Leveling the Playing Field: Attracting, Engaging, and Advancing People with Disabilities

People with disabilities experience significant challenges in finding employment. The participation of people with disabilities in the workforce and their median income are both less than half that of the civilian workforce. They work part time 68 percent more frequently than people without disabilities. These disheartening results persist despite the enactment of significant federal legislation aimed at making the workplace more supportive and accessible to people with disabilities. The Conference Board Research Working Group (RWG) on Improving Employment Outcomes for People with Disabilities was convened to address how to overcome these disparities. It was sponsored by the Employment and Disability Institute at Cornell University, under a grant from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research of the U.S. Department of Education. The RWG members focused on four questions: 1) The business case: Is it advantageous for organizations to employ people with disabilities? 2) Organizational readiness: What should organizations do to create a workplace that enables people with disabilities to thrive and advance? 3) Measurement: How can success for both people with disabilities and the organization itself be determined? 4) Self-disclosure: How can people with disabilities, especially those whose disabilities are not obvious, be encouraged to identify themselves so that resources can be directed toward them and outcomes can be measured

Management capacity for results (CGPR) in organizations. The case of Mexican public institutions

Las administraciones públicas en el actual proceso de globalización económica buscan mejorar su operatividad mediante aprendizaje para potenciar capacidades de gobiernos con resultados efectivos y crear prosperidad y desarrollo. Un enfoque utilizado con estos fines en México es el modelo Gestión para Resultados (GpR), que basa sus resultados en políticas, programas y proyectos que ejecutan las administraciones públicas. Aunque existen diseños y metodologías desarrolladas por el BID a nivel nacional y subnacional es menester conocer la CPGR en instituciones públicas mexicanas. El presente trabajo pretende mostrar por medio del diseño de un instrumento (encuesta) y su implementación en un estudio de caso la capacidad de Gestión para Resultados (CGpR) en una institución pública mexicana, en este caso la Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango (UJED). Se delimitan tres dimensiones y se define una estrategia que en base a una escala Likert arroja luz para mejorar sus prácticas con base al modelo de GpR. Se llega a conclusiones y se hacen recomendaciones para su implementación en instituciones públicas mexicanasIn the current process of economic globalization, public administrations seek to improve their operations through learning to enhance government capacities with effective results and to create prosperity and development. One approach used for these purposes in Mexico is the Management for Results (GpR) model, which bases its results on policies, programs and projects that are executed by public administrations. Although there are designs and methodologies developed by the IDB at the national and subnational level, it is necessary to know the CPGR in Mexican public institutions. The present work aims to show, through the design of an instrument (survey) and its implementation in a case study, the capacity of Management for Results (CGpR) in a Mexican public institution, in this case the Universidad Juarez del Estado de Durango (UJED). Three dimensions are delimited and a strategy is defined which, based on a Likert scale, sheds light to improve their practices based on the GpR model. Conclusions are reached and recommendations are made for its implementation in Mexican public institutions

Gene co-expression network analysis for identifying modules and functionally enriched pathways in SCA2

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disease caused by CAG repeat expansion in the ATXN2 gene. The repeat resides in an encoded region of the gene resulting in polyglutamine (polyQ) expansion which has been assumed to result in gain of function, predominantly, for the ATXN2 protein. We evaluated temporal cerebellar expression profiles by RNA sequencing of ATXN2Q127 mice versus wild-type (WT) littermates. ATXN2Q127 mice are characterized by a progressive motor phenotype onset, and have progressive cerebellar molecular and neurophysiological (Purkinje cell firing frequency) phenotypes. Our analysis revealed previously uncharacterized early and progressive abnormal patterning of cerebellar gene expression. Weighted Gene Coexpression Network Analysis revealed four gene modules that were significantly correlated with disease status, composed primarily of genes associated with GTPase signaling, calcium signaling and cell death. Of these genes, few overlapped with differentially expressed cerebellar genes that we identified in Atxn2−/− knockout mice versus WT littermates, suggesting that loss-of-function is not a significant component of disease pathology. We conclude that SCA2 is a disease characterized by gain of function for ATXN2

