Designing and Implementing Research Competency

In 2013, the American Association of Law Libraries (AALL) adopted the Principles and Standards of Legal Research Competency (PSLRC) with the aim of identifying a set of legal research skills required to be considered competent n any practice setting. The five broad principles are each supported by more specific standards and demonstrable competencies. By outlining the required qualities, skills, and knowledge attributes of a successful legal researcher, the PSLRC act as a guide for legal research instructors to ensure that students are trained with the skills they need to succeed as new attorneys

On how CCN6 suppresses breast cancer growth and invasion

Living cells communicate with their microenvironment and exchange information through signaling pathways in order to carry out most biological processes. The CCN family of proteins has the ability to coordinate the extracellular and intracellular signaling pathways and epithelial-stromal cross-talks. CCN proteins have been shown to play roles in multiple processes including cancer, either as tumor suppressors or oncogenes. Particularly, loss of CCN6 expression has been reported in highly aggressive breast cancer types, especially in inflammatory breast cancer and breast cancer with axillary lymph node metastasis. Recent findings can better explain the biological relevance of CCN6 as a tumor suppressor protein in breast tumorigenesis. CCN6 loss triggers the process of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), which converts epithelial cells into migratory and invasive mesenchymal-like cells at least in part through modulation of IGF-1 receptor signaling pathway. Emerging data support the hypothesis that CCN6 also exerts growth factor independent functions, especially related to cell survival and anoikis resistance. Thus, our work provides new insights into the functions and mechanisms of tumor suppression exerted by CCN6 in the breast

HeW: AHash Function based on Lightweight Block Cipher FeW

A new hash function HeW: A hash function based on light weight block cipher FeW is proposed in this paper. The compression function of HeW is based on block cipher FeW. It is believed that key expansion algorithm of block cipher slows down the performance of the overlying hash function. Thereby, block ciphers become a less favourable choice to design a compression function. As a countermeasure, we cut down the key size of FeW from 80-bit to 64-bit and provide a secure and efficient key expansion algorithm for the modified key size. FeW based compression function plays a vital role to enhance the efficiency of HeW. We test the hash output for randomness using the NIST statistical test suite and test the avalanche effect, bit variance and near collision resistance. We also give the security estimates of HeW against differential cryptanalysis, length extension attack, slide attack and rotational distinguisher.

CCN6 Knockdown Disrupts Acinar Organization of Breast Cells in Three-dimensional Cultures through Up-regulation of Type III TGF-β Receptor

AbstractWhile normal cells in the human breast are organized into acinar structures, disruption of the acinar architecture is a hallmark of cancer. In a three-dimensional model of morphogenesis, we show that down-regulation of the matrix-associated tumor suppressor protein CCN6 (WNT1-inducible-signaling pathway protein 3) disrupts breast epithelial cell polarity and organization into acini through up-regulation of the type III transforming growth factor-β receptor (TβRIII or betaglycan). Down-regulation of CCN6 in benign breast cells led to loss of tissue polarity and resulted in cellular disorganization with loss of α6 integrin-rich basement membrane and the basolateral polarity protein E-cadherin. Silencing of TβRIII with shRNA and siRNA rescued the ability of breast epithelial cells to form polarized acinar structures with reduced matrix invasion and restored the correct expression of α6 integrin and E-cadherin. Conversely, CCN6 overexpression in aggressive breast cancer cells reduced TβRIII in vitro and in a xenograft model of CCN6 overexpression. The relevance of our studies to human breast cancer is highlighted by the finding that CCN6 protein levels are inversely associated with TβRIII protein in 64%of invasive breast carcinomas. These results reveal a novel function of the matricellular protein CCN6 and establish a mechanistic link between CCN6 and TβRIII in maintaining acinar organization in the breast

Shock-driven synchrotron radio emission from the 2021 outburst of RS Ophiuchi

We present low-frequency radio observations of the Galactic symbiotic recurrent nova RS Ophiuchi during its 2021 outburst. The observations were carried out with the upgraded Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (uGMRT) spanning a frequency range of 0.15$-$1.4 GHz during 23$-$287 days post the outburst. The average value of the optically thin spectral index is $\alpha \sim$ $-$0.4 ($F_{\nu} \propto \nu^\alpha$), indicating a non-thermal origin of the radio emission at the observed frequencies. The radio light curves are best represented by shock-driven synchrotron emission, initially absorbed by a clumpy ionized circumbinary medium. We estimate the mass-loss rate of the red giant companion star to be $\dot{M} \sim$ 7.5 $\times$ 10$^{-8}$ $M_{\odot}$ yr$^{-1}$ for an assumed stellar wind velocity of 20 km/s. The 0.15--1.4 GHz radio light curves of the 2021 outburst are systematically brighter than those of the 2006 outburst. Considering similar shock properties between the two outbursts, this is indicative of a relatively higher particle number density in the synchrotron emitting plasma in the current outburst.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS, 5 Figures, 4 Table

