Teleconnections in STEAM: Antarctic Field-Camp Art

We describe a component of a multi-element STEAM collaboration looking to explore ideas around the life cycle of Antarctic sea ice. One of the intermediate phases of the work involved the scientist deploying partially pre-made art components. Results were modulated by weather and operational constraints and generated a sequence of images and recordings as well as greater understanding of the creative collaboration process

Can our cities\u27 thriving creative precincts be saved from \u27renewal\u27?

Governments are busily rezoning our cities for high-rise apartments. The New South Wales government, for example, plans to rezone a 20-kilometre corridor in Sydney, from Sydenham to Bankstown, for urban density, in concert with a new metro rail line. Residents and community groups have reacted vociferously to the prospects of high-rise buildings in previously low-density suburbs. But there is another, overlooked dimension to the redevelopment. Much of it is on industrial land: pockets of old factories and workshops, portrayed as decrepit and in need of renewal. Our new project documents enterprises that actually use urban industrial lands. It\u27s a story of surprising and largely hidden vibrancy at the interface between creative industries and small manufacturing. Planners and economic developers tend to assume manufacturing has left central cities and that manufacturing enterprises can simply locate to city-fringe greenfield sites. In reality, manufacturing is changing form, and often depends on - and benefits from - urban industrial lands. Despite the scale of renewal plans, no detailed knowledge exists of what will be lost, or of existing enterprises\u27 needs

Measuring Pro- and Anti-Inflammatory Biomarkers Among Low-Income Hispanic Adults: A Feasibility and Pilot Assessment

Using the Orsmond and Cohen feasibility framework, the primary aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of the implementation of recruitment strategies, data collection procedures, and managerial resources needed to assess pro- and anti-inflammatory biomarkers from low-income, younger Hispanic adults. The secondary aim of this study was to describe the relationship between discrimination stress and inflammation as pilot work for future studies. Data were collected in a Houston-area community center from self-identifying Hispanic adults (ages 21–35) (August 2018). Inflammation was evaluated from blood samples, and interviewer-administered surveys in participants’ preferred language measured discrimination stress (Hispanic Stress Inventory-2 discrimination subscale). Spearman rank-order correlations evaluated the relationships between discrimination stress and inflammatory biomarkers. The recruitment strategies, data collection strategy, and the associated resources were evaluated and found to be feasible. While 50 participants consented to donate blood, five were too dehydrated for sample collection. Among the 45 participants [Mage = 28.9 (SD = 4.4), 17.8% U.S.-born, 42.2% 1.5 generation, 40% 1.0 generation], discrimination stress was negatively correlated with proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-8 (p \u3c 0.01). This study demonstrated feasibility using established benchmarks. The negative correlation between discrimination stress and interleukin-8 suggests discrimination stress may contribute to inflammatory dysregulation

N-Glycosylation-Defective Splice Variants of Neuropilin-1 Promote Metastasis by Activating Endosomal Signals

Neuropilin-1 (NRP1) is an essential transmembrane receptor with a variety of cellular functions. Here, we identify two human NRP1 splice variants resulting from the skipping of exon 4 and 5, respectively, in colorectal cancer (CRC). Both NRP1 variants exhibit increased endocytosis/recycling activity and decreased levels of degradation, leading to accumulation on endosomes. This increased endocytic trafficking of the two NRP1 variants, upon HGF stimulation, is due to loss of N-glycosylation at the Asn150 or Asn261 site, respectively. Moreover, these NRP1 variants enhance interactions with the Met and β1-integrin receptors, resulting in Met/β1-integrin co-internalization and co-accumulation on endosomes. This provides persistent signals to activate the FAK/p130Cas pathway, thereby promoting CRC cell migration, invasion and metastasis. Blocking endocytosis or endosomal Met/β1-integrin/FAK signaling profoundly inhibits the oncogenic effects of both NRP1 variants. These findings reveal an important role for these NRP1 splice variants in the regulation of endocytic trafficking for cancer cell dissemination

The Australian temperament project: the first 30 years

The Australian Temperament Project (ATP) is a longitudinal study of the psychosocial development of a large and representative sample of Australian children born in the state of Victoria, Australia between September 1982 and January 1983.The study aims to trace the pathways to psychosocial adjustment and maladjustment across the lifespan, and to investigate the contribution of personal, family and environmental factors to development and wellbeing.<br /

Conceptualizing Ecological Responses to Dam Removal: If You Remove It, What’s to Come?

