The Characterization of Two Differentially Expressed Plasma Proteins in Obese Versus Lean Rats in Two Rodent Models of Obesity

Zucker fa and La/N faf rats are widely studied models of genetic obesity and its complications. These two rodent models of obesity were utilized to search for a circulating protein marker for obesity. Plasma samples from both of these models of obesity were collected and analyzed via SDS-PAGE analysis. Two proteins were found which demonstrate differential expression between lean and obese rats. Both proteins demonstrated increased expression in the obese rats compared to the lean. One differentially expressed protein migrated on SDS-PAGE gels at 116 KD while the second migrated at 22 KD compared to molecular weight markers. The 22 KD protein also exhibited differential expression in plasma samples obtained from lean Zucker rats. Preliminary results from genetic backcrossing analysis point to a possible gene dosage effect with this protein. This coupled with the finding that the differential expression of this protein occurs before the onset of obesity in these rats may possibly make this an important circulating marker for obesity. These proteins were subjected to sequencing by Edman degradation. The protein migrating at 116 KD was identified as complement component C3 α chain, a pivotal member of the complement cascade, which is vital to the body’s immune system. The protein migrating at 22 KD was identified as apolipoprotein A-I, an important member of the body’s lipid transport system. Antibodies to these two proteins were purchased and the identities confirmed through Western blot analysis. Complement component C3 α chain may be important as it could serve as a circulating reservoir for the formation of acylation stimulating protein (ASP). Apolipoprotein A-I is an important protein component of high density lipoprotein particles which are important in cholesterol and lipid transport

Chaps Summary for South Dakota, 1991

Calving distribution and calf performance data were summarized from the CHAPS (Cow Herd Appraisal of Performance Software) analyses of 61 South Dakota cow herds. CHAPS uses beef cow weaning weight records to calculate adjusted 205-day weights and ratios, keep lifetime production records on cows, calculate Most Probable Producing Ability estimates for cows, produce a sire summary and analyze production according to cow age and 21 -day calving periods. The 1991 summary represents 6,196 cows for an average of 102 cows per herd. The herds ranged in size from 19 to 277 head. The average midpoint of the calving season for these herds was April 9. The average actual birth and weaning weights were 78.8 and 507.0 Ib, respectively, with the average age at weaning 205.3 days. Overall, 82.8% of the females calved by day 42 of their respective calving seasons, although there was considerable disparity in the percent calved by day 42 between the HIGH and LOW (92.9 vs 69.7%) calving distribution herds. This difference is important since actual weaning weights declined 35 to 60 Ib for each 21 days later that calves were born. In addition to these data for the state summary, CHAPS provides valuable information for making within herd selection and management decisions

Hollers, Hillbillies, and Higher Education: The Influence of Dialect and Negative Stereotypes on the Academic Experiences of Rural Appalachian College Students

Rural Appalachia is presented in popular culture as a region lacking in resources, morals, education, and more. Consequently, Appalachians who speak in the nonstandard language variety representative of the region are often subject to harmful stereotypes. This work examines the impact of negative stereotypes on dialectal Appalachian college students during their pursuit of higher education. This research was conducted via an anonymous survey investigating how students from specified rural Appalachian counties in Kentucky perceived their academic experiences regarding stereotypes, speaking a stigmatized Appalachian dialect, and how these influence others’ perceptions of them when attending any college or university. Hypotheses included the following in relation to dialectal Appalachian students: popular culture perpetuates Appalachian stereotypes and reinforces negative assumptions about Appalachians; academic challenges are common during students’ academic experiences; and including dialect as a recognized aspect of diversity in the classroom would contribute to a more accepting academic environment. Survey results yielded support for all three hypotheses. This study is significant in acknowledging the detriment of Appalachian stereotypes and in providing methods to improve the academic experiences of dialectal Appalachian college students

An Assessment of Campus Police Departments across Mississippi\u27s Public Community and Junior Colleges

The purpose of the study was to provide an assessment of campus police departments throughout the 15 public community and junior colleges in Mississippi. This research could provide Mississippi community and junior college administrators the opportunity to observe and appraise the overall safety of their respective campuses in comparison to safety practices of the other campus police departments in the state. This study will lay the foundation for further research of campus police departments and can assist administrators and boards of trustees of Mississippi’s public community and junior colleges with annual and long-range planning efforts. This study included campus police/security departments in all of Mississippi’s public community and junior colleges. Data were collected to provide an overview of police/security departments at Mississippi’s public community and junior colleges. A portion of the study contains information/data gathered from a random sample of students at one rural, public community college in the northern region of Mississippi concerning campus safety and their satisfaction of services provided by campus police. The researcher utilized a mixed-methods design to study existing descriptive information pertaining to the 15 Mississippi public community and junior college campus police departments, existing crime statistics reported by each public community and junior college in Mississippi, and existing data gathered by the Itawamba Community College administration from their students concerning their perception of campus police and safety issues. The researcher created a composite student satisfaction score and utilized a one-way ANOVA to determine the significance level of student perception concerning campus police and safety issues. In answering the research questions, the researcher discovered that Mississippi community and junior college campus police/security reported less favorable attitudes pertaining to funding and staffing their respective departments and positive attitudes pertaining to their ability to attend and provide training opportunities. The researcher found that Mississippi public community and junior college campuses seem to be safe, reporting low crime statistics in the Campus Safety and Security Data Analysis Cutting Tool. Lastly, the researcher discovered that student satisfaction of campus police and safety issues at one rural Northeast Mississippi community college increased from 2007 to 2011

