Implications for Math and Science Professional Development within the Theory of Planned Behavior

This pilot study used the Theory of Planned Behavior (TpB) as a framework for developing a questionnaire that will help with planning professional development pertaining to the science and engineering practices, with the intention of repeating the same process for the mathematical practices. To ensure that all components of the new standards are implemented with fidelity, teachers should be provided with the appropriate tools, understanding, and administrative/peer support in order to foster their buy-in of the changes. Efforts to implement the new standards in all classrooms require a concerted effort in the planning of Professional Development (PD) for appropriately preparing teachers for the infusion of the science, engineering, and mathematical practices, which were new introductions to the standards’ format. The TpB, which has historically been used primarily in health and physical sciences, provides a sound framework and methodological approach for monitoring teachers’ attitudes and beliefs, thereby leading to predicting teachers’ behaviors in implementing the practices. This article provides an overview of the science, engineering, and mathematics practices; the constructs of the TpB; a description of how the TpB provides a solid framework for planning PD; and a discussion of the implications of applying the TpB in an educational setting, specifically for planning PD within the context of the practices

The OpenMolcas Web: A Community-Driven Approach to Advancing Computational Chemistry

The developments of the open-source OpenMolcas chemistry software environment since spring 2020 are described, with a focus on novel functionalities accessible in the stable branch of the package or via interfaces with other packages. These developments span a wide range of topics in computational chemistry and are presented in thematic sections: electronic structure theory, electronic spectroscopy simulations, analytic gradients and molecular structure optimizations, ab initio molecular dynamics, and other new features. This report offers an overview of the chemical phenomena and processes OpenMolcas can address, while showing that OpenMolcas is an attractive platform for state-of-the-art atomistic computer simulations

Structural and biochemical insights into the cardiac and skeletal muscle excitation-contraction coupling machinery

Excitation-contraction (EC) coupling describes the process whereby the depolarizing action potential is transduced into a rapid increase of cytosolic calcium (Ca²⁺) that initiates muscle contraction. Proper execution of EC coupling relies on the coordinated communication between two calcium channels: plasma membrane-bound, L-type voltage-gated calcium channels (CaVs) and the intracellular Ryanodine Receptors (RyRs). CaVs respond to membrane depolarization by conveying an intracellular signal to the RyR. In skeletal muscle, CaV1.1 mechanically couples to the RyR; in cardiac tissue, extracellular Ca²⁺ entry via CaVs trigger RyR opening. The net effect of RyR activation is elevation of intracellular Ca²⁺ levels, activating the contractile machinery. In skeletal muscle, the nature of the physical CaV-RyR coupling has been an area of intense interest: do the channels directly interact or are auxiliary proteins required? Recently, a novel adaptor protein, STAC3, has been identified as playing a role in trafficking and maintaining components of the EC coupling machinery in a functional state. Indeed, STAC3-null mice and fish exhibit failure of skeletal muscle EC coupling. Chapter 2 presents x-ray crystallographic and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) data showing a direct interaction between STAC3 and CaV1.1. EC coupling assays reveal the importance of this interaction in EC coupling. The CaV1.1-STAC3 interaction is perturbed by the Native American Myopathy STAC3 mutation. L-type voltage-gated calcium channels fulfill dual roles as voltage-sensors for EC coupling and calcium ion conduits. In non-muscle cells, STAC3 facilitates CaV1.1’s functional membrane expression and alters the current properties of CaV1.2, suggesting a role of STAC proteins as a CaV regulator. Chapter 3 presents electrophysiology data illustrating the significant effect of STAC3 on modulating CaV1.2 currents. Detection of an interaction to Calmodulin (CaM), a well-known CaV regulator, suggests that STAC proteins may exert its effect on ion conduction via CaM. Genetic defects in the EC coupling machinery underlie numerous congenital myopathies and life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. Chapter 4 explores the implications of disease-associated mutations within the cardiac Ryanodine Receptor (RyR2) using structural, spectroscopic, and thermal stability assays. An anion binding site within the N-terminal RyR2 region and maintenance of proper domain interfaces are key to RyR2 stability and normal functioning.Medicine, Faculty ofBiochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department ofGraduat

Translactational associations of dry off management, milking activity, and somatic cell count in herds with automated milking systems

The objective of this study was to evaluate associations of dry off management factors, milking activity, and production data and somatic cell count prior to dry off and early in the subsequent lactation of cows milked by automated systems. Data were collected for 342 cows from 5 farms, for 2 milk tests prior to dry off and for the 2 milk tests post-calving. The results suggest that the post-calving milking performance of cows milked by automated systems may be more associated with individual cow traits than with their dry off management.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author

Synchronization of dairy cows does not limit the behavioral response to treatment in mixed treatment experimental designs

In many research studies, animals assigned to different treatments are housed adjacently or together in a group. One critique of these designs has been the potential role of behavioral facilitation and synchronization between animals on different treatments in mixed treatment groups (heterogeneous groups). To evaluate this, we compared the synchrony of feeding behavior between dairy cows housed in heterogeneous groups to cows exposed to the same treatment simultaneously (homogenous groups). Twenty-four cows were exposed to each of 2 treatments over 21 d in a replicated cross-over design. Treatments were two different schedules of timing of feed delivery: (A) feeding at milking time and (B) feeding halfway between milking times. For the last 7 d of each treatment period, feeding behavior was recorded electronically. Kappa coefficients were calculated for each animal within each group, as an estimate of agreement that any 2 cows within a group (i.e. each individual and each other cow in her group) would both be engaged in feeding activity for any hour of the day. The level of synchrony was similar for cows within homogenous groups (Kappa = 0.31 ± 0.030) compared to cows on the same treatment within heterogeneous groups (Kappa = 0.32 ± 0.037). Within heterogeneous groups, cows on the same treatment were nearly 50% more synchronized with each other than with those on the other treatment (Kappa = 0.22 ± 0.029). These results suggest that synchronization of feeding behavior does not restrict our ability to impose different treatments on individual cows within a group

