Metabolomics as a tool to explore the staphylococcal biofilm

Orthopaedic infections can be polymicrobial existing as a microbiome. Infections often incorporate staphylococcal species, including Staphylococcus aureus. Such infections can lead to life threatening illness and implant failure. Furthermore, biofilm formation on the implant surface can occur, increasing pathogenicity, exacerbating antibiotic resistance and altering antimicrobial mechanism of action. Bacteria change dramatically during the transition to a biofilm growth state: phenotypically; transcriptionally; and metabolically, highlighting the need for research into molecular mechanisms involved in biofilm formation. Metabolomics can provide a tool to analyse metabolic changes which are directly related to the expressed phenotype. Here, we aimed to provide greater understanding of orthopaedic infection caused by S. aureus and biofilm formation on the implant surface. Through metagenome analysis by employing: implant material extraction; DNA extraction; microbial enrichment; and whole genome sequencing, we present a microbiome study of the infected prosthesis to resolve the causative species of orthopaedic hip infection. Results highlight the presence of S. aureus as a primary cause of orthopaedic infection along with Enterococcus faecium and the presence of secondary pathogen Clostridium difficile. Although results were hindered by the presence of host contaminating DNA even after microbial enrichment, conclusions could be made over the potential increased pathogenicity caused by the presence of a secondary pathogen and highlight method and sample preparation considerations when undertaking such a study. Following this finding, studies were focused on an orthopaedic clinical isolate of S. aureus and a metabolome extraction method for staphylococcal biofilms was developed using cell lysis through bead beating and solvent metabolome extraction. The method was found to be reproducible when coupled with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and bioinformatics, allowing for the detection of significant changes in metabolism between planktonic and biofilm cultures to be identified and drug mechanism of actions (MOA) to be studied. Metabolomics results highlight significant changes in a number of metabolic pathways including arginine biosynthesis and purine metabolism between the two cell populations, evidence of S. aureus responding to their changing environment, including oxygen availability and a decrease in pH. Focused investigations on purine metabolism looking for biofilm modulation effects were carried out. Modulation of the S. aureus biofilm phenotype was observed through the addition of exogenous metabolites. Inosine increased biofilm biomass while formycin B, an inosine analogue, showed a dispersal effect and a potential synergistic effect in biofilm dispersal when coupled with gentamycin. Changes in metabolism between planktonic cells and biofilms highlight the requirement for antimicrobial testing to be carried out against planktonic cells and biofilms. Untargeted metabolomics was used to study the MOA of triclosan in S. aureus. The triclosan target and MOA in bacteria has already been characterised, however, questions remain over its effects in bacteria. Although the use of triclosan has come under increasing speculation, its full effects are still largely unknown. Results show that triclosan can induce a cascade of detrimental events in the cell metabolism including significant changes in amino acid metabolism, affecting planktonic cells and biofilms. Results and conclusions provide greater understanding of orthopaedic infections and specifically focus on the S. aureus biofilm, confirming S. aureus as a primary cause of orthopaedic infection and using metabolomic analysis to look at the changing state of metabolism between the different growth states. Metabolomics is a valuable tool for biofilm and drug MOA studies, helping understand orthopaedic infection and implant failure, providing crucial insight into the biochemistry of bacteria for the potential for inferences to be gained, such as the MOA of antimicrobials and the identification of novel metabolic drug targets.

Structured decision making as a tool for facilitating stakeholder engagement in non-renewable resource management: using the case study of hydraulic fracturing in the Green Point Shale formation in western Newfoundland

This thesis examines the importance of effective stakeholder engagement that complies with the doctrines of social justice in non-renewable resources management decision-making. It uses hydraulic fracturing in the Green Point Shale Formation in Western Newfoundland as a case study. The thesis uses as theoretical background John Rawls’ and David Miller’ theory of social justice, and identifies the social justice principles, which are relevant to stakeholder engagement. The thesis compares the method of stakeholder engagement employed by the Newfoundland and Labrador Hydraulic Fracturing Review Panel (NLHFRP), with the stakeholder engagement techniques recommended by the Structured Decision Making (SDM) model, as applied to a simulated case study involving hydraulic fracturing in the Green Point Shale Formation. Using the already identified social justice principles, the thesis then developed a framework to measure the level of compliance of both stakeholder engagement techniques with social justice principles. The main finding of the thesis is that the engagement techniques prescribed by the SDM model comply more closely with the doctrines of social justice than the engagement techniques applied by the NLHFRP. The thesis concludes by recommending that the SDM model be more widely used in non- renewable resource management decision making in order to ensure that all stakeholders’ concerns are effectively heard, understood and transparently incorporated in the nonrenewable resource policies to make them consistent with local priorities and goals, and with the social justice norms and institutions.

