Surface interactions of gelatin-sourced carbon quantum dots with a model globular protein: insights into carbon-based nanomaterials and biological systems.

Carbon nanomaterials (CNMs), such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene quantum dots (GQDs), and carbon quantum dots (CQDs), are prevalent in biological systems and have been widely utilized in applications like environmental sensing and biomedical fields. While their presence in human matrices is projected to increase, the interfacial interactions between carbon-based nanoscopic platforms and biomolecular systems continue to remain underexplored. In this study, we investigated the effect of gelatin-sourced CQDs on the globular milk protein beta-lactoglobulin (BLG).

Dissecting the role of vitamin B metabolism in craniofacial development through analysis of clinical phenotypes and model organism discoveries.

Vitamin B, otherwise known as cobalamin, is an essential water-soluble vitamin that is obtained from animal derived dietary sources. Mutations in the genes that encode proteins responsible for cobalamin uptake, transport, or processing cause inborn errors of cobalamin metabolism, a group of disorders characterized by accumulation of homocysteine and methylmalonic acid, neurodevelopmental defects, ocular dysfunction, anemia, and failure to thrive. Mild to moderate craniofacial phenotypes have been observed but these phenotypes are not completely penetrant and have not been consistently recognized in the literature.

Cardiovascular reactivity during conversations about discrimination is buffered by social support among U.S. Latines.

Racial discrimination is conceptualized as an acute and chronic stressor. Like other acute stressors, lab-based studies demonstrate acute effects of discrimination-related stressors on stress-related cardiovascular outcomes, including total cardiac output, blood pressure, and indices of sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system activity. Critically, it is important to understand how individual and social factors buffer the experience of race-related acute stress.

Distinct populations suppress or escalate intake of cocaine paired with aversive quinine.

Background: Only a subset of individuals who encounter illicit drugs become persons with a substance use disorder. Individual differences in aversive reactions to drug-associated phenomena like smoke inhalation and unpleasant taste are predictors for continued use. While several preclinical studies have explored self-administration involving aversive cues, none have simultaneously introduced aversion with the initial drug self-administration.

Exploring predictors of COVID-19 precautionary behaviors during the initial rollout of COVID-19 vaccines in a predominately Hispanic sample.

•Precautionary behaviors were lower if primary language in household was Spanish.•Testing positive for COVID-19 was inversely associated with precautionary behaviors.•Healthcare practitioners were the most trusted source of COVID-19 information.

Don't worry, be APPE: Developing and refining a skills-based assessment of student preparedness for advanced pharmacy practice experiences.

Background: The Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) 2025 Standards charge pharmacy programs to assess student readiness for Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPEs), but the method of assessment is not defined. This report describes the process of developing, implementing, and refining an APPE readiness assessment (ARA) that can be adapted to individual institutional needs and learning outcomes.

Educational Activity: The ARA at The University of Texas at El Paso School of Pharmacy, a Hispanic-serving institution, is comprised of two practice areas: drug information and the Pharmacist Patient Care Process, each with multiple objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs) to mimic how students will apply these skills in required APPE rotations.

Process parameter translation strategies for variable directed energy deposition spot size using 316L, copper, and Inconel 625.

Directed energy deposition (DED) is a form of additive manufacturing available across a variety of laser spot diameter values, often referred to as spot sizes. However, there is no method to easily transfer process parameters across discrete spot sizes, leading to DED process parameters that are equipment specific and not widely applicable. In this study, a strategy is proposed and investigated for five spot sizes that keep the areal energy density constant while varying power, feed rate, and powder flow during the deposition of 316L stainless steel.

A six degrees of freedom femtosecond laser system for fabrication of small-scale mechanical property specimens.

We present the details of a novel ultra-short pulsed laser machining workstation that has been employed for high-throughput laser machining of small-scale mechanical property specimens. This system employs a six degrees of freedom hexapod positioning stage capable of macroscopic movements at high positional accuracy. We developed a methodology that uses quantitative image analysis to measure key parameters required to minimize the hexapod positioning and rotational error.

