Abstract only Hypertension-induced remodeling leads to excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition in the different vascular tunicas including the outermost layer, perivascular adipose tissue ...(PVAT). Hypertension also reduces PVAT adipocyte populations. The number of adipocytes are maintained by continuous adipogenesis of progenitor cells (AP) expressing PDGFRα, but not all AP are created equal. In brown adipose tissue (AT), distinct AP subpopulations have defined spatial distributions and distinct adipogenic and fibrogenic potential. For example, Bmper + AP are restricted to brown AT parenchyma and express Col IV and V; these preferentially differentiate into adipocytes. Fibro-adipogenic AP such as Pi16 + abound in the fascia and express Fn1 and Col XII, while Gdf10 + close to blood vessels express Col I and Fbln1. However, how AP subtypes distribute in and contribute to PVAT remodeling is currently unknown. We hypothesize that AP subtypes from PVAT have different spatial distributions. We collected PVAT from the thoracic (atPVAT) and abdominal (abPVAT) aorta and mesenteric (mesPVAT) sites from 30-week-old male lineage tracing mice ( PDGFRa -CreERT2/R26-LSL-tdTomato; n = 5). We traced Pdgfrα + AP by inducing tdTomato expression (tamoxifen, 150 mg/kg, IP, 5d). Arterial sections with PVAT were stained (6-plex IHC) with DAPI and antibodies against BMPER, PI16, GDF10, and PPARG to define AP subpopulations in the fascia, parenchyma, and adventitia using ImageScope Cellular IF Algorithm (reported as % cells/total AP±SD). In all PVAT depots, we found the presence of all AP subtypes. BMPER and PPARG had a nuclear expression, while PI16 and GDF10 were in the cytoplasm and membrane. APs co-expressing PPARG were highly abundant in the parenchyma of atPVAT (82% 8 of 10±15.3) vs. mesPVAT (37% 4 of 11±22.1). BMPER and PI16 had no differences in their PVAT distribution. In atPVAT, GDF10 had higher expression in the adventitia (72% 8 of 11±24) vs. parenchyma (36% 4 of 11±23.2) and fascia (16% 3 of 18±15.2). Our results show the diversity of AP populations in different PVAT depots, which can contribute differently to hypertension-induced PVAT remodeling. Future experiments will evaluate how hypertensive conditions affect the fate of AP subtypes in PVAT.
We present initial results of the first panoramic search for high-amplitude near-infrared variability in the Galactic plane. We analyse the widely separated two-epoch K-band photometry in the fifth ...and seventh data releases of the UKIDSS Galactic plane survey. We find 45 stars with ΔK > 1 mag, including two previously known OH/IR stars and a Nova. Even though the mid-plane is not yet included in the data set, we find the majority (66 per cent) of our sample to be within known star-forming regions (SFRs), with two large concentrations in the Serpens OB2 association (11 stars) and the Cygnus-X complex (12 stars). Sources in SFRs show spectral energy distributions that support classification as young stellar objects (YSOs). This indicates that YSOs dominate the Galactic population of high-amplitude infrared variable stars at low luminosities and therefore likely dominate the total high-amplitude population. Spectroscopic follow up of the DR5 sample shows at least four stars with clear characteristics of eruptive pre-main-sequence variables, two of which are deeply embedded. Our results support the recent concept of eruptive variability comprising a continuum of outburst events with different time-scales and luminosities, but triggered by a similar physical mechanism involving unsteady accretion. Also, we find what appears to be one of the most variable classical Be stars.
Bipolar disorder type I (BPI) affects approximately 1% of the world population. Although genetic influences on bipolar disorder are well established, identification of genes that predispose to the ...illness has been difficult. Most genetic studies are based on categorical diagnosis. One strategy to overcome this obstacle is the use of quantitative endophenotypes, as has been done for other medical disorders.
We studied 619 individuals, 568 participants from 61 extended families and 51 unrelated healthy controls. The sample was 55% female and had a mean age of 43.25 (SD 13.90; range 18–78).
Heritability and genetic correlation of the trait scale from the Anxiety State and Trait Inventory (STAI) was computed by using the general linear model (SOLAR package software).
we observed that anxiety trait meets the following criteria for an endophenotype of bipolar disorder type I (BPI): 1) association with BPI (individuals with BPI showed the highest trait score (F = 15.20 5,24, p = 0.009), 2) state-independence confirmed after conducting a test-retest in 321 subjects, 3) co-segregation within families 4) heritability of 0.70 (SE: 0.060), p = 2.33 × 10–14 and 5) genetic correlation with BPI was 0.20, (SE = 0.17, p = 3.12 × 10−5).
