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The rural weekly newspaper industry rooted in traditional geographically bounded U.S. communities was long thought to have been shielded from industry dilemmas—revenue and circulation—at larger mainstream daily newspapers. However, recent data show a shift in these rural community journalism trends, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic. Using normative theory and diffusion of innovations, this study examines how rural weekly newspaper publishers perceived, nearly 18 months after the onset of the pandemic, how COVID-19 impacted their newspapers' advertising, news, technology, and community involvement. Survey results reveal short-term and long-term content and financial challenges plague U.S. rural grassroots information sources with circulation less than 3,000—indicating the end of the "golden era" of weekly newspapers. Despite the constraints, publishers remain optimistic and dedicated to their audiences, albeit reluctant to swift change, as they perceive themselves as the only reliable information source for their rural communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally daily news podcasts have exponentially grown in popularity. To build on the increased interest in this podcast format, this study examines three distinct programmes in this genre. The focus of our research specifically highlights the significant news events during the summer of 2020: the killing of George Floyd, and subsequent Black Lives Matter protests, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a set of genre conventions adapted and expanded from previous podcast and radio news scholarship, this research analyses the impact podcasting has on daily audio news production. Our findings indicate the podcast host's empathy and intimacy, coalesced into powerful, immersive deep dive discussions. Those kinds of conversations have strongly influenced and transformed daily news production, while still maintaining journalistic ethics and aesthetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe a lithographic approach--nanocrystal plasma polymerization-based lithography--in which colloidal nanocrystal assemblies (CNAs) are used as the inorganic resist and, potentially, the active material. The patterning process is based on a change in the dispersibility of the CNAs in solvents as a result of the exposure to plasmas. Plasmas can etch the capping ligands from the exposed area. During the development step, the unexposed area of CNAs is redispersed, leaving behind the patterned area, similar to what is expected from negative photoresist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

35.2 million annual cases in the U.S. require clinical intervention for major skin loss. To meet this demand, the field of skin tissue engineering has grown rapidly over the past 40 years. Traditionally, skin tissue engineering relies on the “cell-scaffold-signal” approach, whereby isolated cells are formulated into a three-dimensional substrate matrix, or scaffold, and exposed to the proper molecular, physical, and/or electrical signals to encourage growth and differentiation. However, clinically available bioengineered skin equivalents (BSEs) suffer from a number of drawbacks, including time required to generate autologous BSEs, poor allogeneic BSE survival, and physical limitations such as mass transfer issues. Additionally, different types of skin wounds require different BSE designs. MicroRNA has recently emerged as a new and exciting field of RNA interference that can overcome the barriers of BSE design. MicroRNA can regulate cellular behavior, change the bioactive milieu of the skin, and be delivered to skin tissue in a number of ways. While it is still in its infancy, the use of microRNAs in skin tissue engineering offers the opportunity to both enhance and expand a field for which there is still a vast unmet clinical need. Here we give a review of skin tissue engineering, focusing on the important cellular processes, bioactive mediators, and scaffolds. We further discuss potential microRNA targets for each individual component, and we conclude with possible future applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypertrophic scar (HSc) occurs in 40–70% of patients treated for third degree burn injuries. Current burn therapies rely upon the use of bioengineered skin equivalents (BSEs), which assist in wound healing but do not prevent HSc contraction. HSc contraction leads to formation of a fixed, inelastic skin deformity. We propose that BSEs should maintain their architecture in the wound bed throughout the remodeling phase of repair to prevent HSc contraction. In this work we study a degradable, elastomeric, randomly oriented, electrospun micro-fibrous scaffold fabricated from the copolymer poly( l -lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) (PLCL). PLCL scaffolds displayed appropriate elastomeric and tensile characteristics for implantation beneath a human skin graft. In vitro analysis using human dermal fibroblasts demonstrated that PLCL scaffolds decreased myofibroblast formation as compared to an in vitro HSc contraction model. Using a validated immune-competent murine HSc contraction model, we found that HSc contraction was significantly greater in animals treated with standard of care, Integra, as compared to those treated with collagen coated-PLCL (ccPLCL) scaffolds. Finally, wounds treated with ccPLCL were significantly less stiff than control wounds at d30 in vivo. Together, these data suggest that scaffolds which persist throughout the remodeling phase of repair may represent a clinically translatable method to prevent HSc contraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Older adults can benefit from either aerobic, resistance, or mind-body exercise. • Exercise is a therapeutic ally to pharmacological treatment of clinical depression. • Pooled NMA evidence demonstrates high compliance and tolerance of exercise. • There is opportunity for patients to select their preferred type(s) of exercise. • Clinicians should facilitate exercise prescription based on patient preference. Few studies have directly compared the effects of different exercise therapies on clinical depression in older adults. Thus, we conducted a systematic review and network meta-analysis of current evidence from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) to compare the effectiveness of three major exercise types (aerobic, resistance, and mind-body exercise) in clinically