Computer Science Unit

A collection of ten computer science lesson plans, aligned with Massachusetts Digital Literacy and Computer Science Standards, developed for an after school program

Synthèse de nouveaux dérivés glycoconjugués de la podophyllotoxine

La glycochimie est un domaine qui prend de plus en plus d'expansion en chimie bioorganique et médicinale. Les glucides, étant la classe de biomolécules la plus répandue, sont des composants de plusieurs molécules bioactives naturelles et synthétiques. Ils présentent notamment un intérêt dans l'industrie pharmaceutique, puisqu'ils peuvent améliorer différentes propriétés pharmacocinétiques de certains composés. À ce jour, plus de 170 médicaments approuvés par les différentes organisations de la santé possèdent une unité glucidique dans leur structure. Ces molécules actives biologiquement ont une grande variété d'applications comme agents thérapeutiques : elles peuvent notamment être utilisées comme antibiotique ou encore comme médicament contre plusieurs types de cancers. Parmi ceux-ci, l'étoposide est un dérivé glycosylé semi-synthétique de la podophyllotoxine, un composé naturel isolé des espèces Podophyllum, et est employé pour le traitement de divers cancers. L'utilisation de ces deux molécules comme agents thérapeutiques est compromise par différents facteurs comme leur toxicité, les effets secondaires engendrés et leur faible solubilité dans l'eau. C'est pour ces raisons que plusieurs groupes de recherche travaillent sur le développement de nouveaux analogues du produit naturel qui seraient potentiellement moins toxiques, plus hydrophiles et dont l'activité biologique est améliorée, ou, du moins, non affectée. Ce mémoire présente la synthèse d'un dérivé de la glucosamine comportant un acide carboxylique et une amine dans sa structure. À partir de cette molécule, une nouvelle méthodologie synthétique d'oligosaccharides linéaires portant un groupement alcyne a été développée. Ces derniers ont pu être liés à la podophyllotoxine grâce à une réaction dite réaction click afin de générer de nouveaux dérivés glycoconjugués de la toxine. Les divers analogues obtenus diffèrent par le groupement retrouvé à la position C-2 du glucide terminal. Une voie de synthèse d'oligosaccharides utilisant les principes de couplage peptidique a donc été développée afin d'accéder à une librairie de nouveaux composés potentiellement actifs biologiquement.There is a growing interest for the use of glycochemistry in the bioorganic and medicinal chemistry fields. Being the most abundant class of biomolecules, carbohydrates are components of various natural and synthetic bioactive products. They are of particular interest in the pharmaceutical industry since they can improve various pharmacokinetic properties of certain compounds. Nowadays, more than 170 commercially available drugs contain a carbohydrate unit in their structure. These biologically active molecules present a wide range of applications as therapeutic agents: they can be used as antibiotics or even as anticancer drugs. Among these, etoposide is a semi-synthetic glycosylated derivative of podophyllotoxin, a naturally occurring product in Podophyllum species, used as treatment of various cancers. The use of etoposide and podophyllotoxin as therapeutic agents is compromised by various problematics such as high toxicity, undesirable side effects and low water solubility. For these reasons, research groups are working on the development of new podophyllotoxin analogues that would potentially be less toxic, more hydrophilic and whose biological activity is either improved, or not affected. This thesis presents the synthesis of a glucosamine derivative bearing both a carboxyl and an amine group in its structure. From this molecule, a new synthetic methodology to access linear oligosaccharides carrying an alkyne group has been developed. These glycomolecules could be linked to podophyllotoxin by click reaction to generate new glycoconjugate derivatives of podophyllotoxin. Each analogue differs by the group found at the C-2 position on the terminal carbohydrate. Therefore, a new synthetic approach of oligosaccharides using the principles of peptide coupling has been developed to access a library of new potentially biologically active compounds

Genetic and environmental influences on eating behavior - a study of twin pairs reared apart or reared together

This study examined the relative influence of genetic versus environmental factors on specific aspects of eating behavior. Adult monozygotic twins (22 pairs and 3 singleton reared apart, 38 pairs and 9 singleton reared together, age 18-76 years, BMI 17-43 kg/m2) completed the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire. Genetic and environmental variance components were determined for the three eating behavior constructs and their subscales using model-fitting univariate and multivariate analyses. Unique environmental factors had a substantial influence on all eating behavior variables (explaining 45-71% of variance), and most strongly influenced external locus for hunger and strategic dieting behavior of restraint (explaining 71% and 69% of variance, respectively). Genetic factors had a statistically significant influence on only 4 variables: restraint, emotional susceptibility to disinhibition, situational susceptibility to disinhibition, and internal locus for hunger (heritabilities were 52%, 55%, 38% and 50%, respectively). Common environmental factors did not statistically significantly influence any variable assessed in this study. In addition, multivariate analyses showed that disinhibition and hunger share a common influence, while restraint appears to be a distinct construct. These findings suggest that the majority of variation in eating behavior variables is associated with unique environmental factors, and highlights the importance of the environment in facilitating specific eating behaviors that may promote excess weight gain.R01 AR046124 - NIAMS NIH HHS; R01 MH065322 - NIMH NIH HHS; T32 HL069772 - NHLBI NIH HHS; R37 DA018673 - NIDA NIH HHS; R01 DK073321 - NIDDK NIH HHS; R01 DA018673 - NIDA NIH HH

