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The current study uses a correlation design and multiple linear regression to determine whether generation, gender, and subject area predict teachers' technology efficacy as measured by the Technology Proficiency Self-Assessment for 21st Century Leaning (TPSA C-21). An online survey was provided to all participants. The survey consisted of demographic questions and a technology self-efficacy instrument. Results demonstrate that gender and generation are statistically significant predictors of technology efficacy, namely on the Total, WWW, Integrated Applications, and Emerging Technologies Skills subscales of the TPSA C-21. The subject area variable, however, did not demonstrate a statistically significant ability to predict teacher technology efficacy scores on any subscale of the TPSA C-21. The findings of the current study add to the existing body of literature by enhancing understanding of the teachers' perceptions of technology efficacy in one geographic location in the US. These findings are timely, especially given the largely technology dependent nature of education--whether in physical classrooms or in virtual settings and the increasing necessity of using technological tools in education settings. Implications are discussed, including suggestions for future research.

The establishment of self-identity within the learning community is at the core of participation; as educators, it is critical that we consider the cultural makeup of our classroom participants, and address those cultures through instructional decision making, teaching opportunities, and development of the classroom community. This article discusses the need for cultural self-awareness from teachers and students. It also provides teachers with a cultural identification activity and multicultural book jigsaw to support the integration of diverse texts into the classroom.

Entamoeba histolytica, a protozoan intestinal parasite, is the causative agent of human amebiasis. Amebiasis is the fourth leading cause of death and the third leading cause of morbidity due to protozoan infections worldwide(1), resulting in ~70,000 deaths annually. E. histolytica has been listed by the National Institutes of Health as a category B priority biodefense pathogen in the United States. Treatment relies on metronidazole(2), which has adverse effects(3), and potential resistance of E. histolytica to the drug is an increasing concern(4,5). To facilitate drug screening for this anaerobic protozoan, we developed and validated an automated, high-throughput screen (HTS). This screen identified auranofin, a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drug used therapeutically for rheumatoid arthritis, as active against E. histolytica in culture. Auranofin was ten times more potent against E. histolytica than metronidazole. Transcriptional profiling and thioredoxin reductase assays suggested that auranofin targets the E. histolytica thioredoxin reductase, preventing the reduction of thioredoxin and enhancing sensitivity of trophozoites to reactive oxygen-mediated killing. In a mouse model of amebic colitis and a hamster model of amebic liver abscess, oral auranofin markedly decreased the number of parasites, the detrimental host inflammatory response and hepatic damage. This new use of auranofin represents a promising therapy for amebiasis, and the drug has been granted orphan-drug status from the FDA.

The interactions between N-methylurea, N,N'-dimethylurea, N,N-dimethylurea, tetramethylurea and thiourea and the hydroxide-bridged dinickel complex [Ni(sub 2)(micro-OH)(micro-H2))(bdptz)(H2O)(sub 2)](OTs)(sub 3) are investigated. The results suggest that the dinickel complex promotes the elimination of alkylamines from urea substrates to form cyanate but cannot effect the direct hydrolysis of such substrates.

Diiron complexes were prepared using 1,8-naphthyridine-based dinucleating ligands.

Urea interactions with hydroxide-bridged dinuclear nickel centers are examined.

Dinuclear nickel compounds were synthesized and their ability to effect the hydrolysis of amide substances was examined.

A family of peroxo-bridged diiron (II) complexes was synthesized which matched exactly the combination of carboxylate and imidazole donors of the Hperoxo intermediate in the catalytic cycle of soluble methane monooxygenase. X-ray crystallographic methods were used to investigate and clarify their structures. These studies furnish the most accurate compositional models of the Hperoxo intermediate reported to date and are discussed.