A qualitative study of the roles, functions, and leadership strategies of central office administrators in district improvement initiatives

Central office administrators are charged with the implementation of various education initiatives each year with the desired end result being an improvement in student performance. The purpose of this study is to discover how central office administrators exhibit leadership, carry out their roles, and perform their functions in district-wide improvement initiatives. Readers will gain a better understanding of how central office administrators work and lead from their positions in the school district. The participants shared their feelings and gave feedback on their direct experiences as central office administrators who are charged with the responsibility of implementing district-wide improvement initiatives. In order to collect and analyze rich data about central office employees, a qualitative study was conducted where there were no preconceived theories. Data were collected through the tape recorded interviews of 12 central office administrators from four different school districts and the collection of relevant documents that pertain to the roles and functions of their jobs. The participants were categorized according to the similarities in their job titles and the findings from the interview data were presented for comparison. The document reviews were used to compare against the information gained from the participants. The three main takeaways from this study were that central office administrators have placed a high value on collaboration, communication, and strategic leadership in order to effectively implement district-wide improvement initiatives. Practitioners can reflect on the newly-gained information from the emerging themes from these interviews and document reviews to propose new studies for research

Applying Unique Molecular Identifiers in Next Generation Sequencing Reveals a Constrained Viral Quasispecies Evolution under Cross-Reactive Antibody Pressure Targeting Long Alpha Helix of Hemagglutinin.

To overcome yearly efforts and costs for the production of seasonal influenza vaccines, new approaches for the induction of broadly protective and long-lasting immune responses have been developed in the past decade. To warrant safety and efficacy of the emerging crossreactive vaccine candidates, it is critical to understand the evolution of influenza viruses in response to these new immune pressures. Here we applied unique molecular identifiers in next generation sequencing to analyze the evolution of influenza quasispecies under in vivo antibody pressure targeting the hemagglutinin (HA) long alpha helix (LAH). Our vaccine targeting LAH of hemagglutinin elicited significant seroconversion and protection against homologous and heterologous influenza virus strains in mice. The vaccine not only significantly reduced lung viral titers, but also induced a well-known bottleneck effect by decreasing virus diversity. In contrast to the classical bottleneck effect, here we showed a significant increase in the frequency of viruses with amino acid sequences identical to that of vaccine targeting LAH domain. No escape mutant emerged after vaccination. These results not only support the potential of a universal influenza vaccine targeting the conserved LAH domains, but also clearly demonstrate that the well-established bottleneck effect on viral quasispecies evolution does not necessarily generate escape mutants

Control of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Growth by Connexin 43

Connexin 43 (Cx43), the principal gap junction protein in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), regulates movement of ions and other signaling molecules through gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) and plays important roles in maintaining normal vessel function; however, many of the signaling mechanisms controlling Cx43 in VSMCs are not clearly described. The goal of this study was to investigate mechanisms of Cx43 regulation with respect to VSMC proliferation. Treatment of rat primary VSMCs with the cAMP analog 8Br-cAMP, the soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulator BAY 41-2272 (BAY), or the Cx inducer diallyl disulfide (DADS) significantly reduced proliferation after 72 h compared with vehicle controls. Bromodeoxyuridine uptake revealed reduction (p < 0.05) in DNA synthesis after 6 h and flow cytometry showed reduced (40%) S-phase cell numbers after 16 h in DADS-treated cells compared with vehicle controls. Cx43 expression significantly increased after 270 min treatment with 8Br-cAMP, 8Br-cGMP, BAY or DADS. Inhibition of PKA, PKG or PKC reversed 8Br-cAMP-stimulated increases in Cx43 expression, whereas only PKG or PKC inhibition reversed 8Br-cGMP- and BAY-stimulated increases in total Cx43. Interestingly, stimulation of Cx43 expression by DADS was not dependent on PKA, PKG or PKC. Using fluorescence recovery after photobleaching, only 8Br-cAMP or DADS increased GJIC with 8Br-cAMP mediated by PKC and DADS mediated by PKG. Further, DADS significantly increased phosphorylation at MAPK-sensitive Serine (Ser)255 and Ser279, the cell cycle regulatory kinase-sensitive Ser262 and PKC-sensitive Ser368 after 30 min while 8Br-cAMP significantly increased phosphorylation only at Ser279 compared with controls. This study demonstrates that 8Br-cAMP- and DADS-enhanced GJIC rather than Cx43 expression and/or phosphorylation plays important roles in the regulation of VSMC proliferation and provides new insights into the growth-regulatory capacities of Cx43 in VSM

