bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding the Desired Approach for Animating Procedurally
Authors:   , Rajendran Vaishali , Nicholas Diana S.
Published: July 2021

Oxford dictionary defines proceduralism as "A belief in the importance of instituting and following agreed procedure; strict or rigid adherence to a procedure as laid down (often with negative connotations)". Depending on the context, it's definition or the way its interpreted can be modified. In the field of animation, proceduralism is highly used to animate models dynamically, to behave like the life form the models imitate. The animation follows rules laid down by the animator. The process of Figuring out the right way to execute the animation might seem complicated but makes it worth it by rendering lifelike simulation of both organic and hard surface models which would otherwise be impossible to animate by keyframing. Physics based simulation(PBS) is a section of procedural animation which allows the models to animate and interact with the environment in accordance with the law of physics. The animator would require only basic knowledge of the principles of physics, biomechanics and human nature. By feeding the model which appropriate physics parameters like mass and force, a lifelike simulation can be achieved. The project involves the use of different animation platforms to utilize the different tools each provide, to test out different models. The chosen models are tested with the existing tools on these platforms. The models evolve through a series of trial and error until the suitable animation is achieved. The way I perceive proceduralism is a way to ease a process which could otherwise be complicated. By exploring different platforms and their similar yet different tools, I'd like to study and understand the better approach to simulating a given model.
High-Content Screening Analysis of Dopamine-Mediated Changes in Human Macrophages in the context of HIV infection
Authors:   , Rong Yi , Barker Jacqueline M
Published: July 2021

High-content screening (HCS) is a relatively new methodology by which we are able to address biological questions using immunocytochemistry and large-scale, data-driven analyses. This technique has become more accessible due to the, advances in computer science and technology. Utilizing this advanced technique provides a more robust and diverse analysis of large scale data sets. In this project, we are using high-content screening to examine two mechanisms by which the neurotransmitter dopamine could influence HIV neuropathogenesis. Although HIV is one of the most devastating viruses in the world, its effects on the central nervous system (CNS), are poorly understood. HIV enters the CNS within 8 days after initial infection, where the virus targets primarily myeloid cells such as perivascular macrophages and microglia. The infection of these populations leads to neuroinflammation and HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). Drug abuse is a major comorbidity in HIV infection, and all drugs of abuse increase dopamine, so the impact of dopamine on HIV neuropathogenesis is very important. Using the high content imaging technique, we found that dopamine does not alter the localization of CCR5 within lipid raft and non-lipid raft regions. However, we demonstrated that CCR5(3A9) but not CCR5(2D7) is preferentially localized to lipid raft domains, which could lead to a new target for HIV treatment by targeting CCR5(3A9) in the lipid raft. We also used high content screening to show that dopamine treatment increases the number of macrophages within a population that have elevated nuclear NF-[kappa]B. This suggests dopamine increases the number of macrophages which could produce a more robust inflammatory response. This could be beneficial to the future therapeutic strategies for treating inflammation. Together, these studies provide new insight into the mechanisms by which dopamine influences HIV infection and demonstrate the utility and power of high content screening.
Retail Mix Management on Philadelphia's Commercial Corridors and Implications for Neighborhood Change
Authors:   , Viscidy Rachael L. Hardin , Greenberger Alan Jay
Published: July 2021

Theories on commercial corridor revitalization recognize retail mix management as an important responsibility for corridor managers. This tool has been emphasized as a capacity for successful corridor management and, in more recent years, highlighted for its significant impact on the interaction between the corridor and local community members. This study uses a qualitative analysis of interviews conducted with Philadelphia corridor stakeholders and management representatives from city corridors to examine the extent to which corridor managers are limited in their ability to manage retail mix and to better understand how efficacy can be increased to improve the outcomes of neighborhood change. In my findings, I discuss how Philadelphia's corridor managers are inhibited to varying degrees in creating and sustaining an adequate retail mix, even as they recognize the importance of the practice. The analysis results in a conclusion that potential solutions are available to increase the impact of retail mix management for the benefit of the community. A comparative tool is presented to triangulate the expected impact of retail mix management limitations and the accessibility of solutions by both management type and stage of development.
An Exploration of Preschool Teachers' Training for English Language Learners
Authors:   , Pacheco Lina Antonia , Phillips Joy C.
Published: July 2021

