Memory and Health

Throughout the United States long term care facilities have only recently began using design to help their residences gain a better standard of living or even regain some of their independences back. They have begun going about this through better design from daylighting and layout of spaces to help their residences with dementia live a better life. Through this project I will expand on these ideas but mainly focusing on how these ideas can be improved and utilize to help those facing dementia or other diseases that are affecting memory or cognitive functions. I will go about this by seeing how design and layouts can affect those with impaired cognitive functions maintain or regain a measure of independences while maintaining a normal level of living

A Path Towards Arctic Presence: Stricter Regulation as the First Step in Free Navigation

The Arctic ice cap is melting. As the ice recedes, shipping lanes are opening that present shorter transport routes across the top of the globe. Industry analysts predict an Arctic shipping boom in coming years. In response, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) implemented a Polar Code (the “Polar Code” or the “Code”) to place heightened environmental and safety requirements on ships traversing the Arctic and Antarctic regions. These rules are binding on the United States, and the U.S. Coast Guard published the rulemaking for Polar Ship requirements. However, the rules have multiple shortcomings and loopholes. At the IMO, conversations have begun regarding how a “Polar Code Phase II” could be instituted to help further mitigate risk. Meanwhile, the United States is unprepared for the coming Arctic surge. Although the gateway to these new routes runs through the Bering Sea, largely in U.S.-controlled waters, the nation lacks the ice-capable ships and northern infrastructure to facilitate safe navigation. Conversely, Russia is investing heavily in its Arctic fleet and building the infrastructure to support them. It has implemented restrictions and imposed harsh tariffs on vessels transiting this “Northern Sea Route.” While these actions run counter to the U.S. Freedom of Navigation policy (and possibly international law), the United States lacks the Arctic presence to influence its neighbor to ease restrictions on these future shipping lanes. This Note examines how stricter U.S. regulation of Arctic shipping can lead to a greater physical presence and peaceful assertion of American geopolitical will. A Coast Guard-led rulemaking based on the proposals for Polar Code Phase II, which fills the aforementioned gaps in the current regulatory scheme, would provide increased protections for the Arctic environment. This Note predicts how this regulatory effort could set in motion a chain of events with beneficial impacts on trade, the Coast Guard, and American foreign policy goals. New rules could serve as a proof-of-concept for the IMO and incentivize the use of Arctic shipping lanes by lowering assessed risk and reducing insurance costs. The resulting shipping increase should create a natural need for more Coast Guard assets to ensure safe and secure navigation. Finally, this Note will assess how the combined presence of Coast Guard assets and multinational shippers, eager for free navigation, could place pressure on Russia to loosen its restrictions on the Northern Sea Route

A comparison and contrast of APKTool and Soot for injecting blockchain calls into Android applications

The injection of blockchain calls into an Android Application is an emerging and important tool for Android application developers. Blockchain technology provides a way of securely storing sensitive data and distributing that data while providing immutability. This paper will compare two compiler-based tools, APKTool, and the Soot framework and how they can inject blockchain calls into Android applications. A major contribution of this paper is that it compares the APKTool, and the Soot framework compilers for injecting blockchain calls, and the difficulties each tool introduces when implementing the injection of a blockchain call. To the best of our knowledge, the use of the Soot framework and the APKTool have never been used to inject blockchain calls. The reason behind this situation is the complexity of configuring blockchain calls in Android applications. Part of the difficulty is because of the constant changes in the API calls in the Android framework. This presents a challenge because the Soot and APKTool compilers have to be modified to adapt to changes in the Android API

Stream Water Quality and Quantity Effects from Select Timber Harvesting of a Streamside Management Zone

A naturally regenerated, even aged, mixed pine/hardwood, streamside management zone (SMZ) was selectively harvested in May 2006. The 27.8 ha SMZ buffered an intermittent headwater stream draining a 98 ha watershed. The harvest complied with Texas, USA best management practices (BMPs) by maintaining a minimum SMZ width of 15 m on either side of the channel, retaining a minimum basal area (BA) greater than 11.47 m2 ha-1, and minimizing forest floor and stream channel disturbance. No changes in soil bulk density were measured with only a slight increase in bare soil. No changes in water quality or quantity were detectable following harvest, in part due to dry post-treatment conditions. The Agricultural Environmental/Policy eXtender (APEX) model was used to simulate treatment effects under different harvesting and weather conditions. APEX provided reasonable estimates of water yield, sediment, and nutrient losses and was found to be an effective tool for estimating the relative impacts of alternative BMP scenarios. Results indicate that maintaining a minimum BA of 11.47 m2 ha-1 and SMZ width of 15 m on intermittent streams will protect water quality even in wet years, and that not retaining any residual BA can result in over ten times more sediment loss

