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The comparative experimental and numerical study is conducted to establish the significance of the use of single component over the multi-component representative of the biodiesel, diesel and their blend for predicting the spray tip penetration. The single component representatives of biodiesel, methyl oleate and methyl laurate and for the diesel are n-heptane, n-dodecane and n-tetradecane are studied. The methyl laurate is found to represent biodiesel of coconut, whereas methyl oleate is found to represent biodiesel having high percentage of long-chain fatty acid esters. The spray tip penetration of methyl oleate is found to be in good agreement with the measured spray tip penetration of karanja biodiesel. The spray tip penetration prediction of n-heptane fuel is closely following diesel spray tip penetration along with that of n-tetradecane and n-dodecane. The study suggests that the knowledge of the single component representative of biodiesel, diesel and their blend is sufficient to predict the spray tip penetration of the corresponding biodiesel, diesel and their blend under non-evaporating environment. Data of the graphs in the paperFull form of abbreviation used in the data and the operating conditions of the data is explained in README file.data.xls

Background: - Popular weight loss plans often restrict carbohydrates or fat. Research shows that very-low-carbohydrate (ketogenic) diets lead to greater weight loss than low-fat diets. Researchers want to know if eating fewer carbohydrates changes the number of calories the body uses. They also want to know how a ketogenic diet affects hunger, hormones, and food preferences. Objectives: - To better understand how the body responds to different diets. Eligibility: - Men 18 to 50 years old who are healthy but overweight. Design: - Participants will have 3 screening visits: 1. Medical history, physical exam, blood test, and EKG. They will eat during the visit. 2. For the week before the visit, participants will wear physical activity monitors daily. They will record everything they eat and sample the special diet. At the visit, they will receive an EKG and heart rate test while biking for 30 minutes. 3. For the week before the visit, participants will wear the physical activity monitors. They will eat all their meals from the special diet that will be provided. At the visit, they will answer questions and bike for 60 minutes. - After screening, for 1 week, participants will visit the clinic daily to receive that day s food. They will not eat or drink anything else except water. - Then participants will stay at the clinic for 8 weeks. They cannot leave but can have visitors. Participants will wear physical activity monitors, bike daily, and follow different diets. Tests will be given daily, and may include weighing, X-rays, and blood and urine tests. They will spend several days in a monitored room to test oxygen and carbon dioxide. Popular weight loss strategies often prescribe targeted reduction of dietary carbohydrate or fat. Recent clinical trials in obese subjects have found that low-carbohydrate diets result in greater weight loss compared with low-fat diets on a time scale of months when diet adherence was likely the highest. One hypothesis regarding the mechanism of improved weight loss with low carbohydrate diets is that such diets significantly modify the body s hormonal milieu to influence metabolic regulation and energy expenditure. Low-carbohydrate diets may thereby offer a metabolic advantage over low fat diets. In addition, low-carbohydrate diets may also decrease hunger or increase satiety compared to low-fat diets. Determining the mechanism whereby one diet leads to greater weight loss than another is hampered by the inability to accurately measure food intake or physical activity in an outpatient setting. Thus, an inpatient feeding study lasting many weeks is required to accurately measure energy balance differences between isocaloric diets that differ in macronutrient composition. In this pilot multicenter cross-over study in 16 overweight and class I obese men, we will measure changes in energy expenditure in response to 4 weeks of inpatient feeding of a eucaloric, very low carbohydrate, ketogenic diet (5% Carbohydrate, 15% Protein, 80% Fat) immediately following an inpatient period of at least 4 weeks of consuming an energy balanced standard American diet (50% Carbohydrate, 15 % Protein, 35% Fat).

