Sciences of learning and development: Some thoughts from the learning sciences

ABSTRACT

This commentary extends and amplifies aspects of the Cantor, Osher, Berg, Steyer and Rose (2018 Cantor, P., Osher, D., Berg, J., Steyer, L., & Rose, T. (2018). Maleability, plasticity, and individuality: How children learn and develop in context. Applied Developmental Science. doi:10.1080/10888691.2017.1398649[Taylor & Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]) discussion about what we know about the nature of learning and its implications for how we educate students across the span from early childhood through advanced levels of formal education. The paper’s overall goal is to offer some guidance and clarification about how aspects of the Cantor et al. (2018 Cantor, P., Osher, D., Berg, J., Steyer, L., & Rose, T. (2018). Maleability, plasticity, and individuality: How children learn and develop in context. Applied Developmental Science. doi:10.1080/10888691.2017.1398649[Taylor & Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]) powerful vision of optimal and equitable development might be attained based on a view of what we mean by learning, the types of learning that matter, and ways to design environments for learning and development that allow all children to realize their potential. Three major topics are covered. The first concerns evolution of theories of learning as they relate to theories of development and the connection between the two. Emphasis is given to the power that comes from adopting a sociocultural perspective on the nature of learning and development. The second topic is a consideration of current targets of learning and development, including so-called 21^st century competencies and deep disciplinary learning. Emphasis is given to the cognitive, intrapersonal and interpersonal competency domains that integrate cognitive, affective, social and emotional processes. The third topic focuses on a set of research-based principles that can be used to design and implement powerful and equitable learning environments that align with sociocultural theories and learning and development while integrating the three major domains of competency.     

Ichnogeny and bivalve bioerosion: examples from shell and wood substrates

Abstract

The ichnospecies Gastrochaneolites dijugus Kelly and Bromley 1984 Kelly, S. R. A., and R. G. Bromley. 1984. “Ichnological Nomenclature of Clavate Borings.” Palaeontology 27: 793–807.[Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar] and Teredolites longissimus Kelly and Bromley 1984 Kelly, S. R. A., and R. G. Bromley. 1984. “Ichnological Nomenclature of Clavate Borings.” Palaeontology 27: 793–807.[Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar], attributed to the boring activity of gastrochaenoid and pholadid bivalves, are described respectively from the Miocene Vilanova Basin and the Pliocene Almería-Níjar Basin. Miocene and Pliocene traces are preserved as positive casts associated to invertebrate shells and wood fragments, respectively; in both cases, the host substrate (shells and wood) has been lost almost entirely by different taphonomic processes (mainly dissolution). For the first time in the fossil record, the complete ichnogenetic sequence of these two ichnospecies is described and figured.     

Insect trace fossils in glyptodonts from Uruguay

Abstract

The association of vertebrate remains and invertebrate traces, although less studied than other bioerosion traces, provides important paleoecological information. This report describes Cubiculum ornatum Roberts, Rogers, and Foreman 2007 Roberts, E., R. Rogers, and B. Foreman. 2007. Continental insect borings in dinosaur bone: examples from the Late Cretaceous of Madagascar and Utah. Journal of Paleontology 81(1):201–208.[Crossref], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar], Osteocallis Roberts, Rogers, and Foreman 2007 Roberts, E., R. Rogers, and B. Foreman. 2007. Continental insect borings in dinosaur bone: examples from the Late Cretaceous of Madagascar and Utah. Journal of Paleontology 81(1):201–208.[Crossref], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar] and other unidentified insect traces from the dermal skeletal remains of glyptodonts found in Uruguay. They come from the Fray Bentos Formation (Late Oligocene), the Camacho Formation (Late Miocene) and the Dolores Formation (Late Pleistocene-Early Holocene). The reported traces were likely made by sarcosaprophagous beetles, which indicate depositional conditions with dry episodes in a warm climate for the referred stratigraphical units.     

