Optimization Of Simulations And Activities For A New Introductory Quantum Mechanics Curriculum

The Institute of Physics New Quantum Curriculum (quantumphysics.iop.org) consists of online texts and interactive simulations with accompanying activities for an introductory course in quantum mechanics starting from two-level systems. Observation sessions and analysis of homework and survey responses from in-class trials were used to optimize the simulations and activities in terms of clarity, ease-of-use, promoting exploration, sense-making and linking of multiple representations. This work led to revisions of simulations and activities and general design principles which have been incorporated wherever applicable. This article describes the optimization of one of the simulation controls and the refinement of activities to help students make direct connections between multiple representations.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure; submitted to the Proceedings of the 2013 Physics Education Research Conference. appears in 2013 PERC Proceedings [Portland, OR, July 17-18, 2013], edited by P. V. Engelhardt, A. D. Churukian, and D. L. Jone

Using rank data to estimate health state utility models

In this paper we report the estimation of conditional logistic regression models for the Health Utilities Index Mark 2 and the SF-6D, using ordinal preference data. The results are compared to the conventional regression models estimated from standard gamble data, and to the observed mean standard gamble health state valuations. For both the HUI2 and the SF-6D, the models estimated using ordinal data are broadly comparable to the models estimated on standard gamble data and the predictive performance of these models is close to that of the standard gamble models. Our research indicates that ordinal data have the potential to provide useful insights into community health state preferences. However, important questions remain

The Relationship Between Technological Self-Efficacy and Organizational Citizenship Behavior During Covid-19: Analyzing the Moderating Role of Trust

In this study, we examine the intricate relationship between technological self-efficacy, organizational citizenship behavior (OCB), and the moderating influence of trust—a facet largely unexplored in existing literature. The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified the reliance on technologies like Zoom and Microsoft Teams, creating a unique backdrop. Amid the elevated anxiety surrounding the adoption of "new" technology, we hypothesize that trust within the workplace will play a pivotal role in moderating the link between technological self-efficacy and OCB. Our research aims to shed light on this uncharted territory, offering insights into how trust shapes employees' responses to technological challenges, particularly in the context of a global crisis

Foresight and trade-off analyses : tools for science strategy development in agriculture and food systems research

Foresight and trade-off analyses offer organizations such as CGIAR an opportunity to better prepare for alternative futures through adaptive research strategy and management. This essay introduces a set of papers that explore foresight and trade-off analyses within the context of the major reforms now occurring in the CGIAR. We tease out lessons not only for One CGIAR, but also for international development research organizations more broadly.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Health-state utilities in a prisoner population : a cross-sectional survey

Background: Health-state utilities for prisoners have not been described. Methods: We used data from a 1996 cross-sectional survey of Australian prisoners (n = 734). Respondent-level SF-36 data was transformed into utility scores by both the SF-6D and Nichol's method. Socio-demographic and clinical predictors of SF-6D utility were assessed in univariate analyses and a multivariate general linear model. Results: The overall mean SF-6D utility was 0.725 (SD 0.119). When subdivided by various medical conditions, prisoner SF-6D utilities ranged from 0.620 for angina to 0.764 for those with none/mild depressive symptoms. Utilities derived by the Nichol's method were higher than SF-6D scores, often by more than 0.1. In multivariate analysis, significant independent predictors of worse utility included female gender, increasing age, increasing number of comorbidities and more severe depressive symptoms. Conclusion: The utilities presented may prove useful for future economic and decision models evaluating prison-based health programs

Evolution of the One CGIAR’s research and innovation portfolio to 2030 : approaches, tools, and insights after the reform

In this perspective, we offer insights into the evolution of CGIAR’s research and innovation portfolio from 2019 to 2023, underpinning the transformative journey towards One CGIAR. With this contribution, we aim to strengthen the social and environmental sustainability components of allied, future Research for Development (R4D) portfolios. We explore three interlinked operational frameworks—Quality of Research for Development (QoR4D), Comparative Advantage (CA) Analysis, and Inclusive Innovation—and present practical tools and lessons for enhancing the quality and impact of R4D initiatives. This work is based on insights gained by the Independent Science for Development Council (ISDC) during the review of proposals for the current One CGIAR research portfolio. QoR4D’s four dimensions (relevance, scientific credibility, legitimacy, and effectiveness) guide research strategy, portfolio development, evaluation and performance standards, fostering intentional design and transparent assessment. CA Analysis leverages organisational strengths, facilitating purposeful partnerships, and strategic resource allocation. Inclusive Innovation emphasises stakeholder inclusivity, amplifying legitimacy, relevance, and effectiveness. Insights are drawn from the application of these frameworks, highlighting the importance of collaboration, the need for a mindset shift and institutional reform, specialisation, and impact maximisation. By adopting these lessons, CGIAR and allied organisations can collectively address global food system challenges more effectively, driving sustainable agricultural innovation and societal transformation. This article aims to contribute to advancing sustainable agriculture and underscores the significance of systemic collaborations in creating more resilient and equitable food systems.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Synthetic Lethal Targeting of ARID1A-Mutant Ovarian Clear Cell Tumors with Dasatinib

New targeted approaches to ovarian clear cell carcinomas (OCCC) are needed, given the limited treatment options in this disease and the poor response to standard chemotherapy. Using a series of high-throughput cell-based drug screens in OCCC tumor cell models, we have identified a synthetic lethal (SL) interaction between the kinase inhibitor dasatinib and a key driver in OCCC, ARID1A mutation. Imposing ARID1A deficiency upon a variety of human or mouse cells induced dasatinib sensitivity, both in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that this is a robust synthetic lethal interaction. The sensitivity of ARID1A-deficient cells to dasatinib was associated with G1 -S cell-cycle arrest and was dependent upon both p21 and Rb. Using focused siRNA screens and kinase profiling, we showed that ARID1A-mutant OCCC tumor cells are addicted to the dasatinib target YES1. This suggests that dasatinib merits investigation for the treatment of patients with ARID1Amutant OCCC. Mol Cancer Ther; 15(7); 1472-84. Ó2016 AACR.</p

A 'synthetic-sickness' screen for senescence re-engagement targets in mutant cancer backgrounds.

Senescence is a universal barrier to immortalisation and tumorigenesis. As such, interest in the use of senescence-induction in a therapeutic context has been gaining momentum in the past few years; however, senescence and immortalisation remain underserved areas for drug discovery owing to a lack of robust senescence inducing agents and an incomplete understanding of the signalling events underlying this complex process. In order to address this issue we undertook a large-scale morphological siRNA screen for inducers of senescence phenotypes in the human melanoma cell line A375P. Following rescreen and validation in a second cancer cell line, HCT116 colorectal carcinoma, a panel of 16 of the most robust hits were selected for further validation based on significance and the potential to be targeted by drug-like molecules. Using secondary assays for detection of senescence biomarkers p21, 53BP1 and senescence associated beta-galactosidase (SAβGal) in a panel of HCT116 cell lines carrying cancer-relevant mutations, we show that partial senescence phenotypes can be induced to varying degrees in a context dependent manner, even in the absence of p21 or p53 expression. However, proliferation arrest varied among genetic backgrounds with predominantly toxic effects in p21 null cells, while cells lacking PI3K mutation failed to arrest. Furthermore, we show that the oncogene ECT2 induces partial senescence phenotypes in all mutant backgrounds tested, demonstrating a dependence on activating KRASG13D for growth suppression and a complete senescence response. These results suggest a potential mechanism to target mutant KRAS signalling through ECT2 in cancers that are reliant on activating KRAS mutations and remain refractory to current treatments