Research Development Webinar Series: A Collaboration Amongst Touro College and University System Libraries

This collaboration amongst Touro College and University System (TCUS) libraries began as an initiative of the College Research Council to increase TCUS\u27s research footprint. Specifically, faculty and students needed to develop greater research knowledge and skills. The Library Advisory Committee, one of four subcommittees of the Research Council, recognized the wealth of research taught across the system by individual libraries, and saw this as an opportunity for collaboration

A New Constraint on the Escape Fraction in Distant Galaxies Using Gamma-ray Burst Afterglow Spectroscopy

We describe a new method to measure the escape fraction fesc of ionizing radiation from distant star-forming galaxies using the afterglow spectra of long-duration gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). Optical spectra of GRB afterglows allow us to evaluate the optical depth of the host ISM, according to the neutral hydrogen column density N(HI) observed along the sightlines toward the star-forming regions where the GRBs are found. Different from previous effort in searching for faint, transmitted Lyman continuum photons, our method is not subject to background subtraction uncertainties and does not require prior knowledge of either the spectral shape of the host galaxy population or the IGM Lya forest absorption along these GRB sightlines. Because most GRBs occur in sub-L_* galaxies, our study also offers the first constraint on fesc for distant low-mass galaxies that dominate the cosmic luminosity density. We have compiled a sample of 27 GRBs at redshift z>2 for which the underlying N(HI) in the host ISM are known. These GRBs together offer a statistical sampling of the integrated optical depth to ionizing photons along random sightlines from star-forming regions in the host galaxies, and allow us to estimate the mean escape fraction averaged over different viewing angles. We find =0.02\pm 0.02 and place a 95% c.l. upper limit <= 0.075 for these hosts. We discuss possible biases of our approach and implications of the result. Finally, we propose to extend this technique for measuring at z~0.2 using spectra of core-collapse supernovae.Comment: Five journal pages, including one figure; ApJL in pres

Categorical Dimensions of Human Odor Descriptor Space Revealed by Non-Negative Matrix Factorization

In contrast to most other sensory modalities, the basic perceptual dimensions of olfaction remain unclear. Here, we use non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) – a dimensionality reduction technique – to uncover structure in a panel of odor profiles, with each odor defined as a point in multi-dimensional descriptor space. The properties of NMF are favorable for the analysis of such lexical and perceptual data, and lead to a high-dimensional account of odor space. We further provide evidence that odor dimensions apply categorically. That is, odor space is not occupied homogenously, but rather in a discrete and intrinsically clustered manner. We discuss the potential implications of these results for the neural coding of odors, as well as for developing classifiers on larger datasets that may be useful for predicting perceptual qualities from chemical structures

On the origin of M81 group extended dust emission

Galactic cirrus emission at far-infrared wavelengths affects many extragalactic observations. Separating this emission from that associated with extragalactic objects is both important and difficult. In this paper we discuss a particular case, the M81 group, and the identification of diffuse structures prominent in the infrared, but also detected at optical wavelengths. The origin of these structures has previously been controversial, ranging from them being the result of a past interaction between M81 and M82 or due to more local Galactic emission. We show that over an order of a few arcmin scales, the far-infrared (Herschel 250 mu m) emission correlates spatially very well with a particular narrow-velocity (2-3 km s(-1)) component of the Galactic HI. We find no evidence that any of the far-infrared emission associated with these features actually originates in the M81 group. Thus we infer that the associated diffuse optical emission must be due to galactic light-back scattered off dust in our galaxy. Ultraviolet observations pick out young stellar associations around M81, but no detectable far-infrared emission. We consider in detail one of the Galactic cirrus features, finding that the far-infrared HI relation breaks down below arcmin scales and that at smaller scales there can be quite large dust-temperature variation

Oxo-Functionalization and Reduction of the Uranyl Ion through Lanthanide-Element Bond Homolysis:Synthetic, Structural, and Bonding Analysis of a Series of Singly Reduced Uranyl-Rare Earth 5f¹-4f^<em>n</em> Complexes

The heterobimetallic complexes [{UO2Ln-(py)2(L)}2], combining a singly reduced uranyl cation and a rare-earth trication in a binucleating polypyrrole Schiff-base macrocycle (Pacman) and bridged through a uranyl oxo-group, have been prepared for Ln = Sc, Y, Ce, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Er, Yb, and Lu. These compounds are formed by the single-electron reduction of the Pacman uranyl complex [UO2(py)(H2L)] by the rare-earth complexes LnIII(A)3 (A = N(SiMe3)2, OC6H3But 2-2,6) via homolysis of a Ln−A bond. The complexes are dimeric through mutual uranyl exo-oxo coordination but can be cleaved to form the trimetallic, monouranyl “ate” complexes [(py)3LiOUO(μ-X)Ln(py)(L)] by the addition of lithium halides. X-ray crystallographic structural characterization of many examples reveals very similar features for monomeric and dimeric series, the dimers containing an asymmetric U2O2 diamond core with shorter uranyl U=O distances than in the monomeric complexes. The synthesis by LnIII−A homolysis allows [5f1-4fn]2 and Li[5f1-4fn] complexes with oxobridged metal cations to be made for all possible 4fn configurations. Variable-temperature SQUID magnetometry and IR, NIR, and EPR spectroscopies on the complexes are utilized to provide a basis for the better understanding of the electronic structure of f-block complexes and their f-electron exchange interactions. Furthermore, the structures, calculated by restricted-core or allelectron methods, are compared along with the proposed mechanism of formation of the complexes. A strong antiferromagnetic coupling between the metal centers, mediated by the oxo groups, exists in the UVSmIII monomer, whereas the dimeric UVDyIII complex was found to show magnetic bistability at 3 K, a property required for the development of single-molecule magnets.JRC.E.6-Actinide researc

