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CellShip: an ambient temperature transport and short-term storage medium for mammalian cell cultures
No full textCell culture is a critical platform for numerous research and industrial processes. However, methods for transporting cells are largely limited to cryopreservation, which is logistically challenging, requires the use of potentially cytotoxic cryopreservatives, and can result in poor cell recovery. Development of a transport media that can be used at ambient temperatures would alleviate these issues. In this study, we describe a novel transportation medium for mammalian cells. Five commonly used cell lines, (HEK293, CHO, HepG2, K562, and Jurkat) were successfully shipped and stored for a minimum of 72 hours and up to 96 hours at ambient temperature, after which, cells were recovered into standard culture conditions. Viability (%) and cell numbers, were examined, before, following the transport/storage period and following the recovery period. In all experiments, cell numbers returned to pretransport/storage concentration within 24–48 hours recovery. Imaging data indicated that HepG2 cells were fully adherent and had established typical growth morphology following 48 hours recovery, which was not seen in cells recovered from cryopreservation. Following recovery, Jurkat cells that had been subjected to a 96 hours transport/storage period, demonstrated a 1.93-fold increase compared with the starting cell number with >95% cell viability. We conclude that CellShip® may represent a viable method for the transportation of mammalian cells for multiple downstream applications in the Life Sciences research sector.<br/
Gender-specific capacity of insulin resistance proxies to predict functional decline in older adults
Get PDFObjectives: Insulin resistance determined by Homeostasis Model of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) has been associated with functional decline in non-diabetic older subjects. However, insulin is not routinely assessed. The study evaluated the predictive value of non-insulin-dependent IR surrogates on functional decline in non-diabetic older men and women. Design and participants: Prospective cohort study over 5 years. The study included 615 older participants from the Toledo Study of Healthy Aging. Methods: Frailty was assessed by the Frailty Trait Scale-5 (FTS-5) at baseline and after 5 years follow-up. 193 subjects experienced functional decline (2.5-point reduction in the FTS-5 score). Multivariate regression models analysed the effect of five described IR surrogates on functional decline considering potential confounders. Results: Among evaluated IR proxies, triglyceride glucose-body mass index (TyG-BMI) and HOMA-IR were significantly associated with an increased risk of functional decline (odd ratio (95% confidence interval) TyG-BMI: 1.16 (1.05, 1.28), p = 0.0035 and HOMA-IR: 1.59 (1.15, 2.21), p = 0.0056) among all participants. When stratified by gender, HOMA-IR was related to functional decline in men [2.02 (1.13, 3.59), p = 0.0173] and TyG-BMI in women [1.19 (1.05, 1.35), p = 0.0057]. Conclusions: Only TyG-BMI index mimics the predictive capacity of insulin-based IR marker. The predictive ability of IR indexes is gender-specific, being TyG-BMI the only index able to predict functional decline in women and HOMA-IR in men.</p
XR immersion for teaching and learning with precise alignment guidance in user perspective
Get PDFUser Perspective Learning is an approach that focuses on learning by getting taught from the user's point of view (POV). Activities are generally captured from the user's perspective and compiled into a video that can be viewed on desktop displays, televisions, and mobile devices. Extended Reality (XR) applications and devices have the potential to replace traditional displays in the near future. This technology can provide a very effective way to teach learners with the freedom to view and interact. XR technology is capable of tracking moving practice models and augmenting Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI) in real-time or completely teleport the learners in a digital environment. The advancements in handheld device processing have led to significant improvements in these portable XR technologies over the years. Complex computations can be handled in a fraction of a second by modern multi-core processors. In addition to standalone devices, XR technologies have been adapted to work with mobile devices (i.e., smart phones), making them more accessible. The purpose of this research is to explore the potential of XR for user perspective learning and its impact on immersion. An XR application was developed for the experiment, providing participants with a high degree of freedom to navigate in a virtualized environment (VE). The application allows for both handheld and head-mount viewing, for the users to choose their preference. By tracking the orientation of practice models, participants are guided, and task precision is enhanced. A pilot study was conducted with Games Art and Tech students from the university to evaluate the degree of immersion. To study the immersion levels of XR technology, a statistical analysis was conducted on the collected data.</p
Molecular simulations and machine learning methods for the identification of novel aurora A kinase inhibitors
No full textAurora A kinase (AAK) is a serine/threonine kinase that stands out as a crucial regulator of mitosis, the complex process of cell division. Notably, the protein AAK plays vital roles in cell cycle regulation and encompasses centrosome maturation, spindle assembly, and chromosome segregation. All such functionalities are essential for ensuring accurate daughter cell formation. Deregulation of AAK expression and activity has been linked to various human diseases, particularly cancer. However, AAK's significance extends beyond normal cellular function. Increased expression or activity of AAK has been implicated in the development and progression of several human cancers. AAK’s critical role in cell division and its association with cancer make it a prominent drug target. Herein, series of advance computational approaches was utilized including multi-step molecular docking through AutoDock Vina and PLANTS docking to screen ChemDiv kinase-specific inhibitor library against AAK. Absolute binding energy was estimated, and finally, a molecular dynamics simulation study was conducted to screen out three hit compounds. Both docking studies revealed perfect binding of all identified ligands in active site pockets of AAK protein with similar amino acids of active sites as compared with standard BindingDB_50433632 compound and co-crystal ligand VX-680 binding mode of AAK protein. Therefore, it can be concluded that computational drug discovery approaches are meticulously implemented to identify potential AAKs inhibitors/modulators, and credential of the work was substantiated through the identification of three potential AAKs inhibitors/modulators that may hold significant promise for improving cancer management, however, need extensive biological assays or pre-clinical trials for assessing the efficacy profile of the identified compounds.</p