Improving the assessment and outcome of free tissue transfer breast reconstruction

Introduction: Free tissue transfer using an abdominal tissue flap is a commonly used method of breast reconstruction. However, there are well recognised complications including venous congestion, fat necrosis and flap loss associated with the perfusion of these flaps. Post-operative aesthetic outcome assessment of such breast reconstructions have also proven to be difficult with current methods displaying poor inter-rater reliability and patient correlation. The aim of this research was to investigate potential improvements to the post-operative outcome of free abdominal tissue transfer breast reconstruction by assessing the effects of vascular augmentation interventions on flap perfusion and to assess the use of real-time digital video as a post-operative assessment tool. Methods: An in-vivo pilot study carried out on 12 patients undergoing DIEP flap breast reconstruction assessed the effect on Zone IV perfusion, using LDI and ICG angiography, of vascular augmentation of the flap using the contralateral SIEA and SIEV. A further animal experimental study was carried out on 12 Sprague Dawley rats to assess the effects on main pedicle arterial blood flow and on Zone I and Zone IV perfusion of vascular augmentation of the abdominal flap using the contralateral vascular system. A separate post-operative assessment study was undertaken on 35 breast reconstruction patients who evaluated their own reconstructions via patient questionnaire and underwent photograph and real-time digital video capture of their reconstructions with subsequent panel assessment. Results: Our results showed that combined vascular augmentation of DIEP flaps, using both the SIEA and SIEV together, led to an increase in Zone IV perfusion. Vascular augmentation of the rat abdominal flaps also led to a significant increase in Zone I/IV perfusion, but the augmentation procedure resulted in a decreased main pedicle arterial blood flow. Our post-operative assessment study revealed that real-time digital video footage led to greater inter-rater agreement with regards to cosmesis and shape than photography and also correlated more with patient self-assessment. Conclusion: Vascular augmentation of abdominal free tissue flaps using the contralateral vascular system results in an increase to Zone IV perfusion, however this may lead to decreased main pedicle arterial blood flow. Real-time digital video is a valid post-operative aesthetic assessment method of breast reconstruction outcome and is superior to static photography when coupled with panel assessment.

MediPlEx - a tool to combine in silico & experimental gene expression profiles of the model legume Medicago truncatula

Background: Expressed Sequence Tags (ESTs) are in general used to gain a first insight into gene activities from a species of interest. Subsequently, and typically based on a combination of EST and genome sequences, microarray-based expression analyses are performed for a variety of conditions. In some cases, a multitude of EST and microarray experiments are conducted for one species, covering different tissues, cell states, and cell types. Under these circumstances, the challenge arises to combine results derived from the different expression profiling strategies, with the goal to uncover novel information on the basis of the integrated datasets. Findings: Using our new analysis tool, MediPlEx (MEDIcago truncatula multiPLe EXpression analysis), expression data from EST experiments, oligonucleotide microarrays and Affymetrix GeneChips® can be combined and analyzed, leading to a novel approach to integrated transcriptome analysis. We have validated our tool via the identification of a set of well-characterized AM-specific and AM-induced marker genes, identified by MediPlEx on the basis of in silico and experimental gene expression profiles from roots colonized with AM fungi. Conclusions: MediPlEx offers an integrated analysis pipeline for different sets of expression data generated for the model legume Medicago truncatula. As expected, in silico and experimental gene expression data that cover the same biological condition correlate well. The collection of differentially expressed genes identified via MediPlEx provides a starting point for functional studies in plant mutants.

