The Communication Conundrum Exercise: Pedagogy for Project-Based Learning

Many professionals spend a significant amount of their time managing and supporting project teams. To help students learn how to work in this environment, we present the Communication Conundrum Exercise (CCE). The CCE challenges students to solve a symbol-identification problem with tension from hierarchical controls and narrowly defined rules for communication. Students assume roles that correspond to the major roles found on real-life hybrid project teams, and work with the triple constraint triangle common in project management. We provide the rationale for the CCE and the method and results of our analyses from 126 management students in 26 groups, and provide the details of exercise setup, execution, and debrief. The CCE delivers a high-energy, high-impact experience for students on the nature of hybrid project teams and their communication challenges

The Stellar and Gas Kinematics of Several Irregular Galaxies

We present long-slit spectra of three irregular galaxies from which we determinethe stellar kinematics in two of the galaxies (NGC 1156 and NGC 4449) and ionized-gas kinematics in all three (including NGC 2366). We compare this to the optical morphology and to the HI kinematics of the galaxies. In the ionized gas, we see a linear velocity gradient in all three galaxies. In NGC 1156 we also detect a weak linear velocity gradient in the stars of (5+/-1/sin i) km/s/kpc to a radius of 1.6 kpc. The stars and gas are rotating about the same axis, but this is different from the major axis of the stellar bar which dominates the optical light of the galaxy. In NGC 4449 we do not detect organized rotation of the stars and place an upper limit of (3/sin i) km/s/kpc to a radius of 1.2 kpc. For NGC 4449, which has signs of a past interaction with another galaxy, we develop a model to fit the observed kinematics of the stars and gas. In this model the stellar component is in a rotating disk seen nearly face-on while the gas is in a tilted disk with orbits whose planes precess in the gravitational potential. This model reproduces the apparent counter-rotation of the inner gas of the galaxy. The peculiar orbits of the gas are presumed due to acquisition of gas in the past interaction.Comment: To be published in ApJ, November 20, 200

Incentivizing preventive services in primary care: perspectives on Local Enhanced Services

Background: General practitioners in the UK play a key role in prevention but provision of preventive services is variable. The 2004 General Medical Services contract allows Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) to address health needs through providing locally agreed payments for Local Enhanced Services (LESs). This study identifies how this contractual flexibility is used for preventive services and explores its perceived effectiveness. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were carried out (2008–09) in 10 purposively selected case study sites in England. Details of LESs for these sites were collected (2009) through Freedom of Information requests or local contacts. A national on-line survey of PCTs (2009) provided a national context for case study findings. Results: LESs were considered to be effective in incentivizing preventive activity. However, specifications and performance management were often weak, awareness of how to optimize incentives was low and, as optional services, LESs were perceived to be at risk in a financial downturn. Conclusions: Using LESs for preventive services highlights gaps in ‘core’ primary care responsibilities and in the national pay-for-performance framework. Current incentive arrangements are complex, could increase inequalities and provide only a partial, short-term solution to developing a proactive approach to prevention in primary care

The stellar velocity dispersion in the inner 1.3 disk scale-lengths of the irregular galaxy NGC 4449

We present measurements of the stellar velocity dispersion in the inner 1 arcmin radius (1.3 disk scale-lengths) of the irregular galaxy NGC 4449 determined from long-slit absorption-line spectra. The average observed dispersion is 29 +/-2 km/s, the same as predicted from NGC 4449's luminosity. No significant rotation in the stars is detected. If we assume a maximum rotation speed of the stars from the model determined from the gas kinematics of Hunter et al. (2002), the ratio V_max/sigma_z measured globally is 3. This ratio is comparable to values measured in spiral galaxies, and implies that the stellar disk in NGC 4449 is kinematically relatively cold. The intrinsic minor-to-major axis ratio (b/a)_0 is predicted to be in the range 0.3-0.6, similar to values derived from the distribution of observed b/a of Im galaxies. However, V/sigma_z measured locally is 0.5-1.1, and so the circular velocity of NGC 4449 is comparable or less than the velocity of the stars within the central 1.3 disk scale-lengths of the galaxy.Comment: To be published in ApJ, Nov 200

Idd9.2 and Idd9.3 Protective Alleles Function in CD4+ T-Cells and Nonlymphoid Cells to Prevent Expansion of Pathogenic Islet-Specific CD8+ T-Cells

OBJECTIVE - Multiple type 1 diabetes susceptibility genes have now been identified in both humans and mice, yet mechanistic understanding of how they impact disease pathogenesis is still minimal. We have sought to dissect the cellular basis for how the highly protective mouse Idd9 region limits the expansion of autoreactive CD8 T-cells, a key cell type in destruction of the islets. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS - We assess the endogenous CD8 T-cell repertoire for reactivity to the islet antigen glucose-6-phosphatase-related protein (IGRP). Through the use of adoptively transferred T-cells, bone marrow chimeras, and reconstituted severe combined immunodeficient mice, we identify the protective cell types involved. RESULTS - IGRP-specific CD8 T-cells are present at low frequency in the insulitic lesions of Idd9 mice and could not be recalled in the periphery by viral expansion. We show that Idd9 genes act extrinsically to the CD8 T-cell to prevent the massive expansion of pathogenic effectors near the time of disease onset that occurs in NOD mice. The subregions Idd9.2 and Idd9.3 mediated this effect. Interestingly, the Idd9.1 region, which provides significant protection from disease, did not prevent the expansion of autoreactive CD8 T-cells. Expression of Idd9 genes was required by both CD4 T-cells and a nonlymphoid cell to induce optimal tolerance. CONCLUSIONS - Idd9 protective alleles are associated with reduced expansion of IGRP-specific CD8 T-cells. Intrinsic expression of protective Idd9 alleles in CD4 T-cells and nonlymphoid cells is required to achieve an optimal level of tolerance. Protective alleles in the Idd9.2 congenic subregion are required for the maximal reduction of islet-specific CD8 T-cells

