Plant Introduction
Not a member yet
60263 research outputs found
Sort by
A Guide to Making American-Style Second Oboe Reeds
No full textThis essay describes a comprehensive exploration of intricacies developed in making American-style second oboe reeds tailored specifically for orchestra performances. In the world of reed making, an oboe reed is a nuanced and complex procure, with much of the attention historically concentrated on making reeds for solo performance. Therefore, it is always a central topic for both non-professional and professional oboists in the world. There are two types of oboe reeds: European style and American style. This essay is specifically aimed at discussing the American second oboe reed. This essay involved in-depth interviews with full-time professional second oboists in major classical and opera orchestra settings in the United States. This essay is a guide to help people understand the process of making a second oboe reed. The techniques acquired through these discussions strengthen and enhance the goal of each meticulous reed-making method. This essay describes the different aspects beginning with selecting the materials and equipment choices, as well as the method of scraping, techniques, to achieve the exceptional quality required in the different orchestra excerpts for the second oboist.</p
The Impact of Recent Incarceration and Structural Barriers on the HIV Treatment Cascade
No full textIntroduction: Although incarceration may provide a chance for people living with HIV (PLWH) to receive HIV treatment, there is a notable drop-off in care that happens after release. The current study sought to examine how recent incarceration is associated with structural barriers and the HIV care cascade in a sample of recently incarcerated and never incarcerated PLWH in Miami. Methods: A sample of 725 participants (97 recently incarcerated, 628 never incarcerated) receiving HIV care at a large public HIV clinic in Miami completed an interviewer-administered survey. HIV viral load and dates of HIV care visits over time since completing the survey were extracted from medical charts. Linear regressions were used to examine the relationship between recent incarceration and experiencing structural barriers (unstable housing, lower education level, and lower health literacy). Then, survival analyses were used to determine whether the time to falling off the HIV care cascade differed based on incarceration history. Lastly, structural barriers and substance use were added to the survival analysis model. Results: Recent incarceration was associated with a higher likelihood of experiencing unstable housing and having a lower education level, but was not associated with health literacy. Using survival analysis, participants who were recently incarcerated fell out of HIV care over one year (398.05 days) sooner than those without a history of incarceration. Lastly, after the structural barriers and substance use were added to the model, the model remained significant. The structural barrier variables did not significantly contribute to the model; however, substance use was significantly related. Conclusions: The findings highlight the unique contribution that past-year incarceration contributes to likelihood of falling out of HIV care. The specific reasons for this relationship need further exploration to inform and develop interventions specific for PLWH being released from incarceration to ensure they are able to maintain proper HIV health after release.</p
Unfreezing Human Service Organizations: Key Tensions Hindering their Mission and Values
No full textThe landscape of the nonprofit sector in the United States is vast, encompassing approximately 1.08 million public charitable organizations, with Human Service Organizations (HSOs) constituting 35.2 percent of this total, generating annual revenues exceeding 243 billion dollars (URBAN Institute, 2020b). However, these organizations grapple with significant tensions stemming from the inherent conflict between their social mission and the pragmatic realities of a neoliberal culture.This study investigates the organizational tensions faced by HSOs, arising from the complex interaction of internal and external groups, each with its own values, interests, and power. Drawing on Benson's seminal work (1977), which emphasizes the importance of understanding and analyzing these tensions, this study employs an in-depth case study