Macroborings in Otodus megalodon and Otodus chubutensis shark teeth from the submerged shelf of Onslow Bay,North Carolina,USA: implications for processes of lag deposit formation

Abstract

The shallow continental shelf in the Cape Fear Region of southwestern Onslow Bay, North Carolina, contains lag deposits with an abundance of megatoothed shark teeth belonging to Otodus megalodon (Agassiz 1835) and Otodus chubutensis (Ameghino 1906) that derive from the Pliocene Yorktown and Miocene Pungo River formations, respectively. These teeth exhibit different frequencies and orientations of macroborings identified as Gastrochaenolites torpedo Kelly and Bromley (1984 Kelly, S., and R. Bromley. 1984. “Ichnological Nomenclature of Clavate Borings.” Palaeontology 27: 793–807.[Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]), Gastrochaenolites lapidicus Kelly and Bromley (1984 Kelly, S., and R. Bromley. 1984. “Ichnological Nomenclature of Clavate Borings.” Palaeontology 27: 793–807.[Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]), Maeandropolydora sulcans Voigt (1965 Voigt, E. 1965. “Über parasitische Polychaeten in Kreide-Austern sowie einige andere in Muschelschalen bohrende Würmer.” Paläontologische Zeitschrift 39 (3–4): 193–211.[Crossref] , [Google Scholar]) and ?Entobia isp. attributed to endolithic bivalves, serpulid worms and clionaid sponges. Different frequencies and orientations of macroborings seen in lag deposits containing O. megalodon and O. chubutensis teeth are the result of repeated exhumation and reworking in response to bathymetrically controlled wave-based erosion during storm events and glacioeustatically driven sea-level cyclicity across Onslow Bay. Chronological ranges of O. megalodon and O. chubutensis teeth that contain macroborings indicate that these lag deposits may have been forming since the late early Miocene.     

Conformational transitions of the quercetin molecule via the rotations of its rings: a comprehensive theoretical study

Abstract

Quercetin is an important flavonoid compound, usually extracted from plants, vegetables and fruits such as blueberries, apples, green tea, wine, onions and possessing broad range of pharmacological properties, in particular, powerful antioxidant, antitoxic, antiinflammation and antimicrobial effects due to its various reactive sites. The structure of this phenolic compound consists of three (A?+?C) and B rings, bearing five hydroxyl groups. Primarily, the chemical structure of quercetin determines its physico-chemical properties. Earlier, it was established that isolated quercetin molecule can acquire 48 stable conformations (24 planar and 24 non-planar) due to the mobility of its hydroxyl groups and (A?+?C) and B rings with relative Gibbs free energies in the range of 0.0–25.3?kcal·mol^?1 under normal conditions (Brovarets’ et al., 2019c Brovarets’, O. O., & Hovorun, D. M. (2019c). Conformational diversity of the quercetin molecule: A quantum-chemical view. Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics. doi: 10.1080/07391102.2019.1645734[Taylor & Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]). In this work by quantum-mechanical calculations at the MP2/6-311++G(2df,pd)//B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level of theory and Bader’s ‘Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules’, we have theoretically modeled the interconversions in the 24 pairs of the conformers of the quercetin molecule, occuring via the rotation of its non-deformable (A+С) and B rings around the С2-С1' bond through the quasi-orthogonal transition state with low values of the imaginary frequencies (28–33/29–36?cm^?1) and Gibbs free energies of activation in the range of 2.17–5.68/1.86–4.90?kcal·mol^?1 in the continuum with dielectric permittivity ε?=?1/ε?=?4 under normal conditions. Also, we studied the changes of the number of physico-chemical characteristics of all intramolecular-specific contacts – hydrogen bonds and attractive van der Waals contacts during these conformational rearrangements.

Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma     

The crustaceans burrow Sinusichnus sinuosus from the Oligocene-Miocene carbonate deposits of eastern Amazonia

Abstract

Sinusichnus Gibert 1996 Gibert, J. M. d. 1996. “A New Decapod Burrow System from the NW Mediterranean Pliocene.” Revista Española de Paleontología 11: 251–254. [Google Scholar] is recorded for the first time in the Oligocene-Miocene Pirabas Formation of Northern Brazil. In these Oligocene-Miocene carbonate deposits, Sinusichnus sinuosus is characterized by horizontal, highly regular sinusoidal burrow systems with T- and H-shaped branching points. The main difference between the S. sinuosus described herein and other occurrences worldwide is the anomalous diameter of the burrows (4 to 10?cm). These trace fossils occur in organic matter-rich, wackestone/packstone and laminated mudstones interbedded with boundstones deposited in an inner carbonate platform paleoenvironment. The exceptional size of the studied S. sinuosus could have been associated to the producer’s size, which may be attributed to construction by large crustaceans, similar to fossils found within the Pirabas Formation. Also, the sinusoidal morphology and retrusive spreiten could be a result of the fodinichnial/domichnial behavior.     