O papel das representações na resolução de problemas de Matemática: um estudo no 1º ano de escolaridade

Este estudo tem como objectivo investigar o papel que as representações, construídas por alunos do 1.o ano de escolaridade, desempenham na resolução de problemas de Matemática. Mais concretamente, a presente investigação procura responder às seguintes questões: Que representações preferenciais utilizam os alunos para resolver problemas? De que forma é que as diferentes representações são influenciadas pelas estratégias de resolução de problemas utilizadas pelos alunos? Que papéis têm os diferentes tipos de representação na resolução dos problemas? Nesta investigação assume-se que a resolução de problemas constitui uma actividade muito importante na aprendizagem da Matemática no 1.o Ciclo do Ensino Básico. Os problemas devem ser variados, apelar a estratégias diversificadas de resolução e permitir diferentes representações por parte dos alunos. As representações cativas, icónicas e simbólicas constituem importantes ferramentas para os alunos organizarem, registarem e comunicarem as suas ideias matemáticas, nomeadamente no âmbito da resolução de problemas, servindo igualmente de apoio à compreensão de conceitos e relações matemáticas. A metodologia de investigação segue uma abordagem interpretativa tomando por design o estudo de caso. Trata-se simultaneamente de uma investigação sobre a própria prática, correspondendo os quatro estudos de caso a quatro alunos da turma de 1.0 ano de escolaridade da investigadora. A recolha de dados teve lugar durante o ano lectivo 2007/2008 e recorreu à observação, à análise de documentos, a diários, a registos áudio/vídeo e ainda a conversas com os alunos. A análise de dados que, numa primeira fase, acompanhou a recolha de dados, teve como base o problema e as questões da investigação bem como o referencial teórico que serviu de suporte à investigação. Com base no referencial teórico e durante o início do processo de análise, foram definidas as categorias de análise principais, sujeitas posteriormente a um processo de adequação e refinamento no decorrer da análise e tratamento dos dados recolhidos -com vista à construção dos casos em estudo. Os resultados desta investigação apontam as representações do tipo icónico e as do tipo simbólico como as representações preferenciais dos alunos, embora sejam utilizadas de formas diferentes, com funções distintas e em contextos diversos. Os elementos simbólicos apoiam-se frequentemente em elementos icónicos, sendo estes últimos que ajudam os alunos a descompactar o problema e a interpretá-lo. Nas representações icónicas enfatiza-se o papel do diagrama, o qual constitui uma preciosa ferramenta de apoio ao raciocínio matemático. Conclui-se ainda que enquanto as representações activas dão mais apoio a estratégias de resolução que envolvem simulação, as representações icónicas e simbólicas são utilizadas com estratégias diversificadas. As representações construídas, com papéis e funções diferentes entre si, e que desempenham um papel crucial na correcta interpretação e resolução dos problemas, parecem estar directamente relacionadas com as caraterísticas da tarefa proposta no que diz respeito às estruturas matemáticas envolvidas. ABSTRACT; The objective of the present study is to investigate the role of the representations constructed by 1st grade students in mathematical problem solving. More specifically, this research is oriented by the following questions: Which representations are preferably used by students to solve problems? ln which way the strategies adopted by the students in problem solving influence those distinct representations? What is the role of the distinct types of representation in the problems solving process? ln this research it is assumed that the resolution of problems is a very important activity in the Mathematics learning at the first cycle of basic education. The problems must be varied, appealing to diverse strategies of resolution and allow students to construct distinct representations. The active, iconic and symbolic representations are important tools for students to organize, to record and to communicate their mathematical ideas, particularly in problem solving context, as well as supporting the understanding of mathematical concepts and relationships. The adopted research methodology follows an interpretative approach, and was developed in the context of the researcher classroom, originating four case studies corresponding to four 1 st grade students of the researcher's class. Data collection was carried out during the academic year of 2007/2008 and was based on observation, analysis of documents, diaries, audio and video records and informal conversations with students. The initial data analysis was based on the problems and issues of research, as well in the theoretical framework that supports it. The main categories of analysis were defined based on the theoretical framework, and were subjected to a process of adaptation and refining during data processing and analysis aiming the -case studies construction. The results show that student's preferential representations are the iconic and the symbolic, although these types of representations are used in different ways, with different functions and in different contexts. The symbolic elements are often supported by iconic elements, the latter helping students to unpack the problem and interpret it. ln the iconic representations the role of the diagrams is emphasized, consisting in a valuable tool to support the mathematical reasoning. One can also conclude that while the active representations give more support to the resolution strategies involving simulation, the iconic and symbolic representations are preferably used with different strategies. The representations constructed with distinct roles and functions, are crucial in the proper interpretation and resolution of problems, and seem to be directly related to the characteristics of the proposed task with regard to the mathematical structures involved.