In silico investigations of the ionotropic cannabinoid receptor TRPV1

Whether caused by inflammation or dysfunctional nerves, chronic pain affects nearly 10% of the world’s population. Since there are few treatments that are effective while being noninvasive and non-addictive, new targets are being explored. Found in the peripheral nervous system, the transient receptor potential subfamily vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) ion channel can be activated by a plethora of exogenous and endogenous stimuli including the spicy compound found in chili peppers, capsaicin, as well as temperatures above 43oC and acidic conditions. TRPV1, having the ability to be modulated by cannabinoid ligands, acts as an ionotropic cannabinoid receptor (ICR). Chapter II reviews cannabinoid ligands that can modulate ionotropic cannabinoid receptors, including TRPV1. The endocannabinoid anandamide has been shown to have a similar binding affinity to TRPV1 as capsaicin and can rapidly desensitize the channel producing an analgesic effect. Models of the open and closed structures of TRPV1 were constructed for use in molecular dynamics simulations. Chapter III details the construction of the models, as well as observed interactions between the endogenous ligand anandamide and TRPV1 in a novel location across 10+ µs of simulation time. TRPV2, a close cousin of TRPV1 and another ICR, was recently resolved with the phytogenic cannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD). From Chapter II, CBD is shown to modulate some, though not all, ICRs. Chapter IV focuses on the cryo-EM structure of TRPV2 resolved with CBD (PDB: 6U88) and analyzes the putative binding site via sequence alignment and structural analyses, comparing these features to the comparable site among the other ICRs, lending credence to this novel CBD binding site in other ICRs. Chapter V focuses on the results of additional long timescale MD simulations of TRPV1 in the presence of anandamide. In two independent runs, anandamide was observed to activate TRPV1 in a novel location between helices S1-S4. The colocalization of canonical cannabinoid receptor CB2 and TRPV1 presents an interesting dynamic, especially when considering the crosstalk of the two receptors presumed to exist. CB2 and TRPV1 are implicated various disorders, making them prime targets for the identification and development of dual modulators. Chapter VI describes a virtual screening protocol used to screen ChEMBL indexed CB2 and TRPV1 agonists at the opposing receptor, leading to the identification of moieties that may be relevant in dual modulatory ligands

A descriptive analysis of high school music teacher evaluation in the Commonwealth of Virginia

