06. Pilot Study: Limitations to Pollination and Ovary Development in the Small White Lady’s-Slipper (Cypripedium candidum)

The small white lady’s-slipper (Cypripedium candidum) is threatened or endangered in 10 or more of the approximately 20 U.S. states and Canadian provinces in which it is found. Our pilot study revealed a lack of pollination occurring in Wisconsin’s wild populations of this orchid. We also speculate from observations taken during the study that animal browse contributes to the state threatened status of this orchid. The results of this 1-year study are taken from three sites of low prairie in southern Wisconsin. Orchids were counted at each site; a subset of flowering plants was hand pollinated and mapped as to location. Three weeks later these plants and populations were revisited and inventoried for ovary development. Hand-pollinated plants had a significantly higher success of ovary development than plants left to natural pollination

Proposition d'un modèle d'étiquetage fondé sur l'estimation des formes par analogie des tailles

La gradation, les chartes de mesures et l'étiquette de la taille vus sous un oeil macro-industriel -- La bonne taille : un regard micro-industriel -- La satisfaction du prêt-à-porter -- L'étiquette de vêtements par tailles -- Décrire de façon détaillée la problématique retenue -- Énoncer l'objectif recherché et le but souhaité -- Développer et proposer un nouveau modèle de gradiation (si possible) et d'étiquetage -- Valider le nouveau modèle proposé -- Conclure sur ce modèle et énoncer des pistes de recherches ultérieures -- Variations in canadian women's ready-to-wear standard sizes -- Women's wear standard sizing : a historical perspective -- Women's wear sizing : an analysis of the Canadian situation on pants' size -- Women's wear sizing : and analysis of size standards -- Women's wear sizing : an analysis of the data gathered in the size USA, survey and potential to update size standards -- Women's wear sizing : a new labelling system

Transforming Growth Factor

Chronic allograft rejection (CR) is the main barrier to long-term transplant survival. CR is a progressive disease defined by interstitial fibrosis, vascular neointimal development, and graft dysfunction. The underlying mechanisms responsible for CR remain poorly defined, although transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) has been strongly implicated in promoting fibrotic diseases and CR. However, TGFβ is a suppressive cytokine, which may be beneficial in the transplant setting. Hence, an in depth assessment of the fibrotic and anti-inflammatory activities of TGFβ in cardiac transplant was performed. In this study, the role of TGFβ on graft-reactive cellular and humoral responses, T regulatory cell (Treg) function, allograft acceptance and the progression of CR are assessed. These studies identify TGFβ dependent and independent pathways to allograft acceptance, and investigate the contribution of TGFβ-induced IL-17 in the progression of CR. Since TGFβ exhibits exacerbating or ameliorating characteristics depending on the site of action, TGFβ neutralization within the allograft addresses local TGFβ inhibition on fibrosis and graft-reactive T and B cell responses. Studies in this dissertation provide insight into the underlying causes of CR and identify therapeutic targets for treatment of this disease.Ph.D.Cellular & Molecular BiologyUniversity of Michigan, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studieshttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/64611/1/smfaust_1.pd

Comb and Branch‐on‐Branch Model Polystyrenes with Exceptionally High Strain Hardening Factor SHF > 1000 and Their Impact on Physical Foaming

The influence of topology on the strain hardening in uniaxial elongation is investigated using monodisperse comb and dendrigraft model polystyrenes (PS) synthesized via living anionic polymerization. A backbone with a molecular weight of M$_{w,bb}$ = 310 kg mol$^{–1}$ is used for all materials, while a number of 100 short (SCB, M$_{w,scb}$ = 15 kg mol$^{–1}$) or long chain branches (LCB, M$_{w,lcb}$ = 40 kg mol$^{–1}$) are grafted onto the backbone. The synthesized LCB comb serves as precursor for the dendrigraft-type branch-on-branch (bob) structures to add a second generation of branches (SCB, M$_{w,scb}$ ≈ 14 kg mol$^{–1}$) that is varied in number from 120 to 460. The SCB and LCB combs achieve remarkable strain hardening factors (SHF) of around 200 at strain rates greater than 0.1 s$^{–1}$. In contrast, the bob PS reach exceptionally high SHF of 1750 at very low strain rates of 0.005 s$^{–1}$ using a tilted sample placement to extend the maximum Hencky strain from 4 to 6. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, SHF this high have never been reported for polymer melts. Furthermore, the batch foaming with CO$_{2}$ is investigated and the volume expansions of the resulting polymer foams are correlated to the uniaxial elongational properties

Five Year Follow Up of Extremely Low Gestational Age Infants after Timely or Delayed Administration of Routine Vaccinations

