Incremental Amounts Research Articles

The low salinity effect observed on sandstone model surfaces

Enhanced oil recovery has been documented in sandstone reservoirs where solutions of decreased salinity have been used for water flooding. Injected water with salinities (total dissolved solids) of 8000ppm or less has increased oil production by incremental amounts ranging from 5 to 38% over conventional water flooding in some reservoirs. Explanations of the mechanism for the low salinity effect have proposed the presence of clays, polar compounds in the crude oil and the activity of divalent ions such as Ca2+ but there is no clear and consistent molecular level explanation for the effect. We used atomic force microscopy to investigate the fundamental properties of surfaces during the low salinity response and especially the role of illite clay. We designed model systems to reflect the minerals present in sandstone, namely illite attached to a flat SiO2 surface, in the form of an oxidized silicon wafer, freshly cleaved mica and an ozone cleaned SiO2 surface. We used tips that had been functionalized with hydrocarbons terminated either with carboxylate (COOH) or methyl (CH3), to simulate the polar and nonpolar components of crude oil. We used artificial sea water (ASW), 36,500ppm total dissolved solids (TDS) for the high salinity solutions and diluted it to 1400ppm TDS for the low salinity solutions. The adhesion maps derived from the interaction of the functionalized tips with the model surfaces show that reduced salinities have little or no effect on illite adhesion; there is only a 0–2% change. Adhesion on the fresh, clean muscovite surface varies considerably and the CH3 tip records a 10–20% decrease in response to low salinity solutions. In contrast, the carboxylate tip records a distinct response to salinity decrease, with a 20–30% drop. On a clean SiO2 surface, the low salinity response is evident, reproducible and repeatable through two cycles of high to low salinity changes. The range in decreased adhesion for these model mineral surfaces corresponds well with what is observed for core plug and field tests.

Characterization of the disappearance and formation of biohydrogenation intermediates during incubations of linoleic acid with rumen fluid in vitro1

Dietary unsaturated fatty acids are extensively hydrogenated in the rumen, resulting in the formation of numerous intermediates that may exert physiological effects and alter the fat composition of ruminant-derived foods. A batch culture method was used to characterize the hydrogenation of linoleic acid (LeA) by strained rumen fluid in vitro. Incubations (n=5) were performed in 100-mL flasks maintained at 39°C containing 400mg of grass hay, 50mL of buffered rumen fluid, and incremental amounts of LeA (0, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, or 10.0mg) for 0, 1.5, 3.0, 4.5, 6.0, and 9.0h. The fatty acid composition of flask contents was determined using complimentary silver-ion thin-layer chromatography, gas chromatography mass-spectrometry, and silver-ion high-performance liquid chromatography. Linoleic acid was extensively (98.1, 97.6, 98.0, and 89.8% for additions of 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0mg of LeA, respectively) hydrogenated over time. Complete reduction of LeA to 18:0 was inhibited in direct relation to the amount of added substrate, the extent of which was greatest for the highest amount of LeA addition. Recoveries of 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0mg of added LeA as 18:0 averaged 73.6, 65.0, 57.3, and 10.7%, respectively. Incubation of incremental amounts of LeA resulted in a time-dependent accumulation of geometric isomers of 9,11 and 10,12 conjugated linoleic acid, several nonconjugated 18:2 isomers, and a wide range of cis 18:1 and trans 18:1 intermediates. Several unusual intermediates including cis-6,cis-12 18:2; cis-7,cis-12 18:2; and cis-8,cis-12 18:2, were found to accumulate in direct relation to the amount of added LeA, providing the first indications that hydrogenation of LeA by ruminal bacteria may also involve mechanisms other than hydrogen abstraction or isomerization of the cis-12 double bond. Fitting of single-pool, first-order kinetic models to experimental data indicated that the rate of LeA disappearance decreased with increases in substrate availability. Reduction of 18:1 and 18:2 intermediates occurred at much lower rates compared with conjugated linoleic acid and nonconjugated 18:2 isomer formation. In conclusion, the extent of LeA biohydrogenation in vitro was shown to be time- and dose-dependent with evidence that LeA is hydrogenated by ruminal bacteria via several distinct metabolic pathways. The accumulation of several unusual 18:2 isomers indicates that biohydrogenation of LeA also proceeds via mechanisms other than isomerization of the cis-12 double bond.

