11 research outputs found
Running Away from the War in Ukraine: The Impact on Mental Health of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and Refugees in Transit in Poland
No full textA growing body of research highlights how communities traumatized by conflict and displacement suffer from long-term mental and psychosocial illnesses. The Russian army’s attack on Ukraine has resulted in an estimated 10 million people being internally or externally displaced from Ukraine, of whom more than 3.8 million have left Ukraine to seek refuge elsewhere in Europe. Soleterre has decided to launch an intervention to provide psychological support to Ukrainian refugees and IDPs, aimed at containing war trauma, assessing the severity of symptoms, and enabling those affected to receive psychological support. The intervention model envisioned the administration of an intake form to provide a rapid collection of qualitative and quantitative information for those arriving in Poland or Lviv from Ukraine. Our results showed how most of the samples reported high or very high levels of anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances. Moreover, results highlighted how being close to families or being able to keep in touch with them work as a protective factor in enhancing resilience, as well as a support network. These findings underscored the importance of re-thinking our perception of “family” in a broader sense, considering the new facets it can take on in post-conflict situations
Deep into the niche: Deciphering local endoderm-microenvironment interactions in development, homeostasis, and disease of pancreas and intestine
No full textThis is the Accepted Version of the following article: Szlachcic, W. J., Letai, K. C., Scavuzzo, M. A., & Borowiak, M. (2023). Deep into the niche: Deciphering local endoderm-microenvironment interactions in development, homeostasis, and disease of pancreas and intestine. BioEssays, 45, e2200186, which has been published at https://doi.org/10.1002/bies.202200186. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with the Wiley Self-Archiving Policy [http://www.wileyauthors.com/self-archiving].
The read-only version of Final Published Version can be accessed here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/share/author/3J48826BWNJ6KJPECKIR?target=10.1002/bies.202200186Unraveling molecular and functional heterogeneity of niche cells within the developing endoderm could resolve mechanisms of tissue formation and maturation. Here, we discuss current unknowns in molecular mechanisms underlying key developmental events in pancreatic islet and intestinal epithelial formation. Recent breakthroughs in single-cell and spatial transcriptomics, paralleled with functional studies in vitro, reveal that specialized mesenchymal subtypes drive the formation and maturation of pancreatic endocrine cells and islets via local interactions with epithelium, neurons and microvessels. Analogous to this, distinct intestinal niche cells regulate both epithelial development and homeostasis throughout life. We propose how this knowledge can be used to progress research in the human context using pluripotent stem cell-derived multilineage organoids. Overall, understanding the interactions between the multitude of microenvironmental cells and how they drive tissue development and function could help us make more therapeutically relevant in vitro models.Narodowe Centrum Nauki (OPUS UMO-2019/33/B/NZ3/01226, OPUS UMO-2020/37/B/NZ3/01917, OPUS UMO-2020/39/B/NZ3/01408 dla M.B., SONATA UMO-2021/43/D/NZ3/02294 dla W.J.Sz.), Fundacja na Rzecz Nauki Polskiej - Program TEAM (POIR.04.04.00-00-20C5/16-00) dla M.B., HHMI Hana Gray Fellowship i NYSCF Druckenmiller Fellowship dla M.A.S
Learning variable selection rules for the branch-and-bound algorithm using reinforcement learning
No full textMixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) is a generalization of classical linear programming where we restrict some (or all) variables to take integer values. Numerous real-world problems can be modeled as MILPs, such as production planning, scheduling, network design optimization and many more. MILPs are, in fact, NP-hard. State-of-the-art solvers use the branch-and-bound algorithm, an exact method that, in combination with a diverse mixture of heuristics, can tackle a fair range of practical problems. This algorithm sequentially partitions the search space using linear relaxations, thus creating a search tree. The exploration ends only when a solution, together with its proof of optimality, is found. The tree’s size can vary dramatically depending on the approach that is used to create it and explore it. One of the most influential decision-making strategies within the branch-and-bound algorithm is the branching rule, i.e., the criterion that is used to subdivide the search space. Currently, there is no mathematical understanding of this complex process. For this reason, all widely accepted branching rules are based on hand-crafted strategies which have been shown to perform well in practice. The work presented in this report is part of a blossoming line of research in the intersection of Combinatorial Optimization and Machine Learning. Specifically, we take further steps in the direction of branching rule discovery through machine learning techniques. In contrast to previously proposed methods which relied on supervised learning, we take the novel approach of leveraging a Reinforcement Learning (RL) algorithm. Our goal is to achieve a data-driven acceleration of the tree search. In this thesis, we lay the fundamental groundwork for the integration of RL into the branch-and-bound process. Through the proposed model, we gain insights on the benefits and limitations of RL, while improving on the state-of-the-art branching rules for a particular class of instances
Comparison of FTIR sampling methods used to identify polymers found in cultural heritage materials
