Modular vector fields attached to Dwork family: sl2(C)\mathfrak{sl}_2(\mathbb{C}) Lie algebra

We introduce an algebraic group $\sf G$ that acts from right on the moduli space $\textsf{T}$ of Calabi-Yau $n$-folds arising from Dwork family enhanced with differential forms, and describe its Lie algebra ${\rm Lie}({\sf G})$. We observe that ${\rm Lie}({\sf G})$ together with a modular vector field ${\sf R}$ on $\textsf{T}$ generates another Lie algebra $\mathfrak{G}$, called AMSY-Lie algebra, such that $\dim \mathfrak{G}=\dim {\sf T}$. We find $\mathfrak{sl}_2(\mathbb{C})$ as a Lie subalgebra of $\mathfrak{G}$ that contains $\sf R$.Comment: 20 page

Descriptive Analysis of the Testing Outcome Populations of a Highly Facilitated Cascade Genetic Testing Framework for Cancer Predisposition

This research analyzes the demographic determinants of testing uptake in a highly facilitated cascade testing protocol pilot effort for families with inherited cancer-predisposing mutations. The program provided no-cost genetic testing to the family members of mutation carriers using direct contact, telephone genetic counseling, and mailed saliva kits. This facilitated intervention resulted in high uptake of testing for second degree relatives and reduced sex-based risk disclosure. Uptake rates were highest among females and older individuals. Young Caucasian males were most likely to decline testing. Contact was limited for non-Caucasian and international individuals with low English-language proficiency, resulting in lower uptake rates for these groups. Overall, uptake rates were comparable to traditional testing methods and conditional uptake rates were lower than expected. More work is needed to improve upon facilitated testing methods and to elucidate why some facilitation tools may lead to reduced testing uptake

Application of Stormwater Management Techniques for Mitigation and Education at the Stockbridge School Agricultural Learning Center

The Stockbridge School Agricultural Learning Center (SSALC) will be a 40-acre hands-on agricultural learning laboratory for students, staff, visitors, and neighbors. Still in its planning phases, the Center will be located on what is currently a hay field just north of UMass Amherst campus. A conceptual master plan was created in 2013 that is being used for fundraising as well as planning for agricultural demonstration plots and architectural hubs. Improperly managed agricultural landscapes are known as one of the biggest threats to water quality in the United States. As a model of forward thinking agricultural practices, properly managed stormwater on the SSALC site should be as paramount as the primary demonstration agricultural plots. Currently, however, the relationship between agriculture and stormwater is not represented in existing planning documents. The SSALC project presents a unique opportunity to merge sustainable agricultural practices with sustainable stormwater management practices in what will be a public and heavily utilized landscape. This project ultimately reintroduces stormwater management to the planning process of the SSALC so that as the Center becomes established, stormwater management will not be a reaction to development in the landscape but an integral aesthetic, functional, and educational aspect of the visitor, student, and staff experience

An investigation of stress-responses in pregnant women exposed to ambient air pollution in Durban, South Africa.

Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Biochemistry and Chemical Pathology. University of KwaZulu-Natal. Durban, 2017.Living or working within an unhealthy environment is attributed to 12.6 million deaths worldwide and 2.2 million deaths in Africa. Ambient air pollution (AAP) exposure is amongst the major contributors of environmental and air quality decay. Durban South Africa (SA) is a rapidly developing city that requires increased infrastructure, transportation, and energy production to support the growing urban population. This leads to air quality degradation, in addition to the heavy burden of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and obesity SA faces increase the susceptibility of pathological conditions including respiratory diseases and adverse birth outcomes. Infants in utero are particularly vulnerable to adverse AAP effects, attributed to oxidative stress (OS), inflammation and genetic susceptibility, due to their biological vulnerability, sensitivity to their environment and rapid differentiation and growth. South Durban (SD) comprises a complex mix of dense residential settlements and heavily industrialised areas with high levels of air pollution (AP). This makes SD an ideal location to investigate the effects of AAP, in particular, traffic-related AP (atmospheric oxides of nitrogen (NOx)), on OS and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress responses within third trimester pregnant women. A comparison sample of pregnant women, located within north Durban (ND) of similar socio-economic status were used for this study. The susceptibility of OS markers, including 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2’-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) DNA adducts, lipid peroxidation (LP) and nitric oxide (NO) levels, on adverse birth outcomes, including low birthweight (LBW) and pre-term birth (PTB), were also determined. Additional risk factors such as HIV, obesity and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) within genes of the antioxidant response pathway were investigated for OS and adverse birth outcome susceptibility. Atmospheric NOx pollution data were obtained from land use regression modelling that was previously reported. Atmospheric NOx and maternal serum 8-OHdG adducts were significantly elevated within SD living pregnant women. This induction of DNA damage was found to be the direct consequence of NOx exposure. Pregnant women carrying the variant and wild-type (wt) genotypes of glutathione S transferase (GST) P1 and M1 SNPs, respectively, increased the susceptibility of NOx induced OS. Exposure to increased NOx levels significantly reduced the gestational age (GA) of these pregnant women, with increased susceptibility for mothers carrying male neonates. The wt 8-oxoguanine glycosylase 1 (OGG1) Ser326Cys genotype was found to be associated with both HIV and obesity. Therefore pregnant women infected with HIV (HIV+) and carrying the wt genotype significantly increased the risk for HIV associated LBW and PTB. In addition, living within SD and being exposed to higher levels of AAP significantly increased the susceptibility for PTB. Comorbid HIV and obesity were identified as additional risk factors for birthweight (BW) reduction. Increased maternal serum NO levels were observed within HIV+ women, with reciprocal activity on malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Increased levels of NO directly reduced BW, especially for HIV+ and SD living women. This suggests NO may play a key role in LBW aetiology as a consequence of HIV infection and traffic-related AP. HIV was shown to differentially modulate MDA’s effect on neonatal BW. Exposure to increased levels of NOx and HIV infection induced the expression of microRNA (miR)-144, which was shown to negatively regulate nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2). This transcription factor, Nrf2, was shown to significantly increase antioxidant gene expressions. Therefore the induction of miR-144 was implicated as a mechanism for increased OS due to HIV and NOx exposure. In addition, elevated ER stress genes were observed within HIV negative SD living patients. Hence, exposure to higher levels of AAP within SD led to increased ER stress, which may act reciprocally on the induction of ROS leading to increased OS. These findings indicate that exposure to atmospheric NOx, elevated AAP levels within SD and exposure to HIV infection resulted in increased OS with increased susceptibility towards adverse birth outcomes within pregnant women. Further studies into the mechanisms proposed within a larger population including multiple pollutants and gene interactions may give additional insight into the aetiology of adverse birth outcomes as a consequence of AAP exposure

Effects of stand density on mitigation and adaptability to climate change in pine and hardwood forests of Missouri

Understanding how forests respond to traditional management in the context of climate change is increasingly important for developing multi-objective management strategies. In the Missouri Ozarks, the influence of long-term forest management on climate mitigation and adaptation potential is largely unknown. Using data from two long-term thinning studies, we determined the influence of stand density on carbon dynamics and drought response in the Missouri Ozarks. First, carbon storage and sequestration rates of even-aged short leaf pine and upland oak forests were assessed to better understand the role of manipulating stand density in mitigating climate change. Next, we developed a short leaf pine tree ring-width chronology to determine the influence of thinning on tree-level growth response during a severe drought. Results offer valuable information to land managers regarding the effects of stand density and traditional management practices on mitigation and adaptation to climate change in the Missouri Ozarks

Augustana Seniors Fall 1884: Olof Wilhelm Ferm

Olof Wilheml Ferm was a senior at Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois, in the fall of 1884. His name appears in the college catalog of 1884 – 1885, along with his birthplace, the year of his birth, and a few other facts. From this start, we researched the genealogy and family history of O.W. Ferm. This paper contains a short biography of Ferm, a report on his ancestors, a report on his descendants, and some open questions for further research

Doctoral Recital

List of performers and performances