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Ten downward portions in the large oscillatory force-distance curve reported earlier are analyzed to understand a nanoscale water meniscus confined between a sharp probe and a flat substrate in air. The sigmoidal shape of each portion leads to the assumption that the meniscus is made up of

PURPOSE: Mendelian disease genomic research has undergone a massive transformation over the past decade. With increasing availability of exome and genome sequencing, the role of Mendelian research has expanded beyond data collection, sequencing, and analysis to worldwide data sharing and collaboration. METHODS: Over the past 10 years, the National Institutes of Health–supported Centers for Mendelian Genomics (CMGs) have played a major role in this research and clinical evolution. RESULTS: We highlight the cumulative gene discoveries facilitated by the program, biomedical research leveraged by the approach, and the larger impact on the research community. Beyond generating a list of gene-phenotype relationships and participating in widespread data sharing, the CMGs have created resources, tools, and training for the larger community to foster understanding of genes and genome variation. The CMGs have participated in a wide range of data sharing activities, including deposition of all eligible CMG data into the Analysis, Visualization, and Informatics Lab-space (AnVIL), sharing candidate genes through the Matchmaker Exchange and the CMG website, and sharing variants in Genotypes to Mendelian Phenotypes (Geno2MP) and VariantMatcher. CONCLUSION: The work is far from complete; strengthening communication between research and clinical realms, continued development and sharing of knowledge and tools, and improving access to richly characterized data sets are all required to diagnose the remaining molecularly undiagnosed patients.

The sympathetic nervous system prepares the body for ‘fight or flight’ responses and maintains homeostasis during daily activities such as exercise, eating a meal or regulation of body temperature. Sympathetic regulation of bodily functions requires the establishment and refinement of anatomically and functionally precise connections between postganglionic sympathetic neurons and peripheral organs distributed widely throughout the body. Mechanistic studies of key events in the formation of postganglionic sympathetic neurons during embryonic and early postnatal life, including axon growth, target innervation, neuron survival, and dendrite growth and synapse formation, have advanced the understanding of how neuronal development is shaped by interactions with peripheral tissues and organs. Recent progress has also been made in identifying how the cellular and molecular diversity of sympathetic neurons is established to meet the functional demands of peripheral organs. In this Review, we summarize current knowledge of signalling pathways underlying the development of the sympathetic nervous system. These findings have implications for unravelling the contribution of sympathetic dysfunction stemming, in part, from developmental perturbations to the pathophysiology of peripheral neuropathies and cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. The sympathetic regulation of bodily functions relies on precise connections between sympathetic neurons and peripheral organs. In this Review, Scott-Solomon and colleagues discuss the mechanisms underlying the development of the sympathetic nervous system and provide insight into disorders regulated by this branch of the nervous system.

Successful crop stand establishment is critical to realize high yield potential, which is dependent on depth of seed placement to access soil moisture. The coleoptile determines sowing depth by its length and ability to emerge from depth. This study was conducted to assess coleoptile length among three sets of three Great Plains winter small grain cereals—wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and triticale (X triticosecale Wittm.)—and to evaluate the effect of the Rht-B1b dwarfing allele on coleoptile length in wheat and triticale. Fifty seeds of each genotype were sown in wet germination paper in two replications utilizing a randomized complete block design, which were placed in dark growth chambers at 25°C. Measurements were conducted after 7 d, and analysis of variance and comparison of least square means for coleoptile length among and within each set of genotypes were performed in Statistix 8.1 software using Fisher’s protected least significance difference at the α = 0.05 significance level. Results revealed that triticale had the longest coleoptiles, which were significantly longer (P

College undergraduate students (N = 259), were given a measure of tolerance toward people with intellectual disability. Half of the sample was given a version that used the term mentally retarded, and half was given a version that used person with intellectual disability. Individuals receiving the version with mentally retarded had lower levels of tolerance on all four subscales of the instrument. They scored significantly higher on the subscales of Exclusion and Sheltering and significantly lower on the subscales of Empowerment and Similarities than their peers who received the version using the term person with intellectual disability.

Structural failures after rotator cuff repair are well known, and despite advances and improved techniques in rotator cuff repair (RCR), retear rates remain high. The aim of this study was to (1) evaluate the midterm clinical and radiological outcomes after revision RCR and to (2) analyze whether preoperative ultrasound can predict outcome of open revision rotator cuff repair. Twenty-five patients who underwent revision RCR in a single institution between 2010 and 2012 were retrospectively reviewed at a minimum follow-up of 2 years. The Constant Score (CS) and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score were collected. Ultrasound examination was used both before revision surgery and at follow-up to determine tendon integrity. At the final follow-up, 69.6% patients showed an intact rotator cuff and their CS had improved from 28.3 to 77. 30.4% patients had a persisting rotator cuff defect, and the CS had improved from 24 to 47.7. A preoperative tear size of more than 20 mm from an ultrasound examination could be identified as a factor that would risk structural failure of revision RCR. (1) Clinical outcomes after revision RCR improve in both patients with an intact RC and those with a retear at midterm follow-up. (2) Ultrasound seems to be a useful tool to predict whether reconstruction of recurrent rotator cuff tears is feasible. IV, Case series.