This study is aimed at detecting the rate of untimely immunization in a large cohort of extremely low gestational age neonates (ELGANs) of the German Neonatal Network (GNN) and at addressing risk factors for delayed vaccination and associated long-term consequences. We performed an observational study of the GNN between 1st January 2010 and 31st December 2019. The immunization status for the hexavalent and pneumococcal immunization was evaluated in n = 8401 preterm infants <29 weeks of gestation. Univariate analysis and logistic/linear regression models were used to identify risk factors for vaccination delay and outcomes at a 5-year follow-up. In our cohort n = 824 (9.8%) ELGANs did not receive a timely first immunization with the hexavalent and pneumococcal vaccine. Risk factors for delayed vaccination were SGA status (18.1% vs. 13.5%; OR 1.3; 95% CI: 1.1–1.7), impaired growth and surrogates for complicated clinical courses (i.e., need for inotropes, necrotizing enterocolitis). At 5 years of age, timely immunized children had a lower risk of bronchitis (episodes within last year: 27.3% vs. 37.7%; OR 0.60, 95% CI: 0.42–0.86) but spirometry measures were unaffected. In conclusion, a significant proportion of ELGANs are untimely immunized, specifically those with increased vulnerability, even though they might particularly benefit from the immune-promoting effects of a timely vaccination

Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine implementation in middle-income countries

Since 2000, the widespread adoption of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) has had a major impact in the prevention of pneumonia. Limited access to international financial support means some middle-income countries (MICs) are trailing in the widespread use of PCVs. We review the status of PCV implementation, and discuss any needs and gaps related to low levels of PCV implementation in MICs, with analysis of possible solutions to strengthen the PCV implementation process in MICs

Preliminary Assessment of the Efficacy of a T-Cell–Based Influenza Vaccine, MVA-NP+M1, in Humans

A single vaccination with MVA-NP+M1 boosts T-cell responses to conserved influenza antigens in humans. Protection against influenza disease and virus shedding was demonstrated in an influenza virus challenge study

Fostering effective and sustainable scientific collaboration and knowledge exchange: a workshop-based approach to establish a national ecological observatory network (NEON) domain-specific user group

The decision to establish a network of researchers centers on identifying shared research goals. Ecologically specific regions, such as the USA’s National Ecological Observatory Network’s (NEON’s) eco-climatic domains, are ideal locations by which to assemble researchers with a diverse range of expertise but focused on the same set of ecological challenges. The recently established Great Lakes User Group (GLUG) is NEON’s first domain specific ensemble of researchers, whose goal is to address scientific and technical issues specific to the Great Lakes Domain 5 (D05) by using NEON data to enable advancement of ecosystem science. Here, we report on GLUG’s kick off workshop, which comprised lightning talks, keynote presentations, breakout brainstorming sessions and field site visits. Together, these activities created an environment to foster and strengthen GLUG and NEON user engagement. The tangible outcomes of the workshop exceeded initial expectations and include plans for (i) two journal articles (in addition to this one), (ii) two potential funding proposals, (iii) an assignable assets request and (iv) development of classroom activities using NEON datasets. The success of this 2.5-day event was due to a combination of factors, including establishment of clear objectives, adopting engaging activities and providing opportunities for active participation and inclusive collaboration with diverse participants. Given the success of this approach we encourage others, wanting to organize similar groups of researchers, to adopt the workshop framework presented here which will strengthen existing collaborations and foster new ones, together with raising greater awareness and promotion of use of NEON datasets. Establishing domain specific user groups will help bridge the scale gap between site level data collection and addressing regional and larger ecological challenges

Bleeding and thrombotic risk in pregnant women with Fontan physiology

Background/objectives Pregnancy may potentiate the inherent hypercoagulability of the Fontan circulation, thereby amplifying adverse events. This study sought to evaluate thrombosis and bleeding risk in pregnant women with a Fontan.  Methods We performed a retrospective observational cohort study across 13 international centres and recorded data on thrombotic and bleeding events, antithrombotic therapies and pre-pregnancy thrombotic risk factors.  Results We analysed 84 women with Fontan physiology undergoing 108 pregnancies, average gestation 33 +/- 5 weeks. The most common antithrombotic therapy in pregnancy was aspirin (ASA, 47 pregnancies (43.5%)). Heparin (unfractionated (UFH) or low molecular weight (LMWH)) was prescribed in 32 pregnancies (30%) and vitamin K antagonist (VKA) in 10 pregnancies (9%). Three pregnancies were complicated by thrombotic events (2.8%). Thirty-eight pregnancies (35%) were complicated by bleeding, of which 5 (13%) were severe. Most bleeds were obstetric, occurring antepartum (45%) and postpartum (42%). The use of therapeutic heparin (OR 15.6, 95% CI 1.88 to 129, p=0.006), VKA (OR 11.7, 95% CI 1.06 to 130, p=0.032) or any combination of anticoagulation medication (OR 13.0, 95% CI 1.13 to 150, p=0.032) were significantly associated with bleeding events, while ASA (OR 5.41, 95% CI 0.73 to 40.4, p=0.067) and prophylactic heparin were not (OR 4.68, 95% CI 0.488 to 44.9, p=0.096). Conclusions Current antithrombotic strategies appear effective at attenuating thrombotic risk in pregnant women with a Fontan. However, this comes with high (>30%) bleeding risk, of which 13% are life threatening. Achieving haemostatic balance is challenging in pregnant women with a Fontan, necessitating individualised risk-adjusted counselling and therapeutic approaches that are monitored during the course of pregnancy