The purpose of this descriptive analysis study was to investigate high school music teachers’ levels of satisfaction with the teacher evaluation practices used by administrators and music supervisors in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Virginia high school music teachers (n = 76) were surveyed to collect data used to determine their levels of satisfaction with their evaluation and what, if any, factors are related to their levels of satisfaction. The satisfaction level was measured using a researcher-constructed Teacher Evaluation Satisfaction Survey (TESS). Participants responded to prompts on satisfaction with the process, personnel, and product of evaluation. Slightly over half the participants reported satisfaction with the process (M = 3.5), personnel (M = 3.4), and product (M = 3.1) of their evaluation. Linear regression analysis showed a significant difference in levels of satisfaction with the process of their evaluation (F(2,52) = 60.82, p &lt; .001, R2 = .70) by participants who believed that their evaluation highlighted teacher practices and that their evaluation criteria were appropriate. Similarly, participants who indicated a level of trust with their evaluator who had experience with non-tested grades and subjects showed a significant difference in levels of satisfaction with the evaluation personnel (F(2,51) = 53.17, p &lt; .001, R2 = .68,). Participants who believed that their evaluation accurately summarized their performance and led to improvements in student learning showed a significant difference in levels of satisfaction with the product of their evaluation (F(2,51) = 37.05, p &lt; .001, R2 = .59). [This abstract may have been edited to remove characters that will not display in this system. Please see the PDF for the full abstract.]]]> 2022 Music teachers $x Evaluation High school teachers$z Virginia English http://libres.uncg.edu/ir/uncg/f/Muller_uncg_0154D_13710.pdf oai:libres.uncg.edu/38645 2023-02-03T20:10:05Z UNCG Meeting the career development needs of Black women aspiring to become principals NC DOCKS at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro Newsome, Tiffany A. <![CDATA[The career development needs of Black women who aspire to become principals are multi-dimensional. With the limited body of research on career development for African American women in school leadership, it is important to address how African American women can successfully navigate the unique experiences and challenges related to school leadership. While women have made much progress in leadership, the impact of intersectionality for black women means that they are subject to race and gender discrimination and held to higher standards. Consequently, Black women struggle to overcome such negative career mobility experiences. However, this study emphasizes mentorship as one aspect that is critical to meeting the career development needs of African American women who aspire to become principals. The purpose of this action research practitioner inquiry qualitative study is to better understand the career needs of African American women aspiring to the principalship in K-12 education and to develop a program that adequately meets those needs. This study utilizes Black Feminist Thought (BFT) as a lens to understand and validate this phenomenon, especially when it comes to the lived experiences of African American women. I conducted two focus group interviews using a semi-structured research guide. One group consisted of six credentialed African American women who are current assistant principals, program facilitators, or other teacher leaders in the Agape School district. The other group consisted of seven current principals in the same district. All participants identified as current Black female educators with a master’s or post-master’s Certificate in School Administration. My data analysis process incorporated a four-step process outlined by Hesse-Biber and Leavy (2006). I found that both Black principals and Black aspiring women principals deeply desire support from the district, their peers, and other experienced principals. While mentorship is one component that Black women perceive will help them combat promotional delays, participants really need to feel safe, respected, and valued for the experiences that they bring to the K-12 environment. Without strong mentorship and professional development from other black principals, Black women will not feel adequately to assume the principalship

Morphological features in a Xhosa schizophrenia population

BACKGROUND: Demonstrating an association between physical malformation and schizophrenia could be considered supportive of a neurodevelopmental origin of schizophrenia and may offer insights into a critical period for the development of this illness. The aim of our study was to investigate whether differences in the presence of minor physical anomalies could be demonstrated between schizophrenia sufferers and normal controls in a Xhosa population with a view to identifying a means of subtyping schizophrenia for use in future genetic studies. METHODS: Sixty-three subjects with schizophrenia (21 sibling pairs, 1 sibship of four and a group of probands with an affected non-participating sibling (n = 17)), 81 normal controls (37 singletons and 22 sibling pairs) of Xhosa ethnicity were recruited. Each participant was then examined for minor physical anomalies using the Modified Waldrop scale. The relationship between each of the morphological features and the presence of an affected sib was examined using the Chi-squared test, followed by an intra-pair concordance analysis in the sibling pairs. RESULTS: Gap between first and second toes was significantly more common in the affected sib pair group when compared to the non-affected sib pair group (p = 0.019) and non-affected singleton control group (p = 0.013). Concordance analysis also revealed increased concordance for this item in the affected sib pair group. CONCLUSION: These findings offer an intriguing possibility that in the Xhosa population, affected sib pair status may be linked to a neurodevelopmental insult during a specific period of the fetal developmental

