Common Transitional and First-year Experiences of Newly Appointed Community College Deans: A Qualitative Analysis

The purpose of this qualitative research study was to identify common transitional and first year experiences of newly appointed community college deans. A population of deans from the states of North Carolina, Virginia, and Texas was identified. Through the use of qualitative research techniques, personalized accounts were collected from a sample of eleven deans. Through a qualitative analysis of these personalized accounts, thirteen themes were developed. These themes identified common issues and backgrounds encountered and shared by the eleven deans. These themes reveal that: (1) prior community college administrative experience was a prerequisite to the deanship, (2) there were no commonalities in staff reporting patterns, (3) external candidates have the advantage in terms of job appointments, (4) the new dean\u27s effectiveness is not restricted by his/her area of supervision, (5) minority participation at the administrative level is not increasing, (6) career preparation within a community college is the most helpful experience, (7) academic preparedness related to a community college component is helpful, (8) new deans were prepared to move up within one college component area, (9) new deans encounter increased responsibility, (10) career planning is integral to career progression, (11) new deans encounter personal challenges, (12) there is resistance to changes employed by new deans, (13) and that the new dean should expect some period of adjustment in the new position, but personal confidence outweighs frustrations which may be encountered. From the findings, the researcher reached several conclusions. First, it appears that new deans encounter very little transitional difficulty. Secondly, community college search processes seem to be effective. Thirdly, it is extraordinary for a dean\u27s position to be filled by a non-community college administrator. Further, an initial deanship commonly takes place in the area where the incumbent is most experienced. Women are gaining ground in college administrative positions. Lastly, new deans enjoy the challenge of the deanship, and careful career planning is important

The roles of ERK pathway localization and the regulation of [beta]-catenin/Bcl-XL kinetic in thymic selection

Title from PDF of title page (University of Missouri--Columbia, viewed on June 11, 2012).The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file.Thesis advisor: Dr. Mark A. DanielsIncludes bibliographical references.M.S. University of Missouri-Columbia 2011."December, 2011"Thymocytes undergo a process of development that serves to favor the differentiation of T-cells bearing self-MHC (major histo-compatibility complex) restricted T-cell receptors (TCR). Signaling through the TCR is crucial for the development from double positive (CD4+CD8+, referred to as DP) thymocytes into mature T-cells. Strong or no affinity interaction between MHC and the TCR leads to apoptosis and is considered as negative selection or death by neglect respectively. A weak to moderate affinity signal initiates differentiation of DP cells into single positive cells (positive for either CD4 or CD8, SP) termed positive selection. The importance of several pathways for either negative or positive selection has been described. However, the molecular events that allow the differentiation of a positive versus negative selecting signal are unclear because, engagement of the TCR leads to activation of all pathways known to play a role in selection. It has been suggested that differential localization of the extra cellular regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK) pathway plays a key role in selection. Here we examine the localization of ERK activation in thymic selection by the manipulating calcium levels leading alterations in RasGRP location and through a Raf construct targeted to either the plasma membrane or the golgi. We also examine differences in [beta]-catenin expression and its role in the expression of Bcl-XL, a pro-survival molecule critical for survival at the DP stage. We find that activation of the ERK pathway from the plasma membrane converts positive selection to negative selection, while the activation of ERK from the golgi upon stimulation by a negative selector causes a deviation of these cells from apoptosis into the CD8[alpha][alpha]+ lineage. In addition we show that the kinetics of [beta]-catenin and Bcl-XL are initially consistent with a role in mediating survival. However, later in selection [beta]-catenin may be more important in preventing cells that have been negatively signaled from maturing further, while Bcl-XL levels remain low, leading to their eventual death

Identification of novel chondroitin proteoglycans in Caenorhabditis elegans: embryonic cell division depends on CPG-1 and CPG-2.

Vertebrates produce multiple chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans that play important roles in development and tissue mechanics. In the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, the chondroitin chains lack sulfate but nevertheless play essential roles in embryonic development and vulval morphogenesis. However, assignment of these functions to specific proteoglycans has been limited by the lack of identified core proteins. We used a combination of biochemical purification, Western blotting, and mass spectrometry to identify nine C. elegans chondroitin proteoglycan core proteins, none of which have homologues in vertebrates or other invertebrates such as Drosophila melanogaster or Hydra vulgaris. CPG-1/CEJ-1 and CPG-2 are expressed during embryonic development and bind chitin, suggesting a structural role in the egg. RNA interference (RNAi) depletion of individual CPGs had no effect on embryonic viability, but simultaneous depletion of CPG-1/CEJ-1 and CPG-2 resulted in multinucleated single-cell embryos. This embryonic lethality phenocopies RNAi depletion of the SQV-5 chondroitin synthase, suggesting that chondroitin chains on these two proteoglycans are required for cytokinesis

Gun Control: Political Fears Trump Crime Control

No matter how draconian, gun control laws are weakly enforced (at least in the United States) and seldom of any significant effect in reducing crime. The kind of citizen who will comply with a gun law is the opposite of the person who will use a gun to facilitate his or her crimes. The problem of weak enforcement is highlighted by a candid interview with the author of the District of Columbia’s 1968 gun registration scheme while the District’s 1975-76 gun ban was under consideration: The problem, [Hechinger] said, is the failure of the mayor and police department to enforce the [current] regulations. “Not only didn’t they enforce them; the[y] didn’t even publicize them,” he said. If the city’s executives were lax on gun laws, its judiciary was hardly better. Of 184 persons prosecuted and convicted for first-time gun possession in the first six months of last year, only 14 received jail sentences. One judge, according to a report to the House District Committee last week, awarded a jail sentence to only one of 73 gun offenders convicted in his court. This led a prominent newspaper commentator to remark that “[i]t might be a good idea to try enforcing the old gun law before rushing to enact new ones.” Even as they were voting for the new gun ban, D.C. politicians were admitting that it was a mere placebo. City Councilman Marion Berry (later to become Mayor) admitted: “Massachusetts has stringent gun control and armed robbery has not decreased but increased. The TV creates far more violence than any gun lobbyist. I, too, am going to vote for this bill [sic] that I want it understood that I realize it’s not adequate . . . .” Councilman Jerry Moore made the same point saying that he had “no illusions about this law—it won’t take guns off the streets.” So the question becomes, “Why enact them?” Is there a hidden political dynamic? But “hidden” means hard to find. So maybe we should look for the answer in a related jurisdiction that keeps more extensive records of its government’s deliberations