Short LD Research Articles

Comparison of the Effects of Two Different Stretching on Shoulder Flexion Angle, Muscle Tone, and Thoracic Mobility in Subjects with Short Latissimus Dorsi Muscle

This study aimed to compare the effects of two latissimus dorsi muscle (LD) stretching exercises on the shoulder joint flexion angle, LD muscle tone, and thoracic mobility in subjects with short LD. This was a cross-sectional and randomized controlled trial. The study included 28 subjects with a short LD. Participants showing a range of shoulder flexion of <170° in the LD length test were identified as having a short LD. The subjects were randomly assigned to either Group 1 (shoulder abduction + contralateral trunk side bending) or Group 2 (shoulder abduction + shoulder external rotation). LD muscle tone and stiffness were measured using Myoton PRO. Thoracic mobility of the middle part was measured using a circular tape measure. Both groups 1 and 2 showed significantly increased range of shoulder flexion and middle thoracic mobility, and the LD muscle tone of the distal and lower parts and LD muscle stiffness of the distal parts decreased significantly after interventions (p<.05). In the comparison between groups, no significant differences were noted in all dependent variables. Therefore, this study suggests that both LD stretching exercises can be effective in increasing the range of shoulder flexion, reducing LD muscle tone and stiffness, and improving chest mobility.

Proximity-Effect-Induced Anisotropic Superconductivity in a Monolayer Ni-Pb Binary Alloy.

A proximity effect facilitates the penetration of Cooper pairs that permits superconductivity in a normal metal, offering a promising approach to turn heterogeneous materials into superconductors and develop exceptional quantum phenomena. Here, we have systematically investigated proximity-induced anisotropic superconductivity in a monolayer Ni-Pb binary alloy by combining scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy (STM/STS) with theoretical calculations. By means of high-temperature growth, the Ni-Pb surface alloy has been fabricated on Pb(111) and the appearance of a domain boundary as well as a structural phase transition can be deduced from a half-unit-cell lattice displacement. Given the high spatial and energy resolution, tunneling conductance (dI/dU) spectra have resolved the reduced but anisotropic superconducting gap ΔNiPb ≈ 1.0 meV, in stark contrast to the isotropic ΔPb ≈ 1.3 meV. In addition, the higher density of states at the Fermi energy (D(EF)) of the Ni-Pb surface alloy results in an enhancement of coherence peak height. According to the same Tc ≈ 7.1 K with Pb(111) from the temperature-dependent ΔNiPb and the short decay length Ld ≈ 3.55 nm from the spatially monotonic decrease of ΔNiPb, both results are supportive of a proximity-induced superconductivity. Despite a lack of a bulk counterpart, the atomically thick Ni-Pb bimetallic compound opens a pathway to engineer superconducting properties down to the two-dimensional limit, giving rise to the emergence of anisotropic superconductivity via a proximity effect.

The Resonance and Adaptation of Neurospora crassa Circadian and Conidiation Rhyth ms to Short Light-Dark Cycles.

Circadian clocks control the physiological and behavioral rhythms to adapt to the environment with a period of ~24 h. However, the influences and mechanisms of the extreme light/dark cycles on the circadian clock remain unclear. We showed that, in Neurospora crassa, both the growth and the microconidia production contribute to adaptation in LD12:12 (12 h light/12 h dark, periodically). Mathematical modeling and experiments demonstrate that in short LD cycles, the expression of the core clock protein FREQUENCY was entrained to the LD cycles when LD > 3:3 while it free ran when T ≤ LD3:3. The conidial rhythmicity can resonate with a series of different LD conditions. Moreover, we demonstrate that the existence of unknown blue light photoreceptor(s) and the circadian clock might promote the conidiation rhythms that resonate with the environment. The ubiquitin E3 ligase FWD-1 and the previously described CRY-dependent oscillator system were implicated in regulating conidiation under short LD conditions. These findings shed new light on the resonance of Neurospora circadian clock and conidiation rhythms to short LD cycles, which may benefit the understandings of both the basic regulatory aspects of circadian clock and the adaptation of physiological rhythms to the extreme conditions.