Smartphone-sourced data visualization in mental health

BACKGROUND: While smartphone digital phenotyping smartphone apps today can collect vast amounts of information on participants, less is known about how this data can be shared back with participants. Effective data visualization is critical to ensuring applications of digital signals are more informed, ethical, and impactful. But little is known about how sharing of this data, especially at different levels from raw data to analyzed data, impacts patients’ perceptions. METHODS: We compared five different visualizations strategies, each a graph, generated from data created by the open source mindLAMP app, that reflected different ways to share data from simple amount of data captured to more complex clinical correlations. All graphs were shown to 28 participants during individual video interviews, and the graphs usability was measured via the System Usability Scale (SUS). Additionally, participants were asked about their comfort sharing different kinds of data, administered the Digital Working Alliance Inventory (D-WAI), and if they would want to use these visualizations with care providers. RESULTS: Of the five graphs shown to participants, the graph visualizing change in survey responses over the course of a week, received the highest usability score, with the graph showing multiple metrics changing over a week receiving the lowest usability score. Participants were significantly more likely to be willing to share geolocation data after viewing the graphs, and 25 of 28 participants agreed that they would like to use these graphs to communicate with their clinician. CONCLUSIONS: Data visualization can help participants and patients understand digitally-sourced data and increase trust in how they are sampled and used to create visualizations. As data sourced from digital technology becomes more complex, simple visualizations may fail to capture their multiple dimensions and new interactive data visualizations may be necessary to help realize their full value

Voting Rights & Felon Disenfranchisement: A New Path Forward

The current felon disenfranchisement policies in Minnesota undermine the essential voting rights necessary for democracy to thrive. Minnesota currently outranks many founding NATO countries in incarceration rates per 100,000 in population. If an individual in Minnesota is convicted of a felony, their right to vote is revoked until they complete their sentence, probation, or parole. This is especially problematic because Minnesota’s probationary periods extend into decades long punitive measures. Governor Mark Dayton’s Task Force suggestions of allowing felons to vote after incarceration is a step in the right direction, but does not go far enough to alleviate the problem of felon disenfranchisement. In order to correct this unjust policy of felon disenfranchisement, we recommend a new path forward: (1) A total reform of felon disenfranchisement policies in Minnesota by automatically restoring the voting rights to felons currently incarcerated, and those on probation and parole, (2) Criminal defendants are to be informed of their right to vote upon their immediate restoration and that they are eligible to register to vote, and (3) The Department of Corrections and Probation and Parole authorities responsible for assisting with voluntary voter registration, ensuring all citizens are subject to the same application procedures

The role of lipid composition on the interaction between a tryptophan-rich protein and model bacterial membranes

The interaction between tryptophan-rich puroindoline proteins and model bacterial membranes at the air-liquid interface has been investigated by FTIR spectroscopy, surface pressure measurements and Brewster angle microscopy. The role of different lipid constituents on the interactions between lipid membrane and protein was studied using wild type (Pin-b) and mutant (Trp44 to Arg44 mutant, Pin-bs) puroindoline proteins. The results show differences in the lipid selectivity of the two proteins in terms of preferential binding to specific lipid head groups in mixed lipid systems. Pin-b wild type was able to penetrate mixed layers of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylglycerol (PG) head groups more deeply compared to the mutant Pin-bs. Increasing saturation of the lipid tails increased penetration and adsorption of Pin-b wild type, but again the response of the mutant form differed. The results provide insight as to the role of membrane architecture, lipid composition and fluidity, on antimicrobial activity of proteins. Data show distinct differences in the lipid binding behavior of Pin-b as a result of a single residue mutation, highlighting the importance of hydrophobic and charged amino acids in antimicrobial protein and peptide activity

Effect of urinary pH and diatrizoate on Bence Jones protein nephrotoxicity in the rat

