772 results match your criteria: "Lafayette College[Affiliation]"
Enrollment in Medicare is associated with fewer outpatient mental healthcare visits among those with mental health symptoms.
Health Serv Res
December 2024
Department of Economics, Lafayette College, Easton, Pennsylvania, USA.
Objective: To test whether enrolling in traditional Medicare (TM) or Medicare Advantage (MA) at age 65 reduces mental healthcare utilization among individuals with mental health symptoms and low or moderate family incomes.
Study Setting And Design: We employ a fuzzy regression discontinuity design, comparing the likelihood of having an outpatient mental health visit or a psychotropic drug fill among individuals younger than or older than the age 65 Medicare eligibility threshold.
Data Sources And Analytic Sample: We analyze 2014-2021 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data.
Stimulation of Locus Ceruleus Inputs to the Prelimbic Cortex in Mice Induces Cell Type-Specific Expression of the Gene.
eNeuro
December 2024
Neuroscience Program, Lafayette College, Easton, Pennsylvania 18042
Article Synopsis
- The medial frontal cortex (mFC) and locus coeruleus (LC) are brain regions linked to cognitive functions like attention, memory, and decision-making, yet their molecular regulators remain unclear.
- Using chemogenetic stimulation in mice, the study found that activating LC neurons targeting the mFC led to increased gene transcription, especially in GABAergic neurons related to cognitive functions.
- The research highlights the role of specific gene expression as potential biomarkers for neuropsychiatric disorders like ADHD, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer's, aiming to inform treatments for cognitive and behavioral symptoms.
While the construct of s has received ample theoretical and empirical attention, its virtuous counterpart--has been largely neglected. Yet, as argued here and elsewhere, the metacognitive practice of being honest with oneself may be among the most crucial concomitants of psychological growth and change. Consequently, drawing on theory and research from across several disciplines, this paper proposes a novel framework for understanding and measuring self-honesty as a core value.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSwelling-Shrinking Behavior of a Hydrogel with a CO-Switchable Volume Phase Transition Temperature.
Macromol Rapid Commun
November 2024
Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Lafayette College, 740 High Street, Easton, PA, 18042, USA.
Article Synopsis
- - The study focuses on the phase behavior of crosslinked hydrogels, highlighting their ability to switch between dehydrated and hydrated states based on temperature changes, which affects water absorption and release.
- - A novel hydrogel system is introduced that can change its volume in response to carbon dioxide (CO) exposure, allowing for significant swelling (up to fivefold) and temperature shifts of up to 8.6 °C.
- - The findings suggest potential applications in drug delivery, as the hydrogel's phase transitions can be precisely tuned through its composition to suit specific uses, promoting further exploration in smart material development.
No Surprises Act independent dispute resolution outcomes for emergency services.
Health Aff Sch
November 2024
Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA.
Article Synopsis
- The No Surprises Act eliminates surprise billing and sets up an independent dispute resolution (IDR) process for conflicts between health plans and providers.
- In a 2023 analysis of IDR data for emergency medicine visits, providers won 86% of disputes, with decisions averaging 2.7 times the qualifying payment amount (QPA).
- The analysis revealed that disputes were largely influenced by a few dominant health plans and providers, leading to payments that may not accurately represent the emergency service market.
Article Synopsis
- The decline of amphibian biodiversity is largely due to habitat loss, with vernal pools being critical ecosystems often neglected in wetland protection.
- This study monitored wood frogs and spotted salamanders in both natural and created vernal pools over nine years, assessing reproductive success and genetic diversity.
- Results show that well-designed created pools can support amphibian populations effectively, while poorly designed ones can hinder them, highlighting the importance of specific ecological factors in restoration efforts.
The moon's influence on the activity of tropical forest mammals.
Proc Biol Sci
October 2024
Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway.
Article Synopsis
- Changes in lunar illumination affect the risks and opportunities for animals, influencing their behavior and interactions, particularly in tropical forests.
- The study analyzed long-term data from 86 mammal species across 17 protected forests, revealing that many species avoid moonlight during full moons (lunar phobia) more than they are attracted to it (lunar philia).
- The findings highlight that lunar phases significantly influence mammal activity even in dense forests, which may be more pronounced in areas that are degraded or fragmented.
Improved cell-type identification and comprehensive mapping of regulatory features with spatial epigenomics 96-channel microfluidic platform.
GEN Biotechnol
December 2023
Commercial, AtlasXomics, Inc., New Haven, CT.
Article Synopsis
- Gene expression is influenced by epigenetics and varies based on the cellular environment, with recent advancements in spatial omics enhancing our understanding of this context.
- The introduction of DBiT-seq offers a pioneering method for spatial epigenomic profiling at the cellular level, significantly improving cell typing and identification of regulatory elements.
- The new 96-channel microfluidics chip provides more precise spatial mapping of brain cells, revealing the intricate organization of glial and neuronal cells and the regulatory mechanisms that affect development and disease.
And We'll Have Fun Fun Fun….
