Computer program documentation for the patch subsampling processor

The programs presented are intended to provide a way to extract a sample from a full-frame scene and summarize it in a useful way. The sample in each case was chosen to fill a 512-by-512 pixel (sample-by-line) image since this is the largest image that can be displayed on the Integrated Multivariant Data Analysis and Classification System. This sample size provides one megabyte of data for manipulation and storage and contains about 3% of the full-frame data. A patch image processor computes means for 256 32-by-32 pixel squares which constitute the 512-by-512 pixel image. Thus, 256 measurements are available for 8 vegetation indexes over a 100-mile square

Polycation-siRNA nanoparticles can disassemble at the kidney glomerular basement membrane

Despite being engineered to avoid renal clearance, many cationic polymer (polycation)-based siRNA nanoparticles that are used for systemic delivery are rapidly eliminated from the circulation. Here, we show that a component of the renal filtration barrier—the glomerular basement membrane (GBM)—can disassemble cationic cyclodextrin-containing polymer (CDP)-based siRNA nanoparticles and, thereby, facilitate their rapid elimination from circulation. Using confocal and electron microscopies, positron emission tomography, and compartment modeling, we demonstrate that siRNA nanoparticles, but not free siRNA, accumulate and disassemble in the GBM. We also confirm that the siRNA nanoparticles do not disassemble in blood plasma in vitro and in vivo. This clearance mechanism may affect any nanoparticles that assemble primarily by electrostatic interactions between cationic delivery components and anionic nucleic acids (or other therapeutic entities)

Effect of Increasing Supplemental Rumen Undegradable Protein (RUP) on Performance of Calves Fed a Silage Growing Diet

A growing study evaluated the effects of increasing supplemental rumen undegradable protein (RUP) on performance of calves fed an 85% corn silage diet. Five levels of supplementation were evaluated with 12 individually fed steers per level of supplement. Supplement levels consisted of 0, 3.25, 6.5, 9.75 and 13% supplemental RUP (% of diet DM) fed as a blend of 60% Soypass and 40% Empyreal. Increasing supplemental RUP in the diet increased ending body weight and average daily gain linearly, and decreased F:G linearly while DMI remained constant among treatments. As cattle grew from 600 to 730 lb, F:G was improved 30% by supplying RUP. Th e same amount of RUP improved F:G by 11% as cattle grew beyond 730 lb. By meeting MP requirements, supplementing RUP linearly improved both ADG and F:G of growing calves, especially early in the growing period

Developing Antidote Controlled Antiplatelet Therapies By Targeting The Vwf ‐ Gp Ib‐Ix‐V Interaction

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/106054/1/jth02400.pd

Antidote-Controlled Platelet Inhibition Targeting von Willebrand Factor with Aptamers

Thrombus formation is initiated by platelets and leads to cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and peripheral vascular disease, the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the Western world. A number of antiplatelet drugs have improved clinical outcomes for thrombosis patients. However, their expanded use, especially in surgery, is limited by hemorrhage. Here, we describe an antiplatelet agent that can have its activity controlled by a matched antidote. We demonstrate that an RNA aptamer targeting von Willebrand factor (VWF) can potently inhibit VWF-mediated platelet adhesion and aggregation. By targeting this important adhesion step, we show that the aptamer molecule can inhibit platelet aggregation in PFA-100 and ristocetin-induced platelet aggregation assays. Furthermore, we show that a rationally designed antidote molecule can reverse the effects of the aptamer molecule, restoring platelet function quickly and effectively over a clinically relevant period. This aptamer-antidote pair represents a reversible antiplatelet agent inhibiting a platelet specific pathway. Furthermore, it is an important step towards creating safer drugs in clinics through the utilization of an antidote molecule.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/63204/1/oli.2007.0089.pd

Effect of Increasing Supplemental Rumen Undegradable Protein (RUP) on Performance of Calves Fed a Silage Growing Diet

