Transcending Disciplines, Reinforcing Curricula: Why Faculty Teach With Service Learning

Service learning as a teaching methodology has a growing following among faculty in higher education. Service learning combines community service with classroom instruction, focusing on critical, reflective thinking as well as personal and civic responsibility. Service learning programs involve students in activities that address local needs while developing their academic skills and commitment to their communities

Welcome to the TVI Service-Learning Program

We are delighted that you have agreed to participate in this exciting opportunity for TVI faculty and students to become involved in Service-Learning! The concept of service-learning is not new, of course, but in the past decade, many higher education professionals have taken the lead in promoting this as an essential dimension of the college experience. Campus Compact, for example is a consortium of over 500 college presidents who have mandated integrating service programs into their institutions. Simultaneously, the American Association of Community Colleges has recently awarded 15 grants to community colleges to create Learn and Serve Program, to develop models for service-learning specifically in community and technical-vocational colleges

Gemini Observations of Disks and Jets in Young Stellar Objects and in Active Galaxies

We present first results from the Near-infrared Integral Field Spectrograph (NIFS) located at Gemini North. For the active galaxies Cygnus A and Perseus A we observe rotationally-supported accretion disks and adduce the existence of massive central black holes and estimate their masses. In Cygnus A we also see remarkable high-excitation ionization cones dominated by photoionization from the central engine. In the T-Tauri stars HV Tau C and DG Tau we see highly-collimated bipolar outflows in the [Fe II] 1.644 micron line, surrounded by a slower molecular bipolar outflow seen in the H_2 lines, in accordance with the model advocated by Pyo et al. (2002).Comment: Invited paper presented at the 5th Stromlo Symposium. 9 pages, 7 figures. Accepted for publication in Astrophysics & Space Scienc

Experiences of Family Communication and Cascade Genetic Testing for Hereditary Cancer in Medically Underserved Populations-A Qualitative Study

UNLABELLED: We sought to explore the intrafamilial communication and cascade genetic testing (CGT) experiences of patients with hereditary cancer from diverse, medically underserved populations and their relatives. Participants included patients receiving oncology care at an urban, safety net hospital in Texas or comprehensive cancer center in Alabama and their first-degree relatives. In-depth semi-structured qualitative interviews were completed wherein patients shared their experiences with genetic counseling (GC), genetic testing (GT), and communicating their results to relatives. Relatives shared their experiences receiving information from the patient and considering CGT. Interviews were transcribed, coded, and themes were identified. Of 25 participating patients, most recalled key aspects of GC and their GT results. Most (80%) patients shared their results with relatives, but only some relatives underwent CGT; patients reported low perceived susceptibility to hereditary cancer as a common barrier to CGT for their relatives. Of 16 participating relatives, most reported feeling distress upon learning the patient\u27s GT results. Relatives were fearful of learning their own CGT results but identified prevention and early detection as CGT benefits. Interviews identified opportunities during family communication to improve relatives\u27 perceived susceptibility to hereditary cancer. Tailored resources may support patients and relatives experiencing distress and fear during GT. PREVENTION RELEVANCE: This study of intrafamilial communication and cascade genetic testing experiences of patients with hereditary cancer and their relatives from diverse, medically underserved populations identified relatives\u27 perceived susceptibility to hereditary cancer risks, distress, and fear as frequent reactions and barriers to testing. These results may inform future hereditary cancer prevention efforts

Modulation of Hepatic Amyloid Precursor Protein and Lipoprotein Receptor-Related Protein 1 by Chronic Alcohol Intake: Potential Link Between Liver Steatosis and Amyloid-β

