Constructing Kites to Integrate Mathematics and Arts Concepts

This article describes a tetrahedral kite activity that was implemented with grade 9 students (age 14-15). We detail how the three-part lesson provided opportunities to integrate mathematics and art concepts, with potential to also weave in science and engineering ideas. The first part primed students to consider tetrahedral kites, their cultural and historical significance, and the materials needed for constructing the kite. The second part had students create a prototype using nets of tissue paper decorated with mark making techniques. The third part had students create a tetrahedron kite containing cultural and geographical mark making techniques on the tissue paper sides before flying the kites at a community event. We conclude the article with recommendations to help other teachers integrate mathematics and visual arts topics through tetrahedral kites

Akerman-Teixeira Duo with St. Pius X High School Classical Guitar Orchestra

KSU School of Music presents the Akerman-Teixeira Duo with St. Pius X High School Classical Guitar Orchestra.https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/musicprograms/1205/thumbnail.jp

The GNAT method for nonlinear model reduction: effective implementation and application to computational fluid dynamics and turbulent flows

The Gauss--Newton with approximated tensors (GNAT) method is a nonlinear model reduction method that operates on fully discretized computational models. It achieves dimension reduction by a Petrov--Galerkin projection associated with residual minimization; it delivers computational efficency by a hyper-reduction procedure based on the `gappy POD' technique. Originally presented in Ref. [1], where it was applied to implicit nonlinear structural-dynamics models, this method is further developed here and applied to the solution of a benchmark turbulent viscous flow problem. To begin, this paper develops global state-space error bounds that justify the method's design and highlight its advantages in terms of minimizing components of these error bounds. Next, the paper introduces a `sample mesh' concept that enables a distributed, computationally efficient implementation of the GNAT method in finite-volume-based computational-fluid-dynamics (CFD) codes. The suitability of GNAT for parameterized problems is highlighted with the solution of an academic problem featuring moving discontinuities. Finally, the capability of this method to reduce by orders of magnitude the core-hours required for large-scale CFD computations, while preserving accuracy, is demonstrated with the simulation of turbulent flow over the Ahmed body. For an instance of this benchmark problem with over 17 million degrees of freedom, GNAT outperforms several other nonlinear model-reduction methods, reduces the required computational resources by more than two orders of magnitude, and delivers a solution that differs by less than 1% from its high-dimensional counterpart

The Effect of High Glucocorticoid Administration and Food Restriction on Rodent Skeletal Muscle Mitochondrial Function and Protein Metabolism

Glucocorticoids levels are high in catabolic conditions but it is unclear how much of the catabolic effects are due to negative energy balance versus glucocorticoids and whether there are distinct effects on metabolism and functions of specific muscle proteins.We determined whether 14 days of high dose methylprednisolone (MPred, 4 mg/kg/d) Vs food restriction (FR, food intake matched to MPred) in rats had different effects on muscle mitochondrial function and protein fractional synthesis rates (FSR). Lower weight loss (15%) occurred in FR than in MPred (30%) rats, while a 15% increase occurred saline-treated Controls. The per cent muscle loss was significantly greater for MPred than FR. Mitochondrial protein FSR in MPred rats was lower in soleus (51 and 43%, respectively) and plantaris (25 and 55%) than in FR, while similar decline in protein FSR of the mixed, sarcoplasmic, and myosin heavy chain occurred. Mitochondrial enzymatic activity and ATP production were unchanged in soleus while in plantaris cytochrome c oxidase activity was lower in FR than Control, and ATP production rate with pyruvate + malate in MPred plantaris was 28% lower in MPred. Branched-chain amino acid catabolic enzyme activities were higher in both FR and MPred rats indicating enhanced amino acid oxidation capacity.MPred and FR had little impact on mitochondrial function but reduction in muscle protein synthesis occurred in MPred that could be explained on the basis of reduced food intake. A greater decline in proteolysis may explain lesser muscle loss in FR than in MPred rats

In Vivo RNAi Screening Identifies a Leukemia-Specific Dependence on Integrin Beta 3 Signaling