Early childhood classroom diversity has increased significantly in the United States in recent years (Genishi & Dyson, 2015); however, this diversity has not been echoed by a similar diversification of teaching practices (Genishi & Dyson, 2015). The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the current level of ELL training possessed by nine female preschool teachers teaching in a Head Start program located in north central California; and to explore these preschool teachers' perceptions of how effective their training had been. The following research questions guided this study: (a) How do preschool teachers describe their level of training and preparedness to teach ELL children? (b) How is a preschool teacher's level of preparedness and training for teaching ELL children reflected in his or her instruction? (c) How do preschool teachers perceive ELL children as responding to their instructions? Analysis of the study results identified five themes a) level of teacher training and preparedness, b) classroom instruction techniques, c) challenges and opportunities of working with ELL preschoolers d) working with ELL parents, and e) Needs and Recommendations from Teachers. Consistent with previous findings in the literature, the findings of the research suggested, a lack of education and training for the teachers working with ELL students, teachers relying on their experiences and teachers' creativity to adapt tools at their disposal to animate and engage ELL students. Since there are gaps in the existing formal training and skills provided to teachers for ELLs, a recommendation is for administrators and educators to be mindful of creating a culturally responsive classroom and to address cultural competency in curriculum and teacher development.
Community-Based Master's Project
Authors:   , Vene Alexandra , Epstein Nancy
Published: July 2021

From previous studies and courses throughout my graduate career in public health, I have learned that access to mental health care and substance abuse disorders are both significant public health issues throughout the United States. For my Community-Based Masters Project, I researched the availability of non-individual mental health care providers and addiction services in the city of Philadelphia. I was surprised to see the abundance of community, multi-location, and hospital-based services and I did not realized that The Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual DisAbilities Services already has a compiled list of resources in the past. Using the Community Behavioral Health (CBH) inventory as a guide and findings from own Internet-based searches, I compiled an interactive map that illustrates mental health and addiction service providers in the city, along with important information about the providers and the services offered. The basic idea for the map was modeled for a local Philadelphia organization that works to address parental mental health. This paper provides information about the prevalence of behavioral health conditions in the United States and the city of Philadelphia, what organizations and programs around the country and city are doing to address these conditions, and the process I went through to create the asset map of Philadelphia providers. I discuss how the map can be used and why it is useful, plans for its future, and what I learned through this nearly year-long process of working with Child and Family Connections of Philadelphia.
Teachers' Perceptions of a Teaching and Learning Action Plan for the Development and Implementation of Problem-Solving Strategies in Middle School Mathematics
Authors:   , Shambaugh Jessica E. , Phillips Joy C.
Published: July 2021

Declining standardized test scores due to the increased rigor of curricular standards is a problem for many school districts in the United States. To combat this issue, administrative teams develop plans to better meet the needs of teachers and students. The purpose of this case study is to identify teachers' perceptions of an action plan that addressed declining test scores through the development and implementation of problem-solving strategies in the classroom. The researcher interviewed six middle school teachers and two school administrators regarding their experiences and perceptions working with the math action plan. Open-ended interviews with all 8 participants informed answers to the following research questions: 1) How do middle school math teachers in a residential school perceive the impact of an action plan on their development and implementation of effective teaching strategies for problem-solving in a mathematics classroom? 2) What evidence is there that the action plan influenced teachers' instructional strategies related to teaching problem-solving in the mathematics classroom? 3) What supports, and constraints do teachers identify that benefit or impede their ability to implement components of the action plan? In addition to open-ended interviews, the researcher also analyzed the action plan, teacher lesson plans, and previously analyzed student achievement data. Based on the participants' shared experiences and the researcher's analysis, four themes emerged: shift in curriculum and instructional strategies, time as a negative and positive factor, the effectiveness of professional development, and collaboration. Teachers expressed a strong focus on professional development and the need to increase reading and writing in the math classroom. The researcher determined multiple recommendations to improve instruction through the findings of this study.
Drexel University Community-Based Master's Project Students Care Hospital Buddy Program
Authors:   , Junior Chelise , Massey Philip
Published: July 2021