EFFICIENT SYNTHESIS OF FUSED ISOTHIAZOLO C-NUCLEOSIDES. III. SYNTHESIS OF 7-SUBSTITUTED ISOTHIAZOLO[4,5-d]PYRIMIDINE C-NUCLEOSIDES*

The Divakar-Reese procedure has been successfully applied for transforming 7-oxo-isothiazolo[4,5-d]pyrimidine C-nucleosides (4a,b, 5a,b, 6a) via 1,2,4-triazol-1-yl intermediates (7a,b, 8a,b) into various 7-substituted C-nucle- osides 15a,b, 16a,b, 17a, 18a, 19a,b, 20a,b; their subsequent deprotection provides novel types of unusual C-glycosides 22b, 23a, 24a,b, 25b, 26b.

C-Nucleosides, possessing on its heterocyclic base other than naturally occuring oxo- or amino substituents, are important model compounds for biological or medicinal studies [2a] Hanessian, S. and Pernet, A. G. 1976. Adv. Carbohydr. Chem. Biochem., 32: 111–188. cf. [Google Scholar], [2b] Mizuno, Y. 1986. The Organic Chemistry of Nucleic Acids Amsterdam: Elsevier.  [Google Scholar], [2c] Huryn, D. M. and Okabe, M. 1992. Chem. Rev., 92: 1745–1768. [Crossref], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar], [2d] Häbich, D. 1991. Chem. in uns. Zeit, 25: 295–307.  [Google Scholar], [2e] Uhlmann, E. and Peyman, A. 1990. Chem. Rev., 90: 543–584. [Crossref], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar], [2f] Thuong, N. T. and Helene, C. 1993. Angew. Chem., 105: 697–723. [Crossref] , [Google Scholar], [2g] 1993. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl., 33: 666–690.  [Google Scholar], [2h] Yarchoan, R., Mitsuya, H., Zhomas, R. V., Pluda, J. M., Hartman, N. R., Perno, C. F., Marczyk, K. S., Allain, J. P., Johns, D. G. and Broder, S. 1989. Science, 245: 412–414. [Crossref], [PubMed], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar], [2i] Tanaka, H., Baba, M., Hayakawa, H., Sakamaki, T., Miyasaka, T., Ubasawa, M., Takashima, H., Sekiya, E., Nitta, I., Shigeta, S., Walker, R. T., Balzarini, J. and De Clerq, E. 1991. J. Med. Chem., 34: 349–357. [Crossref], [PubMed], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar] [3a] Koyama, G., Maeda, K., Umezawa, H. and Iitaka, Y. 1966. Tetrahedron Lett., : 597–602. Some C-glycosides with antibiotic, antiviral (HIV), and anticancer activities [Google Scholar], [3b] Hori, M., Wakashiro, T., Ito, E., Sawa, T., Takeuchi, T. and Umezawa, H. J. 1968. J. Antibiot., 21A: 264–270. [Chem. Abstr. 1968, 69, 11356j] [Google Scholar], [3c] Farkas, J. and ?orm. 1972. F. Collect. Czech. Chem. Commun., 37: 2798–2803.  [Google Scholar], [3d] Acton, E. M., Ryan, K. J., Henry, D. W. and Goodman, L. 1971. J. Chem. Soc., Chem. Commun., : 986–988.  [Google Scholar], [3e] Nakagawa, Y., Kano, H., Tsukuda, Y. and Koyama, H. 1967. Tetrahedron Lett., : 4105–4109.  [Google Scholar], [3f] Inoue, I. and Kuwaijama, I. 1980. J. Chem. Soc., Chem. Commun., : 251–253.  [Google Scholar], [3g] Buchanan, J. G., Stobie, A. and Wightman, R. H. 1980. ibid., : 916–917. [Crossref] , [Google Scholar], [3h] Hildebrand, S. and Leumann, C. 1996. Angew. Chem., 108: 2100–2102. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 1996, 35, 1968–1970 [Google Scholar]. We want to report on the synthesis of novel 7-substituted isothiazolo = [4,5-d]pyrimidine C-nucleosides. As we could show in previous papers [1] Wamhoff, H., Berressem, R. and Nieger, M. 1994. J. Org. Chem., 59: 1912–1917. Part 2 [Google Scholar], [4] Wamhoff, H., Berressem, R. and Nieger. 1993. M. J. Org. Chem., 58: 5181–5185.  [Google Scholar], there exists a simple approach to the protected C-glycosides 4–6.

