Visual narratives and the portrait busts of Edmonia Lewis

Title from PDF of title page, viewed on January 20, 2011.Thesis advisor: Frances Connelly.Vita.Includes bibliographic references (pages 53-58).Thesis (M.A.)--Dept. of Art and Art History. University of Missouri--Kansas City, 2010.This study considers the social and historical significance of the extant portrait busts sculpted by Edmonia Lewis. The Afro-Native American artist is best known for her thematic sculptures such as Forever Free (1867), Hagar (1875), and Death of Cleopatra (1876). The academic attention paid to these works obscures the fact that portrait busts account for over a third of her artistic output. Consequently, Lewis's portrait busts have not received a concentrated analysis. Who were the individuals portrayed? What were their relationships to the artist? Using Lewis's bust of James Peck Thomas (1874), her only existing portrait of an African-American patron as a case study, this study explores these two questions in depth. Drawing primarily from unpublished court documents, Thomas's autobiography as well as newspaper articles, this examination opens a unique window into the individual lives of Lewis's subjects, thereby expanding our knowledge of nineteenth-century American visual and cultural history.College of Arts and SciencesIntroduction -- James Peck Thomas -- Historical Analysis -- Appendixmonographi

Analysis of Superconducting Qubit Layouts Using InductEx

InductEx is a software tool used for the analysis of integrated circuit designs and extraction of design parameters by way of numerical electromagnetic field solving. This tool was originally developed with Rapid Single Flux Quantum (RSFQ) chips in mind, but it has a broad applicability and can be extended to other processes. In this poster, we report a comprehensive analysis of a superconducting aluminum two qubit chip. This analysis was performed with InductEx. We report the design of a two qubit chip which has the characteristics necessary to execute single and two qubit gates. Ahead of fabrication, several design characteristics have been extracted from this quantum chip design in order to verify that it satisfies basic design principles of transmon qubits. These characteristics are reported in this poster and they include the calculation of chip anharmonicities, qubit frequencies, resonator frequencies as well as g-factors and dispersive shifts. Design constraints which are satisfied by these extracted parameters are discussed. Additionally, qualitative aspects of the chip have been obtained from current density maps and are reported here. Taken as a whole, this analysis demonstrates the broad applicability of Inductex to integrated circuit design and particularly to the problem of quantum circuit layout optimization.Comment: Accepted for publication at 2023 IEEE International Conference on Quantum Computing and Engineering (QCE

Alarmins in frozen shoulder: a molecular association between inflammation and pain

Background: The pathophysiological mechanisms behind proliferation of fibroblasts and deposition of dense collagen matrix in idiopathic frozen shoulder remain unclear. Alarmins (also known as danger signals) are endogenous molecules that are released into the extracellular milieu after infection or tissue injury and that signal cell and tissue damage. Purpose: To investigate whether the presence of alarmins is higher in patients with idiopathic frozen shoulder than in control subjects. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Shoulder capsule samples were collected from 10 patients with idiopathic frozen shoulder and 10 patients with unstable shoulders (control). The samples were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and analyzed by immunohistochemistry using antibodies against alarmin molecules including high-mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1), interleukin 33, S100A8, S100A9, and the peripheral nerve marker PGP9.5. Immunoreactivities were rated in a blinded fashion from “none” to “strong.” Immunohistochemical distribution within the capsule was noted. Before surgery, patient-ranked pain frequency, severity, stiffness, and the range of passive shoulder motion were recorded and statistically analyzed. Results: Compared with control patients, patients with frozen shoulder had greater frequency and severity of self-reported pain (P = .02) and more restricted range of motion in all planes (P < .05). H&E-stained capsular tissue from frozen shoulder showed fibroblastic hypercellularity and increased subsynovial vascularity. Immunoreactivity of alarmins was significantly stronger in frozen shoulder capsules compared with control capsules (P < .05). Furthermore, the expression of the alarmin molecule HMGB1 significantly correlated (r > 0.9, P < .05) with the severity of patient-reported pain. Conclusion: This study demonstrates a potential role for key molecular danger signals in frozen shoulder and suggests an association between the expression of danger molecules and the pain experienced by patients