Hexaploid-derived resistance genes exhibit complex inheritance and expression patterns in tetraploid backgrounds. This study aimed to characterize the inheritance patterns and genomic compatibilities of hexaploid-derived Fusarium head blight (FHB) resistance genes in tetraploid durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.). Evaluation of FHB resistance for F

Satellite glia are the major glial cells in sympathetic ganglia, enveloping neuronal cell bodies. Despite this intimate association, how satellite glia contribute to sympathetic functions remain unclear. Here, we show that satellite glia are critical for metabolism, survival, and activity of sympathetic neurons and modulate autonomic behaviors in mice. Adult ablation of satellite glia results in impaired mTOR signaling, soma atrophy, reduced noradrenergic enzymes, and loss of sympathetic neurons. However, persisting neurons have elevated activity, and satellite glia-ablated mice show increased pupil dilation and heart rate, indicative of enhanced sympathetic tone. Satellite glia-specific deletion of Kir4.1, an inward-rectifying potassium channel, largely recapitulates the cellular defects observed in glia-ablated mice, suggesting that satellite glia act in part via extracellular K+buffering. These findings highlight neuron-satellite glia as functional units in regulating sympathetic output, with implications for disorders linked to sympathetic hyper-activity such as cardiovascular disease and hypertension.

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] is an important source of protein and vegetable oil. Genetic improvement of soybean seed yield and composition are ultimate breeding goals. During the past 80 yr, breeders have selected for high yield and other desired traits to make genetic improvements. To quantify the genetic changes to seed yield, yield stability, and other important agronomic and end-use quality traits, we evaluated 93 soybean cultivars in Maturity Groups (MG) V, VI, and VII that were released from 1928 to 2008. Replicated yield trials specific for each MG set of cultivars were conducted during 2010 to 2011 in a total of 27 southeastern US year-location environments. A mixed linear model was used to calculate best linear unbiased predictors (BLUPs) for each cultivar for each measured trait within each MG. Regressed cultivar effect BLUPs of each trait by year of cultivar release revealed positive linear trends for annualized genetic yield gains of 17.6, 13.5, and 10.3 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ for MG V, VI, and VII, respectively. Averaged across MGs, the annualized rate of genetic gain was estimated to be 13.7 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹. Yield stability analyses revealed significant differences in regression coefficients (b), which were >1.0 for newer cultivars but

The need for hollow microneedle arrays is important for both drug delivery and wearable sensor applications; however, their fabrication poses many challenges. Hollow metal microneedle arrays residing on a flexible metal foil substrate were created by combining additive manufacturing, micromolding, and electroplating approaches in a process we refer to as electromolding. A solid microneedle with inward facing ledge was fabricated with a two photon polymerization (2PP) system utilizing laser direct write (LDW) and then molded with polydimethylsiloxane. These molds were then coated with a seed layer of Ti/Au and subsequently electroplated with pulsed deposition to create hollow microneedles. An inward facing ledge provided a physical blocking platform to restrict deposition of the metal seed layer for creation of the microneedle bore. Various ledge sizes were tested and showed that the resulting seed layer void could be controlled via the ledge length. Mechanical properties of the PDMS mold was adjusted via the precursor ratio to create a more ductile mold that eliminated tip damage to the microneedles upon removal from the molds. Master structures were capable of being molded numerous times and molds were able to be reused. SEM/EDX analysis showed that trace amounts of the PDMS mold were transferred to the metal microneedle upon removal. The microneedle substrate showed a degree of flexibility that withstood over 100 cycles of bending from side to side without damaging. Microneedles were tested for their fracture strength and were capable of puncturing porcine skin and injecting a dye.

667037 ABSTRACT This paper provides a viewpoint on ways to blend and optimize the use of various scientific tools to address information needs as part of oil spill natural resource damage assessments (NRDAs). Oil spills are complex events of multidisciplinary interest, requiring the application of a blend of established, generally accepted approaches to answer the many scientific questions related to oil spill response and NRDAs arising during and after each spill. Each spill scenario is unique and demands different information, but central to all assessment strategies are questions around the needs for and the feasibility of collecting adequate representative field data versus (or more productively in concert with) the application of spill models, remembering that models alone can't create facts. Useful information also comes from considering the degree to which the processes and ambient measures in a new spill can be represented by extrapolations of data and information from prior spills. Through a discussion of a three-part “toolkit” or “triad” applied to different types of oil spill NRDAs, this discussion offers insights and suggestions, largely from a strategic scientific perspective, for optimizing the blend of these tools to sufficiently address the assessment of injuries to natural resources so restoration can be appropriately evaluated, scaled, planned, and implemented.