     

Nucleoside dimers analogs containing floxuridine and thymidine with unnatural linker groups: synthesis and cancer line studies. Part III

Abstract

Two series of novel fluorinated nucleosides dimers with an unnatural 1,2,3-triazole linkage were synthesized. The obtained molecules were prepared using “click” chemistry approach based on copper(I) catalyzed Huisgen azide–alkyne cycloaddition. It was performed between 3′- and 5′-azido-nucleosides as the azide components, and the 3′-O- and 5′-O-propargyl-nucleosides as the alkyne components. Based on analysis of the ³ Brunton, L. L.; Lazo, J. S.; Parker, K. L. (Eds.), Goodman & Gilman’s the Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 11th ed.; McGraw-Hill, Medical Publishing Division: New York, NY, 2006. [Google Scholar]J_HH, ³ Brunton, L. L.; Lazo, J. S.; Parker, K. L. (Eds.), Goodman & Gilman’s the Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 11th ed.; McGraw-Hill, Medical Publishing Division: New York, NY, 2006. [Google Scholar]J_H1′C2 and ³ Brunton, L. L.; Lazo, J. S.; Parker, K. L. (Eds.), Goodman & Gilman’s the Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 11th ed.; McGraw-Hill, Medical Publishing Division: New York, NY, 2006. [Google Scholar]J_H1′C6 we estimated conformational preferences of sugar part and orientation around glycosidic bond. All described nucleosides dimers analogs were characterized by spectroscopic methods and evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxicity in three human cancer cell lines: cervical (HeLa), oral (KB) and breast (MCF-7).     

Small Amphibian and Reptile Footprints from the Permian Carapacha Basin,Argentina

This paper contains a taxonomic study of the Permian tetrapod ichnofauna from the Carapacha Basin. Tetrapod traces are analyzed in their environmental context and compared with similar faunas from Europe and North America. This ichnofauna is particularly relevant because of the scarcity of Permian tetrapod tracks from South America and also of Permian tetrapod fossils from Argentina. Ephemeral fluvial and shallow lacustrine deposits compose the sedimentary succession of the basin, which is represented by the Carapacha Formation. Most of the tracks have been collected from the upper member of the formation (Urre-Lauquen Member), mainly from freshwater ephemeral lake deposits as well as from playa-lake mudflats. The deposits of this member have been attributed to the early Late Permian on the basis of a Glossopteris fossil flora. Ichnotaxonomic designations of tetrapod traces are made on the basis of morphologic features that reflect the anatomy of the producer and special attention has been paid to extramorphologic deformations observed in the track assemblage. A total of four footprint ichnotaxa have been recognized, namely Batrachichnus salamandroides (Geinitz, 1861 Geinitz, H. B. 1861. Dyas oder die Zechsteinformation und das Rhotliegende—Die animalischen Überreste der Dyas, 130 ppLeipzig: Wilhelm Engelmann.  [Google Scholar]), Hyloidichnus bifurcatus Gilmore, 1927 Gilmore, C. W. 1927. Fossil footprints from the Grand Canyon: second contribution. Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collection, 80(3): 1–78.  [Google Scholar], cf. Amphisauropus isp. and cf. Varanopus isp. These track taxa are associated with two forms of vertebrate swimming traces (Characichnos isp. and type A swimming trace) and a possible fish trail. Invertebrate trace fossils include abundant arthropod locomotion traces and Scoyenia isp. The ichnofauna is composed of six tetrapod ichnocoenoses that are dominated by tiny amphibian tracks attributed to Temnospondyli (Batrachichnus and type A swimming trace) and Seymouriamorpha (Amphisauropus), and also contain the footprints of small reptiles, mostly Captorhinomorpha and possibly Pelycosauria (Hyloidichnus and Varanopus). Even if the ichnofauna of the Carapacha Basin is slightly younger than typical examples from the literature of the Early Permian “red bed ichnofacies” (Hunt et al., 1995b Hunt, A. P., Lucas, S. G., Lockley, M. G., Haubold, H. and Braddy, S. 1995b. Tetrapod ichnofacies in Early Permian red beds of the American Southwest. Bulletin New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, 6: 295–301. Early Permian footprint facies [Google Scholar]), a comparison is made. However, further detailed case studies are needed to formally define this “red bed ichnofacies” and its prospective subdivisions.     