Association between erythrocyte omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid levels and fatty liver index in older people is sex dependent

Background/Objectives: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is highly prevalent in older people but currently no specific drugs are available for its treatment. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3PUFA), known for their lipid-lowering, anti-inflammatory and anti-hypertensive properties, may have therapeutic potential for the management of NAFLD. The aim of this study was to determine whether n-3PUFA levels are associated with the prevalence of NAFLD in older adults. Methods: A cross-sectional sample of older adults aged 65–95 years (n = 620) from the Retirement Health and Lifestyle Study (RHLS) was analysed. Fatty Liver Index (FLI) scores, used as an indicator of NAFLD risk, were calculated using a validated algorithm that incorporates body mass index, waist circumference, plasma triglycerides and γ-glutamyl transferase. Omega-3 index scores (O3I, %eicosapentaenoic acid plus %docosahexaenoic acid) were determined by analysing the fatty acid composition of erythrocyte membranes by gas chromatography. Results: Following application of exclusion criteria, 475 participants were included in the analysis (age 77.9 ± 7.0 years; 60.4% females). Of these, 216 participants had FLI scores (≥60) suggestive of NAFLD (age 77.0 ± 6.6 years; 49.1% females). O3I was significantly lower in participants with NAFLD compared to those without NAFLD (p < 0.01). A significant inverse relationship was found between O3I and FLI (r = −0.165; p < 0.001). This relationship was gender specific with women, but not men, showing a significant association (r = −0.206; p < 0.001). Conclusions: The current study demonstrated a sex-dependent inverse relationship between erythrocyte n-3PUFA concentrations and NAFLD in older adults. The finding supports the proposal for sex-stratified n-3PUFA intervention trials in this high-risk age group

Patient-reported health-related quality of life outcomes following mastectomy for breast cancer, with immediate, delayed or no breast reconstruction: Four-year follow-up from a prospective cohort study

Background: Breast reconstruction (BR) improves women’s health-related quality of life (HRQOL) following mastectomy for breast cancer, yet factors contributing to improved HRQOL remain unclear. This study aimed to explore the overall impact of mastectomy with or without BR on participants’ perceptions of HRQOL over time in a cohort of women with high-risk breast cancer; to examine differences in mean HRQOL scores between immediate BR, delayed BR and no BR groups; to assess the influence of patient characteristics potentially associated with HRQOL scores; and to determine the feasibility of long-term collection of patient-reported outcome measures in clinical settings. Methods: A prospective, longitudinal study of 100 women with high-risk breast cancer who underwent mastectomy with or without breast reconstruction and were likely to require post-mastectomy radiotherapy. Four validated patient-reported questionnaires, comprising 21 outcome measures relating to HRQOL, administered at baseline and up to 4 years post-mastectomy. Demographic, clinical and surgical data extracted from patient medical records. Results: Consistently significant declines in perceptions of future health and arm symptoms, consistently significant improvements in treatment side effects, breast symptoms and fatigue, as well as significant improvements, compared to baseline, in social functioning and financial difficulties at 48 months. No significant differences in mean HRQOL scores between women given a choice of reconstructive options. Conclusion: Similar trajectories of HRQOL scores were found in women with high-risk breast cancer who were offered a choice of BR. Informed choice may be an independent contributing factor in long-term maintenance of most HRQOL indicators at their pre-mastectomy levels

Patient-reported health-related quality of life outcomes following mastectomy for breast cancer, with immediate, delayed or no breast reconstruction: Four-year follow-up from a prospective cohort study

Background: Breast reconstruction (BR) improves women's health-related quality of life (HRQOL) following mastectomy for breast cancer, yet factors contributing to improved HRQOL remain unclear. This study aimed to explore the overall impact of mastectomy with or without BR on participants' perceptions of HRQOL over time in a cohort of women with high-risk breast cancer; to examine differences in mean HRQOL scores between immediate BR, delayed BR and no BR groups; to assess the influence of patient characteristics potentially associated with HRQOL scores; and to determine the feasibility of long-term collection of patient-reported outcome measures in clinical settings. Methods: A prospective, longitudinal study of 100 women with high-risk breast cancer who underwent mastectomy with or without breast reconstruction and were likely to require post-mastectomy radiotherapy. Four validated patient-reported questionnaires, comprising 21 outcome measures relating to HRQOL, administered at baseline and up to 4 years post-mastectomy. Demographic, clinical and surgical data extracted from patient medical records. Results: Consistently significant declines in perceptions of future health and arm symptoms, consistently significant improvements in treatment side effects, breast symptoms and fatigue, as well as significant improvements, compared to baseline, in social functioning and financial difficulties at 48 months. No significant differences in mean HRQOL scores between women given a choice of reconstructive options. Conclusion: Similar trajectories of HRQOL scores were found in women with high-risk breast cancer who were offered a choice of BR. Informed choice may be an independent contributing factor in long-term maintenance of most HRQOL indicators at their pre-mastectomy levels