The Effects Of Urbanization On Cypress (taxodium Distichum) In Central Florida

Urbanization is accelerating in the United States and is contributing to fragmentation of natural habitats, causing changes in species composition and declines in native species. Human population growth in Orlando is typical of growth in the southeastern United States and throughout the range of cypress (Taxodium distichum). Orlando has numerous isolated cypress wetlands, called cypress domes, and many remain among the current urbanized area. This makes Orlando ideal to study the effects of urbanization on cypress domes. Specifically, I tested how urbanization and its effects on fragmentation, hydrology, and fire regime) affected (a) the numbers and spatial pattern of cypress domes in central Florida and (b) the recruitment of cypress within cypress domes. Analysis of historical loss found over 3,000 cypress domes identified in images from1984, of which 26% were lost or degraded (i.e., no longer cypressdominated) by 2004. Due to changed land use, many remaining cypress domes, formerly surrounded by natural lands, have become surrounded by urban lands causing spatial clustering and homogenization. Surprisingly, I found that both natural and urban cypress domes showed lower recruitment than agricultural cypress domes, where the natural fire regime has not been altered. The probability of cypress recruitment in cypress domes urbanized for more than 20 years is very low. Previous to that, cypress tends to recruit on the edge of cypress domes where there is less competition and hydrological conditions are more favorable. I estimate that only ~50% of the current cypress domes are recruiting and the existence of those wetlands are tied to the lifespan of the current adults. By 2104, I estimate that ~89% of the cypress domes currently recruiting will fail to recruit. I believe that reducing urban sprawl and restoring the natural fire iii regime to natural cypress domes will mitigate the current fate of cypress domes. Without this, cypress in isolated wetlands in central Florida, and providing Orlando urbanization is typical, throughout urbanized areas of the range, could be at risk. Cypress in urban areas will be then relegated to riparian zones and with unknown consequences for the species that utilize the former cypress dome habita

Requirement of Osr1 in second heart field (SHF) for proper outflow tract (OFT) alignment

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is current in 1/3 of all birth defects and has the prevalence of 1 in 1000 births.1 1/3 of all CHDs consist of cardiac outflow tract (OFT) defects.1 Despite its high prevalence, the genetic ontogeny of CHD has much to be studied. Knocking out Osr1, a gene encoding for a putative transcription factor containing four C2H2-type zinc finger motifs, is reported to cause heart defects including atrioventricular septal defects (AVSDs) in mice2-4 while its involvement in OFT development has yet to be studied. Osr1 is expressed in the second heart field (SHF), overlapping the expression of Gli1, an important modulator of sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway.4 Shh-signaling has been reported to contribute to the OFT development.5 Our preliminary study has shown that Osr1 deletion causes OFT defects including DORV and OA—suggesting its role in OFT alignment. We hypothesize that Osr1 is required in the SHF and Shh-signaling for proper OFT alignment. We will use a Cre-lox cell-specific KO technique to create embryos with Osr1 specific KO in SHF cells and Shh-receiving cells. We expect to observe high percentages of OFT misalignment including DORV and OA in embryos with Osr1 specific KO in SHF cells and Shh-receiving cells. This study will provide information which cell lineage is required for Osr1 in OFT development

Requirement of Osr1 in second heart field (SHF) for proper outflow tract (OFT) alignment

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is current in 1/3 of all birth defects and has the prevalence of 1 in 1000 births.1 1/3 of all CHDs consist of cardiac outflow tract (OFT) defects.1 Despite its high prevalence, the genetic ontogeny of CHD has much to be studied. Knocking out Osr1, a gene encoding for a putative transcription factor containing four C2H2-type zinc finger motifs, is reported to cause heart defects including atrioventricular septal defects (AVSDs) in mice2-4 while its involvement in OFT development has yet to be studied. Osr1 is expressed in the second heart field (SHF), overlapping the expression of Gli1, an important modulator of sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway.4 Shh-signaling has been reported to contribute to the OFT development.5 Our preliminary study has shown that Osr1 deletion causes OFT defects including DORV and OA—suggesting its role in OFT alignment. We hypothesize that Osr1 is required in the SHF and Shh-signaling for proper OFT alignment. We will use a Cre-lox cell-specific KO technique to create embryos with Osr1 specific KO in SHF cells and Shh-receiving cells. We expect to observe high percentages of OFT misalignment including DORV and OA in embryos with Osr1 specific KO in SHF cells and Shh-receiving cells. This study will provide information which cell lineage is required for Osr1 in OFT development

