Encosi Africa 2014 Service Learning Design Build Internship

Encosi Africa 2014 will be a multifaceted service learning design/build internship. This trip will give us the opportunity to exercise Cal Poly’s learn by doing motto on an international stage. We will engage in service learning projects that will build on work done by previous Cal Poly student groups in the past as well as manifest new projects to benefit various local communities. This will combine classroom instruction with meaningful community service. We will work at three different project sites in South Africa, one urban and two in rural settings. The urban project involves revisiting a playground in Alexandra built by Cal Poly students last summer to evaluate its condition and make improvements. We will visit Baviaanskloof, a rural landscape reclamation project where we will partner with graduate students working on water security issues for the South African government. The third site is in Elliot, a small village in rural South Africa in need of a central gathering area and the ability to collect clean water. We will conduct community workshops and design charrettes with the residents to gain information to inform future work trips. We will also build some playground pieces for the local school before leaving. Encosi Africa will be an invaluable experience that will shape our professional lives in the future, and give us the opportunity to give back meaningful service, and gain extensive real world experiences

VariaMos: an extensible tool for engineering (dynamic) product lines

International audienceThis paper presents the new release of VariaMos, a Java-based tool for defining variability modeling languages, modeling (dynamic) product lines and cyber-physical self-adaptive systems, and supporting automated verification, analysis, configuration and simulation of these models. In particular, we describe the characteristics of this new version regarding its first release: (1) the capability to create languages for modeling systems with variability, even with different views; (2) the capability to use the created language to model (dynamic) product lines; (3) the capability to analyze and configure these models according to the changing context and requirements; and (4) the capability to execute them over several simulation scenarios. Finally, we show how to use VariaMos with an example, and we compare it with other tools found in the literature

Supporting communication and language development in nurseries/daycares in Lebanon: realities and representations of SLTs and educators

Background : It is widely recognized that professional’s representations and beliefs about language development can impact practices in the field of preventing language and literacy difficulties ((Piasta et al., 2009; Dickinson & Brady, 2006). This study focuses on the context of daycares in Lebanon. It aims to explore practices, identify needs, barriers and motivations for the implementation of a language intervention program, led jointly by speech therapists and caregivers in the multilingual and multicultural Lebanese context. International recommendations highlight the necessity for SLTs to conceptualize their intervention, according to community based needs, focusing on primary prevention for early language difficulties, given their later impact on social and professional integration (Law 2013). Method: a survey study through questionnaires developed according to Lebanese context specifications of will be proposed to different publics: 1) nurseries/daycares directors, 2) educators/caregivers, 3) Speech therapists. Each questionnaire will include items about language support practices, professional roles and the collaboration between SLTs and caregivers in Lebanese nurseries. Results: Findings will be discussed in the context of the realities of nurseries in Lebanon by defining the beliefs and practices in the area of prevention as well as the opportunities of collaboration between caregivers and SLT’s in prevention program models. Cultural differences and backgrounds of various stakeholders would influence findings. This study is a part of a wider project on prevention practices in Lebanon. Results will be analyzed along with the study targeting kindergartens in the same context.Implémentation du programme "Parler Bambin" dans le contexte multilingue et multiculturel des crèches au Liba

Mucosal CD8 T Cell Responses Are Shaped by Batf3-DC After Foodborne Listeria monocytogenes Infection