Confounding factors such as comorbid disorders and pharmacological treatment could affect the clinical relationship between BPI and anxiety trait. Further research is needed to evaluate if anxiety traits are specially related to BPI in comparison with other traits such as anger, attention or response inhibition deficit, pathological impulsivity or low self-directedness.
Anxiety trait is a heritable phenotype that follows a normal distribution when measured not only in subjects with BPI but also in unrelated healthy controls. It could be used as an endophenotype in BPI for the identification of genomic regions with susceptibility genes for this disorder.
•In summary, anxiety trait meets the criteria, for being an endophenotype of BPI as outlined by Gottesman and Gould (2003). The trait is associated with BPI, is state independent (Reichenberg and Harvey, 2007), is heritable and co-segregates with BPI within families.•The current report is a replication of the initial findings with a larger sample of extended and multigenerational families with one or more BPI from the CVCR.•We confirmed each of the criteria for an endophenotype before running the heritability analysis.We assessed subclinical anxiety in healthy relatives with high genetic risk for BPI and healthy unrelated controls.•The diagnosis of each subject was obtained through the best-estimate procedure, considered the gold standard in psychiatric genetic research, and fully tested by our research group (Contreras et al., 2009).•All participants were from the Central Valley of Costa Rica.
The Pierre Auger collaboration reports new results bearing on the composition of cosmic rays. The muon number of air showers, created by cosmic rays and measured by the collaboration, is intriguingly ...at odds with all theoretical models, posing a challenge to our current understanding of the mass composition of cosmic rays. We present the first hybrid measurement of the average muon number in air showers at ultrahigh energies, initiated by cosmic rays with zenith angles between 62degrees and 80degrees. The measurement is based on 174 hybrid events recorded simultaneously with the surface detector array and the fluorescence detector of the Pierre Auger Observatory. The muon number for each shower is derived by scaling a simulated reference profile of the lateral muon density distribution at the ground until it fits the data. A 10 super(19) eV shower with a zenith angle of 67degrees, which arrives at the surface detector array at an altitude of 1450 m above sea level, contains on average (2.68 + or - 0.04 + or - 0.48(sys)) x 10 super(7) muons with energies larger than 0.3 GeV. The logarithmic gain d ln N sub( mu )/d ln E of muons with increasing energy between 4 X 10 super(18) eV and 5 x 10 super(19) eV is measured to be (1.029 + or - 0.024 + or - 0.030(sys)).
Soil is the base of any ecosystem since it conserves nutrients and water for plant roots including agriculture and plantations. In dry and semi-arid places across the world, including the UAE, sandy ...soils are common. Their fertility is extremely low, and production is hampered by a number of agronomic challenges. Soil conditioner sources like bentonite and chicken manure might be used to improve the poor sandy soil attributes and hence boost soil productivity. From November 2019 to March 2020, an experiment was conducted to investigate the growth rates of Bougainvillea following bentonite and chicken manure amendments to sandy soil taken from Lehbab, Dubai. Bougainvillea was evaluated for its plant height (cm), max length of primary branch (cm), the number of leaves per plant, number of secondary branches, shoot weight (g), root length (cm), root weight (g), root/shoot ratio, chlorophyll contents, and chlorophyll a* and b*. In this experiment, a complete randomized design (CRD) with five treatments was used (10 replications per treatment). According to the findings, bentonite and chicken manure additions considerably influence the productive properties of sandy soil, as indicated by Bougainvillea growth. Additionally, the research suggests that Bougainvillea may be efficiently planted with 10% bentonite and 15% chicken manure applied to sandy soil, resulting in the healthiest plants compared to other amendments.
A search for first generation excited neutrinos is performed using the full e−p data sample collected by the H1 experiment at HERA at a centre-of-mass energy of 319 GeV, corresponding to a total ...luminosity of 184 pb−1. The electroweak decays of excited neutrinos ν∗→νγ, ν∗→νZ and ν∗→eW with subsequent hadronic or leptonic decays of the W and Z bosons are considered. No evidence for excited neutrino production is found. Mass dependent exclusion limits on ν∗ production cross sections and on the ratio of the coupling to the compositeness scale f/Λ are derived within gauge mediated models. A limit on f/Λ, independent of the relative couplings to the SU(2) and U(1) gauge bosons, is also determined. These limits extend the excluded region to higher masses than has been possible in previous excited neutrino searches.
