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All the World’s a Stage: The Use of Participatory Social Justice Theater in Communication Research
No full textThrough the presentation of two case studies, this article demonstrates the significant role that partnering communication theory and participatory arts-based research can play in advancing social justice goals. This article discusses the nature of arts-based research, provides a theoretical framework within communication to guide arts-based research efforts, compares two theatrical approaches to participatory arts-based research in the field of communication, provides recommendations for creating and evaluating this work, and discusses how using arts-based research may be useful for bridging the art-science divide
Probing for Intentions: The Early Readiness Potential Does Not Reflect Awareness of Motor Preparation
Get PDFVoluntary actions are typically preceded by the readiness potential (RP), a negative midfrontal electroencephalography (EEG) deflection that begins ~2 s before movement. What cognitive and neural process the RP reflects and how it relates to conscious intention remain unclear due to conflicting findings. We investigated the neural basis and cognitive significance of the RP in a novel probe-based paradigm. Contrary to prior reports, we found that pre-probe RP buildups were not related to reported awareness of motor preparation. Computational modeling suggested that the best explanation for these results is via metacognitive access to stochastic accumulation. Reported preparation was also related to beta desynchronization over contralateral motor cortex shortly before probe onset. We conclude that the RP may be metacognitively accessible in response to external task demands but does not reflect the onset of a conscious intention. We discuss implications of these findings for voluntary action initiation and intention awareness
KSHV vIL6 Inhibits Functional B Cell Maturation During De Novo Infection
Get PDFDespite causative links to lymphoproliferative disorders, little is known about early events governing KSHV infection in B lymphocytes. IL-6 signaling plays a critical role in KSHV-mediated disease, with human IL-6 (hIL6) levels correlating with viral load and disease progression. This dynamic is even more complex due to the coexistence of hIL6 and KSHV-encoded viral IL-6 (vIL6) in these diseases. We hypothesize that hIL6 and vIL6 play critical, separable and collective roles in the early stages of KSHV infection in B cells. In this study, we use our ex vivo model of KSHV infection in human tonsil lymphocytes to investigate the relative contributions of vIL6 and hIL6 to early infection events in human B cells. We demonstrate that vIL6 and hIL6 collectively suppress KSHV infection in B cells restricting the distribution of KSHV within B cell subsets. We show that vIL6 manipulates hIL6 expression in a subset-specific manner, and that vIL6 and hIL6 differentially influence the differentiation of germinal center and plasmablasts. Taken together, these results suggest a novel paradigm in which KSHV uses vIL6 to abrogate the GC-mediated maturation pathway for antibody secreting cells that is driven by hIL6 signaling
Cilia in the Brain Display Region-Dependent Oscillations of Length and Orientation
Get PDFIn this study, we conducted high-throughput spatiotemporal analysis of primary cilia length and orientation across 22 mouse brain regions. We developed automated image analysis algorithms, which enabled us to examine over 10 million individual cilia, generating the largest spatiotemporal atlas of cilia. We found that cilia length and orientation display substantial variations across different brain regions and exhibit fluctuations over a 24-h period, with region-specific peaks during light-dark phases. Our analysis revealed unique orientation patterns of cilia, suggesting that cilia orientation within the brain is not random but follows specific patterns. Using BioCycle, we identified rhythmic fluctuations in cilia length across five brain regions: the nucleus accumbens core, somatosensory cortex, and the dorsomedial, ventromedial, and arcuate hypothalamic nuclei. Our findings present novel insights into the brain cilia dynamics, and highlight the need for further investigation into cilia’s role in the brain’s response to environmental changes and regulation of oscillatory physiological processes
U.S. Young Adults’ Family-Building Intentions in the Event of Infertility and Knowledge of Associated Costs
Get PDFIntroduction: Infertility affects approximately 8.5% of married women in the United States, yet there is limited understanding of how young adults anticipate and prepare for potential barriers to biological parenthood. As reproductive planning increasingly intersects with social, medical, and financial considerations, it is important to examine how emerging adults perceive and approach family-building options. This study aims to explore college students\u27 intentions regarding childbearing, their openness to non-traditional family-building methods, and their awareness of the associated financial costs.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was administered to undergraduate students (mean age = 20) at a Midwestern public university. Most participants had not previously attempted to conceive. The survey assessed fertility awareness, preferences for family-building in the context of infertility, and cost estimations for various non-traditional options, including adoption, in vitro fertilization (IVF), and surrogacy.
