Substance P and the tectothalamic pathway.

Cortical and tectal inputs to the caudal LPN in the rat were examined using anatomical and physiological techniques. Pyramidal cells in layer 6 of the visual cortex and wide-field vertical cells in the stratum opticum of the superior colliculus (SC) project to the caudal LPN. Ultrastructural examination revealed that cortical terminals within the caudal LPN were small, contacted small dendrites, and could be identified through vGLUT1 immunohistochemistry. In contrast, tectal terminals were much larger, contacted large dendrites, and could be identified through vGLUT2 immunohistochemistry. In whole cell current clamp recording, stimulation of corticothalmic fibers elicited EPSPs that showed a frequency dependent facilitation and stimulation of the tectothalmic fibers elicited stable EPSPs. The neuropeptide Substance P (SP) and the receptor to which it binds, neurokinin-1 (NK-1), can both be found within the LPN of the rat. We examined the origin of the SP-positive terminals, their anatomical relationship to the NK-1 receptor, and the physiological effects of SP within the LPN. Light and confocal microscopy revealed that NK-1 positive cells were localized in the caudal LPN and were embedded within aSP positive terminal field. At the ultrastructural level, SP terminals were the same size as tecto-LPN terminals and terminals that contain vGLUT2 and they synapsed with large NK-1 positive dendrites. Lesions of the superior colliculus (SC) with ibotenic acid reduced the level of SP and vGLUT2 immunoreactivity in the caudal LPN. Bath application of SP depolarized the neurons, increased their membrane resistance, and produced long-term potentiation (LTP) of the EPSPs. These effects were blocked by simultaneous application of the NK-1 antagonist L-703,606. Considering that high frequency firing is often necessary for the release of neuropeptides, both the corticothalamic and tectothalamic fibers were stimulated at 100Hz. Stimulation of the corticothalmic fibers had no effect on the membrane resistance or on EPSP amplitudes. In contrast, stimulation of the tectothalmic fibers depolarized the neurons, increased their membrane resistance, and produced LTP. These results suggest that wide-field vertical cells in the stratum opticum of the SC project to the caudal LPN and when activated at high frequency produce LTP through the activation of NK-1 receptors

Human Embryonic Stem Cells Derived by Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer

SummaryReprogramming somatic cells into pluripotent embryonic stem cells (ESCs) by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) has been envisioned as an approach for generating patient-matched nuclear transfer (NT)-ESCs for studies of disease mechanisms and for developing specific therapies. Past attempts to produce human NT-ESCs have failed secondary to early embryonic arrest of SCNT embryos. Here, we identified premature exit from meiosis in human oocytes and suboptimal activation as key factors that are responsible for these outcomes. Optimized SCNT approaches designed to circumvent these limitations allowed derivation of human NT-ESCs. When applied to premium quality human oocytes, NT-ESC lines were derived from as few as two oocytes. NT-ESCs displayed normal diploid karyotypes and inherited their nuclear genome exclusively from parental somatic cells. Gene expression and differentiation profiles in human NT-ESCs were similar to embryo-derived ESCs, suggesting efficient reprogramming of somatic cells to a pluripotent state.PaperCli

Longitudinal Assessment of Growth in Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome: Results From the Single Ventricle Reconstruction Trial

Background: We sought to characterize growth between birth and age 3 years in infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome who underwent the Norwood procedure. Methods and Results: We performed a secondary analysis using the Single Ventricle Reconstruction Trial database after excluding patients 2 SD below normal). Failure to find consistent risk factors supports the strategy of tailoring nutritional therapies to patient‐ and stage‐specific targets. Clinical Trial Registration URL: http://clinicaltrials.gov/. Unique identifier: NCT00115934

A high efficiency photon veto for the Light Dark Matter eXperiment

Fixed-target experiments using primary electron beams can be powerful discovery tools for light dark matter in the sub-GeV mass range. The Light Dark Matter eXperiment (LDMX) is designed to measure missing momentum in high-rate electron fixed-target reactions with beam energies of 4 GeV to 16 GeV. A prerequisite for achieving several important sensitivity milestones is the capability to efficiently reject backgrounds associated with few-GeV bremsstrahlung, by twelve orders of magnitude, while maintaining high efficiency for signal. The primary challenge arises from events with photo-nuclear reactions faking the missing-momentum property of a dark matter signal. We present a methodology developed for the LDMX detector concept that is capable of the required rejection. By employing a detailed Geant4-based model of the detector response, we demonstrate that the sampling calorimetry proposed for LDMX can achieve better than 10⁻¹³ rejection of few-GeV photons. This suggests that the luminosity-limited sensitivity of LDMX can be realized at 4 GeV and higher beam energies

