The Really Good Buffalo Project: A ‘Values Added’ Product

For several years, an effort to ‘bring back the buffalo’ has been of key interest in many American Indian communities across the country, and particularly in the Northern Plains of the United States. Tribal college faculty approached colleagues at South Dakota State University during a meeting of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC) with the desire to develop a niche market for Native American-raised bison. The Lakota words for the concept underlying the effort are Tatanka Waste (pronounced Ta-TONK-a Wash-TAY), roughly translated as ‘Really Good Buffalo’. A pivotal factor that influenced the development of the Really Good Buffalo project was the unique historical, cultural, and spiritual relationship between American Indians and bison. These issues and the diverse consortium of partners involved made it critically important that the project deliberately address values as part of the niche market analysis. As one tribal partner stated, “Great care must be taken when we are working with our brothers, the buffalo.” This case emphasizes the process of concept-testing, pre-feasibility analysis, and branding of an agriculturally based niche product within a broader cultural context.(Contact author for a copy of the complete report.)Bison Production, Cultural Values

Phosphorylation of CREB affects its binding to high and low affinity sites

Cyclic AMP treatment of hepatoma cells leads to increased protein binding at the cyclic AMP response element (CRE) of the tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT) gene in vivo, as revealed by genomic footprinting, whereas no increase is observed at the CRE of the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) gene. Several criteria establish that the 43 kDa CREB protein is interacting with both of these sites. Two classes of CRE with different affinity for CREB are described. One class, including the TATCRE, is characterized by asymmetric and weak binding sites (CGTCA), whereas the second class containing symmetrical TGACGTCA sites shows a much higher binding affinity for CREB. Both classes show an increase in binding after phosphorylation of CREB by protein kinase A (PKA). An in vivo phosphorylation-dependent change in binding of CREB increases the occupancy of weak binding sites used for transactivation, such as the TATCRE, while high affinity sites may have constitutive binding of transcriptionally active and inactive CREB dimers, as demonstrated by in vivo footprinting at the PEPCK CRE. Thus, lower basal level and higher relative stimulation of transcription by cyclic AMP through low affinity CREs should result, allowing finely tuned control of gene activation

Task A and B Final Report

TASK A: TRANSMISSION OF HIGH FREQUENCY RADIO WAVES VIA THE ARCTIC IONOSPHERE The experimental data collected from June, 1949, through October, 1955, under "Experiment Aurora" are summarized in tables and diagrams, and the results discussed. The monthly percentage of signal in-time is tabulated for all frequencies and paths» and depicted in diagrams which allow a comparison of the values for East-West and South-North propagation at each frequency. The average monthly percentage of signal in-time for the duration of the 6-year experiment is tabulated for each frequency and path. The seasonal variation in signal in-tim e over short and long paths is shown in diagrams. The relationship found between ionospheric absorption, as measured with a vertical incidence sounder, and signal outtime is summarized. The average diurnal variation in the hourly median signal strength during the different seasons of the year 1954-55 is given for all frequencies on both short and long paths in the East-West as well as the South-North direction. The diurnal variation in signal strength on the 4 me short paths and the 12 me long paths is compared for a year of high solar activity (1949-50) and a year of low solar activity (1954-55). The discussion of the data reveals that a statistically significant difference in signal in-time for the East-West and South-North paths exists only for the 12 me short paths. The larger percentage of signal in-time found in the East-West direction is believed to be due to a preferential orientation of sporadic ionization along parallels to the auroral zone. A study of the critical frequencies observed for the E and F -layers shows that the difference in daytime variation of median signal strength between the years 1949-50 and 1954-55 may be explained in terms of the normal changes in F -layer ionization and D -layer absorption in course of a sunspot cycle. The results indicate that in Alaska there will generally be F2 propagation during daytime of 4 me signals over 350 km paths throughout the solar cycle. Regular daytime F2 propagation of 12 me signals over 1100 km paths may be expected in years of reasonably high solar activity only. TASK B: PULSE TECHNIQUES. BACK-SCATTER AT 12 MC A 12 me radar has been constructed and operated using A -scope and PPI displays. Experimental results obtained during several months of continuous operation are reviewed and discussed. Both direct backscatter and ground back-scatter echoes, as well as possible combinations of these modes, have been observed. The echoes are classified in two groups according to their fading rates, those fading rapidly being associated with aurora. Figures show the diurnal, range and range-azimuth distribution of the observed auroral echoes as well as some special types of echoes recorded. The direct back-scatter echoes at 12 me associated with aurora show characteristics consistent with those observed at YHF when allowance is made for the frequency difference. At 12 me the fading rate is proportionally less than at higher frequencies; and aspect sensitivity, although weaker, still exists. The diurnal variation is similar to that found at VHF. Several types of echoes not observed at VHF are mentioned. TASK B: VISUAL OBSERVATIONS OF THE AURORA Analysis is made of the visual auroral data obtained at five stations in Alaska during the observing period of 1954-55. Graphs giving the percentage occurrence of aurora at each station as a function of latitude and time of day are presented. Graphs showing the variation of auroral occurrence with geomagnetic latitude as a function of magnetic K index are also given. The conclusions drawn from the 1954-55 data are substantially the same as those based on the 1953-54 data discussed in an earlier report.List of Figures – List of Tables – Section I Purposes – Section II Abstract – Section III Publications, Reports and Conferences – Section IV Factual Data : 1 Task A. Transmission of High Frequency of Radio Waves Via the Arctic Ionosphere ; 2 Task B. Pulse Techniques Back-Scatter at 12 Mc. ; 3 Task B Visual Observations of the Aurora – Section V Conclusions – Section VI Recommendations – Section VII PersonnelYe

