Black and White as Valence Cues

Replication efforts involving large samples are recommended in helping to determine the reliability of an effect. This approach was taken for a study from Meier, Robinson, and Clore (2004) , one of the first papers in social cognition guided by conceptual metaphor theory, which reported that evaluations were faster when word valence metaphorically matched (e.g., a word with a negative meaning in black) rather than mismatched (e.g., a word with a negative meaning in white) font color. The present investigation was a direct large-scale replication attempt involving 980 participants who completed an experiment using web-based software and were diverse in terms of race, age, and geographical location. Words with a positive meaning were evaluated faster when font color was white rather than black and words with a negative meaning were evaluated faster when font color was black rather than white, replicating the main results of Meier et al. (2004) . </jats:p

Novel hydrogel system eliminates subculturing and improves retention of nonsenescent mesenchymal stem cell populations

Aim: To compare the physiological behavior of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) within an expandable tissue-mimetic 3D system relative to in vitro expansion in a traditional 2D system. Methods: Adipose-derived MSCs (ASCs) were continuously cultured for 6 weeks on either 2D culture plastic or in a 3D hydrogel system that eliminated subculturing. ASCs were assessed for senescence, ‘stem-like’ MSC markers, and ability for their secretome to augment a secondary cell population. Results: The 3D hydrogel system resulted in an enhanced retention of more regenerative, nonsenescent ASC populations that exhibited increased expression of ‘stem-like’ MSC surface markers. Conclusion: This study introduces a proof-of-concept design for a novel modular 3D system that can improve in vitro expansion of stem-like cell populations for future regenerative therapies

Tailoring the secretome composition of mesenchymal stem cells to augment specific functions of epidermal regeneration: an in vitro diabetic model

Introduction: Wound healing consists of a dynamic series of events that are highly dependent on paracrine factors for proper progression through the phases of wound healing. Inappropriate progression through the phases is associated with insufficient epidermal regeneration (i.e., re-epithelialization) of wounds and subsequent propagation of chronic wounds, such as diabetic ulcers, which are associated with increased patient morbidity. Recently, investigation into the dynamic secretome of Adipose-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (ASCs), have shown promise in augmenting the wound healing response of chronic diabetic wounds. However, currently utilized 2D culture techniques are known to drastically alter the regenerative phenotype of ASCs. In this study a novel tissue-mimetic 3D system was utilized as a means to culture ASCs. Methods: The capacity for the ASC secretome to augment epidermal regeneration activity was then evaluated after exposure of ASCs to “wound priming stimuli” in 2D and 3D. The priming stimuli consisted of coating the 2D and 3D systems with the wound matrix proteins, collagen type I, fibronectin, and fibrin. To understand the potential benefit of the ASC secretome in the context of diabetic wounds, keratinocytes (KCs) were exposed to super-physiological glucose levels to induce a diabetic-like phenotype (idKCs). Results: Relative to KCs, idKC exhibited a 52% and 23% decline in proliferation and migration, respectively. Subsequently, analyses of the ASC secretome were performed. ASC conditioned media (ASC-CM) from tissue-mimetic culture demonstrated a > 50% increase secretion of proteins and a 2-fold increase in secreted EVs, relative to 2D culture. Interestingly, the different priming stimuli did not alter the total amount of protein or EVs secreted within the tissue-mimetic system. However, evaluation of specific soluble proteins via ELISA revealed significant differences in key epidermal regeneration factors, such as EGF, IGF-1, FGF-2, MMP-1, TIMP-1, and TGFβ-1. Additionally, the relative effect of ASC-EVs from the 2D and 3D system on idKCs epidermal regeneration functionality varied significantly, with EVs from 3D-Collagen culture providing the most significant benefit on idKC activity. Discussion: Together, these data support the utilization of tissue-mimetic culture system to enhance the adaptability and secretory activity of MSC-like populations in order to generate tailored biologics, via priming stimuli, for specific wound healing applications

Keeping invertebrate research ethical in a landscape of shifting public opinion

(1) Invertebrate study systems are cornerstones of biological and biomedical research, providing key insights into fields from genetics to behavioural ecology. Despite the widespread use of invertebrates in research there are very few ethical guidelines surrounding their use. (2) Focussing on two ethical considerations faced during invertebrate studies – collecting methods and euthanasia - we make recommendations for integrating principles of vertebrate research into invertebrate research practice. (3) We argue, given emerging research on invertebrate cognition and shifting public perception on the use of invertebrates in research, it is vital that the scientific community revisits the ethics of invertebrate use in research. (4) Without careful consideration and development of the ethics surrounding the use of invertebrates by the scientific community, there is a danger of losing public support. It is imperative that the public understand the significance of research that uses invertebrates and that scientists demonstrate their ethical treatment of their experimental subjects

The Emergence of Spanking Among a Representative Sample of Children Under 2 Years of Age in North Carolina

Spanking is common in the United States but less common in many European countries in which it has been outlawed. Being spanked has been associated with child abuse victimization, poor self-esteem, impaired parent–child relationships, and child and adult mental health, substance abuse, and behavioral consequences. Being spanked as a child has also been shown to increase the likelihood of abusing one's own children or spouse as an adult. Spanking of very young children less than two is almost never recommended even among experts that consider spanking as reasonable in some circumstances. Using a cross-sectional anonymous telephone survey, we describe spanking rates among a representative sample of North Carolina mothers of children less than 2 years old and the association of spanking with demographic characteristics. A substantial proportion of mothers admit to spanking their very young children. The rate of spanking in the last year among all maternal respondents was 30%. Over 5% of the mothers of 3-month olds reported spanking. Over 70% of the mothers of 23-month olds reported spanking. Increased spanking was associated with higher age of the child and lower maternal age. With every month of age, a child had 27% increased odds of being spanked. Early spanking has been shown to be associated with poor cognitive development in early childhood. Further, early trauma has been shown to have significant effects on the early developing brain. It is therefore critical that health and human services professionals address the risk of corporal punishment as a method of discipline early in the life of the child. The spanking of very young children may be an appropriate locus for policy and legislative debates regarding corporal punishment

Depairing critical current achieved in superconducting thin films with through-thickness arrays of artificial pinning centers

Large area arrays of through-thickness nanoscale pores have been milled into superconducting Nb thin films via a process utilizing anodized aluminum oxide thin film templates. These pores act as artificial flux pinning centers, increasing the superconducting critical current, Jc, of the Nb films. By optimizing the process conditions including anodization time, pore size and milling time, Jc values approaching and in some cases matching the Ginzburg-Landau depairing current of 30 MA/cm^2 at 5 K have been achieved - a Jc enhancement over as-deposited films of more than 50 times. In the field dependence of Jc, a matching field corresponding to the areal pore density has also been clearly observed. The effect of back-filling the pores with magnetic material has then been investigated. While back-filling with Co has been successfully achieved, the effect of the magnetic material on Jc has been found to be largely detrimental compared to voids, although a distinct influence of the magnetic material in producing a hysteretic Jc versus applied field behavior has been observed. This behavior has been tested for compatibility with currently proposed models of magnetic pinning and found to be most closely explained by a model describing the magnetic attraction between the flux vortices and the magnetic inclusions.Comment: 9 pages, 10 figure