CAREER: Large-scale quantum-continuum simulation of layered metal oxide semiconductor photoelectrodes under finite-temperature electrochemical conditions

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY

The Division of Materials Research and the Division of Chemistry provide funding for this CAREER award, which supports computational research tightly integrated with educational and outreach activities aimed at broadening the palette of currently available photocatalytic materials.

Solar energy is the most abundant energy source available to humankind, but this energy cannot be harnessed on demand due to the variability of sunlight. This CAREER award supports research and education in the specific area of artificial photosynthesis, which emulates natural photosynthesis, the sunlight-driven process used by plants to transform the carbon dioxide absorbed by their leaves and the water pumped by their roots into organic nutrients for supporting their survival and growth. Using artificial photosynthesis, carbon-neutral fuels can be produced.

By developing accurate computer models to predict the chemical transformations that underlie artificial photosynthesis, the PI and his research team aim at answering critical questions that surround the fuel-production ability of a promising family of materials that have been shown to absorb a much larger portion of the solar spectrum than previously used materials. The outcome of this research will be to expand the palette of materials that can efficiently operate under sunlight, and develop new software for understanding how small variations in the composition of a given material can affect its ultimate fuel-production performance. The new software will be disseminated to the community through an open-source distribution.

This CAREER award also supports a comprehensive educational and outreach plan to increase the participation of women and underrepresented groups in science and engineering with an emphasis on exposing them to the universe of computer programming and simulation, on developing effective teaching materials to train a computationally literate generation of young scientists and engineers, and on accelerating the emergence of a diverse and well-trained workforce in the area of materials modeling in an effort to reduce the time and cost involved in the industrial development of new energy materials.

TECHNICAL SUMMARY

The Division of Materials Research and the Division of Chemistry provide funding for this CAREER award, which supports computational research tightly integrated with educational and outreach activities aimed at broadening the palette of currently available photocatalytic materials.

Solar energy is the most abundant energy source available to humankind, but this energy cannot be harnessed on demand due to the variability of sunlight. Artificial photosynthesis provides a sustainable way to overcome that variability through the direct photocatalytic storage of solar power into chemical fuels; however, most of the stable photocatalysts in use today rely on metal oxide semiconductors whose bandgap does not match the solar spectrum, which greatly limits their overall performance.

By developing accurate molecular and submolecular models of electrochemical reactions at the interface between a semiconductor and an electrolyte under realistic environmental conditions, the PI and his research team aim to understand, predict, and control the surface mechanisms that underlie the operation of photochemical reactors towards maximizing their fuel-production performance. This CAREER project is specifically focused on studying layered metal oxide photocatalysts that can operate optimally under sunlight. In order to predict the properties of promising layered semiconductors, the PI will exploit and further develop a newly released quantum-continuum model to perform large-scale simulations of semiconductor-solution interfaces at finite temperature, taking into account the adsorption of ions and the response of explicit water layers under applied voltage. New software will be created in the open-source Quantum-Espresso distribution to provide the computational community with a widely applicable and highly transferable modeling framework for future studies of photocatalytic mechanisms at electrified photoelectrodes.

This CAREER award also supports a comprehensive educational and outreach plan to increase the participation of women and underrepresented groups in science and engineering with an emphasis on exposing them to the universe of computer programming and simulation, on developing effective teaching materials to train a computationally literate generation of young scientists and engineers, and on accelerating the emergence of a diverse and well-trained workforce in the area of materials modeling in an effort to reduce the time and cost involved in the industrial development of new energy materials.


Using EMA to developmentally tailor an intervention to support on-demand PrEP among YMSM

Project Narrative Despite the availability of highly effective daily oral HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), uptake and adherence to PrEP among young men who have sex with men (YMSM) remains low. To achieve the goal of ending the HIV epidemic, increasing PrEP uptake among YMSM is critical. Exploring the potential for on- demand PrEP among YMSM, delivered in concert with developmentally tailored support interventions, has the potential to increase effective prevention adherence coverage among YMSM.


ENHANCEMENT OF CAPACITY FOR BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH


ENANTIOSELECTIVE SYNTHESIS OF NATURAL PRODUCTS


Using Technology to Prevent Obesity Among African American Girls

PROJECT NARRATIVE The purpose of this project is to reduce health disparities in obesity risk among 8-10 year old African American girls using a culturally sensitive and developmentally appropriate internet-based program with no face-to-face interaction. This study will conduct an outcome evaluation to test short and longer term effects on obesity risk.


TGF-beta 1 Regulation of Peripheral T Cell Tolerance


POPULATION BIOLOGY OF TEMPERATE AND TROPICAL LEPIDOPTERA


No summary - Aucun sommaire

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada

University Undergraduate Student Research Awards


Artour Elfimov | Instituto de Física e Tecnologia - Geórgia

O objetivo do trabalho é o estudo teórico da influência de zonas locais de ressonâncias ciclotrônicas de impurezas na excitação de ondas de Alfvén globais e de superfície, no aquecimento em rotação de plasma. A estrutura e a dissipação dos campos eletromagnéticos de ondas de Alfvén serão estudados a partir das equações de Maxwell. A rotação do plasma e a geração de corrente serão investigadas através das forças ponderomotivas induzidas pelas ondas de Alfvén. Os resultados serão utilizados para o modelamento das experiências que serão realizadas no tokamak TCABR. (AU)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

Auxílio à Pesquisa - Pesquisador Visitante - Internacional

Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Física (IF)


Short Term Variability in Affect and Rest Activity Rhythms in Long Term Chronic and Highly Variable Suicidal Ideation in Depressed Older Adults

PROJECT NARRATIVE Our previous research has shown that those with severe-persistent and high-fluctuating suicide ideation are at increased risk for death by suicide and suicide attempt. Using actigraphy and digital monitoring, we will investigate how severity and fluctuation of affect, inter-daily stability of the 24-hour rest-activity rhythm, and sleep health relate to suicide risk in these two high suicide risk groups.


Globalization and the labour compact, 1870-1933

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada


Machine learning algorithms for analyzing auditory scenes with multiple sound sources

Computer algorithms that analyze auditory scenes and extract individual sound sources would have a strong impact in several domains. For example, to facilitate natural interaction with computing devices by voice, an automatic speech recognition system must be able to focus on the voice of the person speaking to it and ignore sounds from all other sources. A hearing device must perform a similar task to allow a hearing impaired person conduct a conversation in a noisy, multiple source environment. Building on recent advances in the fields of machine learning and signal processing, we are developing sophisticated adaptive algorithms for analyzing auditory scenes with multiple sound sources. Our algorithms are based on probabilistic modeling of different sound sources and of the manner in which they overlap each other and distorted by reverberation and background noise. We use advanced recent techniques for inferring our models from sound data captured by a microphone array, separating those data into individual sources, and automatically determining the type of each source present and its location. Moreover, by reconstructing the clean signal of individual sound sources, we dramatically enhance the accuracy of automatic speech recognition for human speakers in multiple source environments. To facilitate the development and evaluation of our algorithms, and also to encourage competition between other research groups ultimately resulting in improved techniques, we collect a large dataset of multiple source auditory scenes, and make it publicly available on a dedicated website.


No summary - Aucun sommaire

Industrial Undergraduate Student Research Awards

Innovative Magnetic Resonance Imaging Systems Inc.


Cartographier les acides biliaires d’origine microbienne produits dans l’intestin grêle par la métabolomique in vitro et in vivo

Les acides biliaires (ABs) participent à plusieurs processus physiologiques de l’hôte et sont impliqués dans le système immunitaire. La dérégulation métabolique des ABs est impliquée dans plusieurs maladies (p. ex., maladies inflammatoires de l’intestin, obésité, diabète de type 2). Ces molécules sont synthétisées dans le foie et relâchées dans le duodénum, où elles sont transformées en ABs secondaires par les bactéries qui y résident, puis réabsorbées partiellement dans l’iléon. Conséquemment, les bactéries qui habitent le tractus gastro-intestinal transforment les ABs primaires (issus de l’hôte) et peuvent donc influencer la physiologie de l’hôte. Grâce à la métabolomique non ciblée (analyse des molécules issues de l’organisme ou de divers environnements de faible poids moléculaire < 1500 daltons), un nouveau mécanisme de transformation des ABs primaires dans l’intestin grêle a été découvert.  Des essais in vitro ont permis de cibler les espèces du genre Clostridioides comme responsables de ce nouveau mécanisme. Ces molécules ont été montrées comme affectant la régulation des ABs par leur liaison au récepteur clé de la synthèse des ABs primaires et comme possibles modulateurs du microbiote intestinal. Ainsi, cela démontre que malgré leur importance, nos connaissances sur l’étendue de ces transformations restent marginales. L’hypothèse sous-tendant mon projet de recherche est qu’en séparant l’hôte de son microbiote, il sera possible d’identifier de nouveaux ABs secondaires in vitro (p. ex., conjugaison d’autres acides aminés à l’acide cholique) et ensuite, confirmer leur présence in vivo. Pour tester cette hypothèse, des collections bactériennes seront construites en procédant à l’isolation des bactéries des trois organes de l’intestin grêle (duodénum, jéjunum, iléon) et la métabolomique non ciblée sera utilisée en association avec des outils bio-informatiques pour capturer ces nouveaux ABs secondaires inconnus. Découvrir ces ABs est important pour faire avancer nos connaissances concernant l’implication des ABs secondaires (dérivés des bactéries) dans le maintien de l’équilibre homéostatique des ABs dans le tractus gastro-intestinal. Finalement, la quantification en métabolomique ciblé (très sensible par rapport à une analyse non ciblée) des différents ABs primaires et secondaires, incluant ceux préalablement découverts in vitro, sera comparée entre des souris infectées à Salmonella enterica sérovar Typhimurium (STm; résistant aux ABs) et non infectées, puisque cette dernière est connue pour créer une dysbiose intestinale en inhibant des espèces de Clostridioides, impliquées dans la production d’ABs secondaires. L’utilisation de STm permettra d’évaluer comment la perturbation du microbiote intestinal crée un déséquilibre homéostatique des ABs et favorise le développement de l’agent pathogène. Ce projet de recherche vise donc à déterminer l’étendue des transformations que subissent les ABs primaires, les espèces responsables et comment ceux-ci sont impliqués dans le développement de maladies infectieuses causé par STm. Finalement, ce projet évaluera le rôle des ABs dans la création d’un environnement favorable à STm. Ces nouvelles connaissances ouvriront la voie à de nouvelles recherches sur la manière dont les agents pathogènes entériques favorisent leur établissement dans l’intestin et permettront d’optimiser les processus thérapeutiques visant les ABs dans les maladies inflammatoires et infectieuses.


Studies of Hibernation and Digestion in Chiroptera;


Mechanisms Linking Hearing Loss and Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias

Age-related hearing loss (HL) is a common condition (present in over 80% of those over 80 years) that is associated with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). The proposed award will support a career to clarify the mechanisms linking HL and ADRD, including whether HL is a cause, complication, or correlate of ADRD. This goal is in line with 2 goals of the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA) to “prevent and effectively treat Alzheimer’s disease by 2025,” and “expand supports for people with Alzheimer’s disease and their families.”