methodology to explore the experiences of an exemplary HSO operating in South Florida. Through qualitative analysis of interviews, organizational documents, and meeting observations, 25 distinct organizational tensions are identified, revealing significant challenges that impact the organization's ability to fully achieve its mission and act according to its values. These tensions are categorized into seven categories: accountability, collaboration, learning, epistemology, participation, practice, and operation. To navigate these organizational tensions effectively, the author proposes the PIVOT framework, a heuristic tool grounded in the understanding of Power, Interests, Values, and Organizational Tensions. By employing this framework, HSOs can gain insights into the underlying dynamics shaping organizational tensions and develop strategies to address or navigate them proactively.</p
The Effect of Patient-Reported Discharge Education and Communication on Post-Stroke Behaviors and Outcomes
No full textThe events during a patient’s transition from hospital to home or rehabilitation facility can greatly impact a patient’s recovery process. This dissertation defines the role of patient-perceived sufficient discharge education and communication (SDEC) (i.e., sufficient diet education, sufficient toxic habit cessation education, if applicable, and a scheduled medical appointment at discharge) on post-stroke healthy behavior changes and death or readmission among patients in the Transitions of Care Stroke Disparities Study (TCSDS), a prospective registry-derived observational study, conducted in 10 comprehensive stroke centers in Florida (2018-2023).Our study described the characteristics of patients who reported receiving sufficient education and communication (SDEC) at discharge and subsequently determined if SDEC predicts self-reported post-discharge behavior changes. Adequate transition of care (ATOC) is defined by the patient's achievement of at least 75% of recommended positive behaviors and activities within 30 days post-stroke hospitalization. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to show the association between SDEC and ATOC in the overall TCSD-S sample (N=1,151, Average Age 64+/-14 years, 57% Men, 54% non-Hispanic White, 23% non-Hispanic Black, 23% Hispanic) and stratified by race/ethnicity. We found that patients reporting SDEC had an increased likelihood of accomplishing ATOC when compared to patients not reporting SDEC overall and among non-Hispanic Whites and Non-Hispanic Blacks, but not among Hispanics.The last study measures the association between SDEC and all-cause death or readmission within 90 days post-stroke discharge, overall and stratified by race/ethnicity. 90-day death or readmission was highest among non-Hispanic Black patients when compared to other groups. We found that SDEC was associated with reduced death or readmission within 90 days post-stroke discharge among non-Hispanic Black patients but not in the overall TCSD-S nor among non-Hispanic Whites and Hispanics.</p
Compartment-Specific NAD+ Metabolism in Glioma
No full textGlioma is the most common primary brain tumor with poor survival. However, current mechanistic understanding remains limited. NAD+ is an essential signaling cofactor that regulates cancer metabolism for many bioenergetic pathways. Multiple processes associated with NAD+ signaling are dysregulated in cancer, and gliomas are susceptible to NAD+ depletion. Therefore, it is critical for rapidly proliferating glioma cells to replenish the NAD+ pool.Targeting NAD+ metabolism has been considered for cancer therapy, and most efforts have been focused on NAMPT, the rate-limiting enzyme of the NAD+ salvage pathway. However, several clinical trials of NAMPT inhibitors have failed due to low efficacy and high toxicities. NMNAT, the last enzyme in the NAD+ synthetic pathway, has recently emerged as a potential candidate. NMNAT has three isoforms in mammals with distinct subcellular localizations: NMNAT1, in the nucleus; NMNAT2, in the cytosol; and NMNAT3, in the mitochondria. Dysregulations of both NMNAT1 and NMNAT2 have been implicated in cancer.To elucidate the compartment-specific functions of NMNAT in glioma, I established an in vivo glial neoplasia model using Drosophila, in vitro human glioma cells, and patient samples. Mechanistically, my studies supported that NMNAT promotes glioma growth by modulating NAD+-dependent post-translational modifications of p53. This leads to the accumulation of PARylated-p53 and a reduction in acetyl-p53, thus mitigating DNA damage-induced cell death. Moreover, NMNAT1 expression is correlated with glioma grades and patient survival rates. My findings indicate that nuclear NMNAT could serve as predictive markers for glioma prognosis and offer valuable insights into the development of therapeutic interventions to inhibit glioma progression
