UAB Digital Commons (Univ. of Alabama at Birmingham)
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The Human Element in Nuclear Safety
Get PDF2025 ASEM 620 Capstone Projecthttps://digitalcommons.library.uab.edu/asem/1002/thumbnail.jp
Clueless to Confident: Best Practices for New (and Nervous) Academic Librarians
Get PDFACRL 2025, April 1-5, Minneapolis, Minnesot
Numerical Analysis And The Deal.Ii Implementation Of An Efficient And Robust Parameterized Ensemble Algorithm For Navier Stokes Flow In The Convection-Dominated Regimes
Get PDFEnsemble methods are widely used to approximate solutions for the Navier-Stokes Equations to account for inherent uncertainties within the system. This work goes about the numerical analysis and efficiency assessment of a fully discretized Ensemble Eddy Viscosity (EEV) model for the incompressible Stochastic Navier-Stokes Equations. The model is efficient due to the use of ensemble methods. Through a single coefficient matrix for realizations, we reduce computational cost and thereby ensure computational efficiency. It is found that the model is robust with the inclusion of the eddy viscosity term, as an additional uncertainty quantification. Finally, we verify theoretical convergence rates and that the model is accurate through several numerical experiments and benchmarking tests
Reelin Regulation Of Striatal Physiology And Cocaine Reward
Get PDFDrugs of abuse activate defined neuronal populations in brain reward structures such as the nucleus accumbens (NAc), which are thought to promote the enduring synaptic, circuit, and behavioral consequences of drug exposure. While the molecular and cellular effects arising from experience with drugs like cocaine are increasingly well understood, the mechanisms that sculpt NAc neuron participation are largely unknown. Here, we leveraged unbiased single-nucleus transcriptional profiling to identify expression of the secreted glycoprotein Reelin (encoded by the Reln gene) as a marker of cocaine-activated neurons within the rat NAc. Multiplexed in situ detection confirmed selective expression of the immediate early gene Fos in Reln+ neurons after cocaine experience, and also revealed enrichment of Reln mRNA in Drd1+ medium spiny neurons (MSNs) in both the rat and human brain. Using a novel CRISPR interference strategy enabling selective Reln knockdown in the adult NAc, we observed altered expression of genes linked to calcium signaling, emergence of a transcriptional trajectory consistent with loss of cocaine sensitivity, and a striking decrease in MSN intrinsic excitability. At the behavioral level, loss of Reln prevented cocaine locomotor sensitization, abolished cocaine place preference memory, and decreased cocaine self-administration behavior. Together, these results identify Reelin as a critical mechanistic link between ensemble participation and cocaine-induced behavioral adaptations. Reelin also plays a critical role in brain development, though a role in striatal development specifically remains unexplored despite links to neurodevelopmental and neurological disorders with striatal pathology. Using a rat model system and publicly available human striatum data, we demonstrate relative conservation of dynamic temporal RELN expression patterns in the developing striatum. We applied our novel CRISPR-based strategies to either knockdown or overexpress Reln in embryonically derived striatal cells to investigate a role for Reelin striatal neuron development at transcriptional and electrophysiological levels. Our findings indicate a likely role for Reelin in regulating functional maturation of developing striatal neurons
An Exploratory Study into the Utility of Toca Boca\u27s Creative Play Model in Enhancing Social Skills and Creative Play for Autistic and Non-Autistic Children
Get PDFThis study examines the potential of Toca Boca World, a creative play app, to enhance social skills and creative play in autistic and non-autistic children aged 4-13. As children\u27s screen time continues to rise, particularly among autistic individuals, it is essential to examine the quality and impact of digital media. The study included 18 children (7 autistic, 11 non-autistic), who participated in eight 5-minute sessions, monitored remotely by caregivers. Social skills were assessed before and after the sessions, while creative play was measured via touch efficiency during the sessions. Enjoyment was also tracked through brief post-session surveys. Results showed significant improvement in social skills for both groups. Autistic children showed increased levels of assertion and decreases in problem behaviors. Non-autistic children showed significant social skills gains on both the Social Skills Rating System and Unstructured Social Skills Observation. While non-autistic children showed increases in creative play, autistic children did not show similar improvements. However, both groups maintained consistently high levels of enjoyment throughout the sessions. These findings highlight the potential of digital creative play apps to support social skill development in both autistic and non-autistic children. This study is the first to evaluate Toca Boca World, or any educational app, for its capacity to promote generalizable social skills or creative play skills, offering valuable insights for both developmental science and digital learning design
Exploring the impact of returning to office work post-pandemic on the mental health of workers: A Cross-Sectional Analysis
