The Alignment of Self-Perception, Stereotypes, and Career Traits

This study explores gendered inequities in STEM fields by examining the intersectionality of self-perception, stereotypes, and gender across career goals. Self-perception strongly influences career decisions and is often affected by societal stereotypes and dated views on the roles of men and women. Gender biases are evident in male dominated science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields (Franzway et al. 2019). Previous research has solely focused on how self-perception is linked to the undergraduate female performance (Jones et al, 2013). Female centered studies create a gap in understanding the impact of gender inequity on students in STEM based programs. Expanding the scope to include female and male experiences in a variety of STEM and non-STEM careers creates a more accurate relationship between one’s self-perception and success in chosen career. In this study, participants were asked to list their five most salient personality traits. They were then asked to list the three traits they considered most critical for success in two STEM and two non-STEM related careers. To conclude, participants were asked to state their intended profession. This study tested the hypothesis that males would consistently list traits associated with engineers and scientists, i.e., hard-skill descriptors, whereas females would list traits consistent with teachers and nurses, i.e., soft-skill descriptors. It is anticipated that this will hold for men and women regardless of their career goals, highlighting how gendered career stereotypes and self-perception can hold students back in their careers. Understanding the implications of this dated gendered self-perception can inform STEM education and create a more progressive and equitable STEM culture

IGF-I influences everolimus activity in medullary thyroid carcinoma

Context: Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a rare tumor originating from thyroid parafollicular C cells. It has been previously demonstrated that insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) protects MTC from the effects of antiproliferative drugs. Everolimus, an mTOR inhibitor, has shown potent antiproliferative effects in a human MTC cell line, TT, and in two human MTC primary cultures. Objective: To verify whether IGF-I may influence the effects of everolimus in a group of human MTC primary cultures. Design: We collected 18 MTCs that were dispersed in primary cultures, treated without or with 10 nM-1 mu M everolimus and/or 50 nM IGF-I. Cell viability was evaluated after 48 h, and calcitonin (CT) secretion was assessed after a 6 h incubation. IGF-I receptor downstream signaling protein expression profile was also investigated. Results: Everolimus significantly reduced cell viability in eight MTC [by similar to 20%; P < 0.01 vs. control; everolimus-responders (E-R) MTCs], while cell viability did not change in 10 MTCs [everolimus-non-responders (E-NR) MTCs]. In E-R MTCs, IGF-I blocked the antiproliferative effects of everolimus that did not affect CT secretion, but blocked the stimulatory effects of IGF-I on this parameter. IGF-I receptor downstream signaling proteins were expressed at higher levels in E-NR MTC as compared to E-R MTCs. Conclusion: IGF-I protects a subset of MTC primary cultures from the antiproliferative effects of everolimus and stimulates CT secretion by an mTOR mediated pathway that, in turn, may represent a therapeutic target in the treatment of aggressive MTCs

Daphnia diversity in water bodies of the Po River Basin

Shallow water bodies dominate the areal extent of continental waters and host a proportion of biodiversity higher than the percentage of Earth's surface they cover. Daphnia is a key component of small aquatic ecosystems food webs. Here we present the result of a survey in 24 ponds located in the core of Po river Basin, to assess the actual spreading of Daphnia species in one of the most productive areas of the Northern hemisphere. By using diagnostic genetic markers (12S rRNA and ND5 genes) we identified five Daphnia species: D. ambigua, D. curvirostris, D. longispina, D. obtusa and D. pulex in fourteen ponds. Additional analyses of two nuclear genes (LdhA and Rab4) revealed that D. pulex in the study area is native European strain. In opposite, D. ambigua shared haplotype with the North-Eastern American lineage that was introduced to Europe by long-distance dispersal. In the Po river Basin we identified a highly divergent lineage of D. longispina group that formed a clade with individuals from northern European Russia and might represent a new Daphnia species. Daphnia species in the Cremona province have European origin, except for D. ambigua which is a North American species spreading across Europe. Future attention will require monitoring of invasive species, particularly D. ambigua and the North American invasive clone of D. pulex that is already present in Northern Italy. </p