The Last Census: Governing Britain with Metrics

Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.


PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE:  The Colorado Summer Institute in Biostatistics (CoSIBS) will respond to the "Call to Action" to train the next generation of biostatisticians. The institute wil fill an important need in the western US. The program will be led by experienced senior teaching faculty with a strong commitment to biostatistics education. CoSIBS will inspire the next generation of biostatistician scientists to meet the long-term needs for new methods, study design, data analysis, and scientific leadership to assure the continued success of biomedical research as a cornerstone of public health practice and patient care.


NEURAL REGULATION OF PANCREATIC FUNCTION


Renal Tumor Marker by Monoclonal Antibodies Against Renal Cell Carcinoma

Murine IgM monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). 2D3 and 3E12. and IgG1 MAb 2E11 were prepared by the standard fusion methods against the established renal carcinoma (RC) cell line from perfused cells obtained from the renal vein of the tumorous kidney (CCF-RC2). In immunohistochemical analysis. 2D3.2E11 and 3E12 reacted with 13/23.2/11 and 21/23 of RC primary tumors and with a few other malignant tumor. Three MAbs reacted with normal renal tubular epithelium. 2D3 and 2E11 did not react with any other normal tissue examined except endothelium. We developed a double determinant enzyme immunoassay to detect tumor associated antigenin sera from RC patients using polyclonal Ab (anti-rabbit serum against RC cells) as first Ab and Mabs as the second Ab. This assay showed 3 out of 24 serum samples from RCC patients were positive and the remaining 21 serum samples, 3 serum samples from normal volunteers, and 6 urine specimens were negative. Although the positive rate was low, the results indicated that the circulating RCC antigens existed in the serum of RCC patients.

Japan Society for the Promotion of Science

Grant-in-Aid for General Scientific Research (C)


Hemodynamic responses to eletrical stimulation of the aortic depressor nerve and chemoreflex activation with potassium cyanide in unanesthetized rats.

Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP)


Public Health Relevance Narrative Statement Memory is fundamentally important to numerous aspects of our everyday lives, and disorders of memory that impair everyday functions are commonly observed in normal aging and Alzheimer's disease. Imagining or mentally simulating events that might occur in the future is crucial to adaptive function, important to planning for the future, and disrupted in healthy aging and Alzheimer's disease. Our work should yield novel insights that will enhance understanding of both neural and cognitive aspects of age-related changes in constructive memory and future imagining.


Kooperativität in Bor und Kohlenstoffbasierten PinzettenKomplexen

Ziel dieses Projektes ist die Entwicklung einer neuen Art von Metall-Ligand kooperativen Bindungsaktivierung für Anwendungen in der Homogenkatalyse. Die im Fokus stehenden Übergangsmetallkomplexe enthalten Pinzetten-Liganden mit zentralen Donor-Gruppen, die auf den Elementen Bor und Kohlenstoff basieren. Wir haben entdeckt, dass Carbodiphosphoran-basierte (CDP) Rhodium(I)-Komplexe dieses Typs mit geminalen Dichloride unter oxidativer Addition und kooperativer Spaltung der zweiten C–Cl-Bindung reagieren. Die entstehenden Rhodium(III)-Komplexe enthalten formal ein CDP-stabilisiertes Carben als Ligand, was eine ungewöhnliche Bindungssituation darstellt, die im Rahmen diese Projektes für eine Reihe von Komplexen näher untersucht werden soll. Die zugrundeliegende Art der kooperativen Bindungsspaltung soll auf andere organische Dihalogene sowie auf geminale Dichloride der schweren Homologen der Gruppe 14 und der Elemente der Gruppe 13 übertragen werden. Basierend auf diesen Beobachtungen werden wir katalytische Reaktionen durch Verwendung geeigneter (möglichst nachhaltiger) Reduktionsmittel entwickeln, die die entstandene Rhodium(III)-Spezies zurück reduzieren und somit einen Transfer des stabilisierten Carbens induzieren. Die Synthese entsprechender Bor-basierter Komplexe, die formal ein Liganden-stabilisiertes Borid enthalten, stellt eine Herausforderung dar, die wir im Rahmen dieses Projektes bezwingen wollen. Dieses wollen wir durch die geeignete Wahl von Zentralatom, Liganden und stabilisierenden Substituenten am zentralen Bor-Atom realisieren. Die Reaktivität gegenüber ungesättigten, potentiell heterolytsch spaltbaren und Dihalogenid-Substraten werden wir mit der von entsprechenden CDP-basierten Komplexen vergleichen und entsprechende katalytische Reaktionen entwickeln.


DORSAL-VENTRAL PATTERN OF THE DROSOPHILA EMBRYO


In Vivo Characterization of Major ENCODE-Predicted Classes of Noncoding Elements

PROJECT NARRATIVE Most of the human genome is comprised of noncoding sequence, which contains millions of regulatory DNA elements that orchestrate the complex activities of individual genes as the human body develops, functions, and reacts to disease processes. While the ENCODE project has made incredible progress towards mapping these sequences and defining different classes based on their biochemical properties, their general function in the context of a living organism is poorly understood. This project will use targeted removal of individual regulatory sequences from the mouse genome as a model to understand the importance of noncoding sequences defined by the ENCODE project for the development and survival of mammalian organisms including humans.

UNIVERSITY OF CALIF-LAWRENC BERKELEY LAB


CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL MIMICRY OF TELOMERASE


Understanding the causes of DNA methylation response to methylmercury: a novel approach to quantify genetic, environmental, and stochastic factors

PROJECT NARRATIVE Environmental chemicals that do not damage DNA may still contribute to environmental disease risk by disrupting chemical modifications to DNA that control gene expression, termed “epigenetic marks”; these modifications including DNA methylation. My research will leverage a unique study design to capture genetic, environmental, stochastic, and gene-environment interaction effects on DNA methylation of the neurotoxic heavy metal, methylmercury. This work will shed critical light on mechanisms underlying chemical effects on DNA methylation, which will directly enable public health protection from chemicals with epigenetic mechanisms of action.


競争と抗争の社会学的研究

Principal Investigator：安田 三郎, Project Period (FY)：1972, Research Category：Grant-in-Aid for General Scientific Research (C), Research Field：Sociology


Functional Genomic Dissection of Refractory Anemia

PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a disease of abnormal blood production that frequently progresses to acute leukemia. Heterozygous deletion of chromosome 5q is the most common chromosomal abnormality in MDS. We aim to understand how these deletions cause MDS and to understand how this genetic lesion can be targeted therapeutically.


LECTINS AND SNAIL-TREMATODE ASSOCIATIONS


Inflammation, Macrophage Differentiation, and Cancer


Biopsychosocial influence on shoulder pain


American Indian - Alaska Native Clinical and Translational Research Center (AI-AN CTRC)

PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Alaska and Montana have significant Alaskan Native and American Indian populations, respectively, who experience some of the greatest health disparities of any ethnic or racial group. We propose to build clinical and translational research infrastructure that will develop and expand Native health research capacity in Alaska and Montana, which in turn will result in improved health of these Native people.


CARDIAC DYSFUNCTIONS CAUSED BY HISTAMINE RELEASE


MINORITY ADOLESCENT HIV RESEARCH PROJECT


Developing the predatory bacterium Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus as a novel therapy for treating canine otitis externa

Canine otitis media is a bacterial infection commonly caused by multi-drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa1. Severe cases can result in the only remaining therapeutic option being surgery2,3, which may result in deafness (R. White pers comm). As such, novel approaches to antibacterial therapies are desperately needed. Bacteriophage, viruses that kill bacteria, are relatively well-studied alternatives to antibiotics, however resistance of the bacteria to bacteriophage can arise readily. Other 'living' antibacterials that do not result in such genetically-encoded resistance by the pathogen may represent a better alternative. The predatory bacterium Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus may be one such approach. Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus grows by preying upon susceptible Gram-negative bacteria, including many antibiotic-resistant pathogens, including Pseudomonas spp, E. coli, and Vibrio spp amongst others. We have previously shown that Bdellovibrio can effectively reduce the colonisation levels of Salmonella in chicks4, accompanied by an improvement in clinical symptoms; this has been followed by in vivo infection models involving Shigella5, Klebsiella6, Vibrio7 and Yersinia8 spp. Bdellovibrio are both self-replicating and self-limiting, both advantages over conventional antibiotics. In animal trials, Bdellovibrio does not cause harm8, at worst eliciting a temporary mild inflammation9. Bdellovibrio has been shown to efficiently kill prey growing in biofilms10, and as such it has potential for use against topical infections, such as external ear infections. The aim of this project is to determine the potential efficacy of Bdellovibrio therapy for the treatment of canine otitis externa caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and to study the added potential of combinatorial predator therapy involving both Bdellovibrio and bacteriophage, building upon some of our recently published work11. Main objectives: 1: Quantify the predatory ability of Bdellovibrio to kill in vitro Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from cases of canine otitis media, both in pure and mixed cultures, containing other bacterial species co-isolated from the same clinical samples. 2: To build on previous data showing that killing of E. coli by the combination of a Bdellovibrio with a bacteriophage could result in complete eradication of prey in an in vitro assay, to look at the combinatorial effects of Bdellovibrio and either a) a Pseudomonas phage against a pure culture of Pseudomonas, or b) a phage targeting a second bacterial species, against a mixed culture of Pseudomonas and a second species. 3: Assess the efficacy of Bdellovibrio predation on Pseudomonas cells forming biofilm structures in the presence of epithelial cells. Using a published tissue culture-based approach whereby P. aeruginosa forms biofilms on monolayers of epithelial cells12,13, Bdellovibrio predation in the presence of both bacterial prey and epithelial cells will be studied, such as would be encountered during therapy. Together these objectives will reveal the potential efficacy of Bdellovibrio, and combinatorial therapies with bacteriophage in complex, multi-species populations of bacteria. It will inform us as to the best approaches to take in future in vivo therapeutic trials (outside the scope of this project). As Pseudomonas aeruginosa is both an animal and human pathogen, this project may lead to new therapeutic approaches for a variety of infections.

Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council


Modeling and empirical studies of arboviruses in Florida


画像データを用いた魚群行動のモデリングに関する研究

Principal Investigator：三宮 信夫, Project Period (FY)：1985, Research Category：Grant-in-Aid for General Scientific Research (C), Research Field：計測・制御工学

Japan Society for the Promotion of Science


発生工学を用いた心不全の病態解明と心血管再生細胞移植治療における骨髄幹細胞の役割

【目的】骨髄単核球移植による血管新生効果が臨床的にも確立されている。内皮系幹細胞の関与が大きいが新生血管内皮に集積する細胞起源は明らかでない。骨髄由来単球系幹細胞の内皮細胞分化の可能性とバルーン傷害血管での内皮再生による内膜肥厚の抑制効果を検討する。【方法】骨髄由来単球系幹細胞はCD14陽性細胞をソートして採取しVEGF存在下で培養し、造血系細胞マーカー、内皮系マーカー、間葉系マーカー抗体にて免疫染色行い分化誘導を検討した。ヌードラット頸動脈をバルーン傷害して内膜肥厚モデルを作製し、直後にPKH2-GL蛍光染色したヒト骨髄由来CD14陽性細胞を動脈内に投与した。【結果および考察】VEGF存在下で培養された骨髄由来CD14陽性細胞はVEGF存在下で造血系細胞マーカー(CD14,CD45,CD11b)を失い、内皮系マーカー(Tie2,CD34,Flk)出現が観察された。間葉系マーカーは陰性であった。バルーン傷害後に移植された骨髄CD14陽性細胞は傷害部位にMCP-1依存性に接着し、内膜肥厚を完全に抑制した。末梢血由来CD14陽性細胞では接着は観察されなかった。接着した骨髄CD14陽性細胞は造血系細胞マーカー(CD14,CD45,CD11b)を失い、内皮系マーカー(vWF, eNOS)を発現していた。再生内皮はエバンスブルーの侵出が抑制され、アセチルコリン依存性の拡張を示した。HUVECを用いたflow assayではMCP-1で刺激された骨髄CD14陽性細胞が明らかに高い接着能を示した。骨髄由来CD14陽性単球系幹細胞はbeta-integrin定常発現量が末梢血由来CDl4陽性単球系細胞より著明に元進していた。MCP-1により活性化beta-integrinが増加していた。CCR2発現は差がなかった。【結論】骨髄由来単球系幹細胞は内皮前駆細胞への分化能を持ち、MCP-1依存性にバルーン傷害内膜に強固に接着した。内皮再生により内膜肥厚は抑制され再狭窄も阻止された。PTCA後の内皮再生を目的とした細胞治療に応用可能と考えられた。

Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Priority Areas

Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine(2003-2004)Kansai Medical University(2000-2002)


Role of NGF in inflammatory and proliferative cascades of psoriatic disease

Psoriasis is a disease with flakey skin, and can be associated with arthritis of  joints of hands, wrist, feet, ankle, knee, and spine. Nearly 2% of American population  has psoriasis and 8-10% of psoriasis patients develop psoriatic arthritis. Psoriasis and  psoriatic arthritis are life long chronic debilitating disease. A large number of the VA  patient population suffers from these diseases. Cause of psoriatic arthritis is not known,  treatment options for psoriatic arthritis are limited and worldwide only a few investigators  are doing research to understand the disease process of psoriatic arthritis. In this  proposed research project we will be investigating the role of nerve growth factor (NGF)  in the disease process of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. NGF is a chemical mainly  helps in to grow nerves in the embryo. NGF also irritates skin and other human body  parts; in scientific language this is called inflammation. NGF is produced by skin cells  and joint cells (synovial cells) and many other cells. NGF has a contributing role in  several diseases including psoriasis. In this study we are doing a very important  research work to find out how NGF causes psoriasis, induces inflammation and pain in  psoriatic arthritis. Here we will transplant uninvolved skin from psoriasis patients and  skin of normal healthy subjects to immune deficient mouse. We will collect blood cells  from psoriasis patients and healthy subjects; we will treat these blood cells with NGF.  These NGF treated cells will be injected into the transplanted human skin on mice. We  expect that the injection of NGF treated blood cells from psoriasis patients will create  psoriasis only in the mice transplanted with skin from psoriasis patients. Thus these  experiments may help us to understand whether blood cells and NGF are responsible for  causing psoriasis. Currently we are determining whether joint tissues from psoriatic  arthritis has increased level of NGF and whether NGF is damaging the joint by altering  the immune system. To determine these goals we are studying blood, joint fluid and joint  tissues from patients with psoriatic arthritis and other forms of arthritis such as  rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Our initial results suggest that joint fluid of  psoriatic arthritis has more NGF compared to rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. We  have also noticed that NGF is likely activating a special group of immune cells (T  lymphocytes) in the joint. It is possible that increased level of NGF and the hyperactive T  cells have a contributing role to cause the joint inflammation. In a very recent animal  experiment we have demonstrated that psoriasis can be treated by medicines which can  neutralize the inflammatory effect of NGF. It is possible to develop nontoxic and  effective medicines by neutralizing the bad effects of NGF. Our research work will help  to understand the cause of psoriatic disease and thus to develop better patient care and  treatment of psoriasis and arthritis. The success of this project will help the VA patient  population immensely because both psoriasis and arthritis related sickness is a major  problem among this group of patients.


Tracking the dynamics of how schemas scaffold recall

Project Narrative In my dissertation, I will use newly-developed machine learning techniques to study how the brain uses prior knowledge (about the spatial structure of an environment, or how certain types of events unfold in time) to scaffold new learning. By precisely characterizing how this scaffolding process works, my research will help to identify ways in which prior knowledge can be more optimally leveraged to support learning. This will lead to the development of tools to help memory-impaired individuals make better use of intact prior knowledge to support new learning, as well as remedies for groups where deficiencies in prior knowledge prevent them from learning properly.


Analysis of abnormal tongue movement by three dimensional tongue movement measurement device with bimorph piezopolymer thin film

The subjects of this research was composed of normal occlusion 1 case and openbite 1 case which had obtained the agreement of cooperation for this research. The sensor which arranged five bimorph piezopolymer thin films was arranged by three rows in the direction of tongue's sagittal plane. However, the curvature on the lateral side was considerably smaller than the curvature in dorsum of tongue central part. The characteristic of the curvature was also similar to the curvature in central part. It was enough in the measurement only of tongue central part in tongue movement at swallowing in the above-mentioned reason.The results were at follows.1.In normal occlusion case, the curvature of the sensor in the dorsum of tongue was large, and upward in the dorsum of tongue was admitted. However, in openbite case, the curvature in the dorsum of tongue was small and the dorsum of tongue was a smooth tendency while swallowing.2.In normal occlusion case, the downward in the dorsum of tongue had started before the tongue tip reached an uppermost position, and after the tongue tip reached an uppermost position, the dorsum of tongue was located most downward. In openbite case, the beginning time of the dorsum's downward was similar to the normal occlusion case. However, amount of the movement on the tongue tip was small, the descent of the dorsum of tongue appeared at the early stage compared to the normal occlusion case, and dorsum of tongue had been located most downward before the tip of tongue was located in uppermost one.From the above-mentioned result, it was guessed that the compensatory tongue movement which had been adapted to anterior openbite occurred to maintain a negative air pressure for swallowing. Because the subjects were few, subjects should be increased in the next research.

Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)


The role of small RNA derived tRNAs in gene regulation: Mechanism and Therapeutic Applications

NARRATIVE tRNA derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) represent a class of non-coding RNAs that play important yet not well defined roles in gene regulation. We further define a novel mechanism by which a specific tsRNA regulates ribosome biogenesis. We will establish if other tsRNA species have similar models of regulation. Finally, we will manipulate these RNAs using gene therapy and oiigonucleotide delivery and establish their therapeutic potential in human disease states


Probing molecular mechanisms of neurodegenerative ageing in prion ablated mice

Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.


Impacts of mechanosensation and matrix architecture on cell fate specification in traumatic heterotopic ossification

Project Narrative Heterotopic ossification (HO) is the pathologic formation of extra-skeletal bone that forms almost exclusively at sites of mechanical stress. We purport that discoidin domain receptor 2 (DDR2) and injury site immobilization modify extra-cellular matrix alignment and thus changes cell fate through downstream mechanotransductive signaling. Determination of the underlying mechanisms responsible for HO will enable us to validate clinically relevant mobilization protocols and mechanotransductive therapies to combat this currently untreatable disease.


PPHF 2013: OSTLTS Partnerships- CBA of the Public Health System

ASIAN & PACIFIC ISLANDER AMER HLTH FORUM


NURSE PRACTITIONER &NURSE MIDWIFERY PROGRAM


Hormonal regulation of mineral metabolism in fishes and invertebrates

The current proposal seeks to continue our long term program of studies on how calcium and phosphate homeostasis are regulated in fish and aquatic leeches by the peptide hormone, stanniocalcin-1 (STC-1).

Objective I. The mitochondria-rich, chloride cells in trout gill have high levels of STC-1 receptors. We will explore the possibility that STC-1 is targeted to chloride cell mitochondria as part of the mechanism of action by which STC-1 inhibits gill calcium transport.

Objective II. Early oocytes in trout ovary produce a variant form of STC-1 that appears to be targeted back to these oocytes in an autocrine or intracrine loop. We seek to identify the sub-cellular compartment targeted by the hormone and to purify the  variant form of STC-1 for chemical analysis and bioassay.

Objective #3. Leeches have STC-related proteins and receptors that regulate calcium uptake by the skin. We will study the regulation of this transport process by factors such as calcium. We will also determine if calcium uptake in leeches cyclical over time (weeks), as it is in fishes. We will also purify two different leech forms of STC, characterize then structurally and test them in biological studies.

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada


A National iPS Cell Network with Deep Phenotyping for Translational Research

Project Narrative This proposal creates a consortium of CTSAs with previously existing iPSC banks and expertise in their creation, culture, differentiation, and genetic manipulation with the goals of leveraging their collective resources and expertise to benefit the CSTA and greater research community. It further proposes the addition to the existing bank of ~2500 banked, reprogrammable blood samples from the second generation cohort of the Framingham Heart Study (FHS) as well as the additional banking of ~3700 blood samples from the Gen3 and Omni2 FHS cohorts. Together, these samples along with >1000 currently existing iPSC lines banked by participating CTSA sites will be catalogued and made available to all CTSAs along with a genome-editing “toolbox”, consisting of already-edited iPSC lines as well protocols and reagents to allow investigators to themselves edit the genomes of lines of their choosing. Finally, CTSAs participating in this proposal will establish and conduct an annual educational, hands-on iPSC culture course to provide essential training in iPSC culture and related techniques and thus maximize the potential utility of the CTSA iPSC bank and toolbox.


SBIR Phase I:  Treatment of Perchlorate Contaminated Water Using Surface Engineered Super Paramagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles

This SBIR Phase I project will develop an advanced state-of-the-art perchlorate remediation technology by using magnetic nanoparticles functionalized with selective perchlorate ion-receptors.  Ion exchange, which is the most widely used technology for treating water containing less than 100ppb of perchlorate, has the drawback of needing frequest regeneration or disposal of the perchlorate-laden resins.  This project will investigate the feasibility of using functionalized magnetic nanoparticles with certain specific anion receptors to selectively bind CIO4.

The broader/commercial impacts of the proposed project will be the removal of perchlorate contamination from drinking water sources.  EPA estimates that about 90% of the perchlorate manufactured in the U.S. is used by the military or NASA.  Perchlorate contamination has been detected in over 350 drinking water sources in California alone.  Perchlorate cleanup in the U.S. is estimated to cost over $300 million.  A cost-effective and environmentally acceptable technology could focus on some market share of the estimated $60 million market for perchlorate removal.


