Operations Research Program Research Articles

P12.13.B FIBROBLAST ACTIVATION PROTEIN AS A POTENTIAL THERANOSTIC TARGET IN BRAIN METASTASES OF DIVERSE SOLID TUMOURS

Abstract BACKGROUND Brain metastases (BM) are a common complication of oncologic disease associated with dismal prognosis and there is an urgent need for novel therapeutic approaches. Fibroblast activation protein (FAP), a transmembrane serine protease, is an emerging theranostic target in cancer due to its frequent upregulation in the tumour microenvironment. FAP protein itself and/or FAP+ cells were shown to promote cancer progression in several extracranial malignancies. However, very little is known about the expression of FAP and the role of FAP+ cells in the unique microenvironment of BM. In this study, we quantified FAP expression and characterized FAP+ cells in BM of various origin. MATERIAL AND METHODS FAP enzymatic activity and protein concentration were determined in samples of BM (n=58) and control non-tumorous brain tissue (n=12) by an enzymatic assay using a specific fluorogenic substrate, western blot, and ELISA. Expression of FAP and the characteristics of FAP+ cells were analysed by IHC (n=112). Expression of collagen was quantified by Masson´s trichrome staining (n=106) and collagen I concentration was measured by ELISA (n=56). RESULTS FAP expression was significantly higher in BM in comparison to non-tumorous brain tissue, both at the protein and enzymatic activity level. BM with higher FAP expression displayed higher levels of collagen I. FAP was predominantly confined to stromal cells expressing markers typical of cancer-associated fibroblasts and residing in collagen rich regions. FAP expression on tumour cells in a portion of BM was also noted , mainly in BM originating from lung, breast, and renal cancer, melanoma, and sarcoma. Increased FAP expression and the presence of FAP+ stromal cells were common features of BM irrespective of their origin. CONCLUSION We are the first to provide a detailed analysis of FAP expression in BM of diverse origin and characterise FAP+ cells in their microenvironment. The frequent upregulation of FAP and its presence on both stromal and tumour cells support the use of FAP as a promising theranostic target in BM. Funding: This research was funded by the Charles University grant no. 342522 and Program Cooperatio, research area ,,Oncology and Haematology"; Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic - grant NU22-03-00318; Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic - LM2023053 of EATRIS-CZ and project “Center of Tumor Ecology” (CZ.02.1.01/0.0/0.0/16_019/0000785) - Operational Program Research, Development and Education; project National Institute for Cancer Research (Programme EXCELES, ID Project No. LX22NPO5102) by the European Union - Next Generation EU.

Research Publications from the ATS MECOR Program in Turkiye.

The American Thoracic Society (ATS) Methods in Epidemiologic, Clinical, and Operations Research (MECOR) Program aims to build research capacity in low and middle-income countries. MECOR has three levels, during which students learn to develop a research protocol and write a manuscript. MECOR Turkiye has been offered every year since 2008. The aim of this paper is to report the number and impact of published articles generated from research questions developed by students in levels 1, 2, and 3 of the ATS MECOR Program in Turkiye between 2008 and 2018. We collected the research questions developed in all levels of the ATS MECOR Program in Turkiye between 2008 and 2018. We searched Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, and ResearchGate in April 2022 to see how many of these research questions were published as articles and, if published, in which journals. Of the 176 research questions collected, 49 had been developed in level 1, 82 had been developed in level 2, and 45 had been developed in level 3. Of those 176 research questions, 55 (31.3%) generated articles that were accepted for publication. The frequency of published articles based on MECOR-developed research questions increased linearly as the course level in which they were developed increased (18.4% in level 1, 30% in level 2, 46.7% in level 3; P = 0.012; linear-by-linear association, P = 0.003). The median time from the development of the research question to publication was three years overall and did not differ significantly among the course levels (P = 0.36). Of the research questions developed, 43 were published in Science Citation Index or Science Citation Index Expanded-indexed journals. Acceptance of an article for publication is one way to measure the impact of the ATS MECOR Program. Our data describe significant research output among our participants, which increases with their length of participation in the program.

