Yes / Coronin7 (CRN7) stabilizes F-actin and is a regulator of processes associated with the actin cytoskeleton. Its loss leads to defects in phagocytosis, motility and development. It harbors a CRIB (Cdc42- and Rac-interactive binding) domain in each of its WD repeat domains which bind to Rac GTPases preferably in their GDP-loaded forms. Expression of wild type CRN7 in CRN7 deficient cells rescued these defects, whereas proteins with mutations in the CRIB motifs which were associated with altered Rac binding were effective to varying degrees. The presence of one functional CRIB was sufficient to reestablish phagocytosis, cell motility and development. Furthermore, by molecular modeling and mutational analysis we identified the contact regions between CRN7 and the GTPases. We also identified WASP, SCAR and PAKa as downstream effectors in phagocytosis, development and cell surface adhesion, respectively, since ectopic expression rescued these functions.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is a serious public health issue in this country and a major contributor to infant mortality in African American populations. African Americans have one of the highest rates of SIDS, some of which is due to increased risk factors for SIDS, such as prone sleeping and bed-sharing, as well as a lack of adherence to the SIDS risk reducing recommendations. Little is understood about this lack of adherence in the African American population or how to effectively address it but some research suggests a link between parental health beliefs of SIDS and the risk reducing recommendations and the implementation of these recommendations. This study used quantitative methods to gather data about the health beliefs and perceptions of SIDS among African American women living in Service Planning Area (SPA) Six of Los Angeles County to better understand the link between beliefs about SIDS and how this relates to implementation of the safe infant sleeping recommendations, specifically bed-sharing and prone sleeping. A self-administered questionnaire was developed to collect data using the Health Belief Model and several of its concepts as a guiding framework to assist with the construction of the questionnaire. The questionnaire was distributed electronically through the survey software program, Survey Monkey and analyzed using statistical software, SPSS. Exploratory factor analysis found the questionnaire reliable and valid upon the removal of four items, including the construct of cues to action. The new 19-item questionnaire suggested that the women felt that SIDS was a big problem but didn't feel as susceptible. There was also a clear confusion about prone sleeping position. Overall, the data suggests a need for tailored educational campaigns in African American communities to increase awareness of and susceptibility to SIDS and stressing the benefits of supine sleeping position.

An experimental study was conducted to determine the effect of complex geometries on the burning rate of materials made using additive manufacturing. Controlling heat release rate has applicability in limiting fire hazards as well as for designing fuels for optimal burning rate. The burning rate of a structure is a function of the material properties as well as the airflow through it, which is dictated by the geometry. This burning rate is generally proportional to the porosity for objects in which the flow is limited by the path constriction. The relations between porosity and burning rate are well studied for wood cribs, which are layers of wood sticks. Crib and other objects with various geometric features were constructed of ABS plastic and coal powder using additive manufacturing processes. A cone calorimeter using oxygen calorimetry was used to measure the heat release rate of the crib specimens. Within the flow limited burning regime, the burning rate of an object is proportional to the porosity factor. Porosity factors calculated from a 1-D theoretical burn rate model as well as from two empirical models were found to correlate the heat release rate results for the crib samples. The heat release rate results of the complex geometries generally correlated to the same porosity factor; however, the model was modified to account for differences between regularly shaped cribs and objects with different sized flow areas. Using the empirical models provides good correlation for the crib burning data and gives a clearer delineation between the flow-limited and surface area controlled regimes. / Master of Science

Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar comparativamente as alterações dentoalveolares e do perfil tegumentar, decorrentes do tratamento da mordida aberta anterior com grade palatina removível (Grupo 1) e com grade palatina fixa (Grupo 2), ambas associadas à mentoneira. O Grupo 1 apresentou idade inicial média de 8,33 anos e overbite inicial de -4,07mm, enquanto o Grupo 2 apresentou idade inicial de 8,54 e overbite de -4,33. Cada grupo foi composto de 30 pacientes, em fase de dentadura mista, com mordida aberta anterior de pelo menos 1mm, incisivos permanentes erupcionados e relação molar de Classe I. O período de avaliação foi de 12 meses, entre a tomada da primeira (T1) e da segunda (T2) telerradiografia lateral. A recomendação de uso da grade palatina removível foi de período integral (exceto durante as refeições e higiene bucal). O tempo de utilização da mentoneira foi de aproximadamente 12h/dia, com uma força de 450 a 500g por lado, direcionada 45º acima do plano oclusal. A comparação das características cefalométricas iniciais evidenciou similaridade entre os grupos, sendo que os fatores idade, gênero e tempo de observação também foram semelhantes. Os resultados não mostraram diferença significante na erupção ou na mesialização dos molares. As modificações dentoalveolares na região anterior foram evidentes, havendo maior extrusão dos incisivos superiores no grupo com grade fixa, proporcionando um maior aumento do overbite nesse grupo. A grade fixa provocou uma menor inclinação para palatino dos incisivos superiores, porém levou a uma maior inclinação para lingual dos incisivos inferiores, em relação à grade removível, o que causou um maior aumento do overjet. Algumas variáveis relacionadas ao perfil mole apresentaram diferenças estatisticamente significantes: o Grupo 2 apresentou maior aumento no comprimento do lábio superior, maior fechamento do espaço interlabial e, sem significância estatística, retrusão dos lábios superior e inferior. Pode-se concluir que a grade fixa corrigiu de forma mais eficiente a mordida aberta anterior, porém provocou um maior aumento do overjet. / The objective of this prospective clinical study was to cephalometrically compare the dentoalveolar and soft tissue effects produced by two kinds of anterior open bite treatments: removable palatal crib (Group 1) and fixed palatal crib (Group 2), both associated to the use of chincup. Group 1 presented initial mean age of 8.33 years and mean anterior open bite of 4.07mm. Group 2 presented initial mean age of 8.54 years and mean anterior open bite of 4,33mm. Each group comprised 30 patients, in mixed dentition phase, with similar cephalometric characteristics and skeletal ages. The evaluation period comprised 12 months between initial (T1) and second lateral radiograph (T2). Results showed no statistically significant differences in molar eruption or mesialization, showing that vertical changes at the posterior region were similar between the groups. Dentoalveolar changes at the anterior region were evident, with statistically significant more extrusion of maxillary incisors in the group of fixed crib, what contributed to a more accentuated overbite increase in this group. Patients treated with fixed crib also presented less lingual tipping of maxillary incisors and more lingual tipping of mandibular incisors. Some variables related to the soft profile presented statistically significant changes between the groups: Group 2 presented a greater increase in upper lip length, more closure of the interlabial gap and, with no statistical significance, more retrusion of lower and upper lip. So, patients that utilized the fixed palatal crib had a more efficient correction of the anterior open bite; however, they had more increase of the overjet.