Biogeochemical and nutrient removal patterns of created riparian wetlands: Sixth-year results

The University Archives has determined that this item is of continuing value to OSU's history

Effect of body composition methodology on heritability estimation of body fatness

Heritability estimates of human body fatness vary widely and the contribution of body composition methodology to this variability is unknown. The effect of body composition methodology on estimations of genetic and environmental contributions to body fatness variation was examined in 78 adult male and female monozygotic twin pairs reared apart or together. Body composition was assessed by six methods - body mass index (BMI), dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), underwater weighing (UWW), total body water (TBW), bioelectric impedance (BIA), and skinfold thickness. Body fatness was expressed as percent body fat, fat mass, and fat mass/height2 to assess the effect of body fatness expression on heritability estimates. Model-fitting multivariate analyses were used to assess the genetic and environmental components of variance. Mean BMI was 24.5 kg/m2 (range of 17.8-43.4 kg/m2). There was a significant effect of body composition methodology (p<0.001) on heritability estimates, with UWW giving the highest estimate (69%) and BIA giving the lowest estimate (47%) for fat mass/height2. Expression of body fatness as percent body fat resulted in significantly higher heritability estimates (on average 10.3% higher) compared to expression as fat mass/height2 (p=0.015). DXA and TBW methods expressing body fatness as fat mass/height2 gave the least biased heritability assessments, based on the small contribution of specific genetic factors to their genetic variance. A model combining DXA and TBW methods resulted in a relatively low FM/ht2 heritability estimate of 60%, and significant contributions of common and unique environmental factors (22% and 18%, respectively). The body fatness heritability estimate of 60% indicates a smaller contribution of genetic variance to total variance than many previous studies using less powerful research designs have indicated. The results also highlight the importance of environmental factors and possibly genotype by environmental interactions in the etiology of weight gain and the obesity epidemic.R01 AR046124 - NIAMS NIH HHS; R01 MH065322 - NIMH NIH HHS; T32 HL069772 - NHLBI NIH HHS; R21 DK078867 - NIDDK NIH HHS; R37 DA018673 - NIDA NIH HHS; R01 DK076092 - NIDDK NIH HHS; R01 DK079003 - NIDDK NIH HHS; F32 DK009747 - NIDDK NIH HHS; R01 DA018673 - NIDA NIH HH

Stratus Ocean Reference Station (20˚S, 85˚W) mooring recovery and deployment cruise STRATUS 8 R/V Ronald H. Brown cruise 07-09 October 9, 2007–November 6, 2007

The Ocean Reference Station at 20°S, 85°W under the stratus clouds west of northern Chile is being maintained to provide ongoing climate-quality records of surface meteorology (air-sea fluxes of heat, freshwater, and momentum), and of upper ocean temperature, salinity, and velocity variability. The Stratus Ocean Reference Station (ORS Stratus) is supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Climate Observation Program. It is recovered and redeployed annually, with cruises between October and December. During the October 2007 cruise on the NOAA ship Ronald H. Brown to the ORS Stratus site, the primary activities were recovery of the Stratus 7 WHOI surface mooring that had been deployed in October 2006, deployment of a new (Stratus 8) WHOI surface mooring at that site; in-situ calibration of the buoy meteorological sensors by comparison with instrumentation put on board the ship by staff of the NOAA Earth System Research Laboratory (ESRL); and observations of the stratus clouds and lower atmosphere by NOAA ESRL. Meteorological sensors on a buoy for the Pacific tsunami warning system were also serviced, in collaboration with the Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service of the Chilean Navy (SHOA). The DART (Deep-Ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunami) carries IMET sensors and subsurface oceanographic instruments. A new DART II buoy was deployed north of the STRATUS buoy, by personnel from the National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) Argo floats and drifters were launched, and CTD casts carried out during the cruise. The ORS Stratus buoys are equipped with two Improved Meteorological (IMET) systems, which provide surface wind speed and direction, air temperature, relative humidity, barometric pressure, incoming shortwave radiation, incoming longwave radiation, precipitation rate, and sea surface temperature. Additionally, the Stratus 8 buoy received a partial pressure of CO2 detector from the Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL). IMET data are made available in near real time using satellite telemetry. The mooring line carries instruments to measure ocean salinity, temperature, and currents. The ESRL instrumentation used during the 2007 cruise included cloud radar, radiosonde balloons, and sensors for mean and turbulent surface meteorology. Finally, the cruise hosted a teacher participating in NOAA’s Teacher at Sea Program.Funding was provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration under Grant No. NA17RJ1223 for the Cooperative Institute for Climate and Ocean Research (CICOR)

The Mbeya Antimicrobial Stewardship Team: Implementing Antimicrobial Stewardship at a Zonal-Level Hospital in Southern Tanzania

