What governs star formation in galaxies? A modern statistical approach

Understanding the process of star formation is one of the key steps in understanding the formation and evolution of galaxies. In this thesis, I address the empirical star formation laws, and study the properties of galaxies that can affect the star formation rate. The Andromeda galaxy (M31) is the nearest large spiral galaxy, and Therefore, high resolution images of this galaxy are available. These images provide data from various regions with different physical properties. Star formation rate and gas mass surface densities of M31have been measured using three different methods, and have been used to compare different star formation laws over the whole galaxy and in spatially-resolved regions. Using hierarchical Bayesian regression analysis, I conclude that there is a correlation between surface density of star formation and the stellar mass surface density. A weak correlation between star formation rate, stellar mass and metallicity is also found. To study the effect of other properties a galaxy on the star formation rate, I utilize an unsupervised data mining method (specifically the self-organizing map) on measurements of both nearby and high-redshift galaxies. Both observed data and derived quantities (e.g. star formation rate, stellar mass) of star-forming regions in M31 and the nearby spiral galaxy M101 are used as inputs to the self-organizing map. Clustering the M31 regions in the feature space reveals some (anti)-correlations between the properties the galaxy, which are not apparent when considering data from all regions in the galaxy. The self-organizing map can be used to predict star formation rates for spatially-resolved regions in galaxies using other properties of those regions. I also apply the self-organizing map method to spectral energy distributions of high-redshift galaxies. Template spectra made from galaxies with known morphological type are used to train self-organizing maps. The trained maps are used to classify a sample of galaxy spectral energy distributions derived from fitting models to photometry data of 142 high-redshift galaxies. The grouped properties of the classified galaxies are found to be more tightly correlated in mean values of age, specific star formation rate, stellar mass, and far-UV extinction than in previous studies

Multifunctional Drug Carriers with Programmable Properties.

In recent decades, drug-loaded carrier systems have become a viable option to replace or augment current, unsuccessful therapies that address a myriad of disease conditions. In this area, a successful therapy needs to address the following parameters: specificity, long circulation, biocompatibility/biodegradability, desired pharmacokinetics of single & multiple therapeutics, carrier-cell interactions, and potential imaging capabilities. While various formulations have tackled some of these characteristics, a concrete methodology to design multifunctional particles addressing all parameters is currently lacking. Herein, the method of electrohydrodynamic (EHD) co-jetting and downstream processing are used to design multifunctional particles with tunable characteristics that could be used to address all desired parameters. Specifically, each of the chapters address (i) the development of carriers with selective and orthogonal surface modifications using functional polymers incorporated into individual compartments for the addition of stealth, targeting, or therapeutic capabilities; (ii) the development of carriers with programmable physical properties such as shape, size, porosity, roughness, and charge that can determine the fate of a particle in the body, and the testing of nanoparticles in animal models to determine their biodistribution; (iii) the development of particles with complex degradation and release kinetics of therapeutics using rapidly degrading or stimuli-responsive (pH, light, & oxidative stress) polymers; (iv) the design of multifunctional particles loaded with multiple therapeutics for cochlear delivery and their testing to determine the therapeutics’ release kinetics, the particles’ persistence & biodistribution in the cochlea, and the general biocompatibility of the system. Accordingly, this dissertation suggests the potential establishment of a toolbox that can be used for the design of particles with programmable properties for individual applications in the effective delivery of therapeutics.PhDBiomedical EngineeringUniversity of Michigan, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studieshttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/111636/1/rahmani_1.pd