Unsupervised Machine Learning and Data Mining Procedures Reveal Short Term, Climate Driven Patterns Linking Physico-Chemical Features and Zooplankton Diversity in Small Ponds

Machine Learning (ML) is an increasingly accessible discipline in computer science that develops dynamic algorithms capable of data-driven decisions and whose use in ecology is growing. Fuzzy sets are suitable descriptors of ecological communities as compared to other standard algorithms and allow the description of decisions that include elements of uncertainty and vagueness. However, fuzzy sets are scarcely applied in ecology. In this work, an unsupervised machine learning algorithm, fuzzy c-means and association rules mining were applied to assess the factors influencing the assemblage composition and distribution patterns of 12 zooplankton taxa in 24 shallow ponds in northern Italy. The fuzzy c-means algorithm was implemented to classify the ponds in terms of taxa they support, and to identify the influence of chemical and physical environmental features on the assemblage patterns. Data retrieved during 2014 and 2015 were compared, taking into account that 2014 late spring and summer air temperatures were much lower than historical records, whereas 2015 mean monthly air temperatures were much warmer than historical averages. In both years, fuzzy c-means show a strong clustering of ponds in two groups, contrasting sites characterized by different physico-chemical and biological features. Climatic anomalies, affecting the temperature regime, together with the main water supply to shallow ponds (e.g., surface runoff vs. groundwater) represent disturbance factors producing large interannual differences in the chemistry, biology and short-term dynamic of small aquatic ecosystems. Unsupervised machine learning algorithms and fuzzy sets may help in catching such apparently erratic differences

Os espaços de berçário em contexto de creche e o seu potencial educador

The objective of this study was to identify the state of the art of academic production regarding nursery spaces in the context of day care centers, through a systematic review of the literature, as well as the analysis of the results obtained by the identified studies. It appears that related research on this topic, although still little studied, has gained relevance in the academic-scientific environment, with 29 publications being found in the period between 2011 and 2020, 24 of which were unpublished, since some were related. When analyzing the results of such studies, it is concluded that nursery spaces have great potential as a pedagogical tool that enables the educator's intentional action in order to promote child development, in its various dimensions, such as motor skills, sensory, symbolic, playful and relational. Still, it was possible to verify that this potential of the space is present in the official documents that contemplate early childhood education, but this knowledge still does not reach the school routine.O objetivo deste estudo consistiu em identificar o estado da arte da produção acadêmica no que concerne aos espaços de berçário no contexto de creche, mediante estudo de revisão sistemática da literatura, bem como na análise dos resultados obtidos pelos estudos identificados. Constata-se que as pesquisas relacionadas acerca dessa temática, embora ainda pouco estudada, têm ganhado relevância no meio acadêmico-científico, sendo encontradas 29 publicações no período entre 2011 e 2020, sendo 24 inéditas, posto que algumas estavam relacionadas. Ao analisar os resultados de tais estudos, conclui-se que os espaços de berçário têm grande potencial como ferramenta pedagógica que possibilita a ação intencional do(a) educador(a) de forma a promover o desenvolvimento infantil, em suas variadas dimensões, tais como as motoras, sensoriais, simbólicas, lúdicas e relacionais. Ainda, foi possível constatar que esse potencial do espaço está presente nos documentos oficiais que contemplam as instituições de educação infantil, porém esse conhecimento ainda não alcança o cotidiano das creches

Benthic foraminifera as indicators of hydrologic and environmental conditions in the Ross Sea (Antarctica)

This study, present data on benthic foraminiferal assemblages from four box cores collected in different areas of the Ross Sea during the 2005 oceanographic cruise in the framework of the Italian Antarctic Research National Programme (PNRA)

