Granny\u27s Lullaby

https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/mmb-vp/5278/thumbnail.jp

ZRT1 harbors an excess of nonsynonymous polymorphism and shows evidence of balancing selection in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Estimates of the fraction of nucleotide substitutions driven by positive selection vary widely across different species. Accounting for different estimates of positive selection has been difficult, in part because selection on polymorphism within a species is known to obscure a signal of positive selection between species. While methods have been developed to control for the confounding effects of negative selection against deleterious polymorphism, the impact of balancing selection on estimates of positive selection has not been assessed. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, there is no signal of positive selection within protein coding sequences as the ratio of nonsynonymous to synonymous polymorphism is higher than that of divergence. To investigate the impact of balancing selection on estimates of positive selection we examined five genes with high rates of nonsynonymous polymorphism in S. cerevisiae relative to divergence from S. paradoxus. One of the genes, a high affinity zinc transporter ZRT1, shows an elevated rate of synonymous polymorphism indicative of balancing selection. The high rate of synonymous polymorphism coincides with nonsynonymous divergence between three haplotype groups, which we find to be functionally indistinguishable. We conclude that balancing selection is not likely to be a common cause of genes harboring a large excess of nonsynonymous polymorphism in yeast

Jailbreakers, Villains, and Vampires: Representations of Criminality in Early-Victorian Popular Texts

In Jailbreakers, Villains, and Vampires: Representations of Criminality in Early-Victorian Popular Texts, I analyze moments of discursive dissonance that emerge through the juxtaposition of early-Victorian theories of criminality and representations of criminals in popular culture. In the 1830s and 1840s in England, methods for managing criminals underwent a series of revisions that corresponded to shifts in prevailing theories about the nature and course of criminal behavior. Assumptions that criminality was volitional, or that it originated in an individual\u27s deficient self-discipline, gradually shifted into perceptions that criminality was pathological, and that malefactors were naturally brutish and incorrigible. Predominant conceptions of criminality as stemming from character flaws or biological predispositions influenced depictions of criminals in a variety of Victorian popular texts including novels, plays, and, importantly, penny bloods, which were cheap publications marketed to lower-class readers. Such popular lower-class texts are rife with criminals and crimes yet their representations of criminality remain understudied. This penny literature often reproduces prevailing middle-class discourses about criminality, but these texts do so in ways that simultaneously disrupt those discourses. Specifically, popular culture tends to locate the origins of crime not in criminals but in the very institutions and social structures designed to regulate them. Analyzing popular representations of criminals in lower-class texts at a transitional moment in penal history demonstrates how conflicts between legitimate and subordinate cultures activated antidisciplinary potentialities. While historical and literary scholarship on middle-class crime fiction has flourished, crime literature popular with the lower classes has been largely neglected. Understanding how both dominant and subordinate literatures responded to and portrayed significant shifts in cultural theories and practices is, however, necessary to gain a fuller, more nuanced understanding of Victorian literature and culture. There is plenty of evidence available that suggests ways in which middle-class commentators interpreted the beliefs of the lower-classes, but much less is known about the views and narratives that were attractive to and so consumed, via this literature, by these audiences. Studying literature read by the lower-classes, especially those texts that were tremendously popular, is one step toward gaining insight into the possible interpretations of a largely inaccessible audience

An Appreciative Approach to Managerial Coaching: Words Matter When Increasing Employee Engagement

Employers set out to create positive cultures where employees can thrive. Despite this effort, engagement surveys find more than 60% of employees are just going through the motions at work. Disengagement affects such key workplace factors as productivity, customer satisfaction, absenteeism, safety, and turnover. What will it take to shift employees from being disengaged to bringing their best self to work? The field of positive psychology may offer promising possibilities. Mounting evidence on the use of appreciative inquiry, strengths-based development, and self-determination theory in the workplace illuminate pathways to initiate and sustain greater well-being and productivity. Managers and others who coach employees are a critical to creating and sustaining this enhanced work environment. This paper examines how the findings of current positive psychology research points to potential ways coaching conversations can foster higher levels of motivation, cultivate a sense that one’s work is valued, and strengthen a commitment to goals. This literature review identified a number of evidence-based practices managers may use when coaching to constructively develop individuals in ways that are aligned with personal values and motivation. A discussion of future directions for this work is proposed through a positive psychology coaching intervention aimed at increasing employee engagement

Nods and Becks, Lucy Cobb Institute Yearbook

Nods and Becks is the yearbook from the Lucy Cobb Institute in 1905. The Lucy Cobb Institute was a girls\u27 school in Athens, Georgia that remained open from 1859-1931. The most famous feature of the school was the Seney-Stovall Chapel built on school grounds. Currently, the University of Georgia owns the property. Fay Lamar Webb graduated from the Lucy Cobb Institute in 1905. There are group photos of each class level as well as many of the clubs and athletic groups. Included are several pages of prose and poetry written by students and many pages of entertaining quips about the students.https://digitalcommons.gardner-webb.edu/fay-webb-gardner-scrapbooks/1002/thumbnail.jp