The genera Stegastopsis Kraatz, 1865 and Orostegastopsis Koch, 1962 with description of O. planioculata sp. n. from Oman (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Tentyriini)

The first Asian member of Orostegastopsis Koch, 1962 Koch, C. (1962): Vierter taxonomischer Beitrag zur Kenntnis der Tenebrioniden Somalias: Über die von Prof. G. Scortecci 1953 und 1957 in der Migiurtinia-Provinz gesammelten Arten. 1. Teil. Atti della Società Italiana di Scienze Naturali, 51, 237–270. [Google Scholar] is described and figured: O. planioculata sp. n., which can be easily distinguished from the two Somalian species O. scorteccii Koch, 1962 Koch, C. (1962): Vierter taxonomischer Beitrag zur Kenntnis der Tenebrioniden Somalias: Über die von Prof. G. Scortecci 1953 und 1957 in der Migiurtinia-Provinz gesammelten Arten. 1. Teil. Atti della Società Italiana di Scienze Naturali, 51, 237–270. [Google Scholar] and O. kaszabi (Bremer, 1985 Bremer, H. J. (1985): Eine neue Stegastopsis-Art (Coleopt., Tenebrionidae, Tentyriini) aus Somalia. Entomologische Blätter, 81, 59–61. [Google Scholar]) comb. nov. by the shallow eyes. According to the shape of the clypeus, Stegastopsis kaszabi Bremer, 1985 Bremer, H. J. (1985): Eine neue Stegastopsis-Art (Coleopt., Tenebrionidae, Tentyriini) aus Somalia. Entomologische Blätter, 81, 59–61. [Google Scholar] is transferred from the genus Stegastopsis Kraatz to the genus Orostegastopsis Koch as was already indicated by Bremer (1985 Bremer, H. J. (1985): Eine neue Stegastopsis-Art (Coleopt., Tenebrionidae, Tentyriini) aus Somalia. Entomologische Blätter, 81, 59–61. [Google Scholar]) who treated Orostegastopsis as a subgenus of Stegastopsis: Orostegastopsis kaszabi (Bremer, 1985 Bremer, H. J. (1985): Eine neue Stegastopsis-Art (Coleopt., Tenebrionidae, Tentyriini) aus Somalia. Entomologische Blätter, 81, 59–61. [Google Scholar]) comb. nov. Keys to the species of Stegastopsis and Orostegastopsis are given.     

A Life-History Model of Human Fitness Indicators

Recent adaptationist accounts of human mental and physical health have reinvigorated the debate over the evolution of human intelligence. In the tradition of strong inference the current study was developed to determine whether either Miller's (1998 Miller, G. F. 1998. “How mate choice shaped human nature: A review of sexual selection and human evolution”. In Handbook of evolutionary psychology: Ideas, issues, and applications, Edited by: Crawford, C. and Krebs, D. 87–129. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.  [Google Scholar], 2000a Miller, G. F. 2000a. Mental traits as fitness indicators: Expanding evolutionary psychology's adaptationism. Evolutionary approaches to human reproductive behavior. Ann N Y Acad Sci, 907: 62–74. [Crossref], [PubMed], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]) Fitness Indicator Theory or Rushton's (1985 Rushton, J. P. 1985. Differential K theory: The sociobiology of individual and group differences. Pers Indiv Diff, 6(4): 441–452. [Crossref] , [Google Scholar], 2000 Rushton, J. P. 2000. Race, evolution, and behavior: A life-history perspective, 3rd, Port Huron, MI: Charles Darwin Research Institute.  [Google Scholar]) Differential-K Theory better accounts for general intelligence (“g”) in an undergraduate university population (N = 192). Owing to the lengthy administration time of the test materials, a newly developed 18-item short form of the Ravens Advanced Progressive Matrices (APM-18; Sefcek, Miller, and Figueredo 2007 Sefcek, J. A., Miller, G. F. and Figueredo, A. J. 2007. “Development and of an 18-item short form of the Ravens Advanced Progressive Matrices (RAPM-18). (Submitted)”.  [Google Scholar]) was used. A significant, positive relationship between K and F (r = .31, p < .001) emerged. Contrary to predictions, no significant relationships were found between “g” and either K or F (r = –.09, p ≥ .05 and r = .11, p ≥ .05, respectively). Though generally contrary to both hypotheses, these results may be explained in relation to antagonistic pleiotropy and a potential failure to derive correct predictions for within-species comparisons directly from the results of between-species comparisons.     