Fibrin-Polycaprolactone Scaffolds for the Differentiation of Human Neural Progenitor Cells into Dopaminergic Neurons.

Parkinson's disease (PD), a progressive central nervous system disorder marked by involuntary movements, poses a significant challenge in neurodegenerative research due to the gradual degeneration of dopaminergic (DA) neurons. Early diagnosis and understanding of PD's pathogenesis could slow disease progression and improve patient management. In vitro modeling with DA neurons derived from human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neural progenitor cells (NPCs) offers a promising approach.

Testing Protocol Development for the Fracture Toughness of Parts Built with Big Area Additive Manufacturing.

The mechanical testing of additively manufactured parts has largely relied on the existing standards developed for traditional manufacturing. While this approach leverages the investment made in current standards development, it inaccurately assumes that the mechanical response of additive manufacturing (AM) parts is identical to that of parts manufactured through traditional processes. When considering thermoplastic, material extrusion AM, the differences in response can be attributed to an AM part's inherent inhomogeneity caused by porosity, interlayer zones, and surface texture.

False memories in bilinguals: Integration of information across languages and limits on proficiency effects.

Research on false memory in bilinguals using the DRM task has shown that false memories transfer across languages, but comparisons to within-language conditions have yielded mixed results. In two experiments, Spanish-English bilinguals completed standardized language assessments and a DRM task. Experiment 1 (N = 96) had several study-recall cycles before a final recognition test, and Experiment 2 (N = 72) only tested recognition.

Distinct populations suppress or escalate intake of cocaine paired with aversive quinine.

Background: Only a subset of individuals who encounter drugs of abuse become habitual users. Aversive subjective effects like coughing and unpleasant taste are predictors for continued use. While several preclinical studies have explored self-administration involving aversive cues, none have simultaneously introduced aversion with the initial drug self-administration.

Who said what to whom? Memory for sources and destinations in monolinguals and bilinguals.

Two experiments with monolingual and bilingual participants tested memory for sources (speakers) and destinations (listeners) in conversations consisting of self-referential statements. In Experiment 1, participants directly interacted in English conversations with audio-visually recorded confederates. In Experiment 2, participants observed recorded conversations among confederates.

Biomedical applications of graphene-based nanomaterials: recent progress, challenges, and prospects in highly sensitive biosensors.

Graphene-based nanomaterials (graphene, graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, graphene quantum dots, graphene-based nanocomposites, etc.) are emerging as an extremely important class of nanomaterials primarily because of their unique and advantageous physical, chemical, biological, and optoelectronic aspects. These features have resulted in uses across diverse areas of scientific research.

Patient-Provider Satisfaction and Communication in U.S. Prenatal Care: A Systematic Review.

Introduction: This is a systematic review on patient-provider satisfaction in U.S. prenatal care by addressing the following research question: What factors influence patient-provider satisfaction during prenatal care?

Methods: Thirty six online databases were searched for peer-reviewed research from February to September of 2018 using 10 key terms published in English on U.

Flexible Strain Sensors Based on an Interlayer Synergistic Effect of Nanomaterials for Continuous and Noninvasive Blood Pressure Monitoring.

The continuous, noninvasive monitoring of human blood pressure (BP) through the accurate detection of pulse waves has extremely stringent requirements on the sensitivity and stability of flexible strain sensors. In this study, a new ultrasensitive flexible strain sensor based on the interlayer synergistic effect was fabricated through drop-casting and drying silver nanowires and graphene films on polydimethylsiloxane substrates and was further successfully applied for continuous monitoring of BP. This strain sensor exhibited ultrahigh sensitivity with a maximum gauge factor of 34357.

Phylogenomics of Psammodynastes and Buhoma (Elapoidea: Serpentes), with the description of a new Asian snake family.