P-067 Correlation between Zn/Cu ratio and Bisphenol A in seminal plasma in men with varicocele

Abstract Study question Is there a relationship between concentration of Bisphenol A (BPA), Zn contents and Zn/Cu ratio in seminal fluid and spermiogram parameters in men with varicocele? Summary answer Our results document correlations between BPA, Zn/Cu and sperm motility. We found that the negative effect of BPA can be attenuated by higher Zn/Cu levels. What is known already A range of environmental factors including organic endocrine disruptors affects spermatogenesis. Bisphenols are endocrine disruptors often used in production of plastics. BPA is an endocrine disruptor with negative effects on reproduction. Presence of BPA also induces production of reactive oxygen species with negative impact on spermatogenesis. Zinc and copper are trace elements important for human spermatogenesis. Zn and especially the ratio of Zn/Cu are good parameters of the antioxidant potential of seminal plasma. The relationship between BPA levels, Zn concentration and Zn/Cu ratio with human sperm parameters is still unclear. Study design, size, duration In this study, we evaluated correlation between BPA concentration, Zn concentration and ratio of Zn/Cu in seminal plasma in relation to sperm concentration, number of spermatozoa, total motility, progressive motility, morphology and DNA fragmentation. A total of 123 nonsmoking patients aged 18 - 45 (average 28) years with varicocele were included in this prospective study from 2019 to 2021. Participants/materials, setting, methods All the men signed an informed consent and agreed with analyses. Ethical Committee of University Hospital Brno approved analyses. Seminal plasma was collected after centrifugation. BPA was determined by the LC-MS/MS method (liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry). The concentrations of Zn and Cu were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (Agilent 8900 ICP-MS/MS). Statistical evaluation was performed using Spearmen test (p = 0.05). The relationship between parameters was expressed by Spearman's correlation coefficient (ρ). Main results and the role of chance Analytical examination of seminal fluids detected presence of BPA in 89 samples (72.3 % of all samples analysed with average value 0.1627 ng/ml). In 18 samples, the concentration was under the level of detection and in 16 samples under the level of quantification. Zn was detected in all 123 patients with average concentration 139.44 µg/ml. The Zn/Cu ratio was calculated with average value 1.73. Subsequently, individual parameters of spermiogram plus DNA integrity were assessed. In case of BPA, negative correlations were found between BPA concentration and total motility (p = 0.010) and progressive motility (p = 0.012). Similarly, positive significant correlations between Zn/Cu ratio and total motility (p = 0.032) and progressive motility (p = 0.028) were found. For Zn concentration, we found positive non-significant correlation with total motility (p = 0.144) or progressive motility (p = 0.147). There were non-significant correlations between the BPA, Zn/Cu ratio or Zn and other parameters. Similarly, for BPA and Zn/Cu ratio a non-significant positive correlation was found (p = 0.157) and neither significant correlation was found between BPA and Zn (p = 0.452). In several cases we observed normal progressive and total motility in patients with high BPA concentrations together with high Zn/Cu ratio which probably has a protecting effect from the high BPA levels. Limitations, reasons for caution A limitation for this study is the final number of patients analysed in this study, which slightly reduced the power of statistical analysis. Currently, more analyses focused on detection of BPA in seminal plasma are being carried out in order to obtain sufficiently larger data set. Wider implications of the findings In this study, BPA was detected in 72 % of analysed samples. Our first results indicate a higher sensitivity of spermatozoa to BPA presence in seminal fluid, affecting mainly their motility. Interestingly, a higher Zn/Cu ratio is potent to reduce partially the negative impact of BPA on human spermatozoa. Trial registration number Supported by Czech Health Research Council (NV18-01-00544 and NV18-08-00291) and MH CZ – DRO (FNBr, 65269705). Jana Navratilova was supported by the Czech Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (CZ.02.2.69/0.0/0.0/19_074/0012727). Authors also thanks to Research Infrastructure RECETOX RI (No LM2018121) financed by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, and Operational Programme Research, Development and Innovation - project CETOCOEN EXCELLENCE (No CZ.02.1.01/0.0/0.0/17_043/0009632) for supportive background.