Information Assurance Scholarship Program

Carnegie Mellon leadership is extremely supportive of this program and believes strongly that SFS enables them to make a substantial contribution to the effort to secure the Federal Government's information infrastructure. The University desires to keep the number of students as close to current levels as possible, and is sharing the costs of the program to achieve that goal. The University contributes 25% of tuition costs per student, per year, a cost sharing that totals some $850,000 over the life of the grant and makes the cost per student proposal approximately $74,000, vs. approximately $87,000 in the original grant. SFS scholarships are awarded to students in either of two masters' degrees, the MS in Information Security Technology and Management, and the MS in Information Security Policy and Management. The curriculum for both programs have been certified pursuant to the Information Assurance Courseware Evaluation Process of the National Security Agency's National Infosec Training and Education Program, and have been mapped against NSTISSI No. 4011 - National Training Standard for Information Systems Security (INFOSEC) Professionals.


Targeting Apolipoprotein E4-related Neuropathology


Rites of Power: Symbolism, Ritual and Politics in the Soviet Union and Russia

In the last fifteen years, Russia has undergone major political change associated with the collapse of the USSR. One of the most important tasks of the new regime is to establish a sense of its legitimacy, which should in turn help to shape its future. As a major player in global politics and a significant power in the Asia-Pacific region, Russia's internal development has important consequences for Australia and the world. Only by understanding Russia and what is happening inside it can Australia adequately deal with and interact with it. This project will substantially further such understanding.


PROJECT NARRATIVE Occupational exposure to manganese (Mn) through welding fumes continues to bear the risk of developing neurological impairments, with a safe exposure limit to airborne Mn being unknown. This study will define the dose-response relation of Mn deposition and elimination in the human brain, and investigate oxidative stress markers and neurotransmitter changes in a cohort of welders using personal air sampling and novel, non-invasive brain imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy. Understanding the spatial-temporal characteristics of human brain Mn deposition and neurochemical responses of the human brain will have significant translational impact on our understanding of the Mn dose-response relationship in welding, and will help defining a safe level of occupational exposure to Mn.


Literary Neurodivergence Before Neurodiversity, or Neuroqueering French Literature from Stendhal to Wittig (1839-1984

What is a poetics of neurodivergence and what new and revealing light can it throw on key works of French-language literature? What can these works, in turn, tell us about neurodivergence? This thesis will draw on cutting-edge studies on neurodiversity to reimagine how we think about iconic literary texts and their real-world implications. It will offer, for the first time, neurodivergent and neuroqueer readings of canonical works of nineteenth- and twentieth-century French-language literature created before the emergence of the neurodiversity paradigm in the 1990s. Rather than 'diagnosing' characters or authors, this study will examine neurodivergent and neuroqueer 'resonances' in texts.


Uncovering the role of GPR75 as an activator of fatty acid transporters in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)

This project addresses the NIH’s Illuminating the Druggable Genome (IDG) initiative by focusing on the poorly understood GPCR, GPR75 and its endogenous high-affinity ligand 20-HETE, a vasoactive lipid, in the context of obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The proposed research will uncover the pathological consequences and molecular mechanisms that are activated by the paring of GPR75 to 20-HETE as well as how to best block this interaction in order to alleviate and prevent the damage associated with obesity and NAFLD. Obesity and obesity-associated complications like NAFLD are a major and ever-growing public health concern and our proposal will reveal how promising GPR75 is as a novel target for the treatment of these diseases.


Growth and toxin production of C. botulinum type E in packaged sea food with carbon dioxide-atmosphere

In order to establish a method for studying the growth and toxin production by Clostridium botulinum in modified atmosphere packaged (MAP) condition, agar surface system using Trypticase Soy Agar (TSA) plate in which the pH was adjusted to equal that in COィイD22ィエD2 atmospheres was employed. Results showed that this system could be used for estimating the effect of headspace gas on the bacterial growth (Escherichia coil and Staphylococcus aureus) on the surface of (TSA) packaged with various COィイD22ィエD2 partial pressures (0, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100%, balance NィイD22ィエD2).Using the agar surface system described above, the effect of COィイD22ィエD2 on spore germination and vegetative cell growth of Clostridinium botulinum was investigated at various concentration (COィイD22ィエD2 0-100%,remainder NィイD22ィエD2) and temperatures (15℃, 5℃). At 15℃, the number of spore which could germinate and outgrow was significantly enhanced under a controlled COィイD22ィエD2 gas atmosphere as compared to NィイD22ィエD2 gas atm…Moreosphere (100%) regardless of their concentrations. The highest number of germinating spore was obtained with COィイD22ィエD2 concentration of 20%, as followed by 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100% in this order. Storage at 5℃ under COィイD22ィエD2 atmosphere significantly reduced the number of spore which could germinate. Under NィイD22ィエD2 atmosphere the number of spore did not differ from initial levels and remained unchanged for remainder of the storage period. Hence it was suggested that COィイD22ィエD2 not only inhibit germination but also promote the death of C. botulinum type E at 5 or 0 ℃ on the agar media employed.These findings on the adverse effect of COィイD22ィエD2 on spore germination with decreasing temperatures suggest extreme importance of proper storage temperatures for controlled COィイD22ィエD2 MAP (Modified Atmosphere Packaged) foods at all point of the food chain.Finally, the growth and toxin production of Clostriclium botulinum type E inoculated on fresh fish fillets (jack mackerel and yellowtail) packaged under carbon dioxide (COィイD22ィエD2 40%, NィイD22ィエD2 60%) and NィイD22ィエD2(NィイD22ィエD2 100%) controlled gas atmosphere were investigated at two abusive temperatures (10℃, 30℃) for short period of time. At 10℃, the growth of C. botulunum was slower in samples initially packaged with 40% COィイD22ィエD2 than those packaged with 100% NィイD22ィエD2 in Jack Mckerel samples, indicating a potentially lower risk in COィイD22ィエD2 atmosphere than in NィイD22ィエD2 atmosphere at 10℃. No increase in the C. botulinum type E population on jack mackerel was noted regardless of the type of packaging within 6h at 30℃. At prolonged period of storage at 10℃, all samples were spoiled before they became toxic, regardless of atmospheres. The results suggested that the botulinal risk in MAP fish in Japanese distribution system is minimal even under abusive conditions.Less

Japan Society for the Promotion of Science


5HT AND MEK--INTERACTION OF VASCULAR TONE AND PRESSURE


RXRを分子標的としたジヒドロピリミジン誘導体の抗悪性腫瘍薬への基礎的研究

核内受容体であるレチノイドX受容体（RXR）をターゲットとしたRXRアゴニストは、がんをはじめ様々な疾病の治療に応用できると考えられているが、臨床上の副作用によりベキサロテン以外に臨床応用されていない。申請者は、新規合成ジヒドロピリミジン誘導体（DP）03がヒト骨髄系白血病細胞株NB4に惹起するアポトーシスをRXRアンタゴニスト共存下で阻害することを見出した。本研究では、DP03をDPに由来するRXRアゴニストとして抗悪性腫瘍薬とする臨床応用への有意義な基礎的知見を提供することを目指す。


Copernicus Relays for digitalisation spanning a Network

CoRdiNet is an open network of five very diverse Copernicus Relays with a coordinating function on local, regional, cluster and national level, supporting, promoting and stimulating digitalisation and new business solutions based on Earth Observation (EO) i.e. Copernicus data.  This coordination & support action bundles the local expertise in the civil use of EO, close to the needs and offers of citizens, administrations and businesses, and will share them with other Copernicus Relays, Academies and new EO players. Three Relays have a regional focus (Basilicata, Bavaria, East Midlands), one a national focus (Norway), while the fifth contributes the expertise of a space application company, GMV. NEREUS, the Network of European Regions using Space Technologies, comprises 26 regions and is active in exploiting the benefits of space technologies while supporting European regional space policies. As sixth partner it will be entrusted, supported by a yet to be set-up, evaluation board, to hold and decide on the distribution of a specific “fund” of 100 k EUR supporting more than 20 joint activities between the consortium and external partners with concrete proposals to collaborate. Coordination of CoRdiNet with both, the Copernicus FPA and the Copernicus Support Office, will be paid attention to. To offer tangible opportunities to collaborate with, the consortium will gather local expertise in sector oriented European-wide working groups to design better strategies and guidelines for new digital services, support the creation of pilot projects linking users & suppliers of services, organise awareness raising, bi-lateral events, while providing user-targeted information and find out about as well as bundle local key players and local societal challenges and needs, EO data are able to match. Joint outreach and dissemination activities ensure embedding of its work in national and EU/ESA activities. CoRdiNet enjoys support of EARSC, the FPA, the CSO, and 6 external regions.


ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR RECOMBINATION PROCESSES


Culture-Based Prediction of Adolescent HIV Risk


時間分解XAFS測定を用いた光触媒の構造・電子状態変化の追跡

本研究では半導体光触媒表面に担持した助触媒の、光励起した際の構造や電子状態の変化を可視化するために、時間分解型X線ビームステーションを用いた助触媒担持半導体光触媒への時間分解XAFS測定を行う。これにより光励起時の、助触媒の化学状態や構造状態の変化を観測する。


SessFor - Sustainable development of ecosystem services in Swiss forests

Background
The wood industry in Switzerland has great economic potential. The forest provides many more services than protection from avalanches and debris flows, recreation and biodiversity. Some services are provided simultaneously, others compete with each other. Megatrends such as climate change and energy transitions present new challenges to safeguarding the sustainability of these services. Today’s decision for one or the other service can have consequences for the next 50 to 100 years.

Aims
We aim to investigate the reactions of growth, mortality and regeneration to changing climate conditions and build the identified processes into the models. We will thus determine how synergies and conflicts in current forest services will change in future. In this connection it is important that, even if the forest’s multiple services are not safeguarded, they can nonetheless be fulfilled at the landscape level. This effect can be analysed using extrapolation of existing models to larger scales.

Importance
Together with forestry practitioners, sustainable forest management strategies are being defined for a variety of forest types. Using forest development models it will be possible to assess ecological and economic effects of the different forest management systems over long periods of time and for different scales. Insights from the study will be implemented in a prototype of an IT-based decision-making support system.

Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung

Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research  – WSL


MICROTUBULE ASSEMBLY FACTORS FROM XENOPUS EGGS


Antigenic determinants of asthma-associated allergens for design of immunotherapy

Project Narrative Cockroach and mite allergy is associated with the development of asthma, which affects 17 million people in the U.S. The antigenic determinants of Bla g 2 and Group 1 mite allergens will be identified to elucidate the importance of the intrinsic properties of these allergens on allergic disease. Hypoallergenic mutants will be produced and tested for IgE antibody binding and T cell proliferation, and the information obtained will facilitate a rational design of allergy vaccines.