We used an in vivo small hairpin RNA (shRNA) screening approach to identify genes that are essential for MLL-AF9 acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We found that Integrin Beta 3 (Itgb3) is essential for murine leukemia cells in vivo and for human leukemia cells in xenotransplantation studies. In leukemia cells, Itgb3 knockdown impaired homing, downregulated LSC transcriptional programs, and induced differentiation via the intracellular kinase Syk. In contrast, loss of Itgb3 in normal hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells did not affect engraftment, reconstitution, or differentiation. Finally, using an Itgb3 knockout mouse model, we confirmed that Itgb3 is dispensable for normal hematopoiesis but is required for leukemogenesis. Our results establish the significance of the Itgb3 signaling pathway as a potential therapeutic target in AML.National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Harvard Stem Cell Institute. GlaxoSmithKline. Grant P01 CA108631)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Harvard Stem Cell Institute. GlaxoSmithKline. Grant RC1 CA145229)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Harvard Stem Cell Institute. GlaxoSmithKline. Grant R01 CA140292)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Harvard Stem Cell Institute. GlaxoSmithKline. Grant CA148180

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

INTRODUCTION Investment in Africa over the past year with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, which, to date, exceeds 100,000 sequences generated to track the pandemic on the continent. These sequences have profoundly affected how public health officials in Africa have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. RATIONALE We demonstrate how the first 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Africa have helped monitor the epidemic on the continent, how genomic surveillance expanded over the course of the pandemic, and how we adapted our sequencing methods to deal with an evolving virus. Finally, we also examine how viral lineages have spread across the continent in a phylogeographic framework to gain insights into the underlying temporal and spatial transmission dynamics for several variants of concern (VOCs). RESULTS Our results indicate that the number of countries in Africa that can sequence the virus within their own borders is growing and that this is coupled with a shorter turnaround time from the time of sampling to sequence submission. Ongoing evolution necessitated the continual updating of primer sets, and, as a result, eight primer sets were designed in tandem with viral evolution and used to ensure effective sequencing of the virus. The pandemic unfolded through multiple waves of infection that were each driven by distinct genetic lineages, with B.1-like ancestral strains associated with the first pandemic wave of infections in 2020. Successive waves on the continent were fueled by different VOCs, with Alpha and Beta cocirculating in distinct spatial patterns during the second wave and Delta and Omicron affecting the whole continent during the third and fourth waves, respectively. Phylogeographic reconstruction points toward distinct differences in viral importation and exportation patterns associated with the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants and subvariants, when considering both Africa versus the rest of the world and viral dissemination within the continent. Our epidemiological and phylogenetic inferences therefore underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic on the continent and highlight key insights and challenges, for instance, recognizing the limitations of low testing proportions. We also highlight the early warning capacity that genomic surveillance in Africa has had for the rest of the world with the detection of new lineages and variants, the most recent being the characterization of various Omicron subvariants. CONCLUSION Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve. This is important not only to help combat SARS-CoV-2 on the continent but also because it can be used as a platform to help address the many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats in Africa. In particular, capacity building for local sequencing within countries or within the continent should be prioritized because this is generally associated with shorter turnaround times, providing the most benefit to local public health authorities tasked with pandemic response and mitigation and allowing for the fastest reaction to localized outbreaks. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

ÄTA ARBETEN FÖR PROJEKT INOM VÄGARBETE : Fallstudie av cirkulationsplats Hammarbykorset, Eskilstuna

