The sacred and the urban : the case for social-justice gentrifiers

The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file.Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on August 17, 2009)Thesis (M.A.) University of Missouri-Columbia 2008.Building on research of both social movements and urban sociology, this study extends three core proposals: 1) that groups of "social-justice gentrifiers" have in recent decades purposely and collectively settled in urban American neighborhoods; 2) that these groups are differentiated from the "traditional gentry" by the centrality of religious and moral convictions in their choice of living spaces; and 3) that these groups - though not always affiliated with structured social-action networks - constitute a recognizable social movement operating at the level of individual neighborhoods. Additionally, this study suggests a broader project to evaluate the impact of "social-justice gentrifiers" on the processes of urban redevelopment and community change.Includes bibliographical reference

Culture, capital and community : gentrification and redevelopment in a St Louis neighborhood

Gentrification is described loosely as the return of the middle class to poor and working-class urban neighborhoods, resulting in social and cultural changes to the surrounding community. The process of gentrification is tied to both capital (economic redevelopment) and culture (social life), with localized processes related to the way that residents, consumers, business owners and civic leaders negotiate the course of change. A study tracking several decades of change in one central St. Louis neighborhood reveals that even in one small locale gentrification may take multiple, simultaneous forms. The study critiques the divergent theses of "emancipatory" and "revanchist" gentrification, suggesting that the a "both/and" approach to evaluating the costs and benefits of redevelopment. It also reveals the role that religious and moral visions of urban living play in the return of middle-class populations. Finally, the research examines the forces of inclusion and exclusion created by the branding of neighborhoods to attract affluent consumer populations, often drawn from the White middle class. In sum, both cultural and economic redevelopment are shown to operate along lines of class and race, while offering a mixed bag of costs and benefits to the community at large. Gentrification involves the revitalization of spaces and the creation of places via a highly local and nuanced process. The research itself consists of a neighborhood ethnography accompanied by documentary photography of the neighborhood and local people.Includes bibliographical references (pages 106-111)

Editorial: Anti-Trafficking Education: Sites of care, knowledge, and power

This article introduces a Special Issue on anti-trafficking education. The past decade has seen a dramatic increase in the sites for anti-trafficking education and the range of educators who shape how the public and institutions understand and respond to human trafficking. Thus, there is a need to analyse the formalised and informalised practices that facilitate teaching and learning about trafficking. We argue that anti-trafficking education can perpetuate misinformation and myths about trafficking as well as legitimise carceral systems that lead to dehumanisation and violence. At the same time, critical approaches to teaching trafficking can encourage and inform endeavours to create structural change, social justice, and individual empowerment. We conclude that if the expansion of anti-trafficking education is divorced from longstanding movements for equity, then it runs the risk of teaching about trafficking while upholding practices and systems of oppression, exclusion, and expropriation, as well as diverting attention and resources from global work toward social and structural change

Effects of TikTok on the Mental Health of Men\u27s and Women\u27s Soccer Teams at One Institution

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the social media platform, TikTok, on the mental health of Division III Men’s and Women’s soccer players at one institution. MAIN.OUTCOME.MEASUREMENT Likert scale survey

Eisencarbonylkomplexe für den Einsatz als potenzielle CO freisetzende Moleküle (CORMs)

Endogen produziertes Kohlenstoffmonoxid (CO) ist, neben Stickstoffmonoxid und Schwefelwasserstoff, ein wichtiges Signalmolekül mit vasodilatatorischen Effekten. Untersuchungen konnten zusätzlich therapeutische, insbesondere entzündungs-hemmende Effekte des CO in menschlichen Zellen bestätigen. Die Nutzung dieser vorteilhaften Effekte des CO innerhalb klinischer Anwendungen stellt jedoch eine Herausforderung dar. Eine elegante Methode bieten Moleküle, welche eine definierte Menge an CO durch einen spezifischen Trigger zu einer bestimmten Zeit lokal freisetzen, sogenannte "CO-releasing molecules" (CORMs). Die formulierte Zielstellung, Eisen-Carbonylkomplexe für deren potenzielle Anwendung als CORMs mit zweckmäßigen und vorteilhaften Eigenschaften zu versehen, wurde im Rahmen dieser Arbeit von verschiedenen Ausgangspunkten beleuchtet. Dazu umfassten die Untersuchungen Eisen-Carbonylkomplexe mit dem Zentralion in den Oxidationsstufen ±0, +1 und +2. Die Klasse der mononuklearen Eisen(0)-Komplexe beinhaltete dabei Ligandensysteme der Diazabutadiene sowie tertiärer Phosphane. Die Klasse der Eisen(II)-Carbonylkomplexe erweitert aufgrund deren differenter Chemie die Möglichkeiten in der Liganden-Wahl. So wurden zusätzlich Sauerstoff- und Schwefel-Donoren zugänglich. Als äußerst attraktive Liganden kamen biogene Moleküle, wie z. B. Aminosäuren als Liganden für Eisen(II)-Zentren, in Frage. Anhand der Dieisen(I)-hexacarbonyldithiolato-Komplexe konnten drei breite Felder des Moleküldesigns näher betrachtet werden. Diese umfassten zum einen die Generierung einer erhöhten Zellgängigkeit, um die Gewebespezifizität zu steigern. Zum anderen wurde der gegensätzliche Fall in Form wasserlöslicher Komplexe studiert. Ein letzter Bereich umfasste die Einführung von fluoreszenten und Alkin-basierten Liganden. Mithilfe dieser sollte die Möglichkeit geschaffen werden, die Komplexe im biologischen Umfeld via Raman-Spektroskopie oder Fluoreszenzmikroskopie nachverfolgen zu können