First global analysis of SEASAT scatterometer winds and potential for meteorological research

The first global wind fields from SEASAT-A scatterometer (SASS) data were produced. Fifteen days of record are available on tape, with unique wind directions indicated for each observation. The methodology of the production of this data set is described, as well as the testing of its validity. A number of displays of the data, on large and small scales, analyzed and gridded, are provided

A new parameterization of an empirical model for wind/ocean scatterometry

The power law form of the SEASAT A Scatterometer System (SASS) empirical backscatter-to-wind model function does not uniformly meet the instrument performance over the range 4 to 24 /ms. Analysis indicates that the horizontal polarization (H-Pol) and vertical polarization (V-Pol) components of the benchmark SASS1 model function yield self-consistent results only for a small mid-range of speeds at larger incidence angles, and for a somewhat larger range of speeds at smaller incidence angles. Comparison of SASS1 to in situ data over the Gulf of Alaska region further underscores the shortcomings of the power law form. Finally, a physically based empirical SASS model is proposed which corrects some of the deficiencies of power law models like SASS1. The new model allows the mutual determination of sea surface wind stress and wind speed in a consistent manner from SASS backscatter measurements

Searching for annihilation radiation from SN 1006 with SPI on INTEGRAL

Historical Type Ia supernovae are a leading candidate for the source of positrons observed through their diffuse annihilation emission in the Galaxy. However, search for annihilation emission from individual Type Ia supernovae has not been possible before the improved sensitivity of \integral. The total 511 keV annihilation flux from individual SNe Ia, as well as their contribution to the overall diffuse emission, depends critically on the escape fraction of positrons produced in $^{56}$Co decays. Late optical light curves suggest that this fraction may be as high as 5%. We searched for positron annihilation radiation from the historical Type Ia supernova SN 1006 using the SPI instrument on \integral. We did not detect significant 511 keV line emission, with a 3$\sigma$ flux upper limit of 0.59 x 10$^{-4}$ ergs cm^-2 s^-1 for \wsim 1 Msec exposure time, assuming a FWHM of 2.5 keV. This upper limit corresponds to a 7.5% escape fraction, 50% higher than the expected 5% escape scenario, and rules out the possibility that Type Ia supernovae produce all of the positrons in the Galaxy (~ 12% escape fraction), if the mean positron lifetime is less than 10$^{5}$ years. Future observations with \integral will provide stronger limits on the escape fraction of positrons, the mean positron lifetime, and the contribution of Type Ia supernovae to the overall positron content of the Galaxy.Comment: 3 pages, 2 figures, accepted for publication in ApJ

Spectral Analysis of GRBs Measured by RHESSI

The Ge spectrometer of the RHESSI satellite is sensitive to Gamma Ray Bursts (GRBs) from about 40 keV up to 17 MeV, thus ideally complementing the Swift/BAT instrument whose sensitivity decreases above 150 keV. We present preliminary results of spectral fits of RHESSI GRB data. After describing our method, the RHESSI results are discussed and compared with Swift and Konus.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, conference proceedings, 'Swift and GRBs: Unveiling the Relativistic Universe', San Servolo, Venice, 5-9 June 2006, to appear in Il Nouvo Ciment

A Note on Frame Dragging

The measurement of spin effects in general relativity has recently taken centre stage with the successfully launched Gravity Probe B experiment coming toward an end, coupled with recently reported measurements using laser ranging. Many accounts of these experiments have been in terms of frame-dragging. We point out that this terminology has given rise to much confusion and that a better description is in terms of spin-orbit and spin-spin effects. In particular, we point out that the de Sitter precession (which has been mesured to a high accuracy) is also a frame-dragging effect and provides an accurate benchmark measurement of spin-orbit effects which GPB needs to emulate

How does colonoscopy compare with fecal occult blood testing as a screening tool for colon cancer?

No studies have directly compared colonoscopy with fecal occult blood testing (FOBT). Multiple screening trials have demonstrated that a primary strategy of 3-card home FOBT with follow-up colonoscopy for positive results is associated with a significant reduction in mortality from colorectalcancer (strength of recommendation [SOR]: A, based on systematic reviews of randomized and nonrandomized controlled trials). A single negative office-based digital FOBT does not decrease the likelihood of advanced neoplasia (SOR: B, based on a single prospective cohort study). There are no publications of screening trials with colonoscopy, but the odds of dying from colorectal cancer are lower for patients undergoing colonoscopy compared with patients not having a colonoscopy (SOR: B, based on extrapolation from a case-control study). Both strategies are cost-effective (SOR: A, based on a systematic review of high-quality cost-effective analyses)