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Religion and Economic Development: Past, Present, and Future
Get PDFThis chapter examines the role of religion in economic development, both historically and today. Religion\u27s influence varies globally, with high religiosity in countries like Pakistan and low rates in China. Despite declines in some Western countries, religion remains influential worldwide, with projected growth in Muslim populations due to higher fertility rates. Religion continues to shape societal norms and institutions, such as education and politics, even after its direct influence fades. The chapter explores how religious institutions and norms have impacted economic outcomes, focusing on both persistence and decline. It also examines cultural transmission, institutional entrenchment, networks, and religious competition as mechanisms sustaining religion\u27s influence. We explore the relationship between religion and secularization, showing that economic development does not always reduce religiosity. Lastly, the chapter highlights gaps in the literature and suggests future research areas on the evolving role of religion in economic development
Brain Endothelial Cells as Phagocytes: Mechanisms and Implications
Get PDFBrain microvascular endothelial cells (BECs) lining the brain capillaries form the anatomical site of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), providing a highly selective barrier to support brain homeostasis and function. While the BBB acts as a barrier to immune cells and pathogens under normal conditions, BECs can facilitate their entry into the CNS via a phagocytosis-like mechanism. A similar process is now increasingly reported for a diverse set of cargos, resulting in the categorization of BECs as “non-professional” phagocytes and redefining the conventional view that these cells are functionally non-phagocytic. This review aims to summarize research demonstrating the capacity of BECs to phagocytose various cargos, including aged red blood cells (RBC), myelin debris, and embolic particles. Mechanistically, BEC phagocytosis can be triggered by the exposure of phosphatidylserine on RBC, expression of adhesion molecules such as ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 on BECs, cargo-opsonization, and/or involve BEC cytoskeleton remodeling. Phagocytic activity by BECs has significant clinical implications ranging from regulation of cerebral microvascular patency (particularly by contributing to and resolving capillary stalling), clearance of brain parenchymal debris, and brain parenchymal invasion by pathogens. Further, BEC phagocytosis of RBC, which represents a cell (RBC)-in-cell (BEC) phenomenon, is implicated in hemorrhagic lesions including cerebral microhemorrhages. This review aims to shed light on BEC phagocytosis as an important function within the brain microvascular system and will delve into the underlying mechanisms, discuss the clinical implications, and identify gaps in our understanding of this phenomenon
How Do We Observe Relational Observables?
Get PDFIn theories with a diffeomorphism symmetry, such as general relativity and canonical quantum gravity, it is often proposed that the empirical content is encoded in relational observables. But how do relational observables actually make contact with experience? I argue that this question can only be answered by providing a schematization of the observer which is appropriate for the context of a diffeomorphism-invariant theory. I suggest that this may require us to move away from a ‘passive awareness’ conception of consciousness towards a more agential conception, because there is a clear sense in which an embodied agent must experience herself as localised at a time. Finally, I consider what this means for the prospects of using quantum reference frames to address the problem of time, arguing that the way in which quantum reference frames are standardly described does not give us adequate resources to model agency, so some other kind of internal reference frame may be required to fully explain how we observe relational observables in the quantum context
3rd Place Contest Entry: Nontraditional and Commuter Student Experiences and Challenges
Get PDFThis is Sevana Karagoulian\u27s submission for the 2025 Eric M. Scandrett Graduate Research Prize, which won third place. It contains their essay on using library resources, their bibliography, and a summary of their research project on nontraditional and commuter student experiences and challenges.
Sevana is a student in the Ph.D. in Education program at Chapman University. Their faculty mentor is Dr. Keith Howard
Opening the Door of The Celluloid Closet
No full textWhile watching the documentary, The Celluloid Closet, I was instantly intrigued by how queer people and cinema mixed. Going as far back to the black and white, silent films era, queer people have been used as comedic relief, but not in an appealing way. Constantly being the butt of the joke, disregard for queer people became so normalized that certain tropes started popping up in cinema. One trope that we can still see be used frequently in today’s films is the “bury your gays” trope (also known as the “dead lesbians syndrome”) where queer characters in cinema are not allowed a happy ending and are typically killed off in an extremely gruesome manner, usually after finally accepting an intimate part of themselves. Some examples in cinema are The 100 (2014), Brokeback Mountain (2005), and The Children’s Hour (1961). These harmful tropes tend to send the message that queer people are not valuable or important enough to be living a happy and free life only because of their sexual orientation. Sure, the representation of queer characters in cinema is there, but what good is it when they’re killed off in the end? Another interesting fact I saw being mentioned in the documentary was the usage of the slur “faggot”. Antonio Fargas, one of the interviewees, brought up the point that in cinema, the n slur is used to either portray an ignorant and racist cop, or as a form of friendliness and bond between two Black people. He points out that this is different from how cinema uses the word “faggot”, where characters in film use it as a casual yet offensive manner. This trains the audience to put an insulting context to the word, where being called a “faggot” or “fag” is meant to be as a form of attacking. Recently, cinema has been doing better at representing queer people, however, there is still a lot of changes to be made. No more queer murderers or killers, no more killing off queer characters, no more offensive queer jabs. If we want queer people and cinema to mix, we have to do it right, and good, correct representation is the way make that happen
Developing Accessible Narrative-Based STEM Learning Software for K-6 Braille Display Users
No full textThis research develops a free, accessible web application that enables K-6 students who are blind or visually impaired (BVI) to learn STEM concepts using refreshable braille displays. Currently, most online learning tools are not designed for BVI students, creating a significant educational barrier.
