Mei Zhang, Ph.D. - US grants

This project is an observational and data analysis project to examine and understand the differences between the two types of coronal mass ejections (CMEs). CME events during solar cycles 22 and 23 will be identified using the coronagraph data from Skylab, the Solar Maximum Mission, Solwind, and SOHO. Groundbased coronal measurements from the Mauna Loa coronagraph will also be used. The association of CME events with active regions and with quiescent prominences will be studied. The observations will be used to test different models of CME eruptions.

[unreadable] DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Insulin stimulates glucose uptake into muscle and adipose tissue through the translocation of the insulin-responsive glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4) from an intracellular compartment to the cell surface. This laboratory has identified a novel pathway that plays a crucial role in the regulation of glucose uptake by insulin [Baumann et al., Nature 2000]. This pathway involves the insulin-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of the Cbl protooncogene, and its translocation to lipid raft microdomains of the plasma membrane via the multidomain adaptor protein CAP. Although CAP was cloned in the Saltiel laboratory several years ago, I have recently identified several CAP splicing isoforms from mouse adipose tissue with additional potential functional domains including a coiled-coil domain and a proline-rich region. I will examine the role of these domains in protein interactions, as well as the subcellular localization of the isoforms. I will explore the role of CAP isoforms in the CAPICbl pathway of insulin signal transduction, and examine the effects of mutant forms of these proteins on the regulation of glucose transport, glycogen synthesis and lipolysis by insulin. Finally, I will search for novel CAP-interacting proteins. This approach may lead to new insights into the molecular mechanisms of insulin action, and ultimately to therapeutic approaches to insulin resistance and diabetes. [unreadable] [unreadable]

The PI proposes a one-year investigation to study and test a theory she developed with Co-PIs Low with support from a previous NSF SHINE (National Science Foundation Solar, Heliospheric, and INterplanetary Environment) award. The Zhang-Low theory states that coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are a natural end product of coronal evolution because of the accumulation of magnetic helicity in the corona.

This theory will be investigated and tested both theoretically and observationally in this effort. The proposers will first investigate an MHD (magnetohydrodynamic) conjecture that there is an upper bound on the total magnetic helicity that a force-free field can contain. If such an upper bound exists, the accumulation of magnetic helicity in excess of this limit will naturally result in an eruption of a CME. The proposers will also use vector magnetic field measurements to study the magnetic helicity evolution in several active regions to test whether observations do show consistence with the theory that CMEs are occurring at times of significant accumulation of magnetic helicity.

The proposed work is intellectually challenging and innovative, because it will change the way scientists view coronal dynamics and will require formulations of new approaches to CME-initiation prediction.

The results of the proposed work will have a broad impact on solar and space community. This effort will contribute to the understanding of fundamental CME physics as well as provide a promising physics-based tool for space weather prediction.

This proposal was received in response to Nanoscale Science and Engineering initiative, NSF 05-610, category NIRT. One objective of this work is to provide science and technology enabling eventual commercial production of carbon nanotube yarns and sheets having close to the mechanical, electrical, and thermal transport properties of the component individual nanotubes. The approach taken is solid-state processing, since this is the only method that is applicable for the ultra-long nanotubes needed for realizing the spectacular inherent properties of individual nanotubes. Another objective is to add higher levels of hierarchal assembly that are optimized for active device applications. While applications focus will be on artificial muscles, project advances will benefit diverse applications demonstrated for these nanotube yarns or sheets: light emitting diodes, organic and electrochemical solar cells, polarized sheet incandescent light sources, cold electron emission displays and lamps, transparent conducting applique's, thermal electrochemical harvesting, and yarn supercapacitors. The last objective of developing a rational synthetic route to carbon nanotubes of one type, by crystal-based reactions that are an alternative to poorly controllable gas-phase-based nanotube growth processes, will increase fundamental understanding of crystal-controlled solid-state polymerization reactions, chemical transformations dominated by three-dimensional covalent connectivity, and enable bulk property characterizations for nanotubes of one type.
Nano@Border, NanoScout, NanoExplorer, and NanoInventor programs will benefit minorities, very young students, the retired and unemployed, as well as encourage people with quite different backgrounds to work together on interdisciplinary teams in frontier areas. Project funding will expand these educational activities, and bring women and Hispanics to work on the project. Our project collaborations with Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, Nokia, the NASA Ames Center for Nanotechnology, the Naval Undersea Warfare Center, Carbon Nanotechnologies Inc., Hyperion Catalysts International, Eeonyx Corporation, and other companies will both accelerate project progress, and help provide clear paths for commercialization of project discoveries.