Abstract 6695: Short linear peptide modulators of checkpoint receptor activity rescue suppression and enhance newly activated T cells

Abstract We characterized peptide-based checkpoint (CP) inhibitors (Microtides™) for their ability to activate T cell responses in ex vivo human PBMC (hPBMC) assays and in vivo mouse models of T cell immunity. These peptides were discovered by screening diverse libraries and do not share homology with sequences of the CP ligands. Peptides that inhibit LAG3 or dually inhibit PD1 and CTLA4 were tested in ligand-CP receptor functional binding assays. Select peptides were then evaluated in antigen recall assays using hPBMCs. In mouse vaccine models, the peptides enhanced vaccine-induced CD8 T cells, resulting in more effective tumor control. As monotherapeutics administered systemically in vivo, the peptides were able to inhibit melanoma B16-F10 lung metastases. We characterized PD1/CTLA4 inhibitors (LD series) and LAG3 inhibitors of FGL1 and MHCII binding (LG series). These 18-20 amino acid long linear peptides inhibit CP activity in vitro with potencies in the micromolar range, however when used in vivo, and despite their short half-life, both LD and LG peptides were able to enhance vaccine-induced T cells in a mouse model with a single sub-cutaneous dose, likely due to extended occupancy on the target CP receptor. Consistent with this observation, a single high dose of LD peptide administered intravenously did not lead to an increase in inflammatory cytokines in the serum of injected mice. In vitro, the peptides reversed PDL-1 suppression of T cell proliferation. The LD and LG peptides showed efficacy that was comparable to pembrolizumab in the hPBMC antigen recall assay. The efficacy of LD peptides was comparable to an established mouse anti-PD1 antibody in the B16-F10 lung metastasis model. Targeting multiple receptors is ongoing using bispecific peptides (Bitides™) which were made by linking the LD and LG peptides via a standard PEG linker. Our data indicate that Bitides retain in vitro LAG3 inhibitory activity. Testing their PD1/CTLA4 inhibitory activity is currently underway. These data provide proof of concept and illustrate the advantages and versatility of Microtides for targeting CP receptors via systemic or local administration. We demonstrated enhancement of CD8 responses in vitro and in a therapeutic setting in vivo. The LD and LG peptides, with their demonstrated activity and short half-life, allow us to activate cellular immunity while significantly reducing the potential for adverse events that is often associated with the antibody-based CP inhibitors or mixtures thereof. These peptides can be as standalone therapeutics or can be used as immune modulators in combination with other therapies (eg vaccines). They can be genetically encoded within CART and oncolytic viral platforms to effectively target the tumor microenvironment. Citation Format: Vinayaka Kotraiah, Timothy Phares, Cecille Browne, Marc Mansour, James Pannucci, Gabe Gutierrez. Short linear peptide modulators of checkpoint receptor activity rescue suppression and enhance newly activated T cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 6695.

Extended diversity analysis of cultivated grapevine Vitis vinifera with 10K genome-wide SNPs.

Grapevine is a very important crop species that is mainly cultivated worldwide for fruits, wine and juice. Identification of the genetic bases of performance traits through association mapping studies requires a precise knowledge of the available diversity and how this diversity is structured and varies across the whole genome. An 18k SNP genotyping array was evaluated on a panel of Vitis vinifera cultivars and we obtained a data set with no missing values for a total of 10207 SNPs and 783 different genotypes. The average inter-SNP spacing was ~47 kbp, the mean minor allele frequency (MAF) was 0.23 and the genetic diversity in the sample was high (He = 0.32). Fourteen SNPs, chosen from those with the highest MAF values, were sufficient to identify each genotype in the sample. Parentage analysis revealed 118 full parentages and 490 parent-offspring duos, thus confirming the close pedigree relationships within the cultivated grapevine. Structure analyses also confirmed the main divisions due to an eastern-western gradient and human usage (table vs. wine). Using a multivariate approach, we refined the structure and identified a total of eight clusters. Both the genetic diversity (He, 0.26–0.32) and linkage disequilibrium (LD, 28.8–58.2 kbp) varied between clusters. Despite the short span LD, we also identified some non-recombining haplotype blocks that may complicate association mapping. Finally, we performed a genome-wide association study that confirmed previous works and also identified new regions for important performance traits such as acidity. Taken together, all the results contribute to a better knowledge of the genetics of the cultivated grapevine.

Analysis of the genetic architecture of maize ear and grain morphological traits by combined linkage and association mapping.