Highly efficient rectifier circuit for high performance permanent magnet synchronous generators on vehicle

This work proposes a highly efficient rectifier system for permanent magnet synchronous generators (PMSGs), which is attractive to be applied to on-vehicle power generation. The proposed rectifier system consists of a diode rectifier, which is known as highly efficient, and a gate controlled series compensator (GCSC) as a series reactive power compensator. The proposed rectifier has the same capability with a PWM rectifier from the point of generator operation; therefore, the generator can be operated efficiently. At the same time, the proposed rectifier has a high efficiency of power conversion stage, which is almost same as the one of the diode rectifier. Those were confirmed in experiments using 3 kW PMSG.


Recovery Group for Women with Substance Use Disorders


Purpose: this project's purpose is to implant the 'red reflex test' in the DIR XI and to create an ophthalmology service to evaluate children with changes in the reflex and treat those with cataract. Method: the DIR XI's pediatricians will receive theory and practice training and a special flashlight (that can substitute the direct ophthalmoscope) to check the red reflex in DIR XIs maternity and pediatric services. The children with change in the red reflex will be examined at the HCFMB-UNESP Botucatu ophthalmology service. Children with cataract will be treating in the Children Cataract Service, which will be created. When the changes in the red reflex are caused by other pathologies, parents will be oriented. If possible, the children will be directed, preferentially, to the HCFMB-UNESP Botucatu ophthalmology service when these other pathologies may receive treatment. (AU)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

Auxílio à Pesquisa - Pesquisa em Políticas Públicas para o SUS

Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Faculdade de Medicina (FMB)


Combining Sparse Modeling and Data Assimilation for Human Flow Prediction to Capture Behavioral Irregularities

In this study, we developed a machine learning model as a basis for a highly accurate behavioral prediction model that reflects the irregular movement of people in the city. The technical key to solving this problem is a nonlinear model that can discover a small number of feature values that can be predicted with high accuracy, while our previous studies have not been able to predict individual people's behavior to a practical level. In this study, we aim to construct a method of neural networks that extends sparse modeling in a nonlinear manner.


HIGH -SPEED AND ACCURATE AUTHENTICITY JUDGEMENT USING PHYSICALLY UNCLONABLE FUNCTION OF INKJET PRINTED CODE

本研究は，医薬品や食品パッケージに印刷されている印刷コードの真贋判定システムを実現する．例えば，医薬品や食品を流通・管理するために使われている二次元印刷コードは，その仕様がオープンとなっているため，容易に偽印刷することが可能で，人々の安全，健康に関わる深刻な課題である．提案研究では，紙/樹脂媒体パッケージに産業用インクジェットプリンタで印刷されるQRコードを想定し，同じ濃度の印刷でも，微視的には異なる色成分のドットがランダムに配置されていることに着目し（物理的複製困難性），予め登録していた真ドットパターンとの比較によりその真贋判定を実現する事を目的とする．

Osaka Metropolitan University(2022-2024)Osaka Prefecture University(2021)


卵子内への精子,並びに成長因子の顕微注入と,初期胚の健常性に関する研究

Principal Investigator：山田 清彦, Project Period (FY)：1989, Research Category：Grant-in-Aid for Encouragement of Young Scientists (A), Research Field：Obstetrics and gynecology


CORECEPTOR FUNCTION IN T LYMPHOCYTE DEVELOPMENT


Longitudinal study of patients presenting with a first episode mood disorder: Biological, psychological and social factors determining course and outcome


世界環境産業連関表に基づく構造階層型分解法を用いた二酸化炭素排出変化の要因分析

Principal Investigator：白新田 佳代子, Project Period (FY)：2016-04-22 – 2019-03-31, Research Category：Grant-in-Aid for JSPS Fellows, Section：国内, Research Field：Environmental policy and social systems


HIV Risk-reduction with Drug-using Youth


PERIODONTAL DISEASE:  MICROBIOLOGICAL STUDIES


Regulation of NMDA Receptor Localization by Ethanol


The genetics of hybrid male sterility in Drosophila virilis and D. americana


SURGERY FOR NEC IN HUMAN INFANTS-- A RANDOMIZED TRIAL


An atlas of pancreatic tumorigenesis in the context of altered DNA repair occurring in high-risk individuals

PROJECT NARRATIVE The dismal prognosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is in large part due to >80% of newly diagnosed cases being advanced in stage. Therefore, a better understanding of the progression of PDAC could inform earlier detection and interception strategies for PDAC. Herein, we will use a multi-disciplinary approach (the BForePC Team) to develop a 3D model of PDAC progression, focusing on a unique High-Risk population who carry mutations in relevant DNA repair genes (BRCA1, BRCA2, PALB2), as a first step, to understanding this heterogenous, complex devastating disease.


Study of integrating digital texts into  mobile learning under the ubiquitous environments

Learning today takes place anywhere at any time due to the swift development of mobile technologies. E-mobile learning technologies such as the iPhone, Touchpad, and others, are rapidly gaining popularity as an effective way to improve foreign language skills. Mobile (M)-learning is motivating to learners to improve foreign language skills. The blended learning research reported on the results of empirical studies which incorporated both incorporating e-learning and m-learning. An assessment of pre-treatment and post-treatment TOEIC scores revealed that the students had improved their overall listening and oral communication skills while also improving their TOEIC score by an average of 122 points among 60 first year students. A questionnaire administered to students after their exposure to the activities indicated that they were satisfied with their experience using the online lectures and TOEIC Kit, and were motivated by the blended learning environment incorporating m-learning.

Japan Society for the Promotion of Science


STRUCTURE AND DYNAMICS OF METAL CONTAINING PROTEINS


Drug Resistant HIV Reverse Transcriptase


Innovative Training Experiences for Occ Med Residents in Non-urban & Ag Settings

Project Narrative (Public Health Relevance) This Training Project Grant proposal is in keeping with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Healthy People 2020 (also with the new 2030 framework) and the NIOSH mandate to provide an adequate supply of qualified personnel to carry out the purposes of the Occupational Safety & Health Act. The main objectives are to: 1) seek support for sustaining and increasing the number of occupational medicine trained physicians who have broad experience and sufficient competence to enter practice without direct supervision, and 2) bring a dimension of training that emphasizes the occupational health needs of the rural workforce with special attention to agriculture. This will be accomplished through a multi-faceted approach including a didactic course of study, including the Agromedicine Workshop, exposure to outreach and research activities at the NIOSH Southwest Center for Agricultural Health, Injury Prevention and Education (SW Ag Center); a supervised practicum experience in collaboration with the Rural Family Medicine Residency Program in Pittsburg, TX and with the National Center for Farmworker Health (NCFH) and affiliated Migrant and Community Health Centers; and field experiences such as worksite “walkthroughs” at industrial, agricultural and rural job locations. .


Ocean-Atmosphere Dynamics of  Island Wakes

The Oceanic Observatory of Madeira (OOM) uses a numerical modeling framework to study the interaction between the atmosphere and the ocean. Previous studies indicate that the uncoupled models are insufficient to reproduce the regional phenomena in mountainous archipelagos such as Madeira. The main objective of this project is to use Coupled-Ocean-Atmosphere-Wave-Sediment Transport (COAWST) Modeling System to study:  (i) the wind effects (wakes; jets) generated by the island as well as the ocean response; (ii) the impact of climate change on wind-jets generation; (iii) deep-sea ocean circulation; (iv) improve the forecasting of the coastal ocean circulation system. COAWST numerical framework has three main  models: the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF), for atmosphere; the Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS), for ocean circulation; and the Simulating Waves Nearshore (SWAN), for waves. All of these three numerical components are computationally expensive thus  require sufficient HPC resources (including MPI capabilities). Our plan is to use/analyse the simulation results to write at least one scientific article in the next 6 to 12 months and also to make forecasts available to the general community. Our meteo-oceanographic forecasts are currently being processed on our webpage (https://oom.arditi.pt/forecasts). An automated validation system compares model results with observations every 15 days and reports are publicly available https://oom.arditi.pt/modelvalidation.php


Improving Drug Abuse Treatment by Research and Training


元朝地方政府における長官職について

モンゴル民族による征服王朝である元朝路府州県各地方政府には、主としてモンゴル人が任命されるダルガチなる長官とダルガチと官品給与の等しい管民長官としての漢人が任用されていた。清朝の満州欠・漢欠に相似たこの元朝の地方長官制度において、タルガチの日常業務、ダルガチと漢人長官との関係を調べ、どちらが当該地方最高権力者としての実験を掌握していたか、を確認するのが、本研究の目的である。先学の研究のうち宮崎市定、エンディコット・ウェスト両氏の研究が参考になった。両氏ともにダルガチが毎日他の同僚の地方官たちと合議し、決裁する姿を明らかにしている。なお、エンディコット・ウェスト氏は、ダルガチの権力は合議制により弱まったと考える。私は、地方官制の中に位置づけられ、官品給与が等しい漢人長官と協力して仕事する体制において、ダルガチはどこに支配民族としての権威を持たされていたのかという観点から研究した。元典章にある、決裁の印をダルガチが掌握していたことに関連する史料、文集類に見える、属官が議案を作り、ダルガチに決裁を求める史料、カラホト出土漢文文書で明らかな決裁書類の体裁、また群県祭祀の前日の祭儀のリハ-サルでダルガチが属官の配列の指示をしていたことを示す元典章の史料など、ダルガチの権威の所在と関連する諸史料を収集できた。今後とも史料を収集すれば、モンゴル支配の権威をもたされたダルガチの姿をより鮮明にできると思う。


Multilingual worlds – neglected histories. Uncovering their emergence, continuity and loss in past and present societies

The proposal addresses the complex, multi-level dimensions of historical and contemporary multilingualism: (1) the presence of individual multilingualism in local and regional settings; (2) the characteristics and dynamics of such multilingual settings, in other words, societal multilingualism. The fundamental aim of the project is to reconstruct, explain and better understand the mechanisms and causality of the processes behind the emergence, continuity, reduction and loss (as well as possible re-emergence) of multilingualism in differing historical, geographical, social, political and cultural contexts. These goals address not only essential gaps in the state of knowledge, but also significant questions about the past and the present of human development. The project will embrace historical and contemporary multilingual milieux from four regions relevant for understanding the causal frameworks underlying multilingual trajectories: selected historical multilingual hotspots from Central-Eastern Europe, Mesoamerica, South Africa and the Archipelago of Vanuatu. They represent a diversity of pre-colonial, colonial and post-colonial contexts, ensuring a meaningful comparison. The case studies also offer a novel possibility to study the ‘invisibility’ of multilingualism and uncover its neglected history(ies). The research will focus on a broad range of rural communities and a smaller amount of urban contexts, thus permitting comparative insights into urban multilingualism. A multidisciplinary approach will combine in novel ways historical and present data, qualitative and quantitative methods as well as mathematical modeling, data-driven mapping and GIS mapping. Its expected results will provide informed diagnoses and predictions with huge potential for improving existing language policies and educational strategies oriented toward the preservation of linguistic-cultural diversity and sustainable multilingualism.


