Efficient transduction of primary vascular cells by the rare adenovirus serotype 49 vector

Neointima formation and vascular remodelling through vascular smooth muscle cell migration and proliferation can limit the long term success of coronary interventions, for example in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Ex vivo gene therapy has the potential to reduce unnecessary cell proliferation and limit neointima formation in vascular pathologies. To date the species C adenovirus serotype 5 (Ad5) has been commonly used for pre-clinical gene therapy, however its suitability is potentially limited by relatively poor tropism for vascular cells and high levels of pre-existing immunity in the population. To avoid these limitations, novel species of adenovirus are being tested; here we investigate the potential of adenovirus 49 (Ad49) for use in gene therapy. Transduction of primary human vascular cells by a range of adenovirus serotypes was assessed; Ad49 demonstrated highest transduction of both vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells. Gene transfer with Ad49 in vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells was possible following short exposure times (*lt;1hr) and with low MOI which is clinically relevant. Ex vivo delivery to surplus CABG tissue showed efficient gene transfer with Ad49, consistent with the in vitro findings. Luminal infusion of Ad49GFP into intact CABG samples ex vivo resulted in efficient vessel transduction. In addition, no seroprevelance rates to Ad49 were observed in a Scottish cohort of patients from cardiovascular clinics, thus circumventing issues with pre-existing immunity. Our results show Ad49 has tropism for vascular cells in vitro and ex vivo and demonstrate Ad49 may be an improved vector for local vascular gene therapy compared to current alternatives

Exploration of implementation variables impacting trauma informed practices in schools: A narrative review

Current literature suggests that by using trauma- informed practices (TIP) in our schools and classrooms, positive short and long-term outcomes can be achieved for both children and their communities. However, there is little research identifying what helps or hinders the implementation of trauma-informed practice in schools or the development of a practitioner’s trauma-informed pedagogy. As part of this narrative review, 25 trauma- informed practice implementation variables were identified from 34 peer-reviewed works of current (2015-2020) literature using a process of thematic analysis. This review utilised an ecological model as an overlay to present these variables in a useable format. The results of this research may be utilised to identify unaddressed implementation variables that support practice change and TIP in schools. The literature and this review support the idea that, if given the right input, conditions and setting events, an effective trauma-informed practice or pedagogy can be developed. Furthermore, by helping practitioners fill the gaps in their knowledge and assisting them to develop their trauma-informed pedagogy, they are able to create an environment where students who have experienced complex trauma may be healthy, safe, engaged, and supported

Exploration of implementation variables impacting trauma informed practices in schools: A narrative review

Current literature suggests that by using trauma- informed practices (TIP) in our schools and classrooms, positive short and long-term outcomes can be achieved for both children and their communities. However, there is little research identifying what helps or hinders the implementation of trauma-informed practice in schools or the development of a practitioner’s trauma-informed pedagogy. As part of this narrative review, 25 trauma- informed practice implementation variables were identified from 34 peer-reviewed works of current (2015-2020) literature using a process of thematic analysis. This review utilised an ecological model as an overlay to present these variables in a useable format. The results of this research may be utilised to identify unaddressed implementation variables that support practice change and TIP in schools. The literature and this review support the idea that, if given the right input, conditions and setting events, an effective trauma-informed practice or pedagogy can be developed. Furthermore, by helping practitioners fill the gaps in their knowledge and assisting them to develop their trauma-informed pedagogy, they are able to create an environment where students who have experienced complex trauma may be healthy, safe, engaged, and supported

Reproductive success through high pollinator visitation rates despite self incompatibility in an endangered wallflower

PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Self incompatibility (SI) in rare plants presents a unique challenge—SI protects plants from inbreeding depression, but requires a sufficient number of mates and xenogamous pollination. Does SI persist in an endangered polyploid? Is pollinator visitation sufficient to ensure reproductive success? Is there evidence of inbreeding/outbreeding depression? We characterized the mating system, primary pollinators, pollen limitation, and inbreeding/outbreeding depression in Erysimum teretifolium to guide conservation efforts. METHODS: We compared seed production following self pollination and within- and between-population crosses. Pollen tubes were visualized after self pollinations and between-population pollinations. Pollen limitation was tested in the field. Pollinator observations were quantified using digital video. Inbreeding/outbreeding depression was assessed in progeny from self and outcross pollinations at early and later developmental stages. KEY RESULTS: Self-pollination reduced seed set by 6.5× and quadrupled reproductive failure compared with outcross pollination. Pollen tubes of some self pollinations were arrested at the stigmatic surface. Seed-set data indicated strong SI, and fruit-set data suggested partial SI. Pollinator diversity and visitation rates were high, and there was no evidence of pollen limitation. Inbreeding depression (δ) was weak for early developmental stages and strong for later developmental stages, with no evidence of outbreeding depression. CONCLUSIONS: The rare hexaploid E. teretifolium is largely self incompatible and suffers from late-acting inbreeding depression. Reproductive success in natural populations was accomplished through high pollinator visitation rates consistent with a lack of pollen limitation. Future reproductive health for this species will require large population sizes with sufficient mates and a robust pollinator community

