Executive Order Number Eighty August 20, 2012

This order when adopting regulations to protect the healthy, safety and welfare of the people of the State of Iowa, state agencies should seek to achieve statutory goals as effectively and efficiently as possible without imposing unnecessary burdens.

Linear least squares estimation of the first order moving average parameter

We propose an iterative procedure to minimize the sum of squares function which avoids the nonlinear nature of estimating the first order moving average parameter and provides a closed form of the estimator. The asymptotic properties of the method are discussed and the consistency of the linear least squares estimator is proved for the invertible case. We perform various Monte Carlo experiments in order to compare the sample properties of the linear least squares estimator with its nonlinear counterpart for the conditional and unconditional cases. Some examples are also discussed

MHC class I-related chain A conjugated to antitumor antibodies can sensitize tumor cells to specific lysis by natural killer cells.

PURPOSE: As a first step for the development of a new cancer immunotherapy strategy, we evaluated whether antibody-mediated coating by MHC class I-related chain A (MICA) could sensitize tumor cells to lysis by natural killer (NK) cells. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Recombinant MICA (rMICA) was chemically conjugated to Fab' fragments from monoclonal antibodies specific for tumor-associated antigens, such as carcinoembryonic antigen, HER2, or CD20. RESULTS: Flow cytometry analysis showed an efficient coating of MICA-negative human cancer cell lines with the Fab-rMICA conjugates. This was strictly dependent on the expression of the appropriate tumor-associated antigens in the target cells. Importantly, preincubation of the tumor cells with the appropriate Fab-rMICA conjugate resulted in NK cell-mediated tumor cell lysis. Antibody blocking of the NKG2D receptor in NK cells prevented conjugate-mediated tumor cell lysis. CONCLUSIONS: These results open the way to the development of immunotherapy strategies based on antibody-mediated targeting of MICA.

Metastability and front propagation in the first-order optical Fréedericksz transition

A general dynamical model for the first-order optical Fréedericksz transition incorporating spatial transverse inhomogeneities and hydrodynamic effects is discussed in the framework of a time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau model. The motion of an interface between two coexisting states with different director orientations is considered. A uniformly translating front solution of the dynamical equations for the motion of that interface is described.

Microglial responsiveness as a sensitive marker for trimethyltin (TMT) neurotoxicity.

Activation of microglia is a well-documented phenomenon associated with diverse pathological conditions of the central nervous system. In order to investigate the involvement of microglial cells in the neurotoxic action of the heavy metal compound trimethyltin, three-dimensional brain cell cultures were treated during an early developmental period, using concentrations at or below the limit of cytotoxicity. Microglial cells were studied by cytochemical staining, using horseradish peroxidase-conjugated B4 isolectin (GSI-B4). In parallel, neurotoxic effects were assessed by determining the content of synaptophysin and synapsin I, both in the total homogenates and in the synaptosomal fraction of the cultures. Changes in the content of the specific growth cone protein, GAP-43, were also analyzed. It was found that low, non-cytotoxic concentrations of TMT (10(-9) to 10(-8) M) caused a significant increase in the number and/or the clustering of microglial cells. A decrease in the synaptic protein (synapsin I, synaptophysin) content was detected at 10(-8) M of TMT in synaptosomal fractions, whereas in the total homogenates, changes in synaptic proteins and GAP-43 were observed only at the cytotoxic TMT concentration (10(-6) M). Although it remains to be shown whether the microglial response is caused by direct or indirect action of TMT, the present findings show that microglial responsiveness can be detected prior to any sign of neuronal degeneration, and may serve as a sensitive indicator for heavy metal neurotoxicity in the brain.

