Narrating Political Disability Identity

This dissertation documented the political disability identities of nine disabled adults. It also explored how these disabled adults enacted their political disability identities. I used narrative analysis to analyze the data, which included life history interviews and the authoring of memoirs. From these memoirs, the participants (Narrators) and I selected critical moments in the formation of the political disability identities. The findings show Narrators shifted or shaped their political identities when strangers pushed them beyond their personal limits by spouting ableist norms. Narrators also developed their political disability identities when they had access to political discourse and the relative freedom of postsecondary education. Other Narrators developed their political identities when they experienced significant changes in their lives, which included freedom from abuse and interacting with underserved disabled students. The Narrators enacted their political disability identities in various ways. Some Narrators were advocates for the elimination of ableism and during their struggles with it, showed that they also reinforced ableist norms. Some Narrators had been oppressed for so long that they first developed a new ethic of care for themselves and then worked to help other disabled people implement a similar way of life that was dignified, equitable, and without shame. Finally, Narrators selected careers where they could simultaneously sustain themselves and fight against ableism. This dissertation shows the political disability identity contextualized in the Narrators’ lives, because isolating a component of identity both skews the findings and removes the necessary human aspects, which are unpredictable and complex. This research and additional research of the personal and cultural components of disability identity sheds a new light on our current understanding of the disability identity as a whole

A HEV-restricted sulfotransferase is expressed in rheumatoid arthritis synovium and is induced by lymphotoxin-alpha/beta and TNF-alpha in cultured endothelial cells.

BackgroundThe recruitment of lymphocytes to secondary lymphoid organs relies on interactions of circulating cells with high endothelial venules (HEV). HEV are exclusive to these organs under physiological conditions, but they can develop in chronically-inflamed tissues. The interaction of L-selectin on lymphocytes with sulfated glycoprotein ligands on HEV results in lymphocyte rolling, which represents the initial step in lymphocyte homing. HEV expression of GlcNAc6ST-2 (also known as HEC-GlcNAc6ST, GST-3, LSST or CHST4), an HEV-restricted sulfotransferase, is essential for the elaboration of L-selectin functional ligands as well as a critical epitope recognized by MECA-79 mAb.ResultsWe examined the expression of GlcNAc6ST-2 in relationship to the MECA-79 epitope in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synovial vessels. Expression of GlcNAc6ST-2 was specific to RA synovial tissues as compared to osteoarthritis synovial tissues and localized to endothelial cells of HEV-like vessels and small flat-walled vessels. Double MECA-79 and GlcNAc6ST-2 staining showed colocalization of the MECA-79 epitope and GlcNAc6ST-2. We further found that both TNF-alpha and lymphotoxin-alphabeta induced GlcNAc6ST-2 mRNA and protein in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells.ConclusionThese observations demonstrate that GlcNAc6ST-2 is induced in RA vessels and provide potential cytokine pathways for its induction. GlcNAc6ST-2 is a novel marker of activated vessels within RA ectopic lymphoid aggregates. This enzyme represents a potential therapeutic target for RA

CO-dependent H2 evolution by Rhodospirillum rubrum: Role of CODH:CooF complex

AbstractUpon exposure to CO during anaerobic growth, the purple phototrophic bacterium Rhodospirillum rubrum expresses a CO-oxidizing H2 evolving enzymatic system. The CO-oxidizing enzyme, carbon monoxide dehydrogenase (CODH), has been purified and extensively characterized. However the electron transfer pathway from CODH to the CO-induced hydrogenase that evolves H2 is not well understood. CooF is an Fe–S protein that is the proposed mediator of electron transfer between CODH and the CO-induced hydrogenase. Here we present the spectroscopic and biochemical properties of the CODH:CooF complex. The characteristic EPR signals observed for CODH are largely insensitive to CooF complexation. Metal analysis and EPR spectroscopy show that CooF contains 2 Fe4S4 clusters. The observation of 2 Fe4S4 clusters for CooF contradicts the prediction of 4 Fe4S4 clusters based on analysis of the amino acid sequence of CooF and structural studies of CooF homologs. Comparison of in vivo and in vitro CO-dependent H2 evolution indicates that ∼90% of the activity is lost upon cell lysis. We propose that the loss of two labile Fe–S clusters from CooF during cell lysis may be responsible for the low in vitro CO-dependent H2 evolution activity. During the course of these studies, a new assay for CODH:CooF was developed using membranes from an R. rubrum mutant that did not express CODH:CooF, but expressed high levels of the CO-induced hydrogenase. The assay revealed that the CO-induced hydrogenase requires the presence of CODH:CooF for optimal H2 evolution activity

