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ABSTRACTDespite model minority stereotypes, low-income U.S. Asians experience difficulties derived from poverty and their racial positionality. We conducted scoping review to systematically understand and synthesize the current literature on young low-income U.S. Asians. From 22 studies, five categories of challenges emerged including perceived discrimination. Factors associated with current challenges and strengths of young low-income U.S. Asians, and implications for social work are also examined. This work disputes model minority stereotypes and highlights the heterogeneity of the group. Fragmented scholarly understanding on U.S. Asians is also discussed.

Soil contaminated by potentially toxic elements (PTE) can cause enormous human health and environmental concerns. Hence, it has become a hot topic worldwide, right now. The immobilization of PTE by soil amendments is one of the crucial chemical processes trapping their mobility and bioavailability. In this review, the most used soil amendments for arable soil remediation, such as lime, gypsum, biochar, bone meal, fly ash, and iron (oxyhydr)oxides, are presented along with descriptions in terms of their typical chemical composition, PTE retention mechanisms, interaction with PTE, and ability for improvement of arable soil quality. In addition, the retention mechanisms of PTE such as cationic metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn) and anionic metalloids (As) are reviewed. Typical mechanisms of surface adsorption, complexation and precipitation, and electrostatic reactions are responsible for PTE immobilization by soil amendments but vary greatly with metal ion species, mineral composition, and properties of reactive soils. Moreover, since the geochemical behavior of cationic and anionic metals is generally opposite, simultaneous remediation becomes challenging. Considering these points, a blended application of soil amendments could be recommended to achieve better performance and optimum synergistic effects for metal immobilization and soil management. Herein, this review summarizes the combined application of soil amendments with high potential for simultaneously improving soil quality and PTE immobilization based on numerous research findings, which will provide better insights and approaches to remediate PTE-contaminated agricultural soils effectively.

Liposomes have been extensively adopted in drug delivery systems with clinically approved formulations. However, hurdles remain in terms of loading multiple components and precisely controlling their release. Herein, we report a vesosomal carrier composed of liposomes encapsulated inside the core of another liposome for the controlled and sustained release of multiple contents. The inner liposomes are made of lipids with different compositions and are co-encapsulated with a photosensitizer. Upon induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the contents of the liposomes are released, with each type of liposome displaying distinct kinetics due to the variance in lipid peroxidation for differential structural deformation. In vitro experiments demonstrated immediate content release from ROS-vulnerable liposomes, followed by sustained release from ROS-nonvulnerable liposomes. Moreover, the release trigger was validated at the organismal level using Caenorhabditis elegans. This study demonstrates a promising platform for more precisely controlling the release of multiple components.

Fluorescent nanodiamonds (FNDs) are versatile nanomaterials with promising properties. However, efficient functionalization of FNDs for biomedical applications remains challenging. In this study, we demonstrate mesoporous polydopamine (mPDA) encapsulation of FNDs. The mPDA shell is generated by sequential formation of micelles via self-assembly of Pluronic F127 (F127) with 1,3,5-trimethyl benzene (TMB) and composite micelles via oxidation and self-polymerization of dopamine hydrochloride (DA). The surface of the mPDA shell can be readily functionalized with thiol-terminated methoxy polyethylene glycol (mPEG-SH), hyperbranched polyglycerol (HPG), and d-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS). The PEGylated FND@mPDA particles are efficiently taken up by, and employed as a fluorescent imaging probe for, HeLa cells. HPG-functionalized FND@mPDA is conjugated with an amino-terminated oligonucleotide to detect microRNA via hybridization. Finally, the increased surface area of the mPDA shell permits efficient loading of doxorubicin hydrochloride. Further modification with TPGS increases drug delivery efficiency, resulting in high toxicity to cancer cells.

Trauma center and multidisciplinary management protocols have been proven to improve the outcomes of severely injured patients. Hemorrhage from pelvic injury is associated with high mortality and is a common cause of preventable trauma death. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the establishment of a trauma center and management protocols on the outcomes of hemodynamically unstable patients with pelvic fractures. Hemodynamically unstable patients with pelvic fractures were reviewed retrospectively over a 10-year period. They were grouped into the pre-phase and post-phase, which were defined as before and after the establishment of a trauma center and protocols, respectively. Basic characteristics and outcomes were compared between periods. This study enrolled a total of 106 patients. Basic and physiological characteristics were not significantly different in both phases. Pre-peritoneal packing and resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of aorta were only performed in the post-phase (pre-peritoneal packing, N?=?27; resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of aorta, N?=?10). In the post-phase, the time from emergency department arrival to hemostatic intervention was significantly shorter (269?±?132.4?min vs 147.2?±?95.5?min, p?

