A construction of generalized elliptic curves from twisted curves

We introduce a procedure for constructing a generalized elliptic curve from a genus-one twisted curve, and we use this procedure to define an explicit, modular isomorphism between two compactifications of moduli stacks of elliptic curves with level structure.Comment: 10 pages. Draws heavily from arXiv:1207.728

New Complexity Bounds for Certain Real Fewnomial Zero Sets

Consider real bivariate polynomials f and g, respectively having 3 and m monomial terms. We prove that for all m>=3, there are systems of the form (f,g) having exactly 2m-1 roots in the positive quadrant. Even examples with m=4 having 7 positive roots were unknown before this paper, so we detail an explicit example of this form. We also present an O(n^{11}) upper bound for the number of diffeotopy types of the real zero set of an n-variate polynomial with n+4 monomial terms.Comment: 8 pages, no figures. Extended abstract accepted and presented at MEGA (Effective Methods in Algebraic Geometry) 200

"Building a Class Library": Emphasizing Summary in Teaching Source Use

The study presented here is a qualitative study evaluating four objectives for teaching source use, ones I emphasized in my Spring 2011 classes with an assignment called the "Building a Class Library Assignment." I relied on two methods for evaluation: (1) process reflection, with audio recordings of one-on-one sessions serving as my data set; and (2) product analysis, with student-written profiles serving as my data set. In analyzing the profiles, as well as the interviews, it became obvious that my students fell short in the areas I wanted them to demonstrate an understanding in. However, it also became obvious that, because of the Class Library, the message that source integration means writing summary was one all of my students retained. Also successful was the structure of the Class Library, one that provided students with a recurring context in which to practice summary, and provided me with an additional setting in which to work with students on their writing. It is for these reasons that I argue that the Class Library, and the four objectives that are emphasized in the assignment, provide one answer to the larger, pedagogical question of how to improve instruction of source use. 11

Using provider perspectives to understand what makes obesity and diabetes prevention programs for children living in a First Nations Community in Northern Ontario effective

Diabetes is a disease that is highly prevalent in Indigenous communities at rates that exceed the general population by up to four times. This research will explore the efficacy of an obesity and diabetes screening and prevention program for children and youth that was self-initiated in a First Nations community. Eight staff employed at the health and wellness centre were interviewed using semi structured interviews. It was found that the program experienced much success over the years due in part to the use of incentives, culturally appropriate programming and dedicated staff. The program’s growth over the years led staff to conclude that time and human resources were major limitations to the program. This research highlights key areas that should be addressed when implementing a program and provides valuable insight for other communities wanting to implement a program like this.Master of Science (MSc) in Interdisciplinary Healt

Moduli of elliptic curves via twisted stable maps

Abramovich, Corti and Vistoli have studied modular compactifications of stacks of curves equipped with abelian level structures arising as substacks of the stack of twisted stable maps into the classifying stack of a finite group, provided the order of the group is invertible on the base scheme. Recently Abramovich, Olsson and Vistoli extended the notion of twisted stable maps to allow arbitrary base schemes, where the target is a tame stack, not necessarily Deligne-Mumford. We use this to extend the results of Abramovich, Corti and Vistoli to the case of elliptic curves with level structures over arbitrary base schemes; we prove that we recover the compactified Katz-Mazur regular models, with a natural moduli interpretation in terms of level structures on Picard schemes of twisted curves. Additionally, we study the interactions of the different such moduli stacks contained in a stack of twisted stable maps in characteristics dividing the level.Comment: 46 pages; to appear in Algebra & Number Theor

Sterol transporters at membrane contact sites regulate TORC1 and TORC2 signaling.

Membrane contact sites (MCSs) function to facilitate the formation of membrane domains composed of specialized lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. In cells, membrane domains regulate membrane dynamics and biochemical and signaling pathways. We and others identified a highly conserved family of sterol transport proteins (Ltc/Lam) localized at diverse MCSs. In this study, we describe data indicating that the yeast family members Ltc1 and Ltc3/4 function at the vacuole and plasma membrane, respectively, to create membrane domains that partition upstream regulators of the TORC1 and TORC2 signaling pathways to coordinate cellular stress responses with sterol homeostasis

In Vitro Viability and Cytotoxicity Testing and Same-Well Multi-Parametric Combinations for High Throughput Screening

In vitro cytotoxicity testing has become an integral aspect of drug discovery because it is a convenient, costeffective, and predictive means of characterizing the toxic potential of new chemical entities. The early and routine implementation of this testing is testament to its prognostic importance for humans. Although a plethora of assay chemistries and methods exist for 96-well formats, few are practical and sufficiently sensitive enough for application in high throughput screening (HTS). Here we briefly describe a handful of the currently most robust and validated HTS assays for accurate and efficient assessment of cytotoxic risk. We also provide guidance for successful HTS implementation and discuss unique merits and detractions inherent in each method. Lastly, we discuss the advantages of combining specific HTS compatible assays into multi-parametric, same-well formats

Search Engine Optimisation in UK news production

This is an Author's Accepted Manuscript of an article published in Journalism Practice, 5(4), 462 - 477, 2011, copyright Taylor & Francis, available online at: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/17512786.2010.551020.This paper represents an exploratory study into an emerging culture in UK online newsrooms—the practice of Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), which assesses its impact on news production. Comprising a short-term participant observational case study at a national online news publisher, and a series of semi-structured, in-depth interviews with SEO professionals at three further UK media organisations, the author sets out to establish how SEO is operationalised in the newsroom, and what consequences these practices have for online news production. SEO practice is found to be varied and application is not universal. Not all UK news organisations are making the most of SEO even though some publishers take a highly sophisticated approach. Efforts are constrained by time, resources and management support, as well as off-page technical issues. SEO policy is found, in some cases, to inform editorial policy, but there is resistance to the principal of SEO driving decision-making. Several themes are established which call for further research