No full textNon-invasive sampling methods are preferred when analyzing cultural heritage materials to determine chemical composition; common techniques include infrared (IR) spectroscopy utilizing external reflectance (ER) or attenuated total reflectance (ATR). However, in some instances, the complex three-dimensional shape of the object prevents the application of these techniques. For this study, the possibility of utilizing diffuse reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (DRIFTS) was evaluated. Specifically, various grits of sandpaper, 600 (coarsest) to 2000 (finest), were employed. Known polymers, including high density polyethylene (HDPE), polystyrene (PS), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), and Nylon 6,6 were abraded by the sandpaper; both systematic rubbing of the polymer against the sandpaper and rubbing of the sandpaper against the polymer were evaluated. The smallest possible amount of sample should be utilized; hence, microgram (μg) quantities were collected and measured using a microbalance. The quality of the resulting IR spectrum was carefully evaluated for each polymer. The major bands (peaks) of each IR spectrum were recorded and compared with reference spectra of the known polymers. The possible use of sandpaper in diffuse reflectance IR spectroscopy was investigated as a sampling method for polymer materials found in cultural heritage collections. The results using this method will be compared with the major vibrational modes (bands) detected using ER and ATR sampling techniques.Presented at the annual Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity while the author was an undergraduate student at Rutgers University-Camden
Characterization of polymers used in cultural heritage materials
No full textPlastics are polymers (repeating units) that can be semi- synthetic or synthetic. These materials can be manipulated to make films, fibers, or three-dimensional objects. Present day museum collections contain numerous objects partially or completely made with plastics. Initially, plastics were thought to have long-term physical and chemical stability. Contrary to original belief, plastics break down over time when they are exposed to air, moisture, light, and heat. These degrading plastics have the potential to compromise neighboring cultural heritage items in a collection. Identifying the composition of these plastic artifacts is needed to outline proper conservation strategies. Study objects, including buttons as shown in Figure 2, jewelry, and other design elements associated with historic textiles at the Philadelphia Museum of Art were analyzed and identified utilizing both the external reflection (ER) and attenuated total reflection (ATR) modules of the Bruker ALPHA FTIR spectrometer.Presented at the annual Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity while the author was an undergraduate student at Rutgers University-Camden
Use it and boost it: cognitive and physical activities modulate cognition via BDNF-TrkB signaling
No full textOur motto “Use it and boost it” suggests that stimulating experiences enhance neural functioning. Previous work has shown that cognition is enhanced by mental and physical activities. The current research examines the molecular mechanisms underlying cognitive and physical activity-induced enhancements in cognition. We found that cognitive and physical activity increased BDNF protein, BDNF-TrkB signaling, and BDNF release in the hippocampus and striatum. Our studies show that priming the brain with cognitive and physical activities enhance hippocampus- and striatum-sensitive learning via BDNF-TrkB signaling. In addition, we found that physical activity increases BDNF release in the striatum before and during task learning and in the hippocampus during task learning. To further identify the cell signaling mechanisms supporting cognitive activity-induced learning enhancements, we investigated how BDNF-TrkB signaling and learning contribute to GSK3β inhibition in the hippocampus and striatum. We found that GSK3β inhibition in the hippocampus and striatum increased following place and response training, but not the priming task SA. Furthermore, we found no effects of blockade of BDNF-TrkB signaling on GSK3β inhibition in the hippocampus and striatum. Thus, BDNF-TrkB signaling induced by cognitive priming is modulating place and response learning enhancements via non GSK3β-related mechanisms. Taken together, our results show that the molecular mechanisms underlying our motto of “Use it and Boost it” are functioning via use-induced increases in BDNF release, and signaling in the hippocampus and striatum.Item withdrawn by Laura Spradlin ([email protected]) on 2014-06-19T19:24:27Z
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A study of lattice reformulations for integer programming
No full textBranch-and-bound for integer optimization typically uses single-variable disjunctions. Enumerative methods for integer optimization with theoretical guarantees use a non-binary search tree with general disjunctions based on lattice structure. These disjunctions are expensive to compute and challenging to implement. Here we compare two lattice reformulations that can be used to heuristically obtain general disjunctions in the original space, we develop a new lattice-based variant, and compare the derived disjunctions computationally with those produced by the algorithm of Lovász and Scarf.</p
Optimal entanglement distribution policies in homogeneous repeater chains with cutoffs
No full textWe study the limits of bipartite entanglement distribution using a chain of
quantum repeaters that have quantum memories. To generate end-to-end
entanglement, each node can attempt the generation of an entangled link with a
neighbor, or perform an entanglement swapping measurement. A maximum storage
time, known as cutoff, is enforced on the memories to ensure high-quality
entanglement. Nodes follow a policy that determines when to perform each
operation. Global-knowledge policies take into account all the information
about the entanglement already produced. Here, we find global-knowledge
policies that minimize the expected time to produce end-to-end entanglement.