Purpose: Expression-based classifiers to predict pathologic complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) are not routinely used in the clinic. We aimed to build and validate a classifier for pCR after NACT. Patients and Methods: We performed a prospective multicenter study (EXPRESSION) including 114 patients treated with anthracycline/taxane-based NACT. Pretreatment core needle biopsies from 91 patients were used for gene expression analysis and classifier construction, followed by validation in five external cohorts (n = 619). Results: A 20-gene classifier established in the EXPRESSION cohort using a Youden index–based cut-off point predicted pCR in the validation cohorts with an accuracy, AUC, negative predictive value (NPV), positive predictive value, sensitivity, and specificity of 0.811, 0.768, 0.829, 0.587, 0.216, and 0.962, respectively. Alternatively, aiming for a high NPV by defining the cut-off point for classification based on the complete responder with the lowest predicted probability of pCR in the EXPRESSION cohort led to an NPV of 0.960 upon external validation. With this extreme-low cut-off point, a recommendation to not treat with anthracycline/taxane-based NACT would be possible for 121 of 619 unselected patients (19.5%) and 112 of 322 patients with luminal breast cancer (34.8%). The analysis of the molecular subtypes showed that the identification of patients who do not achieve a pCR by the 20-gene classifier was particularly relevant in luminal breast cancer. Conclusions: The novel 20-gene classifier reliably identifies patients who do not achieve a pCR in about one third of luminal breast cancers in both the EXPRESSION and combined validation cohorts.

Suturing has been the gold standard approach to close wounds for many decades. However, suturing causes tissue damage, which is accompanied by foreign body reaction, entry of pathogens, complications, infection, or death. In addition, the procedure is usually time-consuming, requiring manual dexterity and free moving space. Other adhesive approaches have been proposed and demonstrated with great potential, including laser-assisted tissue closure with either photothermal or photochemical reactions, application of nanoparticles, glues, constructs based on extracellular matrix (ECM), microbarbs, bio-inspired structures, and tape. The quality of closure has been evaluated by histological methods, indexing, morphology, tensile testing, patency rate, leakage pressure, and burst pressure. All the novel tissue joining methods aim to provide an adhesive with appropriate strength, non-cytotoxicity, and minimal damage. The capability for rapid attachment and release may further reduce surgical procedure time. More research is needed to prove the feasibility of new tissue joining techniques based on the type of tissue, surface chemistry, and working environment.

Kernel texture is a key determinant of flour quality. Herein, a population of 125 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) was developed from a cross between the spring wheat cultivar Alpowa (normal soft) and a closely related uniquely ‘super soft’ line. To study the genetic variation for kernel texture, the RILs and parents were genotyped using high-density single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. Polymorphic markers (n = 1425) were used for genetic mapping and 372 non-redundant markers were assembled on 21 linkage groups covering 14 chromosomes. Ten QTLs were identified for kernel texture using composite interval mapping (CIM), including four major QTLs on 1BS, 4BS, 5AL and 7AS. Single marker-trait association was also carried out using the same set of markers (1425), and 339 significant markers were identified for kernel texture. Of these 339 markers, the ten best markers, which included the four QTLs above each accounted for 15.0–19.3% phenotypic variation. None of the kernel texture QTL co-located with QTLs for kernel weight or kernel size. This study shows the complex inheritance of this unique super soft kernel trait. Nevertheless, the trait is heritable and could be used to provide bakers a new type of flour.

Source identification of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in environmental samples has advanced greatly in the last 20 years and continues to advance. To realize potential benefits and avoid possible pitfalls, however, great care is needed as one applies published diagnostic tools to data sets. This commentary reflects some recent observations, concerns, and recommendations.

Satellite glia are the major glial type found in sympathetic and sensory ganglia in the peripheral nervous system, and specifically, contact neuronal cell bodies. Sympathetic and sensory neurons differ in morphological, molecular, and electrophysiological properties. However, the molecular diversity of the associated satellite glial cells remains unclear. Here, using single-cell RNA sequencing analysis, we identify five different populations of satellite glia from sympathetic and sensory ganglia. We define three shared populations of satellite glia enriched in immune-response genes, immediate-early genes, and ion channels/ECM-interactors, respectively. Sensory- and sympathetic-specific satellite glia are differentially enriched for modulators of lipid synthesis and metabolism. Sensory glia are also specifically enriched for genes involved in glutamate turnover. Furthermore, satellite glia and Schwann cells can be distinguished by unique transcriptional signatures. This study reveals the remarkable heterogeneity of satellite glia in the peripheral nervous system.

