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White Racial Socialization and Allyship Development in College Students: A Phenomenological Analysis
No full textSocial systems, structures, and contexts rooted in White supremacy continue to foster racialized inequities negatively impacting Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) in the United States. These contexts also shape conditions in which White individuals are socialized, develop, and challenge and/or perpetuate such inequity. White college students must navigate competing narratives about race and racism in this current context. For traditional undergraduate students, college represents a critical developmental period and influential context through which related development happens. This phenomenological study elucidates in-depth understandings of experiences concerning allyship development in White college students and recent graduates following their White racial socialization (WRS) into United States society. This topic is explored qualitatively through semi-structured interviews. I center student experiences in analysis through an interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA). Findings suggest that WRS included both racist and race conscious experiences informing future allyship development. Participants also elucidated key developmental processes related to unlearning and relearning of racist aspects of WRS, communal processing of emotions, building relationships, and continued allyship action. Participants’ values and sense of self informed growth across developmental periods. Taking a developmental perspective to understand experiences informing links between WRS and future allyship development comprises a unique contribution to the literature. Implications for theory, policy, equitable engagement in racial justice efforts, and future developmental research are discussed.</p
Targeted Nanotherapeutics and Diagnostics Using Peptide and Protein Ligands
No full textNanotechnology is a diverse field with applications across all sectors, including biomedical sciences. While it was propelled into the spotlight because of the use of lipid- based nanotechnology for the COVID mRNA vaccines, this field has been thoroughly researched for decades. While the mRNA vaccines many are familiar with had no need for tissue or receptor specific targeting, there are many biomedical applications that require the ability to localize to certain tissues or molecules. In this work, the utilization of peptide and protein ligands to specifically target certain cells or cell markers was studied in applications in therapeutics and diagnostics. The use of biological targeting ligands enables high specificity and biocompatibility, and peptides and antibody-mimetic proteins such as affibodies have the advantage of keeping the overall molecule size very small.Specifically, three different applications of nanotechnology utilizing biological targeting ligands was explored. In one study, a polyamidoamine dendrimer-based nanoparticle was modified with peptides that targeted skeletal muscle cells and improved intracellular delivery in order to deliver a therapeutic gene for muscular dystrophy treatment. In another study, dendrimer nanocarriers were used with EGFR-targeting affibodies to localize bioluminescent proteins for in vivo imaging of pancreatic cancer cells, identifying both localized and metastatic disease. In a last study, a PD-L1-targeting affibody fused to a bioluminescent protein was used for detection of nanoscale extracellular vesicles known as exosomes. As opposed to using a synthetic nanocarrier, the third study involved using the bioluminescent fusion protein as a standalone nanoscale molecule capable of identifying specific receptors. In all studies, functional peptides or small antibody-mimetic proteins were utilized to target specific tissues, cells, or receptors for diverse biomedical applications. This work highlights some of the many advantages of biological targeting ligands for nanotechnology applications in medicine.</p
Social Determinants of Health, Race/Ethnicity, and Biological Aging among Diverse U.S. Adults
No full textSocial determinants of health are recognized as fundamental drivers of health inequities, including premature aging. Individuals of low socio-economic status are hindered by premature morbidity and mortality and have an accelerated decline in physical, physiological, and cognitive health. This is particularly salient for racial and ethnic minority populations that are disproportionately burdened by low socio-economic status, who are prone to psychosocial stressors such as stigma and discrimination, placing them at risk of accelerated aging. As U.S. ethnic minority populations will soon represent a majority of the U.S., understanding drivers of accelerated aging in traditionally understudied and underserved groups is essential.In Aim 1, we found adverse levels of social determinants of health (e.g. lower education among only females and lower income and born in the U.S. among males and females) were associated with greater biological age, with differential associations by race/ethnicity. We also found accelerated biological age among non-Hispanic Black adults and decelerated biological age among non-Hispanic White and non-Hispanic Asian adults. In Aim 2, we found slower biological aging among Hispanic males and females over the course of a six-year (e.g. aged chronologically by six years) follow-up period. We found decelerated aging speed among Hispanic females with higher education and born outside the U.S. and among Hispanic males and females with greater income. In Aim 3, we found each yearly increment in biological age was associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality among males and females, with stronger associations among those with higher education (among only females) and higher income. Our findings underscore the role of adverse levels of social determinants of health in the aging process. Targeting upstream sources of structural disadvantage among racial/ethnic minority groups, in conjunction with improvements to income and education, may promote healthy aging in these populations.</p
Viola for Violinists: An Examination of Select Principles of Viola Pedagogy and a Guide to Applications to Violin Performance
No full textThis document examines some of the key differences between violin and viola pedagogical traditions. This study proposes the study of the viola as another approach to violin playing, asserting that certain values of viola pedagogy can have important diagnostic and even therapeutic qualities for violinists. Because of the viola’s larger size and tonal idiosyncrasies, the viola can behave as a magnifying glass for a violinist's technique. Through the examination of some of the important differences between viola and violin performance practices, this document offers a possible framework for intermediate to advanced violinists to approach learning the viola and incorporate the lessons learned back to their violin playing. By developing a proficiency on the viola, violinists can develop greater bodily awareness and transform their playing to be guided more by release and suppleness in both hands, ultimately supporting greater flexibility, physical health, and longevity in their careers.</p
Model Input files for: "Non-collisional orogeny in Northeast Japan driven by nearby same-dip double subduction"
No full textContains the input files and input geometries needed to run the 3-D subduction models described in Gianni et al. (2025, Nature Geoscience). All models were run using the ASPECT finite element code (version 2.5.0) and model input geometries were constructed using the Geodynamic World Builder. See the README for more details and the relevant ASPECT, Geodynamic World Builder, and main study references.
