I. European Court of Human Rights Al-Skeini and Others v. United Kingdom (Application no. 55721/07) Judgement of July 7 2011

States who sign the European Convention on Human Rights agree to ‘secure to everyone within their jurisdiction the rights and freedoms defined’ within the treaty (Article 1). For over fifty years the Strasbourg Bodies of the European Court and Commission of Human Rights have struggled to define the exact limitations of a State’s jurisdiction, particularly when such jurisdiction arises beyond a Contracting Party’s territorial borders. Within the past decade the European Court of Human Rights has been asked to consider the limits of jurisdiction under Article 1 on a number of occasions. Previously the Strasbourg Bodies had maintained a flexible approach in finding jurisdiction, but in the Banković decision of December 2001 the Court gave a restrictive interpretation of jurisdiction, defining it as ‘primarily territorial’. Since then the Court has oscillated between the restrictive Banković approach and its more expansive early jurisprudence, leading the Law Lords of the UK to state that the European Court’s jurisprudence on this issue does “not speak with one voice”. This piece critically comments upon July 2011 Al-Skeini and Others v United Kingdom decision where the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights had the opportunity to take a decisive stance on the understanding of jurisdiction under Article 1

Assured bacterial detection towards paper-based microfluidic chip for resource-limited areas

There is a significant and urgent need for affordable, fast, and accurate pathogen detection methods in resource-limited settings. Currently, accurate pathogen detection methods are dependent upon special equipment or reagents, specialized training to operate such equipment, electricity or cold storage, or sterile environments not feasible outside of the laboratory. Here we present a functionalized cellulose paper device towards an autonomous 3- dimensional microfluidics chip to detect bacterial pathogens. The microfluidic device utilizes a nucleic acid sandwich assay that detects the presence of bacterial RNA through complementary strand binding. An oligonucleotide “capture strand” immobilizes the targeted RNA sequence to the device, while a “detection strand” produces a visible colorimetric change due to gold nanoparticle conglomeration. A smart phone application and camera quantifies the concentration of the bacterial RNA present in the sample. This detection method can determine concentrations in the lower limits of the femtomolar range. The microfluidic device was fabricated using wax printing on cellulose filter paper, which was then folded into a final 3-D configuration. The simplicity and specificity of this paper-based assay was verified by the detection of E. Coli target oligonucleotide

Genome-Wide Association for Udder Composition Traits in Bos indicus – Bos taurus Cows

The objective of this study was to conduct a genome-wide association study for udder traits for crossbred cows. Average teat diameter, average teat length, and udder support score were evaluated in cows (n = 295) from 13 full-sib embryo transfer Nellore-Angus F2 families and 4 half-sib natural service families sired by the same bulls in central Texas. Cows were analyzed together as paternal half sibs. Effects included in the analyses were cow age nested within birth year-season combinations. Cow was included as a random effect. Repeated measures analyses were conducted to generate residuals for each cow then averaged per cow for each trait and used as individual phenotype. Association analyses for teat diameter and length on each quarter, the average of the four quarters, and udder support score were conducted. A total of 15 associated (-log10[FDR] ≥ 1.3) markers were detected. Udder support had 15 significant SNP detected, exclusively within a 26.4 Mb region on BTA 5 (21.6 to 48.1 Mb), while average teat diameter had one associated marker, also located on BTA 5. No SNP associations were detected for average teat length or any individual teat traits. These results identified associated markers within genes that have an involvement in the development and regulation of the mammary system and suggest that BTA 5 is significant for udder traits in beef cattle

Development of Metalinguistic Awareness: Evidence from Children’s Overt Productions

This study examined whether metalinguistic frequency increases or utterance type changes with age in children with typical language. Overt metalinguistic productions of 32 children, 3;0-5;7, were collected during recast intervention. Overall, the data showed changes in frequency and proportion of types with age

Acute Caffeine Ingestion Increases Velocity and Power in Upper and Lower Body Free-Weight Resistance Exercises

International Journal of Exercise Science 12(2): 1280-1289, 2019. The purpose of this study was to examine the acute effects of caffeine supplementation on velocity and power output during bench press and back squat exercises. Resistance trained males (n = 12) consuming less than 300 mg of caffeine daily, were recruited for this study. In a blinded crossover study design, participants supplemented with 6 mg· kg-1 caffeine or placebo (placebo, gluten-free cornstarch) 60 min prior to exercise. Participants completed 3 × 1 repetition with maximum explosive intent at 80% of their 1-RM for bench and squat exercises with two minute rest periods between each repetition. A linear position transducer was used to measure power and velocity of barbell movement. Each trial was separated by a 72 h washout period. Results indicated that mean velocity (p = 0.027; ES = 1.04) and mean power (p = 0.008; ES = 0.24) were higher during bench press exercise with caffeine versus placebo. Furthermore, mean velocity (p = 0.005; ES=1.06) and mean power (p = 0.020; ES = 0.71) values were higher for back squat exercise with caffeine versus placebo. This study suggests that caffeine ingestion imposes ergogenic benefits by increasing velocity and power in both upper and lower body resistance exercises. However, caffeine had a larger effect on lower body power output versus upper body exercise. Results may hold important implications for using caffeine during training