158 A molecular dynamics simulation-based prediction of deleterious angiogenin mutations causing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the selective death of motor neurons leading to paralysis and death between 3–5?years of diagnosis. Through whole genome association studies, several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) encoding missense mutations in angiogenin (ANG) protein have been identified as one of the primary factors causing ALS. Structural studies of ANG show that catalytic triad comprising His13, Lys40, and His114 residues imparts ribonucleolytic activity while nuclear localization signal residues ³¹RRR³³ are responsible for nuclear translocation activity. Loss of either ribonucleolytic activity or nuclear translocation activity or both of these functions due to mutations cause ALS. However, the mechanisms of loss-of-functions of ANG mutants are not completely understood. Here, we present a cohesive and comprehensive picture of functional loss mechanisms of all known ALS-associated ANG mutants by extensive molecular dynamics (MD) simulations (Padhi, Kumar, Vasaikar, Jayaram, & Gomes, 2012 Padhi, A. K., Kumar, H., Vasaikar, S. V., Jayaram, B. and Gomes, J. 2012. Mechanisms of loss of functions of human angiogenin variants implicated in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. PLoS One, 7(2): e32479[PubMed] , [Google Scholar]; AK, 2013 Padhi, A.K., Jayaram, B., & Gomes, J. (accepted for publication). Prediction of functional loss of human angiogenin mutants associated with ALS by molecular dynamics simulations. Scientific Reports (NPG).  [Google Scholar]). Our studies show that conformational switching of catalytic residue His114 is responsible for the loss of ribonucleolytic activity while reduction in solvent-accessible surface area (SASA) of ³¹RRR³³ as a result of local folding is responsible for the loss of nuclear translocation activity (Padhi et al., 2012 Padhi, A. K., Kumar, H., Vasaikar, S. V., Jayaram, B. and Gomes, J. 2012. Mechanisms of loss of functions of human angiogenin variants implicated in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. PLoS One, 7(2): e32479[PubMed] , [Google Scholar]; AK, 2013 Padhi, A.K., Jayaram, B., & Gomes, J. (accepted for publication). Prediction of functional loss of human angiogenin mutants associated with ALS by molecular dynamics simulations. Scientific Reports (NPG).  [Google Scholar]). Our prediction of loss-of-functions of 17 ANG mutants correlated positively with the reported experimental results. We have subsequently developed a fast molecular dynamics method based on certain global attributes / dynamic markers that can be used to determine whether a mutation is deleterious or benign. To make our method accessible to researchers and clinicians, we created a web server-based tool, ANGDelMut, freely available at http://bioschool.iitd.ernet.in/research.htm, where a user can submit new mutations to ascertain whether they cause ALS. We hope that our method will benefit the community at large and will pave the way for the development of a successful therapy for patients suffering from ALS.     

An integrative approach underscores the taxonomic status of Lamellidens exolescens,a freshwater mussel from the Oriental tropics (Bivalvia: Unionidae)

The Oriental Region harbours the second richest fauna of freshwater bivalves in the world, including many endangered endemic taxa. However, the Oriental fauna of the Unionidae have been very poorly studied using an integrative taxonomic approach, which may provide reasonable revisions of complicated (cryptic) taxa based on morphological, molecular, biogeographic and ecological evidence. Here, we present the first example of an integrative taxonomic revision concerning the status of Unio exolescens Gould (1843 Gould, A.A. (1843). Dr. Gould had examined the shells not long since announced as having been received from the Rev. Francis Mason, missionary at Tavoy, in British Burmah. Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History, 1, 139–141. [Google Scholar]), a nominal mussel taxon that was accepted as a valid species within the genus Trapezoideus Simpson (1900). Currently, Trapezoideus exolescens is considered the type of the genus as far as the originally designated type species, U. foliaceus Gould (1843 Gould, A.A. (1843). Dr. Gould had examined the shells not long since announced as having been received from the Rev. Francis Mason, missionary at Tavoy, in British Burmah. Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History, 1, 139–141. [Google Scholar]), was considered to be a synonym of T. exolescens. Using nucleotide sequences obtained from mitochondrial (COI and 16S rRNA) and nuclear (28S rDNA) genes, we found that the topotypes of Unio exolescens Gould (1843 Gould, A.A. (1843). Dr. Gould had examined the shells not long since announced as having been received from the Rev. Francis Mason, missionary at Tavoy, in British Burmah. Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History, 1, 139–141. [Google Scholar]) cluster together with representatives of another mussel genus, Lamellidens Simpson (1900). Based on these results and on morphological data, we transfer Unio exolescens Gould (1843 Gould, A.A. (1843). Dr. Gould had examined the shells not long since announced as having been received from the Rev. Francis Mason, missionary at Tavoy, in British Burmah. Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History, 1, 139–141. [Google Scholar]) from Trapezoideus to Lamellidens and propose Lamellidens exolescens (Gould, 1843 Gould, A.A. (1843). Dr. Gould had examined the shells not long since announced as having been received from the Rev. Francis Mason, missionary at Tavoy, in British Burmah. Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History, 1, 139–141. [Google Scholar]) comb. nov. In addition, we revisited the status of Unio foliaceus Gould (1843 Gould, A.A. (1843). Dr. Gould had examined the shells not long since announced as having been received from the Rev. Francis Mason, missionary at Tavoy, in British Burmah. Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History, 1, 139–141. [Google Scholar]) as a valid species and the type of the genus Trapezoideus based on the morphological study of the type specimen, although a question concerning the true position of this taxon is still open because its molecular sequences are not available. Our findings highlight that an integrative taxonomic approach is an important tool, particularly when dealing with such species-rich Unionidae fauna as those of the Oriental Realm.     

