The Role of Astrocyte Activation in Infantile Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis

Infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses: INCLs), or Batten Disease, is an inherited neurodegenerative lysosomal storage disorder affecting the central nervous system: CNS) during infancy or childhood. Hallmark pathological changes include accumulation of autofluorescent material, neuronal loss, cortical thinning, and brain atrophy, which ultimately lead to cognitive deficits, motor dysfunction, seizure activity, and blindness. INCL is the result of mutations in the CLN1 gene leading to a deficiency in the lysosomal enzyme, palmitoyl protein thioesterase 1: PPT1). A mouse model of INCL, the PPT1-deficient: PPT1-/-) mouse, was recently created by a targeted disruption in the CLN1 gene. The phenotype of the PPT1-/- mouse is similar to that found in human INCL patients, suggesting the PPT1-/- mouse is an authentic model of INCL. Although the clinical symptoms of disease are well described, the cellular mechanisms underlying these pathological changes and functional deficits remain poorly understood. Therefore, the first goal of this dissertation was to investigate the temporal-spatial progression of disease in a mouse model of INCL. We demonstrated a profound neuronal and glial involvement underlying both physiological and functional deficits. From these studies, we also found the first pathological change observed was the upregulation of glial fibrillary acidic protein: GFAP), a marker of astrocyte activation, in the thalamus, cortex, and cerebellum. Focal regions of GFAP upregulation were an accurate predictor of future sites of neuronal loss. Since astrocyte activation is both helpful and harmful to an injured CNS, the second aim of this dissertation was to investigate the role of astrocyte activation in a mouse model of INCL using the GFAP-/-, Vimentin-/- mice. We demonstrated that astrocyte activation, as defined by GFAP upregulation, plays a protective role in INCL

The Role of Astrocyte Activation in Infantile Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis

Infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses: INCLs), or Batten Disease, is an inherited neurodegenerative lysosomal storage disorder affecting the central nervous system: CNS) during infancy or childhood. Hallmark pathological changes include accumulation of autofluorescent material, neuronal loss, cortical thinning, and brain atrophy, which ultimately lead to cognitive deficits, motor dysfunction, seizure activity, and blindness. INCL is the result of mutations in the CLN1 gene leading to a deficiency in the lysosomal enzyme, palmitoyl protein thioesterase 1: PPT1). A mouse model of INCL, the PPT1-deficient: PPT1-/-) mouse, was recently created by a targeted disruption in the CLN1 gene. The phenotype of the PPT1-/- mouse is similar to that found in human INCL patients, suggesting the PPT1-/- mouse is an authentic model of INCL. Although the clinical symptoms of disease are well described, the cellular mechanisms underlying these pathological changes and functional deficits remain poorly understood. Therefore, the first goal of this dissertation was to investigate the temporal-spatial progression of disease in a mouse model of INCL. We demonstrated a profound neuronal and glial involvement underlying both physiological and functional deficits. From these studies, we also found the first pathological change observed was the upregulation of glial fibrillary acidic protein: GFAP), a marker of astrocyte activation, in the thalamus, cortex, and cerebellum. Focal regions of GFAP upregulation were an accurate predictor of future sites of neuronal loss. Since astrocyte activation is both helpful and harmful to an injured CNS, the second aim of this dissertation was to investigate the role of astrocyte activation in a mouse model of INCL using the GFAP-/-, Vimentin-/- mice. We demonstrated that astrocyte activation, as defined by GFAP upregulation, plays a protective role in INCL

Preventing Psychiatric Hospitalizations in Sangamon County, Illinois

Goal Statement: The goal of my Social Change Portfolio is to prevent increased psychiatric hospitalizations by reducing the stigma associated with mental health through education, awareness, and resources. Significant Findings: Sangamon County ranks in the worst 25% of Illinois counties in terms of hospitalizations due to mental health in people 18 years and older (Springfield Memorial Hospital, 2021). There were 7,483 preventable hospitalizations among Black people recorded in 2020, compared with 3,696 white people (County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, 2018). The social-ecological model shows the tremendous impact that individual relationships, community and society have on the issue of psychiatric hospitalizations, and the application of Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) can be an effective approach to preventing psychiatric hospitalizations in Sangamon County. Objectives/Strategies/Interventions/Next Steps: Partnerships between health care providers and local health departments (LHDs) can address the root causes of poor mental health by improving mental health care access and reducing social stigma (Chen et al., 2018). A starting point for intervention is pinpointing mental health professionals and other individuals who can be trained to work with populations at risk for mental health issues. One existing evidence-based mental health awareness training program that could be implemented is Mental Health First Aid (MHFA). Additionally, an effective strategy at the institutional level may be initiating an institute-wide campaign in a church that serves the most at-risk populations (specifically, predominantly Black neighborhoods) in order to bring awareness to mental health and promote available resources. A community level strategy is developing an outreach initiative involving members of at-risk communities who have successfully overcome the stigma by seeking mental health assistance. At the public policy level, a task force could be created with the goal of advocating and lobbying for improved mental health laws and policies, including increased funding for mental health programs, more mental health provisions added to healthcare reforms, and stronger protection regarding mental health in the workplace

