Transfer Vehicle Research Articles

宇宙ステーション補給機「こうのとり」（HTV）のミッションと電気系技術

1．宇宙ステーション補給機「こうのとり」（HTV）のミッション

Providing a general framework about spin-off success factors in complex environments

Spin-off organisations are the main vehicle for knowledge transfer from universities and/or high educational institutions (HEIs) to the economic system. Spin-off firms are complex phenomenon which requires particular conditions to its creation, survival and development. In the last decade, the scientific debate recognised the importance and the role of spin-off organisations, but the main factors and actors that impact on their creation, survival and development are not always clear. This paper aims to fill this gap, shedding light on this black box. In a first step, this research will identify the main 'success factors' for creation of spin-offs. In the second step, the relationship between these variables and the spinoff will be theorised. The originality of this investigation lies in offering a systemic framework about main factors of the spin-off in complex environment, providing not only a theoretical contribution but also useful practical implications such as: highlighting the characteristics of the spin-off system, to formulate new policies for the growth of these organisations; to provide concrete information for the development of a research-innovation-enterprise system.

Providing a general framework about spin-off success factors in complex environments

Spin-off organisations are the main vehicle for knowledge transfer from universities and/or high educational institutions (HEIs) to the economic system. Spin-off firms are complex phenomenon which requires particular conditions to its creation, survival and development. In the last decade, the scientific debate recognised the importance and the role of spin-off organisations, but the main factors and actors that impact on their creation, survival and development are not always clear. This paper aims to fill this gap, shedding light on this black box. In a first step, this research will identify the main 'success factors' for creation of spin-offs. In the second step, the relationship between these variables and the spinoff will be theorised. The originality of this investigation lies in offering a systemic framework about main factors of the spin-off in complex environment, providing not only a theoretical contribution but also useful practical implications such as: highlighting the characteristics of the spin-off system, to formulate new policies for the growth of these organisations; to provide concrete information for the development of a research-innovation-enterprise system.

Isolation of Antibiotic-Resistant Micrococcus aloeverae from Milk Powder

The emergence of antibiotic resistance in humans via the food chain has become an area of great concern. Antibiotic resistance gene transfer from a food-borne bacteria or probiotic agent to a human gut microbe can lead to a serious food safety issue. Such seemingly harmless bacteria or probiotics can potentially become a threat to human health if they carry mobile genes conferring antibiotic resistance. The recent trend of probiotic application in powdered infant formula and milk products and the presently known contamination of these products by certain opportunistic Enterobacteriaceae bacteria serves as the rationale for evaluating their safety. In this study, 25 milk powder samples and 25 powdered infant formula samples were analyzed for the presence of antibiotic resistant bacteria of family Enterobacteriaceae using an isolation technique. Out of the 50 samples screened, an isolate was detected in one milk powder sample. Its biochemical characteristics, Gram character, antibiotic susceptibility, and motility were analyzed. It was found to be a Gram-positive, non-motile, catalase-positive and oxidase-negative microbe. The isolate was resistant to Rifampicin and Vancomycin, but susceptible towards Streptomycin, Ciprofloxacin, Ceftriaxone and Gentamycin. Molecular characterization by 16S rDNA sequencing identified the isolate as Micrococcus aloeverae. The unique occurrence of Micrococcus aloeverae in milk powder elicits an area of food safety concern for such samples. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to report antibiotic resistance by Micrococcus aloeverae. Although it may be a non-pathogenic microbe, its resistance towards antibiotics cannot be ignored. The possibility of Micrococcus aloeverae serving as a potential vehicle for transfer of antibiotic resistance genes to human gut microbiota represents a prospective food safety concern.

Exosomal microRNAs derived from colorectal cancer-associated fibroblasts: role in driving cancer progression

Colorectal cancer is a global disease with increasing incidence. Mortality is largely attributed to metastatic spread and therefore, a mechanistic dissection of the signals which influence tumor progression is needed. Cancer stroma plays a critical role in tumor proliferation, invasion and chemoresistance. Here, we sought to identify and characterize exosomal microRNAs as mediators of stromal-tumor signaling. In vitro, we demonstrated that fibroblast exosomes are transferred to colorectal cancer cells, with a resultant increase in cellular microRNA levels, impacting proliferation and chemoresistance. To probe this further, exosomal microRNAs were profiled from paired patient-derived normal and cancer-associated fibroblasts, from an ongoing prospective biomarker study. An exosomal cancer-associated fibroblast signature consisting of microRNAs 329, 181a, 199b, 382, 215 and 21 was identified. Of these, miR-21 had highest abundance and was enriched in exosomes. Orthotopic xenografts established with miR-21-overexpressing fibroblasts and CRC cells led to increased liver metastases compared to those established with control fibroblasts. Our data provide a novel stromal exosome signature in colorectal cancer, which has potential for biomarker validation. Furthermore, we confirmed the importance of stromal miR-21 in colorectal cancer progression using an orthotopic model, and propose that exosomes are a vehicle for miR-21 transfer between stromal fibroblasts and cancer cells.