Kernel texture (grain hardness) is a key trait that influences the milling and baking quality of wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.). Herein, hard red spring wheat varieties Butte86 and ND2603, possessing the Pina-D1b and Pinb-D1b alleles, respectively, were used as parents in the development of 132 recombinant inbred lines (RIL). The RIL population and its parents were phenotyped for single kernel characterization system (SKCS) and NIR kernel texture, grain protein content, test weight, SKCS weight, and SKCS diameter, and genotyped using next-generation genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) technology, SSR markers and allele-specific sequence tagged site markers. Linkage maps for the entire RIL population and for two subsets of RILs, grouped on the basis of the Puroindoline-D1 alleles, were developed using a total of 695 markers. Multiple QTL mapping identified 10 QTLs for SKCS and NIR kernel texture with significant loci on 1AS, 1BS, 1BL, 5AL, 5BL, 6BL and 7BS. Of these, the 1BS QTL was associated with the Glu-B3 amplicon 691, and one of the 1BL QTL with Glu-B1 . All QTL conferred an additive effect of ∼3–8 hardness units, a difference in kernel texture similar to or greater than the difference between the Pina-D1b and Pinb-D1b hardness mutations.

Areas impacted by petroleum refining and handling operations may become subject to CERCLA enforcement. Because of CERCLA's petroleum exclusion clause, determining whether contamination in a CERCLA Site originated from petroleum products or hazardous wastes becomes important. Because certain metals are typically enriched in wastes relative to petroleum products and background soils, knowledge of metal contents in these potential end member metal sources is an important step towards contaminant source identification in soils and sediments. In LNAPL plumes, metal content, particularly lead, may be claimed to be the result of wastes mishandling and not due only to the presence of leaded gasoline in the plume. Analysis of the percent gasoline in the plume and accounting for weathering are steps to determining whether the lead content in an LNAPL plume is within the historical lead concentration ranges in gasolines. In addition to metals analyses, understanding of operational parameters such as the hist...

Die Implantation einer anatomischen Schultertotalprothese fuhrt bei fortgeschrittenem Glenoidverbrauch zu einer hoheren Lockerungsrate der Glenoidkomponente und schlechteren funktionellen Ergebnissen. Ziel der Auswertung der Daten des Deutschen Schulterendoprothesenregisters war zu klaren, ob die Implantation einer inversen Schulterprothese bei fortgeschrittenem bikonkavem Glenoidverbrauch Typ B2 nach Walch im Vergleich zur anatomischen Schulterprothese Vorteile aufweist. 1052 vollstandig dokumentierte primar implantierte Prothesen konnten nach Datenbereinigung mit einem Mindestnachuntersuchungszeitraum von 2 Jahren in die Auswertung eingeschlossen werden. 119 Patienten wiesen ein B2-Glenoid auf. Bei 86 Patienten wurde eine anatomische und bei 33 Patienten eine inverse Prothese implantiert. Der durchschnittliche Nachuntersuchungszeitraum betrug 47,6 Monate. Nach anatomischer als auch nach inverser Prothesenimplantation verbesserte sich der Constant Score mit seinen Subkategorien und auch das aktive Bewegungsausmas signifikant durch die Prothesenimplantation. Im funktionellen Ergebnis zeigten sich bisher keine Unterschiede zwischen beiden Implantattypen, wohingegen Revisionseingriffe signifikant haufiger nach inverser Prothese (21,2 %) (haufigste Indikationen: 3 % Glenospharenlockerung, 6 % Protheseninstabilitat) als nach anatomischer Prothese (12,8 %) (11,6 % Glenoidlockerung, 1,2 % Protheseninstabilitat) erfolgten, obwohl anatomische Prothesen eine hohere Rate an Glenoidlockerungen aufwiesen. Die funktionellen als auch radiologischen Ergebnisse sind fur beide Prothesentypen mit der Literatur vergleichbar, obwohl es sich um Registerdaten (Daten der Versorgungsqualitat) handelt.

Genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) utilizes Next-Generation sequencing to genetically and physically map traits of interest. Here we use GBS to identify QTLs and SNP markers associated with milling and end-use quality traits in an hard red spring wheat recombinant inbred line (RIL) population. The RIL population and parents were phenotyped for eleven milling and end-use quality traits, and genotyped using GBS technology, simple sequence repeat (SSR) and allele specific sequence tagged site markers. A genetic map comprising 696 markers was used to map the end-use quality traits. Multiple QTL mapping identified 79 QTLs, 19 of which were declared ‘major’ as they explained greater than 15% of the phenotypic variance each. Transgressive segregants were observed for all phenotypes and co-locating QTLs controlling multiple quality traits were confirmed on chromosomes 1BL, 5AS, 7AS, 7AL and 7BS. To date, no GBS analysis to locate end-use quality QTLs in wheat has been conducted, thus the reporting and validation of these GBS sequence tags and their associated QTLs will shed light on the genetic architecture underlying these quantitative traits and assist wheat breeders in developing cultivars with favorable alleles through the use of marker assisted selection.