The Pan African Thoracic Society Methods in Epidemiologic, Clinical and Operations Research Program: A story of success told through a history of publications

Objectives: Despite bearing a substantial burden of respiratory diseases, low- and middle-income countries in Africa contribute little to the research literature. Since 2007, the Pan African Thoracic Society’s Methods in Epidemiologic, Clinical, and Operations Research (PATS-MECOR) program has been working to strengthen capacity in lung health research in Africa. The aim of this study was to assess the research productivity of previous PATS-MECOR participants. Materials and Methods: A systematic review of publications attributed to past PATS-MECOR participants up until 2018 was carried out using a systematic search strategy based on their names on PubMed database. Results: A total of 210 participants drawn from 21 African countries attended PATS-MECOR between 2007 and 2016, of which more than three-quarters (76.7%) had ever published. Of the total 1673 included publications, 303 (12.7%) had multiple course attendees as coauthors. The median publication per published participant was 5 (IQR 2–13) articles. The percentages of the first author, second authors, or last authors publications were 371 (22.2%), 239 (14.3%), and 99 (5.9%), respectively. The top three journals published in were PLOS One 108 (6.6%), Lancet 80 (4.9%), and the International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease 52 (3.2%). The median citation of their publications was 11 (4–26). There was approximately a double-fold rise in the publication output of participants in their 1st year following attendance to PATS-MECOR compared to the year before the course (123, 68.0% vs. 58, 32.0%). Conclusion: The PATS-MECOR training program has been successful in research capacity building for African investigators as evidenced by a growing publication track record. There is a need to ensure sustainability and for increased collaboration and networking among the trained critical mass of researchers in the continent.

The birth and life of the Pan African Thoracic Society Methods in Epidemiologic, Clinical and Operations Research (PATS MECOR) program: celebrating 15 years

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Experience from the Project Approach in Teaching Technology Subjects at the University of Chemical Technology Prague – Teaching for Practice

A proposal was formulated at the University of Chemical Technology (UCT) Prague in 2016 to implement the project approach in teaching technology subjects. A grant was awarded for an Operational Program Research Development and Education project called "Education Improvement – UCT Prague Priority" from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic. The project's main goals were that UCT graduates would understand the application of chemistry in practice simultaneously in the context of the given field of study, as well as the law, economy, safety and environmental impact, realize the importance of viability and profitability of technical projects, learn about usable methods applied in the implementation of technical projects, and get acquainted with the principles of creation of teams and team work. A team of teachers and outside consultants from practice have been created. Using the Internet and personal contacts, experience with the use of project approach in teaching at the Czech universities has been gathered. Experience from the project approach in teaching at UCT Prague has been summed up. Basic 12 modules of real-life technical projects have been defined and described in a Methodical Handbook which also includes a number of tools for students. A new subject has been created on the use of scheduling software. A total of 8 technology subjects have been selected for piloting of the project in 2018–2021, employing the created tools. The experience with teaching the pilot subjects was used in the lifelong education of the university teachers. The results will also be used for the teaching other technology subjects at UCT Prague. It can be expected that the project will contribute to a better employability of fresh graduates, their faster adaptation to the requirements of practice, a faster career growth, and that it will improve the feedback from graduates to the teaching staff and their activities at UCT Prague.

Building research capacity to correct global health's wrongs

Building research capacity to correct global health's wrongs

Beech leaves briquettes’ and standard briquettes’ combustion: comparison of flue gas composition

This work was supported by the Doctoral grant competition VSB TU-Ostrava, reg. no. CZ.0 2.2.69/0.0./0.0/19_073/0016945 within the Operational Programme Research, Development and Education, under project DGS/TEAM/2020-035 Determination of oxidation catalysts characteristics during the flue gas purification.

Hot Deformation Activation Energy of Metallic Materials Influenced by Strain Value

1. The paper was created thanks to the project No. CZ.02.1.01/0.0/0.0/17_049/0008399 (from the EU and CR financial funds provided by the Operational Programme Research, Development and Education, Call 02_17_049 Long-Term Intersectoral Cooperation for ITI), and the students grant projects SP2019/86 and SP2019/43 at VSB-TUO; managing authority: Czech Republic – Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports.

