Theorizing the Relationship Between Identity and Diversity Engagement: Openness Through Identity Mismatch

Psychological research suggests that engagement with diversity-relevant materials can have a positive impact on interracial relations. However, prior research also suggests that there may be individual differences in how effective exposure to critical diversity narratives would be in facilitating positive intergroup attitudes. The primary aim of this paper is to provide some empirically based theorizing about patterns of group identification and their relationship to effective diversity exposure. In this chapter, we discuss two examples of research that explore for whom engagement with critical diversity activities may facilitate increased perceptions of social inequality. We begin by conceptualizing four race-based identity profiles derived from orthogonal considerations of attachment and glorification. We discuss support for findings that suggest that scoring high on one dimension but not the other (mixed or mismatched identity profiles) constitutes the identity profiles most likely to facilitate openness to critical, potentially identity-threatening, diversity content.Ye

Strings, Junctions and Stability

Identification of string junction states of pure SU(2) Seiberg-Witten theory as B-branes wrapped on a Calabi-Yau manifold in the geometric engineering limit is discussed. The wrapped branes are known to correspond to objects in the bounded derived category of coherent sheaves on the projective line \cp{1} in this limit. We identify the pronged strings with triangles in the underlying triangulated category using Pi-stability. The spiral strings in the weak coupling region are interpreted as certain projective resolutions of the invertible sheaves. We discuss transitions between the spiral strings and junctions using the grade introduced for Pi-stability through the central charges of the corresponding objects.Comment: 15 pages, LaTeX; references added. typos correcte

A CRISPR Interference Screen of Essential Genes Reveals that Proteasome Regulation Dictates Acetic Acid Tolerance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) is a powerful tool to study cellular physiology under different growth conditions, and this technology provides a means for screening changed expression of essential genes. In this study, a Saccharomyces cerevisiae CRISPRi library was screened for growth in medium supplemented with acetic acid. Acetic acid is a growth inhibitor challenging the use of yeast for the industrial conversion of lignocellulosic biomasses. Tolerance to acetic acid that is released during biomass hydrolysis is crucial for cell factories to be used in biorefineries. The CRISPRi library screened consists of .9,000 strains, where .98% of all essential and respiratory growth-essential genes were targeted with multiple guide RNAs (gRNAs). The screen was performed using the high-throughput, high-resolution Scan-o-matic platform, where each strain is analyzed separately. Our study identified that CRISPRi targeting of genes involved in vesicle formation or organelle transport processes led to severe growth inhibition during acetic acid stress, emphasizing the importance of these intracellular membrane structures in maintaining cell vitality. In contrast, strains in which genes encoding subunits of the 19S regulatory particle of the 26S proteasome were downregulated had increased tolerance to acetic acid, which we hypothesize is due to ATP salvage through an increased abundance of the 20S core particle that performs ATP-independent protein degradation. This is the first study where high-resolution CRISPRi library screening paves the way to understanding and bioengineering the robustness of yeast against acetic acid stress

Environmental Impact of Processing Electronic Waste – Key Issues and Challenges

Extensive utilization of electric and electronic equipment in a wide range of applications has resulted in the generation of huge volumes of electronic waste (e-waste) globally. Highly complex e-waste can contain metals, polymers and ceramics along with several hazardous and toxic constituents. There are presently no standard approaches for handling, dismantling, and the processing of e-waste to recover valuable resources. Inappropriate and unsafe practices produce additional hazardous compounds and highly toxic emissions as well. This chapter presents an overview of the environmental impact of processing e-waste with specific focus on toxic elements present initially in a variety of e-waste as well as hazardous compounds generated during e-waste processing. Hazardous constituents/ and contaminants were classified in three categories: primary contaminants, secondary contaminants, and tertiary contaminants. Primary contaminants represent hazardous substances present initially within various types of e-waste; these include heavy metals such as lead, mercury, nickel and cadmium, flame retardants presents in polymers etc. Secondary contaminants such as spent acids, volatile/toxic compounds, PAHs are the by-products or waste residues produced after inappropriate processing of e-waste and the tertiary contaminants include leftover reagents or compounds used during processing. A detailed report is presented on the environmental impact of processing e-waste and the detrimental impact on soil contamination, vegetation degradation, water and air quality along with implications for human health. Challenges and opportunities associated with appropriate e-waste management are also discussed