Exosomes: biology, therapeutic potential, and emerging role in musculoskeletal repair and regeneration.

Exosomes are nanovesicles secreted from cells that play key roles in intercellular communication. They carry unique content derived from parental cells and are capable of transferring this cargo between cells. The role and function of exosomes largely depends on the origin and functional status of the parental cells. Emerging evidence indicates that exosomes are associated with biological processes and pathogenesis of certain diseases. These nanovesicles offer great potential as biomarkers, enabling the monitoring and diagnosis of various diseases in a noninvasive manner. Furthermore, as an efficient vehicle of biomolecular intercellular transfer, exosomes are under intensive investigation for their potential for drug delivery and carriers for gene therapy. Here, we first summarize the basic biology and function of exosomes, followed by a discussion of their clinical potential, including the use of exosomes for disease diagnosis, treatment, and drug delivery. The review will highlight the potential of exosomes derived from stem cells in regenerative medicine, with a focus on musculoskeletal tissues. We conclude by sharing our views on the challenges, opportunities, and future directions for the use of exosomes as a therapeutic treatment for the repair and regeneration of musculoskeletal tissues.

Copyrights in higher education: motivating a research agenda

The Bayh–Dole Act of 1980 enabled American universities to engage in technology transfer. Thirty years of research has investigated the legislation’s effectiveness and derivative university practices, such as the establishment of technology transfer offices. Unfortunately, the technology transfer literature has focused primarily on patenting as the primary transfer vehicle for protecting intellectual property in universities, overlooking other forms of IP ownership, such as copyrights. Legal scholarship shows, however, that universities are increasingly using copyrights to protect their intellectual property and that the number of university-held copyrights exceeds patents. This paper examines the use of copyrights to protect and transfer university IP. It does so by reviewing underlying legal and policy concepts associated with copyrights and offers contemporary examples of copyright issues within universities. The paper therefore provides a foundation for future research on the role of copyrights in technology transfer.

Optimization and physicochemical characterization of a cationic lipid-phosphatidylcholine mixed emulsion formulated as a highly efficient vehicle that facilitates adenoviral gene transfer.

Cationic lipid-based nanoparticles enhance viral gene transfer by forming electrostatic complexes with adenoviral vectors. We recently demonstrated the superior complexation capabilities of 1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium propane (DOTAP) emulsion compared with a liposomal counterpart but the cytotoxicity of DOTAP emulsions remained a challenge. The present study is aimed at formulating an emulsion capable of acting as a highly effective viral gene transfer vehicle with reduced cytotoxicity and to physicochemically characterize the structures of virus-emulsion complexes in comparison with virus–liposome complexes when the only difference between emulsions and liposomes was the presence or absence of inner oil core. The emulsion formulation was performed by 1) reducing the content of DOTAP while increasing the content of zwitterionic lipid 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC), and 2) optimizing the oil content. The complexation capability of formulated DOTAP:DMPC mixed emulsions was similar to those of emulsions containing DOTAP alone while displaying significantly lower cytotoxicity. The complexation capabilities of the DOTAP:DMPC mixed emulsion were serum-compatible and were monitored in a variety of cell types, whereas its liposomal counterpart was totally ineffective. Characterization by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and dynamic light scattering studies indicated that the optimized emulsions spontaneously surrounded the virus particles to generate emulsions that encapsulated the viral particles, whereas viral particles merely attached to the surfaces of the counterpart liposomes to form multiviral aggregates. Overall, these studies demonstrated that optimized DOTAP:DMPC mixed emulsions are potentially useful for adenoviral gene delivery due to less cytotoxicity and the unique ability to encapsulate the viral particle, highlighting the importance of nanoparticle formulation.