Heavy alcohol consumption is a known risk factor for various forms of dementia and the development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In this work, we investigated how intragastric alcohol feeding may alter the liver-to-brain axis to induce and/or promote AD pathology. Four weeks of intragastric alcohol feeding to mice, which causes significant fatty liver (steatosis) and liver injury, caused no changes in AD pathology markers in the brain [amyloid precursor protein (APP), presenilin], except for a decrease in microglial cell number in the cortex of the brain. Interestingly, the decline in microglial numbers correlated with serum alanine transaminase (ALT) levels, suggesting a potential link between liver injury and microglial loss in the brain. Intragastric alcohol feeding significantly affected two hepatic proteins important in amyloid-beta (Aβ) processing by the liver: 1) alcohol feeding downregulated lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1, ∼46%), the major receptor in the liver that removes Aβ from blood and peripheral organs, and 2) alcohol significantly upregulated APP (∼2-fold), a potentially important source of Aβ in the periphery and brain. The decrease in hepatic LRP1 and increase in hepatic APP likely switches the liver from being a remover or low producer of Aβ to an important source of Aβ in the periphery, which can impact the brain. The downregulation of LRP1 and upregulation of APP in the liver was observed in the first week of intragastric alcohol feeding, and also occurred in other alcohol feeding models (NIAAA binge alcohol model and intragastric alcohol feeding to rats). Modulation of hepatic LRP1 and APP does not seem alcohol-specific, as ob/ob mice with significant steatosis also had declines in LRP1 and increases in APP expression in the liver. These findings suggest that liver steatosis rather than alcohol-induced liver injury is likely responsible for regulation of hepatic LRP1 and APP. Both obesity and alcohol intake have been linked to AD and our data suggests that liver steatosis associated with these two conditions modulates hepatic LRP1 and APP to disrupt Aβ processing by the liver to promote AD

Probing the near infrared stellar population of Seyfert galaxies

We employ IRTF SpeX NIR (0.8-2.4 microns) spectra to investigate the stellar population (SP), active galactic nuclei (AGN) featureless continuum (FC) and hot dust properties in 9 Sy 1 and 15 Sy 2 galaxies. Both the starlight code and the hot dust as an additional base element were used for the first time in this spectral range. We found evidence of correlation among the equivalent widths (W) Si I 1.59 microns x Mg I 1.58 microns, equally for both kinds of activity. Part of the W{Na I 2.21 microns} and W {CO 2.3 microns} strengths may be related to galaxy inclination. Our synthesis shows significant differences between Sy 1 and Sy 2 galaxies: the hot dust component is required to fit the K-band spectra of ~90% of the Sy 1 galaxies, and only of ~25% of the Sy 2; about 50 % of the Sy 2 galaxies require a $FC$ component contribution >20%, while this fraction increases to 60% in the Sy 1; also, in about 50 % of the Sy2, the combined FC and young components contribute with more than 20%, while this occurs in 90% of the Sy1, suggesting recent star formation in the central region. The central few hundred parsecs of our galaxy sample contain a substantial fraction of intermediate-age SPs with a mean metallicity near solar. Our SP synthesis confirms that the 1.1 micron CN band can be used as a tracer of intermediate-age SPs. The simultaneous fitting of SP, FC and hot dust components increased in ~150% the number of AGNs with hot dust detected and the mass estimated. The NIR emerges as an excellent window to study the stellar population of Sy 1 galaxies, as opposed to the usually heavily attenuated optical range. Our approach opens a new way to investigate and quantify the individual contribution of the three most important NIR continuum components observed in AGNs.Comment: The paper contains 14 figures and 5 tables. Accepted for publication in MNRA

Analytical Performance of a Multiplex Real-Time PCR Assay Using TaqMan Probes for Quantification of Trypanosoma cruzi Satellite DNA in Blood Samples