J Undergrad Neurosci Educ
August 2024
Department of Biology and Program in Neuroscience, Lafayette College, Easton, PA 18042.
The maternal-effect gene () does not repress histone gene expression.
bioRxiv
September 2024
Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle WA 98109.
Article Synopsis
- The () gene is identified as a maternal-effect lethal gene that regulates core histones, but existing mutant strains may have background genetic mutations affecting results.
- Researchers developed two new tools: a CRISPR/Cas9 knockout for genetic analysis and an epitope-tagged allele for studying cellular effects, confirming that the gene causes maternal-effect lethality that can be mitigated by reducing histone gene copies.
- Despite previous beliefs, they found that the gene does not repress core histone transcript levels, leaving the molecular reasons for its lethal effects still unclear.
The Gq/11 family of Gα subunits is necessary and sufficient for lower jaw development.
bioRxiv
September 2024
Department of Craniofacial Biology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO USA.
Article Synopsis
- Vertebrate jaw development relies on conserved signaling systems, notably the Edn1/Ednra pathway, which is crucial for forming lower jaw structures.
- The precise intracellular mechanisms linking Ednra activation to specific gene regulation are not well defined, prompting this study on the Gq/11 Gα subunits in zebrafish.
- The findings demonstrate that loss of Gq/11 activity mimics developmental defects, while activating Gq restores jaw structure formation and even alters upper jaw structures to resemble lower jaw characteristics.
Longitudinal pathways between parent depression and child mental health in families of autistic children.
Dev Psychopathol
September 2024
School of Human Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
Article Synopsis
- - The study explores the connection between parent mental health (specifically fathers) and the emotional well-being of their autistic children, revealing that both issues are closely linked.
- - Findings indicate that fathers' mental health, particularly their depression and critical comments, significantly affect both their children's mental health and the quality of their interactions, such as positive remarks.
- - The research suggests that improving the quality of parent-child relationships can help mitigate mental health issues for both fathers and their autistic children, although similar effects were not observed for mothers.
Of Chatbots and Colonizers: A FUN Workshop Mini Symposium.
J Undergrad Neurosci Educ
July 2024
Biology Department and Neuroscience program, Lafayette College, Easton PA 18042.
Article Synopsis
- - Chatbots like ChatGPT-4 are expected to play a significant role in education by providing summarizations and simple analyses, similar to tasks assigned to students.
- - While these AI tools excel in summarizing content, they currently struggle with evaluating information and citing sources, though they are improving rapidly.
- - The adoption of chatbots raises critical questions about content management, skill development, accessibility, and the need for inclusive teaching practices, especially in fields like neuroscience.
Proceedings of the 2023 Faculty for Undergraduate Neuroscience Workshop at Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA, July 27-30, 2023.
J Undergrad Neurosci Educ
July 2024
Office for Graduate Education and Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School.
Article Synopsis
- * The workshop attracted around 100 participants who engaged in discussions and social events, creating a vibrant community atmosphere.
- * The article also discusses the planning process of the workshop to assist future FUN committees and hosts in organizing similar events.
The role of cilia in the development, survival, and regeneration of hair cells.
Biol Open
September 2024
Neuroscience Program, Lafayette College, Easton, PA 18042, USA.
Article Synopsis
- - Mutations in cilia genes are linked to ciliopathies, affecting cell functions such as development and survival, particularly in zebrafish lateral line hair cells.
- - Disruption of cilia due to mutations in IFT genes (ift88 and dync2h1) led to increased hair cell apoptosis and decreased mitochondrial function, suggesting a link between mitochondrial dysfunction and cell death.
- - While these mutations resulted in reduced hair cell regeneration and survival, they did not significantly alter the number of support cells or their proliferation during hair cell development.
Toward whole-person fit assessment: Integrating interests, values, skills, knowledge, and personality using the Occupational Information Network (O*NET).
J Appl Psychol
September 2024
Department of Psychology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Article Synopsis
- Measuring person-occupation fit is crucial for helping individuals, especially young people and jobseekers, find suitable majors and jobs, but current tools often focus on single areas, ignoring how fit varies across different domains.
- This research introduces an integrative set of assessments that evaluate 88 fit dimensions across five domains related to occupational success, enhancing the accuracy of career predictions.
- The findings emphasize that integrating multiple fit dimensions leads to better outcomes in career choice and success, while highlighting that certain measures, like interests and knowledge, are more impactful than others, underscoring the need for further research and practical use of these assessments.
Plasticity variable collagen-PEG interpenetrating networks modulate cell spreading.
Acta Biomater
October 2024
Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, United States. Electronic address:
Article Synopsis
- Collagen I is widely used in biomaterials due to its biocompatibility and mechanical properties, but its low storage modulus limits its applications.
- The research focuses on creating collagen/PEG interpenetrating network (IPN) hydrogels with adjustable collagen concentration and gelation temperature to enhance mechanical properties and plasticity.
