporating either one (INCR1 to INCR1+; 24% to 48%, p=0.07) or two (INCR2 to INCR2+; 28% to 48%, p=0.063) supramaximal verification phase(s). However, response rates remained unchanged when either zero-based thresholds or smallest worthwhile difference response thresholds were used (50% and 90% confidence intervals, all p>0.05). Supramaximal verification phases reduced random variability in VO2peak response to HIIT. Compared with separate-day testing (INCR2 and INCR2+), the incorporation of a same-day verification (INCR1+) reduced CI widths the most. Researchers should consider using a same-day verification phase to reduce uncertainty and better estimate VO2peak response rate to HIIT

Experimental functional response and inter-individual variation in foraging rate of teal (Anas crecca)

The functional response, i.e. the change in per capita food intake rate per time unit with changed food availability, is a widely used tool for understanding the ecology and behaviour of animals. However, waterfowl remain poorly explored in this context. In an aviary experiment we derived a functional response curve for teal (Anascrecca) foraging on rice (Oryzasativa) seeds. We found a linear relationship between intake rate and seed density, as expected for a filter-feeder. At high seed densities we found a threshold, above which intake rate still increased linearly but with a lower slope, possibly reflecting a switch from filter-feeding to a scooping foraging mode. The present study shows that food intake rate in teal is linearly related to food availability within the range of naturally occurring seed densities, a finding with major implications for management and conservation of wetland habitats.</p

Chemical characterization of the proteins and glycoproteins of mouse liver plasma membranes solubilized by sequential extraction with aqueous and organic solvents

1. A procedure for the stepwise fractionation of the proteins of mouse liver plasma membranes is described. 2. Of the membrane protein 20–25% was soluble in 50mm-sodium carbonate–bicarbonate buffer (pH9.7). This fraction contained a large number of proteins but only 1 major glycoprotein. It was low in sialic acid, amino sugars and phospholipid. 3. Extraction of the alkali-insoluble residue with aq. 33% pyridine solubilized an additional 30–35% of the membrane protein. The pyridine-soluble membrane components were enriched in sialic acid and glucosamine and it was shown that this procedure resulted in the selective extraction of glycoproteins. 4. Gel filtration in sodium dodecyl sulphate resolved the pyridine-soluble proteins into five fractions of decreasing molecular weight and an inverse relationship between molecular weight and sialic acid content was indicated

Effect of Acute High-intensity Interval Exercise on Whole-body Fat Oxidation and Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue Cell Signaling in Overweight Women

International Journal of Exercise Science 13(2): 554-566, 2020. Exercise-induced alterations in adipose tissue insulin and/or β-adrenergic signaling may contribute to increases in whole-body fat oxidation following acute exercise. Thus, we examined changes in insulin (Akt, AS160) and β-adrenergic (PKA) signaling proteins in subcutaneous adipose tissue and whole-body fat oxidation in overweight women following acute high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE). Overweight females completed two experimental sessions in a randomized order: 1) control (bed rest) and 2) HIIE (10 x 4 min running intervals at 90% HRmax, 2-min recovery). Subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue biopsies were obtained from 10 participants before (pre-), immediately (0hr) after (post-), 2hr post-, and 4hr post-exercise. Plasma glucose and insulin levels were assessed in venous blood samples obtained at each biopsy time-point from a different group of 5 participants (BMI-matched to biopsy group). Fat oxidation rates were estimated using the respiratory exchange ratio (RER) in all participants using indirect calorimetry pre-, 2hr post-, and 4hr post-exercise. RER was decreased (p \u3c 0.05) at 2hr post-exercise after HIIE (0.77 ± 0.04) compared to control (0.84 ± 0.04). Despite higher plasma glucose (p \u3c 0.01) and insulin (p \u3c 0.05) levels at 0hr post-exercise versus control, no significant interaction effects were observed for Akt or AS160 phosphorylation (p \u3e 0.05). Phosphorylation of PKA substrates was unaltered in both conditions (p \u3e 0.05). Collectively, altered β-adrenergic and insulin signaling in subcutaneous adnominal adipose tissue does not appear to explain increased whole-body fat oxidation following acute HIIE

Pain catastrophizing moderates changes in spinal control in response to noxiously induced low back pain

It is generally accepted that spine control and stability are relevant for the prevention and rehabilitation of low back pain (LBP). However, there are conflicting results in the literature in regards to how these variables are modified in the presence of LBP. The aims of the present work were twofold: (1) to use noxious stimulation to induce LBP in healthy individuals to assess the direct effects of pain on control (quantified by the time-dependent behavior of kinematic variance), and (2) to assess whether the relationship between pain and control is moderated by psychological features (i.e. pain catastrophizing (PC) and kinesiophobia). Participants completed three conditions (baseline, pain, recovery) during a task involving completion of 35 cycles of a repetitive unloaded spine flexion/extension movement. The neuromuscular control of spine movements was assessed during each condition using maximum finite-time Lyapunov exponents (λ). Nociceptive stimulus involved injection of hypertonic saline into the interspinous ligament, eliciting pain that was greater than baseline and recovery (p\ua