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Engagement through the use of technology requires a level of vulnerability and trust amongst teachers and learners. The emotional and social aspects of engagement can be significantly affected by the nuances of the learning setting. The study goal was to explore learner needs related to uploaded lecture-captured recordings and examine how the use of a commenting feature might enhance learning experiences. Building on self-determination theory, we postulated that affording commenting opportunities would increase engagement (relatedness), with learners choosing to engage in the potential learning value from comment over the vulnerability that could come with making public comments (autonomy), and improved learning outcomes (competence). Using a pre/post survey design, 100% (N = 190) of second year undergraduate medical and dental learners participated in this study. Pre-survey results demonstrated that 65% (n = 94) perceived value in seeing what others asked; 59% (n = 94) of participants wanted to view the responses of others. Post-survey results demonstrated that 6% (n = 12) indicated that commenting made them feel vulnerable. Twenty-nine percent (n = 55) preferred anonymous commenting. Engagement was impacted by technical issues with the new system, learners not perceiving significant 'value-add' due to alternative mechanisms in receiving answers to questions, and the timing of our technology change. Learners still perceived value in creating opportunities to ask questions and seek responses, though it must be balanced with ensuring that the learning environment allows vulnerability. Meaningful connections can be found in various ways throughout the learning environment in both the formal and parallel curricula.

Contribution: This longitudinal study modeled student leadership growth in a course sequence supporting long-term, large-scale, multidisciplinary projects embedded in faculty research. Students (half from computer science, computational media, electrical engineering, and computer engineering) participated for 1-4 semesters. Background: Project- based learning (PBL) is used widely in higher education. It is used in industry for leadership development, but leadership development in project-based learning (PBL) has not been explored in higher education. A preliminary analysis implied leadership growth through the third semester of participation, but the design did not control for attrition. Research Questions: At the student level, how do leadership role ratings change over multiple semesters of participation? Do first (and second) semester ratings differ by number of semesters students eventually participate? Methodology: The study involved two peer evaluation questions on 1) the degree to which students coordinated the team's work and 2) served as technical/content area leaders. Analysis employed analysis of variance to examine attrition by initial ratings (N = 1045) and multilevel growth modeling to study change over time (N = 585). A strength of using peer evaluations is the large sample size, but a weakness is that the tool was developed for student assessment and not educational research. The study did not control for participation in leadership programs outside the course. Findings: On average, individual leadership role ratings increased each semester through the third semester of participation. Ratings of students who left the program after 1 or 2 semesters did not differ from ratings for those who participated longer.

Sulfur oxidizing bacteria (SOB) play a key role in sulfur cycling in mine tailings impoundment (TI) waters, where sulfur concentrations are typically high. However, our understanding of SOB sulfur cycling via potential S oxidation pathways (sox, rdsr, and S4I) in these globally ubiquitous contexts, remains limited. Here, we identified TI water column SOB community composition, metagenomics derived metabolic repertoires, physicochemistry, and aqueous sulfur concentration and speciation in four Canadian base metal mine, circumneutral-alkaline TIs over four years (2016 - 2019). Identification and examination of genomes from nine SOB genera occurring in these TI waters revealed two pH partitioned, metabolically distinct groups, which differentially influenced acid generation and sulfur speciation. Complete sox (csox) dominant SOB (e.g., Halothiobacillus spp., Thiomonas spp.) drove acidity generation and S2O3 2- consumption via the csox pathway at lower pH (pH ~5 to ~6.5). At circumneutral pH conditions (pH ~6.5 to ~8.5), the presence of non-csox dominant SOB (hosting the incomplete sox, rdsr, and/or other S oxidation reactions; e.g. Thiobacillus spp., Sulfuriferula spp.) were associated with higher [S2O3 2-] and limited acidity generation. The S4I pathway part 1 (tsdA; S2O3 2- to S4O6 2-), was not constrained by pH, while S4I pathway part 2 (S4O6 2- disproportionation via tetH) was limited to Thiobacillus spp. and thus circumneutral pH values. Comparative analysis of low, natural (e.g., hydrothermal vents and sulfur hot springs) and high (e.g., Zn, Cu, Pb/Zn, and Ni tailings) sulfur systems literature data with these TI results, reveals a distinct TI SOB mining microbiome, characterized by elevated abundances of csox dominant SOB, likely sustained by continuous replenishment of sulfur species through tailings or mining impacted water additions. Our results indicate that under the primarily oxic conditions in these systems, S2O3 2- availability plays a key role in determining the dominant sulfur oxidation pathways and associated geochemical and physicochemical outcomes, highlighting the potential for biological management of mining impacted waters via pH and [S2O3 2-] manipulation.