Review: Synthesis, characterization, and DNA-binding properties of Ru(II) molecular “light switch” complexes

This article presents recent progress in our laboratory on the interactions of Ru(II) polypyridyl complexes with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA). Mixed polypyridyl Ru(II) complexes [Ru(L)4(AIP)]2+ and [Ru(L)4PyIP]2+, where L is 4-amino pyridine and pyridine (AIP = 2-(9-anthryl)-1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline; PyIP = 2-(1-pyrenyl)-1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, and physicochemical methods such as ESI-MS, UV-Vis, IR, and NMR spectroscopic techniques. Electronic absorption titrations, fluorescence spectroscopy, viscosity measurements, and salt-dependent studies of CT-DNA in the presence of incremental amounts of all four Ru(II) complexes clearly demonstrate that all four complexes bind to DNA by intercalation. The DNA-binding affinities of these complexes follow the order [Ru(4-APy)4(PyIP)]2+ > [Ru(Py)4PyIP]2+ > [Ru(4-APy)4(AIP)]2+ > [Ru(Py)4AIP]2+. Irradiation of pBR 322 DNA with these complexes results in nicking of the plasmid DNA. All four complexes were screened for antimicrobial activity. All complexes also exhibited DNA “light switch” properties. These results suggest that both ancillary ligand and intercalative ligand influence the binding of these complexes to DNA.

Investigating reinforcer magnitude and reinforcer delay: A contingency management analog study.

The influence of reinforcer magnitude and reinforcer delay on smoking abstinence was studied using an analog model of contingency management. Participants (N = 103, 74% men) visited our laboratory 3 times daily for 5 days and received money for providing a breath sample that indicated smoking abstinence (carbon monoxide level ≤6 parts per million). Using a factorial design, we assigned participants randomly to 1 of 4 groups that could earn a total of either $207.50 (high-magnitude condition) or $70.00 (low-magnitude condition), and received earnings either at each visit (no-delay condition) or in a single lump sum 1 week following the study (delay condition). High-magnitude reinforcement, regardless of delay, was associated with higher rates of abstinence than was low-magnitude reinforcement. High magnitude of reinforcement provided immediately but in incremental amounts was associated with longer intervals to relapse during treatment in comparison with high-magnitude reinforcement provided in a single lump sum after a delay. Low rates of responding in the low-magnitude conditions made interpretation of the impact of delay in those conditions difficult. These findings further demonstrate that high magnitude of reinforcement results in better outcomes than does low magnitude of reinforcement, and that a delay to reinforcement can be detrimental-even when a high magnitude of reinforcement is provided.

Range-Angle-Dependent Beamforming by Frequency Diverse Array Antenna

This paper proposes a range-angle-dependent beamforming for frequency diverse array (FDA) antenna systems. Unlike conventional phased-array antenna, the FDA antenna employs a small amount of frequency increment compared to the carrier frequency across the array elements. The use of frequency increment generates an antenna pattern that is a function of range, time and angle. The range-angle-dependent beamforming allows the FDA antenna to transmit energy over a desired range or angle. This provides a potential to suppress range-dependent clutter and interference which is not accessible for conventional phased-array systems. In this paper, a FDA radar signal model is formed and the range-angle-dependent beamforming performance is examined by analyzing the transmit/receive beampatterns and the output signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) performance. Extensive simulation examples and results are provided.