Ocular disease in older age in South Asians, African Caribbeans and Europeans in the UK - SABRE Eye.

There are indications of marked ethnic differences in ocular conditions associated with vision loss in older age. Explanations for these differences are unknown. We will add an ocular examination to the Wellcome Trust/BHF funded Southall And Brent REvisited (SABRE) population based UK study of a tri-ethnic cohort (Europeans (1000), South Asians (700) and African Caribbeans (300)) of men and women now aged 67 years, first studied 20 years ago. Funded examinations include measurement of blood p ressure, glucose, insulin and lipids, fat distribution and subclinical atherosclerosis including cerebral MRI. In this proposal, we will additionally take lens photographs for cataract assessment, and retinal photographs for grading for age related macular degeneration, (AMD), diabetic retinopathy, and retinal vascular architecture. Our goals are to determine and compare the prevalence of i) cataract, ii) AMD, iii) diabetic retinopathy, and iv) mean values for key parameters of retinal vasc ular architecture specifically retinal arteriolar and venular diameters by ethnicity. We will also determine explanations for ethnic differences by exploring the role of risk factors measured in a) middle age, and b) currently, firstly within ethnic group, and secondly between ethnic group. We will also explore associations between ocular pathology and subclinical atherosclerosis, specifically infarcts on cerebral MRI.


Usp16-Mediated Histone H2A Deubiquitination Regulates Breast Cancer Cell Invasion

PROJECT NARRATIVE Many important cellular events are regulated by antagonistic mechanisms. This application proposes to study the function of USP16-mediated histone H2A deubiquitination in breast cancer cells by antagonizing histone H2A mono-ubiquitination. This study is expected to reveal a new mechanism of metastasis regulation and may contribute to the development of novel approaches in the prevention and treatment of metastatic breast cancer. !


Nano meta components for electronic smart wireless systems

New communications and radar systems require small and tunable high-frequency devices, since their backbone is the Internet-of-
Things (IoT). The need for ultrafast, low-energy-consumption information processing of an exponentially increasing data volume will
lead to a global mobile traffic reaching 4394 EB by 2030, thus starting the 6G era (data rate up to 1 Tb/s) of an “ubiquitous virtual
existence”. In today’s wireless applications, radar sensors play one of the major roles. Due to the increased need for higher sensitivity
and non-destructive inspection systems, the frequency of the radar sensors has reached up to 300GHz on silicon-based technologies.
On the other side, 60GHz radar sensing is considered one of the main products for smart home, non-destructive material
classification, monitoring vital signals, and all the IoT application that need micro-motion detection. The market penetration for these
sensors is now hampered by (i) the limited antenna performance (mainly for the 300GHz case) and (ii) the frequency selectivity and
tunability (mainly for the 60GHz case). SMARTWAY proposes novel architectures based on new paradigms that exhibit a significant
decrease in energy consumption while improving on speed/performance and miniaturization. The disruptive nature of the targeted
approach relies on a progress towards the wafer-scale integration of two-dimensional (2D) materials, metamaterials (MMs), and
carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into radar sensor suitable for IoT sensing applications at both millimetre-waves (i.e., 24–60GHz) and THz
frequencies (i.e., 240–300GHz). The final outcomes of the project will be two demonstrators, apt to provide industry compatible
solutions for radar sensor technologies. For the first time, the nanotechnological paradigms “2D materials” and “CNTs” will be
harmonized with the MM concept, thus producing brand-new designs of large-scale complete systems with emphasis on
compatibility and integration of different materials/technologies.

HORIZON EUROPE European Innovation Council


MECHANISM AND FUNCTION OF LET-7, A NOVEL MODULATOR OF TH17-DEPENDENT EMPHYSEMA

The overall goal of this proposal is to understand the function of let-7 microRNA family during pathologic lung inflammation caused by inhalation of small particles found in smoke and air pollution. Therapeutically, elucidating how let-7 functions may help us to develop new methods or tools for treatment of emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.


Regulation of metazoan DNA replication fork progression, stability and compositio

PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Within the cell, DNA is packaged together with proteins in order to fit almost three meters of DNA into the nucleus of a single cell. But, this DNA-protein complex, termed chromatin, presents challenges to the proteins that must copy DNA. Using the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism, our goal is to understand how the structure of chromatin influences the process of genome duplication and ultimately, how this can lead to changes in gene copy number seen in cancer cells.


Comparaison entre le score calcique et l’aire valvulaire projetée pour classifier et prédire le devenir des patients atteints d’une sténose aortique à bas débit, bas gradient et à basse fraction d’éjection.

La sténose aortique à bas débit et bas gradient (SA-BD-BG) peut s’accompagner d’une fraction d’éjection ventriculaire gauche altérée, dite classique (FEVG<50%) ou préservée, dite paradoxale (FEVG≥50%). Les défis chez ces patients sont de distinguer entre une SA vraiment sévère d'une SA pseudo-sévère et conséquemment, de choisir le traitement approprié. Malheureusement, l’échocardiographie au repos et à l’effort, utilisée pour détecter la sévérité de la maladie, n’est pas optimale. Chez ces patients, il a été démontré que l’aire valvulaire projetée (AVAproj) est un meilleur prédicteur de sévérité, de dysfonction myocardique et de la mortalité que les critères échocardiographiques habituels. De plus, l’échocardiographie à l’effort ne peut être faite chez tous les patients et parfois, elle est non concluante. Par conséquent, le score calcique de la valve aortique, mesuré par tomodensitométrie, est une modalité de choix pour confirmer la sévérité de la SA, mais les seuils appropriés chez les patients avec une SA-BD-BG ne sont pas encore optimisés. Les objectifs spécifiques seront de déterminer la supériorité entre le score calcique ou l’AVAproj pour 1) évaluer la sévérité de la SA, 2) différencier les vraies SA sévères de celles qui sont pseudo-sévères, 3) prédire le devenir clinique des patients et 4) de déterminer les seuils pronostiques exacts de calcification aortique. Les hypothèses sont que les deux techniques seront équivalentes, mais que le score calcique sera un meilleur indicateur de sévérité chez les patients n’ayant pas de réserve de flux et que l’AVAproj sera plus appropriée chez les patients porteurs d’une valve aortique bicuspide, puis que les seuils pronostiques de calcification aortique sont inférieurs à ceux recommandés. Notre projet inclut la plus grande cohorte observationnelle prospective multicentrique internationale avec une SA-BD-BG. Les données qui découleront de ce projet contribueront à établir/renforcir les guides de pratique pour la prise en charge des patients atteints d'une SA-BD-BG.


Morphological and Molecular Imaging System for in vivo Atherosclerosis Research

Atherosclerosis is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Future development of systemic or localized therapies for atherosclerosis will likely depend upon a more detailed understanding of the morphological, biochemical and functional aspects of plaque development. The proposed work is to develop an intravascular imaging technology that will enable comprehensive understanding of plaque development and may ultimately help facilitate the development of a cure for atherosclerosis.


Instruments de gouvernance pour un transport durable dans les régions métropolitaines des Amériques

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada


The study of the reception of Valdimir Nabokov in his American years

I researched the change of the context in Vladimir Nabokov's American years.I visited and researched some publishing materials and correspondence between Nabokov and his publishers in New York Public Library's Berg Collection.I also researched some materials on Nabokov's publications in Indiana University's archive and some photographs of Nabokov and his wife.Through the research, I understood his circumstance in which Nabokov had to publish his English works after 1940. Finally, I have published a monograph "Nabokov in America: A Repainted Self-portrait" from Keio University Press in 2018.

Japan Society for the Promotion of Science


Joint Norway-USA Workshop in Complex Analysis and Mathematical Physics

The project provides partial funding for the U.S. participation in a workshop organized jointly by a group of scientists at the Mathematical Institute at the University of Bergen and at the University of South Florida.  The workshop is planned as an interdisciplinary event to discuss several cutting edge problems on the border between modern mathematics and mathematical physics, more specifically, problems broadly associated with so-called Laplacian growth, stochastic and discrete Loewner evolutions, quadrature domains, gravitational lensing, Hele-Shaw flows, and integrable systems. The topics chosen for  the workshop are  "hot" topics which are on the borderline between mathematics and physics.  Recently, most of these themes, long studied in mathematical physics, received an unexpected but dramatic insight from classical complex analysis based on the notion of Schwarz function of an analytic curve.

The funding is intended  for the U.S. participation in the planned workshop. The workshop is a step in a larger initiative conceived by the organizers to create a multi-facetted joint USA-Europe series of collaborative projects and will serve to increase internationalization of newly developed collaborations and promote the establishment of in-depth scientific partnerships.  Supporting the travel of promising young researchers and graduate students to the workshop where scientists from Europe and the US, old and young, prominent and just beginning, are essentially spending 24 hours together in an inspiring and congenial environment, discussing appealing and important problems in mathematics and physics, will encourage many younger students to pursue some of these topics in their future research. Most of the funding is designated to support the travel costs of young scientists, graduate students and members of the underrepresented groups.


Thymic medullary epithelial cell turnover and control of immune tolerance

This project aims to understand the properties and function of a novel population of specialized cells within the thymus that are derived from cells that previously expressed Aire, a gene that is important in the prevention of autoimmunity. These post-Aire-expressing cells have unique features to that suggest they may further support maturation of T cells and induction of other important regulatory T cells. The proposed studies will define the important characteristics of these cells, how these cells develop, and how they may influence T cell development. The results of these studies will allow us to better understand how these cells may promote immune tolerance to self and prevent autoimmune diseases, such as Type 1 diabetes.


