Innate immune basis for rift valley fever susceptibility in mouse models

Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) leads to varied clinical manifestations in animals and in humans that range from moderate fever to fatal illness, suggesting that host immune responses are important determinants of the disease severity. We investigated the immune basis for the extreme susceptibility of MBT/Pas mice that die with mild to acute hepatitis by day 3 post-infection compared to more resistant BALB/cByJ mice that survive up to a week longer. Lower levels of neutrophils observed in the bone marrow and blood of infected MBT/Pas mice are unlikely to be causative of increased RVFV susceptibility as constitutive neutropenia in specific mutant mice did not change survival outcome. However, whereas MBT/Pas mice mounted an earlier inflammatory response accompanied by higher amounts of interferon (IFN)-α in the serum compared to BALB/cByJ mice, they failed to prevent high viral antigen load. Several immunological alterations were uncovered in infected MBT/Pas mice compared to BALB/cByJ mice, including low levels of leukocytes that expressed type I IFN receptor subunit 1 (IFNAR1) in the blood, spleen and liver, delayed leukocyte activation and decreased percentage of IFN-γ-producing leukocytes in the blood. These observations are consistent with the complex mode of inheritance of RVFV susceptibility in genetic studies

Innate immune basis for rift valley fever susceptibility in mouse models

Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) leads to varied clinical manifestations in animals and in humans that range from moderate fever to fatal illness, suggesting that host immune responses are important determinants of the disease severity. We investigated the immune basis for the extreme susceptibility of MBT/Pas mice that die with mild to acute hepatitis by day 3 post-infection compared to more resistant BALB/cByJ mice that survive up to a week longer. Lower levels of neutrophils observed in the bone marrow and blood of infected MBT/Pas mice are unlikely to be causative of increased RVFV susceptibility as constitutive neutropenia in specific mutant mice did not change survival outcome. However, whereas MBT/Pas mice mounted an earlier inflammatory response accompanied by higher amounts of interferon (IFN)-α in the serum compared to BALB/cByJ mice, they failed to prevent high viral antigen load. Several immunological alterations were uncovered in infected MBT/Pas mice compared to BALB/cByJ mice, including low levels of leukocytes that expressed type I IFN receptor subunit 1 (IFNAR1) in the blood, spleen and liver, delayed leukocyte activation and decreased percentage of IFN-γ-producing leukocytes in the blood. These observations are consistent with the complex mode of inheritance of RVFV susceptibility in genetic studies

Comparing North American Professional Sports League Season Formats using Monte Carlo Simulation

Each NFL, NBA, and MLB season consists of a regular season, in which teams play a set number of scheduled games and a playoff, in which qualifying teams compete for a championship. At the conclusion of each season, teams are ranked based on their performance throughout the season. This study aims to investigate the ability of each league\u27s season format to accurately rank teams using Monte Carlo simulation. Matches between two teams are simulated by using the team’s assigned strength ranks to calculate a winning probability for each team. The winning probabilities are simulated with different skill values, dictating how much impact the difference in the team\u27s strength ranks has on the outcome of games. The outcome is determined randomly using these probabilities. For each league, season format features—including the scheduling and regular season, tournament qualification and seeding, and the playoff format—are modeled. The study concludes that the NFL\u27s season format is least effective at ranking teams. The MLB\u27s season format is more slightly more effective at ranking teams when the value of skill is low, but slightly less effective than the NBA\u27s season format when skill is more of a factor. The study also finds that the inclusion of a playoff results in less accurate rankings compared to the regular season winning percentages alone, across all leagues and skill values

Comparing North American Professional Sports League Season Formats using Monte Carlo Simulation