depressed older adults. We followed PRISMA-NMA guidelines and searched databases for eligible RCTs (inception – September 12th, 2019). RCTs were eligible if they included clinically depressed adults aged >65 years, implemented one or more exercise therapy arms using aerobic, resistance, or mind-body exercise, and assessed depressive symptoms at baseline and follow-up using a validated clinical questionnaire. A network meta-analysis was performed on 15 eligible RCTs comprising 596 participants (321 treatment and 275 controls), including aerobic (n = 6), resistance (n = 5), and mind-body (n = 4) exercise trials. Compared with controls, mind-body exercise showed the largest improvement on depressive symptoms (g = −0.87 to −1.38), followed by aerobic exercise (g = −0.51 to −1.02), and resistance exercise (g = −0.41 to −0.92). Notably, there were no statistically significant differences between exercise types: aerobic versus resistance (g = −0.10, PrI = −2.23, 2.03), mind-body versus aerobic (g = −0.36, PrI = −2.69, 1.97), or mind-body versus resistance (g = −0.46, PrI = −2.75, 1.83). These findings should guide optimal exercise prescription for allied health professionals and stakeholders in clinical geriatrics. Notably, clinically depressed older adults may be encouraged to self-select their preferred exercise type in order to achieve therapeutic benefit on symptoms of depression. In coalition with high levels of compliance, these data provide encouraging evidence for the antidepressant effect of either aerobic, resistance, or mind-body exercise as effective treatment adjucts for older adults presenting with clinical depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social connections are crucial for an individual's health, wellbeing, and overall effective functioning. During the COVID-19 pandemic, one major preventative effort for reducing the spread of COVID-19 involved restricting people's typical social interactions through physical distancing and isolation. The current cross-sectional study, conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, explored the relationship among fear of COVID-19, social connectedness, resilience, depressive symptomologies, and self-perceived stress. Participants (N = 174) completed an anonymous, online questionnaire, and results indicated that social connectedness mediated the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and psychological wellbeing. In contrast, the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and psychological wellbeing was not mediated by resilience. These findings highlight the important role that social connections and resilience play in buffering against negative psychological wellbeing outcomes, especially during a pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypertrophic scar ( HSc) contraction following burn injury causes contractures. Contractures are painful and disfiguring. Current therapies are marginally effective. To study pathogenesis and develop new therapies, a murine model is needed. We have created a validated immune-competent murine HSc model. A third-degree burn was created on dorsum of C57 BL/6 mice. Three days postburn, tissue was excised and grafted with ear skin. Graft contraction was analyzed and tissue harvested on different time points. Outcomes were compared with human condition to validate the model. To confirm graft survival, green fluorescent protein ( GFP) mice were used, and histologic analysis was performed to differentiate between ear and back skin. Role of panniculus carnosus in contraction was analyzed. Cellularity was assessed with 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole. Collagen maturation was assessed with Picro-sirius red. Mast cells were stained with Toluidine blue. Macrophages were detected with F4/80 immune. Vascularity was assessed with CD31 immune. RNA for contractile proteins was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (q RT- PCR). Elastic moduli of skin and scar tissue were analyzed using a microstrain analyzer. Grafts contracted to ∼45% of their original size by day 14 and maintained their size. Grafting of GFP mouse skin onto wild-type mice, and analysis of dermal thickness and hair follicle density, confirmed graft survival. Interestingly, hair follicles disappeared after grafting and regenerated in ear skin configuration by day 30. Radiological analysis revealed that panniculus carnosus doesn't contribute to contraction. Microscopic analyses showed that grafts show increase in cellularity. Granulation tissue formed after day 3. Collagen analysis revealed increases in collagen maturation over time. CD31 stain revealed increased vascularity. Macrophages and mast cells were increased. q RT- PCR showed up-regulation of transforming growth factor beta, alpha smooth muscle actin, and rho-associated protein kinase 2 in HSc. Tensile testing revealed that human skin and scar tissues are tougher than mouse skin and scar tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A variety of terminal chain modifications ( Y ) were made on the diacetylenes in which X =C n H 2 n +1 , C 12 H 25 O and F, and Y =CH 2 CH(Me)C 2 H 5 , COCH 3 , C≡CC 5 H 11 , C n F 2 n +1 C n H 2 n +1 and CH=CHCO 2 C 3 H 7 . Mesomorphic properties were determined by hot stage polarizing microscopy and DSC. These were compared with those for the dialkyl analogues ( X =C m H 2 m +1 , Y =C n H 2 n +1 ) and a series of 1- and 2-olefins ( Y =CH=CHC n H 2 n +1 and CH 2 CH=CHC n H 2 n +1 ). The 1-olefin series showed wider range nematics than the dialkyl compounds, whereas the above modifications showed either narrow range nematic phases, no mesophase or higher melting temperatures. New transition temperature and enthalpy data are provided for some of the dialkyl and F-alkyl compounds previously reported, for comparisons. Preliminary birefringence data are also included along with the results of some heat and UV stability studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A limited selection of ring modified diphenyldiacetylenes of the type where A = , Y =C n H 2 n +1 , CF 3 , F, COMe, NH 2 , and NMe 2 , and A = , trans and cis with Y =F and trans with Y =C 3 H 7 , were synthesized. Mesomorphic properties were determined by hot stage polarizing microscopy and DSC. These properties were generally poorer than those found in the parent benzene compounds. This was also true of some pyrimidine analogues reported earlier. Birefringence values also decreased as expected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]