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For over a decade, Which One Doesn't Belong? (WODB; Danielson, 2016) has been a beloved classroom routine that invites students to engage in mathematical decision-making and justification. In the WODB routine, four related figures are shown to students, and they are asked to decide which of them doesn't belong with the other three. The beauty of the routine is the variety of ways to be "right." It's what teachers of mathematics would call a "low floor, high ceiling" task. The authors realized that the students who got the most out of the routine were those who tried to figure out an argument for why each of the four figures "didn't belong." This led the authors to think about a revised routine--one where instead of looking for ways a figure did "not" belong, students might look for ways it "did." more...

IntroductionAdvanced age is a primary risk factor for many chronic diseases and conditions; however, age-related immune dysregulation is not well understood. Animal models, particularly those that resemble human age-related physiological changes, are needed to better understand immunosenescence and to improve health outcomes. Here, we explore the utility of the olive baboon (Papio anubis) in studying age-related changes to the immune system and understanding mechanisms of immunosenescence.MethodsWe examined immune cell, inflammatory responses, cytokines, and cortisol levels using hematology and flow cytometry, mitogen stimulation, multiplex cytokine assay, and cortisol immunoassay.Results and DiscussionOur results reveal significant age effects on numerous immune and inflammatory responses. For instance, adult and aged monkeys exhibited significantly fewer monocytes than young monkeys. After stimulation with Con A and PWM (separately), we found that old baboons had higher INFγ expression compared to young baboons. Similarly, after stimulation with LPS and PWM (separately), we found that old baboons had higher TNFα expression compared to young baboons. These findings suggest that the olive baboon is a suitable model for biogerontology research, immune senescence, and development of vaccines. Though there are phenotypic and functional similarities between baboons and humans, specific differences exist in immune cell expression and immune function of lymphocytes that should be considered for better experimental outcomes in the development of therapeutics and restoring innate and adaptive immune function in aged individuals. more...

This study investigates the efficacy of activated carbon derived from coconut shells for the removal of Triclosan (TCS) from aqueous solutions. Experimental results demonstrate the impressive efficiency of coconut shell-derived activated carbon in eliminating TCS from water. Statistical analysis underscores the significant role of agitation in enhancing adsorption efficiency, with increased agitation leading to higher contaminant removal rates. Equilibrium is rapidly achieved, with removal efficiencies exceeding 85 %. Kinetic analysis reveals rapid adsorption kinetics, predominantly following the pseudo-second-order model. Additionally, intraparticle diffusion analyses provide insights into TCS diffusion within activated carbon pores, highlighting its dependence on solute concentration. These findings underscore the potential of coconut shell-derived activated carbon as a viable solution for mitigating TCS contamination in water sources, contributing to the development of effective water treatment strategies. more...

O presente estudo foi realizado buscando comparar a eficiência dos tratamentos de coagulação/floculação e eletrocoagulação aplicados a um efluente têxtil sintético contendo o corante azul marinho (AM-16). Para o processo de coagulação/floculação, utilizou-se policloreto de alumínio (PAC-18%) e sulfato de alumínio (Al2(SO4)3) como coagulantes e o polímero catiônico (PC) como auxiliar de coagulação. Os tratamentos de coagulação/floculação foram avaliados nas concentrações do corante na faixa de 150–350 mg L-1, concentração do PAC-18% (faixa de 10–50 mg L-1), concentração do PC (faixa de 0,1–0,5 mg L-1), pH inicial (faixa de 5–9). Para os ensaios com o Al2(SO4)3 as mesmas faixas de estudo foram aplicadas, com exceção apenas do pH inicial, para o qual a faixa utilizada foi de 4 a 8. Para o processo de eletrocoagulação, utilizaram-se eletrodos de alumínio, que foi conduzido utilizando-se a faixa de concentração para o corante de 150 a 350 mg L-1 e a corrente aplicada de 0,3 a 0,9 A. As variáveis de resposta foram remoção do contaminante (AM-16), remoção de cor, demanda química de oxigênio, carbono orgânico total e redução de toxicidade empregando-se o microcrustáceo Artemia salina como bioindicador. O objetivo foi comparar o desempenho dos diferentes métodos de tratamento (coagulação/floculação e eletrocoagulação), bem como avaliar como todas as variáveis independentes e suas interações afetaram a eficiência dos processos. Os resultados encontrados por meio da análise estatística demonstraram que fator de maior influência no processo de coagulação/floculação para a remoção da concentração do corante AM-16 foi o pH inicial, tanto para o PAC-18% quanto para o sulfato de alumínio (Al2(SO4)3). No entanto, para este último a concentração do corante também teve influência, mostrando que o aumento no pH e na concentração do corante favorecem a remoção. Quanto à toxicidade do efluente após os tratamentos, houve redução média máxima de aproximadamente 11% para o tratamento com o Al2(SO4)3. A eletrocoagulação não apresentou nenhuma variável significante nos níveis estudados, entretanto apresentou bom desempenho médio na remoção da concentração do corante (83,68%) e da cor (95,1%) do efluente. Os dois processos de tratamento avaliados (coagulação/floculação e eletrocoagulação) demonstraram eficiência para as variáveis estudadas e seus níveis. Entretanto, os processos de coagulação/floculação tiveram melhor desempenho se levarmos em consideração as remoções obtidas no conjunto das variáveis de resposta avaliadas. more...

