Noyce Science, 2012-2021 Ten Cohorts of Teachers, Master of Arts for Science Teaching Brings Science to Life, UNL Noyce Track 1, Phase 2 Grant Activity Brochure

Summary of UNL NSF Robert Noyce Track 1, Phase 2 grant (2015-2020) to recruit and prepare new secondary science teachers and associated research activities. The perennial drive to recruit and prepare science professionals to become science teachers requires an enormous, collaborative effort. At the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, we have pledged ourselves to that worthy cause of educating new science teachers. This report summarizes the accomplishments of and celebrates those science teachers who have dedicated themselves to educating diverse youth and fostering a love of science in a world of STEM possibilities. They are the new generation of educators who face, and will continue to overcome, the challenges of education with perseverance and purpose. From 2011–2016, our first UNL National Science Foundation Robert Noyce Science Teacher grant supported 60 individuals in six cohorts who sought to become science teachers across Nebraska and many other states in high-need school districts. Many of these graduates also have graciously served as outstanding cooperating teachers to individuals in more recent cohorts. Our second Noyce grant made it possible to support 31 more pre-service science teachers with undergraduate degrees in an area of science across four cohorts. Like the six cohorts before them, they enrolled in the Department of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education’s Master of Arts with emphasis in science teaching (MAst) program. And like their predecessors, they are proving themselves dedicated professionals at a time when we need them in classrooms more than ever

Magnetized Particle Capture Cross Section for Braneworld Black Hole

Capture cross section of magnetized particle (with nonzero magnetic moment) by braneworld black hole in uniform magnetic field is considered. The magnetic moment of particle was chosen as it was done by \citet{rs99} and for the simplicity particle with zero electric charge is chosen. It is shown that the spin of particle as well as the brane parameter are to sustain the stability of particles circularly orbiting around the black hole in braneworld i.e. spin of particles and brane parameter try to prevent the capture by black hole.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures, Accepted for publication in Astrophysics & Space Scienc

Modulation of cognitive performance and mood by aromas of peppermint and ylang-ylang

This study provides further evidence for the impact of the aromas of plant essential oils on aspects of cognition and mood in healthy participants. One hundred and forty-four volunteers were randomly assigned to conditions of ylang-ylang aroma, peppermint aroma, or no aroma control. Cognitive performance was assessed using the Cognitive Drug Research computerized assessment battery, with mood scales completed before and after cognitive testing. The analysis of the data revealed significant differences between conditions on a number of the factors underpinning the tests that constitute the battery. Peppermint was found to enhance memory whereas ylang-ylang impaired it, and lengthened processing speed. In terms of subjective mood peppermint increased alertness and ylang-ylang decreased it, but significantly increased calmness. These results provide support for the contention that the aromas of essential oils can produce significant and idiosyncratic effects on both subjective and objective assessments of aspects of human behavior. They are discussed with reference to possible pharmacological and psychological modes of influence

Formin 1-Isoform IV Deficient Cells Exhibit Defects in Cell Spreading and Focal Adhesion Formation

Background: Regulation of the cytoskeleton is a central feature of cell migration. The formin family of proteins controls the rate of actin nucleation at its barbed end. Thus, formins are predicted to contribute to several important cell processes such as locomotion, membrane ruffling, vesicle endocytosis, and stress fiber formation and disassociation. Methodology/Principal Findings: In this study we investigated the functional role of Formin1-isoform4 (Fmn1-IV) by using genetically null primary cells that displayed augmented protrusive behaviour during wound healing and delayed cell spreading. Cells deficient of Fmn1-IV also showed reduced efficiency of focal adhesion formation. Additionally, we generated an enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP)-fused Fmn1-IV knock-in mouse to monitor the endogenous subcellular localization of Fmn1-IV. Its localization was found within the cytoplasm and along microtubules, yet it was largely excluded from adherens junctions. Conclusions/Significance: It was determined that Fmn1-IV, as an actin nucleator, contributes to protrusion of the cell’s leading edge and focal adhesion formation, thus contributing to cell motility

Advanced database mining integrating sequence and structure bioinformatics with microfluidics challenges enzyme engineering

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Role of Rare-Earth Oxide Additives on Mechanical Properties and Oxidation Behavior of Si 3 N 4 /BN Fibrous Monolith Ceramics

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/65415/1/j.1551-2916.2006.00911.x.pd

The systematic study of the influence of neutron excess on the fusion cross sections using different proximity-type potentials

Using different types of proximity potentials, we have examined the trend of variations of barrier characteristics (barrier height and its position) as well as fusion cross sections for 50 isotopic systems including various collisions of C, O, Mg, Si, S, Ca, Ar, Ti and Ni nuclei with $1\leq N/Z < 1.6$ condition for compound systems. The results of our studies reveal that the relationships between increase of barrier positions and decrease of barrier heights are both linear with increase of $N/Z$ ratio. Moreover, fusion cross sections also enhance linearly with increase of this ratio.Comment: 28 pages, 7 figures, 5 Table

Molecular mechanism of Ena/VASP-mediated actin-filament elongation

Ena/VASP proteins have important functions in actin-dependent processes. A model for the actin elongation activity of Ena/VASP based on the affinity and saturation state of WH2-domain-mediated actin monomer binding is presented

Adenomatous polyposis coli protein nucleates actin assembly and synergizes with the formin mDia1

The microtubule regulator APC is now shown to also regulate actin filament dynamics through its C-terminal “Basic” domain