The application interfaces with commercial braille displays and uses narrative-based learning to make STEM content approachable and engaging. By presenting material as interactive stories, students can connect with concepts while developing braille reading skills. The curriculum design prioritizes accessibility through the Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA) standards and screen reader support.
The goal is to provide BVI students with learning experiences comparable to their sighted peers, including fun, personalization, and independent exploration. This helps them feel more integrated into the classroom experience
HarmonicThreads – An Interface That Supports Accessibility in Musical Interaction
No full textTraditional musical instruments often can create boundaries due to their cost, training, mobility, and cognitive requirements, making musical expression inaccessible. To address this challenge, we developed HarmonicThreads, a novel pervasive computing interface consisting of a responsive, flexible fabric. HarmonicThreads provides a tactile and auditory experience, allowing users to easily create and control sounds. Using embedded sensors and real-time processing, HarmonicThreads interprets the user\u27s natural movements and interactions to create adaptable musical outputs. This enables context-aware musical interaction, demonstrating the potential of pervasive interfaces in reducing barriers and making musical expression more accessible
Design Considerations for Conversational Agents to Assess the Social-emotional Well-being of Young Children in Low-Income South African Communities
No full textA variety of digital technologies have been used to support early childhood development (ECD) programs in low-income South African communities. Even though technology has provided opportunities to increase access to health interventions, the lack of trust and socio-economic constraints under which these tools would need to work pose complex challenges. We examine home visitors’ work processes, experiences, and preferences of a conversational agent to support their work of administering social-emotional well-being assessments to young children ages 0-5. Analysis of the results of focus groups with 51 home visitors indicates the need for designing conversational agents that support ECD in the cultural context of South African communities, and engaging through trust-building activities, which is essential for the sustainability of an ECD intervention. We identified that home visitors find it essential to engage in trust-building activities with caregivers through personal storytelling, community workshops, and empathetic communication. This allows home visitors to engage caregivers in using a conversational agent for their child’s social-emotional well-being assessments. Additionally, we provide key design considerations for the low-income South African community context by designing the conversational agent in local languages, cultural phrases and idioms, and to include visual elements to enhance literacy. We present design implications for designing conversational agents rooted in a foundation of trust and ways to incorporate storytelling approaches into conversational agents. This work advances the exploration of the types of complex challenges that can arise in resource-constrained settings by introducing new technical methods in innovative ways rather than refraining due to implementation and sustainability challenges
The Differential Effects of cAMP Mobilizing Agents on TGF-β-induced Extracellular Matrix in Human Lung-Derived Fibroblasts: Insights into Therapeutic Targets for Lung Fibrosis
No full textBackground
Injury-repair responses typically induce tissue or organ scarring. Generally, cAMP-mobilizing agents inhibit the activation of fibroblasts and deposition of extracellular matrix. Some but not all cAMP-mobilizing agents inhibit fibrosis. Evidence suggests that inhaled treprostinil, a prostacyclin (IP) analog, increases intracellular cAMP levels [cAMP]I, and slows the decline in pulmonary function in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). However, the molecular mechanisms by which cAMP-mobilizing agents, including treprostinil, alter the expression of matrix proteins in human lung fibroblasts (HLF) remain unclear. Unlike other Gαs -coupled receptors, we posit that the antifibrotic properties of treprostinil are driven by cAMP-mobilizing-dependent and -independent responses mediated by the IP receptor activation. Methods
As a model of lung fibrosis, primary HLF derived from non-IPF and IPF donors were stimulated with TGF-β; collagen 1A1 and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI) expression were then measured in the presence and absence of cAMP mobilizing agents. The necessity of receptor activation for inhibiting TGF-β-induced markers of fibrosis was determined by using soluble receptor inhibitors and decreasing receptor expression with siRNA. Results
Treprostinil decreased TGF-β-induced extracellular matrix production by HLF, and the magnitude of the inhibition was greater than that of other cAMP-mobilizing GPCR agonists despite these agents comparably increasing cAMP levels. There was no difference in the sensitivity and magnitude of the treprostinil inhibition in HLF derived from non-fibrosis and lung fibrosis donors. Treprostinil inhibition of TGF-β-induced collagen 1A1and PAI-1 was mediated through the activation of the IP receptor. The activation of the EP2 receptor, in part, inhibited TGF-β-induced collagen 1A1 expression by treprostinil or prostaglandin E2. β2 agonists had little effect on TGF-β-induced expression of collagen 1A1 and PAI-1. The inhibitory effects of treprostinil on TGF-β-induced collagen 1A1 expression required Gαs activation, while Gαs only partially mediated treprostinil inhibition of PAI-1. Conclusion
The anti-fibrotic properties of treprostinil are primarily mediated by the IP receptor, acting through both Gαs-dependent and -independent pathways. Understanding the differential effects of cAMP-mobilizing pathways on HLF fibrotic signatures can provide insight into developing novel targets to manage IPF