Psychosocial can relate to how individuals use their personal experiences to structure how they create new perspectives, coping with situations, and problem-solving. The term psychosocial pertains to the relation of the intertwining of social factors and individual thought and behavior (Dictionary). There are approximately 40,000 children across the world that are diagnosed and make the decision to undergo cancer treatment (Cure Search). The American Psychological Association (APA) reports that every year 9,000 new children are diagnosed with cancer (American Psychological Association). StudentsCare, a non-profit organization, focuses on improving the overall hospital experience for pediatric residents by supporting their psychosocial needs and care. StudentsCare incorporates a subsection of their organization, the Hospital Buddy Program, to help create an environment promoting compassion and emotional support for patients. In this study, we assessed ways that StudentsCare could be able to achieve improvement in hospital ratings, patient health outcomes, and empathy-related care. This was done through the identification of the various themes and knowledge for program need, impact, and empathy-related care. Program impact is the general understanding of the importance of psychosocial support services and the positive influence that they serve to patients and their families. Empathy-related care incorporates compassion and a deeper understanding of one and what strategies can be put in place to increase ones over wellbeing. To incorporate these mechanisms to improve psychosocial services, we've concluded findings in research to extend current data collection tools and the development of patient/parent satisfactory surveys to measure short and long-term goals. The logic model provided by StudentsCare showed an overview of their goals and mission to ultimately reach their impact goal of improving the hospital experience for pediatric oncology patients and their families. Stakeholders such as patients, parents, and volunteers are a measure to ensure that their needs are being met. Throughout this study, we found some barriers in the research included limited research topic, relying on quantitative survey methodology, limited volunteer psychosocial programs, and possible self-reporting bias.
An exploration of protective and risk factors that influence the development of resilience among Black girls
Authors:   , Hewitt Denna M. , Phillips Joy C.
Published: July 2021

Black women's issues and obstacles are more complex than most other races due to historical racism, sexism, and poverty (S. A. Thomas & González-Prendes, 2009). However, cultural expectations of strength in Black women fuel the myth of the strong Black woman that compels women to push for unrealistic levels of self-sacrifice, self-denial, and ensuing emotional distress (Beauboeuf-Lafontant, 2007). The combination of powerlessness and strength presents a problematic paradox for Black women. The purpose of this case study is to explore risk and protective factors within the lives of Black girls who attend a large urban high school and examine how those factors affect the development of resilience. Based on cultural, historical, and societal factors, Black adolescent girls living in an urban environment while attending high schools struggle with the development of resilience. A combination of risk factors (poverty and exposure to violence) and protective factors (self-efficacy, belief system, and support system) are considered when developing resilience. This research addressed the following research questions: (a) How do Black high school girls perceive themselves as resilient? and (b) According to Black high school girls, what are the perceived risk and protective factors that had an impact on the development of their resilience? Through the use of a survey, participants were asked questions regarding resilience in addition to the perceived risk and protective factors. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive analysis and Excel to determine significant factors pertaining to resilience. One-to-one interviews were used to gather deeper insight into the risk and protective factors that may influence the development of resilience. Qualitative data were coded using In Vivo and descriptive codes to identify patterns and themes. As a result of this study, the researcher now understands resilience as a social ecological construct. This ecological perspective suggests that, when providing a person with opportunities to realize his or her potential, interventions must involve those mandated to help, such as social workers, nurses, and educators, as well as those expected to provide support, namely the person's family, peers, and community.
Exploring Parents' Engagement with a Digital Personalized Learning System
Authors:   , Grant-Spencer Sabina F. , Phillips Joy C.
Published: July 2021

National data cited by Barton & Coley (2010) indicate that African American males are achieving less than Caucasian males in elementary school-level reading. Taking education beyond the classroom and into the home may be a critically important mechanism for addressing this problem and reducing the negative impact of academic contexts where African American males are experiencing deficiencies in reading. Research by Renth, Buckley, & Puchner (2015) shows parent engagement plays a crucial role in students' academic success in school. However, not all parents are equipped with appropriate instructional tools to promote academic engagement within the home. Beecher & Sweeny (2008) noted that various instructional practices such as enrichment, differentiated instruction, and culturally relevant instruction can positively affect educational disparities in African American males. Their research employed a case study design to better understand parents' engagement with a digital personalized learning system and its influence on their African American boys' reading scores in an urban elementary school. The three literature review streams of the present study included educational disparities, parent engagement, and technology-based learning. Findings suggest that parents perceive Lexia as easily accessible and tailored to the individual learning needs of their child. Parents also reported noticeable improvements in the areas of comprehension and spelling. Furthermore, parents expressed a desire for additional digital learning resources to support academic engagement with their child.
Enhanced cardiac-specific differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells via electrical stimulation
Authors:   , Bidez Paul R. , Lelkes Peter I.
Published: July 2021