Using combined linkage and association mapping, 26 stable QTL and six stable SNPs were detected across multiple environments for eight ear and grain morphological traits in maize. One QTL, PKS2, might play an important role in maize yield improvement. In the present study, one bi-parental population and an association panel were used to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for eight ear and grain morphological traits. A total of 108 QTL related to these traits were detected across four environments using an ultra-high density bin map constructed using recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a cross between Ye478 and Qi319, and 26 QTL were identified in more than two environments. Furthermore, 64 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were found to be significantly associated with the eight ear and grain morphological traits (-log10(P) > 4) in an association panel of 240 maize inbred lines. Combining the two mapping populations, a total of 17 pleiotropic QTL/SNPs (pQTL/SNPs) were associated with various traits across multiple environments. PKS2, a stable locus influencing kernel shape identified on chromosome 2 in a genome-wide association study (GWAS), was within the QTL confidence interval defined by the RILs. The candidate region harbored a short 13-Kb LD block encompassing four SNPs (SYN11386, PHM14783.16, SYN11392, and SYN11378). In the association panel, 13 lines derived from the hybrid PI78599 possessed the same allele as Qi319 at the PHM14783.16 (GG) locus, with an average value of 0.21 for KS, significantly lower than that of the 34 lines derived from Ye478 that carried a different allele (0.25, P < 0.05). Therefore, further fine mapping of PKS2 will provide valuable information for understanding the genetic components of grain yield and improving molecular marker-assisted selection (MAS) in maize.

High density LD-based structural variations analysis in cattle genome.

Genomic structural variations represent an important source of genetic variation in mammal genomes, thus, they are commonly related to phenotypic expressions. In this work, ∼770,000 single nucleotide polymorphism genotypes from 506 animals from 19 cattle breeds were analyzed. A simple LD-based structural variation was defined, and a genome-wide analysis was performed. After applying some quality control filters, for each breed and each chromosome we calculated the linkage disequilibrium (r 2) of short range (≤100 Kb). We sorted SNP pairs by distance and obtained a set of LD means (called the expected means) using bins of 5 Kb. We identified 15,246 segments of at least 1 Kb, among the 19 breeds, consisting of sets of at least 3 adjacent SNPs so that, for each SNP, r 2 within its neighbors in a 100 Kb range, to the right side of that SNP, were all bigger than, or all smaller than, the corresponding expected mean, and their P-value were significant after a Benjamini-Hochberg multiple testing correction. In addition, to account just for homogeneously distributed regions we considered only SNPs having at least 15 SNP neighbors within 100 Kb. We defined such segments as structural variations. By grouping all variations across all animals in the sample we defined 9,146 regions, involving a total of 53,137 SNPs; representing the 6.40% (160.98 Mb) from the bovine genome. The identified structural variations covered 3,109 genes. Clustering analysis showed the relatedness of breeds given the geographic region in which they are evolving. In summary, we present an analysis of structural variations based on the deviation of the expected short range LD between SNPs in the bovine genome. With an intuitive and simple definition based only on SNPs data it was possible to discern closeness of breeds due to grouping by geographic region in which they are evolving.

The effects of distance traveled during loading, lairage time prior to slaughter, and distance traveled to the stunning area on blood lactate concentration of pigs in a commercial packing plant123

ABSTRACT A total of 144 market-weight swine were used to evaluate marketing stress: 1) distance traveled by pigs during loading at the production facility (LD; 15 m vs. 46 m), lairage duration at the slaughter plant (RST; 30 min vs. 240 min), and distance traveled by pigs to stunning (STN; 20 m vs. 300 m). Pigs were moved a short or long LD during loading and then transported 2.5 h to a commercial slaughter facility. Pigs were unloaded, rested for a short or long RST, and were then moved a short or long STN to the stunner. Pigs were electrically stunned and then exsanguinated. Blood lactate concentration ([LAC]) was measured in each individual pig at 7 sampling points during the marketing process: baseline, postload, preunload, prelairage, postlairage, postmovement, and at exsanguination. Blood lactate concentration changed (P

Different origins of the yellow luminescence in as-grown high-resistance GaN and unintentional-doped GaN films

The yellow luminescence (YL) in as-grown high-resistance (HR) and unintentional-doped (UID) GaN films grown by metal organic chemical vapor deposition has been investigated by means of photoluminescence and monoenergetic positron annihilation spectroscopy. It is found there is stronger YL in UID-GaN with higher concentration of gallium vacancy (VGa), suggesting that VGa-involved defects are the origin responsible for the YL in UID-GaN. Contrastly, there is much stronger YL in HR-GaN that is nearly free from VGa, suggesting that there is another origin for the YL in HR-GaN, which is thought as the carbon-involved defects. Furthermore, it is found that the HR-GaN film with shorter positron diffusion length Ld exhibits stronger YL. It is suggested that the increased wave function overlap of electrons and holes induced by the extremely strong space localization effect of holes deduced from the short Ld is the vital factor to enhance the YL efficiency in HR-GaN.