Results: The majority of participants (86%) expressed a desire for biological children, with an average intended family size of 2.3 children. Among non-traditional options, private domestic adoption was the most preferred (58.3%), followed by public adoption (53.0%) and IVF (42.2%). Surrogacy using donor gametes was the least preferred (9.7%). Cost awareness was generally low: only 16.7% of estimates for domestic adoption and 48% for international adoption fell within 75%–125% of actual cost ranges. Gender differences emerged, with women showing greater openness to alternative family-building methods and more accurate cost perceptions, while men reported higher confidence in their reproductive planning.
Discussion: These findings suggest that while college students are generally interested in parenthood, they may lack adequate knowledge about the financial and logistical realities of non-traditional family-building options. The gender differences observed highlight the need for targeted educational interventions. Enhancing fertility literacy and financial preparedness among young adults could support more informed and realistic family planning decisions
Optical Character Recognition for Early Handwriting Legibility Assessment
No full textMonitoring children’s handwriting, such as avoiding writing assignments, displaying uneven letter formation, or showing slow writing speed, can help identify developmental and academic issues early. Poor handwriting affects up to 34% of children, leading to academic and self-esteem challenges. Handwriting assessments, typically conducted by teachers, are often delayed due to workload and could be subjective and inconsistent. This paper explores the potential of Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology to augment and ease handwriting assessments. Based on an evaluation of 10 OCR algorithms using 33 handwriting samples assessed by two experts, the research indicates that Pen to Print and Google are the most accurate for character recognition. However, Handwriting to Text Converter and Smart Text Recognizer align more closely with expert evaluations. These findings suggest that the latter algorithms are better suited for supporting handwriting assessments. Personalized, targeted letter practice guided by OCR-based substitution analysis could enhance handwriting outcomes and tailored feedback
Evaluation of ECOSTRESS Collection 2 Evapotranspiration Products: Strengths and Uncertainties for Evapotranspiration Modeling
Get PDFThe ECOsystem Spaceborne Thermal Radiometer Experiment on Space Station (ECOSTRESS) collects thermal observations from the International Space Station to support evapotranspiration (ET) research at fine spatial resolutions (70 m × 70 m). Initial ET from ECOSTRESS Collection 1 was used in scientific research and applications, though subsequent analyses identified areas for improvement. This study outlines updates to ECOSTRESS Collection 2 ET and presents an accuracy assessment of ET and auxiliary variables validated against in situ data from AmeriFlux. Key updates in Collection 2 include use of four independent model estimates of instantaneous latent energy (LE) and improved auxiliary forcing data. We find the multi-model ensemble achieves a root mean square error (RMSE) of 106 Wm−2 for instantaneous observations (reported as LE) and 1.2 mm day−1 for daily retrievals (reported as ET). When considering uncertainty in energy balance closure approaches for site-level data, the RMSE improves to 50 Wm−2 for instantaneous LE. We observe variable performance based on the solar time of ECOSTRESS acquisition, climate, and vegetation type. Evaluation of auxiliary data highlights limitations in downscaled net radiation and relative humidity, contributing to a diurnal hysteresis in LE. We provide accuracy metrics and model sensitivity to auxiliary data to facilitate user confidence, data adoption, interpretation, and applications. ECOSTRESS is the only instrument capable of providing ET at different times of day at fine spatial scales; thus, this work is an important step toward enhancing the capabilities of satellite-driven ET models in resolving diurnal ET variations and guiding directions for future improvements
Gray Matter Morphology and Pain-related Disability in Young Adults with Low Back Pain
Get PDFStructural neuroplasticity in the brain may contribute to the persistence of low back pain (LBP) symptoms and the disability associated with them. It is not known if structural adaptations are evident early in the lifespan in young adults with LBP. This study compared gray matter in cortical sensorimotor regions in young adults with and without persistent LBP and identified gray matter and clinical predictors of pain-related disability. Eighty-two individuals with and without a history of LBP participated. Peak and average gray matter density in cortical sensorimotor regions of interest was quantified using voxel-based morphometry. Pain-related disability, pain intensity, pain duration, and pain-related fear were also assessed. Multiple linear regression was used to determine independent predictors of pain-related disability. We document significantly greater peak gray matter density in individuals with LBP in the primary somatosensory cortex, angular gyrus, and the midcingulate cortex. Pain-related disability positively correlated with average gray matter density in the posterior cingulate cortex. The most robust predictors of disability were average gray matter in the posterior cingulate, pain intensity, and pain-related fear. We demonstrate that in young adults, persistent LBP, and pain-related disability, are linked with structural differences in regions forming part of the brain network termed the pain matrix. In contrast with studies of LBP in older adults, our findings of increased rather than decreased gray matter in young adults with LBP suggest that gray matter may increase initially in response to nociceptive pain