Impact of Living Learning Communities on Underserved Minority Students at a Regional Comprehensive University

As access to higher education for underserved minority (USM) students has consistently increased over the past 20 years, college and university campuses across the United States have observed an achievement gap between USM students and their white counterparts (Brown, 2019; Doan, 2015; Flores, Park & Baker, 2017; Pope, 2002; Ramos; 2019). This achievement gap is acute and carries significant consequences if not addressed. As campuses seek to find solutions to close this achievement gap, it is essential to identify strategies that meet the needs of USM students instead of waiting for students to adapt to higher education and campus culture (Aries, 2008; Gross, 2017). Utilizing the theoretical framework Astin’s (1984) Theory of Student Involvement, Astin’s (1993) I-E-O Model and Critical Race Theory, this qualitative study explored the impact of living learning communities (LLCs) on the college success of underserved minority (USM) students at Southern Regional University. Through individual semi-structured interviews, this study provides insight into the lived experiences of five underserved minority USM students who live on campus and are members of an LLC and four USM students who live in campus housing but are not members of an LLC. The findings from this study suggest the benefits of living on campus, regardless of LLC participation and stress the importance of having a sense of belonging, establishing relationships with faculty or staff and self-efficacy

Regulation of APOBEC3B catalyzed mutation in ovarian cancer

University of Minnesota Ph.D. dissertation. August 2015. Major: Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology. Advisor: Reuben Harris. 1 computer file (PDF); viii, 149 pages.Cancer is the second highest cause of death in the United States. A greater understanding of the underlying causes of this disease is critical to improve patient outcomes. For years, researchers have known that cancer is primarily a genetic disease, caused by mutations that can activate oncogenes and inactivate tumor suppressors. Several studies have also shown that UV radiation, smoking and certain defects in DNA repair cause some of the mutations that lead to cancer, but the sources of mutations found in many tumor types are yet to be explained. Here, we build upon our initial finding that APOBEC3B is a source of mutation in breast cancer by defining its role in ovarian cancer. Parallel analyses looking globally at mutation in cancer have shown that APOBEC3B also contributes to mutation in several other tumor types. Additional studies have elucidated a major signaling mechanism that regulates APOBEC3B expression in cancer. While many efforts have been made to directly inhibit APOBEC3B enzymatic activity, the advances described here have the potential to inform alternative therapeutic strategies aimed at transcriptionally downregulating APOBEC3B to slow tumor evolution and improve the durability of conventional anti-cancer drugs. Ultimately, a more comprehensive understanding of the basic biology of APOBEC3B catalyzed mutagenesis in cancer will translate to larger impacts in the clinical arena

Statistical multi-moment bifurcations in random delay coupled swarms

We study the effects of discrete, randomly distributed time delays on the dynamics of a coupled system of self-propelling particles. Bifurcation analysis on a mean field approximation of the system reveals that the system possesses patterns with certain universal characteristics that depend on distinguished moments of the time delay distribution. Specifically, we show both theoretically and numerically that although bifurcations of simple patterns, such as translations, change stability only as a function of the first moment of the time delay distribution, more complex patterns arising from Hopf bifurcations depend on all of the moments

Satellite-derived ecosystem indicators: a retrospective analysis of high resolution ocean color and sea surface temperature products in the Salish Sea

A complete set of MERIS CoastColour data products (2002 to 2012) were developed for the greater Salish Sea, including Puget Sound, Strait of Georgia, and the continental shelf/slope off Washington and Vancouver Island, BC. These data were processed by Integral Consulting Inc. for the Salish Sea Marine Survival Project and is being made available to the regional research community for any number of applications. The dataset includes both nearshore and offshore processed satellite data products at 300 m resolution for over 10 years (3 day revisit). Data products highlight seasonal water quality trends in the Salish Sea and show how events, such as algal blooms, have wide reaching effects across multiple ecosystems. It also provides a decade’s worth of baseline conditions that can be compared with future remote sensing data and incorporated into modelling projects. Data products include (1) temporal composites (monthly, seasonally, and yearly) of processed ocean color data products (e.g., chlorophyll a concentration, turbidity, and colored dissolved organic matter concentration, remote sensing reflectance, etc.); (2) extracted time series of select ocean color data products; (3) time series derived from available in situ data sets that can be used to corroborate satellite-derive ecosystem indicators

