Modulation Of Mesenchymal And Metastatic Cell Growth

The present invention relates to compositions and methods for the modulation of metastatic and mesenchymal cell growth and mobility via the regulation of the formation of Twist/Twist homodimers and Twist/E heterodimers. The present invention also relates to methods for screening agents and compound libraries for molecules that function to modulate the formation of Twist/Twist homodimers, Twist/E protein heterodimers or their upstream or downstream effector molecules

Study of aircraft position fixing using the Navy navigational satellite system

Supersonic aircraft position fixing based on Navy navigation satellite syste

Eocene–early Oligocene climate and vegetation change in southern China: Evidence from the Maoming Basin

Although the Eocene-Oligocene climate transition marks a critical point in the development of the ‘icehouse’ global climate of the present little is known about this important change in the terrestrial realm at low latitudes. Our palynological study of the Shangcun Formation shows it to be early Oligocene in age: palyno-assemblages in the lower part of the formation indicate a cool interval dominated by conifer pollen in the earliest Oligocene followed by a warmer regime in the second half of the early Oligocene. To quantify middle Eocene to late early Oligocene climate conditions at low (~ 20°N) palaeolatitudes in southern Asia several thousand leaf fossil specimens from the Maoming Basin, southern China, were subjected to a multivariate (CLAMP) analysis of leaf form. For terrestrial palaeoclimate comparisons to be valid the palaeoaltitude at which the proxy data are obtained must be known. We find that leaves preserved in the Youganwo (middle Eocene), Huangniuling (late Eocene) and Shangcun (early Oligocene) formations were likely to have been deposited well above sea level at different palaeoelevations. In the Youganwo Formation fine-grained sediments were deposited at an altitude of ~ 1.5 km, after which the basin dropped to ~ 0.5 km by the time the upper Huangniuling sediments were deposited. The basin floor then rose again by 0.5 km reaching an altitude of approximately 1 km in which the Shangcun Formation fine-grained sediments were accumulated. Within the context of these elevation changes the prevailing climates experienced by the Youganwo, Lower Huangniuling, Upper Huangniuling and Shangcun fossil floras were humid subtropical with hot summers and warm winters, but witnessed a progressive increase in rainfall seasonality. By the early Oligocene rainfall seasonality was similar to that of the modern monsoonal climate of Guangdong Province, southern China. All floras show leaf physiognomic spectra most similar to those growing under the influence of the modern Indonesia-Australia Monsoon, but with no evidence of any adaptation to today's South or East Asia Monsoon regimes. The Upper Huangniuling Flora, rich in dipterocarp plant megafossils, grew in the warmest conditions with the highest cold month mean temperature and at the lowest altitude

Acer pensylvanicum L.

https://thekeep.eiu.edu/herbarium_specimens_byname/21728/thumbnail.jp

Acer pensylvanicum L.

https://thekeep.eiu.edu/herbarium_specimens_byname/21728/thumbnail.jp

The late Cretaceous environment of the Arctic: A quantitative reassessment based on plant fossils

Late Cretaceous megafossil floras from the palaeo-Arctic of northeastern Russia and northern Alaska are reviewed in respect of their age, composition, structure and floral dynamics. Palaeofloral correlations and comparisons are made between the two regions. Nine angiosperm-rich, predominantly Cenomanian to Coniacian, floras from the palaeo-Arctic are re-evaluated using Climate Leaf Analysis Multivariate Program (CLAMP) calibrated using a global gridded (0.5° x 0.5°) climate data set derived from that used in climate modelling. Additional floras from lower palaeolatitudes were used to derive latitudinal temperature gradients: seven from N. America, five from around 30 °N palaeolatitude in Europe and one from Kazakhstan. The Arctic climatic determinations, similar to previous estimates, support the existence of a northern Pacific Ocean cold gyre and a warm Arctic Ocean. At palaeolatitudes greater than 80°N floras are insufficiently diverse in woody dicot taxa to use CLAMP, but using CLAMP-derived latitudinal temperature gradients Arctic Ocean coastal environments at 70 Ma and 82°N, and which supported a diverse dinosaur magafauna, are predicted to have experienced a mean annual temperature of 6.3 ± 2.2°C, a warm month mean of 14.5 ± 3.1°C and a cold month mean no colder than -2.0 ± 3.9°C. All uncertainties are 2σ. The new estimates are in good agreement with a wide range of non-palaeobotanical climate proxies and render as an outlier warmer temperature estimates for the Arctic Ocean derived from the TEX86 proxy. Modelling, however, shows that land to ocean temperature gradients could have been steep. The CLAMP estimates also suggest high values for humidity and precipitation consistent with sedimentological indicators and, coupled with warm temperatures, support the existence of a persistent polar cloud cap that helped maintain high terrestrial air temperatures throughout prolonged periods (up to 5 months) of winter darkness

