Innovation and Teaching: Barriers and Opportunities

This study explores the role of professional learning communities (PLCs) in mitigating barriers to innovative instruction. Using a cross-sectional survey with selected and open-response items, data were collected from educators participating in either a cohort-based immersive PLC training or a regional network train-the-trainer model. Both groups agreed on the definition and implementation of innovative instructional strategies. External barriers identified include limited resources and students’ resistance to alternative learning methods, which may reflect internal barriers such as reduced teacher efficacy. While survey responses suggest that professional development in innovative teaching is perceived as beneficial, many educators do not view innovative strategies as integral to their practice. A significant difference emerged between the two groups regarding the perceived impact of PLCs, with the cohort reporting a greater influence on their instructional strategies than the regional network. Although PLCs fostered collaboration and peer learning, evidence of widespread implementation of innovative strategies in classroom practice was insufficient. These findings suggest that while PLCs raise awareness of innovative teaching methods, persistent barriers hinder their execution. The report concludes with a discussion of these results, their implications, and recommendations for future research to enhance the integration of innovative instruction

Formulation and in Vitro Evaluation of Niacinloaded Nanoparticles to Reduce Prostaglandin Mediated Vasodilatory Flushing

OBJECTIVE: Niacin, activating G-protein coupled receptor (GPR) 109A, stimulates release of vasodilatory prostaglandins (PGs) such as PGE2 which can elicit niacin-associated flushing side effects. Poly-lactic-coglycolic acid (PLGA) and poly-lactic acid (PLA) are used in nanoparticle (NP) drug delivery to reduce adverse effects and modulate drug release. Our study evaluated the in vitro effects of niacin-loaded PLGA or PLA-NPs on PGE2 expression in whole human blood as a model for niacin-induced flushing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: NPs were formulated using a solvent evaporation process and characterized by size, polydispersity, zeta potential, drug entrapment, morphology, and drug release. NP in vitro effects on PGE2 release were measured via ELISA analysis. RESULTS: PLGA-NPs demonstrated the lowest NP size (66.7 ± 0.21 nm) with the highest zeta potential and percent drug entrapment (42.00 ± 1.62 mV and 69.09 ± 0.29%, respectively) when compared to PLA-NPs (130.4 ± 0.66 nm, 27.96 ± 0.18 mV, 69.63 ± 0.03 %, respectively). In vitro release studies showed that PLGA-NPs underwent significant reductions in cumulative drug release when compared to PLA-NPs (p \u3c 0.05). Furthermore, when compared to plain niacin, PLGA-NPs significantly reduced in vitro PGE2 release (p \u3c 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results support the use of PLGA-NPs as a novel method of delivery for reducing niacin-associated flushing

Formulation and in vitro Evaluation of Niacin-loaded Nanoparticles to Reduce Prostaglandin Mediated Vasodilatory Flushing

OBJECTIVE: Niacin, activating G-protein coupled receptor (GPR) 109A, stimulates release of vasodilatory prostaglandins (PGs) such as PGE2 which can elicit niacin-associated flushing side effects. Poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) and poly-lactic acid (PLA) are used in nanoparticle (NP) drug delivery to reduce adverse effects and modulate drug release. Our study evaluated the in vitro effects of niacin-loaded PLGA or PLA-NPs on PGE2 expression in whole human blood as a model for niacin-induced flushing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: NPs were formulated using a solvent evaporation process and characterized by size, polydispersity, zeta potential, drug entrapment, morphology, and drug release. NP in vitro effects on PGE2 release were measured via ELISA analysis. RESULTS: PLGA-NPs demonstrated the lowest NP size (66.7 ± 0.21 nm) with the highest zeta potential and percent drug entrapment (42.00 ± 1.62 mV and 69.09 ± 0.29%, respectively) when compared to PLA-NPs (130.4 ± 0.66 nm, 27.96 ± 0.18 mV, 69.63 ± 0.03 %, respectively). In vitro release studies showed that PLGA-NPs underwent significant reductions in cumulative drug release when compared to PLA-NPs (p \u3c 0.05). Furthermore, when compared to plain niacin, PLGA-NPs significantly reduced in vitro PGE2 release (p \u3c 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results support the use of PLGA-NPs as a novel method of delivery for reducing niacin-associated flushing

Concert recording 2018-04-08c

[Track 1]. Revolutions. Groove machine [Track 2]. Black / Marc Mellits -- [Track 3]. Adagio and allegro / G.F. Handel -- [Track 4]. Sonata. Allegro / Lawson Lunde -- [Track 5]. American quartet. Allegro ma non troppo / Antonin Dvořák -- [Track 6]. Spain / Chick Corea arranged by Eddie Jennings -- [Track 7]. First suite in E♭. Chaconne Intermezzo March / Gustav Holst

Concert recording 2017-12-03b

[Track 1]. Boogie wonderland / Earth Wind and Fire -- [Track 2]. Think / Aretha Franklin -- [Track 3]. Please please please / James Brown -- [Track 4]. Your precious love / Tammi Terrell -- [Track 5]. September / Earth Wind and Fire -- [Track 6]. Window seat / Erykah Badu -- [Track 7]. Going down / Norman Whitfield -- [Track 8]. Uptown funk / Mark Ronson, Bruno Mars, Philip Lawrence, Jeff Bhasker, Devon Gallaspy

Concert recording 2017-11-05d

[Track 1]. Quatour pour Saxophones. Overture Brillante / Pierre Max Dubois -- [Track 2]. Arrivée de la Reine de Sabbat / G.F. Handel -- [Track 3]. Recitation book. Broken heart: Der du bist drei in Einigkeit / David Maslanka -- [Track 4]. Stemming+ / Nigel Wood -- [Track 5]. Capriol suite. Basse danse Pavane Tordion Bransles Pieds-en-l\u27air Mattachins / Peter Warlock arranged by R. Stevens -- [Track 6]. Carnival / Karen Street

Henipavirus pathogenesis in human respiratory epithelial cells

Hendra virus (HeV) and Nipah virus (NiV) are deadly zoonotic viruses for which no vaccines or therapeutics are licensed for human use. Henipavirus infection causes severe respiratory illness and encephalitis. Although the exact route of transmission in human is unknown, epidemiological studies and in vivo studies suggest that the respiratory tract is important for virus replication. However, the target cells in the respiratory tract are unknown, as are the mechanisms by which henipaviruses can cause disease. In this study, we characterized henipavirus pathogenesis using primary cells derived from the human respiratory tract. The growth kinetics of NiV-Malaysia, NiV-Bangladesh, and HeV were determined in bronchial/ tracheal epithelial cells (NHBE) and small airway epithelial cells (SAEC). In addition, host responses to infection were assessed by gene expression analysis and immunoassays. Viruses replicated efficiently in both cell types and induced large syncytia. The host response to henipavirus infection in NHBE and SAEC highlighted a difference in the inflammatory response between HeV and NiV strains as well as intrinsic differences in the ability to mount an inflammatory response between NHBE and SAEC. These responses were highest during HeV infection in SAEC, as characterized by the levels of key cytokines (interleukin 6 [IL-6], IL-8, IL-1α, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 [MCP-1], and colony-stimulating factors) responsible for immune cell recruitment. Finally, we identified virus strain-dependent variability in type I interferon antagonism in NHBE and SAEC: NiV-Malaysia counteracted this pathway more efficiently than NiV-Bangladesh and HeV. These results provide crucial new information in the understanding of henipavirus pathogenesis in the human respiratory tract at an early stage of infection