Ab initio study of the charge order and Zener polaron formation in half-doped manganites

The character of the electronic ground state of La0.5Ca0.5MnO3 has been addressed with quantum chemical calculations on large embedded clusters. We find a charge ordered state for the crystal structure reported by Radaelli et al. [Phys. Rev. B 55, 3015 (1997)] and Zener polaron formation in the crystal structure with equivalent Mn sites proposed by Daoud-Aladine et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 89, 097205 (2002)]. Important O to Mn charge transfer effects are observed for the Zener polaron.

Spatiotemporal order out of noise

Experimental observations of self-organized behavior arising out of noise are also described, and details on the numerical algorithms needed in the computer simulation of these problems are given.

Executive Order Number Eighty-One May 15, 2013

This order strengthens the Governor's Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Advisory Council.

Executive Order Number Eighty-Two August 20, 2013

This order has developed a Task Force for the Department of Human Services to schedule trauma-informed care training for staff at the Iowa Juvenile Home within 30 days. Titled Iowa Juvenile Home protection Task Force.

Jaundice-Should "yellow" be a red code?

Objective: Jaundice is the clinical manifestation, of hyperbilirubinemia. It is considered as a sign of either a liver disease or, less often, of a hemolytic disorder. It can be divided into obstructive and non obstructive type, involving increase of indirect (non-conjugated) bilirubin or increase of direct (conjugated) bilirubin, respectively, but it can be also manifested as mixed type. Methods: This article updates the current knoweledge concerning the jaundice's etiology, pathophysiological mechanisms, and complications ant treatment by reviewing of the latest medical literature. It also presents an approach of jaundice's treatment and pathogenesis, in special populations as in neonates and pregnant women. Results: The treatment is consistent in the management of the subjective diseases responsible for the jaundice and its complications.The clinical prognosis of the jaundice depends on the etiology. Surgical treatment of jaundiced patients is associated with high mortality and morbidity rates. Studies have shown that the severity of jaundice and the presence of malignant disease are importan risk factors for post-operative mortality. Conclusions: Early detection of jaundice is of vital importance because of its involvement in malignancy or in other benign conditions requiring immediate treatment in order to avoid further complications.

Executive Order Number Eighty-Three October 16, 2013

This order mandates that the State of Iowa, not the federal government or any other organization, shall determine the content of Iowa's state academic standards, which are known as the Iowa Core. The Iowa Department of Education shall develop a regular review cycle for the Iowa Core, including public comment, to determine the contents of and to continually improve state, academic standards.

Optimization Of Promoter Sequences In Order To Mimic Physiological Pde6b Expression

Purpose: Many retinal degenerations result from defective retina-specific gene expressions. Thus, it is important to understand how the expression of a photoreceptor-specific gene is regulated in vivo in order to achieve successful gene therapy. The present study aims to design an AAV2/8 vector that can regulate the transcript level in a physiological manner to replace missing PDE6b in Rd1 and Rd10 mice. In previous studies (Ogieta, et al., 2000), the short 5' flanking sequence of the human PDE6b gene (350 bp) was shown to be photoreceptor-specific in transgenic mice. However, the efficiency and specificity of the 5' flanking region of the human PDE6b was not investigated in the context of gene therapy during retinal degeneration. In this study, two different sequences of the 5' flanking region of the human PDE6b gene were studied as promoter elements and their expression will be tested in wild type and diseased retinas (Rd 10 mice).Methods: Two 5' flanking fragments of the human PDE6b gene: (-93 to +53 (150 bp) and -297 to +53 (350 bp)) were cloned in different plasmids in order to check their expression in vitro and in vivo by constructing an AAV2/8 vector. These elements drove the activity of either luciferase (pGL3 plasmids) or EGFP. jetPEI transfection in Y 79 cells was used to evaluate gene expression through luciferase activity. Constructs encoding EGFP under the control of the two promoters were performed in AAV2.1-93 (or 297)-EGFP plasmids to produce AAV2/8 vectors.Results: When pGL3-93 (150 bp) or pGL3-297 (350 bp) were transfected in the Y-79 cells, the smaller fragment (150 bp) showed higher gene expression compared to the 350 bp element and to the SV40 control, as previously reported. The 350 bp drove similar levels of expression when compared to the SV40 promoter. In view of these results, the fragments (150 bp or 350 bp) were integrated into the AAV2.1-EGFP plasmid to produce AAV2/8 vector, and we are currently evaluating the efficiency and specificity of the produced constructs in vivo in normal and diseased retinas.Conclusions: Comparisons of these vectors with vectors bearing ubiquitous promoters should reveal which construct is the most suitable to drive efficient and specific gene expression in diseased retinas in order to restore a normal function on the long term.

