Factorization of e+e- Event Shape Distributions with Hadronic Final States in Soft Collinear Effective Theory

We present a new analysis of two-jet event shape distributions in soft collinear effective theory. Extending previous results, we observe that a large class of such distributions can be expressed in terms of vacuum matrix elements of operators in the effective theory. We match these matrix elements to the full theory in the two-jet limit without assuming factorization of the complete set of hadronic final states into independent sums over partonic collinear and soft states. We also briefly discuss the relationship of this approach to diagrammatic factorization in the full theory.Comment: 21 pages. Journal version. Defined an explicit thrust axis operator; clarified meaning of a delta function operato

The D153del mutation in GNB3 gene causes tissue specific signalling patterns and an abnormal renal morphology in rge chickens

Background The GNB3 gene is expressed in cone but not rod photoreceptors of vertebrates, where it acts as the β transducin subunit in the colour visual transduction process. A naturally occurring mutation ‘D153del’ in the GNB3 gene causes the recessively inherited blinding phenotype retinopathy globe enlarged (rge) disease in chickens. GNB3 is however also expressed in most other vertebrate tissues suggesting that the D153del mutation may exert pathological effects that outlie from eye. Principal Findings Recombinant studies in COS-7 cells that were transfected with normal and mutant recombinant GNB3 constructs and subjected to cycloheximide chase showed that the mutant GNB3d protein had a much shorter half life compared to normal GNB3. GNB3 codes for the Gβ3 protein subunit that, together with different Gγ and Gα subunits, activates and regulates phosphorylation cascades in different tissues. As expected, the relative levels of cGMP and cAMP secondary messengers and their activated kinases such as MAPK, AKT and GRK2 were also found to be altered significantly in a tissue specific manner in rge chickens. Histochemical analysis on kidney tissue sections, from rge homozygous affected chickens, showed the chickens had enlargement of the glomerular capsule, causing glomerulomegaly and tubulointerstitial inflammation whereas other tissues (brain, heart, liver, pancreas) were unaffected. Significance These findings confirm that the D153del mutation in GNB3 gene targets GNB3 protein to early degradation. Lack of GNB3 signalling causes reduced phosphorylation activity of ERK2 and AKT leading to severe pathological phenotypes such as blindness and renal abnormalities in rge chickens

Assessing the Nutrient Status of Alfalfa Stands in Kentucky

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is a perennial forage legume and is sometimes referred to as the “Queen of Forages” due to its high nutritional value. Alfalfa is commonly produced as hay for use in the dairy and equine industries. Alfalfa yield increased exponentially from the 1950s to the1980s due to new breeding and management innovations. However, during the 1980s yields plateaued at around 7.5 Mg/ha and remain there today. The overarching goal of this study was to determine the role of soil fertility in the observed yield plateau. Fifty alfalfa stands in Kentucky were sampled to gather information about their macro and micronutrient status. Samples were taken, when the stand reached the late bud to early flower stage of maturity, from a 6 x 6 m2 area that was representative of the entire stand. Soil samples were collected to 10 and 15 cm depths and were sent to the University of Kentucky soil testing lab for analysis. The top 15 cm of 30 stems were dried, ground, and sent to Kansas State University for tissue analysis. In 2022, soil and tissue data from the alfalfa stands sampled indicated that potassium, sulfur, and magnesium were the nutrients most commonly reported to be below established sufficiency ranges. In addition, pH was low in just under half of the sampled stands. Tissue analysis indicated that soil testing overestimated potassium deficiencies in alfalfa stands in Kentucky. Even so, potassium levels were below the sufficiency range in nearly one-fourth of the alfalfa stands sampled

Detection of sperm antigens on mouse ova and early embryos

Serum and colostrum antibodies against mouse sperm were developed in two rabbits after systemic and mammary gland immunizations. Indirect immunofluorescence utilizing fluorescein-labeled goat antisera against rabbit IgG and IgA, respectively, indicated that both immune serum (IS) and colostrum (IC) compared with control samples caused intensive staining of the acrosome and tail of sperm. Absorption of IS and IC with mouse serum and the spleen, kidney, liver, and brain of male mice did not reduce the strength or the pattern of staining reaction on sperm. The absorbed IS reacted with cell surfaces of oocytes, unfertilized ova, zygotes, two-cell and four- to eight-cell fertilized ova, and blastocysts. The absorbed IC, however, reacted only with the four- to eight-cell embryo and blastocyst. Further absorption of the IS with mouse ovary removed the reaction with unfertilized ova and the one- to two-cell fertilized ova, but the staining of later embryo stages was unaffected. Therefore, it appears that specific rabbit anti-sperm antibodies are detecting two cell-membrane antigens on mouse embryos: one originating from the ovary and the other arising after fertilization.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/22638/1/0000189.pd