Targeting danger molecules in tendinopathy: the HMGB1/TLR4 axis

Objectives: To seek evidence of the danger molecule, high-mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1) expression in human tendinopathy and thereafter, to explore mechanisms where HMGB1 may regulate inflammatory mediators and matrix regulation in human tendinopathy. Methods: Torn supraspinatus tendon (established pathology) and matched intact subscapularis tendon (representing ‘early pathology’) biopsies were collected from patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery. Control samples of subscapularis tendon were collected from patients undergoing arthroscopic stabilisation surgery. Markers of inflammation and HMGB1 were quantified by reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry. Human tendon-derived primary cells were derived from hamstring tendon tissue obtained during hamstring tendon anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and used through passage 3. In vitro effects of recombinant HMGB1 on tenocyte matrix and inflammatory potential were measured using quantitative RT-PCR, ELISA and immunohistochemistry staining. Results: Tendinopathic tissues demonstrated significantly increased levels of the danger molecule HMGB1 compared with control tissues with early tendinopathy tissue showing the greatest expression. The addition of recombinant human HMGB1 to tenocytes led to significant increase in expression of a number of inflammatory mediators, including interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-33, CCL2 and CXCL12, in vitro. Further analysis demonstrated rhHMGB1 treatment resulted in increased expression of genes involved in matrix remodelling. Significant increases were observed in Col3, Tenascin-C and Decorin. Moreover, blocking HMGB1 signalling via toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) silencing reversed these key inflammatory and matrix changes. Conclusion: HMGB1 is present in human tendinopathy and can regulate inflammatory cytokines and matrix changes. We propose HMGB1 as a mediator driving the inflammatory/matrix crosstalk and manipulation of the HMGB1/TLR4 axis may offer novel therapeutic approaches targeting inflammatory mechanisms in the management of human tendon disorders

Assurance Requirements Compliance for the Greater Confinement Disposal Boreholes, Area 5 Radioactive Waste Management Site, Nevada Test Site

This paper addresses deficiencies identified with the. Performance Assessment for Greater Confinement Disposal (GCD) Boreholes compliance with the Title 40 Code of federal Regulations (CFR) Part 191.14, "Assurance Requirements" (CFR, 1985). The Transuransic Waste Disposal Federal Review Group (TFRG). and U.S Department of Energy Headquarters , need to concur that the assurance requirements have been met at the time of closure of the Area 5 Radioactive Waste Management Site

Uneven Distribution of MHC Class II Epitopes within the Influenza Virus

The identification of T cell epitopes is crucial for the understanding of the host immune response during infection. While much is known about the MHC class I-restricted response following influenza virus infection of C57BL/6 mice, with over 16 CD8 epitopes identified to date, less is known about the MHC class II-restricted response. Currently, only a few I-Ab-restricted T helper epitopes have been identified. Therefore, several important questions remain about how many class II epitopes exist in this system and whether these epitopes are evenly distributed within the most abundant viral proteins. In order to address these questions, we analyzed the repertoire of epitopes that drive the CD4b T cell response to influenza virus infection in C57BL/6 (H-2b) mice. Using a panel of overlapping peptides from each of the viral proteins we show that approximately 20–30 epitopes drive the CD4 T cell response and that the majority of these peptides are derived from the NP and HA proteins. We were also able to demonstrate that vaccination with one of the newly identified epitopes, HA211–225/Ab, resulted in increased epitope-specific T cell numbers and a significant reduction in viral titers following influenza virus challenge

Uneven Distribution of MHC Class II Epitopes within the Influenza Virus

The identification of T cell epitopes is crucial for the understanding of the host immune response during infection. While much is known about the MHC class I-restricted response following influenza virus infection of C57BL/6 mice, with over 16 CD8 epitopes identified to date, less is known about the MHC class II-restricted response. Currently, only a few I-Ab-restricted T helper epitopes have been identified. Therefore, several important questions remain about how many class II epitopes exist in this system and whether these epitopes are evenly distributed within the most abundant viral proteins. In order to address these questions, we analyzed the repertoire of epitopes that drive the CD4b T cell response to influenza virus infection in C57BL/6 (H-2b) mice. Using a panel of overlapping peptides from each of the viral proteins we show that approximately 20–30 epitopes drive the CD4 T cell response and that the majority of these peptides are derived from the NP and HA proteins. We were also able to demonstrate that vaccination with one of the newly identified epitopes, HA211–225/Ab, resulted in increased epitope-specific T cell numbers and a significant reduction in viral titers following influenza virus challenge

Systematic review of the performance of HIV viral load technologies on plasma samples.

