A meta-analysis of semiconductor materials fabricated in microgravity.

This meta-analysis of 160 semiconductor crystals that were grown in microgravity on orbital vehicles between 1973 and 2016 is based on publicly available information documented in the literature. This analysis provides comparisons of crystal metrics including size, structure quality, uniformity, and improved performance between crystals grown in microgravity or terrestrially. Improvement in at least one of these metrics was observed for 86% of those materials that included data in their studies.

Deacylcortivazol-like pyrazole regioisomers reveal a more accommodating expanded binding pocket for the glucocorticoid receptor.

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are widely used, potent anti-inflammatory and chemotherapeutic drugs. They work by binding to the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), a ligand-activated transcription factor, inducing translocation to the nucleus and regulation of genes that influence a variety of cellular activities. Despite being effective for a broad number of conditions, GC use is limited by severe side effects. To identify ligands that are more selective, we synthesized pairs of regioisomers in the pyrazole ring that probe the expanded binding pocket of GR opened by deacylcortivazol (DAC). Using an Ullmann-type reaction, a deacylcortivazol-like (DAC-like) backbone was modified with five pendant groups at the 1'- and 2'-positions of the pyrazole ring, yielding 9 ligands. Most of the compounds were cytotoxic to leukemia cells, and all required GR expression. Both aliphatic and other aromatic groups substituted at the 2'-position produced ligands with GC activity, with phenyl and 4-fluorophenyl substitutions exhibiting high cellular affinity for the receptor and >5× greater potency than dexamethasone, a commonly used strong GC. Surprisingly, phenyl substitution at the 1'-position produced a high-affinity ligand with ∼10× greater potency than dexamethasone, despite little apparent room in the expanded binding pocket to accommodate 1'-modifications. Other 1'-modifications, however, were markedly less potent. The potency of the 2'-substituted and 1'-substituted DAC-like compounds tracked linearly with cellular affinity but had different slopes, suggesting a different mode of interaction with GR. These data provide evidence that the expanded binding pocket opened by deacylcortivazol is more accommodating that expected, allowing development of new, and possibly selective, GCs by substitution within the pyrazole ring.

An idea to explore: A collaboration and cross training in an extended classroom-based undergraduate research experience between primarily undergraduate and research-intensive institutions.

Providing students with training in advanced laboratory skills is an essential part of scientific education. At the same time, engaging students in research is becoming equally important. Classroom-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) have emerged to fill this need, and can take many forms. In this article we describe reengineering an advanced organic synthesis laboratory at a primarily undergraduate institution into a CURE. This objective of this CURE is to provide small molecules relevant to an ongoing research program at a research-intensive institution. This new model cross trains students and provides a new structure for a CURE that could be adapted to other partnerships and institutions.

Factors affecting the number and type of student research products for chemistry and physics students at primarily undergraduate institutions: A case study.

For undergraduate students, involvement in authentic research represents scholarship that is consistent with disciplinary quality standards and provides an integrative learning experience. In conjunction with performing research, the communication of the results via presentations or publications is a measure of the level of scientific engagement. The empirical study presented here uses generalized linear mixed models with hierarchical bootstrapping to examine the factors that impact the means of dissemination of undergraduate research results. Focusing on the research experiences in physics and chemistry of undergraduates at four Primarily Undergraduate Institutions (PUIs) from 2004-2013, statistical analysis indicates that the gender of the student does not impact the number and type of research products. However, in chemistry, the rank of the faculty advisor and the venue of the presentation do impact the number of research products by undergraduate student, whereas in physics, gender match between student and advisor has an effect on the number of undergraduate research products. This study provides a baseline for future studies of discipline-based bibliometrics and factors that affect the number of research products of undergraduate students.

A Volunteer Basketball Clinic for Children with Disabilities: Professional Development Impact on Student-Athletes and Physical Therapy Students.

The purpose of this study was to assess the change in perceptions of student-athletes, physical therapy students, and parents of children who helped to facilitate an athletic skills camp for children with disabilities. Participants experienced 3 hours of basketball activity yearly. Data were collected for 3 consecutive years from a total of 51 parents, 15 student-athletes, and 22 physical therapy students. Pre- and post-survey data were evaluated by two independent researchers. Common themes were developed for all participant groups and cross-group comparisons were evaluated. Findings indicated a synergistic benefit for student-athletes and physical therapy students derived from their impact and children with disabilities. Perceptual changes in students included a decrease in fear in working with disabled children, an appreciation for the value of having fun, and increased growth in civic identity and desire to volunteer.