Diatom abundance and assemblage data are presented for JPC43 - a ~12 m marine sediment core recovered from 576 m water depth in Neny Fjord, Marguerite Bay, Antarctic Peninsula (68.2571°S, 66.9617°W). The core was collected aboard the RVIB Nathanial B Palmer in 2002 during the NBP0201 scientific cruise (PI: Prof J B Anderson) to determine the timing of deglaciation in the fjords of the Antarctic Peninsula. The core record spans the Holocene with samples dated using an age model based on 5 reliable radiocarbon dates. Diatom concentrations and the contribution of Chaetoceros resting spores (CRS %) are calculated from counts (mean=474.4 valves) of the whole diatom assemblage - 'total counts' (n=81). The relevant methods are described and referenced in the associated publication (Allen et al. 2010).

California policy is incentivizing rapid adoption of zero emission electric vehicles for light duty and freight applications. In this project, we explored how locating charging facilities at California’s highway rest stops, might impact electricity demand, grid operation, and integration of renewables like solar and wind into California’s energy mix. Assuming a growing population of electric vehicles to meet state goals, we estimated state-wide growth of electricity demand, and identified the most attractive rest stop locations for siting chargers. Using a California-specific electricity dispatch model developed at ITS, we estimated how charging vehicles at these stations would impact renewable energy curtailment in California. We estimated the impacts of charging infrastructures on California’s electricity system and how they can be utilized to decrease the duck curve effect resulting from a large amount of solar energy penetration by 2050.

The purpose of this project is to determine if protein is less likely to create positive energy balance when added to the diet compared to carbohydrate. To do this, the investigators will take detailed measurements of participant's baseline metabolic rate to understand their energy requirements. Then, the investigators will feed participants all their meals for two weeks, Monday-Friday, and measure their food intake. During one of the week-long feeding periods, participants will consume a shake made of egg protein that is ~20% of their energy requirements. During the other week, participants will consume a shake made of carbohydrate that is ~20% of their energy requirements. Participants will drink the assigned shake at the beginning of each of their daily three meals, and then they will be offered a 'regular' meal of unlimited quantity. Participants will not know that the investigators are measuring the food consumed after drinking the shake. Participants will drink the protein shake for the first week and carb-based shake for the second week, and vice versa-- depending on the randomization order. To account for energy expenditure, participants will wear an activity monitor, an accelerometer. Energy balance, measured as participant energy intake minus energy expenditure, will be our main outcome for each treatment. However, because participants may change their behavior if made aware of the true research question, the investigators will tell participants that the purpose of the study is to see how low fiber and high fiber shakes affect mood. The hypothesis is that during the week when participants consume the protein shake, they will remain in energy balance, but during the week of carbohydrate shake consumption, participants will have positive energy balance.

This study will utilize a randomized, double-blind, cross-over design, comparing acute ingestion of the mixed flavonoid supplement (MF) compared to placebo control (PC) in healthy, non-obese, pre-menopausal women. The study will consist of two 24-hour study periods spent in the recently renovated indirect room calorimeter (i.e., metabolic chamber) at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill Nutrition Research Institute (UNC NRI). The 24-hour study periods in the metabolic chamber will be 4 weeks apart. Primary outcome measures will be 24-hour energy expenditure (EE), resting metabolic rate (RMR), sleeping metabolic rate (SMR), substrate utilization from the respiratory quotient (RQ), and physical activity energy expenditure (AEE). Following recruitment and eligibility assessment, study participants will be randomly assigned to complete either the mixed flavonoid (MF) or the placebo control (PC) study day. After a 4-week washout, study participants will cross over and complete the alternative treatment. A method of randomly permuted blocks will be generated using web-based randomization software (www.randomization.com) resulting in 10 study participants receiving MF during the first week, and 10 study participants receiving the PC during the first week. Study participants will consume 2 MF or PC capsules 30 min before breakfast, and 2 MF or PC capsules 30 min before lunch. During both study days, study participants will be fed in energy balance (i.e., energy intake will be matched to energy expenditure). 