The Exploratory Sequential Design With Generalized Linear Models for the Learning Strategy Analysis

The researchers explored a mixed methods research design through the analysis of a set of interview data. Saldana’s model was utilized to complete the opening coding data and thematic coding data. Three themes were recognized to support the cooperative learning models. These included: a) Knowing by Undergone Events and Contexts, b) Implementation and Action, and c) Opinions and Perceptions, which consisted of a Cooperative Learning Model (CLM). The frequencies of the terms and phrases consisted of the evidence variables. A generalized linear model (GeLM) was utilized to examine the relationship between the three themes and Cooperative Learning Model. The GeLM analysis reported the relationships between the CLM and three themes. This was a new practice to integrate Saldana’s qualitative data analysis and the GeLM into one mixed methods design

Exploring a Cooperative Learning Model With a Mixed Methods Design

The exploratory sequential design was used in this study. The mixed methods design consisted of two modules: a qualitative module and a quantitative module. The qualitative module was used to code the data into categories and further into the structure in terms of Saldana’s model. Based on the analysis of the interview transcripts, three themes were recognized to support the cooperative learning models. These three themes were Knowing by Undergone Events and Contexts (KUEC), Implementation and Action (I&A), and Opinions and Perceptions (OP). These three themes consisted of a Collaborative Learning Model describing and evaluating different topic patterns

Survey of vector-borne agents in feral cats and first report of Babesia gibsoni in cats on St Kitts, West Indies

Background: As there is little data on vector-borne diseases of cats in the Caribbean region and even around the world, we tested feral cats from St Kitts by PCR to detect infections with Babesia, Ehrlichia and spotted fever group Rickettsia (SFGR) and surveyed them for antibodies to Rickettsia rickettsii and Ehrlichia canis. Results: Whole blood was collected from apparently healthy feral cats during spay/ neuter campaigns on St Kitts in 2011 (N = 68) and 2014 (N = 52). Sera from the 52 cats from 2014 were used to detect antibodies to Ehrlichia canis and Rickettsia rickettsii using indirect fluorescent antibody tests and DNA extracted from whole blood of a total of 119 cats (68 from 2011, and 51 from 2014) was used for PCRs for Babesia, Ehrlichia and Rickettsia. We could not amplify DNA of SFG Rickettsia in any of the samples but found DNA of E. canis in 5% (6/119), Babesia vogeli in 13% (15/119), Babesia gibsoni in 4% (5/119), mixed infections with B. gibsoni and B. vogeli in 3% (3/119), and a poorly characterized Babesia sp. in 1% (1/119). Overall, 10% of the 52 cats we tested by IFA for E. canis were positive while 42% we tested by indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) for R. rickettsii antigens were positive. Conclusions: Our study provides the first evidence that cats can be infected with B. gibsoni and also indicates that cats in the Caribbean may be commonly exposed to other vector-borne agents including SFGR, E. canis and B. vogeli. Animal health workers should be alerted to the possibility of clinical infections in their patients while public health workers should be alerted to the possibility that zoonotic SFGR are likely circulating in the region

Two-hybrid analysis of Ty3 capsid subdomain interactions

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The yeast retrotransposon Ty3 forms stable virus-like particles. Gag3, the major structural protein, is composed of capsid, spacer and nucleocapsid domains. The capsid domain of Gag3 was previously modeled as a structure similar to retrovirus capsid.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>Two-hybrid analysis was used to understand the interactions that contribute to particle assembly. Gag3 interacted with itself as predicted based on its role as the major structural protein. The N-terminal subdomain (NTD) of the capsid was able to interact with itself and with the C-terminal subdomain (CTD) of the capsid, but interacted less well with intact Gag3. Mutations previously shown to block particle assembly disrupted Gag3 interactions more than subdomain interactions.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The findings that the NTD interacts with itself and with the CTD are consistent with previous modeling and a role similar to that of the capsid in retrovirus particle structure. These results are consistent with a model in which the Gag3-Gag3 interactions that initiate assembly differ from the subdomain interactions that potentially underlie particle stability.</p

Muscle-specific deletion of Arid5b causes metabolic changes in skeletal muscle that affect adipose tissue and liver

