bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dephosphorylation of MAP2D enhances its binding to vimentin in preovulatory ovarian granulosa cells
Authors: Flynn Maxfield P. , Fiedler Sarah E. , Karlsson Amelia B. , Carr Daniel W. , Maizels Evelyn T. , Hunzicker-Dunn Mary 
Published: June 2016

ABSTRACT
Preovulatory granulosa cells express the low-molecular-mass MAP2D variant of microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2). Activation of the luteinizing hormone choriogonadotropin receptor by human choriogonadotropin (hCG) promotes dephosphorylation of MAP2D on Thr256 and Thr259. We sought to evaluate the association of MAP2D with the cytoskeleton, and the effect of hCG on this association. MAP2D partially colocalized, as assessed by confocal immunofluorescence microscopy, with the vimentin intermediate filament and microtubule cytoskeletons in naive cells. In vitro binding studies showed that MAP2D bound directly to vimentin and β-tubulin. Phosphorylation of recombinant MAP2D on Thr256 and Thr259, which mimics the phosphorylation status of MAP2D in naive cells, reduces binding of MAP2D to vimentin and tubulin by two- and three-fold, respectively. PKA-dependent phosphorylation of vimentin (Ser32 and Ser38) promoted binding of vimentin to MAP2D and increased contraction of granulosa cells with reorganization of vimentin filaments and MAP2D from the periphery into a thickened layer surrounding the nucleus and into prominent cellular extensions. Chemical disruption of vimentin filament organization increased progesterone production. Taken together, these results suggest that hCG-stimulated dephosphorylation of MAP2D at Thr256 and Thr259, phosphorylation of vimentin at Ser38 and Ser72, and the resulting enhanced binding of MAP2D to vimentin might contribute to the progesterone synthetic response required for ovulation.
The Perceived Importance of Youth Educator’s Confidence in Delivering Leadership Development Programming
Authors: Brumbaugh Laura , Cater Melissa 
Published: June 2016

A successful component of programs designed to deliver youth leadership develop programs are youth educators who understand the importance of utilizing research-based information and seeking professional development opportunities. The purpose of this study was to determine youth educator’s perceived confidence in leading youth leadership development programs. Study objectives included describing types of youth leadership development training received by youth educators, describing the number of hours of youth leadership development training received by youth educators, describing the perceived importance of youth leadership development training received by youth educators, describing youth leadership development training delivery mode preferences of youth educators, determining if the addition of hours of training received and the perception of the importance of youth leadership training improved the prediction of perceived confidence beyond that provided by differences in selected demographic variables (gender, age, years of service, education level, office location). The target population for this study was southern region 4-H youth development educators. Results of this study indicate that perceived importance of youth leadership development training is predictive of youth educator’s confidence level in teaching youth leadership development.
Youth leadership development programs are a cornerstone of many youth serving organizations. The importance of youth leadership development to the core goals of programs is illustrated by its explicit inclusion in program logic models as well as its implicit presence when older youth serve in teaching and mentoring roles for younger youth. The success or failure of a youth leadership development program may be linked to many factors, one of which is the educator who leads the program. Youth educators influence program success in many ways. The focus of this study is to explore educators’ prior experiences as well as their perceived confidence in delivering youth leadership development programming. Given the strong connections between a person’s beliefs and behaviors, it is important to understand youth educators’ beliefs within the context of their prior experiences (Ajzen, Joyce, Sheikh, & Cote, 2011). This study seeks to expand the literature about youth educators’ youth leadership development training beliefs. It has practical implications for developing professional development trainings for youth educators as well as theoretical implications for advancing a deeper understanding of educators’ core beliefs about training specifically related to youth leadership development.
Creating a Meaningful Learning Environment: Reflection in Leadership Education
Authors: White Jillian Volpe , Guthrie Kathy L. 
Published: June 2016