2. Experimental Study Participants: Using data generated previously in the UNC NRI metabolic chamber, a sample size calculation with 80% power revealed that 15-20 study participants would be needed to detect a 50 kcal difference in 24-h EE. To account for attrition, 25 study participants will be recruited via mass advertisement throughout the local area. Pre-menopausal women will be chosen because this is a target population of the sponsor. 3. Pre-Study Baseline Testing Eligibility will be determined in the outpatient clinical suite at the UNC NRI. Body composition (fat mass and fat free mass (FFM)) will be determined via dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) (GE Lunar iDXA; Milwaukee, WI). Body mass index (BMI, kg/m2) will be calculated for measured height and weight. Resting metabolic rate (RMR) will be estimated using a FFM-based equation [418 + (20.3 FFM)] (J Appl Physiol 1993;75:2514-2520). This estimated RMR will be used to calculate total dietary energy intake while in the metabolic chamber: RMR x physical activity level (PAL) of 1.3, and then adjusted using measured data (details provided below). A small blood sample will be obtained at this time and T3, T4, and TSH levels assessed through the clinical lab at the Lab Corp (Burlington, NC). A urine pregnancy test will be performed. 4. Indirect calorimetry: The metabolic chamber at the Nutrition Research Institute in Kannapolis, NC is an open-circuit, whole room indirect calorimeter. The CO2 and O2 analysers are differential, with full scale readings set for 0%-1%. O2 consumption, CO2 production, EE and RQ are recorded each minute. EE is calculated using an abbreviated Weir's formula (VO2 X 3.941) + (VCO2 X 1.106), where VO2 is the volume of oxygen consumed in L/minute and VCO2 is the volume of carbon dioxide released in L/minute. RQ is calculated as VCO2/VO2. Area under the curve (AUC) will be calculated using RQ data for the four hours following breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as sleeping hours between midnight and 6:00 am. Spontaneous physical activity will be measured each minute using a total room sensor. To calculate resting metabolic rate (RMR), EE will be plotted against the activity motion sensor output (each averaged over 30 minutes), and the y-intercept of the linear regression taken as EE in the inactive state. RMR will be multiplied by 1440 minutes to extrapolate to 24 hours. Twenty-four hour sleeping metabolic rate (SMR) will be determined as the lowest mean EE (kJ/minute) measured over 3 consecutive hours between midnight and 6:30 am and multiplied by 1440 minutes. Diet induced thermogenesis (DIT) will be calculated by subtraction of SMR from RMR. Activity induced EE (AEE) will be calculated as the difference between 24 hour EE and RMR. 5. Metabolic chamber study day protocol. Subjects will arrive at the Nutrition Research Institute Building (500 Laureate Way) at 7:00 am. A urine pregnancy test will be performed. At 7:30 am, study participants will report to the metabolic chamber following an overnight fast (no food or beverages containing calories, alcohol, or caffeine from 11 pm). Study participants will be instructed on expectations of their stay and weighed in scrubs without shoes. At 8:00 am study participants will be sealed in the chamber. Except for a 2-minute interval each hour during which study participants will be requested to stand and stretch, study participants will remain seated or reclined, but awake throughout the day. Study participants will be asked to perform necessary daily activities during these 2-minute intervals. Breakfast (9:00 am), lunch (1:30 pm), and dinner (7:00 pm), will be served through an air-lock passage. Meals will be completed within 30 minutes of serving. Two MF capsules or placebo will be consumed 30 min before breakfast, and then again 30 minutes before lunch. At 10:30 pm, study participants will be asked to lie down for sleep. Study participants will be awakened at 6:30 am and allowed to move about the chamber to gather their belongings. At 7:15 am study participants will exit the chamber and be weighed. 