Writing with the ‘Other’: Combining Poetry and Participation to Study Leaders with Disabilities

In this paper, we describe the process of transformative co-authorship between researchers and a participant with disabilities. The researchers were conducting a larger study that aimed to identify different factors that shaped individuals with disabilities to assume leadership roles. Drawing from interview data obtained from the participant, one researcher wrote a poem that provided a stage for the researchers and the participant to engage in reflexive process that transformed the researchers-participant relationship to that of co-authors. This paper describes this transformative process and what everyone learned from this enriching experience

Contemporary spatial association of genetic diversity determinants in Asian Dipterocarps: a systematic review

Considering the research gaps and areas to be prioritized specifically in the forestry research sector with stress given on conservation genetics and tree improvement, we make an effort to understand the spatial patterns and identify the key determinants, which produce major effects on genetic diversity of Asian Dipterocarps. This review focuses on identifying patterns and establishing relationships between genecological parameters derived on the basis of molecular markers with factors, such as geographical range, vertical profile and IUCN categories along with recognizing research gaps pertaining to operational forestry and terrestrial ecosystems. Corresponding to 47 research papers, meta-analysis of 50 species under subfamily Dipterocarpoideae revealed significant differences in genetic parameters, namely expected heterozygosity (HE) and number of alleles per locus (NA), for most genera and factors. These parameters showed significant correlations with vertical strata (rk=-0.241; p<0.05) and altitude (rs=0.283; p<0.01). However, on the basis of co-dominant and dominant markers, the parameters exhibited contrasting results for the species’ characteristics. Further, pollen exchange and seed dispersal predominantly explained the genetic variations among the contributing factors, generally believed to be correlated with vertical strata and geographical range of the species. Conclusively, two major clusters were formed through principal component analysis (PCA), where HE and NA were the main deciding factors. Anthropogenic interferences, viz. forest fragmentation and deforestation found to be subsidising major impacts, which increase inbreeding and genetic drift, causing the loss of rare alleles and consequently, decreasing genetic variation. The study emphasizes the importance of genecological conservation and access to diverse genetic resources information, which will ensure global forest conservation and climate change mitigation network for sustainable development

Physical, Spectroscopic and Thermal Characterization of Biofield treated Myristic acid

Myristic acid has been extensively used for fabrication of phase change materials for thermal energy storage applications. The objective of present research was to investigate the influence of biofield treatment on physical and thermal properties of myristic acid. The study was performed in two groups (control and treated). The control group remained as untreated, and biofield treatment was given to treated group. The control and treated myristic acid were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and Laser particle size analyzer. XRD results revealed alteration in intensity of peaks as well as significant increase in crystallite size (27.07%) of treated myristic acid with respect to control. DSC study showed increase in melting temperature of treated myristic acid as compared to control. Nevertheless, significant change (10.16%) in latent heat of fusion (∆H) was observed in treated myristic acid with respect to control. TGA analysis of treated myristic acid showed less weight loss (31.33%) as compared to control sample (60.49%). This may be due to increase in thermal stability of treated myristic acid in comparison with control. FT-IR results showed increase in frequency of –CH2 and C=O stretching vibrations, probably associated with enhanced bond strength and force constant of the respective bonds. The particle size analyzer showed significant decrease in average particle size (d50 and d99) of treated myristic acid with respect to control. Overall, the results showed significant alteration in physical, spectroscopic and thermal properties of myristic acid. The enhanced crystallite size, and thermal stability of treated myristic acid showed that treated myristic acid could be used as phase change material for thermal energy storage applications. This record was migrated from the OpenDepot repository service in June, 2017 before shutting down

Selective Disruption Of Tlr2-Myd88 Interaction Inhibits Inflammation And Attenuates Alzheimer\u27S Pathology

Induction of TLR2 activation depends on its association with the adapter protein MyD88. We have found that TLR2 and MyD88 levels are elevated in the hippocampus and cortex of patients with Alzheimer\u27s disease (AD) and in a 5XFAD mouse model of AD. Since there is no specific inhibitor of TLR2, to target induced TLR2 from a therapeutic angle, we engineered a peptide corresponding to the TLR2-interacting domain of MyD88 (TIDM) that binds to the BB loop of only TLR2, and not other TLRs. Interestingly, WT TIDM peptide inhibited microglial activation induced by fibrillar Aβ1-42 and lipoteichoic acid, but not 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium, dsRNA, bacterial lipopolysaccharide, flagellin, or CpG DNA. After intranasal administration, WT TIDM peptide reached the hippocampus, reduced hippocampal glial activation, lowered Aβ burden, attenuated neuronal apoptosis, and improved memory and learning in 5XFAD mice. However, WT TIDM peptide was not effective in 5XFAD mice lacking TLR2. In addition to its effects in 5XFAD mice, WT TIDM peptide also suppressed the disease process in mice with experimental allergic encephalomyelitis and collagen-induced arthritis. Therefore, selective targeting of the activated status of 1 component of the innate immune system by WT TIDM peptide may be beneficial in AD as well as other disorders in which TLR2/MyD88 signaling plays a role in disease pathogenesis

Evidence for the η_b(1S) Meson in Radiative Υ(2S) Decay

We have performed a search for the η_b(1S) meson in the radiative decay of the Υ(2S) resonance using a sample of 91.6 × 10^6 Υ(2S) events recorded with the BABAR detector at the PEP-II B factory at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. We observe a peak in the photon energy spectrum at E_γ = 609.3^(+4.6)_(-4.5)(stat)±1.9(syst) MeV, corresponding to an η_b(1S) mass of 9394.2^(+4.8)_(-4.9)(stat) ± 2.0(syst) MeV/c^2. The branching fraction for the decay Υ(2S) → γη_b(1S) is determined to be [3.9 ± 1.1(stat)^(+1.1)_(-0.9)(syst)] × 10^(-4). We find the ratio of branching fractions B[Υ(2S) → γη_b(1S)]/B[Υ(3S) → γη_b(1S)]= 0.82 ± 0.24(stat)^(+0.20)_(-0.19)(syst)

Spatial Income Inequality in India, 1993-2011: A District Level Decomposition

Using nationally representative household survey data, and district and state as two levels of aggregation, we examine role of individual and geographical factors in determining the level and the change in income inequality in India. We find that between-state income differences account for the majority of between-district income inequality in rural India in 2011. However, in urban India within-state income differences explain most of the between- district inequality in 2011. We also find that the between-district component accounts for one-third of the increase in total income inequality in rural India between 1993 and 2011. We find significantly smaller level of inequality but similar trends using the consumption expenditure data