Consumer acceptance of whole wheat products can be hindered by the flavor, aroma, and texture. A laboratory mouse model system was used to examine flavor using a two-choice feeding system employing a common check variety and the Student's t statistic as a consumption phenotype. Samples were from a doubled haploid population derived from “Yummy” (Louise) and “yucky” (Yumai34) soft white spring wheat parents. Genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) identified 655 single nucleotide polymorphic (SNP) markers that differed between the two parents, which were used to create a genetic map with 24 linkage groups. Thirty-nine SNP markers exhibited a significant marker-trait association with consumption, and four significant QTL were detected. Additionally, a novel approach that identified dominant markers successfully found both Louise- and Yumai34-dominant GBS sequence tags. The Louise-dominant markers exhibited high levels of marker-trait association with the Student's t statistic flavor preference phenotype. In total, markers mapped to seven genic regions. In particular, dominant markers on 4DL exhibited the greatest F-values and provided the strongest evidence that genes involved in wheat flavor were located there. This work furthers the understanding of the genetics involved in wheat grain flavor and will aid in the development of varieties with greater consumer acceptance for whole-wheat products.

Traditionally, the representativeness and sufficiency of data in environmental monitoring efforts are judged against an external standard, such as a pre-determined statistically-based survey design intended to achieve specified data quality objectives. However, given the nature of oil spill responses, where the primary focus is usually on finding the oil and documenting exposure related to the release, samples collected from oil spill studies rarely follow a statistically-based, pre-determined sampling design. Using water chemistry data from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, we have developed statistical, observational, and forensic approaches to evaluate the representativeness and sufficiency of field-collected chemistry data to characterize exposure in the water column. Three complementary approaches were selected for evaluating water chemistry data. The first “Zone” approach evaluates properties of the data within defined spatial-temporal exposure zones. The second “Probability” approach examines the data independent of predetermined zones using three dimensional (3D; i.e., latitude, longitude, depth) modeling methods (interpolation, contouring) to assess whether the field-collected water chemistry data alone provide sufficient information to model chemical exposure in the water column. The final “Design” approach compares the field-collected sample data to a theoretical sampling design that could have been developed at the beginning of the incident. Integral to all of these approaches is a pre-analysis screening that considers the original objective of each sample collection and the method of sample collection. Review of the chemical forensics of samples can provide further refinement. In this way, samples that were collected as part of a targeted effort based on visual or sensor observations can be considered in light of the context in which they were collected. The results of this analysis can be used to inform future oil spill sample collections to provide sufficient and representative samples that meet the immediate needs of the response as well as longer-term damage assessment determinations.

2017-284:Over the past decade, three realizations have evolved from our collection and analysis of oil spill data. First is that more response data are being collected than ever before, including field and laboratory measurements in addition to observational data. To process this diverse information, we use sophisticated computer-based systems that allow us to integrate, analyze, and visualize satellite imagery, real-time weather and ship locations, field notes (e.g., shoreline cleanup assessment technique [SCAT] data), chemistry data, and photos. The second is the increased political and social interest in spills. Increased use of social media and the impact of these information pathways on the public’s perception of the spill response can drive real political decisions; making spill communications based on timely and high data quality critical. Lastly is the growing linkages between the collection, management, and uses of environmental data, not only for spill response, but also for NRD assessment (NRDA), determination of civil penalties (e.g., the Clean Water Act [CWA]), and third party legal claims. For example, observational and remote sensing data collected for response actions will ultimately be used to understand questions about contaminant pathways and exposures inherent to NRDA. Similarly, data collected as part of response mitigation and cleanup needs often provides our earliest understanding of the potential and actual natural resource damage issues, which are important for NRDA, third party claims, and CWA penalty mitigation.Historically, the inherent differences in temporal and spatial scales over which oil spill data are collected and used, coupled with the requirements of data quality, usability, and/or provenance, diminishes the ability to effectively optimize collection and uses of these data. Data optimization recognizes that data can/will have multiple uses and thus requires all data, whether response or NRDA-related to be of high and equivalent quality and be based on compatible, if not identical, data quality objectives (DQOs). In this paper, we review several examples that underscore the need for data optimization in environmental data collection. Specifically, we will explore how a focus on the long view and the need for data optimization can drive the collection of appropriate and multipurpose data, as well as inform the structure of data management systems. Using specific examples, we will demonstrate the value of embracing a data optimization framework in developing a common sample/data collection imperative that facilitates multiple uses.

