Hippocampal Transcriptomic and Proteomic Alterations in the BTBR Mouse Model of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are complex heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorders of an unclear etiology, and no cure currently exists. Prior studies have demonstrated that the black and tan, brachyury (BTBR) T+ Itpr3tf/J mouse strain displays a behavioral phenotype with ASD-like features. BTBR T+ Itpr3tf/J mice (referred to simply as BTBR) display deficits in social functioning, lack of communication ability, and engagement in stereotyped behavior. Despite extensive behavioral phenotypic characterization, little is known about the genes and proteins responsible for the presentation of the ASD-like phenotype in the BTBR mouse model. In this study, we employed bioinformatics techniques to gain a wide-scale understanding of the transcriptomic and proteomic changes associated with the ASD-like phenotype in BTBR mice. We found a number of genes and proteins to be significantly altered in BTBR mice compared to C57BL/6J (B6) control mice controls such as BDNF, Shank3, and ERK1, which are highly relevant to prior investigations of ASD. Furthermore, we identified distinct functional pathways altered in BTBR mice compared to B6 controls that have been previously shown to be altered in both mouse models of ASD, some human clinical populations, and have been suggested as a possible etiological mechanism of ASD, including "axon guidance" and "regulation of actin cytoskeleton." In addition, our wide-scale bioinformatics approach also discovered several previously unidentified genes and proteins associated with the ASD phenotype in BTBR mice, such as Caskin1, suggesting that bioinformatics could be an avenue by which novel therapeutic targets for ASD are uncovered. As a result, we believe that informed use of synergistic bioinformatics applications represents an invaluable tool for elucidating the etiology of complex disorders like ASD.

Seawater carbonate chemistry, calcification and dissolution of a coral reef in the northern Red Sea, 2007

In this study we investigated the relations between community calcification of an entire coral reef in the northern Red Sea and annual changes in temperature, aragonite saturation and nutrient loading over a two year period. Summer (April-October) and winter (November-March) average calcification rates varied between 60 ± 20 and 30 ± 20 mmol·m-2·d-1, respectively. In general, calcification increased with temperature and aragonite saturation state of reef water with an apparent effect of nutrients, which is in agreement with most laboratory studies and in situ measurements of single coral growth rates. The calcification rates we measured in the reef correlated remarkably well with precipitation rates of inorganic aragonite calculated for the same temperature and degree of saturation ranges using empirical equations from the literature. This is a very significant finding considering that only a minute portion of reef calcification is inorganic. Hence, these relations could be used to predict the response of coral reefs to ocean acidification and warming.

Narrativa periodística en la convergencia de medios

El de hoy es un entorno en el que todos los días los medios sufren cambios estructurales y funcionales que los obligan a replantear su accionar y reinventar sus usos y esquemas de comunicación, de ahí la importancia de esta investigación mixta, cuantitativa y cualitativa, que recurrió a seguimiento en redes sociales y análisis de contenidos; detectando el cómo los medios responden al estar inmersos en un mundo en el que se pasó de una cultura de imprenta a una cultura de la pantalla donde surgen nuevas prácticas sociales que crean dispositivos a la medida de cada uno, elementos en los que conjugan el texto, el audio y el video configurando nuevos medios en los que se generan otras formas de interacción, y se replantea el quehacer profesional del Comunicador Social Periodista.

Effect of reading sport chronicles on the perception of justice and the predisposition to protest actions in soccer

In this study three chronicles from national newspapers (one generalist and two sport press) were analyzed. The chronicles belong to Spain’s soccer final of the King’s Cup in 2014. The aim of the study was to know if there was any influence on the readers’ perception of justice and consequently if this influence could cause a particular predisposition to participate in acts of protest. 462 university students participated. The results showed that different chronicles caused differences in the perception of justice depending on the chronicle read. However, a clear influence on the willingness to participate in acts of protest was not obtained. These results should make us think about the impact of sport press and its influence, and to be aware of the indirect responsibility of every sector on the antisocial behaviors generated by soccer in our country.