No summary - Aucun sommaire

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada


Chemical Methods for Illuminating Cellular DNA

Fluorescent probes have revolutionized the study of biological macromolecules in their native environments. However, as compared to the extensive methodologies developed for proteins, relatively few imaging strategies are currently available for cellular nucleic acids. These methods are limited by their negative impact on native systems and/or inability to be applied in live cells and animals.  My program aims to develop non-toxic fluorescent probes for characterizing nucleic acid structures and dynamics in living cells. We design and synthesize new fluorophores and suitable metabolic precursors for their introduction into cells. In addition to the study of DNA folding and ligand binding interactions, a number of probes developed in my lab have been commercialized and used by many other research groups working in the fields of regenerative medicine, genome architecture, stem cell biology, and virology.  My group is currently moving to McGill University. An award from NSERC will be critical for re-establishing my rigorous research and training program in Canada, where we aim to: 1) synthesize fluorescent nucleobase analogues with sufficient brightness to probe DNA dynamics in single molecules and living cells; 2) develop fluorogenic nucleoside triphosphate analogues that report DNA or RNA synthesis in real time; 3) conduct bioorthogonal synthesis of fluorescent nucleobase analogues in genomic DNA; 4) develop new fluorogenic probes that selectively react with bioorthogonal functional groups present in cellular G-quadruplex structures. Our new probes and techniques for studying biopolymer synthesis, structure, and dynamics will provide unprecedented insights into the behavior of cellular nucleic acids.  The visualization of DNA/RNA dynamics in living cells will require the development of much brighter fluorescent nucleobase analogues than are currently available. The C-nucleosides proposed here constitute a novel family of intensely bright nucleobase analogues containing a single C-H----O or C-H----N interaction in the Watson-Crick interface that supports their faithful enzymatic incorporation into cellular nucleic acids. We will also develop copper-free bioorthogonal chemical reactions between two small precursors that generate a fluorescent nucleobase as the product in the chromatin of live cells. The fluorescence properties of these probes will provide specific information about structural context (ex. duplex, single-stranded, i-motif, or G-quadruplex), and can also be used to track real-time DNA-drug and DNA-metal binding reactions in live cells. Future applications of our research are very broad and include the development of theranostic agents for cancer analysis and treatment. In addition to excellent student training opportunities that build a highly qualified workforce, this program has the potential to benefit Canadian society by generating new business and health care opportunities in pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, and biotechnology.


sc-rAAV8 via Lumbar Puncture as Spinal Analgesic Drug Delivery Systems


Tinnitus Retraining Therapy Trial (TRTT)

PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Tinnitus is the perception of sound in the absence of a corresponding external sound, and for which there is no apparent cause. While most individuals with tinnitus require no professional help, as many as 5 million Americans suffer disabling tinnitus with resulting impairment of well-being and an inability to lead a normal lifestyle. To address this disability, the Tinnitus Retraining Therapy Trial is testing the efficacy of tinnitus retraining therapy, and habituation-based intervention that uses tinnitus-specific counseling and low-level sound therapy to reduce the negative emotional reactions and the perception of the tinnitus in individuals with debilitating tinnitus, versus the standard of care.


DNA Helicases in Recombination and Repair


5th Congress of European Microbiologists (FEMS)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Campinas (PUC-CAMP). Faculdade de Química


HEPATITIS C VIRAL MUTANTS AND HUMAN T CELL FUNCTION


Detection &Viral Load Monitoring of Adenovirus


NANOSCALE CONTROL OF MOLECULAR DISPERSION-PHASE SEPARATION FOR TWO-DIMENSIONAL AGGREGATING SYSTEM

Surface morphology of Langmuir mixed monolayer was investigated on the basis of a π-A isotherm measurement and a scanning probe microscopic observation. The molecular aggregating behavior of mixed monolayer markedly depended on difference in alkyl chain length, that is, cohesive energy between hydrophobic portions of fatty acids. The mixed monolayers for the cases of 4, 6 and 8 methylene units differences corresponding to 28, 42 and 56 kJ/mol for cohesive energy were in a molecular mixing state, phase separation in a miscibility gap and segregation in an immiscibility system, respectively. In particularly, the phase separated morphology was a co-continuous state, indicating the phase separation due to the spinodal decomposition. Moreover, the molecular aggregating state of the mixed monolayer changed from two-phase to one-phase with an increase in subphase temperature. This suggests that the mixed monolayer is assigned to the upper critical solution temperature type. The molecular aggregating behavior of the mixed monolayer was independent of the surface pressure for fatty acids in undissociated state, and also the monolayer phase of the single component system.

Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)


MECHANISMS OF ORGANOMETALLIC COPPER OXIDASES REACTIONS

OFFICE OF SCIENCE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM


Collaborative Research: Understanding Stochastic Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Epidemic Spread to Improve Control Interventions - From COVID-19 to Future Pandemics

This grant will support research that will contribute new scientific knowledge related to how uncertainties in both human behavior and transmission characteristics of a causative pathogen (such as the novel coronavirus in the case of COVID-19) influence the spread of an epidemic, and how the new knowledge thus obtained about epidemic spread can contribute to interventional public health policy measures to effectively mitigate and control an epidemic. The research will advance both the science of predicting epidemic spread as well as national prosperity by enhancing national preparedness for early and effective mitigation of potential future epidemic outbreaks. Mathematical and computational models that can accurately predict an epidemic spread across geographical regions over specified periods of time are critical precursors to developing effective interventions for mitigation such as social-distancing measures and vaccination campaigns (when vaccines become available). However, the limitations of existing predictive models, as evident during the COVID-19 outbreak in the US, underscore the need for new knowledge in this area. This award supports fundamental research to develop novel predictive models of epidemic spread and also to validate model predictions against the extensive COVID-19 spread data only now available. This research involves multiple disciplines including the mathematical theory of partial differential equations, stochastic analysis, control theory, and epidemiology and the results will likely have broader significance in the study of rare-event dynamics in areas such as ecology, climate science and wildfire propagation. Moreover, this cross-disciplinary project, a collaborative effort involving multiple institutions, will broaden the participation of underrepresented groups in research and training, and also advance science and engineering education.

The research will advance the fundamental knowledge of how uncertainties, both in human behavior and pathogen characteristics, influence spatiotemporal, stochastic epidemic dynamics and also yield a control-theoretic framework to analyze interventions for mitigation. Specifically, the project will: (1) develop novel predictive dynamic models based on partial differential equations, (2) uncover effects of the interaction between nonlinearity and uncertainty such as noise-induced bifurcations, (3) study infection spikes using a stochastic approach, (4) validate the models using COVID-19 data, (5) establish a control-theoretic framework to analyze mitigative interventions, using a combination of averaging methods from stochastic analysis and feedback control theory, (6) obtain improved characterization of epidemiologic parameters such as basic and effective reproduction numbers, and (7) identify principles and strategies that can inform interventional public health policy.

This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.


Outcomes of Progression on Surveillance for Clinical Stage I Nonseminomatous Germ Cell Tumours

Testicular cancer is the most common cancer to affect young men. Approximately 30% of patients will have progression of their cancer after undergoing initial surgery. Most patients will receive chemotherapy for their progression; however, retroperitoneal surgery has not been adequately explored for the treatment of progression of disease. This study demonstrates that most patients will achieve cure after receiving chemotherapy or surgery for their progression. Surgery as opposed to chemotherapy may avoid many of the long term complications of chemotherapy such as secondary cancers, heart disease, infertility, and hearing problems, and can be considered as a treatment option for progression in testicular cancer.

Travel Awards - Institute Community Support

Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (Toronto)


還元拡散法によるサマリウムーコバルト系磁石材料の製造に関する研究

サマリウムとコバルトを主元素とする所謂2ー17型希土類磁石材料を、還元拡散法によって製造することを試みた。この型の磁石材料には少量のFe、Cu及びZrを添加する必要があり、還元拡散法では組成が不均一になるという欠点が指摘されていた。本研究では、これまでに行った拡散実験の成果を踏まえて、1段目の加熱で先ず金属間化合物SmCo_5を製造し、反応生成物であるCaOを水洗除去してからFe等を加えて再加熱するという方式と、連続加熱で最終組成を得る方法の2種類を試みた。また、Zrは融点が1852℃と高く、Co微粒子中への拡散が遅いと考えられたので、1150℃以下で溶融するCuーZr合金の形で添加することも行った。Smは揮発損失を考慮して理論量の3%増とし、還元剤のCaはSm_2O_3の理論還元当量の1.5倍とした。また、Coを始めとする金属粉末は全て粒径43μm以下を標準とし、一部のCuーZr合金は37μm以下に粉砕、また、Co粉末は43〜74μmに分級したものも用いた。加熱温度と時間はSmCo_5の生成反応、CuーZr合金の融点、拡散を速めて均一な組成を得ること等を考慮して、途中で温度を変える等、数種類の組み合わせを試みた。結果は、連続加熱で最終組成を目指し、且つCuとZrをそれぞれ単独で添加するという従来の方法で得られた試料が最も組成が均一で、実用性には程遠いが飽和磁化等の磁性面でも優れていた。特に、酸素の含有量が他の試料の1/6以下で、これが良い影響を与えたものと推察される。途中でCaOを除去する方式は添加元素の拡散を促進できると予想されたが、過剰に存在する金属Caまで除去してしまったため、酸素のゲッタ-が無い状態で加熱した点に問題があった。しかし、上述した従来の方法で得られた試料も磁性の面では当然のことながら不満足であり、これをさらに改善するためにFe、Cu及びZrを酸化物の形で添加する方法等を試験中である。


Ionization of Atoms by Electromagnetic Radiation and        Charged Particles, Award in Indian Currency

9313735  DESHMUKH  Description:  This research proposes a series  of calculations to explore the ionizing  interactions of electromagnetic radiation and  charged particles with atoms and ions.  The  collaborators are Steven Manson of Georgia  State University and Pranawa Deshmukh of the   Indian Institute of Technology, Madras.  During  the initial phase of the project, the Indian  collaborator will be supported with travel and  living expenses to do developmental work using  the computational facilities at Georgia State  University.  The proposed research will study  i) the influence of relativistic interactions  in the photoionization of high-z atoms using  the RRPA formalism with enough channels to  obviate truncation errors, ii) investigate the  inner shell threshold behavior of  photoionization cross sections, iii)  explore  the photoionization of ions with the RRPA  technology, iv) examine the systematics of  generalized oscillator strengths for neutral  atoms, excited states, and atomic ions.      Scope:  This research will provide training for  graduate and advanced undergraduate students in  the methods of calculating and understanding  atomic and molecular structure and collisions.   The techniques and computer codes developed  will strengthen the theoretical physics program  at the collaborating institutions.  The results  will provide further insight into the basic  nature of these fundamental atomic processes  which are important in plasma physics,  atmospheric, solar, and astrophysics, radiation  physics and therapy, and for studies of  possible x-ray and nuclear-pumped laser  mechanisms.   ***


突然死を体験する家族の悲嘆と看護援助

本研究は、救命救急センターに搬送され、治療の甲斐無く、亡くなられた患者の家族への看護について、看護師がどのような援助をしていく必要があるのかを探求する目的で行った。国内、国外の文献を幅広くレビューし、どのような実態があるのかを調査した。その結果、欧米における研究では、突然死患者の家族に対する死別後の遺族に対するケアや研究がされ、救命救急センターでの看護援助が遺族の悲嘆に影響を及ぼすことが明らかにされていた。家族が救命救急センターに入室した時点から家族との関わりを持ち、蘇生場面に立ち会い、死亡確認がされ、救命救急センターから退室するまでの一連の流れの中での具体は的な方法が示されていた。患者に行われている治療の情報を提供する。蘇生に立ち会わせる。家族に寄り添い、家族の抱く感情を受け止め、悲嘆の感情を表出させる。また、患者の身体をきれいにし、清潔なリネンで覆い患者の身体に触れてもらうことも悲嘆の援助となっている。さらには、死別後のケアや地域のサポートグループの紹介などが含まれていた。突然死の死別後の遺裂ケアの必要性を探求するため、突然死別後の遺族の悲嘆について、死別後から1年を経過した2名の遺族から身体の不調はなく、故人のいない生活に慣れてきていることが語られた。また、四十九日までの間は、身体的な不調があったこと、故人のいない生活に混乱をきたしたことも語られた。周囲からのサポートが悲嘆プロセスを促進していることが考えられ、研究対者が少ないことから、さらに救命救急センターにおいて研究依頼を試みたが、倫理的な問題から協力が得られなかった。我が国の救命救急センターにおいては、近年、精神科医の協力を得て、死別後の家族のケアが行われ始めているとの報告が見られている。救命救急センターにおいて、家族は突然の状況により医師の説明を十分に理解することができないことから、行われた治療に対する説明を聞く機会を作る必要があると考える。また、救命救急センターにおける看護師が、突然死を体験する家族における援助において、時間的な制約や信頼関係の確立などから難しいという認識を持っているとの報告がある。そのことから、今後、救命救急センターの看護師が家族に関わるための知識やスキルをどのように獲得していけばよいのかについて検討していく必要がある。