Examining Urban Heat Exposure and Adaptation Across a Diverse, Subtropical Region
No full textUnderstanding heat exposure and its spatiotemporal variability across climate types is key to informing strategies to mitigate and adapt to heat hazards—especially in urban areas. Miami-Dade County, the state of Florida’s most populous and urbanized region, is characterized by a tropical climate that produces a chronic heat hazard, unlike anywhere else in the United States. In turn, Miami-Dade County has also prioritized heat as a focus area for climate resilience. This dissertation explores heat as captured by land surface temperature (LST), a widely used metric of heat exposure, as well as emerging heat policy in this unique region. The first two chapters of this dissertation serve as case studies for subtropical-to-tropical regions, examining LST across seasonal and diurnal cycles. In the first chapter, I establish a daytime LST climatology for seasonally wet Miami-Dade County, utilizing this LST record to explore spatiotemporal patterns and assess LST’s accuracy as a measure of seasonal, daytime urban heat exposure. In the second chapter, I zoom out to examine LST during the evening hours across the humid, summertime Florida peninsula—evaluating the relationships between air moisture, LST, and thermal comfort. In the third and final chapter, I return to Miami-Dade County to perform an assessment of environmental justice across local, emerging heat adaptation policy through in-depth document analysis and semi-structured interviews of key informants. This dissertation uses a mixed-methods approach, quantitatively analyzing high-resolution remote sensing and in-situ observational data, as well as utilizing qualitative content and coding analysis techniques. The results of this research advance our overall understanding of LST, including its role in heat risk in tropical climates where adaptation strategies may require different approaches as compared to temperate or arid climates. These results also inform equitable, local heat adaptation policy across a diverse region with large socioeconomic disparities that contribute to disproportionate heat impacts.</p
Aberrant neural crest cells migration leads to melanocyte presence in the umbilical cord
No full textSystematic evaluation of the umbilical cord is an integral part of placental examination. Among the important parameters of this exam is the assessment of visible lesions such as knots and discoloration. The latter can be due to funisitis (yellow-white), meconium staining (green), vascular congestion (red-blue), or maternal hyperbilirubinemia (yellow). This case series presents fifteen examples of umbilical cord lesions characterized by foci of brown-black discoloration caused by melanin deposition.
Placental pathology reports from our institutions mentioning melanocytes or melanin in the umbilical cord were reviewed, and the slides pulled for histologic analysis by members of the pathology team. Immunohistochemical (SOX10, Melan-A, PHOX2B, and CD56) and histochemical (Fontana-Masson) staining was performed retrospectively on the umbilical cord sections.
Fifteen cases of umbilical cord with grossly visible brown linear stippling or punctate discoloration were confirmed. Microscopic examination showed scattered SOX10-positive melanocytes in the amnion layer with melanin deposition and uptake by the amniocytes. Nine of the fifteen infants and none of the mothers had congenital melanocytic nevi.
To the best of our knowledge, this is the first description of melanocytes and melanin pigment in the umbilical cord. We propose that an aberrant migration of neural crest cells into the umbilical cord, with subsequent differentiation into melanocytes, is the most likely pathogenesis.
[Display omitted]
This study reports a novel morphologic and developmental finding —the presence of melanocytes and melanin pigment within the umbilical cord— identified in a multi-institutional series of fifteen cases.
