Targeting Mucosal Sites by Polymeric Immunoglobulin Receptor-directed Peptides

Polymeric immunoglobulins provide first line humoral defense at mucosal surfaces to which they are specifically transported by the polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR) on mucosal and glandular epithelial cells. Previous studies from our laboratory suggested that amino acids 402–410 of the Cα3 domain of dimeric IgA (dIgA) represented a potential binding site for the pIgR. Here by binding human secretory component to overlapping decapeptides of Cα3, we confirm these residues and also uncover an additional site. Furthermore, we show that the Cα3 motif appears to be sufficient to direct transport of green fluorescent protein through the pIgR-specific cellular transcytosis system. An alternative approach identified phage peptides, selected from a library by the in vitro Madin Darby Canine Kidney transcytosis assay, for pIgR-mediated transport through epithelial cells. Some transcytosis-selected peptides map to the same 402–410 pIgR-binding Cα3 site. Further in vivo studies document that at least one of these peptides is transported in a rat model measuring hepatic bile transport. In addition to identifying small peptides that are both bound and transported by the pIgR, this study provides evidence that the pIgR-mediated mucosal secretion system may represent a means of targeting small molecule therapeutics and genes to mucosal epithelial cells

Observational Tests of the Mass-Temperature Relation for Galaxy Clusters

We examine the relationship between the mass and x-ray gas temperature of galaxy clusters using data drawn from the literature. Simple theoretical arguments suggest that the mass of a cluster is related to the x-ray temperature as $M \propto T_x^{3/2}$. Virial theorem mass estimates based on cluster galaxy velocity dispersions seem to be accurately described by this scaling with a normalization consistent with that predicted by the simulations of Evrard, Metzler, & Navarro (1996). X-ray mass estimates which employ spatially resolved temperature profiles also follow a $T_x^{3/2}$ scaling although with a normalization about 40% lower than that of the fit to the virial masses. However, the isothermal $\beta$-model and x-ray surface brightness deprojection masses follow a steeper $\propto T_x^{1.8-2.0}$ scaling. The steepness of the isothermal estimates is due to their implicitly assumed dark matter density profile of $\rho(r) \propto r^{-2}$ at large radii while observations and simulations suggest that clusters follow steeper profiles (e.g., $\rho(r) \propto r^{-2.4}$).Comment: 25 pages, 10 figures, accepted by Ap

Guidelines for Permitting Overloads, Part 2: Statistical Analysis of Overload Vehicle Effects on Indiana Highway Bridges

This report summarizes an analytical investigation carried out to develop a set of guidelines for regulation of overload vehicles in Indiana. A formula based first phase evaluation of overload permit requests is developed through statistical study of the rating of a representative sample of the highway bridges in Indiana using a representative sample of overload vehicles observed in the state in 1990 and 1991 plus the HS 20 design vehicle and the two Indiana Toll Road loadings. A sample of 148 bridges is chosen from a total population of 3700 Indiana highway bridges using a proportionate stratified random sampling process. A sample of 25 trucks, with the truck parameters uniformly distributed over their ranges is compiled from the 1990 and 1991 truck population (permit vehicles obtained from INDOT and AASHTO HS Design Vehicle). The selected trucks are used to rate bridges in the selected sample using the Bridge Analysis and Rating System (BARS) program at the operating stress level. BARS is based on elastic line girder and truss analysis. The allowable load, W, is subjected to linear regression analysis with several bridge and truck parameters as regressor or independent variables

