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Bilingual Latinx Adolescents Experiences in a Predominantly White Institution: A Mixed Method Study
No full textExtent scholarship has provided insight into how Latinx adolescents actively experience exclusion. These adolescents are often the targets of microaggressions tied to their language (Gonzalez et al., 2018), ethnicity, race, and intersecting identities--such as being bilingual Latinx students--which serve as reminders that they do not belong. However, little is known about Spanish-English bilingual Latinx adolescents and how their heritage language plays a role in predominantly white spaces and institutions. This convergent parallel mixed methods study explored how Spanish-English bilingual Latinx students in the Midwest described their experiences in a predominantly white institution (PWI). A total of 42 Spanish-English bilingual Latinx students (M age = 19.4; SD = 1.50) participated in a quantitative survey that assessed their skills in reading, writing, speaking, and understanding Spanish and English as well as their experiences on campus and with their culture. Additionally, 12 out of the 42 participants were interviewed to understand their experiences in a PWI. Findings revealed that the participants self-reported being more skilled in English, which influenced their belonging to the university. At the same time, through qualitative interviews, patterns showcase that the participants sought out social and academic spaces that promoted Spanish use, which consequently served as spaces of belonging. Overall, results captured how the bilingual Latinx students used Spanish on campus to navigate being in a PWI, but oftentimes faced exclusionary instances that impacted their overall experiences of belonging to campus. This work has implications for understanding how to identify, design, and foster safe and welcoming spaces that promote the use of the Latinx heritage language, as it can help Latinx students navigate experiences of exclusion and belonging in college
Biophysical Effects of Altered Myosin Binding Protein Stoichiometry in Atrial Myofilaments
No full textCardiomyopathies, such as hypertrophic and dilated subtypes, are leading causes of heart failure and are often driven by genetic mutations that disrupt the structure and function of the cardiac sarcomere. While much of the research has focused on ventricular involvement, the role of atrial sarcomere dysfunction remains unexplored. The regulation of contractile function by sarcomeric proteins in the atria remains poorly understood, especially the impact of protein stoichiometry among myosin binding proteins. Cardiac myosin binding protein-C (cMyBP-C) and its atrial paralog, myosin binding protein H-like (MyBP-HL), have been shown to have a stoichiometric relationship within the atrial sarcomere. These two proteins co-localize within the C-zone of the thick filament and compete for the same binding sites. Unlike in the ventricle, where cMyBP-C is dominant, the atria exhibit near-equal expression of cMyBP-C and MyBP-HL. Given that cMyBP-C is a well-established regulator of contractility through its modulation of myosin activity, any disruption in the balance between cMyBP-C and MyBP-HL could have significant consequences for atrial biophysics. Thus, understanding how shifts in this stoichiometry due to mutations, deletions, or overexpression impact atrial myofilament function is critical to uncovering mechanisms of atrial dysfunction in cardiomyopathy. To investigate this, we used human missense variants in MYBPC3 and MYBPHL and screened their effects on sarcomere localization via immunofluorescence and immunoblotting. Certain missense variants in both MyBP-C and MyBP-HL impaired sarcomere localization. To study if these missense variants could alter myosin binding protein stoichiometry, we designed and validated a novel T2A/P2A bicistronic system to express our Mini-C and MyBP-HL constructs in a consistent and reproducible manner. Expression of these missense variants within the T2A/P2A construct caused no shifts in expression of the myosin binding proteins. To determine the effects of myosin binding protein stoichiometric changes on myosin relaxation states within the atria, Mant-ATP assays were performed on wild-type and MYBPHL-null atria, with and without alkaline phosphatase to control for cMyBP-C phosphorylation. Phosphatase treatment increased myosin heads in the super-relaxed state in wild-type but not MYBPHL-null atria. Together, these results reveal a novel role of MyBP-HL in regulating sarcomere composition and function, underscoring its importance in atrial contractile function
Using Light to Dissect Mechanisms of Septin Recruitment
No full textCells interpret biochemical and mechanical signals through dynamic regulation of the cytoskeleton and adhesion complexes, enabling key processes such as shape adaptation, force generation and migration. As these signals vary in both time and space, they can be challenging to resolve using traditional bulk assays. To overcome this limitation, we employ light-based optogenetic tools to reversibly modulate biochemical signals and mechanical equilibrium within cells. Specifically, we use the iLID optogenetic approach to locally activate signaling and manipulate contractility within the cytoskeleton for the purpose of investigating the role of RhoA and contractility on septin organization and adhesion protein localization. We find that neither local accumulation of myosin nor enhanced myosin activity, both downstream effects of RhoA activation drive robust septin recruitment. This result was independent of the known RhoA and septin scaffolding protein anillin, therefore implying septins are downstream effectors of RhoA signaling. These results demonstrate that cytoskeletal responses arise from coordinated biochemical and mechanical cues and that these responses are highly protein specific, even within complexes and networks. Finally, this work establishes optogenetics as a powerful framework for dissecting spatiotemporal signaling and mechanotransduction in the cytoskeleton