Each NFL, NBA, and MLB season consists of a regular season, in which teams play a set number of scheduled games and a playoff, in which qualifying teams compete for a championship. At the conclusion of each season, teams are ranked based on their performance throughout the season. This study aims to investigate the ability of each league\u27s season format to accurately rank teams using Monte Carlo simulation. Matches between two teams are simulated by using the team’s assigned strength ranks to calculate a winning probability for each team. The winning probabilities are simulated with different skill values, dictating how much impact the difference in the team\u27s strength ranks has on the outcome of games. The outcome is determined randomly using these probabilities. For each league, season format features—including the scheduling and regular season, tournament qualification and seeding, and the playoff format—are modeled. The study concludes that the NFL\u27s season format is least effective at ranking teams. The MLB\u27s season format is more slightly more effective at ranking teams when the value of skill is low, but slightly less effective than the NBA\u27s season format when skill is more of a factor. The study also finds that the inclusion of a playoff results in less accurate rankings compared to the regular season winning percentages alone, across all leagues and skill values

Lennar Technology: The Connected Consumer Has Arrived in Multifamily

As multifamily homebuilders progress into the 21st century, they have looked to integrate electronics and technology to simplify and enhance their businesses. The use of programs like Yardi and MRI for both property management and accounting have become the standard. Like Moore’s Law – the observation that the number of transistors in a dense integrated circuit will double approximately every two years – the use of technology in multifamily properties must equal both the pace and demand of present and future tenants

Electrathon Vehicle: Steering

The Electrathon Vehicle project is an ongoing project that dates back to 2012. The Electrathon Vehicle began as a frame and three wheels when given to the EV club. In past projects the vehicle has had frame and suspension work. The current design is only partially assembled and does not allow for any steering in the vehicle. A steering system needed to be developed in order for the vehicle to be controlled while a person is sitting in the seat. A steering system was designed that could withstand the force of maneuvering the vehicle in excess of 30 mph. This was done using cantilever beam analysis (a beam sticking out of a wall with a weight on it), shear and moment diagrams (shows where the maximum stress is in the beam in a graph type format), torque analysis (a shaft being twisted with a certain amount of force on one end and the other end fixed in place), and shear bolt analysis (required force to break a bolt). The analysis on the steering system concluded that the parts would be able to withstand the projected forces being put on them. The steering system needed to be able to turn within a 50 foot radius with a person in it. The calculated results were confirmed to be able to withstand the forces. The Electrathon Vehicle was able to turn within a 50 foot radius

Impromptu Domesticity: Housing Adaptations by the Marshallese in Springdale, AR

This study analyzes the relationship between people and their spatial environment through the lens of cultural practices and experiences. By using theories of cultural identity and activity patterns to compare spatial usage in two differing circumstances, this study will help to better understand the spatial needs of Marshallese living in Springdale, Arkansas. The analysis uses two in-depth interviews to establish a base of qualitative data to understand the unique needs of this specific population. Through constructs such as spatial fluidity, sharing culture, and ability to adapt to new spatial practices, the two cases are compared to one another in order to understand each case’s specific circumstances

Round II: Exploring the Experiences of Black, First-Generation Graduate and Professional Students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)

This phenomenological study explores the experiences of Black, first-generation (first-gen) students pursuing advanced degrees at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), following the COVID-19 pandemic and racial justice movements like Black Lives Matter. Additionally, this study examines the present-day motivations to pursue advanced degrees, particularly the benefits of doing so at an HBCU. The main research question guiding this study is: What are the experiences of Black, first-gen graduate and professional students at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs)? The sub-questions are: How do Black, first-gen graduate and professional students describe being a first-gen student? What barriers and supports impact the educational experiences of Black, first-gen students in graduate and professional programs at HBCUs? What factors influence Black, first-gen students’ decisions to attend an HBCU for postgraduate study? Data sources include 40 semi-structured interviews with Black, first-gen students enrolled in advanced degree programs at HBCUs, supplemented by a content analysis of mission statements provided by HBCUs and their departments. Findings were interpreted with a theoretical combination of sense of belonging theory and the community cultural wealth model. The main themes that emerged from the data were: (a) the impact of formative experiences on the choice to attend an HBCU for postgraduate study; (b) the academic and social landscapes of HBCUs in the 2020s; (c); the significance of fostering psychologically safe environments in postgraduate education; and (d) the role of linked fate in goal-setting and aspirations. Implications for policy, practical applications, and future research are also presented