A vertebrate crossveinless 2 homologue modulates BMP activity and neural crest cell migration

Previous work has revealed that proteins that bind to bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) and inhibit their signalling have a crucial role in the spatial and temporal regulation of cell differentiation and cell migration by BMPs. We have identified a chick homologue of crossveinless 2, a Drosophila gene that was identified in genetic studies as a promoter of BMP-like signalling. Chick Cv-2 has a conserved structure of five cysteine-rich repeats similar to those found in several BMP antagonists, and a C-terminal Von Willebrand type D domain. Cv-2 is expressed in the chick embryo in a number of tissues at sites at which elevated BMP signalling is required. One such site of expression is premigratory neural crest, in which at trunk levels threshold levels of BMP activity are required to initiate cell migration. We show that, when overexpressed, Cv-2 can weakly antagonise BMP4 activity in Xenopus embryos, but that in other in vitro assays Cv-2 can increase the activity of co-expressed BMP4. Furthermore, we find that increased expression of Cv-2 causes premature onset of trunk neural crest cell migration in the chick embryo, indicative of Cv-2 acting to promote BMP activity at an endogenous site of expression. We therefore propose that BMP signalling is modulated both by antagonists and by Cv-2 that acts to elevate BMP activity

The Phoenix Pluto Probe

A design proposal for an unmanned probe to Pluto is presented. The topics covered include: (1) scientific instrumentation; (2) mission management, planning, and costing; (3) power and propulsion system; (4) structural subsystem; (5) command, control, and communication; and (6) attitude and articulation control

Far Ultraviolet Absolute Flux of alpha Virginis

We present the far ultraviolet spectrum of alpha Virginis taken with EURD spectrograph on-board MINISAT-01. The spectral range covered is from ~900 to 1080 A with 5 A spectral resolution. We have fitted Kurucz models to IUE spectra of alpha Vir and compared the extension of the model to our wavelengths with EURD data. This comparison shows that EURD fluxes are consistent with the prediction of the model within 20-30%, depending on the reddening assumed. EURD fluxes are consistent with Voyager observations but are ~60% higher than most previous rocket observations of alpha Vir.Comment: 13 pages, 4 figures. Submitted to The Astrophysical Journa

Building primary care quality and performance via a clinical microsystems approach

APHCRI Conversations was a regular program of presentations held at the Department of Health to facilitate exchange between APHCRI Network researchers and Department policymakers. Topics are developed jointly with the Department of Health and involve a range of speakers from APHCRI, including CRE invited experts, CRE Chief Investigators and stream project Chief Investigator

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric band in an obese unrelated living donor prior to kidney transplantation: a case report

Introduction. Obese living donors who undergo donor nephrectomy have higher rates of intra-operative and post-operative complications. Many centres exclude obese donors from living donor transplant programs. Diet, exercise and medication are often ineffective weight loss interventions for donors, hence bariatric surgery should be considered. Case presentation. We report the case of a 53-year-old Caucasian woman who underwent laparoscopically adjustable gastric banding. The procedure enabled her to lose sufficient weight to gain eligibility for kidney donation. After losing weight, she had an uncomplicated laparoscopic donor nephrectomy surgery, and the recipient underwent successful kidney transplantation. Conclusion. Laparoscopically adjustable gastric banding should be considered for obese potential living kidney donors whenever transplantation units restrict access to donor nephrectomy based on the increased surgical risk for donors

Assessment of arterial stiffness, oxidative stress and inflammation in acute kidney injury

Background: It is well know that arterial stiffness, oxidative stress and inflammation are features of chronic kidney disease. The arterial changes have a multitude of potential interconnected causes including endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, inflammation, atherosclerosis and vascular calcification. There is evidence that arterial stiffness becomes progressively worse as CKD progresses. The contribution of the biochemical changes of uremic toxicity to arterial stiffness is less clear. The aim of this study is to elucidate the vascular changes in acute kidney injury. We hypothesise that arterial stiffness will be increased during acute kidney injury and this will return to normal after kidney function recovers

Parameters controlling octadecyl phosphonic acid self-assembled monolayers on titanium dioxide for anti-fouling biomedical applications