ETISEQ – an algorithm for automated elution time ion sequencing of concurrently fragmented peptides for mass spectrometry-based proteomics

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Concurrent peptide fragmentation (i.e. shotgun CID, parallel CID or MS^E) has emerged as an alternative to data-dependent acquisition in generating peptide fragmentation data in LC-MS/MS proteomics experiments. Concurrent peptide fragmentation data acquisition has been shown to be advantageous over data-dependent acquisition by providing greater detection dynamic range and providing more accurate quantitative information. Nevertheless, concurrent peptide fragmentation data acquisition remains to be widely adopted due to the lack of published algorithms designed specifically to process or interpret such data acquired on any mass spectrometer.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>An algorithm called Elution Time Ion Sequencing (ETISEQ), has been developed to enable automated conversion of concurrent peptide fragmentation data acquisition data to LC-MS/MS data. ETISEQ generates MS/MS-like spectra based on the correlation of precursor and product ion elution profiles. The performance of ETISEQ is demonstrated using concurrent peptide fragmentation data from tryptic digests of standard proteins and whole influenza virus. It is shown that the number of unique peptides identified from the digests is broadly comparable between ETISEQ processed concurrent peptide fragmentation data and the data-dependent acquired LC-MS/MS data.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The ETISEQ algorithm has been designed for easy integration with existing MS/MS analysis platforms. It is anticipated that it will popularize concurrent peptide fragmentation data acquisition in proteomics laboratories.</p

Systemic Delivery of an Adjuvant CXCR4-CXCL12 Signaling Inhibitor Encapsulated in Synthetic Protein Nanoparticles for Glioma Immunotherapy

Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive primary brain cancer, with a 5 year survival of ∼5%. Challenges that hamper GBM therapeutic efficacy include (i) tumor heterogeneity, (ii) treatment resistance, (iii) immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), and (iv) the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The C-X-C motif chemokine ligand-12/C-X-C motif chemokine receptor-4 (CXCL12/CXCR4) signaling pathway is activated in GBM and is associated with tumor progression. Although the CXCR4 antagonist (AMD3100) has been proposed as an attractive anti-GBM therapeutic target, it has poor pharmacokinetic properties, and unfavorable bioavailability has hampered its clinical implementation. Thus, we developed synthetic protein nanoparticles (SPNPs) coated with the transcytotic peptide iRGD (AMD3100-SPNPs) to target the CXCL2/CXCR4 pathway in GBM via systemic delivery. We showed that AMD3100-SPNPs block CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling in three mouse and human GBM cell cultures in vitro and in a GBM mouse model in vivo. This results in (i) inhibition of GBM proliferation, (ii) reduced infiltration of CXCR4+ monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (M-MDSCs) into the TME, (iii) restoration of BBB integrity, and (iv) induction of immunogenic cell death (ICD), sensitizing the tumor to radiotherapy and leading to anti-GBM immunity. Additionally, we showed that combining AMD3100-SPNPs with radiation led to long-term survival, with ∼60% of GBM tumor-bearing mice remaining tumor free after rechallenging with a second GBM in the contralateral hemisphere. This was due to a sustained anti-GBM immunological memory response that prevented tumor recurrence without additional treatment. In view of the potent ICD induction and reprogrammed tumor microenvironment, this SPNP-mediated strategy has a significant clinical translation applicability.Fil: Alghamri, Mahmoud S.. University Of Michigan Medical School; Estados UnidosFil: Banerjee, Kaushik. University Of Michigan Medical School; Estados UnidosFil: Mujeeb, Anzar A.. University Of Michigan Medical School; Estados UnidosFil: Mauser, Ava. University of Michigan; Estados UnidosFil: Taher, Ayman. University Of Michigan Medical School; Estados UnidosFil: Thalla, Rohit. University Of Michigan Medical School; Estados UnidosFil: McClellan, Brandon L.. University Of Michigan Medical School; Estados UnidosFil: Varela, Maria L.. University Of Michigan Medical School; Estados UnidosFil: Stamatovic, Svetlana M.. University Of Michigan Medical School; Estados UnidosFil: Martinez Revollar, Gabriela. University Of Michigan Medical School; Estados UnidosFil: Andjelkovic, Anuska V.. University Of Michigan Medical School; Estados UnidosFil: Gregory, Jason V.. University of Michigan; Estados UnidosFil: Kadiyala, Padma. University Of Michigan Medical School; Estados UnidosFil: Calinescu, Alexandra. University Of Michigan Medical School; Estados UnidosFil: Jiménez, Jennifer A.. University of Michigan; Estados UnidosFil: Apfelbaum, April A.. University of Michigan; Estados UnidosFil: Lawlor, Elizabeth R.. University of Washington; Estados UnidosFil: Carney, Stephen. University of Michigan; Estados UnidosFil: Comba, Andrea. University Of Michigan Medical School; Estados Unidos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Faisal, Syed Mohd. University Of Michigan Medical School; Estados UnidosFil: Barissi, Marcus. University Of Michigan Medical School; Estados UnidosFil: Edwards, Marta B.. University Of Michigan Medical School; Estados UnidosFil: Appelman, Henry. University Of Michigan Medical School; Estados UnidosFil: Sun, Yilun. Case Western Reserve University; Estados UnidosFil: Gan, Jingyao. University of Michigan; Estados UnidosFil: Ackermann, Rose. University of Michigan; Estados UnidosFil: Schwendeman, Anna. University of Michigan; Estados UnidosFil: Candolfi, Marianela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas; ArgentinaFil: Olin, Michael R.. University of Minnesota; Estados UnidosFil: Lahann, Joerg. University of Michigan; Estados UnidosFil: Lowenstein, Pedro R.. University of Michigan; Estados UnidosFil: Castro, Maria G.. University of Michigan; Estados Unido

