Using a Primordial Gravitational Wave Background to Illuminate New Physics

A primordial spectrum of gravitational waves serves as a backlight to the relativistic degrees of freedom of the cosmological fluid. Any change in the particle physics content, due to a change of phase or freeze-out of a species, will leave a characteristic imprint on an otherwise featureless primordial spectrum of gravitational waves and indicate its early-Universe provenance. We show that a gravitational wave detector such as the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna would be sensitive to physics near 100 TeV in the presence of a sufficiently strong primordial spectrum. Such a detection could complement searches at newly proposed 100 km circumference accelerators such as the Future Circular Collider at CERN and the Super Proton-Proton Collider in China, thereby providing insight into a host of beyond Standard Model issues, including the hierarchy problem, dark matter, and baryogenesis.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures; added reference

Racial/ethnic differences in the time-varying association between alcohol expectancies and drinking during the transition from childhood to adolescence

Alcohol expectancies are important determinants of adolescent drinking, but this relationship may differ based on race/ethnicity. This study used time-varying effect modeling to examine racial/ethnic differences in positive and negative alcohol expectancies and their relationship with drinking among White, African American, and Hispanic youth. Youth reported alcohol expectancies and drinking frequency from 5th-10th grade. African Americans initially endorsed higher positive alcohol expectancies than Whites, but its relationship with drinking was stronger among Whites. Hispanic youth reported slightly higher negative alcohol expectancies in high school, but the relationship between negative expectancies and alcohol use was comparable across groups. The effect of expectancies on alcohol use outcomes may be more robust for Whites, which warrants investigation of risk factors for minority youth

Observed Racial Socialization and Maternal Positive Emotions in African American Mother-Adolescent Dyadic Discussions about Racial Discrimination

This study examined patterns of: (1) racial socialization messages in dyadic discussions between 111 African American mothers and adolescents (M age = 15.50) and (2) mothers’ positive emotions displayed during the discussion. Mothers gave more total racial socialization responses to a hypothetical dilemma involving potential mistreatment by a White teacher than a dilemma involving rude treatment by a White salesperson. Mothers displayed more advocacy on behalf of their adolescents in response to the teacher dilemma than to the salesperson dilemma. Mothers displayed consistent emotional support of adolescents’ problem solving across both dilemmas but lower warmth in response to the salesperson dilemma. The role of adolescent gender in mothers’ observed racial socialization responses is also discussed

Carbohydrate utilization by the gut microbiome determines host health responsiveness to whole grain type and processing methods

Little is known about how interactions among grain processing, grain type, and carbohydrate utilization (CU) by the microbiome influence the health benefits of whole grains. Therefore, two whole grains – brown rice and whole wheat – and two processing methods – boiling (porridge) and extrusion – were studied for their effects on host metabolic outcomes in mice harboring human microbiomes previously shown in vitro to have high or low CU. Mice carrying either microbiome experienced increases in body weight and glycemia when consuming Western diets supplemented with extruded grains versus porridge. However, mice with the high but not low CU microbiome also gained more weight and fat over time and were less glucose tolerant when consuming extruded grain diets. In high CU microbiome mice, the exacerbated negative health outcomes associated with extrusion were related to altered abundances of Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae as well as elevated sugar degradation and colonic acetate production. The amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) associated with extruded and porridge diets in this in vivo study were not the same as those identified in our prior in vitro study; however, the predicted functions were highly correlated. In conclusion, mice harboring both high and low CU microbiomes responded to the whole grain diets similarly, except the high CU microbiome mice exhibited exacerbated effects due to excessive acetate production, indicating that CU by the microbiome is linked to host metabolic health outcomes. Our work demonstrates that a greater understanding of food processing effects on the microbiome is necessary for developing foods that promote rather than diminish host health

Persistent ischemic stroke disparities despite declining incidence in Mexican Americans

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/102622/1/ana23972.pd

Epigenomics and Metabolomics Reveal the Mechanism of the \u3cem\u3eAPOA2\u3c/em\u3e-Saturated Fat Intake Interaction Affecting Obesity

