Design and Construction of a Multi-Tiered Minimal Actin Cortex for Structural Support in Lipid Bilayer Applications.

Artificial lipid bilayers have revolutionized biochemical and biophysical research by providing a versatile interface to study aspects of cell membranes and membrane-bound processes in a controlled environment. Artificial bilayers also play a central role in numerous biosensing applications, form the foundational interface for liposomal drug delivery, and provide a vital structure for the development of synthetic cells. But unlike the envelope in many living cells, artificial bilayers can be mechanically fragile.

Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Rhodamine B Zwitterion Diffusion in Polyelectrolyte Solutions.

Polyelectrolytes continue to find wide interest and application in science and engineering, including areas such as water purification, drug delivery, and multilayer thin films. We have been interested in the dynamics of small molecules in a variety of polyelectrolyte (PE) environments; in this paper, we report simulations and analysis of the small dye molecule rhodamine B (RB) in several very simple polyelectrolyte solutions. Translational diffusion of the RB zwitterion has been measured in fully atomistic, 2 μs long molecular dynamics simulations in four different polyelectrolyte solutions.

The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdowns on Refugee Mental Health: A Narrative Review.

With over 80 million persons around the world forcibly displaced from their homes, 26.3 of whom are refugees, recent estimates indicate that the number of forced migrants has reached an all-time high (UNHCR, 2020). Already at a disadvantage, the closures of schools and key community resources aimed at combating the spread of the virus during the early stages of the pandemic contributed to further distress on the well-being of refugees.

Listening to Transgender and Gender Diverse Students on Christian College Campuses.

This study was an initial investigation of important areas of interest within the literature on transgender and gender diverse students, namely psychological health, well-being and campus climate for transgender and gender diverse students in young adulthood. What is unique is that data were obtained from Christian transgender and gender diverse students attending Christian college and universities. A sample of 31 undergraduate transgender students at nine Christian institutions in which staff were affiliated with the Association for Christians in Student Development completed an online survey.

Clergy Attitudes About Ways to Support the Mental Health of Sexual and Gender Minorities.

This pilot study explored clergy members' attitudes about ways to support the mental health needs of sexual and gender minorities (SGM; e.g., lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people).

Land-use controls on nutrient loads in aquifers draining agricultural and mixed-use karstic watersheds.

Agricultural nonpoint source pollution from the upper areas of the Upper Mississippi, Missouri, and Ohio River basins accounts for the majority of the excess nitrogen that leads to the Gulf of Mexico's hypoxic zone. However, agriculture landscapes across the USA, Europe, and China are undergoing major changes related to the proliferation of confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs) that account for a greater proportion of point source contamination. Mitigating long-term nutrient inputs at a large scale (Mississippi River Basin) requires understanding these microscale changes at the small watershed level (less than 100 km).

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Following Acute Delirium.

Delirium is a significant medical condition that is common in hospitalized patients. Beyond the increased risk of mortality, patients who experience an episode of delirium often go on to develop long-term psychiatric disturbance, including symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). While there is a growing interest in understanding the complex relationship between delirium and PTSD, the existing literature is sparse and lacking harmony.

Cultural Humility and Hospital Safety Culture.

Hospital safety culture is an integral part of providing high quality care for patients, as well as promoting a safe and healthy environment for healthcare workers. In this article, we explore the extent to which cultural humility, which involves openness to cultural diverse individuals and groups, is related to hospital safety culture. A sample of 2011 hospital employees from four hospitals completed measures of organizational cultural humility and hospital safety culture.

THE STRUCTURE AND SEASONALITY OF BAYLISASCARIS PROCYONIS POPULATIONS IN RACCOONS (PROCYON LOTOR).

Baylisascaris procyonis , the raccoon ( Procyon lotor ) ascarid, is a common roundworm parasite of raccoons that is also a well-recognized zoonotic pathogen, and a cause for conservation concern. The transmission dynamics of B. procyonis differ with host population attributes, season, and landscape.

Parasites and the conservation of small populations: The case of Baylisascaris procyonis.

Human demands on natural resources result in landscape changes that facilitate the emergence of disease. Most emerging diseases are zoonotic, and some of these pathogens play a role in the decline of vulnerable wildlife species. Baylisascaris procyonis, the common roundworm parasite of raccoons (Procyon lotor), is a well recognized zoonotic infection that has many of the properties associated with a pathogen capable of driving extinction.

Effects of perceived support from mothers, fathers, and teachers on depressive symptoms during the transition to middle school.

The transition to middle school can be a significant stressor for young adolescents, leading to increases in depression for those who are vulnerable. The current study examined how perceived support from mothers, fathers, and teachers independently and interactively predicted developmental patterns of depressive symptoms during adolescents' transition to middle school, and gender differences in these effects of social support. Four timepoints of data were collected from 1,163 participants (48.

The potential of forgiveness as a response for coping with negative peer experiences.

Coping strategies employed by adolescents in response to negative peer experiences are related to their adjustment. This study examines the potential of forgiveness as a coping response for negative peer experiences in early adolescence. Participants were 616 6th through 8th grade students at a middle school (46% girls) who completed self-report measures of bullying and victimization experiences, general coping strategies in response to bullying, social anxiety, self-esteem, and a measure of forgiveness to a self-identified experience of being bullied or hurt by a peer.

Prevalence of Baylisascaris procyonis in habitat associated with Allegheny woodrat (Neotoma magister) populations in Indiana.

Allegheny woodrat (Neotoma magister) populations have been in decline across their range since the late 1970s. Hypotheses proposed to explain these declines include habitat fragmentation and loss, decreased food availability, and increased mortality from infection with Baylisascaris procyonis. We investigated the prevalence of B.

The proliferative effects of retinoic acid on primary cultures of adult rat type II pneumocytes depend upon cell density.

Retinoic acid (RA) is important for maintaining integrity of alveolar epithelial cells, but the mechanism has not been defined. We cultured type II pneumocytes at confluent, high cell density (10(4) cells/mm(2)) and found that RA (10(-6) M) inhibited thymidine incorporation to 60% of control, despite a dose-dependent increase in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) levels. However, at lower, subconfluent density (10(2) cells/mm(2)), RA stimulated thymidine incorporation to 280% of control.