Silver Vanadium Diphosphate AgVPO: Electrochemistry and Characterization of Reduced Material providing Mechanistic Insights.

Silver vanadium phosphorous oxides (AgVPO) are notable battery cathode materials due to their high energy density and demonstrated ability to form in-situ Ag metal nanostructured electrically conductive networks within the cathode. While analogous silver vanadium diphosphate materials have been prepared, electrochemical evaluations of these diphosphate based materials have been limited. We report here the first electrochemical study of a silver vanadium diphosphate, AgVPO, where the structural differences associated with phosphorous oxides versus diphosphates profoundly affect the associated electrochemistry.

The unique pseudanthium of Actinodium (Myrtaceae) - morphological reinvestigation and possible regulation by CYCLOIDEA-like genes.

Background: Genes encoding TCP transcription factors, such as CYCLOIDEA-like (CYC-like) genes, are well known actors in the control of plant morphological development, particularly regarding the control of floral symmetry. Despite recent understanding that these genes play a role in establishing the architecture of inflorescences in the sunflower family (Asteraceae), where hundreds of finely organized flowers are arranged to mimic an individual flower, little is known about their function in the development of flower-like inflorescences across diverse phylogenetic groups. Here, we studied the head-like pseudanthium of the Australian swamp daisy Actinodium cunninghamii Schau.

Evolution, multiple acquisition, and localization of endosymbionts in bat flies (Diptera: Hippoboscoidea: Streblidae and Nycteribiidae).

Bat flies are a diverse clade of obligate ectoparasites on bats. Like most blood-feeding insects, they harbor endosymbiotic prokaryotes, but the origins and nature of these symbioses are still poorly understood. To expand the knowledge of bacterial associates in bat flies, the diversity and evolution of the dominant endosymbionts in six of eight nominal subfamilies of bat flies (Streblidae and Nycteribiidae) were studied.

Need to Knowledge (NtK) Model: an evidence-based framework for generating technological innovations with socio-economic impacts.

Background: Traditional government policies suggest that upstream investment in scientific research is necessary and sufficient to generate technological innovations. The expected downstream beneficial socio-economic impacts are presumed to occur through non-government market mechanisms. However, there is little quantitative evidence for such a direct and formulaic relationship between public investment at the input end and marketplace benefits at the impact end.

Automated video analysis system reveals distinct diurnal behaviors in C57BL/6 and C3H/HeN mice.

Advances in rodent behavior dissection using automated video recording and analysis allows detailed phenotyping. This study compared and contrasted 15 diurnal behaviors recorded continuously using an automated behavioral analysis system for a period of 14 days under a 14/10 light/dark cycle in single housed C3H/HeN (C3H) or C57BL/6 (C57) male mice. Diurnal behaviors, recorded with minimal experimental interference and analyzed using phenotypic array and temporal distribution analysis showed bimodal and unimodal profiles in the C57 and C3H mice, respectively.

On-demand hydrogen generation using nanosilicon: splitting water without light, heat, or electricity.

We demonstrate that nanosize silicon (~10 nm diameter) reacts with water to generate hydrogen 1000 times faster than bulk silicon, 100 times faster than previously reported Si structures, and 6 times faster than competing metal formulations. The H(2) production rate using 10 nm Si is 150 times that obtained using 100 nm particles, dramatically exceeding the expected effect of increased surface to volume ratio. We attribute this to a change in the etching dynamics at the nanoscale from anisotropic etching of larger silicon to effectively isotropic etching of 10 nm silicon.

Genome-wide scan for copy number variation association with age at onset of Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease with high prevalence, which imposes a substantial public health problem. The heritability of AD is estimated at 60-80% forecasting the potential use of genetic biomarkers for risk stratification in the future. Several large scale genome-wide association studies using high frequency variants identified 10 loci accountable for only a fraction of the estimated heritability.

Impaired SIRT1 nucleocytoplasmic shuttling in the senescent heart during ischemic stress.

A "longevity " gene, sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), can attenuate age-dependent induction of left ventricular dysfunction. This study aimed to characterize the role of SIRT1 in the tolerance of aged heart to ischemic insults. Male C57BL/6 young (4-6 mo) and aged (24-26 mo) mice were used to determine the role of SIRT1 in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) tolerance.

Prognostic utility of hypothermic machine perfusion in deceased donor renal transplantation.

Unlabelled: Pulsatile pump perfusion of kidney transplants is known to decrease delayed graft function (DGF) and improve 1 year graft survival when compared to static cold preservation. Kidneys with better flow and resistance parameters on perfusion are likely to have a better post transplant function. These parameters are commonly used to evaluate kidneys being considered for transplantation.

Effect of increased pressure during pulsatile pump perfusion of deceased donor kidneys in transplantation.

Introduction: Pulsatile pump perfusion of potential kidneys for transplantation is known to decrease the rate of delayed graft function (DGF) and improve their 1-year survival. Flow and resistance parameters are often used to determine the suitability of kidneys for transplantation. Kidneys with low flow rates are often subjected to higher pressures to improve flow.

Graft arteriosclerosis and glomerulosclerosis correlate with flow and resistance to machine perfusion in kidney transplantation.

Introduction: Machine perfusion to preserve kidneys for transplantation has grown over the past decade with demonstrated diagnostic and therapeutic benefits. Flow and resistance patterns are used to predict delayed graft function (DGF) and posttransplant graft survival. Preimplantation biopsies obtained serve a similar role in evaluating kidneys especially if they meet expanded criteria.