One of the desired outcomes of dam decommissioning and removal is the recovery of aquatic and riparian ecosystems. To investigate this common objective, we synthesized information from empirical studies and ecological theory into conceptual models that depict key physical and biological links driving ecological responses to removing dams. We define models for three distinct spatial domains: upstream of the former reservoir, within the reservoir, and downstream of the removed dam. Emerging from these models are response trajectories that clarify potential pathways of ecological transitions in each domain. We illustrate that the responses are controlled by multiple causal pathways and feedback loops among physical and biological components of the ecosystem, creating recovery trajectories that are dynamic and nonlinear. In most cases, short-term effects are typically followed by longer-term responses that bring ecosystems to new and frequently predictable ecological condition, which may or may not be similar to what existed prior to impoundment

Internal validation of STRmix™ – A multi laboratory response to PCAST

We report a large compilation of the internal validations of the probabilistic genotyping software STRmix™. Thirty one laboratories contributed data resulting in 2825 mixtures comprising three to six donors and a wide range of multiplex, equipment, mixture proportions and templates. Previously reported trends in the LR were confirmed including less discriminatory LRs occurring both for donors and non-donors at low template (for the donor in question) and at high contributor number. We were unable to isolate an effect of allelic sharing. Any apparent effect appears to be largely confounded with increased contributor number

A novel forensic approach to DNA database construction and population genetic analysis

With the increased use of genetic markers such as short tandem repeats (STRs) for human identification, concerns of possible population stratification have arisen. Autosomal STRs are the most commonly used form of DNA-based human identification as they offer several advantages for forensic applications: high levels of polymorphism, relatively small sizes, and the requirement for small amounts of DNA. The forensic use of Y chromosomal markers for human identification purposes has also increased rapidly. The issue of population substructure has been addressed and we conclude that there may be substructure associated with autosomal STRs, but the statistical difference is negligible when dealing with forensically relevant samples. Consideration of population stratification and the appropriateness of databases are particularly important for Y STR data as they occur as lineage-specific haplotypes, which can theoretically be differentially partitioned in populations. We have addressed possible substructure and demonstrated the need for larger databases. ^ In this study we have compiled a novel database comprised of STR profiles and allelic frequencies from a Connecticut subpopulation to determine the level of stratification from national databases. We have used a novel approach in sample acquisition and data grouping that takes into account an individual\u27s geographical genetic history in addition to their self-identified race. We have examined the construction of STR allelic frequency databases as it relates to marker frequency bias and conclude that race may be an adequate criterion for grouping individuals but using deep ancestral origins may be more important for statistically determining the meaning of a match. Also, we have demonstrated that the molecular genetic basis of variant alleles may be due to an ancestral type perpetuating in the population through drift or selection but the resulting impact on major forensic statistics is minimal. We have applied a molecular genetics spin on the current uses of DNA for forensic identification and overall, will help to accurately convict the guilty and exonerate the innocent.

Does the simple triage and rapid treatment method appropriately triage patients based on trauma injury severity score?

OBJECTIVES: To correlate the simple triage and rapid treatment (START) colors to trauma injury severity scores (ISS). DESIGN: Six volunteer healthcare providers unfamiliar with START were trained to triage. Each chart was designated a START color by a volunteer healthcare provider and the expert trainer. The colors and corresponding ISS were recorded. SETTING: Level I trauma center at a suburban tertiary care hospital. PATIENTS, PARTICIPANTS: One hundred charts of patients at least 65 years old who appear in Christiana Hospital\u27s Trauma Registry were randomly chosen for the study, and 98 charts with complete data were included. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Cohen\u27s Kappa score measures the level of agreement between the volunteer and expert reviewers. Pearson correlation determines the association between the START colors and mean ISS. RESULTS: The Cohen\u27s Kappa score between the volunteer and expert reviewers was 0.9915, indicating a highly significant agreement between the reviewers on the triage category of the patients. The mean ISS for each color was as follows: green = 11, yellow = 12, red = 20, black = 24. The mean ISS increases as the acuity of the triage category increases, with a Pearson correlation of 0.969. CONCLUSIONS: The START method is a simple technique used to triage quickly a large number of patients. Healthcare providers can undergo just-in-time training to learn this technique and use it effectively. The START colors also imply a correlation with the trauma ISS, with higher ISS more likely to be triaged red or black