In Place / Out of Place: Punjabi-Sikhs in Reno, Nevada

Plenty of research has focused on major immigrant destination metropolitan areas (Singer, Hardwick, & Brettell, 2008); however, little work has focused on small to mid-sized urban areas and re-emerging immigrant gateways (Singer, 2015). The greater Reno metropolitan area in Nevada, which in the early 21st-century is one of the fastest-growing states in the nation, has re-emerged as an immigrant destination, yet it has been largely overlooked in scholarship. With this work, I fill the gap in the literature by exploring the lived experiences of an understudied, BIPOC transnational group (Punjabi-Sikhs) in a small to mid-sized and previously overlooked re-emerging immigrant gateway (the greater Reno area). This study investigated the socio-spatialities of Punjabi-Sikhs and their experiences with geographies of inclusion/exclusion during the early twenty-twenties, a period broadly characterized by the COVID-19 pandemic, a contentious political election, Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests, and a surge in neo-nationalism and anti-Asian sentiment. I argue that the national and international public issues that became ever more apparent in the early twenty-twenties uniquely affected BIPOC and migratory groups in re-emerging immigrant gateways and small to mid-sized urban areas and resulted in new and unexpected socio-spatialities and geographies of inclusion and exclusion. Specifically, this work focuses on how Punjabi-Sikhs experience and navigate these new and complex geographies in the greater Reno area of Northern Nevada. To better understand these complex geographies, this research focused on three topics: (1) how the lived experiences and socio-spatialities of Punjabi- Sikhs have been impacted and navigated, (2) the implications of losing transnational gathering spaces during the pandemic, and (3) how the Punjabi-Sikh body has been Othered in everyday spaces during this tumultuous period. The qualitative phenomenological analysis presented in this dissertation relied on participant observation, semistructured interviews, and focus groups with fifteen Punjabi-Sikh men and women who resided in the greater Reno area. Fieldwork was conducted during the 2020-2021 global pandemic, the 2020 presidential election, and the final year of Donald J. Trump’s presidency, a presidency widely described as embracing a neonationalistic agenda. When considering the current ever-changing social and political atmosphere, some general trends are evident: a consistent rise in anti-Muslim, anti-minority, and anti-immigrant discourse; increased xenophobic political rhetoric that translates into socio-spatial exclusion; and a lack of worldly knowledge among members of the general public that results in increased negative stereotyping and discrimination against Punjabi-Sikhs and other BIPOC and migratory communities. However, the findings of this research also show that Punjabi-Sikhs are incredibly resilient and have developed sophisticated strategies for navigating adverse social and political landscapes. Thus, this research highlights the strength acquired through resiliency by these communities into creative and effective solutions

Mental Imagery and Body Image in Female Varsity Rowers

This study explored the relationship between body image perceptions and mental imagery among female collegiate varsity rowers. More specifically, the study investigated the body image perceptions and use of mental imagery between high skilled and low skilled rowers. It was hypothesized that rowers with a positive body image would use a more external imagery perspective while those with a negative body image would employ more of an internal imagery perspective. It was also hypothesized that those having a higher skill level would be more likely to image themselves internally whereas those at a lower skill level would be more likely to image themselves externally. Finally, it was hypothesized that there would be no difference in imagery perspective between genders. A total of 24 subjects volunteered and completed the study: nineteen females and five males. Due to the few males that participated, the male data were omitted from all analyses. All subjects were sophomore, junior, or senior varsity rowers on a collegiate rowing team. Following informed consent, each rower completed three body image measures, two mental imagery measures, and a demographics questionnaire over a three day period. They also had anthropometric measurements taken of height, weight, skinfolds, and body circumference measures. The head coach completed a questionnaire, which asked the coach to rate each athlete\u27s technique, compare the athlete to previous athletes, and rank them in comparison to their current teammates. Athletes were then classified as high skilled or low skilled athletes based on their coach\u27s perception of technique rating and ranking as well as their ergometer performance on the rowing machine. After splitting the athletes into high and low skilled groups, a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with two levels was run. The results of this study found that the high and low skilled groups did not differ significantly in imagery perspective except for the kinesthetic portion of the Movement Imagery Questionnaire-Revised (MIQ-R). On two of the body image measures - the Body Esteem Scale (BES) and the Body Awareness Questionnaire (BAQ) - the groups did not significantly differ in any areas of body image. The third body image measure, the Physical Self Description Questionnaire (PSDQ), did show significance in one of the subcategories - PSDQ flexibility - but the other subcategories and the total score were not significantly different between groups. There were selected significant correlations between imagery scores and body awareness scores. In conclusion, the higher skilled rowers differed from the lower skilled group in only the MIQ-R kinesthetic scale and on the PSDQ flexibility scale. These results indicate only minimal differences between higher and lower skilled rowers in body image and a complex association among body image measures and imagery ability