Emerging evidence suggests that AT-Rich Interaction Domain 5b (Arid5b) may play a role in energy metabolism in various tissues. To study the metabolic function of Arid5b in skeletal muscle, we generated skeletal muscle-specific Arid5b knockout (Arid5b MKO) mice. We found that Arid5b MKO skeletal muscles preferentially utilized fatty acids for energy generation with a corresponding increase in FABP4 expression. Interestingly, in Arid5b MKO mice, the adipose tissue weight decreased significantly. One possible mechanism for the decrease in adipose tissue weight could be the increase in phospho-HSL and HSL expression in white adipose tissue. While glucose uptake increased in an insulin-independent manner in Arid5b MKO skeletal muscle, glucose oxidation was reduced in conjunction with downregulation of the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC). We found that glucose was diverted into the pentose phosphate pathway as well as converted into lactate through glycolysis for export to the bloodstream, fueling the Cori cycle. Our data show that muscle-specific deletion of Arid5b leads to changes in fuel utilization in skeletal muscle that influences metabolism in other tissues. These results suggest that Arid5b regulates systemic metabolism by modulating fuel selection

Addressing Challenges in Obtaining Emergency Medicine Away Rotations and Standardized Letters of Evaluation Due to COVID-19 Pandemic

The Council of Residency Directors in Emergency Medicine (CORD) Advising Students Committee in Emergency Medicine (ASC-EM) anticipates institutional and regional variability in both the spread and response to COVID-19. Travel restrictions and host institution rotation closures will impact the number of emergency medicine (EM) rotations EM-bound medical students can complete in an unprecedented manner. They may prevent students from completing any away rotations this academic cycle, challenging the students’ ability to obtain EM Standardized Letters of Evaluation (SLOEs). EM’s emphasis on residency group SLOEs over other letter types creates an undue burden on these vulnerable students and makes the application process intrinsically inequitable. This inequity warrants a reevaluation of the current application practice. This article outlines ASC-EM\u27s proposed recommendations for all stakeholders, including EM program leadership, medical schools, and EM-bound medical students, to consider for the upcoming EM application cycle

Identification of new transmembrane proteins concentrated at the nuclear envelope using organellar proteomics of mesenchymal cells

The double membrane nuclear envelope (NE), which is contiguous with the ER, contains nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) - the channels for nucleocytoplasmic transport, and the nuclear lamina (NL) - a scaffold for NE and chromatin organization. Since numerous human diseases linked to NE proteins occur in mesenchyme-derived cells, we used proteomics to characterize NE and other subcellular fractions isolated from mesenchymal stem cells and from adipocytes and myocytes. Based on spectral abundance, we calculated enrichment scores for proteins in the NE fractions. We demonstrated by quantitative immunofluorescence microscopy that five little-characterized proteins with high enrichment scores are substantially concentrated at the NE, with Itprip exposed at the outer nuclear membrane, Smpd4 enriched at the NPC, and Mfsd10, Tmx4, and Arl6ip6 likely residing in the inner nuclear membrane. These proteins provide new focal points for studying the functions of the NE. Moreover, our datasets provide a resource for evaluating additional potential NE proteins

How does the belt and road initiative affect the carbon emissions of China’s cities?

There is growing concern about carbon emissions as the economy grows, which is of great importance to the implementation of the green Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) development strategy. Using panel data of 282 prefecture-level cities in China from 2006–2020 and the difference-in-differences method, this paper empirically examines the effects of the BRI on carbon emissions. Both theoretical and empirical analyses indicate that the BRI can significantly reduce the carbon emission level of cities along the routes, but the impact varies in different regions and cities. The mechanism analysis shows that the BRI reduces the carbon emission level of the Belt and Road cities through the economic agglomeration effect and industrial structure effect. Therefore, China should vigorously promote green Belt and Road construction, implement a regional integration strategy, and promote the transformation and upgrading of the industrial structure. These findings have a certain reference value for the follow-up implementation of the BRI

Exports and Productivity: Comparable Evidence for 14 Countries

We use comparable micro level panel data for 14 countries and a set of identically specified empirical models to investigate the relationship between exports and productivity. Our overall results are in line with the big picture that is by now familiar from the literature: Exporters are more productive than non-exporters when observed and unobserved heterogeneity are controlled for, and these exporter productivity premia tend to increase with the share of exports in total sales; there is strong evidence in favour of self-selection of more productive firms into export markets, but nearly no evidence in favour of the learning-by-exporting hypothesis. We document that the exporter premia differ considerably across countries in identically specified empirical models. In a meta-analysis of our results we find that countries that are more open and have more effective government report higher productivity premia. However, the level of development per se does not appear to be an explanation for the observed cross-country differences.exports; productivity; micro data; international comparison