Navigating the Information Highway: A Multilayered Approach for First-Year Graduate Students

Taylor University’s Zondervan Library developed a multifaceted approach of engagement with graduate students of the Master of Higher Education and Student Development program, utilizing a variety of venues and courses relating to advanced research and writing. Regular assessments provided feedback for improvement within the embedded program structure. A second component of this model involved an archival project, which facilitated student research with primary documents in the university archives. Overall, graduate student understanding and ownership of the research process increased, and teaching faculty noticed improvement in the quality of research-based assignments as well as the program’s thesis project

CORE Technology and Exact Hamiltonian Real-Space Renormalization Group Transformations

The COntractor REnormalization group (CORE) method, a new approach to solving Hamiltonian lattice systems, is presented. The method defines a systematic and nonperturbative means of implementing Kadanoff-Wilson real-space renormalization group transformations using cluster expansion and contraction techniques. We illustrate the approach and demonstrate its effectiveness using scalar field theory, the Heisenberg antiferromagnetic chain, and the anisotropic Ising chain. Future applications to the Hubbard and t-J models and lattice gauge theory are discussed.Comment: 65 pages, 9 Postscript figures, uses epsf.st

Crescimento, defesas e herbivoria em folhas jovens de Qualea parviflora (Vochysiaceae) em três diferentes habitats de Cerrado

Insect herbivory is strongly influenced by the properties of their host leaves. Otherwise, such influence may be mediated by the environment in which the host plant is found. We examined three characteristics that may influence insect herbivory on young leaves of Qualea parviflora Mart. (Vochysiaceae), a widespread tree of the Brazilian Cerrado: leaf expansion rate, sclerophylly (leaf toughness), and tannin concentration during four consecutive months. Herbivory rates were measured on four marked intact leaves in five trees in three different physiognomies of the Cerrado biome: campo sujo (grassland), cerrado sensu stricto (savanna), and cerradão (woodland). Sclerophylly was higher in February while the highest concentration of tannins occurred in November but no variation in the rates of herbivory among months and physiognomies was found. A tendency of higher mean leaf growth rates was observed in the “cerradao” (1.03%) and “cerrado” (1.04%) in comparison with the campo sujo trees (0.86%). Higher sclerophylly and lower expansion rates and leaf size were observed in trees of the campo sujo. There was a tendency for higher herbivory rates in cerrado (10.5%), where the leaves showed lower concentration of tannins (1.5%) than in cerradão (2.1%). New leaves of Q. parviflora showed higher tannins concentration and lower damage than fully expanded leaves. Final leaf area explained 24% of the variation in total herbivory. Leaf size and associated nutritional factors exerted stronger influence on herbivory than defensive compounds on young leaves of Q. parviflora. Key words: Cerrado, leaf age, leaf growth, Neotropical savanna, plant defenses, sclerophylly.A herbivoria por insetos é fortemente influenciada pelas propriedades das folhas hospedeiras. No entanto, esta influência pode ser mediada por condições ambientais do habitat da planta. Neste estudo foram examinadas três características que podem influenciar a herbívora por insetos em folhas jovens de Qualea parvifl ora Mart. (Vochysiaceae), uma árvore comum do Cerrado brasileiro: taxa de expansão foliar, esclerofilia (rigidez foliar) e concentração de taninos. As taxas de herbívora foram medidas em quatro folhas intactas de cinco árvores em três diferentes fitofisionomias do bioma Cerrado: “campo sujo”, “cerrado sensu stricto” e “cerradão”. A esclerofilia foi maior em Fevereiro enquanto altas concentrações de taninos ocorreram em Novembro. No entanto, não foi observada variação nas taxas de herbívora entre os meses e entre fisionomias. Uma tendência em maiores taxas de crescimento foliar foi observada em árvores ocorrentes no “cerradão” (1,03%) e no “cerrado” (1,04%) em comparação com as ocorrentes no “campo sujo” (0,86%). Maiores valores de esclerofilia, baixas taxas de expansão foliar e menor tamanho foliar foram observadas no “campo sujo”. Houve uma tendência em altas taxas de herbívora no “cerrado” (10,5%), onde as folhas apresentaram concentrações de taninos mais baixas (1,5%) que no “cerradão” (2,1%). As folhas jovens de Q. parviflora apresentaram maiores concentrações de taninos e menor dano por herbívora que folhas maduras. A área foliar final explicou 24% da variação da herbívora total. O tamanho das folhas e fatores nutricionais associados exerceram influências mais fortes na herbívora que a concentração de compostos de defesa em folhas jovens de Q. parviflora. Palavras-chave: Cerrado, crescimento foliar, defesa de plantas, esclerofilia, idade foliar, savana neotropical

Cultivation and characterisation of human peripheral cornea-derived endothelial cells [abstract]

To confirm that human corneal rims left over from DALK/DSEK/PK surgeries could be useful sources for ex vivo endothelial cell expansion. Human corneal rims remaining from DALK/DSEK/PK surgeries were utilized (1:1 sex ratio, age 63+20 years, endothelial cell density >2,500 cells/mm2). The time from death to use varied between 3 days and 1.5 months. Endothelial cells isolated using a two-step, peel-and-digest method, whereby the Descemet’s membrane and endothelial cells were peeled off under a dissecting microscope, followed by digestion in collagenase. The isolated cells were suspended in TrypLE prior to plating onto FNC-coated tissue culture plates. The cells were then cultured in Ham’s F12:M199 (1:1) media supplemented with, ascorbic acid, transferrin, sodium selenite and bFGF. Characterisation of the cultured cells was performed by RT-qPCR and immunofluorescence staining accordingly. The number of isolated endothelial cells was repeatedly low (< 20,000 cells). However, improved techniques allowed to reduce stromal cell contamination. It was observed that endothelial cell proliferation was improved when the culture surface area was reduced. Furthermore, typical endothelial cobble stone morphology was observed when the cell density was high. Cell morphology and growth showed notable difference related to donor age and preservation time. ZO-1, Na/K-ATPase and PITX2 were used to confirm the endothelial phenotype. Preserved human corneal rims can be utilized for ex vivo expansion of corneal endothelial cells but further optimization is needed