Digital financial inclusion in emerging economies: evidence from Jordan
Get PDFThis study explores the role of digital financial inclusion in mitigating poverty and bolstering economic growth, with a special focus on developing nations during the COVID-19 era. Centering on Jordan, it seeks to identify key influencers of financial access by analyzing data from 260 participants using a non-linear probit regression model. The research uncovers a significant disparity in financial inclusion between Jordanian adult males and females, attributable to differences in education, wealth, employment, and income levels. These findings point to the necessity of prioritizing financial accessibility for marginalized groups such as women, the elderly, and those with lower income to effectively combat poverty and facilitate economic advancement and sustainable development in emerging markets
Supporting adult unpaid carers via an online dancing intervention: a feasibility/acceptability study
Get PDFUnpaid carers often experience poor mental and physical health linked to their caring role. Engagement in physical activity has been shown to alleviate these negative health outcomes, but it is harder for carers to find the time, energy and space to exercise. This qualitative study, based in the UK, explored the feasibility of an online, dance-based physical activity intervention with six female unpaid carers. Five themes resulted from the thematic analysis of the pre- and post-intervention interviews: Perceived physical health benefits of the intervention; Perceived mental health benefits of the intervention; Satisfactoriness of the dance classes; Impact of caring responsibilities on participation; and Suggestions for future classes. Further research is required to measure the effectiveness of the dance intervention in improving mental and physical wellbeing with larger samples including a wider mix of carers in terms of gender, age and health conditions of the care recipients, as well as international samples. Future research should also consider the barriers that some carers may face when accessing an online intervention, and alternative forms of exercise that may appeal to other groups of carers (e.g., male carers, older adult carers)
Coachees’ experiences of integrating a self-selected soundtrack into a one-off coaching session
Get PDFArtistic media use in coaching has received growing interest in recent years with increased research and encouraging results. Music benefits wellbeing, aids new perspectives, and enhances embodiment, however, research on the use of music in coaching is limited. This study thematically analysed participants’ reflective texts (N=12) relating to their experience of a one-off coaching session that integrated a self-selected piece of music as a soundtrack related to the session topic. Results support previous literature on the subject, while also providing new findings that the soundtrack primed thinking for the session and was a motivational reminder of the session
Roots and wings:enabling a sense of identity, social inclusion and opportunities for growth in the Early Years curriculum
No full textThis chapter, written in the first person, will raise the question ‘What could and should an effective and inclusive Early Years curriculum look like if it is to be responsive to the needs and interests of young children?’ The author will draw from her own experience of working in the sector as a teacher and academic for many years – what she learnt about young children, their needs, interests and learning patterns along the way and how to create effective, responsive inclusive and engaging Early Years curricula that will give young children a really good start to their education. She will illustrate her narrative with short vignettes to exemplify important issues that arose for her and provided turning points in her own understanding of young children and their development
Person reference and a preference for association in emergency calls
Get PDFPerson reference is pervasive in talk. Conversation analytic work has identified preferences in person reference relating to recognitional reference. However, the principles shaping nonrecognitional reference are less well understood. We propose a preference for association in an institutional setting in which recognition is not relevant. Our data are calls to the New Zealand police emergency line that were institutionally classified as family harm. Using a collection methodology, we found that nonrecognitional person reference typically takes the form my x which directly associates speaker and referent, for example, “my partner,” “my ex-partner,” “my dad.” Initial references that suggest no association (e.g. “someone” or “an abusive guy”) were subsequently revised by callers using self-repair or targeted by call takers through questions that seek clarification about association. The shifts from nonassociative to associative references demonstrate participants’ orientations to the relevance of association and are evidence of a preference for association in the setting under examination. Data are in English
Exploring the tourism potential and innovative contributions of social enterprises in south-east Nigeria
No full textThis chapter explores the innovative ways social enterprises can contribute to uplifting the people in South-East Nigeria through tourism. It will consider how the tourism industry can help in mitigating the economic impact of the recent global economic downturn and the social impact UK BAME-led organizations can make in this regard. It will also look at some of the distinctive needs these organizations have and their limitations such as the lack of formal structures, governmental support, economies of scale, etc. Untapped potential is investigated and innovative ways of moving forward will be addressed
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