Abstract The scaffold protein PEAK1 acts downstream of integrin adhesion complexes and the epidermal growth factor receptor, orchestrating signaling events that control cell proliferation and cytoskeletal remodeling. In this study we investigated the role of PEAK1 in colorectal carcinoma (CRC) progression using various in vitro and in vivo models to replicate the stepwise pathogenesis of CRC. While we observed a cell-type specific role for PEAK1 in the proliferation and in human CRC cell lines in vitro, our in vivo experiments using different CRC mouse models driven by loss of Apc, with or without oncogenic Kras or Pten loss suggest that PEAK1 does not significantly contribute to tumor formation in vivo. However, the survival time of Peak1 −/− mice in the Apc fl/+ model appeared to be slightly increased. Furthermore, PEAK1 promotes EGF-induced Caco-2 cell proliferation and regulates spheroid polarization and lumenization. Given that the Caco-2 cells harbor mutations in the tumor suppressors APC and β-CATENIN, but not in other tumor suppressors or in proto-oncogenes, we conclude that the PEAK1’s impact on colon carcinogenesis is limited, potentially playing a role in the initial stage of the adenoma to carcinoma progression.

We use a continuous improvement model to evaluate an information design assignment by analyzing 120 student drafts and finals alongside instructor feedback. Using data from across sections (N = 118), we illustrate a process focused on improving student learning that other technical and professional communication program administrators and faculty can follow, while also offering insights into ways programs can assist a contingent labor force with improving pedagogical practice. This study provides insights into assignment design through data-driven evidence and reflective work that is necessary to help continuously improve a service course and to assist students in meeting learning outcomes.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex disease of the CNS thought to require an environmental trigger. Gut dysbiosis is common in MS, but specific causative species are unknown. To address this knowledge gap, we used sensitive and quantitative PCR detection to show that people with MS were more likely to harbor and show a greater abundance of epsilon toxin-producing (ETX-producing) strains of C. perfringens within their gut microbiomes compared with individuals who are healthy controls (HCs). Isolates derived from patients with MS produced functional ETX and had a genetic architecture typical of highly conjugative plasmids. In the active immunization model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), where pertussis toxin (PTX) is used to overcome CNS immune privilege, ETX can substitute for PTX. In contrast to PTX-induced EAE, where inflammatory demyelination is largely restricted to the spinal cord, ETX-induced EAE caused demyelination in the corpus callosum, thalamus, cerebellum, brainstem, and spinal cord, more akin to the neuroanatomical lesion distribution seen in MS. CNS endothelial cell transcriptional profiles revealed ETX-induced genes that are known to play a role in overcoming CNS immune privilege. Together, these findings suggest that ETX-producing C. perfringens strains are biologically plausible pathogens in MS that trigger inflammatory demyelination in the context of circulating myelin autoreactive lymphocytes.

The growth in online education preceded the pandemic, however, COVID-19 drastically altered the educational landscape by forcing the unprecedented shift of education from in-person to remote learning. This change heightened concerns over student outcomes due to a lack of emotional engagement that is critical to academic outcomes. To create a positive emotional connection in any learning environment, teachers must actively manage their emotions within professional guidelines. Studies on instructors’ emotional experiences are sparse, leading to a lack of understanding as to how instructors adapt their strategies and emotional labor in online versus in-person teaching modalities to build deep emotional connections with students. This study addresses this gap in the literature by asking instructors about their comparative experiences of emotional empathy and emotional labor in person and online. Nineteen qualitative interviews with higher education instructors experienced in both settings revealed three key findings: 1) creative use of empathy-building strategies online reduced instructors’ concerns over platform limitations, 2) the time lag in asynchronous online courses allowed instructors to more meaningfully address all student concerns and 3) contrary to expectations, emotional labor was experienced more intensely in face-to-face classes than online, suggesting that online settings gave instructors more space to manage emotional labor. This research centers on the debate between technological determinism and social constructionism: Are empathetic bonds and fulfilling professional experiences shaped by the teaching modality, or are they the result of adaptive pedagogies and strategies?