Clinical Aspects and Management of Levodopa-Induced Dyskinesia

In Parkinson's disease, one of the most troublesome dilemmas is the treatment of levodopa-induced dyskinesia. After a few years, chronic treatment with levodopa is associated with the development of dyskinesias. Strategies to delay or to reduce dyskinesias are based on the change of levodopa dosing or the early use of dopamine agonists. Dopamine agonists with different pharmacological profile are available. Our paper was aimed to analyse the clinical impact and the management of dyskinesias with dopamine agonists

Recombinant S. cerevisiae expressing Old Yellow Enzymes from non-conventional yeasts: an easy system for selective reduction of activated alkenes

Background: Old Yellow Enzymes (OYEs) are flavin-dependent enoate reductases (EC 1.6.99.1) that catalyze the stereoselective hydrogenation of electron-poor alkenes. Their ability to generate up to two stereocenters by the trans-hydrogenation of the C = C double bond is highly demanded in asymmetric synthesis. Isolated redox enzymes utilization require the addition of cofactors and systems for their regeneration. Microbial whole-cells may represent a valid alternative combining desired enzymatic activity and efficient cofactor regeneration. Considerable efforts were addressed at developing novel whole-cell OYE biocatalysts, based on recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae expressing OYE genes.Results: Recombinant S. cerevisiae BY4741{increment}Oye2 strains, lacking endogenous OYE and expressing nine separate OYE genes from non-conventional yeasts, were used as whole-cell biocatalysts to reduce substrates with an electron-poor double bond activated by different electron-withdrawing groups. Ketoisophorone, α-methyl-trans-cinnamaldehyde, and trans-β-methyl-β-nitrostyrene were successfully reduced with high rates and selectivity. A series of four alkyl-substituted cyclohex-2-enones was tested to check the versatility and efficiency of the biocatalysts. Reduction of double bond occurred with high rates and enantioselectivity, except for 3,5,5-trimethyl-2-cyclohexenone. DFT (density functional theory) computational studies were performed to investigate whether the steric hindrance and/or the electronic properties of the substrates were crucial for reactivity. The three-dimensional structure of enoate reductases from Kluyveromyces lodderae and Candida castellii, predicted through comparative modeling, resulted similar to that of S. cerevisiae OYE2 and revealed the key role of Trp116 both in substrate specificity and stereocontrol. All the modeling studies indicate that steric hindrance was a major determinant in the enzyme reactivity.Conclusions: The OYE biocatalysts, based on recombinant S. cerevisiae expressing OYE genes from non-conventional yeasts, were able to differently reduce the activated double bond of enones, enals and nitro-olefins, exhibiting a wide range of substrate specificity. Moreover whole-cells biocatalysts bypassed the necessity of the cofactor recycling and, tuning reaction parameters, allowed the synthetic exploitation of endogenous carbonyl reductases. Molecular modeling studies highlighted key structural features for further improvement of catalytic properties of OYE enzymes

Recombinant S. cerevisiae expressing Old Yellow Enzymes from non-conventional yeasts: an easy system for selective reduction of activated alkenes

