The Ethical Philosophy of Emmanuel Levinas: A Phenomenological Approach to Cormac McCarthy’s \u3cem\u3eThe Road\u3c/em\u3e

Contents: Chapter 1: Cormac McCarthy’s The Road and the Philosophy of Emmanuel Levinas Chapter 2: Proximity, Justice, and Memory: Elements to Rebuild an Ethical Society Chapter 3: Violence in The Road: The Face, Killing, and Freedom Chapter 4: Investigating God and the Other in McCarthy’s The Road Chapter 5: Engaging the Other: Exploring Language in The Roa

Genome-Wide Human-Specific RNA Regulatory Elements in the Brain

Advancements in DNA sequencing technology and the implementation of clinical genome and exome sequencing have allowed for the identification of candidate variants and genes essential in brain development and pathogenesis of neurological diseases, yet there is still much to be learned. It is estimated that the molecular diagnostic rate of whole exome sequencing (WES) of constitutional diseases is between 9-41%; however, it is thought that diagnostic yield could be much improved by gaining a better understanding of individual variation and regulation at the transcript level. Identifying the root cause of diversity between humans and specifically in the human brain has been a long-standing question for the scientific field. At the turn of the 20thcentury, Santiago Ramón y Cajal illustrated thousands of neurons spanning across brain regions to irrefutably demonstrate the morphological complexity and diversity of individual neurons (Levine and Marcillo, 2008). Discoveries spanning centuries continue to drive investigators to question not only why neuronal diversity exists, but how a single genome gives rise to the remarkable heterogeneity observed between single cells, tissue structures, and circuit connections in the brain. Post-transcriptional gene regulation contributes to organism complexity in eukaryotes. RNA regulation is strictly controlled by RNA-binding proteins that are important for the coordination and regulation of gene expression and eukaryotic cells have evolved intricate posttranscriptional mechanisms that permit for precise spatial and temporal control of RNA steady state levels in any given cell. Alternative RNA processing via RNA binding proteins underlies distinct phenotypic and functional diversity specifically observed among mammalian cells. Alternative splicing (AS) and alternative polyadenylation (APA) are widely utilized to expand and diversify both transcriptome and proteome. Alternative RNA processing allows one gene to produce multiple transcripts with distinct coding and regulatory sequences giving rise to multifaceted protein function. RNA binding proteins dictate alternative RNA processing which is a key player in most, if not all, biological processes. Understanding how RNA binding proteins regulate RNA steady state levels and alternative RNA processing requires knowledge of the genomic positions to which these proteins function in vivo. Mouse models have facilitated genome-wide, unbiased discovery of RNA regulatory sites, and the link between causation and functional effect with extraordinary resolution and specificity. The inability to translate many RNA regulatory events from the mouse to the human genome emphasizes the need to perform biochemistry on the human brain directly to compare with the mouse. Identification of RNA regulatory regions via CLIP-sequencing provides valuable information as to how human RNA profiles are dictated and controlled in normal and disease states. Studying neuronal splicing factor NOVA elucidates previously unidentified non-coding RNA regulatory sites as functional and unique to human neurons. We show that human expansion in NOVA regulatory elements diversifies the RNA landscape specifically in human neurons and differentially across brain regions. Taken together, these findings demonstrate mouse to human conserved relationships between RNA binding proteins and targets, however the activity, specificity, and usage of RNA regulatory elements is largely species-specific

Students exiting preschool special education: A six -year examination of eligibility patterns and performance

