Some challenges facing scientific software developers: The case of molecular biology

It is apparent that the challenges facing scientific software developers are quite different from those facing their commercial counterparts. Among these differences are the challenges posed by the complex and uncertain nature of the science. There is also the fact that many scientists have experience of developing their own software, albeit in a very restricted setting, leading them to have unrealistic expectations about software development in a different setting. In this paper, we explore the challenges facing scientific software developers focusing especially on molecular biology. We claim that the nature and practice of molecular biology is quite different from that of the physical sciences and pose different problems to software developers. We do not claim that this paper is the last word on the topic but hope that it serves as the inspiration for further debate

The thalamic reticular nucleus: a functional hub for thalamocortical network dysfunction in schizophrenia and a target for drug discovery

The thalamus (comprising many distinct nuclei) plays a key role in facilitating sensory discrimination and cognitive processes through connections with the cortex. Impaired thalamocortical processing has long been considered to be involved in schizophrenia. In this review we focus on the thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN) providing evidence for it being an important communication hub between the thalamus and cortex and how it may play a key role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. We first highlight the functional neuroanatomy, neurotransmitter localisation and physiology of the TRN. We then present evidence of the physiological roles of the TRN in relation to oscillatory activity, cognition and behaviour. Next we discuss the role of the TRN in rodent models of risk factors for schizophrenia (genetic and pharmacological) and provide evidence for TRN deficits in schizophrenia. Finally we discuss new drug targets for schizophrenia in relation to restoring TRN circuitry dysfunction

Alterations in functional brain network structure induced by subchronic phencyclidine (PCP) treatment parallel those seen in schizophrenia

Abstract of poster presentation shown at the 2nd Biennial Schizophrenia International Research Conference on Alterations in functional brain network structure induced by subchronic phencyclidine (PCP) treatment parallel those seen in schizophrenia

Book Reviews

Dictionary of Legal Abbreviations Used in American Law Books by Doris Bieber The proliferation of legal sources and abbreviations poses two related problems--first, the need for standardized citation forms,and second, the need for guides to commonly used abbreviations. The first problem has been difficult to solve, and universal acceptance of standard citations is unlikely to be achieved. A Uniform System of Citation, published by the Harvard Law Review Association, in collaboration with the Columbia Law Review, the University of Pennsylvania Law Review, and the Yale Law Journal, has attained wide acceptance and has become the authoritative guide for legal citations in this country. Unless future editions increase in complexity or deteriorate in clarity and scope, the influence of the Bluebook (as it is popularly known) should grow, and it should become as close to an effective standard as seems possible. Web of Violence: A Study of Family Violence by Jean Renvoize Every so often someone rediscovers a horrible aspect of the human condition and brings it to public attention. Thus, Professor C. Henry Kempe rediscovered child abuse in America in 1961 and conducted a symposium on the subject.\u27 A similar rediscovery occurred in England about 12 years later when a public inquiry was held on the fatal beating of eight-year-old Maria Colwell by her stepfather. From the American symposium came the now familiar term battered child. \u27 From the English inquiry came the catch slogan Remember Maria. \u27 Since these events, the subject of child abuse has been discussed constantly in both countries. In the course of the discussion, other battered family members have turned up.It seems that children also batter parents, parents batter grandparents,\u27 siblings and spouses batter each other.\u27 Lumped together under the rubric violent families, these attackers and victims are now in the limelight, a fashionable subject for the ministrations of social workers,\u27 lawmakers, and commentators

Writing the Rainbow: Facilitating Undergraduate Teacher Candidates’ LGBTQIA+ Allyship Through Multimodal Writing

This yearlong qualitative descriptive case study conducted by an interdisciplinary team of education faculty with pre-service elementary teacher candidates sought to disrupt heteronormativity and to increase candidates’ awareness and preparedness for inclusivity with future LGBTQIA+ elementary students. Central to our findings was that in researching and authoring multimodal texts addressing topics and concerns faced by the LGBTQIA+ community for their future classrooms, there was a shift in the perceptions and preparedness of the candidates toward working with children identifying as LGBTQIA+. However, we also encountered resistance and/or apathy that led us to develop an analytical framework for disrupting teacher candidate cisgender heteronormativity and facilitating their progression toward allyship

BDNF and JNK-signalling modulate cortical interneuron and perineuronal net development: implications for schizophrenia-linked 16p11.2 duplication syndrome

Schizophrenia is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by the interaction of genetic and environmental risk factors. One of the strongest genetic risk variants is duplication of chr.16p11.2. Schizophrenia is characterised by cortical GABAergic interneuron dysfunction, and disruption to surrounding extracellular matrix structures, perineuronal nets (PNNs). Developmental maturation of GABAergic interneurons, and also the resulting closure of the critical period of cortical plasticity, is regulated by brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), although the mechanisms involved are unknown. Here, we show that BDNF promotes GABAergic interneuron and PNN maturation through JNK signalling. In mice reproducing the 16p11.2 duplication, where the JNK upstream activator Taok2 is overexpressed, we find that JNK is overactive and there are developmental abnormalities in PNNs which persist into adulthood. Prefrontal cortex parvalbumin expression is reduced while PNN intensity is increased. Additionally, we report a unique role for TAOK2 signalling in the regulation of parvalbumin interneurons. Our work implicates TAOK2-JNK signalling in cortical interneuron and PNN development, and in the responses to BDNF. It also demonstrates that over-activation of this pathway in conditions associated with schizophrenia risk causes long-lasting disruption in cortical interneurons

Developing the Medical Home Workforce

A pro-active multidisciplinary team-based care model was developed after identifying key skills and competencies needed for a patient-centered medical home workforce. The patient-centered medical home may solve many of the ills of our health care system; new health care payment methods support care team member roles and services in patient-centered medical homes; an enhanced skill set for the entire care team is needed for successful implementation; a redesign of training and education to support existing and incoming workforce is required; and a focus on inter-professional collaborative education is needed

Where Western Australian Graduate Diploma of Education Primary Students Source their Information on Sustainability

Sustainability has recently been made a cross-curriculum priority in Australia, through the development and implementation of the Australian Curriculum. Subsequently, primary and secondary teachers across all subject areas are required to integrate Education for Sustainable (EfS) into formal education. A recent research case study was undertaken to determine Western Australian (WA) Graduate Diploma of Education (Primary) students’ perceptions of sustainability on entering their teacher education course. This paper reports on part of the findings from this study, specifically the sources of information these pre-service teachers used to inform their perceptions of sustainability. The case study emphasised the need for reliable scientific information in mass media and pre-service teachers’ mistrust of commercial media. It also underscored the need to provide specific sustainability content in pre-service primary teacher education courses

Whole-Person Care: Implementing Behavioral Health Integration in the Patient-Centered Medical Home

Primary Care Payment Reform (PCPR) is an alternative payment pilot program of MassHealth, with learning collaborative support from UMass Medical School, that introduces the principles of accountable care, behavioral health integration and patient-centered medical homes in primary care practices. The pilot demonstrated that behavioral health integration is a necessary component of whole-person care and a complex, but highly accomplishable task; numerous transformation strategies can support the clinical, financial and cultural challenges to integration; and alternative payment models are essential to support sustainable, expandable and successful behavioral health services in primary care