6. Design of Metabolic Diets: Eucaloric diets will be designed to provide approximately 35% fat, 49% carbohydrates and 16% protein, reflecting current recommendations for this population group. Menus will be designed using a nutrient calculation and food management software, and consist of bagel, peanut butter, apple juice, whole-wheat bread, turkey, cheese, mayonnaise, buttery spread (10% kcal as fat), potato chips, lasagna, carrots, broccoli, rolls, and muffin. No beverages or foods containing caffeine will be served. The same foods will be served at both chamber visits. A baseline menu for each subject will be prepared based on calculated RMR X 1.3, reflecting the sedentary nature of the study day. To ensure energy balance conditions, the baseline menu of the first visit will be modified according to measured EE data at 3 hours (includes breakfast) and 7 hours (includes breakfast and lunch). Subsequent meals will be adjusted accordingly with 100 kcal peach muffins containing the same proportion of fat, carbohydrate and protein as the meals. Study participants will be fed an identical amount of the same meal at their second visit. 7. Statistical Analysis: Data will be analyzed using SAS (Cary, NC). To guard against any carryover effect from visit 1 to visit 2, a repeated measures regression with an unstructured correlation matrix within subject will be run with treatment (MF and PC) and visit (1 and 2) in the model along with an interaction term. If the interaction term is non-significant, then it will be removed and the model re-run. Two energy expenditure curves, one for the MF day, and one for the PC day, will be generated for each subject with the x axis representing time (min), and the y axis representing energy expenditure (kcal). The area under the energy expenditure curve for defined blocks of time will be calculated by using the trapezoid rule in the EXPAND procedure in SAS (SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, NC). A paired t-test on the log-transformed area will be performed to compare the energy expenditure of each period in the MF day with the corresponding period in the PC day. The Shapiro-Wilk test in the UNIVARIATE procedure in SAS will be used for normality check. The Benjamini-Hochberg method for false discovery rate correction in the MULTTEST procedure in SAS will be used for multiple testing corrections. SUPPLEMENT: The mixed flavonoid supplement and placebo capsules will look identical and be supplied by Reoxcyn Discoveries Group LLC (Salt Lake City, UT). Active ingredients in the flavonoid capsules include vitamin C, wild bilberry fruit extract, green tea leaf extract, quercetin, caffeine, and omega 3 fatty acids (see Appendix B). Capsule fill ingredients include Nu-Flow 70R (from powdered rice hulls), tapioca from cassava root, natural bamboo silica, and marshmallow root. Placebo capsules will contain only the fill ingredients (without the active ingredients). Two MF and PC capsules will be consumed 30 minutes before breakfast, and then again before lunch. The MF capsules will provide 658 mg flavonoids and 214 mg caffeine. The purpose of this study is to compare the effect of ingesting caffeine and mixed flavonoids (4 capsules, split between breakfast and lunch) on energy expenditure and fat oxidation in a metabolic chamber with 20 women (non-obese, healthy, ages 20-47 years, pre-menopausal). We hypothesize that based on the existing literature, ingestion of a double dose of the caffeine-mixed flavonoid supplement compared to placebo will increase fat oxidation and increase 24 h energy expenditure by about 75 kilocalories.

lncRNAs are at the core of many regulatory processes and have also been recognized to be involved in various complex diseases. They affect gene regulation through direct interactions with RNA, DNA or proteins. Accordingly, lncRNA structure is likely to be essential for their regulatory function. Point mutations, which manifest as SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) in genome screens, can substantially alter their function and, subsequently, the expression of their downstream regulated genes. To test the effect of SNPs on structure, we investigated lncRNAs associated with dilated cardiomyopathy. Among 322 human candidate lncRNAs, we demonstrate first the significant association of an SNP located in lncRNA H19 using data from 1084 diseased and 751 control patients. H19 is generally highly expressed in the heart, with a complex expression pattern during heart development. Next, we used MFE (minimum free energy) folding to demonstrate a significant refolding in the secondary structure of this 861 nt long lncRNA. Since MFE folding may overlook the importance of sub-optimal structures, we showed that this refolding also manifests in the overall Boltzmann structure ensemble. There, the composition of structures is tremendously affected in their thermodynamic probabilities through the genetic variant. Finally, we confirmed these results experimentally, using SHAPE-Seq, corroborating that SNPs affecting such structures may explain hidden genetic variance not accounted for through genome wide association studies. Our results suggest that structural changes in lncRNAs, and lncRNA H19 in particular, affect regulatory processes and represent optimal targets for further in-depth studies probing their molecular interactions.