Exploring Environmental and Human Health Issues in Japan

STEP Category: Education Abroad2.5 weeks experience that connects the environment with human health Toured museums, facilities, schools, and attended lectures Connect with Japanese students and have a dialogue with them about similarities and differences between public health in Japan and the U.S.The Ohio State University Second-year Transformational Experience Program (STEP)Academic Major: Neuroscienc

Flux Jumps up to 17 T in ReBCO Tape Stack Cables and their Suppression with Increased Intertape Spacing

The magnetization of ReBCO tape stacks and tape stack cables in high magnetic fields (up to 30 T) are not commonly reported. Here we report magnetization measurements of tape stack cables in magnetic fields up to 30 T at 4.2 K. We observed that flux jumps, commonly relegated to low field regimes for single tapes, persisted up to 17 T in tape stacks, an effect which could have substantial technological relevance for high field applications including fusion devices or accelerator magnets. On the other hand, with the use of small spacers, we could suppress flux jump behavior, in some cases eliminating jumps entirely. Our findings provide critical insights for the optimization of designs for ReBCO cables for high-field applications, including fusion magnets and particle accelerators.10.13039/100000015 – U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Division of High Energy Physics (Grant Number: DE-SC0011721) (MDS, TG, EWC, MM)National Science Foundation Cooperative (Grant Number: DMR-2128556) (JJ, ESC)10.13039/100012892 – National High Magnetic Field Laboratory (JJ, ESC)10.13039/100023043 – State of Florida (JJ, ESC

The Moritz Briefing (May 2025)

An occasional newsletter highlighting recent activities and achievements of the Moritz Faculty.Note: Volume/issue numbers are incorrect in document. Please use information from item metadata for citation

Interview of Eileen Bradner by Katie Saucer

This oral history interview with Eileen Bradner explores her career in public service and law, with a focus on her work with Senator John Glenn. Bradner recounts her upbringing in Toledo, Ohio, early political activism, and formative internships in Washington, D.C. She joined the Senate Special Committee on Aging, contributing to the development of the Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS), and later served as Glenn’s legislative assistant while attending Georgetown Law. Her portfolio expanded to include manufacturing and trade, where she advocated for Ohio industries and helped shape trade legislation. The interview highlights Bradner’s insights into legislative processes, inter-committee collaboration, and constituent advocacy, particularly for Ohio’s industrial base. She reflects on Glenn’s leadership style, his deep concern for workers, and his enduring support for staff, including during her international adoption process. Bradner also discusses her transition to private legal practice and her role in establishing a Washington office for Nucor Corporation, where she continued to advocate for American manufacturing. Bradner also describes her retirement activities and her engagement in public history, civic education, and health advocacy.This oral history was conducted in partnership with History Associates, Inc. and the John Glenn College of Public Affairs at the Ohio State University

Council on Academic Affairs: Minutes (September 03, 2025)

Minutes from the Council on Academic Affairs' meeting on September 03, 2025

Beyond Pigment Synthesis: Investigating Dopachrome Tautomerase (DCT) Localization and Interactions with Cell Cycle Proteins

Melanoma is a highly lethal skin cancer with limited therapeutic options once it metastasizes, largely due to acquired resistance to immunotherapy and targeted treatments. Dopachrome tautomerase (DCT), formerly recognized for its enzymatic contribution to pigment synthesis, is now emerging as a biomarker and molecular driver associated with poor prognosis, stress resistance, and therapy failure in melanoma. Although pigment production is not strictly required for melanocyte survival, evidence reveals that DCT’s retained and upregulated expression in melanoma supports tumor resilience and adaptation under therapeutic stress. This study addresses how DCT contributes to melanoma cell proliferation and cell cycle regulation through non-canonical mechanisms. Using immunofluorescence assays, cell cycle synchronization, RNAi-mediated knockdown, proximity labeling, and lentiviral transduction, we examine DCT’s spatial dynamics and molecular interactions. DCT localization to the nuclear envelope is dependent on cell cycle stage, and proximity labeling assays reveal DCT’s selective interaction with Cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2), a cell cycle kinase crucial for melanoma survival, specifically in melanoma cell lines. Functional studies indicate that knockdown of DCT causes G1/S cell cycle blockade and suppresses clonal expansion and tumor growth, both in culture and animal models. Furthermore, proximity ligation confirms endogenous nuclear co-localization of DCT and CDK2, implicating DCT’s nuclear interactions in cell cycle control. Key findings show that DCT, beyond its classical role in melanogenesis, localizes to the nucleus in melanoma cells, particularly in the contexts where CDK2 is also nuclear. Although DCT and CDK2 co-localize in the nucleus, and this may support melanoma cell proliferation and cell cycle regulation, we do not directly demonstrate effects on therapy resistance in this study. Future research should focus on elucidating the functional relationship between DCT nuclear localization, CDK2 activation, and cell cycle control to determine whether DCT-mediated pathways contribute to stress responses or resistance phenotypes in advanced melanoma.A three-year embargo was granted for this item.Academic Major: Molecular Genetic