Tool for Insertion of a Fiber-Optic Terminus in a Connector

A tool has been developed for the special purpose of inserting the terminus of an optical fiber in a cable connector that conforms to NASA Specification SSQ- 21635. What prompted the development of the tool was the observation that because of some aspects of the designs of fiber-optic termini and of springs, sealing rings, and a grommet inside the shell of such a connector, there is a tendency for the grommet to become damaged and detached from the sealing rings during installation. It is necessary to ensure the integrity of the grommet for proper sealing and proper functioning of the connector. The special-purpose tool provides the needed protection for the grommet. The grommet-protection tool resembles a funnel into which an axial slit has been cut (see figure). Prior to insertion, the grommet-protection tool is rolled so that one side of the slit overlaps the other side. The rolled-up grommet-protection tool is inserted in one of the connector holes that accommodate the fiber-optic termini and is pushed in until the flange (the wider of the two conical portions) of the tool becomes seated on the connector grommet. Then a special-purpose installation tool is inserted in the flange of the grommet-protection tool and pressed in until it becomes seated in the flange. This operation expands the narrower of the two conical portions of the grommet-protection tool. The installation tool is removed and the grommet-protection tool remains expanded due to the flat surfaces on the axial slit. By use of a standard contact-insertion tool, a fiber-optic terminus is inserted, through the grommet-protection tool, into the connector cavity. By use of a pair of forceps or needle-nose pliers, the grommet-protection tool is then pulled out of the cavity. Finally, the grommet-protection tool is removed from around the installed fiber-optic cable by pulling the cable through the axial slit. Unlike in some prior procedures for installing the fiber-optic termini in the connector, the procedure that involves the use of the present grommet-protection tool does not include the use of lubricants that can contaminate the interior of the connector. The grommet-protection tool is made of a fluoropolymer, taking advantage of the flexibility of such polymers and further taking advantage of the inherent slipperiness of fluoropolymers. Although the tool is designed primarily for insertion of a fiber-optic terminus, it might also be useful for extracting a previously installed fiber-optic terminus

The Development of a Self-Rating Instrument to Screen for Learning Disabilities Among Adolescents and Young Adults

This research was published by the KU Center for Research on Learning, formerly known as the University of Kansas Institute for Research in Learning Disabilities.The research described in this report represents the further development of a series of studies to develop and test screening procedures for learning disabilities among adolescent and young adult populations. The classification of students on a checklist in which they responded to self-statements concerning learning problems remained similar for most students across two successive administrations of the checklist. The validity of the checklist was only partially supported. The checklist was effective in discriminating LD students from normally-achieving students, but less effective in discriminating between LD and low-achieving students

Initial 4D seismic results after CO 2 injection start-up at the Aquistore storage site

The first post-CO2-injection 3D time-lapse seismic survey was conducted at the Aquistore CO2 storage site in February 2016 using the same permanent array of buried geophones used for acquisition of three previous pre-CO2-injection surveys from March 2012 to November 2013. By February 2016, 36 kilotons of CO2 have been injected within the reservoir between 3170 and 3370 m depth. We have developed time-lapse results from analysis of the first post-CO2-injection data and three pre-CO2-injection data sets. The objective of our analysis was to evaluate the ability of the permanent array to detect the injected CO2. A “4D-friendly simultaneous” processing flow was applied to the data in an effort to maximize the repeatability between the pre- and post-CO2-injection volumes while optimizing the final subsurface image including the reservoir. Excellent repeatability was achieved among all surveys with global normalized root-mean-square (Gnrms) values of 1.13–1.19 for the raw prestack data relative to the baseline data, which decreased during processing to Gnrms values of approximately 0.10 for the final crossequalized migrated data volumes. A zone of high normalized root-mean-square (nrms) values (0.11–0.25 as compared with background values of 0.05–0.10) is identified within the upper Deadwood unit of the storage reservoir, which likely corresponds to approximately 18 kilotons of CO2. No significant nrms anomalies are observed within the other reservoir units due to a combination of reduced seismic sensitivity, higher background nrms values, and/or small quantities of CO2 residing within these zones

Models of the ICM with Heating and Cooling: Explaining the Global and Structural X-ray Properties of Clusters