2017-189 The crude oil released from the Macondo Well, also known for its location in Mississippi Canyon area as the MC252 well during the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, entered an environment already containing a complex mixture of hydrocarbons from both natural and anthropogenic sources, many of which have closely related chemical profiles. To understand the impact of the released oil in offshore areas, a method was needed to distinguish MC252-related hydrocarbons from other sources. A multiple lines of evidence approach was developed to identify weathered MC252 oil in offshore sediments in the Gulf of Mexico. Chemical data for alkanes, PAH, petroleum biomarkers and metals were combined with spatial, temporal, and observational information to examine the fingerprints for more than 4,000 sediment samples collected over the span of five years. The unique conditions of the Gulf of Mexico (GOM), with many natural petroleum seeps and tepid seas, provided an ideal environment to support microbial degradation of petroleum. As a result of these conditions, the initial fingerprint of the MC252 was rapidly and extensively altered in the environment including depletion of petroleum biomarkers, usually assumed to be recalcitrant and often used in ratios to identify petroleum residues. Revised biomarker match criteria were defined to account for biodegradation within this fraction. Applying this methodology to the offshore sediment data from the GOM provided a comprehensive understanding of the distribution of the MC252 oil in offshore sediment and an understanding of the various transport pathways which conveyed the oil to the sediments.

2017-192 While examination of the question “what happened to the oil?” has been undertaken on other oil spills, the wealth of data from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon accident presents a unique opportunity to deeply examine this question. To do so, several investigative threads need to be pulled together. In this paper, results from several relevant data sets and related studies and published papers pertaining to the behavior and fate of oil released from the Macondo well during the accident will be discussed. These data sets include: 1) analysis of the weathering processes, changes in chemistry, and partitioning of oil components that occurred and 2) data on the concentrations and movement of oil in the water, on the surface, and to the shoreline that created various “footprints” over time. The available data on water column chemistry, distributions, and partitioning; water chemistry related to surface oil distributions over time; biodegradation; sediment chemistry and distributions; and fate of the oil on the shoreline are all essential to this effort. This presentation will present a high-level, data-driven overview of the fate of the oil.

Durum wheat is an important crop worldwide. In many areas, durum wheat appears to have competitive yield, and biotic and abiotic advantages over bread wheat. What limits durum production? In one respect, the comparatively more limited processing and food functionality. Two traits directly relate to these limitations: kernel texture (hardness) and gluten strength. We have addressed both using ph1b-mediated translocations from bread wheat. For kernel texture, ca. 28 Mbp of chromosome 5D short arm replaced about 20 Mbp of 5B short arm. Single Kernel Characterization System (SKCS) hardness was reduced from ca. 80 to 20 as the puroindolines were expressed and softened the endosperm. Break flour yields increased from 17 to >40%. Straight-grade flour had low starch damage (2%), and a mean particle size of 75 μm. Crosses with CIMMYT durum lines all produced soft kernel progeny and a high degree of genetic variance for milling and baking quality. Solvent Retention Capacities (SRC) and cookie diameters were similar to soft white hexaploid wheat, showing that soft durum can be considered a “tetraploid soft white spring wheat.” Regarding gluten strength, CIMMYT durums contributed a high genetic variance, with the “best” progeny exhibiting Na-dodecylsulfate (SDS) sedimentation volume, SRC Lactic Acid and Mixograph characteristics that were similar to medium-gluten-strength U.S. hard red winter. The best loaf volume among these progeny was 846 cm3 at ca. 12.8% flour protein. To further address the issue of gluten strength, Soft Svevo was crossed with durum lines possessing Dx2+Dy12 and Dx5+Dy10. Bread baking showed that Dx5+Dy10 was overly strong, whereas Dx2+Dy12 significantly improved bread loaf volume. The best progeny produced a loaf volume of 1,010 cm3 at 12.1% protein. As a comparison, the long-term in-house regression for loaf volume-flour protein for hard “bread” wheats is 926 cm3 at 12.1% protein. Obviously, from these results, excellent bread making potential has been achieved.

Assessing the environmental impact of spilled oil and gas requires an understanding of both the petroleum’s movement and the physical and chemical changes it undergoes after the release. Deep subsea releases differ from surface releases primarily because of the extended interaction of the oil and gas with the water column prior to atmospheric exposure. Furthermore, the remote locations and uncertain volumes of deep subsea oil and gas releases result in logistical challenges to data collection both during and after a release. However, there have been multiple subsea releases with large-scale environmental investigations, and the extensive investigation undertaken during and after the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) spill resulted in an especially comprehensive empirical data set. The specific chemical and physical properties of the oil and gas mixtures in subsea releases differ between spills, and the DWH investigation and others have highlighted the importance of understanding biodegradation rates and transport to offshore sediments. The field and experimental data collected during and after a spill can improve oil fate prediction when incorporated into comprehensive oil spill models.

