Identification of a component of Drosophila polar granules

Information necessary for the formation of pole cells, precursors of the germ line, is provided maternally and localized to the posterior pole of the Drosophila egg. The maternal origin and posterior localization of polar granules suggest that they may be associated with pole cell determinants. We have generated an antibody (Mab46F11) against polar granules. In oocytes and early embryos, the Mab46F11 antigen is sharply localized to the posterior embryonic pole. In pole cells, it becomes associated with nuclear bodies within, and nuage around, the nucleus. Immunoreactivity remains associated with cells of the germ line throughout the life cycle of both males and females. This antibody recognizes a 72-74 X 10^(3) Mr protein and is useful both as a pole lineage marker and in biochemical studies of polar granules

Netherlandic Treasures at the University of Michigan Library: An Exhibit

"Netherlandic Treasures" features some of the rarest and most beautiful Netherlandic books and manuscripts held by the University of Michigan Library. This collection is one fo the strongest in the United States and reflects the close ties to the Low Countries the University of Michigan has maintained.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/120263/1/netherlandic_treasures_02.pd

Suave Mechanicals

In "Suave Mechanicals" guest curator Julia Miller has created a rich and vibrant array of bindings that tell the history of bookbinding from ancient times to the present through original exemplars of the art dating from as far back as the 12th century.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/120282/1/suave_mechanicals_03.pd

Exploratory Study: The Effects of Family Background Variables on the Decision to Remain Childless

Family Relations and Child Developmen

Illustrating Shakespeare

"Illustrating Shakespeare" celebrates both the 2003 return visit of the Royal Shakespeare Company to the University of Michigan and the McMillan Shakespeare Collection housed at the Special Collections Library. Founded in the 1880s, the Collection now numbers over 6000 volumes, providing a rich and varied resource for documenting the history of how Shakespeare's works were both presented and received. The included items vividly show how the vital emotions that Shakespeare's words stirred in a multitide of artists were then translated into illustrations that in turn evoke those same emotions in others.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/120255/1/illustrating_shakespeare_03.pd

"Makeup on Empty Space": a Celebration of Anne Waldman: An Exhibit

"Makeup on empty space" celebrates the opening of the Anne Waldman archive at the University of Michigan Library. This archive is as exciting and dynamic as the poet herself, showing many fascinating examples of how Anne Waldman works through her correspondence, working manuscripts, published books, audio and video tapes, and photographs covering her life and career.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/120261/1/makeup_on_empty_space_02.pd

Banner News

https://openspace.dmacc.edu/banner_news/1450/thumbnail.jp

Homogeneity and Heterogeneity as Situational Properties: Producing – and Moving Beyond? – Race in Post-Genomic Science

In this article, we explore current thinking and practices around the logics of difference in gene–environment interaction research in the post-genomic era. We find that scientists conducting gene–environment interaction research continue to invoke well-worn notions of racial difference and diversity, but use them strategically to try to examine other kinds of etiologically significant differences among populations. Scientists do this by seeing populations not as inherently homogeneous or heterogeneous, but rather by actively working to produce homogeneity along some dimensions and heterogeneity along others in their study populations. Thus we argue that homogeneity and heterogeneity are situational properties – properties that scientists seek to achieve in their study populations, the available data, and other aspects of the research situation they are confronting, and then leverage to advance post-genomic science. Pointing to the situatedness of homogeneity and heterogeneity in gene–environment interaction research underscores the work that these properties do and the contingencies that shape decisions about research procedures. Through a focus on the situational production of homogeneity and heterogeneity more broadly, we find that gene–environment interaction research attempts to shift the logic of difference from solely racial terms as explanatory ends unto themselves, to racial and other dimensions of difference that may be important clues to the causes of complex diseases

Lower Body Stiffness and Muscle Activity Differences Between Female Dancers and Basketball Players During Drop Jumps

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries often occur during landing, with female athletes at higher injury risk than male athletes. Interestingly, female dancers have lower ACL injury rates than do female athletes in general.Hypothesis: Female dancers will have earlier and greater lower extremity muscle activity and higher sagittal knee joint and leg stiffness than will female basketball players.Study Design: Cross-sectional group comparison.Methods: Fifty-five healthy female athletes (35 dancers, 20 basketball players) performed 5 double-leg drop jumps from a 45-cm box. Surface electromyography (onsets and amplitudes; prelanding and postlanding) was recorded from the lateral gastrocnemius, medial and lateral hamstrings, lateral quadriceps muscles with a 3-dimensional electromagnetic tracking system, and forceplates recording biomechanics (leg spring stiffness and knee joint stiffness).Results: Compared with basketball players, dancers had greater leg spring stiffness (P = 0.047) but similar knee joint stiffness (P = 0.44). Although no significant differences were observed in overall muscle onset times (P = 0.22) or activation amplitudes (prelanding, P = 0.60; postlanding, P = 0.78), small to moderate effect sizes (ESs) suggest trends in dancers toward earlier (ES = 0.53) and higher medial hamstrings activation pre- (ES = 0.55) and post- (ES = 0.41) landing and lower lateral quadriceps (ES = 0.30) and higher gastrocnemius (ES = 0.33) postlanding muscle activation.Conclusions: In dancers, the higher leg spring stiffness and trends toward higher hamstrings prelanding and postlanding, as well as lower quadriceps and higher gastrocnemius activation postlanding with similar knee joint stiffness, indicate lower extremity neuromechanical differences across other joints.Clinical Relevance: Female dancers may have lower extremity neuromechanics that are different from those of basketball players during drop jumps. If dancers use ACL-protective strategies during activity, then their training routines should be further investigated to improve ACL injury prevention programs