Analysis of the distal urinary tract in larval and adult zebrafish reveals homology to the human system

Little is known about the distal excretory component of the urinary tract in Danio rerio (zebrafish). This component is affected by many human diseases and disorders of development. Here, we have undertaken multi-level analyses to determine the structure and composition of the distal urinary tract in the zebrafish. In silico searches identified uroplakin 1a (ukp1a), uroplakin 2 (upk2) and uroplakin 3b (upk3b) genes in the zebrafish genome (orthologues to genes that encode urothelium-specific proteins in humans). In situ hybridization demonstrated ukp1a expression in the zebrafish pronephros and cloaca from 96 h post-fertilization. Haematoxylin and Eosin staining of adult zebrafish demonstrated two mesonephric ducts uniting into a urinary bladder that leads to a distinct urethral opening. Immunohistochemistry identified Uroplakin 1a, Uroplakin 2 and GATA3 expression in zebrafish urinary bladder cell layers that match human urothelial expression. Fluorescent dye injections demonstrated zebrafish urinary bladder function, including urine storage and intermittent micturition, and a urethral orifice separate from the larger anal canal and rectum. Our findings reveal homology between the urinary tracts of zebrafish and humans, and offer the former as a model system to study disease

Untangling creativity and art for policy purposes : ethnographic insights on Manchester International Festival and Manchester Day Parade

This paper draws on anthropological fieldwork of a civic parade in Manchester from 2010 to 2012 to argue for engaging with creativity as a process rather than an attribute of a particular sector or individual. It shows how the focus on funding and supporting ‘creative industries’ defined as ‘cinema, television, music, literature, performing arts, heritage and related areas’ actually excludes and diminishes the potential for others to engage with ideas and creative processes. Two major events in Manchester’s cultural calendar – Procession by artist Jeremy Deller, produced by Manchester International Festival and Manchester Day Parade, a council-led civic celebration – both combined community groups with artist input to put large-scale structures and people on the city’s streets. In this ethnographic analysis, I argue that the ‘creativity’ sought from these artists is their adaptive and productive approach to making ideas tangible. By focusing on creativity as a process rather than a character trait, there is even greater potential for stimulating a ‘creative’ city

US Cosmic Visions: New Ideas in Dark Matter 2017: Community Report

This white paper summarizes the workshop "U.S. Cosmic Visions: New Ideas in Dark Matter" held at University of Maryland on March 23-25, 2017

LLNL Middle East and North Africa research database

The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) CTBT R{ampersand}D program has made significant progress assembling a comprehensive seismic database (DB) for events and derived parameters in the Middle East and North Africa (ME/NA). The LLNL research DB provides not only a coherent framework in which store and organize large volumes of collected seismic waveforms and associated event parameter information but also provides an efficient data processing/research environment. The DB is designed to be flexible and extensible in order to accommodate the large volumes of data in diverse formats from many sources in addition to maintaining detailed quality control and metadata. Researchers can make use of the relational nature of the DB and interactive analysis tools to quickly and efficiently process large volumes of data. Seismic waveforms have been systematically collected form a wide range of local and regional networks using numerous earthquake bulletins and converted a common format based on CSS3.O while undergoing quality control and corrections of errors. By combining traveltime observations, event characterization studies, and regional wave-propagation studies of the LLNL CTBT team, we are assembling a library of ground truth information and event location correction surfaces required to support the ME/NA regionalization program. Corrections and parameters distilled from the LLNL research DB will provide needed contributions to the DOE knowledge base for the ME/NA region and enable the USNDC and IDC to effectively verify CTBT compliance

State tax policy and oil production:The role of the severance tax and credits for drilling expenses

Introduction Although most energy-producing states have levied taxes on the value of oil, natural gas, and coal production for many years, changes in these taxes have become headline news as state governments grapple with budget shortfalls brought about by the current recession. For instance, Alaska has increased the severance tax on the value of its oil production and attempted to stimulate future production by allowing a credit against this tax for expenditures on capital items, including drilling rigs, infrastructure, exploration, and facility expansion (Alaska Department of Revenue 2008). In late 2008, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger proposed levying a 9.9 percent production tax on the value of most onshore oil production to help close a projected $24 billion budget deficit, but he subsequently reversed his position (Casselman 2009; Skelton 2009). The Pennsylvania legislature is considering a proposal to levy a 5 percent tax on the value of natural gas produced from the giant Marcellus shale deposit, but the bill is opposed by industry leaders who contend that it would result in 30 percent less drilling as well as revenue reductions to state and local governments totaling$880 million over the next decade (George 2009). These measures, both enacted and proposed, raise a number of long-standing and important questions about the effects of state energy taxes that go well beyond their potential to provide a solid revenue base to support public services