Development and evaluation of anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory drugs loaded lung surfactants

Surface active liposomes containing, D-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS) and dexamethasone disodium phosphate (DXP) were developed and evaluated for potential use as lung surfactant replacement. 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) + TPGS (1 : 0.25 w/w) surfactant system (S1) and binary mixture of DPPC with 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphoglycerol ammonium salt (DPPC : POPG 9 : 1 w/w) + TPGS (1 : 0.25 w/w) surfactant system (S2) containing incremental amount of DXP in the range of 1 : 0.1–1 : 1 w/w were evaluated. S1:DXP and S2:DXP (1 : 0.1 to 1 : 1 w/w) mixed films reached 1–2 mN m−1 minimum surface tension (MST) indicating surfactant functions even on concomitant addition of TPGS and DXP. Liposomal S1:DXP (1 : 0.1 to 1 : 1 w/w) attained significantly lower surface tension on adsorption, 35–29 mN m−1 in one second, in comparison to 46 mN m−1 attained by DPPC liposomes. Similarly, liposomes of S2:DXP (1 : 0.1–0.125 w/w) lowered surface tension on adsorption to 27–29 mN m−1 in 1 second. Capillary surfactometer studies showed S1:DXP and S2:DXP (1 : 0.1–1 : 1 w/w) liposomes maintained >98% capillary patency. Rheological studies revealed that liposomal S2:DXP 1 : 0.1 and 1 : 0.125 w/w formulations (25 mg ml−1) exhibited shear thinning properties and had significantly lower shear viscosities of ∼2.5 and 6.3 mPa s respectively at shear rate of 70 s−1 in comparison to ∼29 mPa s for Survanta™ (25 mg ml−1). S2:DXP 1 : 0.1 and 1 : 0.125 w/w liposomes were unilamellar with diameter of 200–250 and 250–350 nm respectively. Twin impinger drug deposition studies showed that on nebulization, S2:DXP 1 : 0.1 and 1 : 0.125 w/w liposomes system showed significantly higher deposition in the lower impingement chamber in comparison to that of free drug. Lipid peroxidation of Curosurf™ was reduced by 21–24% upon addition of S2:DXP liposomal formulation. The TPGS and DXP added DPPC : POPG liposomes may thus serve dual purposes of acting as a surfactant replacement and efficiently delivering antioxidant and anti-inflammatory drugs in inflammatory respiratory diseases.

Study on prolonging the working time of silane solution during the silylation process on carbon steel

PurposeIn the industrial silylation process, the cost of production can be greatly reduced by reducing the frequency of the replacement of the silane solution. The purpose of this paper is to describe how a method of discontinuous addition of concentrated solution into the KH560 treatment bath was developed, to improve further the effective availability of the silane solution and reduce cost of production.Design/methodology/approachThe preparation and addition of each incremental amount of concentrated KH560 was studied in detail.FindingsThe results indicate that adding concentrated silane solution is an effective method of maintaining the target bath concentration.Originality/valueThe paper describes how a method of adding concentrated KH560 was developed to prolong the working time of KH560 solution for silane coating production, and to improve the availability of the KH560 in solution. The results indicated that adding concentrated solution was an effective method of prolonging the working time of the silane solution. The mixture ratio of the concentrated solution, and the volume of each incremental amount, both affected the performance of the KH560 solution.

The theory of repurchase decision-making (TRD): Identifying the critical factors in the post-purchase decision-making process

A theory particularly designed to explain re-buying decision formation is lacking. This research developed and tested a theory of repurchase decision-making (TRD) that more comprehensively explains individuals’ post-purchase decision-making processes. Two studies were conducted in a full-service restaurant setting for the development of this theory. Specifically, important factors generating the repurchasing intention were identified through an exploratory qualitative approach in Study 1. In this qualitative approach, a new set of belief items and salient referents in a re-buying decision-making process were also identified. The proposed model merging the model of goal-directed behavior (MGB) with identified factors and belief constructs from Study 1 were tested in the second study. Our results demonstrated that incremental amounts of total variance in the re-buying decision were explained by the TRD. Newly integrated constructs in combination with the original variables in the MGB were found to play a critical role in the re-buying decision-making process. The implications of this study are presented and discussed.