Student Involvement in Curriculum Development Enhances Medical Education

Background: During the 2014 annual review of the curriculum for first year medical students at the Medical College of Georgia, the public health module was noted as an area that needed improvement. To address this concern, a Public Health Curriculum Workgroup was formed for the purpose of identifying specific areas to improve and developing a more robust and integrative curriculum. A small cohort of medical students with public health backgrounds were invited to be members of this workgroup and participate in the development and delivery of public health content to the next cohort of first year medical students. We hypothesized that having this type of student participation results in a more clinically relevant and engaging curriculum. Methods: The curriculum workgroup met weekly to establish learning objectives, prioritize topics, and design interactive activities. The student members contributed to both curricular planning and content delivery. First year medical students completed course evaluations following the public health curriculum. These evaluations included five Likert scale questions and three narrative feedback response questions. Evaluation data before and after student involvement in the curriculum was examined. Results: Student evaluations of the overall quality of the public health curriculum increased 38% from 2014-2016. The measure of how well the content contributed to development as a future physician increased 36%. There was a 33% increase in how well the instructional materials aided understanding of topics. Theming of narrative evaluation comments showed that student involvement in the curriculum was well received. In 2016, 28.4% of narrative comments cited student presentations as the most valuable aspect of their public health experience. Conclusions: Involving medical students with public health backgrounds in curriculum development and content delivery of a public health module for first year medical students led to improvements in overall quality, clinical relevance, and instructional materials

Phosphorylation of CREB affects its binding to high and low affinity sites

Cyclic AMP treatment of hepatoma cells leads to increased protein binding at the cyclic AMP response element (CRE) of the tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT) gene in vivo, as revealed by genomic footprinting, whereas no increase is observed at the CRE of the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) gene. Several criteria establish that the 43 kDa CREB protein is interacting with both of these sites. Two classes of CRE with different affinity for CREB are described. One class, including the TATCRE, is characterized by asymmetric and weak binding sites (CGTCA), whereas the second class containing symmetrical TGACGTCA sites shows a much higher binding affinity for CREB. Both classes show an increase in binding after phosphorylation of CREB by protein kinase A (PKA). An in vivo phosphorylation-dependent change in binding of CREB increases the occupancy of weak binding sites used for transactivation, such as the TATCRE, while high affinity sites may have constitutive binding of transcriptionally active and inactive CREB dimers, as demonstrated by in vivo footprinting at the PEPCK CRE. Thus, lower basal level and higher relative stimulation of transcription by cyclic AMP through low affinity CREs should result, allowing finely tuned control of gene activation

Adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium channel Kir subunits implicated in cardioprotection by diazoxide