From Synthesis to Visualization: Lanthanide-Doped Carbon Dots as Emerging Tools in Bioimaging Research
No full textThe lanthanide (Ln) doped CDs have been identified as a useful candidate for dual mode imaging including fluorescence and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Their fluorescence and surface properties depend on the selection of the precursor and synthetic method. At present, most of the Ln-doped CDs are prepared by hydrothermal method and only few are made from microwave heating and other methods. In addition, most CDs possess a negative surface charge. Considering the diverse mode of preparation and properties, the development of Ln-CDs as a dual mode imaging agent is still in the early stage. In this work, we focus on (1) developing gadolinium doped CDs with a positive surface charge and compare the properties of CDs prepared from two synthetic methods: hydrothermal and microwave, (2) comparative study of Gd-CNDs produced from gadopentetic acid and gadolinium chloride as a Gd-source, and (3) study of Dysprosium doped CDs. The optical properties of CDs, cytotoxicity, and their applications in bioimaging were discussed. During the study, the Gd-CDs obtained from microwave (MW) method were found less toxic compared to those obtained from hydrothermal (HT) method. In addition, these CDs are less toxic to the non-cancer cells compared to the cancer ones. Furthermore, the magnetic resonance (MR) images produced from the CDs indicate that the Gd-MW CDs appeared much brighter than the images produced from Gd-HT CDs. The overall results and observations indicate that the microwave route of synthesis is preferable over hydrothermal, and the Gd-MW CDs could be a promising candidate for a multimodal theranostics agent due to their capability to image and target the tumor cells simultaneously. In other studies, the properties of Gd-CNDs prepared from two different gadolinium sources (gadopentetic acid and gadolinium chloride) were studied. In addition, Dysprosium doped CDs were presented as a future candidate for contrast agent in the high magnetic field MR imaging.</p
Chapter 19 - Key analytic considerations in the design and evaluation of behavioral interventions
No full textA key aspect of developing and evaluating behavioral interventions across all stages of its lifecycle is the analytic approach. This chapter discusses factors that are important to consider when developing an analytic approach such as the measures employed, data distributions, and methodological rigor. Analytic strategies are also described as well as guidelines to help in the selection of strategies. The goal of this chapter is to highlight the importance of analytic rigor in each stage/phase of intervention development and evaluation to ensure impactful and scientifically robust findings regarding the impact and implementation of an intervention
Pathophysiology of Pruritus in Atopic Dermatitis
No full textPruritus is a defining symptom of atopic dermatitis and has a tremendous impact on the quality of life of patients. The pathophysiology of pruritus in AD involves complex interactions between immune cells, cutaneous nerve fibers, and keratinocytes. Itch perception begins with activation of receptors by pruritogens, which initiates signaling pathways that are modulated in the spinal cord prior to being processed in different areas of the brain. AD patients also often experience dysfunctional sensory states due to peripheral and central neuronal sensitization, further contributing to their pruritus. In recent years, significant advancements have been made in developing drugs that target diverse itch mediators and effectively treat atopic pruritus. A variety of topical and systemic agents are now approved for treatment of AD, and many more show great promise in ongoing clinical trials. We discuss the pathophysiology of pruritus in AD, as well as some treatments that have been successfully used to treat itch in these patients
Impact of Calibration Rainfall Limits on the Accuracy of Curve-Number Models
No full textAbstractMethods for estimating curve numbers from field measurements are investigated. It is shown that for the same calibration data set the curve number (CN) estimated using the median method will generally be greater than the CN estimated using the least-squares method. Errors in estimating runoff using curve numbers derived using different calibration methods will generally depend on both the range of rainfall-runoff measurements used in calibration and the rainfall amount for which runoff is to be predicted. It is shown that substantial errors can occur when predicting runoff from catchments with calibrated asymptotic curve numbers (CN∞) of around 40. For catchments with calibrated CN∞ of around 60, the potential for runoff error diminishes, but concerns remain particularly for rainfall amounts less than around 5 cm. For catchments with calibrated CN∞ of around 80, there is minimal potential for error regardless of the rainfall amount
Weatherization reduces needs for energy bill assistance
No full textMillions of U.S. households struggle to pay their energy bills, increasing their health and wellbeing risks. Every year, governments and utilities spend billions of dollars on services to support energy-insecure households, but there has been little empirical assessment of how and why households use bill assistance—the most common response—and the degree to which weatherization reduces need for it. Here, we conduct a discrete survival analysis and a staggered difference-in-differences analysis on eight years of longitudinal, household-level participation data for the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and an analogous utility-run program in Washington state (n = 252,313 households). We find that bill assistance can be a temporary or long-term support, revealing different forms of utility hardship. Surprisingly, weatherization does not reduce participation in bill assistance over time. However, it does, on average, reduce household energy consumption by 26% (118-106; 95% CI: 155). Weatherization of 2,265 households from 2017 to 2021 freed up over $793,000 in bill assistance funding, which we estimate could support an additional 1,505 households. By quantifying the interconnections between bill assistance and weatherization, we provide needed evidence for leveraging these synergies and clarifying potential tradeoffs, to align poverty reduction, energy resilience, and climate change adaptation and mitigation goals.
•Low-income energy bill assistance programs provide both temporary and ongoing support.•Priority populations use low-income energy assistance more often over long periods.•Low-income energy bill assistance and weatherization programs complement each other.•Weatherization consistently decreases energy bill assistance payments by 20 % after two years