Axionic Festina Lente

The swampland conjecture known as Festina Lente (FL) imposes a lower bound on the mass of all charged particles in a quasi-de Sitter space. In this paper, we propose the aFL (axionic Festina Lente) bound, an extension of FL to axion-like particles arising from type II string theory. We find that the product of the instanton action and the axion decay constant is bounded from below by the vacuum energy. This is achieved indirectly, using dimensional reduction on Calabi-Yau threefolds, and translating the FL result for dipoles into a purely geometric bound. We discuss axionic black holes evolution, and aFL constraints on Euclidean wormholes, showing that the gravitational arguments leading to the FL bound for U$(1)$ charged particles cannot be directly applied to axions. Moreover, we discuss phenomenological implications of the aFL bound, including constraints on string inflation models and the axion-photon coupling via kinetic mixing.Comment: v3: minor revisions, version published in JHEP, 21 pages, 2 figure

The Relationship Between Attitudes Toward Inclusion, Beliefs About Teaching and Learning, and Subsequent Automatic Evaluations Amongst Student Teachers

Teachers' attitudes toward inclusion are frequently cited as being an important predictor of how successfully a given inclusive school system is implemented. At the same time, beliefs about the nature of teaching and learning are discussed as a possible predictor of attitudes toward inclusion. However, more recent research emphasizes the need of considering implicit processes, such as automatic evaluations, when describing attitudes and beliefs. Previous evidence on the association of attitudes toward inclusion and beliefs about teaching and learning is solely based on explicit reports. Therefore, this study aims to examine the relationship between attitudes toward inclusion, beliefs about teaching and learning, and the subsequent automatic evaluations of pre-service teachers (N = 197). The results revealed differences between pre-service teachers' explicit attitudes/beliefs and their subsequent automatic evaluations. Differences in the relationship between attitudes toward inclusion and beliefs about teaching and learning occur when teachers focus either on explicit measures or automatic evaluations. These differences might be due to different facets of the same attitude object being represented. Relying solely on either explicit measures or automatic evaluations at the exclusion of the other might lead to erroneous assumptions about the relation of attitudes toward inclusion and beliefs about teaching and learning

Regulierende Ökosystemleistungen in Fruchtfolgen mit Ackerbohnen (Vicia faba) und Erbsen (Pisum sativum): Quantifizierung, Bewertung und Realisierung (Verbundvorhaben)

Das hier beschriebene Verbundvorhaben umfasst folgende Teilprojekte: FKZ 15EPS016, FKZ 15EPS060 und FKZ 15EPS061. Die kombinierten Wirkungen diversifizierter Fruchtfolgen mit Körnerleguminosen in konventionellen Anbausystemen sind wenig untersucht. Wir haben die Effekte des Anbaus von Ackerbohnen (Vicia faba) auf die Vielfalt und Abundanz von Bestäubern und Raubarthropoden, die biologische Schädlingskontrolle und die Kulturpflanzenbestäubung untersucht. Zudem wurden Vorfrucht- und Nachbarschaftseffekte analysiert. Ökonomische und agronomische Daten wurden anhand von Betriebsbefragungen erhoben. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass v. a. Hummeln vom Ackerbohnenanbau profitieren, andere Wildbienen aber von blütenreichen, naturnahen Lebensräumen in der Agrarlandschaft abhängen. Insektenbestäubung ist ein wichtiger Parameter für die Ertragsbildung bei Ackerbohnen und Raps. Es zeigte sich ein positiver Nachbarschaftseffekt der Ackerbohne auf vegetationsbewohnende Nützlinge. Zudem waren die Aktivitätsdichten von Spinnen in Landschaften mit Ackerbohne höher als in Landschaften ohne Ackerbohne. Ackerbohnen können in einzelnen Jahren unter Einbezug des monetären Vorfruchtwerts eine wirtschaftlich konkurrenzfähige Alternative zu den übrigen Hauptkulturen sein, die allerdings stark von den gegebenen Standort- und Witterungsbedingungen beeinflusst wird. Der Anbau von Ackerbohnen bringt landwirtschaftlichen Betrieben agronomische Vorteile. Allerdings zeigte sich auch eine Volatilität in der Wirtschaftlichkeit des Ackerbohnenanbaus. Hinsichtlich der ökologischen Wirkungen sollte der Ackerbohnenanbau mit anderen Maßnahmen (v. a. die Wiederherstellung und der Erhalt von halbnatürlichen Habitaten) kombiniert werden, die auch für die Bereitstellung von Ökosystemleistungen wie biologische Schädlingskontrolle oder Bestäubung von Relevanz sind

