Nanofibrous Peptide Hydrogels Leveraging Histidine to Modulate pH-Responsive Supramolecular Assembly and Antibody Release.

In this work, we investigate the pH-responsive behavior of multidomain peptide (MDP) hydrogels containing histidine. Small-angle X-ray scattering confirmed that MDP nanofibers sequester nonpolar residues into a hydrophobic core surrounded by a shell of hydrophilic residues. MDPs with histidine on the hydrophilic face formed nanofibers at all pH values tested, but the morphology of the fibers was influenced by the protonation state and the location of histidine in the MDP sequence.

Optically induced quantum transitions in direct probed mesoscopic NbSe for prototypical bolometers.

Superconducting transition-edge sensors (TES) have emerged as fascinating devices to detect broadband electromagnetic radiation with low thermal noise. The advent of metallic transition metal dichalcogenides, such as NbSe, has also created an impetus to understand their low-temperature properties, including superconductivity. Interestingly, NbSe-based sensor within the TES framework remains unexplored.

An examination of younger and older adults' age preferences.

Research suggests that how people feel about aging can contribute to their later physical, cognitive, and mental health. In two studies, we examined younger (ages 18-30) and older adults' (ages 61-70) views about aging by asking them to rate the extent to which they would find it desirable to be various ages between 0 and 120. Participants also indicated both their ideal age (the age at which they would most like to be) and their subjective age (how old they generally feel).

Dynamic Imine Bonding Facilitates Mannan Release from a Nanofibrous Peptide Hydrogel.

Recently, there has been increased interest in using mannan as an immunomodulatory bioconjugate. Despite notable immunological and functional differences between the reduced (R-Man) and oxidized (O-Man) forms of mannan, little is known about the impact of mannan oxidation state on its persistence or its potential controlled release from biomaterials that may improve immunotherapeutic or prophylactic efficacy. Here, we investigate the impact of oxidation state on the and release of mannan from a biocompatible and immunostimulatory multidomain peptide hydrogel, K(SL)K (abbreviated as K), that has been previously used for the controlled release of protein and small molecule payloads.

Multidomain peptide hydrogel adjuvants elicit strong bias towards humoral immunity.

Adjuvants play a critical role in enhancing vaccine efficacy; however, there is a need to develop new immunomodulatory compounds to address emerging pathogens and to expand the use of immunotherapies. Multidomain peptides (MDPs) are materials composed of canonical amino acids that form injectable supramolecular hydrogels under physiological salt and pH conditions. MDP hydrogels are rapidly infiltrated by immune cells and have previously been shown to influence cytokine production.

Photophysical Dynamics in Semiconducting Graphene Quantum Dots Integrated with 2D MoS for Optical Enhancement in the Near UV.

The hybrid structure of zero-dimensional (0D) graphene quantum dots (GQDs) and semiconducting two-dimensional (2D) MoS has been investigated, which exhibit outstanding properties for optoelectronic devices surpassing the limitations of MoS photodetectors where the GQDs extend the optical absorption into the near-UV regime. The GQDs and MoS films are characterized by Raman and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopies, along with atomic force microscopy. After outlining the fabrication of our 0D-2D heterostructure photodetectors comprising GQDs with bulk MoS sheets, their photoresponse to the incoming radiation was measured.

Development of an E-Cigarettes Education and Cessation Program: A South Texas Oral Health Network Study.

Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use, or vaping, among youth and young adults has become a major public health concern. The prevalence of vaping has grown an astounding 900% among high school students from 2011 to 2015, and e-cigarette use among high school students has increased by 78% from 2017 to 2018, largely due to the rise in popularity of the high-dose nicotine product, JUUL. To date, there are few evidence-based e-cigarette cessation programs.

A systematic review of the diagnostic accuracy of epidural wave form analysis to identify the epidural space in surgical and labor patients.

Introduction: Epidural failure due to misidentification of the epidural space is not uncommon. Epidural wave form analysis has been suggested to identify the epidural space.

Evidence Acquisition: A systematic literature search (Medline, Epub, Embase.

Ultra-high Photoresponsivity in Suspended Metal-Semiconductor-Metal Mesoscopic Multilayer MoS Broadband Detector from UV-to-IR with Low Schottky Barrier Contacts.

The design, fabrication, and characterization of ultra-high responsivity photodetectors based on mesoscopic multilayer MoS is presented, which is a less explored system compared to direct band gap monolayer MoS that has received increasing attention in recent years. The device architecture is comprised of a metal-semiconductor-metal (MSM) photodetector, where Mo was used as the contact metal to suspended MoS membranes. The photoresponsivity [Formula: see text] was measured to be ~1.

Metacognition in the classroom: The association between students' exam predictions and their desired grades.

Students are overconfident when making grade predictions, and worse, the lowest-performing students are generally the most overconfident. Because metacognitive accuracy is associated with academic performance, multiple studies have attempted to improve metacognitive accuracy with mixed results. However, these studies may be of limited use because we do not understand the types of information university students use to make performance predictions.

