Trichodysplasia Spinulosa

Trichodysplasia spinulosa (TS) is a unique, rare clinical and histological dermatologic entity described mainly in setting of immunosuppression. It is caused by a novel human polymoavirus, trichodysplasia spinulosa-associated polyomavirus (TSPyV). We report a biopsy-proven case of TS in a renal transplant patient presented to dermatology outpatient clinic in Montreal, Canada in 2015. Reduction of immunosuppression and/or anti-viral therapy is the main therapeutic strategies used to treat such cases. Our patient was managed with valgancyclovir with no obvious response. Subsequently, a trial of topical imiquimod was commenced. Awareness of TS can prompt early diagnosis and management to prevent possible complications. Keywords: Trichodysplasia spinulosa, immunosuppression, organ-trasplant, human polyomavirus

Comprehensive User Engagement Sites (CUES) in Philadelphia: A Constructive Proposal

This paper is a study about Philadelphia’s comprehensive user engagement sites (CUESs) as the authors address and examine issues related to the upcoming implementation of a CUES while seeking solutions for its disputed questions and plans. Beginning with the federal drug schedules, the authors visit some of the medical and public health issues vis-à-vis safe injection facilities (SIFs). Insite, a successful Canadian SIF, has been thoroughly researched as it represents a paradigm for which a Philadelphia CUES can expand upon. Also, the existing criticisms against SIFs are revisited while critically unpackaged and responded to in favor of the establishment. In the main section, the authors propose the layout and services of the upcoming CUES, much of which would be in congruent to Vancouver’s Insite. On the other hand, the CUES would be distinct from Insite, as the authors emphasize, in that it will offer an information center run by individuals in recovery and place additional emphasis on early education for young healthcare professionals by providing them a platform to work at the site. The paper will also briefly investigate the implementation of a CUES site under an ethical scope of the Harm Reduction Theory. Lastly, the authors recommend some strategic plans that the Philadelphia City government may consider employing at this crucial stage

Scalable SCPPM Decoder

A decoder was developed that decodes a serial concatenated pulse position modulation (SCPPM) encoded information sequence. The decoder takes as input a sequence of four bit log-likelihood ratios (LLR) for each PPM slot in a codeword via a XAUI 10-Gb/s quad optical fiber interface. If the decoder is unavailable, it passes the LLRs on to the next decoder via a XAUI 10-Gb/s quad optical fiber interface. Otherwise, it decodes the sequence and outputs information bits through a 1-GB/s Ethernet UDP/IP (User Datagram Protocol/Internet Protocol) interface. The throughput for a single decoder unit is 150-Mb/s at an average of four decoding iterations; by connecting a number of decoder units in series, a decoding rate equal to that of the aggregate rate is achieved. The unit is controlled through a 1-GB/s Ethernet UDP/IP interface. This ground station decoder was developed to demonstrate a deep space optical communication link capability, and is unique in the scalable design to achieve real-time SCPP decoding at the aggregate data rate

Selection of DNA nanoparticles with preferential binding to aggregated protein target.

High affinity and specificity are considered essential for affinity reagents and molecularly-targeted therapeutics, such as monoclonal antibodies. However, life's own molecular and cellular machinery consists of lower affinity, highly multivalent interactions that are metastable, but easily reversible or displaceable. With this inspiration, we have developed a DNA-based reagent platform that uses massive avidity to achieve stable, but reversible specific recognition of polyvalent targets. We have previously selected these DNA reagents, termed DeNAno, against various cells and now we demonstrate that DeNAno specific for protein targets can also be selected. DeNAno were selected against streptavidin-, rituximab- and bevacizumab-coated beads. Binding was stable for weeks and unaffected by the presence of soluble target proteins, yet readily competed by natural or synthetic ligands of the target proteins. Thus DeNAno particles are a novel biomolecular recognition agent whose orthogonal use of avidity over affinity results in uniquely stable yet reversible binding interactions

Minimizing the overlap problem in protein NMR: a computational framework for precision amino acid labeling

Motivation: Recent advances in cell-free protein expression systems allow specific labeling of proteins with amino acids containing stable isotopes (¹⁵N, ¹³C and ²H), an important feature for protein structure determination by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Given this labeling ability, we present a mathematical optimization framework for designing a set of protein isotopomers, or labeling schedules, to reduce the congestion in the NMR spectra. The labeling schedules, which are derived by the optimization of a cost function, are tailored to a specific protein and NMR experiment. Results: For 2D ¹⁵N-¹H HSQC experiments, we can produce an exact solution using a dynamic programming algorithm in under 2 h on a standard desktop machine. Applying the method to a standard benchmark protein, calmodulin, we are able to reduce the number of overlaps in the 500 MHZ HSQC spectrum from 10 to 1 using four samples with a true cost function, and 10 to 4 if the cost function is derived from statistical estimates. On a set of 448 curated proteins from the BMRB database, we are able to reduce the relative percent congestion by 84.9% in their HSQC spectra using only four samples. Our method can be applied in a high-throughput manner on a proteomic scale using the server we developed. On a 100-node cluster, optimal schedules can be computed for every protein coded for in the human genome in less than a month. Availability: A server for creating labeling schedules for ¹⁵N-¹H HSQC experiments as well as results for each of the individual 448 proteins used in the test set is available at http://nmr.proteomics.ics.uci.edu