While immune responses have been rigorously examined after intravenous Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) infection, less is understood about its dissemination from the intestines or the induction of adaptive immunity after more physiologic models of foodborne infection. Consequently, this study focused on early events in the intestinal mucosa and draining mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) using foodborne infection of mice with Lm modified to invade murine intestinal epithelium (InlAM Lm). InlAM Lm trafficked intracellularly from the intestines to the MLN and were associated with Batf3-independent dendritic cells (DC) in the lymphatics. Consistent with this, InlAM Lm initially disseminated from the gut to the MLN normally in Batf3–/– mice. Activated migratory DC accumulated in the MLN by 3 days post-infection and surrounded foci of InlAM Lm. At this time Batf3–/– mice displayed reduced InlAM Lm burdens, implicating cDC1 in maximal bacterial accumulation in the MLN. Batf3–/– mice also exhibited profound defects in the induction and gut-homing of InlAM Lm-specific effector CD8 T cells. Restoration of pathogen burden did not rescue antigen-specific CD8 T cell responses in Batf3–/– mice, indicating a critical role for Batf3 in generating anti-InlAM Lm immunity following foodborne infection. Collectively, these data suggest that DC play diverse, dynamic roles in the early events following foodborne InlAM Lm infection and in driving the establishment of intestinal Lm-specific effector T cells.Fil: Imperato, Jessica Nancy. Stony Brook University Renaissance School Of Medicine; Estados UnidosFil: Xu, Daqi. Uconn Health; Estados UnidosFil: Romagnoli, Pablo Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Cordoba. Instituto de Investigacion Medica Mercedes y Martin Ferreyra. Grupo Vinculado Centro de Investigacion En Medicina Traslacional Severo R. Amuchastegui - Cimetsa | Universidad Nacional de Cordoba. Instituto de Investigacion Medica Mercedes y Martin Ferreyra. Grupo Vinculado Centro de Investigacion En Medicina Traslacional Severo R. Amuchastegui - Cimetsa | Instituto de Investigacion Medica Mercedes y Martin Ferreyra. Instituto de Investigacion Medica Mercedes y Martin Ferreyra. Grupo Vinculado Centro de Investigacion En Medicina Traslacional Severo R. Amuchastegui - Cimetsa.; ArgentinaFil: Qiu, Zhijuan. Stony Brook University Renaissance School Of Medicine; Estados UnidosFil: Perez, Pedro. Stony Brook University Renaissance School Of Medicine; Estados UnidosFil: Khairallah, Camille. Stony Brook University Renaissance School Of Medicine; Estados UnidosFil: Pham, Quynh Mai. Uconn Health; Estados UnidosFil: Andrusaite, Anna. University of Glasgow; Reino UnidoFil: Bravo Blas, Alberto. The Beatson Institute For Cancer Research; Reino UnidoFil: Milling, Simon W. F.. University of Glasgow; Reino UnidoFil: Lefrancois, Leo. Uconn Health; Estados UnidosFil: Khanna, Kamal M.. University of New York; Estados UnidosFil: Puddington, Lynn. Uconn Health; Estados UnidosFil: Sheridan, Brian S.. Stony Brook University Renaissance School Of Medicine; Estados Unido

CACHD1 is an α2δ-like protein that modulates CaV3 voltage-gated calcium channel activity

The putative cache (Ca2+ channel and chemotaxis receptor) domain containing 1 (CACHD1) protein has predicted structural similarities to members of the alpha2delta voltage-gated Ca2+ channel (VGCC) auxiliary subunit family. CACHD1 mRNA and protein were highly expressed in the male mammalian CNS, in particular in the thalamus, hippocampus and cerebellum, with a broadly similar tissue distribution to CaV3 subunits, in particular, CaV3.1. In expression studies, CACHD1 increased cell-surface localization of CaV3.1 and these proteins were in close proximity at the cell surface consistent with the formation of CACHD1-CaV3.1 complexes. In functional electrophysiological studies, co-expression of human CACHD1 with CaV3.1, CaV3.2 and CaV3.3 caused a significant increase in peak current density and corresponding increases in maximal conductance. By contrast, alpha2delta-1 had no effect on peak current density or maximal conductance in either CaV3.1, CaV3.2 or CaV3.3. Comparison of CACHD1-mediated increases in CaV3.1 current density and gating currents revealed an increase in channel open probability. In hippocampal neurons from male and female E19 rats, CACHD1 overexpression increased CaV3-mediated action potential (AP) firing frequency and neuronal excitability. These data suggest that CACHD1 is structurally an alpha2delta-like protein that functionally modulates CaV3 voltage-gated calcium channel activity

Integrin Alpha 8 Recessive Mutations Are Responsible for Bilateral Renal Agenesis in Humans

Renal hypodysplasia (RHD) is a heterogeneous condition encompassing a spectrum of kidney development defects including renal agenesis, hypoplasia, and (cystic) dysplasia. Heterozygous mutations of several genes have been identified as genetic causes of RHD with various severity. However, these genes and mutations are not associated with bilateral renal agenesis, except for RET mutations, which could be involved in a few cases. The pathophysiological mechanisms leading to total absence of kidney development thus remain largely elusive. By using a whole-exome sequencing approach in families with several fetuses with bilateral renal agenesis, we identified recessive mutations in the integrin α8-encoding gene ITGA8 in two families. Itga8 homozygous knockout in mice is known to result in absence of kidney development. We provide evidence of a damaging effect of the human ITGA8 mutations. These results demonstrate that mutations of ITGA8 are a genetic cause of bilateral renal agenesis and that, at least in some cases, bilateral renal agenesis is an autosomal-recessive disease

The HIV/AIDS epidemic in Cuba: description and tentative explanation of its low HIV prevalence

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The Cuban HIV/AIDS epidemic has the lowest prevalence rate of the Caribbean region. The objective of this paper is to give an overview of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Cuba and to explore the reasons for this low prevalence.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Data were obtained from the Cuban HIV/AIDS programme established in 1983. This programme has an extensive adult HIV testing policy, including testing of all pregnant women. HIV and AIDS cases have been recorded since 1986. Persons found to be HIV-positive are interviewed on their sexual behaviour and partners. Tracing and voluntary testing of these partners are organised. Epidemiological description of this epidemic was obtained from analysis of this data set. Using elementary mathematical analyses, we estimated the coverage of the detection system (percentage of HIV-positive adults detected) and the average period between HIV infection and detection. Estimated HIV prevalence rates were corrected to account for the coverage.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>HIV prevalence has increased since 1996. In 2005, the prevalence among pregnant women was 1.2 per 10,000 (16/137000). Estimated HIV prevalence among 15- to 49-year-olds was 8.1 per 10,000 (4913/6065000; 95%CI: 7.9 per 10,000 – 8.3 per 10,000). Most (77%) of the HIV-positive adults were men, most (85.1%) of the detected HIV-positive men were reported as having sex with men (MSM), and most of the HIV-positive women reported having had sex with MSM. The average period between HIV infection and detection was estimated to be 2.1 years (IQR = 1.7 – 2.2 years). We estimated that, for the year 2005, 79.6% (IQR: 77.3 – 81.4%) of the HIV-positive persons were detected.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>MSM drive the HIV epidemic in Cuba. The extensive HIV testing policy may be an important factor in explaining the low HIV prevalence. To reduce the HIV epidemic in Cuba, the epidemic among MSM should be addressed. To understand this epidemic further, data on sexual behaviour should be collected. Now that antiretroviral therapy is more widely available, the Cuban policy, based on intensive HIV testing and tracing of partners, may be considered as a possible policy to control HIV/AIDS epidemics in other countries.</p

Distress Signal Tracker Using GPS and SMS Technology: A Prototype

There is no time in history that tracking has become a part and parcel of almost everyone’s lives than it is today. Due to the need of a device that enables easy access in locating a particular person, things or vehicles, the proponents aim to develop a study which comprises of the communication between a distress signal tracker incorporated in a server through mobile communication (SMS) that contributes to public safety, delivers accurate location of the user to the corresponding recipients and provides a real-time monitoring system using VB.Net and MySQL. The method of research used, in this study, is experimental method which involves the identification of response time and availability of the network signal. A series of testing was performed in 30 different locations in Calamba, Laguna demonstrating the versatility and accuracy of the device and server under various circumstances. Based from the evaluation of the data gathered, the results are proved to satisfy the required objectives and specifications of the study

Transcriptomic characterization of classical monocytes highlights the involvement of immuno-inflammation in bone erosion in Rheumatoid Arthritis

IntroductionEvidence-based data suggest that under inflammatory conditions, classical monocytes are the main source of osteoclasts and might be involved in bone erosion pathophysiology. Here, we analyze the transcriptomic profile of classical monocytes in erosive and non-erosive rheumatoid arthritis patients in order to better understand their contribution to bone erosion.MethodsThirty-nine premenopausal RA patients were consecutively enrolled and divided into two groups based on the presence of bone erosions on hand joints. Classical monocytes were isolated from peripheral blood through negative selection, and RNA-seq was performed using a poly-A enrichment kit and Illumina® platform. Classical monocytes transcriptome from healthy age-matched women were also included to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Therefore, gene sets analysis was performed to identify the enriched biological pathways.ResultsRNA-seq analysis resulted in the identification of 1,140 DEGs of which 89 were up-regulated and 1,051 down-regulated in RA patients with bone erosion compared to those without bone erosions. Among up-regulated genes, there was a highlighted expression of IL18RAP and KLF14 related to the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, innate and adaptive immune response. Genes related to collagen metabolism (LARP6) and bone formation process (PAPPA) were down-regulated in RA patients with erosions. Enriched pathways in patients with erosions were associated with greater activation of immune activation, and inflammation. Interestingly, pathways associated with osteoblast differentiation and regulation of Wnt signaling were less activated in RA patients with erosions.ConclusionThese findings suggest that alterations in expression of monocyte genes related to the inflammatory process and impairment of bone formation might have an important role in the pathophysiology of bone erosions in RA patients

CB1 and GLP-1 Receptors Cross Talk Provides New Therapies for Obesity

Bordeaux Region Aquitaine Initiative for NeuroscienceInnovations instrumentales et procédurales en psychopathologie expérimentale chez le rongeurLa signalisation des acides biliaires dans le cerveau et son rôle dans le contrôle métaboliqueRôle du récepteur aux cannabinoïdes de type 1 mitochondriale dans les circuits hypothalamiques et son interaction avec la voie mTORC1 dans l'obésité