Coarse-grained simulation of transmembrane peptides in the gel phase

We use Dissipative Particle Dynamics simulations, combined with parallel tempering and umbrella sampling, to investigate the potential of mean force between model transmembrane peptides in the various phases of a lipid bilayer, including the low-temperature gel phase. The observed oscillations in the effective interaction between peptides are consistent with the different structures of the surrounding lipid phases

Computing Schematic Layouts for Spatial Hypergraphs on Concentric Circles and Grids

Set systems can be visualized in various ways. An important distinction between techniques is whether the elements have a spatial location that is to be used for the visualization; for example, the elements are cities on a map. Strictly adhering to such location may severely limit the visualization and force overlay, intersections and other forms of clutter. On the other hand, completely ignoring the spatial dimension omits information and may hide spatial patterns in the data. We study layouts for set systems (or hypergraphs) in which spatial locations are displaced onto concentric circles or a grid, to obtain schematic set visualizations. We investigate the tractability of the underlying algorithmic problems adopting different optimization criteria (e.g. crossings or bends) for the layout structure, also known as the support of the hypergraph. Furthermore, we describe a simulated-annealing approach to heuristically optimize a combination of such criteria. Using this method in computational experiments, we explore the trade-offs and dependencies between criteria for computing high-quality schematic set visualizations

From Household Size to the Life Course

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/66696/2/10.1177_000276427702100207.pd

Periconception and first trimester diet modifies appetite, hypothalamic gene expression, and carcass traits in bulls

Nulliparous yearling beef heifers (n=360) were used to evaluate the effects of maternal dietary protein during the periconception and first trimester periods of gestation on postnatal growth, feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, and the expression of genes associated with appetite in the arcuate nucleus of their male progeny. Heifers were individually fed a diet of 1.18g crude protein (CP)/day High protein (HPeri) or 0.62g CP/day Low protein (LPeri) beginning 60days before conception. From 24 to 98days post-conception (dpc), half of each treatment group changed to the alternative post-conception diet and were fed 1.49g CP/day (HPost) or 0.88g CP/day (LPost) yielding four treatment groups in a 2×2 factorial design. From day 98 of gestation, heifers received a common diet until parturition. Calves were weaned at 183days and developed on pasture before feedlot entry. Bulls underwent a 70-day Residual Feed Intake (RFI) feedlot test commencing at 528days of age. Feedlot entry and final body weight (BW), feedlot average daily gain (ADG) and RFI were not different (p>0.05). Progeny of dams that had a change in diet (LPeri/HPost and HPeri/LPost) had 9% higher daily dry matter intake (DMI) during the RFI test (p<0.05) than progeny of dams that received low diet throughout both the peri-conception period and first trimester (LPeri/LPost). Further, mRNA expression of the appetite-stimulating agouti-related protein (AGRP) was increased in the arcuate nucleus of High Peri/LPost bulls (p<0.05). Longissimus dorsi muscle cross sectional area, carcass dressing percentage, and estimated retail beef yield (RBY) were all higher (p<0.05), and rump (P8) fat tended to be lower (p=0.07), for bulls from HPost dams despite no difference in carcass weight (p<0.05). This study is of commercial importance to the livestock industry as specific periods of maternal dietary supplementation may increase feed intake, enhance progeny muscling, and alter fat deposition leading to improvement in efficiency of meat production in beef cattle.Katrina J. Copping, Matthew J. Callaghan, Geert H. Geesink, Jessica R. Gugusheff, I. Caroline McMillen, Raymond J. Rodgers, Beverly S. Muhlhausler, Mini A. Vithayathil and Viv E. A. Perr

Optical Spectra of SNR Candidates in NGC 300

We present moderate-resolution (<5A) long-slit optical spectra of 51 nebular objects in the nearby Sculptor Group galaxy NGC 300 obtained with the 2.3 meter Advanced Technology Telescope at Siding Spring Observatory, Australia. Adopting the criterion of [SII]/Ha>=0.4 to confirm supernova remnants (SNRs) from optical spectra, we find that of 28 objects previously proposed as SNRs from optical observations, 22 meet this criterion with six showing [SII]/Ha of less than 0.4. Of 27 objects suggested as SNRs from radio data, four are associated with the 28 previously proposed SNRs. Of these four, three (included in the 22 above) meet the criterion. In all, 22 of the 51 nebular objects meet the [SII]/Ha criterion as SNRs while the nature of the remaining 29 objects remains undetermined by these observations.Comment: Accepted for publication in Astrophysics & Space Scienc

Infectious, atopic and inflammatory diseases, childhood adversities and familial aggregation are independently associated with the risk for mental disorders: Results from a large Swiss epidemiological study.

To examine the associations between mental disorders and infectious, atopic, inflammatory diseases while adjusting for other risk factors. We used data from PsyCoLaus, a large Swiss Population Cohort Study (n = 3720; age range 35-66). Lifetime diagnoses of mental disorders were grouped into the following categories: Neurodevelopmental, anxiety (early and late onset), mood and substance disorders. They were regressed on infectious, atopic and other inflammatory diseases adjusting for sex, educational level, familial aggregation, childhood adversities and traumatic experiences in childhood. A multivariate logistic regression was applied to each group of disorders. In a complementary analysis interactions with sex were introduced via nested effects. Associations with infectious, atopic and other chronic inflammatory diseases were observable together with consistent effects of childhood adversities and familial aggregation, and less consistent effects of trauma in each group of mental disorders. Streptococcal infections were associated with neurodevelopmental disorders (men), and measles/mumps/rubella-infections with early and late anxiety disorders (women). Gastric inflammatory diseases took effect in mood disorders (both sexes) and in early disorders (men). Similarly, irritable bowel syndrome was prominent in a sex-specific way in mood disorders in women, and, moreover, was associated with early and late anxiety disorders. Atopic diseases were associated with late anxiety disorders. Acne (associations with mood disorders in men) and psoriasis (associations with early anxiety disorders in men and mood disorders in women) contributed sex-specific results. Urinary tract infections were associated with mood disorders and, in addition, in a sex-specific way with late anxiety disorders (men), and neurodevelopmental and early anxiety disorders (women). Infectious, atopic and inflammatory diseases are important risk factors for all groups of mental disorders. The sexual dimorphism of the associations is pronounced

Prediction of pH Change in Processed Acidified Turnips

The acetic acid uptake by turnips was studied during an acidification process in containers. The process was successfully described by a Fickian diffusion, using a correlation for the buffer effect. Diffusion coefficients (0.629 to 3.99 × 10-9 m2/sec) and partition coefficients (0.8 to 1.1) were obtained by optimization of the fit between experimental and theoretical values, using the simplex method. The partition coefficient did not show an evident dependence on temperature, while diffusivity followed an Arrhenius type behavior. The relationship between acid concentration and pH was described using a cubic model with parameters independent of temperature. Results showed that the combination of these models describing the acid diffusion into the food and the buffering effects of the food allowed accurate prediction of pH evolution in the acidification process