Background: Trauma center and multidisciplinary management protocols have been proven to improve the outcomes of severely injured patients. Hemorrhage from pelvic injury is associated with high mortality and is a common cause of preventable trauma death. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the establishment of a trauma center and management protocols on the outcomes of hemodynamically unstable patients with pelvic fractures.Methods: Hemodynamically unstable patients with pelvic fractures were reviewed retrospectively over a 10-year period. They were grouped into the pre-phase and post-phase, which were defined as before and after the establishment of a trauma center and protocols, respectively. Basic characteristics and outcomes were compared between periods.Results: This study enrolled a total of 106 patients. Basic and physiological characteristics were not significantly different in both phases. Pre-peritoneal packing and resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of aorta were only performed in the post-phase (pre-peritoneal packing, N = 27; resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of aorta, N = 10). In the post-phase, the time from emergency department arrival to hemostatic intervention was significantly shorter (269 ± 132.4 min vs 147.2 ± 95.5 min, p < 0.0001), and mortality due to acute hemorrhage was significantly lower (p = 0.003; absolute risk reduction: 0.22; relative risk reduction: 0.72). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified age, injury severity score, and the pre-phase as independent risk factors for mortality.Conclusion: The establishment of a trauma center and multidisciplinary management protocols, such as pre-peritoneal packing and resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of aorta, improved the outcomes of hemodynamically unstable patients with pelvic fractures.

Stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscopy is a super‐resolution microscopy technique that overcomes the diffraction limit using a donut‐shaped beam switching off fluorescence through stimulated emission. Because the resolution of STED microscopy is directly affected by beam intensity, a light source for the donut beam is very important. Because of their output power, cost, and convenience, sub‐nanosecond fiber lasers have become popular. However, their pulses (approximately 500 ps) are somewhat long, which can degrade the resolution. In this study, we used time‐gating to improve the resolution of an STED microscope built with a sub‐nanosecond fiber laser. Quantitative analysis of single DNA origami bead images revealed that time‐gating increased the resolution and signal‐to‐background ratio by 15% and twofold, respectively. A similar effect was observed in cell imaging. This result suggests that time‐gating would be beneficial for STED microscopes using slightly long pulses. Time‐gating was applied to an STED microscope system built with a sub‐nanosecond laser to improve the resolution. In contrast to previous studies that time‐gating would be useless for pulse STED, we found that it substantially increased the resolution and signal‐to‐background ratio of the STED images. This result suggests that time‐gating can address the reduction in resolution caused by sub‐nanosecond STED pulses.

In trace metal (TM)-contaminated agricultural soils, management of TM availability is important for safe crop production. In addition, maintenance or improvement of soil quality is vital for sustainable crop cultivation. Decreased TM phytoavailability and increased soil quality can be achieved by the application of various immobilizing agents to soil, which can supply both macronutrients and organic matter. This study investigated the long-term influences of four common immobilizing agents on soil biogeochemical properties and the phytoavailability of TMs in mixed metal-contaminated soil from a cultivated upland near an abandoned mining site. Lime (L), gypsum (G), fly ash (F), and animal manure-based compost (C) were applied to pots containing contaminated soil, either individually or in combination. After incubation for three years under sequential cultivation of two crops and fallow, soil biogeochemical properties were determined, and Brassica rapaplant bioassay was performed. The phytoavailability of all TMs (both cationic metals and anionic metalloids) remained significantly lower in soils treated with immobilizing agents even after three years, when compared with the no-agent control (CK) soil. In addition, the soil quality was significantly improved by treatment with immobilizing agents. For instance, the C and L + C treatments were the most effective in improving soil physical (bulk density, porosity, and water-resistant aggregate stability), chemical (pH, organic matter, total nitrogen, cation exchange capacity, and plant-available phosphorus, magnesium, and potassium), and biological (microbial biomass carbon and dehydrogenase activity) properties. The improvement of soil properties and lowering of TM bioavailability were also consistent with the most significant increase in B. rapabiomass production observed in the C treatment, followed by the L + C, G + F, L, G, F, and L + G treatments, as compared with that in CK. These results indicate that the function of the TM-immobilizing agent as a soil quality conditioner, in addition to its TM immobilizing effect, should be considered when selecting such agents for agricultural or ecological applications.