In 2017, Mbeya Zonal Referral Hospital (MZRH) and the University of South Carolina (UofSC) agreed to collaboratively strengthen antimicrobial prescribing in the southern highlands of Tanzania and train a new generation of clinicians in responsible antimicrobial use. Key stakeholders and participants were identified and the Mbeya Antimicrobial Stewardship Team (MAST) was created. The team identified assets brought by the collaborators, and four investigations of baseline needs were developed. These investigations included (a) a baseline clinician survey regarding antimicrobial resistance and stewardship, (b) a serial chart review of inpatient antimicrobial prescribing practices, (c) an investigation of antimicrobial resistance rates using existing isolates at the MZRH laboratory, and (d) a survey of antimicrobial availability at community pharmacies in the city. 91% of physicians believe antimicrobial resistance is problem in Tanzania, although only 29% of physicians were familiar with the term antimicrobial stewardship . isolates had resistance rates of over 60% to the commonly used agents ciprofloxacin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and ceftriaxone. Thirteen out of 14 community pharmacies offered over-the-counter antibiotics for upper respiratory symptoms. International antimicrobial stewardship collaborations can successfully identify opportunities and needs. Evaluating the team\u27s efforts to improve patient outcomes will be essential

Ameloblasts require active RhoA to generate normal dental enamel

RhoA plays a fundamental role in regulation of the actin cytoskeleton, intercellular attachment and cell proliferation. During amelogenesis, ameloblasts which produce the enamel proteins undergo dramatic cytoskeletal changes and RhoA protein level is upregulated. Transgenic mice were generated that express a dominant-negative RhoA transgene in ameloblasts using amelogenin gene regulatory sequences. Transgenic and WT molar tooth germs were incubated with NaF or NaCl in organ culture. F-actin stained with phalloidin was elevated significantly in WT ameloblasts treated with NaF compared to WT ameloblasts treated with NaCl or compared to transgenic ameloblasts treated with NaF, thereby confirming a block in the RhoA/ROCK pathway in the transgenic mice. Little difference in quantitative fluorescence (estimation of fluorosis) was observed between WT and transgenic incisors from mice provided NaF in their drinking water. We subsequently found reduced transgene expression in incisors compared to molars. Transgenic molar teeth had reduced amelogenin, E-cadherin and Ki67 compared to WT. Hypoplastic enamel in transgenic mice correlates with reduced expression of the enamel protein amelogenin, and E-cadherin and cell proliferation are regulated by RhoA in other tissues. Together these findings reveal deficits in molar ameloblast function when RhoA activity is inhibited

Chronic disease patients’ experience with telehealth interventions and self-care strategies during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic

Purpose. During COVID-19 pandemic, Québec (Canada) Public Health Agency asked Family Medicine Group (FMG) to change their practice such as recommending the use of telehealth interventions. However, it is unknown if telehealth meets patients' needs in terms of self-care, especially those suffered from physical and mental chronic condition (PCDs). This study aimed to explore, from a PCD's perspective, the response of FMG about their self-care needs during COVID-19 pandemic. Methods. We conducted an exploratory qualitative descriptive study using semi-structured interviews to reach 40 PCDs from three regions of Québec. We explored FMGs' responses, PCDs needs, coping strategies regarding the COVID-19 and the changes in primary care services. We used the transactional theory of stress and coping to inform the data collection and analysis and the COREQ appraisal grid to report this study. Results. PCDs appreciated telehealth and perceived that the accessibility was increased. Moreover, family physicians from FMG conducted the majority of the follow-ups although interdisciplinary teams were available. The coping strategies raised by the PCDs were primarily aimed at maintaining their health status, while some of them aimed to reduce stress levels. Conclusions. PCDs seem to appreciate telehealth but believe it requires improvements, and it is not adequate for all types of follow-ups. PCDs adopt coping strategies to face the pandemic that were not always optimal for their health. We call for a better understanding of PCDs' needs in times of a pandemic in order to offer them the appropriate services an interdisciplinary team can provide.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/167663/1/Article patients-covid copingVF_PP.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/167663/3/Article patients-covid coping VF_V2.pdfDescription of Article patients-covid copingVF_PP.pdf : Main ArticleSEL

Nautical Research Platform for Water-Bound Experiments

Conducting research in lakes and rivers requires large crews and heavy-duty equipment, making even simple tests more costly and time consuming. Newer research methods are evolving constantly as new technology enables more precise and accessible experiments to be conducted. The need for simple execution of water-bound experiments exists and must be addressed to aid our understanding of these environments. We at the Microgravity Undergraduate Research Team have taken our previous research in autonomous Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) and applied our efforts to relieving this problem. Our current research aims to provide a universal platform for research and experiments to be conducted in lakes and rivers, where we can then expand our efforts to more broad applications. The design allows for remote-control navigation by one user and easy portability. To address precision in experimentation, we have integrated autonomous GPS waypoint navigation which removes user error in sensitive measurements. The most important factor in its design is modularity; the ability to accommodate a wide range of equipment for research. Our platform succeeds in making water-bound experiments more accessible and more precise for a multitude of potential applications