Digital Commons Network^™

Transcranial Electrical Stimulation Accelerates Human Sleep Homeostasis, Davide Reato, Fernando Gasca, Abhishek Datta, Marom Bikson, Lisa Marshall, Lucas C. Parra

Publications and Research

The sleeping brain exhibits characteristic slow-wave activity which decays over the course of the night. This decay is thought to result from homeostatic synaptic downscaling. Transcranial electrical stimulation can entrain slow-wave oscillations (SWO) in the human electro-encephalogram (EEG). A computational model of the underlying mechanism predicts that firing rates are predominantly increased during stimulation. Assuming that synaptic homeostasis is driven by average firing rates, we expected an acceleration of synaptic downscaling during stimulation, which is compensated by a reduced drive after stimulation. We show that 25 minutes of transcranial electrical stimulation, as predicted, reduced the decay of SWO in the …

Isoflurane Increases Neuronal Cell Death Vulnerability By Downregulating Mir-214, Hailiang Yan, Tao Xu, Hongfeng Zhao, Kuo-Chieh Lee, Hoau-Yan Wang, Yan Zhang

Publications and Research

Since accumulating evidence suggests the application of anesthetics may increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), we investigated the cytotoxicity of inhaled general anesthesia in neurons and its underlying mechanism. Using primary cultured rat hippocampal neurons as the study model, here we show that isoflurane increases vulnerability to intracellular or extracellular amyloid b with or without serum deprivation. This isoflurane-induced effect is mediated by the downregulation of miR-214 level that lead to an elevated expression of Bax, a prominent target for miR-214. We conclude that isoflurane increases cell death in the presence of amyloid b by increasing Bax level through …

Assessing Regional And Interspecific Variation In Threshold Responses Of Forest Breeding Birds Through Broad Scale Analyses, Yntze Van Der Hoek, Rosalind Renfrew, Lisa L. Manne

Publications and Research

Background: Identifying persistence and extinction thresholds in species-habitat relationships is a major focal point of ecological research and conservation. However, one major concern regarding the incorporation of threshold analyses in conservation is the lack of knowledge on the generality and transferability of results across species and regions. We present a multi-region, multi-species approach of modeling threshold responses, which we use to investigate whether threshold effects are similar across species and regions.

Methodology/Principal Findings: We modeled local persistence and extinction dynamics of 25 forest-associated breeding birds based on detection/non-detection data, which were derived from repeated breeding bird atlases for the state …

Ecological Genetics Of Chinese Rhesus Macaque In Response To Mountain Building: All Things Are Not Equal, Shan-Jin Wu, Jing Luo, Qing-Qing Li, Yan-Qin Wang, Robert E. Murphy, Christopher Blair, Shi-Fang Wu, Bi-Song Yue, Ya-Ping Zhang

Publications and Research

Pliocene uplifting of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) and Quaternary glaciation may have impacted the Asian biota more than any other events. Little is documented with respect to how the geological and climatological events influenced speciation as well as spatial and genetic structuring, especially in vertebrate endotherms. Macaca mulatta is the most widely distributed non-human primate. It may be the most suitable model to test hypotheses regarding the genetic consequences of orogenesis on an endotherm.

The Impact Of Gut Passage By Binturongs (Arctictus Binturong) On Seed Germination, Christina P. Colon, Ahimsa Campos-Arceiz

Publications and Research

Binturongs (Arctictis binturong) are the largest of Asian civets and, due to their highly frugivorous diet, are expected to play an important role in seed dispersal processes. To study the effect of binturong gut passage on seed viability, we fed 10 captive binturongs with fruits of longan (Dimocarpus longan), papaya (Carica papaya) and chiku (Manilkara zapota), collected the seeds they defaecated, and planted these to determine seed germination rate and time. Of the defaecated seeds, 90.4% passed through binturong gut intact in under nine hours, and 99.4% passed in under 33 hours. Chiku seeds had the highest germination rate (35.7% …

Multiple Breast Cancer Cell-Lines Derived From A Single Tumor Differ In Their Molecular Characteristics And Tumorigenic Potential, Goar Mosoyan, Chandandeep Nagi, Svetlana Marukian, Avelino Teixeira, Anait Simonian, Lois Resnick-Silverman, Analisa Difeo, Dean Johnston, Sandra R. Reynolds, Daniel F. Roses, Arevik Mosoian

