1406 research outputs found
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Development of BMX siRNA Lipid Nanoparticles Using Novel Ionizable, and Cleavable Lipids Discovered through AI and Experimentation for Cancer Therapy
No full textINTRODUCTION: Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed male malignancy across the world. It is also considered the fifth leading cause of cancer death in men. in 2020 there was 1,414,249 newly diagnosed cases and 375,000 deaths worldwide from prostate cancer (Leslie SW.2023). The Tec family nonreceptor tyrosine kinase BMX is activated downstream of PI3K and has been implicated in regulation of multiple pathways and in the development of cancers including prostate cancer (Chen S. 2018). The available science supports the role of BMX in advanced prostate cancer, head & neck cancer, aggressive brain cancer, and many other immunological diseases (Cenni, Gutmann et al. 2012). RNA interference plays an important role in regulating the gene expression level within the cells (Agrawal N. 2003). However, delivering small interfering RNA (siRNA is challenging due to many obstacles, such as extremely short half-life in vivo, rapid elimination via glomerular filtration, and inability to cross cell membranes (due to the hydrophilic nature and negative charge of siRNA molecules). In order to use siRNA as a treatment for prostate cancer, an effective delivery system is needed. This study demonstrates that BMX expression in prostate cancer is suppressed directly by siRNA using the delivery system.
METHODS: The delivery system used is composed of the negatively charged siRNA encapsulated into a multicomponent structure that contains (DOPE), 1,2-Dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium propane (DOTAP), Cholesterol and Phosphatidylcholine. To further enhance the activity of the BMX siRNA lipid nanoparticle compositions two novel lipids; a cleavable PEGylated lipid, and an ionizable cationic lipid were synthesized and characterized by our team (Abu-Fayyad and Nazzal 2017) and then added to the formulation.
RESULTS: The designed and optimized novel BMX siRNA LNPs were physiochemically characterized and showed desired characteristics. Furthermore, AI-based tools were used to predict any potential interactions between the novel designed ionizable lipid and the BMX siRNA, with promising forecasted results being obtained. The optimized BMX siRNA LNPs showed a favored particle size and zeta potential values of 151 nm & 30 mV, respectively. The novel and optimized BMX siRNA LNPs showed acid-based release of the active therapeutic agent. In-vitro cell culture study against prostate cancer cell lines further supported the idea that these novel LNPs would be potent and more active compared to formulas of controls.
CONCLUSION: In summary, the current work showed a successful development and characterization of anticancer novel LNPs for targeting the novel and emerging target BMX as a second option of therapeutics development, after the initial reported work our group published recently on small molecule therapeutics development (Elsanhoury, Alasmari et al. 2023)
Exploring Educator Perceptions of the Impact of Career and Technical Education on Student Outcomes
No full textThis qualitative study demonstrated the benefits of Career and Technical Education (CTE) over the traditional educational system and identified key components necessary to implement CTE programs in smaller-sized secondary schools, like those found in the Long Island Region of New York. Although an abundance of research existed on the benefits of CTE, these studies focused on programs in large school districts with high student enrollment and, most often, multiple high schools. Long Island consisted of school districts that are unique from other geographical locations in that its school districts are community based and 87% contain a single high school with enrollments below 3,000. This study compiled qualitative data through interviews, focus-group discussions, and artifact collection to answer the following research questions: (a) How can public high schools effectively implement CTE programs? (b) What perceptions do educators have about the impact CTE has on high school students’ self-efficacy and outcome expectations? Keywords: career and technical education (CTE), student engagement, integrated curriculum, self-efficacy, career pathways, work-based learning (WBL
Fiesta on Shuffle
No full textThis thesis is a linked short story collection about a character named Thom, told in first person. In 52 short pieces, Thom travels around different places on a seemingly aimless journey. It is almost a mix of a “man goes on a journey” & a “stranger comes to town.” The 52 short stories are structured like a shuffled deck of cards, with four distinct suits. Each suit has a minor story arc for Thom. In Hearts, he’s on a search for love. In Diamonds, he’s on a search for treasure. In Spades, he’s on a search for enlightenment. In Clubs, he’s on a search for adventure. What he finds or doesn’t find is part of these four “mini-movements” that are mixed about. In the beginning of the collection, Thom loses a car. In the end, the car comes back. In between, there is magic, absurdity, mythology, surrealism & a lot of realism. This collection is very concerned with the difference between what’s real & what’s not & what’s the grey area. The writing is direct yet filled with poetry & philosophy. It’s playful, whimsical, humorous, imaginative, investigative, etc. etc. The average “story” length is a couple pages with some shorter, some longer. It’s structured so that you can read “in-order” or skip around. It is based on my personal experiences & stories people have told me but is meant to be read as an “everybody’s journey.” There’s an idea that no matter what you chase, no matter how you change, the ending is the same for all of us. That idea is teased with each suit & comes together more when all of the cards are read together
Vaccination Attitudes Among Nursing and Health Professions Students: A Literature Review
No full textINTRODUCTION: Public health in the United States (US) is currently facing vast federal changes under the Trump administration that may significantly impact vaccination compliance. While personal attitudes and beliefs have long shaped public perceptions of vaccines in the US, the COVID-19 pandemic reignited debates over government involvement in public health mandates related to vaccination. This includes challenges to long-implemented childhood vaccination schedules and school attendance policies. Healthcare professions play an increasingly important role in the shaping of public perception and understanding of vaccination. As such, understanding the attitudes towards vaccination of students pursuing healthcare professions such as nursing is essential for developing educational interventions that can ensure competency in the future healthcare workforce despite an increasingly divided political climate. This literature review aims to synthesize existing research on vaccination attitudes among nursing and health professions students to identify influencing factors, knowledge gaps, and potential interventions.
METHOD: A comprehensive search of electronic databases, including PubMed and CINAHL was conducted. Search terms included vaccination attitudes, vaccine hesitancy, nursing students, healthcare students, medical students, pharmacy students, allied health students, vaccine knowledge, and immunization beliefs. Studies (N = 12) published in English between 2020 and 2025 were included. Both quantitative and qualitative studies were considered.
CONCLUSION: Vaccination attitudes among nursing and healthcare students are complex and influenced by various factors. These include misconceptions about vaccine ingredients, potential side effects, the necessity of certain vaccines, and herd immunity. Additionally, personal beliefs, cultural influences, and past experiences play a significant role in the decision-making related to vaccination. Addressing knowledge gaps, promoting trust, and utilizing effective educational interventions are crucial for ensuring future healthcare professionals are equipped to promote vaccination and protect public health. Continued research and collaboration are essential for developing and implementing strategies to improve vaccine confidence among students and the broader population
Everybody Is a Teacher, Every Place Is a School: Empowerment through Women-Centered Space at the PKP Community Centre in Bali, Indonesia
No full textINTRODUCTION: Women across the world remain at a disadvantage economically, socially, and politically as a result of oppressive patriarchal structures that allow men to dominate in both private and public spheres of life. In order to investigate ways in which women-centered community spaces provide alternatives to these structures, this transdisciplinary-informed qualitative research project was conducted at the Pusat Komunitas Perempuan (PKP) Community Centre in the Selasih Banjar north of Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. This case-study sought to answer the question: How does the PKP Community Centre\u27s intentional womencentered community space empower local women?
METHOD: The data were collected over a three-month period from September to November 2024 through participant observation and semi-structured interviews in Indonesian with the women (Ibu-Ibu) who work at PKP. Interactions and data-gathering with participants were informed by decolonial prerogatives of respect, relationships, and reciprocity through trust-building, as well as feminist social constructionism theory.
RESULTS: The data showed that, across the board, the Ibu-Ibu have a strong desire for more education, something that they feel PKP offers in part through experiential learning of practical job skills, English practice, confidence building, and emotional resilience. The participants also expressed feelings of isolation, lack of self-confidence and financial struggles before finding PKP where they now feel more empowered in those areas. Additionally, it was made clear that having a community of peers who share similar life experiences improves overall happiness and wellbeing for the Ibu-Ibu. This empowerment allows for them to take better care of themselves and their children, make better contributions to their Banjar (neighborhood), and break generational cycles of hardship.
CONCLUSION: Overall, this research demonstrates that creating space that prioritizes women is beneficial not only to them as individuals but also to their families and communities. Empowering women through women-centered spaces opens new opportunities to establish social, political, and economic gender equality
Understanding Stress and Burnout in Social Work
No full textINTRODUCTION: This paper explores the critical role of social workers in supporting marginalized communities and the challenges they face in their profession. It investigates stressors such as heavy caseloads, trauma exposure, and organizational barriers, and their impact on mental health and job satisfaction. The discussion distinguishes between general stress and burnout, emphasizing the importance of preventing burnout to maintain social workers\u27 effectiveness. Ultimately, the study highlights the necessity of addressing these issues to ensure the well-being and continued dedication of social workers in their vital role in society.
METHOD: A quantitative survey was conducted with 25 social workers using snowball sampling to efficiently reach participants. The survey, was administered through SurveyMonkey, included closed-ended questions assessing emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, career accomplishments, workplace support, and coping mechanisms. Data was analyzed using automated aggregation tools within SurveyMonkey, which categorized responses into measurable patterns regarding stress levels, burnout symptoms, and workplace support systems.
RESULTS: The findings revealed that 36% of participants reported experiencing emotional exhaustion often, with an additional 48% experiencing it sometimes. Depersonalization was reported by 52% of respondents, indicating a detachment from their work or clients. Despite these stressors, 40-44% of participants reported feeling a sense of accomplishment in their roles. Workplace support was perceived as inadequate by many, with 48% seeking external professional support such as therapy. High caseloads, insufficient resources, emotional demands, and personal life stressors were identified as the primary contributors to burnout.