A high efficiency photon veto for the Light Dark Matter eXperiment

Fixed-target experiments using primary electron beams can be powerful discovery tools for light dark matter in the sub-GeV mass range. The Light Dark Matter eXperiment (LDMX) is designed to measure missing momentum in high-rate electron fixed-target reactions with beam energies of 4 GeV to 16 GeV. A prerequisite for achieving several important sensitivity milestones is the capability to efficiently reject backgrounds associated with few-GeV bremsstrahlung, by twelve orders of magnitude, while maintaining high efficiency for signal. The primary challenge arises from events with photo-nuclear reactions faking the missing-momentum property of a dark matter signal. We present a methodology developed for the LDMX detector concept that is capable of the required rejection. By employing a detailed Geant4-based model of the detector response, we demonstrate that the sampling calorimetry proposed for LDMX can achieve better than 10⁻¹³ rejection of few-GeV photons. This suggests that the luminosity-limited sensitivity of LDMX can be realized at 4 GeV and higher beam energies

Photon-rejection Power of the Light Dark Matter eXperiment in an 8 GeV Beam

The Light Dark Matter eXperiment (LDMX) is an electron-beam fixed-target experiment designed to achieve comprehensive model independent sensitivity to dark matter particles in the sub-GeV mass region. An upgrade to the LCLS-II accelerator will increase the beam energy available to LDMX from 4 to 8 GeV. Using detailed GEANT4-based simulations, we investigate the effect of the increased beam energy on the capabilities to separate signal and background, and demonstrate that the veto methodology developed for 4 GeV successfully rejects photon-induced backgrounds for at least $2\times10^{14}$ electrons on target at 8 GeV.Comment: 28 pages, 20 figures; corrected author lis

Nolanville Comprehensive Plan 2015-2030

Comprehensive plans are “the central organizing umbrella under which other plans, regulations, and initiatives exist.” They typically have long-range planning horizons between 20 and 30 years. These public documents, along with relevant zoning maps, can be used to guide, support, and justify city land use and decision-making in the future. A comprehensive plan should include the overall vision for the community, as well as a plan for the physical growth, development, and preservation of the land. Furthermore, an inclusive comprehensive plan should envision future growth in the various fields of transportation, community facilities and infrastructure, economy, parks and open spaces, natural and cultural resources, and housing.In the fall 2014, the City of Nolanville and Texas Target Communities partnered to create a planning task force to represent the community. The task force was integral to the planning process, contributing the thoughts, desires, and opinions of community members—as well as their enthusiasm about Nolanville’s future. This fourteen-month planning process ended in September 2015. All the material included in the plan is the result of work accomplished in four different graduate level classes spanning two semesters at Texas A&M University as part of the Master of Urban Planning program.The result of this collaboration is the City of Nolanville Comprehensive Plan 2015 - 2030, which is the official policy guide for the community’s growth over the next twenty years.Texas Target Communitie

Rockport Comprehensive Plan

This document was developed and prepared by Texas Target Communities (TxTC) at Texas A&M University in partnership with the City of Rockport, Texas Sea Grant, Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi, Texas A&M University - School of Law and Texas Tech University.Founded in 1871, the City of Rockport aims to continue growing economically and sustainably. Rockport is a resilient community dedicated to sustainable growth and attracting businesses to the area. Rockport is a charming town that offers a close-knit community feel and is a popular tourist destination for marine recreation, fairs, and exhibitions throughout the year. The Comprehensive Plan 2020-2040 is designed to guide the city of Rockport for its future growth. The guiding principles for this planning process were Rockport's vision statement and its corresponding goals, which were crafted by the task force. The goals focus on factors of growth and development including public participation, development considerations, transportation, community facilities, economic development, parks, and housing and social vulnerability