Evaluating Sympton Clusters in First-Time Ischemic Stroke Survivors Who Discharge From the Hospital to Home
Full text linkThe purpose of this study was to examine symptoms and relationships between those symptoms in first-time ischemic stroke survivors who discharge home after their initial stroke. Current measurement of recovery after stroke places emphasis on the physical aspects of recovery when current literature suggests that other, more subtle symptoms may be equally contributory to recovery. This descriptive, exploratory research study was conducted via a secondary analysis of both structured and unstructured data in a study cohort of 115 first-time ischemic stroke survivors from a tertiary academic medical center in the Midwest. Unstructured clinical notes were analyzed for the presence of symptoms in the immediate post-acute period of fifteen months following discharge from the hospital. Once the final symptom data were identified, latent class analyses were performed to examine symptom clusters and subclasses of the study cohort associated with each cluster. Results of analyses supported the presence of three symptom clusters that occur during this time period in the study cohort, with members of the cohort belonging to each distinct cluster. This study further highlights the multidimensionality of the post-stroke experience and suggests that providers may not be conducting a holistic evaluation of stroke survivors as it pertains to indicators of their recovery. Further study examining symptom onset, duration and treatment in addition to more robust individual survivor characteristics would provide further insight into the symptom experience in this population
Open-Minded Cognition and Transmission of Norms
Full text linkThis research aimed to explore general and general normative open-minded cognition, respectively, as shaped by prominent social figures (i.e., normative referents). The administered survey included two distinct measures in attempt to estimate the amount and/or severity of influence each referent possesses over the participants, GOMC (i.e., General Open-Minded Cognition) and GNORM (i.e., General Open-Minded Cognition as determined by normative standards). The research hypothesized the GNORM of the determinants: Caregivers, Teachers, Community Leaders, and Peers, have a statistically significant affect over both the GOMC and GNORM of the participants, due to the fundamental psychological authority each determinant maintains over the participant throughout childhood development. In other words, the long- lasting impacts of such figures, as described in multiple areas of psychological literature and experimentation, would be exemplified in the participant\u27s dispositional open-mindedness. Furthermore, this study predicted the normative referents held a statistically significant predictability power over the participants GOMC and GNORM, with potentially one determinant predicting above and beyond the other three. An online, Qualtrics survey consisting of one GOMC measure, five instances of GNORM, four relationship closeness checks, and a concluding demographic section was given to Loyola Undergraduate students enrolled in psychology courses (e.g., PSYC 101), in order to empirically measure the hypothesized relationships. The participants were instructed to answer the GOMC and first GNORM measure through their personal perspective. The remaining four GNORM measures, however, displayed instructions for the participant to answer from the perspective of a certain normative referent (i.e., Caregivers, etc.). Relationship closeness checks were also built into the survey, however, the responses to such questions were not included in the statistical analyses. These checks should be considered closer to demographic questions than actual measures, provided solely for contextual cues of the individual participant\u27s perspective on a certain referent and inspiration for future research looking at the effect of Caregivers, Teachers, Community Leaders, and Peers. A short demographic section was also included in the survey. The participants were asked to record their gender identity, age, political affiliation, household size, place of origin description, and religious affiliation. They then read a short debrief and concluding statement, with contact information for both the faculty sponsor and primary investigator. The participants were requested to not reveal the contents of the study to other potential participants, as this cross-contamination might bias the results. Overall, the goals of this study were rooted in the exploratory nature of the content. Determinants such as these have not been included in open-minded cognition to date, and, what\u27s more, the GNORM measure has yet to be validated. Due to the novel nature of this research, directional hypotheses, positive versus negative associations, are not included in the proposal. The primary initiative of this study is to shed light on an ever-growing field of study
Voices from Roger\u27s Park: How Entrepreneurs Navigate Cultural and Language Challenges with Community-Focused Advising
Full text linkThis study explores the cultural and linguistic challenges of entrepreneurs and business-serving organizations (BSOs) in Rogers Park, Chicago, highlighting how community-focused advising supports resilience and growth. Drawing on qualitative interview data, we analyze how entrepreneurs navigate language barriers, adapt to cultural expectations, and leverage community networks. Findings reveal that cultural and language differences create unique operational challenges, addressed through tailored, community-based advising that fosters social capital and business acumen. This research underscores the value of culturally sensitive advising in supporting diverse, immigrant-rich communities