The use of illustrated medication diaries to improve outcomes for children initiated on highly active antiretroviral therapy

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) represents a huge burden of disease in South Africa. Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is effective in reducing HIVrelated morbidity and mortality. Simple, inexpensive methods like adherence diaries to optimise effects of HAART would be useful.Methods: This quasi-experimental study was performed at a paediatric antiretroviral clinic in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Children, from birth to 15 years, initiated on HAART from 01 August 2015 to 31 July 2016 were given illustrated medication diaries to be completed by caregivers. Viral load suppression and improvement in growth parameters and CD4+ percentage were determined at six months and one year. These outcomes were compared to those of a group of children who had been initiated on HAART from 01 August 2014 to 31 July 2015 and who had not received diaries.Results: Ninety-nine children were included in the historical control group and 35 children in the intervention group. Viral load suppression (HIV-1 RNA of < 400 copies/mL) was 72% in the control group and 71% in the diary group at 6 months (p = 0.6). At 12 months, 73% of children in the control group and 57% of the diary group had suppressed viral loads (p = 0.18). At 6 months, 63% of children in the control group and 57% of the diary group had improved weight for height z-scores (p = 0.09). At 12 months, when compared with baseline weight for height z-scores, there was improvement in 34% and 41% of the control and diary groups, respectively (p = 0.6). CD4+ percentages improved in 51% of the control group and 50% of the diary group at 6 months (p = 0.70); improvement was noted in 44% and 49%, respectively, at 12 months (p = 0.33).Conclusion: The addition of an illustrated medication diary to routine adherence counselling did not improve outcomes for children initiated on HAART

Transient Large-Scale Chlorine Releases in the Jack Rabbit II Field Tests: Rainout Source Data Analysis from Video Records

PresentationSponsored by the Chemical Security Analysis Center (CSAC) of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) of the U.S. Department of Defense, Transport Canada, and Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC), the Jack Rabbit II tests were designed to release liquid chlorine at ambient temperature in quantities of 5 to 20 T for the purpose of quantifying the behavior and hazards of catastrophic chlorine releases at scales represented by rail and truck transport vessels. In 2015, five successful field trials were conducted in which chlorine was released in quantities of 5 to 10 tons through a 6-inch circular breach in the tank and directed vertically downward at 1 m elevation over a concrete pad. In 2016, three additional trials were conducted with releases of 10 tons also through 6-inch circular breaches at different release orientations. A final 20 ton test was conducted in 2016. Data from the test program is being made available. This paper summarizes an analysis of the available data from the concrete pad including analysis of the temperature measurements below and above grade in the concrete pad. Assessment of the chlorine rainout is estimated based on temperature measurements and available video data analysis

Peptide and protein nanoparticle conjugates: versatile platforms for biomedical applications

Peptide– and protein–nanoparticle conjugates have emerged as powerful tools for biomedical applications, enabling the treatment, diagnosis, and prevention of disease. In this review, we focus on the key roles played by peptides and proteins in improving, controlling, and defining the performance of nanotechnologies. Within this framework, we provide a comprehensive overview of the key sequences and structures utilised to provide biological and physical stability to nano-constructs, direct particles to their target and influence their cellular and tissue distribution, induce and control biological responses, and form polypeptide self-assembled nanoparticles. In doing so, we highlight the great advances made by the field, as well as the challenges still faced in achieving the clinical translation of peptide- and protein-functionalised nano-drug delivery vehicles, imaging species, and active therapeutics