The solid-state molecular structures of
N
-(butylcarbamothioyl)-4-methoxybenzamide (
I
) and
N
-(butylcarbamoyl)-4-methoxybenzamide (
II
) were used as examples for structural analyses of ...carbonylthioureides and carbonylureides. Both compounds crystallize in the monoclinic
P
21/
c
space group and form nearly identical hydrogen-bonded dimeric aggregates. A thorough examination of intermolecular interactions using X-ray diffraction data, Hirshfeld surface analysis, molecular electrostatic potential maps, NBO and QTAIM approaches, and spectroscopic techniques reveals that the larger size of the sulfur atom has a significant impact on the strength and nature of the interactions within the crystal lattice. Furthermore, the isosteric exchange was evaluated by testing the activity of both compounds as antibiofilm and anti-quorum sensing agents.
Structural study of carbonyl(thio)ureides and a comprehensive analysis on the intermolecular interactions that stabilize the crystal packing. Sulfur, rather than oxygen, promotes
Quorum Sensing
inhibition by reducing cell viability in a developed biofilm.
Aims:
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sweden was one of the few countries that rejected lockdowns in favour of recommendations for restrictions, including careful hand hygiene and social distancing. ...Preschools and primary schools remained open. Several studies have shown negative impacts of the pandemic on children, particularly high levels of anxiety. The study aim was to explore how Swedish school-aged children aged 6–14 years, experienced the COVID-19 pandemic and their perceived anxiety.
Methods:
In total, 774 children aged 6–14 years and their guardians answered an online questionnaire containing 24 questions, along with two instruments measuring anxiety: the Children’s Anxiety Questionnaire and the Numerical Rating Scale. A convergent parallel mixed-methods design was used for analysing the quantitative and qualitative data. Each data source was first analysed separately, followed by a merged interpretative analysis.
Results:
The results showed generally low levels of anxiety, with no significant sex differences. Children who refrained from normal social activities or group activities (n=377) had significantly higher levels of anxiety. Most of the children were able to appreciate the bright side of life, despite the social distancing and refraining from activities, which prevented them from meeting and hugging their loved ones.
Conclusions:
These Swedish children generally experienced low levels of anxiety, except those who refrained from social activities. Life was nonetheless mostly experienced as normal, largely because schools remained open. Keeping life as normal as possible could be one important factor in preventing higher anxiety and depression levels in children during a pandemic.
In this research, supercapacitors (SCs) were made by using a novel H-type architecture and recycled plastics (used as mechanical support for the fabrication of the SC electrodes). The electrochemical ...tests indicated that SCs made with pure graphene electrodes produced capacitance/energy-density of 222.8 F g−1/31.1 Wh kg−1. After this, one of the graphene electrodes was substituted by a Bi2Te3 (BiTe) electrode, and the capacitance/energy-density increased up to 410.5 F g−1/67.3 Wh kg−1. Thus, the capacitance was enhanced by 84 %. XPS and Raman spectroscopies demonstrated the presence of oxygen vacancies defects as well as Bi0/Bi3+/Bi5+ and Te0/Te2+ species on the SC electrodes, which were responsible for the charge storage by redox reactions. Subsequently, the cellulose separator in the SC made with BiTe was substituted by a copper sheet to form a thermoelectric device. This one produced a maximum output voltage of 116.4 mV and total power of 6.81 μW/cm2 when a temperature gradient of ΔT = 100 K is applied between its electrodes. Such output voltage is one of the highest reported so far for a single device (normally that voltage is obtained with 5–6 devices connected in series). Additionally, the figure of merit (ZT) was calculated for the BiTe electrode and obtained values 2.84–2.92, which are among the highest reported so far for a thermoelectric material. This work demonstrated that flexible SCs/thermoelectric devices can be fabricated on recycled plastics, which reduces their cost. This is important to push their commercialization for wearable applications.
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•Bi2Te3 (BiTe) based Supercapacitors (SCs) and thermoelectric generators were fabricated on recycled plastics.•The BiTe based SC produced the maximum capacitance and energy density of 410.5 F g−1 and 67.3 Wh kg−1.•The redox centers responsible for the charge storage in the BiTe based SCs were Bi0/Bi3+/Bi5+, and Te0/Te2+.•The BiTe electrode in the thermoelectric device had a maximum ZT = 2.94 for ΔT = 100 K.•An outstanding output voltage of 116.4 mV was obtained from a single thermoelectric device.
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