Synthesis and characterization of novel copolymeric resveratrol conjugates

Resveratrol (RSV), naturally found in plants, is known to have health benefits and has been proposed as a potential anticancer and cardioprotective drug. However, due to its molecular structure, it undergoes rapid metabolism in the body resulting in low bioavailability. Novel polymeric methoxy-poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(e-caprolactone) (mPEG-PCL) RSV conjugates with varying PCL chain lengths have been synthesised and formulated into micelles and/or nanoparticles for preliminary in vitro stability studies. RSV conjugated with mPEG2000-PCL9500 was found to have improved solubility and stability of RSV as compared to RSV alone. The length of the PCL chain was found to affect the micelle formation, hence the stability in physiological buffers and rat plasma

A Stability Indicating HPLC Assay Method for Analysis of Rivastigmine Hydrogen Tartrate in Dual-Ligand Nanoparticle Formulation Matrices and Cell Transport Medium

The objective of this study was to develop and validate a method for quantitative analysis of rivastigmine hydrogen tartrate (RHT) in dual-ligand polymeric nanoparticle formulation matrices, drug release medium, and cellular transport medium. An isocratic HPLC analysis method using a reverse phase C 18 column and a simple mobile phase without buffer was developed, optimised, and fully validated. Analyses were carried out at a flow rate of 1.5 mL/min at 50°C and monitored at 214 nm. This HPLC method exhibited good linearity, accuracy, and selectivity. The recovery (accuracy) of RHT from all matrices was greater than 99.2%. The RHT peak detected in the samples of a forced degradation study, drug loading study, release study, and cellular transport study was pure and free of matrix interference. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) of the assay were 60 ng/mL and 201 ng/mL, respectively. The method was rugged with good intra- and interday precision. This stability indicating HPLC method was selective, accurate, and precise for analysing RHT loading and its stability in nanoparticle formulation, RHT release, and cell transport medium

The Regulatory Role Of Matrix Metalloproteinases In T Cell Activation

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)Introduction: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are known for their role in extracellular matrix remodeling, but their role in regulating intracellular immune cell function is unknown. We reported that MMP inhibition down regulated T cell proliferation in response to alloantigens and autoantigens; but the direct role of MMP involvement in T cell activation has not been reported. Methods: MMP deficient or MMP sufficient wild-type CD4+ or CD8+ T cells from C57BL/6 mice were treated with SB-3CT, a specific inhibitor of MMP2 and MMP9, stimulated with anti-CD3 Ab, alone, or with IL-2 or CD28. Cellular activation and cytokine profiles were examined. A mouse model of antigen specific T cell mediated lung injury was used to examine MMP inhibition in antigen-specific T cell mediated lung injury. Results: SB-3CT (1-25μM) induced dose-dependent reductions in anti-CD3 Ab-induced proliferation (p<0.0001). Compared to wild-type, MMP9-/- CD4+ and CD8+ T cells proliferated 80-85% less (p<0.001) in response to anti-CD3 Ab. Compared to untreated or wild-type cells, anti-CD3 Ab-induced calcium flux was enhanced in SB-3CT-treated or MMP9-/- CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Cytokine transcripts for IL-2, TNF-α and IFN-γ were reduced in both CD4+ and CD8+ MMP9-/- T cells, as well as in SB3CT treated CD4+ T cells. MMP inhibition dampened antigen-specific T cell mediated lung injury. Conclusions: Although known to be functional extracellularly, the current data suggest that MMPs function inside the cell to regulate intracellular signaling events involved in T cell activation. T cell targeted MMP inhibition may provide a novel approach of immune regulation in the treatment of T cell-mediated diseases. - David S. Wilkes, M.D., Chair