FTIR, a potential tool to dementia diagnosis trough analysis of plasma

Nowadays it is still difficult to perform an early and accurate diagnosis of dementia, therefore many research focus on the finding of new dementia biomarkers that can aid in that purpose. So scientists try to find a noninvasive, rapid, and relatively inexpensive procedures for early diagnosis purpose. Several studies demonstrated that the utilization of spectroscopic techniques, such as Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy could be an useful and accurate procedure to diagnose dementia. As several biochemical mechanisms related to neurodegeneration and dementia can lead to changes in plasma components and others peripheral body fluids, blood-based samples and spectroscopic analyses can be used as a more simple and less invasive technique. This work is intended to confirm some of the hypotheses of previous studies in which FTIR was used in the study of plasma samples of possible patient with AD and respective controls and verify the reproducibility of this spectroscopic technique in the analysis of such samples. Through the spectroscopic analysis combined with multivariate analysis it is possible to discriminate controls and demented samples and identify key spectroscopic differences between these two groups of samples which allows the identification of metabolites altered in this disease. It can be concluded that there are three spectral regions, 3500-2700 cm -1, 1800-1400 cm-1 and 1200-900 cm-1 where it can be extracted relevant spectroscopic information. In the first region, the main conclusion that is possible to take is that there is an unbalance between the content of saturated and unsaturated lipids. In the 1800-1400 cm-1 region it is possible to see the presence of protein aggregates and the change in protein conformation for highly stable parallel β-sheet. The last region showed the presence of products of lipid peroxidation related to impairment of membranes, and nucleic acids oxidative damage. FTIR technique and the information gathered in this work can be used in the construction of classification models that may be used for the diagnosis of cognitive dysfunction.

2C-Cas9: a versatile tool for clonal analysis of gene function.

CRISPR/Cas9-mediated targeted mutagenesis allows efficient generation of loss-of-function alleles in zebrafish. To date, this technology has been primarily used to generate genetic knockout animals. Nevertheless, the study of the function of certain loci might require tight spatiotemporal control of gene inactivation. Here, we show that tissue-specific gene disruption can be achieved by driving Cas9 expression with the Gal4/UAS system. Furthermore, by combining the Gal4/UAS and Cre/loxP systems, we establish a versatile tool to genetically label mutant cell clones, enabling their phenotypic analysis. Our technique has the potential to be applied to diverse model organisms, enabling tissue-specific loss-of-function and phenotypic characterization of live and fixed tissues.

Haemocompatibility of iron oxide nanoparticles synthesized for theranostic applications: a high-sensitivity microfluidic tool

The poor heating efficiency of the most reported magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), allied to the lack of comprehensive biocompatibility and haemodynamic studies, hampers the spread of multifunctional nanoparticles as the next generation of therapeutic bio-agents in medicine. The present work reports the synthesis and characterization, with special focus on biological/toxicological compatibility, of superparamagnetic nanoparticles with diameter around 18 nm, suitable for theranostic applications (i.e. simultaneous diagnosis and therapy of cancer). Envisioning more insights into the complex nanoparticle-red blood cells (RBCs) membrane interaction, the deformability of the human RBCs in contact with magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) was assessed for the first time with a microfluidic extensional approach, and used as an indicator of haematological disorders in comparison with a conventional haematological test, i.e. the haemolysis analysis. Microfluidic results highlight the potential of this microfluidic tool over traditional haemolysis analysis, by detecting small increments in the rigidity of the blood cells, when traditional haemotoxicology analysis showed no significant alteration (haemolysis rates lower than 2 %). The detected rigidity has been predicted to be due to the wrapping of small MNPs by the bilayer membrane of the RBCs, which is directly related to MNPs size, shape and composition. The proposed microfluidic tool adds a new dimension into the field of nanomedicine, allowing to be applied as a highsensitivity technique capable of bringing a better understanding of the biological impact of nanoparticles developed for clinical applications.

Design as a critical research

Historically the imaginary and the hegemonic thinking, in the Western globe north, has been marked by the epistemology and capitalists archetypes. Notwithstanding the design seem as a practice and discipline shielded on a simplistic discourse of functional / communicative efficiency, wandering through by multiple aestheticism apparently neutral in relation to the symbolic, but in fact they never are, because what really hapens is that the aesthetic appearance of the generated forms will always be a review of the powers ruling. We start from the understanding that the act of creating an aesthetic artifact, will also be a movement of inscription in a discursive platform (that precedes it), is in itself an narrative act and that fact represent a certain take place in relation to certain symbolic reality. On reflection shown if it sees design as a discipline and / or an instrument of action, whose operational relevance tends to question and simultaneously rehearsing a response, in which more than why interests answer to why. Apparently the design is a content mediator, but also, it is structure, is body, is idea. We think a design praxis as discipline and enrollment tool of critical thought and social transformation. For guiding research in this text, we propose the following question: Can the Design want for themselves an engagement with the symbolic in order to be an active part in the production of critical thinking in the place where it belongs? Methodologically our argument will be present in two differents moments: 1. a first, exploratory nature where we rescue the draw issues in the practice of design and 2. a second analytical nature concerning the subject issues (graphic and / or utility ) design and how it incorporates formal rites, political events and social practices of contemporary everyday life. We consider the praxis of design as a discipline and critical thinking enrollment tool as agents of social transformation. With this study we seek for contribute phenomenology design by studying the artifacts of configuration as well as the possible messages they convey and what impact they may have on the social network.

