Improving Information Literacy through Wikipedia Editing in the Chemistry Classroom: Lessons Learned

Assignments in which students edit Wikipedia may help students learn about the complexities of information creation and production, while engaging them in researching and writing about topics related to class content. This chapter presents two case studies that illustrate how Wikipedia-based activities can be designed to achieve both chemistry and information literacy learning outcomes. In both examples, faculty partnered with a librarian to implement the Wikipedia editing assignments. Through these experiences, those involved learned about Wikipedia and its community, and identified promising practices for project requirements based on formal and informal assessment and observations. Reflections are offered on the value of using Wikipedia editing assignments and concrete suggestions for creating effective projects are offered

PCaAnalyser: A 2D-Image Analysis Based Module for Effective Determination of Prostate Cancer Progression in 3D Culture

Three-dimensional (3D) in vitro cell based assays for Prostate Cancer (PCa) research are rapidly becoming the preferred alternative to that of conventional 2D monolayer cultures. 3D assays more precisely mimic the microenvironment found in vivo, and thus are ideally suited to evaluate compounds and their suitability for progression in the drug discovery pipeline. To achieve the desired high throughput needed for most screening programs, automated quantification of 3D cultures is required. Towards this end, this paper reports on the development of a prototype analysis module for an automated high-content-analysis (HCA) system, which allows for accurate and fast investigation of in vitro 3D cell culture models for PCa. The Java based program, which we have named PCaAnalyser, uses novel algorithms that allow accurate and rapid quantitation of protein expression in 3D cell culture. As currently configured, the PCaAnalyser can quantify a range of biological parameters including: nuclei-count, nuclei-spheroid membership prediction, various function based classification of peripheral and non-peripheral areas to measure expression of biomarkers and protein constituents known to be associated with PCa progression, as well as defining segregate cellular-objects effectively for a range of signal-to-noise ratios. In addition, PCaAnalyser architecture is highly flexible, operating as a single independent analysis, as well as in batch mode; essential for High-Throughput-Screening (HTS). Utilising the PCaAnalyser, accurate and rapid analysis in an automated high throughput manner is provided, and reproducible analysis of the distribution and intensity of well-established markers associated with PCa progression in a range of metastatic PCa cell-lines (DU145 and PC3) in a 3D model demonstrated

Comparing ultra-high spatial resolution remote-sensing methods in mapping peatland vegetation

Peer reviewe

The cockle Cerastoderma edule (L.) on the South Bull, Dublin Bay: population parameters and fishery potential

The history of the Dublin Bay cockle fishery is reviewed briefly with emphasis on the period 1893-1913. Prior to 1900 some 80 tonnes of cockles are said to have been landed annually. In the subsequent decade the fishery declined and in recent times has been defunct. The population of cockles on the South Bull, Dublin Bay, was investigated in 1971 and 1972. Cockles were distributed throughout the beach, but occurred in greater density in the mid-shore region. The mean density, however, was low (9-13 cockles per sq.m) and the maximum recorded was only 51 per sq.m; this is consistent with the relatively exposed nature of the beach. The population was dominated by 0+ and 1+ age groups, though cockles as old as 9+ were collected. The age structure was consistent with regular annual recruitment, and the mean mortality figure for cockles in their second, third, fourth and fifth years was Z=0.76. The mean lengths at the end of the first four winters were 6.5, 22, 28.5 and 32 mm. The value of L∞ was 40 mm, and K = 0.6. The relationships between shell lengths and the weights of the shell, dry meat, wet meat, and shell + wet meat are described. The potential of this cockle population for commercial exploitation is considered, although in view of the low population density the catch per unit effort would probably be too small to be commercially viable at present. Yield curves indicate that a minimum legal length of 24 mm would be appropriate for protection of the breeding stock while allowing the optimum yield to be obtained. The potential sustained yield of the beach was estimated at 4 tonnes/sq.km annually at a fishing mortality of F=0.10

Conference on Best Practices for Managing \u3cem\u3eDaubert\u3c/em\u3e Questions

This article is a transcript of the Philip D. Reed Lecture Series Conference on Best Practices for Managing Daubert Questions, held on October 25, 2019, at Vanderbilt Law School under the sponsorship of the Judicial Conference Advisory Committee on Evidence Rules. The transcript has been lightly edited and represents the panelists’ individual views only and in no way reflects those of their affiliated firms, organizations, law schools, or the judiciary

Is inhibition of kinase activity the only therapeutic strategy for LRRK2-associated Parkinson's disease?

Mutations in the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene are a common cause of familial Parkinson's disease (PD). Variation around the LRRK2 locus also contributes to the risk of sporadic PD. The LRRK2 protein contains a central catalytic region, and pathogenic mutations cluster in the Ras of complex protein C terminus of Ras of complex protein (mutations N1437H, R1441G/C and Y1699C) and kinase (G2019S and I2020T) domains. Much attention has been focused on the kinase domain, because kinase-dead versions of mutant LRRK2 are less toxic than kinase-active versions of the same proteins. Furthermore, kinase inhibitors may be able to mimic this effect in mouse models, although the currently tested inhibitors are not completely specific. In this review, we discuss the recent progress in the development of specific LRRK2 kinase inhibitors. We also discuss non-kinase-based therapeutic strategies for LRRK2-associated PD as it is possible that different approaches may be needed for different mutations