A Multicomponent Animal Virus Isolated from Mosquitoes

RNA viruses exhibit a variety of genome organization strategies, including multicomponent genomes in which each segment is packaged separately. Although multicomponent genomes are common among viruses infecting plants and fungi, their prevalence among those infecting animals remains unclear. We characterize a multicomponent RNA virus isolated from mosquitoes, designated Guaico Culex virus (GCXV). GCXV belongs to a diverse clade of segmented viruses (Jingmenvirus) related to the prototypically unsegmented Flaviviridae. The GCXV genome comprises five segments, each of which appears to be separately packaged. The smallest segment is not required for replication, and its presence is variable in natural infections. We also describe a variant of Jingmen tick virus, another Jingmenvirus, sequenced from a Ugandan red colobus monkey, thus expanding the host range of this segmented and likely multicomponent virus group. Collectively, this study provides evidence for the existence of multicomponent animal viruses and their potential relevance for animal and human health.RNA viruses exhibit a variety of genome organization strategies, including multicomponent genomes in which each segment is packaged separately. Although multicomponent genomes are common among viruses infecting plants and fungi, their prevalence among those infecting animals remains unclear. We characterize a multicomponent RNA virus isolated from mosquitoes, designated Guaico Culex virus (GCXV). GCXV belongs to a diverse clade of segmented viruses (Jingmenvirus) related to the prototypically unsegmented Flaviviridae. The GCXV genome comprises five segments, each of which appears to be separately packaged. The smallest segment is not required for replication, and its presence is variable in natural infections. We also describe a variant of Jingmen tick virus, another Jingmenvirus, sequenced from a Ugandan red colobus monkey, thus expanding the host range of this segmented and likely multicomponent virus group. Collectively, this study provides evidence for the existence of multicomponent animal viruses and their potential relevance for animal and human health

GRB 130831a: Rise and demise of a magnetar at z = 0.5

Open Access.--14th Marcel Grossman Meeting On Recent Developments in Theoretical and Experimental General Relativity, Astrophysics and Relativistic Field Theories; University of Rome "La Sapienza"Rome; Italy; 12 July 2015 through 18 July 2015; Code 142474.-- http://www.icra.it/mg/mg14/Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are the brightest explosions in the universe, yet the properties of their energy sources are far from understood. Very important clues, however, can be deduced by studying the afterglows of these events. We present observations of GRB 130831A and its afterglow obtained with Swift, Chandra, and multiple ground-based observatories. This burst shows an uncommon drop in the X-ray light curve at about 100 ks after the trigger, with a decay slope of α 7. The standard Forward Shock (FS) model offers no explanation for such a behaviour. Instead, a model in which a newly born magnetar outflow powers the early X-ray emission is found to be viable. After the drop, the X-ray afterglow resumes its decay with a slope typical of FS emission. The optical emission, on the other hand, displays no clear break across the X-ray drop and its decay is consistent with that of the late X-rays. Using both the X-ray and optical data, we show that the FS model can explain the emission after 100 ks. We model our data to infer the kinetic energy of the ejecta and thus estimate the efficiency of a magnetar “central engine” of a GRB. Furthermore, we break down the energy budget of this GRB into prompt emission, late internal dissipation, kinetic energy of the relativistic ejecta, and compare it with the energy of the accompanying supernova, SN 2013fu. Copyright © 2018 by the Editors.All rights reserved.Peer reviewe