175 Structure-based engineering to generate high-affinity immunotherapy for the drug of abuse

Methamphetamine (METH) abuse is a major threat in the USA and worldwide without any FDA approved medications. Anti-METH antibody antagonists block or slow the rate of METH entry into the brain and have shown efficacy in preclinical studies (Peterson, Laurenzana, Atchley, Hendrickson, & Owens, 2008 Peterson, E. C., Laurenzana, E. M., Atchley, W. T., Hendrickson, H. P. and Owens, S. M. 2008. Development and preclinical testing of a high-affinity single-chain antibody against (+)-methamphetamine. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, 08: 124–133.  [Google Scholar]).?A key determinant of the antibody’s efficacy is its affinity for METH and we attempted to enhance the efficacy by designing mutations to alter the shape or the electrostatic character of the binding pocket. Towards this goal, we developed a single chain anti-METH antibody fragment (scFv6H4) from a parent IgG (1). The crystal structure of scFv-6H4 in complex with METH was determined (Celikel, Peterson, Owens, & Varughese, 2009 Celikel, R., Peterson, E. C., Owens, S. M. and Varughese, K. I. 2009. Crystal structures of a therapeutic single chain antibody in complex with two drugs of abuse-Methamphetamine and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine. Protein Science, 09: 2336–2345.  [Google Scholar]). Based on its elucidated binding interactions, we designed point mutations in the binding pocket to improve its affinity for METH and amphetamine (AMP), the active metabolite of METH. The mutants, scFv-S93T,-I37?M and -Y34?M were cloned, expressed in yeast and tested for affinity against METH and AMP. Two mutants showed enhanced binding affinity for METH: scFv-I37?M by 1.3-fold and scFv-S93T by 2.6-fold. Additionally, all the mutants showed increase in affinity for AMP: scFv-I37?M by 56-fold, scFv-S93T by 17-fold and scFvY34?M by 5-fold. Crystal structure for one of the high-affinity mutant, scFv-S93T, in complex with METH was determined (Figure 1). Binding pocket of the mutant is more hydrophobic in comparison with the wild type. ScFv-6H4 binds METH in a deep pocket containing two water molecules. The substitution of a serine residue by a threonine leads to the expulsion of a water molecule (Figure 2), relieving some unfavorable contacts between the hydrocarbon atoms of METH and the water molecule and increasing the affinity to sub-nanomolar range. Therefore, the present study shows that efficacy could be enhanced by altering the hydrophobicity or the shape of the binding pocket.     

Redefinition of the hypotrichous ciliate Uncinata,with descriptions of the morphology and phylogeny of three urostylids (Protista,Ciliophora)