A growing study evaluated the effects of increasing supplemental rumen undegradable protein (RUP) on performance of calves fed an 85% corn silage diet. Five levels of supplementation were evaluated with 12 individually fed steers per level of supplement. Supplement levels consisted of 0, 3.25, 6.5, 9.75 and 13% supplemental RUP (% of diet DM) fed as a blend of 60% Soypass and 40% Empyreal. Increasing supplemental RUP in the diet increased ending body weight and average daily gain linearly, and decreased F:G linearly while DMI remained constant among treatments. As cattle grew from 600 to 730 lb, F:G was improved 30% by supplying RUP. Th e same amount of RUP improved F:G by 11% as cattle grew beyond 730 lb. By meeting MP requirements, supplementing RUP linearly improved both ADG and F:G of growing calves, especially early in the growing period

Effect of Three Initial Implant Programs with a Common Terminal Revalor®- 200 on Feedlot Performance and Carcass Traits of Weaned Steers

A commercial feedlot study utilizing 1,350 calf- fed steers (initial BW = 623 lb; ±23 lb) compared three initial implant strategies: Revalor®- IS (day 1), Revalor®- IS (day 1) and Revalor®- 200 (day 67), or Revalor®- XS (day 1). Each initial implant strategy was followed by a terminal Revalor®- 200 implant (day 133) to determine effects on performance and carcass traits. No differences in final body weight, intake, gain, or feed conversion were observed on either a live, or carcass adjusted basis. Th ere were also no differences in hot carcass weight, USDA quality grade, or USDA yield grade. Results from this study suggest initial implant strategy has minimal impact on feedlot and carcass performance when following with a terminal Revalor®- 200 implant

Cancer-selective antiproliferative activity is a general property of some G-rich oligodeoxynucleotides

Oligodeoxynucleotide libraries containing randomly incorporated bases are used to generate DNA aptamers by systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX). We predicted that combinatorial libraries with alternative base compositions might have innate properties different from the standard library containing equimolar A + C + G + T bases. In particular, we hypothesized that G-rich libraries would contain a higher proportion of quadruplex-forming sequences, which may impart desirable qualities, such as increased nuclease resistance and enhanced cellular uptake. Here, we report on 11 synthetic oligodeoxynucleotide libraries of various base combinations and lengths, with regard to their circular dichroism, stability in serum-containing medium, cellular uptake, protein binding and antiproliferative activity. Unexpectedly, we found that some G-rich libraries (composed of G + T or G + C nucleotides) strongly inhibited cancer cell growth while sparing non-malignant cells. These libraries had spectral features consistent with G-quadruplex formation, were significantly more stable in serum than inactive libraries and showed enhanced cellular uptake. Active libraries generally had strong protein binding, while the pattern of protein binding suggested that G/T and G/C libraries have distinct mechanisms of action. In conclusion, cancer-selective antiproliferative activity may be a general feature of certain G-rich oligodeoxynucleotides and is associated with quadruplex formation, nuclease resistance, efficient cellular uptake and protein binding

Costs and benefits of orthographic inconsistency in reading:evidence from a cross-linguistic comparison

We compared reading acquisition in English and Italian children up to late primary school analyzing RTs and errors as a function of various psycholinguistic variables and changes due to experience. Our results show that reading becomes progressively more reliant on larger processing units with age, but that this is modulated by consistency of the language. In English, an inconsistent orthography, reliance on larger units occurs earlier on and it is demonstrated by faster RTs, a stronger effect of lexical variables and lack of length effect (by fifth grade). However, not all English children are able to master this mode of processing yielding larger inter-individual variability. In Italian, a consistent orthography, reliance on larger units occurs later and it is less pronounced. This is demonstrated by larger length effects which remain significant even in older children and by larger effects of a global factor (related to speed of orthographic decoding) explaining changes of performance across ages. Our results show the importance of considering not only overall performance, but inter-individual variability and variability between conditions when interpreting cross-linguistic differences