Mobile Agents Approach for Transaction Processing in Mobile Database Systems – Mobile Learning Environment

This paper describes the architecture of using the Mobile Agent and ACID (Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation and Durability) in Mobile e-Learning (mLearning). In the coming years, there will be an incremental amount of mobile learning experiments for the purpose of implementing mobile ICTs into mainstream education. In this article, the Replication Agent and Snapshot Agent architecture is proposed as an effective way to overcome the problem of heavy loading on the limited bandwidth used in wireless transmission for mobile learning environment merge replication process. The implementation of mobile agents as middleware for mLearning environment is to provide database replication between learners and off-site database e.g., Knowledge Management Centre's (KMC) databases using handheld devices. The approach using the combination of both these agents plays an important role in wireless transmission. It provides an intelligent solution to the limitation of the wireless bandwidth by lowering the bandwidth taken up during the bursts of mobile transactions. In this proposed technique, a mLearning database is determined as a Snapshot publisher where a compact edition of files and information is generated at the snapshot location which resides on the central database server. Learners may retrieve quick bursts of information through mobile applications wirelessly. The Replication Agent offers the flexibility to move from one site (user) to another (central database) for essential data synchronization. In order to provide learners with appropriate courses, a prototype on mLearning platform supporting three-layered structure and device adapting was put forward. The architecture of the platform discussed in this study as the mobile agent approach would facilitate more widespread use of mLearning, including in courses discussions between learners and academicians.

P1-S6.12 The contribution of a Chlamydia screening programme to testing and case-finding in addition to regular STI-care in three regions of The Netherlands

BackgroundThe impact of a Chlamydia screening programme can be measured by the incremental amount of Chlamydia tests performed and cases detected as compared to the throughput in regular care. In...

Influence of rumen-protected lysine supplementation on growth performance and plasma amino acid concentrations in growing cattle offered the maize stalk silage/maize grain-based diet

The effects of rumen-protected lysine (RPLys) supplementation on growth performance, plasma amino acid (AA) concentrations and blood biochemical indices were investigated in a 84-d growth trial using 56 Limousin × Fuzhou F1 crossbred bulls (13 mo of age, average initial BW = 372.9 ± 22.4 kg) fed the maize stalk silage/maize grain-based diet. All animals were fed individually the same basal diet containing 500 g/kg maize stalk silage, 340 g/kg ground maize grain and 160 g/kg dry mixed concentrate (DM basis). Incremental amounts (0, 5, 10 or 15 g/d) of RPLys were added to the basal diet. Increasing supplemental RPLys level did not alter ( P>0.05) dietary dry matter intake, but increased average daily gain (quadratic effect; P=0.036) and feed efficiency (quadratic effect; P=0.030) with maximum values achieved at 10 g/d RPLys supplementation. Supplementing dietary RPLys linearly ( P=0.009) increased plasma Lys and quadratically ( P=0.014) decreased plasma urea nitrogen, suggesting that added RPLys has been effectively utilized for tissue growth and Lys seems to be a first-limiting amino acid for growing cattle fed the maize stalk silage/maize grain-based diet. In summary, when growing cattle were fed maize silage/maize grain-based diets adequate in MP (MP = 780.9 g/d) but inadequate in Lys, their average daily gain and feed efficiency were promoted by dietary supplementation of RPLys.

Construction of an Efficient In Vitro System for Analysis of Transcription from Sigma 54-Dependent pspA Promoter