Cardiovascular diseases account for more deaths than any other disease. Cardiac tissue engineering has turned to stem cells as a renewable source of myocytes for use in tissue replacements. Existing methods for stem cell differentiation are non-specific, yielding low numbers of myocytes, with varying contraction frequencies and strengths. The goals of this project are to design novel experimental approaches, utilizing an electrical stimulation regimen, aimed at increasing the efficiency of cardiac differentiation from embryonic stem cells and generating cardiac myocytes/scyncithia with functional characteristics that more closely resemble native tissues. It has been found that parameters such as amplitude, duration and frequency of the electrical stimulus and the timing of its onset are critical factors for enhancement of cardiac differentiation. Embryonic stem cells, subjected to an optimum regime of embryoid body formation via the hanging drop method followed by suspension culture and subsequent post plating on conductive slides with stimulation exhibit nearly 50% more cells differentiating toward the cardiac lineage compared to non-stimulated controls, as determined by microscopical analysis of the expression of ventricular marker myosin light chain-2v via immunohistochemistry. The spontaneous contractions in the stimulated cells begin up to one day earlier and have an average beat frequency close to that of the stimulus applied during differentiation. The spontaneously contracting regions have larger areas of contraction, which beat more rhythmically, as determined by videographic analysis. Data suggests that these improved myocytes may be better suited for applications in tissue engineered constructs, direct implantation into an ailing heart and for use in drug development models than those from other methods.
Injectable bioadhesive hydrogels for nucleus pulposus replacement and repair of the damaged intervertebral disc
Authors:   , Vernengo Jennifer , Lowman Anthony M.
Published: July 2021

Researchers have begun to realize the potential benefits of treating intervertebral disc degeneration by replacing the nucleus pulposus. One of the material classes being studied for nucleus replacement is the hydrogel, a three-dimensional, hydrated polymer network. The development of an injectable hydrogel nucleus replacement would have important clinical consequences because it could be injected non-invasively using a needle. Aqueous solutions of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide), or PNIPAAm, have a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) between room and body temperature, making it suitable for an injectable implant material. Aqueous polymer solutions could be injected as a free flowing liquid at 25°C and solidify to a gel within the body at 37°C. At physiological temperatures, PNIPAAm homopolymer gels hold little water and show poor elastic recovery. In the work, the swelling and mechanical properties of PNIPAAm gels are tailored by polymerizing NIPAAm in the presence of poly(ethylene) glycol dimethacrylate (PEGDM), thereby creating PNIPAAm-PEG branched copolymers. The effect of PEG molecular weight and NIPAAm/PEG molar ratio on the water content, stiffness, and elasticity of the hydrogels was determined. In addition, a suitable material candidate for nucleus pulposus replacement was chosen from this class of hydrogels. The copolymer formulation was optimized to minimize implant water loss following implantation into the intradiscal environment, allowing the implant to remain space filling in the nuclear cavity. Bioadhesive properties were then imparted to the hydrogel system by blending it with the amine containing polymer poly(ethylene imine) (PEI). After gelation in the disc, the implant will be crosslinked with itself and with the surrounding tissues by the injection of a dialdehyde. This approach will help secure the implant in place, reducing the risk of implant migration or extrusion. The bioadhesive material also has the potential to function as tissue adhesive for the repair of the damaged annulus fibrosis.
Chemical substitution in the undergraduate chemistry curriculum
Authors:   , Brook Bryan , Solomon Sally D.
Published: July 2021

A recommended method for source reduction of pollutants is chemical substitution, in which hazardous materials are substituted for less hazardous materials. Here lab experiments and demonstrations were designed using household chemicals. The advantages include easy accessibility to low cost materials and minimal waste in comparison to traditional experiments. Students also showed more interest in performing experiments using familiar products. A Handbook of Household Chemicals was created. Using chemicals in the Handbook, qualitative and quantitative experiments are described that only require simple equipment. In addition, chemicals are identified in a quantitative analysis experiment with applications for upper level classes. Experiments requiring the use of water condensers were modified using an ice cooled condenser. The condenser, developed in our laboratory, is useful for distillation and reflux experiments where running water is not practical. Finally, demonstrations were designed for an overhead projector to be used in large classrooms. The experiments and demos can be used in any secondary school, college or university. The laboratory exercises can also accompany long distance learning and Internet chemistry courses. Several experiments using consumer products have been incorporated into the Pennsylvania Department of Education Science In Motion project. The program provides a van equipped with instruments and chemicals to be taken to local schools. Overall, the experiments discussed here provide a safe and low-cost alternative to traditional experiments.
Blind identification of possibly under-determined convolutive MIMO systems
Authors:   , Yu Yuanning , Petropulu Athina P.
Published: July 2021