BACKGROUND: ATP-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channel openers provide cardioprotection in multiple models. Ion flux at an unidentified mitochondrial K(ATP) channel has been proposed as the mechanism. The renal outer medullary kidney potassium channel subunit, potassium inward rectifying (Kir)1.1, has been implicated as a mitochondrial channel pore-forming subunit. We hypothesized that subunit Kir1.1 is involved in cardioprotection (maintenance of volume homeostasis and contractility) of the K(ATP) channel opener diazoxide (DZX) during stress (exposure to hyperkalemic cardioplegia [CPG]) at the myocyte and mitochondrial levels. METHODS AND RESULTS: Kir subunit inhibitor Tertiapin Q (TPN-Q) was utilized to evaluate response to stress. Mouse ventricular mitochondrial volume was measured in the following groups: isolation buffer; 200 μmol/L of ATP; 100 μmol/L of DZX+200 μmol/L of ATP; or 100 μmol/L of DZX+200 μmol/L of ATP+TPN-Q (500 or 100 nmol/L). Myocytes were exposed to Tyrode’s solution (5 minutes), test solution (Tyrode’s, cardioplegia [CPG], CPG+DZX, CPG+DZX+TPN-Q, Tyrode’s+TPN-Q, or CPG+TPN-Q), N=12 for all (10 minutes); followed by Tyrode’s (5 minutes). Volumes were compared. TPN-Q, with or without DZX, did not alter mitochondrial or myocyte volume. Stress (CPG) resulted in myocyte swelling and reduced contractility that was prevented by DZX. TPN-Q prevented the cardioprotection afforded by DZX (volume homeostasis and maintenance of contractility). CONCLUSIONS: TPN-Q inhibited myocyte cardioprotection provided by DZX during stress; however, it did not alter mitochondrial volume. Because TPN-Q inhibits Kir1.1, Kir3.1, and Kir3.4, these data support that any of these Kir subunits could be involved in the cardioprotection afforded by diazoxide. However, these data suggest that mitochondrial swelling by diazoxide does not involve Kir1.1, 3.1, or 3.4

Parsing Arabic Dialects

The Arabic language is a collection of spoken dialects with important phonological, morphological, lexical, and syntactic differences, along with a standard written language, Modern Standard Arabic (MSA). Since the spoken dialects are not officially written, it is very costly to obtain adequate corpora to use for training dialect NLP tools such as parsers. In this paper, we address the problem of parsing transcribed spoken Levantine Arabic (LA). We do not assume the existence of any annotated LA corpus (except for development and testing), nor of a parallel corpus LA-MSA. Instead, we use explicit knowledge about the relation between LA and MSA

Covalent intermediate in the catalytic mechanism of the radical S-adenosyl-L-methionine methyl synthase RlmN trapped by mutagenesis.

The posttranscriptional modification of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) modulates ribosomal function and confers resistance to antibiotics targeted to the ribosome. The radical S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) methyl synthases, RlmN and Cfr, both methylate A2503 within the peptidyl transferase center of prokaryotic ribosomes, yielding 2-methyl- and 8-methyl-adenosine, respectively. The C2 and C8 positions of adenosine are unusual methylation substrates due to their electrophilicity. To accomplish this reaction, RlmN and Cfr use a shared radical-mediated mechanism. In addition to the radical SAM CX(3)CX(2)C motif, both RlmN and Cfr contain two conserved cysteine residues required for in vivo function, putatively to form (cysteine 355 in RlmN) and resolve (cysteine 118 in RlmN) a covalent intermediate needed to achieve this challenging transformation. Currently, there is no direct evidence for this proposed covalent intermediate. We have further investigated the roles of these conserved cysteines in the mechanism of RlmN. Cysteine 118 mutants of RlmN are unable to resolve the covalent intermediate, either in vivo or in vitro, enabling us to isolate and characterize this intermediate. Additionally, tandem mass spectrometric analyses of mutant RlmN reveal a methylene-linked adenosine modification at cysteine 355. Employing deuterium-labeled SAM and RNA substrates in vitro has allowed us to further clarify the mechanism of formation of this intermediate. Together, these experiments provide compelling evidence for the formation of a covalent intermediate species between RlmN and its rRNA substrate and well as the roles of the conserved cysteine residues in catalysis