Our methods are based on Markov decision processes and value and policy
iteration. We compare optimal policies to a policy in which nodes only use
local information. We find that the advantage in expected delivery time
provided by an optimal global-knowledge policy increases with increasing number
of nodes and decreasing probability of successful swapping. Our work sheds
light on how to distribute entangled pairs in large quantum networks using a
chain of intermediate repeaters with cutoffs.Comment: 9 pages, 8 figures, 15 pages appendix with 10 figure
Hospital virtual libraries in Latin America and the Caribbean: A webometric analysis
No full textIntroduction: Information regarding hospital libraries in the United States, Canada and the European Union abounds. Little information however exists in the literature regarding hospital libraries in Latin America and the Caribbean. While new information and communication technologies (ict) are being transferred from developed to less developed countries and major emphasis is being placed worldwide on quality of health care, evidence based-medicine, and the use of information on the decision process mechanisms in the delivery of health care, little is known about the capability and empowerment of hospitals in less developed countries to respond to such needs.
Purpose: The purpose of this work is to present the preliminary results of a research in progress on the existing virtual positioning of electronic libraries among hospitals in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Method: A webometric analysis was conducted through the electronic search of those Latin American and Caribbean hospital websites hosting a virtual/electronic library available to their user community via the Internet. The study was limited to a search in Google, HotBot and Yahoo, in 2005. BIREME’s Virtual Health Libraries were excluded from the study, considering the available information on the development of this project.
Results: A total of 2,523 hospitals were identified, as reported by 34 Latin American and Caribbean countries. However, only 501(19.85%) hospitals reported an institutional website; 56 (11.18%) stated to have a library; and only 17 (3.39%) owned a virtual/electronic library. These countries were the following in descending order: Mexico, Argentina, and Venezuela.
Discussion: These preliminary results reflect the need to continue this work of research in order to establish a diagnosis of the existing situation in terms of infrastructure and ict developments so as to improve the access and use of scientific and technical information among hospitals. The paper discusses both, (1) the important role of BIREME’s effort in developing virtual accesses to health libraries in the region and (2) the different implications of this type of research to information providers; end-users; managers and librarians, among others in the health sector
Multi-analytical approach for the characterization of art materials used in Ben Wilson's haiku
No full textSince prehistoric times, paints have been used for decorative and practical purposes. In the twentieth century, the paint industry altered manufacturing techniques to improve household, industrial, and artistic uses. These changes have led to a variety of new pigments, additives, and binding components. In addition, some of these pigments are synthetic and they make analysis of paints used in artwork even more challenging. These complex mixtures have the potential to deteriorate over time and the integrity of the artwork, both visual and physical, is jeopardized. The characterization of these materials is essential for art conservation and restoration. Ben Wilson (1913-2001) was a talented contemporary artist born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania who is known for his vibrant, dynamic abstract paintings. A painting entitled Haiku from Ben Wilson’s Haiku series resides in the Rutgers Camden Collection of Art (RCCA) on Rutgers University’s Camden campus. Haiku was analyzed using micro-invasive and non-invasive techniques including Raman, external reflection Fourier transform infrared (ER-FTIR) spectroscopy, and X-ray fluorescence (XRF). This multi-analytical approach allowed for a detailed analysis of the composition of Haiku by Ben Wilson. The detection of art materials including calcite, vermillion, and ultramarine were supported by results across methods. In addition, FTIR analysis provided spectra indicative of poly(vinyl acetate) (PVA), a common binder for interior house paints.M.S.Includes bibliographical reference