Simulation of Hyperspectral Images

A software package generates simulated hyperspectral imagery for use in validating algorithms that generate estimates of Earth-surface spectral reflectance from hyperspectral images acquired by airborne and spaceborne instruments. This software is based on a direct simulation Monte Carlo approach for modeling three-dimensional atmospheric radiative transport, as well as reflections from surfaces characterized by spatially inhomogeneous bidirectional reflectance distribution functions. In this approach, "ground truth" is accurately known through input specification of surface and atmospheric properties, and it is practical to consider wide variations of these properties. The software can treat both land and ocean surfaces, as well as the effects of finite clouds with surface shadowing. The spectral/spatial data cubes computed by use of this software can serve both as a substitute for, and a supplement to, field validation data

Rapid fabrication of 3D terahertz split ring resonator arrays by novel single-shot direct write focused proximity field nanopatterning

For the next generation of phoXonic, plasmonic, optomechanical and microfluidic devices, the capability to create 3D microstructures is highly desirable. Fabrication of such structures by conventional top-down techniques generally requires multiple timeconsuming steps and is limited in the ability to define features spanning multiple layers at prescribed angles. 3D direct write lithography (3DDW) has the capability to draw nearly arbitrary structures, but is an inherently slow serial writing process. Here we present a method, denoted focused proximity field nanopatterning (FPnP), that combines 3DDW with single or multiphoton interference lithography (IL). By exposing a thick photoresist layer having a phase mask pattern imprinted on its surface with a tightly focused laser beam, we produce locally unique complex structures. The morphology can be varied based on beam and mask parameters. Patterns may be written rapidly in a single shot mode with arbitrary positions defined by the direct write, thus exploiting the control of 3DDW with the enhanced speed of phase mask IL. Here we show the ability for this technique to rapidly produce arrays of “stand-up” far IR resonators

Finding Clinical Internships in Rural Settings: A Survey and Report

Summarizes survey of American Psychological Association accredited clinical internships to determine extent of involvement with rural clients and opportunities for rural clinical/community work. Tables include list and brief description of 19 clinical internship programs with rural placements and 28 names and addresses for clinical internships with rural components

P2X7 purinoceptor expression in Xenopus oocytes is not sufficient to produce a pore-forming P2Z-like phenotype

AbstractThe purinergic rP2X7 receptor expressed in a number of heterologous systems not only functions as a cation channel but also gives rise to a P2Z-like response, i.e. a reversible membrane permeabilization that allows the passage of molecules with molecular masses of ≥300 Da. We investigated the properties of rP2X7 receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes. In two-electrode voltage-clamp experiments, ATP or BzATP caused inward currents that were abolished or greatly diminished when NMDG+ or choline+ replaced Na+ as the principal external cation. In fluorescent dye experiments, BzATP application did not result in entry of the fluorophore YO-PRO-12+. Thus, rP2X7 expression in Xenopus oocytes does not by itself give rise to the pore-forming P2Z phenotype, suggesting that ancillary factors are involved

Picturing Marty Gardner / Remembering Professor Martin Gardner / Remembering Marty Gardner / In Memoriam Professor Marty Gardner / In Memoriam to Professor Martin (Marty) Gardner

Tributes to Martin (“Marty”) R. Gardner, professor for forty-three years at the University of Nebraska College of Law