Contamination-resistant, rapid emulsion-based isothermal nucleic acid amplification with Mie-scatter inspired light scatter analysis for bacterial identification

An emulsion loop-mediated isothermal amplification (eLAMP) platform was developed to reduce the impact that contamination has on assay performance. Ongoing LAMP reactions within the emulsion droplets cause a decrease in interfacial tension, causing a decrease in droplet size, which results in decreased light scatter intensity due to Mie theory. Light scatter intensity was monitored via spectrophotometers and fiber optic cables placed at 30° and 60°. Light scatter intensities collected at 3 min, 30° were able to statistically differentiate 103 and 106 CFU/µL initial Escherichia coli O157:H7 concentrations compared to NTC (0 CFU/µL), while the intensity at 60° were able to statistically differentiate 106 CFU/µL initial concentrations and NTC. Control experiments were conducted to validate nucleic acid detection versus bacterial adsorption, finding that the light scatter intensities change is due specifically to ongoing LAMP amplification. After inducing contamination of bulk LAMP reagents, specificity lowered to 0% with conventional LAMP, while the eLAMP platform showed 87.5% specificity. We have demonstrated the use of angle-dependent light scatter intensity as a means of real-time monitoring of an emulsion LAMP platform and fabricated a smartphone-based monitoring system that showed similar trends as spectrophotometer light scatter data, validating the technology for a field deployable platform.

Theorizing disaster communitas

Disaster scholars have long complained that their field is theory light: they are much better at doing and saying than analyzing. The paucity of theory doubtless reflects an understandable focus on case studies and practical solutions. Yet this works against big picture thinking. Consequently, both our comprehension of social suffering and our ability to mitigate it are fragmented. Communitas is exemplary here. This refers to the improvisational acts of mutual help, collective feeling and utopian desires that emerge in the wake of disasters. It has been observed for as long as there has been a sociology of disasters. Within the field, there have been numerous efforts to name and describe it. Yet there has been far less enthusiasm to theorize it, which means that the disaster literature has not adequately explained the social conditions under which communitas arises (or fails to). In this article, we synthesize numerous case studies to do so. This takes us beyond simple statements of what communitas is and what it should be called, to considerations of the conditions under which it emerges, how it should be conceptualized, the factors that might prevent communitas, and how we might encourage it. While primarily a theoretical work, the identification of communitas’ facilitators and barriers have practical import for disaster risk reduction (DRR) policy as communitas has frequently proven to be a positive and potent force.

Focusing of Light Pulses by Different Types of Wavy Parabolic Mirrors

The propagation of an ultra-short light pulse is studied in the framework of scalar diffraction theory. Light pulses are focused by different types of wavy parabolic surfaces. The temporal-spatial behavior of the two-dimensional wave field is computed in the vicinity of the focal plane. It is shown that the slightly perturbation from the perfect parabolic shape leads a space-time dispersion of the pulse in the neighborhood of the focus.

PEMETAAN POTENSI LOKAL KABUPATEN WONOSOBO UNTUK PEMBELAJARAN FISIKA SEKOLAH MENENGAH ATAS (SMA)