This article examines the use of a book discussion as an instructional tool for developing leadership exploration competency skills in university students, as it pertains to the study of women and leadership. A book discussion centered on Sheryl Sandberg’s book Lean In washeld as a means to conceptualize discourse regarding leadership issues in the arena of women and leadership in a multidisciplinary campus wide symposium. In an effort to assess the effectiveness of such a program to learn about leadership issues, student commentary was collected during the discussion via an audio recordingdevice.
A qualitative exploration of the resulting commentary focused on this initiative as an effort to provide insight into the efficacy of book discussions as a best practice for facilitating the engagement of students in the exploration of leadership issues. As leadership educators seek to develop pedagogical tools that catalyze transformative learning, research regarding tools and methods by which faculty equip students to explore leadership becomes increasingly critical.
Identification of Novel Microsatellite Markers &lt;1 Mb from the HTT CAG Repeat and Development of a Single-Tube Tridecaplex PCR Panel of Highly Polymorphic Markers for Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis of Huntington Disease
Authors: Zhao Mingjue , Chen Min , Lee Caroline G , Chong Samuel S 
Published: June 2016

AbstractBACKGROUNDPreimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) of Huntington disease (HD) generally employs linkage analysis of flanking microsatellite markers to complement direct mutation testing, as well as for exclusion testing. Thus far, only 10 linked markers have been developed for use in HD PGD, with a maximum of 3 markers coamplified successfully. We aimed to develop a single-tube multiplex PCR panel of highly polymorphic markers to simplify HD PGD.METHODSAn in silico search was performed to identify all markers within 1 Mb flanking the huntingtin (HTT) gene. Selected markers were optimized in a single-tube PCR panel, and their polymorphism indices were determined in 2 populations. The panel was tested on 63 single cells to validate its utility in PGD.RESULTSWe identified 102 markers in silico, of which 56 satisfied the selection criteria. After initial testing, 12 markers with potentially high heterozygosity were optimized into a single-tube PCR panel together with a 13th more distally located marker. Analysis of DNA from 183 Chinese and Caucasian individuals revealed high polymorphism indices for all markers (polymorphism information content &gt;0.5), with observed heterozygosities ranging from 0.5–0.92. All individuals were heterozygous for at least 5 markers, with 99.5% of individuals heterozygous for at least 2 markers upstream and downstream of the HTT CAG repeat.CONCLUSIONSThe tridecaplex marker assay amplified reliably from single cells either directly or after whole genome amplification, thus validating its standalone use in HD exclusion PGD or as a complement to HTT CAG repeat expansion-mutation detection.
Same words, different ideas: Why educators need to make explicit implicit notions of civic engagement
Authors: Rodriguez Darlene Xiomara , Janke Emily M. 
Published: June 2016

Abstract
At the same time when civic engagement is gaining increased recognition as a key learning competency within many colleges and universities, numerous studies suggest declines in student involvement in communities and political affairs. These differences may be due, in part, to different understandings among students and scholars with regard to the goals and activities that comprise civic engagement. This review of pedagogical design uses two case studies to examine the importance of making implicit notions of civic engagement explicit in classroom discussions. The authors build upon Battistoni’s finding that distinct conceptual frameworks of civic engagement exist across academic disciplines and offer recommendations on how to apply Battistoni’s conceptual models to clarify pedagogical designs and communication with students.
Ironies of democracy: Purposes of education and the construction of citizens in Sweden, India and the United States
Authors: Mitra Dana , Bergmark Ulrika , Kostenius Catrine , Brezicha Kristina , Maithreyi R. , Serriere Stephanie 
Published: June 2016

Abstract
With relatively few comparative studies of civics curricula in diverse democratic contexts and world regions, this article considers how civic values are negotiated in national curricular policy texts. To explore the purposes of education and the construction of citizens in curricular documents, we layer two theoretical frameworks together – Biesta’s framework examining the purposes of education and Westheimer and Kahne’s framework examining the types of civic education. Looking at curricular frameworks from Sweden, India and the United States, we engaged qualitative content analysis to identify common themes of civic values across these nations: workforce preparation, positioning in society and democratic questioning. We found growing commonality of how ‘citizenry’ is increasingly being defined in terms of individual contributions to the larger enterprises of the nation and the global economy.
Leading a diverse school during times of demographic change in rural Canada: Reflection, action and suggestions for practice
Authors: Hamm Lyle , Doğurga Sherrie-Lynn , Scott Amanda 
Published: June 2016