Publications and Research

Background Breast cancer cell lines are widely used tools to investigate breast cancer biology and to develop new therapies. Breast cancer tissue contains molecularly heterogeneous cell populations. Thus, it is important to understand which cell lines best represent the primary tumor and have similarly diverse phenotype. Here, we describe the development of five breast cancer cell lines from a single patient’s breast cancer tissue. We characterize the molecular profiles, tumorigenicity and metastatic ability in vivo of all five cell lines and compare their responsiveness to 4-hydroxytamoxifen (4-OHT) treatment. Methods Five breast cancer cell lines were derived from a single patient’s …

Education Curriculum, Oliver Mann

Open Educational Resources

This resource contains information about the course description such as the syllabus and class rules. It also contains information such as class assignments including journal entries, vocabulary and terms and curriculum.

A Naturally-Occurring Histone Acetyltransferase Inhibitor Derived From Garcinia Indica Impairs Newly Acquired And Reactivated Fear Memories, Stephanie A. Maddox, Casey S. Watts, Valerie Doyere, Glenn E. Schafe

Publications and Research

The study of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the consolidation and reconsolidation of traumatic fear memories has progressed rapidly in recent years, yet few compounds have emerged that are readily useful in a clinical setting for the treatment of anxiety disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Here, we use a combination of biochemical, behavioral, and neurophysiological methods to systematically investigate the ability of garcinol, a naturallyoccurring histone acetyltransferase (HAT) inhibitor derived from the rind of the fruit of the Kokum tree (Garcina indica), to disrupt the consolidation and reconsolidation of Pavlovian fear conditioning, a widely studied rodent model …

Motivational Interviewing Targeting Risk Behaviors For Youth Living With Hiv In Thailand, Chokechai Rongkavilit, Sylvie Naar-King, Bo Wang, Apirudee Panthong, Torsak Bunupuradah, Jeffrey T. Parsons, Supalak Phonphithak, Juline A. Koken, Pichai Saengcharnchai, Praphan Phanuphak

Publications and Research

Healthy Choices, a four-session motivational interviewing-based intervention, reduces risk behaviors among US youth living with HIV (YLWH). We randomized 110 Thai YLWH (16–25 years) to receive either Healthy Choices or time-matched health education (Control) over 12 weeks. Risk behaviors were assessed at baseline, 1, and 6 months post-session. The pilot study was not powered for between-group differences; there were no statistical differences in sexual risks, alcohol use, and antiretroviral adherence between the two groups at any visit. In within-group analyses, Healthy Choices group demonstrated decreases in the proportion of HIV-negative partners (20 vs 8.2 %, P = 0.03) and HIV …

Serum Amyloid P Inhibits Granulocyte Adhesion, Anu S. Maharjan, David Roife, Derrick Brazill, Richard H. Gomer

Publications and Research

Background The extravasation of granulocytes (such as neutrophils) at a site of inflammation is a key aspect of the innate immune system. Signals from the site of inflammation upregulate granulocyte adhesion to the endothelium to initiate extravasation, and also enhance granulocyte adhesion to extracellular matrix proteins to facilitate granulocyte movement through the inflamed tissue. During the resolution of inflammation, other signals inhibit granulocyte adhesion to slow and ultimately stop granulocyte influx into the tissue. In a variety of inflammatory diseases such as acute respiratory distress syndrome, an excess infiltration of granulocytes into a tissue causes undesired collateral damage, and being …

Changes In Natural Killer Cell Activation And Function During Primary Hiv-1 Infection, Vivek Naranbhai, Marcus Altfeld, Salim S. Abdool Karim, Thumbi Ndung’U, Quarraisha Abdool Karim, William H. Carr

Publications and Research

Background: Recent reports suggest that Natural Killer (NK) cells may modulate pathogenesis of primary HIV-1 infection. However, HIV dysregulates NK-cell responses. We dissected this bi-directional relationship to understand how HIV impacts NK-cell responses during primary HIV-1 infection.