- The study shows that this IPN platform improves cell behaviors, such as elongation and spreading, while maintaining the natural characteristics of collagen, making it promising for biomedical applications.
fRAP 2.0: a community engagement method applied to cervical cancer disparities among Hispanic women.
Fam Med Community Health
August 2024
Department of Family Medicine, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Allentown, Pennsylvania, USA.
Article Synopsis
- - The focused Rapid Assessment Process (fRAP) 2.0 is a community engagement method that combines mapping and quick qualitative assessments to identify factors that affect primary care issues within communities, allowing researchers to better understand complex influences on healthcare delivery and outcomes.
- - This approach involves collaboration with various stakeholders, ensuring that the perspectives of community members contribute to understanding and addressing healthcare disparities, as they are encouraged to be active agents in driving change.
- - A proof-of-concept study using fRAP 2.0 was conducted to investigate cervical cancer mortality disparities among Hispanic women in Texas by mapping relevant data and conducting interviews, ultimately leading to an action plan aimed at reducing disparities in cervical cancer care.
The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Staffing Levels in Philadelphia Nursing Homes: Disparities Based on the Racial Composition of Geographical Areas.
Policy Polit Nurs Pract
August 2024
Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, USA.
Article Synopsis
- - The study focuses on health disparities affecting older adults in institutional settings during the COVID-19 pandemic in Philadelphia, emphasizing the need for research to influence health policies that promote equity in public health.
- - Researchers examined nursing staffing levels—measured in hours per resident per day (HPRD)—finding that these levels consistently fell below recommended standards, particularly impacting nursing homes in areas with a higher proportion of Black residents.
- - The results highlight a significant decline in staffing levels during and after the pandemic, suggesting a critical need for policy initiatives that address these disparities and improve care in nursing homes, especially those serving marginalized communities.
Overexpression of the gene in the frontal cortex of mice causes sex-dependent changes in learning, attention, and anxiety-like behavior.
bioRxiv
August 2024
Neuroscience Program, Lafayette College, Easton, PA, 18042, USA.
Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) is a protein that is important for lipid storage, transport, and metabolism. gene variants are associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD), as well as attentional function in healthy humans. Previous research has shown that transcription is increased following stimulation of the pathway between the locus coeruleus (LC) and frontal cortex (FC) in mice.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFModeling human activity-related spread of the spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) in the US.
PLoS One
August 2024
Department of Biology, Lafayette College, Easton, PA, United states of America.
Article Synopsis
- The spotted lanternfly, an invasive pest originally from Asia, has caused substantial damage in the Mid-Atlantic U.S. since its arrival in 2014, impacting natural and commercial plant life.
- Quarantine zones have been established to control its spread, but the specific human activities contributing to its expansion are not yet fully understood.
- Researchers created a statistical model to analyze the factors of infestation and accurately forecast its spread through 2025, highlighting the potential for targeted management strategies in addressing the invasion.
Stimulation of locus coeruleus inputs to the frontal cortex in mice induces cell type-specific expression of the gene.
bioRxiv
July 2024
Neuroscience Program, Lafayette College, Easton, PA, 18042, USA.
Article Synopsis
- * Researchers used chemogenetics and RNA-sequencing to explore how stimulating the locus coeruleus affects gene expression in the frontal cortex, finding increased transcription of a specific gene.
- * Further investigations revealed that this gene's expression, which could influence attention-related behaviors, is particularly prominent in GABAergic neurons and varies by sex, suggesting potential therapeutic targets for attention disorders like ADHD, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer's disease.
Patterns of neural activity in prelimbic cortex neurons correlate with attentional behavior in the rodent continuous performance test.
bioRxiv
July 2024
Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
Article Synopsis
- *The prelimbic cortex (PrL) shows significant changes in neural activity related to sustained attention tasks, but limitations in traditional electrophysiological methods hinder understanding of its cellular mechanisms.
- *Endoscopic calcium imaging with genetically encoded sensors allows for the analysis of neuronal activity in the PrL, revealing that higher cognitive demand recruits more neurons and that attention lapses coincide with changes in neural network activity.
Simulating Chemistry on Bosonic Quantum Devices.
J Chem Theory Comput
August 2024
Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States.
Article Synopsis
- * These devices can simulate chemical structures and dynamics by mapping system Hamiltonians with bosonic operators.
- * The review discusses recent advancements and future possibilities for using these devices in solving complex chemical issues, like molecular spectra and electronic structure calculations.
Understanding spatiotemporal effects of food supplementation on host-parasite interactions using community-based science.
J Anim Ecol
December 2024
Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.
Article Synopsis
- - The Nest Parasite Community Science Project aims to explore how food supplementation affects eastern bluebirds and their nest parasites, involving input from 69 stewards in 26 states between 2018 and 2021.
- - Findings show that providing mealworms or suet increased the fledging success of bluebirds, despite the presence of common parasites like blow flies, fleas, and mites in the nests.
- - The influence of food supplementation on parasite prevalence varied by year and location, with more stewards feeding bluebirds in the southern U.S., a trend that contrasts with other scientific projects.