CONCLUSION: The study highlights the significant impact of stress and burnout among social workers, particularly for those in the field for one to three years. While a sense of professional accomplishment persists, high levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization highlight the urgent need for enhanced workplace support, self-care practices, and systemic changes to reduce burnout. Addressing these challenges is crucial for sustaining the effectiveness and well-being of social workers and ensuring the longevity of their careers in this demanding yet vital profession
How Sociocultural and Socioeconomic Influences Intersect with Self-Esteem for People Diagnosed with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
No full textOBJECTIVES: This capstone identifies how sociocultural and socioeconomic influences intersect with selfesteem for people diagnosed with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) and the opportunities that communities have to propel positive change.
METHODS: This research study employed a Systematic Review of the literature published in English between the years 2014 – 2025. Numerous databases were utilized to identify peer-reviewed research where the factors that influence self-esteem and self-perception of people diagnosed with I/DD and society’s perception of people who are diagnosed with I/DD were analyzed. Children and adult populations were reviewed which identified avenues that create social justice and positive change when addressing the micro, mezzo, and macro levels in society.
RESULTS: The systematic research of the literature exposes how sociocultural and socioeconomic influences intersect with a person’s self-perception, self-esteem and the perception of others with regards to a person who identifies with the marginalized group I/DD; and the effects this has on systematic inequalities in healthcare, educational systems, and quality of life.
CONCLUSION: Implications of the research identified the opportunities that communities have to mobilize positive change through social justice at the practice, research, and program levels. Educating community members increases cultural humility and increases their capacity for community compassion for all people in society. Organizations and government agencies incorporating person-first language in their policies and programs by promoting inclusive environments and opportunities for autonomy over decision-making creates increased self-esteem and improved self-image for people diagnosed with I/DD; thus, improving healthcare equity, educational experiences, and quality of life outcomes.
Keywords: I/DD, Self-Esteem, Intersectionality, Healthcare, Education, Autonomy over Decision-Making, Inclusive Languag
From Adversity to Achievement: The Resilience of Black Students Raised in Single-Parent Households
No full textThere is limited literature on the resilience strategies of Black students raised in single-parent households and their academic success. Black children are often portrayed as facing negative outcomes educationally. Yet, despite there being challenges they graduate from high school, go to college and are successful. This qualitative phenomenology study explores the lives of 12 Black college students raised in a single-parent household, aged 21-65 years and older, that persevered through adversity and the strategies they utilized to achieve academic success. It examines the internal and external motivational factors that contributed to their achievements as well as the role of support systems, using an ecological systems theory framework. Data was collected through in-depth interviews and analyzed through manual thematic coding and NVivo. Findings revealed that adversity, self-determination, parent modeling, siblings, extended family, peers, school resources, community support, church, workforce development programs, support initiatives designed to enhance educational attainment, workforce support systems and mentorship programs all contributed to their resilience and academic success
Enhanced CO₂ Hydrogenation to Light Olefins Using a Fe-Co-Zr Trimetallic Catalyst: Insights into Optimal Composition and Performance
No full textThe increasing concentration of atmospheric CO₂ has significantly contributed to global climate change, necessitating the development of effective mitigation strategies. One promising approach is the catalytic hydrogenation of CO₂ into valuable chemical feedstocks, such as light olefins. Previous studies have demonstrated that catalyst formulations with Fe/Co = 1:2 and Fe/Zr = 10:1 molar ratios exhibit enhanced performance for CO₂ hydrogenation to light olefins. Building upon these findings, this study investigates the catalytic behavior of a novel Fe-Co-Zr trimetallic catalyst, which is expected to further improve efficiency and selectivity in CO₂ hydrogenation. The catalyst was synthesized based on the established Fe-Co 1:2 bimetallic system, with Zr incorporation aimed at enhancing stability and performance. The catalytic activity was evaluated in a fixed-bed reactor across a temperature range of 275–400°C, with product distribution analyzed via on-line gas chromatography (GC). The results indicate promising catalytic performance for light olefins production, highlighting the synergistic role of Fe, Co, and Zr in facilitating CO₂ conversion. This study provides valuable insights into the design and optimization of advanced catalysts for sustainable CO₂ utilization
Rock•paper•pixels: How Our Need to Communicate Created a New Economy, Society and Individual and the Effects of Ai and Quantum Computing
No full textThe purpose of this presentation is to avail students of the many different reasons and back stories equated with the advent of interactive media and its effect on our world. Since the beginning of recorded history, humankind has desired to keep track of its events and accomplishments and to find a way to properly represent those occurrences to the rest of the world. Now with the combination of interactive media and new technologies, it has become possible to present the story through current and diverse platforms. We will review how the advent of Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Computing along with all of these media delivery systems has affected our economy, society, and the individual