Arabic Seals and Scripts Simone Assemani Through his Unpublished Correspondence

The paper aims at analyzing the contents of some Arabic letters, written and received by S. Assemani, preserved in the library of the Museo Correr in Venice. Assemani's correspondence in Arabic is a rich source for various domains. This contribution focuses on a choice of documents in which mention is made of seals and ancient scripts. Through these selected letters it was possible to address the theme of the reuse and perception of Arabic artefacts, particularly inscribed gems, in Europe

Enhanced surface acoustic wave cell sorting by 3D microfluidic chip design

We demonstrate an acoustic wave driven microfluidic cell sorter that combines advantages of multilayer device fabrication with planar surface acoustic wave excitation. We harness the strong vertical component of the refracted acoustic wave to enhance cell actuation by using an asymmetric flow field to increase cell deflection. Precise control of the 3-dimensional flow is realized by topographical structures implemented on the top of the microchannel. We experimentally quantify the effect of the structure dimensions and acoustic parameter. The design attains cell sorting rates and purities approaching those of state of the art fluorescence-activated cell sorters with all the advantages of microfluidic cell sorting

Consider the jellyfish

Podcast"Consider the jellyfish," a submission to last years contest by Elliot Rambach and Abby Wendle is a great example of one sub genre of humor writing that we'd love to see submitted to the new category in this years contest. So on this weeks podcast, please enjoy this funny, dry anecdote that uses its audio production to push that tone

Direction of arrival estimation using a multiple-input-multiple-output radar with applications to automobiles

The thesis at hand investigates the direction of arrival (DOA) estimation using a Multiple-Input-Multiple-Output (MIMO) radar system. The application of MIMO radars in automobiles is studied. A MIMO radar consists of several transmitting (Tx) and receiving (Rx) antennas. We focus on a time division multiplexed (TDM) MIMO radar with colocated Tx and Rx antennas. The motivation is the use of a radar as a security system in automotive applications, e.g. to identify a dangerous situation and react automatically. Security systems must be very reliable. Hence, besides a good estimation of the distance and velocity, a high performance in DOA estimation is necessary. This is a demanding task, since only a small number of antennas is used and the radar is limited to a small geometrical size. Compared to the corresponding Single-Input-Multiple-Output (SIMO) radar, a MIMO radar with colocated antennas can achieve a higher accuracy in DOA estimation due to its larger virtual aperture. Therefore it is a promising technique for the use in automobiles. The obtained results of this thesis enable us to find optimal TDM schemes which yield a very high DOA accuracy for targets which are stationary as well as for targets which are moving relative to the radar system. The results are not confined to MIMO radars in automobiles, but can be used in other applications as well.In der vorliegenden Arbeit wird die Winkelschätzung (auch Einfallsrichtung genannt, engl. Direction of Arrival (DOA)) mit Hilfe eines Multiple-Input-Multiple-Output (MIMO) Radars untersucht. Darüber hinaus wird die Verwendung eines MIMO Radars in automobilien Anwendungen betrachtet. Ein MIMO Radar besteht aus mehreren Sende- (Tx) und Empfangsantennen (Rx). Wir betrachten insbesondere MIMO Radare die im Zeitmultiplexverfahren (engl. time division multiplex (TDM)) betrieben werden und geometrisch nahe beieinander liegende Antennen (engl. colocated) besitzen. Die Motivation dieser Untersuchungen ist die Verwendung von Radarsystemen als Sicherheitssysteme in Fahrzeugen, z.B. um eine gefährliche Situation zu detektieren und darauf automatisch zu reagieren. Sicherheitssysteme müssen sehr zuverlässig sein. Daher ist neben einer genauen Abstands- und Geschwindigkeitsschätzung auch eine hohe Performance in der Winkelschätzung nötig. Dies ist eine anspruchsvolle Aufgabe, da nur eine geringe Anzahl an Antennen zur Verfügung steht und das Radarsystem nur eine kleine geometrische Größe aufweisen darf. Im Vergleich zu einem entsprechenden Single-Input-Multiple-Output (SIMO) Radar kann ein colocated MIMO Radar aufgrund seiner größeren virtuellen Apertur eine höhere Winkelgenauigkeit erreichen. Daher ist es eine vielversprechende Technik für die Anwendung in Fahrzeugen. Die Ergebnisse dieser Arbeit ermöglichen uns optimale Zeitmultiplexverfahren zu finden, welche sowohl für stationäre Objekte als auch für Objekte die sich relativ zum Radar bewegen, eine hohe Winkelgenauigkeit erreichen. Die Ergebnisse beschränken sich nicht nur auf Radare in Fahrzeugen, sondern können auch in anderen Anwendungen verwendet werden