IbsC is a small toxin protein in Escherichia coli, whose expression is repressed by a cis-acting small noncoding RNA, SibC (renamed from RygC or QUAD1c). Overexpression of IbsC or the absence of SibC transcription induces the expression of both psp operon (pspABCDE) and pspG gene encoding phage shock proteins, whose expression were known to be induced by multiple environment stresses or agents such as filamentous phage infection, osmotic shock, continued incubation in stationary phase, heat shock, and ethanol treatment. Although exogenous overexpression of IbsC leads to cell death, physiological roles of IbsC remain unknown especially because the strain without ibsC gene in the chromosome shows no growth defects. Considering that only Psp proteins are induced by expression of IbsC, not by other similar small toxin proteins such as LdrD, ShoB, and TisB, the role of IbsC might specifically be related to phage shock proteins. The psp operon is transcribed from pspA promoter by RNA polymerase holoenzyme containing the alternative stress-responsive sigma factor 54 (σ). Transcription from pspA promoter requires PspF as an activator protein that binds to the upstream region of the core promoter elements. Furthermore, PspA inhibits the σ-dependent pspA transcription by interacting with PspF and exerting its negative effects on transcription activation by PspF. Since the IbsC expression causes the induction of pspA transcription, it is attempting to see how the signal of IbsC gets transduced into the transcription activation. The mechanism involved in linking IbsC to pspA transcription is essential for understanding not only the physiological functions of IbsC, but also the regulation mechanism of transcription from σdependent promoters in response to environmental stresses. To understand the molecular mechanism of the pspA induction by IbsC, it is necessary to know which factors are involved in the activation of pspA transcription under conditions of IbsC expression. Although an in vitro transcription system for pspA promoter analysis was previously set up, it is difficult to identify in vitro transcripts because their transcription termination sites are unclear. To overcome the drawback of the previous in vitro transcription system, in this study, we constructed plasmid pPR56 containing a transcription fusion of pspA promoter and rnpB terminator by replacing the rnpB promoter-containing DNA fragment of pLMd23-wt with the pspA promoter-containing fragment. The pspA promoter-containing fragment spanning from −320 through +56 of pspA, which also includes two UAS sequences (UAS I and UAS II) as PspF-binding sites and the IHF binding site, was subcloned into the BamHI/ EcoRI linearlized pLMd23-wt not having the rnpB promotercontaining DNA fragment, to generate the fusion plasmid pPR56 (Fig. 1). The rnpB terminator region in the fusion construct contained the rnpB sequence from +331 to +1286, which includes the three rnpB terminators T1, T2, and T3 leading to transcription termination at +413, +526, and +638, respectively. Therefore, this pPR56 construct was designed to generate pspA-rnpB fusion transcripts of 146 nt terminating at T1 (pspAT1), 259 nt at T2 (pspAT2), and 371 nt at T3 (pspAT3) if transcription starts at the transcription initiation site of pspA. Using supercoiled plasmid pPR56 DNA as a template, in vitro transcription was carried out by adding Eσ and PspF. The pspAT1 transcript of 145 nt was produced as a major band although minor pspAT2 and pspAT3 products were also observed (Fig. 2). The increased abundance of three transcripts was observed with the incremental amount of PspF protein, while RNA I of 108 nt (a transcript transcribed from its own σ specific promoter of the plasmid DNA) was not produced. In contrast, the same transcription reaction performed with Eσ did not produce the pspAT transcripts. Instead, this reaction generated RNA I. All our data confirmed that the pspA transcripts were produced from the σ-specific pspA promoter of pPR56. To

Studies on Lactoferricin-derived Escherichia coli Membrane-active Peptides Reveal Differences in the Mechanism of N-Acylated Versus Nonacylated Peptides

To improve the low antimicrobial activity of LF11, an 11-mer peptide derived from human lactoferricin, mutant sequences were designed based on the defined structure of LF11 in the lipidic environment. Thus, deletion of noncharged polar residues and strengthening of the hydrophobic N-terminal part upon adding a bulky hydrophobic amino acid or N-acylation resulted in enhanced antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, which correlated with the peptides' degree of perturbation of bacterial membrane mimics. Nonacylated and N-acylated peptides exhibited different effects at a molecular level. Nonacylated peptides induced segregation of peptide-enriched and peptide-poor lipid domains in negatively charged bilayers, although N-acylated peptides formed small heterogeneous domains resulting in a higher degree of packing defects. Additionally, only N-acylated peptides perturbed the lateral packing of neutral lipids and exhibited increased permeability of E. coli lipid vesicles. The latter did not correlate with the extent of improvement of the antimicrobial activity, which could be explained by the fact that elevated binding of N-acylated peptides to lipopolysaccharides of the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria seems to counteract the elevated membrane permeabilization, reflected in the respective minimal inhibitory concentration for E. coli. The antimicrobial activity of the peptides correlated with an increase of membrane curvature stress and hence bilayer instability. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that only the N-acylated peptides induced tubular protrusions from the outer membrane, whereas all peptides caused detachment of the outer and inner membrane of E. coli bacteria. Viability tests demonstrated that these bacteria were dead before onset of visible cell lysis.