Micoencapsulation of bioactive plant extracts: a tool to functionalize cottage cheeses

Foeniculum vulgare Mill. (fennel) and Matricaria recutita L. (chamomile) are two examples of plants with reported antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, which can be related with their composition in phenolic compounds [1,2]. Furthermore, according to previous results of our research group, the direct incorporation of the aqueous extracts showed capacity to maintain the nutritional properties of the cottage cheeses, up to 7 days of storage, while improving the antioxidant potential. However, after 14 days, a decrease in the antioxidant properties was observed [1,2], which can be related with factors such as light, moisture, temperature and pH, that can cause bioactive compounds degradation. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to prepare microcapsules with the aqueous extracts of fennel and chamomile for incorporation in cottage cheese samples, in order to protect the bioactive molecules present in the extracts, such as phenolic compounds, and prevent the decrease of the antioxidant activity observed after the 14 days period. The microspheres were prepared using an atomization/coagulation technique. Sodium alginate was used as the matrix material to produce the microspheres that were characterized through optical microscopy (OM), during and after atomization, for inspecting morphology. The encapsulation efficiency (EE) was determined by HPLC-DAD by an indirect method by analysing the coagulation solution. FTIR was also used to attest the presence of the extract inside of the alginate matrix. These microencapsulated extracts were incorporated in cottage cheese samples that were further characterized in terms of nutritional properties and antioxidant potential right after incorporation, and after 7 and 14 days of storage at 4•c. The EE was estimated as -100% and the FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of the extracts inside the microspheres. The results showed that the incorporation of the microencapsulated extracts did not cause changes in the nutritional value of cottage cheeses (through a comparison with control samples without extracts). The predominant fatty acids were palmitic (C16:0) and oleic (CI8:0) acids. The order of abundance of fatty acids was as follows: saturated fatty acids (SF A)> monounsaturatcd fatty acids (MUF A)> polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUF A). Regarding free sugars, lactose was the only sugar identified and quantified in all samples. Regarding the antioxidant activity, the samples functionalized with the microencapsulated extracts showed a higher preservation of this property even after the 7th day of storage. Overall, the incorporation of the protected plant extracts in dairy foods can be a strategy to provide health benefits to consumers.

The viability of a tool for fetal health monitoring

Health monitoring has become widespread these past few years. Such applications include from exercise, food intake and weight watching, to specific scenarios like monitoring people who suffer from chronic diseases. More and more we see the need to also monitor the health of new-born babies and even fetuses. Congenital Heart Defects (CHDs) are the main cause of deaths among babies and doctors do not know most of these defects. Hence, there is a need to study what causes these anomalies, and by monitoring the fetus daily there will be a better chance of identifying the defects in earlier stages. By analyzing the data collected, doctors can find patterns and come up with solutions, thus saving peoples’ lives. In many countries, the most common fetal monitor is the ultrasound and the use of it is regulated. In Sweden for normal pregnancies, there is only one ultrasound scan during the pregnancy period. There is no great evidence that ultrasound can harm the fetus, but many doctors suggest to use it as little as possible. Therefore, there is a demand for a new non-ultrasound device that can be as accurate, or even better, on detecting the FHR and not harming the baby. The problems that are discussed in this thesis include how can accurate fetus health be monitored non-invasively at home and how could a fetus health monitoring system for home use be designed. The first part of the research investigates different technologies that are currently being used on fetal monitoring, and techniques and parameters to monitor the fetus. The second part is a qualitative study held in Sweden between April and May 2016. The data for the qualitative study was collected through interviews with 21 people, 10 mothers/mothers-to-be and 11 obstetricians/gynecologists/midwives. The questions were related to the Swedish pregnancy protocol, the use of technology in medicine and in particular during the pregnancy process, and the use of an ECG based monitoring device. The results show that there is still room for improvements on the algorithms to extract the fetal ECG and the survey was very helpful in understanding the need for a fetal home monitor. Parents are open to new technologies especially if it doesn't affect the baby's growth. Doctors are open to use ECG as a great alternative to ultrasound; on the other hand, midwives are happy with the current system. The remote monitoring feature is very desirable to everyone, if such system will be used in the future.