La museología en la encrucijada de los caminos

Durante los últimos años han aparecido un gran número de publicaciones sobre las perspectivas de evolución del mundo de los museos. La reflexión sobre el futuro de estas instituciones no es reciente: la prospectiva, método dirigido a elaborar posibles escenarios en el futuro, no es estrictamente hablando museológica, pero necesariamente interesa al muse��logo interrogarse sobre el campo museal. A decir verdad, en su mayoría son profesionales del museo quienes han escrito sobre el tema (en el contexto museal) para adaptar la institución a los nuevos retos. Algunos muse��logos, se han arriesgado a este ejercicio, de manera más o menos afortunada. El artículo pretende, después de presentar la literatura prospectiva sobre el museo durante los últimos cincuenta años, y de analizar los recientes resultados de los informes de prospectiva, interrogarse sobre la contribución específica de una reflexión museológica acerca del futuro de los museos más allá de los ejes clásicos (demografía, economía, nuevas tecnologías) que se utilizan con más frecuencia.

El ritual en los "Textos de las Pirámides": sintaxis, texto y significado

Este trabajo pretende explorar la dimensión ritual en los Textos de las Pirámides, el corpus de literatura religiosa extensa más antiguo de la humanidad. La naturaleza variada de sus componentes textuales ha impedido que los egiptólogos comprendan en profundidad las complejidades de la colección y los contextos originales en los que estos textos (ritos) aparecieron. La aplicación de la teoría del ritual, principalmente la aproximación de la sintaxis ritual, ofrece a los investigadores un marco excelente de análisis e interpretación del corpus, su estructura y función. Sujeto a las reglas de la sintaxis ritual es posible exponer los múltiples niveles de significado en el corpus para la resurrección y salvación del difunto.

Supernova 2013fc in a circumnuclear ring of a luminous infrared galaxy: The big brother of SN 1998S

We present photometric and spectroscopic observations of SN 2013fc, a bright type II supernova (SN) in a circumnuclear star-forming ring in the luminous infrared galaxy ESO 154-G010, observed as part of the Public ESO Spectroscopic Survey of Transient Objects. SN 2013fc is both photometrically and spectroscopically similar to the well-studied type IIn SN 1998S and to the bright type II-L SN 1979C. It exhibits an initial linear decline, followed by a short plateau phase and a tail phase with a decline too fast for ⁵⁶Co decay with full γ -ray trapping. Initially, the spectrum was blue and featureless. Later on, a strong broad (~8000 km s^-1) H α emission profile became prominent. We apply a STARLIGHT stellar population model fit to the SN location (observed when the SN had faded) to estimate a high extinction of A_V = 2.9 ± 0.2 mag and an age of 10⁺³ _-2 Myr for the underlying cluster.We compare the SN to SNe 1998S and 1979C and discuss its possible progenitor star considering the similarities to these events. With a peak brightness of B = -20.46 ± 0.21 mag, SN 2013fc is 0.9 mag brighter than SN 1998S and of comparable brightness to SN 1979C.We suggest that SN 2013fc was consistent with a massive red supergiant (RSG) progenitor. Recent mass loss probably due to a strong RSG wind created the circumstellar matter illuminated through its interaction with the SN ejecta. We also observe a near-infrared excess, possibly due to newly condensed dust.

A formação e o desenvolvimento de arranjos cooperativos sob a ótica da imersão social e da economia dos custos de transação: um estrudo de caso na Coopercam e na Unipesca