Octadecylphosphonic acid (ODPA) self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) have demonstrated potential for deterring bacterial attachment to titanium, however the coating process is time consuming and uses toxic solvents. In this study, ODPA SAM quantity, quality, and structure were evaluated on titanium quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensors by varying solvent type (anisole or cyclopentyl methyl ether (CPME), environmentally friendly non-polar solvents); ODPA concentration (0.5 mM or 1 mM); and temperature (21 °C or 60 °C). Surfaces were characterised using QCM frequency and dissipation measurements and Sauerbrey mass calculations; X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy; water contact angle measurements; and temperature-programmed desorption mass spectrometry (TPD-MS). Anti-fouling ability was established against Staphylococcus aureus. Incubation in 0.5 mM ODPA in CPME at 21 °C rapidly formed uniform rigid ODPA SAMs as demonstrated by high Sauerbrey mass (≈285-290 ng/cm2), viscoelastic modelling, high atomic percentage surface phosphorus (1.1 %) and high water contact angles (117.6 ± 2.5°), consistent across the entire sample surface. High temperatures or the use of anisole resulted in suspected multilayer formation, which reduced bacterial attachment. TPD-MS confirmed covalent bonding of ODPA SAMs on TiO2 at ≈ 110–120 °C and thermal stability below 300 °C. This study demonstrates the key parameters that control ODPA SAM formation on titanium and their future potential for biomedical applications

Treetop: A Shiny-based application and R package for extracting forest information from LiDAR data for ecologists and conservationists

Individual tree detection (ITD) and crown delineation are two of the most relevant methods for extracting detailed and reliable forest information from LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) datasets. However, advanced computational skills and specialized knowledge have been normally required to extract forest information from LiDAR.The development of accessible tools for 3D forest characterization can facilitate rapid assessment by stakeholders lacking a remote sensing background, thus fostering the practical use of LiDAR datasets in forest ecology and conservation. This paper introduces the treetop application, an open-source web-based and R package LiDAR analysis tool for extracting forest structural information at the tree level, including cutting-edge analyses of properties related to forest ecology and management.We provide case studies of how treetop can be used for different ecological applications, within various forest ecosystems. Specifically, treetop was employed to assess post-hurricane disturbance in natural temperate forests, forest homogeneity in industrial forest plantations and the spatial distribution of individual trees in a tropical forest.treetop simplifies the extraction of relevant forest information for forest ecologists and conservationists who may use the tool to easily visualize tree positions and sizes, conduct complex analyses and download results including individual tree lists and figures summarizing forest structural properties. Through this open-source approach, treetop can foster the practical use of LiDAR data among forest conservation and management stakeholders and help ecological researchers to further understand the relationships between forest structure and function.The authors thank Nicholas L. Crookston for co‐developing the web‐LiDAR treetop tool, and the two anonymous reviewers for their helpful suggestions on the first version of the manuscript. This study is based on the work supported by the Department of Defence Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) under grants No. RC‐2243, RC19‐1064 and RC20‐1346 and USDA Forest Service (grand No. PRO00031122

Transformative Sea-level Rise Research and Planning: Establishing a University, Tribal, and Community Partnership for a Resilient California North Coast

Sea-level rise (SLR) is and will continue to be a pressing issue in the rural, North Coast region of California, especially since nearby Wigi (or Humboldt Bay) is experiencing one of the fastest rates of relative SLR on the U.S. West Coast. In this paper, we argue that SLR presents a transformative opportunity to rekindle environmental relationships and reshape the future of the California North Coast and beyond. As the preeminent higher education institution of the region, Cal Poly Humboldt has the responsibility to be a leader in education, research, and planning for climate resilience. We describe efforts of the Cal Poly Humboldt Sea Level Rise Institute to establish a university-Tribal-community partnership that braids together different approaches and ways of knowing to develop research and planning that supports a resilient California North Coast. Since Wigi is projected to experience the effects of SLR sooner than the rest of the state, the North Coast region is poised to act as an incubator for new ideas and solutions, including Indigenous knowledge systems, and to play a role in influencing equitable, resilient, and transformative SLR adaptation processes in other parts of the state and the world. This will require developing programming and expertise in specific disciplinary areas, but, more importantly, will require the development of opportunities and spaces for various disciplines, ways of knowing, and sectors (e.g. Tribal nations, academia, government, NGOs, private companies, and community groups) to converge and bring the best of what they have to address climate-induced challenges and opportunities