Abstract
As children and families from around the world arrive in Canadian communities, school leaders and teachers are responsible for welcoming them into their schools and for providing appropriate educational programming for all students. However, many educational leaders struggle supporting their colleagues, as well as engaging and working with diverse students, their families and communities; instead many default to educational and leadership strategies that they have relied upon throughout their careers. In this article, we argue that leaders must support all stakeholders they serve and be proactive to engage Canada’s newcomer citizens in/with authentic and meaningful approaches. Drawing from a study on changing demographics in a western province in Canada, and a developing study in New Brunswick as well as on our own teaching experiences, the authors discuss several leadership strategies that principals and teachers may find beneficial in diverse schools and communities as Canada’s population and schools continue to welcome people from all over the world.
Reviews
Authors: Sears Alan , Nandy Aristotle Motii , Leviste Enrique Niño P. 
Published: June 2016

Abstract
What Kind of Citizen? Educating Our Children for the Common Good, Joel Westheimer (2015) New York: Teachers College Press, 122 pp., ISBN: 0807756350, p/bk, $24.95
Aristotleian Character Education, Kristjan Kristjansson (2015) London and NewYork: Routledge, 185 pp., ISBN: 9781138804753, h/bk, $100.29
The Political Classroom: Evidence and Ethics in Democratic Education, Diana E. Hess and Paula Mcavoy (2015) New York, NY: Routledge, 247 pp., ISBN: 9780415880992, p/bk, $38.95
INCURSION OF KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT IN MANAGEMENT EXCELLENCE AWARDS: AN ANALYSIS IN THE LATIN-AMERICAN CONTEXT
Authors: Resende Junior Pedro Carlos , Reis André Luiz Nascimento 
Published: June 2016

The aim of this article is to describe the relationship between theoretical knowledge management assumptions and knowledge management process involving Models and Awards for Management Excellence in Latin America. Relevant literature was reviewed by carrying out a survey based on document analysis involving requirement of models and awards for excellence in management in the following countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Mexico. This research study used qualitative data-collecting methods by means of a content analysis technique, carried out between February 2013 and December 2014. The corpus was treated by using a content analysis technique, where categories of analysis were codified based on criteria, items and management process requirements of the models investigated. The findings show that the mains theoretical knowledge management assumptions are present, in some degree, in models of management excellence in Latin America, but highlight the fact that these models present different structure and maturity levels, some of which combine knowledge management with strategic perspectives and innovation management. This survey made it possible to produce consistent analyses based on pre-existing models that consider knowledge management as the basis of organization.
Composition of Atlantic forest in northern Carpathian foothills, from a charcoal record from a Neolithic domestic site at Żerków (Poland): The relevance of oak and hazel
Authors: Moskal-Del Hoyo Magdalena 
Published: June 2016

Abstract A study of firewood remains from the foothills of the Western Carpathians in Poland yielded information about the history of forest communities growing in the vicinity of human settlements in the Atlantic period. The anthracological material was collected at Żerków, a Neolithic site of the Linear Band Pottery culture, situated on the highest parts of a hill covered by fertile soil. The anthracological assemblage was dominated by Quercus and Corylus avellana, followed by Acer and Maloideae, suggesting that those taxa probably were significant constituents of the local forest during the Atlantic period. Based on the ecological requirements of the identified taxa, such communities occupied areas of more open canopy, but it is unclear whether the material reflects the composition of the primeval forest or rather the presence of open canopy created by human impacts on local ecosystems during the period of settlement.
Plant macroremains from an early Neolithic site in eastern Kuyavia, central Poland
Authors: Mueller-Bieniek Aldona , Kittel Piotr , Muzolf Błażej , Cywa Katarzyna , Muzolf Przemysław 
Published: June 2016