The current study analyzes the birth and development of two strategic alliances established between shrimp producers in Rio Grande do Norte: the Unipesca and the Coopercam. To achieve this aim, two approaches which, at first sight, could be considered contradictory were used: the Transactional Costs Economy and Embeddedness. The first approach is fundamentally based in the studies of Williamson (1985; 1991; 1996; 1999; 2000; 2002). Embededness, on the other hand, went through the review of a series of authors, such as Burt (1992), Granovetter (1973; 1985), Uzzi (1997), Gulati (1994; 1995; 1997; 1998; 1999; 2000), Nielsen (2005), Ring (2002), Ring and Van de Ven (1994), Zafirovski (2002), among others. To analyze the birth and development of the cooperatives in this study, Gulati s work (1998) was used. This study shows the steps to be studied for a better comprehension of an alliance: the decision of starting an alliance and the choice of the partners, the decision about the governance structure, the evolution of the alliance and the development of the companies which established this partnership. To carry this study out, a study case accordingly to Yin s proposal (2001) was adopted. Semi-structured interviews with pre-defined plots were conducted in two phases: in the beginning of 2006 and in the beginning of 2007. The subjects from the research were, in 2006, representative members of the main associations and corporations, besides the shrimp producers from the state, when the context of the activity was set. In the second phase, in 2007, representative members from the two cooperatives that were listed above were interviewed the president from Coopercam and the marketing manager from Unipesca. Besides these two members, directors from two important organizations in each of these cooperatives were also interviewed, giving out the necessary information for the research. Secondary data was also collected from the Brazilian Association of Crab producers website, as well as from news from important newspapers in RN, such as Tribuna do Norte. The primary data was analyzed in terms of quality, accordingly to the documental analysis technique. Thus, through the data that was collected, it can be concluded that the reasons that motivated the companies to cooperate can be explained in terms of the transactional costs economy. However, the choice of partners is more connected to aspects approached by the social embededness. When aspects related to development and evolution were analyzed, it could be seen that both aspects from TCE and Embededness were vital to explain the development of the cooperatives mentioned

Exploring protein-RNA interactions with site-directed mutagenesis and phage display

The importance of RNA as a mediator of genetic information is widely appreciated. RNA molecules also participate in the regulation of various post-transcriptional activities, such as mRNA splicing, editing, RNA stability and transport. Their regulatory roles for these activities are highly dependent on finely tuned associations with cognate proteins. The RNA recognition motif (RRM) is an ancient RNA binding module that participates in hundreds of essential activities where specific RNA recognition is required. We have applied phage display and site-directed mutagenesis to dissect principles of RRM-controlled RNA recognition. The model systems we are investigating are U1A and CUG-BP1. In this dissertation, the molecular basis of the binding affinity of U1A-RNA beyond individual contacts was investigated. We have identified and evaluated the contributions of the local cooperativity formed by three neighboring residues (Asn15, Asn16 and Glu19) to the stability of the U1A-RNA complex. The localized cooperative network was mapped by double-mutant cycles and explored using phage display. We also showed that a cluster of these residues forms a “hot spot” on the surface of U1A; a single substitution at position 19 with Gln or His can alter the binding properties of U1A to recognize a non-cognate G4U RNA. Finally, we applied a deletion analysis of CUG-BP1 to define the contributions of individual RRMs and RRM combinations to the stability of the complex formed between CUG-BP1 and the GRE sequence. The preliminary results showed RRM3 of CUG-BP1 is a key domain for RNA binding. It possibly binds to the GRE sequence cooperatively with RRM2 of CUG-BP1. RRM1 of CUG-BP1 is not required for GRE recognition, but may be important for maintaining the stability of the full-length CUG-BP1.

Online organic chemistry

This is a comprehensive study of the many facets of an entirely online organic chemistry course. Online homework with structure-drawing capabilities was found to be more effective than written homework. Online lecture was found to be just as effective as in-person lecture, and students prefer an online lecture format with shorter Webcasts. Online office hours were found to be effective, and discussion sessions can be placed online as well. A model was created that explains 36.1% of student performance based on GPA, ACT Math score, grade in previous chemistry course, and attendance at various forms of discussion. Online exams have been created which test problem-solving skills and is instantly gradable. In these exams, students can submit answers until time runs out for different numbers of points. These facets were combined effectively to create an entirely online organic chemistry course which students prefer over the in-person alternative. Lastly, there is a vision for where online organic chemistry is going and what can be done to improve education for all.