ABSTRACT Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyze the different contract changes that potentially could be added to projects made on the road. For this study specifically, a project where a traffic circle is produced, is used as a reference. This is then further investigated by how these contract changes occurred and what type of temporal, economical and technical influence each and every contract change has on the project. By knowing why and how these contract changes occur, there is an evaluation made to list the different factors that entail the contract changes and different methods to prevent these factors which results in less appearing contract changes. Methods: The methods used in this study contains literature studies and case studies as well as analyzing documents regarding the project, calculations made and measurement values and lastly interviews with the different members that are involved in this project. Results: The results gave a perspective of what types of contract changes the project had and how each one affected the project temporally, economically and technically. The results also included answers from the entrepreneur, the client and the consultant for the interviews. It gave a perspective of their view on the project and their thoughts on the contract changes. By compiling their opinions and views one could detect the similarities and the differences. Further after gathering all of the previous results and comparing them, one could identify a common denominator where there clearly is a mismanagement and find ways to fix and evade the problems which results in less contract changes arising. Conclusion: All of the contract changes has been summurized and conlcuded in a UR-sheet. The following conclusions could be drawn from the framing of questions and results: there were a total of 18 different contract changes where as two of these were regulated from outsider factors. The rest were regulated through factors within the project itself, meaning they could have been either prevented or some what predicted and could have had a less of a effect on the project. All of the contract changes had some type of technical effect on the project however not all of them had an effect temporally or economically. The one that had most effect was UR_ÄTA_006 where this was regulated because of a previous project that wasn’t completed in time and stood as a hindrance for the roundabout. This contributed in extra charges, more time spent of certain moments and changes in the timetable. Based on the answers from the interviews, one could conclude that all of the people who are involved in the project think that there are some deficient working power in the project planning. As a solution to the issue, they sugested that one of the people from the entreprenuer side and the client should be some what involved in the early stages and work as a helping hand for the project planning side of the project since they have more experience in how the actual production of a project is done, thus resulting in less contract changes.  Keywords: Contract changes, roundabout, entreprenouer, client, consultant, temporal, economical, technical,, documents Oftast int

ÄTA ARBETEN FÖR PROJEKT INOM VÄGARBETE : Fallstudie av cirkulationsplats Hammarbykorset, Eskilstuna

ABSTRACT Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyze the different contract changes that potentially could be added to projects made on the road. For this study specifically, a project where a traffic circle is produced, is used as a reference. This is then further investigated by how these contract changes occurred and what type of temporal, economical and technical influence each and every contract change has on the project. By knowing why and how these contract changes occur, there is an evaluation made to list the different factors that entail the contract changes and different methods to prevent these factors which results in less appearing contract changes. Methods: The methods used in this study contains literature studies and case studies as well as analyzing documents regarding the project, calculations made and measurement values and lastly interviews with the different members that are involved in this project. Results: The results gave a perspective of what types of contract changes the project had and how each one affected the project temporally, economically and technically. The results also included answers from the entrepreneur, the client and the consultant for the interviews. It gave a perspective of their view on the project and their thoughts on the contract changes. By compiling their opinions and views one could detect the similarities and the differences. Further after gathering all of the previous results and comparing them, one could identify a common denominator where there clearly is a mismanagement and find ways to fix and evade the problems which results in less contract changes arising. Conclusion: All of the contract changes has been summurized and conlcuded in a UR-sheet. The following conclusions could be drawn from the framing of questions and results: there were a total of 18 different contract changes where as two of these were regulated from outsider factors. The rest were regulated through factors within the project itself, meaning they could have been either prevented or some what predicted and could have had a less of a effect on the project. All of the contract changes had some type of technical effect on the project however not all of them had an effect temporally or economically. The one that had most effect was UR_ÄTA_006 where this was regulated because of a previous project that wasn’t completed in time and stood as a hindrance for the roundabout. This contributed in extra charges, more time spent of certain moments and changes in the timetable. Based on the answers from the interviews, one could conclude that all of the people who are involved in the project think that there are some deficient working power in the project planning. As a solution to the issue, they sugested that one of the people from the entreprenuer side and the client should be some what involved in the early stages and work as a helping hand for the project planning side of the project since they have more experience in how the actual production of a project is done, thus resulting in less contract changes.  Keywords: Contract changes, roundabout, entreprenouer, client, consultant, temporal, economical, technical,, documents Oftast int

Acta Archelai (the acts of Archelaus)

177 page(s

Gathering Space: Building Community

The Cultural Resource Centers (CRCs) at Portland State University (PSU) create a student-centered inclusive environment that enriches the university experience. The CRCs value diversity, social justice, cultural traditions, student identities, success and leadership. On November 2, 2016, PSU held a grand opening celebrating the expansion of the CRCs with the addition of two new centers, the Pan-African Commons (PAC) and the Pacific Islander, Asian, and Asian American Student Center (PIAAA). The growth of the CRCs marks a milestone in PSU’s commitment to social justice and equity. The Gathering Space, Building Community Report not only documents this growth, but also aims to highlight the depth and breadth of the influence of cultural centers on our campus. Our activities extend well beyond creating space for studying or relaxing. We impact all aspects of retention, persistence, and graduation for our students; create meaningful community connections; and foster authentic environments for coalition building