El trabajo colaborativo y las habilidades sociales en estudiantes universitarios

This article presents the findings of an investigation, whose objective was to determine the influence of collaborative work on social skills in first cycle students of a private university in Trujillo, 2022. With a basic type methodology, quantitative approach, design non-experimental, causal correlational. The technique that was used was the survey and the instruments that were applied were two questionnaires: collaborative work and social skills, adapted by Orbegoso (2021), to a sample of 159 first-cycle university students, who responded through a form Google. The results obtained showed that the students are involved in collaborative work effectively, since they are at the good level (95%) and none at the low level. Likewise, they possess and effectively practice social skills, since they are located at the high level (89.9%) and none at the low level. When relating the two variables, a correlation coefficient of 0.564 and p<0.005 was obtained, so it is concluded that collaborative work significantly influences the social skills of the first cycle students of a Private University of Trujillo.Este artículo da a conocer los hallazgos de una investigación, cuyo objetivo fue determinar la influencia del trabajo colaborativo en las habilidades sociales en los estudiantes de primer ciclo de una universidad privada de Trujillo, 2022. Con una metodología de tipo básica, enfoque cuantitativo, diseño no experimental, correlacional causal. La técnica que se empleó fue la encuesta y los instrumentos que se aplicaron fueron dos cuestionarios: trabajo colaborativo y habilidades sociales, adaptados por Orbegoso (2021), a una muestra de 159 estudiantes universitarios de primer ciclo, los cuales respondieron a través de un formulario Google. Los resultados obtenidos demostraron que los estudiantes se involucran en el trabajo colaborativo de manera efectiva, pues se encuentran en el nivel bueno (95%) y ninguno en el nivel bajo. Igualmente, poseen y practican de manera eficaz las habilidades sociales, ya que se ubican en el nivel alto (89,9%) y ninguno en el nivel bajo. Al relacionar las dos variables se obtuvo un coeficiente de correlación de 0.564 y p<0.005, por lo que se concluye que el trabajo colaborativo influye significativamente en las habilidades sociales, de los estudiantes de Primer ciclo de una Universidad Privada de Trujillo

Antisense oligonucleotide therapy for spinocerebellar ataxia type 2

There are no disease-modifying treatments for adult human neurodegenerative diseases. Here we test RNA-targeted therapies1 in two mouse models of spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2), an autosomal dominant polyglutamine disease2. Both models recreate the progressive adult-onset dysfunction and degeneration of a neuronal network that are seen in patients, including decreased firing frequency of cerebellar Purkinje cells and a decline in motor function3,4. We developed a potential therapy directed at the ATXN2 gene by screening 152 antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs). The most promising oligonucleotide, ASO7, downregulated ATXN2 mRNA and protein, which resulted in delayed onset of the SCA2 phenotype. After delivery by intracerebroventricular injection to ATXN2-Q127 mice, ASO7 localized to Purkinje cells, reduced cerebellar ATXN2 expression below 75% for more than 10 weeks without microglial activation, and reduced the levels of cerebellar ATXN2. Treatment of symptomatic mice with ASO7 improved motor function compared to saline-treated mice. ASO7 had a similar effect in the BAC-Q72 SCA2 mouse model, and in both mouse models it normalized protein levels of several SCA2-related proteins expressed in Purkinje cells, including Rgs8, Pcp2, Pcp4, Homer3, Cep76 and Fam107b. Notably, the firing frequency of Purkinje cells returned to normal even when treatment was initiated more than 12 weeks after the onset of the motor phenotype in BAC-Q72 mice. These findings support ASOs as a promising approach for treating some human neurodegenerative diseases

El liderazgo transformacional y su correlación con el bienestar psicológico en el trabajo en las MiPyMes industriales de la ciudad de Durango México

The purpose of this research is to determine the relationship between transformational leadership and psychological well-being at work perceived by workers of industrial MSMEs in the city of Durango, Mexico. The survey technique was used to collect the information. The measurement instrument is made up of 36 items on the Likert scale and was applied in the second half of 2019 to 462 workers belonging to 337 companies studied. The simple linear regression statistical analysis technique was used, the validity and fit of the model was reviewed; A regression equation was proposed and the analysis of the assumptions was carried out. It is concluded that the correlation between both variables is positive and the linear regression model complies with the assumptions.El propósito de la presente investigación es determinar la relación que existe entre el liderazgo transformacional y el bienestar psicológico en el trabajo percibido por los trabajadores de las MiPyMes industriales de la ciudad de Durango México. Para la recopilación de la información se utilizó la técnica de la encuesta. El instrumento de medición se conforma por 36 reactivos en escala Likert y se aplicó en el segundo semestre del año 2019 a 462 trabajadores pertenecientes a 337 empresas estudiadas. Se utilizo la técnica de análisis estadístico de regresión lineal simple, se revisó la validez y el ajuste del modelo; se propuso una ecuación de regresión y se realizó el análisis de los supuestos. Se concluye que la correlación entre ambas variables es positiva y el modelo de regresión lineal cumple con los supuestos

La inteligencia emocional y su relación con las finanzas personales en docentes universitarios de Durango México