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar cefalometricamente a estabilidade das alterações dentoesqueléticas e tegumentares, no protocolo de tratamento com o aparelho removível com grade palatina associado à mentoneira, em jovens portadores de mordida aberta anterior, tratados por 12 meses e comparar com um Grupo de jovens portadores de má oclusão semelhante que não foram submetidos ao tratamento ortodôntico. Avaliou-se um total de 76 telerradiografias em norma lateral de 38 jovens. Dois Grupos compuseram a amostra: o Grupo 1 (controle) composto por 19 jovens (idade média de 9,10 anos) que não receberam qualquer tratamento para a correção de sua má oclusão e o Grupo 2 (tratado) composto por 19 jovens (idade média de 9,78 anos) que receberam o protocolo de tratamento durante 12 meses. Verificou-se a estabilidade do tratamento da má oclusão durante aproximadamente 15 meses após a remoção dos aparelhos. Os dados obtidos nas medidas cefalométricas (diferenças das médias das alterações) para os dois Grupos foram computados pelo teste t de Student não pareado. Os resultados mostraram que os componentes esquelético e tegumentar não apresentaram alterações significantes. O overbite, overjet e posicionamento dos dentes superiores mantiveram-se estáveis. Os incisivos inferiores vestibularizaram e protruíram no Grupo tratado enquanto o Grupo controle apresentou maior extrusão destes dentes. Os molares inferiores também extruíram mais significantemente no Grupo controle. Pode-se concluir que o protocolo de tratamento da mordida aberta anterior utilizando aparelho removível com grade palatina associado à mentoneira mostrou estabilidade de aproximadamente 95%, ressaltando a grande importância deste tratamento em idade precoce. / The aim of this study was to cephalometrically investigate the stability of early open bite treatment. Nineteen children with a mean age of 9.78 years old that were treated for 12 months with a removable appliance with palatal crib associated with chincup were evaluated after 15 months (posttreatment period) and compared with a control group of 19 subjects with mean age of 9.10 years with the same malocclusion that was followed-up for the same period. The 76 lateral cephalograms were evaluated at T1 (after correction) and T2 (follow-up) and cephalometric variables were analyzed with statistical tests. The results did not show significant skeletal, soft tissues or maxillary dentoalveloar changes. Overall, treatment effects in the experimental group were maintained at T2 evaluation with an increase of 0.56mm in overbite. Overjet and maxillary incisors/molars position (vertical and sagittal) remained essentially unchanged during the study period. Only mandibular incisors showed some significant changes (labial inclination and protrusion) compared with the controls. Thus, it can be conclude that the early open bite treatment with a removable appliance and palatal crib associated with high-pull chincup therapy provided stability of 95%.

Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar comparativamente as alterações dentoalveolares e do perfil tegumentar, decorrentes do tratamento da mordida aberta anterior com grade palatina removível (Grupo 1) e com grade palatina fixa (Grupo 2), ambas associadas à mentoneira. O Grupo 1 apresentou idade inicial média de 8,33 anos e overbite inicial de -4,07mm, enquanto o Grupo 2 apresentou idade inicial de 8,54 e overbite de -4,33. Cada grupo foi composto de 30 pacientes, em fase de dentadura mista, com mordida aberta anterior de pelo menos 1mm, incisivos permanentes erupcionados e relação molar de Classe I. O período de avaliação foi de 12 meses, entre a tomada da primeira (T1) e da segunda (T2) telerradiografia lateral. A recomendação de uso da grade palatina removível foi de período integral (exceto durante as refeições e higiene bucal). O tempo de utilização da mentoneira foi de aproximadamente 12h/dia, com uma força de 450 a 500g por lado, direcionada 45º acima do plano oclusal. A comparação das características cefalométricas iniciais evidenciou similaridade entre os grupos, sendo que os fatores idade, gênero e tempo de observação também foram semelhantes. Os resultados não mostraram diferença significante na erupção ou na mesialização dos molares. As modificações dentoalveolares na região anterior foram evidentes, havendo maior extrusão dos incisivos superiores no grupo com grade fixa, proporcionando um maior aumento do overbite nesse grupo. A grade fixa provocou uma menor inclinação para palatino dos incisivos superiores, porém levou a uma maior inclinação para lingual dos incisivos inferiores, em relação à grade removível, o que causou um maior aumento do overjet. Algumas variáveis relacionadas ao perfil mole apresentaram diferenças estatisticamente significantes: o Grupo 2 apresentou maior aumento no comprimento do lábio superior, maior fechamento do espaço interlabial e, sem significância estatística, retrusão dos lábios superior e inferior. Pode-se concluir que a grade fixa corrigiu de forma mais eficiente a mordida aberta anterior, porém provocou um maior aumento do overjet. / The objective of this prospective clinical study was to cephalometrically compare the dentoalveolar and soft tissue effects produced by two kinds of anterior open bite treatments: removable palatal crib (Group 1) and fixed palatal crib (Group 2), both associated to the use of chincup. Group 1 presented initial mean age of 8.33 years and mean anterior open bite of 4.07mm. Group 2 presented initial mean age of 8.54 years and mean anterior open bite of 4,33mm. Each group comprised 30 patients, in mixed dentition phase, with similar cephalometric characteristics and skeletal ages. The evaluation period comprised 12 months between initial (T1) and second lateral radiograph (T2). Results showed no statistically significant differences in molar eruption or mesialization, showing that vertical changes at the posterior region were similar between the groups. Dentoalveolar changes at the anterior region were evident, with statistically significant more extrusion of maxillary incisors in the group of fixed crib, what contributed to a more accentuated overbite increase in this group. Patients treated with fixed crib also presented less lingual tipping of maxillary incisors and more lingual tipping of mandibular incisors. Some variables related to the soft profile presented statistically significant changes between the groups: Group 2 presented a greater increase in upper lip length, more closure of the interlabial gap and, with no statistical significance, more retrusion of lower and upper lip. So, patients that utilized the fixed palatal crib had a more efficient correction of the anterior open bite; however, they had more increase of the overjet.

