This study sought to better understand cultural processes related to mental health outcomes for youth who received school and clinic-based mental health services. It aimed to address gaps in the literature by : 1) examining whether symptom severity at initial interview differs by affinity to mainstream American culture and affinity to indigenous/alternative culture, 2) investigating the relationship between affinity to mainstream American culture and affinity to indigenous/alternative culture, symptom severity at first interview, and mental health outcomes, and 3) exploring whether treatment engagement moderates the relationship between symptom severity at initial interview and mental health outcomes. The study involved youth/parent/therapist survey data related to 234 adolescents (aged 12-18). Research instruments measured parent and youth socio-cultural variables, both parent and youth report of affinity to mainstream American culture and affinity to indigenous/alternative culture, symptom severity levels, treatment engagement, and mental health outcomes. Analyses were conducted in Mplus 6.0 and utilized multi-level path analyses. Results showed a negative association between affinity to American culture and symptom severity at first interview according to youth self-report and a positive association between parent affinity to indigenous/alternative culture and parent report of youth symptom severity at first interview. Findings showed that youth and parent reports of higher youth symptom severity at first interview predicted poorer mental health outcomes. Symptom severity at first interview also appeared to mediate the relationship between affinity to mainstream American culture/affinity to indigenous/alternative culture and mental health symptomatology outcomes for some models. Therapist report of parent and youth total engagement was not found to moderate the relationship between youth symptom severity at treatment outset and mental health outcomes at follow- up. Findings from this study inform efforts to develop culturally competent mental health interventions. By better understanding how individual and familial characteristics predict mental health trajectories, researchers and practitioners will be better equipped to improve the effectiveness of services for diverse youth populations. These analyses should be considered preliminary, as updates and revisions may take place, particularly after consideration of qualitative data and other variables not examined in the present study

We report here the technology and the underlying science of a new device for inhalation (pulmonary) drug delivery which is capable of fulfilling needs unmet by current commercial devices. The core of the new device is a centimeter-size clog-free silicon-based ultrasonic nozzle with multiple Fourier horns in resonance at megahertz (MHz) frequency. The dramatic resonance effect among the multiple horns and high growth rate of the MHz Faraday waves excited on a medicinal liquid layer together facilitate ejection of monodisperse droplets of desirable size range (2-5 µm) at low electrical drive power (<1.0 W). The small nozzle requiring low drive power has enabled realization of a pocket-size (8.6 × 5.6 × 1.5 cm3) ultrasonic nebulizer. A variety of common pulmonary drugs have been nebulized using the pocket-size unit with desirable aerosol sizes and output rate. These results clearly provide proof-of-principle for the new device and confirm its potential for commercialization.

Gle1 is an evolutionary conserved protein involved in both mRNA export and translation. A recent study linked mutations in Gle1 with recessive and fatal motor neuron diseases characterized by ventral horn motor neuron degeneration before birth. This is particularly interesting in light of a growing pool of evidence indicating that a common denominator in many motor neuron disorders is defects in mRNA regulation. To investigate the role of Gle1 in motor neuron development, we used chick and mouse models to develop tools for examining Gle1s̀ expression, localization, biochemical interactions, and altered activity when mutated. We have confirmed the presence of Gle1 transcripts in a variety of cell types and stages of development, including during motor neuron development, and we generated Gle1-Flag fusion constructs to study Gle1 localization and biochemistry following failure of commercial antibodies to reliably detect Gle1 through immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting. Overexpressing mutant Gle1 does not appear to noticeably affect the development of motor neurons in chick, suggesting that the mutant protein does not cause disease through a gain of function. To study the effects of Gle1 loss on development, we generated a mouse line expressing a Gene-trap allele in which Gle1 is created as a truncated protein linked to [Beta]-Geo. As animals homozygous for this allele appear nonviable, we selected a rescue strategy in which we will express Gle1 from the ROSA26 locus in a Gene-trap background, allowing us to examine the specific effects of Gle1 mutation on motor neuron survival and function

As one of the primary engines of economic development, local governments are in a position to enhance employment opportunities for low income and minority workers by implementing policies to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion in the local workforce. This brief reviews the policy tools and strategies available to municipal governments for targeted workforce development. Based on a survey of policies in Seattle, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Cleveland, the brief shows types of policies local government agencies can implement to recruit, train, and provide employment opportunities for workers from disadvantage populations in local communities. The brief concludes policies that include members from the community in the developmental process and emphasize collaboration with civic organizations are more effective for promoting diversity, equity, and inclusivity in the local workforce.

This music score was submitted for the Kaleidoscope 2020 Call for Scores, an open access collaboration with the UCLA Music Library.

During RNA transcription, the Carboxyl-terminal domain (CTD) of RNA Polymerase II (RNAPII) is phosphorylated on its serine-5 (Ser-5) positions to trigger elongation and RNA 5'-capping. In addition, CTD is also phosphorylated on the serine-2 (Ser-2) positions, which stimulates RNA splicing and polyadenylation. In the case of DNA damage, Abl kinase is activated to induce Tyrosine-1 (Tyr-1) phosphorylation on CTD. However, the exact role and function of the Tyr-1 phosphorylation during DNA damage has yet to be understood. Here we discovered interactions between CTD peptides and various Drosha-associated proteins (DAPs) by a mass spectrometry pulldown experiment. By applying a number of in vitro binding assays, we identified that CTD interacts with DiGeorge syndrome critical region 8 (DGCR8), one of the key and necessary proteins in the Microprocessor complex responsible for miRNA biogenesis. We also showed that the CTD-DGCR8 interaction can be enhanced in the presence of active Abl kinase. Our results demonstrated a possible outcome followed by the CTD Tyr-1 phosphorylation during DNA damage, which is to recruit the active Microprocessor complex and initiate miRNA biogenesis