Monte Carlo Simulation of the Gas-Phase Volumetric Adsorption System: Effects of Dosing Volume Size, Incremental Dosing Amount, Pore Shape and Size, and Temperature

We model the volumetric method commonly used in the measurement of gas-phase adsorption isotherms by using Monte Carlo (MC) simulation to study slit pore adsorption in a finite volume. Although the method has been used for a very long time, modeling of the operation by a Monte Carlo scheme to account properly for the exchange of mass between the solid and the finite dosing volume has not been widely studied in the literature. This paper presents the MC simulation of the system composed of the solid subsystem and the gas phase surrounding it. We show that not only the size of the dosing volume and the incremental dosing amount but also the pore shape, pore size, and temperature have significant effects on the unstable region of the phase diagram, especially when the system is going through a first-order transition. This study extends and augments the recent work of Puibasset et al. (1) by showing that the shape of the adsorbent walls and the incremental dosing amount can affect the chemical potential in the adsorption system.

Thermodynamic forward modeling of progressive dehydration reactions during subduction of oceanic crust under greenschist facies conditions

We developed a new approach to the study of dehydration reactions using thermodynamic forward modeling based on the differential thermodynamic approach (the Gibbs' method) and the use of mass balance equations. We applied the modeling to mafic systems under conditions of the greenschist facies in order to investigate continuous, progressive dehydration reactions during subduction of oceanic crust. By specifying the changes in P– T, the model enables us to predict changes in modal mineralogy and composition as well as the incremental amount of water produced. Calculations for rocks of MORB (mid-ocean ridge basalt) bulk composition subducting along several typical P– T paths show that dehydration proceeds rapidly near the boundary between the greenschist and (epidote-) amphibolite facies, where chlorite is reacted out. The calculated depths for peak rates of dehydration correlate well with peaks in clusters of seismic activity and the depth ranges of low-frequency tremors and high-Poisson's ratio in the subduction zones of SW Japan and Cape Mendocino. This finding indicates a strong causal linkage between seismic phenomena and dehydration reactions in subducting oceanic crust.

Identification and Characterization of INCB9471, an Allosteric Noncompetitive Small-Molecule Antagonist of C-C Chemokine Receptor 5 with Potent Inhibitory Activity against Monocyte Migration and HIV-1 Infection

C-C chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) is a clinically proven target for inhibition of HIV-1 infection and a potential target for various inflammatory diseases. In this article, we describe 5-[(4-{(3S)-4-[(1R,2R)-2-ethoxy-5-(trifluoromethyl)-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-yl]-3-methylpiperazin-1-yl}-4-methylpiperidin-1-yl)carbonyl]-4,6-dimethylpyrimidine dihydrochloride (INCB9471), a potent and specific inhibitor of human CCR5 that has been proven to be safe and efficacious in viral load reduction in phase I and II human clinical trails. INCB9471 was identified using a primary human monocyte-based radioligand competition binding assay. It potently inhibited macrophage inflammatory protein-1β-induced monocyte migration and infection of peripheral blood mononuclear cells by a panel of R5-HIV-1 strains. The results from binding and signaling studies using incremental amounts of INCB9471 demonstrated INCB9471 as a noncompetitive CCR5 inhibitor. The CCR5 residues that are essential for interaction with INCB9471 were identified by site-specific mutagenesis studies. INCB9471 rapidly associates with but slowly dissociates from CCR5. When INCB9471 was compared with three CCR5 antagonists that had been tested in clinical trials, the potency of INCB9471 in blocking CCR5 ligand binding was similar to those of 4,6-dimethyl-5-{[4-methyl-4-((3S)-3-methyl-4-{(1R0-2-(methyloxy)-1-[4-(trifluoromethyl) phenyl]ethyl}-1-piperazingyl)-1-piperidinyl]carbonyl}pyrimidine (SCH-D; vicriviroc), 4-{[4-({(3R)-1-butyl-3-[(R)-cyclohexyl(hydroxyl)methyl]-2, 5-dioxo-1,4,9-triazaspiro[5.5]undec-9-yl}methyl)phenyl]oxy}benzoic acid hydrochloride (873140; aplaviroc), and 4,4-difluoro-N-((1S)-3-{(3-endo)-3-[3-methyl-5-(1-methylethyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-yl]-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-8-yl}-1-phenylpropyl)cyclohexanecarboxamide (UK427857; maraviroc). Its inhibitory activity against CCR5-mediated Ca(2+) mobilization was also similar to those of SCH-D and 873140. Further analysis suggested that INCB9471 and UK427857 may have different binding sites on CCR5. The significance of two CCR5 antagonists with different binding sites is discussed in the context of potentially overcoming drug-resistant HIV-1 strains.