Collaboration in 3D virtual worlds : a protocol for case study research

Three-dimensional virtual worlds have been growing fast in number of users, and are used for the most diverse purposes. In collaboration, they are used with good results due to features such as immersion, interaction capabilities, use of avatar embodiment, and physical space. In the particular cases of avatar embodiment and physical space, these features support nonverbal communication, but its impact on collaboration is not well known. In this work we present a protocol for case study research and its creation process, which aims to assert itself as a tool to collect data on how nonverbal communication influences collaboration in three-dimensional virtual worlds. We define the propositions and units of analysis, and a pilot case to validate them. Then, two cases are analysed under the created protocol. Most of the propositions found chains of evidences supporting them.

EasyInterface: a toolkit for the rapid development of GUIs for research prototype tools

During the lifetime of a research project, different partners develop several research prototype tools that share many common aspects. This is equally true for researchers as individuals and as groups: during a period of time they often develop several related tools to pursue a specific research line. Making research prototype tools easily accessible to the community is of utmost importance to promote the corresponding research, get feedback, and increase the tools’ lifetime beyond the duration of a specific project. One way to achieve this is to build graphical user interfaces (GUIs) that facilitate trying tools; in particular, with web-interfaces one avoids the overhead of downloading and installing the tools. Building GUIs from scratch is a tedious task, in particular for web-interfaces, and thus it typically gets low priority when developing a research prototype. Often we opt for copying the GUI of one tool and modifying it to fit the needs of a new related tool. Apart from code duplication, these tools will “live” separately, even though we might benefit from having them all in a common environment since they are related. This work aims at simplifying the process of building GUIs for research prototypes tools. In particular, we present EasyInterface, a toolkit that is based on novel methodology that provides an easy way to make research prototype tools available via common different environments such as a web-interface, within Eclipse, etc. It includes a novel text-based output language that allows to present results graphically without requiring any knowledge in GUI/Web programming. For example, an output of a tool could be (a structured version of) “highlight line number 10 of file ex.c” and “when the user clicks on line 10, open a dialog box with the text ...”. The environment will interpret this output and converts it to corresponding visual e_ects. The advantage of using this approach is that it will be interpreted equally by all environments of EasyInterface, e.g., the web-interface, the Eclipse plugin, etc. EasyInterface has been developed in the context of the Envisage [5] project, and has been evaluated on tools developed in this project, which include static analyzers, test-case generators, compilers, simulators, etc. EasyInterface is open source and available at GitHub2.

Agent based simulation as a novel decision support tool for retail managers

Intelligent agents offer a new and exciting way of understanding the world of work. We apply agent-based simulation to investigate a set of problems in a retail context. Specifically, we are working to understand the relationship between human resource management practices and retail productivity. Our multi-disciplinary research team draws upon expertise from work psychologists and computer scientists. Our research so far has led us to conduct case study work with a top ten UK retailer. Based on our case study experience and data we are developing a simulator that can be used to investigate the impact of management practices (e.g. training, empowerment, teamwork) on customer satisfaction and retail productivity.

An Assessment of Professional Development for Astronomy and Physics Faculty: Expanding Our Vision of How to Support Faculty's Learning About Teaching

In this thesis, we will explore approaches to faculty instructional change in astronomy and physics. We primarily focus on professional development (PD) workshops, which are a central mechanism used within our community to help faculty improve their teaching. Although workshops serve a critical role for promoting more equitable instruction, we rarely assess them through careful consideration of how they engage faculty. To encourage a shift towards more reflective, research-informed PD, we developed the Real-Time Professional Development Observation Tool (R-PDOT), to document the form and focus of faculty's engagement during workshops. We then analyze video-recordings of faculty's interactions during the Physics and Astronomy New Faculty Workshop, focusing on instances where faculty might engage in pedagogical sense-making. Finally, we consider insights gained from our own local, team-based effort to improve a course sequence for astronomy majors. We conclude with recommendations for PD leaders and researchers.