Digital trace and their attributes evaluate for criminalistic

The authors attempted to analyse the possibilities of research and investigating the digital traces and its content, such as a new section of criminalistics and forensic traces. The basis for this analysis is the only first complex scientific book in Slovakia in this area, especially the content of its first part. Detailed knowledge processing was carried out as part of the research of one of the co-authors in European research project. Digital traces are typical of crime related to the misuse of information and communication technologies. In general are to see in all of type crime delicts. However, their using is on the down level opposite other type of traces. Authors in the study distinguish between breakdowns - many types of attributes and sights of digital traces in the criminal activities. In the framework of extensive research during and after the project in Research Activity 3.3, Center for the Excellence in Security Research, ITMS Code: 26240120034, co-financed by the Operational Program Research and Development, shows a wide variety of attributes for research digital traces.

PhD OR Is a Necessary Evil for Developing Economies Like EAC: A Personal Perspective

Irrefutably, PhD in operations research program is suggested to be the best approach to solve developing countries long term and persistent problems which require real time solutions and these are mostly applicable in OR. It should be recalled that PhD OR entails content to do with Operations research models, theories and related fields. This provides organisations or companies with best optimization solutions to achieve a competitive age among other benefits provided by the experts (operation researchers/management scientists/operation managers). This paper aimed at providing insights and awareness of the existence of PhD OR offered at UDBS under ORSEA, its meaning, benefits, relevance and applications as a marketing strategy to the potential students from developing economies like East Africa. Using interpretive- inductive design, narrative approach to qualitative method was employed to gather data from personal experience as a stakeholder and pioneer of PhD OR program at UDBS, content analysis was employed to analyse the collected data. The findings, ought to increase on the student intake which has been very low visa v the many resources which are needed during the facilitation of the program. This will also increase on the future OR experts to solve the community real problems. This paper has practical implications to all policy makers and all stakeholders of the program plus future academia. The recommendations will assist top managers to embark of meaningful and aggressive marketing strategies to attract the potential students to join the program.

P11.41 Comparison of fibroblast activation protein expression and localization in glioblastomas and brain metastases

Abstract BACKGROUND Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is a transmembrane serine protease that is frequently upregulated in the tumor microenvironment. In several cases, FAP protein itself and/or FAP expressing stromal cells have been shown to contribute to cancer progression and to be associated with more aggressive cancer behaviour and shorter patient survival. The aim of this study was to determine FAP expression in glioblastomas and brain metastases and to identify the cell types that express FAP in the microenvironment of these malignancies. MATERIAL AND METHODS FAP enzymatic activity and protein concentration were determined in samples from patients with brain metastases, glioblastomas and pharmacoresistant epilepsy (control non-tumorous brain tissue) by an enzymatic assay using a specific fluorogenic substrate and ELISA, respectively. Immunohistochemical labelling with antibodies against FAP and markers of astroglia, epithelial cancer cells and mesenchymal stromal cells was performed to characterize FAP expressing cells. RESULTS FAP was significantly upregulated in the majority of glioblastomas and brain metastases in comparison to non-tumorous brain tissue. In glioblastomas, FAP was localized perivascularly and in mesenchymal cells, and in part of the tumors also in the glioma cells. In brain metastases, FAP positivity was abundantly present in the stroma and predominantly co-localised with markers of mesenchymal stromal cells (TE-7, SMA, PDGFRbeta, NG2), but there was no overlap between FAP and markers of epithelial cancer cells (EpCAM, pancytokeratin). CONCLUSION FAP is upregulated in the microenvironment of human glioblastomas and brain metastases compared to non-tumorous brain tissue. In glioblastomas, FAP is expressed in part of the glioma cells, in pericytes and mesenchymal stromal cells, whereas no positivity in cancer cells and more abundant FAP+ stroma was detected in brain metastases. The selective expression of FAP in these brain tumors may be useful for the visualization and possibly therapeutic targeting of their tumor microenvironment. GRANT SUPPORT Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic, grant No. 15-31379A, Progres Q28/LF1, 2015064 LM EATRIS and the project,Center for Tumor Ecology - Research of the Cancer Microenvironment Supporting Cancer Growth and Spread” (reg. n. CZ.02.1.01/0.0/0.0/16_019/0000785) supported by the Operational Programme Research, Development and Education.