GIS-based estimates of former and current depressional wetlands in an agricultural landscape

Before European settlement, 23% of Illinois (3.2 million of 14 million ha) was covered by wetlands. It is estimated that 90% of those wetlands Were lost during conversion of the landscape to agriculture and urban, use. Champaign County was one of the most extensively drained counties in Illinois, with 39-60% of original county area estimated to have been drained. Current and future efforts to conserve and restore wetlands would benefit from information on the number and distribution of former wetlands. We used GIS to estimate the spatial extent, density, pattern, and sizes of former and extant depressional wetlands in Champaign County. We derived several models of former wetlands; all models used hydric soils but varied by using Digital Raster Graphics (DRG), 30-m Digital Elevation Models (DEM), or Digital Orthophotography Quarter Quadrangles (DOQ). We also combined the DRG and DEM models, and we conducted visual field surveys for saturated or ponded conditions to test the models. The DRG model was conservative: it identified fewer and larger wetlands than the DEM model (the DOQ model was judged inadequate). Depending on the model selected, we estimated that 1077-4090 depressional wetlands formerly existed in the county, and that 78.6-91.6% were drained, accounting for 1108-2777 ha of lost wetland habitat in Champaign County alone. Thus, depressional wetlands accounted for the vast majority of historical wetland loss and should be a priority for wetland restoration efforts. Spatial pattern among wetlands also changed: an organism adapted to the former landscape had \u3e 50% probability of reaching another wetland within 260 m: today that same species faces a 7.8% probability at that distance. The modern landscape of Champaign County (and others like it) poses potential risk for remaining wetland metapopulations, and GIS models of precise former wetlands locations can be a valuable initial tool for wetland conservation and restoration efforts

Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV) Solid Motor Technology Plans

Recent trades have taken place on solid propulsion options to support a potential Mars Sample Retrieval Campaign. Mass and dimensional requirements for a Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV) are being assessed. One MAV vehicle concept would utilize a solid propulsion system. Key challenges to designing a solid propulsion system for MAV include low temperatures beyond common tactical and space requirements, performance, planetary protection, mass limits, and thrust vector control system. Two solutions are addressed, a modified commercial commercially available system, and an optimum new concept

Development Concepts for Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV) Solid and Hybrid Vehicle Systems

The Advanced Concepts Office (ACO) at Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) has conducted ongoing studies and trades into options for both hybrid and solid vehicle systems for potential Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV) concepts for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Two MAV propulsion options are being studied for use in a potential Mars Sample Retrieval (MSR) campaign. The following paper describes the current concepts for hybrid and solid propulsion vehicles for MAV as part of a potential MSR campaign, and provides an overview of the ongoing studies and trades for both hybrid and solid vehicle system concepts. Concepts and options under consideration for vehicle subsystems include reaction control system (RCS), separation, and structures will be described in terms of technology readiness level (TRL), benefit to the vehicle design, and associated risk. A hybrid propulsion system, which uses a solid fuel core and liquid oxidizer, is currently being developed by JPL with support from MSFC. This type of hybrid propulsion vehicle would allow the MAV to be more flexible at the cost of higher complexity, in contrast to the solid propulsion vehicle that is simpler, but allows less flexibility. The solid propulsion vehicle study performed by MSFC in 2018 further refined the solid propulsion system sizing as well as added definition to vehicle subsystem concepts, including the RCS, structures and configuration, interstage and separation, aerodynamics, and power/avionics. The studies were performed using an iterative concept design methodology, engaging subject matter experts from across MSFCs propulsion and vehicle systems disciplines as well as seeking trajectory feedback from analysts at JPL

Humanized Mice for the Generation of HIV-1 Human Monoclonal Antibodies

Background: Despite the length of time HIV has been wreaking havoc on its victims, improvements in the prevention and treatment of HIV are needed. Anti-retroviral therapy can be effective but is expensive and not entirely accessible for people infected in third world countries. Several promising broadly neutralizing antibodies have been isolated from infected individuals; we propose that generating antigen specific human monoclonal antibodies using humanized mice further represents a promising approach to engineer prophylactic antibodies to reduce spread and infection of HIV. Methods: Immunodeficient mice were engrafted with fetal liver and thymus (BLT) prior to infection with different HIV isolates. HIV infection of the mice was monitored by viral load and antibody response followed by ELISA using gp120, gp41 or gp120/CD4 complex as antigens. Approximately 8-12 weeks post infection, spleens were harvested and splenocytes fused with human fusion partner HMMA 2.5 to isolate antibody-expressing hybridomas. Lead clones were scaled and purified for testing in functional assays such as TZM-bl neutralization assays as well as ADCVI to determine neutralizing and cytotoxic ability of the antibodies. Antibody sequences were also determined for analysis. Results: A robust, specific antibody response, of both IgG and IgA isotypes, was generated in response to HIV infection. Over 60 hybridomas were created that were not only immunoreactive with env antigens, but also had neutralization activity. Moreover, variable family usage was not limited and somatic mutation was clearly evident. Conclusions: These findings suggest that humanized BLT mice are a novel source for well-characterized, stable human monoclonal antibodies to HIV