The Impact of Lateral Gene Transfer in Chlamydia

Lateral gene transfer (LGT) facilitates many processes in bacterial ecology and pathogenesis, especially regarding pathogen evolution and the spread of antibiotic resistance across species. The obligate intracellular chlamydiae, which cause a range of diseases in humans and animals, were historically thought to be highly deficient in this process. However, research over the past few decades has demonstrated that this was not the case. The first reports of homologous recombination in the Chlamydiaceae family were published in the early 1990s. Later, the advent of whole-genome sequencing uncovered clear evidence for LGT in the evolution of the Chlamydiaceae, although the acquisition of tetracycline resistance in Chlamydia (C.) suis is the only recent instance of interphylum LGT. In contrast, genome and in vitro studies have shown that intraspecies DNA exchange occurs frequently and can even cross species barriers between closely related chlamydiae, such as between C. trachomatis, C. muridarum, and C. suis. Additionally, whole-genome analysis led to the identification of various DNA repair and recombination systems in C. trachomatis, but the exact machinery of DNA uptake and homologous recombination in the chlamydiae has yet to be fully elucidated. Here, we reviewed the current state of knowledge concerning LGT in Chlamydia by focusing on the effect of homologous recombination on the chlamydial genome, the recombination machinery, and its potential as a genetic tool for Chlamydia

Conditioned place preference and locomotor activity in response to methylphenidate, amphetamine and cocaine in mice lacking dopamine D4 receptors

Methylphenidate (MP) and amphetamine (AMPH) are the most frequently prescribed medications for the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Both drugs are believed to derive their therapeutic benefit by virtue of their dopamine (DA)-enhancing effects, yet an explanation for the observation that some patients with ADHD respond well to one medication but not to the other remains elusive. The dopaminergic effects of MP and AMPH are also thought to underlie their reinforcing properties and ultimately their abuse. Polymorphisms in the human gene that codes for the DA D4 receptor (D4R) have been repeatedly associated with ADHD and may correlate with the therapeutic as well as the reinforcing effects of responses to these psychostimulant medications. Conditioned place preference (CPP) for MP, AMPH and cocaine were evaluated in wild-type (WT) mice and their genetically engineered littermates, congenic on the C57Bl/6J background, that completely lack D4Rs (knockout or KO). In addition, the locomotor activity in these mice during the conditioning phase of CPP was tested in the CPP chambers. D4 receptor KO and WT mice showed CPP and increased locomotor activity in response to each of the three psychostimulants tested. D4R differentially modulates the CPP responses to MP, AMPH and cocaine. While the D4R genotype affected CPP responses to MP (high dose only) and AMPH (low dose only) it had no effects on cocaine. Inasmuch as CPP is considered an indicator of sensitivity to reinforcing responses to drugs these data suggest a significant but limited role of D4Rs in modulating conditioning responses to MP and AMPH. In the locomotor test, D4 receptor KO mice displayed attenuated increases in AMPH-induced locomotor activity whereas responses to cocaine and MP did not differ. These results suggest distinct mechanisms for D4 receptor modulation of the reinforcing (perhaps via attenuating dopaminergic signalling) and locomotor properties of these stimulant drugs. Thus, individuals with D4 receptor polymorphisms might show enhanced reinforcing responses to MP and AMPH and attenuated locomotor response to AMPH.Fil: Thanos, P. K.. NIAAA Intramural Program; Estados Unidos. Brookhaven National Laboratory; Estados Unidos. Universidad de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Bermeo, C.. Brookhaven National Laboratory; Estados UnidosFil: Rubinstein, Marcelo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Suchland, K. L.. Oregon Health & Science University; Estados UnidosFil: Wang, G. J.. Brookhaven National Laboratory; Estados UnidosFil: Grandy, David K.. Oregon Health & Science University; Estados UnidosFil: Volkow, N. D.. NIAAA Intramural Program; Estados Unido

A Sensitive Membrane-Targeted Biosensor for Monitoring Changes in Intracellular Chloride in Neuronal Processes