Stabilization of Aqueous Template-Based Functionalized Magnetic Nanoparticles

Magnetic particles have attracted increasing attention in fields ranging from separation processes to electromagnetic information storage an medical application. Various approaches for their synthesis have been developed and studied to satisfy the criteria of production. Improvement and optimization of size, stability, and functionality is of vital importance in biological applications. The main aspect of project, initially, was to study the application of aqueous functionalized magnetic nanoparticles coupled with high gradient magnetic separation technique for the removal of trace residue of organic contaminants from drinking water. However, the importance of synthesizing stable ferrofluid for this purpose became clear later and took precedence over the initial objective. Different approaches were adopted, such as the incorporation of poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate, ethylenediamine, and chitosan, to enhance the stability of magnetic particles. However, these surface modifications had unfavorable effect on the stability of initial particles. In accord with the initial objective of the project, the possibility of utilization of β-cyclodextrin, as organic pollutant entrapment agent, was investigated in preliminary studies conducted on its interaction with a model compound, procaine hydrochloride. The outcomes of these experiments suggest its potential as a biocompatible removal agent for the elimination of organic pollutant in drinking water system, or other applications that require selective separation of organic compounds

The Effectiveness of Social Skills Training on Communication Empowering Deprived Students

The present study was carried out to compare social skills among Iranian students. The primary purpose of this study was to examine the effect of social skills training on communication ability of deprived students. 864 high school students in Mahallat city were randomly selected by clustering method and were evaluated by using social skills training inventory (Indrebitzen and Foster, 1992). According to scores of social skills Inventory, students divided into two groups including 31 students with social skills training and 31 students without social skills training as control group. Group members were evaluated before and after 10 training sessions. ANCOVA was used for group comparisons in pretest and post -test. In general, results showed that social skills training method increased positive social skills and decreased negative social skills in experimental group. However, scores of negative and positive social skills in control group had no difference in pretest and posttest. On the other hand, training sessions was effective in increasing social adaptive, personal efficacy and prevention of traumas

The Effectiveness of Social Skills Training on Communication Empowering Deprived Students

The present study was carried out to compare social skills among Iranian students. The primary purpose of this study was to examine the effect of social skills training on communication ability of deprived students. 864 high school students in Mahallat city were randomly selected by clustering method and were evaluated by using social skills training inventory (Indrebitzen and Foster, 1992). According to scores of social skills Inventory, students divided into two groups including 31 students with social skills training and 31 students without social skills training as control group. Group members were evaluated before and after 10 training sessions. ANCOVA was used for group comparisons in pretest and post -test. In general, results showed that social skills training method increased positive social skills and decreased negative social skills in experimental group. However, scores of negative and positive social skills in control group had no difference in pretest and posttest. On the other hand, training sessions was effective in increasing social adaptive, personal efficacy and prevention of traumas