Microbial cocultivation has been applied as a strategy to induce the biosynthesis of specialized metabolites. However, most previous studies have focused on competitive interactions between test strains. During our LC-MS-based chemical screening of randomized cocultures of Basidiomycetous fungi, we discovered that the coculture of Phellinus orientoasiaticus(Hymenochaetaceae) and Xylodon flaviporus(Schizoporaceae) induces multiple metabolites, although they did not show any competitive morphology. Targeted isolation yielded three new sesquiterpenes (1–3) along with five known analogues (4–8). The structures of the isolates were determined by MS and NMR experiments as well as electronic circular dichroism analysis. LC-MS analysis suggested that cyclohumulanoids of illudane-, sterpurane-, and tremulane-type scaffolds (1–7) were produced by P. orientoasiaticus, whereas a drimane-type sesquiterpene (8) was produced by X. flaviporus. None of the isolates exhibited antifungal activity or cytotoxicity, and compounds 1–7exhibited NO production of LPS-treated RAW276.4 cells in a range of 15.9% to 38.0% at 100 μM.

Patients with biochemically recurrent prostate cancer and short prostate-specific antigen doubling time (PSADT) are at risk for metastasis yet may wish to avoid androgen deprivation therapy. Itraconazole may have antitumor activity without affecting circulating androgen levels. We therefore evaluated itraconazole as a potentially noncastrating treatment approach in biochemically recurrent prostate cancer.

Excessive consumption of energy and natural resources and generation of pollutants are the main reasons why sustainable practices should be strongly advocated in geotechnical engineering. Resilience, on the other hand, is also important as it improves the ability to cope with uncertain yet extreme events that may occur over the long life cycle of geotechnical infrastructure. There has been increasing recognition that sustainability needs to be incorporated and practiced in geotechnical engineering, but little attention has been paid on incorporating resilience although sustainability and resilience share similar objectives and values. A geotechnical infrastructure may not be truly sustainable if it is not resilient against extreme events and climate change because undesirable consequences caused by the failure of geotechnical infrastructure make the system unsustainable. It is important that the concepts of sustainability and resilience are concurrently considered to ensure that resilience in geotechnical infrastructure is developed while sustainable practices are performed. This paper presents an overview of the key concepts of sustainability and resilience with a particular emphasis on resilience in order to understand the differences and connections between the two. The quantitative and qualitative assessment methods of resilience are also discussed. An integrated assessment framework for the quantification of resilience and sustainability of geotechnical infrastructure is proposed, which is developed based on the driver-pressure-state-impact-response (DPSIR) framework.

Single-molecule manipulation techniques have provided unprecedented insights into the structure, function, interactions, and mechanical properties of biological macromolecules. Recently, the single-molecule toolbox has been expanded by techniques that enable measurements of rotation and torque, such as the optical torque wrench (OTW) and several different implementations of magnetic (torque) tweezers. Although systematic analyses of the position and force precision of single-molecule techniques have attracted considerable attention, their angle and torque precision have been treated in much less detail. Here, we propose Allan deviation as a tool to systematically quantitate angle and torque precision in single-molecule measurements. We apply the Allan variance method to experimental data from our implementations of (electro)magnetic torque tweezers and an OTW and find that both approaches can achieve a torque precision better than 1 pN · nm. The OTW, capable of measuring torque on (sub)millisecond timescales, provides the best torque precision for measurement times

Client-sponsored projects are recognised as a powerful experiential learning tool in business education. However, instructors tend to avoid them due to a number of major obstacles. In order to overcome the shortcomings of traditional client-sponsored projects, we introduce a different type of client-sponsored project: member-sponsored group operations projects using a group member as the client. This article describes the structure of this project and how it was implemented in an MBA operations management core course and explains its distinctive features and strengths in comparison to traditional client-sponsored projects, from the instructors' perspective. The projects completed by the students, as well as the post-project face-to-face interviews with students, revealed that this pedagogical tool captures the nuances of immersion into an actual business environment. The projects enhanced students' learning and have major advantages, compared with traditional client-sponsored projects. This article concludes with the limitations of the study, implications for instructors and suggestions for future research.