FORENSIC SCIENCES Development of a Human DNA Quantitation System

The AluQuant™ Human DNA Quantitation System has been developed for human-specific quantitation of forensic samples. This system uses probes specific to repetitive genetic elements allowing quantitation without target amplification. Target immobilization is unnecessary with employment of solution hybridization. The AluQuant™ Human DNA Quantitation System uses a series of enzymatic reactions to produce a luminescent signal proportional to the quantity of human DNA present. This report demonstrates a range of quantitation from 0.1-50 ng of human DNA. Signal from non-human DNAs tested was insignificant and addition of non-human DNAs into a human sample did not alter quantitation. Lastly, the system was unaffected by degradation of sample through sonication. The AluQuant™ Human DNA Quantitation System is a simple and sensitive method for quantitating the concentration of human DNA in forensic samples

Tumor Invasion of Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium Is Accompanied by Strong Hemorrhage Promoted by TNF-α

BACKGROUND:Several facultative anaerobic bacteria with potential therapeutic abilities are known to preferentially colonize solid tumors after systemic administration. How they efficiently find and invade the tumors is still unclear. However, this is an important issue to be clarified when bacteria should be tailored for application in cancer therapy. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:We describe the initial events of colonization of an ectopic transplantable tumor by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. Initially, after intravenous administration, bacteria were found in blood, spleen, and liver. Low numbers were also detected in tumors associated with blood vessels as could be observed by immunohistochemistry. A rapid increase of TNF-alpha in blood was observed at that time, in addition to other pro-inflammatory cytokines. This induced a tremendous influx of blood into the tumors by vascular disruption that could be visualized in H&E stainings and quantified by hemoglobin measurements of tumor homogenate. Most likely, together with the blood, bacteria were flushed into the tumor. In addition, blood influx was followed by necrosis formation, bacterial growth, and infiltration of neutrophilic granulocytes. Depletion of TNF-alpha retarded blood influx and delayed bacterial tumor-colonization. CONCLUSION:Our findings emphasize similarities between Gram-negative tumor-colonizing bacteria and tumor vascular disrupting agents and show the involvement of TNF-alpha in the initial phase of tumor-colonization by bacteria

Primary care patients reporting concerns about their gambling frequently have other co-occurring lifestyle and mental health issues

BACKGROUND: Problem gambling often goes undetected by family physicians but may be associated with stress-related medical problems as well as mental disorders and substance abuse. Family physicians are often first in line to identify these problems and to provide a proper referral. The aim of this study was to compare a group of primary care patients who identified concerns with their gambling behavior with the total population of screened patients in relation to co-morbidity of other lifestyle risk factors or mental health issues. METHODS: This is a cross sectional study comparing patients identified as worrying about their gambling behavior with the total screened patient population for co morbidity. The setting was 51 urban and rural New Zealand practices. Participants were consecutive adult patients per practice (N = 2,536) who completed a brief multi-item tool screening primary care patients for lifestyle risk factors and mental health problems (smoking, alcohol and drug misuse, problem gambling, depression, anxiety, abuse, anger). Data analysis used descriptive statistics and non-parametric binomial tests with adjusting for clustering by practitioner using STATA survey analysis. RESULTS: Approximately 3/100 (3%) answered yes to the gambling question. Those worried about gambling more likely to be male OR 1.85 (95% CI 1.1 to 3.1). Increasing age reduced likelihood of gambling concerns – logistic regression for complex survey data OR = 0.99 (CI 95% 0.97 to 0.99) p = 0.04 for each year older. Patients concerned about gambling were significantly more likely (all p < 0.0001) to have concerns about their smoking, use of recreational drugs, and alcohol. Similarly there were more likely to indicate problems with depression, anxiety and anger control. No significant relationship with gambling worries was found for abuse, physical inactivity or weight concerns. Patients expressing concerns about gambling were significantly more likely to want help with smoking, other drug use, depression and anxiety. CONCLUSION: Our questionnaire identifies patients who express a need for help with gambling and other lifestyle and mental health issues. Screening for gambling in primary care has the potential to identify individuals with multiple co-occurring disorders

The Colocalization Potential of HIV-Specific CD8+ and CD4+ T-Cells is Mediated by Integrin β7 but Not CCR6 and Regulated by Retinoic Acid

CD4+ T-cells from gut-associated lymphoid tissues (GALT) are major targets for HIV-1 infection. Recruitment of excess effector CD8+ T-cells in the proximity of target cells is critical for the control of viral replication. Here, we investigated the colocalization potential of HIV-specific CD8+ and CD4+ T-cells into the GALT and explored the role of retinoic acid (RA) in regulating this process in a cohort of HIV-infected subjects with slow disease progression. The expression of the gut-homing molecules integrin β7, CCR6, and CXCR3 was identified as a “signature” for HIV-specific but not CMV-specific CD4+ T-cells thus providing a new explanation for their enhanced permissiveness to infection in vivo. HIV-specific CD8+ T-cells also expressed high levels of integrin β7 and CXCR3; however CCR6 was detected at superior levels on HIV-specific CD4+ versus CD8+ T-cells. All trans RA (ATRA) upregulated the expression of integrin β7 but not CCR6 on HIV-specific T-cells. Together, these results suggest that HIV-specific CD8+ T-cells may colocalize in excess with CD4+ T-cells into the GALT via integrin β7 and CXCR3, but not via CCR6. Considering our previous findings that CCR6+CD4+ T-cells are major cellular targets for HIV-DNA integration in vivo, a limited ability of CD8+ T-cells to migrate in the vicinity of CCR6+CD4+ T-cells may facilitate HIV replication and dissemination at mucosal sites

The role of corticotropin-releasing hormone-binding protein in the murine anterior pituitary.