Blind identification of a Linear Time Invariant (LTI) Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) system is of great importance in many applications, such as speech processing, multi-access communication, multi-sensor sonar/radar systems, and biomedical applications. The objective of blind identification for a MIMO system is to identify an unknown system, driven by N_i unobservable inputs, based on the N_o system outputs. We first present a novel blind approach for the identification of a over-determined (N_o [greater than or equal to] N_i) MIMO system driven by white, mutually independent unobservable inputs. Samples of the system frequency response are obtained based on Parallel Factorization (PARAFAC) of three- or four-way tensors constructed respectively based on third- or fourth-order cross-spectra of the system outputs. We show that the information available in the higher-order spectra allows for the system response to be identified up to a constant scaling and permutation ambiguities and a linear phase ambiguity. Important features of the proposed approaches are that they do not require channel length information, need no phase unwrapping, and unlike the majority of existing methods, need no pre-whitening of the system outputs. While several methods have been proposed to blindly identify over-determined convolutive MIMO systems, very scarce results exist for under-determined (N_o < N_i) case, all of which refer to systems that either have some special structure, or special N_o, N_i values. We propose a novel approach for blind identification of under-determined convolutive MIMO systems of general dimensions. As long as min(N_o,N_i) [greater than or equal to] 2, we can always find the appropriate order of statistics that guarantees identifiability of the system response within trivial ambiguities. We provide the description of the class of identifiable MIMO systems for a certain order of statistics K, and an algorithm to reach the solution. Finally we propose a novel approach for blind identification and symbol recovery of a distributed antenna system with multiple carrier-frequency offsets (CFO), arising due to mismatch between the oscillators of transmitters and receivers. The received base-band signal is over-sampled, and its polyphase components are used to formulate a virtual MIMO problem. By applying blind MIMO system estimation techniques, the system response is estimated and used to subsequently decouple the users and transform the multiple CFOs estimation problem into a set of independent single CFO estimation problems.
Drug delivery systems based on polymer blends
Authors:   , Liu Xinyin , Lowman Anthony M.
Published: July 2021

Polymer blending is the physical mixing of two or more existing polymers. Itoffers an effective way to produce new polymeric materials with combined excellent properties. With this technique, non-toxic, biocompatible hydrogels can be synthesized through mixing biocompatible polymers in the absence of the toxic agents, such as crosslinking agents, initiators and residual monomers, which are inevitable in regular polymerization processes. In this regard, this project focuses on the development of new drug delivery systems based upon blending of polymers with known biocompatibility. The first part of the project was to synthesize hydrogels from blending of two hydrophilic polymers-polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP). The hydrogel characteristics and model drug release were evaluated. The second part of the research was to incorporate biodegradable poly (D, L- lactide-co-glycolide) microparticles (~10~m) containing a model drug into hydrogel matrices of PVA, with the crystallites of PVA serving as the crosslinking points. The release of the drug formulated in the polymeric composite was controlled by the degradation of the microparticles and the diffusion through the hydrogel matrix. Furthermore, a multilayer approach was adopted to reduce the initial burst effect by offering additional diffusion barriers. An empirical model of drug release from the multilayer composite was developed and applied to estimate the effects of outer layer thickness and particle size on the release from the delivery system.
A dissection of T cell receptor signaling pathways in primary human T cells activated in the rotating-wall vessel bioreactor
Authors:   , Simons Donald Mark , Lelkes Peter I.
Published: July 2021

One hurdle of long-term manned spaceflight is the reduction in cellular immunity experienced by astronauts in the microgravity environment. T lymphocytes, the primary effectors of cellular immunity, are unresponsive to mitogenic lectins or T cell receptor (TCR) ligation when cultured in vitro during spaceflight. Responsiveness can be partially rescued by directly activating the diacyl glycerol- (DAG) and calcium-signaling pathways that lie downstream of the TCR. Studies using rotating wall vessel (RWV) bioreactors as ground-based microgravity analogs have shown that sub-mitogenic doses of PMA, a DAG mimetic, can rescue T cell activation in response to mitogenic-lectins and -antibodies. Based on these findings we hypothesized that RWV-culture impairs T cell activation by affecting the generation of or response to the DAG second-messenger. This hypothesis was investigated by making comparative analyses of TCR-induced signal transduction in primary human CD4+ T cells in RWV- and 1-g (static)-culture. Our results show that TCR-induced phospholipase C[gamma]1 (PLC[gamma]1) activation and the subsequent generation of DAG is unimpaired in CD4+ T lymphocytes cultured in the RWV. Furthermore, the primary targets of the DAG second-message, the guanylnucleotide replacing protein for RAS (RASGRP) and protein kinase c[theta] (PKC[theta]), were both activated by cells cultured in the RWV. Gene expression downstream of these enzymes, however, was only induced by T cells cultured in static conditions. A closer inspection of these pathways indicated that during culture in the RWV the extracellular regulated kinase (ERK), which is downstream of RASGRP, may become sequestered in the cytosol and thus prevented from mediating gene expression in the nucleus. Based on these results we conclude, that altered compartmentalization of ERK prevents T cells from becoming activated in the RWV by limiting the activation of key transcription factors required for the cell to become activated and enter the cell-cycle.
Frequency domain blind multiple-input multiple-output system identification
Authors:   , Chen Binning , Petropulu Athina P.
Published: July 2021

