Developmental networks : influencing the early career choices of emerging adults serving in campus ministry

https://place.asburyseminary.edu/ecommonsatsdissertations/2488/thumbnail.jp

CATIONIC CRYPTAND COMPLEXES OF GERMANIUM(II) AND TIN(II): SYNTHESIS AND REACTIVITY

The synthesis, structural characterization and reactivity of cryptand complexed tin(II) cations (43-46), as well as the reactivity of a cryptand complexed germanium dication 36, are examined in this thesis. A series of tin(II) cations were synthesized by the addition of cryptand[2.2.2] to a solution of a tin(II) precursor (SnCU, S11I2 or Sn(OTf)2), resulting in the formation of 43, 45 and 46, respectively. An alternative synthetic route for 45 and 46, and the .primary route for 44, involved the addition of the appropriate trimethylsilyl reagent to a solution of cryptand[2.2.2] and SnC^ to perform a halide/pseudohalide exchange. The reactivity of 36, 43 and 44 were examined as synthons for Ge(II) and Sn(II) compounds. Compound 36 was reacted with a variety of anionic and neutral reagents in the presence of known germylene trapping reagents: N-heterocyclic carbene, 2,3- dimethylbutadiene (DMB) and 3,5-di-tert-butyl ori/jo-quinone (3,5-D\u27BoQ). The addition of acetylacetone (acac), dibenzoylmethane and their conjugate bases to the cations 36, 43 or 46 was also studied in the absence of a trapping reagent. Anionic or neutral reagents with a low pKa (~9) are required to add to the germanium or tin. The NHC appeared to trap the germylene in good yield, whereas DMB did not give the predicted adduct. Attempts to abstract the halide from 43, 44 and 45 as well as competition reactions between [(15-crown-5)2Sn][OTf]2 and 46 are also examined

Effect of Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Osteoarthritis of the Knee

Osteoarthritis of the knee is one the most common sources of chronic pain due to altered joint function.1 Current treatment modalities offer short term relief of symptoms but lack long term aid and regenerative properties.1 Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) offer regenerative and anti-inflammatory properties and can be collected from umbilical cord blood, adipose tissue, or bone marrow.4 The three studies included were all randomized controlled trials within the past 10 years that each utilized more than 30 participants who had a diagnosis of osteoarthritis and a mean age above 50 years old. MSCs were compared to corticosteroid injections, hyaluronic acid injections, and placebo. Primary results were assessed using symptom evaluation indices such as Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS). All treatment modalities showed some level of symptom relief at six months; however, MSCs demonstrated continuing and improving scores at 12 months while all other treatment modalities decreased or returned to near baseline levels. Further investigation with larger sample sizes and longer follow up intervals are warranted to fully confirm the benefits of MSCs in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis

Vascular Health in American Football Players: Cardiovascular Risk Increased in Division III Players

Studies report that football players have high blood pressure (BP) and increased cardiovascular risk. There are over 70,000 NCAA football players and 450 Division III schools sponsor football programs, yet limited research exists on vascular health of athletes. This study aimed to compare vascular and cardiovascular health measures between football players and nonathlete controls. Twenty-three athletes and 19 nonathletes participated. Vascular health measures included flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT). Cardiovascular measures included clinic and 24 hr BP levels, body composition, VO2 max, and fasting glucose/cholesterol levels. Compared to controls, football players had a worse vascular and cardiovascular profile. Football players had thicker carotid artery IMT (0.49 ± 0.06 mm versus 0.46 ± 0.07 mm) and larger brachial artery diameter during FMD (4.3 ± 0.5 mm versus 3.7 ± 0.6 mm), but no difference in percent FMD. Systolic BP was significantly higher in football players at all measurements: resting (128.2 ± 6.4 mmHg versus 122.4 ± 6.8 mmHg), submaximal exercise (150.4 ± 18.8 mmHg versus 137.3 ± 9.5 mmHg), maximal exercise (211.3 ± 25.9 mmHg versus 191.4 ± 19.2 mmHg), and 24-hour BP (124.9 ± 6.3 mmHg versus 109.8 ± 3.7 mmHg). Football players also had higher fasting glucose (91.6 ± 6.5 mg/dL versus 86.6 ± 5.8 mg/dL), lower HDL (36.5±11.2 mg/dL versus 47.1±14.8 mg/dL), and higher body fat percentage (29.2±7.9% versus 23.2±7.0%). Division III collegiate football players remain an understudied population and may be at increased cardiovascular risk