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar cefalometricamente a estabilidade das alterações dentoesqueléticas e tegumentares, no protocolo de tratamento com o aparelho removível com grade palatina associado à mentoneira, em jovens portadores de mordida aberta anterior, tratados por 12 meses e comparar com um Grupo de jovens portadores de má oclusão semelhante que não foram submetidos ao tratamento ortodôntico. Avaliou-se um total de 76 telerradiografias em norma lateral de 38 jovens. Dois Grupos compuseram a amostra: o Grupo 1 (controle) composto por 19 jovens (idade média de 9,10 anos) que não receberam qualquer tratamento para a correção de sua má oclusão e o Grupo 2 (tratado) composto por 19 jovens (idade média de 9,78 anos) que receberam o protocolo de tratamento durante 12 meses. Verificou-se a estabilidade do tratamento da má oclusão durante aproximadamente 15 meses após a remoção dos aparelhos. Os dados obtidos nas medidas cefalométricas (diferenças das médias das alterações) para os dois Grupos foram computados pelo teste t de Student não pareado. Os resultados mostraram que os componentes esquelético e tegumentar não apresentaram alterações significantes. O overbite, overjet e posicionamento dos dentes superiores mantiveram-se estáveis. Os incisivos inferiores vestibularizaram e protruíram no Grupo tratado enquanto o Grupo controle apresentou maior extrusão destes dentes. Os molares inferiores também extruíram mais significantemente no Grupo controle. Pode-se concluir que o protocolo de tratamento da mordida aberta anterior utilizando aparelho removível com grade palatina associado à mentoneira mostrou estabilidade de aproximadamente 95%, ressaltando a grande importância deste tratamento em idade precoce. / The aim of this study was to cephalometrically investigate the stability of early open bite treatment. Nineteen children with a mean age of 9.78 years old that were treated for 12 months with a removable appliance with palatal crib associated with chincup were evaluated after 15 months (posttreatment period) and compared with a control group of 19 subjects with mean age of 9.10 years with the same malocclusion that was followed-up for the same period. The 76 lateral cephalograms were evaluated at T1 (after correction) and T2 (follow-up) and cephalometric variables were analyzed with statistical tests. The results did not show significant skeletal, soft tissues or maxillary dentoalveloar changes. Overall, treatment effects in the experimental group were maintained at T2 evaluation with an increase of 0.56mm in overbite. Overjet and maxillary incisors/molars position (vertical and sagittal) remained essentially unchanged during the study period. Only mandibular incisors showed some significant changes (labial inclination and protrusion) compared with the controls. Thus, it can be conclude that the early open bite treatment with a removable appliance and palatal crib associated with high-pull chincup therapy provided stability of 95%.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiology of injuries related to cribs, playpens, and bassinets among young children in the United States. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was done using data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System for children younger than 2 years of age treated in emergency departments in the United States from 1990 through 2008 for an injury associated with cribs, playpens, and bassinets. RESULTS: An estimated 181 654 (95% confidence interval: 148 548-214 761) children younger than 2 years of age were treated in emergency departments in the United States for injuries related to cribs, playpens, and bassinets during the 19-year study period. There was an average of 9561 cases per year or an average of 12.1 injuries per 10 000 children younger than 2 years old per year. Most of the injuries involved cribs (83.2%), followed by playpens (12.6%) and bassinets (4.2%). The most common mechanism of injury was a fall from a crib, playpen, or bassinet, representing 66.2% of injuries. Soft-tissue injuries comprised the most common diagnosis (34.1%), and the most frequently injured body region was the head or neck (40.3%). Patients with fractures were admitted 14.0% of the time, making them 5.45 (95% confidence interval: 3.80-7.80) times more likely to be hospitalized than patients with other types of injury. Children younger than 6 months were 2.97 (95% confidence interval: 2.07-4.24) times more likely to be hospitalized than older children. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to use a nationally representative sample to examine injuries associated with cribs, playpens, and bassinets. Given the consistently high number of observed injuries, greater efforts are needed to ensure safety in the design and manufacture of these products, ensure their proper usage in the home, and increase awareness of their potential dangers to young children.

Yes / Efficient motility requires polarized cells, with pseudopods at the front and a retracting rear. Polarization is maintained by restricting the pseudopod catalyst, active Rac, to the front. Here, we show that the actin nucleation-promoting factor Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP) contributes to maintenance of front-rear polarity by controlling localization and cellular levels of active Rac. Dictyostelium cells lacking WASP inappropriately activate Rac at the rear, which affects their polarity and speed. WASP’s Cdc42 and Rac interacting binding (“CRIB”) motif has been thought to be essential for its activation. However, we show that the CRIB motif’s biological role is unexpectedly complex. WASP CRIB mutants are no longer able to restrict Rac activity to the front, and cannot generate new pseudopods when SCAR/WAVE is absent. Overall levels of Rac activity also increase when WASP is unable to bind to Rac. However, WASP without a functional CRIB domain localizes normally at clathrin pits during endocytosis, and activates Arp2/3 complex. Similarly, chemical inhibition of Rac does not affect WASP localization or activation at sites of endocytosis. Thus, the interaction between small GTPases and WASP is more complex than previously thought—Rac regulates a subset of WASP functions, but WASP reciprocally restricts active Rac through its CRIB motif. / Cancer Research UK grants A15672, A24450, and multidisciplinary grant A20017.

The Crib Mound Site (12 Sp 1-2) is a shell mound that contains a major Mid-Late Archaic element. This site has been largely destroyed over the past few decades as a result of erosion by the Ohio River, development, artifact collecting and blatant looting. Collections of artifacts from the mound, and much of the relevant information about the site, are located in the private sector. Only minimal artifact representations from Crib Mound reside in universities or museums.This site has received little in-depth professional investigation or study. Although it is one of several significant multi-component archaeological sites in the Lower Ohio Drainage with an indication of a significant Mid-Late Archaic component, it has not been accurately incorporated into discussions of Mid-Late Archaic settlement systems. The underlying reason for this omission relates to the information from the site not having been systematically recorded or synthesized into a usable format for archaeological research.This thesis analyzes, documents and evaluates the chronologically sensitive data from Crib Mound as a means of defining the mound's relationship to other (already documented) Mid-Late Archaic sites that are found in the region of theLower Ohio River Basin. This research also explores the relationship between tradition and phase (as it existed in this area), perhaps identifying an earlier phase or phases that can be distinguished from within the tradition. All information from the Crib Mound Site is integrated into the regional prehistory by either expanding on the anomaly of the mound or by clarifying and supporting the mound's relationship with the current regional settlement patterns. / Department of Anthropology