Strong Networks Grow Distance Learning

This article presents a snapshot of one state’s experience with connectivity from the early 1980s to the present and illustrates how distance learning has utilized that infrastructure to grow to serve more than 100,000 Ohioans. In early 1980s, most of Ohio’s telecommunications traffic traveled on dial-up connections. Ohio’s history of formidable statewide networking began in 1987, when Compuserve and OARnet (Ohio Academic Resources Network) were among few regional networks in existence. Through various mergers and acquisitions, Compuserve became Worldcom, AOL, MCI-Worldcom, and, finally, Verizon. OARnet became the Third Frontier Network (TFN) in 2004 and now is referred to as OSCnet and Broadband Ohio Network (BON). OARnet was created in 1987 by the Ohio Board of Regents to provide statewide connectivity to resources at the Ohio Supercomputer Center (OSC). In later years, the network extended support to the 89 member institutions of the Ohio Library and Information Network (OhioLINK), and the 83 colleges and universities of the Ohio Learning Network (OLN), a consortium offering blended, online, and distance education. OLN provides faculty development, infrastructure support via Collaborative Learning Environments (CLE), and various student support services and grants

Spitzer IRS Spectroscopy of the 10 Myr-old EF Cha Debris Disk: Evidence for Phyllosilicate-Rich Dust in the Terrestrial Zone

We describe Spitzer IRS spectroscopic observations of the 10 Myr-old star, EF Cha. Compositional modeling of the spectra from 5 {\mu}m to 35 {\mu}m confirms that it is surrounded by a luminous debris disk with LD/L\star ~ 10-3, containing dust with temperatures between 225 K and 430 K characteristic of the terrestrial zone. The EF Cha spectrum shows evidence for many solid-state features, unlike most cold, low-luminosity debris disks but like some other 10-20 Myr-old luminous, warm debris disks (e.g. HD 113766A). The EF Cha debris disk is unusually rich in a species or combination of species whose emissivities resemble that of finely powdered, laboratory-measured phyllosilicate species (talc, saponite, and smectite), which are likely produced by aqueous alteration of primordial anhydrous rocky materials. The dust and, by inference, the parent bodies of the debris also contain abundant amorphous silicates and metal sulfides, and possibly water ice. The dust's total olivine to pyroxene ratio of ~ 2 also provides evidence of aqueous alteration. The large mass volume of grains with sizes comparable to or below the radiation blow-out limit implies that planetesimals may be colliding at a rate high enough to yield the emitting dust but not so high as to devolatize the planetesimals via impact processing. Because phyllosilicates are produced by the interactions between anhydrous rock and warm, reactive water, EF Cha's disk is a likely signpost for water delivery to the terrestrial zone of a young planetary system.Comment: 21 pages, 10 figures, accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journa

Homocysteine as a potential biochemical marker for depression in elderly stroke survivors

Background: Elderly stroke survivors have been reported to be at risk of malnutrition and depression. Vitamin B-related metabolites such as methylmalonic acid and homocysteine have been implicated in depression. Objective: We conducted a study exploring the relationship between homocysteine and post-stroke depression. Design: Three methodologies were used: Observational cohort study of elderly Swedish patients (n=149) 1.5 years post-stroke, assessed using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Montgomery Åsberg Depression Rating Scale and serum blood levels of methylmalonic acid and homocysteine. Results: Homocysteine significantly correlated with depressive symptomatology in stroke survivors (β = 0.18*). Individuals with abnormal levels of methylmalonic acid and homocysteine were almost twice more likely to show depressive symptomatology than those with normal levels (depressive symptoms 22%; no depressive symptoms 12%). Comparison of methylmalonic acid and homocysteine levels with literature data showed fewer stroke survivors had vitamin deficiency than did reference individuals (normal range 66%; elevated 34%). Conclusions: Homocysteine is significantly associated with depressive symptomatology in elderly Swedish stroke survivors

Identification and characterisation of novel genes involved in skeletal muscle hypertrophy

