Large Extra Dimensions from a Small Extra Dimension

Models with extra dimensions have changed our understanding of the hierarchy problem. In general, these models explain the weakness of gravity by diluting gravity in a large bulk volume, or by localizing the graviton away from the standard model. In this paper, we show that the warped geometries necessary for the latter scenario can naturally induce the large volumes necessary for the former. We present a model in which a large volume is stabilized without supersymmetry. We comment on the phenomenology of this scenario and generalizations to additional dimensions.Comment: Some formulae altered, conclusions unchange

Production of Homozygous Transgenic Rainbow Trout with Enhanced Disease Resistance

Previous studies conducted in our laboratory showed that transgenic medaka expressing cecropin B transgenes exhibited resistant characteristic to fish bacterial pathogens, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Vibrio anguillarum. To confirm whether antimicrobial peptide gene will also exhibit anti-bacterial and anti-viral characteristics in aquaculture important fish species, we produced transgenic rainbow trout expressing cecropin P1 or a synthetic cecropin B analog, CF-17, transgene by sperm-mediated gene transfer method. About 30 % of fish recovered from electroporation were shown to carry the transgene as determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification assay. Positive P(1) transgenic fish were crossed to non-transgenic fish to establish F(1) transgenic founder families, and subsequently generating F(2), and F(3) progeny. Expression of cecropin P1 and CF-17 transgenes was detected in transgenic fish by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR analysis. The distribution of body sizes among F(1) transgenic fish were not significantly different from those of non-transgenic fish. Results of challenge studies revealed that many families of F(2) and F(3) transgenic fish exhibited resistance to infection by Aeromonas salmonicida and infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV). All-male homozygous cecropin P1 transgenic families were produced by androgenesis from sperm of F(3) heterozygous transgenic fish in one generation. The resistant characteristic to A. salmonicida was confirmed in progeny derived from the outcross of all-male fish to non-transgenic females. Results of our current studies confirmed the possibility of producing disease-resistant homozygous rainbow trout strains by transgenesis of cecropin P1 or CF-17 gene and followed by androgenesis

Electron-Positron Pairs in Hot Accretion Flows and Thin Disk Coronae

We investigate equilibrium accretion flows dominated by $e^+ e^-$ pairs. We consider one- and two-temperature accretion disk coronae above a thin disk, as well as hot optically thin two-temperature accretion flows without an underlying thin disk; we model the latter in the framework of advection-dominated accretion flows (ADAFs). In all three cases we include equipartition magnetic fields. We confirm the previous result that the equilibrium density of pairs in two-temperature ADAFs is negligible; and show that the inclusion of magnetic fields and the corresponding synchrotron cooling reduces the pair density even further. Similarly, we find that pairs are unimportant in two-temperature coronae. Even when the corona has significantly enhanced heating by direct transfer of viscous dissipation in the thin disk to the corona, the inefficient Coulomb coupling between protons and electrons acts as a bottleneck and prevents the high compactness required for pair-dominated solutions. Only in the case of a one-temperature corona model do we find pair-dominated thermal equilibria. These pair-dominated solutions occur over a limited range of optical depth and temperature.Comment: 38 pages, including 10 figures, LaTeX; to appear in Ap

Nanoparticle inhalation augments particle-dependent systemic microvascular dysfunction

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>We have shown that pulmonary exposure to fine particulate matter (PM) impairs endothelium dependent dilation in systemic arterioles. Ultrafine PM has been suggested to be inherently more toxic by virtue of its increased surface area. The purpose of this study was to determine if ultrafine PM (or nanoparticle) inhalation produces greater microvascular dysfunction than fine PM. Rats were exposed to fine or ultrafine TiO₂aerosols (primary particle diameters of ~1 μm and ~21 nm, respectively) at concentrations which do not alter bronchoalveolar lavage markers of pulmonary inflammation or lung damage.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>By histopathologic evaluation, no significant inflammatory changes were seen in the lung. However, particle-containing macrophages were frequently seen in intimate contact with the alveolar wall. The spinotrapezius muscle was prepared for in vivo microscopy 24 hours after inhalation exposures. Intraluminal infusion of the Ca²⁺ionophore A23187 was used to evaluate endothelium-dependent arteriolar dilation. In control rats, A23187 infusion produced dose-dependent arteriolar dilations. In rats exposed to fine TiO₂, A23187 infusion elicited vasodilations that were blunted in proportion to pulmonary particle deposition. In rats exposed to ultrafine TiO₂, A23187 infusion produced arteriolar constrictions or significantly impaired vasodilator responses as compared to the responses observed in control rats or those exposed to a similar pulmonary load of fine particles.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These observations suggest that at equivalent pulmonary loads, as compared to fine TiO₂, ultrafine TiO₂inhalation produces greater remote microvascular dysfunction.</p