The Approach to Generate Oncolytic Adenovirus by Sirna Mediated E1B Silencing

Background Adenovirus is a gene transfer vehicle used in anticancer biotherapy. Oncolytic adenoviruses are prepared so that the recombinant viruses possess more potent cytotoxicity to target cells. E1B is an anti-apoptotic protein encoded by adenovirus. In the present study we tested whether the potential antitumor activity of BLU recombinant adenovirus of tumour suppressor BLU could be enhanced by silencing E1B with siRNA. Methods The shuttle plasmid of BLU was constructed as described, and was assembled to be recombinant adenovirus. siRNAs against adenoviral E1B were designed by locating oligo?nucleotides downstream of AA dinucleotides within the genomic DNA sequence and chemically synthesised. Their ability to silence the expression of E1B was tested by transfection and anti-E1B Western blotting. The potential of BLU to inhibit in vitro and in vivo tumour cell growth was compared between siRNA transfected cells and controls. Results Up to 6 strains of siRNAs were designed and synthesised. They silenced the expression of E1B to different extents, and remarkably reduced the cell viability and formation of xenograted tumours in nude mice. Conclusion In addition to knockout of the E1B coding cassette, siRNA mediated E1B also serves as an approach to prepare oncolytic adenovirus. Acknowledgements Supported by grants from UICC (ICRETT Fellowship), Guangdong Commission of Health and Family Plan (Grant No. 2014A276).

An optimization model for collection, haul, transfer, treatment and disposal of infectious medical waste: Application to a Greek region

The objective of this work was to develop an optimization model to minimize the cost of a collection, haul, transfer, treatment and disposal system for infectious medical waste (IMW). The model calculates the optimum locations of the treatment facilities and transfer stations, their design capacities (t/d), the number and capacities of all waste collection, transport and transfer vehicles and their optimum transport path and the minimum IMW management system cost. Waste production nodes (hospitals, healthcare centers, peripheral health offices, private clinics and physicians in private practice) and their IMW production rates were specified and used as model inputs. The candidate locations of the treatment facilities, transfer stations and sanitary landfills were designated, using a GIS-based methodology. Specifically, Mapinfo software with exclusion criteria for non-appropriate areas was used for siting candidate locations for the construction of the treatment plant and calculating the distance and travel time of all possible vehicle routes. The objective function was a non-linear equation, which minimized the total collection, transport, treatment and disposal cost. Total cost comprised capital and operation costs for: (1) treatment plant, (2) waste transfer stations, (3) waste transport and transfer vehicles and (4) waste collection bins and hospital boxes. Binary variables were used to decide whether a treatment plant and/or a transfer station should be constructed and whether a collection route between two or more nodes should be followed. Microsoft excel software was used as installation platform of the optimization model. For the execution of the optimization routine, two completely different software were used and the results were compared, thus, resulting in higher reliability and validity of the results. The first software was Evolver, which is based on the use of genetic algorithms. The second one was Crystal Ball, which is based on Monte Carlo simulation. The model was applied to the Region of East Macedonia – Thrace in Greece. The optimum solution resulted in one treatment plant located in the sanitary landfill area of Chrysoupolis, required no transfer stations and had a total management cost of 38,800 €/month or 809 €/t. If a treatment plant is sited in the most eastern part of the Region, i.e., the industrial area of Alexandroupolis, the optimum solution would result in a transfer station of 23 m3, located near Kavala General Hospital, and a total cost of 39,800 €/month or 831 €/t. A sensitivity analysis was conducted and two alternative scenarios were optimized. In the first scenario, a 15% rise in fuel cost and in the second scenario a 25% rise in IMW production were considered. At the end, a cost calculation in €/t/km for every type of vehicle used for haul and transfer was conducted. Also, the cost of the whole system was itemized and calculated in €/t/km and €/t. The results showed that the higher percentage of the total cost was due to the construction of the treatment plant.

Extracellular vesicles: nature's nanoparticles for improving gene transfer with adeno-associated virus vectors.

Gene therapy, the ability to treat a disease at the level of nucleic acid, has journeyed from science fiction, to hard lessons learned from early clinical trials, to improved technologies with efficacy in patients for several diseases. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors are currently a leader for direct in vivo gene therapy. To date, AAV is safe in patients, with clinical benefit in trials to treat blindness, hemophilia, and a lipid disorder, with many more trials underway. Despite this remarkable progress, barriers exist for AAV vectors to be effective gene transfer vehicles in all organ/cell targets, as well as patient subpopulations. Extracellular vesicles (EVs, e.g., exosomes, microvesicles) are natural lipid particles released by many cell types. They have been reported to mediate cell to cell communication via transferred contents including proteins, nucleic acids, and metabolites. These properties of EV attracted our attention to help solve certain gene transfer issues encountered by AAV vectors. We made the initial discovery that a subpopulation of AAV vectors isolated from media directly interacted with EVs [referred to as exosome-associated AAV (exo-AAV)]. In following reports, we have demonstrated that exo-AAV has advantages over the conventional AAV vector in areas such as anti-AAV antibody evasion and transduction of cells of the eye and cochlea in preclinical models. The work of others using EVs as therapeutics as well as our continued development of the exo-AAV platform may advance the field towards useful clinical applications. This article is categorized under: Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies Biology-Inspired Nanomaterials > Lipid-Based Structures Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Neurological Disease.