Substantial research supports the efficacy of early intervention services for children with developmental delays from birth to age 5. Federal legislation, IDEA, P.L. 101-476, now mandates that states provide services to infants and toddlers (Part C) and preschoolers ages 3--5 (Part B) using either categorical or noncategorical classifications.;Research relative to eligibility classifications and stability of classifications of preschool students transitioning to school age service is limited. The purpose of this study was to determine: (a) the initial eligibility classification at time of exit from preschool special education services, (b) the stability of classifications for students initially declassified and initially classified, and (c) the performance of students who were classified with mild disabilities in terms of attendance, disciplinary referrals, retention, math and reading achievement, and grade point average. Results of the study indicated that 86% of students who exited preschool special education continued to be eligible for special education services. Overall, 29% of the students maintained the original exit classification status over six years. Seventy-five percent of students originally declassified at time of exit were subsequently reclassified within the first three years following exit. No significant differences were found on variables of achievement between students originally declassified and originally classified. Examination of stability of school assignments indicated that students who were initially declassified and remained declassified experienced significantly fewer school assignment changes than all other groups

Challenges and Opportunities for Hotel-to-Housing Conversions in NYC

As the country continues to grapple with the COVID-19 crisis and its aftermath, policymakers in New York City and Albany have debated how to support the conversion of hotels into housing—and especially affordable housing—as part of a solution to the city’s ongoing housing crisis. The basic intuition is compelling. COVID has forced the shuttering of many commercial establishments, especially in hard-hit New York City. In certain sectors, the effect has been particularly large: these include hotels devastated by shutdowns in tourism, international travel, and business travel. At the same time as these spaces are sitting empty, though, Americans have faced unprecedented challenges in paying their rent—on top of preexisting rent burdens that had been driving housing instability and homelessness well before COVID. It is logical to want to use these spaces—these important physical assets—rather than let them remain unoccupied, and housing is an attractive use. However, not all hotels are ripe for conversion to housing, and the scope of the opportunity presented by hotel conversions is not clear. Some hotels—because of their business model, location, or design—are better candidates for conversion than others, and for conversion to different types of housing. In one case, only minimal and economical renovations might be required; in another, expensive gut rehabilitation would be necessary to turn the hotel into a residential use. To better understand what opportunities for hotel conversion exist in New York City, we examined the legal regime governing hotel conversions to identify the most important regulatory barriers to such adaptive uses. We also compiled data examining how the hotel market is segmented—how many hotel rooms, of what kind, are located where—in order to further understand how different conversion strategies might play out spatially

A full factorial design to investigate interactions of variable essential amino acids, trace minerals and vitamins on Atlantic salmon smoltification and post transfer performance

To contribute in knowledge for the development of safe, efficient and sustainable functional salmon diets, we ran a feeding trial applying a 23 full factorial design to investigate combined effects, on Atlantic salmon smoltification and post transfer performance, of variable supplementation levels of essential amino acid (Lys, Met, Thr and Arg), essential trace mineral (Zn, Fe and Se) and vitamins (E, C and astaxanthin as provitamin A) premixes in low fishmeal diets, using crystalline amino acids, organic trace minerals and synthetic vitamins, respectively. The nutrient levels used in our study were chosen to meet the known requirements of fish reflecting the variation in commercial feeds. Fish performance, nutrient digestibility, skin, and intestinal health were evaluated in Atlantic salmon parr-smolt, the latter by means of qPCR, global transcriptomics, and immunohistochemistry. The results revealed the potential for significant improvement of salmon post smoltification growth by simultaneous dietary level increase of Met, Lys, Thr and Arg (5% higher body weight increase). Significantly negative effect on fish post transfer growth and survival (22.5 % lower body weight growth and 2.6 times higher mortality) was observed in the high dietary vitamin supplementation treatments which was not present in the simultaneous high trace mineral and vitamin supplementation treatments (8% higher body weight increase and 2.8 times lower mortality in the high trace mineral supplementation treatments). In the high trace mineral supplemented dietary treatments was also observed improved FCR (8.5 %) and a further improvement in performance was seen in the treatments with simultaneous high essential amino acid and trace mineral supplementation levels (12.6 % higher body growth increase). Redox-sensitive gene and extracellular matrix components’ gene transcription effects and compensatory mechanisms on protein and energy metabolism, immune modulation, skin repair systems and erythropoiesis were observed by transcriptomic and histological analyses in response to the variable dietary essential nutrient levels.publishedVersio

