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Regulation Of CCR7 Signaling Events By G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinases 2 And 3
No full textG protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) can bind multiple ligands, leading to differential signaling events termed biased signaling. C-C chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7) is a GPCR known to have biased signaling between the two ligands it binds to, CCL19 and CCL21. Binding of C-C Chemokine Ligand 19 (CCL19) promotes a high level of CCR7 phosphorylation, while CCL21 leads to a much lower level of CCR7 phosphorylation; findings observed in HEK and dendritic cells. GPCR kinases (GRKs), which can control the phosphorylation patterns of a GPCR, are hypothesized to regulate biased signaling of a receptor. GRK expression differs between cell lines and cell types, even for ubiquitously expressed kinases, which we observed with HEK and T cells. This made us question if the role of GRKs with CCR7 signaling applied to T cell, which endogenously expresses the receptor. We aimed to explore the role of GRK2 and GRK3 in T cells since T cells have elevated GRK2, while GRK3 regulates CCR7 phosphorylation levels in HEKs. We hypothesized GRK2 would act as an inhibitor of CCR7 since there is little evidence of phosphorylation with CCR7; while GRK3\u27s role is an initial phosphorylation kinase on CCR7, promoting receptor internalization. To test the hypothesis in T cells, we generated T cells deficient in either GRK2 or GRK3 with CRISPR-Cas9. We analyzed the regulation of CCR7 internalization, T cell migration, and signaling with either ligand. Our studies support the idea that GRK2 and GRK3 do not play interchangeable roles in ligand-bound CCR7. Each kinase is favored by a function of the CCR7, with internalization and migration to a particular ligand being affected by the loss of the kinase. In the broader context, this project could lead to targeted therapies, eliminating pathological effects, like T-ALL infiltration, without losing the immune responses of T cells
The Relationships between Behavioral and Sociocultural Constructs and Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) and Cannabis Patterns in Hispanic Young Adult University Students
No full textThe proliferation of both electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) and cannabis has contributed to a concerning trend of dual usage, posing a greater public health risk, particularly pronounced among at-risk populations of increased substance use, such as Hispanic young adult college students. This study utilized the socioecological framework and social cognitive theory to observe behavioral and sociocultural constructs associated with dual use and identify potential risk and protective factors. Four hundred and twenty-one Hispanic young adult university students completed a cross-sectional survey assessing sociodemographics, depression, anxiety, stress, familism, acculturation, self-efficacy, and past month dual use and dual use recency of ENDS and cannabis. Four ordinal regression models were conducted to assess the relationships between the independent variables and dependent variables (past month dual use, dual use recency) while controlling for sex and age. Moderated linear regressions were conducted to test if the moderator variable (self-efficacy) impacts significant relationships via Model 1 in the PROCESS Macro (version 4.2). None of the ordinal regression models were statistically significant, though age was positively associated with dual use recency. After none of the hypotheses were supported, exploratory analyses were conducted to observe cumulative past month dual use among individuals who had used both substances. Two negative binomial models were conducted to assess both behavioral and sociocultural models associated with cumulative dual use. The negative binomial behavioral model predicting cumulative dual use frequency yielded several predictors, and two statistically significant moderated models were noted between self-efficacy and anxiety and subjugation of self for family. Study hypotheses were not supported. In exploratory analyses, self-efficacy moderated the relationships between cumulative dual use and anxiety and subjugation of self for family in nuanced ways. Study findings implicate self-efficacy in addressing substance use. Clinical implications of study findings and directions for future research are discussed
Phylogenetics And Integrative Taxonomy Of The Lang\u27s Reed Frog Species Complex (anura: Hyperoliidae: Hyperolius Langi)