Since commercial banks play important roles in the financial markets, it is important to evaluate whether banks operate efficiently. Moreover, given increased competition from non-bank financial institutions, commercial banks should operate more efficiently than they did previously. Commercial banks might operate more efficiently if they have superior information. If this is true, bank size should not matter to the operation of the bank. Thus, as long as the bank has superior information, it will operate more efficiently. Therefore, is it necessary that banks should be big to be efficient? Will the numbers of small commercial banks decrease? This dissertation will investigate the survival value of small commercial banks. There are three essays related to X-efficiencies in U.S. commercial banks in this dissertation. First, the relation between commercial banks' x-efficiency and agricultural factors is examined. Two hypotheses are examined in this essay. First, pairwise comparison tests and regression analyses are used to test relations between e-efficiency and bank size, location, and specialization. Second, the relation between bank X-efficiency and agricultural factors at the country level is examined. Like previous studies, economies of scale are shown to exist in the banking industry. However, the degree of scale efficiency is found to be related to loan specialization. Larger is not always better for banks with loan specialties in agriculture. Furthermore, agricultural factors, regarded as a proxy for local economic activity, have a significant impact on small agricultural banks. The second essay examines the degree to which commercial bank X-efficiencies are affected through time by monetary policy and macro economic factors. We are able to document the X-efficiency does change through time in a predictable manner. Finally, in the third essay, an improvement in the methodology for calculating bank X-efficiency is examined. The improvement is designed to solve the problems associated with using cross-sectional and time-series panel data. The improved methodology is used to re-examine the empirical results found in the first two essays.
Drug loading onto polymeric contrast agents for ultrasound drug delivery
Authors:   , Mualem-Burstein Odelia , Wheatley Margaret A.
Published: July 2021

Conventional, systemic chemotherapy has proved to be generally inefficient in the treatment of solid tumors, bearing harmful, toxic side effects. Targeted drug delivery systems can mitigate this. We develop methods to load drugs onto polymeric microbubbles, serving both as ultrasound contrast agents (CA) and drug carriers. These drug-loaded CA have the ability to release their payload in the vicinity of the tumor site. Our CA are fabricated using an adaptation of double emulsion method developed in our lab. Bovine serum albumin (BSA), sudan black (SB), 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and doxorubicin (DOX) are individually loaded onto our CA, using three different loading methods, namely, incorporation, dry, and wet adsorption. The effects of different preparation parameters on drug yield and echogenicity, for each drug/loading method combination, are studied. Temperature, pH, drug concentration and incubation time, are found to affect BSA loading through dry adsorption. The highest loading efficiency (50.5%) was found for incubating BSA at pH 4.2 at 4°C but compromised its echogenicity, 19.0 dB. In contrast, by incorporation, only 21.9% BSA is loaded still maintaining an echogenicity of 20.9 dB. SB, as a hydrophobic material, is most suitably shell incorporated, yielding 100% loading efficiency while maintaining 21.9 dB echogenicity. Wet adsorption is found to be most suitable for loading 5-FU and DOX; 5-FU loading efficiency is 27.6% while echogenicity is 15.7 dB, and DOX loading efficiency is 79.1% while echogenicity is 15.8 dB. There is a clear trade-off between drug loading efficiency and CA echogenicity; we strive to load as much drug as possible while maintaining acoustic properties. In vivo feasibility studies show the stability and echogenicity of our drug-loaded CA in cancerous and healthy animal models. In addition, SB-loaded CA are shown to be suitable candidates for lymph channels and sentinel lymph nodes visualization, both through staining and US. Summarizing, complex relationships are found to exist among drugs, loading methods and CA shell polymers, i.e., specific loading methods should be used for specific drugs and CA. This work demonstrates that our CA are able to carry anticancer drugs, already in clinical use with proven therapeutic effects, while maintaining echogenicity and stability.
Synthesis of noble metal nanoparticles
Authors:   , Bahadory Mozhgan , Solomon Sally D.
Published: July 2021