Background: Old Yellow Enzymes (OYEs) are flavin-dependent enoate reductases (EC 1.6.99.1) that catalyze the stereoselective hydrogenation of electron-poor alkenes. Their ability to generate up to two stereocenters by the trans-hydrogenation of the C = C double bond is highly demanded in asymmetric synthesis. Isolated redox enzymes utilization require the addition of cofactors and systems for their regeneration. Microbial whole-cells may represent a valid alternative combining desired enzymatic activity and efficient cofactor regeneration. Considerable efforts were addressed at developing novel whole-cell OYE biocatalysts, based on recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae expressing OYE genes.Results: Recombinant S. cerevisiae BY4741{increment}Oye2 strains, lacking endogenous OYE and expressing nine separate OYE genes from non-conventional yeasts, were used as whole-cell biocatalysts to reduce substrates with an electron-poor double bond activated by different electron-withdrawing groups. Ketoisophorone, \u3b1-methyl-trans-cinnamaldehyde, and trans-\u3b2-methyl-\u3b2-nitrostyrene were successfully reduced with high rates and selectivity. A series of four alkyl-substituted cyclohex-2-enones was tested to check the versatility and efficiency of the biocatalysts. Reduction of double bond occurred with high rates and enantioselectivity, except for 3,5,5-trimethyl-2-cyclohexenone. DFT (density functional theory) computational studies were performed to investigate whether the steric hindrance and/or the electronic properties of the substrates were crucial for reactivity. The three-dimensional structure of enoate reductases from Kluyveromyces lodderae and Candida castellii, predicted through comparative modeling, resulted similar to that of S. cerevisiae OYE2 and revealed the key role of Trp116 both in substrate specificity and stereocontrol. All the modeling studies indicate that steric hindrance was a major determinant in the enzyme reactivity.Conclusions: The OYE biocatalysts, based on recombinant S. cerevisiae expressing OYE genes from non-conventional yeasts, were able to differently reduce the activated double bond of enones, enals and nitro-olefins, exhibiting a wide range of substrate specificity. Moreover whole-cells biocatalysts bypassed the necessity of the cofactor recycling and, tuning reaction parameters, allowed the synthetic exploitation of endogenous carbonyl reductases. Molecular modeling studies highlighted key structural features for further improvement of catalytic properties of OYE enzymes

Microbiological and parasitological monitoring in the lettuce production chain of family farming

Lettuce is a vegetable consumed raw and can be a vehicle for diseases caused by microrganisms and parasites. The objective of this work was to carry out microbiological and parasitological monitoring in the production chain of lettuce, determining the main points of contamination during cultivation, harvest and handling. Microbiological analyses were performed on samples of organic compost, irrigation water, waste water from the wash tank, water that supplies the wash tank, lettuce, lanyard hands, surfaces of the wash tank and harvest box, during six production cycles. Parasite analyzes were performed on organic compost, water samples and lettuce. The irrigation water proved to be of excellent quality. The organic compost used for fertilization did not meet the microbiological limits established by current legislation and all samples presented Entamoeba spp cysts. E.coli was detected in the hand of the harvester (3rd cycle), in the harvest box (5th cycle) and in the samples of residual water from the pre-wash and water that supplies the pre-wash tank. The contamination points detected were not directly related to the contamination of the harvested lettuce. Of the lettuce samples analyzed, only 3% showed unacceptable quality according to current legislation.A alface é um vegetal consumido cru, podendo ser um veículo de doenças causadas por microrganismos e parasitas. O objetivo desse trabalho foi efetuar o monitoramento microbiológico e parasitológico na cadeia de produção de alface crespa, determinando os principais pontos de contaminação durante o cultivo, colheita e manuseio. Foram realizadas análises microbiológicas em amostras de composto orgânico,água de irrigação, água residual do tanque de lavagem, água que abastece o tanque de lavagem, alfaces, mãos do colhedor, superfícies do tanque de lavagem e caixa de colheita, durante seis ciclos produtivos. Análises de parasitas &nbsp;foram realizadas no composto orgânico, amostras de água e alface. A água de irrigação mostrou-se de ótima qualidade microbiológica e parasitológica. O composto orgânico utilizado para adubação não atendeu os limites microbiológicos estabelecidos pela legislação vigente e todas amostras apresentaram cistos de Entamoeba spp. Escherichia coli foi detectada &nbsp;na mão do colhedor (3º ciclo), na caixa de colheita (5º ciclo) e nas amostras de água residual da pré-lavagem e água que abastece o tanque de pré-lavagem. Foi detectado Entamoeba spp em alfaces (1º e 3º ciclos). Os pontos de contaminação detectados não apresentaram relação direta com a contaminação da alface colhida. Das amostras de alface analisadas apenas 3% apresentaram qualidade inaceitável de acordo com a legislação vigente