Structural failures after rotator cuff repair are well known, and despite advances and improved techniques in rotator cuff repair (RCR), retear rates remain high. The aim of this study was to (1) evaluate the midterm clinical and radiological outcomes after revision RCR and to (2) analyze whether preoperative ultrasound can predict outcome of open revision rotator cuff repair.Twenty-five patients who underwent revision RCR in a single institution between 2010 and 2012 were retrospectively reviewed at a minimum follow-up of 2 years. The Constant Score (CS) and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score were collected. Ultrasound examination was used both before revision surgery and at follow-up to determine tendon integrity.At the final follow-up, 69.6% patients showed an intact rotator cuff and their CS had improved from 28.3 to 77. 30.4% patients had a persisting rotator cuff defect, and the CS had improved from 24 to 47.7. A preoperative tear size of more than 20 mm from an ultrasound examination could be identified as a factor that would risk structural failure of revision RCR.(1) Clinical outcomes after revision RCR improve in both patients with an intact RC and those with a retear at midterm follow-up. (2) Ultrasound seems to be a useful tool to predict whether reconstruction of recurrent rotator cuff tears is feasible.IV, Case series.

Soybean cyst nematode (Heterodera glycines Ichinohe) (SCN) is the most destructive pest affecting soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] in the U.S. To date, only two major SCN resistance alleles, rhg1 and Rhg4, identified in PI 88788 (rhg1) and Peking (rhg1/Rhg4), residing on chromosomes (Chr) 18 and 8, respectively, have been widely used to develop SCN resistant cultivars in the U.S. Thus, some SCN populations have evolved to overcome the PI 88788 and Peking derived resistance, making it a priority for breeders to identify new alleles and sources of SCN resistance. Toward that end, 461 soybean accessions from various origins were screened using a greenhouse SCN bioassay and genotyped with Illumina SoySNP50K iSelect BeadChips and three KASP SNP markers developed at the Rhg1 and Rhg4 loci to perform a genome-wide association study (GWAS) and a haplotype analysis at the Rhg1 and Rhg4 loci. In total, 35,820 SNPs were used for GWAS, which identified 12 SNPs at four genomic regions on Chrs 7, 8, 10, and 18 that were significantly associated with SCN resistance (P < 0.001). Of those, three SNPs were located at Rhg1 and Rhg4, and 24 predicted genes were found near the significant SNPs on Chrs 7 and 10. KASP SNP genotyping results of the 462 accessions at the Rhg1 and Rhg4 loci identified 30 that carried PI 88788-type resistance, 50 that carried Peking-type resistance, and 58 that carried neither the Peking-type nor the PI 88788-type resistance alleles, indicating they may possess novel SCN resistance alleles. By using two subsets of SNPs near the Rhg1 and Rhg4 loci obtained from SoySNP iSelect BeadChips, a haplotype analysis of 461 accessions grouped those 58 accessions differently from the accessions carrying Peking or PI 88788 derived resistance, thereby validating the genotyping results at Rhg1 and Rhg4. The significant SNPs, candidate genes, and newly characterized SCN resistant accessions will be beneficial for the development of DNA markers to be used for marker-assisted breeding and developing soybean cultivars carrying novel sources of SCN resistance.

While censored data (i.e., containing non-detect [ND] results) may provide useful information in the context of risk assessment, their utility in chemical forensics is less clear. Substitution of NDs can create invasive patterns and may obscure the true forensic features in the underlying chemistry and sample compositions. The effect of substituting numeric values for NDs on the results of common chemical forensics multivariate analyses is illustrated using synthetic simulated data and laboratory measurements of soil samples from Colorado. The analyses of simulated and laboratory data demonstrate the impact of substituting values for NDs on multivariate analyses and indicate the potential for incorrect conclusions about the true forensic features within the data. Recommendations are provided for how to investigate and visualize the impact of NDs on chemical forensic multivariate analyses.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the interactions between microorganisms, including the planktonic and adherent organisms, and biopolymer (polyvinylpyrrolidone), flavonoid (quercetin dihydrate and resveratrol)-biopolymer, and silver nanoparticles-biopolymer composite thin films that were deposited using matrix assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE). A pulsed KrF * excimer laser source was used to deposit the aforementioned composite thin films, which were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), infrared microscopy (IRM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The antimicrobial activity of thin films was quantified using an adapted disk diffusion assay against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria strains. FT-IR, AFM and SEM studies confirmed that MAPLE may be used to fabricate thin films with chemical properties corresponding to the input materials as well as surface properties that are appropriate for medical use. The silver nanoparticles and flavonoid-containing films exhibited an antimicrobial activity both against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains demonstrating the potential use of these hybrid systems for the development of novel antimicrobial strategies.

