OR05-3 Mir-21 Contributes to Cytokine-Induced Beta Cell Dysfunction via Inhibition of mRNAs Regulating Beta Cell Identity

A hallmark of diabetes is the loss of physical or functional β cell mass. Alterations in β cell microRNA (miRNA) profiles have been described in diabetes. MiRNAs have also been shown to serve as important regulators of β cell development and function, implicating them in β cell dysfunction during diabetes development. Our lab has previously demonstrated that β cell microRNA 21 (miR-21) is increased in models of diabetes. However, a comprehensive analysis of the β cell effects of miR-21 remain poorly defined, and the effects of miR-21 on in vivo glucose homeostasis have never been explored. To this end, we performed a comprehensive in silico analysis of bioinformatics databases to identify potential β cell targets of miR-21, which yielded multiple targets in the Transforming Growth Factor Beta 2 (Tgfb2) and Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 3 (Fgfr3) pathways associated with regulation of differentiation. We hypothesize that β cell miR-21 plays a critical role in inhibiting β cell function and inducing loss of β cell identity. To validate targets in vitro, we developed a model whereby miR-21 is upregulated using a dose dependent lentiviral Tetracycline-on system in INS1 cells. Overexpression of miR-21 led to a reduction in expression levels of several members of the Tgfb2 and Fgfr3 pathways as well as multiple transcription factors associated with β cell function and identity, and an increase in aldehyde dehydrogenase transcripts, consistent with β cell dedifferentiation. To verify direct interactions between miR-21 and candidate target mRNAs, a biotin pulldown experiment was performed using a 3’ biotinylated mature miR-21 construct and a 3’ biotinylated cel-miR-67 control construct. Several mRNAs associated with β cell identity were enriched in the pulldown, indicating a direct interaction with miR-21. Lineage tracing was performed within an in vivo zebrafish model of β cell specific oxidative stress in which β cells expressed a nuclear GFP signal. Whole body knock down of miR-21 by morpholino microinjection showed a protective effect in stressed β cells and rescued against a dedifferentiated phenotype. To test the effect of miR-21 on glucose tolerance in vivo, inducible β cell specific knockout (βmiR-21KO) and overexpression (βmiR-21) mice were generated by crossing Ins1tm1(CreERT2)Thor mice with miR-21 floxed mice and miR-21-CAG-Z-EGFP mice, respectively. When compared to littermate controls, intraperitoneal glucose tolerance tests (IPGTT) exhibited hyperglycemia in βmiR-21 mice and euglycemia in βmiR-21KO mice. Metabolic studies, including glucose stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) and insulin tolerance tests (ITT) are ongoing in our mouse models. Our results implicate miR-21 as a regulator of β cell dedifferentiation during diabetes development

Physiological Response Associated With Select Rorschach Codes

The purpose of this study was to investigate the validity of Rorschach codes that have been theoretically and empirically linked to the experience of affect in the Comprehensive System (Exner, 2003) through the use of skin conductance and heart rate data. Twenty-four university undergraduates (18 females and 6 males) were administered the Rorschach while physiological data were recorded in an adjacent room. It was anticipated that responses yielding particular codes (C, C’, m, T, V, Y, minus form quality, or cognitive special scores) would evidence higher levels of affective arousal as compared to all other responses. Several within-subjects analyses failed to support this hypothesis. It was concluded that these codes might not be as useful as previously described in indicating the presence of affect, particularly from the standpoint of sequence analysis strategies

X-29A aircraft structural loads flight testing

The X-29A research and technology demonstrator aircraft has completed a highly successful multiphase flight test program. The primary research objective was to safely explore, evaluate, and validate a number of aerodynamic, structural, and flight control technologies, all highly integrated into the vehicle design. Most of these advanced technologies, particularly the forward-swept-wing platform, had a major impact on the structural design. Throughout the flight test program, structural loads clearance was an ongoing activity to provide a safe maneuvering envelope sufficient to accomplish the research objectives. An overview is presented of the technologies, flight test approach, key results, and lessons learned from the structural flight loads perspective. The overall design methodology was considered validated, but a number of structural load characteristics were either not adequately predicted or totally unanticipated prior to flight test. While conventional flight testing techniques were adequate to insure flight safety, advanced analysis tools played a key role in understanding some of the structural load characteristics, and in maximizing flight test productivity

