A Search For Star Formation in the Smith Cloud

Motivated by the idea that a subset of HVCs trace dark matter substructure in the Local Group, we search for signs of star formation in the Smith Cloud, a nearby ~2x10^6 Msun HVC currently falling into the Milky Way. Using GALEX NUV and WISE/2MASS NIR photometry, we apply a series of color and apparent magnitude cuts to isolate candidate O and B stars that are plausibly associated with the Smith Cloud. We find an excess of stars along the line of sight to the cloud, but not at a statistically significant level relative to a control region. The number of stars found in projection on the cloud after removing an estimate of the contamination by the Milky Way implies an average star formation rate surface density of 10^(-4.8 +/- 0.3) Msun yr^(-1) kpc^(-2), assuming the cloud has been forming stars at a constant rate since its first passage through the Milky Way ~70 Myr ago. This value is consistent with the star formation rate expected based on the average gas density of the cloud. We also discuss how the newly discovered star forming galaxy Leo P has very similar properties to the Smith Cloud, but its young stellar population would not have been detected at a statistically significant level using our method. Thus, we cannot yet rule out the idea that the Smith Cloud is really a dwarf galaxy.Comment: 9 pages, 7 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA

miR-34a-/- mice are susceptible to diet-induced obesity

Objective: MicroRNA (miR)−34a regulates inflammatory pathways, and increased transcripts have been observed in serum and subcutaneous adipose of subjects who have obesity and type 2 diabetes. Therefore, the role of miR-34a in adipose tissue inflammation and lipid metabolism in murine diet-induced obesity was investigated. Methods: Wild-type (WT) and miR-34a−/− mice were fed chow or high-fat diet (HFD) for 24 weeks. WT and miR-34a−/− bone marrow-derived macrophages were cultured in vitro with macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF). Brown and white preadipocytes were cultured from the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) of intrascapular brown and epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT), with rosiglitazone. Results: HFD-fed miR-34a−/− mice were significantly heavier with a greater increase in eWAT weight than WT. miR-34a−/− eWAT had a smaller adipocyte area, which significantly increased with HFD. miR-34a−/− eWAT showed basal increases in Cd36, Hmgcr, Lxrα, Pgc1α, and Fasn. miR-34a−/− intrascapular brown adipose tissue had basal reductions in c/ebpα and c/ebpβ, with in vitro miR-34a−/− white adipocytes showing increased lipid content. An F4/80high macrophage population was present in HFD miR-34a−/− eWAT, with increased IL-10 transcripts and serum IL-5 protein. Finally, miR-34a−/− bone marrow-derived macrophages showed an ablated CXCL1 response to tumor necrosis factor-α. Conclusions: These findings suggest a multifactorial role of miR-34a in controlling susceptibility to obesity, by regulating inflammatory and metabolic pathways

Teachers\u27 Perspectives of Mandated Health Education Curriculum Goals in Grades K-3

This study addressed the challenges faced by many Grades K–3 teachers in north central Georgia in consistently implementing mandated health education curriculum goals (Villegas et al., 2021). The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore teachers’ perspectives on the barriers to consistent health education delivery in elementary schools. The study was guided by the concerns-based adoption model, which provided a framework for understanding how teachers navigate changes in curriculum and instruction. The key research questions focused on identifying the specific challenges teachers encounter in implementing health education and their perceived needs for support. Semi structured interviews were conducted with 12 K–3 teachers, and the collected data were analyzed inductively, revealing nine recurring themes related to training deficiencies, lack of time, inadequate materials, and competing academic priorities. The findings underscored the need for targeted professional development, improved resources, and better alignment of health education with broader curriculum goals. These results have important implications for policymakers and educational leaders, suggesting that addressing these barriers will help improve the quality and consistency of health education in early grades, ultimately enhancing student health outcomes

Teachers\u27 Perspectives of Mandated Health Education Curriculum Goals in Grades K-3

This study addressed the challenges faced by many Grades K–3 teachers in north central Georgia in consistently implementing mandated health education curriculum goals (Villegas et al., 2021). The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore teachers’ perspectives on the barriers to consistent health education delivery in elementary schools. The study was guided by the concerns-based adoption model, which provided a framework for understanding how teachers navigate changes in curriculum and instruction. The key research questions focused on identifying the specific challenges teachers encounter in implementing health education and their perceived needs for support. Semi structured interviews were conducted with 12 K–3 teachers, and the collected data were analyzed inductively, revealing nine recurring themes related to training deficiencies, lack of time, inadequate materials, and competing academic priorities. The findings underscored the need for targeted professional development, improved resources, and better alignment of health education with broader curriculum goals. These results have important implications for policymakers and educational leaders, suggesting that addressing these barriers will help improve the quality and consistency of health education in early grades, ultimately enhancing student health outcomes