Anguilla marmorata larval migration plasticity as revealed by otolith microstructural analysis

The oceanic early-life history of Anguilla marmorata was examined in the southwestern Indian Ocean in Mayotte, Mauritius, and Réunion islands through otolith microstructural analysis. The study of the hatching dates, the first feeding check diameter (FFD), the leptocephalus (LD) and metamorphosis (MD) durations, the age at recruitment (AR), and the leptocephalus otolith growth rate (OGR) of glass eels revealed great variations in early-life traits and relationships between them. An agglomerative nesting analysis discriminated three early-life histories, differently represented according to the locality: (i) fast migrants with short LD, short MD, young AR, large FFD, and high OGR dominated in Réunion and Mayotte; (ii) midspeed migrants with intermediate LD, MD, AR, FFD, and OGR dominated in Mauritius; (iii) slow migrants with long LD, long MD, old AR, small FFD, and low OGR were recorded only in Mauritius. All possible strategies were not observed and therefore not successful at the sampling time. However, several were simultaneously expressed, which suggests larval migration plasticity at the population level. This evidence is crucial information regarding both the species dispersal capabilities and the evolution from short-migratory tropical species towards long-migratory temperate ones in the genus Anguilla .

Skeleton Photoperiods Alter Delayed‐Type Hypersensitivity Responses and Reproductive Function of Siberian Hamsters (Phodopus sungorus)

Photoperiod (day length) can modulate immune function. Whether these photoperiodic effects on immune function are mediated directly by a circadian photoperiodic time measurement system or indirectly by nonspecific (e.g. stressful) effects of light is unknown. To discriminate between these two possibilities, Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus) were housed in either long or short photoperiods (LD 16 : 8 h or LD 8 : 16 h) or in 'skeleton' long or short photoperiods (LD 1 : 14 h: LD 1 : 8 h or LD 1 : 6 h: LD 1 : 16 h). In the skeleton photoperiods, both long- and short-day animals received 2 h of light per day. After 10 weeks in their respective photoperiods, hamsters were tested for an antigen specific immune response using a delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) model. Reproductive and endocrine responses of hamsters in each of the skeleton photoperiods were equivalent to those in standard long or short days, respectively. Hamsters in skeleton short days and LD 8 : 16 increased DTH responses compared to hamsters in both long-day groups. DTH responses were equivalent in both long-day groups. These results suggest that the influences of day length on immune function potentially are due to circadian photoperiodic time measurement systems.

Diapause induction and termination in the predatory mite Euseius finlandicus in peach orchards in northern Greece.

The course of diapause induction as well as of diapause termination in females of the predatory mite Euseius (Amblyseius) finlandicus Oudemans (Acari: Phytoseiidae) in Northern Greece was determined by transferring females during winter and early spring from peach trees to a short day (LD 8:16) or a long day (LD 16:8) photoperiod both at 20 degrees C. The first diapause females were found in mid September and by the first week of October all the females were in diapause. The mean number of days required for diapause termination under the short day photoperiod LD 8:16 was gradually reduced from 93.7 days in the beginning of October to less than 20 days in mid February and early March. Under the long day photoperiod of LD 16:8 diapause was terminated in less than 20 days irrespective of the date of collection. These results indicate that by mid February photoperiodic sensitivity of females was lost and diapause was terminated. However, females were found in their overwintering sites until the second half of March, probably because of the prevailing relatively low temperatures and lack of adequate food.

Spontaneous c-Fos rhythm in the rat suprachiasmatic nucleus: location and effect of photoperiod.