Multi-wavelength observations of multiple eruptions of the recurrent nova M31N 2008-12a

We report the optical, UV, and soft X-ray observations of the $2017-2022$ eruptions of the recurrent nova M31N 2008-12a. We infer a steady decrease in the accretion rate over the years based on the inter-eruption recurrence period. We find a ``cusp'' feature in the $r'$ and $i'$ band light curves close to the peak, which could be associated to jets. Spectral modelling indicates a mass ejection of 10$^{-7}$ to 10$^{-8}$ M$_{\odot}$ during each eruption, and an enhanced Helium abundance of He/He$_{\odot}$ $\approx$ 3. The super-soft source (SSS) phase shows significant variability, which is anti-correlated to the UV emission, indicating a common origin. The variability could be due to the reformation of the accretion disk. A comparison of the accretion rate with different models on the $\rm M_{WD}$$-\dot{M}$ plane yields the mass of a CO WD, powering the ``H-shell flashes'' every $\sim$ 1 year to be $>1.36$ M$_{\odot}$ and growing with time, making M31N 2008-12a a strong candidate for the single degenerate scenario of Type Ia supernovae progenitor.Comment: Submitted to AJ, 22 pages, 14 figures, 5 table

Multiwavelength Observations of Multiple Eruptions of the Recurrent Nova M31N 2008-12a

We report the optical, UV, and soft X-ray observations of the 2017–2022 eruptions of the recurrent nova M31N 2008-12a. We find a cusp feature in the r′ - and i′ -band light curves close to the peak, which could be related to jets. The geometry of the nova ejecta based on morpho-kinematic modeling of the Hα emission line indicates an extended jet-like bipolar structure. Spectral modeling indicates an ejecta mass of 10−7–10−8 M ⊙ during each eruption and an enhanced helium abundance. The supersoft source phase shows significant variability, which is anticorrelated to the UV emission, indicating a common origin. The variability could be due to the reformation of the accretion disk. We infer a steady decrease in the accretion rate over the years based on the intereruption recurrence period. A comparison of the accretion rate with different models on the MWD–Ṁ plane yields the mass of a CO white dwarf, powering the H-shell flashes every ∼1 yr, to be >1.36 M ⊙ and growing with time, making M31N 2008-12a a strong candidate for the single degenerate scenario of the Type Ia supernovae progenitor

Soft X-ray and FUV observations of Nova Her 2021 (V1674 Her) with AstroSat

Nova Her 2021 or V1674 Her was one of the fastest novae to be observed so far. We report here the results from our timing and spectral studies of the source observed at multiple epochs with AstroSat. We report the detection of a periodicity in the source in soft X-rays at a period of 501.4–501.5 s which was detected with high significance after the peak of the super-soft phase, but was not detected in the far ultraviolet (FUV) band of AstroSat. The shape of the phase-folded X-ray light curves has varied significantly as the nova evolved. The phase-resolved spectral studies reveal the likely presence of various absorption features in the soft X-ray band of 0.5–2 keV, and suggest that the optical depth of these absorption features may be marginally dependent on the pulse phase. Strong emission lines from Si, N, and O are detected in the FUV, and their strength declined continuously as the nova evolved and went through a bright X-ray state.Fil: Bhargava, Yash. No especifíca;Fil: Dewangan, Gulab Chand. International Centre Of Theoretical Science. Tata Institute Of Fundamental Research; EspañaFil: Anupama, G. C.. No especifíca;Fil: Kamath, U. S.. No especifíca;Fil: Sonith, L. S.. No especifíca;Fil: Pal Singh, Kulinder. ndian Institute of Science Education and Research Mohali; IndiaFil: Drake, J. J.. Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics; Estados UnidosFil: Beardmore, A. University of Leicester; Reino UnidoFil: Luna, Gerardo Juan Manuel. Secretaria de Investigacion ; Universidad Nacional de Hurlingham; . Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Orio, M.. Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica; ItaliaFil: Page, K. L.. University of Leicester; Reino Unid