ENGAGING WITH YOUNG ADULTS IN BURKE COUNTY TO IMPROVE ECONOMIC STABILITY AND HEALTH OUTCOMES: BUILDING THE WORKFORCE FOR TOMORROW

The following proposal aims to meet the Burke County, North Carolina (NC) Board of Commissioners request to focus on ‘upstream’ efforts to address a social determinant of health (SDOH) in the county. We explore economic stability as a SDOH that would benefit from long-term improvements. Key areas include poverty, employment, food security, and housing stability (Healthy People 2030, n.d.). In 2019, 13.6% of individuals in NC are living in poverty compared to 18.4% of individuals in Burke, making them more vulnerable to poor health outcomes and premature death (County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, 2023; Healthy People 2030, n.d.; NCIOM, 2021). To address poverty and health in Burke, we argue that economic development should be a priority. We analyze contextual factors in Burke, including relevant policies, community stakeholders, and quality improvement efforts. We provide a list of viable recommendations for Burke County Commissioners to focus their efforts, including community engagement strategies, financial literacy programs, and policy enhancements.Master of Public Healt

Crossing State Lines For Collaborative Newspaper Digitization: The Gateway to Oklahoma History

This presentation discusses a collaborative project between the Oklahoma Historical Society and the University of North Texas (UNT) to digitize all of the pre-1923 newspapers in the Oklahoma Historical Society's collection. The project involved building The Gateway to Oklahoma History, which allows easy access to newspapers for students, researchers, and journalists

ENGAGING WITH YOUNG ADULTS IN BURKE COUNTY TO IMPROVE ECONOMIC STABILITY AND HEALTH OUTCOMES: BUILDING THE WORKFORCE FOR TOMORROW

The following proposal aims to meet the Burke County, North Carolina (NC) Board of Commissioners request to focus on ‘upstream’ efforts to address a social determinant of health (SDOH) in the county. We explore economic stability as a SDOH that would benefit from long-term improvements. Key areas include poverty, employment, food security, and housing stability (Healthy People 2030, n.d.). In 2019, 13.6% of individuals in NC are living in poverty compared to 18.4% of individuals in Burke, making them more vulnerable to poor health outcomes and premature death (County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, 2023; Healthy People 2030, n.d.; NCIOM, 2021). To address poverty and health in Burke, we argue that economic development should be a priority. We analyze contextual factors in Burke, including relevant policies, community stakeholders, and quality improvement efforts. We provide a list of viable recommendations for Burke County Commissioners to focus their efforts, including community engagement strategies, financial literacy programs, and policy enhancements.Master of Public Healt

Deletion of the Stress Response Gene \u3ci\u3eDDR48\u3c/i\u3e From \u3ci\u3eHistoplasma capsulatum\u3c/i\u3e Increases Sensitivity to Oxidative Stress, Increases Susceptibility to Antifungals, and Decreases Fitness In Macrophages

The stress response gene DDR48 has been characterized in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida albicans to be involved in combating various cellular stressors, from oxidative agents to antifungal compounds. Surprisingly, the biological function of DDR48 has yet to be identified, though it is likely an important part of the stress response. To gain insight into its function, we characterized DDR48 in the dimorphic fungal pathogen Histoplasma capsulatum. Transcriptional analyses showed preferential expression of DDR48 in the mycelial phase. Induction of DDR48 in Histoplasma yeasts developed after treatment with various cellular stress compounds. We generated a ddr48∆ deletion mutant to further characterize DDR48 function. Loss of DDR48 alters the transcriptional profile of the oxidative stress response and membrane synthesis pathways. Treatment with ROS or antifungal compounds reduced survival of ddr48∆ yeasts compared to controls, consistent with an aberrant cellular stress response. In addition, we infected RAW 264.7 macrophages with DDR48-expressing and ddr48∆ yeasts and observed a 50% decrease in recovery of ddr48∆ yeasts compared to wild-type yeasts. Loss of DDR48 function results in numerous negative effects in Histoplasma yeasts, highlighting its role as a key player in the global sensing and response to cellular stress by fungi