[unreadable] DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Twenty eight million Americans suffer from hearing loss. Hair cell loss induced by ototoxic drugs, such as cisplatin and gentamicin, are among the most common causes of hearing loss, dizziness and tinnitus. Clinically, no drug is available to treat the hair cell loss. Therefore, the long-term goal of our study is to understand the mechanism of hair cell death and develop drugs to prevent and treat hair cell loss. P53 is a key regulator in apoptotic process. We discovered that pifithrin-a (PFT), an inhibitor of p53, blocked cisplatin induced apoptosis and protected hair cells in the cochlear and vestibular cultures. In addition, our data showed PFT also prevented gentamicin-induced hair cell death. Thus, PFT is a potential molecule to treat drugs-induced ototoxicity. Moreover, our data showed that PFT significantly protects the cochlear hair cells but not the vestibular hair cells against low dose gentamicin. Intratympanic injection of low dose gentamicin to damage the vestibular hair cells has been widely used to treat the dizziness of Meniere's disease. However, gentamicin induced hearing loss due to cochlear hair cell damage is the major concern. In this circumstance, PFT has great potential clinical application. In this project, we will study the PFT protective mechanism. In addition, we will delineate p53 upstream and downstream signaling pathways, which will draw a map with specific targets for future protection against cisplatin and gentamicin ototoxicity. We will use organotypic cultures of organ of Corti and utricle of postnatal rats, which are well-established models to study ototoxicity. The outcome of the study will have clinical application toward developing new therapies to protect against drug-induced ototoxicity and will contribute to the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of drug-induced ototoxicity. [unreadable] [unreadable] [unreadable]

This Nanotechnology Undergraduate Education (NUE) in Engineering program entitled "NUE: NanoCORE (Nanotechnology Concepts, Opportunities, Research and Education)at the Florida A&M University (FAMU)-Florida State University (FSU) College of Engineering", under the direction of Dr. Ongi Englander, is designed to introduce aspects of nanoscale science and engineering into the core undergraduate curriculum beginning in the freshman year. The NanoCORE program will infuse and integrate nanoscale science and engineering (NSE) as a permanent component of the undergraduate curriculum, present multiple opportunities for undergraduate learning of concepts in NSE and create opportunities for undergraduates to pursue nanotechnology related research activities.