An examination of the dynamic validities of cognitive ability and personality measures with performance

Prior research shows that both cognitive ability (Schmidt & Hunter, 1998) and personality measures (Poropat, 2009; Hough & Furnham, 2003) are valid predictors of job performance. The dynamic nature of the relationships between cognitive ability and personality measures with performance over time spent on the job is less understood and thus this paper explores their relationships. Although there is much research to suggest that the predictive relationship between cognitive ability and performance decreases over years of tenure (e.g., Hulin, Henry, & Noon, 1990), other research suggests that the relationship between cognitive ability and performance will increase over time (Kolz, McFarland, & Silverman, 1988). In regard to personality, this study provides a critical test of two competing theories. The first position holds that the validity of personality degrades over time. Support for this position comes from the “ubiquitous” nature of the simplex pattern in individual differences (Humphreys, 1985). It follows that personality validities should perform like cognitive ability in this respect, and thus decline over time. In contrast to this viewpoint, the alternative position contends that the predictive relationship between personality variables and performance increases over time, with the correlation becoming larger in magnitude and more positive in direction over years of tenure. The results of this study support the latter position; personality validities predicted long term performance outcomes.

The identification and characterization of novel antibacterial compounds via target-based and whole cell screening approaches

The emergence of multidrug-resistant bacterial infections in both the clinical setting and the community has created an environment in which the development of novel antibacterial compounds is necessary to keep dangerous infections at bay. While the derivatization of existing antibiotics by pharmaceutical companies has so far been successful at achieving this end, this strategy is short-term, and the discovery of antibacterials with novel scaffolds would be a greater contribution to the fight of multidrug-resistant infections. Described herein is the application of both target-based and whole cell screening strategies to identify novel antibacterial compounds. In a target-based approach, we sought small-molecule disruptors of the MazEF toxin-antitoxin protein complex. A lack of facile, continuous assays for this target required the development of a fluorometric assay for MazF ribonuclease activity. This assay was employed to further characterize the activity of the MazF enzyme and was used in a screening effort to identify disruptors of the MazEF complex. In addition, by employing a whole cell screening approach, we identified two compounds with potent antibacterial activity. Efforts to characterize the in vitro antibacterial activities displayed by these compounds and to identify their modes of action are described.

What's the Matter with Extended Techniques? Getting Beyond the Stigma in the Horn and Percussion Repertoire

For this project I prepared a series of recitals featuring music for horn and percussion, in which the horn part featured extended horn techniques. For this project, I considered anything beyond the open or muted horn an extended technique. These techniques range from the common hand-stopped note passages to complex new techniques involving half-valves, multi-phonics, and more, for new sounds desired by the composer. There are several pieces written for solo horn and percussion, with ensembles ranging from simple duets to solo horn with a full percussion ensemble. However, few include extended techniques for the horn. All of these select pieces are lesser known because of their difficulty, primarily because of the challenge of the extended techniques requested by the composer. In the introduction to this paper I give a brief background to the project, where the current repertoire stands, and my experiences with commissioning works for this genre. I then give a brief history and how-to on the more common extended techniques, which were found in almost every piece. I separated these techniques so that they could be referenced in the performance notes without being extremely repetitive in their description. Then follows the main performance notes of the repertoire chosen, which includes a brief description of the piece itself and a longer discussion for performers and composers who wish to learn more about these techniques. In this section my primary focus is the extended techniques used and I provide score samples with permission to further the education of the next musicians to tackle this genre. All works performed for this project were recorded and accompany this paper in the Digital Repository at the University of Maryland (DRUM). The following works were included in this project: o Howard J. Buss, Dreams from the Shadows (2015) o Howard J. Buss, Night Tide (1995) o George Crumb, An Idyll for the Misbegotten, trans. Robert Patterson (1986/1997) o Charles Fernandez, Metamorphosis: A Horn’s Life, “Prenatal and Toddler” (2016, unfinished) o Helen Gifford, Of Old Angkor (1995) o Douglas Hill, Thoughtful Wanderings… (1990) o Pierre-Yves Level, Duetto pour Cor en Fa et Percussion (1999) o David Macbride, Elegy for Horn and Timpani (2009) o Brian Prechtl, A Song of David (1995) o Verne Reynolds, HornVibes (1986) o Pablo Salazar, Cincontar (2016) o Mark Schultz, Dragons in the Sky (1989) o Faye-Ellen Silverman, Protected Sleep (2007) o Charles Taylor, Sonata for Horn and Marimba (1991) o Robert Wolk, Tessellations (2016) With this project, I intend to promote these pieces and the techniques used to encourage more works written in this style, and reveal to fellow horn players that the techniques should not prevent these great works from being performed. Due to the lack of repertoire, I successfully commissioned new pieces featuring extended techniques, which were featured in the final recital.