The economic feasibility of an integrated woody biomass harvest in the Missouri Ozark Highlands

July 2013.A Thesis presented to The Faculty of the Graduate School at the University of Missouri In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Science.Thesis supervisor: Dr. John P. Dwyer.Questions have risen in recent years regarding the impacts of biomass harvesting for renewable energy production and on the cost and efficiency of biomass harvesting using different harvest equipment configurations. Missouri has a set of Best Management Practices (BMPs) to guide woody biomass harvesting. This study will address the different results (mainly cost and production data) that come with incorporating various BMPs and how costs and revenues can vary when implementing these different management practices. This study applied two silvicultural treatments and a control to 72 acres of oak-hickory stands comprising poles and small sawtimber-sized stems of primarily white oak (Quercus alba) and low quality black oaks (Quercus velutina) in the Missouri Ozark highlands. Treatments were: 1) clearcut to establish a new cohort of trees and 2) intermediate thin in an attempt to improve residual stand quality, in which both small diameter trees and merchantable sawlogs were removed. Both treatments used a mechanized, integrated harvest approach. Each treatment had 3 sub-treatments (clearcut had 4 sub-treatments) that called for leaving varying levels and types of residues on the ground to maintain soil nutrient pools. Trees were merchandized for the highest value possible, with biomass chips produced from limbs and tops or stems that were otherwise unmerchantable. A system feasibility analysis was implemented to determine productivity, costs, and prices needed for economic feasibility. An average of 49.4 tons of SHWP and 10.9 tons of fuel chips were removed per acre at an average cost per ton of $27.70 and$48.62 in the clearcut treatments, respectively. An average of 19.1 tons of SHWP and 3.7 tons of fuel chips were removed per acre at an average cost per ton of $32.87 and$64.84 in the intermediate thinning treatments, respectively.Includes bibliographical references (pages 97-102)

Review of In-Place Treatment Techniques for Contaminated Surface Soils - Volume 2: Background Information for In Situ Treatment

This second volume of a two volume manual on in-place treatment of hazardous waste contaminated soil supports the treatment methodology described in Volume 1 (EPA- ). The information presented on monitoring to determine treatment effectiveness, characterization and evaluation of the behavior and fate of hazardous constituents in soil/waste systems, and properties (including adsorption, degradation, and volatilization parameters) for various compounds is intended to help the manual user in making more complex decisions and in selecting analyses concerning site, soil, and waste interactions. This report was submitted in partial fulfillment of Contract No. 68-03-3113 by Utah State University under the sponsorship of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The report covers the period December 1982 to December 1984 and work was completed as of January 1984

Physical Activity, Park, Nature Trail Usage among Students, Faculty and Staff at a Mid-sized University