Abstract Background Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules expressed on B cells, monocytes and dendritic cells present processed peptides to CD4+ T cells as one of the mechanisms to combat infection and inflammation. Aim To study MHC II expression in a variety of nonhuman primate species, including New World (NWM) squirrel monkeys (Saimiri boliviensis boliviensis), owl monkeys (Aotus nancymae), common marmosets (Callithrix spp.), and Old World (OWM) rhesus (Macaca mulatta), baboons (Papio anubis). Methods Two clones of cross‐reactive mouse anti‐human HLADR monoclonal antibodies (mAb) binding were analyzed by flow cytometry to evaluate MHC II expression on NHP immune cells, including T lymphocytes in whole blood (WB) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Results MHC class II antibody reactivity is seen with CD20+ B cells, CD14+ monocytes and CD3+ T lymphocytes. Specific reactivity with both clones was demonstrated in T lymphocytes: this reactivity was not inhibited by purified CD16 antibody but was completely inhibited when pre‐blocked with purified unconjugated MHC II antibody. Freshly prepared PBMC also showed reactivity with T lymphocytes without any stimulation. Interestingly, peripheral blood from rhesus macaques and olive baboons (OWM) showed no such T lymphocyte associated MHCII antibody reactivity. Discussion & Conclusion Our results from antibody (MHC II) reactivity clearly show the potential existence of constitutively expressed (with no stimulation) MHC II molecules on T lymphocytes in new world monkeys. These results suggest that additional study is warranted to evaluate the functional and evolutionary significance of these finding and to better understand MHC II expression on T lymphocytes in new world monkeys. more...

Nonhuman primates are an important experimental model for the development of targeted biological therapeutics because of their immunological closeness to humans. However, there are very few antibody reagents relevant for delineating the different immune cell subsets based on nonhuman primate antigens directly or with cross-reactivity to those in humans. Here, we report specific expression of HLA-DR, PD-1, and CD123 on different circulating immune cell subsets in the peripheral blood that included T cells (CD3+), T cells subsets (CD4+ and CD8+), B cells (CD20+), natural killer (NK) cells (CD3–CD16+), and natural killer T cells (CD3+CD16+) along with different monocyte subsets in squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus). We established cross-reactivity of commercial mouse antihuman monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), with these various immune cell surface markers. These findings should aid further future comprehensive understanding of the immune parameters and identification of new biomarkers to significantly improve SQM as a model for biomedical studies. more...

Although women make up a significant portion of the workforce in dermatology, they remain underrepresented in academia. This study investigates the number of male and female symposium speakers at the American Academy of Dermatology annual meetings over a three-year period and compares research productivity and academic rank between the men and women invited to speak. The results demonstrate a steady increase in the representation of female symposium speakers at the conference from 2016 to 2018, although a higher proportion of invited male speakers hold professorships and leadership positions. This upward trend in women's representation may translate to more opportunities for female engagement in academic dermatology. Although women make up over 60% of residents in dermatology, they are not proportionally represented in this conference sample. This imbalance in representation demonstrates that further interventions to increase the representation of female professors and chairs may be necessary. more...