Aspirin use and knowledge in the community: a population- and health facility based survey for measuring local health system performance

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the relationship between cardiovascular risk, disease and actual use of aspirin in the community. METHODS: The Measuring Disparities in Chronic Conditions (MDCC) study is a community and health facility-based survey designed to track disparities in the delivery of health interventions for common chronic diseases. MDCC includes a survey instrument designed to collect detailed information about aspirin use. In King County, WA between 2011 and 2012, we surveyed 4633 white, African American, or Hispanic adults (45% home address-based sample, 55% health facility sample). We examined self-reported counseling on, frequency of use and risks of aspirin for all respondents. For a subgroup free of CAD or cerebral infarction that underwent physical examination, we measured 10-year coronary heart disease risk and blood salicylate concentration. RESULTS: Two in five respondents reported using aspirin routinely while one in five with a history of CAD or cerebral infarction and without contraindication did not report routine use of aspirin. Women with these conditions used less aspirin than men (65.0% vs. 76.5%) and reported more health problems that would make aspirin unsafe (29.4% vs. 21.2%). In a subgroup undergoing phlebotomy a third of respondents with low cardiovascular risk used aspirin routinely and only 4.6% of all aspirin users had no detectable salicylate in their blood. CONCLUSIONS: In this large urban county where health care delivery should be of high quality, there is insufficient aspirin use among those with high cardiovascular risk or disease and routine aspirin use by many at low risk. Further efforts are needed to promote shared-decision making between patients and clinicians as well as inform the public about appropriate use of routine aspirin to reduce the burden of atherosclerotic vascular disease

Upregulated Glucose Metabolism Correlates Inversely with CD8(+) T-cell Infiltration and Survival in Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Antibodies that block T-cell–regulatory checkpoints have recently emerged as a transformative approach to cancer treatment. However, the clinical efficacy of checkpoint blockade depends upon inherent tumor immunogenicity, with variation in infiltrating T cells contributing to differences in objective response rates. Here, we sought to understand the molecular correlates of tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes (TIL) in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), using a systems biologic approach to integrate publicly available omics datasets with histopathologic features. We provide evidence that links TIL abundance and therapeutic outcome to the regulation of tumor glycolysis by EGFR and HIF, both of which are attractive molecular targets for use in combination with immunotherapeutics

Metacognition: computation, biology and function

Many complex systems maintain a self-referential check and balance. In animals, such reflective monitoring and control processes have been grouped under the rubric of metacognition. In this introductory article to a Theme Issue on metacognition, we review recent and rapidly progressing developments from neuroscience, cognitive psychology, computer science and philosophy of mind. While each of these areas is represented in detail by individual contributions to the volume, we take this opportunity to draw links between disciplines, and highlight areas where further integration is needed. Specifically, we cover the definition, measurement, neurobiology and possible functions of metacognition, and assess the relationship between metacognition and consciousness. We propose a framework in which level of representation, order of behaviour and access consciousness are orthogonal dimensions of the conceptual landscape

HPV, tumour metabolism and novel target identification in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Background Metabolic changes in tumour cells are used in clinical imaging and may provide potential therapeutic targets. Human papillomavirus (HPV) status is important in classifying head and neck cancers (HNSCC), identifying a distinct clinical phenotype; metabolic differences between these HNSCC subtypes remain poorly understood. Methods We used RNA sequencing to classify the metabolic expression profiles of HPV+ve and HPV−ve HNSCC, performed a meta-analysis on FDG-PET imaging characteristics and correlated results with in vitro extracellular flux analysis of HPV−ve and HPV+ve HNSCC cell lines. The monocarboxylic acid transporter-1 (MCT1) was identified as a potential metabolic target and tested in functional assays. Results Specific metabolic profiles were associated with HPV status, not limited to carbohydrate metabolism. There was dominance of all energy pathways in HPV-negative disease, with elevated expression of genes associated with glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation. In vitro analysis confirmed comparative increased rates of oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis in HPV-negative cell lines. PET SUV(max) scores however were unable to reliably differentiate between HPV-positive and HPV-negative tumours. MCT1 expression was significantly increased in HPV-negative tumours, and inhibition suppressed tumour cell invasion, colony formation and promoted radiosensitivity. Conclusion HPV-positive and negative HNSCC have different metabolic profiles which may have potential therapeutic applications