Background: The putative functional variant −265T \u3e C (rs5082) within the APOA2 promoter has shown consistent interactions with saturated fatty acid (SFA) intake to influence the risk of obesity. Objective: The aim of this study was to implement an integrative approach to characterize the molecular basis of this interaction. Design: We conducted an epigenome-wide scan on 80 participants carrying either the rs5082 CC or TT genotypes and consuming either a low-SFA (\u3c 22 g/d) or high-SFA diet (≥ 22 g/d), matched for age, sex, BMI, and diabetes status in the Boston Puerto Rican Health Study (BPRHS). We then validated the findings in selected participants in the Genetics of Lipid Lowering Drugs and Diet Network (GOLDN) Study (n = 379) and the Framingham Heart Study (FHS) (n = 243). Transcription and metabolomics analyses were conducted to determine the relation between epigenetic status, APOA2 mRNA expression, and blood metabolites. Results: In the BPRHS, we identified methylation site cg04436964 as exhibiting significant differences between CC and TT participants consuming a high-SFA diet, but not among those consuming low-SFA. Similar results were observed in the GOLDN Study and the FHS. Additionally, in the FHS, cg04436964 methylation was negatively correlated with APOA2 expression in the blood of participants consuming a high-SFA diet. Furthermore, when consuming a high-SFA diet, CC carriers had lower APOA2 expression than those with the TT genotype. Lastly, metabolomic analysis identified 4 pathways as overrepresented by metabolite differences between CC and TT genotypes with high-SFA intake, including tryptophan and branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) pathways. Interestingly, these pathways were linked to rs5082-specific cg04436964 methylation differences in high-SFA consumers. Conclusions: The epigenetic status of the APOA2 regulatory region is associated with SFA intake and APOA2 -265T \u3e C genotype, promoting an APOA2 expression difference between APOA2 genotypes on a high-SFA diet, and modulating BCAA and tryptophan metabolic pathways. These findings identify potential mechanisms by which this highly reproducible gene-diet interaction influences obesity risk, and contribute new insights to ongoing investigations of the relation between SFA and human health. This study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03452787

Epigenomics and metabolomics reveal the mechanism of the APOA2-saturated fat intake interaction affecting obesity

Background: The putative functional variant -265T\u3eC (rs5082) within the APOA2 promoter has shown consistent interactions with saturated fatty acid (SFA) intake to influence the risk of obesity. Objective: The aim of this study was to implement an integrative approach to characterize the molecular basis of this interaction. Design: We conducted an epigenome-wide scan on 80 participants carrying either the rs5082 CC or TT genotypes and consuming either a low-SFA (\u3c22 g/d) or high-SFA diet (≥22 g/d), matched for age, sex, BMI, and diabetes status in the Boston Puerto Rican Health Study (BPRHS). We then validated the findings in selected participants in the Genetics of Lipid Lowering Drugs and Diet Network (GOLDN) Study (n = 379) and the Framingham Heart Study (FHS) (n = 243). Transcription and metabolomics analyses were conducted to determine the relation between epigenetic status, APOA2 mRNA expression, and blood metabolites. Results: In the BPRHS, we identified methylation site cg04436964 as exhibiting significant differences between CC and TT participants consuming a high-SFA diet, but not among those consuming low-SFA. Similar results were observed in the GOLDN Study and the FHS. Additionally, in the FHS, cg04436964 methylation was negatively correlated with APOA2 expression in the blood of participants consuming a high-SFA diet. Furthermore, when consuming a high-SFA diet, CC carriers had lower APOA2 expression than those with the TT genotype. Lastly, metabolomic analysis identified 4 pathways as overrepresented by metabolite differences between CC and TT genotypes with high-SFA intake, including tryptophan and branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) pathways. Interestingly, these pathways were linked to rs5082-specific cg04436964 methylation differences in high-SFA consumers. Conclusions: The epigenetic status of the APOA2 regulatory region is associated with SFA intake and APOA2 -265T\u3eC genotype, promoting an APOA2 expression difference between APOA2 genotypes on a high-SFA diet, and modulating BCAA and tryptophan metabolic pathways. These findings identify potential mechanisms by which this highly reproducible gene-diet interaction influences obesity risk, and contribute new insights to ongoing investigations of the relation between SFA and human health. This study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03452787