Through Mothers' Eyes: The Lived Experience of Caring for a Child who has Undergone and Recovered from a Liver Transplantation

Paediatric liver transplantation is a complicated and costly procedure. It also has the potential to be life-changing for the child and family. Paediatric liver transplantation commenced in New Zealand in July 2001. Approximately six to eight New Zealand children require liver transplantation annually. International survival rates of children receiving a liver transplant have increased in association with effective drug therapy and technological advances, though the children experience varying levels of wellbeing. Children are discharged relatively quickly following their major surgery. Upon discharge the child is assessed to be well, exhibits satisfactory liver function and the social situation at home is assessed to be conducive to their ongoing care. On discharge the child remains under the spotlight of health care workers. Monitoring reduces as the child's condition improves. The child is only seen by health professionals in outpatient appointments or if admitted back to the ward. The close engagement in the hospital setting is untangled. The child, mother and family regain their autonomy. The long term implications of caring for a child recovering from a life-threatening condition to relative normalcy are largely unobserved. Mothers, whose children had undergone a liver transplant more than one year ago at time of interview and whose children were outpatients of Starship Children's Hospital, were invited to participate in this research. Mothers are generally the most common primary caregiver of children. In caring for their transplanted child following recovery, mothers are relied upon to provide information about their child's wellbeing and functioning. A Heideggerian hermeneutic phenomenological approach, informed by the work of van Manen (1990) was used. Three mothers of children who had received a liver transplant were interviewed to reveal the meanings of the phenomenon - what is the meaning of lived experience of mothers in caring for their child who has undergone and recovered following liver transplantation? Little previous study regarding mothers' lived experience of caring for their child, who had recovered from a liver transplant, was found in the literature. The emerging themes were punctuated with stress being a consistent feature. Utilising Ruddick's (1983) concepts of maternal thinking, the emerging themes were merged within the three interests governing maternal practice; preservation, growth and acceptability. The absolute capacity for attentive love draws the experience together. An essential theme identified out of the analysis was the concept of survival relating to the unique features of liver transplantation and the consequences of liver rejection and failure. The findings contribute to the understanding of the phenomenon, emphasising the need for good support systems for families of children who have undergone transplantation; assistance in the establishment of maternal coping strategies and regular feedback on the children's progress acknowledging the role and care provided by mothers. Health professionals might develop new understandings of the dynamic and evolving issues arising out of the provision of care by mothers. There may be a greater empathy and understanding of the experiences of mothers in their roles of caring. The findings provide glimpses of the life of children who have undergone and recovered from a liver transplant

Addition-substitution reactions of 2-thio-3-chloroacrylamides with carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur and selenium nucleophiles

Synthetically versatile conjugate addition of a range of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur and selenium nucleophiles to the highly functionalised 2-thio-3-chloroacrylamides is described. The stereochemical and synthetic features of this transformation are discussed in detail. In most instances, the nucleophile replaces the chloro substituent with retention of stereochemistry. With the oxygen nucleophiles, a second addition can occur leading to acetals, while with the nitrogen nucleophiles, E-Z isomerism occurs in the resulting enamine derivatives. The ratio of the E/Z isomers can be rationalised on the basis of the substituent and the level of oxidation

Conus Medullaris Enterogenous Cyst

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/147142/1/pmr2698.pd

Faculty Chamber Players and Friends

KSU Faculty Chamber Players features members of the KSU School of Music faculty performing repertoire for various groupings of strings, winds, and piano. This performance features the following performers: Helen Kim, violin; Catherine Lynn, viola; Paul Murphy, viola; Charae Krueger, cello; Christina Smith, flute; Elisabeth Koch Tiscione, oboe; and Elisabeth Remy Johnson, harp.https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/musicprograms/1834/thumbnail.jp