An Initial Look at America's Promise: Successes, Challenges and Opportunities

America's Promise is a pioneering initiative that seeks to address overall youth development by creating community-wide programming based on proven practices necessary for a successful childhood and adolescence. A few examples of these evidence-based program components include community service, mentoring and developing marketable skills. This brief report presents P/PV's preliminary analysis of how the effort took root in three Communities of Promise: Charlotte, North Carolina; Minneapolis, Minnesota; and San Francisco, California. It explores the successes, challenges and opportunities that have resulted from America's Promise

Influence of anatomical site and topical formulation on skin penetration of sunscreens

Sunscreen products are widely used to protect the skin from sun-related damage. Previous studies have shown that some sunscreen chemicals are absorbed across the skin to the systemic circulation. The current study shows that absorption into the skin of sunscreen chemicals applied to the face is up to four times greater than that of the same product applied to the back. This has implications for the way sunscreen products are formulated and may allow the use of less potent products on the face compared with the rest of the body. The effect of formulation vehicles on the release and skin penetration of the common sunscreen agent benzophenone-3 (common name oxybenzone) was also assessed. Penetration of benzophenone-3 across excised human epidermis and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) membrane was measured using in vitro Franz-type diffusion cells. Penetration and epidermal retention was measured following application of infinite and finite (epidermis only) doses of benzophenone-3 in five vehicles: liquid paraffin, coconut oil, 50:50 ethanol:coconut oil, aqueous cream BP, and oily cream BP. Highest benzophenone-3 skin retention was observed for the ethanol:coconut oil combination. Maximal and minimal benzophenone-3 fluxes were observed from liquid paraffin and coconut oil, respectively. The alcohol-based vehicle exhibited low benzophenone-3 release from the vehicle but high skin penetration and retention

Stabilization of resveratrol in blood circulation by conjugation to mPEG and mPEG-PLA polymers: Investigation of conjugate linker and polymer composition on stability, metabolism, antioxidant activity and pharmacokinetic profile

Resveratrol is naturally occurring phytochemical with diverse biological activities such as chemoprevention, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-oxidant. But undergoes rapid metabolism in the body (half life 0.13h). Hence Polymer conjugation utilizing different chemical linkers and polymer compositions was investigated for enhanced pharmacokinetic profile of resveratrol. Ester conjugates such as α-methoxy-ω-carboxylic acid poly(ethylene glycol) succinylamide resveratrol (MeO-PEGN-Succ-RSV) (2 and 20 kDa); MeO-PEG succinyl ester resveratrol (MeO-PEGO-Succ-RSV) (2 kDa); α-methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-co-polylactide succinyl ester resveratrol (MeO-PEG-PLAO-Succ-RSV) (2 and 6.6kDa) were prepared by carbodiimide coupling reactions. Resveratrol-PEG ethers (2 and 5 kDa) were synthesized by alkali-mediated etherification. All polymer conjugates were fully characterized in vitro and the pharmacokinetic profile of selected conjugates was characterized in rats. Buffer and plasma stability of conjugates was dependent on polymer hydrophobicity, aggregation behavior and PEG corona, with MeO-PEG-PLAO-Succ-RSV (2 kDa) showing a 3h half-life in rat plasma in vitro. Polymer conjugates irrespective of linker chemistry protected resveratrol against metabolism in vitro. MeO-PEG-PLAO-Succ-RSV (2 kDa), Resveratrol-PEG ether (2 and 5 kDa) displayed improved pharmacokinetic profiles with significantly higher plasma area under curve (AUC), slower clearance and smaller volume of distribution, compared to resveratrol