Methodology/Principal Findings: Paired samples from 41 high-risk, initially HIV-uninfected CAPRISA004 participants were analysed prior to HIV acquisition, and during viraemic primary HIV-1 infection. At the time of sampling post-infection five women were seronegative, 11 women were serodiscordant, and 25 women were seropositive by HIV-1 rapid immunoassay. Flow cytometry was used to measure NK and T-cell activation, NK-cell receptor expression, cytotoxic and cytokine-secretory functions, …

Differential Transcriptional Regulation Of Meis1 By Gfi1b And Its Co-Factors Lsd1 And Corest, Asif H. Chowdhury, Johnny R. Ramroop, Ghanshyam Upadhyay, Ananya Sengupta, Anna Andrzejczyk, Shireen Saleque

Publications and Research

Gfi1b (growth factor independence 1b) is a zinc finger transcription factor essential for development of the erythroid and megakaryocytic lineages. To elucidate the mechanism underlying Gfi1b function, potential downstream transcriptional targets were identified by chromatin immunoprecipitation and expression profiling approaches. The combination of these approaches revealed the oncogene meis1, which encodes a homeobox protein, as a direct and prominent target of Gfi1b. Examination of the meis1 promoter sequence revealed multiple Gfi1/1b consensus binding motifs. Distinct regions of the promoter were occupied by Gfi1b and its cofactors LSD1 and CoREST/Rcor1, in erythroid cells but not in the closely related megakaryocyte lineage. …

Autophagy Plays An Essential Role In Mediating Regression Of Hypertrophy During Unloading Of The Heart, Nirmala Hariharan, Yoshiyuki Ikeda, Chull Hong, Ralph R. Alcendor, Soichiro Usui, Shumin Gao, Yasuhiro Maejima, Junichi Sadoshima

Publications and Research

Autophagy is a bulk degradation mechanism for cytosolic proteins and organelles. The heart undergoes hypertrophy in response to mechanical load but hypertrophy can regress upon unloading. We hypothesize that autophagy plays an important role in mediating regression of cardiac hypertrophy during unloading. Mice were subjected to transverse aortic constriction (TAC) for 1 week, after which the constriction was removed (DeTAC). Regression of cardiac hypertrophy was observed after DeTAC, as indicated by reduction of LVW/BW and cardiomyocyte cross-sectional area. Indicators of autophagy, including LC3-II expression, p62 degradation and GFP-LC3 dots/cell, were significantly increased after DeTAC, suggesting that autophagy is induced. Stimulation …

From Toxic Tours To Growing The Grassroots: Tensions In Critical Pedagogy And Community Development, Celina Su, Isabelle Jagninski

Publications and Research

Structural inequalities in American public education are inextricably tied to deep-seated patterns of racial and economic segregation. Children in poor neighborhoods are less likely to have the household resources, neighborhood institutions, or school amenities necessary for a good, challenging education. In response, a growing number of organizations have launched initiatives to simultaneously revitalize neighborhoods and improve public education, emphasizing youth participation as an essential component in their efforts. We draw upon ethnographic data from two such organizations to examine their practice of place-based critical pedagogy in community development. We focus on how they engage marginalized, “hard-to-reach” youth via (1) experiential …

Rethinking Civil Rights And Gender Violence, Julie Goldscheid

Publications and Research

No abstract provided.

Is Anyone Regulating?: The Curious State Of Gmo Governance In The United States, Rebecca Bratspies

Publications and Research

No abstract provided.

The Birther Committee Inception: An Unreal Manhattan Real Estate Story, Marleen S. Barr

Publications and Research

This is a short story.

El Vicio De La Utopía. Un Acercamiento A La Poética De Emilio Gastón, Almudena Vidorreta

Graduate Student Publications and Research

La poesía de Emilio Gastón había merecido hasta el momento escasos trabajos de investigación por parte de la crítica, que se limitaba a remitir a las mismas fuentes generales sobre literatura aragonesa. Este prólogo, que presenta una nueva edición de El despertar del hombre selva, libro publicado por vez primera en 1987, así como una continuación del mismo, presenta una temática actual, dentro de los parámetros de la llamada “poesía ecológica”. A su vez, su lenguaje se construye a base de abundantes metáforas que proceden del léxico del Derecho. A partir del estudio de este libro se propone un …

Thirteen False Blackbirds, Ruthann Robson

Publications and Research

No abstract provided.

Panama Trip Will Explore Biodiversity Hotspot, Aldemaro Romero Jr.

Publications and Research

No abstract provided.

Siue Alum Finds Great Talent In Cuban Artists, Aldemaro Romero Jr.

Publications and Research

No abstract provided.

O’Brien Studies The Origins Of The “Moron.”, Aldemaro Romero Jr.

Publications and Research

No abstract provided.