Developmental Outcomes of Using Physical Violence Against Dates and Peers

The negative impact on adolescents of being a victim of violence is well documented, but the impact of being a perpetrator of violence is less well known. Knowing the negative outcomes of being a perpetrator could inform clinical interactions with adolescents, development of violence prevention strategies, and estimates of the societal burden of violence. This longitudinal study examined the effects of physical dating violence (DV) and peer violence (PV) perpetration on internalizing symptoms, relationships with friends and family, academic aspirations and grades, and substance use

Expression of SMARCD1 interacts with age in association with asthma control on inhaled corticosteroid therapy.

BackgroundGlobal gene expression levels are known to be highly dependent upon gross demographic features including age, yet identification of age-related genomic indicators has yet to be comprehensively undertaken in a disease and treatment-specific context.MethodsWe used gene expression data from CD4+ lymphocytes in the Asthma BioRepository for Integrative Genomic Exploration (Asthma BRIDGE), an open-access collection of subjects participating in genetic studies of asthma with available gene expression data. Replication population participants were Puerto Rico islanders recruited as part of the ongoing Genes environments &amp; Admixture in Latino Americans (GALA II), who provided nasal brushings for transcript sequencing. The main outcome measure was chronic asthma control as derived by questionnaires. Genomic associations were performed using regression of chronic asthma control score on gene expression with age in years as a covariate, including a multiplicative interaction term for gene expression times age.ResultsThe SMARCD1 gene (SWI/SNF-related matrix-associated actin-dependent regulator of chromatin subfamily D member 1) interacted with age to influence chronic asthma control on inhaled corticosteroids, with a doubling of expression leading to an increase of 1.3 units of chronic asthma control per year (95% CI [0.86, 1.74], p = 6 × 10- 9), suggesting worsening asthma control with increasing age. This result replicated in GALA II (p = 3.8 × 10- 8). Cellular assays confirmed the role of SMARCD1 in glucocorticoid response in airway epithelial cells.ConclusionFocusing on age-dependent factors may help identify novel indicators of asthma medication response. Age appears to modulate the effect of SMARCD1 on asthma control with inhaled corticosteroids

Prospective evaluation of lipid management following acute coronary syndrome in non-Western countries

Background: Half the global burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is concentrated in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. Hypothesis: Suboptimal control of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) may play a large role in the burden of CVD in APAC and non-Western countries. Methods: The Acute Coronary Syndrome Management (ACOSYM) registry is a multinational, multicenter, prospective observational registry designed to evaluate LDL-C control in patients within 6 months after hospitalization following an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) event across nine countries. Results: Overall, 1581 patients were enrolled, of whom 1567 patients met the eligibility criteria; 80.3% of the eligible patients were men, 46.1% had ST-elevation myocardial infarction, and 39.5% had non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Most (1245; 79.5%) patients were discharged on a high-intensity statin. During the followup, only 992 (63.3%) patients had at least one LDL-C measurement; of these, 52.9% had persistently elevated LDL-C (>70 mg/dl). The patients not discharged on a highdose statin were more likely (OR 3.2; 95% CI 2.1–4.8) to have an LDL-C above the 70 mg/dl LDL-C target compared with those who were discharged on a high-dose statin. Conclusion: Our real-world registry found that a third or more of post-ACS patients did not have a repeat LDL-C follow-up measurement. In those with an LDL-C followup measurement, more than half (52.9%) were not achieving a <70 mg/dl LDL-C goal, despite a greater uptake of high-intensity statin therapy than has been observed in recent evidence. This demonstrates the opportunity to improve post-ACS lipid management in global community practice

Disparities in risk perception of thyroid cancer recurrence and death

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/154276/1/cncr32670.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/154276/2/cncr32670_am.pd