Investigating the Role of the NSP15 Amino-Terminal Domain in NSP15 Function, Viral Replication, and Pathogenesis
Full text linkIdentifying conserved mechanisms used by viruses to delay host innate responses can reveal potential targets for antiviral therapeutics. Here, we investigated coronavirus nonstructural protein 15 (nsp15), which encodes a highly conserved endoribonuclease (EndoU). EndoU functions as an immune antagonist by limiting the accumulation of viral replication intermediates that would otherwise be sensed by the host. Despite being a promising antiviral target, it has been difficult to develop small molecule inhibitors that target the EndoU active site. We generated nsp15 mutants of SARS-CoV-2 and mouse coronavirus MHV-A59 and identified conserved residues within the amino-terminal domain that are required for EndoU activity. Loss of EndoU activity caused the activation of host sensors, which limited viral replication in interferon responsive cells and attenuated disease in MHV-infected mice. Using transcriptional profiling, we found that MHV EndoU mutant viruses upregulate multiple host sensors, including Z-form nucleic acid-binding protein 1 (ZBP1). We found that nsp15 mutants induced early, robust ZBP1-mediated necroptosis. EndoU mutant viruses also induced ZBP1-independent apoptosis and pyroptosis pathways, causing early, robust cell death that limits virus replication and pathogenesis. Overall, we document the importance of the amino-terminal domain for EndoU function. We also highlight the importance of nsp15/EndoU activity for evading host sensors, delaying cell death, and promoting pathogenesis
Plasmodium berghei Subpellicular Microtubule Protein-1 (PbSPM-1) is a Microtubule Stabilizing Protein That Affects Schizont Development
Full text linkIn eukaryotes, microtubules (MTs) are regulated by microtubule-associated proteins (MAP), only a few of which have been characterized in the malaria parasite to date. Here we present the functional characterization of STOP axonemal protein 1 (SAXO1) of the rodent parasite Plasmodium berghei. The protein exhibits high sequence and organizational conservation to the subpellicular microtubule protein 1 (SPM1) of the apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii and SAXO1 of Trypanosoma brucei. SAXO1 proteins are conserved in most eukaryotes where they form a protein family. We refer to this protein as PbSPM1. It is a 38 kD protein that is organized into an N-terminal projectile domain followed by a tubulin-binding domain, which consists of 6 identical repeats, and a C-terminal tail domain. Using a human cell line, U2OS, we demonstrate that PbSPM1 associates with microtubules via its microtubule-binding domain. We generated a P. berghei SPM1 KO strain using CRISPR/Cas 9. Our results show that PbSPM1 is not essential for asexual parasite development. We did however observe mature schizonts with unorganized dispersed merozoites. Immunofluorescence (IFA) revealed that the microtubules in SPM1-KO parasites did not efficiently polymerize and did not form discernable microtubule organization centers (MTOC), which was in contrast to the wild-type parasite. These results indicate that SPM1 stabilizes microtubules in the parasite. It was recently reported that SAXO1 localizes to the lumen of microtubules and forms an internal lattice that associates longitudinally with microtubule filaments. Our data support the hypothesis that a main function of PbSPM11 is the stabilization of microtubules
The Rhetoric of Answers in Genesis: An Analysis of Science Denial in Online Media
No full textThis research project performs a rhetorical analysis of a series of articles published by Answers in Genesis in order to develop a greater understanding for how the science denial of Young Earth Creationism operates in online media. The research ultimately seeks to demonstrate the manner in which Answers in Genesis employs a patterned usage of a variety of recognizable rhetorical devices in its argumentation as a means of attempting to frame its religious claims as properly scientific and to continue to propagate science denial in its online content
Embodied Freedom: Nietzsche on Agency, Health, and Value
Full text linkThis study examines Nietzsche’s views on freedom to show how they inform a notion of human flourishing. I argue that while Nietzsche denies the existence of a metaphysical freedom in which the self is an unconditioned cause of events, he affirms an embodied freedom in which our consciousness can function as part of the causal explanation for action in virtue of its ability to alter the expression of bodily drives. However, I demonstrate that agential power in this sense can only function in conjunction with other causal factors that constitute constraints on freedom. As such, I argue that there is an ineliminable tension in Nietzschean agency. In short, while we can be in control of our actions in some sense, we are not in control in another. Despite this conclusion, I argue that this tension is generative in that Nietzsche holds that thinking of ourselves as both free and constrained contributes to the best kind of life. I show that the highest form of such constrained freedom involves a bodily health that persons can express if they engage in contests as the means of continually creating new values. In my view, engaging in such a practice allows persons to think of their causal activity as enduring what Nietzsche claims is the inevitable decay of values. As a result, I argue that he treats this way of being in the world as constitutive of the best life because it represents the highest expression of power. I argue that my interpretation of Nietzschean freedom provides three main advantages. First, it explains why Nietzsche describes honesty and contestation as necessary for freedom. Second, my view best explains the ambiguity in Nietzsche’s assessment of the ascetic priest. Finally, my reading resolves the apparently paradoxical features of the sovereign individual, Goethe, and Nietzsche himself