Charting a New Vision: Lessons on \u3cem\u3eVision & Change\u3c/em\u3e from a Network of Biology Educators

The 2011 Vision & Change report outlined several recommendations for transforming undergraduate biology education, sparking multiple pedagogical reform efforts. Among these was the Promoting Active Learning and Mentoring (PALM) network, an NSF-funded program that provided mentorship and training to instructors on implementing active learning in the classroom. Here, we provide a perspective on how members of the biology education community in PALM view the recommendations of Vision & Change, drawing upon our experiences both as members of PALM and as leaders of an associated project funded by another NSF grant that hosted PALM alumni at various conferences. These efforts have allowed us to gain insight into how our alumni think of Vision & Change, including how they interpret its recommendations, the challenges and opportunities that they view for implementing these recommendations, and the areas they see as critical to be addressed in future national reports for supporting undergraduate biology education. We synthesize these voices here, providing perspectives from a diverse group of biology instructors on what they think about Vision & Change, and provide recommendations for the biology education community based upon these PALM community voices

Word, Words, Words Books, Libraries, and the Law,

This Article explores the cultural, historical, and legal significance of books and manuscripts, emphasizing their vulnerability to theft, destruction, and neglect throughout history. From ancient Mesopotamian cuneiform tablets to modern libraries, written materials have functioned not only as vessels of knowledge but also as cultural heritage objects subject to political, religious, and economic targeting. The Article traces the development of manuscripts, the emergence of libraries, and the long history of censorship, biblioclasm, and wartime looting. It highlights the legal challenges surrounding the restitution of stolen manuscripts and rare books, examining case studies involving institutions such as Princeton University, the Getty Museum, and the Museum of the Bible. Through detailed analysis of national patrimony laws, international conventions like the 1954 Hague Convention and the 1970 UNESCO Convention, and prominent court battles, the Article underscores the urgent need to strengthen legal protections for literary heritage. Ultimately, it calls for greater awareness and accountability to ensure that books—our “words, words, words”—are preserved as enduring records of civilization

Theoretical and Experimental Synthesis of β-Fluorinated Morphine Derivative for Selective Binding in Inflamed Tissue

Over the past two decades, the United States has experienced a substantial rise in opioid overdoses and related fatalities. Morphine is a frequent prescription for pain management following traumatic procedures and contributes to potential tolerance and dependency with prolonged use. By reconstructing the structure of morphine, adverse side effects may be eliminated. Previous studies have identified several morphine derivatives that, in theory, could result in fewer side effects. This was determined by a decreased pKₐ of the biochemically active amine group to promote the selective binding in peripheral opioid receptors within inflamed tissue (pH=6-6.5). This activation provides analgesia while central receptors within the brain remain inactive, thus preventing undesired side effects associated with opioids. The study aims to experimentally synthesize the novel opioid derivative Fluoromorphine β-C2 from a theoretical synthesis plan assisted by computational resources. A SmilesCode generator created a single-line string of symbols to illustrate a 3-dimensional molecular compound. These symbols were inputted into IBM RXN for Chemistry, an AI synthesis program, to determine a theoretical synthesis plan starting from the compound 2-chloro-3-fluoromethoxypyridine. The resulting information was cross-referenced with peer-reviewed articles and experts in the field. The first synthesis step was a palladium-catalyzed dechlorination and hydrogenation, which used palladium on carbon in methanol. Stoichiometric ratios of reagents were used to calculate the corresponding masses and volumes of Pd/C, methanol, and the starting reagent. The first step was completed in vivo, and H1 NMR concluded no desired product was synthesized. According to IBM RXN, the reaction step has high confidence (0.965), indicating additional attempts with procedural adjustments could be fruitful. This would mark a significant achievement toward the synthesis of a morphine derivative less capable of the dangerous side effects associated with narcotics

Social Media Addiction Explained Through Film

“How much is too much?” The central frame of my creative work tackles this question through the lens of queerness, addiction, isolation, and self-identity, giving an unfiltered voice to today’s youth. Social Media’s negative effects go deeper than the usual anecdotes of decline in sleep quality, physical activity, and attention span. The ramifications of a negative mental headspace are often overshadowed by flashy promises and a false sense of belonging. The societal impact is especially influenced due to the malleability of the adolescent brain. In 2022, up to 95% of teenagers ages 13 to 17 claimed to use social media, and about a third use it “almost constantly.” I am creating a 5-12 minute narrative short film that dramatizes the often-overlooked, harmful undercurrents of social media. To evoke a visceral response, we’ll employ avant-garde cinematic techniques, including extreme short lenses, dynamic gimbal shots, dutch-angle dolly movements, and inventive compositions. The sound design will feature heavy emphasis on folly, synthetic scoring and highly edited vocals to underscore the artificial humanism on the piece. Gen Z has an indulgence in escapism media, often featuring glamorized characters. The plot draws viewers into a captivating relationship between the protagonist and the seductive allure of a character that personifies social media. This charismatic presence slowly reveals its darker, addictive qualities, prompting the viewer to confront the question: “What happens when desire gives way to dependency?” As a queer college student in my early 20s, I rarely see films that address the issues my peers and I face with genuine authenticity. By bringing an authentic perspective to these complex themes, this project aims not only to resonate deeply with audiences, but also to spark conversations that challenge the normalization of technology addiction. Sources: https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/social-media-teen-mental-health-a-parents-guide https://www.zippia.com/film-maker-jobs/demographics

