The Symbolic and Reciprocal Relationship Between a Native American Community and their Land

    &nbsp

Who should take responsibility for integrity in research?

Reflecting on comparisons with the US and the results of the recent International Research Integrity Survey (IRIS), George Gaskell, Nick Allum, Miriam Bidoglia and Abigail-Kate Reid argue that robust research integrity cultures depend on support from different institutions across the research ecosystem

CaMKII inhibition in the prefrontal cortex specifically increases the positive reinforcing effects of sweetened alcohol in C57BL/6J mice

Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) is a multifunctional enzyme that is required for synaptic plasticity and has been proposed to be a primary molecular component of the etiology of alcohol addiction. Chronic alcohol intake upregulates CaMKIIα protein expression in reward-related brain regions including the amygdala and nucleus accumbens, and CaMKIIα activity in the amygdala is required for the positive reinforcing effects of alcohol, suggesting this system promotes consumption in the early stages of alcohol addiction. Alternatively, the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is known to inhibit limbic activity via CaMKII-dependent excitatory projections and may, therefore, enable top-down regulation of motivation. Here we sought to remove that regulatory control by site-specifically inhibiting CaMKII activity in the mPFC, and measured effects on the positive reinforcing effects of sweetened alcohol in C57BL/6J mice. Infusion of the CAMKII inhibitor KN-93 (0–10.0 μg) in the mPFC primarily increased alcohol+sucrose reinforced response rate in a dose- and time-dependent manner. KN-93 infusion reduced response rate in behavior-matched sucrose-only controls. Importantly, potentiation of operant responding for sweetened alcohol occurred immediately after infusion, at a time during which effects on sucrose responding were not observed, and persisted through the session. These results suggest that endogenous CaMKII activity in the mPFC exerts inhibitory control over the positive reinforcing effects of alcohol. Downregulation of CaMKII signaling in the mPFC might contribute to escalated alcohol use

Decreasing Postop Delirium with Dexmedetomidine vs Propofol

Postoperative delirium (POD) is a common complication that contributes to increased length of hospital stay, impaired recovery, and can affect long-term outcomes. Recently, research has been conducted to determine if certain anesthetic agents decrease the likelihood of developing POD. However, no clear protocol for prevention exists. This scoping review aimed to analyze the current literature to determine the efficacy of dexmedetomidine versus propofol at preventing POD

Placement, support, and retention of health professionals: national, cross-sectional findings from medical and dental community service officers in South Africa

Background: In South Africa, community service following medical training serves as a mechanism for equitable distribution of health professionals and their professional development. Community service officers are required to contribute a year towards serving in a public health facility while receiving supervision and remuneration. Although the South African community service programme has been in effect since 1998, little is known about how placement and practical support occur, or how community service may impact future retention of health professionals. Methods: National, cross-sectional data were collected from community service officers who served during 2009 using a structured self-report questionnaire. A Supervision Satisfaction Scale (SSS) was created by summing scores of five questions rated on a three-point Likert scale (orientation, clinical advising, ongoing mentorship, accessibility of clinic leadership, and handling of community service officers’ concerns). Research endpoints were guided by community service programmatic goals and analysed as dichotomous outcomes. Bivariate and multivariate logistical regressions were conducted using Stata 12. Results: The sample population comprised 685 doctors and dentists (response rate 44%). Rural placement was more likely among unmarried, male, and black practitioners. Rates of self-reported professional development were high (470 out of 539 responses; 87%). Participants with higher scores on the SSS were more likely to report professional development. Although few participants planned to continue work in rural, underserved communities (n = 171 out of 657 responses, 25%), those serving in a rural facility during the community service year had higher intentions of continuing rural work. Those reporting professional development during the community service year were twice as likely to report intentions to remain in rural, underserved communities. Conclusions: Despite challenges in equitable distribution of practitioners, participant satisfaction with the compulsory community service programme appears to be high among those who responded to a 2009 questionnaire. These data offer a starting point for designing programmes and policies that better meet the health needs of the South African population through more appropriate human resource management. An emphasis on professional development and supervision is crucial if South Africa is to build practitioner skills, equitably distribute health professionals, and retain the medical workforce in rural, underserved areas

CaMKII α -GluA1 Activity Underlies Vulnerability to Adolescent Binge Alcohol Drinking

Binge drinking during adolescence is associated with increased risk for developing alcohol use disorders (AUDs); however, the neural mechanisms underlying this liability are unclear. In this study, we sought to determine if binge-drinking alters expression or phosphorylation of two molecular mechanisms of neuroplasticity, calcium/calmodulin dependent kinase II alpha (CaMKIIα) and the GluA1 subunit of AMPA receptors (AMPAR) in addiction-associated brain regions. We also asked if activation of CaMKIIα-dependent AMPAR activity escalates binge-like drinking