The aim of this study is to gain empirical knowledge about how the Bible functions in the context of Protestant Christian primary schools in the Netherlands. It presents the results of an empirical explorative and qualitative study on the perceptions of teachers and school administrators (directors and internal supervisors) on the goals of Bible use in Protestant primary education, as well as the roles of teachers and pupils, and how these can be understood in terms of religious pedagogical models and theories. Five small focus group interviews with teachers and six interviews with school administrators revealed a variety of goals teachers hold regarding Bible use in education and a variety of divisions of teacher-learner roles in this regard. The findings also show some particular characteristics when compared with secondary schools.

Sulfur oxidizing bacteria (SOB) play a key role in sulfur cycling in mine tailings impoundment (TI) waters, where sulfur concentrations are typically high. However, our understanding of SOB sulfur cycling via potential S oxidation pathways (sox, rdsr, and S4I) in these globally ubiquitous contexts, remains limited. Here, we identified TI water column SOB community composition, metagenomics derived metabolic repertoires, physicochemistry, and aqueous sulfur concentration and speciation in four Canadian base metal mine, circumneutral-alkaline TIs over four years (2016 – 2019). Identification and examination of genomes from nine SOB genera occurring in these TI waters revealed two pH partitioned, metabolically distinct groups, which differentially influenced acid generation and sulfur speciation. Complete sox (csox) dominant SOB (e.g., Halothiobacillus spp., Thiomonas spp.) drove acidity generation and S2O32- consumption via the csox pathway at lower pH (pH ~5 to ~6.5). At circumneutral pH conditions (pH ~6.5 to ~8.5), the presence of non-csox dominant SOB (hosting the incomplete sox, rdsr, and/or other S oxidation reactions; e.g. Thiobacillus spp., Sulfuriferula spp.) were associated with higher [S2O32-] and limited acidity generation. The S4I pathway part 1 (tsdA; S2O32- to S4O62-), was not constrained by pH, while S4I pathway part 2 (S4O62- disproportionation via tetH) was limited to Thiobacillus spp. and thus circumneutral pH values. Comparative analysis of low, natural (e.g., hydrothermal vents and sulfur hot springs) and high (e.g., Zn, Cu, Pb/Zn, and Ni tailings) sulfur systems literature data with these TI results, reveals a distinct TI SOB mining microbiome, characterized by elevated abundances of csox dominant SOB, likely sustained by continuous replenishment of sulfur species through tailings or mining impacted water additions. Our results indicate that under the primarily oxic conditions in these systems, S2O32- availability plays a key role in determining the dominant sulfur oxidation pathways and associated geochemical and physicochemical outcomes, highlighting the potential for biological management of mining impacted waters via pH and [S2O32-] manipulation.

Wild populations appear to synchronize their reproductive phenology based on numerous environmental and ecological factors; yet, there is still individual variation in the timing of reproduction within populations and such variation may be associated with fitness consequences. For example, many studies have documented a seasonal decline in reproductive fitness, but breeding timing may have varying consequences across different environments. Using 11 years of data, we investigated the relationship between relative breeding timing and reproductive success in resident mountain chickadees (Poecile gambeli) across two elevational bands in the Sierra Nevada mountains, USA. Chickadees that synchronized breeding with the majority of the population (‘peak’ of breeding) did not have the highest breeding success. Instead, birds that bred early performed best at high elevation, while at low elevation early and peak nests performed similarly. At both elevations, late nests consistently performed the worst. Overall, breeding success decreased with increasing relative timing at both high and low elevations, but the relationship between breeding success and timing differed among years. Our results suggest that in mountain chickadees, earlier breeding is associated with higher reproductive success, especially at high elevations, while late breeding is consistently associated with lower reproductive success at both elevations.