Effect of urinary pH and diatrizoate on Bence Jones protein nephrotoxicity in the rat. Both low urinary pH and radiocontrast agents may intensify myeloma nephrotoxicity. To study the effects of these factors, we determined inulin clearances (CIn) before and after infusions of human Bence Jones protein (BJP) in male Sprague-Dawley rats in a dose previously shown to be nephrotoxic. Rats that drank 0.15 M NaHCO3 for 48 hr before study had no change in CIn (+ 3 ± 20%) after BJP unlike those that drank 0.15 M NH4Cl (- 33 ± 14%, P < 0.05); urinary pH differed (7.6 ± 0.1 vs. 6.2 ± 0.1, P < 0.05), but urinary flow rates did not. The acidifying regimen was used in all subsequent groups. Infusion of diatrizoate (DTZ) after BJP produced a further decrease in CIn (- 85 ± 8%, P < 0.05). In contrast, infusion of albumin, which raised plasma protein concentration to that seen in BJP-infused rats, did not change CIn (+ 39 ± 17%). Infusion of beta-lactoglobulin also led to a greater decrease in CIn after DTZ (- 35 ± 9 vs. - 67 ± 8%, P < 0.05), but myoglobin did not (- 58 ± 7 vs. - 54 ± 12%). Urinary pH and flow rate did not differ between any DTZ-infused group and its appropriate control. These data suggest that aciduria independent of urinary flow rate increases the nephrotoxicity of BJP. In this setting, DTZ further intensifies the nephrotoxicity of BJP as well as some but not all filterable proteins.Effet du pH urinaire et du diatrizoate sur la néphrotoxicité de la protéine de Bence Jones chez le rat. Un pH urinaire bas et les produits de contraste peuvent accroître la néphrotoxité du myélome. Pour étudier les effets de ces facteurs, nous avons déterminé les clearances de l'inuline (CIn) avant et après perfusion de protéine de Bence Jones humaine (BJP) chez des rats mâles Sprague-Dawley à dose préalablement montrée néphrotoxique. Les rats qui buvaient 0,15 M NaHCO3 pendant 48 hr avant l'étude n'avaient pas de modification de CIn (+ 3 ± 20%) après BJP à la différence de ceux qui buvaient 0,15 M NH4Cl (- 33 ± 14%, P < 0,05); les pH urinaires différaient (7,6 ± 0,1 contre 6,2 ± 0,1, P < 0,05), mais non les débits urinaires. Le régime acidifiant a été utilisé chez tous les groupes ultérieurs. La perfusion de diatrizoate (DTZ) après BJP a entraîné une diminution supplémentaire de CIn (- 85 ± 8%, P < 0,05). A l'opposé une perfusion d'albumine, qui augmentait la protidémie à la valeur observée chez les rats perfusés avec BJP ne modifiait pas CIn (+ 39 ± 17%). Une perfusion de béta-lactoglobuline a également entraîné une plus forte baisse de CIn après DTZ (- 35 ± 9 contre - 67 ± 8%, P < 0,05), mais non de la myoglobine (- 58 ± 7 contre - 54 ± 12%). Le pH et le débit urinaires ne différaient pas entre aucun des groupes perfusés par le DTZ et leur contrôle approprié. Ces données suggèrent que l'acidurie, indépendamment du débit urinaire, augmente la néphrotoxicité de la BJP. Dans ce schéma, DTZ accentue encore la néphrotoxicité de la BJP, de même que certaines, mais non toutes les protéines filtrables

Selected wheat seed defense proteins exhibit competitive binding to model microbial lipid interfaces

Puroindolines (Pins) and purothionins (Pths) are basic, amphiphilic, cysteine-rich wheat proteins that play a role in plant defense against microbial pathogens. We have examined the co-adsorption and sequential addition of Pins (Pin-a, Pin-b and a mutant form of Pin-b with Trp-44 to Arg-44 substitution) and β-purothionin (β-Pth) model anionic lipid layers, using a combination of surface pressure measurements, external reflection FTIR spectroscopy and neutron reflectometry. Results highlighted differences in the protein binding mechanisms, and in the competitive binding and penetration of lipid layers between respective Pins and β-Pth. Pin-a formed a blanket-like layer of protein below the lipid surface that resulted in the reduction or inhibition of β-Pth penetration of the lipid layer. Wild-type Pin-b participated in co-operative binding with β-Pth, whereas the mutant Pin-b did not bind to the lipid layer in the presence of β-Pth. The results provide further insight into the role of hydrophobic and cationic amino acid residues in antimicrobial activity

Heat-Shock Protein 70 (Hsp70) Expression in Four Limpets of the Genus \u3cem\u3eLottia\u3c/em\u3e: Interspecific Variation in Constitutive and Inducible Synthesis Correlates With \u3cem\u3ein situ\u3c/em\u3e Exposure to Heat Stress

Limpets of the genus Lottia occupy a broad vertical distribution on wave-exposed rocky shores, a range that encompasses gradients in the frequency and severity of thermal and desiccation stress brought on by aerial emersion. Using western blot analysis of levels of heat-shock protein 70 (Hsp70), we examined the heat-shock responses of four Lottia congeners: Lottia scabra and L. austrodigitalis, which occur in the high-intertidal zone, and L. pelta and L. scutum, which are restricted to the low- and mid-intertidal zones. Our results suggest distinct strategies of Hsp70 expression in limpets occupying different heights and orientations in the rocky intertidal zone. In freshly field-collected animals and in specimens acclimated at ambient temperature (≈14 °C) for 14 days, the two high-intertidal species had higher constitutive levels of Hsp70 than the low- and mid-intertidal species. During aerial exposure to high temperatures, the two low-shore species and L. austrodigitalis exhibited an onset of Hsp70 expression at 28 °C; no induction of Hsp70 occurred in L. scabra. Our findings suggest that high-intertidal congeners of Lottia employ a “preparative defense” strategy involving maintenance of high constitutive levels of Hsp70 in their cells as a mechanism for protection against periods of extreme and unpredictable heat stress