MAPPING AND INTEGRATING INDONESIA'S LOCAL POTENTIAL IN HIGH SCHOOL PHYSICS LEARNING TO CREATE THE MEANINGFUL LEARNING AbstractLearning physics in high school requires the fulfillment of 4 core competencies, namely spiritual, social, knowledge, and skills. Therefore, it is needed for various creative activities and meaningful learning to learn it. A contextual approach by integrating local potential and physics material becomes a promising choice for studying physics. This study aims to identify the local potential that can be integrated with the physics material. This is a qualitative research by study of literatureand and survey method. The results showed seven physics materials in SHS based on the Curriculum 2013 Revised Edition can be integrated with the local potential of Wonosobo, Indonesia. There is the nature of physics and measurement of physical quantities; dynamics of motion; static and dynamic fluids; temperature, heat, global warming phenomenon; kinetic gas theory; light and optical devices, and sounds. The local potential are calculate the seeds and agricultural products, Arjuna temple, how farmers irrigate land, sikidang crater, color lake, menjer lakes, pengilon lake, dlingo lake, merdada lake, cebong lake, swiwi lake, steam power plant “Geodipa”, Mangli water source, Carica Pubescens, ongklok noodles, heating equipment, Dieng plateau, Bundengan musical instruments, confusing lines around the Dieng plateau, Serayu River, Kalianget baths, and ruwatan rambut gimbal. AbstrakPembelajaran fisika di SMA menuntut terpenuhinya 4 kompetensi inti, yaitu spiritual, sosial, pengetahuan, dan keterampilan. Oleh karena itu, diperlukan berbagai aktivitas kreatif dan pembelajaran bermakna untuk mempelajarinya. Pendekatan kontekstual dengan mengintegrasikan potensi lokal dan materi fisika menjadi pilihan yang menjanjikan untuk mempelajari fisika. Pemetaan potensi lokal dan materi fisika perlu dilakukan sebelum melaksanakan pembelajaran kontekstual. Penelitian ini bertujuan memetakan potensi lokal yang dapat diintegrasikan dengan pembelajaran fisika SMA guna melaksanakan pembelajaran kontekstual. Metode yang digunakan adalah studi literatur dan survey. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan 7 materi fisika SMA berdasarkan kurikulum 2013 Edisi Revisi dapat dipetakan dengan potensi lokal Kabupaten Wonosobo, Indonesia. Materi tersebut yaitu hakikat fisika dan pengukuran besaran fisika; dinamika gerak; fluida statis dan dinamis; suhu, kalor, gejala pemanasan global; teori kinetik gas; cahaya dan alat optik, dan bunyi. Potensi lokal meliputi menghitung bibit dan hasil pertanian, Candi Arjuna, cara petani mengairi lahan, kawah sikidang, telaga warna, telaga menjer, telaga pengilon, telaga dlingo, telaga merdada, telaga cebong, telaga swiwi, PLTU Geodipa, sumber air mangli, carica, mie ongklok, alat pemanas ruangan, dataran tinggi dieng, alat musik Bundengan, jalur tingungan di sekitar dataran tinggi Dieng, Sungai Serayu, pemandian Kalianget, dan ruwatan rambut gimbal.

Challenges to masculinity in a feminized digital space

Purpose This study aims to explore the perceptions and reactions of men, who participate in a female-dominated online consumption space. It looked at the process of men, (re)negotiating their digital gendered identity on Pinterest. Design/methodology/approach A grounded theory-light approach was taken. Data were collected through 21 one-on-one semi-structured interviews with male Pinterest users. Subsequently, data were extensively coded and analyzed for the key themes and patterns. Findings Three core categories emerged, which speak to the ways men account for their practices on Pinterest as autonomous online agents. These categories were: awareness of Pinterest as a feminized digital space; limited sociality due to the solitary use of Pinterest (the exception being when collaborating with an intimate partner); and performed identities (k = 4) serving to justify the men’s activities on a female-dominated social networking site. Research limitations/implications The findings establish a firm theoretical basis for understanding male Pinterest users as autonomous online agents. However, reflective of this relatively small, exploratory qualitative project, the process-based interview questions did not render, particularly, long or rich narratives. Future qualitative research might endeavor to ask deeper, more open-ended questions. Originality/value This is an original study of men’s use of Pinterest. Research on the identity projects of men entering fields traditionally occupied by women and coded as feminine is established, there is a lack of understanding of how gender identity is (re)constructed digitally, especially on social media.

Is Theory King?: Questioning the Theory Fetish in Information Systems

This paper suggests that there is too much emphasis on the requirement for theory use and theory building in qualitative research published in our leading journals. We discuss six concerns that we have that relate to this high status of theory in such papers. We argue for what we refer to as ‘theory light’ papers where theory plays no significant part in the paper and the contribution lies elsewhere, for example, new arguments, facts, patterns or relationships. Some examples of theory light papers (and research) are provided from other disciplines and one exemplar information systems paper is studied in depth. We see these papers as equally worthy as those which demonstrate the applicability and predictive qualities of theory use as well as the potential of theory building. We propose a list of 10 questions that authors and reviewers might ask themselves when writing or reviewing such theory light papers. The more demanding role of the reader is also discussed along with the requirement for editorial teams to adapt. We suggest that the requirement for a contribution to theory would be replaced with the requirement that any journal paper has a high potential for stimulating research that will impact on information systems theory and/or practice.

Is Theory King?: A Rejoinder

In this rejoinder we discuss six commentaries to our earlier debates and perspectives paper ‘Is theory king?: questioning the theory fetish in information systems’. We argue again for theory light rather than theory free papers, we discuss the potential scope of theories in information systems, we reflect on our terminology and exemplar paper, and we discuss the relevance of our arguments on quantitative research before looking at potential further opportunities to debate this important issue for information systems.