Miller Studies Germany’S Economic History, Aldemaro Romero Jr.

Publications and Research

No abstract provided.

Surviving The City: Resistance And Plant Life In Woolf’S Jacob’S Room And Barnes’ Nightwood, Ria Banerjee

Publications and Research

In Jacob’s Room (1922) and Nightwood (1936), Virginia Woolf and Djuna Barnes use plant life to express a profound ambivalence about the masculine-inflected ordering functions of art and morality. They show that these processes codify lived experience and distance it from the feminine and sexual. To counter this turn towards the urban inauthentic, both novels depict non-urban spaces to upend conventional notions of usefulness. They fixate on evanescent flowers, wild forests, and untillable fields as sites of resistance whose fragility and remoteness are strengths. In Jacob’s Room, I argue that the eponymous protagonist is destroyed by his conventional education …

Montage And Memory: Articulations Of Literary Modernism In Alain Resnais’ Early Films, Ria Banerjee

Publications and Research

The fascination that literary modernism has with thingness, that essential static being of inanimate objects, has been the subject of much critical attention. This paper seeks to add to that body of criticism by looking at Alain Resnais’ films, specifically referring to Night and Fog, Hiroshima Mon Amour and Muriel as examples of cinematic modernism which further complicate modernism’s obsessive re-configuration of the status of things in relation to the human lives that exist among them. By the turn of the twentieth century, a concern with the limits of human perception of the world was at the fore. Buffeted …

Frankly Speaking, "The Men That Is Now Is Only All Pallaver And What They Can Get Our Of You": Migration And White Slavery In Argentina In Joyce's "Eveline", M Laura Barberan Reinares

Publications and Research

This article analyzes James Joyce’s “Eveline” (1904), looking at the moral panic about “white slavery” in Europe and South America. The article especially focuses on Argentina, the foremost recipient of trafficked women between 1880 and 1930 (and, of course, Joyce’s destination choice for Eveline). By looking at Frank, the sailor who intends to take Eveline to Buenos Aires, this article explores the possible links between Joyce’s story and the sex trafficking industry thriving in Buenos Aires through the Jewish criminal association Zwi Migdal. Frank’s representation allows us to draw this connection because his behavior with Eveline coincides with the seduction …

Sceloporus Clarkii—Nocturnal Foraging, Christopher Blair, Noberto Martinez-Mendez, Rafael A. Lara-Resendiz

Publications and Research

No abstract provided.

Biomarkers For Brain Disorders Electrochemically Detected By Broderick Probe Microelectrodes/Biosensors, Waqas Saleem, Patricia A. Broderick

Publications and Research

Here, we present results from two independent studies carried out using Neuromolecular Imaging (NMI) with miniature BRODERICK PROBE® biosensors. In the first study, we imaged neurotransmitters and neurochemicals in human epilepsy patients intraoperatively during early and late neurodegeneration. In the second study, we imaged neurotransmitters and neurochemicals in an experimental murine model using animals with and without neurodegeneration caused by Parkinson’s disease (PD). We compared our results derived from animals with lesioned group (PD) with non-lesioned group (non-PD), using the same in vivo NMI paradigm. NMI biotechnology enabled neurotransmitters, neuropeptides and neurochemical imaging of dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-HT), homovanillic acid …

Unhinged: Kairos And The Invention Of The Untimely, Robert Leston

Publications and Research

Traditionally, kairos has been seen as a “timely” concept, and so invention is said to emerge from the timeliness of a cultural and historical situation. But what if invention was thought of as the potential to shift historical courses through the injection of something new or alien into a situation? This essay argues that kairos has not been able to free itself from its historical constraints because it has been bound to a human sense of temporality. By evolving along patterns different from print, the apparatus of the cinema developed in a way where it was not bound to illustrating …

Power Girls Before Girl Power: 1980s Toy-Based Girl Cartoons, Katia Perea

Publications and Research

The socio/cultural history and partnership of toy advertisement and children’s television is rich and well documented (Schneider 1989, Kunkel 1988, Seiter 1993). In this article I discuss the influence of policy in girl’s cartoon programming as well as the relationship between commercialization and financial motivation in creating a girl cartoon media product. I then discuss the formulaic, gender normative parameters this new genre set in place to identify girl cartoons as well as girl media consumption and how within those parameters girl cartoon characters were able to represent an empowered girl popular culture product a decade before the nomenclature Girl …