Comprehending ambiguous texts: A high reading span helps to constrain the situation model

Research has found that span measures of working memory often predict the quality of processes at the level of the text representation, but rarely at the level of the situation model. In the present study, the generality of this finding was reassessed. In two experiments, narratives conveying incremental amounts of diagnostic information about the situation described in the text were presented. The results indicated that comprehension processes at the situation model level were related to reading span. High-span readers had a better understanding than low-span readers of which situations were incompatible with the information they had read. High-span readers thus appeared better able to deactivate possible alternative representations of the situation constructed so far when those alternatives could be ruled out. The results are discussed in the context of text comprehension theories at the level of sentence versus situation model processing.

Multi-Step-Ahead Quarterly Cash-Flow Prediction Models

SYNOPSIS: We provide new empirical evidence supportive of the Brown-Rozeff ARIMA model as a candidate univariate statistically based expectation model for multi-period-ahead projections of quarterly cash flows. It provides 1- through 20-step-ahead projections of quarterly cash flows that are significantly more accurate than those generated by the premier multivariate quarterly time-series, disaggregated-accrual regression model popularized by Lorek and Willinger (1996). We also find that both quarterly earnings and quarterly cash flow from operations are modeled by the same Brown-Rozeff ARIMA structure, although the autoregressive and seasonal moving-average parameters of the quarterly earnings model are significantly larger than those of the cash-flow prediction model. This finding is consistent with Beaver (1970) and Dechow and Dichev (2002), among others, who argue that accounting accruals induce incremental amounts of serial correlation in the quarterly earnings time series vis-a`-vis the time series of quarterly cash flows. Such findings may be of interest to analysts who wish to derive multi-step-ahead cash-flow predictions, and accounting researchers attempting to adopt a statistical proxy for the market’s expectation of quarterly cash flows. Finally, we propose a forecasting schema by which statistically based cash-flow forecasts are adjusted upwards or downwards via qualitative assessments regarding the economy, industry, and firm by analysts employing fundamental financial analysis.

