DNA capture-probe based separation of double-stranded polymerase chain reaction amplification products in poly(dimethylsiloxane) microfluidic channels

Herein, we describe the development of a novel primer system that allows for the capture of double-stranded polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification products onto a microfluidic channel without any preliminary purification stages. We show that specially designed PCR primers consisting of the main primer sequence and an additional “tag sequence” linked through a poly(ethylene glycol) molecule can be used to generate ds-PCR amplification products tailed with ss-oligonucleotides of two forensically relevant genes (amelogenin and human c-fms (macrophage colony-stimulating factor) proto-oncogene for the CSF-1 receptor (CSF1PO). Furthermore, with a view to enriching and eluting the ds-PCR products of amplification on a capillary electrophoretic-based microfluidic device we describe the capture of the target ds-PCR products onto poly(dimethylsiloxane) microchannels modified with ss-oligonucleotide capture probes.     

Diversity and Mentoring in the Workplace: A Conversation with Belle Rose Ragins

Given projected increases in workplace diversity, an understanding of diversity’s intersection with mentoring is a critical topic in the literature. This article involved an interview with Belle Rose Ragins, one of the world’s leading thinkers on diversity and mentoring in the workplace. After providing an overview of Ragins’ key achievements and contributions to the mentoring literature, the article delved into the interview, which involves four parts: (a) Ragins’ education and early influences; (b) her views on the extant literature as well as insights around future areas for inquiry; (c) her current research interests; and (d) her views on consulting and teaching.     

Negotiating contrad(ICT)ions: teachers and students making multimedia in the secondary school

Abstract

In this article, we investigate the use of multimedia information and communication technologies (ICTs) in integrated arts projects in two secondary schools. The ways in which teachers and students make sense of the technologies in relation to the dominant discourses of education/technology policy and educational research are explored before considering the implications for curriculum and teacher development. The ICT in the word contrad(ICT)ions is emphasised to represent the ways in which teachers and students' use of multimedia exposes and makes visible problematic issues in relation to literacy, school subjects and pedagogy.     

Public Opinion of Genetic and Neuropsychological Contributors to Criminal Involvement

There is a lack of research that has examined public opinion on the importance of biosocial influences for understanding the potential causes of criminal and delinquent involvement. We address this gap in the current study by surveying a nationally representative sample of adults about the importance of biosocial factors for influencing criminal behavior. Results indicate that the public believes the environment matters more than genetic factors for determining whether someone becomes a criminal. However, the data also reveal an overall acceptance of the importance of neuropsychological factors for influencing criminal behavior. An ordered logistic regression analysis was also estimated to examine potential differences in opinion across demographic categories. The results revealed that income, gender, marital status, and employment status are significantly associated with whether a respondent supports the role of biosocial factors in crime causation. Implications of the findings are discussed.     

Successful Community College Transfer Students Speak Out

The community college as the entranceway into the baccalaureate degree is becoming a prevalent choice for students. This study was a qualitative approach to understanding attitudes, behaviors, and knowledge acquisition by successful community college transfer students. University students who transferred from a community college and were making successful progress toward completing the baccalaureate degree participated in focus groups to answer questions about the transfer process. Successful transfer students are highly motivated, persistent, engaged, believe they were well prepared by the community colleges for university junior level studies, and have recommendations for community colleges and universities in improving the transfer process.     

Joint work is not shifted proximally after a long run in rearfoot strike runners

ABSTRACT

Distal-to-proximal redistribution of joint work occurs following exhaustive running in recreational but not competitive runners but the influence of a submaximal run on joint work is unknown. The purpose of this study was to assess if a long submaximal run produces a distal-to-proximal redistribution of positive joint work in well-trained runners. Thirteen rearfoot striking male runners (weekly distance: 72.6 ± 21.2 km) completed five running trials while three-dimensional kinematic and ground reaction force data were collected before and after a long submaximal treadmill run (19 ± 6 km). Joint kinetics were calculated from these data and percent contributions of joint work relative to total lower limb joint work were computed. Moderate reductions in absolute negative ankle work (p = 0.045, Cohen’s d = 0.31), peak plantarflexor torque (p = 0.004, d = 0.34) and, peak negative ankle power (p = 0.005, d = 0.32) were observed following the long run. Positive ankle, knee and hip joint work were unchanged (p < 0.05) following the long run. These findings suggest no proximal shift in positive joint work in well-trained runners after a prolonged run. Runner population, running pace, distance, and relative intensity should be considered when examining changes in joint work following prolonged running.     

Stereotype reduction through humor and accommodation during imagined communication with older adults

Ageism can generate conflict and harm well-being. Our paper integrates the Aging Stereotypes in Interaction model with intergroup contact theory to predict how communicative elements mediate the effect of intergenerational contact on warmth and competence stereotypes of older adults as a group. Students (N?=?288) were randomly assigned to imagine having a conversation with an older adult in one of six experimentally manipulated contact conditions: a competent/incompetent older woman, a sociable/unsociable older woman, or a moral/immoral older woman. Participants’ stereotypes of older adults were affected by the characteristics of their communication partner, and this effect was mediated by specific communication behaviors imagined by the participant for two of the three trait dimensions. For perceptions of competence, overaccommodation was the key mediator. For perceptions of sociability, the key mediator was humorous communication. These mediators represent an expansion in how we understand not just the outcomes of intergroup contact, but also the communicative mechanisms through which it occurs.     

Is Canada really an education superpower? The impact of non-participation on results from PISA 2015

Educational Assessment, Evaluation and Accountability - The purpose of large-scale international assessments is to compare educational achievement across countries. For such cross-national...