“I exist to resist”: navigating the gender non-conforming identity at Humboldt State University

While transgender research is educating and reforming schools, politics and wider society, there is little work on a gender spectrum that disrupts the gender binary of (trans) men/women. This research is an attempt to fill in the gaps of people, significantly students who do not fit under the “transgender umbrella,” as this term has tended to clump an array of gender and sexual identities together. This qualitative research explores students who go beyond the gender binary and how they navigate non-binary, genderqueer, and gender non-conforming identities within Humboldt State University (HSU). With this present qualitative study, I examined the lived experiences of 11 self-identified gender non-conforming students at HSU. Much of what they discussed parallels research on transgender students in regards to faculty/staff training, bathrooms, and improvement for resources. These reasons prompted me to go a different direction and present the ways of how students operate their identity in a “progressive” university like HSU. I identified four themes from the in-person interviews; these include forming an identity as they found themselves at HSU, gender salience and disruptions through encounters at HSU, safe zones/safe people, and the degrees of “being out.” I argue that society is largely heteronormative and gender normative, and this is reflected in institutions like schools. Findings can provide insight into the realities of students who are misunderstood and underrepresented within a school that is largely gender and heteronormative. By listening to these experiences, colleges and universities can implement better policies to support students who live outside the gender binary

Loss of redundant gene expression after polyploidization in plants

Based on chromosomal location data of genes encoding 28 biochemical systems in allohexaploid wheat,Triticum aestivum L. (genomes AABBDD), it is concluded that the proportions of systems controlled by triplicate, duplicate, and single loci are 57%, 25%, and 18% respectively

Understanding the Evolutionary Relationships and Major Traits of \u3cem\u3eBacillus\u3c/em\u3e through Comparative Genomics

Background: The presence of Bacillus in very diverse environments reflects the versatile metabolic capabilities of a widely distributed genus. Traditional phylogenetic analysis based on limited gene sampling is not adequate for resolving the genus evolutionary relationships. By distinguishing between core and pan-genome, we determined the evolutionary and functional relationships of known Bacillus. Results: Our analysis is based upon twenty complete and draft Bacillus genomes, including a newly sequenced Bacillus isolate from an aquatic environment that we report for the first time here. Using a core genome, we were able to determine the phylogeny of known Bacilli, including aquatic strains whose position in the phylogenetic tree could not be unambiguously determined in the past. Using the pan-genome from the sequenced Bacillus, we identified functional differences, such as carbohydrate utilization and genes involved in signal transduction, which distinguished the taxonomic groups. We also assessed the genetic architecture of the defining traits of Bacillus, such as sporulation and competence, and showed that less than one third of the B. subtilis genes are conserved across other Bacilli. Most variation was shown to occur in genes that are needed to respond to environmental cues, suggesting that Bacilli have genetically specialized to allow for the occupation of diverse habitats and niches. Conclusions: The aquatic Bacilli are defined here for the first time as a group through the phylogenetic analysis of 814 genes that comprise the core genome. Our data distinguished between genomic components, especially core vs. pan-genome to provide insight into phylogeny and function that would otherwise be difficult to achieve. A phylogeny may mask the diversity of functions, which we tried to uncover in our approach. The diversity of sporulation and competence genes across the Bacilli was unexpected based on previous studies of the B. subtilis model alone. The challenge of uncovering the novelties and variations among genes of the non-subtilis groups still remains. This task will be best accomplished by directing efforts toward understanding phylogenetic groups with similar ecological niches

Genes involved in carotene synthesis and mating in Blakeslea trispora

Mating of Blakeslea trispora and other molds of the order Mucorales requires the interaction of mycelia of opposite sex, (+) and (-), leading to the development of specialized structures and to an enhanced accumulation of beta-carotene. Industry obtains beta-carotene by co-cultivating appropriate strains of Blakeslea (mated cultures). Gene transcription in single and mated cultures was assayed by cDNA-AFLP, a technique to observe the differential expression of subsets of mRNA fragments. Overexpression in mated cultures is about ten times more frequent than underexpression. We obtained and sequenced fragments of 97 candidate genes that appeared to be overexpressed during mating and confirmed four of them by reverse transcription and real-time PCR. Comparisons with gene sequences from other organisms suggest functions in carotene biosynthesis (4 genes), energy metabolism (8), cell wall synthesis (1), transfer of acetyl groups (1), and regulatory processes (10). Sodium acetate inhibited sexual overexpression in about two-thirds of the candidate genes and acted as a signal with broad effects on the metabolism and the morphology of mated cultures. Our work offers new materials for the study of carotene biosynthesis and its regulation and for the improvement of carotene production with Mucorales