Fifth-order cyclicity and organic matter contents relationship (Lower Eocene, Pyrenees)

The Upper Limestone Member of the Corones Formation of the Spanish Pyrenees consists of various units (Lower and Upper Foraminifera Units, Shale Unit, Cherty-ostracode Unit, Ostracode Unit and Chara-ostracode Unit) and offers strong facies and lateral thickness (20 to 80 m) variations. Detailed facies analyses, fifth-order cycles and organic geochemical determinations in the central domain of the Corones platform carbonates (Cherty-ostracode Unit), lower Eocene in age, were carried out to establish a case of close relationship between variations in organic matter productivity and cyclicity with annual period. The Cherty-ostracode Unit displays a continuous and pervasive fifth-order cyclicity, represented by 5 cycles. Each cycle consists of a lower part (mollusc facies) and an upper part (laminated ostracode facies). The calculated fifth-order cycle period ranges from about 17,000 to 28,000 years, which falls within the Milankovitch Band. Variations in organic matter content related to these carbonate cycles have been established. The lower mollusc facies members show a low organic carbon content and Hydrogen Index (HI) below 0.6% in weight and 261, respectively. By contrast, the upper laminated ostracode facies members show high organic carbon contents (up to 2% in weight) and high HI (between 164 and 373), and are also characterized by important silicification processes (the content in chert is up to 30%). The organic geochemistry resulting from these organic rich levels reflects a contribution of algal marine input.

Executive Order Number Eighty-Four February, 2014

In this order the governor declares that volunteerism is an integral part of Iowa's future and well-being and creates the Governor's Council on National Service in Iowa.

Analysis of the contribution of the β-oxidation auxiliary enzymes in the degradation of the dietary conjugated linoleic acid 9-cis-11-trans-octadecadienoic acid in the peroxisomes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Beta-oxidation of the conjugated linoleic acid 9-cis,11-trans-octadecadienoic acid (rumenic acid) was analyzed in vivo in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by monitoring polyhydroxyalkanoate production in the peroxisome. Polyhydroxyalkanoate is synthesized by the polymerization of the beta-oxidation intermediates 3-hydroxyacyl-CoAs via a bacterial polyhydroxyalkanoate synthase targeted to the peroxisome. The amount of polyhydroxyalkanaote synthesized from the degradation of rumenic acid was found to be similar to the amount synthesized from the degradation of 10-trans,12-cis-octadecadienoic acid, oleic acid or 10-cis-heptadecenoic acid. Furthermore, the degradation of 10-cis-heptadecenoic acid was found to be unaffected by the presence of rumenic acid in the media. Efficient degradation of rumenic acid was found to be independent of the Delta(3,5),Delta(2,4)-dienoyl-CoA isomerase but instead relied on the presence of Delta(3),Delta(2)-enoyl-CoA isomerase activity. The presence of the unsaturated monomer 3-hydroxydodecenoic acid in polyhydroxyalkanoate derived from rumenic acid degradation was found to be dependent on the presence of a Delta(3),Delta(2)-enoyl-CoA isomerase activity. Together, these data indicate that rumenic acid is mainly degraded in vivo in S. cerevisiae through a pathway requiring only the participation of the auxiliary enzymes Delta(3),Delta(2)-enoyl-CoA isomerase, along with the enzyme of the core beta-oxidation cycle.