Influence of Strain on Dynamic Viscoelastic Properties of Swelled (H2o) And Biomineralized (Caco3) Pvp-Cmc Hydrogels

Operational Programme Research and Development for Innovation; European Regional Development Fund (ERDF); national budget of Czech Republic [CZ.1.05/2.1.00/03.0111]; Operational Programme Education for Competitiveness; European Social Fund (ESF); national budget of the Czech Republic, within the Advanced Theoretical and Experimental Studies of Polymer Systems project [CZ.1.07/2.3.00/20.0104]

Defect Engineering of Titania and Hematite Thin Films By Advanced Plasma Deposition Triggers High Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting Activity

The development of highly efficient energy conversion/storage devices has attracted attention from scientific and technological researchers due to the increasing concerns about the environment and the depletion of fossil fuels. In this context, the development of cost-competitive materials capable of producing fuels or electricity directly from the energy harvested from sunlight offers a desirable approach towards fulfilling the need of clean energy. Semiconductor metal oxides (e.g., TiO2, α-Fe2O3, WO3 or ZnO) are the most widely adopted materials for the conversion of solar energy into storable and transportable chemical energy such as hydrogen (H2) via the photo-electrochemical water splitting (PEC-WS), where they serve as so-called photoanodes. Especially hematite (α-Fe2O3) and titania (TiO2) based photoanodes have attracted great amount of interest in the field of PEC-WS, however their overall efficiency for solar-driven applications still remain rather low for practical application. The defect engineering (DE) has become an important research direction for improving the optical and electronic properties of these materials towards highly efficient PEC processes. For example the discovery of black TiO2 by Chen and Mao in 2011 [1] with its substantially enhanced solar absorption has recently triggered a worldwide research interest. In spite of their remarkable enhancement in visible light absorption black TiO2 has demonstrated expected photocatalytic and PEC performance. The introduction of oxygen vacancies has been shown as an effective approach to improve the activity of α-Fe2O3 photoelectrodes [2].The main limitation related to the current DE approaches is that they are predominantly realized via a high-pressure high-temperature gas reduction. However, this methodology severely reduces the possibility to influence the DE process itself and the final properties of the material in a very fine manner, which is undoubtedly the key to precisely understand all the induced electronic changes and related phenomena. In the presented work, we address this significant drawback by utilizing a novel deposition method based on high-impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS) for the deposition of titania and hematite films under the DE conditions. This method offers the desired capability of high process controllability due to the unique deposition plasma properties. By adjusting the deposition conditions, we can regulate the extent of induced defects and under significantly reduced temperature. [3, 4] Hematite, α-Fe2O3, is considered as one of the most promising materials for PEC-WS with a theoretical solar-to-hydrogen efficiency of 17%. However, the poor electrical conductivity and short diffusion length of photogenerated holes are substantial limitations reducing hematite’s efficiency in real experimental conditions. Here, we report on addressing these two drawbacks by deposition of very thin nanocrystalline hematite films (~ 30 nm) HiPIMS. Despite of computing models suggesting that the electrical conductivity is extremely anisotropic, revealing up to four orders of magnitude higher electron transport with conduction along the (110) hematite crystal plane, synthetic approaches allowing the sole growth in that direction have not been reported yet. We present a new strategy based on HiPIMS for tuning the crystal orientation of 2D thin hematite films by carefully controlling the energy of particles bombarding the substrate during the plasma assisted deposition procedure. [3] The PEC activity can be even boosted when commonly used fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) conductive substrate is substituted by platinized substrate. Oriented platinum substrate can induce crystalline defects in hematite film during its growth under very high-energy bombardment, which are thermodynamically difficult to obtain. Such anomalies further considerably increase final PEC activity of hematite photoanodes. The enhanced photoactivity of α-Fe2O3@Pt is attributed to several synergistically contributing features ;namely: (i) a higher electrical conductivity due to self-doping oxygen vacancies; (ii) the formation of an intrinsic heterojunction between the distorted and typical hematite phases that ensures highly efficient separation of photogenerated charge carriers, and (iii) increased optical absorption due to enhance intensity in metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT). According to our best knowledge, the achieved photocurrent density of 1.1 mA/cm2 at 1.5 V vs. RHE represents the champion values among ultrathin undoped hematite based photoanodes. Acknowledgments The authors gratefully acknowledge the support by the Operational Programme Research, Development and Education - European Regional Development Fund, project no. CZ.02.1.01/0.0/0.0/15_003/0000416 of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic. References Chen, L. Liu, P. Y. Yu, S. S. Mao, Science, 2011, 331, 746-750.Forster, R. J. Potter, Y. Ling, Y. Yan et al., Chem. Sci., 2015, 6, 4009-4016.Kment, P. Schmuki, Z. Hubicka, et al., ACS Nano, 2015, 9, 7113-7123.Kment, Z. Hubicka, et al., Appl. Catal. B-Environ., 2015, 165, 344-350.

