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In Defense of Identity: A Comparative Analysis of Indigenous Self-Defense Movements in North America
Get PDFThis paper conducts a comparative analysis of two significant historical events of Indigenous resistance in North America: the Northwest Rebellion of 1885 in Canada and the Wounded Knee Occupation of 1973 in the United States. The Métis during the Northwest Rebellion and the Lakota Oglala along with American Indian Movement activists during the Wounded Knee Occupation both sought to assert their rights against encroaching government policies and settler expansion. By examining the actors, agendas, actions, and outcomes of these movements, the paper explores the nuanced nature of self-defense within a settler-colonial context. Comparative analysis highlights the persistent efforts of Indigenous peoples to protect their communities and cultures despite enduring oppression and genocide. It also investigates how media portrayal and the dynamics of authority influence the success of resistance efforts, revealing the distinct challenges faced by Indigenous communities in Canada and the United States. Through an exploration of these cases, we underscore the ongoing struggles of Indigenous self-determination and the importance of solidarity in resisting colonial legacies. Ultimately, this paper provides a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted nature of Indigenous resistance and the critical role of self-defense in preserving cultural identity and autonomy. Understanding the paths of self-defense that were taken in the past is key to guiding the ongoing struggle against genocide, oppression, and the destruction of indigenous communities
Defending against Extermination: A Comparative Approach to Self-Defense in the Case of Mass Atrocity
Get PDFThis paper is a comparative study of three contemporary cases of self-defense in the context of mass atrocity. I define self-defense as violence deployed by armed groups as non-state or quasi-state actors to preserve life and social group integrity. This definition acknowledges power relations as complex and violence as multidirectional. Actors include informal defenders, civilians, military actors each overlapping with varying interests. I pose the research question: what is legitimate self-defense in the context of mass atrocity, and how is it presented in the public sphere, regionally and internationally for the purpose of political support or sympathy? In doing so I address the claims of mass atrocity, and the methods of violence used and the targets of this violence used in to self-defense. Answering these questions in this explorative paper are data from three comparative cases focused on a specific year of self-defense actions in each: Hamas in Gaza during 2023; Artsakh Defense Forces (ADF) in Artsakh or Nagorno-Karabakh in 2020; and, Twirwaneho in Congo in 2021
Exploring Social Networks: An Analysis of Intra-organizational Networks
Get PDFThis research investigates intra-organizational social networks by employing network science methods, aiming to provide actionable insights for both managers and employees. Using datasets from the Colorado Index of Complex Networks (ICON), this study examines four intra-organizational networks from a consulting firm and a research team, focusing on advice requests and skill awareness. The analysis includes network topology, degree distribution, community detection, correlation between communities and node attributes, maximal clique detection, and multilayer network analysis. The findings reveal that intra-organizational networks are intricate and significantly impact organizational efficiency and individual career development. Key insights include the importance of mid-level employees in network connectivity, the existence of bad edges where advice is sought from less competent peers, and the influence of regional and locational factors on communication patterns. The study emphasizes the need to enhance knowledge sharing and inter-region communications. For employees, understanding the structure of these networks can guide them to more effectively leverage their social connections for career advancement. This interdisciplinary effort bridges gaps in the existing literature and showcases the potential of integrating network science methods into social science research
The RNA-binding protein Msi2 regulates autophagy during myogenic differentiation
Get PDFSkeletal muscle development is a highly ordered process orchestrated transcriptionally by the myogenic regulatory factors. However, the downstream molecular mechanisms of myogenic regulatory factor functions in myogenesis are not fully understood. Here, we identified the RNA-binding protein Musashi2 (Msi2) as a myogenin target gene and a post-transcriptional regulator of myoblast differentiation. Msi2 knockdown in murine myoblasts blocked differentiation without affecting the expression of MyoD or myogenin. Msi2 overexpression was also sufficient to promote myoblast differentiation and myocyte fusion. Msi2 loss attenuated autophagosome formation via down-regulation of the autophagic protein MAPL1LC3/ATG8 (LC3) at the early phase of myoblast differentiation. Moreover, forced activation of autophagy effectively suppressed the differentiation defects incurred by Msi2 loss. Consistent with its functions in myoblasts in vitro, mice deficient for Msi2 exhibited smaller limb skeletal muscles, poorer exercise performance, and muscle fiber–type switching in vivo. Collectively, our study demonstrates that Msi2 is a novel regulator of mammalian myogenesis and establishes a new functional link between muscular development and autophagy regulation