A Processing in Memory Realization Using Quantum Dot Cellular Automata (QCA): Proposal and Implementation

Processing in Memory (PIM) is a computing paradigm that promises enormous gain in processing speed by eradicating latencies in the typical von Neumann architecture. It has gained popularity owing to its throughput by embedding storage and computation of data in a single unit. We portray implementation of Akers array architecture endowed with PIM computation using Quantum-dot Cellular Automata (QCA). We present the proof of concept of PIM with its realization in the QCA designer paradigm. We illustrate implementation of Ex-OR gate with the help of QCA based Akers Array and put forth many interesting potential possibilities

Space-time inhomogeneity, anisotropy and gravitational collapse

We investigate the evolution of non-adiabatic collapse of a shear-free spherically symmetric stellar configuration with anisotropic stresses accompanied with radial heat flux. The collapse begins from a curvature singularity with infinite mass and size on an inhomogeneous space-time background. The collapse is found to proceed without formation of an even horizon to singularity when the collapsing configuration radiates all its mass energy. The impact of inhomogeneity on various parameters of the collapsing stellar configuration is examined in some specific space-time backgrounds.Comment: To appear in Gen. Relativ. Gra

Higher Dimensional Cosmology with Some Dark Energy Models in Emergent, Logamediate and Intermediate Scenarios of the Universe

We have considered N-dimensional Einstein field equations in which four-dimensional space-time is described by a FRW metric and that of extra dimensions by an Euclidean metric. We have chosen the exponential forms of scale factors a and d numbers of b in such a way that there is no singularity for evolution of the higher dimensional Universe. We have supposed that the Universe is filled with K-essence, Tachyonic, Normal Scalar Field and DBI-essence. Here we have found the nature of potential of different scalar field and graphically analyzed the potentials and the fields for three scenario namely Emergent Scenario, Logamediate Scenario and Intermediate Scenario. Also graphically we have depicted the geometrical parameters named statefinder parameters and slow-roll parameters in the higher dimensional cosmology with the above mentioned scenarios.Comment: 21 pages, 36 figure

Quadruple abnormal protein aggregates in brainstem pathology and exogenous metal-rich magnetic nanoparticles (and engineered Ti-rich nanorods). The substantia nigrae is a very early target in young urbanites and the gastrointestinal tract a key brainstem portal

Fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) exposures are linked with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases (AD,PD). AD and PD neuropathological hallmarks are documented in children and young adults exposed lifelong to Metropolitan Mexico City air pollution; together with high frontal metal concentrations (especially iron)–rich nanoparticles (NP), matching air pollution combustion- and friction-derived particles. Here, we identify aberrant hyperphosphorylated tau, ɑ synuclein and TDP-43 in the brainstem of 186 Mexico City 27.29 ± 11.8y old residents. Critically, substantia nigrae (SN) pathology seen in mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum and neuromelanin (NM) is co-associated with the abundant presence of exogenous, Fe-, Al- and Ti-rich NPs.The SN exhibits early and progressive neurovascular unit damage and mitochondria and NM are associated with metal-rich NPs including exogenous engineered Ti-rich nanorods, also identified in neuroenteric neurons. Such reactive, cytotoxic and magnetic NPs may act as catalysts for reactive oxygen species formation, altered cell signaling, and protein misfolding, aggregation and fibril formation. Hence, pervasive, airborne and environmental, metal-rich and magnetic nanoparticles may be a common denominator for quadruple misfolded protein neurodegenerative pathologies affecting urbanites from earliest childhood. The substantia nigrae is a very early target and the gastrointestinal tract (and the neuroenteric system) key brainstem portals. The ultimate neural damage and neuropathology (Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and TDP-43 pathology included) could depend on NP characteristics and the differential access and targets achieved via their portals of entry. Thus where you live, what air pollutants you are exposed to, what you are inhaling and swallowing from the air you breathe,what you eat, how you travel, and your occupational longlife history are key. Control of NP sources becomes critical. © 2020 Elsevier Inc