Activated protein C modulates cardiac metabolism and augments autophagy in the ischemic heart.

Background: Modulation of energy substrate metabolism may constitute a novel therapeutic intervention against ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) has emerged as a key regulator of favorable metabolic signaling pathways in response to myocardial ischemia. Recently, we demonstrated that activated protein C (APC) is cardioprotective against ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury by augmenting AMPK signaling.

Physiologically based pharmacokinetic model for composite nanodevices: effect of charge and size on in vivo disposition.

Purpose: To characterize temporal exposure and elimination of 5 gold/dendrimer composite nanodevices (CNDs) (5 nm positive, negative, and neutral, 11 nm negative, 22 nm positive) in mice using a physiologically based mathematical model.

Methods: 400 ug of CNDs is injected intravenously to mice bearing melanoma cell lines. Gold content is determined from plasma and tissue samples using neutron activation analysis.

Modeling technology innovation: how science, engineering, and industry methods can combine to generate beneficial socioeconomic impacts.

Background: Government-sponsored science, technology, and innovation (STI) programs support the socioeconomic aspects of public policies, in addition to expanding the knowledge base. For example, beneficial healthcare services and devices are expected to result from investments in research and development (R&D) programs, which assume a causal link to commercial innovation. Such programs are increasingly held accountable for evidence of impact-that is, innovative goods and services resulting from R&D activity.

Treatment of PTSD in older adults: Do cognitive-behavioral interventions remain viable?

The literature examining trauma among older adults is growing, but little is known about the efficacy of empirically supported interventions for PTSD within this population. Clinical writing on this topic often implies that cognitive-behavioral treatments may be ineffective or inappropriate for older adults with PTSD given physical and/or cognitive vulnerabilities. Review of the limited research in this area, however, provides little support for the claim that cognitive-behavioral interventions are ineffective in treating PTSD among the elderly.

Engaging national organizations for knowledge translation: comparative case studies in knowledge value mapping.

Background: Government sponsors of research and development, along with their funded investigators, are increasingly tasked with demonstrating evidence of knowledge use by nontraditional audiences. This requires efforts to translate their findings for effective communication. For technology-related knowledge, these audiences include clinicians, consumers, manufacturers, public policy agencies, and knowledge brokers.

Synthesis and characterization of sodium vanadium oxide gels: the effects of water (n) and sodium (x) content on the electrochemistry of Na(x)V2O5·nH2O.

Sodium vanadium oxide gels, Na(x)V(2)O(5)·nH(2)O, of varying sodium content (0.12 < x < 0.32) were prepared by careful control of an ion exchange process.

Variables and strategies in development of therapeutic post-transcriptional gene silencing agents.

Post-transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS) agents such as ribozymes, RNAi and antisense have substantial potential for gene therapy of human retinal degenerations. These technologies are used to knockdown a specific target RNA and its cognate protein. The disease target mRNA may be a mutant mRNA causing an autosomal dominant retinal degeneration or a normal mRNA that is overexpressed in certain diseases.

The Micro-Angiographic Fluoroscope (MAF) in High Definition (HD) Mode for Improved Contrast-to-Noise Ratio and Resolution in Fluoroscopy and Roadmapping.

During image guided interventional procedures, superior resolution and image quality is critically important. Operating the MAF in the new High Definition (HD) fluoroscopy mode provides high resolution and increased contrast-to-noise ratio. The MAF has a CCD camera and a 300 micron cesium iodide x-ray convertor phosphor coupled to a light image intensifier (LII) through a fiber-optic taper.

Silver Vanadium Phosphorous Oxide, Ag(2)VO(2)PO(4): Chimie Douce Preparation and Resulting Lithium Cell Electrochemistry.

Recently, we have shown silver vanadium phosphorous oxide (Ag(2)VO(2)PO(4), SVPO) to be a promising cathode material for lithium based batteries. Whereas the first reported preparation of SVPO employed an elevated pressure, hydrothermal approach, we report herein a novel ambient pressure synthesis method to prepare SVPO, where our chimie douce preparation is readily scalable and provides material with a smaller, more consistent particle size and higher surface area relative to SVPO prepared via the hydrothermal method. Lithium electrochemical cells utilizing SVPO cathodes made by our new process show improved power capability under constant current and pulse conditions over cells containing cathode from SVPO prepared via the hydrothermal method.

PPAR-γ and AMPK--advantageous targets for myocardial ischemia/reperfusion therapy.

Ischemic heart disease stands as the number one leading cause of death in the United States. Current interventions rely on the immediate restoration of blood flow to the ischemic area; however, this in turn may trigger a series of undesirable events that are further injurious to the myocardium, termed ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Therefore, there is a need for novel therapeutic strategies aimed at limiting the extent of myocardial injury.

Activated protein C protects against myocardial ischemic/reperfusion injury through AMP-activated protein kinase signaling.

Background: Activated protein C (APC) is a vitamin K-dependent plasma serine protease that down-regulates clotting and inflammatory pathways. It is known that APC exerts a cardioprotective effect by decreasing apoptosis of cardiomyocytes and inhibiting expression of inflammatory mediators after myocardial ischemia.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to understand the mechanism of the APC-mediated cardioprotection against ischemic injury.