Method for acquiring, storing and analyzing crystal images

A system utilizing a digital computer for acquiring, storing and evaluating crystal images. The system includes a video camera (12) which produces a digital output signal representative of a crystal specimen positioned within its focal window (16). The digitized output from the camera (12) is then stored on data storage media (32) together with other parameters inputted by a technician and relevant to the crystal specimen. Preferably, the digitized images are stored on removable media (32) while the parameters for different crystal specimens are maintained in a database (40) with indices to the digitized optical images on the other data storage media (32). Computer software is then utilized to identify not only the presence and number of crystals and the edges of the crystal specimens from the optical image, but to also rate the crystal specimens by various parameters, such as edge straightness, polygon formation, aspect ratio, surface clarity, crystal cracks and other defects or lack thereof, and other parameters relevant to the quality of the crystals

What doesn't kill you makes you stranger: Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (CD26) proteolysis differentially modulates the activity of many peptide hormones and cytokines generating novel cryptic bioactive ligands

Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) is an exopeptidase found either on cell surfaces where it is highly regulated in terms of its expression and surface availability (CD26) or in a free/circulating soluble constitutively available and intrinsically active form. It is responsible for proteolytic cleavage of many peptide substrates. In this review we discuss the idea that DPP4-cleaved peptides are not necessarily inactivated, but rather can possess either a modified receptor selectivity, modified bioactivity, new antagonistic activity, or even a novel activity relative to the intact parent ligand. We examine in detail five different major DPP4 substrates: glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), peptide tyrosine-tyrosine (PYY), and neuropeptide Y (NPY), and stromal derived factor 1 (SDF-1 aka CXCL12). We note that discussion of the cleaved forms of these five peptides are underrepresented in the research literature, and are both poorly investigated and poorly understood, representing a serious research literature gap. We believe they are understudied and misinterpreted as inactive due to several factors. This includes lack of accurate and specific quantification methods, sample collection techniques that are inherently inaccurate and inappropriate, and a general perception that DPP4 cleavage inactivates its ligand substrates. Increasing evidence points towards many DPP4-cleaved ligands having their own bioactivity. For example, GLP-1 can work through a different receptor than GLP-1R, DPP4-cleaved GIP can function as a GIP receptor antagonist at high doses, and DPP4-cleaved PYY, NPY, and CXCL12 can have different receptor selectivity, or can bind novel, previously unrecognized receptors to their intact ligands, resulting in altered signaling and functionality. We believe that more rigorous research in this area could lead to a better understanding of DPP4’s role and the biological importance of the generation of novel cryptic ligands. This will also significantly impact our understanding of the clinical effects and side effects of DPP4-inhibitors as a class of anti-diabetic drugs that potentially have an expanding clinical relevance. This will be specifically relevant in targeting DPP4 substrate ligands involved in a variety of other major clinical acute and chronic injury/disease areas including inflammation, immunology, cardiology, stroke, musculoskeletal disease and injury, as well as cancer biology and tissue maintenance in aging

Trauma-Informed Pediatric Primary Care: Facilitators and Challenges to the Implementation Process

This article describes the process of integrating trauma-informed behavioral health practices into a pediatric primary care clinic serving low-income and minority families while facing barriers of financial, staffing, and time limitations common to many community healthcare clinics. By using an iterative approach to evaluate each step of the implementation process, the goal was to establish a feasible system in which primary care providers take the lead in addressing traumatic stress. This article describes (1) the process of implementing trauma-informed care into a pediatric primary care clinic, (2) the facilitators and challenges of implementation, and (3) the impact of this implementation process at patient, provider, and community levels. Given the importance of trauma-informed care, especially for families who lack access to quality care, the authors conceptualize this paper as a guide for others attempting to integrate best behavioral health practices into pediatric clinics while working with limited resources

Modeling the Physical and Biochemical Influence of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Plant Discharges into their Adjacent Waters

This paper describes the modeling work by Makai Ocean Engineering, Inc. to simulate the biochemical effects of of the nutrient-enhanced seawater plumes that are discharged by one or several 100 megawatt OTEC plants. The modeling is needed to properly design OTEC plants that can operate sustainably with acceptably low biological impact. In order to quantify the effect of discharge configuration and phytoplankton response, Makai Ocean Engineering implemented a biological and physical model for the waters surrounding O`ahu, Hawai`i, using the EPA-approved Environmental Fluid Dynamics Code (EFDC). Each EFDC grid cell was approximately 1 square kilometer by 20 meters deep, and used a time step of three hours. The biological model was set up to simulate the biochemical response for three classes of organisms: Picoplankton ( 20 um) e.g., diatoms. The dynamic biological phytoplankton model was calibrated using chemical and biological data collected for the Hawaii Ocean Time Series (HOTS) project. Peer review of the biological modeling was performed. The physical oceanography model uses boundary conditions from a surrounding Hawai'i Regional Ocean Model, (ROM) operated by the University of Hawai`i and the National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration. The ROM provided tides, basin scale circulation, mesoscale variability, and atmospheric forcing into the edges of the EFDC computational domain. This model is the most accurate and sophisticated Hawai'ian Regional Ocean Model presently available, assimilating real-time oceanographic observations, as well as model calibration based upon temperature, current and salinity data collected during 2010 near the simulated OTEC site. The ROM program manager peer-reviewed Makai's implementation of the ROM output into our EFDC model. The supporting oceanographic data was collected for a Naval Facilities Engineering Command / Makai project. Results: The model was run for a 100 MW OTEC Plant consisting of four separate ducts, discharging a total combined flow rate of 420 m3/s of warm water and 320 m3/s of cold water in a mixed discharge at 70 meters deep. Each duct was assumed to have a discharge port diameter of 10.5m producing a downward discharge velocity of about 2.18 m/s. The natural system, as measured in the HOTS program, has an average concentration of 10-15 mgC/m3. To calibrate the biological model, we first ran the model with no OTEC plant and varied biological parameters until the simulated data was a good match to the HOTS observations. This modeling showed that phytoplankton concentration were patchy and highly dynamic. The patchiness was a good match with the data variability observed within the HOTS data sets. We then ran the model with simulated OTEC intake and discharge flows and associated nutrients. Directly under the OTEC plant, the near-field plume has an average terminal depth of 172 meters, with a volumetric dilution of 13:1. The average terminal plume temperature was 19.8oC. Nitrate concentrations are 1 to 2 umol/kg above ambient. The advecting plume then further dilutes to less than 1 umol/kg above ambient within a few kilometers downstream, while remaining at depth. Because this terminal near-field plume is well below the 1% light limited depths (~120m), no immediate biological utilization of the nutrients occurs. As the nitrate is advected and dispersed downstream, a fraction of the deep ocean nutrients (< 0.5 umol/kg perturbation) mix upward where they are utilized by the ambient phytoplankton population. This occurs approximately twenty-five kilometers downstream from the plant at 110 - 70 meters depth. For pico-phytoplankton, modeling results indicate that this nutrient perturbation causes a phytoplankton perturbation of approximately 1 mgC/m3 (~10% of average ambient concentrations) that covers an area 10x5 km in size at the 70 to 90m depth. Thus, the perturbations are well within the natural variability of the system, generally corresponding to a 10 to 15% increase above the average pico-phytoplankton biomass. This perturbation exhibits a meandering horizontal plume trajectory and spatial extent, but remains similar in magnitude (generally 1-2 mgC/m3). The diatom perturbations become more noticeable after three weeks of the simulation period, when the nearshore diatom population trends towards a greater concentration of 1 to 3 mgC/m3 . Relative to the background concentrations, this increased response is a fraction of the ambient, with perturbations remaining within fluctuations of the existing system. The perturbations were quantified by post-processing each time-step of model simulations without OTEC plants, with identical simulations that included OTEC plumes. Without this post processing, the 10-25% perturbations were obscured by the larger dynamic variations naturally caused by ocean circulation

The Grizzly, November 18, 1996

Bears Beat Dickinson, Make NCAA Playoffs • Security and RLO Work Through Changes • Opinion: Question of Security; An Insider Throwing out a Line; One of Four Seasons; It\u27s All in Your Head • Concert and Jazz Bands to Perform • Jude: Hardy\u27s Novel Arrives in the Flesh • Bears Win Conference Championship To Make NCAA Playoffs!!! • Getz and Finnegan Receive Post-Season Honorshttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1392/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, November 25, 1996

Honors Pilot Program a Success • Pass-Fail Forum Set for Dec. 4 • Opinion: What About Easter?; It Hurts; Jesus is Dead?; Thanksgiving; Is Ursinus a Disposable Society?; Never-Never Land • Final Exam Schedule • Bears Suffer 31-24 Defeat in NCAA Playoffs • Men\u27s Basketball Opens with an Overtime Win • Bears Place Nine On All-Conference Team • Wrestling Opens with Two Winshttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1393/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, February 3, 1997

Alumni Donate $1 Million for Renovation of Pfahler Hall • Ursinus Faculty Members Publish Books / Articles • Gender Studies to be Considered • Meistersingers Perform • Changes in Study Abroad Aim to Ease Students\u27 Minds and Pockets: Part I of II • Diversity Week • Opinion: Return to Never-Never Land; 2 Steps 2 Save; Theatre as we Like it; A Question of Security, Take Two; Todd-onics; Seven Steps to a Better Opinions Article • Sigma Chi Delta Extends Invitation for New Members • Hinckle Named to AP Little America First Team • Coach Gilbert: The Man, The Myth, The Legend • Ursinus to Host International Wrestling Match • Men\u27s Basketball Team Loses to Washington and Falls to 4-13 • Whelan and Knothe Score Individual Wins for UC Swim Teams • Wrestling Bears Roar to 14-1 Mark • Gymnasts Set Team Scoring Record • Lady Bears Continue Winning Wayshttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1395/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, November 4, 1996

Berman Exhibit Focuses on the Environment • Chemist Speaks on Authentication Processes • Dr. Borsdorf Lauded • Opinion: Future of America; Are we too Dependent on Computers?; Questions on Openness? • This Wednesday is Unity Day! • Shepherdson\u27s TD Run Lifts Ursinus Over Muhls • Men\u27s Soccer Loses Heartbreaker to Western Maryland • Field Hockey Loses Eighth Straight • Larkin Named Player of the Weekhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1390/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, September 16, 1996

Reimert Partying Proves Too Much for Two Freshmen • Two Drunk Students Involved in Crash • Ursinus Listed in US News College Rankings • KDK Service Rush • Welcome to Musser • Need Help with Your Job Search? • Opinions: Not Just Another Good Book; Making the Switch from Single-Sex to Co-Ed; Every Vote Counts • Bears Romp Generals • Women\u27s Soccer Falls to Western Maryland • Volleyball Wins Year\u27s First Match • Men\u27s Soccer Falls to 2-3 • Field Hockey Claims First Winhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1384/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, September 9, 1996

A Busy Summer for Ursinus Professors • Forest Norris • Welfare Protesters Shot from Dorm with Paintball Gun • Opinions: Who am I?; President Clinton Bombs Iraq; Good, Evil and Other Such Nonsense • Men\u27s and Women\u27s Cross Country Go Down • Volleyball Drops First Match • Field Hockey Update • Disappointing Start for Women\u27s Soccer • Football Takes Opener • Men\u27s Soccer Off to 2-2 Starthttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1383/thumbnail.jp