The GALEX View of "Boyajian's Star" (KIC 8462852)

The enigmatic star KIC 8462852, informally known as "Boyajian's Star", has exhibited unexplained variability from both short timescale (days) dimming events, and years-long fading in the Kepler mission. No single physical mechanism has successfully explained these observations to date. Here we investigate the ultraviolet variability of KIC 8462852 on a range of timescales using data from the GALEX mission that occurred contemporaneously with the Kepler mission. The wide wavelength baseline between the Kepler and GALEX data provides a unique constraint on the nature of the variability. Using 1600 seconds of photon-counting data from four GALEX visits spread over 70 days in 2011, we find no coherent NUV variability in the system on 10-100 second or months timescales. Comparing the integrated flux from these 2011 visits to the 2012 NUV flux published in the GALEX-CAUSE Kepler survey, we find a 3% decrease in brightness for KIC 8462852. We find this level of variability is significant, but not necessarily unusual for stars of similar spectral type in the GALEX data. This decrease coincides with the secular optical fading reported by Montet & Simon (2016). We find the multi-wavelength variability is somewhat inconsistent with typical interstellar dust absorption, but instead favors a R$_V$ = 5.0 $\pm$ 0.9 reddening law potentially from circumstellar dust.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figures, ApJ Accepte

Partial resistance to leaf rust in a collection of ancient Spanish barleys

A collection of 569 Spanish barley accessions was screened for resistance to leaf rust (Puccinia hordei Otth) in the field at Cordoba during the 2000-2001 season. The level of resistance ranged from very low to very high. In 14% of the accessions the relative AUDPC (L94 = 100 %) was lower than 10 %. Selected accessions that were most resistant in the field, were tested in the seedling stage under controlled conditions. Macroscopic components of resistance indicated that six lines had a high level of partial resistance close to check cv. Vada and one line a similar level of partial resistance. Histological studies indicated that the resistance was based on a high percentage of early aborted colonies and reduction in colony size without plant cell necrosis. Three of the selected lines showed high percentage of plant cell necrosis associated with established colonies, which indicates a combination of prehaustorial resistance with late acting incomplete posthaustorial resistance. Although the new barley varieties already incorporate some partial resistance, new sources of partial resistance like these are needed to improve durability of the resistance

Prevalencia y prevención de las úlceras por presión en una cohorte de nonagenarios. Estudio NonaSantfeliu