No full textThe genus Hyperolius (Rapp, 1842) is the most speciose amphibian genus in sub-Saharan Africa. The genus has a complex taxonomic history because of its extensive intraspecific and interspecific morphological variation, large geographic distribution of many taxa, gaps in sampling, and the discovery of significant cryptic diversity within many species. The goal of this study is to understand the relationships and taxonomy of Hyperolius langi via an integrative taxonomic approach that combines molecular, morphological, and bioacoustics data to clarify the systematics of the geographically widespread species Hyperolius langi. Two mitochondrial (16S and cyt b) and one nuclear (RAG1) gene were used to construct phylogenetic trees in the H. langi complex, employing maximum likelihood (IQ-TREE) and Bayesian inference methods (BEAST). All analyses consistently recovered four strongly supported clades within a monophyletic H. langi complex, including H. langi sensu stricto, H. cf. langi Mwenga, H. cf. langi Fizi, and H. cf. langi Itombwe. Molecular and morphological evidence support the recognition of three new cryptic species. Future work should reconcile the taxonomic status of a well-supported subclade of H. langi sensu stricto from Irangi and Bitale in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo (known from only 1 male and 4 females) and H. sp. Mitwaba, known from only one male specimen collected near Upemba National Park in southeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo
Saving Lives: Changing Perceptions Of Naloxone Distribution For Opioid Overdoses
No full textThis study investigated the impact and community perceptions of Narcan® (naloxone) distribution in El Paso County, Texas, as a harm reduction strategy amid the ongoing opioid epidemic. Drawing from a mixed-methods approach, the research surveyed 368 participants comprised of opioid users, family members, first responders, and community members who engaged in Narcan® training facilitated by two nonprofit organizations. The study explored four main questions: perceptions of Narcan® among different community stakeholders, patterns of Narcan® administration, whether the availability of Narcan encouraged drug use, and its effectiveness in reducing overdose deaths. Findings revealed widespread support for Narcan® distribution, although some community members expressed concerns about the false sense of safety it may provide to users. The majority of users reported prior overdose experiences and Narcan® administration, often by peers or first responders. Despite some stigma and logistical challenges, the research underscored Naloxone\u27s vital role in overdose prevention and suggested that broader community-based training and distribution may improve public health outcomes. Implications for policy, future research, and overdose intervention strategies are discussed
Dynamics Of Faculty-Student Interaction Beyond The Classroom: Insights From A Hispanic-Serving Community College
No full textRetention and success rates remain critical concerns for colleges and universities, particularly for the Hispanic-Serving Community College. In their attempt to become student-ready, colleges and universities have sought retention initiatives targeting students at academic risk. However, many of these initiatives overlook the less tangible underlying issues, such as fears, anxieties, inequity, lack of self-confidence, confusion, and uncertainty (Cox, 2009; Longwell-Grice and Longwell-Grice, 2008). Despite the benefits that faculty-student interactions outside the classroom bring students, literature shows that faculty-student interaction outside the classroom is generally absent (Smith et al., 2017; Thiele, 2016; Zeleden-Perez, 2019). This qualitative study explores the characteristics that encourage or discourage faculty-student interactions outside the classroom at a Hispanic-Serving Community College
Leveraging Publicly Available Data To Identify Candidate Intersections For Tactical Urbanism Efforts Using Geospatial Analysis
No full textUrban strategies and countermeasures to increase pedestrian safety in low-density neighborhoods have been proposed by the Federal Highway Administration. Often municipalities have limited resources and would like to have a strategy to achieve maximum impact per dollar spent, as is the case in El Paso. El Paso\u27s urban landscape is a mix of urban, residential, and commercial in the exurbs of the city. Most of El Paso consists of low-density industrial land, commercial strips, and residential development. A scalable and transferable approach was developed to identify intersections that have the potential to reduce traffic-related fatalities and increase pedestrian safety through targeted intervention. This approach was applied to a case study in El Paso. Surveys and manual data were taken to augment data already available from public agencies. A list of priority intersections in El Paso were identified and are discussed
Anotaciones de un viaje sin carreteras
No full text“Viajaremos juntos, tú y yo, en carro, desde Miami hasta Nueva York”, me prometió mi papá, poco antes de desaparecer, presuntamente muerto en los Estados Unidos por traficar con drogas, hace tanto tiempo que ya casi ni lo recuerdo. “Viajaremos juntos, tú y yo, en carro, desde Miami hasta Nueva York”, le prometí a mi hijo, poco antes de abordar el avión que me trajo hasta los Estados Unidos, hace ya tres años, tanto, que cada vez que nos reencontramos, no lo reconozco de lo tanto que crece. Y desde entonces, un imposible nos atraviesa, una promesa que solo a través de estas memorias se habrá de realizar, un viaje sin carreteras para comprender que mi papá partió mucho antes de desaparecer y que yo estaba destinado a regresar, desde antes de partir
Tailoring Functional And Sensing Properties Of Polymer-Ceramic Composites Via 3d Printing