Stress activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, stimulating the secretion of corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) into the pituitary portal system. CRH, the primary neuroendocrine mediator of the mammalian stress response, activates CRH-receptors located on anterior pituitary corticotropes, causing the release of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and subsequent secretion of glucocorticoids from the adrenal gland. CRH-Binding Protein (CRH-BP), a 37kDa-secreted glycoprotein, binds CRH with high affinity, inhibits CRH-induced ACTH secretion, and may also inhibit CRH activity at central sites of CRH release. CRH-BP is expressed in the CNS and the pituitary; however, pituitary expression is sexually dimorphic. Females exhibit dramatically elevated levels of CRH-BP mRNA, with expression not only in corticotropes, but also in lactotropes and gonadotropes. The functional significance of CRH-BP in endocrine cells associated with reproduction is poorly understood. This thesis focuses on elucidating the cellular targets of pituitary CRH signaling and the physiological role(s) of CRH-BP in corticotropes, gonadotropes, and lactotropes, including factors regulating CRH-BP expression. To identify the cellular targets of CRH signaling and the potential pituitary sites of CRH-BP:CRH interaction, I characterized the cell-specific expression of CRH receptors. CRH-R1 is expressed in corticotropes, with novel localization in a sub-set of lactotropes, gonadotropes, and thyrotropes in both sexes; interestingly, females have significantly more CRH-R1 in lactotropes than males. Acute restraint stress increases CRH-BP mRNA expression in both male and female pituitaries. In females, stress increases CRH-BP expression in both corticotropes and lactotropes, with the majority of increased CRH-BP localizing to lactotropes. My studies demonstrate that GnRH, the principal regulator of pituitary gonadotropin secretion, positively regulates CRH-BP in a gonadotrope-like cell line. These studies highlight pituitary gonadotropes and lactotropes as potential interfaces between the stress and reproductive axes. Finally, my studies on the physiological effects of CRH-BP deficiency on reproductive function in vivo suggest important roles for CRH-BP in maternal behavior. Combined, these studies highlight the pituitary as an important site of interaction between the HPA and multiple endocrine axes and identify CRH-BP as a potential modulator of endocrine interactions in the murine pituitary.Ph.D.Biological SciencesMolecular biologyNeurosciencesUniversity of Michigan, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studieshttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/126587/2/3253429.pd

Lignin-magnetite nanoparticles aiding in pickering emulsions and oil manipulation and their rheological properties

Emulsions are used for many biological, pharmaceutical, and food purposes and require a non-toxic, eco-friendly emulsifier to keep them stabilized over time. Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) have been thoroughly studied and used as an additive in emulsions to form Pickering emulsions. In this study, Kraft lignin, a type of biopolymer obtained from Kraft pulp, was used as a coating for the IONPs to prevent agglomeration and oxidation. Specifically, lignin@Fe3O4 nanoparticles were synthesized using a co-precipitation bottom-up approach and were characterized using multiple techniques, such as Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), and Vibrating-Sample Magnetometer (VSM). After confirming the formation of lignin@Fe3O4, these nanoparticles were used to prepare Pickering emulsions with castor oil/sudan red G dye and pure water. Five different oil/water ratios were tested (10/90, 30/70, 50/50, 70/30, and 90/10), along with three nanoparticle concentrations (0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 w/v%) and 5 magnetic fields (540, 370, 100, 5, and 0 mT). The emulsion stability without a magnetic field was determined by measuring droplet sizes using microscopy techniques as a function of time. The Pickering emulsions, stabilized by lignin@Fe3O4, can also undergo a demulsification process using external magnetic fields, successfully separating the oil and the aqueous phase. Also, this study shows that an aqueous lignin@Fe3O4 nanoparticle solution and 1-pentanol adsorb at the oil/water interface and can be used to herd spilled oil on water, exemplifying the adsorptive properties of IONPs. The successful Pickering emulsions then had their magnetorheological properties tested on a rheometer. Flow, amplitude, and frequency sweep tests were run at 0 mT and 60 mT and proved that applying a magnetic field can change the emulsions\u27 rheological behavior, from liquid-like to solid-like, as nanoparticle concentration increased. Overall, this work highlights the superparamagnetic and adsorptive properties of lignin magnetite nanocomposites as additives that form and break Pickering emulsions, serve for oil herding, and possess a responsive magnetorheological behavior