Investigation of horizontal gene transfer of pathogenicity islands in Escherichia coli using next-generation sequencing.

Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) contributes to the evolution of bacteria. All extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) harbour pathogenicity islands (PAIs), however relatively little is known about the acquisition of these PAIs. Due to these islands, ExPEC have properties to colonize and invade its hosts efficiently. Even though these PAIs are known to be acquired by HGT, only very few PAIs do carry mobilization and transfer genes required for the transmission by HGT. In this study, we apply for the first time next-generation sequencing (NGS) and in silico analyses in combination with in vitro experiments to decipher the mechanisms of PAI acquisition in ExPEC. For this, we investigated three neighbouring E. coli PAIs, namely the high-pathogenicity island (HPI), the pks and the serU island. As these PAIs contain no mobilization and transfer genes, they are immobile and dependent on transfer vehicles. By whole genome sequencing of the entire E. coli reference (ECOR) collection and by applying a phylogenetic approach we could unambiguously demonstrate that these PAIs are transmitted not only vertically, but also horizontally. Furthermore, we could prove in silico that distinct groups of PAIs were transferred "en bloc" in conjunction with the neighbouring chromosomal backbone. We traced this PAI transfer in vitro using an F' plasmid. Different lengths of transferred DNA were exactly detectable in the sequenced transconjugants indicating NGS as a powerful tool for determination of PAI transfer.

The Traffic in Knowledge in the Winter Nights of Antonio de Eslava, Matthäus Drummer von Pabenpach, and Johann Beer

This essay examines the ways in which three related works set and thematize knowledge in motion: Antonio de Eslava’s Spanish original, Noches de Invierno (1609); Matthäus Drummer von Pabenpach’s German translation thereof (1649); and Johann Beer’s Teutsche Winternächte (1682). It interrogates the material book as a vehicle of knowledge transfer and text – in the form of storytelling, conversation, and autobiography – as a means of producing, circulating, and cementing received and new knowledge. Finally, it reveals the role of gender in knowledge creation and sharing.

Herpesviral vectors and their application in oncolytic therapy, vaccination, and gene transfer.

Herpesviruses are enveloped DNA viruses that infect vertebrate cells. Their high potential cloning capacity and the lifelong persistence of their genomes in various host cells make them attractive platforms for vector-based therapy. In this review, we would like to highlight recent advances of three major areas of herpesvirus vector development and application: (i) oncolytic therapy, (ii) recombinant vaccines, and (iii) large capacity gene transfer vehicles.

Mobile Money Landscape in the 12 SADC Countries using FinScope Survey Data

There is no doubt that mobile money is bringing the under-served and the excluded population into the main stream financial services corridors. Based on the FinScope surveys, mobile money is becoming one of the enablers of financial inclusion. In an increasing number of developing countries, a number of poor people are using basic mobile phones to transfer money, paying for goods and accessing some basic financial services. According to the World Bank, mobile financial services are amongst the most promising mobile applications in the developing world. Although FinScope results show that mobile money usage is relatively low (23%) in the SADC region, the trend of usage is coming up fast. FinScope results show that close to 7 in 10 mobile money users are using it as a remittances/money transfer vehicle while 54% for buying airtime. It is encouraging that about 7 million adults (24% of mobile money) store value or save money in their mobile money accounts. Some barriers to mobile money relate to: affordability, perceived cost of mobile money, lack of understanding of mobile money/lack of awareness and no access to cell phones. Besides these barriers, mobile money is becoming a game changer for the landscape of financial inclusion in the SADC region.

Design and application of oxygen cylinder fixing device for patient transfer vehicle

Design and application of oxygen cylinder fixing device for patient transfer vehicle

The emerging roles of tumor-derived exosomes in hematological malignancies.

Exosomes are small (30-150 nm) membranous vesicles of endocytic origin produced by all cells under physiological and pathological conditions. They have recently emerged as vehicles for intercellular transfer of molecular and genetic contents from parent to recipient cells. Exosome-mediated transfer of proteins or genes (RNA, miRNA, DNA) results in reprogramming of recipient cell functions. Exosomes carry and deliver information that is essential for health, and they participate in pathological events, including malignant transformation. Within the hematopoietic system, exosomes maintain crosstalk between cells located in the bone marrow compartment and at distant tissue sites. In hematological malignancies, tumor-derived exosomes (TEX) reprogram the bone marrow environment, suppress anti-leukemia immunity, mediate drug resistance and interfere with immunotherapies. TEX are also viewed as promising biomarkers of malignant progression and as potential therapeutic targets. The involvement of TEX in nearly all aspects of malignant transformation has generated much interest in their biology, mechanisms responsible for information transfer and the role they play in cancer escape from the host immune system.