We investigated the morphology, morphogenesis and small subunit rRNA gene-based phylogeny of three marine urostylids, Uncinata gigantea Bullington, 1940 Bullington, W. E. (1940). Some ciliates from Tortugas. Papers from the Tortugas Laboratory, 32, 179–221. [Google Scholar], Holosticha heterofoissneri Hu & Song, 2001 Hu, X., & Song, W. (2001). Morphology and morphogenesis of Holosticha heterofoissneri n. sp. from the Yellow Sea, China (Ciliophora, Hypotrichida). Hydrobiologia, 448, 171–179. doi:10.1023/A:1017553406031.[Crossref], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar], and Holosticha cf. heterofoissneri. The dorsal morphogenesis of Uncinata gigantea shows de novo formation of two groups of anlagen near the marginal rows. Holosticha cf. heterofoissneri demonstrates fragmentation of the first dorsal kinety anlage as in Holosticha heterofoissneri. Our population of H. heterofoissneri corresponds well with previously described populations in terms of its general morphology and ciliary pattern. Uncinata gigantea can be recognized by its large and highly contractile body, yellowish to brownish cell colour, two types of cortical granules, and 20–30 transversely oriented and densely arranged cirri in the left marginal row, which often overlie the buccal vertex. Based on the new data, especially infraciliature, the genus Uncinata is here redefined. Both the morphology and phylogenetic analyses suggest that the genus Uncinata should be classified within the family Urostylidae. In addition, both morphological and morphogenetic data suggest that Holosticha bradburyae Gong et al., 2001 Gong, J., Song, W., Hu, X., Ma, H., & Zhu, M. (2001). Morphology and infraciliature of Holosticha bradburyae n. sp. (Ciliophora, Hypotrichida) from the Yellow Sea, China. Hydrobiologia, 464, 63–69. doi:10.1023/A:1013901621439.[Crossref], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar] should be transferred to Uncinata as U. bradburyae (Gong et al., 2001 Gong, J., Song, W., Hu, X., Ma, H., & Zhu, M. (2001). Morphology and infraciliature of Holosticha bradburyae n. sp. (Ciliophora, Hypotrichida) from the Yellow Sea, China. Hydrobiologia, 464, 63–69. doi:10.1023/A:1013901621439.[Crossref], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]) comb. nov., due to its possession of a characteristically prominent beak-like, leftwards curved projection and the developmental mode of the dorsal kineties. This assignment is supported by the phylogenetic analyses, which placed Uncinata gigantea in a clade with U. bradburyae (Gong et al., 2001 Gong, J., Song, W., Hu, X., Ma, H., & Zhu, M. (2001). Morphology and infraciliature of Holosticha bradburyae n. sp. (Ciliophora, Hypotrichida) from the Yellow Sea, China. Hydrobiologia, 464, 63–69. doi:10.1023/A:1013901621439.[Crossref], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]) comb. nov., and revealed only 1.13% (19 bp) difference in their SSU-rDNA gene sequence.     

14.3 Seconds: Politics,Art and the Archival Imagination

This article addresses John Greyson's 14.3 Seconds [2008 2008 14.3 Seconds. Iraq/Canada; digital video, color, 9 mins. [Google Scholar]], a video about the destruction of Iraqi film archives. This video continues the history of radical form and fabulation that characterizes Greyson's queer film/video ?uvre while also engaging the provocative experimentations with archives and history that animate recent Arab visual culture. The essay argues that 14.3 Seconds and a recent video, Prison Arabic in 50 Days [2013 Greyson, John, and Tarek Loubani 2013 Interview with Jian Ghomeshi. Q. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. October 15; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdMuXk01xeQ (accessed February 28, 2015). [Google Scholar]], use redaction, translation, archives and queer aesthetics to create new possibilities for the visualization of transnational solidarity and activism.     

What is in a name? That which we call Cecropia peltata by any other name would be as invasive?†

The recent opinion piece by Sheil and Padmanaba (2011 Sheil, D and Padmanaba, M. 2011. Innocent invaders? A preliminary assessment of Cecropia, an American tree, in Java. Plant Ecology & Diversity, 4: 231–240.  [Google Scholar]) argues that greater attention is required for invasive species management procedures that are relevant to and realistic for developing countries. They use the example of the Neotropical tree Cecropia as an introduction to West Java to illustrate their point. In our invited response we contend that the assumptions and data on the dynamics of Cecropia in Java presented in their paper, as well as their review of global Cecropia introductions, are of reduced scientific value. Even so, we agree with the paper's opinion that the naturalised species of Cecropia in West Java represent a considerable invasion risk and that funding must be improved so that the capacity for invasion ecology research and management of invasive alien species in developing countries is more effective. Unlike Sheil and Padmanaba (2011 Sheil, D and Padmanaba, M. 2011. Innocent invaders? A preliminary assessment of Cecropia, an American tree, in Java. Plant Ecology & Diversity, 4: 231–240.  [Google Scholar]), however, we conclude that there is already enough evidence to be concerned by the threat of Cecropia to natural ecosystems, but that knowledge of the relevant taxa is currently insufficient to recommend the most appropriate control options not only for Java, but also for other Cecropia introductions elsewhere in the world.