Estimates of cusp forms for certain co-compact arithmetic subgroups

In this article, we derive a sub convexity estimate of Hecke eigen cusp forms associated to certain cocompact arithmetic subgroups of SL(2,R). The main result can be considered as the holomorphic version of the estimate of Hecke eigen Maass forms, derived in a famous paper of Iwaniec and Sarnak. A stronger estimate was derived by Khayutin and Steiner in arXiv:2009.07194. However, techniques used in both the papers are very different. <br

A novel patch micro electrode array for sensing ionic membrane currents

Ionic membrane currents play an important role during regeneration of nerve cells, embryonic development and wound healing processes. Measuring the intracellular ion currents across the cell membrane is important in understanding the cellular functions related to the ion activities. A novel patch micro electrode array (p-MEA) for measuring the ionic membrane currents without poisoning the cells due to emitting metal ions is described in this paper. Results on biocompatibility of the device are presented. We discuss the fabrication and working principle of p-MEA

Recertification guidelines for Massachusetts educators

The incorporation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) is essential for generating in vitro models that truly represent the microarchitecture found in human tissues. However, the cell-cell and cell-ECM interactions in vitro remains poorly understood in placental trophoblast biology. We investigated the effects of varying the surface properties (surface thickness and stiffness) of two ECMs, collagen I and Matrigel, on placental trophoblast cell morphology, viability, proliferation, and expression of markers involved in differentiation/syncytial fusion. Most notably, thicker Matrigel surfaces were found to induce the self-assembly of trophoblast cells into 3D spheroids that exhibited thickness-dependent changes in viability, proliferation, syncytial fusion, and gene expression profiles compared to two-dimensional cultures. Changes in F-actin organization, cell spread morphologies, and integrin and matrix metalloproteinase gene expression profiles, further reveal that the response to surface thickness may be mediated in part through cellular stiffness-sensing mechanisms. Our derivation of self-assembling trophoblast spheroid cultures through regulation of ECM surface alone contributes to a deeper understanding of cell-ECM interactions, and may be important for the advancement of in vitro platforms for research or diagnostics

International Conference on Analytic and Algebraic Geometry held at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research and the University of Hyderabad

This volume is an outcome of the International conference held in Tata Institute of Fundamental Research and the University of Hyderabad. There are fifteen articles in this volume. The main purpose of the articles is to introduce recent and advanced techniques in the area of analytic and algebraic geometry. This volume attempts to give recent developments in the area to target mainly young researchers who are new to this area. Also, some research articles have been added to give examples of how to use these techniques to prove new results

Hands-on teaching, shadowing, and supported learning through acute clinics to help improve the confidence of and meet training needs for junior doctors working in ear, nose, and throat surgery

Saraswati Aryasomayajula,1 Amit Raithatha,1 Matthew Haywood,2 Ravi Jobanputra,2 Rujuta Roplekar,1 Vikas Acharya1 1Department of ENT Surgery, Luton and Dunstable University Hospital, Luton, UK; 2Department of ENT Surgery, Lister Hospital, Stevenage, UK Background: Ear, nose, and throat (ENT) surgery is a niche and unique specialty that has been recognized as being poorly taught throughout medical school and postgraduate training. Junior doctors who rotate into this specialty often find it hard and struggle to manage patients.Aims: The aim of this study was to devise a junior doctor-focused induction program with specific emphasis on shadowing and partnered working to improve confidence and competence.Methods: Feedback from previous trainees was used to identify valuable training opportunities within the 4-month rotation. Trainers identified clinical areas where supported learning could be delivered. Trainees were allocated to rotate between theater, ward, on-call shifts, and acute clinics. The degree of time spent in each area was analyzed in order to balance service provision vs learning needs. Furthermore, novel strategies were introduced in each session to maximize learning experiences. Junior doctors were aware of the opportunities that would be available to them at the start of the rotation. In order to assess whether the aims were met, a questionnaire survey was used to assess exposure to core ENT practical skills and junior doctors&rsquo; confidence levels in carrying them out unsupervised.Results: Junior doctors spent 40% of their time assessing new acute admissions. Twenty percent of time was spent in ENT clinic, but novel practical methods of induction were introduced such as 1&nbsp;week of directly supervised shadowing, followed by a transition period with regular debrief. A three-stage model was used to offer training in practical procedures in the clinical setting. Over&nbsp;half of the trainees felt confident in undertaking 50% of the core ENT procedures unsupervised.Conclusion: Our study reveals that giving junior doctors a relevant, focused and appropriate induction helps orientate them, give them the opportunity to ask questions, and also find their grounding in order to begin working. Having dedicated time to shadow and be with a colleague to assess and treat patients initially, with ongoing telephone and in person support, ensured that their confidence and competence improved very quickly. It also improved workplace satisfaction and motivated doctors to undertake self-directed learning and improve and enhance their skills beyond the minimum. Keywords: medical education, improving confidence, junior doctor training, foundation training, transition

Thick Matrigel leads to decreased F-actin cell spread areas.

<p>(A) Immunofluorescent images of Phalloidin staining at days 3 and 7 across various surface thicknesses. Red fluorescence indicates phalloidin staining for F-actin and blue fluorescence indicates DAPI staining for cell nuclei. Images were taken at 20x magnification and scale bar indicates 100 μm. Average cell spread areas as determined by quantifying the normalized binary area of phalloidin stain at (B) day 3 and (C) day 7. Significant differences between treatment groups determined by one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post-test; n = 3. Significant differences between means determined by post-tests were indicated by *** (p<0.001).</p

Immunofluorescent staining of E-Cadherin and DAPI to visualize syncytial fusion.

<p>BeWo cells grown on (A) 2D, (B) thin Matrigel, or (C) thick Matrigel surfaces. Green fluorescence indicates E-Cadherin staining and blue fluorescence indicates DAPI staining for cell nuclei. Images were taken at 20x magnification and scale bar indicates 100 μm.</p

Gene expression profiling of cellular stiffness response to ECM surface thickness.

<p>Normalized mRNA levels of (A) <i>ITGA1</i>, (B) <i>ITGA5</i>, (C) <i>ITGAV</i>, (D) <i>ITGB3</i>, (E) <i>MMP2</i>, (F) <i>MMP9</i>, (G) <i>TIMP1</i>, and (H) <i>TIMP2</i>. Significant differences between treatment groups determined by one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post-test; n≥3. Significant differences between means determined by post-tests were indicated by * (p<0.05), ** (p<0.01), or *** (p<0.001).</p