Testing a Novel Technique to Improve Aluminum-26 Accelerator Mass Spectrometry Measurements for Earth Science Applications

The measurement of cosmogenic 26Al [aluminum-26] in geological samples by accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) is typically conducted on Al2O3 [aluminum oxide] targets. However, Al2O3 is not an ideal source material because it does not form a prolific beam of Al- [negative atomic aluminum ions] required for measuring low-levels of 26Al. This thesis presents the performance of AlN [aluminum nitride], AlF3 [aluminum fluoride] and mixed AlN + Al2O3 as novel alternative source materials for the analysis of 26Al. A negative ion cesium sputtering source at the Holifield Radioactive Ion Facility was used to measure the currents of stable atomic 27Al- ions as well as molecular AlX- ions of commercially prepared target samples. Here it is shown that an AlN target produces an Al- current seven times greater than that of an Al2O3 target and a molecular AlN- current that is four times greater. The performance of AlN in producing negative ion beams is shown to be dependent on the length of exposure to moist air, which is known to cause AlN to hydrolyze to Al(OH)3. A peak in performance is observed after one hour of exposure. This suggests that the formation of an intermediary product of hydrolysis, such as AlOOH, may increase the ionization efficiency of the AlN material. The AlF3 and mixed AlN + Al2O3 targets did not yield prolific ion beams of Al species and therefore were not promising source materials. The applicability of using AlN as a source material for geological samples was explored by preparing quartz samples as Al2O3 and converting them to AlN using a carbothermal reduction technique, which involves reducing the Al2O3 with graphite powder at 1600°C within a nitrogen atmosphere. The material was successfully converted to AlN and yielded an atomic Al- current higher than the Al2O3 sample. However, a large excess of carbon bonded with the aluminum in the sample forming AlC2 [aluminum carbide] and inhibited the production of AlN. While AlN represents a promising source material for the analysis of 26Al, further work is needed to optimize the conversion process for geological samples

GLP-1 Agonists in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: A Review of the Literature

Objective: To review the use of GLP-1 agonists in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Data Sources: A search using the MEDLINE database, EMBASE, and Cochrane Database was performed through March 2016 using the search terms glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) agonists, incretin, liraglutide, exenatide, albiglutide, dulaglutide, type 1 diabetes mellitus. Study Selection and Data Extraction: All English-language trials that examined glycemic end points using GLP- 1 agonists in humans with T1DM were included. Data Synthesis: A total of 9 clinical trials examining the use of GLP-1 agonists in T1DM were identified. On average, hemoglobin A1C (A1C) was lower than baseline, with a maximal lowering of 0.6%. This effect was not significant when tested against a control group, with a relative decrease in A1C of 0.1% to 0.2%. In all trials examined, reported hypoglycemia was low, demonstrating no difference when compared with insulin monotherapy. Weight loss was seen in all trials, with a maximum weight loss of 6.4 kg over 24 weeks. Gastrointestinal adverse effects are potentially limiting, with a significant number of patients in trials reporting nausea. Conclusion: The use of GLP-1 agonists should be considered in T1DM patients who are overweight or obese and not at glycemic goals despite aggressive insulin therapy; however, tolerability of these agents is a potential concern. Liraglutide has the strongest evidence for use and would be the agent of choice for use in overweight or obese adult patients with uncontrolled T1DM

Reptile Embryos Lack the Opportunity to Thermoregulate by Moving within the Egg

Historically, egg-bound reptile embryos were thought to passively thermoconform to the nest environment. However, recent observations of thermal taxis by embryos of multiple reptile species have led to the widely discussed hypothesis that embryos behaviorally thermoregulate. Because temperature affects development, such thermoregulation could allow embryos to control their fate far more than historically assumed. We assessed the opportunity for embryos to behaviorally thermoregulate in nature by examining thermal gradients within natural nests and eggs of the common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina; which displays embryonic thermal taxis) and by simulating thermal gradients within nests across a range of nest depths, egg sizes, and soil types. We observed little spatial thermal variation within nests, and thermal gradients were poorly transferred to eggs. Furthermore, thermal gradients sufficiently large and constant for behavioral thermoregulation were not predicted to occur in our simulations. Gradients of biologically relevant magnitude have limited global occurrence and reverse direction twice daily when they do exist, which is substantially faster than embryos can shift position within the egg. Our results imply that reptile embryos will rarely, if ever, have the opportunity to behaviorally thermoregulate by moving within the egg. We suggest that embryonic thermal taxis instead represents a play behavior, which may be adaptive or selectively neutral, and results from the mechanisms for behavioral thermoregulation in free-living stages coming online prior to hatching

Historical map digitization in libraries: Collaborative approaches for large map series

Academic libraries are playing a role in the digitization of Canadian government documents, but maps tend to be excluded from these activities due to their unique dimensions and display requirements. Using a topographic map digitization project as a case study, this paper presents a collaborative approach to map scanning, georeferencing, and metadata creation across several Ontario universities. Collectively, the 21 institutions making up the Ontario Council of University Libraries (OCUL) possess and maintain large volumes of Canadian topographic maps. However, few OCUL universities hold complete sets of these map series. While the Canadian government’s most recent topographic maps are now available online, older editions of these maps have not been digitized. This project, currently underway at several participating universities, will enable us to share digital versions of some of our most-requested historical map series with the public at large

