Using cellular fitness to map the structure and function of a major facilitator superfamily effluxer.

The major facilitator superfamily (MFS) effluxers are prominent mediators of antimicrobial resistance. The biochemical characterization of MFS proteins is hindered by their complex membrane environment that makes in vitro biochemical analysis challenging. Since the physicochemical properties of proteins drive the fitness of an organism, we posed the question of whether we could reverse that relationship and derive meaningful biochemical parameters for a single protein simply from fitness changes it confers under varying strengths of selection. Here, we present a physiological model that uses cellular fitness as a proxy to predict the biochemical properties of the MFS tetracycline efflux pump, TetB, and a family of single amino acid variants. We determined two lumped biochemical parameters roughly describing Km and Vmax for TetB and variants. Including in vivo protein levels into our model allowed for more specified prediction of pump parameters relating to substrate binding affinity and pumping efficiency for TetB and variants. We further demonstrated the general utility of our model by solely using fitness to assay a library of tet(B) variants and estimate their biochemical properties

Prospectus, February 9, 2005

https://spark.parkland.edu/prospectus_2005/1003/thumbnail.jp

A characterization of road hydrology in the Oregon Coast Range

Forest roads alter hillslope hydrologic processes by intercepting, concentrating, and rerouting storm runoff. Current road drainage guidelines are based on minimizing erosion and do not take into account the impact of forest roads on hillslope hydrology. This work monitors ditch flow and rainfall for 10 road segments over the course of one winter in the central Oregon Coast Range. The objective was to determine rainfall/runoff relationships and quantify metrics of runoff for the flow of water in roadside ditches. Road and hillslope characteristics were also recorded and related to the metrics of runoff of ditch flow. Five large discrete storms were selected from the record for analysis. Two distinct ditch flow behaviors were identified from field observations and hydrograph inspection and were termed intermittent and ephemeral flow. Road segments that had intermittent flow had higher peak flows and greater storm runoff volumes than road segments with ephemeral flow. Rainfall/runoff relationships such as the lag time from the maximum rainfall intensity to the peak flow and the percent of rainfall seen as ditch flow were also significantly different between the two flow behaviors. Road and hillslope characteristics were not related to runoff peak flows or storm volumes. The best predictors of runoff were rainfall intensities and amounts. Evidence suggested that road segments with intermittent flow were being driven by the interception of upslope subsurface flow and that road segments with ephemeral flow were being driven by road surface runoff

Prospectus, May 4, 2005

https://spark.parkland.edu/prospectus_2005/1012/thumbnail.jp

Prospectus, February 23, 2005

https://spark.parkland.edu/prospectus_2005/1005/thumbnail.jp

Lighted Schoolhouse at Daniel E. Morgan Elementary School: Pilot Program Evaluation

The Lighted Schoolhouse pilot project (LSH) at Daniel E. Morgan Elementary School (DEM) in the Hough neighborhood of Cleveland began operation in February 2005. It is a collaborative effort among a number of community organizations, led by the Urban League of Greater Cleveland (ULGC). The pilot LSH was initiated by then-Mayor Jane Campbell as a response to Cleveland’s designation as the poorest large city in the U.S., and was meant to address three community priorities: after-school programming, fuller use of schools, and pathways out of poverty. In June 2005, a team of evaluators from the Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University was selected to evaluate the pilot project. The purpose of this evaluation is to: 1) assess the start-up and implementation process and the lessons learned; 2) track program activities and accomplishments; and 3) develop recommendations regarding the sustainability and replication of the pilot program. The Levin College Evaluation Team (LCET) also developed a

How We Close the Gaps: Our Interprofessional Team Approach to Meeting Quality Measures

Define the role/function of an interprofessional team in the management of complex outpatients. Identify the types of patients that would benefit most from a team-based approach. Implement elements of our team-based patient care model into individual practices

Prospectus, June 8, 2005

https://spark.parkland.edu/prospectus_2005/1013/thumbnail.jp