Cloning and Characterization of Canine \u3cem\u3ePAX6\u3c/em\u3e and Evaluation as a Candidate Gene in a Canine Model of Aniridia

Purpose: Mutations in PAX6 cause human aniridia. The small eye (sey) mouse represents an animal model for aniridia. However, no large animal model currently exists. We cloned and characterized canine PAX6, and evaluated PAX6 for causal associations with inherited aniridia in dogs. Methods: Canine PAX6 was cloned from a canine retinal cDNA library using primers designed from human and mouse PAX6 consensus sequences. An RH3000 radiation hybrid panel was used to localize PAX6 within the canine genome. Genomic DNA was extracted from whole blood of dogs with inherited aniridia, and association testing was performed using markers on CFA18. Fourteen PAX6 exons were sequenced and scanned for mutations, and a Southern blot was used to test for large deletions. Results: Like the human gene, canine PAX6 has 13 exons and 12 introns, plus an alternatively spliced exon (5a). PAX6 nucleotide and amino acid sequences were highly conserved between dog, human, and mouse. The canine PAX6 cDNA sequence determined in this study spans 2 large gaps present in the current canine genomic sequence. Radiation hybrid mapping placed canine PAX6 on CFA18 in a region with synteny to HSA11p13. Exon-scanning revealed single nucleotide polymorphisms, but no pathological mutations, and Southern blot analysis revealed no differences between normal and affected animals. Conclusions: Canine PAX6 was cloned and characterized, and results provide sequence information for gaps in the current canine genome sequence. Canine PAX6 nucleotide and amino acid sequences, as well as gene organization and map location, were highly homologous with that of the human gene. PAX6 was evaluated in dogs with an inherited form of aniridia, and sequence analysis indicated no pathological mutations in the coding regions or splice sites of aniridia-affected dogs, and Southern blot analysis showed no large deletions

Hierarchical Star Formation in Nearby LEGUS Galaxies

Hierarchical structure in ultraviolet images of 12 late-type LEGUS galaxies is studied by determining the numbers and fluxes of nested regions as a function of size from ~1 to ~200 pc, and the number as a function of flux. Two starburst dwarfs, NGC 1705 and NGC 5253, have steeper number-size and flux-size distributions than the others, indicating high fractions of the projected areas filled with star formation. Nine subregions in 7 galaxies have similarly steep number-size slopes, even when the whole galaxies have shallower slopes. The results suggest that hierarchically structured star-forming regions several hundred parsecs or larger represent common unit structures. Small galaxies dominated by only a few of these units tend to be starbursts. The self-similarity of young stellar structures down to parsec scales suggests that star clusters form in the densest parts of a turbulent medium that also forms loose stellar groupings on larger scales. The presence of super star clusters in two of our starburst dwarfs would follow from the observed structure if cloud and stellar subregions more readily coalesce when self-gravity in the unit cell contributes more to the total gravitational potential.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures, accepted for ApJ

Radiation Hybrid Mapping of Cataract Genes in the Dog

Purpose: To facilitate the molecular characterization of naturally occurring cataracts in dogs by providing the radiation hybrid location of 21 cataract-associated genes along with their closely associated polymorphic markers. These can be used for segregation testing of the candidate genes in canine cataract pedigrees. Methods: Twenty-one genes with known mutations causing hereditary cataracts in man and/or mouse were selected and mapped to canine chromosomes using a canine:hamster radiation hybrid RH5000 panel. Each cataract gene ortholog was mapped in relation to over 3,000 markers including microsatellites, ESTs, genes, and BAC clones. The resulting independently determined RH-map locations were compared with the corresponding gene locations from the draft sequence of the canine genome. Results: Twenty-one cataract orthologs were mapped to canine chromosomes. The genetic locations and nearest polymorphic markers were determined for 20 of these orthologs. In addition, the resulting cataract gene locations, as determined experimentally by this study, were compared with those determined by the canine genome project. All genes mapped within or near chromosomal locations with previously established homology to the corresponding human gene locations based on canine:human chromosomal synteny. Conclusions: The location of selected cataract gene orthologs in the dog, along with their nearest polymorphic markers, serves as a resource for association and linkage testing in canine pedigrees segregating inherited cataracts. The recent development of canine genomic resources make canine models a practical and valuable resource for the study of human hereditary cataracts. Canine models can serve as large animal models intermediate between mouse and man for both gene discovery and the development of novel cataract therapies

An Open System for Social Computation

Part of the power of social computation comes from using the collective intelligence of humans to tame the aggregate uncertainty of (otherwise) low veracity data obtained from human and automated sources. We have witnessed a surge in development of social computing systems but, ironically, there have been few attempts to generalise across this activity so that creation of the underlying mechanisms themselves can be made more social. We describe a method for achieving this by standardising patterns of social computation via lightweight formal specifications (we call these social artifacts) that can be connected to existing internet architectures via a single model of computation. Upon this framework we build a mechanism for extracting provenance meta-data across social computations