Transatlantic Traditions: The History of Welsh Quarrying and its Connections to Newfoundland Slate
Get PDFPrevious archaeological investigations have conclusively shown that the presence of Welshmen has co-occurred with the practice of local slate quarrying in Newfoundland since the early colonial ventures of the 17th century. The island experienced a resurgence in Welsh culture in the 19th century when a number of small slate quarries were established overlooking both the Bay of Islands on the west coast and Smith Sound in Trinity Bay. The following article outlines the history of these 19th-century Newfoundland quarries, as well as the social, political and economic factors which encouraged the migration of Welsh quarrymen across the Atlantic to remote and isolated areas of the island. The brief but intensive quarrying activity of the 19th and 20th centuries left indelible marks on the Trinity Bay landscape, and this article concludes by outlining preliminary explorations of archaeological remains near the town of Hickman’s Harbour on Random Island
Cod Fish and Cooking Pots: Research on Trade Routes of the French North Atlantic
Get PDFThe materiality of the French occupation at Anse à Bertrand, Saint-Pierre has been documented over three years of excavation to understand the commercial routes that provisioned the fisherman who inhabited the point from 1763 to 1815. By comparing the ceramics from that occupation to the temporally similar Habitation Crève Coeur in Martinique, the trade routes that connect France’s colonial territories can be further understood, highlighting the vitality of these labour forces to the French empire
Sustainability Hub Newsletter - May 2024
Get PDFIn this edition of the newsletter, learn about an eco-friendly swap you can make, what to recycle at the Science Library, and a citizen science kit to loan! Also read about what plants you can start growing this season, including an ingredient you can cook with! There’s also some end of the semester tips, how we celebrated Earth Day, and how one student grew a dorm garden
Adrenal Suppression From Vamorolone and Prednisone in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: Results From the Phase 2b Clinical Trial
Get PDFContext: Vamorolone, a novel “dissociative” steroid, demonstrated similar efficacy in muscle function relative to prednisone 0.75 mg/kg/day but improved linear growth and bone turnover markers in a randomized trial of pediatric Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Objectives: To determine the frequency of adrenal suppression (AS) induced by vamorolone and prednisone in pediatric DMD and to assess cortisol thresholds using a monoclonal antibody immunoassay. Methods: Post hoc analysis of cortisol levels was performed on data from a randomized, double-blind, placebo- and prednisone-controlled 24- week trial of vamorolone with a 24-week crossover extension. Morning and ACTH-stimulated cortisol levels were measured using the Elecsys II immunoassay, with AS defined as a stimulated cortisol of /L (“historical threshold”) and /L (“revised threshold”). Results: Mean age at enrolment was 5.41 ± 0.86 years (n = 118). At week 24, the proportion of participants with AS using the historical and revised cortisol thresholds, respectively, were as follows: prednisone 0.75 mg/kg/day = 100% (25/25) and 92.0% (23/25); vamorolone 6 mg/ kg/day = 95.2% (20/21) and 90.5% (19/21); vamorolone 2 mg/kg/day = 84.2% (16/19) and 47.5% (9/19); and placebo = 20.0% (4/20) and 0% (0/20). Morning and peak ACTH-stimulated cortisol were strongly correlated in steroid-treated boys (Spearman correlation week 48 = 0.83). Conclusion: AS after vamorolone and prednisone was frequent and vamorolone-associated AS appeared dose-dependent. A lower stimulated cortisol threshold may be appropriate when using a monoclonal assay. We recommend hydrocortisone for glucocorticoid stress dosing in patients receiving vamorolone
Assessment of Infant Exposure to Antidepressants through Breastfeeding: A Literature Review of Currently Available Approaches
Get PDFDespite the prevalence of depression in lactating mothers, there is a lack of knowledge about the excretion of antidepressants into breast milk and its potential adverse effects on infants. This creates concern, making depressed lactating mothers more likely to avoid pharmacological treatment. Clinical lactation studies are the most accurate and direct method to predict and demonstrate the excretion of antidepressants into human breast milk, and results from clinical studies can be included in drug labels to help physicians and patients make decisions on antidepressant use during lactation. However, there are limited clinical trials and studies on the pharmacokinetics of antidepressants in lactating women because of a lack of enrollment and ethical and confounding factors, creating a lack of knowledge in this area. To bridge this gap in knowledge, alternative methods should be sought to help estimate the antidepressant concentration in breast milk, which is used to assess the safety and transfer of antidepressants into breast milk. We provide a comprehensive review of the usage of these cost-effective, time-efficient, and ethically feasible methods that serve to provide a valuable estimation of the safety and transfer of antidepressants into breast milk before conducting clinical studies