Trends in E-Cigarette and Tobacco Cigarette Purchasing Behaviors by Youth in the United States, Canada, and England, 2017–2022

Objectives: This paper describes trends in youth e-cigarette (EC) and tobacco cigarette (TC) purchasing behaviors in Canada, England, and the United States (US) in relationship to changing minimum legal age (MLA) laws.Methods: Data are from eight cross-sectional online surveys among national samples of 16- to 19-year-olds in Canada, England, and the US conducted from 2017 to 2022 (N = 104,467). Average wave percentage change in EC and TC purchasing prevalence and purchase locations were estimated using Joinpoint regressions.Results: EC purchasing increased between 2017 and 2022, although the pattern of change differed by country. EC purchasing plateaued in 2019 for the US and in 2020 for Canada, while increasing through 2022 for England. TC purchasing declined sharply in the US, with purchasing from traditional retail locations declining, while purchasing from social sources increased. Vape shops were the most common location for EC purchasing, although declining in England and the US.Conclusion: Trends in EC and TC purchasing trends in the US are consistent with the expected impact of the federal MLA law increasing the legal age to 21 years in December 2019

Impact of Surface Ligand on the Biocompatibility of InP/ZnS Quantum Dots with Platelets

InP/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) have received a large focus in recent years as a safer alternative to heavy metal-based QDs. Given their intrinsic fluorescent imaging capabilities, these QDs can be potentially relevant for in vivo platelet imaging. The InP/ZnS QDs are synthesized and their biocompatibility investigated through the use of different phase transfer agents. Analysis of platelet function indicates that platelet-QD interaction can occur at all concentrations and for all QD permutations tested. However, as the QD concentration increases, platelet aggregation is induced by QDs alone independent of natural platelet agonists. This study helps to define a range of concentrations and coatings (thioglycolic acid and penicillamine) that are biocompatible with platelet function. With this information, the platelet-QD interaction can be identified using multiple methods. Fluorescent lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) and confocal studies have shown QDs localize on the surface of the platelet toward the center while showing evidence of energy transfer within the QD population. It is believed that these findings are an important stepping point for the development of fluorescent probes for platelet imaging

Convective and Wave Signatures in Ozone Profiles Over the Equatorial Americas: Views from TC4 (2007) and SHADOZ

During the months of July-August 2007 NASA conducted a research campaign called the Tropical Composition, Clouds and Climate Coupling (TC4) experiment. Vertical profiles of ozone were measured daily using an instrument known as an ozonesonde, which is attached to a weather balloon and launch to altitudes in excess of 30 km. These ozone profiles were measured over coastal Las Tablas, Panama (7.8N, 80W) and several times per week at Alajuela, Costa Rica (ION, 84W). Meteorological systems in the form of waves, detected most prominently in 100- 300 in thick ozone layer in the tropical tropopause layer, occurred in 50% (Las Tablas) and 40% (Alajuela) of the soundings. These layers, associated with vertical displacements and classified as gravity waves ("GW," possibly Kelvin waves), occur with similar stricture and frequency over the Paramaribo (5.8N, 55W) and San Cristobal (0.925, 90W) sites of the Southern Hemisphere Additional Ozonesondes (SHADOZ) network. The gravity wave labeled layers in individual soundings correspond to cloud outflow as indicated by the tracers measured from the NASA DC-8 and other aircraft data, confirming convective initiation of equatorial waves. Layers representing quasi-horizontal displacements, referred to as Rossby waves, are robust features in soundings from 23 July to 5 August. The features associated with Rossby waves correspond to extra-tropical influence, possibly stratospheric, and sometimes to pollution transport. Comparison of Las Tablas and Alajuela ozone budgets with 1999-2007 Paramaribo and San Cristobal soundings shows that TC4 is typical of climatology for the equatorial Americas. Overall during TC4, convection and associated meteorological waves appear to dominate ozone transport in the tropical tropopause layer

Pediatric pan-central nervous system tumor analysis of immune-cell infiltration identifies correlates of antitumor immunity

Here, using methylCIBERSORT, the authors characterize the tumour-immune microenvironment of paediatric central nervous system (CNS) tumours and its association with tumour type and prognosis. These findings suggest that immuno-methylomic profiling may inform immunotherapy approaches in paediatric patients with CNS tumour