Dual Perspectives: Exploring Self-Identity Development in Twins

While psychological research often uses twins to compare genetic and environmental influences on development, little attention has been given to the lived experience of twins themselves. This study aimed to target this issue by investigating the developmental implications of being a twin, with a particular focus on the formation of self-identity and individuality. Participants were asked to complete a survey that explored topics such as their self-concept, attachment style, and perceived level of experienced social comparison with their sibling. Results found a statistically significant difference between twins and non-twin siblings on a measure of self-concept, in that twins scored higher on identity disturbance compared to non-twins. This implies that growing up with a twin sibling may pose unique challenges to establishing a secure sense of identity, highlighting the need for future research that more deeply considers how twin dynamics may shape identity development in ways not accounted for by traditional models of growth. Although the study’s other three hypotheses were not supported, additional findings revealed a significant positive correlation among non-twins between experienced comparison with their siblings and similarity to those siblings now, as well as between experienced contrast and perceived dissimilarity. These patterns as a whole point to the importance of considering sibling context in identity development. Overall, these results and future research in the field could help to inform parenting strategies, educational approaches, and even clinical interventions aimed at fostering individuality and secure identity, particularly among twins

En Banc

EN BANC Refreshments and hors d’oeuvres will be served immediately following the last panel in the Kennedy Hall Lobby

AI Is Not the New DEI: Academia’s Addiction to the Next Big Thing

Every August, as campuses come back to life across the country and the world, I notice the same rhythm: new policies announced, committees formed, webinars scheduled, and fall conferences themed around the latest \u27big thing.\u27 This fall? No surprise. The wave is artificial intelligence. AI task forces are meeting weekly. Universities are drafting \u27responsible AI\u27 policies. New centers and certificates are being launched. Syllabi are being rewritten. Symposia and faculty retreats promise that AI will \u27redefine the future of education.\u27 It is bold. It is ambitious. But it is also deeply familiar

Production of Dissolved Organic Matter from Lily Pads (Nymphaea odorata) in a Mesotrophic Freshwater Lake

Macrophytes are potentially an important dissolved organic matter (DOM) source in lakes. To assess the effect of lily pads (Nymphaea odorata) on DOM, optical properties and dissolved organic carbon concentrations (DOC) were measured over a year in Lake Louise, Pacific Northwest, USA. Lily pads were widespread around the shoreline during summer, dying back in the fall. Some optical indices (slope ratio, index of recent autochthonous contribution, fluorescence index) indicated the lake was dominated by DOM from terrestrial sources for most of the year. Indicators of autochthonous production in a few winter samples were attributed to phytoplankton. DOC concentrations and precipitation were not correlated, but DOC was positively correlated with absorption coefficient at 350 nm (α350). DOC and α350 were highest in summer and decreased in the winter wet season, which would be consistent with an in situ lake source being diluted by rainfall as a possible explanation for this. Excitation-emission matrix fluorescence spectra of lake waters and lily pad leachates indicated humic and protein material components. The plant leachates had slope ratio, fluorescence index, and index of recent autochthonous contribution values consistent with terrestrially derived DOM and lake waters. Higher DOC and α350 in the summer were associated with some lower optical indices (specific ultra-violet absorbance, spectral slope, humification index, fluorescence/absorbance ratio ratios), consistent with material derived from lily pads. Estimates indicated lily pads contributed as much to the lake DOM pool in the summer dry season as watershed terrestrial inputs in the winter wet season, suggesting that DOM production by lily pads may account for a significant portion of the carbon pool in smaller lakes

Comprehensive Descriptive Analysis of Large Alzheimer\u27s Disease Patient Cohorts

Background Precise estimates of the prevalence of Alzheimer\u27s disease (AD), the distribution of demographic characteristics, comorbidities, treatment plans, insurance types, cost of treatment and survival probabilities at various time points are crucially important to advancing our understanding and for improving future AD research studies. Objective We analyzed two of the largest and high-quality medical databases, Oracle EHR Real-World Data and IQVIA. The results provide the most complete description of the AD patients in the US. Methods We present high-accuracy summary statistics of many important variables related to AD patients. Proportions, means and 95% confidence intervals were provided for all levels of the categorical and quantitative variables. Results We report high accuracy estimates of the overall survival probabilities for the first five years after initial diagnosis, drug treatments and patterns of use, demographics, insurance types, hospitalization duration, number of hospital visits, and a detailed list of comorbidities. We also report estimates of the annual total average cost of treatment per patient as well as itemized allocations for drugs, hospitalizations, surgery, and management costs. Conclusions We present the most complete, detailed and high-accuracy descriptive analysis of AD patients to date