Protecting the Right to Exist as a People: Intellectual Property as a Means to Protect Traditional Knowledge and Indigenous Culture

The dominant Western culture has created a legal system premised upon an individualistic and commercial foundation for intellectual property rights (IPR). This system necessarily excludes the protection of traditional knowledge and other components of Indigenous cultures, as well as concepts of communal responsibility for the keeping and transfer of such ideas and knowledge. These concepts are foundational to Indigenous knowledge systems in Alaska, as well as throughout the world. Today, a focus on this issue is critical to the preservation of indigenous cultures and their ways of knowing. We examine where national and international intellectual property rights systems are in addressing Indigenous cultural and intellectual property rights (Indigenous CIPR). We also examine opportunities for expansion of such rights in Alaska and around the world.Ye

The relationship between the indigenous peoples of the Americas and the horse: deconstructing a Eurocentric myth

Dissertation (Ph.D.) University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2017This research project seeks to deconstruct the history of the horse in the Americas and its relationship with the Indigenous Peoples of these same lands. Although Western academia admits that the horse originated in the Americas, it claims that the horse became extinct in these continents during the Last Glacial Maximum (between roughly 13,000 and 11,000 years ago). This version of "history" credits Spanish conquistadors and other early European explorers with reintroducing the horse to the Americas and to her Indigenous Peoples. However, many Native Nations state that "they always had the horse" and that they had well established horse cultures long before the arrival of the Spanish. To date, "history" has been written by Western academia to reflect a Eurocentric and colonial paradigm. The traditional knowledge (TK) of the Indigenous Peoples of the Americas, and any information that is contrary to the accepted Western academic view, has been generally disregarded, purposefully excluded, or reconfigured to fit the accepted academic paradigm. Although mainstream academia and Western science have not given this Native TK credence to date, this research project shows that there is no reason -- scientific or otherwise -- that this traditional Native claim should not be considered true. The results of this thesis conclude that the Indigenous horse of the Americas survived the "Ice Age" and the original Peoples of these continents had a relationship with them from Pleistocene times to the time of "First-Contact." In this investigation, Critical Indigenous Research Methodologies (CIRM) and Grounded Theory (GT) are utilized in tandem to deconstruct the history of the horse in the Americas and reconstruct it to include cross-cultural translation, the TK of many Indigenous Peoples, Western scientific evidence, and historical records. This dissertation suggests that the latest technology combined with guidance and information from our Indigenous Peoples has the power to reconstruct the history of the horse in the Americas in a way that is unbiased and accurate. This will open new avenues of possibility for academia as a whole, as well as strengthen both Native and non-Native communities

Surveys to assess developer perceptions of code complexity

Although a codebase can be assessed objectively for computational complexity, e.g., time-to-execute, memory occupied, etc., there are currently no techniques to assess code complexity as perceived by a developer. Questions of relevance to software development, e.g., how easy or difficult it is to work with a codebase, which parts of the codebase are more complex than anticipated, etc. are not readily answerable. This disclosure describes techniques that automatically send surveys to developers at pertinent points during code development or maintenance. Developer responses are collated and analyzed to determine developer-perceived complexity, e.g., sections of code that are of excessive complexity, are difficult to work with, etc

Multicolor sparse viral labeling and 3D digital tracing of enteric plexus in mouse proximal colon using a novel adeno‐associated virus capsid

Background. Intravenous administration of adeno‐associated virus (AAV) can be used as a noninvasive approach to trace neuronal morphology and links. AAV‐PHP.S is a variant of AAV9 that effectively transduces the peripheral nervous system. The objective was to label randomly and sparsely enteric plexus in the mouse colon using AAV‐PHP.S with a tunable two‐component multicolor vector system and digitally trace individual neurons and nerve fibers within microcircuits in three dimensions (3D). Methods. A vector system including a tetracycline inducer with a tet‐responsive element driving three separate fluorophores was packaged in the AAV‐PHP.S capsid. The vectors were injected retro‐orbitally in mice, and the colon was harvested 3 weeks after. Confocal microscopic images of enteric plexus were digitally segmented and traced in 3D using Neurolucida 360, neuTube, or Imaris software. Key Results. The transduction of multicolor AAV vectors induced random sparse spectral labeling of soma and neurites primarily in the myenteric plexus of the proximal colon, while neurons in the submucosal plexus were occasionally transduced. Digital tracing in 3D showed various types of wiring, including multiple conjunctions of one neuron with other neurons, neurites en route, and endings; clusters of neurons in close apposition between each other; axon–axon parallel conjunctions; and intraganglionic nerve endings consisting of multiple nerve endings and passing fibers. Most of digitally traced neuronal somas were of small or medium in size. Conclusions & Inferences. The multicolor AAV‐PHP.S‐packaged vectors enabled random sparse spectral labeling and revealed complexities of enteric microcircuit in the mouse proximal colon. The techniques can facilitate digital modeling of enteric micro‐circuitry