IntroducciónEl envejecimiento progresivo de la población ha comportado un rápido aumento del grupo poblacional de los habitantes más ancianos, de manera que los > 89 años representan aproximadamente el 2% del total de > 65 años en España1. Las úlceras por presión (UPP) son un importante problema de salud por su prevalencia y morbilidad asociada2, que pueden afectar a pacientes en todos los ámbitos asistenciales. Una gran mayoría de ellas (alrededor del 70%)3 ocurren en personas > 70 años. Diversos estudios han mostrado que con una correcta implementación de políticas específicas destinadas a su prevención se consigue evitar su aparición en un considerable número de casos2,4.ObjetivosEvaluar en nuestro medio la prevalencia e incidencia de UPP en un grupo de población muy frágil, como son los nonagenarios, y comprobar la efectividad de un programa de prevención basado en recomendaciones para prevenir su aparición y enseñanza de los cuidados, cuando haya, para conseguir su curación.DiseñoEstudio de cohortes prospectivo.EmplazamientoCentros de atención primaria.ParticipantesEl trabajo se realizó dentro del estudio NonaSantfeliu, descrito ya previamente5. Se incluyó en el estudio inicial a 186 nonagenarios, el período de observación fue de 12 meses y se realizaron 2 evaluaciones al inicio y al final del período por parte del personal médico y/o de enfermería entrenado en la valoración geriátrica. Al año se revaluó a 140 nonagenarios; se excluyó a 36 participantes por haber fallecido y a 10 por cambio de domicilio.Mediciones principalesMediante entrevista personal, exploración a domicilio o en el centro de atención primaria cuando fue posible y posterior revisión de historia clínica, se recogieron datos sociodemográficos, actividades básicas de la vida diaria con el índice de Barthel (IB), cognición con el Miniexamen cognitivo de Lobo (MEC), comorbilidad con el índice de Charlson, riesgo de UPP con la escala de Braden con una puntuación 0-23 (< 12, alto riesgo), y valores de la version abreviada del Mini-Nutritional Assesment (MNA-SF) del año previo. El MNA-SF que puntúa de 0-14 (< 11 se considera riesgo nutricional) puede, al detectar pacientes de riesgo nutricional, ser útil para identificar a los pacientes con mayor incidencia de nuevas UPP.IntervencionesEducación sanitaria a los pacientes y cuidadores, para una correcta aplicación de medidas preventivas, y enseñanza de los cuidados necesarios para la cura de las UPP según la guía de UPP del Institut Català de Salut.ResultadosSe evaluó a 109 mujeres (77,8%) y 31 varones, con un promedio de edad al inicio del estudio de 92,7±2,8 años. En total, 114 eran viudos (81,5%), 14 (10%) estaban casados, y 12 (8,5%) eran solteros. La mayoría, 102 (73%), seguía viviendo en la comunidad y 38 estaban institucionalizados. Al final del período la media del IB era de 56,9±30,3, del MEC 22,4±11, del índice de Charlson de 1,1±1,5 y del MNA-SF de 11,4±2,1. Los valores medios de la escala de Braden eran de 15,5±2,4. El año previo, la prevalencia de UPP era del 7,1% (10) y al final del período de seguimiento, se habían curado todos los casos a excepción de un paciente. La incidencia de nuevas UPP fue del 3,5% (5 casos) con una prevalencia al año del 4,2% (3 mujeres y 3 varones). En la tabla 1 se puede observar las principales diferencias entre los pacientes con UPP al año de seguimiento y los pacientes sin UPP. En el análisis de regresión múltiple, tras ajustar por la edad y el sexo, la escala de Braden fue la única variable asociada significativamente con tener UPP en el momento de la evaluación (p=0,011; odds ratio [OR]=3,2; intervalo de confianza [IC] del 95%, 1,3-7,8).DiscusiónLas UPP han pasado de ser consideradas durante años un problema banal e inevitable a constituir en la actualidad un indicador de calidad asistencial debido a su gran impacto económico, tanto en el consumo de recursos humanos como materiales. La identificación de pacientes de riesgo y las recomendaciones preventivas son, sin duda, la mejor actuación para combatir las UPP2. El importante descenso observado en nuestro estudio, cercano al 50%, tras la implementación de medidas preventivas confirma la utilidad de la prevención, incluso en el paciente más anciano. Dado el reducido tamaño de la muestra, no se han observado diferencias en la prevalencia según el sexo, aunque se ha descrito una mayor prevalencia en mujeres6.ConclusionesLos programas de prevención de UPP son útiles en pacientes nonagenarios y debería intensificarse su implantación en los pacientes con riesgo en las escalas específicas para UPP, como la de Braden o con riesgo nutricional (MNASF)

Phycomyces

This monographic review on a fungus is not addressed to mycologists. None of the authors has been trained or has otherwise acquired a general proficiency in mycology. They are motivated by a common interest in the performances of signal handling exhibited by the sense organs of all organisms and by the desire to attack these as yet totally obscure aspects of molecular biology by the study of a microorganism with certain desirable properties. The sporangiophore of the fungus Phycomyces is a gigantic, single-celled, erect, cylindrical, aerial hypha. It is sensitive to at least four distinct stimuli: light, gravity, stretch, and some unknown stimulus by which it avoids solid objects. These stimuli control a common output, the growth rate, producing either temporal changes in growth rate or tropic responses. We are interested in the output because it gives us information about the reception of the various signals. In the absence of external stimuli, the growth rate is controlled by internal signals keeping the network of biochemical processes in balance. The external stimuli interact with the internal signals. We wish to inquire into the early steps of this interaction. For light, for instance, the cell must have a receptor pigment as the first mediator. What kind of a molecule is this pigment? Which organelle contains it? What chemical reaction happens after a light quantum has been absorbed? And how is the information introduced by this primary photochemical event amplified in a controlled manner and processed in the next step? How do a few quanta or a few molecules trigger macroscopic responses? Will we find ourselves confronted with devices wholly distinct from anything now known in biology