3,174 research outputs found
Bethe-Salpeter Equation Calculations of Core Excitation Spectra
We present a hybrid approach for GW/Bethe-Salpeter Equation (BSE)
calculations of core excitation spectra, including x-ray absorption (XAS),
electron energy loss spectra (EELS), and non-resonant inelastic x-ray
scattering (NRIXS). The method is based on {\it ab initio} wavefunctions from
the plane-wave pseudopotential code ABINIT; atomic core-level states and
projector augmented wave (PAW) transition matrix elements; the NIST core-level
BSE solver; and a many-pole GW self-energy model to account for final-state
broadening and self-energy shifts. Multiplet effects are also accounted for.
The approach is implemented using an interface dubbed OCEAN (Obtaining Core
Excitations using ABINIT and NBSE). To demonstrate the utility of the code we
present results for the K-edges in LiF as probed by XAS and NRIXS, the K-edges
of KCl as probed by XAS, the Ti L_2,3-edge in SrTiO_3 as probed by XAS, and the
Mg L_2,3-edge in MgO as probed by XAS. We compare the results to experiments
and results obtained using other theoretical approaches
The IL-6 Gene Promoter SNP and Plasma IL-6 in Response to Diet Intervention.
We recently reported that interleukin-6 (IL-6), an inflammatory marker associated with breast pathology and the development of breast cancer, decreases with diet intervention and weight loss in both insulin-sensitive and insulin-resistant obese women. Here, we tested whether an individual's genotype at an IL6 SNP, rs1800795, which has previously been associated with circulating IL-6 levels, contributes to changes in IL-6 levels or modifies the effect of diet composition on IL-6 in these women. We genotyped rs1800795 in overweight/obese women (N = 242) who were randomly assigned to a lower fat (20% energy), higher carbohydrate (65% energy) diet; a lower carbohydrate (45% energy), higher fat (35% energy) diet; or a walnut-rich (18% energy), higher fat (35% energy), lower carbohydrate (45% energy) diet in a 1-year weight loss intervention study of obesity-related biomarkers for breast cancer incidence and mortality. Plasma IL-6 levels were measured at baseline, 6 and 12 months. At baseline, individuals with a CC genotype had significantly lower IL-6 levels than individuals with either a GC or GG genotype (p < 0.03; 2.72 pg/mL vs. 2.04 pg/mL), but this result was not significant when body mass index (BMI) was accounted for; the CC genotype group had lower BMI (p = 0.03; 32.5 kg/m² vs. 33.6 kg/m²). We did not observe a 2-way interaction of time*rs1800795 genotype or diet*rs1800795 genotype. Our findings provide evidence that rs1800795 is associated with IL-6 levels, but do not support a differential interaction effect of rs1800795 and diet composition or time on changes in circulating IL-6 levels. Diet intervention and weight loss are an important strategy for reducing plasma IL-6, a risk factor of breast cancer in women, regardless of their rs1800795 genotype
Effects of Diet Composition and Insulin Resistance Status on Plasma Lipid Levels in a Weight Loss Intervention in Women.
BackgroundOptimal macronutrient distribution of weight loss diets has not been established. The distribution of energy from carbohydrate and fat has been observed to promote differential plasma lipid responses in previous weight loss studies, and insulin resistance status may interact with diet composition and affect weight loss and lipid responses.Methods and resultsOverweight and obese women (n=245) were enrolled in a 1-year behavioral weight loss intervention and randomly assigned to 1 of 3 study groups: a lower fat (20% energy), higher carbohydrate (65% energy) diet; a lower carbohydrate (45% energy), higher fat (35% energy) diet; or a walnut-rich, higher fat (35% energy), lower carbohydrate (45% energy) diet. Blood samples and data available from 213 women at baseline and at 6 months were the focus of this analysis. Triglycerides, total cholesterol, and high- and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were quantified and compared between and within groups. Triglycerides decreased in all study arms at 6 months (P<0.05). The walnut-rich diet increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol more than either the lower fat or lower carbohydrate diet (P<0.05). The walnut-rich diet also reduced low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in insulin-sensitive women, whereas the lower fat diet reduced both total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in insulin-sensitive women (P<0.05). Insulin sensitivity and C-reactive protein levels also improved.ConclusionsWeight loss was similar across the diet groups, although insulin-sensitive women lost more weight with a lower fat, higher carbohydrate diet versus a higher fat, lower carbohydrate diet. The walnut-rich, higher fat diet resulted in the most favorable changes in lipid levels.Clinical trial registrationURL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01424007
C18O (3-2) observations of the Cometary Globule CG 12: a cold core and a C18O hot spot
The feasibility of observing the C18O (3-2) spectral line in cold clouds with
the APEX telescope has been tested. As the line at 329.330 GHz lies in the wing
of a strong atmospheric H2O absorption it can be observed only at high altitude
observatories. Using the three lowest rotational levels instead of only two
helps to narrow down the physical properties of dark clouds and globules. The
centres of two C18O maxima in the high latitude low mass star forming region CG
12 were mapped in C18O (3-2) and the data were analyzed together with spectral
line data from the SEST. The T_MB(3-2)/T_MB(2-1) ratio in the northern C18O
maximum, CG 12 N, is 0.8, and in the southern maximum, CG 12 S, ~2. CG 12 N is
modelled as a 120'' diameter (0.4pc) cold core with a mass of 27 Msun. A small
size maximum with a narrow, 0.8 kms-1, C18O (3-2) spectral line with a peak
temperature of T_MB ~11 K was detected in CG 12 S. This maximum is modelled as
a 60'' to 80'' diameter (~0.2pc) hot (80 K < Tex < 200 K) ~1.6 Msun clump. The
source lies on the axis of a highly collimated bipolar molecular outflow near
its driving source. This is the first detection of such a compact, warm object
in a low mass star forming region.Comment: APEX A&A special issue, accepte
Performance of mid-lactating dairy cows fed a grain sorghum-soybean silage base diet
Whole-plant silage from intercropped grain
sorghum and Williams 82 soybean was compared
to corn silage in a mixed diet for mid-lactation
dairy cows. Cows fed the grain sorghum-soybean
silage yielded 45.13 lb and those fed corn silage
yielded 44.05 lb of fat (4%)-corrected milk daily.
Milk yield, milk fat, and milk lactose percentages
were similar between cows fed the two silages.
Protein and solids non-fat percentages for the
cows fed the corn silage diet were .09 and .06
units greater than those of cows fed the grain
sorghum silage. Cows fed the corn silage tended
to gain more (+105.8 lb) than those fed the grain
sorghum-soybean silage (+95.2 lb). We conclude
that, if the cost for producing intercropped grain
sorghum and soybean silage (ton/acre) is at least
similar to that of producing corn silage, the intercropped
grain sorghum and soybean silage can be
substituted for corn silage in a mid-lactation dairy
cow diet
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