Transcriptome pathways unique to dehydration tolerant relatives of modern wheat

Among abiotic stressors, drought is a major factor responsible for dramatic yield loss in agriculture. In order to reveal differences in global expression profiles of drought tolerant and sensitive wild emmer wheat genotypes, a previously deployed shock-like dehydration process was utilized to compare transcriptomes at two time points in root and leaf tissues using the Affymetrix GeneChip(R) Wheat Genome Array hybridization. The comparison of transcriptomes reveal several unique genes or expression patterns such as differential usage of IP(3)-dependent signal transduction pathways, ethylene- and abscisic acid (ABA)-dependent signaling, and preferential or faster induction of ABA-dependent transcription factors by the tolerant genotype that distinguish contrasting genotypes indicative of distinctive stress response pathways. The data also show that wild emmer wheat is capable of engaging known drought stress responsive mechanisms. The global comparison of transcriptomes in the absence of and after dehydration underlined the gene networks especially in root tissues that may have been lost in the selection processes generating modern bread wheats

Altered splicing of the BIN1 muscle-specific exon in humans and dogs with highly progressive centronuclear myopathy

Amphiphysin 2, encoded by BIN1, is a key factor for membrane sensing and remodelling in different cell types. Homozygous BIN1 mutations in ubiquitously expressed exons are associated with autosomal recessive centronuclear myopathy (CNM), a mildly progressive muscle disorder typically showing abnormal nuclear centralization on biopsies. In addition, misregulation of BIN1 splicing partially accounts for the muscle defects in myotonic dystrophy (DM). However, the muscle-specific function of amphiphysin 2 and its pathogenicity in both muscle disorders are not well understood. In this study we identified and characterized the first mutation affecting the splicing of the muscle-specific BIN1 exon 11 in a consanguineous family with rapidly progressive and ultimately fatal centronuclear myopathy. In parallel, we discovered a mutation in the same BIN1 exon 11 acceptor splice site as the genetic cause of the canine Inherited Myopathy of Great Danes (IMGD). Analysis of RNA from patient muscle demonstrated complete skipping of exon 11 and BIN1 constructs without exon 11 were unable to promote membrane tubulation in differentiated myotubes. Comparative immunofluorescence and ultrastructural analyses of patient and canine biopsies revealed common structural defects, emphasizing the importance of amphiphysin 2 in membrane remodelling and maintenance of the skeletal muscle triad. Our data demonstrate that the alteration of the muscle-specific function of amphiphysin 2 is a common pathomechanism for centronuclear myopathy, myotonic dystrophy, and IMGD. The IMGD dog is the first faithful model for human BIN1-related CNM and represents a mammalian model available for preclinical trials of potential therapies

Infectious Disease Ontology

Technological developments have resulted in tremendous increases in the volume and diversity of the data and information that must be processed in the course of biomedical and clinical research and practice. Researchers are at the same time under ever greater pressure to share data and to take steps to ensure that data resources are interoperable. The use of ontologies to annotate data has proven successful in supporting these goals and in providing new possibilities for the automated processing of data and information. In this chapter, we describe different types of vocabulary resources and emphasize those features of formal ontologies that make them most useful for computational applications. We describe current uses of ontologies and discuss future goals for ontology-based computing, focusing on its use in the field of infectious diseases. We review the largest and most widely used vocabulary resources relevant to the study of infectious diseases and conclude with a description of the Infectious Disease Ontology (IDO) suite of interoperable ontology modules that together cover the entire infectious disease domain

Fibroblasts—a key host cell type in tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis

Tumor initiation, growth, invasion, and metastasis occur as a consequence of a complex interplay between the host environment and cancer cells. Fibroblasts are now recognized as a key host cell type involved in host–cancer signaling. This review discusses some recent studies that highlight the roles of fibroblasts in tumor initiation, early progression, invasion, and metastasis. Some clinical studies describing the prognostic significance of fibroblast-derived markers and signatures are also discussed