Physical activity (PA) is a vital component of a healthy lifestyle. There is strong evidence demonstrating an association between PA and reduced risk of many chronic diseases, increasing in prevalence and incidence in the United States. PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to determine the PA levels of the students, faculty, and staff members of a mid-sized state university and how usage of a nature center and community park facilitated PA. METHODS: An observational, cross-sectional survey design was used to complete the study objectives. The 20-minute survey was distributed online using Survey Monkey to all faculty, staff and students at the host university. It consisted of basic demographic questions, questions concerning respondents’ physical activity behaviors and their use of two community parks to engage in physical activity. The two park spaces included in the survey, Bay Area Park (BAP) and Armand Bayou Nature Center (ABNC), are located approximately 3.5 Km from the university. Survey respondents were incentivized by being entered into a raffle to win a small gift card and students could receive course credit for completing the survey. RESULTS: The survey was completed by 952 students, 94 faculty, and 250 staff members. Students reported the least PA, with an average of 2.8 PA days per week, 26.9% reporting no PA days per week, and only 5.3% reporting daily PA. Staff reported 3.0 average PA days per week, 20.2% reported no PA days per week, and 5.9% reported daily PA. Faculty reported 3.4 average PA days per week, 21.4% reported no PA days per week, and 14.3% reported daily PA. Participants less than 20y reported the least amount of inactivity (15.7%); 9.8% reported daily PA and on average exercised 3.3 days per week. Participants 50-60y reported the highest amount of inactivity (28.6%) and \u3e60y reported the lowest average number PA days per week (2.7 days). Students, faculty, and staff report not using parks (including BAP and ABNC) as a main place for PA; 69.5% report not visiting a park in the last week, 59% have not visited BAP in the last 3 months and 84% have not visited ABNC in the past 3 months. CONCLUSIONS: Students, faculty, and staff surveyed are not meeting the recommended daily PA. Neighborhood outdoor space is the main space used for PA (38.1%). The majority of students, faculty and staff surveyed had not visited any parks in the week leading up to this survey and most have not visited the parks utilized in this survey during the past 3-months. Further research interventions is necessary to determine if awareness of parks and nature trails facilitate increased physical activity

Open data to accelerate the electric mobility revolution : deploying journey electric vehicle chargers in rural Scotland

Governments across the world are exploring options to transition their population away from internal combustion vehicles toward alternative low- and zero-carbon technologies. For small “light-duty” personal and commercial vehicles, the transition toward battery-powered electric vehicles (EVs) appears to be the candidate solution. In Scotland since 2013, more than £50 million (∼US$63 million) has been invested in a nationwide EV charging network consisting of more than 2,400 charging points. Statistics for the year 2022 indicate that more than 2 million vehicle charging sessions took place on the public charging network in Scotland (not including third-party operators nor private charging points) and delivered approximately 43 GWh of energy to vehicles. As of January 2023, there were 69 public charging points per 100,000 people with 17.3 public rapid charging points per 100,000 people. A rapid charger is a device capable of charging an EV at ≥ 25 kW. Generally, rapid charging points are rated at 50-kW dc and above. Increasingly, the classification “rapid” is being replaced by the term journey charging

The Sorghum bicolor reference genome: improved assembly, gene annotations, a transcriptome atlas, and signatures of genome organization.

Sorghum bicolor is a drought tolerant C4 grass used for the production of grain, forage, sugar, and lignocellulosic biomass and a genetic model for C4 grasses due to its relatively small genome (approximately 800 Mbp), diploid genetics, diverse germplasm, and colinearity with other C4 grass genomes. In this study, deep sequencing, genetic linkage analysis, and transcriptome data were used to produce and annotate a high-quality reference genome sequence. Reference genome sequence order was improved, 29.6 Mbp of additional sequence was incorporated, the number of genes annotated increased 24% to 34 211, average gene length and N50 increased, and error frequency was reduced 10-fold to 1 per 100 kbp. Subtelomeric repeats with characteristics of Tandem Repeats in Miniature (TRIM) elements were identified at the termini of most chromosomes. Nucleosome occupancy predictions identified nucleosomes positioned immediately downstream of transcription start sites and at different densities across chromosomes. Alignment of more than 50 resequenced genomes from diverse sorghum genotypes to the reference genome identified approximately 7.4 M single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 1.9 M indels. Large-scale variant features in euchromatin were identified with periodicities of approximately 25 kbp. A transcriptome atlas of gene expression was constructed from 47 RNA-seq profiles of growing and developed tissues of the major plant organs (roots, leaves, stems, panicles, and seed) collected during the juvenile, vegetative and reproductive phases. Analysis of the transcriptome data indicated that tissue type and protein kinase expression had large influences on transcriptional profile clustering. The updated assembly, annotation, and transcriptome data represent a resource for C4 grass research and crop improvement