Recurrent structural variation, clustered sites of selection, and disease risk for the complement factor H (CFH) gene family

Data deposition: The data reported in this paper have been deposited as a National Center for Biotechnology Information BioProject (accession no. PRJNA401648). Author contributions: S.C. and E.E.E. designed research; S.C., C.B., L.H., K.P., K.M.M., M.S., A.E.W., V.D., T.A.G.-L., and R.K.W. performed research; S.C., J.H., C.B., L.H., K.P., K.M.M., M.S., A.E.W., V.D., F.G., A.J.R., R.H.G., T.A.G.-L., R.K.W., B.H.F.W., P.N.B., R.A., and E.E.E. contributed new reagents/analytic tools; S.C., B.J.N., J.H., and E.E.E. analyzed data; and S.C., B.J.N., and E.E.E. wrote the paper.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

The \u3cem\u3eChlamydomonas\u3c/em\u3e Genome Reveals the Evolution of Key Animal and Plant Functions

Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is a unicellular green alga whose lineage diverged from land plants over 1 billion years ago. It is a model system for studying chloroplast-based photosynthesis, as well as the structure, assembly, and function of eukaryotic flagella (cilia), which were inherited from the common ancestor of plants and animals, but lost in land plants. We sequenced the ∼120-megabase nuclear genome of Chlamydomonas and performed comparative phylogenomic analyses, identifying genes encoding uncharacterized proteins that are likely associated with the function and biogenesis of chloroplasts or eukaryotic flagella. Analyses of the Chlamydomonas genome advance our understanding of the ancestral eukaryotic cell, reveal previously unknown genes associated with photosynthetic and flagellar functions, and establish links between ciliopathy and the composition and function of flagella

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

PKD1 and PKD2 mutations in Slovenian families with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease

BACKGROUND: Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a genetically heterogeneous disorder caused by mutations in at least two different loci. Prior to performing mutation screening, if DNA samples of sufficient number of family members are available, it is worthwhile to assign the gene involved in disease progression by the genetic linkage analysis. METHODS: We collected samples from 36 Slovene ADPKD families and performed linkage analysis in 16 of them. Linkage was assessed by the use of microsatellite polymorphic markers, four in the case of PKD1 (KG8, AC2.5, CW3 and CW2) and five for PKD2 (D4S1534, D4S2929, D4S1542, D4S1563 and D4S423). Partial PKD1 mutation screening was undertaken by analysing exons 23 and 31–46 and PKD2 . RESULTS: Lod scores indicated linkage to PKD1 in six families and to PKD2 in two families. One family was linked to none and in seven families linkage to both genes was possible. Partial PKD1 mutation screening was performed in 33 patients (including 20 patients from the families where linkage analysis could not be performed). We analysed PKD2 in 2 patients where lod scores indicated linkage to PKD2 and in 7 families where linkage to both genes was possible. We detected six mutations and eight polymorphisms in PKD1 and one mutation and three polymorphisms in PKD2. CONCLUSION: In our study group of ADPKD patients we detected seven mutations: three frameshift, one missense, two nonsense and one putative splicing mutation. Three have been described previously and 4 are novel. Three newly described framesfift mutations in PKD1 seem to be associated with more severe clinical course of ADPKD. Previously described nonsense mutation in PKD2 seems to be associated with cysts in liver and milder clinical course

Identification of a Rare Coding Variant in Complement 3 Associated with Age-related Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration is a common cause of blindness in the elderly. To identify rare coding variants associated with a large increase in risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), we sequenced 2,335 cases and 789 controls in 10 candidate loci (57 genes). To increase power, we augmented our control set with ancestry-matched exome sequenced controls. An analysis of coding variation in 2,268 AMD cases and 2,268 ancestry matched controls revealed two large-effect rare variants; previously described R1210C in the CFH gene (fcase = 0.51%, fcontrol = 0.02%, OR = 23.11), and newly identified K155Q in the C3 gene (fcase = 1.06%, fcontrol = 0.39%, OR = 2.68). The variants suggest decreased inhibition of C3 by Factor H, resulting in increased activation of the alternative complement pathway, as a key component of disease biology

Short-Lived Trace Gases in the Surface Ocean and the Atmosphere

The two-way exchange of trace gases between the ocean and the atmosphere is important for both the chemistry and physics of the atmosphere and the biogeochemistry of the oceans, including the global cycling of elements. Here we review these exchanges and their importance for a range of gases whose lifetimes are generally short compared to the main greenhouse gases and which are, in most cases, more reactive than them. Gases considered include sulphur and related compounds, organohalogens, non-methane hydrocarbons, ozone, ammonia and related compounds, hydrogen and carbon monoxide. Finally, we stress the interactivity of the system, the importance of process understanding for modeling, the need for more extensive field measurements and their better seasonal coverage, the importance of inter-calibration exercises and finally the need to show the importance of air-sea exchanges for global cycling and how the field fits into the broader context of Earth System Science