Asian mock vipers of the genus Psammodynastes and African forest snakes of the genus Buhoma are two genera belonging to the snake superfamily Elapoidea. The phylogenetic placements of Psammodynastes and Buhoma within Elapoidea has been extremely unstable which has resulted in their uncertain and debated taxonomy. We used ultraconserved elements and traditional nuclear and mitochondrial markers to infer the phylogenetic relationships of these two genera with other elapoids.

A scoping review of advanced pharmacy practice experience readiness assessment measures across schools of pharmacy.

Background: The development and implementation of Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) readiness assessments has been an area of increased interest to the academy since the publication of the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) standards in 2016. This scoping literature review aims to provide an updated summary of current APPE readiness assessment practices among ACPE-accredited institutions in the United States (US).

Methods: A literature search was conducted between 2022 and 2024 using the terms "APPE student readiness," "APPE readiness assessment," "APPE preparedness," "APPE student preparedness," "pharmacy" AND "readiness assessment", "pharmacy" AND "practice readiness," and "pharmacy" AND "student practice readiness" in Pubmed and Embase.

Resilience of the Aurivillius structure upon La and Cr doping in a BiTiFeO multiferroic.

Combining the experimental techniques of high-resolution X-ray diffraction, magnetometry, specific heat measurement, and X-ray photoelectron, Raman and dielectric spectroscopy techniques, we have studied the influence of La and Cr doping on the crystal structure and magnetism of the room temperature Aurivillius multiferroic BiTiFeO by investigating the physical properties of (BiLa)TiFeO and BiTi (FeCr)O. The parent (BiTiFeO) and the doped ((BiLa)TiFeO and BiTi(FeCr)O) compounds crystallize in the 2 space group, which is confirmed through our analysis of high-resolution synchrotron X-ray diffraction data obtained on phase-pure polycrystalline powders. We determined the oxidation states of the metal atoms in the studied compounds as Fe, Ti, Cr, and La through the analysis of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy data.

A novel approach to study multi-domain motions in JAK1's activation mechanism based on energy landscape.

The family of Janus Kinases (JAKs) associated with the JAK-signal transducers and activators of transcription signaling pathway plays a vital role in the regulation of various cellular processes. The conformational change of JAKs is the fundamental steps for activation, affecting multiple intracellular signaling pathways. However, the transitional process from inactive to active kinase is still a mystery.

Adult mosquitoes of the sibling species Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles coluzzii exhibit contrasting patterns of susceptibility to four neonicotinoid insecticides along an urban-to-rural gradient in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Background: Neonicotinoids are potential alternatives for controlling pyrethroid-resistant mosquitoes, but their efficacy against malaria vector populations of sub-Saharan Africa has yet to be investigated. The aim of the present study was to test the efficacy of four neonicotinoids against adult populations of the sibling species Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles coluzzii sampled along an urban-to-rural gradient.

Methods: The lethal toxicity of three active ingredients for adults of two susceptible Anopheles strains was assessed using concentration-response assays, and their discriminating concentrations were calculated.

Early elevations of RAS protein level and activity are critical for the development of PDAC in the context of inflammation.

The KRAS mutation was believed to be locked in a GTP-bound form, rendering it fully active. However, recent studies have indicated that the presence of mutant KRAS alone is insufficient; it requires additional activation through inflammatory stimuli to effectively drive the development of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). It remains unclear to what extent RAS activation occurs during the development of PDAC in the context of inflammation.

One-Step Synthesis and Operando Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopic Characterization of Heterostructured MoP-MoN Electrocatalysts for Stable Hydrogen Evolution Reaction.

This study presents a novel synthesis of self-standing MoP and MoN heterostructured electrocatalysts with enhanced stability and catalytic performance. Facilitated by the controlled phase and interfacial microstructure, the seamless structures of these catalysts minimize internal resistivity and prevent local corrosion, contributing to increased stability. The chemical synthesis proceeds with an etching step to activate the surface, followed by phosphor-nitriding in a chemical vapor deposition chamber to produce MoP-MoN@Mo heterostructured electrocatalysts.