Japan Society for the Promotion of Science

Kitasato University(2007)Kanagawa University of Human Services(2005-2006)


Solubilities of oxygen and hydrocarbon gases; molecular diffusivities in liquids

No summary - Aucun sommaire


This proposal aims to elucidate the neuronal mechanism serving the human brain’s predictive capacities. Despite the wide and growing consensus on the importance of predictions in behavior and in brain functioning, the underlying neuronal mechanisms are largely unknown. Recent empirical results suggests that predictions are embodied in the temporal structure of both stimulus-evoked and ongoing activity, and thus that neural oscillations may provide the neurophysiological basis for the brain’s representation, coordination, and enactment of sensory predictions. We examine the proposal that different brain rhythms are used for representing and enacting “when” and “what” predictions, and interrogate the mechanisms implementing predictions at different spatial scales (i.e., local and global).The research objectives are addressed using a unique combination of invasive, intracranial EEG recordings with laminar resolution in humans to investigate local mechanisms, and whole-brain magnetoencephalographic recordings and cutting-edge functional connectivity analysis to identify brain areas as sources and/or targets of predictions, thus relating local to global mechanisms. This brings an unparalleled depth of investigation into the mechanisms supporting predictions across the frequency and spatial spectra. Our proposal has the potential to unify many apparently disparate cognitive phenomena, e.g., learning, speech perception, and active sensing, but also provides insight into psychiatric diseases like schizophrenia, where alterations in predictions and oscillatory activity are implicated. The high quality and expertise of the hosts in addition to their theoretical and methodological complementariness secure success of the project and the prospect for long-standing collaborations, increasing  EU scientific excellence and competitiveness.

MAX-PLANCK-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN EV


The role of magnetic fields in the phase transition process of interstellar medium driven by the dynamic stellar system spiral arms

銀河における星間媒質の進化(特に分子雲の形成と進化) において，磁場の果たす役割はよくわかっていない。分子雲形成は大局的な星間媒質の進化の中で起こるため，銀河円盤において，星間媒質と磁場がどう相互作用して進化するのかを明らかにする必要がある。そこで本研究では，星間媒質の大局運動に決定的な役割を果たす恒星系渦状腕を考慮した現実的な銀河モデルにおいて，星間媒質の進化(原子ガスから分子雲への進化) における磁場の役割を，分子雲の内部構造を分解した高解像度磁気流体計算により明らかにする。これにより星形成における磁場の役割の解明に向けて，現実的な銀河モデルに基づいた分子雲形成・進化シナリオを提供する。

National Astronomical Observatory of Japan


IGF::OT::IGF FRAMINGHAM HEART STUDY (FHS) - TASK ORDER 01


Molecular and genetic analysis of epigenetic components in a model plant.

Australia is a major exporter of agricultural food crops thus producers must maintain their competitive advantage in order to compete on the world stage. Food crops unfortunately have large, complex genomes that are not sequenced and a generation time of months that makes research outcomes slow to achieve. This project proposes to utilise a model plant that has a small completely sequenced genome and a short generation time making it ideal to study the fundamental biological process of RNA silencing. Discoveries and outcomes from this project may have the potential to benefit Australian crops, ecosystems and human health.


DEMOGRAPHY OF AGING--GENETIC AND COMPARATIVE ANALYSES


The development of method to activative immune tolerance involved in fertility

無理なダイエットなどによる月経不順や妊孕性の低下は、虚弱体質に陥ったことによる生体の恒常性の破綻が原因である。妊娠の維持には過剰な免疫応答を寛容（抑制）する事が重要であるが、我々は免疫寛容に導く制御性T細胞の増加作用が報告されている生薬オウギが、妊孕性を増加させることを見い出した。そこで本研究では、医療現場で虚弱体質の改善に使用されるオウギ配合漢方薬のうち、黄耆建中湯、帰耆建中湯、桂枝加黄耆湯、防己黄耆湯を投与した雌性マウスの子宮脱落膜において、妊娠の維持に寄与するCTLA4+ CD4+ CD25+制御性T細胞の増加が認められるか調査し、妊孕性改善への適用を目指す。

Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University


Clinical Translational Research in Transplant Nephrology


Summer Research Experience in Neurobiology at The Jackson Laboratory

RELEVANCE TO PUBLIC HEALTH A trained and diverse biomedical workforce requires support of educational programs at all levels, including those designed to provide students exposure to biomedical research, reinforce their intent to graduate with a science degree, and to prepare them for graduate studies leading to a career in research. The proposed summer research program will provide opportunities for students to improve their research skills and gain confidence in the research environment.


Induction and maintenance of regulatory T cells


IN-SERVICE INSTITUTE IN CHEMISTRY AND ASTRONOMY FOR  SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS


Longitudinal evaluation of optical and neural factors leading to juvenile myopia

Narrative: The proposed study is relevant to public health because here is an urgent need to prevent juvenile myopia (nearsightedness) — projections indicate that over 50% of the world’s population will have myopia by the year 2050. Furthermore, the increasingly earlier onset of myopia in children with consequent higher progression rates is generating an epidemic of potentially blinding, high myopia. As a necessary step in developing successful myopia prevention programs, this longitudinal project will help understand the ocular structure and visual function characteristics of myopia development in children with an investigation of ocular, retinal and visual processing factors prior to and after the development of myopia in children .


BISHOP PAIUTE RESIDENTIAL SOLAR PROGRAM - PHASE III

RENEWABLE ENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT


Violence conjugale : populations en contexte et pratiques transformatrices

Malgré les efforts importants déployés depuis près de 40 ans, les violences conjugales (VC) demeurent un problème de santé publique important. Bien que les VC affectent toutes les sociétés et classes sociales, les femmes en sont les principales victimes : une sur trois rapporte avoir subi des VC au cours de sa vie (OMS, 2021). Au Canada, le tiers des crimes violents sont des cas de VC et, dans 8 cas sur 10, les victimes sont des femmes (Conroy, 2021). Certaines populations, qui cumulent des contextes de vulnérabilité, semblent aussi particulièrement à risque, notamment les populations LGBTQ+ et autochtones. Les coûts engendrés par les VC sont énormes, notamment en raison de leurs conséquences sur la santé physique et psychologique des victimes directes et indirectes. Au Québec et ailleurs, plusieurs instances rappellent l’importance du développement des connaissances afin de contribuer à la création ou à l’adaptation des réponses sociales, d’une façon innovante et ancrée dans les réalités émergentes, dont la récente Stratégie gouvernementale intégrée 2022-2027 pour contrer la violence sexuelle, la violence conjugale et Rebâtir la confiance du gouvernement du Québec.

Depuis 2012, l'Équipe de recherche Violence conjugale est financée par le Fonds de Recherche du Québec - Société et Culture. L'ensemble des activités de recherche se font en collaboration étroite avec les milieux de pratique, favorisant ainsi la multiplication des retombées concrètes des recherches et le transfert des connaissances produites. En se basant sur une définition inclusive des VC (Laforest et al., 2018) et en mobilisant de façon complémentaire le modèle écologique et l’intersectionnalité, les travaux de l’Équipe visent à mieux comprendre les expériences des personnes victimes et autrices de VC et des enfants exposés afin d’ajuster les différentes réponses sociales à leurs besoins tout en assurant la sécurité des victimes. Pour y parvenir, l'Équipe mise sur la complémentarité des expertises des membres scientifiques et des milieux de pratique, alliant savoirs empiriques et savoirs d'expérience. Interuniversitaire et interdisciplinaire, l’Équipe est formée de 23 membres réguliers (14 chercheurs et 9 partenaires des milieux de pratique) et 15 universitaires collaborateurs (Canada et 4 autres pays).

Pour 2024-2028, l'Équipe propose de structurer sa programmation autour de deux axes principaux. L’axe 1, « Violences conjugales et complexité », documentera les questions suivantes : Comment s’articulent les trajectoires de vie des personnes en situation de VC? Quels facteurs favorisent les sorties des VC? Quelles sont les similitudes et différences dans les expériences de VC selon diverses populations? Quelles sont les manifestations de la violence post-séparation et les dynamiques à risque d'homicide intrafamilial? L’axe 2, « Pratiques transformatrices et collaboratives », examinera les questions suivantes : Quelles sont les approches novatrices susceptibles d'améliorer les services offerts aux personnes en situation de VC, dont celles de groupes plus vulnérables ou marginalisés? Comment prévenir et intervenir plus efficacement? Comment améliorer la cohérence et l'intégration de l'aide offerte par les différentes ressources concernées? Ces travaux seront réalisés à partir d’approches méthodologiques diversifiées, relevant autant des méthodes quantitatives que qualitatives, dont la recherche-action participative et la recherche-création à design transformatif.


Trends in the prescription of oral anticoagulants in adults with COPD in UK Primary Care (2010-2022)

Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease (COPD) is commonly associated with cardiovascular conditions requiring additional pharmacological treatment. In particular, oral anticoagulants (OAC) are commonly prescribed to patients with cardiac comorbidities, such as atrial fibrillation (AF), and for the prevention of venous thromboembolism. However, there is a lack of information on the prescribing trends of OACs, including vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) and direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in patients with COPD. Methods: The objective of this study is to quantify the incidence (number of new cases) of AF in patients with COPD and to describe the patterns of OACs prescribed to these patients. In addition, we will describe the patient characteristics associated with a first prescription of VKAs as compared with DOACs. Using the United Kingdom Clinical Practice Research Datalink, the yearly incidence rates of AF in adults with COPD, as well as those who were subsequently prescribed an OAC in the UK between 2010 and 2022, will be calculated using a Poisson model. This model will also be used to calculate prescription rates of VKAs and DOACs separately, and for individual DOACs (apixaban, dabigatran, edoxaban, rivaroxaban). We will also describe prescription pattern according to age, sex, COPD severity, and CHA2DS2-VASc score, and HAS-BLED score in stratified analyses. Relevance: The results of this study will provide a comprehensive description of the prescription trends over time of OACs in patients with multimorbid COPD, and the profile of patients prescribed these drugs. This information can direct and identify the need for further research to identify best practices for treating patients with COPD and comorbid cardiovascular conditions.

Master's Award: Canada Graduate Scholarships