Enhancement of nkx3.2 Expression After twist1b and twist2 Knockdown in Zebrafish

Somitogenesis is a developmental event patterned by cellular signaling during gastrulation, ending around 30-hours post fertilization. Somites are segmented regions of mesoderm along the dorsal side of the body which form paraxial mesoderm in Danio rerio, zebrafish. Somite development results in the formation of the subcompartment called sclerotome, which differentiates to form the axial skeleton and associated tendons (Stickney et al., 2000). Further differentiation allows for sclerotome progenitor cell to develop into bone, muscle, tendon, and cartilage through sclerotome migration along the mesoderm. A portion of sclerotome cells migrate anterior towards the neural tube, where they will form the vertebral body. (Monsoro-Burq, 2005). Several genes are responsible for development of the vertebral body from sclerotome. Twist1b and Twist2 genes are expressed in the sclerotome and are possibly expressed within precursors of the cells needed during chondrogenesis of vertebra, which express the gene Nkx3.2. Nkx3.2 is responsible for the development of the vertebral body in zebrafish and other model organisms, and if not expressed, is seen to cause skeletal defects in mice. (Herbrand et al., 2002). In this study, we looked at the expression of Nkx3.2 when Twist1b and Twist2 were knocked down using injection of Twist1b and Twist 2 morpholinos at the single cell stage. Our results show increased expression of Nkx3.2 via in situ hybridization in Twist1b and Twist2 knock-down embryos. By studying the expression pattern of Nkx3.2 in zebrafish embryos, we are able to better understand the role Twist1b and Twist2 are playing during vertebral development

Experience sampling methods (ESM) in organizations: a review

We review research designs of ESM studies conducted in workplace settings (k = 167 samples). Eight ESM design features are summarized: sample size and number of observations, response rates, recruitment methods and incentives, survey timing factors (study duration, signal frequency, times of day), signaling strategies and reminder technologies, survey media, survey items (number of items, item sampling, constructs measured), and analytic strategies (lagged analyses, missing data treatment). Mean sample size was 93 and number of observations was 1,419. Average study duration was 10.13 days. Among studies that used multiple signals per day (56%), the average was 4.16 signals per day. 54% of studies did not report using incentives, 41% did not use reminders. Longer studies were more likely to provide incentives. Over time, online surveys are rising whereas paper-and-pencil surveys are disappearing. The average between-persons response rate was 63%, and within-persons response rate was 80%; although response rates were unrelated to incentives/design features. Interval-contingent signaling was most prevalent (59%), followed by signal-contingent signaling (19%). Event-contingent signaling was rare (4%). Few studies reported missing data treatments. Findings and implications are discussed

Di-Zinc-Aryl Complexes: CO2 Insertions and Applications in Polymerisation Catalysis

Two new di-zinc aryl complexes, [LZn2Ph2] and [LZn2(C6F5)2], coordinated by a diphenol tetraamine macrocyclic ligand are prepared and fully characterized, including by single crystal X-ray diffraction experiments. The complexes’ reactivities with monomers including carbon dioxide, cyclohexene oxide, phthalic anhydride, iso-propanol and phenol are investigated using both experimental studies and density functional theory calculations. In particular, [LZn2Ph2] readily inserts carbon dioxide to form a carboxylate, at 1 bar pressure, whereas [LZn2(C6F5)2] does not react. Under these conditions [LZn2Ph2] shows moderate activity in the ring-opening copolymerisation of cyclohexene oxide / carbon dioxide (TOF = 20 h-1); cyclohexene oxide / phthalic anhydride (TOF = 33 h-1) and the ring opening polymerisations of rac-lactide (TOF = 99 h-1) and ε-caprolactone (TOF = 5280 h-1)

Antimalarial Activity and Mechanisms of Action of Two Novel 4-Aminoquinolines against Chloroquine-Resistant Parasites

Chloroquine (CQ) is a cost effective antimalarial drug with a relatively good safety profile (or therapeutic index). However, CQ is no longer used alone to treat patients with Plasmodium falciparum due to the emergence and spread of CQ-resistant strains, also reported for P. vivax. Despite CQ resistance, novel drug candidates based on the structure of CQ continue to be considered, as in the present work. One CQ analog was synthesized as monoquinoline (MAQ) and compared with a previously synthesized bisquinoline (BAQ), both tested against P. falciparum in vitro and against P. berghei in mice, then evaluated in vitro for their cytotoxicity and ability to inhibit hemozoin formation. Their interactions with residues present in the NADH binding site of P falciparum lactate dehydrogenase were evaluated using docking analysis software. Both compounds were active in the nanomolar range evaluated through the HRPII and hypoxanthine tests. MAQ and BAQ derivatives were not toxic, and both compounds significantly inhibited hemozoin formation, in a dose-dependent manner. MAQ had a higher selectivity index than BAQ and both compounds were weak PfLDH inhibitors, a result previously reported also for CQ. Taken together, the two CQ analogues represent promising molecules which seem to act in a crucial point for the parasite, inhibiting hemozoin formation

Competitive personality and work outcomes: A meta-analysis and scale development

The current paper makes five contributions to our understanding of competitive personality. First, I define competitive personality as a trait. Second, I review the historical origins of the trait, as it emerged in four adjacent subfields within psychology (i.e., health psychology, psychology of gender, cross-cultural psychology, and psychoanalysis). Third, I compile the most-used measures of competitive personality (most of which have not been labeled “competitive personality”), and empirically evaluate the convergent validity amongst these measures using confirmatory factor analysis. This effort also entails the development of the Competitive Personality Scale, a brief scale that reflects the essential content of the trait. Fourth, I establish the nomological validity of competitive personality vis-à-vis other personality traits, job attitudes, work behaviors, and demographics. Fifth, after demonstrating the variety of psychological literatures that have surreptitiously focused on competitive personality, I use meta-analytic methods to summarize evidence across these literatures on the relationships between competitive personality and other related constructs. Results support the contention that competitive personality is an important facet of human individual differences, that it has been studied under many different labels, and that it predicts critical outcomes in work organizations.LimitedAuthor requested closed access (OA after 2yrs) in Vireo ETD syste

An Investigation Of The Tree-Trauma Hypothesis

A study was designed to evaluate the Tree-Trauma hypothesis by comparing a "trauma" (n = 16) versus non-"trauma" (n = 16) group of college students

Stereoselective UV Sensing of 1,2-Diaminocyclohexane Isomers Based on Ligand Displacement with a Diacridylnaphthalene <i>N,N′</i>-Dioxide Scandium Complex

Stereoselective displacement of diacridylnaphthalene <i>N,N′</i>-dioxide ligands, <b>1</b>, from a scandium­(III) complex can be used for quantitative detection of 1,2-diaminocyclohexane isomers. The diastereoselective sensing assay with Sc­(<i>syn</i>-<b>1</b>)₂ shows excellent linearity between the sample de and the measured UV absorption change, and sensing of mixtures comprising both low and high de values gave results within 5% accuracy. All three stereoisomers of 1,2-diaminocyclohexane can be differentiated using Sc­[<i>anti</i>-(−)-<b>1</b>]₂ in the same ligand displacement assay