Defining T Cell Tissue Residency in Humans: Implications for HIV Pathogenesis and Vaccine Design.

Purpose of review:This review summarizes recent literature defining tissue-resident memory T cells (TRM) and discusses implications for HIV pathogenesis, vaccines, and eradication efforts.Recent findings:Investigations using animal models and human tissues have identified a TRM transcriptional profile and elucidated signals within the tissue microenvironment leading to TRM development and maintenance. TRM are major contributors to host response in infectious diseases and cancer; in addition, TRM contribute to pathogenic inflammation in a variety of settings. Although TRM are daunting to study in HIV infection, recent work has helped define their molecular signatures and effector functions and tested strategies for their mobilization. Exclusive reliance on blood sampling to gain an understanding of host immunity overlooks the contribution of TRM, which differ in significant ways from their counterparts in circulation. It is hoped that greater understanding of these cells will lead to novel approaches to prevent and/or eradicate HIV infection

Lexemes Into Names

In lieu of an abstract, this is the opening paragraph of the article. Nominization (a term proposed by W. H. F. Nicolaisen in a personal communication, 1988) is a mechanism of name formation that involves the conversion of a lexeme into a name. The opposite is generally called commonization, by which a name is converted into a lexeme. Dr. Nicolaisen has suggested that lexemization would be a more accurate term

Doctor of Philosophy

dissertationThyroid cancer patients have one of the highest 5-year survival rates of any cancer at 98%. It also affects a young population as nearly 67% of thyroid cancer patients are diagnosed before age 55. As these survivors are young and leading long lives after cancer diagnosis and treatment, it is important to understand how their long-term health and finances are affected by thyroid cancer. Data from the Utah Population Database were utilized to study the long-term health of thyroid cancer survivors. There were 3,706 thyroid cancer survivors and 15,587 matched cancer-free individuals included in the study. All thyroid cancer survivors had increased risks for multiple circulatory health conditions and many other diseases associated with aging. The risks were higher for younger patients diagnosed before age 40 for many outcomes including osteoporosis and diabetes with complications. Reproductive and pregnancy complications in women diagnosed before age 50 in this population were also studied. Thyroid cancer survivors had increased risks for having multiple health conditions of the female genital organs and multiple health conditions associated with pregnancy. Patients who underwent surgery but did not have radioactive iodine had increased risks for gestational diabetes and missed abortions compared to patients who had both surgery and radioactive iodine treatment. The Utah All Payer Claims Database (APCD) was utilized to assess the healthcare costs of thyroid cancer patients during the year of their diagnosis and in the following year. On average, healthcare costs were $19,721.84 in the year of diagnosis and$10,523.88 in the following year. While the total costs decreased, pharmacy costs increased by 112% ($1001.63) between the two years. In the year of surgery, costs were slightly higher for patients who underwent a partial thyroidectomy but significantly lower in the following year when compared those who underwent a total thyroidectomy. Overall, thyroid cancer survivors have increased risks for long-term health effects and healthcare costs differed by treatment groups. By understanding the trajectory of cancer survivors, health interventions can be put into place to reduce the risk for long-term health effects and thereby reduce healthcare costs

Environmental Justice & Sociology

This thesis compared the patterns influencing the creation of Native American reservations and the prison industrial complex in the United States. I argue that the country is controlled by people who create a physical and socio-political environment that caters to their certain positionality, adversely effecting and pushing marginalized groups into confined, controlled spaces in their own home. Ultimately, environmental justice, or equal control of people over their environment, is a vital factor in ending structural and physical violence against marginalized groups in the United States

A New Theoretical Approach of Studying Resonances in Single Finline Transitions

In this article an innovative method of studying and removing the resonances, inherently exhibit by some waveguide to microstrip transitions, is presented. By modeling an equivalent circuit, this new approach allows to obtain the constructive parameters of a finline to microstrip transition, only using the values of the resistance and capacitance components of the equivalent circuit. This procedure will allow small microwave design Companies to realize these transitions only implementing circuit analysis software, and not having to afford electromagnetic analysis software, which are very expensive and time-consuming. A full 3D electromagnetic analysis confirms that the simulation results are in excellent agreement with the results obtained by the new equations discussed in this work

Symbols of Blood and Soil: Identity Construction and the Hex Signs of the Pennsylvania Germans

This thesis analyzes the hex signs of the Pennsylvania Germans as an evolving, settler-colonial folk practice that continues to play a role in the construction and manipulation of shifting identities and craft in the United States. Examining the influence of hex signs on rural tourism and growing cultural movements, it responds to ideas of nationalism and the ways in which these craft-oriented objects represent and aid in the formation of communities in colonial and contemporary Pennsylvania. Questioning the role of hex signs as symbols and souvenirs, the essay considers the impact of political movements and the tourist industry on individual and communal identities as well as on material objects. Through a case study of Kristin Farr and Hunter Yoder, two working hex sign artists whose signs contrast in both representation and use, this text seeks to contribute to the ongoing discussion of the meaning and purpose of hex signs as bearers of identity and memory for the Pennsylvania German community and those who align themselves with a German settler heritage. This thesis does not take a stance on the symbolic or decorative meanings of the objects under analysis, but instead considers how meaning and function shift with the individuals creating and consuming hex signs. Identifying as a practicing Heathen, Hunter Yoder’s hexology incorporates symbols important to his Germanic heritage and religion. In doing so, he associates his work with certain histories and movements connected to those symbols. Kristin Farr’s murals and collaborative projects seek to reimagine hex signs in urban spaces, galleries, and commodities, thus complicating the ideals of authenticity and tradition that remain bound to the practice. Examining the work of these hexologists and their involvement in various cultural industries and practices, this thesis concludes that hex signs continue to function as an example of craft’s influential capabilities of manipulation in the processes of identity construction

Writing Workshop in Prose

A prose workshop where students write a lyrical essay, a satirical essay, a personal essay, an informational interview, and a portfolio

Satirical Essay Assignment prompt & calendar

Assignment description with calendar and hyperlinked model & craft essay

Informational Interview Assignment Prompt

An assignment that asks students to interview a person of their choosing

Syllabus for Writing for the Social Sciences

A writing class designed for students pursuing degrees in the social sciences—the major assignments are a career builder where student practice rhetoric with professional writing on job searches, a literature review, a public awareness campaign, an informational interview, and a portfolio