We explored the potential of biomimetic thin films fabricated by means of matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE) for releasing combinations of active substances represented by flavonoids (quercetin dihydrate and resveratrol) and antifungal compounds (amphotericin B and voriconazole) embedded in a polyvinylpyrrolidone biopolymer, the antifungal activity of the film components was evaluated using in vitro microbiological assays. Thin films were deposited using a pulsed KrF* excimer laser source which were structurally characterized using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). High-quality thin films with chemical structures similar to dropcast ones were created using an optimum laser fluence of ~80 mJ/cm2. Bioactive substances were included within the polymer thin films using the MAPLE technique. The results of the in vitro microbiology assay, which utilized a modified disk diffusion approach and were performed using two fungal strains (Candida albicans American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) 90028 and Candida parapsilosis American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) 22019), revealed that voriconazole was released in an active form from the polyvinylpyrrolidone matrix. The results of this study show that the MAPLE-deposited bioactive thin films have a promising potential for use in designing combination devices, such as drug delivery devices, and medical device surfaces with antifungal activity.

Oil weathering is often described subjectively after a spill. Adjectives like “moderate” and “severe” help define the extent of oil loss but fail to communicate quantitatively and reproducibly the degree of weathering. The use of subjective weathering terms often leads to misperceptions about persistence and toxicity of oil residues in the environment. The weathering of MC252 oil from the Deepwater Horizon spill started immediately after release during the 1,500 m ascent to the sea surface and continued as it was transported on the surface and reached the shoreline. Weathering processes included evaporation, dissolution, photo-degradation, and biodegradation, among others. With extensive sample collection and detailed chemistry and source fingerprinting analyses, the Deepwater Horizon data provide a unique opportunity to evaluate weathering processes semi-quantitatively. An objective method of defining the degree of oil weathering is developed based on the detailed chemical results for over 700 MC252 oil samples from the environment.

Identifying genes and variants contributing to rare disease phenotypes and Mendelian conditions informs biology and medicine, yet potential phenotypic consequences for variation of >75% of the ~20,000 annotated genes in the human genome are lacking. Technical advances to assess rare variation genome-wide, particularly exome sequencing (ES), enabled establishment in the United States of the National Institutes of Health (NIH)-supported Centers for Mendelian Genomics (CMGs) and have facilitated collaborative studies resulting in novel “disease gene” discoveries. Pedigree-based genomic studies and rare variant analyses in families with suspected Mendelian conditions have led to the elucidation of hundreds of novel disease genes and highlighted the impact of de novo mutational events, somatic variation underlying nononcologic traits, incompletely penetrant alleles, phenotypes with high locus heterogeneity, and multilocus pathogenic variation. Herein, we highlight CMG collaborative discoveries that have contributed to understanding both rare and common diseases and discuss opportunities for future discovery in single-locus Mendelian disorder genomics. Phenotypic annotation of all human genes; development of bioinformatic tools and analytic methods; exploration of non-Mendelian modes of inheritance including reduced penetrance, multilocus variation, and oligogenic inheritance; construction of allelic series at a locus; enhanced data sharing worldwide; and integration with clinical genomics are explored. Realizing the full contribution of rare disease research to functional annotation of the human genome, and further illuminating human biology and health, will lay the foundation for the Precision Medicine Initiative.

The ecological risk and potential injury from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from spilled crude oil in water is dependent on whether they are dissolved or associated with droplets/particles. Using oil collected from the Deepwater Horizon incident, laboratory experiments were conducted to develop a computational method to determine the physical state of PAHs in sampled seawater and compare these to results from methods designed to physically separate dissolved and droplet oil used during the spill. The analytical results were used to develop a method to calculate droplet/particulate concentrations from unfractionated water samples based on oil composition and allocation of minimally soluble oil components to the droplet fraction. The computational method is less labor-intensive and costly than field fractionation and can be used to optimize the use of previously collected data. The results also showed that physical separation can result in insoluble high-molecular-weight PAHs being present in the filtrate (i.e., the “dissolved” fraction), potentially leading to an overestimate of dissolved components.

Tamoxifen, a selective estrogen receptor modulator, is widely used in mouse models to temporally control gene expression but is also known to affect body composition. Here, we report that tamoxifen has significant and sustained effects on glucose tolerance, independent of effects on insulin sensitivity, in mice. Intraperitoneal, but not oral, tamoxifen delivery improved glucose tolerance in three inbred mouse strains. The extent and persistence of tamoxifen-induced effects were sex- and strain-dependent. These findings highlight the need to revise commonly used tamoxifen-based protocols for gene manipulation in mice by including longer chase periods following injection, oral delivery, and the use of tamoxifen-treated littermate controls.