A formação e o desenvolvimento de arranjos cooperativos sob a ótica da imersão social e da economia dos custos de transação: um estrudo de caso na Coopercam e na Unipesca

The current study analyzes the birth and development of two strategic alliances established between shrimp producers in Rio Grande do Norte: the Unipesca and the Coopercam. To achieve this aim, two approaches which, at first sight, could be considered contradictory were used: the Transactional Costs Economy and Embeddedness. The first approach is fundamentally based in the studies of Williamson (1985; 1991; 1996; 1999; 2000; 2002). Embededness, on the other hand, went through the review of a series of authors, such as Burt (1992), Granovetter (1973; 1985), Uzzi (1997), Gulati (1994; 1995; 1997; 1998; 1999; 2000), Nielsen (2005), Ring (2002), Ring and Van de Ven (1994), Zafirovski (2002), among others. To analyze the birth and development of the cooperatives in this study, Gulati s work (1998) was used. This study shows the steps to be studied for a better comprehension of an alliance: the decision of starting an alliance and the choice of the partners, the decision about the governance structure, the evolution of the alliance and the development of the companies which established this partnership. To carry this study out, a study case accordingly to Yin s proposal (2001) was adopted. Semi-structured interviews with pre-defined plots were conducted in two phases: in the beginning of 2006 and in the beginning of 2007. The subjects from the research were, in 2006, representative members of the main associations and corporations, besides the shrimp producers from the state, when the context of the activity was set. In the second phase, in 2007, representative members from the two cooperatives that were listed above were interviewed the president from Coopercam and the marketing manager from Unipesca. Besides these two members, directors from two important organizations in each of these cooperatives were also interviewed, giving out the necessary information for the research. Secondary data was also collected from the Brazilian Association of Crab producers website, as well as from news from important newspapers in RN, such as Tribuna do Norte. The primary data was analyzed in terms of quality, accordingly to the documental analysis technique. Thus, through the data that was collected, it can be concluded that the reasons that motivated the companies to cooperate can be explained in terms of the transactional costs economy. However, the choice of partners is more connected to aspects approached by the social embededness. When aspects related to development and evolution were analyzed, it could be seen that both aspects from TCE and Embededness were vital to explain the development of the cooperatives mentioned

Densidad óptica en embarazadas normales y madurez pulmonar fetal. Estudio en el líquido amniótico. Hospital Vicente Corral Moscoso. Cuenca -Ecuador 1999

Se realiza un estudio de tipo clínico-descriptivo con el objeto de determinar la presencia de pigmentos bilirrubinoides y la madurez pulmonar, comprado el Test de Clements con la edad gestacional y el estado clínico del recién nacido. Se tomó a cincuenta pacientes embarazadas entre 37 y 41 semanas de gestación, sin factores de riesgo y sus recién nacidos, atendidos mediante cesárea o parto vaginal, en el Centro Obstétrico del Hospital Vicente Corral Moscoso de la ciudad de Cuenca en 1999. Se realizaron las determinaciones basados en los parámetros recomendados a nivel internacional concluyendo que: 1 En las embarazadas a término de la gestación, la determinación de la presencia de pigmentos bilirrubinoides en líquido ammniótico corresponde a la zona 1 de la gráfica de Liley, interpretada como exenta de riesgo para los recién nacidos, de acuerdo con los parámetros que se registran en la literatura médica actual. 2. La prueba de Clements positiva guarda estrecha relación con la madurez del recién nacido expresada por Capurro y con una adecuada función respiratoria expresada por un puntaje normal de Silverman en todos los casos. 3. En caso de usarse la prueba de Clements, es la prueba de un tubo, suficiente para valorar la madurez pulmonar por su alta confiabilidad y bajo costo. 4. Por lo tanto los autores recomendamos que se incluya la aplicación de estas dos pruebas, que son de fácil realización, como parte del protocolo de atención materno-infantil en el Centro Obstétrico del Hospital Vicente Corral Moscoso