The effect of cognitive testing and feedback on older adults' subjective age.

Subjective age, or how old a person feels, is an important measure of self-perception that is associated with consequential cognitive and health outcomes. Recent research suggests that subjective age is affected by certain situations, including cognitive testing contexts. The current study examined whether cognitive testing and positive performance feedback affect subjective age and subsequent cognitive performance.

Glucocorticoid-mediated co-regulation of RCAN1-1, E4BP4 and BIM in human leukemia cells susceptible to apoptosis.

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are known to induce apoptosis of leukemia cells via gene regulatory changes affecting key pro-and anti-apoptotic genes. Three genes previously implicated in GC-evoked apoptosis in the CEM human T-cell leukemia model, RCAN1, E4BP4 and BIM, were studied in a panel of human lymphoid and myeloid leukemia cell lines. Of the two RCAN1 transcripts, the synthetic GC Dexamethasone (Dex) selectively upregulates RCAN1-1, but not RCAN1-4, in GC-susceptible Sup-B15, RS4;11, Kasumi-1 cells but not in GC-resistant Sup T1 and Loucy cells.

Equivalent latitude computation using regions of interest (ROI).

This paper introduces a novel algorithm to compute equivalent latitude by applying regions of interest (ROI). The technique is illustrated using code written in Interactive Data Language (IDL). The ROI method is compared with the "piecewise-constant" method, the approach commonly used in atmospheric sciences, using global fields of atmospheric potential vorticity.

Evaluation of an innovative internet-based partner notification program for early syphilis case management, Washington, DC, January 2007-June 2008.

Background: The Internet has become a common venue for meeting sex partners and planning participation in risky sexual behavior. In this article, we evaluate the first 18 months of the Washington, DC, Department of Health Internet-based Partner Notification (IPN) program for early syphilis infections, using the standard Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Disease Investigation Specialist (DIS) disposition codes, as well as Washington, DC, Department of Health's IPN-specific outcomes for pseudonymous partners.

Methods: We analyzed DIS disposition codes and IPN-specific outcomes from all early syphilis investigations initiated January 2007-June 2008.

Humanitarian otologic missions: long-term surgical results.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of treating chronic ear disease by performing a single surgical intervention in the austere environment of a developing nation.

Subjects And Methods: Data were collected from retrospective chart reviews on 121 patients who underwent surgical treatment of chronic ear disease during humanitarian surgical missions in South and Central America. Surgical outcomes and clinical course were assessed at 10 to 12 months after the initial surgery.

Safety and efficacy of colistin in Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas infections: a prospective cohort study.

Objective: To assess renal dysfunction and outcome in patients treated exclusively with colistin vs. other antibiotics.

Design And Setting: Prospective cohort study in a mixed ICU in a university-affiliated hospital.

First Report of Powdery Mildew Caused by Golovinomyces orontii on Corn-Salad in the United States.

Corn-salad or lamb's lettuce (Valerianella locusta) is a specialty leafy green, annual vegetable that is grown commercially in California for use in salads. During the summer (June through August) of 2004, field plantings in coastal California (Monterey County) showed symptoms and signs of a powdery mildew. White, ectophytic mycelia and conidia were present on leaves and petioles.

Shock on admission day is the best predictor of prolonged mechanical ventilation in the ICU.

Study Objectives: To determine the incidence of prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV), which is associated with increased health-care costs and risks of adverse events, and to identify its early predictors.

Design: Retrospective cohort.

Setting: A medical-surgical ICU in a university-affiliated hospital.

First Report of Powdery Mildew Caused by Erysiphe heraclei on Chervil in California.

Chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium) is a culinary herb in the Apiaceae family that is grown commercially in California. In 2003 and 2004, shade house plantings of chervil in central coastal California exhibited symptoms and signs of a powdery mildew disease. White, epiphytic mycelia and conidia were present on petioles and leaves.

Neurospora in temperate forests of western North America.

The fungal genus Neurospora has a distinguished history as a laboratory model in genetics and biochemistry. The most recent milestone in this history has been the sequencing of the genome of the best known species, N. crassa.

Impact of positive end-expiratory pressure on the definition of acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Objective: We examined whether PEEP during the first hours of ARDS can induce such a change in oxygenation that could mask fulfillment of the AECC criteria of a PaO(2)/FIO(2)
Design And Setting: Observational, prospective cohort in two medical-surgical ICU in teaching hospitals.

Patients: 48 consecutive patients who met AECC criteria of ARDS on 0 PEEP (ZEEP) at the moment of diagnosis.

Incidence, clinical course, and outcome in 217 patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Objective: To assess prospectively acute respiratory distress syndrome incidence, etiologies, physiologic and clinical features, and mortality and its predictors in four intensive care units in Argentina.

Design: Prospective inception cohort.

Setting: Four general intensive care units in teaching hospitals.