Leading Undergraduates to Become Leaders: A Case Study

this study intends to unveil key principles that configure the Undergraduate Leadership Program (ULP) implemented at a private university in the State of Michigan, USA. through a qualitative method of case study, this paper depicts the model and how students have responded. Data were collected using a focus group and model characteristics. the results indicate that student-centered and active learning was associated with significant leadership gains among students. although some academic settings may have resistance to innovation, the program outcomes represent a promising program alternative for universities as well as non-academic trainers who desire to be intentional about developing leadership skills in young people

Analysis of Global RNA Synthesis at the Single Cell Level following Hypoxia

Hypoxia or lowering of the oxygen availability is involved in many physiological and pathological processes. At the molecular level, cells initiate a particular transcriptional program in order to mount an appropriate and coordinated cellular response. The cell possesses several oxygen sensor enzymes that require molecular oxygen as cofactor for their activity. These range from prolyl-hydroxylases to histone demethylases. The majority of studies analyzing cellular responses to hypoxia are based on cellular populations and average studies, and as such single cell analysis of hypoxic cells are seldom performed. Here we describe a method of analysis of global RNA synthesis at the single cell level in hypoxia by using Click-iT RNA imaging kits in an oxygen controlled workstation, followed by microscopy analysis and quantification. Using cancer cells exposed to hypoxia for different lengths of time, RNA is labeled and measured in each cell. This analysis allows the visualization of temporal and cell-to-cell changes in global RNA synthesis following hypoxic stress

A point-of-care clinical trial comparing insulin administered using a sliding scale versus a weight-based regimen

Background Clinical trials are widely considered the gold standard in comparative effectiveness research (CER) but the high cost and complexity of traditional trials and concerns about generalizability to broad patient populations and general clinical practice limit their appeal. Unsuccessful implementation of CER results limits the value of even the highest quality trials. Planning for a trial comparing two standard strategies of insulin administration for hospitalized patients led us to develop a new method for a clinical trial designed to be embedded directly into the clinical care setting thereby lowering the cost, increasing the pragmatic nature of the overall trial, strengthening implementation, and creating an integrated environment of research-based care

Argudas:lessons for argumentation in biology based on a gene expression use case

BACKGROUND: In situ hybridisation gene expression information helps biologists identify where a gene is expressed. However, the databases that republish the experimental information online are often both incomplete and inconsistent. Non-monotonic reasoning can help resolve such difficulties - one such form of reasoning is computational argumentation. Essentially this involves asking a computer to debate (i.e. reason about) the validity of a particular statement. Arguments are produced for both sides - the statement is true and, the statement is false - then the most powerful argument is used. In this work the computer is asked to debate whether or not a gene is expressed in a particular mouse anatomical structure. The information generated during the debate can be passed to the biological end-user, enabling their own decision-making process. RESULTS: This paper examines the evolution of a system, Argudas, which tests using computational argumentation in an in situ gene hybridisation gene expression use case. Argudas reasons using information extracted from several different online resources that publish gene expression information for the mouse. The development and evaluation of two prototypes is discussed. Throughout a number of issues shall be raised including the appropriateness of computational argumentation in biology and the challenges faced when integrating apparently similar online biological databases. CONCLUSIONS: From the work described in this paper it is clear that for argumentation to be effective in the biological domain the argumentation community need to develop further the tools and resources they provide. Additionally, the biological community must tackle the incongruity between overlapping and adjacent resources, thus facilitating the integration and modelling of biological information. Finally, this work highlights both the importance of, and difficulty in creating, a good model of the domain

Argudas:arguing with gene expression information

In situ hybridisation gene expression information helps biologists identify where a gene is expressed. However, the databases that republish the experimental information are often both incomplete and inconsistent. This paper examines a system, Argudas, designed to help tackle these issues. Argudas is an evolution of an existing system, and so that system is reviewed as a means of both explaining and justifying the behaviour of Argudas. Throughout the discussion of Argudas a number of issues will be raised including the appropriateness of argumentation in biology and the challenges faced when integrating apparently similar online biological databases.Comment: in Adrian Paschke, Albert Burger, Andrea Splendiani, M. Scott Marshall, Paolo Romano: Proceedings of the 3rd International Workshop on Semantic Web Applications and Tools for the Life Sciences, Berlin,Germany, December 8-10, 201

ON-00364: Selecting Sheep for a Resource Limiting Environment

In Australia, Merino sheep generally graze and reproduce in extensive grassland systems, characterized by limited feed resources. Under resource limited circumstances, the environment can influence the expression of genes and the health of individuals and constrain ability of individuals and collectives to express genetic progress. Genetic selection has improved productivity of animals represented in the Sheep Genetics database and genetic trends for traits are improving in the stud environment where they are measured. However, on-farm benchmarking data suggests that high index sheep are not necessarily the most profitable when managed in commercial conditions with limited resources. The project was carried out by a multi-disciplinary team that involved physiology, genetics and economics. The project focused on the energy requirements associated with increasing production and the implications of increasing energy requirements in a resource limiting environment. A summary was compiled of the genetic parameters that had been published for the production traits and the traits related to energy (liveweight, body condition score, fat and muscle measurements and intake). Published literature was also reviewed regarding the physiology of increasing CFW and the evidence regarding the energy requirement of increasing CFW. These findings from the physiology review where used in an economic modelling study to quantify the relative economic value of production traits and to identify traits that might be useful to increase profitability in a resource limiting environment. The breeding objectives developed were then compared with the standard MERINOSELECT industry indices. Profit equations were also developed to determine if it was possible to develop an approach to quantifying relative economic values of traits in a resource limiting environment that is more simple than whole farm economic modelling