The phylogeny of Heliconia (Heliconiaceae) and the evolution of floral presentation

© 2016 Elsevier Inc. Heliconia (Heliconiaceae, order Zingiberales) is among the showiest plants of the Neotropical rainforest and represent a spectacular co-evolutionary radiation with hummingbirds. Despite the attractiveness and ecological importance of many Heliconia, the genus has been the subject of limited molecular phylogenetic studies. We sample seven markers from the plastid and nuclear genomes for 202 samples of Heliconia. This represents ca. 75% of accepted species and includes coverage of all taxonomic subgenera and sections. We date this phylogeny using fossils associated with other families in the Zingiberales; in particular we review and evaluate the Eocene fossil Ensete oregonense. We use this dated phylogenetic framework to evaluate the evolution of two components of flower orientation that are hypothesized to be important for modulating pollinator discrimination and pollen placement: resupination and erect versus pendant inflorescence habit. Our phylogenetic results suggest that the monophyletic Melanesian subgenus Heliconiopsis and a small clade of Ecuadorian species are together the sister group to the rest of Heliconia. Extant diversity of Heliconia originated in the Late Eocene (39 Ma) with rapid diversification through the Early Miocene, making it the oldest known clade of hummingbird-pollinated plants. Most described subgenera and sections are not monophyletic, though closely related groups of species, often defined by shared geography, mirror earlier morphological cladistic analyses. Evaluation of changes in resupination and inflorescence habit suggests that these characters are more homoplasious than expected, and this largely explains the non-monophyly of previously circumscribed subgenera, which were based on these characters. We also find strong evidence for the correlated evolution of resupination and inflorescence habit. The correlated model suggests that the most recent common ancestor of all extant Heliconia had resupinate flowers and erect inflorescences. Finally, we note our nearly complete species sampling and dated phylogeny allow for an assessment of taxonomic history in terms of phylogenetic diversity. We find approximately half of the currently recognized species, corresponding to half of the phylogenetic diversity, have been described since 1975, highlighting the continued importance of basic taxonomic research and conservation initiatives to preserve both described and undiscovered species of Heliconia

Minoxidil skin delivery from nanoemulsion formulations containing eucalyptol or oleic acid: Enhanced diffusivity and follicular targeting

In this work, we examined enhanced skin delivery of minoxidil applied in nanoemulsions incorporating skin penetration enhancers. Aliquots of fully characterized oil-in-water nanoemulsions (1 mL), containing minoxidil (2%) and the skin penetration enhancer oleic acid or eucalyptol as oil phases, were applied to full-thickness excised human skin in Franz diffusion cells, while aqueous solutions (1 mL) containing minoxidil were used as controls. Minoxidil in the stratum corneum (SC), hair follicles, deeper skin layers, and flux through the skin over 24 h was determined, as well as minoxidil solubility in the formulations and in the SC. The nanoemulsions significantly enhanced the permeation of minoxidil through skin compared with control solutions. The eucalyptol formulations (NE) promoted minoxidil retention in the SC and deeper skin layers more than did the oleic acid formulations, while the oleic acid formulations (NO) gave the greatest hair follicle penetration. Minoxidil maximum flux enhancement was associated with increases in both minoxidil SC solubility and skin diffusivity in both nanoemulsion systems. The mechanism of enhancement appeared to be driven largely by increased diffusivity, rather than increased partitioning into the stratum corneum, supporting the concept of enhanced fluidity and disruption of stratum corneum lipids