Factors contributing to heat affected zone damage in Grade 91 steel feature type cross-weld tests

Grade 91 steel has been widely utilized in power plants over the last 20 years. Its specification worldwide has dramatically increased since the acceptance of ASME Code Case 1943 for this material in 1983. Recent evaluation of a combination of ex-service Grade 91 steel components and virgin material has provided a unique opportunity to revisit commonly stated factors which contribute to damage in cross-weld creep tests. The approach adopted here is grounded in the fundamental objective of linking metallurgical risk factors in Grade 91 steel to the cross-weld creep performance. Establishing metallurgical risk factors in 9%Cr steels is regarded as a key consideration in the integration of a well-engineered life management strategy for these complex materials. In this study, two heats of ex-service Grade 91 steel which exhibit a similar response to the deformation resistance (i.e. strength) but dramatic differences in the susceptibility to damage (i.e. creep ductility) were evaluated in the welded condition using large, feature type cross-weld creep samples. Heat affected zone damage was investigated from both a macro-damage and micro-damage perspective. The macro-damage evaluation provided a comprehensive understanding of the global damage distribution through the heat affected zone (HAZ). The damage was linked to extensive hardness mapping and calculated peak temperatures through the HAZ. The microdamage characterization included a number of local observations for cavities in each sample using scanning electron microscope techniques. General observations were made regarding the shape and size of creep cavities and association of damage with microstructural features. These observations were linked to the as-fabricated microstructure and as characterized by electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) mapping

Cross-weld creep performance in grade 91 steel: Macro-based assessment

Meaningful characterization of the microstructure in metallurgically complex steels is complicated by the diversity of thermal cycles experienced by multipass fusion welds. To overcome the problems of relevant documentation, it is necessary to balance information from macro-, micro-, and nano-evaluation with appropriate analysis. This paper presents details regarding recommended approaches that optimize this characterization. Initially, specific procedures relevant to macroanalysis, including hardness mapping and calculation of the peak temperature through the width of the heat-affected zone (HAZ), are described. Then, assessment of the distribution of creep damage in feature-type, cross-weld creep tests using laser microscopy is detailed. Using these methods, the extent of damage through the HAZ was compared to the local reduction in the HAZ hardness and to the calculated peak temperatures in the HAZ. The implications of these findings are discussed with respect to damage, deformation, and sample geometry

Linking performance of parent Grade 91 steel to the cross-weld creep performance using feature type tests

Grade 91 steel has been widely utilized in power plants over the last 20 years. Its specification worldwide has dramatically increased since the acceptance of Code Case 1943 for this material in 1983. Recent evaluation of a combination of ex-service Grade 91 steel components and virgin material has provided a unique opportunity to independently assess the performance of a combination of base metal and weldments. This approach has been grounded in the fundamental objective of linking metallurgical risk factors in Grade 91 steel to the cross-weld creep performance. Establishing critical risk factors in 9Cr steels is regarded as a key consideration in the integration of a meaningful life management strategy for these complex steels. The potential metallurgical risk factors in Grade 91 steel have been fundamentally divided into factors which affect strength, ductility or both. In this study, two heats of ex-service Grade 91 steel which exhibit dramatic differences in strength and ductility have been evaluated in the exservice condition and re-heat treated to establish a relevant set of strength:ductility variables. This set of variables includes [strength:ductility]: low:low, medium:low, low:high and medium:high. The influence of these strength:ductility variables were investigated for feature type cross-weld creep tests to better evaluate the influence of the initial base material condition on cross-weld creep performance

Radio observations of the planetary nebula around the OH/IR Star OH354.88-0.54 (V1018 Sco)

We present radio observations of the unique, recently formed, planetary nebula (PN) associated with a very long-period OH/IR variable star V1018 Sco that is unequivocally still in its asymptoticgiant branch phase. Two regions within the optical nebula are clearly detected in nonthermal radio continuum emission, with radio spectral indices comparable to those seen in colliding-wind Wolf-Rayet binaries. We suggest that these represent shocked interactions between the hot, fast stellar wind and the cold nebular shell that represents the PN's slow wind moving away from the central star. This same interface produces both synchrotron radio continuum and the optical PN emission. The fast wind is neither spherical in geometry nor aligned withany obvious optical or radio axis. We also report the detection of transient H2O maser emission in this nebula.Comment: 11 pages, LaTeX (mn2e.cls), incl. 9 PostScript (ps or eps) figures and 2 tables. Accepted by MNRA

Deficiencies in Printed FSS Intended for Application in Smart Buildings

Errors occur in the process of digital printing of frequency selective screens using conductive inks. This paper describes some of the defects observed during the printing process and investigates their effect on the resonance frequencies of arrays that might be fabricated in practice. The elements are simple linear dipoles. The presence of the classes of error described would be serious in the case of elements with complex geometries