Abstract The study examined plant remains from the Smólsk 2/10 site, situated on the border of two different landscapes and preserving traces of Neolithic occupation from several cultures: Early Linear Pottery culture (LBK, ca 5300-5200 cal. BC to ca 5000 cal. BC). Stroke Band Pottery culture (SBP, ca 4700-4400 cal. BC), the Brześć Kujawski group of Lengyel culture (BKG, ca 4500-4000/3900 cal. BC), Funnel Beaker culture (TRB, ca 3950-3380 BC), and also some features of the Lusatian culture (Hallstatt C, ca 970-790 cal. BC).Mostly hulled wheat remains (Triticum monococcum, T. dicoccum) were found in the LBK, SBP, and BKG cultures; they were completely absent in younger cultures (TRB, Lusatian), where barley remains appeared. Among other plants the most numerous were remains of small-grain grasses (mostly cf. Hierochloë type), feather grass (Stipa sp.), wild buckwheat (Fallopia convolvulus), and goosefoot (Chenopodium album type), but the plant remains are relatively scarce.The archaeobotanical data obtained from the site supplement data from neighbouring Osłonki to the west and Wolica Nowa to the north-west. The differences between those microregions are reflected mostly in the earlier appearance of feather grass (Stipa sp.) in the Smólsk area as well as the higher quantity of crop chaff remains in the Osłonki area, but their random occurrence, along with the fragmentariness of the archaeological data, must be taken into account. However, intentional introduction of feather grass by the first Neolithic settlers in eastern Kuyavia cannot be excluded. The relatively high proportion of small-grain grasses, usually interpreted as traces of fodder, together with the scarcity of crop remains at the Wolica Nowa site, suggests that the site was connected more with animal husbandry than with agriculture. On the other hand, the small-grain grasses at Smólsk are represented mainly by a large number of non-weedy grass (cf. Hierochloë type) grains from the crop sample, which cannot be explained in a simple way.A comparison of the anthracological data from the Osłonki and Smólsk microregions reveals differences in woodland management and differences between the local environments. Pine wood was more accessible at Smólsk than at Osłonki, due to local landscape characteristics.
Some quantitative evaluations on finite difference local and global results
Authors: Costamagna Eugenio 
Published: June 2016

Abstract
Refined Schwarz-Christoffel (SC) conformal transformations allow us to perform reliable quantitative evaluation of the accuracy of local computation of electric and magnetic fields with limited effort, which can be useful to complement well known comparisons of global results. In this paper some examples are presented for mesh point potentials obtained by means of finite difference (FD) methods, but it is possible that similar considerations will be useful in the case of finite element methods (FEM) or meshless computations too.
New electrical tomographic method to determine dampness in historical buildings
Authors: Rymarczyk Tomasz , Adamkiewicz Przemysław , Duda Karol , Szumowski Jakub , Sikora Jan 
Published: June 2016

Abstract
This paper presents a new, nondestructive method of testing brick wall dampness in wall structures. The setup was used to determine the moisture in a specially built laboratory model. Topological methods and the gradient technique are used to optimize the approach. A forward model of a wall was constructed to solve the inverse problem resulting in moisture buildup inside the wall.
Epidemiological trends of iodine-related thyroid disorders: an example from Slovenia
Authors: Gaberšček Simona , Zaletel Katja 
Published: June 2016