Proteins Mimicking Epitope of HIV-1 Virus Neutralizing Antibody Induce Virus-Neutralizing Sera in Mice

Background: The development of effective vaccine preventing HIV-1 infection is hindered by enormous antigenic variability and unique biochemical and immunological properties of HIV-1 Env glycoprotein, the most promising target for HIV-1 neutralizing antibody. Functional studies of rare elite neutralizers led to the discovery of broadly neutralizing antibodies. Methods: We employed a highly complex combinatorial protein library derived from a 5 kDa albumin-binding domain scaffold, fused with protein backbone of total 38 kDa, to screen for binders of broadly neutralizing antibody VRC01 paratope. The most specific binders were used for immunization of experimental mice to elicit Env-specific antibodies and to test their neutralization activity using a panel of HIV-1 clade C and B pseudoviruses. Findings: Three most specific binders designated as VRA017, VRA019, and VRA177 exhibited high specificity to VRC01 antibody. Immunized mice produced Env-binding antibodies which neutralize five of eight HIV-1 pseudoviruses. Molecular modelling revealed a high structural similarity of the VRA proteins to VRC01-interacting Env surface. Interpretation: This strategy based on identification of protein replicas of broadly neutralizing antibody paratope as a reverse vaccinology variety represents a novel approach in HIV-1 vaccine development. This approach is not affected by inherited low immungenicity, variability, and unique biochemical properties of HIV-1 Env used as a crucial antigen in majority of contemporary tested vaccines. Funding: Czech Health Research Council 15-32198A, European Regional Development Fund CZ.1.05/1.1.00/02.0109, European Structural Funds, Operational Programme Research, Development and Education of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports CZ.02.1.01/0.0/0.0/16_025/0007397 and CZ.02.1.01/0.0/0.0/15_003/, Institutional Research Concepts RVO:86652036 and RO0519. Declaration of Interest: Nothing to declare. Ethical Approval: The vaccination experiments were approved by the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry (Palacky University in Olomouc), and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, Czech Republic (MSMT-15434/2015-7).

Neuromodulation of Heart Functions with Infrared Light – Candidate Targets: TRP Channels