There is mounting evidence in support of the view that skeletal muscle hypertrophy results from the complex and coordinated interaction of numerous signalling pathways. Well characterised components integral to skeletal muscle adaptation include the transcriptional activity of the members of the myogenic regulatory factors, numerous secreted peptide growth factors, and the regenerative potential of satellite cells. Whilst studies investigating isolated components or pathways have enhanced our current understanding of skeletal muscle hypertrophy, our knowledge of how all of these components react in concert to a common stimulus remains limited. The broad aim of this thesis was to identify and characterise novel genes involved in skeletal muscle hypertrophy. We have created a customised human skeletal muscle specific microarray which contains ∼11,000 cDNA clones derived from a normalised human skeletal muscle cDNA library as well as 270 genes with known functional roles in human skeletal muscle. The first aspect of this thesis describes the production of the microarray and evaluates the robustness and reproducibility of this analytical technique. Study one aimed to use this microarray in the identification of genes that are differentially expressed during the forced differentiation of human rhabdomyosarcoma cells, an in vitro model of skeletal muscle development. Firstly using this unique model of aberrant myogenic differentiation we aimed to identify genes with previously unidentified roles in myogenesis. Secondly, the data from this study permitted the examination of the performance of the microarray in detecting differential gene expression in a biological system. We identified several new genes with potential roles in the myogenic arrest of rhabdomyosarcoma and further characterised the expression of muscle specific genes in rhabdomyosarcoma differentiation. In study two, the molecular responses of cell cycle regulators, muscle regulatory factors, and atrophy related genes were mapped in response to a single bout of resistance exercise in human skeletal muscle. We demonstrated an increased expression of MyoD, myogenin and p21, whilst the expression of myostatin was decreased. The results of this study contribute to the existing body of knowledge on the molecular regulation skeletal muscle to a hypertrophic stimulus. In study three, the muscle samples collected in study two were analysed using the human skeletal muscle specific microarray for the identification of novel genes with potential roles in the hypertrophic process. The analysis uncovered four interesting genes (TXNIP, MLP, ASB5, FLJ 38973) that have not previously been examined in human skeletal muscle in response to resistance exercise. The functions of these genes and their potential roles in skeletal muscle are discussed. In study four, the four genes identified in study three were examined in human primary skeletal muscle cell cultures during myogenic differentiation. Human primary skeletal muscle cells were derived from the vastus lateralis muscle of 8 healthy volunteers (6 males and 2 females). Cell cultures were differentiated using serum withdrawal and serum withdrawal combined with IGF-1 supplementation. Markers of the cell proliferation, cell cycle arrest and myogenic differentiation were examined to assess the effectiveness of the differentiation stimulus. Additionally, the expressions of TXNIP, MLP, ASB5 and FLJ 38973 measured in an attempt to characterise further their roles in skeletal muscle. The expression of TXNIP changed markedly in response to both differentiation stimuli, whilst the expression of the remaining genes were not altered. Therefore it was suggested that expression of these genes might be responsive to the mechanical strain or contraction induced by the resistance exercise. In order to examine whether these novel genes responded specifically to resistance type exercise, their expression was examined following a single bout of endurance exercise. The expression of TXNIP, MLP, and FLJ 38973 remained unchanged whilst ASB5 increased 30 min following the cessation of the exercise

Defining and Characterizing Differences in College Alcohol Intervention Efficacy: A Growth Mixture Modeling Application

Objective: While college alcohol misuse remains a pervasive issue, individual-level interventions are among the most efficacious methodologies to reduce alcohol-related harms. Growth mixture modeling (GMM) was used as an exploratory moderation analysis to determine how many types of college drinkers exist with regard to intervention efficacy over a 12-month period. Method: Data from 3 randomized controlled trials were combined to yield a sample of 1,040 volunteer and mandated college students who were given 1 of 3 interventions: a brief motivational intervention, Alcohol Edu for Sanctions, or Alcohol 101 Plus. Participants were assessed at baseline, and 1, 6, and 12 months post intervention. Results: Through the examination of heavy drinking behaviors, piecewise GMM identified 6 subpopulations of drinkers. Most of the sample (76%) was lighter drinkers who demonstrated a strong intervention response, but returned to baseline behaviors over the subsequent 12 months. In contrast, 11% of the sample reported no significant change over the 12-month period. Four minority subpopulations were also identified. In sum, 82% of the sample responded to intervention, but 84% of the sample reported intervention decay over the subsequent 12 months. Female gender, being an, upperclassmen, beginning drinking later in life, not engaging in drinking games, and lower norms predicted a greater likelihood of responding to intervention. Conclusion: Individual-level interventions are successful at effecting change in most college students, but these effects tend to decay to baseline behaviors by 12 months. These results suggest intervention efforts need to find ways to engage freshmen men and those who play drinking games. Public Health Significance: This study suggests that there are distinct subgroups of college students defined by how they respond to alcohol intervention, and that interventions need to target freshmen men and those who play drinking games. Although most students initially response to intervention effects, most also show intervention decay over the next 12 months, which suggests that we need to determine ways of improving the long-term effects of alcohol interventions