Improved methods were developed for the synthesis of noble metal nanoparticles. Laboratory experiments were designed for introducing of nanotechnology into the undergraduate curriculum. An optimal set of conditions for the synthesis of clear yellow colloidal silver was investigated. Silver nanoparticles were obtained by borohydride reduction of silver nitrate, a method which produces particles with average size of 12±2 nm, determined by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The plasmon absorbance is at 397 nm and the peak width at half maximum (PWHM) is 70-75 nm. The relationship between aggregation and optical properties was determined along with a method to protect the particles using polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). A laboratory experiment was designed in which students synthesize yellow colloidal silver, estimate particle size using visible spectroscopy, and study aggregation effects. The synthesis of the less stable copper nanoparticles is more difficult because copper nanopaticles are easily oxidized. Four methods were used for the synthesis of copper nanoparticles, including chemical reduction with sodium borohydride, sodium borohydride with potassium iodide, isopropyl alcohol with cetyltrimethylammonium bormide (CTAB) and reducing sugars. The latter method was also the basis for an undergraduate laboratory experiment. For each reaction, the dependence of stability of the copper nanoparticles on reagent concentrations, additives, relative amounts of reactants, and temperature is explored. Atomic force microscopy (AFM), TEM and UV-Visible Spectroscopy were used to characterize the copper nanoparticles. A laboratory experiment to produce copper nanoparticles from household chemicals was developed.
Hospital Room Design and Health Outcomes of the Aging Adult
Authors:   , Lorenz Susan Garzon , Dreher Heyward Michael
Published: July 2021

INTRODUCTION: Since 2006, the American Institute of Architects has recommended that private rooms become the industry standard for all new construction of acute care hospitals. Healthcare design researchers contend that private rooms decrease infection, facilitate healthcare workers efficiency, provide space for families to stay and provide greater access to privacy. While links between room type and health outcomes have been described in the literature, the actual relationship between these two variables has not been determined nor is it clear whether a "one size fits all" approach to hospital design is appropriate for all patient populations. The purpose of this study is to determine the differences in the rate of falls and hospital acquired infections (HAI) in the hospitalized older adult for those admitted to private versus semi-private rooms and to explore whether being at risk for social isolation is a contributing factor to either event. METHODS: This retrospective case comparative design utilized a sample of patients admitted to the University Medical Center of Princeton in 2006. Patient records were randomly selected through the hospitals admission/discharge/transfer system. The records were then divided into two groups based on room type. Data collected included demographics, incidence of falls and HAI and risk for social isolation. RESULTS: All patients were over 65 years old and were admitted to the hospital for a variety of diagnoses. Length of stay was between 3 and 10 days. There was no significant difference between the type of room and the likelihood of falling. (p = .37). The relative risk of falling in a private room was 4.01 compared to being in a semi-private room, but there was no significant difference in the occurrence of HAI based on room type (p = 1.0). The risk of social isolation variable was unable to significantly affect which hospitalized older adults will suffer a negative outcome, fall or HAI, (p=0.52). CONCLUSION: Room type may play a role in the occurrence of falls in the hospitalized older adult, but room type in and of itself does not increase the chance of acquiring an infection while in the hospital. In addition, being at risk of social isolation does not affect the likelihood of having an adverse outcome; however the presence of risk for social isolation was 40% and needs to be further explored.
Efficient programming techniques for the SACLIB computer algebra library
Authors:   , Richardson David G. , Krandick Werner
Published: July 2021

This dissertation describes three contributions to the SACLIB computer algebra library. Using generic programming we specify the Recursively Fixed Iterator and the Structure Protecting Iterator concepts. We prove that models of these concepts cannot leak or double delete resources. Through template metaprogramming, we implement models of these concepts that provide this memory safety at compile-time and without any run-time overhead. Using aspect oriented programming, we allow unit and regression tests to be automatically obtained from an executing SACLIB program. This program instrumentation is transparent both to SACLIB maintainers and clients. This mechanism allows the automated creation of regression test suites during the execution of normal SACLIB programs. Using code generation and auto-tuning, we allow high performance implementations of the Taylor shift, de Casteljau's algorithm, and the Descartes Method for polynomial root isolation to be automatically tuned for different architectures. This allows a speedup of 10-20 over existing methods to be obtained on modern CPU architectures. The key to this speedup is the creation of a tiling scheme that allows the irregular structure of the computation to be tiled using a small number of tiles that are easy for a code generator to produce code for. The implementation of the Recursively Fixed Iterator and the Structure Protecting Iterator provide memory safety by using C++ template metaprograms that selectively disable certain classes of side effects in programs using the iterators. Other safety properties can be achieved using similar disabling of side effects. We believe that the most important continuation of the work presented here is the development of programming language techniques to allow programmers to control where their code should sit along the spectrum of the absence of side effects in pure functional languages and the unrestricted side effects of imperative languages.
How online small groups co-construct mathematical artifacts to do collaborative problem solving
Authors:   , Cakır Murat Perit , Stahl Gerry
Published: July 2021