Multicolor sparse viral labeling and 3D digital tracing of enteric plexus in mouse proximal colon using a novel adeno‐associated virus capsid

Background. Intravenous administration of adeno‐associated virus (AAV) can be used as a noninvasive approach to trace neuronal morphology and links. AAV‐PHP.S is a variant of AAV9 that effectively transduces the peripheral nervous system. The objective was to label randomly and sparsely enteric plexus in the mouse colon using AAV‐PHP.S with a tunable two‐component multicolor vector system and digitally trace individual neurons and nerve fibers within microcircuits in three dimensions (3D). Methods. A vector system including a tetracycline inducer with a tet‐responsive element driving three separate fluorophores was packaged in the AAV‐PHP.S capsid. The vectors were injected retro‐orbitally in mice, and the colon was harvested 3 weeks after. Confocal microscopic images of enteric plexus were digitally segmented and traced in 3D using Neurolucida 360, neuTube, or Imaris software. Key Results. The transduction of multicolor AAV vectors induced random sparse spectral labeling of soma and neurites primarily in the myenteric plexus of the proximal colon, while neurons in the submucosal plexus were occasionally transduced. Digital tracing in 3D showed various types of wiring, including multiple conjunctions of one neuron with other neurons, neurites en route, and endings; clusters of neurons in close apposition between each other; axon–axon parallel conjunctions; and intraganglionic nerve endings consisting of multiple nerve endings and passing fibers. Most of digitally traced neuronal somas were of small or medium in size. Conclusions & Inferences. The multicolor AAV‐PHP.S‐packaged vectors enabled random sparse spectral labeling and revealed complexities of enteric microcircuit in the mouse proximal colon. The techniques can facilitate digital modeling of enteric micro‐circuitry

APOE4 allele disrupts resting state fMRI connectivity in the absence of amyloid plaques or decreased CSF Aβ42

Identifying high risk populations is an important component of disease prevention strategies. One approach is examining neuroimaging parameters that differ in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), including functional connections known to be disrupted within the “default mode network” (DMN). We have previously shown these same disruptions in cognitively normal elderly, who have amyloid-beta (Aβ) plaques detected using PIB PET imaging, suggesting neuronal toxicity of plaques. Here we sought to determine if pathological effects of apolipoprotein E ε4 (APOE4) genotype could be seen independent of Aβ plaque toxicity by examining resting state fMRI functional connectivity (fcMRI ) in participants without preclinical fibrillar amyloid deposition (PIB−). Cognitively normal participants enrolled in longitudinal studies (n = 100, mean age = 62) who were PIB− were categorized into those with and without an APOE 4 allele and studied using fcMRI. APOE 4 allele carriers (E4+) differed significantly from E4− in functional connectivity of the precuneus to several regions previously defined as having abnormal connectivity in a group of AD participants. These effects were observed prior to any manifestations of cognitive changes and in the absence of brain fibrillar amyloid-beta (Aβ) plaque deposition, suggesting that early manifestations of a genetic effect can be detected using fcMRI and that these changes may antedate the pathological effects of fibrillar amyloid plaque toxicity

The Peculiar Radio Evolution of the Tidal Disruption Event ASASSN-19bt

We present detailed radio observations of the tidal disruption event (TDE) ASASSN-19bt/AT2019ahk, obtained with the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA), the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), and the MeerKAT radio telescopes, spanning 40 to 1464 days after the onset of the optical flare. We find that ASASSN-19bt displays unusual radio evolution compared to other TDEs, as the peak brightness of its radio emission increases rapidly until 457 days post-optical discovery and then plateaus. Using a generalized approach to standard equipartition techniques, we estimate the energy and corresponding physical parameters for two possible emission geometries: a non-relativistic spherical outflow and a relativistic outflow observed from an arbitrary viewing angle. We find that the non-relativistic solution implies a continuous energy rise in the outflow from $E\sim10^{46}$ erg to $E\sim10^{49}$ erg with $\beta \approx 0.05$, while the off-axis relativistic jet solution instead suggests $E\approx10^{52}$ erg with $\Gamma\sim10$ erg at late times in the maximally off-axis case. We find that neither model provides a holistic explanation for the origin and evolution of the radio emission, emphasizing the need for more complex models. ASASSN-19bt joins the population of TDEs that display unusual radio emission at late times. Conducting long-term radio observations of these TDEs, especially during the later phases, will be crucial for understanding how these types of radio emission in TDEs are produced.Comment: 25 pages. Submitted to Ap

Widespread horse-based mobility arose around 2200 bce in Eurasia

Horses revolutionized human history with fast mobility1. However, the timeline between their domestication and their widespread integration as a means of transport remains contentious2–4. Here we assemble a collection of 475 ancient horse genomes to assess the period when these animals were first reshaped by human agency in Eurasia. We find that reproductive control of the modern domestic lineage emerged around 2200 bce, through close-kin mating and shortened generation times. Reproductive control emerged following a severe domestication bottleneck starting no earlier than approximately 2700 bce, and coincided with a sudden expansion across Eurasia that ultimately resulted in the replacement of nearly every local horse lineage. This expansion marked the rise of widespread horse-based mobility in human history, which refutes the commonly held narrative of large horse herds accompanying the massive migration of steppe peoples across Europe around 3000 bce and earlier3, 5. Finally, we detect significantly shortened generation times at Botai around 3500 bce, a settlement from central Asia associated with corrals and a subsistence economy centred on horses6, 7. This supports local horse husbandry before the rise of modern domestic bloodlines

Standing for Unči Maka (Grandmother Earth) and all Life: An Introduction to Lakota Traditional Sciences, Principles and Protocols and the Birth of a New Era of Scientific Collaboration

Lakota science and scientific systems were communally developed over thousands of years with sustainability, alignment and ecological balance as the goals. Lakota knowledge keepers, traditional leaders and scholars offer an introduction to Lakota scientific systems, principles and protocols to stimulate a much needed dialogue between Indigenous scientists and the mainstream scientific, economic and political communities. As is customary protocol-wise, the Lakota always follow &Scaron;ungwakaŋ, the Horse Nation. Here, the Lakota provide narrative correction with regard to their relationship with &Scaron;ungwakaŋ, their history, sciences, perspectives, scientific systems, and clarification regarding their sacred commitment to protect Unči Maka (Grandmother Earth) and all life. A case is made for the birthing of a new, truly collaborative era for Science that is based upon equality and mutual respect, fully embracing the contributions and concepts of unique scientific systems. With climate change upon us, the world can no longer afford to have Indigenous scientific systems suppressed or their voices actively ignored and silenced within science and academia. There is only one Earth, and she is calling out for us to come together for the protection of all life. Mitakuye Oyasiŋ.</p

Widespread horse-based mobility arose around 2200 BCE in Eurasia.

Horses revolutionized human history with fast mobility1. However, the timeline between their domestication and their widespread integration as a means of transport remains contentious2-4. Here we assemble a collection of 475 ancient horse genomes to assess the period when these animals were first reshaped by human agency in Eurasia. We find that reproductive control of the modern domestic lineage emerged around 2200 BCE, through close-kin mating and shortened generation times. Reproductive control emerged following a severe domestication bottleneck starting no earlier than approximately 2700 BCE, and coincided with a sudden expansion across Eurasia that ultimately resulted in the replacement of nearly every local horse lineage. This expansion marked the rise of widespread horse-based mobility in human history, which refutes the commonly held narrative of large horse herds accompanying the massive migration of steppe peoples across Europe around 3000 BCE and earlier3,5. Finally, we detect significantly shortened generation times at Botai around 3500 BCE, a settlement from central Asia associated with corrals and a subsistence economy centred on horses6,7. This supports local horse husbandry before the rise of modern domestic bloodlines