Background: The analytical validation of sensitive, accurate and standardized Real-Time PCR methods for Trypanosoma cruzi quantification is crucial to provide a reliable laboratory tool for diagnosis of recent infections as well as for monitoring treatment efficacy. Methods/Principal Findings: We have standardized and validated a multiplex Real-Time quantitative PCR assay (qPCR) based on TaqMan technology, aiming to quantify T. cruzi satellite DNA as well as an internal amplification control (IAC) in a single-tube reaction. IAC amplification allows rule out false negative PCR results due to inhibitory substances or loss of DNA during sample processing. The assay has a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.70 parasite equivalents/mL and a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 1.53 parasite equivalents/mL starting from non-boiled Guanidine EDTA blood spiked with T. cruzi CLBrener stock. The method was evaluated with blood samples collected from Chagas disease patients experiencing different clinical stages and epidemiological scenarios: 1- Sixteen Venezuelan patients from an outbreak of oral transmission, 2- Sixty three Bolivian patients suffering chronic Chagas disease, 3- Thirty four Argentinean cases with chronic Chagas disease, 4- Twenty seven newborns to seropositive mothers, 5- A seronegative receptor who got infected after transplantation with a cadaveric kidney explanted from an infected subject. Conclusions/Significance: The performing parameters of this assay encourage its application to early assessment of T. cruzi infection in cases in which serological methods are not informative, such as recent infections by oral contamination or congenital transmission or after transplantation with organs from seropositive donors, as well as for monitoring Chagas disease patients under etiological treatment.Fil: Duffy, Tomas. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones En Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Cura, Carolina Inés. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Ramírez, Juan C.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Abate, Teresa. Universidad Central de Venezuela. Instituto de Medicina Tropical; VenezuelaFil: Cayo, Nelly M.. Universidad Nacional de Jujuy. Instituto de Biologia de la Altura; ArgentinaFil: Parrado, Rudy. Universidad San Simón; BoliviaFil: Diaz Bello, Zoraida. Universidad Central de Venezuela. Instituto de Medicina Tropical; VenezuelaFil: Velazquez, Elsa Beatriz. Dirección Nacional de Instituto de Investigación. Administración Nacional de Laboratorio e Instituto de Salud. Instituto Nacional de Parasitología; ArgentinaFil: Muñoz Calderón, Arturo. Universidad Central de Venezuela. Instituto de Medicina Tropical; VenezuelaFil: Juiz, Natalia Anahí. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Basile, Joaquín. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Garcia, Lineth. Universidad San Simón; BoliviaFil: Riarte, Adelina. Dirección Nacional de Instituto de Investigación. Administración Nacional de Laboratorio e Instituto de Salud. Instituto Nacional de Parasitología; ArgentinaFil: Nasser, Julio Rubén. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Ocampo, Susana B.. Universidad Nacional de Jujuy. Instituto de Biologia de la Altura; ArgentinaFil: Yadon, Zaida E.. Pan-American Health Organization; Estados UnidosFil: Torrico, Faustino. Universidad San Simón; BoliviaFil: Alarcón de Noya, Belkisyole. Universidad Central de Venezuela. Instituto de Medicina Tropical; VenezuelaFil: Ribeiro, Isabela. Drugs and Neglected Diseases Initiative; SuizaFil: Schijman, Alejandro Gabriel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular; Argentin

Technical Design Report for the PANDA Solenoid and Dipole Spectrometer Magnets

This document is the Technical Design Report covering the two large spectrometer magnets of the PANDA detector set-up. It shows the conceptual design of the magnets and their anticipated performance. It precedes the tender and procurement of the magnets and, hence, is subject to possible modifications arising during this process.Comment: 10 pages, 14MB, accepted by FAIR STI in May 2009, editors: Inti Lehmann (chair), Andrea Bersani, Yuri Lobanov, Jost Luehning, Jerzy Smyrski, Technical Coordiantor: Lars Schmitt, Bernd Lewandowski (deputy), Spokespersons: Ulrich Wiedner, Paola Gianotti (deputy

Correction to:The genetic architecture of Plakophilin 2 cardiomyopathy (Genetics in Medicine, (2021), 23, 10, (1961-1968), 10.1038/s41436-021-01233-7)

Due to a processing error Cynthia James, Brittney Murray, and Crystal Tichnell were assigned to the wrong affiliation. Cynthia James, Brittney Murray, and Crystal Tichnell have as their affiliation 5 Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA. In addition Hana Zouk, Megan Hawley, and Birgit Funke were assigned only to affiliation 3; they also have affiliation 4 Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. The original article has been corrected

Revisiting the Immune Trypanolysis Test to Optimise Epidemiological Surveillance and Control of Sleeping Sickness in West Africa

Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) due to Trypanosoma brucei (T.b.) gambiense is usually diagnosed using two sequential steps: first the card agglutination test for trypanosomiasis (CATT) used for serological screening, followed by parasitological methods to confirm the disease. Currently, CATT will continue to be used as a test for mass screening because of its simplicity and high sensitivity; however, its performance as a tool of surveillance in areas where prevalence is low is poor because of its limited specificity. Hence in the context of HAT elimination, there is a crucial need for a better marker of contact with T.b. gambiense in humans. We evaluated here an existing highly specific serological tool, the trypanolysis test (TL). We evaluated TL in active, latent and historical HAT foci in Guinea, Côte d'Ivoire and Burkina Faso. We found that TL was a marker for exposure to T.b. gambiense. We propose that TL should be used as a surveillance tool to monitor HAT elimination