Get PDFThis study examines the association between work settings and mental health outcomes among Black working-aged women, with a focus on racial disparities and the role of self-care. Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau\u27s 2024 Household Pulse Survey, this cross-sectional analysis includes responses from 196,293 employed women aged 18–65. Mental health outcomes, including anxiety, worry, lack of interest, and depressive symptoms—were assessed through self-reported measures. Work settings were categorized as telework (hybrid/remote) or in-office, and logistic regression models were used to assess associations between work setting and mental health outcomes, adjusting for demographic and socioeconomic factors. Findings indicate that Black women working in-office reported lower odds of anxiety, worry, and depressive symptoms compared to those teleworking. However, in-office work was associated with lower levels of engagement, as reflected by a greater likelihood of reporting a lack of interest. Racial disparities were evident: Asian women reported lower odds of anxiety and depressive symptoms compared to Black women, whereas White women reported higher odds of worry and lack of interest. Contrary to expectations, self-care did not significantly modify these associations. These findings challenge assumptions about workplace mental health outcomes, suggesting that in-office work may provide protective benefits against certain mental health symptoms for Black women, though it may not enhance engagement. The study illustrates the need for workplace policies that foster inclusivity, psychological well-being, and professional fulfillment. Future research should employ longitudinal designs to explore causal relationships and investigate workplace interventions tailored to diverse employee needs
Precision Imaging For Head And Neck Tumors
Get PDFAntibody-based imaging modalities have become more common in the field of imaging oncology as more biomarkers are identified for certain cancers. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is overexpressed in several cancer types including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and ameloblastoma (AB). The over- expression in these cancers has been targeted with antibodies such as Panitumumab and Cetuximab for imaging modalities. These antibodies can be conjugated with IRDye800 molecules for intraoperative fluorescence imaging or radiolabel for pre-operative positron emission tomography/ computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging. These agents could provide surgeons with additional exams to identify carcinoma in scenarios where only visual exams are possible. Ameloblastoma is an intraosseous tumor and 12-50% percent of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients present with bone invasion. This involvement with the tumor and bone makes it increasingly difficult in both tumor types to delineate healthy from cancerous tissue. This often leaves patients with high re- occurrence rates in both diseases. Current imaging modalities for these bone-involved tumors are computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and/or cone beam CT (CBCT) of the area. These imaging modalities can only be used in a pre- iii operative fashion but lack specificity for identifying tumors. We hypothesize that using EGFR antibody-targeted imaging modalities will provide high sensitivity and specificity when labeling OSCC with bone invasion and AB for each respective imaging modality
Sex Differences In The Development Of T-Bet+ B Cells In Lupus
Get PDFCardinal features of lupus include elevated B cell activation and autoantibody production with a female sex preponderance. Development of T-bet+ B cells, driven by aberrant TLR7 and interferon (IFN) signaling, is a key pathogenic feature of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In the present study, we developed two novel approaches to elucidate the mechanisms of female sex predisposition to lupus. We (i) quantified interactions of sex and genetic variation on the development of autoimmune B-cell phenotypes and autoantibodies in the BXD2 murine model of lupus using a cohort of backcrossed progeny (BXD2 x C57BL/6J) x BXD2; (ii) used a combination approach analyzing the transcriptomic profiles of naïve B cells female and male donors and analysis of in vitro TLR7 and IFN-ß stimulation experiments using the BXD2 mouse model of lupus to evaluate if B cell intrinsic signaling independent or downstream of hormonal and genetic influence may promote the development of T-bet+ B cells in females. In (BXD2 x C57BL/6J) x BXD2 mice (N2 mice), we found sex was the key factor leading to increased total IgG, IgG2b, and autoantibodies. The percentage of T-bet+CD11c+ IgD+ activated naive B cells (aNAV) was higher in females and was associated with increased T-bet+CD11c+ IgD− age-related B cells (ABCs), Fas+GL7+ germinal center B cells (GC), Cxcr5−Icos+ peripheral T-helper cells (Tph), and T-and Cxcr5+Icos+ follicular T-helper cells (Tfh). Interferon-beta (IFN-β) was elevated in females. Variation in aNAV cells was mapped to Chromosome (Chr) 7 in a locus that showed significant interactions between the female sex and heterozygous B/D variant. Analysis of transcriptomic profiles of naïve B cells (IGHM+IGHD+IGHG-) from 11 female (5 SLE, 6 healthy) and 11 male donors revealed upregulation of mitochondrial complex genes as a common signature of naive B cells from females. In vitro stimulation of B cells from lupus prone BXD2 mice with TLR7 and IFNβ showed comparable early CD69 induction, downregulation of IgD, expression of T-bet, and GL7+ activated subsets in B cells from females and males. However, B cells from females showed significantly higher expression of mitochondrial complex I genes, mitochondrial biogenesis, and mitochondrial respiration. This was associated with greater T-bet expression in B cells from females. Inhibiting complex I reduced development of T-bet+GL7+ B cells from females Our results suggest that activation of naive B cells forms the basis for the female-predominant development of autoantibodies in lupus-susceptible BXD2 mice, and that female-biased mitochondrial activity, albeit independent of IFN responses, supports the energy demands to promote T-bet+ B cell development