(Abridged) Theoretical models that include only gravitationally-driven processes fail to match the observed mean X-ray properties of clusters. As a result, there has recently been increased interest in models in which either radiative cooling or entropy injection play a central role in mediating the properties of the intracluster medium. Both sets of models give reasonable fits to the mean properties of clusters, but cooling only models result in fractions of cold baryons in excess of observationally established limits and the simplest entropy injection models do not treat the "cooling core" structure present in many clusters and cannot account for entropy profiles revealed by recent X-ray observations. We consider models that marry radiative cooling with entropy injection, and confront model predictions for the global and structural properties of massive clusters with the latest X-ray data. The models successfully and simultaneously reproduce the observed L-T and L-M relations, yield detailed entropy, surface brightness, and temperature profiles in excellent agreement with observations, and predict a cooled gas fraction that is consistent with observational constraints. The model also provides a possible explanation for the significant intrinsic scatter present in the L-T and L-M relations and provides a natural way of distinguishing between clusters classically identified as "cooling flow" clusters and dynamically relaxed "non-cooling flow" clusters. The former correspond to systems that had only mild levels (< 300 keV cm^2) of entropy injection, while the latter are identified as systems that had much higher entropy injection. This is borne out by the entropy profiles derived from Chandra and XMM-Newton.Comment: 20 pages, 15 figures, accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journa

Systemic central venous oxygen saturation is associated with clot strength during traumatic hemorrhagic shock: A preclinical observational model

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Clot strength by Thrombelastography (TEG) is associated with mortality during trauma and has been linked to severity of tissue hypoperfusion. However, the optimal method for monitoring this important relationship remains undefined. We hypothesize that oxygen transport measurements will be associated with clot strength during traumatic shock, and test this hypothesis using a swine model of controlled traumatic shock.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>N = 33 swine were subjected to femur fracture and hemorrhagic shock by controlled arterial bleeding to a predetermined level of oxygen debt measured by continuous indirect calorimetry. Hemodynamics, oxygen consumption, systemic central venous oxygenation (ScvO₂), base excess, lactate, and clot maximal amplitude by TEG (TEG-MA) as clot strength were measured at baseline and again when oxygen debt = 80 ml/kg during shock. Oxygen transport and metabolic markers of tissue perfusion were then evaluated for significant associations with TEG-MA. Forward stepwise selection was then used to create regression models identifying the strongest associations between oxygen transport and TEG-MA independent of other known determinants of clot strength.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Multiple markers of tissue perfusion, oxygen transport, and TEG-MA were all significantly altered during shock compared to baseline measurements (p < 0.05). However, only ScvO₂demonstrated a strong bivariate association with TEG-MA measured during shock (R = 0.7, p < 0.001). ScvO₂measured during shock was also selected by forward stepwise selection as an important covariate in linear regression models of TEG-MA after adjusting for the covariates fibrinogen, pH, platelet count, and hematocrit (Whole model R²= 0.99, p ≤ 0.032).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Among multiple measurements of oxygen transport, only ScvO₂was found to retain a significant association with TEG-MA during shock after adjusting for multiple covariates. ScvO₂should be further studied for its utility as a clinical marker of both tissue hypoxia and clot formation during traumatic shock.</p

The Current Status of Young Adults Identified as Learning Disabled During Their School Career

This research was published by the KU Center for Research on Learning, formerly known as the University of Kansas Institute for Research in Learning Disabilities.Research efforts in the field of learning disabilities (LD) have addressed primarily concerns within school settings; however, if learning disabilities are more than a school phenomenon, researchers and educators must begin to examine the effects of these disabilities on post-school adjustment. This study sought to examine among learning disabled and non-learning disabled (NLD) young adults a broad array of factors known to be indicative of personal, social, and vocational success . The results indicate that the LD young adults sampled appear to be adjusting as well as the NLD sample in a number of important areas (e.g., getting and maintaining employment, having friends, etc.) . However, LD young adults reported they were significantly less satisfied with their employment situation and their contacts with parents and relatives. They were much less involved in recreational and social activities and few had plans for further education and training. Implications of these trends on the life adjustment of, and research efforts related to, LD young adults are discussed