SPR-5; MET-2 maternal reprogramming cooperates with the Dream Complex to regulate developmental cell fates

Histone methylation is a post-transcriptional modification to the N-terminal tails of histone core proteins that regulates DNA accessibility, and consequently, gene expression. Like DNA, histone methylation can be inherited between generations, and is highly regulated during embryonic development. At fertilization, histone methylation must undergo maternal reprogramming to reset the epigenetic landscape in the new zygote. During maternal reprogramming of histone methylation in the nematode, C. elegans, H3K4me (a modification associated with active transcription) is removed by the H3K4 demethylase, SPR-5, and H3K9me (a modification associated with transcriptional repression) is subsequently added by the histone methyltransferase, MET-2. Recently, it was demonstrated that SPR-5; MET-2 maternal reprogramming antagonizes the H3K36 methyltransferase, MES-4, which maintains a transcriptional memory of a subset of germline genes between generations. Maternal loss of SPR-5 and MET-2 results in ectopic expression of MES-4 germline genes in somatic tissues and a severe developmental delay. Recently, exciting new literature suggest that the DREAM Complex, a transcriptional repressor complex that regulates cell cycle, also represses MES-4 germline genes in somatic tissues suggesting that the DREAM Complex and SPR-5; MET-2 maternal reprogramming may work together to prevent ectopic germline gene expression in somatic tissues and developmental delay. To test this hypothesis, we knocked down Dream Complex members LIN-35 and LIN-9 in spr-5; met-2 mutants using RNA interference (RNAi). We found that loss of either LIN-35 or LIN-9 exacerbates the severe developmental delay that we normally observe in spr-5; met-2 mutants leading to a complete larval arrest. These findings suggest that the Dream Complex and SPR-5; MET-2 maternal reprogramming work together to ensure proper development and provide insight into how an evolutionary conserved transcriptional repressor complex cooperates with maternal reprogramming of histone methylation to regulate germline versus somatic cell fates

DEFINING, DEVELOPING AND RETAINING COMPETENCIES FOR THE 21ST CENTURY – AN EVALUATION OF AN ORGANIZATION DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM TO SUPPORT RETENTION AND ITS APPLICATION TO INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION

There is no disputing the consistency of discourse in defining the competencies required for success in the 21st century. Higher education, corporations, non-profits, healthcare and government agencies alike are seeking employees with similar core competencies needed for operational excellence and sustainability. There is also consistency in the outlook for retaining those employees. The Society for Human Resource Management (posted on HigherEd Jobs) noted the 10 toughest jobs to fill in 2016. Among these jobs are general and operations management positions that are expected to see a growth rate of 12.4%, or 613,000 new workers, over six years. It is estimated that 3.5 million manufacturing jobs will be open in the next decade and that 2 million of those jobs will go unfilled due to various skill gaps (Deloitte & Manufacturing Institute, 2015, p. 5-6). Achieving retention is even more challenging when we observe the millennial trend of leaving an organization before socialization (or shortly thereafter) into their new employ. It is estimated that millennials make up 75% of the work force (Deloitte, 2014) and 91% stay in their job for less than 3 years (Forbes, 2014). Understanding these trends is important. Universities and colleges will be competing for this limited talent pool. Will they be able to compete while others are paying above market salaries? Will they be able to recruit and retain the best talent in a highly competitive marketplace while also experiencing reduced funding and rising tuition costs? This study examines the growing problem of retaining individuals in an organization and proposes that strategically planned and executed professional development programs may increase retention rates. The research in this study is grounded in organizational development theory and practice: it examines and evaluates an individual organization’s retention programs, their successes and failures, as well as the professional development programs put in place to retain its staff specifically looking to early onset training as a possible factor in increasing first year retention

High Precision Measurements Lend No Supporting Evidence of Previously Reported Large Verdet Constants for Olive Oil

Motivated by a previous report of surprisingly large Verdet constant measurements for olive oil at 633 nm and 650 nm (Shakir, et. al., 2013), and the practical utility of materials possessing such large values, we considered it worthwhile to validate those results. In this work, high precision Faraday rotation measurements were performed utilizing ac magnetic fields, phase sensitive detection, and a collection of diode lasers. Specifically, we measured the dispersion of the Verdet constant for a single brand of olive oil from 410 nm to 675 nm. In addition, we determined the Verdet constant for eight different samples of olive oil at 654 nm, very near the wavelength where the “anomalous” results, i.e. large Verdet constants, were reported. Our measurements of the Faraday rotations, and hence the determination of the respective Verdet constants, call into question those previously reported measurements. Generally, our results suggest that their experimental technique most likely led to inaccurate results for all five of the Verdet constant values they reported