Evaluation of the nutritional value of glycerol for nursery pigs1

In Exp. 1, a total of 144 pigs (BW, 6.68 ± 0.17 kg) were weaned at 21 d, blocked by BW, and allocated to 48 pens with 3 pigs per pen. Pens were randomly assigned to 1 of 6 dietary treatments (0, 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10% glycerol supplemented to replace up to 10% lactose in a basal starter 1 diet containing 20% total lactose, which was fed for 2 wk), and a negative control diet with 10% lactose and 0% glycerol. A common starter diet was fed for the next 2 wk. In Exp. 2, a total of 126 pigs (BW, 6.91 ± 0.18 kg) were weaned at 21 d of age, blocked by BW, and allocated to 42 pens with 3 pigs per pen. Pigs were assigned to 1 of 6 treatments in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement in a randomized complete block design with factors being 1) glycerol inclusion in replacement of lactose in starter 1 diets (0 or 5%) fed for 2 wk, and 2) glycerol inclusion in starter 2 diets (0, 5, or 10%) fed for 3 wk. In Exp. 1, glycerol supplementation at 10% improved (P=0.01) ADG (266 vs. 191 g/d) and G:F (871 vs. 679 g/kg) during the starter 1 period when compared with the negative control. Incremental amounts of glycerol linearly (P<0.05) increased ADG and ADFI, but did not affect G:F during starter 1. There was no effect of feeding glycerol during the starter 1 phase on subsequent performance during the starter 2 phase or overall. Serum glycerol concentrations increased linearly (P=0.003) with increasing dietary glycerol, and serum creatinine (P=0.004) and bilirubin (P=0.03) concentrations decreased with increasing glycerol. In Exp. 2, glycerol did not affect performance during starter 1, but it linearly increased (P≤0.01) ADG and ADFI during starter 2 (464, 509, and 542 and 726, 822, and 832 g/d, respectively) and overall (368, 396, and 411 and 546, 601, and 609 g/d, respectively). At the end of the study, pigs were 1.0 and 1.5 kg heavier when fed 5 and 10% glycerol, respectively (linear, P<0.01). Serum glycerol concentrations increased linearly during starter 2 (P<0.001), but were not affected during starter 1. Glycerol supplementation increased serum urea N quadratically (P<0.001) and decreased creatinine linearly (P<0.05) in the starter 2 phase. Overall, data indicate that glycerol can be added to nursery pig diets at 10%, while improving growth performance.

Effect of replacing calcium salts of palm oil distillate with incremental amounts of conventional or high oleic acid milled rapeseed on milk fatty acid composition in cows fed maize silage-based diets

Based on potential benefits to human health, there is increasing interest in altering the composition of ruminant-derived foods. Including rapeseeds in the dairy cow diet is an effective strategy for replacing medium-chain saturated fatty acids (SFA) with cis-monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) in bovine milk, but there is limited information on the optimum level of supplementation. Decreases in SFA due to plant oils are also accompanied by increases in milk trans fatty acid (FA) content and it is possible that high oleic acid rapeseeds may result in a higher enrichment of cis-9 18:1 and lower increases in trans FAs in milk compared with conventional varieties. Seven multiparous lactating Holstein–Friesian cows were allocated to one of seven treatments in an incomplete Latin square design with five 28-day experimental periods, to evaluate the effect of replacing calcium salts of palm oil distillate (CPO; 41 g/kg diet dry matter, DM) with 128, 168 or 207 g/kg diet DM of conventional (COR) or a high oleic acid (HOR) rapeseed fed as a supplement milled with wheat. Rapeseed variety and inclusion level had no effect (P > 0.05) on DM intake, milk yield and composition. Both rapeseed varieties decreased linearly (P < 0.001) milk fat SFA content, which was partially compensated for by a linear increase (P < 0.001) in cis-9 18:1 concentration. Reductions in milk SFA were also associated with increases (P < 0.05) in trans 18:1 and total trans FA content, with no difference (P > 0.05) between rapeseed varieties. Replacing CPO in the diet with milled rapeseeds had no effect (P > 0.05) on total milk conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) concentration. Relative to a COR, inclusion of a high oleic acid variant in the diet increased (P = 0.01) the ratio of trans-MUFA : trans-polyunsaturated fatty acids in milk that may have implications with respect to cardiovascular disease risk in humans. In conclusion, data indicated that replacing CPO with milled rapeseeds at levels up to 1150 g oil/day could be used as a nutritional strategy to lower milk SFA content without inducing adverse effects on DM intake and milk production. HOR reduced milk fat SFA content to a greater extent than a conventional variety, but did not minimise associated increases in trans FA concentrations. However, the high oleic acid variant did alter the relative abundance of specific trans 18:1, CLA and trans 18:2 isomers compared with conventional rapeseeds.