Introduction Implementing public health vending machines (PHVMs) is an evidence-based strategy for mitigating substance use-associated morbidity and mortality via the dispensation of essential supplies to people who use drugs, including overdose prevention resources. PHVMs have been implemented throughout the world; however, their implementation in the United States (US) is a recent phenomenon. In 2017, Trac-B Exchange (a syringe services program in Clark County, Nevada) installed three PHVMs. In 2019, naloxone dispensation was launched at PHVMs in Clark County. The purpose of this research is to examine the extent to which naloxone dispensation at PHVMs was associated with changes in opioid-involved overdose fatalities.Methods Monthly counts of opioid-involved overdose fatalities among Clark County residents that occurred from January 2015 to December 2020 were used to build an autoregressive integrated moving averages (ARIMA) model to measure the impact of naloxone dispensation at PHVMs. We forecasted the number of expected opioid-involved overdose fatalities had naloxone dispensation at PHVMs not occurred and compared to observed monthly counts. Interrupted time series analyses (ITSA) were used to evaluate the step (i.e. the immediate impact of naloxone dispensation at PHVMs on opioid-involved overdose fatalities) and slope change (i.e. changes in trend and directionality of monthly counts of opioid-involved overdose fatalities following naloxone dispensation at PHVMs).Results During the 12-months immediately following naloxone dispensation at PHVMs, our model forecasted 270 opioid-involved overdose fatalities, but death certificate data indicated only 229 occurred, suggesting an aversion of 41 deaths. ITSA identified a significant negative step change in opioid-involved overdose fatalities at the time naloxone dispensation at PHVMs was launched (B = −8.52, p = .0022) and a significant increasing slope change (B = 1.01, p more...

The authors conducted professional development (PD) for university personnel, focused on Universal Design for Instruction (UDI), over three days during a summer institute. The UDI-focused PD provided 20 hours of training across six content areas: (a) UDI, (b) accessible distance education and assistive technology, (c) student and faculty rights and responsibilities, (d) disability culture, (e) hidden disabilities, and (f) multiculturalism and disability. During the semester following the PD, a qualitative follow-up study was conducted to investigate faculty's implementation of UDI principles and strategies. Four individual faculty cases were analyzed to investigate the ways in which faculty applied UDI principles and strategies. Then, the cases were compared to detect patterns, and identify themes that explain variation in faculty's UDI implementation (Patton, 2015; Stake, 2000, 2006). Three interrelated themes emerged as potential factors influencing faculty's level of UDI implementation: the extent to which faculty (a) conceptualize UDI as an ongoing endeavor (versus a finite, achievable state); (b) engage in self-reflection; and (c) internalize a social model of disability. Implications for practice are discussed. more...

In 303 Creative , the US Supreme Court examined the conflict between state laws designed to protect gay persons from stigmatic and material harm in the public marketplace and the First Amendment freedoms of business owners who objected to same-sex marriage on religious grounds. Writing for the majority, Justice Gorsuch concluded, "When a state public accommodations law and the Constitution collide, there can be no question which must prevail." In this essay, I use two elements of late philosopher John Rawls's Political Liberalism (2005)—the "criterion of reciprocity" and "liberty and integrity of the person"—to better understand the broad implications of the court's ruling. My analysis reveals that the majority opinion in 303 Creative fails to acknowledge the need for achieving a coherent scheme of liberty within a liberal democracy and, in so doing, it undermines, rather than furthers, pluralism. Additionally, the logic of the court's ruling produces incoherent and inconsistent results—results that simultaneously expand and contract religious freedom and unjustifiably treat sexual-orientation discrimination differently from other types of odious discrimination. However, supplanting the court's approach with Rawls's "criterion of reciprocity" provides a coherent and consistent adjudicatory method for balancing religious freedom and the demands of equal citizenship. Furthermore, the argument I offer comports with legal analyses that focus on religious exemptions and third-party harm and the value of equal citizenship in religious liberty debates. Thus, my work supplements existing arguments against religious exemptions to antidiscrimination law and provides another substantive rejoinder to those seeking to scale back civil rights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...