Whole Systems Inquiry: Designing Large Educational Events

Whole systems inquiry (WSI) helps people see complex topics as functional activities with inputs, outputs, interactions, and performance of the system over time. The authors used WSI to design a national symposium with 800 attendees who responded to two questions at the end of 70 topical sessions. Responses were aggregated onto a mega-map, synthesized into themes, and drawn as an emerging system. Work groups compared emerging themes with national priorities while individual participants evaluated utility in their disciplinary programs. We conclude that large meetings can be designed as functional systems with participation, synthesis, and evaluation of intentional learning

Synthesis and Characterization of [Ir_2(TMB)_4H_2][B(C_6H_5)_4]_2·CH_3C_6H_5

The ^3(dσ *pσ) excited state of Ir_2(TMB)_4^(2+) (TMB = 2,5-diisocyano-2,5-dimethylhexane) reacts with hydrogen atom donors to give Ir_2(TMB)_4H_2^(2+) (Ir_2H_2). This d^7-d^7 dihydride has been isolated as a tetraphenylborate salt: v(Ir-H) 1940 cm^(-1), v(Ir-Ir) 136 cm^(-1). [Ir_2(TMB)_4H_2] [B(C_6H_5) _4]_2·CH_3C_6H_5, Ir_2C_(95)H_(114)N_8B_2, crystallizes in the monoclipic system, space group P2_1/c (No. 14), with a = 10.54 (2) Å, b = 31.02 (4) Å, and c = 27.05 (4) Å, β = 91.57 (3)°, V = 8841 (3) Å^3, and Z = 4. The Ir-Ir separation is 2.920 (2) Å, approximately 0.3 Å shorter than Ir-Ir in the d^8 dimer (lr_2) but ~0.1 Å longer than in the diiodide, Ir_2(TMB)_4I_2^(2+). The reaction of Ir_2H_2 with styrene gives Ir_2 and ethylbenzene

Synthesis and Characterization of [Ir_2(TMB)_4H_2][B(C_6H_5)_4]_2·CH_3C_6H_5

The ^3(dσ *pσ) excited state of Ir_2(TMB)_4^(2+) (TMB = 2,5-diisocyano-2,5-dimethylhexane) reacts with hydrogen atom donors to give Ir_2(TMB)_4H_2^(2+) (Ir_2H_2). This d^7-d^7 dihydride has been isolated as a tetraphenylborate salt: v(Ir-H) 1940 cm^(-1), v(Ir-Ir) 136 cm^(-1). [Ir_2(TMB)_4H_2] [B(C_6H_5) _4]_2·CH_3C_6H_5, Ir_2C_(95)H_(114)N_8B_2, crystallizes in the monoclipic system, space group P2_1/c (No. 14), with a = 10.54 (2) Å, b = 31.02 (4) Å, and c = 27.05 (4) Å, β = 91.57 (3)°, V = 8841 (3) Å^3, and Z = 4. The Ir-Ir separation is 2.920 (2) Å, approximately 0.3 Å shorter than Ir-Ir in the d^8 dimer (lr_2) but ~0.1 Å longer than in the diiodide, Ir_2(TMB)_4I_2^(2+). The reaction of Ir_2H_2 with styrene gives Ir_2 and ethylbenzene

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as skin carcinogens:Comparison of benzo [a]pyrene, dibenzo[def,p]chrysene and three environmental mixtures in the FVB/N mouse

The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), was compared to dibenzo[def,p]chrysene (DBC) and combinations of three environmental PAH mixtures (coal tar, diesel particulate and cigarette smoke condensate) using a two stage, FVB/N mouse skin tumor model. DBC (4 nmol) was most potent, reaching 100% tumor incidence with a shorter latency to tumor formation, less than 20 weeks of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) promotion compared to all other treatments. Multiplicity was 4 times greater than BaP (400 nmol). Both PAHs produced primarily papillomas followed by squamous cell carcinoma and carcinoma in situ. Diesel particulate extract (1 mg SRM 1650b; mix 1) did not differ from toluene controls and failed to elicit a carcinogenic response. Addition of coal tar extract (1 mg SRM 1597a; mix 2) produced a response similar to BaP. Further addition of 2 mg of cigarette smoke condensate (mix 3) did not alter the response with mix 2. PAH-DNA adducts measured in epidermis 12 h post initiation and analyzed by (32)P post- labeling, did not correlate with tumor incidence. PAH- dependent alteration in transcriptome of skin 12 h post initiation was assessed by microarray. Principal component analysis (sum of all treatments) of the 922 significantly altered genes (p<0.05), showed DBC and BaP to cluster distinct from PAH mixtures and each other. BaP and mixtures up-regulated phase 1 and 2 metabolizing enzymes while DBC did not. The carcinogenicity with DBC and two of the mixtures was much greater than would be predicted based on published Relative Potency Factors (RPFs)

A Model for Developing, Evaluating, and Disseminating Best Practices in Education and Training: NC TraCS Education Development and Evaluation Model

With the shift towards team-based translational science came recognition that existing strategies for training individual investigators and retaining them in the biomedical workforce would be inadequate. To support this shift, it is important to: develop innovative strategies to educate and train diverse members of research teams; evaluate those programs; and disseminate best practices broadly. We have developed a four-phase model to facilitate the development, evaluation, and widespread dissemination of innovative strategies to train the biomedical research workforce. Phase I (Innovate) involves small scale trials of programs to address perceived training needs or new methods of delivery. Phase II (Incubate) refines and evaluates promising Phase I activities on a larger scale. Phase III (Translate) seeks to replicate initial successes either locally (Phase IIIa) or with other interested institutions (Phase IIIb). Phase IV (Disseminate) assesses whether identified local best practices can have success on a broader scale. We present specific examples from our own experience that demonstrate the utility of this model, and then conclude with opportunities and challenges related to the education and training of this workforce

Characterization of metabolic syndrome among diverse Hispanics/Latinos living in the United States: Latent class analysis from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL)

Empirical investigation of the adequacy of metabolic syndrome (MetS) diagnostic criteria, and whether meaningful subtypes of MetS exist, is needed among Hispanics/Latinos

The QT interval and risk of incident atrial fibrillation

Abnormal atrial repolarization is important in the development of atrial fibrillation (AF), but no direct measurement is available in clinical medicine

Cardiac disease in patients with mucopolysaccharidosis: presentation, diagnosis and management

The mucopolysaccharidoses (MPSs) are inherited lysosomal storage disorders caused by the absence of functional enzymes that contribute to the degradation of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). The progressive systemic deposition of GAGs results in multi-organ system dysfunction that varies with the particular GAG deposited and the specific enzyme mutation(s) present. Cardiac involvement has been reported in all MPS syndromes and is a common and early feature, particularly for those with MPS I, II, and VI. Cardiac valve thickening, dysfunction (more severe for left-sided than for right-sided valves), and hypertrophy are commonly present; conduction abnormalities, coronary artery and other vascular involvement may also occur. Cardiac disease emerges silently and contributes significantly to early mortality