Analysis of ISS Plasma Interaction

To date, the International Space Station (ISS) has been one of the largest objects flown in lower earth orbit (LEO). The ISS utilizes high voltage solar arrays (160V) that are negatively grounded leading to pressurized elements that can float negatively with respect to the plasma. Because laboratory measurements indicate a dielectric breakdown potential difference of 80V, arcing could occur on the ISS structure. To overcome the possibility of arcing and clamp the potential of the structure, two Plasma Contactor Units (PCUs) were designed, built, and flown. Also a limited amount of measurements of the floating potential for the present ISS configuration were made by a Floating Potential Probe (FPP), indicating a minimum potential of 24 Volts at the measurement location. A predictive tool, the ISS Plasma Interaction Model (PIM) has been developed accounting for the solar array electron collection, solar array mast wire and effective conductive area on the structure. The model has been used for predictions of the present ISS configuration. The conductive area has been inferred based on available floating potential measurements. Analysis of FPP and PCU data indicated distribution of the conductive area along the Russian segment of the ISS structure. A significant input to PIM is the plasma environment. The International Reference Ionosphere (IRI 2001) was initially used to obtain plasma temperature and density values. However, IRI provides mean parameters, leading to difficulties in interpretation of on-orbit data, especially at eclipse exit where maximum charging can occur. This limits our predicative capability. Satellite and Incoherent Scatter Radar (ISR) data of plasma parameters have also been collected. Approximately 130,000 electron temperature (Te) and density (Ne) pairs for typical ISS eclipse exit conditions have been extracted from the reduced Langmuir probe data flown aboard the NASA DE-2 satellite. Additionally, another 18,000 Te and Ne pairs of ISR data from several radar locations around the globe were used to assure consistency of the satellite data. PIM predictions for ISS charging made with this data correlated very well with FPP data, indicating that the general physics of spacecraft charging with high voltage solar arrays have been captured. The predictions also provided the probabilities of occurrences for ISS charging. These probabilities give a numerical measure of the number of times when the ISS will approach or exceed the vehicle plasma hazard conditions for each configuration. In this paper we shall present the interaction mechanisms between the ISS and the surrounding plasma and give an overview of the PIM components. PIM predictions are compared with available data followed by a discussion of the variability of plasma parameters and the conductive area on the ISS. The ISS PIM will be further tested and verified as data from the Floating Potential Measurement Unit become available, and construction of the ISS continues

Functional and genetic screening of acute myeloid leukemia associated with mediastinal germ cell tumor identifies MEK inhibitor as an active clinical agent

Table of genes tested by the next-generation sequencing panel. (PPTX 58.1 kb

A Call for Gender-Inclusive Global Health Strategies

The WHO\u27s Global Strategy for Women\u27s, Children\u27s, and Adolescents\u27 Health 2016-2030 (GS-WCAH 2016-2030) is a comprehensive plan developed to improve the lives of women, children, and adolescents. Due to the success in the creation, ratification, and advocacy of the GS-WCAH 2016-2030, the clear health outcome disparities between males and females, and the general absence of male health from existing policies and sponsored programs, it is time now to develop a global strategy specifically drafted to improve the lives of men and boys. The following commentary provides three points for why a male-oriented program, like the GS-WCAH 2016-2030, should be created: (a) health outcomes disparities, (b) economic impact of poor male health, and (c) fathers\u27 role in promoting the health of women, children, and adolescents. Implications for how male health can be incorporated into future projects and priorities are provided, as well as advocacy for overall gender-inclusivity in regard to global public health efforts

A Qualitative Study of Transgender Women and Cisgender Men Living Together in Two Recovery Homes

Oxford Houses (OH) are a peer-run sober living homes that are the largest network of recovery homes with over 2,000 in the US. They are self-run without any professional staff. The current study focused on better understanding the facilitators and barriers to OH entry for transgender individuals. The study explored ways in which transgender people found entry into the OHs and the experiences of transgender residents in OHs in comparison to cisgender residents

Second cohomology for finite groups of Lie type

Let $G$ be a simple, simply-connected algebraic group defined over $\mathbb{F}_p$. Given a power $q = p^r$ of $p$, let $G(\mathbb{F}_q) \subset G$ be the subgroup of $\mathbb{F}_q$-rational points. Let $L(\lambda)$ be the simple rational $G$-module of highest weight $\lambda$. In this paper we establish sufficient criteria for the restriction map in second cohomology $H^2(G,L(\lambda)) \rightarrow H^2(G(\mathbb{F}_q),L(\lambda))$ to be an isomorphism. In particular, the restriction map is an isomorphism under very mild conditions on $p$ and $q$ provided $\lambda$ is less than or equal to a fundamental dominant weight. Even when the restriction map is not an isomorphism, we are often able to describe $H^2(G(\mathbb{F}_q),L(\lambda))$ in terms of rational cohomology for $G$. We apply our techniques to compute $H^2(G(\mathbb{F}_q),L(\lambda))$ in a wide range of cases, and obtain new examples of nonzero second cohomology for finite groups of Lie type.Comment: 29 pages, GAP code included as an ancillary file. Rewritten to include the adjoint representation in types An, B2, and Cn. Corrections made to Theorem 3.1.3 and subsequent dependent results in Sections 3-4. Additional minor corrections and improvements also implemente

First cohomology for finite groups of Lie type: simple modules with small dominant weights

Let $k$ be an algebraically closed field of characteristic $p > 0$, and let $G$ be a simple, simply connected algebraic group defined over $\mathbb{F}_p$. Given $r \geq 1$, set $q=p^r$, and let $G(\mathbb{F}_q)$ be the corresponding finite Chevalley group. In this paper we investigate the structure of the first cohomology group $H^1(G(\mathbb{F}_q),L(\lambda))$ where $L(\lambda)$ is the simple $G$-module of highest weight $\lambda$. Under certain very mild conditions on $p$ and $q$, we are able to completely describe the first cohomology group when $\lambda$ is less than or equal to a fundamental dominant weight. In particular, in the cases we consider, we show that the first cohomology group has dimension at most one. Our calculations significantly extend, and provide new proofs for, earlier results of Cline, Parshall, Scott, and Jones, who considered the special case when $\lambda$ is a minimal nonzero dominant weight.Comment: 24 pages, 5 figures, 6 tables. Typos corrected and some proofs streamlined over previous versio