I Can\u27t Accept Your Lifestyle Because I Love You Mississippi Christians\u27 Beliefs and Attitudes Toward Homosexuality and Gay and Lesbian Civil Rights

Using surveys and interviews with Mississippi Christians, this study provides a more complete understanding of Christians’ beliefs and attitudes toward homosexuality and gay and lesbian civil rights. I analyze how Mississippi Christians make sense of their relationships with gay and lesbian friends and family members and how this differs based on their religious identity. I then consider how these beliefs and attitudes are influenced by social contact with gays and lesbians. I find Mississippi Christians’ views toward homosexuality and gay and lesbian civil rights vary widely from rejection to acceptance. The most conservative views are held by evangelical Protestants who set themselves apart from society through their beliefs about homosexuality. They feel that homosexuality is always sinful and describe almost complete opposition to gay and lesbian civil rights. On the contrary, mainline Protestants continue to move towards full assimilation with secular society. Many believe the Bible does not say anything about homosexuality and that the church should be accepting of gays and lesbians. Mainline Protestants also largely support gay and lesbian civil rights. Catholics fall in the middle of the continuum. They describe a greater degree of ambivalence about the sinfulness of homosexuality and describe conditional acceptance of gay and lesbian civil rights. Social contact with gays and lesbians did not influence evangelical Protestants beliefs and attitudes toward homosexuality or gay and lesbian civil rights. Similarly, conservative Catholics continued to hold on to their more conservative religious beliefs about homosexuality despite social contact. Conservative Christians’ subcultural identity which stands in opposition to homosexuality is stronger than the effects of social contact for evangelical Protestants and conservative Catholics. On the other hand, social contact is often a strong enough influence to change beliefs and attitudes toward homosexuality and gay and lesbian civil rights for mainline Protestants and more liberal Catholics. This study demonstrates that conservative religion acts as a negative feature that deters the positive benefits of social contact to overcome prejudice

Closing One Door on the Parent-Child Immunity Doctrine: Legislature Rejects the Decision of Coffey v. Coffey

This Note has four objectives. First, this Note will summarize the facts of Coffey. Second, this Note will review the history of parent-child immunity and the role of the family purpose doctrine in cases involving parent-child immunity in automobile cases. Third, this Note will analyze the Coffey case, the North Carolina Legislature\u27s abolishment of parent-child immunity in motor vehicle cases, and possible alternatives to the parent-child immunity doctrine in cases other than those involving motor vehicles. Fourth, this Note will suggest that the North Carolina courts are not powerless to abrogate parent-child immunity. The courts should take the initiative to modernize the judicially created parent- child immunity doctrine as it applies to tort actions between parents and their children

State Survey of White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus Zimmerman) Impacts on Residential Landscapes and the Green Industry of Alabama and an Evaluation of Commercial Deer Repellents

Four studies, funded by Mississippi State University, were done to determine white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus Zimmerman) damage to ornamental plants and their impact on homeowners, as well as the nursery and landscape industries. The initial steps of this research included developing two surveys to assess deer damage and pressure throughout the state. The next step was to test commercial deer repellents on the market. The first survey was used to gather information from around the state relating to deer damage to residential landscapes. The survey asked many questions including have you experienced any deer damage on your property, what preventative methods to deter deer are being used, and what types of plants suffered the most damage. The second survey determined the amount of deer damage to nursery and landscape professionals located throughout the state. This survey includes 30 questions, and reached Alabama growers and retailers to establish their opinion on deer damage. Results indicate that most deer damage occurs in east central and southwest Alabama, with 68% and 66% of the total number of respondents from those areas answering “yes” to deer damage respectively. Six commercial deer repellents were evaluated for their toxic properties on snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus L.) and dianthus (Dianthus plumaris L.). Products tested in this study were Deer Off®, Liquid Fence®, Deer Stopper®, Plantskydd®, Deer Pharm (organic), Deer Stopper® (organic). Through testing it was concluded that all of the repellents used in this study were safe to use on annual landscape species. The final test was completed at the Auburn University Deer Research Facility in Camp Hill, Alabama. Products tested in this study were Buck Off!, Deer Off®, Deer Stopper®, Liquid Fence®, and Plantskydd®. Three plant species were used including ‘G.G. Gerbing’ azalea (Rhododendron indicum L.‘G.G. Gerbing’), ‘Gumpo White’ azalea (Rhododendron eriocarpum L. ‘Gumpo White’), and indian hawthorn (Rhaphiolepis indica L.),. In Experiment 1, Liquid Fence® provided most protection compared to other treatments, and in Experiment 2, Deer Stopper® provided most protection against white-tailed deer damage