Geriatric and Student Perceptions following Student-led Educational Sessions

Objective: The objective of this study was to measure the effect of student-led educational events on geriatric patient and student participant perceptions in a community setting. Methods: Students led three events at a senior community center, focusing on learning and memory, sleep hygiene, and arthritis pain. The participants were geriatric patients who themselves were providers of support to homebound peers (“clients”) through an independently organized program. Geriatric participants completed pre- and post-event surveys to measure changes in familiarity with the topics. Student participants also completed pre- and post-event surveys that tracked changes in their comfort in working with the geriatric population. Results: Each event demonstrated at least one positive finding for geriatric patients and/or their clients. Students reported increased comfort in working with and teaching the geriatric population following the first and third events, but not the second. Conclusion: Student-led educational sessions can improve perceived health-related knowledge of geriatric participants while simultaneously exposing students to the geriatric patient population. Overall, both students and geriatric participants benefited from these events. Practice Implications: Incorporation of single, student-led educational events could be mutually beneficial to students and the elderly population in the community and easily incorporated into any healthcare curriculum. Funding:This work was supported by a Butler University Innovation Fund Grant. Treatment of Human Subjects: IRB review/approval required and obtained   Type: Original Researc

Hybrid Online Delivery of a Pharmacy Residency and Fellowship Elective Course

  Objective: To describe and evaluate the transition of a pharmacy residency and fellowship (PRF) elective course to a hybrid online platform. Innovation: In 2016, the 1-credit hour PRF elective was transitioned from a live, synchronous course to a hybrid online platform. Over the course of the semester, students completed eight modules along with assignments that pertained to a different component of PRF. Course grades and evaluations, as well as PRF placement rates, were compared between 2015 (live, synchronous course) and 2016 (hybrid online course). There were no differences in overall course grades or student evaluations of individual relevant course objectives between the two course formats. However, more students rated the course as excellent during the 2015 live, synchronous course. Placement rates were similar between students who took the course in 2015 and 2016. Critical Analysis: Following the transition of a PRF elective to a hybrid online platform, course grades, evaluation of individual relevant course objectives, and PRF placement rates remained similar to previous years. Creative educational venues can help meet the student demand while simultaneously allowing faculty to manage their time. However, instructors should balance this with desire of students to have more face-to-face in class time.     Type: Not

Using Debates to Mimic Clinical Discussion in Experiential Education

Critical thinking and application of knowledge to an ambiguous patient care scenario are often difficult skills to cultivate in learners. Use of traditional teaching techniques (e.g. topic discussions and journal clubs) helps to develop these competencies within learners. However, alternative teaching strategies may help develop critical thinking and direct application. Debates have been used in healthcare education for decades with positive results. This paper provides supporting evidence for use of debates in pharmacy education and is designed to serve as a general guide for preceptors interested in implementing debates into the experiential setting. Specifically, the objectives are to: 1) highlight the pedagogical outcomes as reported in the literature, 2) offer practical considerations to implement debates as a teaching tool in experiential education, and 3) encourage future research and scholarship in this area.   Type: Idea Pape

The Lipid Kinase PIP5K1C Regulates Pain Signaling and Sensitization

SummaryNumerous pain-producing (pronociceptive) receptors signal via phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) hydrolysis. However, it is currently unknown which lipid kinases generate PIP2 in nociceptive dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons and if these kinases regulate pronociceptive receptor signaling. Here, we found that phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5 kinase type 1C (PIP5K1C) is expressed at higher levels than any other PIP5K and, based on experiments with Pip5k1c+/− mice, generates at least half of all PIP2 in DRG neurons. Additionally, Pip5k1c haploinsufficiency reduces pronociceptive receptor signaling and TRPV1 sensitization in DRG neurons as well as thermal and mechanical hypersensitivity in mouse models of chronic pain. We identified a small molecule inhibitor of PIP5K1C (UNC3230) in a high-throughput screen. UNC3230 lowered PIP2 levels in DRG neurons and attenuated hypersensitivity when administered intrathecally or into the hindpaw. Our studies reveal that PIP5K1C regulates PIP2-dependent nociceptive signaling and suggest that PIP5K1C is a therapeutic target for chronic pain

The Histone H3K79 Methyltransferase Dot1L Is Essential for Mammalian Development and Heterochromatin Structure

Dot1 is an evolutionarily conserved histone methyltransferase specific for lysine 79 of histone H3 (H3K79). In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Dot1-mediated H3K79 methylation is associated with telomere silencing, meiotic checkpoint control, and DNA damage response. The biological function of H3K79 methylation in mammals, however, remains poorly understood. Using gene targeting, we generated mice deficient for Dot1L, the murine Dot1 homologue. Dot1L-deficient embryos show multiple developmental abnormalities, including growth impairment, angiogenesis defects in the yolk sac, and cardiac dilation, and die between 9.5 and 10.5 days post coitum. To gain insights into the cellular function of Dot1L, we derived embryonic stem (ES) cells from Dot1L mutant blastocysts. Dot1L-deficient ES cells show global loss of H3K79 methylation as well as reduced levels of heterochromatic marks (H3K9 di-methylation and H4K20 tri-methylation) at centromeres and telomeres. These changes are accompanied by aneuploidy, telomere elongation, and proliferation defects. Taken together, these results indicate that Dot1L and H3K79 methylation play important roles in heterochromatin formation and in embryonic development