Background: Regulation of chloride gradients is a major mechanism by which excitability is regulated in neurons. Disruption of these gradients is implicated in various diseases, including cystic fibrosis, neuropathic pain and epilepsy. Relatively few studies have addressed chloride regulation in neuronal processes because probes capable of detecting changes in small compartments over a physiological range are limited. Methodology/Principal Findings: In this study, a palmitoylation sequence was added to a variant of the yellow fluorescent protein previously described as a sensitive chloride indicator (YFPQS) to target the protein to the plasma membrane (mbYFPQS) of cultured midbrain neurons. The reporter partitions to the cytoplasmic face of the cellular membranes, including the plasma membrane throughout the neurons and fluorescence is stable over 30-40 min of repeated excitation showing less than 10% decrease in mbYFPQS fluorescence compared to baseline. The mbYFPQS has similar chloride sensitivity (k 50 = 41 mM) but has a shifted pKa compared to the unpalmitoylated YFPQS variant (cytYFPQS) that remains in the cytoplasm when expressed in midbrain neurons. Changes in mbYFPQS fluorescence were induced by the GABA A agonist muscimol and were similar in the soma and processes of the midbrain neurons. Amphetamine also increased mbYFPQS fluorescence in a subpopulation of cultured midbrain neurons that was reversed by the selective dopamine transporter (DAT) inhibitor, GBR12909, indicating that mbYFPQS is sensitive enough to detect endogenous DAT activity in midbrain dopamine (DA) neurons. Conclusions/Significance: The mbYFPQS biosensor is a sensitive tool to study modulation of intracellular chloride levels in neuronal processes and is particularly advantageous for simultaneous whole-cell patch clamp and live-cell imaging experiments. © 2012 Watts et al

Hypervirulent Chlamydia trachomatis Clinical Strain Is a Recombinant between Lymphogranuloma Venereum (L2) and D Lineages

Chlamydia trachomatis is an obligate intracellular bacterium that causes a diversity of severe and debilitating diseases worldwide. Sporadic and ongoing outbreaks of lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) strains among men who have sex with men (MSM) support the need for research on virulence factors associated with these organisms. Previous analyses have been limited to single genes or genomes of laboratory-adapted reference strain L2/434 and outbreak strain L2b/UCH-1/proctitis. We characterized an unusual LGV strain, termed L2c, isolated from an MSM with severe hemorrhagic proctitis. L2c developed nonfusing, grape-like inclusions and a cytotoxic phenotype in culture, unlike the LGV strains described to date. Deep genome sequencing revealed that L2c was a recombinant of L2 and D strains with conserved clustered regions of genetic exchange, including a 78-kb region and a partial, yet functional, toxin gene that was lost with prolonged culture. Indels (insertions/deletions) were discovered in an ftsK gene promoter and in the tarp and hctB genes, which encode key proteins involved in replication, inclusion formation, and histone H1-like protein activity, respectively. Analyses suggest that these indels affect gene and/or protein function, supporting the in vitro and disease phenotypes. While recombination has been known to occur for C. trachomatis based on gene sequence analyses, we provide the first whole-genome evidence for recombination between a virulent, invasive LGV strain and a noninvasive common urogenital strain. Given the lack of a genetic system for producing stable C. trachomatis mutants, identifying naturally occurring recombinants can clarify gene function and provide opportunities for discovering avenues for genomic manipulation

Interrogating Genes That Mediate Chlamydia trachomatis Survival in Cell Culture Using Conditional Mutants and Recombination

Intracellular bacterial pathogens in the family Chlamydiaceae are causes of human blindness, sexually transmitted disease, and pneumonia. Genetic dissection of the mechanisms of chlamydial pathogenicity has been hindered by multiple limitations, including the inability to inactivate genes that would prevent the production of elementary bodies. Many genes are also Chlamydia-specific genes, and chlamydial genomes have undergone extensive reductive evolution, so functions often cannot be inferred from homologs in other organisms. Conditional mutants have been used to study essential genes of many microorganisms, so we screened a library of 4,184 ethyl methanesulfonate-mutagenized Chlamydia trachomatis isolates for temperature-sensitive (TS) mutants that developed normally at physiological temperature (37°C) but not at nonphysiological temperatures. Heat-sensitive TS mutants were identified at a high frequency, while cold-sensitive mutants were less common. Twelve TS mutants were mapped using a novel markerless recombination approach, PCR, and genome sequencing. TS alleles of genes that play essential roles in other bacteria and chlamydia-specific open reading frames (ORFs) of unknown function were identified. Temperature-shift assays determined that phenotypes of the mutants manifested at distinct points in the developmental cycle. Genome sequencing of a larger population of TS mutants also revealed that the screen had not reached saturation. In summary, we describe the first approach for studying essential chlamydial genes and broadly applicable strategies for genetic mapping in Chlamydia spp. and mutants that both define checkpoints and provide insights into the biology of the chlamydial developmental cycle. IMPORTANCE: Study of the pathogenesis of Chlamydia spp. has historically been hampered by a lack of genetic tools. Although there has been recent progress in chlamydial genetics, the existing approaches have limitations for the study of the genes that mediate growth of these organisms in cell culture. We used a genetic screen to identify conditional Chlamydia mutants and then mapped these alleles using a broadly applicable recombination strategy. Phenotypes of the mutants provide fundamental insights into unexplored areas of chlamydial pathogenesis and intracellular biology. Finally, the reagents and approaches we describe are powerful resources for the investigation of these organisms