Abstract Natural gas fields with economic helium (>0.3 He %) require the radioactive decay of crustal uranium (U) and thorium (Th) to generate He and tectonic/structural regimes favorable to releasing and concentrating He. An unknown is determining the role of faults and structural features in focusing deep‐seated He sources on shallow accumulations. We tested the correlation between high‐He wells (n = 94) and structural features using a new high‐resolution aeromagnetic survey in the Four Corners area, USA. A depth‐to‐basement map with basement lineaments/faults, an intrusion map, and a flattened basement structural high map were created using Werner deconvolution algorithms by combining magnetic, gravity, and topography data with magnetic and gravity depth profiles. We show quantitatively (via analysis of variance) that a non‐random process controls the relationship between He (>0.3%) and both basement faults and intrusions: 88% of high‐He wells occur

Post-secondary institutions need clarity regarding what their educational technology teams can offer. Educational technology is not simply a hammer that can be quickly utilized, but rather an instrument that needs to be tuned for each unique learning context. Using a modified Delphi approach, we validated an educational technology framework that highlights the necessary capabilities, competencies, and example activities needed in higher education across Canada, which moves away from traditional roles and responsibilities. This framework captures the need for teams to educate, collaborate, design, develop, administer, and lead within their institutions. It also highlights the revealed desire and need to create broader communities of practice and collaborations between various institutions. Educational technology teams themselves, when functioning optimally, will not only transform the academic experience for learners and teaching faculty, but they will ultimately shape the direction of higher education's teaching and learning.

Endotoxins are pyrogenic lipopolysaccharides from Gram-negative bacteria that are known to induce fever, septic shock, and multiple organ failure, posing a substantial risk to human health. Drinking water systems are especially prone to home microbiomes containing a large variety of Gram-negative bacteria. Consumption of water from these systems in developed countries is generally regarded as non-hazardous to humans due to the low number of non-pathogenic bacterial cells per milliliter and oral admission. To assess potential risks posed by endotoxins in drinking water systems, we conducted a conventional microbiological investigation on a local community water system in the north of Germany and mined the resulting data to investigate the endotoxin contents of some of the most abundant microbiota found during these analyses. Using a Limulus amoebocyte lysate (LAL) -based endotoxin detection method, average normalized endotoxin content was determined. Although the average culturable amounts of microbiota in the drinking water system were insufficient to exert endotoxin levels critical to human health, peaks and acute contaminations may pose substantial health risks. HIGHLIGHTS Endotoxin detection from cell suspensions of specific drinking water microbiota.; Endotoxin release from different bacterial species is highly variable.; Implications of species-specific endotoxin levels for human health.;

Background and Aims: Epidemiologic evidence suggests that Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and multiple sclerosis (MS) share a common set of risk factors with Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). It was hypothesized that such shared risk factors would lead to similar geographic distributions of these 4 diagnoses and their concurrence in identical patients. Methods: All subjects with HL, MS, CD, or UC were identified in the complete Inpatient Standard Analytic File of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services from 2018. In a cross-sectional study, we evaluated whether the frequencies of HL, MS, CD, and UC occurrences among different US states were statistically correlated with each other. In a case-control study, the observed concurrences of each 2 of the 4 diagnoses were compared with their expected frequencies in the overall Medicare population by calculating odds ratios with their 95% confidence intervals. Results: The total Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services population comprised 6,462,321 unique patients, of whom 8027 presented with HL, 42,934 with MS, 40,623 with CD, and 32,521 with UC. Statistically significant positive correlations (r) with P < .001 were found between HL and MS (r = 0.50), HL and CD (0.46), HL and UC (0.68), MS and CD (0.66), MS and UC (0.72), and CD and UC (0.68). Any inflammatory bowel disease was significantly associated with a diagnosis of concurrent HL (odds ratio: 1.22, 95% confidence interval: 1.01–1.48) or MS (1.35, 1.25–1.46). Conclusion: The epidemiologic associations of inflammatory bowel disease with HL or MS may reflect a common pathway in the etiology or pathogenesis of these diseases.

Summary: Non-immune cells, like innate immune cells, can develop a memory-like phenotype in response to priming with microbial compounds or certain metabolites, which enables an enhanced response to a secondary unspecific stimulus. This paper describes a step-by-step protocol for the induction and analysis of trained immunity in human endothelial and smooth muscle cells. We then describe steps for cell culture with cryopreserved vascular cells, subcultivation, and induction of trained immunity. We then provide detailed procedures for downstream analysis using ELISA and qPCR.For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Sohrabi et al. (2020)1 and Shcnack et al.2 : Publisher’s note: Undertaking any experimental protocol requires adherence to local institutional guidelines for laboratory safety and ethics.