Author(s): Thompson, R. D.; Shumake, Stephen A.; Bullard, R. W. | Abstract: Taste enhancers and olfactory attractants are needed to improve bait acceptance for rodent control, but most methods for evaluating preference for taste and odor stimuli are not suitable for screening large numbers of such compounds. This paper describes two automated preference testers designed for this purpose. The taste preference apparatus is based on the principle of the brief-exposure, foods-together technique, whereby the animal briefly samples each food alone, in alternate sequence, before the two foods are presented together, in alternate positions. The odor preference tester is based on an open-field maze, whereby the test animal samples each of four odor sources before preference behavior is recorded. Both devices are fully automated (in both operation and data recording), are free of position bias, and produce preference determinations in relatively little time; neither requires special training of test animals. The design, operation, and application of each apparatus in rodent control is discussed and illustrated.
In voice over ATM applications, Q.2630.1 or CCS messages accomplishes AAL2 channel management. AAL2 signaling messages can be transported over AAL2 or through AAL5, if through AAL2, it uses the same VCC as the bearer traffic. This paper compares AAL2 signaling performance over AAL2 and AAL5 by a simulated priority queueing model. We also analyze how AAL2 signaling messages affect packing density, by showing that a special signaling Timer_CU value significantly reduces call setup delay without compromising packing density.
Abstract : This report summarizes a 3-year Project Order (85PP5847) to determine lethal and sub-lethal symptomatological, behavioral and physiological effects of red phosphorous/butyl rubber (RP/BR) smoke exposure(s) upon black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) and rock doves (Columba livia). Use of this mammalian and avian model extended the Army's comparative database of RP/BR- smoke effects. All research involved whole-body, inhalation chamber studies designed to assess immediate, acute or sub-acute effects. Research comprising the project was divided into 3 tasks. Task 1 involved: (1) setup and modification of a RP/BR-aerosol and inhalation system developed by the Analytical Chemistry Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, (2) checks of ambient carbon monoxide (CO) at the test site and (3) studies to assess spatial and temporal uniformity of the RP/BR smoke within the inhalation chamber. Task 2 involved a series of toxicity range-finding studies with the 2 species. Task 3 involved 4 pairs of separate behavioral physiological studies to assess sub- lethal consequences of RP/BR smoke in the 2 species. Basically, the research that prairie dogs and rock doves are extremely tolerant of RP/BR-smoke exposure(s). Multiple, high-concentration exposures to RP/BR smoke were needed to produce any symptomatological, behavioral and physiological effects in these species. Nevertheless, rock doves were more vulnerable to this obscurant than prairie dogs, with male rock doves relatively more sensitive than females.
FOXA factors are critical members of the developmental gene regulatory network (GRN) composed of master transcription factors (TF) which regulate murine cell fate and metabolism in the gut and liver. How FOXA factors dictate human liver cell fate, differentiation, and simultaneously regulate metabolic pathways is poorly understood. Here, we aimed to determine the role of FOXA2 (and FOXA1 which is believed to compensate for FOXA2) in controlling hepatic differentiation and cell metabolism in a human hepatic cell line (HepG2). siRNA mediated knockdown of FOXA1/2 in HepG2 cells significantly downregulated albumin (p < .05) and GRN TF gene expression (HNF4α, HEX, HNF1ß, TBX3) (p < .05) and significantly upregulated endoderm/gut/hepatic endoderm markers (goosecoid [GSC], FOXA3, and GATA4), gut TF (CDX2), pluripotent TF (NANOG), and neuroectodermal TF (PAX6) (p < .05), all consistent with partial/transient reprograming. shFOXA1/2 targeting resulted in similar findings and demonstrated evidence of reversibility of phenotype. RNA-seq followed by bioinformatic analysis of shFOXA1/2 knockdown HepG2 cells demonstrated 235 significant downregulated genes and 448 upregulated genes, including upregulation of markers for alternate germ layers lineages (cardiac, endothelial, muscle) and neurectoderm (eye, neural). We found widespread downregulation of glycolysis, citric acid cycle, mitochondrial genes, and alterations in lipid metabolism, pentose phosphate pathway, and ketogenesis. Functional metabolic analysis agreed with these findings, demonstrating significantly diminished glycolysis and mitochondrial respiration, with concomitant accumulation of lipid droplets. We hypothesized that FOXA1/2 inhibit the initiation of human liver differentiation in vitro. During human pluripotent stem cells (hPSC)-hepatic differentiation, siRNA knockdown demonstrated de-differentiation and unexpectedly, activation of pluripotency factors and neuroectoderm. shRNA knockdown demonstrated similar results and activation of SOX9 (hepatobiliary). These results demonstrate that FOXA1/2 controls hepatic and developmental GRN, and their knockdown leads to reprogramming of both differentiation and metabolism, with applications in studies of cancer, differentiation, and organogenesis.
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