Siegesbeckia pubescens(Compositae) is an annual herb indigenous to Korean mountainous regions. Recent reports have been issued on some compounds derived from S. pubescensfor its anti-inflammatory activity or mode of action. The quercetin 3,7-O-dimethyl ether (QDE) isolated from the herbs of S. pubescenssuppressed the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein production in mouse macrophages. QDE downregulated pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor -α levels in LPS-stimulated macrophages. Also, QDE decreased the expression of LPS-induced iNOS and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein and the production of IL-8 in LPS-induced HT-29 cells. Macrophages and colon epithelial cells are important for regulating the colon immune systems, thus QDE may regulate inflammatory colon disease via LPS-induced inflammation in macrophages and colon epithelial cells. QDE, anti-inflammatory constituent of S. pubescensherbs, can be expected to be a potential candidate for therapeutics against inflammatory bowel disease.

DNA wrapping around histone octamers generates nucleosomes, the basic compaction unit of eukaryotic chromatin. Nucleosome stability is carefully tuned to maintain DNA accessibility in transcription, replication, and repair. Using freely orbiting magnetic tweezers, which measure the twist and length of single DNA molecules, we monitor the real-time loading of tetramers or complete histone octamers onto DNA by Nucleosome Assembly Protein-1 (NAP1). Remarkably, we find that tetrasomes exhibit spontaneous flipping between a preferentially occupied left-handed state (ΔLk = −0.73) and a right-handed state (ΔLk = +1.0), separated by a free energy difference of 2.3 kBT(1.5 kcal/mol). This flipping occurs without concomitant changes in DNA end-to-end length. The application of weak positive torque converts left-handed tetrasomes into right-handed tetrasomes, whereas nucleosomes display more gradual conformational changes. Our findings reveal unexpected dynamical rearrangements of the nucleosomal structure, suggesting that chromatin can serve as a “twist reservoir,” offering a mechanistic explanation for the regulation of DNA supercoiling in chromatin.

Sleep spindles in humans have been classified as slow anterior and fast posterior spindles; recent findings indicate that their profiles differ according to pharmacology, pathology, and function. However, little is known about the generation mechanisms within the thalamocortical system for different types of spindles. In this study, we aim to investigate the electrophysiological behaviors of the topographically distinctive spindles within the thalamocortical system by applying high-density EEG and simultaneous thalamic LFP recordings in mice.

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the EtOAc extract from Disporum viridescensroots led to the isolation of five new benzyl benzoate glycosides, BBGs (1–5). The neuroprotective activities of the BBGs were screened using neuronal HT22 hippocampal cells. BBG-D (4) significantly protected murine hippocampal HT22 cells against glutamate-induced neurotoxicity by maintaining the antioxidative defense systems such as superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, and the glutathione content. BBG-D, in a dose-and time-dependent manner, increased HO-1 expression through the selective activation of pERK signaling among the MAPK pathways. These results suggest that BBG-D could be a promising candidate for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases related to glutamate-induced oxidative neuronal cytotoxicity.

Purpose. This study is an initial step in determining the effectiveness of bundling preconception messages on short-term recall in a health communication intervention.Design. A six-cell quasi-experiment with control was employed.Setting. Mall intercept interviews were conducted in three southern cities.Intervention. Six professionally developed brochures with preconception health messages.Subjects. 687 women who were between 18 and 36 years old and who reported that they planned to be pregnant within the next 5 yearsMeasures. Aided and unaided message recall.Analysis. Analysis of variance, pair-wise t-tests.Results. The results suggest ways to combine health messages in an attempt to maximize the resources that individual programs have for communication.Conclusion. Combining messages, up to four, should be considered.

Global corporations increasingly pursue avenues for employing the information technology and manufacturing prowess of India and managing global cooperative strategies (strategic alliance and supply networks) with India partners. While most studies addressing global cooperative strategies analyse organisational and industrial characteristics, very few theories incorporate explanations for Indian supply chain management practices. This study is an attempt to better understand Indian supply chain management practices.

Corporations increasingly pursue avenues for employing the manufacturing prowess of China and managing strategic alliance and supply networks with Chinese partners. While most studies addressing global cooperative strategies such as strategic alliances and supply networks analyse organisational and industrial characteristics, few theories incorporate explanations for cross-cultural differences between US and Chinese supply chain assessment practices. Without analyses of individual differences among executives in different cultures, theories on managerial decision-making in global cooperative strategies remain incomplete. This study is an attempt to better understand Chinese executives supply chain assessment practices.