Neurostimulation regulates important physiological parameters including blood pressure, heart rate, and respiration. For this reason, neurostimulation has been considered as a therapy in many contexts (e.g., deep brain stimulation, cardiac pacemakers). Our group has discovered that using infra‐red (IR) light can be used to pace the embryonic and adult heart and modulate neuronal activity up and down. Application of a focused IR beam to small areas of the rat nodose ganglion uncovered regional functional specificity. The IR laser beam focused different regions of the ganglion elicited distinct physiological responses in blood pressure and breathing. The mechanism of IR impulse modulation is unknown but hypothesized to work through the creation of temperature gradients. In this study, we report the location of candidate target molecules in ganglia that might be triggered by IR exposure and may be responsible for the modulating effects on neuronal activity. The proposed target molecules are the transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, a calcium channel superfamily whose members are heat‐ and mechano‐sensitive. These channels are divided into several different families and are specialized for sensing different temperature ranges (noxious heat, non‐noxious heat, cold). In this study we focused on an expression of TRPV1, which is considered to be one of the main heat sensitive TRPs and is known to regulate synaptic vesicle recycling. Another important heat sensitive receptor, which is thought to work with TRPV1 is TRMP3. It has properties that make it a more promising target of the therapeutic pain control. Here we report spatial localization and distribution of various TRPs in rat and mouse nodose and superior cervical ganglion studied by immunohistology imaged using epifluorescence and confocal microscopy and in some cases tissue clearing protocols. TRPV1 and TRPM3 are found in a subset of neurons within the ganglia. These are found in clusters and scattered throughout the ganglia. TRPV1 and TRPM3 are both found in the cytoplasm evenly distributed or in some cells in a granular distribution. Both channels are expressed in small or medium size neurons. Some of the others TRPs receptors are found in neurons in rat ganglia, others are predominantly expressed in glial cells. From our preliminary data the TRP channels are present and could play an important role in heat sensing in the ganglia. There heterogeneous distribution within the ganglia could explain the region specific physiological responses. Our goal is to determine the 3‐D spatial localization of these and other IR sensitive channels in the nodose and superior cervical ganglia that modulate the function of many organ systems.Support or Funding InformationNIH grant: 1OT2OD025307‐01, Fulbright Foundation, Operational Programme Research, Development and Education (reg. n. CZ.02.2.69/0.0/0.0/16_027/0008495), Ministry of Education CZ ‐ Progres Q38.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Electrical conductivity degradation of fatigued carbon black reinforced natural rubber composites: Effects of carbon nanotubes and strain amplitudes

Operational Program Research and Development for Innovations - European Regional Development FundEuropean Union (EU); national budget of the Czech Republic [CZ.1.05/2.1.00/19.0409]; Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic - Program NPU I [LO1504]; [IGA/CPS/2019/001]

Public Support for Higher Education Institutions from EU Structural Funds and its Evaluation: Case Study of Slovakia

Abstract The European Union gives universities an important place to participate in research and development in the country. The basic research and teaching process of higher education institutions is gradually becoming more and more scientific, and the importance of science and research is growing. Th e growing importance of R&D for universities also increases the importance of public support in this area. Slovakia was eligible for support from the structural funds by joining the EU. In the period 2007 - 2013, universities have had the highest increase in science and research spending due to the use of these resources. However, it is a question of the extent to which this form of public support has contributed to the field of research and development of higher education institutions and whether there has been a real increase in their research and development activities. We examine the effectiveness of the support granted to public universities from the European Union Structural Funds on the basis of measurable indicators of granted projects and the impact of outputs on their scientific research potential in the regions of Slovakia. The results of the analysis highlighted the high level of public support for university infrastructure projects at the expense of support with a focus on intellectual property creation and patents. The discussion is focused on whether the funds allocated in this way were effective in relation to the objectives of the Operational Program Research and Development 2007 - 2013 and thus contributed to an increase of scientific and research potential at higher education institutions in the regions in Slovakia.

Developing Operations Research Practitioners: United States Air Force Academy Operations Research Program

This paper describes the four practical components of the USAFA OR program at the United States Air Force Academy and explains how the program produces good practitioners of OR for the Air Force.

Characterization of Active Deformation Mechanisms in Mg Alloys with LPSO Phase

The authors are grateful for support from the Czech Science Foundation under grant No. 16-12075S; the Grant Agency of the Charles University under grant No. 1262217; the grant SVV-2017- 260442; the Operational Programme Research, Development and Education, The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (OP RDE, MEYS) under the grant CZ.02.1.01/0.0/0.0/16_013/0001794 and the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness under the grant number MAT2012-34135.