Abstract Numerous studies, including those in the area of breast cancer research, have begun to focus on targeting the radiation/chemo resistance of tumor initiating cells (TICs) that are thought to be responsible for tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis. However, the role of the putative niche, a microenvironment that helps TICs maintain their functional activity to self-renew and to differentiate in breast cancer is largely unknown. Using in vivo limiting dilution transplantation experiments, and microarray analysis, a subpopulation of TICs as well as a subpopulation of cells in these tumors with mesenchymal features have been identified. These latter 'mesenchymal-like cells display properties of cells, which may comprise a putative tumor stem cell niche by promoting TIC self-renewal in vitro. Within this mesenchyma-like subpopulation, increased expression genes encoding cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, and secretory Wnt proteins was observed. Importantly, these same factors also have been reported to function as niche components in various tissues. Accordingly, a p53 null syngeneic transplantation mouse model, which maintains an intact immune system and an appropriate microenvironment, will be employed to investigate the interaction between the niche cells and the TICs. By applying both in vitro genetic approaches (such as short hairpin RNA (shRNA) knockdown and lentivirus transduction) as well as in vivo functional assays (limiting dilution transplantation), we should be able to elucidate the critical molecular interactions bet ween niche and TICs. Three aims are proposed, 1) to determine the functional interaction between niche cells with TICs through in vitro and in vivo assays; 2) to elucidate the mechanisms regulating the supportive role of niche cells on TICs; and 3) to determine the role of niche cells in human xenograft breast cancer models. These studies should, therefore, help us better understand the role niche cells may play in the deregulation of self renewal and differentiation of the TICs. Insights into niche-TIC interactions may provide new therapeutic targets for drug development with the goal of both preventing breast cancer and reducing metastasis. I will be using new experimental approaches to enhance my research skills. This is essential for the achievement of my long term goal of being an independent investigator in an academic institution to investigate the interaction between stem cells and their microenvironment. Dr. Rosen is an internationally recognized leader in the areas of mammary gland biology and breast cancer. He has made significant contributions to our current understanding of breast cancer in the area of molecular biology of mammary gland gene expression, and mammary gland stem cells. Baylor College of Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Breast Center maintain a variety of core facilities, compressive training programs, and a highly collaborative atmosphere with over 30 mammary gland biologists/breast cancer researchers. Thus, I believe this will provide me an outstanding training environment that will facilitate my transition to become an independent scientist.

This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Ambient air pollution is a major risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Short-term elevation in ambient particulate matter (PM) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of acute cardiovascular events including myocardial infarction, ventricular arrhythmias and ischemic stroke. A positive association has been identified between short-term increases in respirable or fine particles (particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter d10 [unreadable]m (PM10) or d2.5 [unreadable]m (PM2.5), respectively) and risk of hospitalization for congestive heart failure. The ultrafine PM is capable of directly entering systemic circulation through alveolar endothelium without having to go through phagocytosis of alveolar macrophages. These air contaminants may trigger a cascade of detrimental health effects involving cardiovascular and other systems through their pro-inflammatory effects. However, the precise mechanism of action behind long-term PM exposure-induced ischemic heart disease is essentially unknown. Ample evidence has implicated the essential role of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in a number of environment-related disease conditions including obesity and insulin resistance. ER stress may directly induce compromised insulin signaling and cell survival although little information is available for the contribution from ultrafine PM air pollution. The central hypothesis of this proposal is that ultrafine PM directly triggers ER stress, compromised insulin signaling and impaired cardiac contractile function. We will employ state-of-the-art physiological and molecular biology techniques to evaluate the impact of ultrafine PM on ER stress, insulin signaling, intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis, and myocardial and cardiomyocyte contractile function, with or without intervention of ER stress inhibitors. Our long-term goal is to delineate the role of ER stress in the interplay between ambient particulate matter air pollution and cardiac dysfunction. Completion of this project should provide a therapeutic rationale for ER stress intervention for air pollution-associated heart problems.

The Nanotechnology Undergraduate Education (NUE) in Engineering program at Florida A&M University (FAMU)-Florida State University (FSU) entitled "NUE: NanoCORE II (Nanotechnology Concepts, Opportunities, Research and Education)at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering", under the direction of Dr. Ongi Englander, is designed to introduce aspects of nanoscale science and engineering into the core undergraduate curriculum. The NanoCORE II program will infuse and integrate nanoscale science and engineering (NSE) as a permanent component of the undergrduate curriculum, present multiple opportunities for undergraduate learning of concepts in NSE and create opportunities for undergraduates to pursue nanotechology related research activities. The NanoCORE II program builds upon the existing NUE NanoCORE program which has made a noteworthy impact on FAMU-FSU undergraduate educational content and experience since its inception in early 2009.