An abstract of this work was presented at the SPP meeting in Orlando in 2023: Samson L, Medina -Ceballos E, Worrel S, Faye-Petersen, Bendon R, Salgado C, Reyes-Múgica M. Aberrant Neural Crest Cell Migration Leads to Melanocytes in the Umbilical Cord. Pediatr Dev Pathol 2023, 26(2); #49. March 2024, New Orleans, LA
P-301. PrEP Use among Women of Reproductive-Age Enrolled in the Study of Treatment and Reproductive Outcomes (STAR)
No full textBackground HIV prevention efforts in the US have primarily focused on men who have sex with men, limiting pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) awareness and uptake among women. This study examines PrEP use among reproductive-age women without HIV (WWOH) enrolled in the Study of Treatment and Reproductive Outcomes (STAR), the largest cohort of reproductive-age women in the Southern US. Methods STAR is a longitudinal cohort of reproductive-age WWOH (eligible if aged 18-45 years and risk factors for HIV) in six cities (Miami, FL; Atlanta, GA; Chapel Hill, NC; Washington, DC; Birmingham, AL; Jackson, MS). Demographics, medical history, STI/HIV history, and PrEP use were self-reported. STI/HIV were assessed using commercially available tests. Results Among 362 WWOH eligible for PrEP, 36 (9.9%) reported ever using PrEP (24 current use and 12 prior use). Of those on PrEP who reported PrEP source, 6 obtained it through a clinical study, 12 from a healthcare provider, and 1 from non-medical sources. All participants who reported PrEP use had used tenofovir disoproxil/emtricitabine. Women who reported ever using PrEP were older (35 vs 31 years, p=0.001); the majority lived in Miami (53%, p=0.001); identified as non-Hispanic Black (66%, p=0.163); had an earlier sexual initiation (14.0 vs 15.8 years, p=0.004); reported more lifetime partners (34 vs 10, p=0.003); and had engaged in transactional sex in the prior 5 years (22% vs 10%, p=0.047). Though current STI rates (gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, and trichomoniasis) did not differ by PrEP use, prior syphilis and chlamydia were higher among those who had ever used PrEP (19% vs 4.3%, p=0.002 and 58% vs 34%, p=0.007). Reasons to discontinue PrEP included medication cost (12, 100%), provider access (12, 100%), and periodic use (12, 100%). Conclusion Despite high vulnerability to HIV among reproductive-age women in the Southern US, PrEP use was low in this sample, and discontinuation high. Affordable and accessible novel modes of PrEP delivery, and investigation on bundling HIV PrEP with DoxyPEP are urgently needed to promote access, uptake, and sustainment of PrEP use among young women. Disclosures Daniel Westreich, PhD, Sanofi-Pasteur: Advisor/Consultant Maria L. Alcaide, MD, Gilead: Advisor/Consultan
Evidence for Asian Swamp Eels as an Emerging Threat to Everglades Amphibians
No full textAs amphibian populations around the globe continue to shrink and suffer enigmatic declines, it is critical to use systematic studies to isolate causes and provide management targets for key environmental variables. We sampled the amphibian community at 30 sites dispersed across four large regions of the Everglades (FL, USA). The sites were chosen a priori to include a wide range of values for potentially important environmental gradients. We used a series of passive and active collection techniques at each site and then used model selection to determine which factors could best explain amphibian abundance and community composition. Our results show significant differences in both amphibian abundance and community composition across the four regions. Initial analyses indicated that amphibian abundance in the Everglades is correlated with nutrient levels and pH, while amphibian community composition is correlated with nutrient levels and variation between the four regions. In the midst of this project, evidence emerged that the Asian Swamp Eel, a relatively new invader of the Everglades, was decimating crayfish and small fish populations in the most southerly wetlands where it first arrived and had been spreading across some of our survey sites. Thus, while not initially structured to test this new invasive species gradient, addition of Asian Swamp Eel catch‐per‐unit‐effort data revealed that relative abundances of this novel invader replaced nutrient levels as the best predictor of both amphibian abundance and community composition. This suggests that Asian Swamp Eels are reinforcing, even exaggerating, a north–south gradient in Everglades amphibian communities that was already present due to natural variation in nutrients and water chemistry. Historical records reveal that the contemporary lack of aquatic amphibians within the Taylor Slough sub‐region of Everglades National Park is an unnatural condition, and likely the result of ecosystem collapse driven by Asian Swamp Eels. Future management in the Everglades should focus on mitigating the impact of invasive fish and limiting future human disturbance, as well as monitoring any anthropogenic shifts in nutrient levels to better understand how to restore the amphibian community of this naturally oligotrophic system