Anisotropic pH-Responsive Hydrogels Containing Soft or Hard Rod-Like Particles Assembled Using Low Shear

A simple and versatile low-shear approach for assembling hydrogels containing aligned rod-like particles (RLPs) that are birefringent and exhibit pH-triggered anisotropic swelling is developed. Anisotropic composite hydrogels are prepared by applying low shear (0.1 s–1) to mixtures of pH-responsive nanogels (NGs) and RLPs. The NGs, which contained high methacrylic acid contents, acted as both shear transfer vehicles and macro-cross-linkers for anisotropic gel formation. Three model RLP systems are investigated: (i) soft triblock copolymer worms, (ii) stiff self-assembled β-sheet peptide fibers, and (iii) ultrahigh modulus nanocrystalline cellulose fibers. RLP alignment was confirmed using polarized light imaging, atomic force microscopy, and small-angle X-ray scattering as well as modulus and anisotropic swelling experiments. Unexpectedly, the composite gel containing the soft copolymer worms showed the most pronounced anisotropy swelling. The copolymer worms enabled higher RLP loadings than was possible ...

EXPERIMENTAL METHOD USING ARC WIND TUNNEL TO SIMULATE A NEW TECHNIQUE FOR COMMUNICATING WITH A REENTRY PROBE HAVING A THERMAL SHIELD MADE OF LATS MATERIALS

Entering a planetary atmosphere is one of the most claim missions as the space probe faces a loss of communication, acknowledged as communication blackout, due to the plasma sheath occurred, caused by temperatures of several thousand degrees in front of the space probe. This paper presents a study about a new method of communication called end of radio silence using the arc heating facilities of Japan. The purpose of the experiment was to test a heat shield equipped with transmitter placed behind it, in a plasma flow of high enthalpy. A receiver was installed in the shroud of the vacuum chamber, protected from the hot gas. Another purpose was to study the behavior of a new type of ablative materials called LATS (Light-weight Ablator Series for Transfer Vehicle Systems) for protecting the space probe against severe heating. The experiment was carried out by using LATS, placed in front of the transmitter for several megawatts per square meter of heat flux. The main measured data are the surface temperature, the thermal performances like mass recession rate, the temperature of transmitter and the electrical parameters as received signal strength indicator RSSI.

Housing of Cull Sows in the Hours before Transport to the Abattoir-An Initial Description of Sow Behaviour While Waiting in a Transfer Vehicle.

Simple SummaryIn modern pig production, sows are transported by road to abattoirs. However, for reasons of biosecurity, commercial trucks may have limited access to farms. This study described behaviour of sows while waiting for a commercial truck in transfer vehicles near a public road, as is common practice in Denmark. The study involved 106 sows from 11 loads. The sows stayed in the transfer vehicles for 6–59 min. In this period, the behaviour of the sows was characterised by aggression and only very limited resting. These preliminary results suggest that a pre-transport stay in a transfer vehicle can be challenging for sow welfare, especially for longer stays and during hot days.In modern pig production, sows are transported by road to abattoirs. For reasons of biosecurity, commercial trucks may have limited access to farms. According to Danish regulations, sows can be kept in stationary transfer vehicles away from the farm for up to two hours before being loaded onto the commercial truck. We aimed to describe the behaviour of sows in transfer vehicles. This preliminary, exploratory study included data from 11 loads from a total of six Danish sow herds. Selection of animals to be slaughtered was done by the farmers. Clinical registrations were made before collection of the sows, after which they (in groups of 7–13) were mixed and moved to the transfer vehicle (median stocking density: 1.2 sow/m2), and driven a short distance to a public road. The duration of the stays in the transfer vehicles before being loaded onto the commercial trucks ranged from 6–59 min. During this period, the median frequency of aggressive interactions per load was 18 (range: 4–65), whereas the median frequency of lying per load was 1 (range: 0–23). The duration of the stay correlated positively with the frequency of aggressive interactions (rs = 0.89; n = 11; p < 0.001) and with the frequency of lying (rs = 0.62; n = 11; p < 0.05). Frequency of aggressive interactions correlated positively with the temperature inside the transfer vehicle (rs = 0.89; n = 7; p < 0.001). These preliminary results are the first to describe the behaviour of cull sows during waiting in transfer vehicles, and may suggest that this period can be challenging for sow welfare, especially for longer stays and during hot days.