The role of astrocyte-secreted matricellular proteins in central nervous system development and function

Matricellular proteins, such as thrombospondins (TSPs1-4), SPARC, SPARC-like1 (hevin) and tenascin C are expressed by astrocytes in the central nervous system (CNS) of rodents. The spatial and temporal expression patterns of these proteins suggest that they may be involved in important developmental processes such as cell proliferation and maturation, cell migration, axonal guidance and synapse formation. In addition, upon injury to the nervous system the expression of these proteins is upregulated, suggesting that they play a role in tissue remodeling and repair in the adult CNS. The genes encoding these proteins have been disrupted in mice. Interestingly, none of these proteins are required for survival, and furthermore, there are no evident abnormalities at the gross anatomical level in the CNS. However, detailed analyses of some of these mice in the recent years have revealed interesting CNS phenotypes. Here we will review the expression of these proteins in the CNS. We will discuss a newly described function for thrombospondins in synapse formation in the CNS in detail, and speculate whether other matricellular proteins could play similar roles in nervous system development and function

Modeling consumer choices between domestic and foreign automobiles

This paper analyzes survey data to determine the factors that impact the probability of purchasing a domestic versus foreign brand of automobile. It includes dynamic variables reflecting purchase history and thus the effect past choices may have on current behavior. Some of these factors are shown to be statistically significant. The paper also looks at key subpopulations. We see that preferences in the luxury segment are far better explained by economic, demographic, and dynamic variables than are preferences in the non-luxury market. The paper also looks at switching behavior---domestic owners who switch to foreign brands. The key finding is that loyalty to domestic brands is more a product of economic variables such as price and income, and of car attributes such as size, than it is a product of habit persistence or structural state dependence

Blockchains and the European Data Protection and Privacy Law

Technology is the application of scientific knowledge. New scientific knowledge produces new technologies and new technologies necessarily expose new vulnerabilities in our laws and legal thinking. Blockchain technology, by allowing us to reduce and even eliminate the role of the middleman in our transactions, triggers a significant paradigm shift in how we deal with value. It is often said in online communities that internet democratizes access to information and blockchain democratizes the access to truth. The aim of this work is to shed light on the unchartered territory of the blockchain with the lenses of the EU data protection and privacy law, and offer an in-depth analysis of the greatest issues the blockchain presents with possible solutions and policy recommendations

Reflective Paper on Music Series: A with Honors Capstone Project

A summary of concepts learned by attending Parkland College\u27s Music Series during the fall of 2014

Start Early: Promoting Mindfulness in Primary Schools to Delay the Onset of Stress [The last paper of this journal explains how promoting ‘mindfulness’ in primary school education could provide a means of enhancing student wellbeing at school. It was written by a 4th year pre-service primary school teacher]

Primary schools are the foundational stages in the education system – an extensive seven-year period that offers both growth and development to students. During this time, an individual’s wellbeing, that is, the way an individual feels, interacts, moves, mentally functions and personally devotes themselves, is in constant evolution (DEC NSW, 2015). Healthy wellbeing is dependent on constant interaction with positive change, however, environmental factors may potentially pose negative distress, causing personal wellbeing to enter a state of imbalance (DEC NSW, 2015). This paper explains how promoting ‘mindfulness’ in primary school education, could provide a means of reducing the prevalence of psychosocial stress and enhancing overall performance at school. The practicality of this article is supported with age-related developmental and ethical considerations associated with implementing mindfulness interventions, along with a discussion of research findings

International Conference on Education and Educational Psychology (ICEEPSY 2010) Philosophy in the early years

AbstractThis study explains the philosophy for children method (P4C) and its aims, recounts its history, offers P4C research results from around the world, examines philosophy practices and research concerning children in Turkey, and samples its implementation by sharing the experiences of the P4C-trained researcher from working with six-year-old pre-school children. The aim of this study is to introduce the philosophy for children approach and contribute to the implementation studies in Turkey and North Cyprus. The study is based on a literature survey and observations from activities with children

Preferences for International Redistribution

This paper examines the preferences for international redistribution using unique data from Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID) and the Generalized Social Surveys (GSS). The paper finds low rates of private giving to international aid organizations. In addition, most U.S. households support reducing foreign aid rather than increasing assistance to other countries. The authors investigate two main explanations: (1) households may prefer low levels of both private and public giving to international aid organizations and support for global public goods (2) Perceptions of high levels of government giving crowd out private contributions towards global public goods and international aid

Olympiodorus on Philosophical Education: An Undogmatic Approach? [Olymipodorus na temat edukacji filozoficznej: podejście niedogmatyczne?]

Plato and the Platonists presented different positions on philosophical education. This paper explores the views of Olympiodorus, a 6th-century AD Platonist, on education and the role of a teacher. Olympiodorus’ approach to the conception of philosophical authority provides a new perspective for re-evaluating the significance of his philosophy.Plato and the Platonists presented different positions on philosophical education. This paper explores the views of Olympiodorus, a 6th-century AD Platonist, on education and the role of a teacher. Olympiodorus’ approach to the conception of philosophical authority provides a new perspective for re-evaluating the significance of his philosophy