Discovery and Development of Human Monoclonal Antibodies to Block RhD Alloimmunization During Pregnancy

Exposure of an Rh negative mother to red blood cells (RBCs) of an Rh positive fetus results in alloimmunization and development of anti-RhD antibodies. The anti-RhD antibodies cause hemolytic disease of the new born babies during subsequent pregnancies. Current prophylactic treatment involves polyclonal anti-RhD IgG purified from plasma of humans and is administered in approximately 20% of pregnancies. While the current prophylaxis is effective, it involves the use of human plasma and non-RhD specific antibodies, thus posing a risk of transmitting infections and undesired antibody reactions. Moreover, there is a serious scarcity of plasma donors to meet the requirement of anti-RhD antibodies. In this study we propose to discover and develop anti-RhD monoclonal human antibodies to replace the current polyclonal prophylaxis. We are using humanized BLT mice (fetal CD34+ stem cells, liver and thymus) reconstituted with RhD negative donor material and were immunized by using adenovirus containing RhD transgene. Serum samples were collected after 4-6 weeks of immunization. Our results show that the RhD immunized mice had considerably higher titer of IgG and IgA antibodies in the serum compared to the control, suggesting an immune response developed upon immunization. Splenocytes from antibody producing mice will be fused with a human fusion partner for the isolation of hybridomas producing human monoclonal antibodies. The immunoreactivity and functional activity of these antibodies will be discussed

Mars Ascent Vehicle Propulsion System Solid Motor Technology Plans

Mars Ascent Vehicle Study Summary: Potential Mars Sample Return Campaign; Assumptions; Motor Sizing; Propellant Selection; Nozzle and Controls; Development and Qualification Testing; Future Work

Cluster randomized controlled trial protocol: addressing reproductive coercion in health settings (ARCHES)

Background\ud Women ages 16–29 utilizing family planning clinics for medical services experience higher rates of intimate partner violence (IPV) and reproductive coercion (RC) than their same-age peers, increasing risk for unintended pregnancy and related poor reproductive health outcomes. Brief interventions integrated into routine family planning care have shown promise in reducing risk for RC, but longer-term intervention effects on partner violence victimization, RC, and unintended pregnancy have not been examined.\ud \ud Methods/Design\ud The ‘Addressing Reproductive Coercion in Health Settings (ARCHES)’ Intervention Study is a cluster randomized controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness of a brief, clinician-delivered universal education and counseling intervention to reduce IPV, RC and unintended pregnancy compared to standard-of-care in family planning clinic settings. The ARCHES intervention was refined based on formative research. Twenty five family planning clinics were randomized (in 17 clusters) to either a three hour training for all family planning clinic staff on how to deliver the ARCHES intervention or to a standard-of-care control condition. All women ages 16–29 seeking care in these family planning clinics were eligible to participate. Consenting clients use laptop computers to answer survey questions immediately prior to their clinic visit, a brief exit survey immediately after the clinic visit, a first follow up survey 12–20 weeks after the baseline visit (T2), and a final survey 12 months after the baseline (T3). Medical record chart review provides additional data about IPV and RC assessment and disclosure, sexual and reproductive health diagnoses, and health care utilization. Of 4009 women approached and determined to be eligible based on age (16–29 years old), 3687 (92 % participation) completed the baseline survey and were included in the sample.\ud \ud Discussion\ud The ARCHES Intervention Study is a community-partnered study designed to provide arigorous assessment of the short (3-4 months) and long-term (12 months) effects of a brief, clinician-delivered universal education and counseling intervention to reduce IPC, RC and unintended pregnancy in family planning clinic settings. The trial features a cluster randomized controlled trial design, a comprehensive data collection schedule and a large sample size with excellent retention.\ud \ud Trial Registration\ud ClinicialTrials.gov NCT01459458. Registered 10 October 2011