The Vehicle, Spring 1993

1993 Commemorative Edition: Celebrating 35 Years Table of Contents The Vehicle Editors\u27 Lineagepage 5 Milestonespage 6 THE SIXTIES Coverspage 7 Editors\u27 Notespage 8 Sureness is Never - excerptDon Shepardsonpage 9 SophisticationBenjamin Polkpage 10 A SonnetMignon Stricklandpage 11 The Twenty-Third ChannelBen Polkpage 11 Opposite AttractionsC.E.M. (Christine McColl)page 12 John F. KennedyJoel E. Hendrickspage 13 The Girl on the White PonyLarry Gatespage 14 The TimesW.D.M. (William Moser)page 16 Home ThoughtsJane Careypage 17 1966Roger Zulaufpage 18 Nagging ThoughtJanet Andrewspage 18 THE SEVENTIES Coverspage 19 Editors\u27 Notespage 20 RevolutionsSteve Siegelpage 21 UntitledKristine Kirkhampage 23 The Arithmetic ProblemJanice Forbuspage 23 Willie Seeverson Threw a Worm at MeMary Pipekpage 24 a love poem (by approximation)Ted Baldwinpage 25 Night and Summer in Two WorldsBarry Smithpage 26 Story of a Teenage PickleTerry Louis Schultzpage 27 Danny Lonely, Danny WildDevin Brownpage 28 Always TomorrowMary McDanielpage 29 THE EIGHTIES Coverspage 31 Having ChildrenDevon Flesorpage 33 What is Unnatural Is Sometimes MagicAngelique Jenningspage 34 If My Father Were A Writer, He Would Still BuildAngelique Jenningspage 35 Photo AlbumPatrick Peterspage 36 Poet Born in Pearl HarborAngelique Jenningspage 37 The History of High School BasketballPatrick Peterspage 38 Banana BreadGail Bowerpage 39 Cover LetterBob Zordanipage 40 Home MoviesBob Zordanipage 41 MigrationPatrick Peterspage 42 THE NINETIES Ba, Ba, Black SheepVictoria Bennettpage 45 Daily LessonsJennifer Moropage 49 Folding My OwnLaurie Ann Malispage 51 About the Authorspage 53 Editors\u27 Notespage 56https://thekeep.eiu.edu/vehicle/1062/thumbnail.jp

The Vehicle, Spring 1993

1993 Commemorative Edition: Celebrating 35 Years Table of Contents The Vehicle Editors\u27 Lineagepage 5 Milestonespage 6 THE SIXTIES Coverspage 7 Editors\u27 Notespage 8 Sureness is Never - excerptDon Shepardsonpage 9 SophisticationBenjamin Polkpage 10 A SonnetMignon Stricklandpage 11 The Twenty-Third ChannelBen Polkpage 11 Opposite AttractionsC.E.M. (Christine McColl)page 12 John F. KennedyJoel E. Hendrickspage 13 The Girl on the White PonyLarry Gatespage 14 The TimesW.D.M. (William Moser)page 16 Home ThoughtsJane Careypage 17 1966Roger Zulaufpage 18 Nagging ThoughtJanet Andrewspage 18 THE SEVENTIES Coverspage 19 Editors\u27 Notespage 20 RevolutionsSteve Siegelpage 21 UntitledKristine Kirkhampage 23 The Arithmetic ProblemJanice Forbuspage 23 Willie Seeverson Threw a Worm at MeMary Pipekpage 24 a love poem (by approximation)Ted Baldwinpage 25 Night and Summer in Two WorldsBarry Smithpage 26 Story of a Teenage PickleTerry Louis Schultzpage 27 Danny Lonely, Danny WildDevin Brownpage 28 Always TomorrowMary McDanielpage 29 THE EIGHTIES Coverspage 31 Having ChildrenDevon Flesorpage 33 What is Unnatural Is Sometimes MagicAngelique Jenningspage 34 If My Father Were A Writer, He Would Still BuildAngelique Jenningspage 35 Photo AlbumPatrick Peterspage 36 Poet Born in Pearl HarborAngelique Jenningspage 37 The History of High School BasketballPatrick Peterspage 38 Banana BreadGail Bowerpage 39 Cover LetterBob Zordanipage 40 Home MoviesBob Zordanipage 41 MigrationPatrick Peterspage 42 THE NINETIES Ba, Ba, Black SheepVictoria Bennettpage 45 Daily LessonsJennifer Moropage 49 Folding My OwnLaurie Ann Malispage 51 About the Authorspage 53 Editors\u27 Notespage 56https://thekeep.eiu.edu/vehicle/1062/thumbnail.jp

Fifteen new risk loci for coronary artery disease highlight arterial-wall-specific mechanisms

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although 58 genomic regions have been associated with CAD thus far, most of the heritability is unexplained, indicating that additional susceptibility loci await identification. An efficient discovery strategy may be larger-scale evaluation of promising associations suggested by genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Hence, we genotyped 56,309 participants using a targeted gene array derived from earlier GWAS results and performed meta-analysis of results with 194,427 participants previously genotyped, totaling 88,192 CAD cases and 162,544 controls. We identified 25 new SNP-CAD associations (P < 5 × 10(-8), in fixed-effects meta-analysis) from 15 genomic regions, including SNPs in or near genes involved in cellular adhesion, leukocyte migration and atherosclerosis (PECAM1, rs1867624), coagulation and inflammation (PROCR, rs867186 (p.Ser219Gly)) and vascular smooth muscle cell differentiation (LMOD1, rs2820315). Correlation of these regions with cell-type-specific gene expression and plasma protein levels sheds light on potential disease mechanisms