Innate immune control of virus replication and transmission

University of Minnesota Ph.D. dissertation. May 2020. Major: Biochemistry, Molecular Bio, and Biophysics. Advisor: Ryan Langlois. 1 computer file (PDF); x, 138 pages.The activation of innate immune pathways is a critical step in the response to virus infection. The failure of infected cells to control virus replication can lead to massive destruction of tissue, resulting in severe illness or death of the host and spread to new hosts. The ongoing coronavirus pandemic highlights the critical need to understand the mechanisms by which infected cells activate the innate immune response following virus infection, and how failure to activate this response leads to virus spread and cross-species transmission. Here, I describe two model systems used to understand the innate immune response to viruses. First, I use genetically engineered reporter influenza A viruses to identify infected cells and characterize the early response in vivo. I have found distinct responses based on the magnitude and round of infection, as well as cell type- and stage-specific antiviral signatures. In the second model system, I aim to understand the dynamics of how viruses transmit between hosts. I leveraged a model whereby pet store mice—which harbor a myriad of mouse pathogens—are co-housed with clean laboratory mice. This ‘dirty’ mouse model offers a platform for studying the acute transmission of viruses between hosts via natural mechanisms—through direct contact, air, and saliva and other fluids. I co-housed pet store mice with wild type laboratory mice and mice deficient in interferon receptors to characterize the role of these important innate immune pathways. Finally, I have co-housed laboratory mice with the bedding of pet store rats to analyze immune and non-immune species barriers to transmission. Overall, the findings of these studies will help elucidate mechanisms of innate immune activation by viruses.Fay, Elizabeth. (2020). Innate immune control of virus replication and transmission. Retrieved from the University Digital Conservancy, https://hdl.handle.net/11299/223174

Developing consensus on the principles and key actions for collaborative working between general practices and community pharmacies: a modified eDelphi study

OBJECTIVES: To develop consensus on the principles and key actions for collaborative working in practice between general practice, community pharmacy and patients and their carers. DESIGN: Three-round modified eDelphi study, starting from an established conceptual model of collaboration between general practitioners (GPs) and community pharmacists. SETTING: Community pharmacies and general practices in England, UK. PARTICIPANTS: A panel of 123 experts: 43% from a community pharmacy background; 36% from a GP background; 13% patients, carers or patient representatives and 8% from academic or commissioner backgrounds. Panellist numbers reduced by approximately 30% in rounds 2 and 3. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Consensus between expert panellists, defined as at least 75% agreement. RESULTS: A high level of consensus (>80%) was achieved on all components of a model of collaboration composed of Fundamental Principles of Collaboration and Key Activities for Action, supported by a series of aspirational statements and suggested practical actions. The fundamental principles and key activities are appended by contextual points. The findings indicate that collaboration in practice involves team members other than just GPs and community pharmacists and recognises that patients often want to know how each professional team is involved in their care. This study also provides insights into how collaboration between general practice and community pharmacy settings appears to have shifted during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially through opportunities for virtual collaboration and communication that can transcend the need for close geographical proximity. CONCLUSION: A consensus-based model of collaboration between general practice teams, community pharmacy teams, and patients and their carers has been developed. It is practically focused, values the patient voice and incorporates general practice and community pharmacy team members. While developed in England, the model is likely to also have applicability to other countries with similar health systems that include general practices and community pharmacies

Developing Civility and Connection in Midland, Michigan

Growing loneliness and incivility are on the rise across America. In Midland, Michigan, civic leaders desire to further infuse positive psychology into their community by enhancing positive citizenship through civil discourse and connection. They have identified this need after instances in their community where citizens have engaged in discourteous and unproductive speech. Informed by current psychological research, our team proposes improving civil discourse and increasing positive connections in Midland through holding community discussions using a Communication and Connections Discussion Guide. Community leaders will be trained as facilitators to lead discussions using the Discussion Guide with various groups of any type and size in Midland. We believe the citizens of Midland can and will learn to constructively engage with their fellow citizens for enhanced communities and a better future. We have every confidence that Midland leaders will persist until every sector in the community has been illuminated with the message of hope, warm communication, and strong connections offered by these principles and practices of well-being

Methods and Baseline Characteristics of Two Group-Randomized Trials With Multiracial and Multiethnic Working-class Samples

Introduction: Few papers address the methodological challenges in recruiting participants for studies of cancer prevention interventions designed for multiracial and multiethnic working-class populations. This paper reports the results of the sample selection and survey methods for two group-randomized intervention studies. Methods: The two group-randomized intervention studies, Healthy Directions–Small Business (HD–SB) and Healthy Directions–Health Centers (HD–HC), included a worksite-based study in 26 small manufacturing businesses and a study in 10 outpatient health centers. We used selection and recruitment methods to obtain a multiracial and multiethnic working-class study sample. In 2000 and 2001, we assessed baseline measures of sociodemographic characteristics and behavioral outcomes by self-report. We then computed intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Results: Of the 1740 participants in the HD–SB study, 68% were non-Hispanic whites, and 76% had working-class occupations. In the HD–HC study, 59% of 2219 participants were non-Hispanic whites. Among those who worked, 51% had working-class occupations. Large percentages of both samples reported not meeting recommended guidelines for the target behaviors. For example, 86% of members of both samples consumed fewer than the recommended five servings of fruits and vegetables per day. The ICCs for the four target behaviors in HD–SB were between 0.006 and 0.02. In the HD–HC study, the ICCs ranged from 0.0004 to 0.003. Conclusion: The two studies were successful in recruiting multiracial and multiethnic working-class participants. Researchers will find the estimates of the primary outcomes and their ICCs useful for planning future studies

Innate Immunity Driven by Incoming Viral Polymerase

Faculty Adviser: Dr. Ryan LangloisThis research was supported by the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP)