Southerned: queer marginality in two souths

The metropolis has featured prominently in queer theory, cultural productions and advocacy work as the ideal site of queer life (Massad, 2002; Gray, 2009; Herring, 2010). Because of the concentration of resources in the metropole and discursive investments in locating ‘outof-the-way places’ (Tsing, 1993) at a temporal and geographic distance from metropolitan centres, I argue that queer organising in ‘out-of-the-way places’ is ‘southerned’. In other words, work that happens at the geographic margins continues to be rendered unrecognisable in a metric of ‘rights’, generated in a specific location and projected as ‘universal’. This dissertation is an account of the way that ‘discursive formations’ (Foucault 1972) shape the context for queer presence and work in ‘out-of-the-way places.’ The ethnographic work presented here was conducted in the United States South and South Africa over a period of two years, during which I collected and analysed public presentations and semi-structured in-depth interviews thematically and with discourse analysis. Through field work in two ‘souths’, the analysis presented here is situated in relation to a body of theoretical work that is interested in spatial and temporal politics of sexuality that frame ‘out-of-the-way places’ as inhospitable to queer existence. The hegemonic discourses of ‘rights’ generated in the metropole renders the kinds of work and existence carried out by queer bodies in ‘out-of-the-way places’ illegible. Queer work is ongoing in ‘out-of-the-way places’. This dissertation seeks to understand how that work is shaped both by the contexts in which the work unfolds and by the metronormative demands placed on what working queerly is supposed to look like. The research concludes that the complexities of queer existence and queer work in the ‘two souths’ represented here must be understood on their own terms rather than through the reductive lens of expectations and interpretations projected from the metropole. In order for queer work to thrive in ‘out-of-the-way places’, historical and contemporary issues that are residues of colonial legacies of resource extraction, violence, exploitation, environmental degradation and restricted access to a range of things not reducible to the metronormative rubric of ‘rights’ must be addressed

Cracking the Code on Stem: A People Strategy for Nevada\u27s Economy

Nevada has in place a plausible economic diversification strategy—and it’s beginning to work. Now, the state and its regions need to craft a people strategy. Specifically, the state needs to boost the number of Nevadans who possess at least some postsecondary training in the fields of science, technology, engineering, or math—the so-called “STEM” disciplines (to which some leaders add arts and design to make it “STEAM”). The moment is urgent—and only heightened by the projected worker needs of Tesla Motors’ planned “gigafactory” for lithium-ion batteries in Storey County. Even before the recent Tesla commitment, a number of the more high-tech industry sectors targeted by the state’s new economic diversification strategy had begun to deliver significant growth. Most notable in fast-growing sectors like Business IT Ecosystems (as defined by the Governor’s Office for Economic Development) and large sectors like Health and Medical Services, this growth has begun to increase the demand in Nevada for workers with at least a modicum of postsecondary training in one or more STE M discipline. However, there is a problem. Even though many available opportunities require no more than the right community college certificate, insufficient numbers of Nevadans have pursued even a little STEM training. As a result, too few Nevadans are ready to participate in the state’s emerging STEM economy. The upshot: Without concerted action to prepare more Nevadans for jobs in STEM-intensive fields, skills shortages could limit growth in the state’s most promising target industries and Nevadans could miss out on employment that offers superior paths to opportunity and advancement. Which is the challenge this report addresses: Aimed at focusing the state at a critical moment, this analysis speaks to Nevada’s STEM challenge by providing a new assessment of Nevada’s STEM economy and labor market as well as a review of actions that leaders throughout the state—whether in the public, private, civic, or philanthropic sectors—can take to develop a workforce capable of supporting continued growth through economic diversification

Effects of whole life exposure to Bisphenol A or 17α-ethinyl estradiol in uterus of nulligravida CD1 mice

AbstractBisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC) with known estrogenic activity. Exposure to BPA in adult mice was shown previously to increase uterine pathology with associated alterations in the immune response and fibrosis. Reported here are uterine histopathology findings from CD1 mice exposed to BPA or 17α-ethinyl estradiol at multiple doses from conception through postnatal day 90. Along with uterine pathology, impacts of exposure on collagen accumulation and F4/80 positive macrophage numbers, as an indicator of immune response in the endometrium and myometrium, are presented. These companion data are from offspring (F1) of the dams analyzed for effects of adult exposures published in the Reproductive Toxicology manuscript titled “Strain-Specific Induction of Endometrial Periglandular Fibrosis in Mice Exposed during Adulthood to the Endocrine Disrupting Chemical Bisphenol A” (doi: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2015.08.001)

Stabilizing the Retromer Complex in a Human Stem Cell Model of Alzheimer's Disease Reduces TAU Phosphorylation Independently of Amyloid Precursor Protein.

Developing effective therapeutics for complex diseases such as late-onset, sporadic Alzheimer's disease (SAD) is difficult due to genetic and environmental heterogeneity in the human population and the limitations of existing animal models. Here, we used hiPSC-derived neurons to test a compound that stabilizes the retromer, a highly conserved multiprotein assembly that plays a pivotal role in trafficking molecules through the endosomal network. Using this human-specific system, we have confirmed previous data generated in murine models and show that retromer stabilization has a potentially beneficial effect on amyloid beta generation from human stem cell-derived neurons. We further demonstrate that manipulation of retromer complex levels within neurons affects pathogenic TAU phosphorylation in an amyloid-independent manner. Taken together, our work demonstrates that retromer stabilization is a promising candidate for therapeutic development in AD and highlights the advantages of testing novel compounds in a human-specific, neuronal system

Functional Testing and Evaluation of Actiwatch Spectrum Devices for Launch on STS-133/ULF5

The Actiwatch Spectrum (AWS) is a wrist-worn device that may be used for obtaining ground or on-orbit light exposure patterns and movement data. The objective of this project was to prepare AWS devices for launch on STS-133/ULF5 by a means of implementing functional tests and engineering evaluations. The data obtained from these tests and evaluations served as a means for detecting any plausible issues that the AWS may encounter while on-orbit. Subsequent steps after detecting anomalies with AWS devices encompassed identifying their root causes and taking the steps needed to mitigate them. As a result of this study, the overall success of sleep/wake research studies for STS-133/ULF5 and future missions will be enhanced

Co-Twin Relationship Quality as a Moderator of Genetic and Environmental Factors on Urinary Cortisol Levels among Adult Twins

Previous research has indicated that genetic and environmental factors shape physiological activity. Cortisol levels, in particular, have received significant attention, with studies indicating substantive heritability estimates across various sampling techniques. A related line of research has indicated that genetic and environmental factors that explain variability in cortisol levels may vary across context and experiences by way of gene-environment interactions (G×Es). Despite these findings, a limited number of studies have examined the extent to which interpersonal relationships may operate as a moderator. The current study focused on co-twin relationship quality as a source of moderation, as twins are more likely to have contact with one another and to form close, interpersonal relationships with their co-twin relative to singleton siblings. Using a sample of 298 adult twins from the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS), we examined the extent to which genetic and environmental factors that explain variability in urinary cortisol levels varied across levels of co-twin relationship quality. The heritability of cortisol levels was greater and nonshared environmental influences were lower at greater levels of relationship quality. These findings suggest that the heritability of cortisol may vary across context, and positive relationships with others may moderate such factors

Improvements in the South African HIV care cascade: findings on 90-90-90 targets from successive population-representative surveys in North West Province.

IntroductionTo achieve epidemic control of HIV by 2030, countries aim to meet 90-90-90 targets to increase knowledge of HIV-positive status, initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and viral suppression by 2020. We assessed the progress towards these targets from 2014 to 2016 in South Africa as expanded treatment policies were introduced using population-representative surveys.MethodsData were collected in January to March 2014 and August to November 2016 in Dr. Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District, North West Province. Each multi-stage cluster sample included 46 enumeration areas (EA), a target of 36 dwelling units (DU) per EA, and a single resident aged 18 to 49 per DU. Data collection included behavioural surveys, rapid HIV antibody testing and dried blood spot collection. We used weighted general linear regression to evaluate differences in the HIV care continuum over time.ResultsOverall, 1044 and 971 participants enrolled in 2014 and 2016 respectively with approximately 77% undergoing HIV testing. Despite increases in reported testing, known status among people living with HIV (PLHIV) remained similar at 68.7% (95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 60.9-75.6) in 2014 and 72.8% (95% CI = 63.6-80.4) in 2016. Men were consistently less likely than women to know their status. Among those with known status, PLHIV on ART increased significantly from 80.9% (95% CI = 71.9-87.4) to 91.5% (95% CI = 84.4-95.5). Viral suppression (<5000 copies/mL using DBS) among those on ART increased significantly from 55.0% (95% CI = 39.6-70.4) in 2014 to 81.4% (95% CI = 72.0-90.8) in 2016. Among all PLHIV an estimated 72.0% (95% CI = 63.8-80.1) of women and 45.8% (95% CI = 27.0-64.7) of men achieved viral suppression by 2016.ConclusionsOver a period during which fixed-dose combination was introduced, ART eligibility expanded, and efforts to streamline treatment were implemented, major improvements in the second and third 90-90-90 targets were achieved. Achieving the first 90 target will require targeted and improved testing models for men

Variable Intrinsic Absorption in Mrk 279

We examine the variability in the intrinsic absorption in the Seyfert 1 galaxy Mrk 279 using three epochs of observations from the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) and two epochs of observations with the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph on the Hubble Space Telescope. Rather than finding simple photoionization responses of the absorbing gas to changes in the underlying continuum, the observed changes in the absorption profiles can be understood more clearly if the effective covering fraction of the gas in all emission components, continuum and broad and intermediate velocity width emission lines, is accounted for. While we do not uniquely solve for all of these separate covering fractions and the ionic column densities using the spectral data, we examine the parameter space using previously well-constrained solutions for continuum and single emission component covering fractions. Assuming full coverage of the continuum, we find that of the two velocity components of the Mrk 279 absorption most likely associated with its outflow, one likely has zero coverage of the intermediate line region while the other does not. For each component, however, the broad line region is more fully covered than the intermediate line region. Changes in the O VI column densities are unconstrained due to saturation, but we show that small changes in the nonsaturated C IV and N V column densities are consistent with the outflow gas having zero or partial covering of the intermediate line region and an ionization parameter changing from ~0.01 to ~0.1 from 2002 to 2003 as the UV continuum flux increased by a factor of ~8. The absence of a change in the C III absorbing column density is attributed to this species arising outside the Mrk 279 outflow.Comment: 36 pages, 18 figures, accepted to Ap

Revised Load Rating Procedures for Deteriorated Prestressed Concrete Beams

The first prestressed concrete bridge in the United States was built in the early 1950s. Since then, several typical sections have been developed for use in bridge construction including I-beams, deck slabs, box beams, double tees, etc. In bridges under aggressive environments, corrosion deterioration of prestressing strands and stirrups has occurred creating challenges associated with determining the strength of deteriorated existing bridge sections. The MassDOT LRFD Bridge Manual includes provisions to estimate strength of corrosion deteriorated prestressed concrete box beams allowing engineers to calculate the load rating of these types of bridges. The provisions are based on the observed condition of the bridge, particularly with regard to estimates of strand area reductions to estimate residual strength. In bridges with adjacent box beams or deck slabs, corroded reinforcement is difficult to identify because only the top and bottom surfaces of the superstructure elements are accessible. The goals of this research are to evaluate the existing strength calculation procedures and to provide recommendations on how to properly evaluate the reduction in strand area based on the observed condition of the bottom surface of the prestressed box or deck beams

Integration of physical and genetic maps of common bean through BAC-derived microsatellite markers

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Common bean (<it>Phaseolus vulgaris </it>L.) is the most important legume for direct human consumption and the goal of this study was to integrate a recently constructed physical map for the species with a microsatellite based genetic map using a BAC library from the genotype G19833 and the recombinant inbred line population DOR364 × G19833.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We searched for simple sequence repeats (SSRs) in the 89,017 BAC-end sequences (BES) from the physical map and genetically mapped any polymorphic BES-SSRs onto the genetic map. Among the BES it was possible to identify 623 contig-linked SSRs, most of which were highly AT-rich. A subgroup of 230 di-nucleotide and tri-nucleotide based SSR primer pairs from these BACs was tested on the mapping parents with 176 single copy loci and 114 found to be polymorphic markers. Of these, 99 were successfully integrated into the genetic map. The 99 linkages between the genetic and physical maps corresponded to an equal number of contigs containing a total of 5,055 BAC clones.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Class II microsatellites were more common in the BES than longer class I microsatellites. Both types of markers proved to be valuable for linking BAC clones to the genetic map and were successfully placed across all 11 linkage groups. The integration of common bean physical and genetic maps is an important part of comparative genome analysis and a prelude to positional cloning of agronomically important genes for this crop.</p