Comparing Knee Kinetics and Muscular Activity between the Barbell Squat and Flywheel Squat in Recreationally Trained Females

Previous literature has supported flywheel (FW) training with inducing muscular size and strength comparable to resistance training with free weights. However, it remains unclear how the biomechanical demands of these two training methods differ regarding reducing the risk of load-dependent injuries. PURPOSE: With the growing population of female astronauts, this study aimed to compare knee joint kinetics and muscle activation when squatting to full depth on the barbell back (BB) squat and a gravity-independent FW device utilizing technology to be deployed in future long-term space missions. METHODS: Twenty recreationally trained females (22.3 ± 2.7 yrs, 1.6 ± 0.1 m, 59.8 ± 6.8 kg) with at least two years of experience in BB squat training participated in this study. The first session involved one-repetition maximum (1RM) testing on the BB squat and familiarizing the participants with squatting on the FW device (YoYo ™ Multigym). In session two, the participants conducted: 1) one set of seven repetitions at 83% of their 1 RM in the BB and 2) one set of seven maximal repetitions on the FW training device using an inertial load of 0.100 kg ⋅ m2. The order of the exercises in session two was randomized. Three-dimensional motion capture, force platforms, and electromyography assessed knee joint moments and muscle activation on the participants\u27 dominant limb. Paired t-tests were conducted to compare these variables, with a significance set at p ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: Analysis revealed peak knee extensor moments were greater in the BB squat (BB: 2.14 ± 0.36 Nm/kg, p = 0.004; FW: 1.94 ± 0.06 Nm/kg). The BB squat elicited greater mean muscle activity over the set compared to FW squats in the following: (vastus lateralis: +5.68%, p = 0.015; bicep femoris: +4.63%, p \u3c 0.001; gluteus maximus: +4.67%, p = 0.024; gluteus medius: +2.75%, p = 0.011; gastrocnemius lateralis: +3.09%, p = 0.028; gastrocnemius medius: +2.48%, p = 0.024). However, FW squats attained greater tibialis anterior activity (+5.56%, p = 0.04). There was no significant difference in muscle activity observed in the rectus femoris and vastus medialis. CONCLUSION: Although FW training requires less mechanical demand on the knee extensors when squatting to similar depths, participants achieved greater muscular activation during the BB squat

Strategies to mitigate student resistance to active learning

Abstract Background Research has shown that active learning promotes student learning and increases retention rates of STEM undergraduates. Yet, instructors are reluctant to change their teaching approaches for several reasons, including a fear of student resistance to active learning. This paper addresses this issue by building on our prior work which demonstrates that certain instructor strategies can positively influence student responses to active learning. We present an analysis of interview data from 17 engineering professors across the USA about the ways they use strategies to reduce student resistance to active learning in their undergraduate engineering courses. Results Our data reveal that instructor strategies for reducing student resistance generally fall within two broad types: explanation and facilitation strategies. Explanation strategies consist of the following: (a) explain the purpose, (b) explain course expectations, and (c) explain activity expectations. Facilitation strategies include the following: (a) approach non-participants, (b) assume an encouraging demeanor, (c) grade on participation, (d) walk around the room, (e) invite questions, (f) develop a routine, (g) design activities for participation, and (h) use incremental steps. Four of the strategies emerged from our analysis and were previously unstudied in the context of student resistance. Conclusions The findings of this study have practical implications for instructors wishing to implement active learning. There is a variety of strategies to reduce student resistance to active learning, and there are multiple successful ways to implement the strategies. Importantly, effective use of strategies requires some degree of intentional course planning. These strategies should be considered as a starting point for instructors seeking to better incorporate the use of active learning strategies into their undergraduate engineering classrooms.https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/142791/1/40594_2018_Article_102.pd

Spectral stability of noncharacteristic isentropic Navier-Stokes boundary layers

Building on work of Barker, Humpherys, Lafitte, Rudd, and Zumbrun in the shock wave case, we study stability of compressive, or "shock-like", boundary layers of the isentropic compressible Navier-Stokes equations with gamma-law pressure by a combination of asymptotic ODE estimates and numerical Evans function computations. Our results indicate stability for gamma in the interval [1, 3] for all compressive boundary-layers, independent of amplitude, save for inflow layers in the characteristic limit (not treated). Expansive inflow boundary-layers have been shown to be stable for all amplitudes by Matsumura and Nishihara using energy estimates. Besides the parameter of amplitude appearing in the shock case, the boundary-layer case features an additional parameter measuring displacement of the background profile, which greatly complicates the resulting case structure. Moreover, inflow boundary layers turn out to have quite delicate stability in both large-displacement and large-amplitude limits, necessitating the additional use of a mod-two stability index studied earlier by Serre and Zumbrun in order to decide stability