The general objective of this research is to determine the correlation that exists between personal finances and emotional intelligence in teachers of a private university in the city of Durango, Mexico. The survey technique was used to collect the information. The measurement instrument applied in the research is made up of 39 items on a Likert scale (5, always, 4, almost always, 3, sometimes, 2, almost never and 1, never) distributed in three dimensions for the dependent variable finances personal and three for the independent variable emotional intelligence, which was applied to 50 teachers of the different careers, in the month of November 2021. In the research, the non-experimental design of descriptive, correlational and cross-sectional level was used, collecting the information in a specific period. It is concluded that there is evidence to affirm that emotional intelligence presents a medium positive correlation with personal finances, obtaining a Spearman Rho coefficient of .302 and that the emotional repair dimension is the dimension of emotional intelligence that presents the most relationship with personal finances.La presente investigación tiene como objetivo general, determinar la correlación que existe entre la inteligencia emocional y las finanzas personales en docentes de una universidad privada de la ciudad de Durango México. Para la recopilación de la información se utilizó la técnica de la encuesta. El instrumento de medición aplicado en la investigación, se conforma por 39 reactivos en escala Likert (5, siempre, 4, casi siempre, 3, algunas veces, 2, casi nunca y 1, nunca) distribuido en tres dimensiones para la variable dependiente finanzas personales y tres para la variable independiente inteligencia emocional, el cual se aplicó a 50 docentes de las diferentes carreras, en el mes de noviembre del año 2021. En la investigación se utilizó el diseño no experimental de nivel descriptivo, correlacional y de corte transversal, recopilando la información en un periodo específico. Se concluye en que existe evidencia para afirmar que la inteligencia emocional presenta una correlación positiva media con las finanzas personales, obteniendo un coeficiente de Rho de Spearman de .302 y que la dimensión reparación emocional, es la dimensión de la inteligencia emocional que más relación presenta con las finanzas personales

A pivotal role for starch in the reconfiguration of 14C-partitioning and allocation in Arabidopsis thaliana under short-term abiotic stress.

Plant carbon status is optimized for normal growth but is affected by abiotic stress. Here, we used 14C-labeling to provide the first holistic picture of carbon use changes during short-term osmotic, salinity, and cold stress in Arabidopsis thaliana. This could inform on the early mechanisms plants use to survive adverse environment, which is important for efficient agricultural production. We found that carbon allocation from source to sinks, and partitioning into major metabolite pools in the source leaf, sink leaves and roots showed both conserved and divergent responses to the stresses examined. Carbohydrates changed under all abiotic stresses applied; plants re-partitioned 14C to maintain sugar levels under stress, primarily by reducing 14C into the storage compounds in the source leaf, and decreasing 14C into the pools used for growth processes in the roots. Salinity and cold increased 14C-flux into protein, but as the stress progressed, protein degradation increased to produce amino acids, presumably for osmoprotection. Our work also emphasized that stress regulated the carbon channeled into starch, and its metabolic turnover. These stress-induced changes in starch metabolism and sugar export in the source were partly accompanied by transcriptional alteration in the T6P/SnRK1 regulatory pathway that are normally activated by carbon starvation

Homogeneous M2 duals

Motivated by the search for new gravity duals to M2 branes with $N>4$ supersymmetry --- equivalently, M-theory backgrounds with Killing superalgebra $\mathfrak{osp}(N|4)$ for $N>4$ --- we classify homogeneous M-theory backgrounds with symmetry Lie algebra $\mathfrak{so}(n) \oplus \mathfrak{so}(3,2)$ for $n=5,6,7$. We find that there are no new backgrounds with $n=6,7$ but we do find a number of new (to us) backgrounds with $n=5$. All backgrounds are metrically products of the form $\operatorname{AdS}_4 \times P^7$, with $P$ riemannian and homogeneous under the action of $\operatorname{SO}(5)$, or $S^4 \times Q^7$ with $Q$ lorentzian and homogeneous under the action of $\operatorname{SO}(3,2)$. At least one of the new backgrounds is supersymmetric (albeit with only $N=2$) and we show that it can be constructed from a supersymmetric Freund--Rubin background via a Wick rotation. Two of the new backgrounds have only been approximated numerically. (The second version of this paper includes an appendix by Alexander~S.~Haupt, closing a gap in our original analysis.)Comment: 56 page

Stress-Induced Reinstatement of Drug Seeking: 20 Years of Progress

In human addicts, drug relapse and craving are often provoked by stress. Since 1995, this clinical scenario has been studied using a rat model of stress-induced reinstatement of drug seeking. Here, we first discuss the generality of stress-induced reinstatement to different drugs of abuse, different stressors, and different behavioral procedures. We also discuss neuropharmacological mechanisms, and brain areas and circuits controlling stress-induced reinstatement of drug seeking. We conclude by discussing results from translational human laboratory studies and clinical trials that were inspired by results from rat studies on stress-induced reinstatement. Our main conclusions are (1) The phenomenon of stress-induced reinstatement, first shown with an intermittent footshock stressor in rats trained to self-administer heroin, generalizes to other abused drugs, including cocaine, methamphetamine, nicotine, and alcohol, and is also observed in the conditioned place preference model in rats and mice. This phenomenon, however, is stressor specific and not all stressors induce reinstatement of drug seeking. (2) Neuropharmacological studies indicate the involvement of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), noradrenaline, dopamine, glutamate, kappa/dynorphin, and several other peptide and neurotransmitter systems in stress-induced reinstatement. Neuropharmacology and circuitry studies indicate the involvement of CRF and noradrenaline transmission in bed nucleus of stria terminalis and central amygdala, and dopamine, CRF, kappa/dynorphin, and glutamate transmission in other components of the mesocorticolimbic dopamine system (ventral tegmental area, medial prefrontal cortex, orbitofrontal cortex, and nucleus accumbens). (3) Translational human laboratory studies and a recent clinical trial study show the efficacy of alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonists in decreasing stress-induced drug craving and stress-induced initial heroin lapse