Multifunctional nanoparticles for specific neuroblastoma targeting

Neuroblastoma is a solid extracranial cancer of the nervous system. Besides leukemia, brain tumors, and central nervous system tumors, neuroblastoma is the most common cancer in children.1 It mainly affects children under 15 years old and accounts for 15% of childhood cancer deaths.2 There is a wide variety of treatment options for neuroblastomas; ranging from surgery or chemotherapy in children with low-risk to medium-risk forms of the disease, to aggressive multimodal therapies in patients with high-risk forms.3 A treatment used in certain high-risk patients is iodine-131 meta-iodobenzylguanidine (I-131 MIBG) radiotherapy. MIBG is a norepinephrine analogue that localizes to adrenergic cells. Neuroblastoma cells overexpress adrenergic receptors, and thus take up MIBG at higher rates than other tissues.4 Because of this, when modified with I-131, MIBG is used as a radiotherapy agent.5 I-131 MIBG treatment, as a highly specific therapy, avoids many of the heavy side effects seen in other cancer treatments, but its radioactivity causes a need for highly specialized facilities. Additionally, all patients undergoing I-131 MIBG treatment must remain in isolation for several days while radiation in their system is reduced to safe levels, which is especially difficult for children. As an alternative to I-131 MIBG treatment, a nanoparticle (NP) system that uses MIBG to home to neuroblastoma cells and then releases chemotherapy agents in their immediate vicinity may result in a better treatment for the disease. It would be more patient friendly in that, in addition to the above stated advantages of MIBG, it would contain no radioactive properties and therefore avoid the need for patient isolation and specialized facilities, which would increase patient compliance and reduce costs. Similar NPs were previously shown to be useful for drug loading purposes and therapeutic release rates can be controlled in NP systems, as opposed to the traditional therapy.6 Through electrohydrodynamic (EHD) co-jetting, our group has fabricated surface modifiable, biodegradable nanoparticles that can be used for predictable, controlled, and distinct delivery of therapeutics.7 In this work we present the fabrication poly-lactic-glycolic acid NPs chemically modified to display MIBG on their surface that were manufactured using our EDH methodology. We characterized the system using proton nuclear magnetic resonance, scanning electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and nanoparticle tracking analysis. Increased particle uptake for MIBG modified NPs vs controls in a neuroblastoma line was observed using confocal microscopy and flow cytometry. Future work will investigate the efficacy of these particles for delivering chemotherapeutics in in-vitro and in-vivo systems based on previously published work on drug loading studies in our group.8 1. Pizzo, P. A. & Poplack, D. G. Principles and practice of pediatric oncology. (2006). 2. Stiller, C. A. & Parkin, D. M. International variations in the incidence of neuroblastoma. Int. J. Cancer 52, 538–543 (1992). 3. Park, J. R., Eggert, A. & Caron, H. Neuroblastoma: Biology, Prognosis, and Treatment. Hematol. Oncol. Clin. North Am. 24, 65–86 (2010). 4. Hattner, R. S., Huberty, J. P., Engelstad, B. L. & Gooding, C. A. Localization of m-lodo (I-131) benzylguanidine Neuroblastoma. 373–374 (1984). 5. Riad, R. et al. Role of 131-I MIBG Therapy in the Treatment of Advanced Neuroblastoma. J. Egypt. Natl. Canc. Inst. 21, 51–8 (2009). 6. Rahmani, S., Park, T. H., Dishman, A. F. & Lahann, J. Multimodal delivery of irinotecan from microparticles with two distinct compartments. J. Control. Release 172, 239–245 (2013). 7. Rahmani, S. & Lahann, J. Recent progress with multicompartmental nanoparticles. MRS Bull. 39, 251–257 (2014). 8. Rahmani, S. et al. Dual Release Carriers for Cochlear Delivery. Adv. Healthc. Mater. 5, 94–100 (2016)

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Group Therapy With Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Severity of Pain and Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients With Migraine

Objective: Considering the prevalence of migraine and its detrimental effects on functioning, physical health, and quality of life as well as its psychosocial and social risks, the purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction treatment with treatment based on acceptance and commitment on the severity of pain and health-related quality of life in migraine patients.Methodology: In this study, a semi-experimental design was used with pre-test, post-test, a three-month follow-up, and a control group. Using purposive sampling and considering the inclusion criteria, 45 patients with migraine diagnosis were selected from among those referring to the neurology department of Imam Hossein Hospital in Tehran. They were then randomly assigned to two experimental groups and a control group. The first experimental group received group therapy based on mindfulness (n = 15; 90-minute sessions), the second experimental group received acceptance and commitment based intervention (n = 15; 90-minute sessions), and the control group (n = 15) received no intervention. All subjects responded to pain intensity and health-related quality of life questionnaires before the intervention (pre-test), after the intervention (post-test), and 3 months after the intervention (follow-up). Collected data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA.Findings: The findings showed that mean scores for the two experimental groups were significantly different from the control group in the post-test and follow-up phases in terms of severity of pain and health-related quality of life, while the mean scores for the two experimental groups did not differ significantly. The results emphasize the importance of these interventions for chronic diseases and offer new horizons in clinical interventions.Conclusion: The results of this study showed that mindfulness-based stress reduction therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy can positively affect the severity of pain and health-related quality of life in migraine patients, and any of them can be used to improve the above-mentioned variables

Photoswitchable Particles for On‐Demand Degradation and Triggered Release

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/100171/1/smll_201201921_sm_suppl.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/100171/2/3051_ftp.pd