Learning on the job: A Webinar Series for Early Career Librarians for Early Career Librarians

The Early Career Librarians Initiative (ECLI) aims to impart valuable professional information to Library Information Science (LIS) students and early career librarians. ECLI noticed a lack of content specific to the challenges and concerns often encountered by early career librarians. In an effort to address this gap, ECLI partnered with Region 3 of the Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM) and hosted a three-part webinar series on job searching, setting professional goals, and navigating promotion and tenure. ECLI members will share their experiences about this process, what skills they learned, and how these experiences impacted their professional growt

An Exploratory Study of the Effects of Aquatic Walking on Function and Muscle Activity in Knee Osteoarthritis: Part 2

This paper presents Part 2 of a study that investigated the effects of an 8-week (3x/week) underwater treadmill (UT) walking intervention on knee osteoarthritis (KOA) outcomes in 6 adults with KOA (62.7 ± 14.2 years). The Knee Outcome Survey (KOS) for activities of daily living and muscle activity during a 10-m walk and a 20 cm step down were measured before and after the intervention. The following KOS measures improved after the UT walking program (p \u3c 0.05; g \u3e 0.8): stiffness, swelling, weakness, walking, going up stairs, going downstairs, kneeling on the front of the knee, squatting, and sitting with the knee bent. Knee flexion excursion during stance of walking increased after the UT walking intervention (p = .01). Co-activation between the tibialis anterior and medial gastrocnemius decreased during the 20 cm step down (p = .04). The findings of this study support using the WWE as a model for UT walking interventions in KOA

Bridging the Gap in Medication Access

https://digitalcommons.pcom.edu/bridging_gaps2016/1000/thumbnail.jp

An Exploratory Study of Aquatic Walking on Symptoms and Functional Limitations in Persons with Knee Osteoarthritis: Part 1

This paper represents Part 1 of a study that explored the effects of an underwater treadmill (UT) walking program on pain and function in adults with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). The Western Ontario & McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), numerical rating scale (NRS), timed up-and-go (TUG), and 10-m walk were assessed in 6 adults (62.7 ±14.2 years) who participated in an 8-week (3x/wk) UT walking intervention based on the Arthritis Foundation’s Walk With Ease (WWE) program. Walking pace was self-selected, and walking duration of each session was increased from 10 to 45 minutes throughout the study. Knee pain and function were assessed pre-control (PRC), pre-intervention (PRI) and post-intervention (PST). NRS improved from PRC and PRI to PST (p = .03, d = .37). WOMAC subscale scores of pain, (d = .36); stiffness (d = .44); pain during daily activities (d = .41); and total scores (d = .42) improved (p \u3c .05) from PRC to PST. Self-selected walking speed increased concurrently with decreased knee pain (NRS) from PRI to PST. The results support the WWE as a model for an UT walking program for improving knee pain in KOA

Sexual Hookups via Dating Apps: A Qualitative Study Exploring the Experiences of Black Men Who Have Sex with Men in Florida

Background: Sexual hookups via social media dating apps have been understudied among Black men who have sex with men (BMSM). Purpose: The objective of this qualitative study was to explore the role of dating apps on hookup culture and to describe the sexual experiences among BMSM in Florida. Specifically, this research delves into various sexual hookup themes. Methods: Seventeen semi-structured interviews were conducted with BMSM participants aged 18 to 25 in Florida who self-identified as frequent dating app users. A grounded theory approach was applied to thematically analyze the hookup encounters and the factors that drive these perceptions and experiences among BMSM. QSR NVIVO 12 was used to code, categorize, and collect emergent themes. Results: Three major themes emerged depicting the complexities of hookup culture using social media dating applications among BMSM. 1. Positive hookup experiences were linked to feelings of “no strings attached” to some participants, while others associated this positive experience to the use of alcohol and drugs; 2. Negative hookup experiences revolved around miscommunication on sexual roles, catfishing, and disclosure of HIV status; 3. Psychological aspects of hookups were centered on feelings of regret, disbelief, and disgust after a sexual hookup encounter. Discussion: Understanding BMSM hookup culture could aid in the development of prioritized evidence-based interventions for behavioral change to improve safer sexual health encounters among this vulnerable populatio