Developing pedagogies and instructional tools to support learning math with understanding is a major goal in math education. A common theme among various characterizations of mathematical understanding involves constructing relations among mathematical facts, procedures, and ideas encapsulated in graphical and symbolic artifacts. Discourse is key for enabling students to realize such connections among seemingly unrelated mathematical artifacts. Analysis of mathematical discourse on a moment-to-moment basis is needed to understand the potential of small-group collaboration and online communication tools to support learning math with understanding. This dissertation investigates interactional practices enacted by virtual teams of secondary students as they co-construct mathematical artifacts in an online environment with multiple interaction spaces including text-chat, whiteboard, and wiki components. The findings of the dissertation arrived at through ethnomethodologically-informed case studies of online sessions are organized along three dimensions: (a) Mathematical Affordances: Whiteboard and chat spaces allow teams to co-construct multiple realizations of relevant mathematical artifacts. Contributions remain persistentlyavailable for subsequent manipulation and reference in the shared visual field. The persistence of contributions facilitates the management of multiple threads of activities across dual media. The sequence of actions that lead to the construction and modification of shared inscriptions makes the visual reasoning process visible.(b) Coordination Methods: Team members achieve a sense of sequential organization across dual media through temporal coordination of their chat postings and drawings. Groups enact referential uses of available features to allocate their attention to specific objects in the shared visual field and to associate them with locally defined terminology. Drawings and text-messages are used together as semiotic resources in mutually elaborating ways.(c) Group Understanding: Teams develop shared mathematical understanding through joint recognition of connections among narrative, graphical and symbolic realizations of the mathematical artifacts that they have co-constructed to address their shared task. The interactional organization of the co-construction work establishes an indexical ground as support for the creation and maintenance of a shared problem space for the group. Each new contribution is made sense of in relation to this persistently available and shared indexical ground, which evolves sequentially as new contributions modify the sense of previous contributions.
Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor (TGF[beta]1) promote EMT in primary prostate cancer cells via Ras signaling. Inhibitory effects of EGCG on EMT induced matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity in prostate cancer cells
Authors:   , Varma Devika M. , Stearns Mark E.
Published: July 2021

Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) may be a critical step in prostate cancer progression and metastasis. However, we do not understand the ligands and conditions controlling EMT. We have examined the factors controlling EMT in primary prostate cell lines isolated from human prostate cancer (i.e. IBC-10a and PCa-20a cells). We have shown that a combination of EGF and TGF[beta]1 (E+T) can promote expression of Vimentin and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP2 and MMP9) during induction of EMT in the primary cell lines. We have found that an intact Ras signaling was essential for E+T induced EMT. We have stably transfected IBC-10a cells with pBABE.ras constructs containing three distinct Ras mutations (i.e. C40, G37 and S35). In cells transfected with C40 and S35, TGF[beta]1 alone induced MMP2 and MMP9 secretion, whereas, E+T was essential to induce MMP2 and MMP9 secretion in G37 transfected cells (i.e. which activates RalGDS and blocks Akt-1 and MEK signaling). Taken together, the data have shown, for the first time, that E+T activation of Akt-1 and MEK signaling pathways play a key role in EMT. One added goal of the study was to identify potential therapeutic agents which can block EMT. We have found that the green tea extract, Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), blocks E+T induced MMP secretion in a dosage dependent manner in both the primary cell lines and malignant PC3ML2 tumor cells. In sum, our work has demonstrated that specific ligands regulate EMT and that a herbal tea extract has potential therapeutic benefit in blocking ligand dependent EMT.
Digital chiaroscuro
Authors:   , Lally David Michael , Redmann Christopher P.
Published: July 2021

During the early 17th century, the aesthetic device of chiaroscuro evolved as classical painters such as Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio and his tenebrist students defined new methods of representing figures through heavily contrasting light quality, amplifying the detail in form and material properties as well as creating more opportunities for emotional and allegorical applications within their paintings. Centuries later, artists of all media are still incorporating elements of chiaroscuro into their work. With the arrival of digital media, artists are presented with another opportunity to evolve this classical style through the incorporation of advancements in artistic control and production efficiency. However, there is a unique challenge in translating a classical style of still imagery into one of sequential imagery. Through understanding how the device came about, one can determine what makes it unique as well as why the classical style is worth reviving and evolving through digital effects and animation.