Transcriptomic analysis of autistic brain reveals convergent molecular pathology.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a common, highly heritable neurodevelopmental condition characterized by marked genetic heterogeneity. Thus, a fundamental question is whether autism represents an aetiologically heterogeneous disorder in which the myriad genetic or environmental risk factors perturb common underlying molecular pathways in the brain. Here, we demonstrate consistent differences in transcriptome organization between autistic and normal brain by gene co-expression network analysis. Remarkably, regional patterns of gene expression that typically distinguish frontal and temporal cortex are significantly attenuated in the ASD brain, suggesting abnormalities in cortical patterning. We further identify discrete modules of co-expressed genes associated with autism: a neuronal module enriched for known autism susceptibility genes, including the neuronal specific splicing factor A2BP1 (also known as FOX1), and a module enriched for immune genes and glial markers. Using high-throughput RNA sequencing we demonstrate dysregulated splicing of A2BP1-dependent alternative exons in the ASD brain. Moreover, using a published autism genome-wide association study (GWAS) data set, we show that the neuronal module is enriched for genetically associated variants, providing independent support for the causal involvement of these genes in autism. In contrast, the immune-glial module showed no enrichment for autism GWAS signals, indicating a non-genetic aetiology for this process. Collectively, our results provide strong evidence for convergent molecular abnormalities in ASD, and implicate transcriptional and splicing dysregulation as underlying mechanisms of neuronal dysfunction in this disorder

Space Launch System Booster Separation Supersonic Powered Testing with Surface and Off-Body Measurements

A wind tunnel test was run in the NASA Langley Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel simulating the separation of the two solid rocket boosters (SRB) from the core stage of the NASA Space Launch System (SLS). The test was run on a 0.9% scale model of the SLS Block 1B Cargo (27005) configuration and the SLS Block 1B Crew (28005) configuration at a Mach of 4.0. High pressure air was used to simulate plumes from the booster separation motors located at the nose and aft skirt of the two boosters. Force and moment data were taken on both SRBs and on the core stage. Schlieren still photos and video were recorded throughout testing. A set of points were acquired using Cross-correlation Doppler Global Velocimetry (CCDGV) readings to get 3 component velocity measurements between the core and the left-hand SRB. The CCDGV laser was utilized to record flow visualization in the same location, between the core and the left-hand SRB. Pressure Sensitive Paint data were taken on a separate set of runs. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) runs were computed on a subset of the wind tunnel data points for comparison. A combination of the force/moment, CCDGV and Pressure Sensitive Paint (PSP) data (as well as schlieren images) at the CFD-specified test conditions will be used te the CFD simulations that will be used to build an SLS booster separation database flight conditions

Controlled Thiol-ene Polymer Microsphere Production Using a Low-Frequency Acoustic Excitation Coaxial Flow Method

A novel technique for the production of thiol-ene microspheres using acoustic resonance and coaxial flow is reported. The method utilizes low-frequency acoustically driven mechanical perturbations to disrupt the flow of a thiol-ene liquid jet, resulting in small thiol-ene droplets that are photochemically polymerized to yield thiol-ene microspheres. Tuning of the frequency, amplitude, and monomer solution viscosity are critical parameters impacting the diameter of the microspheres produced. Characterization by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and dynamic light scattering reveal microspheres of diameters \u3c10 mu m, with narrow particle distributions. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Monitoring river periphyton with artificial benthic substrates

The objective of this research was to identify the materials and methods necessary to study the attached algal community on a river bottom in deep water. The study site was the Susquehanna River near Falls, Pennsylvania. Artificial substrates of smooth glass, frosted glass, Vermont slate, ‘sandy slate’ (flagstone) and acrylic plate were placed on the stream bottom in detritus free sample holders by scuba divers. Both monthly and long-term cumulative samples were collected from the plates employing scuba and a Bar-Clamp sampler. River stones (natural substrates) were collected for comparison. Samples were analyzed in a Palmer Cell under a Bausch and Lomb research microscope. Diatoms were the most important colonizers of river stones, with the genera Nitzschia and Navicula most abundant. Highest periphyton densities occurred on natural substrates in winter with a maximum of 2.2 × 10 4 units/ mm 2 . Artificial substrates with one month exposure periods accumulated maximum periphyton density from May through October with relatively low densities in winter. Cumulative artificial substrates were most like river stones in patterns of colonization. Frosted acrylic is recommended for future studies employing benthic artificial periphyton substrates.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/42907/1/10750_2004_Article_BF00046798.pd

University of Michigan Undergraduate Research Forum, Issue 4, Winter 2007

Articlehttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/96977/1/UMURF-Issue04_2007.pd

Aerosol and Surface Contamination of SARS-CoV-2 Observed in Quarantine and Isolation Care

The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) originated in Wuhan, China in late 2019, and its resulting coronavirus disease, COVID-19, was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020. The rapid global spread of COVID-19 represents perhaps the most significant public health emergency in a century. As the pandemic progressed, a continued paucity of evidence on routes of SARS-CoV-2 transmission has resulted in shifting infection prevention and control guidelines between classically-defined airborne and droplet precautions. During the initial isolation of 13 individuals with COVID-19 at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, we collected air and surface samples to examine viral shedding from isolated individuals. We detected viral contamination among all samples, supporting the use of airborne isolation precautions when caring for COVID-19 patients

Muir‐Torre syndrome appropriate use criteria: Effect of patient age on appropriate use scores

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/150503/1/cup13459_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/150503/2/cup13459.pd

Selection of transformation-efficient barley genotypes based on TFA (transformation amenability) haplotype and higher resolution mapping of the TFA loci

Barley (Hordeum vulgare) cv. ‘Golden Promise’ is one of the most useful and well-studied cultivars for genetic manipulation. In a previous report, we identified several transformation amenability (TFA) loci responsible for Agrobacterium-mediated transformation using the F2 generation of immature embryos, derived from ‘Haruna Nijo’ × ‘Golden Promise,’ as explants. In this report, we describe higher density mapping of these TFA regions with additional SNP markers using the same transgenic plants. To demonstrate the robustness of transformability alleles at the TFA loci, we genotyped 202 doubled haploid progeny from the cross ‘Golden Promise’ × ‘Full Pint.’ Based on SNP genotype, we selected lines having ‘Golden Promise’ alleles at TFA loci and used them for transformation. Of the successfully transformed lines, DH120366 came the closest to achieving a level of transformation efficiency comparable to ‘Golden Promise.’ The results validate that the genetic substitution of TFA alleles from ‘Golden Promise’ can facilitate the development of transformation-efficient lines from recalcitrant barley cultivars