Electroencephalography amplitude, phase synchronization, and directionality of phase coupling within and between hemispheres were compared for different frequency components in 27 healthy individuals before and after 5 days of daily 1 Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), and at 2 weeks after the last session. Instantaneous amplitudes of (8–13 Hz) and (13–30 Hz) frequency components were increased after daily rTMS, the effects of which were declining over time, suggesting an adapting response with repeated rTMS sessions. The phase synchronization of electroencephalography increased significantly in the frequency, especially the upper- band (11–13 Hz), in both the frontal and the temporal areas, predominantly in the ipsilateral hemisphere. Asymmetric directional interactions of the upper- band were stronger from the stimulated area to the contralateral hemisphere. No significant differences were found at 2 weeks after rTMS in any of these values. Focal 1 Hz rTMS induces an enhancement in the ipsilateral dominant corticocortical interaction drastically by interhemispheric asymmetric coupling from the stimulated cortical area with an adapting response with repeated sessions. This kind of method can be valuable for possible clinical applications in various neuropsychiatric conditions to study the therapeutic mechanisms of 1 Hz rTMS.

Abstract: We have investigated the dispersion efficiency of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) in polyoxyethylene nonylphenyl ether (PNE) solutions with various PNE molecular weights and concentrations by using Raman, photoluminescence, and absorption spectroscopy. The heavier the PNE’s are, as long as their molecular weight is greater than 441, the better capability of dispersing SWCNTs they exhibit for fixed PNE concentrations. For heavier PNE’s, the dispersion efficiency monotonically increases as their concentration increases up to 3 wt%.

It is important to understand supply chain partners’ ‘strategic intent’, particularly in global markets. Strategic intent provides information on potentially controllable strategic dimensions critical in arriving at decisions on global supply chain strategy. Based on past research we would expect supplier selection decision models to vary by country and within a particular country as well. This study examines the effects of industry and executive characteristics on global supply chain partners’ supplier selection decision models. The results show that the criteria used to make supplier selection decisions vary by industry, education and work experience. The resulting supplier selection decision frameworks provide information important for identifying the strategic intent of Korean supply chain partners for US firms.

This paper suggests a model of value creation during the US spin-off process. While it is a well-known fact that the post-spin-off performance is in general positive, the reason for the performance is still unclear. Based on previous research, we suggest that the parent firm would experience better performance after spin-off. We also suggest that the spin-off would experience better performance vis-a-vis benchmark, due to their innovative activity. We argue that the innovation after spin-off would be the key to explain the relationship between spin-off event and post-spin-off performance.

Exogenous application of β-amyloid (Aβ25—35, a fragment of Aβ1—42) significantly elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in C6 astroglioma cells, as measured by confocal microscopic analysis of H2O2-sensitive 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescin fluorescence. Subsequent characterization of the signalling pathway revealed that expression of RacN17, a dominant-negative Rac1 mutant, completely blocked Aβ25—35-induced generation of ROS, which is indicative of the crucial role played by Rac GTPase in this process. To better understand the downstream mediators affected by Rac, we assessed the degree to which inhibition of cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) contributed to the response and found that inhibition of either enzyme completely blocked Aβ25—35-induced ROS generation, indicating its dependence on arachidonic acid synthesis and metabolism to leukotrienes (e.g. leukotriene B4). Consistent with those findings, Aβ25—35 Rac-dependently stimulated translocation of 5-LO to the nuclear envelope and increased intracellular levels of leukotriene B4, while exogenous application of leukotriene B4 increased intracellular H2O2 via BLT, its cell-surface receptor. In addition to the aforementioned downstream mediators, inhibition of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase), an enzyme situated upstream of Rac, also completely blocked Aβ25—35-induced H2O2 generation. Our findings thus demonstrate that PI 3-kinase, Rac, cPLA2 and 5-LO are all essential components of the β-amyloid signaling cascade leading to generation of ROS.

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Bioactivity‐guided fractionation leads to the isolation of a new triterpenoid characterized as lup‐20(29)en‐2,28‐diol‐3‐yl caffeate (I) together with 12 known diarylheptanoids.