The broader impact of the NanoCORE II program includes the engagement and training of undergraduate students, and particularly those from traditionally under-represented groups in areas of great technological importance. Course materials developed through this project will be made widely available through web resources and presented to the local community through outreach activities. In particular, introductory nanotechnology material designed to target a wide audience will be disseminated at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory (NHMFL) annual open house, at a Saturday children's program at a local museum, and through lectures and demonstrations presented to Tallahassee Community College, WIMSE (Women in Math, Science and Engineering) and FGAMP (Florida-Georgia Alliance for Minority Participation) college students.

Carbon fibers are important engineering materials for lightweight structures due to their high specific stiffness and strength. It has been demonstrated that carbon fibers play an important role in civil engineering construction, aerospace field, automotive systems, athletic equipment, etc. Using carbon fiber composites to replace metals used in core structures of body shells in passenger automobiles can reduce vehicle weight by as much as 60%. This can result in fuel savings and less carbon dioxide emissions, having positive impacts on energy consumption and the environment. However, carbon fibers have not been widely used in various systems, especially automotive systems. The largest obstacle is the high cost of carbon fiber manufacturing. This award supports fundamental research on a new manufacturing process for fabricating carbon fibers with low cost. Compared with the current carbon fiber manufacturing process, the new process can potentially dramatically shorten the process time, achieve high-energy efficiency, lower manufacturing cost, and improve properties of carbon fibers. Results from this research will enable the wider use of carbon fibers as lightweight and strong engineering materials in broad applications.

The new manufacturing process for fabricating carbon fibers uses laser processing to convert stabilized polyacrylonitrile precursor fibers to carbon fibers (carbonization) and carbon fibers to graphite fibers (graphitization). The research objective is to understand the effects of laser processing parameters (laser wavelength, power, mode, scan speed, and beam profile) on fiber microstructure and mechanical properties. To achieve this objective, experiments will be conducted using a CO2 laser with wavelength of 10.6 micrometer and a solid-state laser with wavelength of 532 nm. Laser power (less than 5 W), laser mode (continuous or pulsed), and scan speed (up to 25 cm/s) will be varied. Laser beam profile will be adjusted to introduce preheating and control temperature distribution in the fiber. The typical length of the fibers will be within 30 cm, and typical diameter around 7 micrometer. Fiber microstructure will be observed by using electron microscopy and evaluated in terms of bonding status (measured by FTIR and Raman microscopy) and crystallinity (by X-ray diffraction). Mechanical properties (tensile strength, modulus, and failure strain) of fibers will be measured by dynamic mechanical analyzer.

The broader impact/commercial potential of this I-Corps project is that it will introduce a new nanocarbon foam technology that can be utilized in multiple industrial applications. Initially the technology is expected to enhance the performance of thermal management products in electronics through the implementation of nanocarbon foams. Thermal management is critically important to many electronics and energy applications because ever-increasing generation of heat has become an impediment to the advancement and efficient operation of those devices. Thermal management devices made from nanocarbon foams could ensure enhanced performance of electronic devices by efficiently dissipating the high heat fluxes present in these devices. The lightweight, super-elastic, and high stability properties of nanocarbon foams make them a unique alternative for the thermal management of portable and flexible electronic devices. In addition to thermal management, other applications of nanocarbon foams include use in electrodes for advanced batteries, in fuel cells, in pressure sensors, and in scaffolds for medical treatments.

This I-Corps project focuses on potential applications of nanocarbon foams for thermal management. Nanocarbon foam is a carbon nanotube based all carbon porous material. It consists of large numbers of micro-scale cells and sub-micro thick walls with nano-scale pores. Because of their unique structures, the nanocarbon foams show high capillary pressure, super-absorption, large working fluid storage, and fast fluid transfer capabilities. They are also conductive, lightweight, stable, and flexible. These features allow nanocarbon foams to be a novel wick material for thermal management products and have a better performance than current wick materials. The simple and scalable fabrication process could lead to low cost and high quality device manufacturing. The goal of this project is to do focused customer discovery work in the electronics and thermal management industries to evaluate the commercial potential of nanocarbon foams.