AbstractThe epidemiology of thyroid disorders is significantly associated with iodine supply. In 1999, Slovenia increased iodine content in kitchen salt from 10 mg to 25 mg of potassium iodide per kg of salt. According to the WHO criteria, Slovenia shifted from a mildly iodine-deficient country to a country with adequate iodine intake. Ten years after the increase in iodine intake, the incidence of diffuse goitre and thyroid autonomy decreased. Now patients with diffuse goitre and thyroid autonomy reach older age than the patients before the increase in iodine intake. In addition, patients with thyroid autonomy are less frequently hyperthyroid than ten years ago and iodine-induced hyperthyroidism is less severe. The incidence of highly malignant thyroid carcinoma has also dropped. However, the incidence of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis increased, most probably in genetically predisposed individuals. Over the last ten years, many animal and in vitro studies evaluated the effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC) on various aspects of the thyroid function. They mostly studied the effects of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dioxins, brominated flame retardants, phthalates, bisphenol A, perfluorinated chemicals, and perchlorate. However, human studies on the effects of EDCs on the thyroid function are very scarce, especially the long-term ones. What they do suggest is that PCBs and dioxins interfere with the transport of thyroid hormones and adversely affect the thyroid function. Many authors agree that iodine deficiency predisposes the thyroid gland to harmful effects of EDCs. Therefore the effects of EDCs in iodine-deficient areas could be more severe than in areas with adequate iodine intake.
Levels of pharmaceuticals in Slovene municipal and hospital wastewaters: a preliminary study
Authors: Klančar Anita , Trontelj Jurij , Kristl Albin , Justin Maja Zupančič , Roškar Robert 
Published: June 2016

AbstractPharmaceuticals in wastewater have clearly raised concern and a broad range of analytical methods has been used to assess the risk as accurately as possible. The aim of our study was to measure and compare the concentrations of atorvastatin, bisoprolol, carbamazepine, ciprofloxacin, clofibric acid, diclofenac, fluoxetine, metoprolol, and sertraline in wastewater samples taken from one municipal and one hospital wastewater treatment plant in Slovenia and to predict the potential environmental burden using the risk quotient. In both effluents only clofibric acid and fluoxetine were not detected. The measured concentrations of the remaining seven pharmaceuticals varied between the ng L−1 and the μg L−1 range. Hospital effluent showed higher concentrations, except for diclofenac and carbamazepine. However, high risk quotient was found only for ciprofloxacin and diclofenac in both municipal and hospital effluent. In conclusion, our method can provide a useful tool for systematic monitoring of pharmaceuticals commonly found in wastewater, which will enable a reliable assessment of the risks for the aquatic biota and humans. Knowing the risks will help to plan wastewater treatment and preserve our environment.
Assessment of genotoxicity of Lannate-90® and its plant and animal metabolites in human lymphocyte cultures
Authors: Valencia-Quintana Rafael , Gómez-Arroyo Sandra , Sánchez-Alarcón Juana , Milić Mirta , Olivares José Luis Gómez , Waliszewski Stefan M. , Cortés-Eslava Josefina , Villalobos-Pietrini Rafael , Calderón-Segura María Elena 
Published: June 2016

AbstractThis study evaluated direct and metabolic genotoxic effects caused by Lannate-90®, a methomyl-based formulation (90 % active ingredient), in human lymphocyte cultures using sister chromatid exchange assay (SCE). Two processes were used for the plant promutagens evaluation: in vivo activation, applying the insecticide systemically in plants for 4 h and subsequently adding plant metabolites containing extracts to lymphocyte cultures; and in vitro activation, where the insecticide was incubated with Vicia faba S10 mix plus human lymphocyte culture. Direct treatment with the insecticide significantly increased SCE frequency in human lymphocytes (250-750 mgL−1), with cellular death observed at 1000 mgL−1 concentration. Using the extracts of Vicia faba treated with Lannate-90® to treat human lymphocytes, a dose-response relationship was observed. In lymphocyte cultures treated directly with the insecticide for 2 h, a negative response was obtained. When S10 mix was added, SCE frequency did not change significantly. Meanwhile, a mixture of S9 mammalian metabolic mix and Lannate-90® increased the SCE frequency, with an observed concentration-dependent response. Although Lannate-90® induced cellular death at the highest concentrations, it did not cause a delay in cell proliferation in any of the treatments, confirming its genotoxic action. This study is one of the first to evaluate and compare the direct effect of Lannate-90® in two bioassays, animal and vegetal, and the effect of plant and animal metabolism on its genotoxic potential.