No full textSection 1.1. Abstract This chapter investigates the use of direct ink write (DIW) additive manufacturing to control grain orientation in non-toxic barium titanate (BTO) ceramics by blending spherical and platelet-shaped particles in the ink. A series of inks containing 0–40 wt.% BTO platelets were formulated with poly(vinyl alcohol), polyethylene glycol, poly(acrylic acid-co-maleic acid), and ammonium hydroxide to ensure printability and homogeneous dispersion. Cylindrical specimens (20 mm × 3 mm) were printed using a Hyrel 30M DIW system and subjected to de-binding (650 °C, 2 h) followed by a two-step sintering schedule (T₁: 1200–1350 °C; T₂: 700–850 °C; 24 h dwell). Relative density peaked at 85.9 % for 0 wt.% platelets (1300 °C/800 °C) and decreased with increasing platelet content due to inhibited grain-boundary diffusion. SEM and XRD analyses confirmed platelet alignment parallel to the build plate, with Lotgering factors (F₂₀₀) rising from 0.00 (0 wt.%) to 0.63 (40 wt.%). This texturization produced a 29.6 % enhancement in dielectric constant compared to randomly oriented ceramics. The results demonstrate that DIW-induced shear alignment coupled with optimized thermal processing can tailor microstructure and functional performance of BTO ceramics for sensor and energy-storage applications. Section 2.1. Abstract This chapter presents the development of multifunctional lattice structures fabricated from a novel PEEK–carbon fiber (CF)/carbon nanotube (CNT) composite filament for fused filament fabrication (FFF). An optimized melt-blend extrusion process produced filaments with 11.6 wt.% CF and 12 wt.% CNT, yielding uniform dispersion and robust interfacial bonding. Two lattice geometries—truncated octahedron and re-entrant auxetic—were selected to exploit plateau stress regions (5–15 % strain) for decoupling piezoresistive and thermoresistive responses. Printed specimens exhibited surface roughness as low as ~20 µm Ra, compressive strengths up to 60 MPa, and electrical conductivities reaching 0.067 S/m. Cyclic loading under controlled temperatures (25–100 °C) confirmed stable resistance during plateau stress and a positive temperature coefficient of resistance with \u3c 0.3 % variation, achieving 99.7 % repeatability. These results demonstrate that lattice architecture, combined with tailored composite formulation, enables selective force and temperature sensing in a single-material system. Section 3.1. Abstract This chapter introduces Hybrid PIZCAL, a multi-material lattice architecture enabling programmable directional piezoelectric sensing via fused filament fabrication (FFF). Using an ABS–BaTiO₃ composite filament with 20 vol.% ceramic loading co-printed alongside pure PLA, we create geometrically anisotropic lattices that concentrate mechanical strain along the Z-axis while passivating the X–Y planes. Thermal poling (3 kV/mm at 85 °C) aligns dipoles in the active regions, yielding a Z-axis voltage-per-mass output of 13.7 mV/g—293 % higher than a monolithic piezoelectric cube—while suppressing transverse responses by \u3e20 %. Finite-element simulations confirm compliance contrasts exceeding 5× between axes, and SEM micrographs demonstrate homogeneous BaTiO₃ dispersion within the ABS matrix. The Hybrid PIZCAL thus combines topological control with material zoning to deliver high-fidelity, single-axis sensing in a single-step AM process, paving the way for advanced wearable, robotic, and structural-health-monitoring applications
Strength-Based Peer Mentoring to Empower Independence for Adults with Autism
No full textAdults with autism face disproportionately high rates of unemployment or underemployment, limited engagement in post-secondary education, and restricted opportunities for social participation. This is largely due to the abrupt discontinuation of services after high school—often referred to as the “service cliff” (Roux, 2015). The loss of structured supports can result in a decline in functional independence, increased mental health concerns such as anxiety and depression, and heightened social isolation (Chun et al., 2023; Schiltz et al., 2021).
This Capstone project aimed to address the unmet post-secondary needs of young adults with autism by implementing a peer mentoring program grounded in a strength-based occupational therapy approach. The project targeted improvements in independence with activities of daily living (ADLs), reduction in mental health symptoms, and increased social participation—ultimately supporting a higher quality of life. (Chun et al., 2023; Schiltz et al., 2021).https://scholarworks.utep.edu/otcapstones/1001/thumbnail.jp
Caring for Caregivers: an Occupational Therapy-Centered Mental Health and Wellness Program
No full textObjective: Address the mental health and wellness needs of caregivers of individuals with disabilities at Fundación Integra A.C.
Methods: Conducted a needs assessment, developed and implemented an 8-week occupational therapy-based wellness program, and evaluated outcomes using pre/post assessments and weekly feedback surveys.
Results: Caregivers showed reduced stress, improved self-reported health, and increased use of mindfulness and coping strategies.
Conclusion: Occupational therapy interventions can improve caregiver well-being and support sustainable caregiver education in community settings.https://scholarworks.utep.edu/otcapstones/1010/thumbnail.jp