A recently reported circadian rhythm in the spontaneous c-Fos immunoreactivity in the rat suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) is expressed mostly in the dorsomedial (dm) SCN, where vasopressinergic cells are located. The aim of the present study is to find out whether day length, i.e., photoperiod, affects the dm-SCN rhythm and, if so, how the rhythm adjusts to a change from a long to a short photoperiod. In addition, a question of whether the spontaneous c-Fos production is localized in vasopressin- producing cells or in other cells is also studied to characterize further the dm-SCN rhythmicity. Combined immunostaining for c-Fos and arginine vasopressin (AVP) revealed that most of c-Fos immunopositive cells were devoid of AVP; the results suggest that c-Fos-producing cells in the dm-SCN are mostly not identical with those producing AVP. In rats maintained under a long photoperiod with 16:8-h light-dark cycle (LD 16:8) daily and then released into darkness, the time of the afternoon and evening decline of the spontaneous c-Fos immunoreactivity in the dm-SCN differed just slightly from the time in rats maintained originally under a short LD 8:16 photoperiod; however, the morning c-Fos rise occurred about 4 h earlier under the long than under the short photoperiod. After a change from a long to a short photoperiod, a rough but not yet a fine adjustment of the morning c-Fos rise to the change was accomplished within 3-6 days. The results show that similar to the recently reported ventrolateral SCN rhythmicity, the intrinsic dm-SCN rhythmicity is also affected by the photoperiod and suggest that the whole SCN state is photoperiod dependent.

Movpe Growth of High Quality AlxGa1−xN/GayIn1-yN (x&gt;0, y&lt;1) Heterostructures for Short Wavelength Light Emitter

ABSTRACTHigh-quality AlGaN/GaN and AlGaN/GalnN DHs were fabricated by MOVPE using low-temperature deposited AlN buffer layer. We applied the newly designed dual-flow-channel reactor, by which high-quality and well-controlled AlGaN and GalnN alloys and their heterostructures have been grown. AlGaN/GaN-DH shows low-threshold stimulated emission by optical pumping at room temperature for both edge and surface modes. The peak wavelength of stimulated emission for edge mode was 369.5nm. The peak wavelength of stimulated emission was affected by the strain due to heterostructure as well as the many body effect under high excitation. The wavelength for stimulated emission can be widely changed by using GalnN as the active layer. AlGaN/GalnN DH with InN molar fraction of the active layer of 0.09 shows room temperature low-threshold stimulated emission for edge mode by optical pumping with peak wavelength of 402.5nm. A few mW-class symmetrical AlGaN/GaN DH LED and anti symmetrical AlGaN/GalnN/GaN DH LED using low energy electron beam irradiation (LEEB1) treated Mg-doped P-AlGaN cladding layer were fabricated. These results show that column-Ill nitrides are promising for the realization of practical short wavelength LED and LD.

Short light-dark cycles influence sleep stages and EEG power spectra in the rat

To investigate the influence of light on sleep and the electroencephalogram (EEG), chronically implanted rats were continuously recorded during a baseline day under 12-h light-12-h dark (LD 12:12) conditions, and an experimental day with short LD (LD 1:1) cycles. The percentage of non-REM sleep (NREMS) was higher and the percentage of REM sleep (REMS) lower in the 1-h light [corrected] intervals than in the 1-h dark intervals. The maximum of NREMS induction by 1-h light occurred in the habitual 12-h dark period (activity period), while the largest enhancement of REMS by 1-h darkness occurred in the second half of the habitual 12-h light period (rest period). The EEG of waking, NREMS and REMS was subjected to spectral analysis to determine the power density of the frequency components in the range of 0.25-25.0 Hz. The overall 24-h time course of the EEG-spectra in NREMS was similar under baseline and experimental conditions. Nevertheless, the spectra were modified by the short LD-cycle. In NREMS, the values in the middle and high frequencies (greater than 6 Hz in the rest period; greater than 11 Hz in the activity period) were lower in the 1-h light intervals than in the 1-h dark intervals. In contrast, activity in some frequency bands during waking and REMS was higher in the light than in the dark intervals. It is concluded that the short LD-cycle modulates the vigilance states and induces state-specific changes in the EEG, whereas circadian aspects of sleep are little affected.

Simple method to extract gate voltage dependent source/drain resistance in MOSFETs

A simple and new method is presented and applied to a set of short channel LD MOSFETs to extract gate-voltage dependent source/drain resistance in the linear region. The method utilises a well-known expression for the drain current in the strong inversion regime.