Introducing elements of inquiry in to undergraduate laboratories

Inquiry-based laboratories are an emerging and popular way of teaching practical chemistry. They lead students towards independent research by inspiring critical thinking, curiosity, and a conceptual understanding of experimental processes. Inquiry laboratories need a base of knowledge, usually built upon a foundation of expository experiments that teach fundamental skills. As such, the first year of a teaching laboratory may well keep an expository structure, even when later years embrace inquiry learning. In this work, we have shown that elements of inquiry can be introduced lightly and early in the curriculum, using the approach of Szalay and Tóth. In this work, a robust suite of existing experiments has had elements of inquiry introduced with a series of small, standalone modifications. Adaptation of existing experiments allows a tight control on the extent to which a student pushes into unfamiliar territory — particularly important for introductory laboratories, where unexpected results are likely to overwhelm or discourage. The modified experiments confer many of the same benefits as an inquiry laboratory, such as students’ sense of independence and control. The approach works best when supported by prelaboratory exercises, for calculations or procedure-writing steps. The approach builds on prior work introducing inquiry into a school curriculum, and we have shown that it can be used on a large scale in two different undergraduate teaching laboratory environments. In our implementation, we placed a heavy focus on structured support for students, and conducted numerical and written surveys of students and postgraduate demonstrators to measure perceptions of the work

Climate Stories: South Carolina, Volume 1

In this volume, you will hear from South Carolina residents about how they have been sensing climate change throughout their lifetimes. All stories have been anonymized with the use of pseudonyms, except where participants asked for their story to be associated with their name

PRMT5 Cooperates with pICln to Function as a Master Epigenetic Activator of DNA Double-Strand Break Repair Genes

DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair is critical for cell survival and genome integrity. Upon recognition of DSBs, repair proteins are transiently upregulated to facilitate repair through homologous recombination (HR) or non-homologous end joining (NHEJ). We present evidence that PRMT5 cooperates with pICln to function as a master epigenetic activator of DNA damage response (DDR) genes involved in HR, NHEJ, and G2 arrest (including RAD51, BRCA1, and BRCA2) to upregulate gene expression upon DNA damage. Contrary to the predominant role of PRMT5 as an epigenetic repressor, our results demonstrate that PRMT5 and pICln can activate gene expression, potentially independent of PRMT5's obligate cofactor MEP50. Targeting PRMT5 or pICln hinders repair of DSBs in multiple cancer cell lines, and both PRMT5 and pICln expression positively correlates with DDR genes across 32 clinical cancer datasets. Thus, targeting PRMT5 or pICln may be explored in combination with radiation or chemotherapy for cancer treatment

An Evaluability Assessment of the West Virginia Physical Activity Plan, 2015: Lessons Learned for Other State Physical Activity Plans

Background The US National Physical Activity Plan (NPAP) was released in 2009 as a national strategic plan to increase physical activity (PA). The NPAP emphasized implementing state and local PA pro- grams. Dissemination of information about NPAP has been lim- ited, however. Community Context West Virginia is a predominantly rural state with high rates of chronic diseases associated with physical inactivity. In 2015 an evaluability assessment (EA) of the West Virginia Physical Activ- ity Plan (WVPAP) was conducted, and community stakeholders were invited to participate in updating the plan. Methods A good EA seeks stakeholder input, assists in identifying program areas that need improvement, and ensures that a full evaluation will produce useful information. Data for this EA were collected via national stakeholder interviews, document reviews, discussions among workgroups consisting of state and local stakehold- ers, and surveys to determine how well the WVPAP had been im- plemented. Outcome The EA highlighted the need for WVPAP leaders to 1) establish a specific entity to implement local PA plans, 2) create sector-spe- cific logic models to simplify the WVPAP for local stakeholders, 3) evaluate the PA plan’s implementation frequently from the out- set, 4) use quick and efficient engagement techniques with stake- holders when working with them to select strategies, tactics, and measurable outcomes, and 5) understand the elements necessary to implement, manage, and evaluate a good PA plan. Interpretation An EA process is recommended for other leaders of PA plans. Our project highlights the stakeholders’ desire to simplify the WVPAP so that it can be set up as a locally driven process that engages communities in implementation

Interleukin 4 and interleukin 13 downregulate the lipopolysaccharide-mediated inflammatory response by human gestation-associated tissues†