Clarifying Observed Relationships Between Protective Behavioral Strategies and Alcohol Outcomes: The Importance of Response Options

Protective behavioral strategies (PBS), or harm-reduction behaviors that can potentially reduce alcohol consumption or associated problems, have been assessed in varied ways throughout the literature. Existing scales vary in focus (i.e., broad vs. narrow), and importantly, in response options (i.e., absolute frequency vs. contingent frequency). Absolute frequency conflates PBS use with number of drinking occasions, resulting in inconsistencies in the relationship between PBS use and alcohol outcomes, whereas contingent frequency is less precise, which could reduce power. The current study proposes the use of absolute frequencies to maximize precision, with an adjustment for number of drinking days to extricate PBS use from drinking occasions, resulting in a contingent score. Study 1 examined the associations between PBS subscales using the Strategy Questionnaire (Sugarman & Carey, 2007) and alcohol outcomes, finding that in raw score form the association between PBS and typical alcohol outcomes varied greatly from significantly positive to significantly negative, but adjusted score relationships were all consistent with harm reduction perspectives. In addition, curvilinear relationships with typical alcohol use were eliminated using the score adjustment, resulting in linear associations. Study 2 confirmed the findings from Study 1 with a more precise timeframe, additional alcohol assessments, and heavier college drinkers. The relationships between alcohol outcomes and PBS in raw score form were again varied, but became consistently negative using the score adjustment. Researchers examining PBS and related constructs should consider modifying current scales to include a precise frequency response scale that is adjusted to account for number of drinking occasions

Piloting the Alcohol Feedback, Reflection, and Morning Evaluation (A-FRAME) Program : A Smartphone-delivered Alcohol Intervention

Many college students engage in heavy drinking and experience negative consequences, but typically show little motivation to change their drinking behavior. Although personalized feedback interventions (PFIs) show promise, improved effect sizes, engagement, and potential for reach are needed. We developed and pilot-tested a theory-based, smartphone-delivered PFI for heavy-drinking college students that incorporated innovations, including a choice of feedback delivered in multiple doses that occur close in time to drinking events. In an open trial, we delivered the 4-week intervention to 18 heavy-drinking students, followed by individual interviews of participants’ experience. Feasibility was demonstrated by high enrollment and response rates, and acceptability was demonstrated by positive participant ratings and interview responses. Results will inform efforts to continue to develop this novel and scalable mobile intervention for alcohol misuse among college students, with potential impact for the public health problem of high-risk drinking

Sustained inflammation 1.5 years post-stroke is not associated with depression in elderly stroke survivors

Background: Depression is common in elderly stroke survivors and has been associated with systemic inflammation. We aimed to investigate an elderly population of Swedish stroke patients for evidence of sustained peripheral inflammation 18 months post-stroke and to identify if inflammation is associated with post-stroke depression at 18 months post-stroke. Methods: The Barthel Index was used to measure the level of impairment in activities of daily living at 3 days post-stroke. Serum concentrations of inflammation markers, ie, C-reactive protein and white cell count, were measured in 149 stroke patients (mean age 81 ± 5.33 years, 35% male) at 18 months post-stroke, and a comparison was made with an age-matched sample of elderly Swedish individuals who had not suffered a stroke. At the same visit, clinical depression was diagnosed according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition-Revised criteria. Severity of depression was assessed using the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). Results: Mean C-reactive protein and white cell count levels in stroke patients were significantly elevated at 18 months post-stroke compared with population probands. Disability scores were associated with MADRS depression scores, but C-reactive protein and white cell count were not. Conclusion: We found evidence for a sustained peripheral inflammatory response at 18 months post-stroke. C-reactive protein and white cell count were not associated with depression in this study