Northern SPIRIT Consortium - Canadian Collaboration through Student-Led CubeSat Constellation

The Northern Space Program for Innovative Research and Integrated Training (Northern SPIRIT) is a unique collaboration of three Canadian post-secondary institutions that will design, build, and operate a constellation of three CubeSats. The consortium, beginning in 2017, comprises Yukon University, Aurora College, and the University of Alberta (U of A). The partnership will develop three CubeSats: YukonSat (2U), AuroraSat (2U) and Ex-Alta 2 (3U) which will be launched into Low Earth Orbit in 2022. Northern SPIRIT strives to use space technology development to inspire motivated youth across Canada to engage in student-led collaboration and hands-on education, research, training, and to amplify Northern Canadian voices. Supported by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) through the Canadian CubeSat Project (CCP), Northern SPIRIT will help further the CSAs goal of making space more accessible throughout Canada. The constellation mission will support a range of educational payloads dedicated to the expansion of STEM, arts, and language outreach opportunities. They also introduce passionate k-12 students to hands-on experiences with space mission concepts such as operations, coding, and data analytics. AuroraSat’s mission objective is educational outreach directed at sharing Northern art, languages, and history. Northern Images Mission will host a screen and an imager which will capture artwork created by Northern Artists backdropped by the Earth’s horizon. Northern Voices Mission will broadcast Northern Canadian stories of the space and sky, read by students, on amateur radio bands from all three satellites. Finally, the Northern Games Mission will transmit partial messages (focusing on Northern history) from the three satellites in select geographic zones, requiring global cooperation between amateur radio operators to decode a whole message. YukonSat will provide the novel opportunity to expand the capacity of highly qualified space science personnel in the Yukon, while furthering space science engagement and education of the public. The satellite’s payload will host a robotic arm, an OLED screen, camera, and a sensor array for attitude determination. The robotic arm allows freedom to point remote sensing equipment without using the spacecraft attitude determination and control system. The OLED screen and camera will display and photograph student-made Northern art with the Earth and space in the background. Ex-Alta 2 will host a multispectral imaging payload with the mission objective to study wildfires. A secondary science objective on all three satellites is space weather monitoring using a Digital Fluxgate Magnetometer that was designed and built at the U of A. In addition to this inter-institutional coordination, the U of A-designed 3U bus has been adapted into a 2U version to be used on the other two satellites in the constellation. The partnership amongst the three institutions supports collaboration in remote communities across Provincial & Territorial borders, advancing Canada’s contribution to the space industry and showcasing the exciting possibilities for interdisciplinary, national partnership. Extending across Canada, the consortium strives to inspire and enable passionate students to celebrate the Canadian voice and pursue opportunities in the space industry. In partnership with the CSA, Northern SPIRIT is a frontrunner in the exciting upward trend of the democratization of space

The Student Movement Volume 107 Issue 13: We\u27ve Got the Spirit: Students Celebrate Dr. Luxton

HUMANS Best of Bon Appetit, Nora Martin Interview with the Dean of Lamson and Meier Halls, Interviewed by: Grace No The Joy of Japan, Interviewed by: Gloria Oh ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT A Creation Adventure, Nathaniel Reid Currently: Velma, Solana Campbell Suite Dreams for Sweet Dreams, Skylor Stark Where do I Find God? Part II, Anonymous NEWS AUSA Celebrates 100 Years of Student-Led Action, Andrew Francis Response to A House Divided Story, Christon Arthur, Provost Where\u27s the Harm in True Crime?. Abigail Kim IDEAS Redefining Free Agency in Sports, Andrew Francis Flying Cars of 2030, Rachel Ingram-Clay The Spooky Nature of Our Physical World, Alexander Navarro The State of AI, Abby Shim PULSE Debunking Myths Surrounding J.N. Andrews Honors Program, Gloria Oh Our Dear AU: A Spirit Week Tour, Lexie Dunham Romance and Reading, Gloria Oh LAST WORD An Ode to Tea, Alexander J. Hesshttps://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/sm-107/1012/thumbnail.jp

Alcohol Alters the Activation of ERK1/2, a Functional Regulator of Binge Alcohol Drinking in Adult C57BL/6J Mice

Binge alcohol drinking is a particularly risky pattern of alcohol consumption that often precedes alcohol dependence and addiction. The transition from binge alcohol drinking to alcohol addiction likely involves mechanisms of synaptic plasticity and learning in the brain. The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling cascades have been shown to be involved in learning and memory, as well as the response to drugs of abuse, but their role in binge alcohol drinking remains unclear. The present experiments were designed to determine the effects of acute alcohol on extracellular signaling related kinases (ERK1/2) expression and activity, and to determine whether ERK1/2 activity functionally regulates binge-like alcohol drinking