BACKGROUND: Viral load (VL) monitoring is the standard of care in developing country settings for detecting HIV treatment failure. Since 2010 the World Health Organization has recommended a phase-in approach to VL monitoring in resource-limited settings. We conducted a systematic review of the accuracy and precision of HIV VL technologies for treatment monitoring. METHODS AND FINDINGS: A search of Medline and Embase was conducted for studies evaluating the accuracy or reproducibility of commercially available HIV VL assays. 37 studies were included for review including evaluations of the Amplicor Monitor HIV-1 v1.5 (n = 25), Cobas TaqMan v2.0 (n = 11), Abbott RealTime HIV-1 (n = 23), Versant HIV-1 RNA bDNA 3.0 (n = 15), Versant HIV-1 RNA kPCR 1.0 (n = 2), ExaVir Load v3 (n = 2), and NucliSens EasyQ v2.0 (n = 1). All currently available HIV VL assays are of sufficient sensitivity to detect plasma virus levels at a lower detection limit of 1,000 copies/mL. Bias data comparing the Abbott RealTime HIV-1, TaqMan v2.0 to the Amplicor Monitor v1.5 showed a tendency of the Abbott RealTime HIV-1 to under-estimate results while the TaqMan v2.0 overestimated VL counts. Compared to the Amplicor Monitor v1.5, 2-26% and 9-70% of results from the Versant bDNA 3.0 and Abbott RealTime HIV-1 differed by greater than 0.5log10. The average intra and inter-assay variation of the Abbott RealTime HIV-1 were 2.95% (range 2.0-5.1%) and 5.44% (range 1.17-30.00%) across the range of VL counts (2log10-7log10). CONCLUSIONS: This review found that all currently available HIV VL assays are of sufficient sensitivity to detect plasma VL of 1,000 copies/mL as a threshold to initiate investigations of treatment adherence or possible treatment failure. Sources of variability between VL assays include differences in technology platform, plasma input volume, and ability to detect HIV-1 subtypes. Monitoring of individual patients should be performed on the same technology platform to ensure appropriate interpretation of changes in VL. Prospero registration # CD42013003603

Systematic review of the use of dried blood spots for monitoring HIV viral load and for early infant diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: Dried blood spots (DBS) have been used as alternative specimens to plasma to increase access to HIV viral load (VL) monitoring and early infant diagnosis (EID) in remote settings. We systematically reviewed evidence on the performance of DBS compared to plasma for VL monitoring and EID. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Thirteen peer reviewed HIV VL publications and five HIV EID papers were included. Depending on the technology and the viral load distribution in the study population, the percentage of DBS samples that are within 0.5 log of VL in plasma ranged from 52-100%. Because the input sample volume is much smaller in a blood spot, there is a risk of false negatives with DBS. Sensitivity of DBS VL was found to be 78-100% compared to plasma at VL below 1000 copies/ml, but this increased to 100% at a threshold of 5000 copies/ml. Unlike a plasma VL test which measures only cell free HIV RNA, a DBS VL also measures proviral DNA as well as cell-associated RNA, potentially leading to false positive results when using DBS. The systematic review showed that specificity was close to 100% at DBS VL above 5000 copies/ml, and this threshold would be the most reliable for predicting true virologic failure using DBS. For early infant diagnosis, DBS has a sensitivity of 100% compared to fresh whole blood or plasma in all studies. CONCLUSIONS: Although limited data are available for EID, DBS offer a highly sensitive and specific sampling strategy to make viral load monitoring and early infant diagnosis more accessible in remote settings. A standardized approach for sampling, storing, and processing DBS samples would be essential to allow successful implementation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO Registration #: CRD42013003621