Using the ‘Engagement’ Model of Problem Solving to Assist Students in Capstone Learning

The engagement model for problem solving was developed as a response to soft systems methodology being difficult to implement in certain circumstances. In the years since the original paper was published, the model has developed into an iterative problem solving approach for the assessment, creation and implementation of new ideas in difficult problem situations. This case study paper exemplifies the kind of work undertaken through the use of the model and provides a practical scenario for how one might apply it. The case study takes place in a higher education environment and relates to the development of a capstone course for management majors. The paper concludes with suggestions for future research.     

Out of the meridian: John Bird's equatorial sector and the new technology of astronomical measurement

When Thomas Hornsby commissioned John Bird to build a set of five major astronomical instruments for the new Radcliffe Observatory, Oxford, the order included an Equatorial Sector. This was an instrument of experimental design, intended to measure angles out of the meridian. Although in itself a transitional instrument, the Equatorial Sector's capacity for extra-meridional measurement, especially for the observation of comets, encouraged craftsmen to develop the design first into the Equatorial Circle, and then into the large equatorially mounted refracting telescope used in conjunction with micrometers. Although other Equatorial Sectors were made, Bird's instrument for Oxford is the only one that survives intact. The present study examines this unique artefact within the context of changing astronomical demands between the 1770s and the 1820s.     

Exercise conditioning decreases downstream movement of pond-reared razorback suckers released into a stream environment

Despite augmentation stocking efforts, wild populations of razorback suckers ( Xyrauchen texanus ) continue to decline. Endangered razorback suckers are commonly raised in off-channel ponds until maturity (approximately 300 mm TL) and then stocked into the Colorado River or its tributaries. After fish are stocked, they commonly move large distances downstream. We conducted an experiment to determine if downstream dispersal could be reduced through exercise conditioning. Two groups of razorback suckers, exercised and nonexercised, were released into Fossil Creek, Arizona. Prior to release, a subsample from each treatment group was tested in a laboratory flow chamber. Razorback suckers that had been exercise conditioned were able to maintain a position in the flow chamber 2 times longer and at velocities 25 cm · s –1 higher than nonexercised fish. Although the intended method of field data collection via passive-integrated-transponder (PIT) antennas and a remote communication station failed because river otters ( Lontra canadensis ) preyed upon the released razorback suckers, implanted PIT tags were retained in otter scat. Recovered PIT tags enabled distributional analysis, which indicated that exercised razorback suckers did not move as far downstream from the point of release as nonexercised razorbacks. Exercise conditioning may increase overall fitness of pond-reared razorback suckers, and, consequently, increase the effectiveness of augmentation stocking. A pesar de los esfuerzos de repoblación, las poblaciones silvestres del matalote jorobado ( Xyrauchen texanus ) siguen en declive. Los matalotes jorobados, que están en peligro de extinción, se crían en estanques fuera del cauce hasta la etapa adulta (~300 mm) y después son liberados en el Río Colorado o uno de sus afluentes. Los peces suelen desplazarse largas distancias río abajo después de su introducción al río. Llevamos a cabo un experimento para determinar si la dispersión río abajo se podía reducir mediante el acondicionamiento por ejercicio. Dos grupos de matalotes fueron liberados en Fossil Creek, Arizona, uno que había sido acondicionado y otro que no. Antes de liberarlos, examinamos una submuestra de cada grupo en una cámara de flujo en el laboratorio. Los matalotes que habían sido acondicionados por ejercicio pudieron mantener sus posición en la cámara de flujo dos veces más tiempo y a velocidades de 25 cm · s –1 más altas que los peces no acondicionados. Aunque falló el método de colecta de datos mediante antenas de sistema PIT (passive integrated transponder) y una estación remota de comunicación, los matalotes liberados fueron depredados por nutrias de río ( Lontra canadensis ) y las marcas PIT implantadas se quedaron en las heces de las nutrias. La recuperación de estas etiquetas PIT permitió un análisis de distribución que indicó que los matalotes acondicionados no se desplazaron río abajo tan lejos del punto de liberación como los matalotes no acondicionados. El acondicionamiento por ejercicio podría mejorar la condición física de los matalotes jorobados criados en cautiverio y así aumentar la eficacia de la reintroducción.     

Uncoupling of the disorder of carbohydrate metabolism from fat metabolism in experimentally-produced diabetes in baboons(Papio ursinus)

Résumé Après ablation de la glande pituitaire, ledérèglement du du métabolisme des hydrates de carbone persiste, tandis que l'intense lipémie est abolie. L'administration de la cortisone aux babouins pancréas- et hypophysectomisés privés d'insuline, rétablit la lipémie mais non la cétonémie.Le dérèglement du métabolisme des hydrates de carbone dans les babouins diabétiques peut être dissocié de celui des lipides par un traitement approprié des glandes endocrines.La cétonémie des babouins pancréas- et hypophysectomisés, contrairement à la lipémie, n'est pas rétabli par l'administration de la cortisone, thyroxin ou par une combinaison de ces hormones.     

PTC124 targets genetic disorders caused by nonsense mutations

Nonsense mutations promote premature translational termination and cause anywhere from 5-70% of the individual cases of most inherited diseases. Studies on nonsense-mediated cystic fibrosis have indicated that boosting specific protein synthesis from <1% to as little as 5% of normal levels may greatly reduce the severity or eliminate the principal manifestations of disease. To address the need for a drug capable of suppressing premature termination, we identified PTC124-a new chemical entity that selectively induces ribosomal readthrough of premature but not normal termination codons. PTC124 activity, optimized using nonsense-containing reporters, promoted dystrophin production in primary muscle cells from humans and mdx mice expressing dystrophin nonsense alleles, and rescued striated muscle function in mdx mice within 2-8 weeks of drug exposure. PTC124 was well tolerated in animals at plasma exposures substantially in excess of those required for nonsense suppression. The selectivity of PTC124 for premature termination codons, its well characterized activity profile, oral bioavailability and pharmacological properties indicate that this drug may have broad clinical potential for the treatment of a large group of genetic disorders with limited or no therapeutic options.     

Lipolytic response of ‘diabetic’ mice (db/db) to isoproterenol and propranolol in vivo

Summary The genetically diabetic and obesedb/db mice responded lipolytically to isoproterenol and propranolol similarly to normal mice in vivo. However, considering the large amount of triglyceride in adb/db mouse, we conclude that the in vivo response ofdb/db adipose tissue is deficient in magnitude.     

Identification of low-frequency variants associated with gout and serum uric acid levels

We tested 16 million SNPs, identified through whole-genome sequencing of 457 Icelanders, for association with gout and serum uric acid levels. Genotypes were imputed into 41,675 chip-genotyped Icelanders and their relatives, for effective sample sizes of 968 individuals with gout and 15,506 individuals for whom serum uric acid measurements were available. We identified a low-frequency missense variant (c.1580C>G) in ALDH16A1 associated with gout (OR = 3.12, P = 1.5 × 10(-16), at-risk allele frequency = 0.019) and serum uric acid levels (effect = 0.36 s.d., P = 4.5 × 10(-21)). We confirmed the association with gout by performing Sanger sequencing on 6,017 Icelanders. The association with gout was stronger in males relative to females. We also found a second variant on chromosome 1 associated with gout (OR = 1.92, P = 0.046, at-risk allele frequency = 0.986) and serum uric acid levels (effect = 0.48 s.d., P = 4.5 × 10(-16)). This variant is close to a common variant previously associated with serum uric acid levels. This work illustrates how whole-genome sequencing data allow the detection of associations between low-frequency variants and complex traits.