Modifications to the CLASY program

There are no author-identified significant results in this report

UTILIZATION OF A SMALL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM FOR DIRECT SAMPLING OF NITROGEN OXIDES PRODUCED BY FULL-SCALE SURFACE MINE BLASTING

Emerging health concern for gaseous nitrogen oxides (NOx) emitted during surface mine blasting has prompted mining authorities in the United States to pursue new regulations. NOx is comprised of various binary compounds of nitrogen and oxygen. Nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) are the most prominent. Modern explosive formulations are not designed to produce NOx during properly-sustained detonations, and researchers have identified several causes through laboratory experiments; however, direct sampling of NOx following full-scale surface mine blasting has not been accomplished. The purpose of this thesis was to demonstrate a safe, innovative method of directly quantifying NOx concentrations in a full-scale surface mining environment. A small unmanned aircraft system was used with a continuous gas monitor to sample concentrated fumes. Three flights were completed – two in the Powder River Basin. Results from a moderate NOx emission showed peak NO and NO2 concentrations of 257 ppm and 67.2 ppm, respectively. The estimated NO2 presence following a severe NOx emission was 137.3 ppm. Dispersion of the gases occurred over short distances, and novel geometric models were developed to describe emission characteristics. Overall, the direct sampling method was successful, and the data collected are new to the body of scientific knowledge

Antimicrobial Peptides and Surfactant Proteins: Potential New Factors Against Respiratory Tract Infection

Although some vaccines and antibiotics have been very effective in preventing and treating respiratory disease, they have not been fully satisfactory. Recently, components of the innate immune system have been increasingly appreciated for their role in host defense against microbial pathogens. These molecules include lysozyme and lactoferrin, but recent work in cattle, sheep, man and other species have identified new classes of peptides expressed by respiratory epithelial cells that have potent microcidal activity in nanogram quantities. These peptides, termed antimicrobial peptides (AMP), include defensins, cathelicidins and anionic peptides. Some are expressed continuously whereas expression of others is stimulated by infection/inflammation. In calves, we have found that two AMP from the defensin family, tracheal antimicrobial peptide (TAP) and lingual antimicrobial peptide (LAP), are expressed in the newborn and increased in response to Mannheimia (Pasteurella) haemolytica infection. In contrast, sheep beta defensin-1 (SBD-1) is not induced by infection and, in fact, appears decreased during viral infection with paramyxovirus-3 (Pl-3). Decreased SBD-1 by Pl-3 may increase the lung\u27s susceptibility to secondary infections or re-infections. Other innate defense molecules include proteins released with lung surfactant. Surfactant protein A and D (SAD) can opsonize and aggregate respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and activate alveolar macrophages. Preliminary work suggests that chronic bacterial infections result in reduced SpA and SpD expression and we are currently assessing SAD expression in response to PI-3 and RSV. A long-term goal of our work is to identify ways to up-regulate expression of AMP and/or surfactant proteins in the neonate and at times of stress in older animals in order to reduce microbial colonization. Other investigators are seeking ways to utilize AMP\u27s as a new class of antibiotics

Curricular Revision in Rural Special Education: A Multicultural Approach

In order to meet the needs of rural exceptional students who come from ethnically and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, university training programs must move beyond monocultural approaches

Integrating Viral and Nonviral Vectors for Cystic Fibrosis Gene Therapy in the Airways

An important goal for cystic fibrosis (CF) gene therapy is to achieve long-term functional correction. While many vector options have been evaluated, integrating vectors have the greatest potential to maintain stable expression over time without a requirement for repeated administration. In this chapter, we discuss the importance of correcting the appropriate cell types, options for integrating vectors, animal models for CF gene therapy, and clinically relevant endpoint measurements. Lentiviral vectors are a promising option for CF gene therapy, as they integrate into the host genome and persistently express a transgene of interest. Airway cell tropism can be conferred by pseudotyping. Nonviral vectors such as DNA transposons can also integrate into the genome. Recent advances in hybrid viral/transposon vector technology improve the ability to deliver transposons to the airways in vivo. Integrating vector technology and new animal models have allowed considerable progress toward the goal of using gene therapy to correct life-long genetic diseases such as CF

Gene therapy potential for genetic disorders of surfactant dysfunction

Pulmonary surfactant is critically important to prevent atelectasis by lowering the surface tension of the alveolar lining liquid. While respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is common in premature infants, severe RDS in term and late preterm infants suggests an underlying genetic etiology. Pathogenic variants in the genes encoding key components of pulmonary surfactant including surfactant protein B (SP-B

Subclinical microcrania, subclinical macrocrarnia, and fifth-month fetal markers (of growth retardation or edema) in schizophrenia: a co-twin control study of discordant monozygotic twins.

Summary: We tested the hypothesis that gestational injuries in some patients with schozophrenia would leave their mark as a subtle reduction in head circumference (subclinical microcrania). Conclusions: The head circumferences of all subjects were in the normal range. Decreased head circumference in affected MZ co-twins (relative to unaffected MZ co-twin) characteriazes discordant MZ pairs with larger finger-ridge-count differences (i.e., second-trimester fetal-size differences). This study using ideal genetic controls suggests that, while present only in some patients with schizophrenia, the decrease in head circumference is most likely a consequence of in-utero nonshared environmental deleterious events manifesting as groth retardation or as fetal edema and occurring around the fifth prenatal month