Local and systemic inflammation is a key feature of preterm and term labour and delivery. Pro-inflammatory mediators are produced by gestation-associated tissues in response to a broad range of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) or damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). Interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10 and IL-13 are well recognised anti-inflammatory cytokines and might have potential as anti-inflammatory therapies to prevent preterm birth. The objective of this study was to determine if IL-4 and IL-13 exert anti-inflammatory effects on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated production of pro-inflammatory cytokines produced by human term gestation-associated tissues (placenta, choriodecidua and amnion). Both IL-4 and IL-13 reduced LPS-stimulated IL-1β and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1α with this effect diminishing with delay to exposure to IL-4 or IL-13; there was no effect on LPS-stimulated prostaglandin production. IL-4 receptor α (IL-4Rα) was expressed throughout the placenta, choriodecidua and amnion, and the inhibitory effects of IL-4 and IL-13 were IL-4Rα-dependent. A combination of IL-4 and IL-13 did not enhance the anti-inflammatory potential of either cytokine; however, a combination of IL-4 and IL-10 had a greater anti-inflammatory effect than either cytokine alone. These findings demonstrate that human term gestation-associated tissues are responsive to the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4 and IL-13, which could down-regulate LPS induced cytokine production in these tissues. Anti-inflammatory cytokines might offer an adjunct to existing therapeutics to prevent adverse obstetric outcome

Which doctors and with what problems contact a specialist service for doctors? A cross sectional investigation

Background: In the United Kingdom, specialist treatment and intervention services for doctors are underdeveloped. The MedNet programme, created in 1997 and funded by the London Deanery, aims to fill this gap by providing a self-referral, face-to-face, psychotherapeutic assessment service for doctors in London and South-East England. MedNet was designed to be a low-threshold service, targeting doctors without formal psychiatric problems. The aim of this study was to delineate the characteristics of doctors utilising the service, to describe their psychological morbidity, and to determine if early intervention is achieved. Methods: A cross-sectional study including all consecutive self-referred doctors (n = 121, 50% male) presenting in 2002–2004 was conducted. Measures included standardised and bespoke questionnaires both self-report and clinician completed. The multi-dimensional evaluation included: demographics, CORE (CORE-OM, CORE-Workplace and CORE-A) an instrument designed to evaluate the psychological difficulties of patients referred to outpatient services, Brief Symptom Inventory to quantify caseness and formal psychiatric illness, and Maslach Burnout Inventory. Results: The most prevalent presenting problems included depression, anxiety, interpersonal, self-esteem and work-related issues. However, only 9% of the cohort were identified as severely distressed psychiatrically using this measure. In approximately 50% of the sample, problems first presented in the preceding year. About 25% were on sick leave at the time of consultation, while 50% took little or no leave in the prior 12 months. A total of 42% were considered to be at some risk of suicide, with more than 25% considered to have a moderate to severe risk. There were no significant gender differences in type of morbidity, severity or days off sick. Conclusion: Doctors displayed high levels of distress as reflected in the significant proportion of those who were at some risk of suicide; however, low rates of severe psychiatric illness were detected. These findings suggest that MedNet clients represent both ends of the spectrum of severity, enabling early clinical engagement for a significant proportion of cases that is of importance both in terms of personal health and protecting patient care, and providing a timely intervention for those who are at risk, a group for whom rapid intervention services are in need and an area that requires further investigation in the UK

‘I know my rights, but am I better off?’: institutions and disability in Uganda

Uganda is internationally recognised for both its legal and constitutional provisions for people with disabilities, and the presence of disabled persons’ organisations that provide informal advocacy and support. Using a unique dataset of 579 Ugandans with physical disabilities, we develop a conceptual framework on social capital to investigate the factors correlated with knowledge of formal institutions that target disability. In examining whether this knowledge results in higher incomes we find that gender matters. A woman’s education and membership of external networks are correlates of knowledge; higher levels of this knowledge are associated with substantially higher levels of income

Concert recording 2019-03-30c

[Track 1]. Kokopelli / Katherine Hoover -- [Track 2]. Mélodie in C-sharp minor, op. 4, no. 2 Notturno in G minor / Fanny Cecile Mendelssohn -- [Track 3]. Cowboy songs / Libby Larsen -- [Track 4]. Sound bytes. I. Invention II. Thirds III. Short circuit IV. Get up / Katherine Hoover -- [Track 5]. Overheard on a saltmarsh / Erin Goad -- [Track 6]. Sonatina for clarinet and piano / Caroline Schleicher Krämer -- [Track 7]. Winter spirits / Katherine Hoover -- [Track 8]. The butterfly from I never saw another butterfly / Lori Laitman -- [Track 9]. Erratic polka from Demented dances / Elizabeth Greener -- [Track 10]. Original Latin-American flute duets. I. Pasaje folia II. Torbellino III. Bolero Rhumba IV. Polka Chocoana / Carmen Liliana Marulanda -- [Track 11]. Trio for flute, oboe, and piano / Madeleine Dring